Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

UPDATE: I am going to try to upload at least three chapters each week, possibly five, depending on my schedule. If you guys would like to see that happen, please keep reviewing! And I would like to thank the few of you who review each chapter. I really enjoy reading what you guys have to say, and when your review are indepth, I know it means that you are really enjoying the story. It makes me happy to see those kinds of review! Thank you!

(}-} FORGOTTEN MEMORIES {-{)

6

Exactly one week had gone by since Inuyasha had given Kagome her new office, and Kagome had kept her self busy by filling her new work space with furniture and little knick-knacks from home. Kagome's office was shaping up to look like one hell of a nice room. She had broke the bank, just a little, trying to buy expensive looking furniture for her office. Her desk was solid mahogany, and her chair was plush leather, and she had even bought a new desktop computer. But, as happy as she was for the change of scenery, Kagome couldn't resist feeling a little down.

Ever since Hojo's display of jealousy towards her promotion, Kagome had felt off around him. When she informed him of her new office, she had to force herself to try not to sound too cheerful, in case he decided to flip out on her again. But, this time, he surprisingly didn't seem too affected. In fact, Hojo had acted very supportive, and although she was grateful he wasn't chewing her head off, she wondered why it didn't seem to bother him at all. It was very weird.

Another factor seemed to worry Kagome as well: the picture of the Higurashi Shrine that her boss possessed. Every time Inuyasha called her into his office, Kagome tried to catch a glimpse of it. The fact that he had it intrigued her, and she wondered why he would keep it in a frame, for everyone to see. 'The photo must hold some significance to him, or he wouldn't have put it in a frame,' She often thought, and Kagome was sick to death of suppressing the desire to ask him about it. When she finally couldn't withstand the suspense, Kagome found the courage to ask.

It was a Tuesday morning when she inquired about the picture. She had joined him at his desk to take notes, and after he had bid her goodbye, just as she was about to walk back into her office, she froze. Kagome stared directly at the picture, the familiar architecture frightening her, and she knew she just couldn't keep wondering about it any longer. Turning back around to face him, Kagome blurted out, "Why do you have a picture of my family shrine?"

Inuyasha displayed cool posture as he replied, "I'm sorry, you're what?"

Kagome's cheeks reddened as she repeated, "My family shrine. That's a picture of it right there." She pointed directly to the frame as she observed his confused expression. "Why do you have it?"

Inuyasha stared at the picture for some time, debating what to do. It was obvious to him that she wouldn't be able to let the issue go. She had been acting troubled all week since she caught sight of it, and Inuyasha had scolded himself over and over for putting the picture out in plain sight. 'Damn it all! Now what am I going to do?' He thought angrily.

Kagome crossed her arms stiffly and added, "I'm waiting for an answer."

He knew that look, and it only meant one thing for him. Trouble. Then, suddenly, an idea sprang to his mind, and Inuyasha prayed for it to work. He let go of his calm attitude as he settled back in his chair. After eyeing her sternly, he replied, "The meaning behind that photograph is very personal, and I don't usually discuss personal matters with my employees. But, since you're seemingly upset by it's presence, I will tell you of it's history. I guess, Kagome, you could say the picture of that shrine motivates me."

Kagome eyed him warily. "What? Why?" When he offered no answer, Kagome asked, "Where did you come across the photograph anyway? Did you see it in a book or something?"

"I took that photograph, Kagome," He told her slowly.

Her stomach flipped from shock. 'He was at my house? Well, it's not my house anymore, but it used to be. That's so weird...how does he know where I used to live? Something's not right, I can feel it,' Kagome thought fearfully.

Now, leaning over the desk, Inuyasha continued with his tale. "I was going through a rather tough time, Kagome. I'd just lost someone very dear to me, and I thought my life was over."

"I don't understand, Mr. Taishom," Kagome told him. "What does that have to do with-"

Inuyasha held up his hand to silence her. "Let me finish, Kagome. I had been driving around aimlessly, not intending to end up anywhere. For some reason, while I was driving, I craved fresh air. So, upon parking my car at the foot of a hill, I began wandering. It was during this wandering that I came across that shrine." He said as he pointed to the picture nonchalantly.

Kagome's eyes grew wide with surprise. "So, you're saying it was by chance that you happened upon the Higurashi Shrine?"

He nodded and added, "It was such a marvelous structure, charming and serene, that I couldn't resist. I quickly snapped a photo of it before returning to my car. Now, whenever I glance at it, I consider the picture as a sort of new beginning for me. Kagome, in some strange way, the memory of that shrine has helped me to become a better man. "

Kagome frowned and glanced back at the picture, allowing his story to sink in. 'Wow…my family's shrine did all that for him? I guess it makes sense…it is a rather tranquil place. I mean, it's not like his story isn't plausible. He said he was going through a rough patch, so I'm glad that the picture helped him. Besides, he doesn't seem the stalker type…and if he was, he definitely wouldn't be wasting his time stalking me.'

"Do you believe me, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked gravely, breaking the silence in the room.

Kagome bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, I do. And, Mr. Taisho, I'm…" Her voice fell as her cheeks turned red, embarrassed that she had assumed the worst of him. "I'm very sorry."

Inuyasha grinned, relieved that her suspicions of him were coming to an end. As he stood up from his desk, Inuyasha replied, "It's alright, Kagome. You had every right to ask me about it."

"Yes, and no. I should've been more polite when asking, and I apologize for that. I reacted very rudely to you. Please forgive me." She lowered her head slightly, shamed by her behavior. 'You just had to go and screw it up, Kagome!' She chastised herself angrily. 'Now Inuyasha will hate you for acting like such a child!'

Inuyasha eyed her humiliated expression cautiously, and the longing to hold her burned within him. He had often held her many years ago, whenever she was upset or frightened, and it was his arms that had once kept her fears at bay. 'Oh, Kagome…so many years have passed, yet I have not forgotten you. I don't think I ever could.'

"Mr. Taisho, are you alright?" Kagome asked him, his distant expression worrying her.

Inuyasha shook his head quickly and snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry, Kagome, but it seems as if I'm not myself at the moment."

Kagome frowned, assuming it was her fault he was acting so odd. Moving towards the door swiftly, Kagome turned to glance at him. "Once again, I'm very sorry." She paused, waiting for him to reply. But he didn't, only turned to glance back at his computer screen. Kagome bit her tongue to keep from saying anything further, and she walked back into her office, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Inuyasha glanced up from his monitor as soon as Kagome left the room, his attention fixed on the spot where she once stood. Dragging a hand through his long black tendrils, Inuyasha sighed deeply, loathing the distance between them. But, although he hated taking his time with her, Inuyasha knew that if he was patient, the outcome would be greater. 'This is for the best, I know it. Just a little while longer, Kagome, and we'll be together again…just a little while longer.'

Thank you for reading! Please review if you enjoyed this chapter!