First, I love your stories. I personally like to slow route you often take, because seriously, it's Kagome and Sesshoumaru, any romance between them is going to take time to develop period. The way you write them is far more realistic than other authors who have them fall in love instantly or have him be fascinated with her from the moment he saw her. 

That said, I have mixed feelings about this ending, although that doesn't mean I love the story any less. I get that she's pissed at him, I'd be too, but I also feel she should have tried looking at things from his angle a bit more. I mean seriously, she completely forgot him, albiet unintentionally, but that still hurt him. After dealing with that for so long, and seeing her kiss Inu, give him at least a smidgen of understanding. As for him, he should have had a little more faith in her, but after dealing with her heartbreak over Inu for an entire year, and seeing the moments when she could not get over him, one can see why he would think she had gotten back with him. Doesn't completely excuse him going with Kikyo, a common whore would have been better, but still, a man can only take so much. 

I understand her need to get away and grow on her own, I think it's probably the best thing she could do for herself so she can stop being so reliant on others and improve herself. That said, I feel horrible for Sesshoumaru, as I get why he feels it's the end and she didn't give him any reason not to think that way. He can't move on to someone else, but she could. What if she falls for someone else while she's away? I'd love to see a sequel to this where she has finally come back. And while she's been gone he's taken in Rin! At least that way poor Sesshy wouldn't have had such a lonely and bleak existence without her. Who knows, perhaps she'll have picked up Shippo during her travels. And with the two of them having grown during their time apart, they can finally come together, stronger than they would have been had it happened beforehand. Eh...just a thought. Sequel would be great, but I'm hopelessly hooked on Blood Stained so I'm rooting for that prior to any sequel. 

ahh part 2 part 2 !!!  need it need it lol

Such a bittersweet ending, but it definitely fit the mode of the story. Wonderful job on this story. Cannot wait for the next!

*faceplants* Gah! I swear, if you didn't write so wonderfully I would have to stop reading your stories! *whimpers* They make my heart hurt SO MUCH.... but at the same time they're So Good.

And... I Guess this is a happy ending... ... I guess...

I do like the way Sesshomaru gave her the Pink Carnations though. ^_^ That was both sweet and cute.

Thanks for writing!

Sorry but I did not like the ending.  I don't like sad endings, period, no matter who writes them.  I read to be happy because real life has way too many sad endings.  I hope he finds someone else who doesn't have all the mental 'baggage' that Kagome carries around with her.  Especially since it's uncertain that she'll ever return because in her travels she might just meet someone else.

I loved your story. I almost cried when Kagome told Sesshoumaru that she was leaving. Will there be a sequel? I must know.

I love the story and I'm sorry to see it end.  What a bittersweet ending!  Though I can understand Kagome's need to learn how to depend on herself, I feel bad for Sesshoumaru.  He seems to have received the rotten end of the deal.  I for one would petition a sequel -- some of the reunion ( a new beginning for both), please. 

so bittersweet D= sequel please!

A wonderful ending to this story.  It was a turly great story and I am sad to see it end, but I can't wait to read what you come up with next.

I have loved this story from beginning to end. I was so pleased with how you ended it. I am so happy for Kagome going out on her own to find out what people were protecting her from... herself... I hope to read more of your works in the future. Your a great writer, keep up the good work.

Hugs
Alpine ^_^

I love your story so much. I cannot wait to see how it ends! =)

I understand why Kagome is so upset by what Sesshomaru did but what bothers me the most is that he didn't go running to Kikyo, and it wasn't because he was rejected. He was heartbroken and angry that he saw what he thought was Kagome kissing Inuyasha. He knows she wasn't now, and that doesn't excuse his actions but I hope she remembers that soon. Becuase they talked about it before. And the only reason he kissed her was becuase she decided to move on with her life without her memories or past self, its so sad. I like your story so much, I can't wait for the next chapter. 

Please update soon. I cant wait to see if Kagome forgives Sesshoumaru or not. I hope she does. I cant wait. Thanks for a great story so far. I love it.

I guess I'll share my opinion and say this: I understand Kagome's anger and find it justified at the moment.  Just because Sesshoumaru didn't actually sleep with Kikiyo, doesn't mean that makes it better.  He knew what Kikiyo was, he knew what she wanted to do to Kagome, and he knew exactly how much it would hurt Kagome and he let it get too far.  The only thing that makes the act forgivable is that he stopped it, but that doesn't absolve him of guilt and mean Kagome should feel bad for being angry--especially now that she remembers just how much Sesshoumaru meant to her.  Also, Sesshoumaru saw Inuyasha kissing her and immediately thought the worst of the situation, and thus  the worst of Kagome.  Granted I'm an outsider looking in, but if I had a friend in a similar situation to Kagome I would have given them the benefit of the doubt and never assumed she went back to someone who made her want to die.  Of course, Kagome has made mistakes too--but she never conciously made a choice that would devestate Sesshoumaru the way his hurt her (at least, not that I recall).

I want to say that I don't think Sesshoumaru is a bad guy with ill intent--mistakes were made and can be forgiven, but forgiveness takes time.

I also don't think Kagome has been coddled--to lose one's memory is to lose one's sense of self.  She doesn't remember what happened to her in the past year, but she also doesn't remember the woman that year shaped her into (and she did a lot of changing that year).  Here she is, trying to remember the past, while everything and everyone is moving towards the future.  While she's scrambling to catch up and hang on to the tatters of her life (and sanity), she has to deal with Inuyasha's and Kikiyo's crap.  I had a cousin who barely survived a head on collision with a semi and dealt with memory loss--recovery was a long and difficult process that required patience, understanding, and yes, a bit of coddling (though I don't think we were babying anyone).  Smacking someone upside the head is not a solution; time and love is. 

Okay, so if you haven't figured it out--I'm absolutely moved by this story.  You have written about the trauma of memory loss so realistically and beautifully.  The relationship between Kagome and Sesshoumaru is beautiful, mature and despite both of their issues and mistakes, I'm rooting for their happiness. 

I'll wrap this up and say that I love all of your stories and everytime I think I've found a favorite, you update another and suddenly THAT becomes my favorite.  So right now, this is on the top of my list...but I'm about to go read Blood Stained, so that will probably change... :-)

Holy crap--that's a frickin long review. 

Just had to add another comment.  I totally agree with sesshou_lover and Sess Koibito.  What they said is exactly the way I feel.  I just worded my review nicer.  I should have just spelled it out the way they did.  She's been pampered for over a year and now expects it.  I don't want him to feel guilty when he has no reason to and he needs to give her an ultimatum.  Either he's in her life or not so he can get on with his life.

She should not be so hard on Sesshoumaru.  What was he suppose to think when he saw her and Inuyasha kissing.  She has some guilt of her own because a part of the old Kagome clung to the kiss before she pushed him away.  That's the part he saw.  Also, he wised up in time to tell Kikyou to get lost.  Kagome needs to realize this and stop feeling like he betrayed her.  She's taking one mistake and weighing it against all the good he has done for her.  It is way unfair for her to compare him to Inuyasha.

I love this story, but I am getting so sick of whinny baby Kagome.  I wish she would just get over herself already and take a damn big girl pill.  I know she's playing the victim role so well, but if I were Sango, I'd have smacked her a long time ago.  I've never met anyone more self in their need to be coddled than her.  Tell her to grow up, Sango.

Poor Sesshoumaru! Ever since Kagome lost her memory (and now has it back), I honestly feel worse for Sesshoumaru than for Kagome! How can she even compare Sesshoumaru to Inuyasha and what Inuyasha did to her?!? Kagome needs to wake up, put things in perspective, then come up with some way to offer Sesshoumaru a MASSIVE apology. Ok, enough of my venting ... I love your stories! Another great chapter! Keep it up! :)

Man....poor Sess. When these types of stories are written, some writers tend to downplay how deeply Sess feels because he's supposed to be this cold character. I really like how you have captured him behind the mask. Great Job!

love your story. =)