Disclaimer: I own nothing except the part where Kagome is involved!

Chapter 6

It was dark and empty and endless.

Kagome hugged her knees to her chest. She didn't know how long she had been here nor could she remember how she ended up like this in the first place…

She couldn't remember anything, at all. Her mind was as vacant as the void she was trapped in. Still, there were times when she would get blurry flashes of what she assumed was her life before her imprisonment, but she could never hold one to them long enough for her to identify them. They always slipped through her fingers… But these rare occurrences were the only things that gave her hope. Despite her lack of memories, Kagome knew, in her heart, that she had escaped before. That was about the only thing she knew.

Tightening her hold around her legs, Kagome waited for those flickering memories. They were the only things she looked forward to and the only things that kept her sane. There was a time when she tried to force herself to remember her life, but the only reward she ever got was mind-numbing pain that lasted for what seemed like eons. Soon enough, she gave up on trying to recall her memories and simply waited for them to appear on their own.

What was worse was that she would, during her truly desperate moments, hear multiple voices around and inside her. She could never make out what they were saying, but they were persistent, verging on hostile. As the voices grew louder, Kagome felt her chest constrict, making it harder for her to breathe. She would endure until they slowly died down, leaving her alone and tired. If she didn't know any better, Kagome would say that they were trying to tempt her to do something, but she never listened, nor cared enough to understand. She just knew that no good can come of it.

She felt something warm caress her cheek. That was new.

Slowly, as if she was afraid it would disappear, Kagome raised her head and looked around. She found nothing out of the ordinary, but the warmth on the side of her face lingered still. Touching her cheek, Kagome was startled as it pulsed and became hotter.

Panicking, Kagome whipped her head to try and pinpoint the source. Suddenly, a memory of deep, violet eyes flashed in her mind making her heart ache in response. She knew those eyes… The memory grew brighter and hotter, sending searing pains all across her body and back.

Something slipped past her lips in a reverent whisper, but she didn't know what she had said. It was as if her mind was so overpowered by the memory of violet eyes that it did not comprehend anything else…

Then, somebody called her name…

Jolly held his breath at her stare. Twenty-nine years had come and gone, but she was still a mystery to him. He had watched her ever since he lay her on his bed five hours ago and during that time, he had conjured the possible scenarios when she woke up. His mind raced with the different ways she could react when she saw him.

He had wondered if she would recognize him after all these years. Right after Kagome had disappeared on that day, he had drowned himself in his work. At first, he had tried to bring her back, but he found all his research either gone or tampered with. He had tried to start from scratch, but when Papa's condition took a turn for the worse, Jolly was forced to stop his attempts at bringing her back. Fearing the day when he might be too old to find her, the alchemist went as far as to prolong his life indefinitely, giving him enough time to help Papa and to rescue Kagome. However, it never occurred to him to think about what he should do AFTER he found her...

"Kagome," he said, as if it was the only appropriate thing to say at a time like this. Jolly inwardly berated himself for acting like a child.

He noted how her brows furrowed as her eyes slowly focused on his face.

She blinked lazily before sitting up, the blanket covering her nude form falling to her lap. She let her eyes sweep across the room.

Keeping his gaze locked on her face, Jolly waited for a reaction. When there was none, Jolly straightened and pushed his shades further up his nose. Perhaps, it was too soon for her.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

Kagome met his gaze and tilted her head as if she didn't understand what he was saying. Not three minutes later, her stomach answered for her.

Smiling slightly when she placed a curious hand on her midsection, Jolly made to stand, "I'll send someone here with your food."

Before he could begin to walk, he felt a light tug on his sleeve. His eyes widened when she tugged a little harder. Looking down to meet her confused face, Jolly noted that even she was surprised by her actions. She looked at him like a lost puppy. If not for the circumstances, Jolly would've… Well, he wasn't entirely sure what he would've done. There she was, his wife, naked on his bed asking him to stay. If he had been the same man he was thirty years ago, and if Kagome had not disappeared for so long, he might've teased her and kissed her senseless. Now… Now, he felt as if he should stay away from her. He didn't deserve her affections even if she herself told him otherwise…

A ghost of a smile crept over his face as he gently tried to pry her hand off.

"I shall be back with your food, then."

He didn't know what compelled him to say that. He didn't even know how he knew that that was what she wanted to hear, but it worked. As soon as he said he will return, Kagome let go.

Slowly, he leaned over her and pulled the blanket over her shoulders to preserve her modesty, fighting the sudden urge to nuzzle her neck and kiss her cheek.

When she was somewhat decent, he put his hands inside his pockets on an effort to control himself and headed for the door. He cast her one more glance, meeting her eyes, before he closed the door behind him.

Leaning on the door, Jolly looked up at the ceiling and sighed. What was he doing? He already said that he won't get any closer to her.

It was obvious that Kagome's was still very much lost and confused. She was like a newborn babe. A part of him prayed that it stayed that way, but another part hoped with all his heart that she would remember him soon.

Jolly ran a gloved hand through his hair and down his face, a wry smile on his lips. This woman would be the death of him.

True to his word, Jolly returned to the room with a tray of food, but he wasn't alone. A woman with long, straight ebony hair followed gracefully behind him. She was a spitting image of a Japanese doll. Her skin was pale, but beautifully so, and her eyes sparkled with motherly widsedom. When she walked into the room, her white silk kimono flowed behind her as if she was floating. She had something in her hands.

A wary look passed Kagome's face when she saw her. The woman gave her a gentle smile to ease her worries.

"Hello, my dear. My name is Sumire." Her voice was soothing, but there was an a small hint of power behind it.

Kagome furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Jolly who had set the tray on the nightstand beside the bed.

He nodded to her, "She is the Mama of the Arcana Famiglia, wife of Mondo."

Kagome nodded slowly, but it was clear that she didn't comprehend any of it.

Not minding, Sumire made her way to the side of the bed, sitting down on the chair Jolly was in a while ago. She graced Kagome with another smile and presented to her the object in her hands, "Jolly tells me you are a Giapponese woman. Here," she said, placing the package on the bed next to Kagome.

"It's a kimono. I thought it would suit you."

Jolly watched with interest as Kagome hesitantly unwrapped it. His lips turned up slightly as her eyes went from shocked to pleased.

"Would you like me to help you put it on?" suggested Mama, happy that her gift was well-received.

Kagome nodded happily.

Taking that as his cue to leave, Jolly strode across the room, towards the door, "I shall report to Mondo. I leave her in your care, Mama."

He waited just long enough for Sumire to nod once before he left the two women.

Mondo sighed for the umpteenth time. He and Dante had just sent Felicita and the boys to bed. It took the whole afternoon to answer their questions and finish telling them Jolly's story. While they knew it would've been better if they heard it from Jolly himself, they knew that the alchemist would do no such thing. Besides, Felicita already saw his heart. There was little use in trying to hide it, especially now that Kagome had returned.

Dante took another drag from his cigar, "How do you suppose he is handling it?"

"I do not have the slightest clue."

"Normally, a man would be ecstatic to be reunited with his long lost wife, but considering what happened, Jolly might try to avoid or push her away," said the bald man, rolling his cigar between his fingers thoughtfully.

Mondo smiled wryly, "Yes, I suppose he would try to do that. However, I doubt Kagome would allow him. If I recall correctly, he tried to ignore her the first time she came to us. Not a year later and they were married."

Dante barked out a laugh causing Papa to join him.

When they had finally sobered, Dante excused himself stating that he was in charge of the night patrol. Mondo nodded and before shifting his attention to some of the papers on his desk. Time to get cracking on today's reports.

Just as he had cleared half of the pile, there was a knock on his door. Giving his permission, he watched as Jolly strode in.

"Ah, Jolly. I was wondering when you would stop by."

The alchemist only gave Mondo his trademark smirk in response.

Mondo put his pen down and stared up at his friend, "How is she?"

Jolly's smirk lessened slightly, "She woke up not two hours ago. Sumire-sama is taking care of her."

Papa nodded in approval, "And does she remember anything?"

"No. She has not spoken nor shown any signs of familiarity with her surroundings. She seems to understand what we're saying, but her responses are still slow. Perhaps, tomorrow she would be able to talk."

The head of the Arcana Famiglia frowned at Jolly's tone, "It's like you're reporting the behaviors of a test subject."

At this, the alchemist stiffened. She had been his test subject. In fact, that was the whole reason for this mess.

Realizing the effects of his words a little too late, Mondo cleared his throat and tried to divert the conversation, "Ahem. Same arrangements as before. She will be placed under your care Jolly. Until she-"

"Perhaps it would be better if she was placed under Mama's care. It would seem that her memory is faulty enough as to make her forget even her earlier life," interrupted Jolly.

This took Mondo by surprise. Jolly never questioned him nor disobeyed him in any way before. This man had always been loyal and devoted to him. To hear him say that he was unwilling to cooperate only proved that Kagome's appearance affected him greatly.

Papa studied the seemingly composed man in front of him. Looking closely, he could see that Jolly was coming undone at the seams. Not really sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, Mondo shook his head, "Sumire is the mother of the Arcana Famiglia. For her to focus on one person is not an option. You may, however, ask for her assistance should you require it."

Jolly's face blanked as he tried to hide his annoyance., "Very well. Good night, Mondo."

When the door shut, Mondo rubbed his temples. Honestly, that man was almost as stubborn as his wife…

When Jolly returned to the room Kagome was in, he was met with quite a sight.

Kagome stood by the window, looking outside. Her kimono was parted in a way that revealed everything from her neck all the way down to her shoulders, showing a decent, yet classy, amount of cleavage. Blue and silver like her eyes, it was hugged tight around her midsection by a black obi with a silver cord and a white bow before it flared open along her legs giving him a tempting view of her long legs.

Her hair was tied loosely at the base of her neck with an ornate comb of similar colors to help finish off the look.

Slowly, she turned her head to him and smiled. Suddenly, Jolly felt his chest tighten. Stormy blue eyes pierced his violet ones, his shades doing little to shield him from their gaze.

After a few moments of silence, Jolly inwardly shook his head, forcing himself to regain his composure.

"It suits you well, Kagome," he said.

He watched as she tilted her head to the side, her lips parting, "T-Thank… y-you…"

Jolly's eyes widened slightly. She was talking.

He gave her a small smile. Glancing at the nightstand, he noted that the tray was gone.

"Did you eat well?"

Kagome nodded and walked to sit on the bed, "Su-Sumire-sama brought t-the tray wi-with her."

He frowned as she tried to speak more. It was obvious that she was pushing herself.

"Don't speak yet. Given your situation, you should try to take things in slowly."

Kagome beamed up at him, "N-No. I'm a-all right. T-thank you."

There was another pregnant pause. Jolly readjusted his shades as his hand hovered on the door knob, "I suggest you get some more rest. Good night, Kagome."

"W-Wait!"

Looking back at her, Jolly raised an eyebrow, "Did you need something?"

Kagome blushed catching the alchemist off guard once more. She fidgeted for a few seconds before meeting his eyes again, "Y-You keep calling me by my n-name… but I don't know who y-you are…?"

It was as if someone stabbed his heart. Tightening his hold on the doorknob, he strengthened his resolve and forced a smirk on his lips.

"There is no need to trouble yourself with that information. Good night, Kagome."

With that, Jolly closed the door behind him, leaving a crestfallen female behind.

A/N: There! An update! Probably not the story where you expected it the most, but an update nonetheless. ^-^

School's starting soon, so it may be a while more before the next installment. ^^;;; My sincerest apologies!

Please ignore the errors for now! I will fix them soon. ;v; Oh and I've somewhat fixed the chapters prior to this one-Chapters 4 and 5 have the most changes if I recall correctly.

As always, please read and review! ^-^