Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, no matter how much I hate to admit this. This anime/manga along with all of its characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. This disclaimer is valid to all chapters of Forgiving Loss. Though they do not belong to me, BlueAngel326 loves to toy with them, a lot.

Chapter 11 Discovery

"Hey, Kagome! Check this out. I found some information on your Kyourime and Kurokami. It turns out that they're transferring agents from the Kyoto branch of Seikyo no Tenshi. It seems Jirasu-san called in a special favor from his cousin, the head of the branch in Kyoto, just for your case, Kagome."

Kagome walked over from some papers she was reading. "Seriously?" she asked Rin, sticking a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth.

"Yep. I managed to hack into Seikyo's information banks. This section tells me all the members in each branch, their positions and partners, and their current assignments. See? Here're you and Inuyasha, and Sesshy and I are here…"

"Wow…everyone's on here."

"Yep!"

"So, what else did you find out about those two?"

"They're here specifically here for you and Inuyasha. One, to ensure that you and Inuyasha don't fall into any trouble, y'know, make sure whoever's targeting you doesn't get anywhere. Two, track down the person or group that's targeting you. And three, help restore your memory."

"Restore my memory? But how?"

"Well, the girl, Kyourime, has a wide range of psycho-kinetic powers, from telekinesis to telepathy. Even a limited use of clairvoyance. She's pretty powerful, considering her powers are still growing. Her only surviving family is her uncle, who supports her both politically and power-wise. He too is a psycho-kinesis user."

"Guess that's how she was levitating while she fought Inuyasha. And what about the guy, Kurokami?"

"Well, there isn't much information on him, other than he has a brother in the company, possibly in the same branch, and that he's hanyou. It doesn't list his demon-type, though. His information's pretty confidential."

"Could you send me these pages and files? I want to look at them again later."

"Sure."

Kagome turned away. "Hanyou…like you and Inuyasha. And Kyourime, a psycho-kinetic user."

"Yeah. We'll probably find out more information about them soon. According to their assignment and what you and Inuyasha said about them, they'll be around a lot more often. Speaking of which, where is that stick in the mud?"

"Inuyasha? Oh, he went to make a few errands…which reminds of me. He'll be home soon, and I've still got to cook dinner." Kagome organized the papers that were on the table and walked towards the front of the house.

"If I find anything else, I'll send it to you, 'kay?"

"Hai. Arigatou, Rin."

"No problem. I had time to kill anyway. Ja ne!"

"Ja ne!"

"Oi. What are you doing sitting in the dark?" Inuyasha asked as he turned on the light in the computer room.

"Hm? Oh, welcome home," Kagome said as she sat up from her catnap at the desk. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, "I'm just looking through Seikyo's database. I must have fallen asleep. Dinner's ready if you're hungry."

"I'm not that hungry yet. But how did you manage to get into Seikyo's database? The whole thing is covered in first-class firewalls and protection."

"True, but we've got a better-than-first-class hacker. Rin sent me the codes and everything to get into its information banks. This is almost like checking my email."

"I knew Rin was a bad influence," Inuyasha murmured.

Kagome giggled. "Don't worry. I'm not delving too deeply into Seikyo. Just finding out more about everybody we know, including Kurokami and Kyourime. See, here're their files, and then ours. We're grouped by teams, and it gives all our stats, traits, everything, including relationships and past missions. It's like a log of everything we've done ever since we started working for them, plus some background."

"Hm. So, what did you find?"

"Well, you have a bad temper and consistently jump to conclusions. Rin likes roller coasters and mysteries, including cracking codes. Miroku's interested in women with-"

"Not THAT! I meant on Kurokami and Kyourime!"

"I know. Just playing." She leaned back, stuck out her tongue at him, and smiled.

"I swear, you act like a little kid sometimes," he mumbled.

"Look who's talking." Inuyasha gently poked her side, and she jumped a little. "Eep! What was that fo-?"

She turned around to glare at Inuyasha, but he was merely two inches from her, face-to-face, grinning. "What was that?" he said in a cool voice.

"Eh…" Flustered and surprised, Kagome tried to lean back but lost her balance. She gasped and shut her eyes closed as she felt herself falling backwards, anticipating the impact, but it never came. She heard the chair hit the floor, but she didn't feel her body do so. Instead, she felt powerful arms wrapped around her waist and a firm body pressed against her petite frame. She looked up to stare into a pair of molten gold eyes that pierced her gaze and her very soul. She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears as her breath was caught in her throat. Her cheeks flushed as all her strength drained from her limbs, and she was standing by Inuyasha's firm hold on her alone.

She didn't know what to do, didn't know what to expect. She just wanted to stare at those piercing golden eyes and stay in that tight embrace, as his lips came ever so close to hers.

"Woof! Mail! Mail! Mail! Woof!" barked the little dog icon on the computer screen as it chased its tail before disappearing. Both surprised, Inuyasha released Kagome and stepped back as Kagome came back down to earth.

"Oh, um, m-my email. I-I wonder who it is…" Kagome said as she clicked back to her email, trying to disregard the awkwardness in the room.

"K-Keh. Next time, be more careful…clumsy idiot…" Inuyasha tried to clear the tension unsuccessfully.

"G-Gomen…ah, it's Rin."

"What does she want now?"

"It's about those two: Kurokami and Kyourime. She tried researching some more about them, but everything she's come across is super top-secret. There are so many barriers and protection programs locking the information that even she can't get a hint out, and she's been trying for the past two hours. See?" Kagome said pointing to the screen. She caught Inuyasha's gaze but immediately turned around, her cheeks turning pink slightly.

"Seriously?"

"Y-Yeah. I wonder what's so top secret that even the database is so secure about it…"

"Well, you could always ask me…"

"True, but…NANI?" Both Inuyasha and Kagome looked out the open window to see the blue-haired girl floating upside-down looking at them.

"What the hell? What are YOU doing here? And how did you find out where we lived?"

"Duh. I'm psychic," she said in a very annoying tone.

"Why you-"

"Inuyasha, calm down. Kyourime-san…"

"Call me Kyou-chan!"

"Um…okay, Kyou-chan, why exactly are you hanging outside of our window and how long have you been there?"

"Oh, just long enough to see that hot, steamy kiss about to happen!"

"Kya!" Kagome's face flushed beet red before she looked at Inuyasha and it turned an even redder color. She could have just fainted right there on the spot.

But Inuyasha didn't have the same effect. He growled lowly as he cracked his knuckles. "Alright, listen here, bit-"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome grabbed his arm to hold him back, and he caught the look on her face before backing down and blushing a little on his own.

"Kyou-chan, please explain why you are here."

"Well, Jirasu-daishou wants to meet with the four of us tomorrow morning, including Kuro-chan. He wants to talk about Kagome-chan's progress, our mission, and the two of you. Just reporting in. Well, gotta go. Jaa!" Kyourime disappeared from the window.

"Dammit. That stupid Jirasu again. What does he want?"

"Maybe…he's just trying to help."

"Keh. That'll be the day…"

"Well, let's just go ahead and eat. I'm starving…" Kagome logged out from the computer and left the room, avoiding his gaze.

Inuyasha watched her leave and frowned. Maybe…he was rushing it too much. She probably still needed some more time…

"Thank you for meeting on such notice, Kagome-san, Inuyasha-san," Jirasu spoke as he tried to straighten some documents on his desk.

"Keh. As if you would give us a choice," Inuyasha said annoyingly out loud.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome whispered as she nudged him.

"No, it is true. We have some very important business to discuss today. Otherwise, I would have left things as they are."

"Jirasu-daishou," buzzed in the secretary over the intercom. "Kyourime-san and Kurokami-san are here."

"Thank you. Send them to my office, please," he responded. A few moments later, the two walked in. "Good. Now that everyone has settled, Kagome-san how is your memory? Do you remember anything yet?"

Kagome was a little surprised that the attention in the room was shifted directly to her, and she could feel Inuyasha tense a little next to her, but she answered calmly, "I haven't regained much yet. I get glimpses and small flashbacks when I see certain objects or read something, but nothing major yet."

"That is to be expected. It is still too early to believe that you would recover anything. I hear from Kikyou-sama that you have been training, so that you can recover your powers, correct?"

"Hai."

"And how has that been?"

"I've become adept at archery, but I don't have full control over my spiritual powers yet. Kikyou-sama believes that it won't be too long before I can use my powers freely. She has…a lot of faith in me."

"We all do. You are a very important asset to Seikyo no Tenshi, and it was a tremendous loss when you were in that accident. We all hope that you recover soon." Jirasu looked Kagome in the eye, but she held her head down. Inuyasha became agitated.

"Alright, we all know that. Now get to the point. What is it that we're here for, old man?"

"Wakata. First, as you all have already met - however unconventional - there is no need for introductions. Kagome-san, for the next several months, Kyourime-san will be meeting with you at least once a week. She will be in session with you to talk and discuss what little you may remember. She will help you to forcibly recover whatever clues that lead to what really happened and to what are repressing your memories. You must cooperate, or all of our efforts may be in vain."

"Wakata."

"And Kyourime-san, I understand that this is your first time handling a situation like this. Do whatever you can to help Kagome-san restore her memories. Help her as much as you can."

"I'll try my best, sir."

"Good. Kurokami-san will act as a bodyguard as will Inuyasha-san, naturally. We must not assume that our enemy is satisfied with the situation as it is. If what Rin-chan says is what actually happened, then the enemy has planned for more than just Kagome-san's emotional breakdown. There is more to this plot than just that. Kyourime-san, Kurokami-san, that is all for today. You may be dismissed."

"Hai," they spoke together.

When the pair left, Jirasu turned to Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Inuyasha, Kagome-san, I know that this is a lot to be burdening you with at the present time…"

"Damn straight! You suddenly throw all this shit on us without even warning us. It's bad enough with what's happening now, but you're pissing me off."

"I give you my apologies. It was not my intention to worsen the situation for you. However, I have no choice. I have to decide what is best for my teams, and right now, I have already decided that I cannot allow you nor Kagome-san handle the investigations."

"Nani? What are you saying?" Inuyasha said as he abruptly stood up.

"I am saying that I cannot allow you two to participate in any of the official investigations concerning this case. For the time being, Kagome-san is to be considered out of commission, and you are not allowed to become involved in any matter. You will still receive missions and assignments, but no one is to allow you information without my permission. Of course, you are still allowed to be informed of Kagome-san's progress-"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Are you saying that I can't help solve the mystery that has wounded my mate? I can't protect her like I should have when all of this began!"

"Yes. And no. You will still watch over her, but I cannot allow you to become involved more than you are already for this reason. Kagome-san needs you to be close. When you discover who is behind all of this, chances are you will lose both your anger and your judgment, and we may lose more than just the chance to apprehend him and recover anything else that may be lost. This is the best for the both of you."

"Don't tell me what the fuck is the best of us! You're telling all this bull crap that I don't want to hear! I know what I'm capable of and what is best for us, so don't tell me what the fuck is the best for us!"

"Inuyasha," Kagome spoke worriedly, trying to hold on to his arm.

"Fine. Show me proof. Show me what you are capable of and that you will not lose yourself to protect your mate. But until you do, you will do as I say. Go against a single order, and I will have you permanently detached from this case and Kagome-san. Show me that you know what is best for this mission and Kagome-san, and I will allow you full authorization to this case. You are dismissed."

"Keh. Come on Kagome."

June 6, 1999

Today we were off and Inuyasha invited me to an amusement park about 30 minutes from Tokyo. I haven't had so much fun in so long! We went on almost all the rides and several of the roller coasters AT LEAST 7 times. The best part was the Ferris wheel. I was SO scared when the cage in which we rode began to rock back and forth, but Inu-kun held my hand the whole time. In fact, he didn't let go for a while, even after we got off the ride. He was so nice to me; he even won me a stuff animal at one of the booths. It's a cute white rabbit holding tiny red heart. He was really sweet the whole time.

When we came back in town, he treated me to dinner, even though I insisted on paying. Afterwards, we took a walk around Lake Okutama, just talking and having fun. When we almost finished circling the lake, we found a sakura tree that was still blooming, even though it was June! Suddenly, Inuyasha did the sweetest thing. He jumped into the tree and came down with one of the fullest cherry blossoms in hand. He placed it behind my left ear, and smiled. It was a…very beautiful smile. He told me that I was very beautiful. I almost died right there! But he didn't stop there. With his finger, he traced my jawbone from my ear to my lips, and we came so close to kissing.

Unfortunately, my darned cell started ringing, and everything fell apart. He didn't object to my answering it, and it was Kaasan asking where we were. She wasn't in a rush for me to home, so I still had some time to spend with Inu-kun.

We sat under the sakura tree quietly for a while, awkwardly. Finally, cutting the tension, Inuyasha spoke very seriously.

"Higurashi-chan, I… I feel like I can trust you with anything, and you won't laugh at me or scorn me for anything I say. Truly, I do. In fact, you're the only person that I've trusted in a very long time. You make me believe…everything you say, like there's no need to hide anything from me. To me, you're a friend…and more. I-I want to tell you everything. I want to believe that I can be like you, be so open with everything. You're someone that I'm striving for. You've made me believe that I can and that someday I will. I know all of this sounds silly since I only met you two months ago…"

"Inuyasha, I don't think anything you sound is-"

"Please. Let me finish. I don't think I could try this again. There's something that I've hidden from you, but I feel like I don't have to hide it from you. I'm not sure how you will act, but I must show you. I don't blame you if you hate me for not telling you this, but I had to be sure…before I could show you."

Suddenly, he stood up. He reached for his right wrist, for the beaded bracelet that he wore everyday. It was like the bracelet-form of a rosary. He slipped it, and suddenly, it was like an illusion unfolding in front of me. His usual shoulder-length silver hair grew past his waist and glowed unnaturally in the moonlight. His ears disappeared, and a pair of twitching white dog ears appeared on top of his head. His incisors grew tremendously into fangs that stuck out from his mouth when he closed it. His nails grew longer and sharper into claws, and he cracked his knuckles just by moving his fingers around. His pupils became small slits, just like cat's eyes. It was a total transformation from a human to something almost youkai-like. As I looked in awe, he dropped his head, casting his gaze to the ground.

"I…can understand if you hate me for telling or consider me a freak. I…just didn't want to hide it from you."

I stood up slowly, and hesitantly, I reached for one his ears. They twitched under my touch. "They're real?" I squeaked.

"You're not scared? Mad?"

"Of what? You? Why would I be?"

"Well, because I'm…I'm…"

"Because of what you are? You are hanyou, and I accept that. I can't hate anyone because of what they are. I like you for just who you are."

He blushed. "Domo, Higurashi-chan."

"Kagome. You don't always have to be so formal."

"Ka-gome."

"Hai! But…can I ask one favor?"

"Anything."

"Can I play with your ears?"

"Um…if you really want to…"

"They're…just so KAWAII!" He allowed me to rub them, but I noticed that he was blushing immensely. I was about to stop when he fell back, and I lost my balance and fell on top of him. When I managed to regain myself, I tried to push myself up, but he held me tight against his chest. "I-Inuyasha-kun…"

"Domo, Kagome."

When I looked up to ask him for what, I froze at the look he was giving me. His eyes were glowing with a passion that I wished to understand. I could feel his calm heartbeat beneath me as mine was beating erratically. He released me to brush my hair from my eyes. I could have gotten up and ran away with the fear of not understanding. I could have pushed him away as he leaned closer to me. But I didn't. I didn't want to leave him after everything he had just confessed. I didn't want to hurt him nor leave him alone. But most of all, I didn't leave because I wanted to stay with him, to be with him. And he understood that. With that understanding and with that kiss, I wish to believe that I've fallen in love with him. Inuyasha, my first love.

Kagome closed the diary and walked out of her room with one thing on her mind. Well, possibly two. One, Inuyasha was her first, and possibly her only, love; and two, Inuyasha has dog ears! She walked into the study, and Inuyasha stood up at her entrance.

"What's wrong, Kagome?"

Kagome didn't answer but instead studied Inuyasha long and hard. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary, or at least for the moment. She grabbed Inuyasha's right arm, and Inuyasha almost snatched it from her but instead speculated as to what she was doing. "Kagome, what are you doing?"

"Wait a sec," she said as she discovered the bracelet exactly where she read it was. She pulled it off, and he transformed before her eyes without him doing a thing. His hair, nails, and fangs grew longer, and there, on top of his head, sat the pair of white dog ears, twitching ever so sporadically. She gasped as she tried to touch them, but Inuyasha jerked from her.

"Oi! What are you doing?"

"You really DO have doggie ears! Can I touch them? Please?"

"You're just now realizing that?"

Kagome nodded. "I read about your transformation in my diary from high school a minute ago. Now please! Can I touch them?"

Inuyasha sighed. "Guess I have no choice, seeing as how you're all excited. Just don't go crazy…" Inuyasha leaned down some so she could get full access.

She gently rubbed them, watching as they jerked frequently when she brushed against the small hairs on the inside. She became so fascinated that she didn't even notice Inuyasha's reaction to her gentle strokes and caresses. Finally, when he couldn't take it, he grabbed her wrists and brought her closer. In a husky voice, he begged in her ear, "Please. Stop." He looked her in the eye, and she felt her heart skip as her stomach flipped and turned. Inuyasha could feel her reaction, and it just egged him on. His lips brushed against hers before claiming them, and Kagome fell against him. When he broke the kiss, he whispered as he nuzzled her neck, "Be careful. That kind of attention has this effect on me; so next time, I might not be able to hold back."

"Inuyasha…I'm sorry. I want to remember. That way, I can love you like you want me to."

"Don't worry. I can wait. Just don't rush things. I love you either way, so just stay Kagome."

"I'll try. I really will."

Well, after almost a year of negligence, I'm updating. Hopefully, I can get back on track to updating the rest of my stories before things get too hectic between school and work. Gomen nasai! Until next time!

BA326's Final Words

My internet's been down for over a month, but it's working for now. Someone said my computer might be crashing, but I hope not. So for the past week, in between trying to update my stories and updating my other sites, I've had no time to rest, seeing as I am working full time like crazy this summer and have to get ready for my senior year. I miss being a little kid. All you had to do during the summer was eat, sleep, and have fun. I don't think I'll ever have a summer like that again. TT