I quite plainly dedicate this chapter to Lil-Yasha (or Lil-Brit, as I have dubbed her!), as well as to her new baby brother! I bet he is most kawaii! giggles and bounces up and down So this chapter is for you, Lil-Brit, in honor of your new sibling, as well as your amazing stories! (To the few readers I have, please! You must go read her work! Truly astounding!) And now, your chapter! I hope you enjoy it!

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Forgotten

Chapter Five - I Know Your Face

Two sparkling orbs of melted gold. Long flowing strands of pure white…no… silver, hair. Glittering fangs in a smirking smile. Strong arms and clawed hands. Part monster, part human…a hybrid not belonging anywhere.

"I know you…" Kagome grumbles, rolling over on her bed in a troubled sleep. "…I know you," she mumbles again, squeezing her eyes tighter as the alarm clock besides her bed bursts into sound, sending chills down her spine. Her dream vanishes, submerging deep within her mind as she yawns sleepily. The alarm screeches again, seeming louder then ever in tone. "…Alright…alright…I'm up…arugh…" Reaching out lazily she grabs for the pesky thing. Slender fingers graze the snooze button, resulting in a nice soothing silence.

Kagome yawns widely and sits up, her every move watched, unknown to her. When she begins to change clothes, however, the hanyou perched outside her window hurriedly turns his back to her, his cheeks a rare and rather interesting shade of pink.

Inuyasha waits semi-patiently as Kagome gets ready for school, pauses to look at the medical kit on her desk, races downstairs, eats her breakfast, and then finally leaves the house; Sõta races ahead, eager to meet his friends. Kagome walks on alone, moving slowly, her head bowed as she lets her thoughts race. Inuyasha leaps down from the tree silently and follows her, wondering when to grab her attention. He skids to a stop, however, when she comes into full view again.

Kagome stands inside the fencing surrounding the God Tree; her backpack lies unwanted against the wooden planks as its owner studies the large tree before her. Inuyasha stands perfectly still, his eyes wide in surprise and hidden pain. Kagome bows her head once in respect to the great tree. Slender fingers reach up and graze the soft ancient wood almost tenderly; sorrowful brown eyes full of confusion and a sense of great loss peer up at the faint dent in the bark.

"…I'm missing something…no…someone…" She mutters softly, her eyes welling up with tears. She feels so empty and confused. Resting her cheek against the smooth wood, she sighs sadly. It's been four weeks since it started, and everyday it gets worse. She's missing something from her life…something very important. '…Who am I missing? Is it because I don't have…him…wait…is it a he?' She pauses slightly before closing her eyes. 'Yes…it's a he. Is it…because…he…isn't here…that I feel…empty? But who is he? How do I know him?'

"Ka…Kagome?" She tenses up and jerks away from the tree's trunk, her eyes widening with fear and alarm. That voice…it sounds so strange…and at the same time…familiar. She's heard it before…she's heard it recently. It hits her with a start. The well! Slowly she turns around, the wind suddenly picking up, sending her long dark hair into a dance around her damp cheeks. There, standing just a few feet away…is a boy. An extraordinary boy…

The sun lights up his features, illuminating his golden gazeas well as the shimmering mane of waist-long silver hair dancing around his face and shoulders. Two triangular dog-like ears give a faint twitch as she stares at him. The boy shifts a bit, and then extends a hand, long claws glittering.

"Kagome…" She gasps sharply and takes a step back, her stare fearful as she presses against the tree's supporting trunk. Golden eyes widen slightly, suddenly appearing almost…hurt, and the strange boy pulls back his hand swiftly. "…Kagome…" She tenses up instantly, pressing back harder against the rough bark, too startled to run.

"What…what do you want from me?" She demands, her voice quavering slightly as she struggles to be strong. 'If only I had my bow!' Brown eyes widen slightly. 'Wait a moment…bow? I've never shot an arrow in my life! …Right?' She snaps out of her thoughts quickly when the stranger takes a few steps forward, stopping just a foot away. With him so close, Kagome gasps sharply. He's so…familiar…and…those golden eyes are so sorrowful. Somehow she knows…they shouldn't look that way…

"Kagome…" He mutters again, his golden eyes closing halfway as he inhales her scent, cherishing her presence. Four weeks…four long weeks since he last saw her, last meet with her…and he finds himself desperate for her company. "…You didn't come back…" She only looks at him, awed by the pain in his tone, but confusion remains dominate in her gaze.

"…I didn't…? W-who are you?" The silver-haired teen growls suddenly, his demeanor suddenly angry to cover up the hurt. Startled, Kagome leans back against the bark, her hands grasping almost desperately for support from the great tree.

"…I'm…Inuyasha…" Brown eyes widen in surprise.

'Inuyasha! Stop squirming! Please, just let me take a look!'

'Stay away from me, wench!'

She knows him…somehow she knows him. Yet, the memory is blurred and fuzzy, only the sound reaching her, no pictures at all. In that clouded reminiscence, however, he had been angry and cold towards her. What if this Inuyasha's playing a trick on her, and he's actually an enemy? Frightened even more then before, Kagome gasps and stumbles backwards. Her foot slips on a root and suddenly she finds herself falling backwards.

Then, abruptly, she stops. Startled, she stares in shock at the pair of golden eyes gazing down at her almost in a glare of annoyance. Yet…deep within there's a hint of concern and profound pain. Entranced by those stunning pools of gold, it takes Kagome a moment or two to realize that Inuyasha has his hands around her waist, holding her up. Blushing deeply, she yanks away with a faint gasp, her mind reeling. Despite her fear, she can't help but notice the fact that his grip had been so strong, yet gentle…almost protective…no…very protective…

'She's my woman, mutt-face!'

'In your dreams, bastard! She's NOT your mate!'

'Oh, and I suppose she's yours then, half-breed?'

'Just stay away from her, you filthy wolf!'

Kagome blinks, her cheeks darkening. Another voice, lower and superior in tone, had joined in this time, arguing against Inuyasha with a furious vigor, the silver-haired teen had seemed very miffed. But who would want to claim her of all people as their…mate? And why on earth had Inuyasha been so upset?

"…Kagome?" The hanyou cocks his head slightly, noticing the extreme amount of confusion, fear, and...pain...flickering in those deep pools of brown. Even her scent speaks volumes of how lost and afraid she is at the moment. "…Kagome…" This time his tone is more gentle, a rare event for him. Somehow, however, this terrifies Kagome worse then any shout would have…

"Please…just…stay away…p-please…" He freezes in his tracks, his golden eyes wide. Kagome stumbles back in shock at the hurt and worry shimmering in his gaze. He can't be playing a trick on her…those emotions shinning through his eyes are much too real to be faked. He suddenly growls at her, snapping sharp fangs of white as he turns around, crossing his arms as he gives her the cold shoulder. Startled at his sudden anger, Kagome winces slightly. It takes her a moment to realize that she's crying. Startled, she pulls her hand up to a damp cheek and brushes a few of the salty droplets onto her shaking fingertips.

'Kagome…Tell me something. Why were you crying?'

He sounded so weak…was he hurt? Had something bad happened!

'…Huh? Back in the other room…? …Oh…Because I thought I…I thought I was going to…to lose you. I thought you were going to…die.'

'…You…shed tears for me. …Cried for me…'

'I've cried for him? Yes…yes I did…quite a lot actually …Were we friends? Were we really close?' Frightened for no real reason, Kagome presses her trembling hands against her cheeks. She doesn't even notice that Inuyasha's watching her over his shoulder, his golden gaze reproachful and worried. 'Did I like him? Did…he like me? Does he like me?'

' …Kagome…May I lie on your lap?'

'Oh! …Yeah…'

'What had happened! Had he been hurt?' A faint breeze picks up as Kagome sits down besides her backpack, school entirely forgotten. Lost to her thoughts, she brushes her waving hair out of her face with a shaking hand. 'Yes, he had…and…he gets hurt…all the time…' Inuyasha turns around completely, his eyes still saddened despite his attempt to appear uncaring. Kagome glances up at him briefly, then drops her eyes almost instantly. '…I always took care of him…'

'How do ya feel? A little better then before?'

'…Yes. …Kagome…you smell kind of nice…'

Kagome wrinkles her nose slightly, confused by these muddled memories and baffling feelings. He thought she smelled nice? Wait…that doesn't make sense…

'I hate havin' to wait…an' I hate the smell of you!'

With a start, Kagome shudders violently and rubs her cold arms with shaking hands. She remembers…just a little…she knows that…this Inuyasha guy had tried to kill her upon their first meeting. But…if that's true…then why does she trust him so much?

'Okay! That's it! You made a point of telling me before that you couldn't stand my scent!'

'…I did…but…I was lying…'

He was lying…so he did like her scent…no…wait…did he really? Does he really? "…Inuyasha." Startled, the hanyou looks up quickly, his gaze almost pleading. At the moment…all he wants is for her to remember him…anything about him…it doesn't matter what, as long as he knows he still exists in her memory. Shivering, Kagome gets to her feet and stares at the silver-haired teen with dull eyes. "…My scent…" Instantly he tenses up, his own eyes widening in shock. "…Do you…l-like it?" For the longest time neither says anything. Kagome shivers again, tears forming despite her efforts not to cry. For some reason…his lack of answer leaves her feeling so forlorn. After a few moments Inuyasha takes a step forward, his face impassive. When he reaches her side he just gazes at her steadily, the silence between them almost deafening.

"No. I don't…" His answer is so simple and short, almost whispered, but it hits her harder then a scream would have. Biting down on her lip she turns away, now completely lost and afraid…afraid for herself. She doesn't even know who she is anymore. She had a life…but it's been messed with, tampered and altered…she doesn't know who she is. Suddenly she gasps as two strong arms wrap themselves around her shoulders gently. Inuyasha emits a faint growl, almost a purr, as he buries his face in her hair, cherishing her scent greedily. She smells so…pleasing… such a virtuous sweet scent…like the blossom of a rare plant sought after by all…a pure glorious scent that sends shivers racing down his spine and calms his nerves all at the same time. "…I love it…"

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Well there you have it! Another completed chapter, but Ai-ya! I left it at a small cliff-hanger! bows sharply at the waist Please forgive! I shall update realtively soon with Kagome-chan's reaction! Promise! But please, feel free to leave Reviews! Wonderful reviews are what keep me wishing to write! Lil-Brit, your review inspired me to keep trying! Arigatou gozaimasu!