Author's Note: I had some issues updating Dokuga, so if you lost your alert for this story from there, I'm sorry. I had originally planned on updating everything when I had gotten to where the original drabbles had ended, but I've been struggling to get there. Hopefully updating now will bring the motivation needed to finish. I've been stuck on the revision for chapter six for what feels like forever.

~* Flame

Disclaimer: The following is a fan-based parody. InuYasha Final Act are all owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Viz Media Madmen Entertainment.

Chapter Three

Sweat chilled my skin as the training session with Father continued. We were well past the hour mark by now, with no sign of stopping. At this point, Father was as determined to land a blow as much as I was to prevent him from doing so. Neither of us planned to stop until the other gave in.

The first time I used Mokomoko-sama to grab a tree, changing the direction of my fall in mid-air was glorious. The shocked look on Father's face was worth all the pain from training. It was then Father no longer viewed this as a game. In his eyes, we were now sparring for real. I was finally a worthy opponent. Even the Western Court had remained silent in admiration. As they should.

I continued to use Mokomoko-sama in my attempts to dodge Father. It was too good of a trump card not to. Unfortunately, as with any muscle, it was prone to strain when overused. Father lashed out, and as I whipped Mokomoko-sama out to grapple a tree, the worst happened and I knew I had finally lost.

A cramp rippled through Mokomoko-sama, stopping even my breath with the pain. A moment later, Father's fist connected with my side. Clearly, he had expected me to have been able to dodge. The force of his blow sent me soaring across the courtyard, landing deep within a snowbank. For a moment, I just lay in the cold snow trying to remember how to breathe.

Never had I experienced such pain before. Even when training, the pain wasn't this intense. As wonderful as this technique was, I would need to use it far more sparingly than I did today. By the time I could breathe through the pain, Father stood above me. The pride that shone in his eyes made everything worthwhile.

"I am very impressed." Father sat in the snow next to me as I continued to breathe through the pain that was slowly ebbing. "What inspired you to use Mokomoko-sama in such a way?" I frowned, thinking of what to tell him.

I didn't know how he would react to my friendship with Kagome. Mother, if she ever learned of it, would be horrified. I could easily imagine her reprimanding me for playing with my food. But Father seemed to like humans. He spent enough time with them, at least enough to know there was some good to them.

Maybe I just needed to word things delicately. Not only did I need to make sure he was okay with my friendship with Kagome; but I needed him to help me convince Mother that I could take the time to visit her in the Dream Realm.

"Have you ever been to the Dream Realm?" There was only a brief hesitation before Father nodded. At least I wouldn't have to explain that to him. He likely had been there many times before. We just never ran into eachother. "I met a friend there, one that helps me train and unlock new abilities. It was their help that was the key to learning Dokkasou and strengthening Mokomoko-sama."

"Interesting…" Father's eyes narrowed, and I tried not to look nervous. I didn't want him to ask too many questions about Kagome. We really played more than we trained and Father would realize that easily, depending on his questions. I also didn't want him to realize that Kagome was a girl. Our friendship wasn't appropriate because of our stations. If anyone else learned she was female, the Western Court would be in an uproar. Though we were children, I still needed to keep myself away from scandal while waiting for Mother to sort out the details of a betrothal. My mate would have to add to the power of the West, not something a human could do. Even a human as special as Kagome.

"How is it that this friend of yours has insight all your other teachers did not?" I fought against a frown that would give away the utter distress at his question. There was no way I could answer that honestly without giving too much information away. If anyone found out what I had learned about Kagome, why she was so special, they would use her as a tool for the West. As much as I was determined to protect my people, I couldn't let that happen to her.

After just a few interactions with Kagome, it became clear why she knew so much more than I; and why I could only see her if I slept during the day. Kagome was from the future. The knowledge boggled my mind, but there was no other explanation. Each time we met, she would talk about things I had no knowledge of, nor would I for years to come. If she hadn't asked for my help with memorizing information for her history class, I would have thought her crazy. But there was nothing crazy about her. For some unknown reason, we were linked through time. It was a secret I would take to my grave.

"My friend... is human." It was the only thing I could think of that protected Kagome's secret while still being controversial enough to warrant my hesitation. At least, in Mother's eyes. Thankfully, Father just nodded and went with the explanation. He knew where Mother's opinion lay and why I would be so hesitant for her to learn of my friendship.

"Humans are far more significant than your mother would have you believe. It pleases me to know you won't dismiss them as easily as other youkai." I smiled a little. It wasn't often that Father said I pleased him. "I'm also proud to hear you're one of the few youkai able to access the Dream Realm. I will speak with your mother to allow you access during the day to train with your friend... as long as you continue to show such significant improvements." I wasn't aware that the Dream Realm was difficult for youkai to access. Was that why I had never met any others before? Was it just as difficult for humans to access the realm? It was something I would have to think about later. For now, it was time to clean up and tell Kagome the good news.


"Kagome!" I shouted through the trees of the Dream Realm. I was so excited to tell her they granted me permission to spend as much time with her as I wanted. I knew I would continue to show the improvement Father wanted to see. And he would convince Mother that this was a good idea. Clearly, the teachers she had conscripted for me weren't working.

I ran through the trees and reached our grotto quickly. I could see Kagome's outline as I reached the end of the forest surrounding our playground. I had expected her to be waiting for me since it was still the middle of the day; but something was wrong.

Kagome was sitting on the bank of the stream, curled upon herself and sobbing. I had never seen her in such a state and was shocked. Kagome was always happy. What happened? I froze at the tree line, not sure of what to do next. She didn't even notice me.

"Kagome…" I whispered, forcing my feet to continue moving toward her. Slowly, I kneeled next to her on the bank. Out of habit, I sniffed the air. Not for the first time, I cursed the lack of scent within the Dream Realm. Sometimes, like now, when I needed that sense the most, it felt like missing an arm. I knew that if I could smell what was wrong, I could fix it. Kagome should never be sad. It didn't suit her and seeing her in such a state did strange things to my chest.

"Kagome... what happened? Are you hurt?" She only sobbed harder at the question, but instead of crumpling further into herself, she launched herself at me. I blinked for a moment as Kagome clung to me for dear life. Her tears soaked through my clothes and, instinctually, I wrapped my arms around her quaking form. Though I couldn't scent her, I rested my nose in the crook of her neck as she sobbed. A quiet growl, more like a hum, started deep in my chest. I might not have ever received comfort in my life; but my instincts knew what to do. I was grateful. After all the times Kagome had helped me, I could finally do something for her. I just wish I knew what was wrong. I'd gladly slay whatever creature dared to harm her.

"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome sobbed, causing me to pull away to look at her. She still had her head buried in my chest. She started hiccuping and gasping for air through her sobs, and I started to worry. Even in the Dream Realm, she needed air; and, as a human, she needed more than I did. Trying to calm her further, I started rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles.

"It's okay Kagome. I'm here." I didn't know what else to say. Without knowing who or what had upset her, I was at a loss. There wasn't anything I could do to fix things outside of just holding her as I was.

"No... nothing will be okay ever again." She wailed, her head shaking back and forth. Even in her distress, she kept her pitch low enough not to hurt my sensitive ears. I wouldn't have minded the pain if that's what she needed. I was strong enough to withstand anything she unleashed.

"Tell me what happened. I'll make it better, I promise." Her grip tightened, and I had the feeling I said the wrong thing.

"I wish you could Sesshoumaru." She finally lifted her face from my chest and the deep blue eyes I was so used to seeing sparkling with happiness were dull and filled with anguish. "My daddy died today."