Caliope07: In answer to the question in your review, this fic is an alternate ending to the story, meaning it's set somewhere after the main series ended. The Final Act doesn't exist in this timeline so nothing in that arc has happened. Thanks so much for your kind review! :)

Chapter Three - Good and Evil

In life there is always hope, no matter how absent it feels. What inspires hope in you? Or rather, who?

She couldn't stop running. Not even for a second. Tomoyo's legs felt like they were going to rip off, but she couldn't give up now. There was obviously something wrong with those three wolf cosplayers, aside from the fact that they owned real wolves.

Her throat was starting to dry up.

Where was everyone? Where was she?

This has to be a dream, Tomoyo thought as she turned around a corner, barely dodging a pointy branch. There's no other explanation.

She was brought to an immediate halt when she came across footprints in the snow. That was proof that someone had been there.

Calm down, Tomoyo. It's not real. You'll wake up soon.

She inhaled the cold air and started running again. What was that? Up ahead, there was the silhouette of a person.

Thank god!

Tomoyo let out a sigh of relief as her run turned into a slow jog.

"Um, excuse me?" She shouted, lifting up her hand to try and get the person's attention.

There was no reply.

Well, how rude.

She walked a bit further but soon regretted it as she took in the person's appearance. There were two horns sticking out on either side of its head and it was gigantic, probably around five times bigger than her.

"O-oh my g-" Tomoyo stuttered as she stared up into the devilish red eyes of a gigantic troll-looking creature. "Maybe I should've stuck with the wolf boys."

The creature swung his fists down, barely missing Tomoyo. She screamed hysterically and tried to run away.

Lurking behind the trees, Koga watched in amusement at the sight before him. He knew that she wouldn't be able to keep dodging the Oni's attacks for much longer. He was right, because after a few minutes she was panting heavily and sweat dripped down her forehead.

Heh, maybe I should help the redhead, he thought.

He was just about to step out from his hiding spot when the Oni opened his large mouth, revealing razor sharp teeth, and lunged at Tomoyo. She didn't have enough energy to dodge the attack, so she quickly used her arms to shield her face and her eyes squeezed shut...

Silence.

Nothing had happened. No loud crunch. Had she finally woken up from this disastrous dream?

Tomoyo slowly opened her eyes, hoping she would be greeted by her tiny room in her cosy cottage, but to her dismay, she was still in the strange place but at least she wasn't dead. However, now she had to deal with the man stood in front of her. The aggressive wolf guy from before, was holding the creature off with his bare hands. Her eyes widened as she watched him muster all of his strength and throw the large creature against a tree.

"Are you gonna sit there starin' at me in awe all day or are you gonna come back to my cave?" he grinned as he spoke, stretching his arm out and wrapping it around Tomoyo's shoulders.

Her brows furrowed angrily and she stood up, brushing the dirt off herself. "The only thing I want to do," she began, walking away, "is get away from you."

She held her head up high, threw her hair over her shoulder and started trudging through the heavy snow.

"I wouldn't go that way," Koga shouted, "You'll probably bump into more Oni."

She sighed and realised that she hadn't eaten or slept in a long time. The sun had gone down hours ago and it was now pitch black. She figured if this was a dream, then he couldn't really do any real damage to her.

Screw it.

"What's that around your neck?" Koga questioned, eyes locked on the small red gem hanging from Tomoyo's neck.

She looked down and grasped it tightly in her hand.

"It's... an antique. My grandfather gave it me. Why do you care?"

In a split second Koga was in front of the her. He looked furious but there was a hint of remorse in his eyes. His long, tanned arm stretched out and grabbed the stone.

"Hey! Let go!" she yelled and tried to force him to let go of the delicate gem...

But the stone had burned him.

Koga looked down angrily at his charred hand.

"How did you do that?" he asked, his face held down.

He looks kinda sad, Tomoyo thought and shuffled backwards a bit.

"I didn't do anything," she replied, "It's never done something like that before."

Her mind suddenly flashed back to a moment when her and grandfather gave her the stone.

*Flashback*

"Grandfather? What's this?"

Tomoyo looked down into her grandfather's hands where a small, red stone lay.

"This, my dear, is the ancient Fire Stone that has been passed down through this family for generations. My father gave this to me, and now I'm giving it you. Promise me you will take care of it."

He took her hands and carefully handed her the stone.

"Okay!" she smiled excitedly, and held it close to her chest. "I'm going to find some leather so I can hang it around my neck."

She jumped up and skipped into the other room.

Her grandfather shouted out to her, "If you ever come across a demon or something of evil intent, the stone will reject it and burn the creature."

She poked her head around the corner. "What was that?"

"Oh, nothing. Here, I'll help you with the necklace."

*End of flashback*

This has got to be a dream. I'm definitely dreaming. Why am I having messed up dreams about wolf cosplayers and trolls?

"You!"

Tomoyo was snapped out of her train of thought as she realised that she was being slung over the man's shoulder and carried away.

"Hey! Let go of me!" she shrieked in his ear.

"I would prefer it if you didn't scream in my ear."

She puffed out her cheeks and she crossed her arms angrily.

I should probably run away, but I'm so tired. And this is only a dream, so I'll be fine. I'll wake up soon. I will.

I have to.