Memory's Shadow

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Prologue

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A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first sess/kag story so I hope it goes well! This is only the prologue since I want to know what you guys think of it. I only typed this for fun but if you want me to continue I will. I just want to know whether it's good or bad enough. Hope you enjoy!

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'Don't let him take you higher with his words.

Because the higher you are, the harder you fall.

And trust me, you always fall.'

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I've always wondered what would have happened if I never fell into the well. Never met Inuyasha or Sango or Miroku. Never met adorable little Shippo or grandma Kaede. I've also wondered what my life would have been if I never met Naraku or Kikyo. Even Sesshomaru. The truth is: I have no clue.

I've also wondered about the well many times. I always think, 'Hey, since I've done some amazing things back in the past, why isn't it recorded in the future?' and 'Heck, that's not what happened! These history books got it all wrong!' Yeah, it's a really mystery, that. My history textbooks never mention anything about demons or priestesses back in the Sengoku Jidai or explain how canvasses and ditches were really formed. Sometimes I think that the well doesn't really transport me to another time, but another dimension.

And yes, I do believe I'm crazy for even thinking that but just think about it for a moment. Sure, some things in the past are mentioned in the future but that's very rarely and scarcely true. Maybe there's just this whole philosophical story going on here. You know, like parallel yet connected worlds and things leaking out where they shouldn't have? I'm not going to go into deep depth because I'm confusing myself but I can't help thinking about it.

All right, let's stop this now. I'm just confusing and causing a headache for myself and probably to you too. If so then sorry. Okay, back to the present. We're yet on another shard hunt, Naraku holding most of them as usual. Why the heck does he have most of them when I, the person who can actually see the shards, have only a few? Shouldn't I be the one who finds them faster because no one else can see them but me? This world is so ironic.

I stared in front me, at Inuyasha who's, unsurprisingly, in the lead. I stared up to his head and to those cute dog-ears on top. Sometimes I believe he's extremely stupid and dull but when it comes to battles he's fast both mentally and physically. I have no idea why; maybe it's a guy thing.

My legs are aching. Do you have any idea how long we've been travelling? More than I've ever walked before and that's a great feat. I can see that it's also wearing Miroku and Sango out with the looks on their faces. Shippo's already knocked out on the top of my over-stuffed bag with Kirara. But no, Inuyasha doesn't sense a thing does he? This is one of the times I believe he's really dense.

"Inuyasha!" I called out to him, the tiredness making me slightly cranky. What? You'd be cranky too if you have to travel with an arrogant jerk most of your life. "Jeez, Inuyasha! It's not like the shard is going anywhere. Can't we just stop and rest?" I asked. From the corner of my eye I saw Miroku and Sango's faces lighten with a small glimmer of hope.

Inuyasha stopped and turned to face us. He doesn't seem tired one bit… that jerk. "Why?" he asked as eyed us over. "You guys tired?"

Duh! Mr. Obvious much? I rolled my eyes. "If we weren't then I wouldn't be asking." I said. There was this irritated look in his eyes and I knew the argument about humans-are-such-weak-beings topic was going to come up. I glared at him, daring him to say it.

He just folds his arms in the trademark way. "Feh." He said. "I'm hungry anyway so we might as well take a break. You can't sense any jewel shards, can you?" he asked. I shook my head as a reply. "All right then, we'll take a break."

I turned around and almost laughed at the relieved expressions on Miroku and Sango's face. We decided to rest under a very big and shady tree. The next village was too far away anyway, it'll take us until dusk to get there and it was only midday.

My bag's heavy, today isn't the only time I've realized that. I put it down with a thump onto the ground and opened it, fishing for some sandwiches I prepared earlier. Where the heck were they? I frowned as I searched, throwing random and hardly needed things out while doing so. Did I put the sandwiches in the small pocket? Or is it that slightly bigger one? I doubt that five sandwiches would fit in there. So where the heck are they?

Suddenly, I saw Inuyasha's ears pick up and Kirara wake up stiffly. I stared at Inuyasha as he cautiously rested his hand on the Tetsusaiga's hilt and concentrated hard, his nose moving as he sniffed. Sensing trouble, I quickly zipped up my bag, getting the deposed stuff back in there first, and grasped my bow and arrows. Shippo's still sleeping, leaning on the tree. He doesn't seem to sense anything.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Sango asked warily, her hand already on her large bone.

Inuyasha's face was twisted in concentration but it broke as a growl erupted from his throat. "Sesshomaru." He hissed. "What the hell does he want?"

At the sound of the lord's name we were all alert. I hardly remember how many times he tried to kill us. All I know is that he is not someone you'd like to be around with, good mood or bad. He's unpredictable. There's always a reason for his actions and it somewhat unnerves me. Him and his calculating ways.

Inuyasha pulled out the rusty sword that instantly transformed into the mighty steel fang. Sometimes I wonder if I was even able to carry that thing. I'll have to ask Inuyasha to let me try it one day. If it lets me, that is. Is that sword really as heavy as Inuyasha shows?

Not much later, Sesshomaru was walking towards us, that toad right beside him. It was an odd sight. I wonder why Sesshomaru would even keep that youkai around. I'm not one to judge people before I get to know them but I've had a few encounters with Jaken and they were not good. Not good at all. Most of the times I wanted to bash his head in and throw him into a pit full of snakes. Yeah, that would silence him up.

"Sesshomaru." Inuyasha growled out, instantly in front of the entire group, his sword threatening but protecting us. "What the hell are you doing here? If you're after the Tetsusaiga I'm afraid you won't be gaining it today or any other day for that matter." He glanced to his brother's impassive face and down towards Jaken's. "You've got a lot of nerve, walking up to us like that." he growled. "Either that or you're pretty stupid. You don't look ready at all."

Looks can be deceiving I thought but didn’t say it out loud. His face didn’t leave Inuyasha's for awhile but then his gaze glanced towards me. It stayed there and I realized that I had an arrow notched. I don't even remember pulling an arrow out. Wow, I'm getting pretty good at this, ne? His eyes are the same colour as Inuyasha's but extremely different in texture. Inuyasha's eyes expressed feelings, mostly anger, but Sesshomaru's doesn't show anything. They're hard like frozen honey. Ha ha. Honey. That would make Sesshomaru sweet. Ha.

"I have not come here for your father's sword." Sesshomaru answered coolly, his gaze never leaving my arrow. I realized he said 'your father'. Doesn't he like his father or something?

"Then what did you come here for?" Inuyasha growled. I think he noticed how Sesshomaru's eyes were on me since he moved so I was out of his view. This was pretty bad for me because that means I don't have a good, direct shot.

Jaken stepped up and glared at Inuyasha. "Insolent pup." He grumbled loudly for everyone to hear. "You should be honoured by even being in his grace. Sesshomaru-sama doesn't need your sword! He has two swords that cannot be equaled."

Something in my mind slightly tugged at me. Where was that cute little girl I sometimes see them with? Never mind, I probably shouldn't be thinking about that right now. I should be paying attention to what Sesshomaru was saying.

"So then what the hell do you want?" Inuyasha growled out of irritation and probably impatience.

"I haven't come here to take anything from you, half-brother." He said coldly. "I was merely passing by and you happened to be in my way. It was only a minor inconvenience so I did not change my route just to avoid you." He replied. I knew he was telling the truth, he wouldn't lie. It was beneath him… at least I think it is.

As usual Inuyasha growled at him and advanced threateningly. "Well I'm glad you came by." He snarled. "Because I wanted to kill you for ages now. You've just given me the opportunity." He said as he prepared to jump and attack him.

But then he stopped. Everyone stopped and I could have sworn my heart stopped as well. We all could sense it. Naraku's evil presence and youki. What the heck is Naraku doing here of all times? I thought he wouldn't make his entrance until later on, making the most dramatic entrance he could make. I believe bad guys are like that. They're always like that in the anime back in my time.

The earth began to shake and I almost lost my balance. The little tremble did seem to wake Shippo though as I heard him yelp and felt the usual weight on my shoulders. I looked up and saw the sky slightly turned purple. Was it Naraku's miasma? If so then we're in deep trouble.

"Kukukukukukukuku…" came his all-so annoying laugh. "So nice to have the entire family together once more. I've been waiting for this moment. The moment where I can destroy you meddlesome bastards once and for all."

Naraku came forward from where Sesshomaru came. Every green leafage that was close to the baboon pelted demon rotted and died because of the miasma. I often wondered if Naraku was off his nut, wearing that suit. What kind of evil villain where something like that? Nutty evil people, that's who.

"Naraku." Inuyasha seethed, anger practically pouring out from his body and aura. His glare was intense although I couldn't see it. It was his body language and growls that told me he was glaring pretty powerfully. He stepped forward, temporarily forgetting about Sesshomaru, the sword high above ready to strike. "I've also been waiting for this moment. You've made a terrible mistake appearing like that! I'm going to cut you into bits!"

Again, Naraku (I suspect it's just a doll though) gave his annoying laugh even louder than before. "Do what you may with this body for it is just a puppet." He says. (Ta da! I knew it!) "But I do have a warning for both of you. I'm going to plan an attack soon. Really soon." He looked towards Sesshomaru. "I'm going to kill that human child you've been traveling with." He said with a smirk. He turned to Inuyasha. "And I'm going to kill your beloved Kikyo."

Hearing this made both me and Inuyasha bristle. If Sesshomaru was affected by Naraku's threat then he wasn't showing it (as usual)."You can't kill her." Inuyasha growled. "You've still got Onigumo's heart inside you. You're still a half-breed and you won't be able to kill her no matter how hard you tried." He said with confidence.

Naraku smirked. "Oh, you're talking about the other Kikyo. The one Onigumo lusted after, correct?" he laughed. "Oh no! I fear you've been mistaken. Well, more like I was the one mistaken." He glanced towards me and I knew the dreaded words he was about to say next. "Sorry. I seemed to have mistaken that wench over there for Kikyo again. They look so much alike, don’t they? You can hardly tell the difference. She might as well be a duplicate except much less talented and beautiful."

That was it. I had put up with the annoying laughs, the threats, the insults but mistaking me for Kikyo purposely (I know he knows my name) was just making me pissed. I shot the arrow with purification energy stored inside and I prayed that it would at least obliterate the Naraku puppet.

But all he did was laugh as a hoard of demons came at us. One of the larger ones blocked my arrow and it was just thick/fat enough to stop it. Good new is, I made is explode to pieces. But the demons didn't stop there as Naraku ordered them forwards, to kill us. Heh. Right.

I loaded another arrow as my teammates started to fend for themselves. Even Shippo helped behind me as he used his kitsune bi. I shot the next arrow and killed at least five demons this time. Not a bad shot actually. I notched in another one and aimed it closely towards Naraku. I couldn't see him anywhere. That coward. He's made a run for it again.

My eyes caught a glint of silver and I watched with slight interest as Sesshomaru began to kill the demons effortlessly. The threat Naraku gave him about the little girl didn't seem to affect him. Nah, it did affect him. Why else did it seem like he was slightly rushing? And kill me? Yeah, I'm pretty freaked but I won't let him take me. I'll stab an arrow through his nonexistent heart before I let him kill me.

I focused back at my own problems. I watched from the corner of my eyes, as the brothers seemed to fight along side each other. It shocked me how they can be so alike and yet so very different. I don't know Sesshomaru very well so I don't really know what he's like but I get the feeling he's more like Inuyasha than he is willing to believe. Maybe even more alike than I think.

With all these thoughts going through my head, I didn't realize the snake youkai sneaking up from behind me. I heard Shippo yelp from behind me and I quickly shot at the youkai before it could do any damage to either Shippo or me. But since I had my back to the main hoard now, I felt a sort of tackle at my back and with a scream I plummeted forward, towards my bag.

And I realized when I landed on my bag, that it had a couple of hard edges as I scratched myself pretty badly. Not enough to bleed but enough to sting and make my skin turn pink. I heard a faint cry of my name. I think it was Inuyasha but it was too late as I saw a large club swinging towards me.

I barely had enough time to scream as the large, thick club (from an ogre I suspect) swung towards me. It hit my stomach, I believe I heard a few ribs crack, and noticed that it had hit my bag as well, the yellow pack felling with me. I landed hard on the ground, the bag's contents thrown messily to the left side of my body. I looked towards it a little sadly and saw the sandwiches I was looking for earlier. For some reason my injury didn't really hurt. It was just slightly numb. Unconsciously, I picked one of the sandwiches up and glanced upwards. I was greeted by golden cold eyes. Sesshomaru. I smiled softly at him, wondering if my sanity was knocked out when the club hit me. I looked down and threw the sandwich away. "Damn sandwiches," I mumbled. I felt like a piñata at that very moment.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled from behind me. "Move away!" he warned and I knew exactly what he meant by that. I knew the minute I saw another large youkai, with huge jaws I might add, coming towards me. I had barely any options left. Inuyasha wouldn't get here in time and he couldn't use Wind Scar lest it hits me. I can't defend myself since my bows and arrows slipped away when I was being thrown around. Shippo's no help and Miroku and Sango don't have a chance in saving me. All I can do is sit here and wait until it chops my head off. I thought all this in about two seconds. Crud, I wasted two precious seconds of my limited life thinking. Forget about looks can kill, thoughts can kill too.

I closed my eyes, waiting for that fatal shot but surprisingly I didn’t feel anything. There was no flash before my eyes and there was no pain (except for my ribs). I opened my eyes slowly and saw that Sesshomaru had decapitated the youkai before it even touched me.

I looked up with confusion into his golden eyes and all he did was stare back at me coldly. There were a couple of shouts later but I didn't hear them because I was too busy staring at Sesshomaru. He never left my gaze and it was likewise with me. I didn't know what to say to him for saving my life. Did it really count if he's tried to kill you more than once? Oh well. Stuff this. "Thanks." I mumbled as I stood up. My back was sore and I was sore to begin with too. I felt numb almost all over.

"Wind Scar!" Inuyasha's voice was heard as the last of the hoard was destroyed. Immediately after he leapt to my side and inspected me for wounds. He lifted my shirt up and I swiftly protested, my face flushed. But then I realized his true intentions and let him be. When he lifted my shirt to just expose my stomach his eyes grew wide. There were dark, ugly bruises, indicating broken ribs and my skin was slightly cut, making it bleed. "Kagome…" Inuyasha said to me, concern etched in his voice. "You all right?"

Was he blind or something? No, I am not all right. My ribs are broken, I do not know how badly I am injured and to top it all off, I was still cranky and angry with the little rest I was getting.

I was about to reply before my eyes widened as I saw another hoard of demons approaching. "Inuyasha!" I yelled, my voice slightly forced.

He turned around, dropping my shirt, and saw them. We were immediately fighting again, well all but me. I collapsed to the ground on my knees, my arms steadying me so I wouldn't fall over. I wanted to help. I really did but I didn't know how. My eyes caught my bow and arrows and I called over to Shippo who was helping out using his kitsune bi. "Shippo-kun!" I called over. "Bring me my bow and arrows." I ordered briskly. At least, I hoped it was briskly because my voice just sounded pitiful and weak to my ears.

He obeyed me quickly, using his foxfire when the demons got too close. Thank goodness that no big demons were after him at the moment. I couldn't bare to watch him get injured right in front of me. He grabbed my weapons and ran straight towards me. My hope of actually being useful was rising but something smashed it right down.

I watched fearfully as a demon tackled Shippo from the side, catching him off guard and making him drop my arrows. "Shippo-kun!" I yelled out but it was no use. Shippo was already to the side, trying to get up but the demon that tackled him (a levitating sort of worm) began biting him with its massive jaws.

Suddenly, the area around us began to get darker as two strong hands grabbed me from behind. I tried to scream but it was useless. A giant hand had my mouth clasped shut. I knew who it was. Who wouldn't? No one could ever forget his evil presence when he is near. Of course, I am talking about the one and only Naraku.

Everything seemed to stop as the hoard of demons retreated and all my companions and Sesshomaru set their eyes on Naraku and me. I glanced towards where I last saw Shippo and found that he was on the ground, lying still and motionless. It was only then that I realized I was crying warm tears.

Inuyasha approached us slowly, his Tetsusaiga high and threatening. "Naraku." He snarled and I saw the menace in his eyes. I thought that look was only for Kikyo when she was in danger. Should I start hoping now? "Let her go." He hissed.

Naraku, who was behind me, seemed to triple in power. I felt my heart speeding up so fast I thought I might have a stroke. I was wrong. This was the real Naraku. Damn him. He's so confusing and manipulative! "And do you care to give me a reason why?" he asked. I shivered within his hold. Being this close to Naraku was the scariest thing in my life.

Showing his fangs, Inuyasha snapped at him. "Because if you don't then I'll do more than just kill you." I didn't know what he meant but he did sound really serious. "Let go of her." he repeated slowly as if Naraku was a disturbed child. Probably was if you took out the child bit and replaced it with monster.

Then suddenly, all I could sense were Inuyasha and Naraku's aura. Everyone else was gone and enveloped in darkness. Even Sesshomaru wasn't anywhere to be found. It was just Naraku, Inuyasha and me. Once again I started to question my sanity.

Inuyasha looked around wildly with wide eyes. "Naraku you bastard!" he yelled loudly. "What the hell did you do?" he growled. Yay! I may not be insane after all unless Inuyasha was losing it too.

Naraku smirked against my hair and I almost felt like vomiting. "I just wanted to show you," Naraku started, his lips brushing against my head. "How easily I can make you kneel before with just one word." He said in his usual confident self. Man did I hate him.

At this Inuyasha seemed to smirk. I was shocked at first. He smirked? At a time like this? Sigh. Maybe it's just another guy thing. If so then I don't want to know. "Ha. Kneel? To you? Jeez, you must be nuttier than I thought!" he growled suddenly, his smirk vanishing. I realized now that his smirk was just a cover-up of what he was really feeling. "Now let go of her, you cocky son of a bitch." He snarled.

I yelped lightly when I felt his hands wrap around my neck. He was going to strangle me. Was I in trouble? "You have no power in my barrier, Inuyasha." Naraku said slyly. "Your companions and brother are outside. They're either running away, trying to break the barrier or just standing there like the dumbfounded idiots they are. They have no use for you in here and you are as powerless as a flea inside. You don't make the orders now, Inuyasha, I do." He said with malice. Yep. I was in trouble.

Again, Inuyasha bared his fangs at Naraku. I can see the fear in his eyes and the deep anger and rage. I felt Naraku's hands tighten around my neck as his little barrier began to fill with his miasma. Great, I had a choice either not to breathe or breathe in toxic. If you were in my situation what would you do? "Now," he said in a commanding way. "Kneel." He ordered with a smirk.

Inuyasha just growled at him loudly. I knew he wouldn't kneel. His pride and ego wouldn't let him and believe me, his pride and ego practically ruled his body. Seeing Inuyasha's defiance, Naraku's hold around my neck tightened and I let out a choke. "Listen to me, half-breed. Do as I say and I won't have to break this pretty little girl's neck." He threatened.

He was sweating. I can see that even though he was four-five meters away from us. He was debating with himself whether he should listen to Naraku or not. Or he could be thinking up a way to get me back which won't get me harmed in the process. The confines of the barrier filled up with even more miasma and it was getting harder for me to breathe. Wasn't I in a really dire situation.

"Kneel, Inuyasha." Naraku said forcefully as I choked within his hands. What sickened me the most was when he leaned down so his face was close to my tear-stained one. "Kneel before your master and superior." He whispered against my cheek.

Inuyasha's body began to twitch and I realized he was going to do it. No. I couldn't let that happen. He would be tortured and haunted with hurt pride and will certainly be scarred for life. I couldn't let that happen to Inuyasha. He already has too many scars. I began to kick and claw (with the tiny nails I had) at Naraku, trying to pry away from his grip.

But his hold stayed strong as he leaned down on me in order to keep me still. His action had the opposite effect though as I thrashed around even more. It made me want to puke at being so close to him and I wanted to get away as soon as possible.

"Tough little bitch, ain't she?" Naraku growled. He sent out more miasma and I felt myself choking. "Too bad she's about to die."

And I couldn't help but believe his words. With every breath my insides began to burn more intensely as I sucked the poison in the tainted air. This was not good. My vision started to blur and my body started to feel numb and limp. I can still feel the pain within my ribs and lungs but at the moment it was like I didn't care and ignored it.

"Naraku!" Inuyasha shouted enraged. He pulled back his sword and ran straight towards us. I saw Naraku smirk and I realized he was keeping me awake. If he wanted to he could have made me unconscious but for some twisted reason he hadn't yet.

"You won't be able to save her in time, Inuyasha." He said merrily as he let go of my throat and put me down on the ground. He stood up and he seemed like a giant as I gazed up at him. "This is poison miasma. She will not be able to live for more than an hour if I give her enough. I doubt you'll have that time."

Inuyasha ran at us faster and leapt to the air. He bent his legs while airborne and started his descent towards us, Tetsusaiga's point facing downwards. "All you say are lies! Kagome will live!" he yelled furiously as his sword met with Naraku's head.

It surprised me a little, watching our enemy's head roll by on the ground as his body collapsed. I knew he hadn't died because the barrier stayed up and the miasma was still filling. I breathed in deeply. I couldn't help it. It was human nature to live, to breathe whether or not it was a good idea. I was no exception. I needed to breathe because I wanted to live. Looks like Naraku had me trapped.

I watched with drooping eyes as Naraku laughed loudly. I thought that impossible since his vocal cords were no longer connected to his head but I didn't really care. I thought meeting a demon was impossible and yet here I am.

My world began to darken as the burning sensation in my chest grew and grew until I found myself screaming. Not a good idea since I was taking up more tainted air. I heard a yell from Inuyasha but I couldn't really focus on it. I was slipping away and I knew I was going to die. My chest was burning, my heart felt like it was going to explode and all my senses were leaving me. I was going to die and there would be no one to save me. Not this time.

I always thought I'd die because old age like Kaede but I guess I was wrong yet again. I didn't imagine myself falling into a well where my life would drastically change. If I hadn't fallen into the well I knew I would have died old. I still thought I'd die old when I continued my journey back and forth through time. I have no idea why I thought that. The Warring States was a pretty dangerous time and I knew I was in a lot of danger. Fantasizing was one of my main attributes so I guess I never believed I was going to die young. I was ignorant I guess.

As my eyes closed I didn't see any flash. All I saw were memories that I remembered. All the memories I wanted to remember before I parted to the afterlife. I remembered the first time I met all my friends in this era and my own era. The first time I met my rival, Kikyo. I remembered the time when Souta gave me his cookie because I dropped mine. I cried so much when I dropped my cookie but I stopped immediately when Souta gave me his. He was still young then and so was I. I never realized how much my family and friends meant to me until now.

The final bits of my consciousness were ebbing away from me and all my senses had gone, making me unaware of my surroundings. If I was never dragged into the well I wouldn't be dying right now. If I never met Inuyasha or Kikyo my heart wouldn't have experienced all that drama and heartache. If I never did what I did here then I was sure I would be a lot safer. But I also knew if I didn't face my fate then I wouldn't have felt complete. Me going back and forth through time made be feel more complete than I ever been. I wouldn't change the past for anything.

All the pain was gone and I was welcomed into blissful unconsciousness. This was the end for me. There is nothing more to tell.

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So? What do you think? If it's good please review and if it's bad review and tell me why! I want to know how I can improve! So if I get enough reviews for this I'll continue it. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading! See you later:)