Chapter 16

It had been twelve days since Kagome lost her memories, and they were still nowhere near getting them back. She was back to her cheerful self and knew everyone's names. There were new memories, but the old memories were still elusive. Meanwhile, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were both slowly losing their control as they got more frustrated with the continuing situation. Kagome spends most of the time in the garden playing with Rin and Shippo and talking to Sango and Miroku. Inuyasha is seen less and less as time goes on, and Sesshoumaru gets less pleasant to be around.

Without Kagome's knowledge, Sesshoumaru has been going out at increased intervals, at first to find a cure for her poison. Now he was searching for Naraku, the only possible way to get her better that he can figure. Unfortunately, this has caused a distance between him and Kagome that is really hurting their relationship since she cannot remember him. Now her memories of him are simply his absence and sporadic care, leading her to believe that he might not truly love her.

However, Sesshoumaru felt he could not tell Kagome what he was doing because she would not want him risking his life for her. She would say it wasn't worth it, or they should look together. But with the loss of her memories, she has also lost control of her miko powers. He could not put her at risk like that when she has already been hurt this much.

That was how panic consumed the Western Palace the next day when Kagome could not be found anywhere. Sesshoumaru had left at dawn and didn't sense the presence attempting to follow him. The one miko power that she had been practicing in secret was masking her scent and powers. While everyone was still asleep or simply not nearby, she followed Sesshoumaru out of the castle and to the edge of the nearby forest. Unfortunately for Kagome, he took off into the air, speeding quickly away from her. Desperate to know where he was going, she threw aside any thoughts that it isn't safe for her and started running after him through the forest.

She quickly lost sight of him however, and was stuck in the middle of a dark, most likely dangerous forest alone.

Why did I do this again? Maybe I should unmask my powers and Sesshoumaru will come and get me. But then he'll know that I was following him. He already doesn't seem to like me much despite what everyone tells me. I'll just turn around and walk back.

So Kagome turned around, but realized that every direction looked the same. After turning in circles for a while, she gave a resigned sigh and dropped her mask and let her aura out. Feeling something approaching, Kagome turned to meet it but was alarmed by the sudden chill in the air.

"You have made an excellent mistake, my dear." Naraku emerged from the darkness, causing Kagome to take an instinctive step back, though she wasn't really sure why. Her back and stomach began to hurt and she doubled over in pain. "Now now, Kagome, come here. I won't hurt you any more than I have to, I don't want to."

He inched closer but Kagome continued to move away as quickly as the pain would allow. Black spots darted in front of her eyes as she tried to beat back the sudden and overwhelming sense of fear. She had no idea why, but this man was dangerous and she needed to find a way to escape quickly. But the pain in her back suddenly magnified and she dropped to her knees.

Naraku crept closer to her with each word. "You shouldn't have left the palace. Sesshoumaru has been searching for me everywhere to try and help you. It's really quite pathetic, watching him run around frantically, hoping for the answer to just come out. But now you are separated and all alone." He reached out to touch her face and Kagome closed her eyes and leaned away. But the touch never came and she opened her eyes again when she heard a cool voice reply.

"Who did you say was alone?" Sesshoumaru was standing in front of her, glaring at Naraku as he recovered from being shoved into a tree. "Are you all right Kagome?"

The pain reduced enough for her to be able stand and lean against him. "I'll survive. Thank you for finding me so quickly!"

Sesshoumaru reached back to grasp her hand and began to step back, away from Naraku and pulling Kagome back with him. "Leave now, Naraku. I will not have my mate threatened."

Chuckling darkly, Naraku unleashed his tentacles, most directed at Sesshoumaru and a few hanging back. While Sesshoumaru was busy trying to stop those tentacles and stay close to Kagome, the last few quickly darted toward Kagome. Seeing this, he moved in front of her, shielding her with his own body.

Her emotions overwhelmed her in that instant and a scream broke out as all of her suppressed powers were unleashed. The tentacles were vaporized, Sesshoumaru left unharmed, and Naraku forced to flee with major injuries.

Kagome no longer had the strength to stand and immediately dropped to the ground. When Sesshoumaru caught her and held her close to carry her home, she whispered to him happily, "I remember. I remember everything, I'm so sorry." As they took off with the Western Palace in the distance, Kagome lost consciousness and Sesshoumaru kissed her on the forehead.