A/n: Wow. Is anyone still reading this story? I hope so b/c i love it. Anyways, So sorry for the wait. College and all that. This will be a long chapter since I've been so evil. Enjoy.

Chapter Six: Almost Forgotten

As the weeks went by staying, I started feeling better. The cocaine was out of my system and I was finally convinced to eat something. Sango was coming around. She still didn't trust me, but I suppose she finally figured I posed as no threat. I became a little more 'involved' with Inuyasha. Quiet conversations here and there at sunrise and sunset. Kikyou had recovered from her broken nose and from the looks of it, I appeared as if I'd never touched her. Christmas was just around the corner and for some reason...my heart was a bit torn. I didn't know weather to be happy for it, or sad. My 19th birthday..or was it my 18th? After 15 I stopped keeping track. It was just time passing, moments getting older, my life wasting away. Kikyou's birthday was in december too. So of course all Inuyasha's attention would be focused on her-something I already knew was inevitable to happen...and yet I felt...cheated.

Sango chattered non-stop over the phone. "Oh Naoku, it's going to be amazing. A christmas party in Sengoku shrine! I've been waiting so long for these reservations!" She bragged on and on. Kagome sat reading a book on the Art of War, trying to block out Sango's excitement.

The Sengoku Shrine was a very prestigious restaurant, which was hard to get into. Kagome had only known this, because her father had taken her mother there for their anniversary, which was the same night she revealed she was having a boy.

It was romantic to be sure, but not worth bragging about if you had no one to go with. Sango had hung up the phone, dancing like a mad person all over the room. She stopped in front of Kagome. "Isn't this wonderful? I know you wouldn't care because you've never even seen a place like this before, but trust me, it's beautiful!"

Kagome nodded ignorantly, thinking to herself, 'If only she knew...' There were times when stupid assumptions came out of Sango's mouth about her intelligence or upbringing, that she let slide because Sango obviously didn't know who she was, but there were times where Kagome wished she could tell the truth just to wipe that smug smile off her and Kikyou's face.

"I'm sure it's nice Sango." Kagome responded solemly.

Sango paused in her rejoicing as if she had a forethought. "Would you like to come? I mean, it would be rude of me not to ask."

Kagome closed her book, thinking she'd never get to finish it if she didn't end this conversation now. "Sango, don't feel obligated to invite me to something that you plan to put on an act for. I'm not looking for your sympathy here, so don't treat me like one of your psychology patients. Take your fancy party, and parade it in front of all those people who are as fake as you, and leave me in peace." With that said, she opened her book back up and continued reading.

Sango was speechless, but she did have a valid point. She had offered the invitation out of the need to be polite, not because she actually wanted the embarrassment to tag along. "Fine. Sit here and do what you do best-ROT. I'm going shopping." She gave Kagome one more cold look before disappearing behind the front door.

As if God needed to punish her more so, Kagome growled as she heard Kikyou's heals clicking up the stairs followed by her annoying laugh. On que, Inuyasha opened the door to the loft and Kikyou, in all her magnificance stepped through the threshold.

Her smiles stopped at her seeing Kagome. Inuyasha glanced at the book Kagome was reading and then Kikyou.

"Hey babe, go wait for me upstairs." Inuyasha advised. Kikyou gave a menacing glare upon Kagome, but did as she was told.

Inuyasha took a seat towards Kagome. "Hey, look at me." He told her.

Kagome rolled her eyes closing the book. "Yes?"

"Sango told me she invited you to her party."

"Sango did not invite me, she merely passed along an invitation through hummility and out of compassion for you. I have no wish to attend such things." Kagome retorted with a cold stare.

Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha exhaled. "You know, you could do alot more with yourself than pout and shut everyone out. Sango is just trying to help."

"Bullshit." Kagome scoffed.

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, it is, and you're full it."

Kagome paused taking in his words. He was right. Her life couldn't be confined to these walls. How would she move on? Truth be told she had no earthly idea where to begin. Her birthday was coming up and she just wanted the time to pass. Every year her mother would bring her something from a country she visited. The last place her mother traveled was India. She brought back these ivory elephants, their eyes were white diamonds. Before she died, Kagome recieved a set of pearls from black sea. Pearls she burried her mother in.

"I...don't have the money.." Kagome whispered ashamed. Another reason she didn't want to go. Inuyasha gave a small smile at her modesty and took out his wallet. He gave her his credit card. "Go wild."

Kagome took a glance at the card, and shook her head no. "They'll think I stole it." Inuyasha frowned. She had a point. Kagome had gotten her shap back, but she hid it under her baggy pants and heavy shirts. She appeared to be a homeless woman in good shape. No one would believe he willingly gave her his card

At that moment, Kikyou ran down the stairs in a rush. "Inuyasha I have to go! Bye Baby!" She was out the door in a heartbeat.

Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a look, a bright smile formed his handsome face. "Well, that settles the problem of getting her out the house." They both laughed.

That day we traveled to the most expensive stores in Tokyo. One was called Sakura Elegance. My mother knew the woman very woman who owned that store long ago. They became good friends,r. Miss Sayuri making all my mother's gowns for fashion events or suits for my father. After she custom made my mom's wedding dress that got Miss Sayuri famous. All these people reappearing from my past, started to make me anxious. I didn't know what to expect from the retired Geisha , but I knew one thing was certain-she never forgot a face. Something told me I was no exception to the rule.

The two walked down the busy streets of Tokyo to Elegance. Kagome paused in mid-stride. 'No...' She whispered to herself. In the modeling window, there was a beautiful young woman being fitted for a dress. She seemed so carefree as she laughed with a bright flawless smile. In that instant, Kagome saw her mother. It warmed her heart to see her mother actually smile again.

Inuyasha finally noticed she wasn't behind him and came back to the spot she was rooted to. "Kagome what's wrong with you? This is the place?"

Kagome snapped out of her stupor and shook her head. "What? No, Inuyasha, I can't. It's...it's so..." she couldn't find the words to describe the meaning of such a place as this. It had too many memories for her to control.

"Expsensive?" Inuyasha guessed for her.

Nodding her head 'yes' at the wrong answer, Kagome swallowed, asking, "Can we go somewhere else? I have no need for this store." Inuyasha gave a sexy raised brow. "But you've never been in it."

There goes that assuming shit he and Sango always did. Kagome crossed her arms in defiance. "I'm have no use for this store when i can go to the fleemarket and get a dress there."

Inuyasha smirked, "Unfortunately, it's not that kind of party. Now grow some balls because we're going in."

Sayuri smiled at the customers as they walked through the door. " Hello Inuyasha. How's my favorite great god son doing?" she asked. Her voice was mellow and raspy just like Kagome remembered it.

Inuyasha smiled. "I'm fine Sayuri. This is-" Sayuri looked past Inuyasha and held up a hand of silence. "I know who she is sweetheart, but does she?" Sayuri asked looking directly at Kagome.

Kagome decided to stare at the floor for sometime, not knowing how to react. What would Sayuri say? Would she reveal who she was?

Fortunately for her Sayuri did not. She merely sighed. "Long time since I've seen eyes like that. As changing, and harsh, and untamable as the sea, but dead as a corpse who's life left its body years ago..."

Inuyasha was shocked by her comments on a complete stranger. She didn't even know Kagome but made it seem like the girl was someone she had known for years. "We need a dress Sayuri."

Sayuri frowned. "If you want a dress, Macy's is down the street. If you want a work of art, then I am the artist for you."

Kagome always remembered Miss Sayuri telling her mother that. " For the body needs to feel the finest silk, like the caligrapher needs the finest ink." She whispered finishing the quote.

Sayuri grinned, putting out a soft bit of laughter. "She lives in you...yes I dare say you're a splitting likeness..not to worry child. We'll make you right again." At that, Kagome nodded silently, on the verge of tears.

Inuyasha glanced back between Sayuri and Kagome. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring her here. He was so busy trying to make her smile, he had paid no mind as to what made her uncomfortable. He mistook her reasoning for not wanting to enter into this store. She knew Sayuri, and he was determined to find out how.

"Well," Sayuri stood from her seat revealing her to be very short. "Come girl. I have a dress that will make even you look like a princess. Come with me. Inuyasha, you wait here. No...you go away. I will send a taxi for Kagome. I cannot have you seing my work before it's done."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. 'Women...' He walked out the store, and out of sight.

Sayuri took Kagome to the back room, where she had her stand on a podium. "So what are you Miss Kagome? Are you a whore? a drug addict? A woman? A child?"

Kagome sighed. Interogations. "I'm all of them Sayuri." Sayuri picked up a smoking pipe and began to puff. "Yes..but you're also a pearl. We have to break you out of your shell...your mother, when she first came to me, told me she was in love. Are you in love Kagome?"

For a second, her mind flashed to Inuyasha, then to darkness. No, she wasn't in love. Not with someone as spoiled as him. She merely loved his kindness, and this was the truth. "No. I'm not." she answered confidently.

Sayuri gave an all-knowing smirth. "But after tonight, you will be. So, you know who you are. Who do you want to be tonight. Are you a deceitful vixen like Kikyou, or a woman of vision like Sango? Or are you like your mother, one of a kind..."

Tears started to form. I'm lost Sayuri. I'm lost. Kagome wanted to scream. "I don't know what I want to be. I feel like a caged bird but I don't why it sings." she answered honestly.

"Do you want to sing Kagome?" Sayuri asked genuinely. Kagome shrugged. "I may want to sing, but it won't happen..."

"I see...Well tonight, we're going to spread your wings. What kind of bird are you? Your mother was a peacock." Sayuri laughed. "Never afraid to show off her beautiful feathers. But I think you're too grounded to life be as free as a dove. What about a swan? A quiet graceful creature, unappreciated by most, except for those who really see your beauty. A symbol of elegance."

Kagome nodded. She liked the sound of that. " What's your favorite color?" Sayuri asked. Kagome smiled. "I don't have one. What's yours?" "Coral." Sayuri answered. "Alright. Let's transform this sow's ear, into a silk purse."

----Sengoku Shrine

Sango and Inuyasha stood around, admiring the beautiful ocean view. "Sango, you've outdone yourself this time." Inuyasha nodded with approval. He loved this Shrine. As quiet as it was kept, if he ever did propose, he wanted it to be right here, right on this balcolny.

Sango was beaming. "Thank you. I want you to meet a very special friend tonight."

Inuyasha looked at her questionably and Sango just blushed. "Don't ask. Where's Kikyou?" She asked, searching the ballroom. Inuyasha pointed in the direction of the business men. "She's with her father, being a money hungry investigator."

Sango made an "o" with her mout. Inuyasha leaned on the railing, letting the ocean breeze blow his hair behind him. "Sango, about Kagome..." He started.

Sango frowned. "What about her? She's becoming a burden. Inuyasha, I know you've got your heart dead set on helping this girl, but she's a complete case."

"There's more to her than that. I know there is. Sayuri spoke with her today as if she had known Kagome her entire life." Inuyasha explained. He didn't know what it was, but something about Kagome was special. He intended to figure it out.

"Inuyasha are you falling for her? You can't be serious!" Sango harshly spat.

"Serious about what?" A soft voice called from behind.

Sango and Inuyasha turned to a most amazing sight. There stood a beautiful creature in coral satin. She had sheer wings when her arms spread, her hair pulled back into a bun, then the rest falling on one side of her shoulder. Her make-up was flawless. Was she even wearing make up? You could smell her scent as she entered the room. 'Whispering Sweet' by Jasmine Yeoh. Kagome's chocolate eyes glowed with uncertainty, but she gave a small smile.

Sango's jaw dropped. After she realized she was stairing, she closed her mouth and swallowed. Maybe there was more to Kagome than everyone believed. "You look beautiful Kagome. I'm glad you came." She said nicely.

Kagome nodded. "Thank you for inviting me."

Sango, for the first time, smiled. "You're welcome. I'll leave you to alone and will go talk to my guests." She quickly disappeared, giving Kagome one last look. Damn Sayuri was good.

Inuyasha watched Kagome gracefully approach him. Taking his hand, he used a finger to guide his hand across her jaw line. Kagome closed her eyes, savoring his touch. "Thank you." she sighed.

"For what?" he asked absently, his face now centimeters from hers. "For seeing me when I was invisivble to the world." she calmly told him, trying not to cry.

Inuyasha came out of his trance. Her eyes were watered but she didn't cry. "Kagome, you've always been beautiful. And tonight, I wanted the world to see what I saw. I wanted you to see."

Kagome beamed with joy. No one had ever spoken to her like that. No one. Not Kouga, not Miroku, not her parents. A part of her wanted to join the human race. She wanted to be loved and accepted by those arround her. But she had come too far. Further than anyone realized, and she wouldn't turn back. She wouldn't give in, not like this.

"I have to go." Kagome choked out.

Inuyasha snapped out of the trance she'd put him in. Her words were like cold water. "Why?"

"Inuyasha, I...I can't stay here. I have no voice here." She whispered.

Inuyasha let go, in more ways than one. "What do you want from me?! I'm trying to help you!" He was sick of it. He was so irritated with getting so close, so close only to have her shut him out.

Help. There was that tone again. He was treating her like she was a patient from a mental institute. Treating her like he was better than her. Like it was beneath him seeing her as an equal but perfectly acceptable to act as an outreach hand of God.

"I'm not some charity case you can ride off your taxes. I'm not a prize for some richman's perverted fantasies. I thought you saw me...but you saw what you wanted to see. A pathetic project for you to sink your nails into while you avoid your outter conflictions with the real world. FUCK YOU!" Kagome hollered.

"This coming from a girl who begged me not hurt her in an alley. This from a CHILD who was so strung out on crack she couldn't remember her name or even pronounce it for that matter. If I treat you like a fucking charity case, it's because you act like one!" Inuyasha roared back, fully pissed.

Fear flashed in Kagome's eyes before rage took over. Inuyasha turned away from her. "Dammit..Why do you make shit so hard? It was a mistake. I should have never taken you with me." As soon as he said it, he regretted it.

He quickly turned. "Kagome I didn't mean-" he started but she was already running into the ballroom and out the exit.

Sango was standing by the front door with a young man, laughing softly. Kagome raced past them, bumping into Sango's date. "I'm sorry." she said in haste. The man's eyes widened. He stared in pure amazement. Kagome?.!

Sango wanted to chase after her but Inuyasha came running down the stairs, shaking his head for her not to follow. She nodded. "I guess they're in a hurry."

-------LOFT----

Kagome ran in the blistering cold rain, in the dead of winter, her throat burning. She took a seat on the bench outside of Inuyasha's apartments. "WHAT?!! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!!" She called to the sky, to her mother.

She had had enough. Things were simpler when she was strung out and didn't give a fuck. She needed some relief. "I need a hit." she whispered. She started to walk down to a back alley when a red car pulled up. The windows rolled down to reveal Inuyasha looking half worried, half irritated.

"Please get in the car Kagome." he said tiredly. Kagome shot him a 'go to hell' look and then told him so. She was on a mission. She needed some drugs.

Iuyasha got out of the car, and grabbed her arms. Kagome put up a fight until she was pinned to the wall. "STOP!" he yelled. Kagome jumped, clearly scared.

His hot breath covered hers, his eyes boring into her own. "I hate you." she whispered. Inuyasha snickered, a hint of distaste in his tone. "I hate you too."

Taking no time to think about his actions, Inuyasha brought his lips to hers. He ran his tongue across his bottom lip before taking full possession of her mouth in a fierce kiss, which Kagome returned. dead cold of winter, the two stayed in their embrace, locked together until they were too cold to stand.

After the kiss, Inuyasha became distant. We didn't speak, didn't touch...he was so into Kikyou, I rarely saw him...I knew he would try his hardest to erase what had happened out of his memory. It seemed like the easiest thing to do, but I couldn't. I couldn't stand by and watch as another person deliberately deleted me from his life. My heart wouldn't be able to take it. So...I fought back.