One Month Later
The afternoon sun reflected off the small stream in which Inuyasha was currently standing. He was supposed to be catching fish for lunch but he was having one of his bad days and the most he could manage was a few half-hearted swipes at the surface of the water.
About a month had passed since they'd managed to 'fix' the things caused by Naraku's corrupt shard. Inuyasha had managed to retain all his memories, even the false ones. Miroku and Sango were very confused when they woke up in Kaede's hut when their last memory was falling asleep at camp eight days before that. It took them two days to find Shippo making his way back from that very same campsite, confused and scared, thinking they'd abandoned him. And Kagome…
Kagome was still missing. Inuyasha scoured the forest for her scent and when he found nothing he immediately went to the well in the hopes that she had been sent back to the other side. His small bit of hope was crushed when he jumped into the well and hit the dirt at the bottom, still on his own side of the well. He'd lost count of how many times he jumped in and out of the well that day but it never let him through. Even now they continued to travel back to the village frequently so he could try the well every few days during their journey.
Inuyasha took a few more swipes at the water he was standing in then hopped out and grabbed up the three fish he'd already caught. They would reach the village before sundown and he was impatient to get moving again. He stomped back to their little fire, set up along the side of the road they were traveling, and tossed the fish to Sango.
"You guys eat, I'm not hungry," he mumbled then hopped up into a nearby tree before anyone could protest.
Sango sighed and started cleaning their lunch. It was just her and Miroku so three fish would be plenty.
After they'd found Shippo, they traveled back to the village to drop him off. He refused to travel away from the well without Kagome and Inuyasha couldn't argue. If he could he would do the same thing and stay nearby. The poor kitsune was inconsolable for the first week and his mood hadn't improved much since then.
Inuyasha had sat everyone down and gave them a brief explanation of the eight days none of them could remember. It was decided that they would go searching for Kikyo and Kohaku to confirm they were both still alive. Inuyasha was only a little surprised to find his worry for Kagome far outweighed his worry for Kikyo.
They found Kikyo almost immediately. Apparently, Inuyasha wasn't the only one who could remember everything and Kikyo had sought them out as soon as she realized she wasn't dead...again. She made amends with the group, much to the surprise of everyone, and decided to travel with them for a while to try to help them figure out what happened to Kagome. She admitted she felt bad for her part in the whole mess, even if she was under the influence of the shard. She felt she should have been able to resist and Inuyasha didn't argue.
During their travels with Kikyo, they'd managed to put an end to Hakudoshi, with Naraku's help, unfortunately. It was a relief that he was gone but being used by Naraku left a bad taste in everyone's mouths. Kagura had also met her end at the hands of Naraku and nobody took any pleasure in her demise. Towards the end she'd clearly just been trying to escape Naraku's control, even going so far as to save Kohaku's life.
Kikyo left the group not long after with Kohaku. She explained her plan to absorb Midoriko's soul and purify Kohaku's shard to use it against Naraku. There was some arguing but Kohaku was insistent and they'd been unable to stop the pair from leaving. Kikyo's reason for leaving made some sense but it was also clear that she just couldn't watch Inuyasha mourn Kagome's absence anymore.
Now they were heading back towards the village so Inuyasha could try the well again. He had his good and bad days but the bad definitely still outnumbered the good, by a lot. He barely spoke to his friends, was more aggressive than normal, and his patience was practically non-existent. After two weeks of his attitude, they'd had an intervention to explain that they were missing Kagome too and they would also give anything to have her back. That seemed to improve his mood but he still just wasn't the same anymore.
Sitting at their little fire, cooking their lunch, Sango was tempted to tell Inuyasha to go on without them. She hesitated though, worried what he would do if he got into a fight on his own. He was always reckless in battle but he'd been downright negligent of his own safety for the last month.
Both she and Miroku shot occasional glances at their friend in the tree. He had his usual frown in place, his eyes unfocused. They weren't sure how much longer they could go on like this.
Inuyasha's thoughts, as always, were focused on Kagome. The only time he could get her off his mind was when he was fighting and even then he found himself looking around, instinctively checking for her safety. He wasn't sure what he'd do if the well didn't open. He at least needed to know she was safe, then maybe he could function again. He would try the well over and over, for as long as he needed, to get to her again.
He looked down at his friends and resisted the urge to scowl. It wasn't their fault and he knew they also missed Kagome. There was a small part of him that was jealous though; at least they still had each other. One thing was for certain: if the well reopened Inuyasha would never let it separate them again.
Modern Day
"Mama, have you seen Kagome?" Sota jogged into the kitchen, soccer ball under one arm. "Hojo is outside looking for her."
"Hmm, I thought she was up in her room. Have you checked upstairs?" Mrs. Higurashi moved around the kitchen table, heading for the stairs to call for her daughter. "I'll get her, you go back to your friends."
"Thanks, mama," Sota called and ran back outside to rejoin his small soccer match.
Kagome's mother made her way up the steps slowly. Her daughter was having a rough month and tended to spend most of her time either in her room reading her journal or outside by the sacred tree.
They'd found her a month ago, curled up at the bottom of the well, crying hysterically. Her mother climbed into the well with her to calm her down and finally managed to get Kagome back up the ladder and into the house. Sitting in the kitchen with her mother, Kagome explained that she couldn't remember anything past her 15th birthday. Her last clear memory was standing in the well house, Sota next to her, looking for Buyo.
She was missing months of her life and Mrs. Higurashi's heart had broken for her daughter. As time passed and Inuyasha didn't come through the well she began to worry even more. What if the boy had died? Would that be enough of a shock for Kagome to lose her memories? The other possibility, that the well just didn't work anymore, was somehow both better and worse.
Kagome slept almost constantly for the first week, only leaving her room to eat and use the bathroom. Her memories started to come back slowly but they were all of the modern world. The large gaps and unexplained absences from school terrified Kagome and she sought out her mother often for comfort.
Two weeks ago she'd found her journal and things started to change.
Mrs. Higurashi made her way down the hall and stood outside her daughter's bedroom door. "Kagome," she called and knocked lightly on the bedroom door. "Are you in there dear?"
"Yes mama, you can come in," Kagome responded, her voice shaky like she was trying not to cry. It wasn't unusual for her mother to catch her during one of her breakdowns and Kagome was always grateful for her mother's company.
Mrs. Higurashi pushed the door open and peeked into the room. Kagome was sitting cross-legged on her bed, back to the wall, staring intently at her journal. She was crying, letting the tears fall onto the small book. She had yet to change out of her pajamas for the day and her hair fell in messy waves around her shoulders.
The little journal had been a source of confusion at first. Kagome assumed it was a dream journal when she first started reading it and was amazed at the amount of detail she could recall. The more she read though the more apparent it became that the journal was so much more than that. By the time she reached the end of the journal, splitting the reading up over three days, her other memories were starting to surface.
She spent time by the tree more often after that, claiming it helped her remember. Her friends' names and faces all came back to her first, shortly followed by their enemies. She remembered the existence of the jewel, some of the battles she'd been involved in, the tragedies of her friends' lives, and their goal of completing the jewel and defeating Naraku.
Two large pieces of the puzzle were missing though: how she managed to travel into the past and most of her memories of Inuyasha.
Mrs. Higurashi moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "Sota said Hojo is outside. Would you like me to tell him you're not feeling well?"
Kagome shook her head and closed the journal, setting it on her nightstand. "No, I'll see him. I need some air anyway."
"Alright dear, just let me know if you need anything." She reached out and squeezed her daughter's hand.
"Mama, can I ask you something...about him?" She couldn't remember Inuyasha's name or face or even the sound of his voice. He was no more than a streak of red and white in her memories, saving the day, blowing away enemies, protecting her and her friends. When she tried to think about it she got hit with wave after wave of strong emotions: relief, happiness, anger, pain, sadness, jealousy, and what felt like love.
"You can ask me anything, you know that," her mother assured her.
Kagome clenched her hands in her lap and leaned her head back against the wall. Her eyes closed and a few stray tears leaked from under the lids. "How do I get to him? I think if I can see him, hear his voice, I may be able to remember. I just- I don't know who he is and I miss him. How do you miss someone you don't know?" She finally opened her eyes and gave her mother a pleading look.
That was not what her mother was expecting to hear. She'd contemplated telling her daughter about the well but the danger always seemed too great. If she remembered Inuyasha it would be different but since she didn't there was no telling what would happen on the other side.
She couldn't deny her daughter the answer to her question, no matter how worried she was. "You have to go through the well, it will take you to him and your friends."
Kagome's eyes went wide and she sat up straighter. "I think...I think I remember. I just jump in and it takes me to the past. Right?"
Her mother nodded and a glimmer of hope made her heart beat faster. Maybe she would remember if she saw him. Maybe that was all it would take. "You have to be ready for it though. It's not safe like it is on this side. You have to be careful and take precautions."
"I know Mama. I can remember everything but him so I'll be alright." Kagome practically jumped off her bed, excited to finally have the possibility of meeting the mystery man. She started pulling out clothes so she could change.
"I'll meet you downstairs and walk to the well with you," her mother said then left the room.
Kagome waited until her door was closed and got changed into her school uniform. Mention of the well unlocked something in her mind and she was flooded with memories of jumping and climbing in and out of the old structure. She bounded down the stairs, more energetic than she'd felt in weeks. Her mother was waiting by the genkan, smiling at her daughter.
They made their way to the well house and Kagome began to get nervous. By the time they were sliding open the doors, her hands had started to shake.
"Are you alright?" her mother asked. "You don't have to do this right now."
Kagome gave her mother a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, just a little nervous. I...I'll come back as soon as I can, ok?"
Mrs. Higurashi nodded and hugged her daughter. "I'll be waiting."
They pulled apart and Kagome didn't hesitate anymore. She jogged down the steps and jumped into the well.
Her mother watched the flash that indicated that her daughter was 500 years away then turned to find Hojo so she could let the boy down gently.
Shippo was the first one to see her. He was sitting on top of the well looking down when she came through and he almost fell off the side in his excitement.
"Kagome!" he yelled. "You're back!" He danced around the edge of the well, waiting impatiently for her to climb the vines. As soon as her feet were on the ground Shippo launched himself into her arms.
"Shippo, I missed you so much," Kagome said and hugged the little kitsune tightly.
Shippo pulled away and hopped onto her shoulder. "I can't wait for Inuyasha to see you. He's been such a jerk since you disappeared."
Kagome froze when she heard the name. A flood of memories came back, one after another, all of her shouting those four syllables. That was the boy's name, the one she couldn't remember: Inuyasha.
Shippo forged on, heedless of Kagome's momentary shock. "He's been super depressed and he comes back all the time to try the well. It wouldn't let him through though and he always gets really mad. He should be back soon, he's usually not gone for more than a few days."
Kagome listened to Shippo's rambling with half an ear as they walked towards the village. He was talking about Sango and Miroku, telling her about Kaede and some of the villagers, boasting about new tricks he'd learned.
They were at the top of the hill leading down to the village when shippo stopped and sniffed the air. "He's coming," he sniffed again. "And fast. He must know you're here."
Before Kagome could respond she heard her name shouted from behind her. She was vaguely aware of Shippo jumping off her shoulder as she turned to see the owner of the voice. The red and white streak from her memories materialized into the boy she loved, running at her at full speed. The rush of the rest of her memories returning almost knocked her off her feet.
Before she knew it she was in his arms, crushed against his chest, twirling in a circle so he didn't hurt her with his momentum. It was a little shocking, Inuyasha was never the type to openly embrace her, but she probably would've fallen over from the shock if he hadn't grabbed her up. She couldn't imagine how worried he'd been, unable to get to her for a month.
She wrapped her arms around him and let herself enjoy his warmth wrapped around her. "I'm sorry I worried you, Inuyasha. Were you waiting for me?"
"What happened to you?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "I thought...shit Kagome, I thought you were dead."
She pulled back and met his beautiful amber eyes. "I don't know what happened. I woke up at the bottom of the well with no memories of anything after my 15th birthday. I was scared and confused and-" she cut off and started crying. It was all catching up and the reality of being back where she belonged, with Inuyasha, hit her hard.
He pulled her back against his chest and cradled the back of her head with a clawed hand. "It's alright now Kagome. You can remember now, right?" He felt her nod against his chest. "You're back and it's alright." He sounded like he was reassuring himself as much as he was her.
He gave her one more squeeze and pulled away. He turned and motioned for her to climb on his back.
"Where are we going?" she asked as she settled into her familiar position.
"Somewhere we can talk without annoying runts interrupting us." He made sure she was comfortable and took off into the forest.
As they ran Kagome settled closer to him, wanting as much contact as possible. She let her head rest on his shoulder, her forehead pressed against his neck, and took in his familiar woodsy smell. Her hands gripped his shoulders to feel the muscles moving underneath. She looked up and watched his ears swiveling to catch all the noises around them and she had to resist the urge to reach up and rub them.
They finally stopped in a little clearing at the top of a steep hill. They had a clear view of the sun approaching the horizon and Kagome hoped they could stay up here to watch the sunset. He led her over to a relatively flat area and took off his suikan to spread on the ground. She sat down and he settled next to her, reaching out and taking her hand. He laced their fingers together and brought her hand up to give it a gentle kiss.
Kagome blushed and gave him a bright smile. "Since when are you so affectionate?" she asked, teasing him a little.
He looked at her and the serious set of his jaw caused her smile to turn down into a frown. "Since you almost fucking died and then disappeared for a month."
Kagome's eyes widened at his admission and she moved a little closer. "I'm sorry Inuyasha. I just...I'm just so relieved to have my memories back and happy to see you. I should have thought about your feelings more. I didn't mean to upset you."
He sighed and reached to pull her against him. She settled against his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head. "Don't apologize, it's not your fault. I'm relieved too." He held her for a while, taking in her scent, listening to her heartbeat, memorizing the feel of her body pressed against his.
The second he'd caught her scent heading back to the village he'd bolted, leaving Miroku and Sango behind with no explanation. They would find out why soon enough; Shippo would tell them. Her scent had wrapped around him as he ran, his stomach fluttering at the thought of finally seeing her. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of her, her black hair catching the sunlight and twirling around her when she turned to see him.
His heart skipped a beat at the memory and, for the first time he could remember, he thought about how much he loved her. That wasn't a word he used...ever. Of course, he'd loved her for a while he'd just never really thought about it in those terms. He cared for her and protected her; he was better when he was with her; he had friends because of her; she was his home and one word just didn't feel like it could cover everything she was to him.
"Inuyasha," her voice interrupted his thoughts. "Do you know why I forgot everything? The last thing I can remember before waking up in the well is the incident in the ogre's stomach. I know we came back to the village to let my feet heal and I know we got supplies and traveled for a few days. I think I remember making camp and falling asleep but that's it. Everything is a blank after that."
Inuyasha thought for a second, debating how much to tell her. He could leave out the things that hurt: Kikyo, the feel of her almost dying in his arms, their separation afterward. She should know though and he didn't like lying to her. So he told her everything.
By the time he was done talking the sun had set and the sky was being slowly filled as the world around them darkened and the stars made their presence known. Kagome didn't interrupt and kept her attention tuned to every word. He'd blushed through the kisses, gotten choked up describing her pain, and hung his head when he came to Kikyo. But now Kagome knew the entirety of those eight days, at least from his perspective. Her memories didn't come back while he talked but that was alright.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes, still holding onto each other, letting Kagome mull over everything. "Is Kikyo alright now?" she asked.
Inuyasha pulled back to look at her. "She's alive. She traveled with us for a little while but left with Kohaku before we headed back here this time. I think it hurt her to see how much I missed you."
Kagome sucked in a breath and looked away. "I'm glad she's alright. I'm sure you were relieved when you found her." Her voice was small and Inuyasha let out a little growl of frustration.
"Of course I was. It's not like I want her to die, especially at the hands of Naraku. But listen Kagome, I didn't go running to her, I didn't fucking grab her and hold on like I thought she was gonna disappear again, and I definitely didn't run off with her on my back to watch a sunset and pour my heart out to her!" Inuyasha surprised himself a little with his own words but kept going, afraid if he stopped he'd never be able to say what he needed to say.
"You have no idea how much you mean to me Kagome. This last month was fucking hell without you and I don't ever want to go through that again. I know I never really tell you how I feel and I know I hurt you when I run off to her but there's a reason I'm with you and not her. I want to be by your side, always. I...I love you, stupid." He blushed and dropped his eyes to the ground, too afraid to see her reaction. He wasn't great at expressing his feelings and he'd just done a lot of expressing.
Kagome gasped and her face flushed at his admission. Never in a million years did she ever think she'd hear him say those words to her. Her brain stopped working for a minute and all she could focus on was how Inuyasha it was to call her stupid while confessing his love.
When she finally got her thoughts back in order she buried her face in his chest and muttered, "I love you too...stupid." She giggled, failing to contain her slight giddiness. She felt more than heard Inuyasha's chuckle at her confession.
She pulled back a little and met his eyes and the intensity in his stare stole her breath away. He leaned down and she met him halfway, their lips crashing together. Hands roamed, his over her back and sides, hers around his neck and into his hair, heading for his ears. Their mouths opened and their tongues dueled and caressed and explored.
Inuyasha took in every sigh, every breath, every little mewl and whimper. Her scent surrounded him and he tried to memorize her taste. He pulled her closer and groaned when she found his ears and delicately ran her fingers over them.
Kagome was lost in him. For her, this was their first kiss and she decided she would never get enough. She loved the feel of his muscles moving against her and his hands running over her back. She loved how his ears twitched a little when she rubbed them and blushed when he groaned at the contact.
They finally pulled apart, both panting and smiling from ear to ear. Inuyasha cupped her cheek and leaned his forehead against hers.
"I'm never letting the well separate us ever fucking again. I don't care if I have to go with you for every stupid test, we're staying on the same side of that damned thing."
Kagome giggled but nodded. "I'm ok with that."
He adjusted her so her back was against his chest, his knees raised protectively around her. He tucked her head back under his chin and wrapped his arms around her, not planning on letting go any time soon.
"I want lots of ramen though."
"Of course," she agreed.
"I mean a lot, Kagome. I went a whole month without any so you gotta make up some lost time."
She giggled and lifted her head so she could plant a small kiss against his jaw. "However much you want, I promise."
He kissed the top of her head in response and buried his nose in her hair. "And some of those crunchy potato things," he mumbled against her head.
"I'm starting to think you missed the food more than you missed me." She elbowed him playfully and he grunted dramatically.
He couldn't remember his heart ever feeling this light or free. His mouth was pulled into a smile and he felt...giddy almost. It was a new feeling and one he could get used to, as long as it involved Kagome. "I love you," he said again and relished in how good it felt to be able to tell her.
She sighed and melted into him even more. "I love you too. I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing you say that."
"Don't get too excited. I'm not saying it in front of the runt...or the pervert. I might let it slip in front of Sango since you're gonna tell her anyway."
Kagome giggled and tilted her head back to kiss him, over and over, until they were both smiling like idiots.
"I like seeing you this happy," she said. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this."
"It's all your fault," he scoffed. "Turning me all soft and shit."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." She looked up at the stars and let her head rest on his shoulder. "We should probably get back before anyone starts to worry...or get the wrong idea," she said and blushed at her own implications.
"Just a little longer," he said, pulling her tight against him and resting his cheek on the top of her head.
"Alright," she whispered.
They stayed that way until Kagome started to nod off, the excitement of the day finally catching up to her. Inuyasha picked her up and wrapped her in his suikan, cradling her against his chest. He took his time getting back to their friends, memorizing every moment, every detail, as he walked them slowly home.
