I do not own Inuyasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: This is the final chapter of A Face without our Memories :-( This is also the very last Lost Chapters story. Within the next month I hope to post an epilogue. Thank you to all my readers who stayed with me, reviewing, sharing and enjoying my stories. It's been fun... happy reading.

A Face without our Memories - Part 8

Kagome's scream echoed within the alley walls, her voice desperate and scared. With her eyes still squeezed shut, she heard the distinct clang of metal hitting the ground. She reopened her eyes, her vision blurry from her tears and gasped when she clearly saw two colors: silver and red. He was there. Inuyasha, had come for her.

Immediately, a warmth ran through her and she blinked away her tears. The crouched half demon in front of her had broken the knife blade simply by blocking it with his fire rat robe.

Inuyasha whipped his head around to stare at the scratch on her arm. Then he quickly scanned her body for any other injuries and breathed out a sigh of relief when he found none. Reluctantly he breathed in again, his fresh bout of oxygen mixed with the strong smell of Kagome's blood and salty tears. It was that very smell that had brought him to her. Never had he run so fast in his life, nor had he ever felt such a nauseating, dreadful feeling in his stomach before. He had lost his baseball cap in his haste to find her, but she didn't seem to care about that. She was smiling at him with her tear-streaked face, which only made him feel more ashamed.

He cast his eyes down, thinking about when he had left Kagome's side in search of Kikyo. He had barely reached her in time to save her then and now he had fucked up again.

I really am a piece of shit for abandoning her like that just because my stupid feelings got hurt. Curse this damn human feelings.

Kagome was visibly shaking, clearly terrified by the assault and he wondered now how he could be so stupid as to leave her side in the first place. A remorseful expression washed over his face. Had he gone back to the feudal era, something really terrible could've happened to her.

"Inuyasha?" sniffled Kagome.

He didn't trust himself to speak and instead helped Kagome to her feet.

How dare they treat her like this?!

"Who the fuck is this cosplay freak?" the dark-haired man cursed.

The half demon turned his attention to the man holding the broken knife, instinctively keeping Kagome hidden behind him.

"Get the hell out of here, we found her first," snarled the man before him.

Is this fucking bastard serious? No one claims my Kagome.

Inuyasha let out a warning growl, his youkai rising dangerously.

The half demon's ears flicked restlessly and his eyebrows knitted together so deeply that they seemed to be one. His amber eyes were like fire balls, burning holes through the men standing before him. The dark-haired man held his ground while the other two accomplices seemed to recede further into the darkness, the longer they looked at the half demon's antagonizing glare.

Inuyasha stayed very still, trying to quell his demon blood's thirst for retaliation, which only amplified with every inhalation of Kagome's scent. If he wasn't careful he could go right into a killing frenzy. And even though he always tried to refrain from slaying humans, the urge to murder these three thugs was awfully overwhelming.

Kagome could feel his youkai increasing and it made her realize just how much he was trying to control his rage. She moved closer behind him and tugged on his robe, "L-let's just get out of here," she whispered, so only he could hear her.

The half demon's right ear twitched and his eyes narrowed. "No. They don't get off that easy," he said plainly.

Without warning, Inuyasha lunged forward and swiftly disarmed the man in front of him. Before the guy could counterattack, Inuyasha punched him in the face and broke his nose. The other two men began to flee, but the half demon quickly caught up to them, grabbing them by the collar and throwing them up against the wall. The dark-haired man came up behind him then, but Inuyasha pivoted and swung at him, knocking him out cold. The other two were half frozen and too afraid to fight back and had it not been for a fresh whiff of Kagome's blood, he might've spared them. Without a second thought he decked them both and their bodies slumped down the wall. Mildly satisfied, he piled the three unconscious men together and walked back over to Kagome. The young girl was pretty sure that he hadn't restrained himself as he normally would have when fighting humans, but she didn't dare criticize him.

Inuyasha looked at her with a softened yet guilty gaze, his eyes darting to her arm again.

"It's just a scratch, really," she insisted. If anyone felt guilty, it was her. She had made a mess of the whole day. First the argument with him, then Iesada and that kiss and now this. She actually would've been safer in the feudal era at this point.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Overcome by emotion and shock, Kagome broke into tears, "I-Inuyasha, I'm s-so s-sorry," she cried.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and hugged her gently. He was still mad at her, but now wasn't the time to start another argument. He let her cry on his shoulder until her cries turned into small hiccups. At that moment, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back home, his soft jumps across the rooftops lulling her to sleep.

Mrs. Higurashi was awake to hear the returning thump of Inuyasha on the roof. Kagome hadn't returned for dinner and she couldn't sleep knowing that her daughter might be in trouble. She retired to her room as usual, as to not worry Sota or Grandpa, for she knew that Inuyasha wouldn't come back without her daughter. Nonetheless, she breathed easier knowing that Kagome was safe. Mrs. Higurashi turned off the bedside lamp and rolled onto her side to sleep.

Inuyasha sat on the roof a little while longer so as to not wake the sleeping girl in his arms. The fear he had felt when he smelt Kagome's blood was frightening. He had almost lost her a few times in the feudal era, but he never thought something like this could happen in her time. He tried not to think about what would've happened if he didn't show up.

While Kagome slept in his arms, he concentrated on her scent, which was mingled with the three men who attacked her and that guy that was supposed to be his reincarnation. In his opinion, that guy had only been careless with someone as precious as Kagome. But as he focused on the different scents, a small smile spread across his face. Iesada's scent was not on her lips, he had indeed kissed her, but only on the cheek. Elated by this revelation, he hugged Kagome close to him, causing her to stir in her sleep.

"Inuyasha?" she said sleepily.

"Let's go inside," he said, pretending like nothing happened. He helped her climb through the open window in her bedroom. Kagome wanted to explain to Inuyasha what had happened with Iesada. That it wasn't what it had looked like. But when she opened her mouth to speak, Inuyasha shook his head. "Don't worry about it Kagome. All that matters is that you're safe now," he spoke quietly, not wanting to wake up anyone in the house. "Let's go back," he said.

"Okay," she said and turned to go get her backpack.

"Wait," Inuyasha grabbed her arm to stop her.

"What is it?"

Inuyasha's face was flushed and he avoided looking at her. "I can't take it,"

"Eh, take what?"

"I can't stand that guy's smell on you. I don't care if we stay another day, just wash that filth off you." Of course she could take a bath in the feudal era, but it wouldn't be warm like she liked it. And when she didn't answer immediately, he threw in an unnecessary jab instead of being honest, "Just think of what Shippou will think of you," he spat.

That's what he's worried about, what Shippou will think, thought Kagome. The young girl balled her hands into fists and the half demon knew he upset her again.

That was stupid why did I say that. That's not what I meant. How can I say it so she will take me seriously? What had that guy done to keep her attention before?
A vision of her with Iesada flashed in his head. Right, he focused all his attention on her and never looked away from her.

At an attempt to assert himself, Inuyasha backed her up against the bedroom door.

"Why are you coming so close to me if you can't stand the way I smell?" she hissed. But Inuyasha didn't answer her and propped his arms up on each side of her, preventing her from walking away from him.

"Inuyasha…" she said threateningly, but he ignored her growing temper and looked directly into her brown eyes.

"Kagome. Please."

The young girl could see the inner turmoil written on his face. This was a different type of jealousy than with Koga.
He must think of Iesada as a real problem. Someone who really would take me away from him. It's a good thing he doesn't know about the changing room incident.

Trapped between Inuyasha's arms with his cute face so close to hers, she felt her anger dissipating. His assertiveness caught her off guard and she felt vulnerable against his intense stare. Those amber eyes still pleading for her to be understanding. She knew that he could have such an effect on her, but out of respect for her feelings, he normally refrained from taking advantage of it. The pain showing in his eyes, stabbed at her heart. They had both been through a lot. And the last thing Kagome wanted was to throw in the last jab like Kikyo always did. That was way too petty and shallow for her taste. And although she had to deal with Kikyo as a part of their lives, she wasn't endlessly reminded of her like he would be because of Iesada's scent. Slowly she shook her head in compliance, keeping her brown eyes locked on him. This Inuyasha, she didn't know yet. The Inuyasha who was fearful of losing her to another guy. The Inuyasha whose stare was so fierce that it stirred the butterflies in her stomach. Kagome's heart raced, her throat tightened and her skin was heating up. A little bit of honesty and sincerity could go a long way and she wanted to know more. Without realizing it, she moved off the door, closer to him. She didn't know why, but everything was making her head spin. She felt like her legs would give out soon if he kept this up. She parted her lips and reached her hands up towards his face, but he pulled away from her, casting his eyes down towards the ground. This seemed to snap her back to reality.

"Uh, oh right, shower," she mumbled, barely thinking clearly.

She closed the bathroom door behind her, excited yet confused.
Damn when did he have that kind of an affect on me? It's a good thing he doesn't do that more often.

While Kagome showered Inuyasha contemplated asking her about what she learned about that guy. But if he was being honest with himself, he didn't even want to know. He didn't want to entertain the idea of having to share her with another guy. He knew it was selfish, but he didn't care. Besides, he already knew everything he needed to know about that asshole. What kind of a man let's a teenage girl walk home in the dark.

Like hell he's my reincarnation.

Kagome showered quickly and felt cleansed after what she just went through. She also brushed her teeth longer than normal after remembering that she bit one of her attackers. When Kagome re-entered her bedroom Inuyasha was clearly irritated pacing back and forth in front of the bed. And it made her wonder if that moment they just shared had actually happened.

"Finally, sit down," he hissed grabbing her and practically throwing her on the bed.

"What the hell is wrong with you now?" she snapped.

"Give me your arm," he demanded.

Kagome saw then the first aid kit from her backpack lying on the bed.
Oh, he could still smell the blood. No wonder he's all hot and bothered.

Kagome rolled up her sleeve and Inuyasha sat alongside her and put a long bandage strip over the scrape. She could visually see him calm down.

It's now or never, she thought.

Kagome closed her eyes and gave Inuyasha a quick peck on the cheek. When she opened her eyes again Inuyasha stared at her flabbergasted and red in the face. "I-I just wanted to say thank you, for everything today," she said shyly, her cheeks all rosy and her eyes trained on him.

Inuyasha didn't say anything. How could he with his senses so aroused. Her sweet smell intensified by the shower, the feel of her lips on his skin and his natural desire to protect her at its most heightened level. It didn't matter that she had kissed him on the cheek, what he wanted was more. Inuyasha breathed heavily and lustfully eyed her lips, but he didn't move. To make matters worse, she bit her bottom lip out of nervousness and he had to force himself to look back up at her eyes.

Kagome took note of his rigid posture. It was very similar to what Iesada had done when he thought he was doing something to compromise his murals. And before anything else were to happen, whether here or in the feudal era she wanted her first kiss to be with the one she loved. So Kagome, unafraid of her feelings for Inuyasha, did them both a favor and kissed him.

His lips were warm and all types of feelings flowed through her, which only accelerated when Inuyasha kissed her back. His nose took in her aroused scent and he held his breath to savor the deliciousness of the moment. She had given him a small gift of love and he wasn't going to reject it. Teasingly, he sucked on her lower lip, before pulling back from her. He was greedy for more, but rested his forehead on hers and caressed her bottom lip with his thumb. She inched closer to him, but he wouldn't let her tempt him any further.

"Let's go back early tomorrow morning," he offered, knowing that she'd like to say goodbye to her family.

Kagome agreed timidly and went to the bathroom to change into her pajamas. When she looked at herself in the mirror, a silly happy grin greeted her along with a bright rosy face. Her heartbeat was still fast and the electrifying feeling she felt still cursed through her.

Kagome crawled into bed and Inuyasha tucked her sweetly before sitting on the floor. He watched her fall asleep with her hand in his, a faint smile still lingering on her lips. He thought about how wonderfully perfect she was, how beautiful she was and how thankful he was that Iesada was stupid enough to let her go so easily.

"One day when Naraku is defeated, I will ask you properly," the half demon whispered and then kissed the back of her hand. He rested his head on the soft mattress and drifted off to sleep himself.