Message from Goth Lolita!

Thanks to all for your reviews! The entire story is typed now, and all I have to do is upload it all! I'm thinking a chapter a day, except on weekends. And maybe even then.

To Tigermage: I don't know about the people reading it, but that's how I think. I can make a perverted comment out of anything. No, this is not something I should be proud of. But I am.

To iAweshum: Haha, I loved your two comments in a row. Glad to keep you guessing!

And now, enjoy the next chapter of 'Fallen'!

***~~~***

Kagome sat crying, in one of the cells of Naraku's manor. It was cold, but the cold didn't matter. White-hot pain flared to life every time she even thought about moving.

At least she didn't have to worry about the cuts on her back getting infected, or reopening.

They had been cauterized.

Kagome had been branded with the mark of Onigumo. She belonged to Naraku now.

Kagura, who stood guard outside her cell, looked in at the girl, with something akin to pity. The miko was just as trapped as she was, and Kagura knew better than anyone, that once Naraku had his hold on you, he never let you go.

And, in his chambers, attended by Kanna, Naraku laughed maliciously.

The purest being ever to walk among mortals was his at last.

***~~~*** One Month Later ***~~~***

Naraku went to visit his captured prize. It wasn't the first time he's done so- hell, it wasn't even the fourth. And every time he went, he had the same offer.

"Now, my dear little miko, are you tired of remembering yet?"

For he would love nothing better than if he could wipe her mind clean, to remold the miko in his own twisted image.

The answer he received was always the same.

"Never."

But, today, when Naraku entered his dungeon, he sensed that something was different.

There was no more hope in the miko. She was desolate and full of despair.

He asked. "Now, my dear little miko, are you tired of remembering yet?"

And she said…

"Yes."

Kagome was broken. She had been betrayed by InuYasha. She had been betrayed by Sesshomaru- and that hurt all the more, because she should have expected nothing less from him. Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Koga- hell, even Shippo. None of them had rescued her.

Perhaps it would be better not to remember.

Naraku knelt before her, and placed a hand on her forehead.

Kagome had a brief moment of doubt…

Before she forgot everything.

***~~~*** POV change-ish ***~~~***

The girl opened her eyes. She was in a dark cell with a man.

'Naraku…' her mind supplied.

"Who am…I?" she asked out loud.

Naraku studied her intently. "You don't remember?" he mused.

"No." she shook her head. "All I remember is…you, Lord Naraku."

He smiled. "You are…Koaru. We work together."

'Koaru.' she repeated in her mind. Something sounded off about the name.

"We are collecting pieces of the Shikon no Tama, to keep it out of the hands of those that would use it for evil." Naraku told her.

That part, at least, sounded familiar. But still, something wasn't quite right… Koaru's brain produced a flash of silver and gold. It barely registered, before it disappeared.

"Who is Inu…Yasha?" She didn't know where the name had come from, only that it went with the image.

Naraku's face darkened. "InuYasha is our enemy." he snapped. "You were lucky enough to escape from him."

"We've met?"

"Yes. It's thanks to him that your memory is like this." Naraku said. "He covets you, for you remind him of his lover, the dead miko, Kikyo."

"Dead?"

"Now a reanimated corpse."

"Ewww."

"Indeed."

"But…you protect me, Master Naraku?" she asked, hesitantly. The words did not sound true.

He smirked. "Of course, Koaru-chan. We are partners, after all."

The way he ran his eyes over her made it clear that they were 'partners', in more than one sense of the word.

"Why can't I remember, Master Naraku?" she asked suddenly.

He drew closer to her. "Let me remind you…" he whispered.

There was no pity in his gaze, only triumph, and a strange possessive glint, when he looked at her.

He drew her into a rough kiss. "Mine." he murmured. "I'll never let that filthy hanyou get his hands on you."

Koaru felt a flare of panic.

But that was silly.

Naraku would protect her.

He'd keep her safe.

He'd help her to remember.

So, why was she so afraid when she looked into his red eyes?