InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Wait for Me ❯ Memories ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: Konichiwa mina-san! I am so so so so so so so so SO sorry for taking so long to get the last chapter up! Don't hate me! It's been a hectic…*flinches* two months. And now I'm having technical difficulties with my beta. This chapter is unrevised by her, so please excuse any errors. As soon as I am able to get back in touch with my beta, I'll repost the corrected version. I hope the length of the chapter appeases you (14 pages typed). I'm not sure if I like how this chapter ended up or not. So tell me what you think! Especially if it sucks! Now I'd like to take this time to thank all those who reviewed this story during its `in progress' stage:

 

 

Treeoak110

 

Jewelup429

 

Kristen Sharpe

 

The ISIMS

 

Psychoticmonkey

 

Lil'3soldiers

 

Yangu Fuyu

 

Brneyedgirl

 

Luvinlife56

 

Smfan

 

Kagomesdouble07

 

Nidoon

 

Blackartemis

 

Photographing Poetry

 

Krazie-edge

 

Neckroz209

 

And to my wonderful beta: XO'MagickMoon'OX

 

*bows* Arigatou gosaimas mina-san! Now on with the final chapter of `Wait for Me'! Tanoshii omoi o suru!

 

 

Disclaimer: Ramiko Takahashi-sama owns everything but my imagination. *sigh* Too bad.

 

 

 

Wait for Me

 

~*~*~*~

 

Scroll 4

 

 

 

It was morning. For the first time in almost four days the rain had stopped. Instead of dark clouds, blue sky could be seen, and the roar of thunder had been replaced by birdsongs. The bright rays of morning sun streaming through the hospital window searched in vain for the sleeping eyes hiding from it.

 

Seika sighed. She always had the morning shift. It was her job to check up on the long-term patients and keep the rooms in good order. Her low heals clicked against the white laminate of the hospital corridor as she mentally ticked off the rooms assigned to her. Room 606: clean, tidy, and ready for its new occupant; room 608: patient still sleeping soundly thanks to the painkillers. She came to stand outside room 610. This was by far her favorite room. Both patients had a story, a sad one, but a story none-the-less. A beauty of a girl loosing months of her life to unconsciousness, and a stubborn punk of a boy who couldn't even remember his own name. it had been on her shift, two weeks ago, that the two had been brought together. The mother of the girl had been so understanding. Seika couldn't help but think that, growing up with a mother like that, the girl would have been as lovely in personality as she was in looks. The middle-aged nurse let out another sigh, shifted her bundle of clean white sheets to one arm, and opened the door with a soft smile.

 

The now open door revealed the same scene it did every morning. The blinds on the large window at the back of the room were open, letting in the morning sunlight. A black-haired boy in his late teens belly-side-down on his mattress and sheets, arm hanging over the side of the bed, still clothed, and mouth open lay still sleeping on the far side of the room. Seika chuckled a bit at the familiar picture. Walking the rest of the way into the medium sized room, she turned to look at the other occupant…and dropped her fresh bundle of sheets. She had moved. The girl who had been laying on her back in a comatose state for the past three and a half months was now on her side trying to save her eyes from the morning sun.

 

Seika's breath quickened as she rushed to the girl's bedside. She put her hand on the girl's shoulder and gently shook her. “Kagome? Darlin', are you awake?” Her answer came in the form of a small sleepy moan as Kagome shifted onto her back again. Seika ran excitedly to the door of the room and began to shout to the desk attendant across the hall. “Get Dr. Yamota in here now! Call the Higurashis! Tell them we have progress! Well, what are you waiting for?! The girl's coming out of it! And where in Kami-sama's name is Dr. Yamota?!”

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

He was on the border of sleep, but something was pulling him out of it. `What's with all the noise?' He groaned mentally. He didn't care if it was morning, he wanted to sleep damnit! The bight before had been stressful. That's when it hit him. `Lastnight…' Now he was awake. Was she alright? Was that what the commotion was about? He pushed himself up so he was sitting up on the bed, and looked over at Kagome…or, at least, tried to. Surrounding her bed was a hoard of doctors and nurses. She was panicking. He didn't know how he knew, but she was. As he stared, Mrs. Higurashi burst through the open door, followed closely by the kid and the old man. “My baby!” She cried, trying to get a look at her daughter. Instead of quelling the emotion, Kagome's panic only grew with the added attention. All of them were talking, asking questions like a bunch of frenzied reporters.

 

Due to a shift in the hoard, he saw Kagome's scared expression and the anxiety in her eyes. That made him snap. She should never have a reason to be afraid. She was too kind, seemed too pure for fear to ever be allowed to invade her senses. He sprang out of the bed and rudely pushed his way through the sea of medical personnel. “Back up!” He barked. “Give her some room! She just woke up, you don't have to suffocate the girl!” His angry violet eyes stunned the doctors, and they all unconsciously followed his commands. In the back of the group, a now composed Mrs. Higurashi's eyes softened and a genuine, knowing smile graced her lips. `You arestill protecting her…' She thought.

 

Beside her stood her thoroughly shocked father and her wide-eyed son. “Mom, isn't that…?” Asked the wide-eyed boy. Mrs. Higurashi kept her eyes on the human replica of her daughter's hanyou, but nodded, smile still in place.

 

“Yes. It is.” She replied.

 

Some of the doctors had finally regained their composure and were now angry that a patient would challenge them. One stepped forward importantly. The boy's muscles tensed even more, going in to a slight fighting stance. “Young man,” The doctor said sternly. The boy growled, impressive for a human actually, but none of the doctors heard him. Kagome, on the other hand, did. And she knew all too well what it meant. One word, trouble.

 

“Don't.” Her hand shot out and clasped the boy's balled fist to restrain him. “It's not worth it.” Her voice was soft, but she knew he could hear her. The boy grunted and relaxed his muscles and fighting stance, but his glare remained. He moved far enough away so that the doctors and the Higurashis could get through, but stayed close enough so that he could still watch over Kagome. She let go of his hand as the questions started up again, though, this time, at a subdued pace. Temper not quite down all the way, the boy jammed his hands in the pockets of his baggy jeans, glaring holes through the back of the doctor who had challenged him, though said man ignored it.

 

The doctors and nurses stayed for half an hour or more, asking questions, taking stats, running small tests, and generally making sure the coma didn't cause any major damage. Gradually, the crowd thinned as the tests finished and other calls came in. soon only the Higurashis were left with Kagome. The boy had moved to sit on his bed when he deemed the `threat' of the doctors had passed. He sat there, one leg crossed, one hanging over the side of the bed, back hunched, one elbow resting on his knee, his usual scowl in place as he watched the last of the nurses leave.

 

He felt awkward now that the doctors had gone. He didn't know if he wanted to deal with the emotional Higurashi family. I mean seriously, he apparently looked exactly like Kagome's dead boyfriend, and besides, it wasn't his place to eavesdrop on family matters. He got up, intent on moving discretely towards the door so he could leave with out gaining any attention. This ultimately failed when he `discretely' tripped on a pen a nurse had dropped during the frenzy, drawing all eyes his way. He quickly caught his balance and froze mid-trip with all four Higurashis staring at him. A very embarrassing scene indeed. The boy righted himself and stuck his hands back into the pockets of his black jeans, a slight blush across his face.

 

Mrs. Higurashi just smiled at him. “Oh, you don't have to leave on account of us, dear. It's your room as much as Kagome's.” She gestured towards her daughter. “Why don't you stay? We won't be long. I'm sure Kagome would like to rest after her hectic morning.”

 

“But Mom!” Souta protested.

 

“Oh, hush Souta. Kagome will be coming back home in a few days. We can have her all to ourselves then” Mrs. Higurashi scolded. The violet eyed boy cautiously slunk back to his bed, now slightly embarrassed at being caught. Ji-chan eyed him for a moment, but quickly turned his attention back to his granddaughter.

 

“Your mother is absolutely right!” He declared in his trademark high-pitch voice. “It was selfish of me to not consider your level of fatigue, Kagome. You have no need for an old git like me hanging around tiring you out.” Ji-chan moved back form the bed.

 

Kagome tried to reassure her grandfather. She had been asleep long enough thank you. “Oh, no Ji-chan, you don't have to-“

 

“Nonsense!” She was cut off, “Come Souta, your sister needs her rest!” The old man began tottering towards the door.

 

“But Gramps!” Souta tried again, but he was only rewarded with a stern glare. The young boy sighed in defeat. “Fine.” He walked toward Kagome and gave her a hug. “Bye, Kagome.”

 

“Don't worry Souta, I'll be home soon.” She reassured. And with that he ran to the door to meet up with their grandfather.

 

“Bye Souta! Bye Ji-chan!” Kagome waved.

 

“Bye, Nee-san!”

 

“Goodbye, Kagome.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. “Well, I guess I'd better go with them, Kagome dear. Trusting either one with the car would surly be a disastrous mistake.” She chuckled a bit as did Kagome. “Are you sure you'll be alright here Kagome?”

 

The girl made a quick glance at the boy across the room and smiled. “I think I'll be just fine mom.” Weather he was her InuYasha or not, he would still protect her if anything happened. He proved as much with the doctors. She giggled slightly at the memory. Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her daughter. Seeing her awake again was wonderful, but seeing her happy was even better.

 

“Ok, if you're sure. Are you going to need something on my next visit? Is there anything you want me to bring?” The middle-aged woman asked as she grabbed her purse.

 

“No, no. I don't think so.” Kagome shook her head.

 

“Alright. Goodbye, then dear.” Mrs. Higurashi stepped towards the door.

 

“Bye mo-Oh! Wait! There is something!” She couldn't believe she had almost forgot. If this was her InuYasha's reincarnation, and he hadn't recognized her on sight, then there was only one other thing she could try. Kagome's mom stepped back towards her daughter's bed, a questioning look on her face. Unbeknownst to the two women, Kagome's sudden exclamation caught the attention of the other person in the room as well. His violet eyes discreetly following the exchange.

 

`What the hell are they talking about?' He wondered suspiciously.

 

Kagome waved her mother in closer so she could speak in a low whisper. Wary of the other set of ears in the room. The woman obeyed and a look of shock replaced the one of questioning on her face as she heard her daughter's request. “I need you to bring the Tetsuaiga mom. I need to have it here. You know where you put it right?”

 

“Kagome! I can't bring that here! This is a hospital, there's no way!” The woman exclaimed, the importance of the volume of the conversation forgotten in her shock at the request. The black-haired boy's interest increased by the outburst, he tried to listen closer while desperately trying not to look like he was eavesdropping.

 

“Please mom, you have to!” Kagome said in a strained whisper, reminding her mother to lower her volume. “It's something InuYasha told me before he died. He told me to trust him. And I do trust him. I need that katana, and I need it as soon as possible. Cover it up, sneak it in, do anything you have to! Just get it here. Please.” She begged. Her mom had to understand. She had to find out if it would work.

 

“Kagome, can't it wait until you're home? It can't be that important.” Mrs. Higurashi reasoned.

 

“No, it can't wait. I need it here. I'm begging you.” Kagome pleaded, utilizing her best rendition of Shippou's puppy-dog-pout. Finally, her mother relented.

 

“Alright. I'll see what I can do, if it's that important to you.” She sighed. Kagome would do anything for that boy, even in death.

 

“Arigotou Mama!” She gave the woman a beaming hug. If this worked, she would have her InuYasha back. If this worked, everything would be ok.

 

The boy watched as the older woman said a last goodbye before walking out the door, a worried look on her face. In all the three months of his life that he could remember, these two weeks were by far the most confusing. Since the majority of their conversation was in strained whispers, he could only pick out a few words. Something about that dead guy again, and did she say something about needing a katana? Why would a girl like Kagome have such a dangerous weapon? Granted, he didn't know too much about her, but still! And why would she want it in a hospital of all places?! He growled mentally. `Keh. If only I had like…dog ears or something. Then I would've been able to hear more of the conversation.' He quirked an eyebrow at himself. `Now thatwas a weird thought.'

 

The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. He had the routine memory tests, which once again, to no one's surprise, came up unsuccessful. By the time he went back to the room Kagome was gone, most likely having tests of her own to check for any brain damage. To pass the time, he flicked on the TV they had in the room. `News, news, anime, soap opera, anime, anime, American cartoons, news, mushy chick-flick.' He cringed at the last one. `Kami, there's way too much crap on these days.' So, he settled on an anime channel that was showing a `Yu Yu Hakusho' marathon.

 

A couple of hours later, Kagome came back into the room looking completely exhausted. Dragging her feet, and with half-lidded eyes, she pulled herself over to the side of her bed, and promptly flopped on her back with a small grunt. The boy smirked at her, deciding to have some fun at her expense. He knew all too well how tiring the memory tests could be, and those weren't the only tests she had to go through. “Rough day, dear?” He asked jokingly.

 

Kagome opened one eye and glared at the laughing teen. His smirk seemed the most annoying thing on the planet right then. “Can it, honey. I'm not in the mood. Doctors ask too many questions. I feel like me brain turned to mush.”

 

“You get used to it.” He shrugged. Deciding it was too early to actually go to sleep, she figured she'd had enough of that as it was, Kagome propped herself up against her pillows and glanced at the TV. She raised an eyebrow at her roommate.

 

“Anime junky?” She asked with a bit of amusement. Most people their age had decided they were `too old for trivial animated shows'.

 

He shrugged again. “At least it's decent. And has an actual plotline.”

 

Kagome nodded. “Understandable.” She turned her attention back to the show. It was a tournament battle between the main character and a wind demon. A few minutes passed in a comfortable silence before Kagome made another attempt at conversation. “I think Keiko is my favorite character in the show. What about you?”

 

“Keh. Figures you'd like the weak little girl.” He scoffed. Kagome giggled at the very InuYasha-like comment. “To tell the truth, I think I like Kurama the best. But only in youkai form. His human form looks so weak, and he has too much compassion and junk.” He grimaced.

 

Kagome giggled again. `It figures he'd like that form. It probably subconsciously reminds him of himself…weird.' She shook her head. “Yes, Youko Kurama is quite a site isn't he.” (for those of you who don't know, Kurama's demon form looks quite a bit like our hanyou.)

 

Her roommate gave her a look like she was the craziest person on earth, then just shook his head and grumbled. “Girls.”

 

The rest of the evening was relatively uneventful. The two roommates continued to watch TV together, one randomly shooting out a playful comment to the other now and then. The doctors said that Kagome was remarkably fine and there was no brain damage to speak of, and that she would be able to go home after a night or two of observation. The dark-haired boy didn't really know how to feel about this. He guessed he was relieved in a way, because it meant that she was ok, but…it also meant that she was leaving. Tokyo was a big city, there wasn't a very good chance of finding her again once she left. His heart clenched at the thought of loosing her. Even if he did manage to find her again after his memory returned, if his memory returned, would she want to see him again? He was, technically, a strainger. The forefront of his mind was wondering why he even cared. Even if they had shared a room for two weeks, he had only really met her the night before. But there was another part of his brain that kept telling him not to let her go, that she was important to him more that anyone else he might know. It was just like the tugging that he had felt when he had first laid eyes on her, only now it was more than a tug.

 

He realized he was staring at her again and quickly looked back at the TV. He glanced back at her to see if she'd noticed. She hadn't. She was fast asleep, half sprawled across her bed, eyes lightly closed, her chest rising and falling with the slow rhythm of her breathing. He got up and moved to her bedside. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. He took the sheet laying at her knees and covered her up to her shoulder. His soft violet eyes lingered on her sleeping face. It seemed to call to him some way, and he answered, running his knuckles across her cheek. Kagome smiled and shifted in her sleep. “InuYasha…” She murmured.

 

His heart skipped a beat, and then dropped while his hand fell back to his side. `She thinks I'm him.' He thought dejectedly. He took in a breath and let it out slowly. “It was too much to ask for I guess.” Giving her one more glance to the dreaming girl, the boy walked the short distance to the other side of the room and stretched himself out on his own bed, hoping sleep would take him quickly.

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The next morning was bright and sunny. Any evidence of the storms that had finally stopped the day before had been completely dried up. When Seika opened the door to room 610 this time, she found Kagome already wide-awake and scribbling in a notepad that had been left on her side table. “How are you feeling dear?” The nurse asked as she walked towards the bed.

 

Kagome looked up from the notepad. “Oh, just fine thank you.” She answered politely. Really it was just a polite gesture. To tell the truth she was feeling extremely nervous with anticipation for what might happen if her mother was able to bring Tetsuaiga. Her mind was racing with all the `what ifs'. What if, when he regained his memory, he was angry with her for bringing him back? What if he couldn't live in this time period? What if he was angry about having to be human? What if it didn't work at al? She could barely think of that possibility. What would her life be like if she didn't have her hanyou? She didn't know. She mentally shook her head. `Come on Kagome! Get a grip! Three years with the man, and you've forgotten how to live without him?! You spent 15 happy years without that idiot in your life.' It didn't matter though. There were several occasions where she had decided that she hadn't really started living until she met InuYasha. It was that part of her life she had spent without him that now seemed like a simple dream.

 

“What are you writing?” Seika asked, startling Kagome out of her thoughts.

 

“Oh, just what's happening, how it got this way, and stuff like that.” She explained. “A couple of years ago, I started writing a journal. I figured I might as well get my thoughts down now before I forget them.”

 

Seika nodded, busying herself around the room. “And what are your thoughts?”

 

Kagome sighed. “I don't know. It's just all so overwhelming. One minute things were relatively normal, and the next I find I've been in a coma for three and a half months, sharing a room with yet another face to put on to my interesting people list.”

 

The nurse laughed. “He is a character isn't he? Poor boy, still can't even remember his own name.” She looked over to the teen, still sprawled on his bed, yet to be awakened. “I've worked with people who've seen cases like his. Three months and still no progress. Gives me the impression it'll all just come back in one giant flash…or at least most of it.”

 

“Yeah. Maybe that'll happen soon for him.” Kagome said, more to herself than to the nurse.

 

Seika shook her head and turned to leave. “We can only hope so.” When she was almost to the door Kagome stopped her.

 

“Um, when do visiting hours start?” Kagome asked innocently.

 

Seika chuckled. “Why? Expecting welcome back peasants already?”

 

Kagome gave a nervous laugh. “Yeah…something like that.”

 

“Well, since it's a weekday, visiting hours don't start until about one o'clock hunny.” The nurse said as she looked at her watch, then she bid Kagome adieu and left the room.

 

`Ok. Visiting hours start at one.' Kagome looked at the clock on the wall. '10:30. Damn, still two and a half hours till mom can come. I hope she found a way to get InuYasha's sword here.' She looked at her sleeping roommate, then back at her journal entry. `Please let this work.'

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

It was nearly 2:30 before Mrs. Higurashi made her way into the long-term resident ward. She tried her best not to look nervous as she carried a long, brightly wrapped package under her arm. Thankfully, she was doing a very good job. She smiled at the nurse managing the lobby desk as she checked in. “What have you got there, Mrs. Higurashi?” The nurse asked with a smile.

 

“Just a `welcome back' present for Kagome. I think she could use a little cheering up after her ordeal.” The woman answered smoothly.

 

“Well, what is it?” The desk attendant pressed.

 

“I'm afraid I can't say. It might ruin the surprise. Her room is right down the hall, what if she came out and heard me?” Mrs. Higurashi joked, hoping the girl would leave it at that. Apparently, luck was on her side that day. The girl just waved off the fact that she wouldn't get to find out what the surprise was and told Mrs. Higurashi to have a nice visit.

 

Quickly, though not enough to look suspicious, the middle-aged woman thanked the girl and headed to Kagome's room. She knocked on the door and entered to find both occupants sitting on their beds watching TV. The boy didn't pay much notice as the woman walked towards Kagome's bed. She was met half way by the excited girl and hugged her tightly. “Did you bring it?” The girl asked quickly, eyeing the package in her mother's hands.

 

Mrs. Higurashi sighed at her daughter. “It wasn't easy, but I was able to get it here.” She said as she handed over the colorful parcel. Kagome sat back down on her bed and cradled the present. Her mother stood in front of her and sighed again. “I still don't see what this is going to do.”

 

Kagome spoke in a low voice, but didn't lift her eyes. “It might give all of us back our hanyou.” She said.

 

Mrs. Higurashi's eyes widened. “Are you sure?” Kagome nodded and looked up at her mother. A silent message went between them and the woman put a hand on her daughter's shoulder before pulling her in to a tight embrace. “Best of luck to you then. Just be careful, ok?” She pulled back and Kagome nodded. “I'll go and see what I can do about your discharge papers. You should have all the time you need.”

 

“Thank you, Mama.” Was all Kagome needed to say before Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her, then at the boy, and left the room all together. The boy, seemingly enthralled with the television, had heard almost the entire thing. He hated not knowing what was going on around him, and right then, he had no clue. He watched as Kagome closed the door after her mother as quietly as she could. Then she began discreetly lower the shades on the windows to the hallway, making sure no one could see in.`What the fuck is she up to?'

 

Kagome sat back on her bed once she was sure it was safe. She knew he was watching her.`Hell, he probably thinks I'm insane right now.' She thought. Slowly, as to hopefully capture the boy's interest, Kagome tore the wrapping paper off the sword. First the worn and battle ragged hilt was exposed, and then she slid the rest of the paper down to show the scabbard and the katana in its entirety. The boy's attention was now fully on Kagome and the sword. It was obviously an ancient object, rough and worn from decades of use. He liked it though. It didn't just seem familiar…it felt familiar, whether that made sense or not. It was almost calling to him. The same way Kagome, or that pink marble she wore called to him. It pulled at his mind harder than anything else before it. It intrigued him. He wanted to know what it would feel like to grip it in his hand. His legs seemed to move of their own accord as he stood from the bed and took a step forward, eyes trained on the object in Kagome's hands. Then, that old sword did something very unexpected.

 

She saw him look intently at the katana. She could tell what he was thinking from his eyes. They were confused and intrigued, and looked like he was on the verge of remembering something important. Slowly, he stood. In response to his movement, Tetsuaiga pulsed. Kagome smiled. It recognized him. The legendary sword held carefully in both hands, Kagome also stood. She looked back up at the boy across the room and saw pure and utter shock in his eyes. She giggled at the sight. “I think it likes you.”

 

“H-how the fuck did it do that?!” Things were now officially weird. Swords didn't normally pulse…did they? He looked at his roommate's eyes and saw amusement in their blue depths. She was laughing at him!

 

His reaction, though somewhat expected, was very entertaining. She walked towards him a few steps, closing some of the space between them. “It's a legendary sword. Made by a fairly skilled demon sword smith, or so says the story.” She said with an amused smile, a certain twinkle in her eyes. The boy took a cautious step forward, eyes back to intently watching the strange object. “It's called the Tetsuaiga. Legend says it was crafted from the fang of a very powerful demon lord.” Kagome had a hard time holding her composure. The sword's reaction and the anxious anticipation was enough to cause her body to start shaking, but she couldn't have that happen now.

 

He came a bit closer so he was a mere two feet away. “Tesuaiga, huh?” He looked at the sword that lay in Kagome's hands. It pulsed again, this time stronger than the last. Still alarmed by this, he glanced up at Kagome, but she didn't seem to be bothered by the strange behavior at all. She was completely calm, like the pulses of energy were a normal reaction.

 

Kagome nodded at his question. This was it. The moment of truth was staring her right in the face. Might as well take the plunge. “Would…would you like to hold it?” She asked, trying to reign in her own hope.

 

He didn't understand it. She had brought a potentially deadly weapon in to a hospital, this potentially deadly weapon was now pulsing, and she now wanted him to hold said pulsing, potentially deadly weapon. And the strangest thing about it? Yes, he wanted to hold the weird pulsing sword. It was almost like it was a lost part of him. `Kami, what the hell is wrong with me?' He thought. `What does she expect to happen if I hold this thing? She obviously expects somethingto happen. Let's just see what happens if I go along with this.' Slowly, as he was still quite a bit unsure of himself, he lifted his arm from his side so that his hand hovered only inches over its target. Should he really touch the thing? What would it do to him?

 

Tetsuaiga pulsed a third time. This time though, he was close enough to feel the effect of it. A wave of the sword's energy swept through him. It was warm, and calming, encouraging almost. His decision made, in one concrete movement, he took the katana in his outstretched hand. At first, nothing happened. It was just an old sword. Then, it gave off an even stronger pulse. Then another one, and another, until it was pulsing in a powerful, steady rhythm in time with his heartbeat.

 

All of a sudden, it felt like he had gotten punched in the skull. Images flashed across his mind at a tremendous speed. Some were familiar, from when he had touched that pink marble, others were new to him, but this time all of them came with names and stories. He knew these people. Kikyou, his first experience with someone accepting him besides his mother; the priestess that had been tricked into sealing him to the Goshinboku. Sango, the taijiya who, through Kagome, had befriended him and helped them fight their battles as they did for her. Miroku, the perverted priest who he gladly called his friend and ally. Shippou, the annoying little fox kit who took a place as Kagome's adopted son. Kirara, Sango's two-tailed demon cat companion who fought by their sides.

 

Then there were others. Kaede, his bastard half-brother Sesshomaru, the mangy wolf, he knew all of them. He remembered the fights he would invoke with Kagome, just to see her flustered, the dreaded sit command, and how her tears would rip his heart out. He remembered watching over her as she slept, sometimes in the feudal era, sometimes in the modern era. He remembered how gentle her hands would be on his skin as she tended his wounds. Whether a simple scratch, or a hole through his stomach, she never flinched away.

 

He remembered so many things. The pain of Kikyou's betrayal, the rage toward Naraku, the jealous anger Kouga was able to kick up in him, Souta and his videogames, that scrawny human kid, Homo, and how stupid he looked trying to gain Kagome's affections. His entire life's memories were being restored to him. As his final memory of his death faded away, he thought the flashbacks were finally over, but then a second wave hit. These memories were different though. In these memories he wasn't a loathed hanyou, but a normal, full-blooded human. And they didn't take place in the Sengoko Jidai, they took place in Kagome's time.

 

Kagome began to worry as she watched the boy in front of her. He had gone stock still after the Tetsuaiga had began pulsing frantically, his face a deathly pale color, and his eyes, though still open, seemed sightless. At one point it seemed like he would come out of it, but he quickly returned to the trance-like state. She tried to lay a hand on his shoulder, to see if she could shake him out of it, but Tetsuaiga prevented her from doing so with a weak barrier. After a few more minutes of worrying, she saw his grip on the ancient sword, as well as his rigid posture, slacken slightly. His violet eyes brightened again as he simply stared at her.

 

She laid her hand on his arm, though, whether it was to reassure him or herself, she didn't know. “I-InuYasha?” She asked timidly, hoping beyond all hope that it had worked like he had said it would.

 

His eyes held recognition, and he let Tetsuaiga clatter to the floor. He grabbed hold of her and pulled her into a crushing hug, burying his face into her hair. “Kagome…” He nearly choked out. “Oh, Kami, Kagome, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.” He breathed in her scent, letting it fill his weak human senses. It felt so good to have her in his arms again.

 

Kagome desperately clung to his shirt as he hugged her. She was on the verge of a breakdown. It had worked! It had actually worked! “InuYasha!” She cried, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “InuYasha, it's you! It's really you! I was so scared it wouldn't work. I was so scared…” She ended with a choking sob. InuYasha shushed her and slowly rubbed her back, anything to calm her down. Whether they were tears of joy or not, he still couldn't stand to see her cry.

 

“Sssshhh, I told you it would work, didn't I? I told you I'd come back.” Kagome nodded against his shoulder.

 

“I believed you.” She sniffed. “You told me to trust you and I did. Oh, Kami, I love you so much InuYasha.” Burrowing her face into his chest, she reveled in his warmth, his strong, even though human, arms wrapped tightly around her. Joyful tears slowly slid down her face, darkening the shoulder of his T-shirt as they soaked in.

 

InuYasha took another deep breath of her intoxicating scent, the hot air tickling Kagome's neck as he let it out. “I love you too, Kagome. Never forget that.” He pulled away from their embrace and looked at her, drinking in the beauty he never thought he'd ever see again. One hand keeping her firmly cradled against his body, the other came up to cup her cheek, his thumb whipping away her tears. Their eyes met as stormy blue clashed with deep violet, and neither could look away. Slowly, he brought his head down, closing the small distance between them.

 

Moving in sync, Kagome tilted her head, rising up to meet him half way. Her soft pink lips met his in a sweet and gentle kiss. It was so much different than the one they shared in Kaguya's castle. That one had been desperate and full of fear for the unknown. This…this was warm, all their emotions flowing into the other through kiss as their lips moved against each other.

 

Though it didn't turn hungry, the kiss quickened in pace and pressure. Both trying to make up for time they had lost on the other side of the well. The hand InuYasha had rested on her lower back slid up to just below her right shoulder blade, while the other moved from her cheek around to the back of her head, burrowing into her silky tresses. Kagome fallowed the gesture, her hands sliding onto his broad shoulders then wrapping around to tangle themselves in his thick black hair.

 

Both parties cursed the need for air as they slowly broke away, though not before InuYasha got in a rather possessive nip on her lower lip in for good measure. As Kagome lowered herself down from her tip-toes, they smiled at one another in that gentle way that lovers keep only for each other. Their eyes never leaving the other's gaze until Kagome untangled her hands from his hair and sliding them back down to rest on his muscular chest, snuggling as far into his warmth as possible. In turn, InuYasha slid his one hand down her back as he brought the other from the back of her head to hug around her shoulders.

 

“I wish we could stay like this forever, InuYasha.” Kagome murmured into his shirt as she took in his wonderfully musky scent. It was somewhat different from what she remembered, but it didn't change how much she licked it. It was still comforting and still undoubtedly him.

 

InuYasha did his own scent check as he nuzzled his nose into her hair, rocking her gently back and forth. “Me too, Kagome, me too.” He paused a moment and the girl could feel him smirk against her skin before he pulled back slightly to look her in the face with a half-serious expression. “But, you know, you're gonna haveta call me Akira in public now.” He said.

 

Kagome's countenance turned puzzled at his statement. “Akira? Why would I have to call you that?” She asked.

 

The black haired boy snorted. “Cuz it's my name in this world wench, and you're just gonna haveta get used to it.” He was obviously teasing her, but she still didn't understand.

 

“What do you mean in this…?” And then it clicked. “You mean you got his memories back along with yours?”

 

He moved his hand back to her cheek. “They're my memories too, Kagome. I'm still me, just with a different body and new background information.” He said gently.

 

Kagome nodded. “Ok, so…what is your new background information? Why were you here so long without anyone saying they knew you? And why isn't your identification information in the database?”

 

InuYasha chuckled. “Keh, let's start with the basics wench. It would be pretty weird if you didn't know at least that much about your boyfriend.” Kagome blushed at the term a bit and she saw him smirk. It was really weird to hear him using modern lingo, but she nodded for him to continue. He brought his hand down to the more comfortable position at her hip and thought for a moment. “Well, my name now is Akira Takahashi, I'm 20 years old, and apparently I've been living in America for the last 10 years. I just got back to Japan or something. Guess that's why none of my info is in the computer. My…my mother is still in the stats with my older brother.” His eyes grew soft before cringing at the last statement, and Kagome giggled. “I think they're coming home within the next month or so.”

 

Kagome smiled at him mischievously. “And to think you barely believed me when I told you the American continents even existed.” She teased before getting back to the questioning. “What about your father? Or…do you even have one?” She asked tentatively.

 

“Keh, he's the head of some company here in Tokyo. I don't really remember which one yet. Not everything is back, most of it is though.”

 

Kagome quirked a fine eyebrow. “Wouldn't he have been looking for you? You did drop off the radar for tree months.”

 

“Feh, doubt it. He's kinda pissed at me right now. Something about me not wanting to be part of the company like my brother is. Suits me just fine though. Still don't really know how to deal with fathers just yet.”

 

Kagome laid a kiss on his neck and rested her cheek on his T-shirt clad shoulder. “You'll get the hang of it eventually, I know you will. It'll just take some time to get used to everything.”

 

InuYasha smiled, lovingly kissed her temple, and laid his head atop hers. “Yeah, I guess.” They stood there a moment before he spoke again. “You know…I'm really glad I found you so quickly wench.” He quipped.

 

Kagome giggled. “Oh? And why's that?”

 

He smirked playfully. “Cuz who knows how long it would have taken for you to get fed up with waiting and start chasing after that Hobo wimp.”

 

Even though she knew he was kidding, Kagome answered him with an indignant snort and hugged him closer. Her voice exposed every shred of love she had for him. “I would have waited forever, InuYasha. I would have waited forever.

 

 

 

 

Owari

 

 

 

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A/N: YATTA!!!! It's finally finished! I started writing this almost an entire year ago in study hall, and now I don't have to worry about it any more! I think I'm rather happy with how it came out, actually. Oh, but sorry I won't be writing a sequel or follow up for it. I really have no idea where to take it from here anyway. The original idea that I thought up at the beginning of 9th grade ended here, and I'm going to keep it that way. But hey, if any of my fans out there want to write their own sequel for it, all I ask is that you tell me about it. I would definitely read and comment. It would be interesting to see what people came up with.

 

So, in conclusion to my first chapter story, I thank all who reviewed and bore with my slow updating. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I can only hope you had as much fun reading it. Until next time mina-san, sayonara!