Yay! Chapter 5! I really love that you guys are reading this... but I'd love to know what you think! There's a tiny review button down there... Don't hesitate to click!

No matter how many times you ask...I DON'T OWN INUYASHA!

Inuyasha walked into the dimly lit cave with his senses on high alert. It was more than a bit worrying, for Sesshomaru had called him out to the middle of nowhere and told him to come alone. He had said nothing about what was going on, nor what to expect in this cave.

But nothing Sesshomaru could have said would have prepared him for what lay in the darkness beyond.

There was a fire in the center, surrounded by pillows and furs. Its flames tried to stave off the unfamiliar chill that threatened to crawl up his spine.

A small demon child with silver hair (with matching dog ears) and violet eyes ran up and clung to his leg. "Uncle! You came to visit!"

Inuyasha frantically tried to shake the kid off. "Look here, brat. My name's Inuyasha. AND GET THE HELL OFF ME!"

From the corner of the cave came a voice that sounded like it was holding back laughter. "Akira, let your uncle go. It's his first time visiting, and if you're too rough with him he might not come back.

The little boy reluctantly let go, but Inuyasha barely noticed. He'd thought he'd never hear her voice again. Three years was a long time, and he'd almost given up hope as the months after dragged by. But here she was, in the flesh.

Kagome shifted the baby she was holding to her side and stuck out a hand. "Hi. You must be Inuyasha. I'm Kagome, Sesshomaru's mate."

The sun had risen and brought the village to life. Inuyasha shook the lingering clouds of the dream from his head, but leaned back against the Sacred Tree. Their tree. He shook his head to clear his mind of her. It didn't work. Nothing ever did.

They'd spent time together, formed a bond of love and trust during that time. And yeah, sure, they'd had their problems. She was just so stubborn! That wasn't his fault!

Inuyasha growled under his breath and punched the tree. He was thinking of her again, dammit!

That place by the river... she didn't care enough to come.

Did she ever love me?

Kagome hopped down from her perch and landed with her nose on the ground. Just because she could didn't mean she was able to do it well. She'd have to ask Sesshomaru to show her later. If she ever got home.

Something made Kagome pause as she was picking herself up from the ground. She sniffed a few times, and recognized the scent. It was close to Sesshomaru's, but was nearly identical to that of his half-brother. He'd been there!

She ran full force, following the trail. Silently thanking the gods for Sesshomaru, she pulled out a scrap of fabric that he said had belonged to Inuyasha and still carried his scent. Just to make sure, Kagome brought it up to her nose and gave it a long sniff. I've got you now, Inuyasha!

The ground whistled past as she picked up her speed even more.

A villager ran up to a hut and banged loudly on the door and was let in after a moment. He faced the demon slayer, monk, and half-demon. Most people would have cowered in fear and begged the two humans to kill the half-demon, but that wasn't an issue in Kaede's village. Its citizens had grown accustomed to his presence while the priestess was still with them.

"You have to hurry! There's a demon in the village! And she seems pretty insistent..."

Miroku sat up straighter at the man's words. "She? Well, we don't want any of the villagers to worry. You stay her, Sango. I'll go see what she wants."

Sango's Hiraikotsu left quite a mark on the monk's head as she addressed the villager. "Did she say what she wants?"

He nodded. "She wishes to speak with Inuyasha."

"Feh. Is that all? Tell her to come back some other time. I'm not in the mood to deal with a she-demon who just wants to talk. I want one whose throat I can rip out."

The villager was nearly shaking in his sandals. "Please, Inuyasha. She really wants to talk to you."

Miroku stood up. "Well, if he won't go, I'll see if I can appease the lady."

This time the Hiraikotsu actually drew some blood. "Inuyasha, can you go before this idiot husband of mine gets himself into more trouble than he's worth?"

Inuyasha reluctantly agreed. "Fine, Sango. But don't blame me when you have to clean up her parts."

It was morning and Kagome still wasn't back yet. Was she hurt? Did she get lost? Or did Inuyasha-

Sesshomaru shook his head. He had to trust her.

Ah, who was he kidding? He grabbed Tenseiga and ran toward her scent.

Kagome stood in the center of the village, arms crossed and foot tapping. The villager had disappeared several minutes ago. Kagome vaguely remembered the village, but not enough to try to find Inuyasha on her own.

It was getting ridiculous! How long did it take to get one measly half-demon? It's not like the village was that big...it was called a village for a reason!

She shook her head. Her agitation was making her think things she didn't really mean.

The door to one of the huts was pushed open and an angry half-demon stalked out. His robe of the fire rat had seen better days, or at least a better couple hours, and his hair was tangled with twigs and leaves. The Tetsusaiga hung on his side and his claws were sharp as knives.

"Geez, took you long enough. It's not that far, either! What, you just didn't want to see me?" Kagome cocked a hip to the side and put her hand on it. "I wouldn't be surprised. Not if what Rin's told me is true. Lying, cheating ass. Or, sorry, two-timing boyfriend." She smirked. "I've been waiting for this for months, Inuyasha. It's been a while, hasn't it? Three years, was it?"

Inuyasha couldn't move. "More," he said, still just staring at Kagome. Namely her new ears. She'd grown. Her chest was fuller and her legs were longer. He wanted her, more than he'd ever wanted Kikyo. And he'd waited for her, far longer than he had for the long-dead priestess.

"Hm, really? Funny, I can't seem to remember. Oh well. No skin off my nose." Her shoulders lifted slightly, carelessly. It didn't matter to her what he thought. He was just a worthless boy.

From the same hut Inuyasha had been in came a demon slayer and a monk. Sango dropped her Hiraikotsu and threw her arms around Kagome. "You're back! I can't believe it!"

She had a big grin on her face and something in Kagome made her return Sango's affection. Miroku came up as well, but instead of doing something perverted he merely patted her shoulder and said, "We're glad to have you back."

"I can't stay." Kagome bit her lip, hesitant to go on. "I-I'm sorry. But I don't know who any of you are."

Sango's eyes started to fill with tears. "B-but we're friends Kagome! How could you forget us? It's been more than three years, but we still remember you! Please, please tell me you're joking!"

Inuyasha's ears twitched as he waited for Kagome to reply. So Sesshomaru hadn't been lying. She really didn't remember anything.

"I'm sorry. I'm not. I was in an accident in my time and lost the memories of my time here. It's familiar, but it's just a feeling."

"Shippo'll be sad he missed you. But maybe it's a good thing, since you don't remember us. He was hit the hardest when you left. He wouldn't eat for weeks and wouldn't talk to us for months. It was hard, when we all missed you as well." Miroku shrugged. "But I guess you need to go. Based on your ears, you've mated with a demon?" He looked at Inuyasha, who just shrugged. He had a guess, but he wasn't about to voice it.

Kagome nodded. "Sesshomaru." She smiled a bit when she said his name and Sango and Miroku gasped.

"Inuyasha's brother?"

She nodded. "Half-brother. And I have to get back soon. I've been gone too long as it is. But..." Sango gestured for her to go on. "I don't know how to get back home. I sorta got lost."

Inuyasha snorted. "Stupid wench. You're useless aren't you? Can't even use that nose of yours to find your own mate? Pathetic!"

Tears filled her eyes as she stalked over to his side. "Sit boy!"

The beads of subjugation did their job and he was thrust into the ground. "Kagome! I thought you said you didn't remember anything!"

She turned on her heel. "Rin's told me stories."

"Without me, you can't find your way home."

The words made her pause long enough for the beads' effect to wear off. "I'll find it eventually."

Inuyasha came up right behind her and put a large hand on her shoulder. "Don't be an idiot! You'll get hurt!"

Scoffing at the notion, Kagome took his hand and threw him over her shoulder. "You forget I'm a demon now. A FULL demon. More than you'll ever be, since the Sacred Jewel is gone."

"Kagome, please don't do this. You might be a demon, but not for very long. You still smell partially like a human. The demons will mistake you for a weak half-demon. It's not safe." She shook her head, not caring about his ideas. It had been a mistake to seek him out. It just gave her more questions than answers, and left her feeling depressed. At least she'd be with Sesshomaru soon.

"I'm begging you Kagome. Don't do this. For me." Inuyasha took a deep breath before saying the words he knew he couldn't come back from. "I love you. Even if you don't remember me, remember that."

He pulled her close and kissed her.