(A/N): I'm so sorry I forgot about this story guys! I haven't updated in over a year! So so so sorry! Thank you for your patience! I can't believe this story has over 1500 views! Thank you everyone! Hope you enjoy!

Saburo counted the number of family members there. Hm, two missing. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, he saw a figure carrying a symbolic frown followed by a woman with crossed arms. Saburo decided to greet the two and was unknowingly followed by Rin. Before he could speak, the voice of a child sung out from behind.

"Sesshomaru-sama! I finished the poem. I think it's really good, I hope you'll like it. I think you will. Did your group write one yet? Did you decide who is doing it - probably Daichi, huh? Yeah, he would do it. Will you listen to mine? Se-Sesshomaru?" Saburo followed her gaze to Sesshomaru. The boy was not facing her. In fact he didn't even acknowledge her presence. Had she upset him or – no. There was that look in his eyes that was so familiar. Sesshomaru was lost in thought and having a battle inside himself. But where had Saburo seen that look before? His expression resembled something from his memory, but what? In the corner of his eye, Saburo noted a slight smirk on InuKimi's face. At first glance, she looked almost proud of herself, but her eyes said something different.

"Well, we're just about to start. Why don't you two take a seat," Saburo advised, placing one hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder. After slightly flinching, Sesshomaru looked Saburo in the eyes. No words were spoken, yet he seemed to say thank you. The older youkai simply nodded in understanding and motioned them to sit. Before them was a wide circle of cushions with a bare center. Everyone but the four were sitting and chatting with those closest to them, away from their groups. Figures.

"Who would like to start?" he asked when everyone was situated and quiet. Before anyone had time to respond, Daichi jumped up into the middle of the crowd and read his poem clearly and dramatically. It read:

"I see your joy,

I see your pain,

I see your dreams,

I see your failures.

Your fantasies are disgusting,

Your lust even worse,

Your hatred burns strong,

Your love even stronger

Lust fueling that flame of darkness,

A flame darker than the blackest of nights,

It blinds you from reality,

But it's bright and clear to me,

How much you yearn

I could care less,

Because it's never going to happen,

But for the love of God,

Please keep her clothed."

As he seemingly finished, everyone stared in confusion. To break the uneasy silence, Saburo tried to find the right words. "Thank you Daichi, that was-"

"I am cursed with images,

Sworn to secrecy,

And remain silent for you.

I know your fears,

Your secrets,

Your sense of impending doom

But as I watch your pain,

You seem to forget one thing

I am here for you,

You don't have to be alone,

Let me be the light in your darkness,

The stars that you make are beautiful,

But although dangerous,

They burn the brightest together."

As Daichi sat down without another word, Saburo felt a slight squeeze in his hand. He looked down to see Masami's hand tightly grasped around his own. The awkward atmosphere lingered for several minutes before Saburo cleared his throat.

"Alright well, next up is InuYasha," he announced. Waiting for a response from the hanyou, Saburo turned to the boy who was sitting with his arms crossed and a prominent pout on his face.

"No. I don't care what anyone says. I'm not fucking doing anything and there's nothing you can do to make me," InuYasha said looking quite pleased with himself.

"InuYasha," Kogame warned. Everyone sat uncomfortably waiting for InuYasha to read the poem he should have prepared. Letting out a sigh and cursing under his breath, the hanyou stood in the center and pulled out the folded up parchment.

"This is my poem for you all,

Wouldn't you love to see me fall,

Or be hit in the face with a ball,

Or run into a wall.

This is just a way to stall,

You need to make the fucking call,

The importance of this is just way too small,

I hate you all."

Sensing the uneasy atmosphere, Saburo nudged Rin as InuYasha sat down by his wife. Taking the hint, Rin nervously made her way to present what she had created. Saburo nodded in encouragement.

"When I was young,

I was alone,

No words were sung,

And my wounds had only grown.

I had no one to walk with,

No one to talk to,

To me love was just a myth,

After all I had gone through.

But then I found myself saved,

By a mysterious man,

Answers were what he craved,

He never really had a plan.

I was happy he never sent me away,

Because I've only wanted to stay."

Just as Rin finished, Saburo witnessed Sesshomaru rise gently from where he sat and slammed the door on his way out. Rin looked after him with confusion and distress while she whispered her guardian's name in grief. Following after Sesshomaru, Saburo nodded at Hiyato to signify his turn.

With determination fixed in his large eyes, Saburo walked to the figure staring out into the horizon with his hair swaying violently in the wind. With distant voices sounding from the small structure behind him, Saburo quietly made his way to his nephew's side. When he reached Sesshomaru, he studied his eyes of unmoving emotion. Or so he thought.

Sesshomaru's eyes reflected the sky they were fixed upon. Saburo followed his lead and secured his gaze on the bright blue firmament. He apathetically watched the clouds loom above him as the wind carried them across. He was surprisingly used to moments like this. More often than not, he found himself in this kind of silence and he knew perfectly well what it felt like in both positions.

"You mean the world to her, you know."

Saburo sensed Sesshomaru turn his head in Rin's direction and added, "I can tell she means everything to you as well." Saburo faced Sesshomaru who was now looking back at him. He thought out his words carefully before replying.

"Perhaps that's what I'm afraid of." Saburo stared back in surprise as Sesshomaru spun his head away.

"There's nothing wrong with giving a piece of your heart to someone else. It happens to everyone in different ways, even to those too afraid to admit it. What do you have to lose?" He watched as Sesshomaru's head lowered. "Your mother spoke with you didn't she. Don't listen to her. She's still sore with your father and believes everyone who loves is bound to get hurt in the process."

"That's because it's true." Saburo spun around to witness InuKimi take a step closer to them.

"InuKimi, I didn't see you there. I meant nothing by it, just-"

"Oh, stop struggling. I know you are too ignorant to head my words," InuKimi replied as he whined in return.

"Come now, it's not always true. After all, would you hurt Sesshomaru?"

"Of course not! That's not the same!"

"And why not? You love him just as my brother did," Saburo stated.

"How dare you say such a thing!" InuKimi shouted defensively. "I care for him more than he ever did for me."

"InuKimi, we aren't talking about you. Some things are more important than silly grudges." InuKimi stood silently as her face twisted in pure shock and anger. She glanced over at her son who had not even moved to face her. Saburo followed his sister-in-law with his scolding stare as she stepped closer to Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, dear, you must not let your heart be touched by anything. It is better to feel nothing than to hurt with a pain that cannot be healed," InuKimi said as she placed her hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder which was quickly shaken off.

"Don't listen to her. How can you ever feel joy if you don't let anyone in? Love is risky, but the risk is well worth it. It can be a terrible thing, but it always gives the best memories to hang onto. What are the memories that plague you the most?" Saburo questioned with honest curiosity. Sesshomaru did not reply. All three of them stood motionless, waiting for someone to speak until-

"At a time, I would have answered your question with Inu no Taisho. But those were not memories of love or hatred. They were only of respect. They kept me going on my journey to what I was destined for. They kept me determined to become what my father gave up. They gave my life a purpose and direction. They reminded me not to give into emotion, or else I would risk what I have come so far to get. But-" Sesshomaru ceased his words and let out a shallow sigh. He did not continue.

Saburo and InuKimi exchanged inquisitive glances and shuffled in the silence. Before one of them could press him forward, a familiar scent loomed forward. They both sharply turned to meet with Hirato.

"You have been gone for a while. Is everything…okay?" he asked with false sincerity. Oh well, points for trying.

"You really do care. Is there a certain reason you followed us up here?" Saburo inquired teasingly.

"Don't get the wrong idea, we've finished this silly competition a while ago and need a winner to be declared so we can finish these damned games."

"Oh, of course. That totally slipped my mind. Thank you for your patience, which is totally out of character might I add. How long have I kept you waiting? What have you been doing all this time, anyways? You don't ever talk to people."

"Shall we?" Hirato asked after mumbling some nonsense under his breath.

"Oh, right, sorry. Perhaps we all should join the others." Saburo suggested as he made his way back to the family.