Lost and Broken

Chapter Eleven

Kyo panted as he dodge yet another punch. He found a vulnerable spot in Kagome's stance, and attacked that particular area. Kagome smirked in response. She had been anticipating that move. She twisted her body, aimed a side-kick to the incoming kick to block, then sent another kick in order to take the offence position. Her attack hit Kyo, sending him to the ground. When he remained on the ground with wide eyes, she calmly walked over to a nearby tree where she had placed two water bottles for them. Grasping the bottles she returned to Kyo's side and sat beside him.

Kagome smiled—not mockingly either. A smile to indicate that she meant no harm. She extended an arm to offer the water. "Here Kyo, have some."

Kyo did not grab the water. Instead he chose to yell, "Damn it! What the heck happened? You were wide open."

"You should learn to read when your opponent is tricking you. Though I must congratulate you on finally noticing 'weak spots'. You're making progress." Kagome did not take Kyo's words as an insult. It was who he was. She recognized he wasn't very good at expressing himself, so she would take her time with him.

Kyo finally took the water bottle. He untwisted the cap and began to chug the water, leaving only half left. "Why the hell are you so good at fighting anyhow?" Kagome's body stilled. Should she tell him? Kyo noticed the distressed air around her, and continued, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

The priestess glanced at Kyo and smiled. Despite his rash actions, he was really sweet. "It's alright. I guessed I just picked it up. I mean, it took a lot of practice—no doubt about that—but it became a necessity. My friends and I were always getting into some kind of trouble. Although they all had some kind of skills, I wasn't really good at anything that could be useful. Most of the time I was more of a hindrance. I guess, I just didn't want to be the damsel-in-distress anymore." A comforting silence passed between the two. "What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you fight? You're always training so hard, so I thought there may be a reason." Kagome looked at Kyo expectantly. Any reason—even if it wasn't the truth—was all she wanted. If she was going to continue teaching Kyo, she wanted to at least know his motifs.

Kyo twisted his body to look away from Kagome. Akito's words echoing through his head. He just wanted to be normal. To be care-free. To not be hated. He wanted somewhere to belong. He wanted—

"Kyo?" Kagome placed a hand on Kyo's shoulder which startled him out of his musings. His head whipped around, and Kagome saw a deep abyss in his eyes. "You don't have to tell me." She was certain that he meant no harm. His reaction made her think that it was very personal. Though even with her words, that were supposed to make him relax, he seemed so far away.

"Yeah, let's not talk about it." His voice was hollow. Kagome didn't know what to do. Maybe there was nothing she could do. His quietness probably meant that his reason for fighting was what goes on without her knowing. After all, she was allowed to keep the secret. That meant much happens without anyone outside the family's knowing. It was a curse after all. Perhaps things were much darker than she could possibly imagine. Recognizing that their fight session was done and Kyo wasn't about to move anytime soon, she moved to his side. Kagome grasped one of his hands with both of hers and leaned against him, hoping to provide some—if any—comfort.

Things went back to their original state: loud, lively, and, quite frankly, a ruckus. And if things were not already rowdy enough, being the day of the school festival, several students were trying to put Yuki in a dress creating an even louder uproar. Kagome and Shippo were standing side-by-side helping the others sell the rice balls when this event occurred stalling their sales. When the two got a good view of 'Princess Yuki', Shippo burst out laughing which was drown out by the squealing fans, and Kagome turned to face the other way using a hand to cover her mouth hoping no giggles would escape through her lips. The attempt was futile as she burst out laughing.

"First off, that dress isn't his style. Secondly, those colours in no way complement him. Thirdly, he can't fill the dress, so it looks baggy. And finally, he's a boy."

Shippo nodded in agreement as the two continued to die laughing. Kyo would have joined in, but he couldn't believe that so many people would gather around Yuki to see him in a dress and still view him as an idol. Though then he turned to Shippo and Kagome who were laughing their heads off. He smirked. He had to admit. It was hilarious. And seeing the rat suffer, he was never going to let Yuki live it down.

"Yuki!"

The Sohmas attention was redirected to the newcomers who also happen to be extended family members as well. Because of this Tohru's attention turned to them as well hoping she would get to know another zodiac. She looked like a kid impatiently waiting for Christmas to open her presents. Kagome's attention also drifted towards the two. A sharp pain stabbed her head. Wincing in pain, she brought one hand to her head as if it would miraculously go away if she did. Momiji she knew from the park. The older man though… despite his calm, polite demeanor, her body acted strangely as if to run away. As if she subconsciously feared him. Shippo noticed Kagome's sudden stiffness and placed a hand on her shoulder forcing her to relax.

"Kagome!"

Kyo and Yuki's heads whip towards their half-German cousin who ran towards Kagome. The jewel she had was a powerful object, but for that reason she didn't always like to have it with her for the fear that she may lose it. When Momiji hugged Kagome with much enthusiasm, Yuki sighed in relief that Momiji didn't expose their secret, but reasoning returned to him. How did Momiji know Kagome? Kyo, on the other hand, still wasn't a fan of the rabbit.

"Why the heck are you here?" yelled Kyo.

"Hatori was coming to give Yuki a check-up, so I came too. That way I could visit Kagome and get to meet Tohru." Momiji stuck out his tongue at the cat zodiac. Shippo smirked. He was starting to like the kid. Getting Kyo riled up was becoming a new hobby of his, and apparently the blond had similar thoughts. He found the whole scenario quite amusing.

"To meet me? Might you be another member of the—" Tohru was cut off by Kyo who placed a hand over her mouth. She shouldn't being saying such things out in public.

However, Momiji had other thoughts. "Yup, you wanna see?" Without waiting for a response Momiji glomped Tohru causing him to transform into a bunny.

There was suddenly a commotion. Yuki quickly decided to use his 'costume' as a distraction, easily swaying the hearts of the students. Kagome wisely picked up Momiji and left the room with both him and his clothes. She would leave the distraction up to Yuki. After all, they didn't need Momiji transforming back to his self just to cause another uproar.

Entering an empty classroom, Kagome closed the door behind her and sighed. She put Momiji on the ground along with his clothes. "You really should be careful Momiji."

"I was just excited. I've heard so much about Tohru. You too of course," replied Momiji. "So I guess you know I'm a Sohma now. And a cursed one too."

Kagome remained quiet for a moment and she contemplated her thoughts. Should she ask him. That dream—or her conscious—or whatever that was. She needed to know the truth. "Ne, Momiji? Have we met before? Do we know each other? Her bangs covered her eyes. She didn't dare look at him as she anticipated the answer. She just had to know.

Momiji blinked as something akin to hurt passed through his eyes. "Of course we do. Remember, we met the other day at the park. Don't tell me you've forgotten already."

Kagome's fists clenched tightly. That wasn't what she meant and it frustrated her. "That wasn't what I meant. I meant before that. I meant a long time ago when we were young kids. We use to play at the Sohma estate, right? When my dad would visit a friend." Momiji eyes widen. She remembered. She remembered all this time? But how?

A poof of smoke appeared and Momiji returned back to his regular human self. Kagome turned to face the door as Momiji got changed. "You never forgot?" He suddenly began to hear Kagome sniff as she held back tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Momiji approached Kagome. When she turned to face him, he saw her pained face. "Gomen! I don't… I can't…" Steadying her breathing, she was finally able to convey what she wished to. "Gomen ne, I don't remember anything." Momiji stood stunned. "Something—something is blocking my memories. It hurts to try and remember. It really hurts, but a part of me wants to keep trying. I'm forgetting important things. I'm sorry. I want to remember you, but I still cannot recall anything. I'm sorry for leaving. I may not remember, but you do, so that must hurt so much. I'll try to remember. I will remember. I'm sorry if me forgetting has caused you any pain or loneliness, so please give me time to remember."

Momiji hugged Kagome. She needed some comfort even if she was thinking of how he must have felt throughout all the years. After all, his remembering is like comparing someone who was saved but their saviour died—there is a misery to it. He had adjusted to the notion of their separation years ago, so her statement had caused some internal ruckus, but so much happiness as well. He patted the back of Kagome's head to sooth her. "It's alright. Take all the time you want. Even if you don't ever remember, it's okay. Just don't push yourself too hard." He was just glad to have an old friend back into his life again.

Though, he remained both curious and scared.

If Kagome does remember her past memories, what would Akito do?

For now, he could only hope for the best.

It may not be much, but it is a new chapter. It was suppose to be longer, but unless I post something tomorrow, I probably won't get a change to post something new for another 2-4 weeks.

So no I am not quitting my stories. I understand if some people got bored of waiting, and I understand. However, thank you to those who continue to read my stories.