A/N: Been a while, ne? Sorry about the long wait! Please enjoy!

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome smiled slightly as she walked up the stairs, shoving her hand through her mess of un-brushed locks of hair with a sigh. She would brush her hair, change, and, of course, put the comb from Inuyasha in her hair. It would be wrong not to use her gift…she opened the door to her room.

"Kagome."

Kagome froze for a moment, surprised. Then she smiled nervously, bowing her head. "Magatsuhi," she replied.

Magatsuhi smiled slightly. "You've been busy…spending time with the ever bothersome Inuyasha."

Kagome nodded curtly, eyes hard. "I can't just not communicate with him. It'd make everyone suspicious!"

Magatsuhi nodded slowly, his fingers drumming lazily on the covers of her bed. "That's true," he agreed softly, his eyes moving over her slowly. Then he stood. "Very good point, Kagome…I suppose you could be allowed to spend a…little time with the half-breed."

Kagome tilted her head, curiosity spiking at 'half-breed'. But she forced herself to ignore it, saying, "Why are you here? If they find you, I'll be questioned for sure."

His lips twitched. "Why else? It's Christmas, is it not?"

Kagome winced as he leaned so that his face was inches from hers, eyes gleaming. "It is."

"Alright then." Magatsuhi pulled back, examining a hand. "Kagome."

"Yes?"

"I am giving you…one final chance. You may not speak with Inuyasha unless it is necessary. You are to leave for home the moment Souta's wedding is over…or I may decide to punish Souta himself. Possibly his wife-to-be."

Kagome swallowed, hands shaking. "Leave him out of this! He's done nothing!" she snapped.

Magatsuhi smirked, raising a hand. Kagome's face paled at the familiar sight of none other than her heart. After a gentle squeeze, Kagome was doubled over, gasping for breath, face screwed up in pain as she whimpered. "Remember, Kagome. I say what happens."

Kagome nodded. "Yes," she whimpered.

"Good." Her heart vanished. "Now, I must take my leave." His lips quirked into a smile. "A…business partner requires my presence in five minutes. Remember my warning, Kagome. This is your last chance…"

Magatsuhi was gone.

Kagome dropped to her knees, her hands pressed against the spot where pain remained, though dull. Sweat dotted her brow, and she quickly wiped it away.

God, she hated Magatsuhi's visits.

"Kagome?"

Kagome's head shot up at the familiar voice, eyes filling with fear. "Inuyasha!"

The said man had appeared in the doorway, eyes dark with concern. "Are you alright?" He said, his voice gentle yet commanding. "What's wrong?"

Kagome blinked, looking up at him from her spot on the floor. "Nothing," she rasped, shaking her head. "He was just here for a…reminder. That's all. Nothing new."

Inuyasha growled, his nose wrinkling as he took in the newer scent. "Keh. Did he hurt you?" he demanded, kneeling beside her.

Kagome smiled weakly. "He just did what he usually did…

…reminded me of his control over me."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

"Rin?"

Rin Takahashi looked up from where she was sitting, reading a book. Her eyes darkened with a slight concern. "Shippo? What's wrong, buddy?"

Shippo scrambled into her lap, his eyes wide with confusion. "Is it true?"

"Is what true, sweetie?" Rin replied, setting her book aside to give him a hug.

Shippo nuzzled her neck, his tiny hands clutching her shirt. "I heard Sango and Miroku talking about how Kagome-Chan is with Inuyasha… Is it true? Is Kagome gonna come back?" His voice was slowly becoming excited.

Rin stiffened, and then patted his back slowly. "Maybe, Shippo." She said, tone shaky. "We're not sure…Kagome's…ill right now, sweetie."

Shippo's eyes widened with horror. "Kagome's sick?!" He shrieked, leaping out of her lap and running out of the room. "We have to hurry and go see her!"

Rin sighed, shaking her head. "Poor little guy…"

Sango appeared, an eyebrow raised as she glanced over her shoulder. "Where in hell does Shippo think he's going now?"

Rin glared at her. "He heard some people talking about Kagome."

Sango smiled, eyes guilty. "Whoops. Sorry…has Sesshomaru found anything out about that Magatsuhi guy?"

"This Sesshomaru has indeed found information." The said dog demon said as he walked in the room, Miroku hot on his heels. A rare smile had appeared on Sesshomaru's face, his eyes triumphant. "Magatsuhi is a business partner of this Sesshomaru."

Silence, then-

"Damn. Inuyasha's gonna be pissed." Miroku said softly. "The reason behind Kagome's disappearance -right under our noses this whole time."

"Anything else?" Sango asked.

Sesshomaru nodded. "He was behind Naraku's actions."

"Wow…" Rin murmured. "So…I take it our goal is to get rid of Magatsuhi now?"

Miroku nodded. "Yes. Now that Naraku's gone, our new goal is to rescue Kagome from whatever she's under and kill Magatsuhi."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Inuyasha was relaxing on the couch in the living room, watching Souta play his new game and listening to the women cook when his phone rang. "Inuyasha here," Inuyasha said as he answered it, getting up and moving outside.

"Inuyasha," his brother's cold voice greeted.

"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha replied in the same tone. Then he smirked and said, "So find anything out?" "Yes," Sesshomaru answered, "Magatsuhi Kurotama. Age thirty three, really thousands of years old. Business partner to Takahashi Industries-"

"WHAT!?" "Silence, half-breed," Sesshomaru snapped then said, "He was the person behind Naraku's actions. He was always our real enemy. He was the one that killed Father and your mother…"

"…and?" "And I believe we will need to speak with Mother for this one."

"…what?" "We'll need my mother." "…hell. Fucking. No. I'd prefer to not have my ears ripped off, thank you." Sesshomaru snorted. "Mother does not dislike you enough to rip your beloved ears, Inuyasha." "She rubs them more than…" Inuyasha trailed off, and then shook his head to clear it. "How is she going to help us?"

"She is the third most powerful demonic being in the world, Inuyasha. She's single, as well." Silence.

"Wait, you're going to ask Kimi to seduce the man that- fuck! I forgot to tell you!" Inuyasha growled into his phone as he said quickly and quietly, "I was so intent on telling you to hunt Magatsuhi down…anyways; we need to be careful around Kagome." "Why?" Sesshomaru asked with a sigh.

"When she told me about Magatsuhi, she told me some other things." He said urgently, "Kagome's under his control. When she disobeys him, he beats her. And…" Inuyasha faltered. "He has her heart."

Sesshomaru frowned. "That's not possible, Inuyasha."

"It's true though," Inuyasha insisted, "she made me feel where her heart should be. There's nothing. Silence."

Sesshomaru nodded slowly on the other line. "I see. I'll look into this, and talk to my mother later."

"Thanks, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said, and then ended the call.

He glanced inside when Kagome's laughter rang out. "Don't worry, Kags. We'll rescue you."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~ Kagome snickered as Amber teasingly flicked some food at her fiancé. "Wow, Souta, I didn't know you hated food fights."

Souta stuck his tongue out at his sister. "Hey!"

"Brat," Kagome shot back, giving him a lopsided grin. "All you men are wimps when it comes to fun."

Inuyasha looked up from where he was stuffing his face with ham. "I object to that!" He protested. His black hair was tied back…yet Kagome frowned when she caught the glint of dull silver.

"Inuyasha?" Amber had noticed it too. "Did you get highlights or something?"

Inuyasha froze. "No," he choked out, quickly finishing his food before standing up. "I need to go call my brother…night guys!" He ran upstairs as fast as he could.

Kagome and Amber shot each other bewildered looks.

"I don't know why he's started dying his hair," Souta said after swallowing some food, "Or wears his hat all the time, too. Or contacts."

Kagome looked at him curiously. "Really?"

Souta nodded. "I invited the entire family and Sango's family to the wedding, but everyone but Inuyasha refused. If they honestly thought you were dead, I can see why."

"They probably felt guilty," Amber said softly.

"This is the first time I've met Inuyasha though," Souta said, "When we went to Japan, you were in the hospital and thought Inuyasha was the one who was dead."

Kagome's head tilted curiously. "Tell me more," she said, leaning closer.

"The school you worked at had been attacked," Souta said, "Inuyasha and his family as well as Sango and Miroku-" Kagome locked the name away for later- "had gone to save you and help get rid of the demons. Something happened and Inuyasha got trapped inside. The school exploded. Everyone thought he was dead." Kagome's mind flashed to a vision: her in a wheelchair, sitting beside the young woman Sango making wedding plans, Miroku making a speech at his wedding. Multiple nights of crying. "Keep going," she whispered, swallowing dryly.

"During Sango's reception party, Inuyasha reappeared. He was half-dead, but you called an ambulance and rescued him. When you two were at the hospital, you agreed to marry him."

Amber's eyes softened. "I feel bad that you don't remember him, Kagome. I remember the way you used to talk about him. You two meant the world to each other…you losing your memories of him is like you dying all over again to him, Kagome. It's rare that a demon finds its soul mate -I'm one of the lucky ones. So is Inuyasha…but…" she smiled reassuringly. "It must hurt a lot…not having your mate remember you."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Later, Kagome laid in her bed, going over this new information. She could faintly hear the water running in the room beside hers and she sighed. Then she frowned sitting up.

It's rare that a demon finds its soul mate -I'm one of the lucky ones. So is Inuyasha…but…

It's rare that a demon finds its soul mate…So is Inuyasha, but…

…demon finds its soul mate…So is Inuyasha…

…demon…Inuyasha…

Kagome's eyes shot open, widening till they couldn't anymore. "Inuyasha's a…demon? But he looks like…" she frowned. Now that she thought about it, he didn't have ears…at all.

She sighed, eyes dropping with exhaustion. She'd talk with him tomorrow…

She lied down once again and drifted off to sleep.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome looked around. She was in the dark place once again. She smiled broadly as the silver haired man appeared, golden eyes sharp with annoyance. "Kagome," he said, curtly nodding a greeting.

Kagome frowned. "What's wrong, did I do something?"

He sighed, shaking his head. The silver hair on his head swayed. "No." he sighed. "Your brother is annoying." Kagome narrowed her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. "What's wrong with Souta? He didn't do anything."

"He told you something before you were ready," the silver haired man grunted in reply. "Fucking kid."

Kagome, with sudden anger, reached up and latched her hand onto one of his dog ears. "Leave my brother alone," she snapped, glowering at him as she roughly jerked on the ear.

The man yelped, trying to pry her hand off. "Ow, damn it woman! That hurts!" He gave a pitiful whine, his free ear flattened.

Kagome released his ear, crossing her arms. "Well, what are we doing this time?"

The man straightened, glaring at her as he rubbed his injured ear. "Keh," he muttered, "I was going to show you the moment Souta was talking about, but he ruined that. So…I think I'll show you where I- I mean Inuyasha was during that time…"

She nodded eagerly. "Please!"

Everything vanished, and then they were in a cave. Kagome looked around them in confusion. "He was here? All that time, he was in my favorite cave behind my house? What the heck!" "Shut it," the silver haired man snarled, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Kagome's eyes went wide at the rasping tone, the pain in his voice. "Kay," she mumbled around his hand.

He removed it.

A loud snarl caught her attention and Kagome whirled around to see another version of the man on the ground, blood seeping from wounds that covered his body…and hands. He was laughing crazily, his head resting on the ground as he panted for breath. "Bastard," he hissed, "Get. OUT!" With a shriek, he began tearing into himself.

Kagome's face paled and she recoiled in surprise.

The real dog eared man leaned over, giving her a reassuring kiss to the head. "It's okay. Calm down."

Kagome whirled on him, her eyes wild with confusion. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN ITS OKAY?!" She shrieked, pointing at the demon that was sprawled on the ground again. "YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF!"

"Hush," He replied, placing a hand over her mouth and nodding at himself.

The memory man had been tearing at his chest when suddenly; he dropped to the ground, his lips moving as silent words leaked out of his mouth.

Tears had started coming from Kagome's eyes as she dropped to her knees beside him, glaring at the real man. "Make it stop!" She demanded, eyes narrowing.

"This is MY memory, Kagome," he replied, waving at the scene before them. "This is what happened to me while you were in the hospital and planning Sango and Miroku's wedding. And this particular moment is just before I left the cave and arrived in your backyard during their reception."

Kagome screwed her eyes shut as a pained, keening wail escaped the memory's mouth. Then she screamed.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome woke up to a scream, and then quickly clamped her mouth shut as she realized it was her own. She gasped wildly for breath, slowly sitting up, trying not to panic when the world tilted around her.

The door to her room flew open and Inuyasha was suddenly there beside her bed, dark eyes wild with confusion and other emotions, black hair mussed from sleep. "Kagome?! What's wrong?!"

Kagome shook her head as Souta and Amber appeared at the doorway, both looking tired but concerned. She pulled her knees to her chest, resting her forehead on the said knees. "Nothing," she croaked, shaking her head before shooting him a 'look'.

He nodded in understanding, glancing over his shoulder at her brother and sister-in-law-to-be. "You two go back to bed, I'll keep an eye on her." "Kay," Amber yawned.

"You sure you're okay, Nee-Chan?" Souta asked, habit causing him to use his old name for Kagome. Kagome nodded. "Okay then, come on Amber." He mumbled, taking one more look at his sister before disappearing down the hall with Amber.

Inuyasha waited until they were gone before turning back to Kagome, pulling her down onto the floor with him. "What happened?" Kagome took a breath, closing her eyes. "Nothing," she whispered again, sniffling. "The dog eared guy came back, that's all…he showed me something I really would have preferred to not see."

Inuyasha stiffened, reassuringly rubbing her back. "What did he show you?" Inuyasha asked quietly. Does she know it's my fault she's under someone's control…?

Kagome gave a shaky breath, burying her face in her hands. "It was when the school exploded like Souta said, when we all thought he was dead. He…he was in a cave…" her voice broke and she gave a small sob. "He was in so much pain…and I couldn't help him!"

Inuyasha growled softly, eyes narrowed with anger. "Bastard," he snarled. Kagome winced and he immediately forced himself to calm down, returning to reassuring her. "That…did happen, Kagome," he replied.

Kagome suddenly lifted her head, her blue eyes staring intently at Inuyasha as the gears in her mind turned. "I know him, now," she said softly.

Inuyasha blinked in confusion as she reached up and patted the top of his head. "…what the hell are you doing, wench?" Kagome smiled, giving a small laugh. Inuyasha looked at her warily. Had she gone bipolar?

"It was Amber who helped me," she told him, giving a smile. "She talked about how you and she were lucky demons to find your soul mates…but you must hurt a lot because I can't remember you. That was the first clue…besides the fact that you talk like the dog eared man." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Also, you freaked out about your hair showing silver earlier. And I saw your eyes a few days ago…so…"

Inuyasha's eyes widened.

"…I know it. You're the dog eared guy I've been looking for, Inuyasha."

The sound of another beating heart rang out.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: I owe you all a longer chapter…but…I got the flu shot today and holy f****** cheese my arm is sore x_x