Author's Note: Here is the first section that made me determine changing the rating for this fic was the right thing to do. When I first wrote it, I was worried about the word limit and how to describe things in a way to leave much to the imagination to avoid getting too dark. I'm not afraid of the dark, and in fact, think that this is much needed in regards to Sesshie's overall character. So, though I will still not be describing in detail the things that happen in the dark, it will be a little more graphic than previously. So perhaps a slight trigger warning? I don't plan on marking the places in the chapter where the scene begins and ends since it's still not overly descriptive. If anyone has issues with that approach, please let me know either through a review or a PM, especially as the story progresses.

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

Chapter Five

I slashed through my opponent's stomach a little more forcefully than was necessary. Blood and intestine spilled from the wound, covering me in gore. The added mess did nothing but anger me further. Growling, I slashed upwards, claws carving into the poor creature's chest cavity, shredding its frantically beating heart.

I knew I was venting my frustrations on the small kappa, but I didn't care enough to stop. It had been nearly a year since I'd seen Kagome in the Dream Realm, and each day drove me deeper into bloodlust.

When I first told her of my status as Heir of the Western Lands, she claimed it wouldn't change anything between us. For the rest of that evening, she did, in fact, act as if nothing was different. But as time passed without seeing her again, I knew it for what it was.

An act.

A lie.

Nothing but the falsehoods of what I had mistaken as friendship.

I was no fool. There were far too many times I would reach the grotto only to see a shadow of her presence; a broken twig, wet footprints in the earth, imprints where she lay in the gass. She was avoiding me, no longer interested in a friendship now that she knew who I was. Why I still tortured myself periodically to grasp at her shadow, I will never know. Hopefully, one day I would grow out of it.

Scowling, I shook the gore off my claws. Today was the first day of my survival test. A day I had waited for to prove my worth to the West for many winters. The day I would show everyone that I could protect the West without fail.

This morning; long before sunrise, Father had deposited me somewhere deep within the forest of our lands. I was to live and survive until he came or me. He could come at any time, but the longer he waited, the stronger I would prove to be. I had much to prove, we all knew that. There was no doubt in my mind that Father would leave me here for a long time. That suited me just fine. I would stay out here all year if that's what it took to prove to the Western Court I was the savior they prayed for.

I left the kappa's body where it lay on the ground. Though I would need food at some point in the future, I needed to find a secure place to set up a base camp first. I was an excellent hunter, so dragging the body of my recent kill though the forest would create nothing but undue hardship. Besides, the smell of fresh meat would attract larger predators that would otherwise try to hunt me.

Father knew getting a fortified shelter would be my first goal, and he made certain things would be difficult for me. It showed his faith in my abilities, and I couldn't help but puff my chest out with pride. It had been nearly half a day since he dropped me off and I have found nothing that could even become fortified with a little work. I would either have to settle for an unfortified camp, or think creatively. What would Kagome do in this situation?

I growled, stopping that line of thinking as quickly as it came. Why must she always be on my mind? Hadn't she made it clear from her actions that she wanted nothing to do with me? She was just like the other children of the court. What else did she need to do for me to stop thinking of her? Clearly, her lies were not enough.

In the end, I could not secure a location before darkness fell. Instead of continuing my search, I leapt into the higher tree branches. It would be unwise to continue, what with the stronger predators waking for their evening hunt. I took no chances when it came to survival. I was very much still a pup, and in no way strong enough to take on a Ryu or Kuma should they catch my scent. So, until I found a suitable base camp, I would keep to the trees.


Few creatures would think to look up for dangers. This was something I quickly learned over the next few days. This kept me safe each night, but it also made surviving far too easy. This was supposed to be a test to prove my worth to the Western Court. How could I do this without being challenged?

I needed to find something I could show Father at the end of this. Something that would prove my worth. Obviously, this area wasn't the right place to accomplish that. There were no rules against leaving the general area where dropped off, but it was highly discouraged. Likely, Father had removed any true threat to my life before leaving me here. Where was the challenge in that? All it showed was that I could be a good boy and do as I was told.

I was to rule the West someday. No one would tell me what to do then, and now would be no different.

I made certain to stay within the Western Lands, but never in one place for too long. The further I got from where I first started, the stronger my opponents became. Not just stronger, but craftier. I was no longer dealing with the rogue youkai I suspected were herded to my location by Father. Now, I was dealing with real enemies; human and youkai alike.

I didn't pay the humans much mind at first. They were not the challenge I was looking for. It wasn't until I was deep in human territory that I learned of the true challenge they possessed.

The sun had already set for the night and I was looking for a comfortable tree to rest in. Before, spending the night in a tree made things far too easy. Now, it had become a necessity. Too many times had I woken just as an Oni, far too powerful for me to take at my current strength, would pass below me.

In the distance, I could see a warm glow flickering between the trees. A fire, and likely one in a human camp. Were it daytime, I would have steered clear of the humans, but I had been feeling unusually viscous all day.

Last night was the closest I've been to seeing Kagome in a longtime. I had arrived in my grotto just in time to see her standing by the large rock she liked to sit on while I trained. Her eyes widened, clearly seeing me arrive; but, no sooner had I taken a step closer, she disappeared. If she thought I'd find a different spot in the Dream Realm to pass the time, she was going to be disappointed. That was my grotto from the beginning. She can find a new place.

Staying high in the trees, I moved closer to the human's camp. I might not be a Kitsune, but that didn't mean I couldn't play tricks on them. I wouldn't kill them, but I would make them regret falling in my path. Since I was the far superior being, it would be dishonorable to kill them outright. It wasn't until I drew closer that I realized something was very wrong.

I could hear the cries of a woman, the scent of her tears and blood floating on the wind. No longer was I focused on relieving the frustration of Kagome's betrayal on the humans. Now, I was concerned. We were still in the West and that woman, human though she was, is still my subject. And she was in trouble. I had to help her. Saving her from whatever those humans were doing to her would not be dishonorable. It would be the just thing to do.

Ever so slowly, I made my way through the trees; inching closer to the flickering light of their fire. It wasn't long before I laid eyes on the small camp. There were five men sitting around the fire, a scouting parting for one of the human warlords, most likely. To the side of the camp stood a tent. I did not need to see the movement within to know that was where the woman was being held. Nor did I need to hear her cries emanating from it or smell her blood wafting on the wind. All it took was the leering, impatient look in the other men's eyes as they watched the trembling sides of the tent. I might still be a pup, but I knew very well what was going on inside those thin walls. Clenching my fists, I could do nothing at the moment but sit back as the woman, one of my people, was raped. Human or no, there were too many men for me to take on all at once. I needed to separate them from each other somehow.

After what felt like an eternity, a male grunt echoed through the clearing, laughter bubble out from some of the men at the fire. Those men would die slower than the rest. The woman continued crying as the man who defiled her left the tent, still putting his clothes to right. That man, he would be the last to die if I had my way.

"The bitch is nearly broken." The dead man spat upon the ground before reaching toward the fire for some of the meat roasting there. "How long until we reach the next village?" Clearly, this was a common occurrence. The humans would scout for their Lord, taking a poor woman from any village they passed to warm heir beds. There was no honor in this kind of warfare. For humans to think otherwise proved them to be the inferior species.

"A few days." One of the other men shrugged, tossing more wood in the fire. If they thought the light from the flames would keep them safe, they were sadly mistaken. Nothing would keep them safe after the pain they wrought upon my subject. "We can always kill her now." I nearly growled at the flippant disregard for the woman's life. But I didn't want to give myself away, not yet. No, even if I was older and stronger than I was, a quick death wasn't good enough for them. But fear, especially prolonged fear, can give that woman the vengeance she so deserved.

Stealth was never one of my strengths. Hiding while attacking your enemy unaware is cowardly in Father's eyes. If you planned on killing something, you should never play with it first. We were not Nekos. But now, sitting here in this tree, I couldn't agree with him. It wasn't cowardly to use every available resource when facing multiple opponents. Just because Father didn't agree didn't mean I couldn't use fear and stealth tactics. I wasn't my father.

Using my claws, I scraped off bark from the branch I was crouched on, making certain the sound echoed through the woods. All six of the men perked up and started looking around. Many rested their hands on the hilt of their swords. Those I noted in the back of my mind. They would not scare easily; yet, I would be certain to make them crippled with fear. Using more strength than any human could dream of having, I flicked chucks of the bark across their camp. The sound of the impact the bark made on the ground was nearly akin to a twig snapping... at least to a human senses.

The men all turned, searching for the source of the noise. One of them moved closer to where I threw the bark. He stayed there, standing, waiting for wherever was out there to show itself for a while. None of the other men made a sound, and neither did I. Eventually, the man relaxed his guard and returned to the fire, muttering something about animals. Smirking, it was my turn to wait.

It seemed like forever before I flicked another piece of bark in a different location just outside of camp. Once again, the men all turned at the sound. This time, no one stood. Sloppy. If there was a potential threat, you should always be on your guard and investigate the noise. Clearly, these humans were incompetent.

I waited a little longer before tossing the next piece of bark; only this time, I tossed it right below where I was hiding. When they looked, I allowed some of my youki loose, just enough to cause my eyes to bleed red and slightly glow in the darkness. Surrounded by the foliage and being so high in the tree, if the men saw me, they would question if what they were seeing was real, especially with all the other sounds they've been hearing.

The man from before stood once more, moving close to where I sat. He wasn't looking at me, but I wondered if he could feel my eyes on him. He looked around, searching for anything other than the darkness of the woods. One man back at the fire snorted, calling the cautious human some form of derogatory name.

"Would you get your ass back here?" The man that suggested killing the woman growled. "There's nothing out there."

"I think there is, boss." The man drew closer until he was standing right below my branch. For a moment, I debated using Mokomoko-sama to drag the man up into the branches in front of all his comrades. It would be quick work to disembowel him and drop him back down so they could all see the fate in store for them. But that had the potential to trap me where I was. Not, what I needed to do was lure them away from the camp so I could deal with them in smaller numbers.

"Ichigo, take that idiot and prove to him there's nothing out there." I could hardly keep a smile from testing my features. It seems the opportunity I needed just presented itself. What luck. Another of the men groaned as he left the false safety of the fire. As he walked across the camp towards the one beneath my tree, he glanced longingly at the tent.

The two men left the camp with me following in their wake high above in the trees. I landed softly so not to rustle any of the leaves or make a sound as I followed. I wanted to get them a little further from camp before I pounced. As the men slowed, I began moving lower in the branches. I had an idea... a vicious... twisted idea.

"See, there's nothing out here, you idiot. Now stop making everyone so jumpy." Wrapping the end of Mokomoko-sama around my newest perch, I slowly lowered myself so I was hovering just over the human's shoulder. It was a tricky move, but quite worth it, as I saw the horrified look on the first man's face. Silently snarling, I moved as if to claw the man before me.

The one the others called an idiot, the only one actually aware of the predator in their midst, screamed as instinct kicked in. Before the human Ichigo could blink, the idiot had drawn his Katana and slashed at me. Unfortunately for Ichigo, I expected the reaction and used Mokomoko-sama to pull me back onto the tree limb and towards safety before the blade was even a threat. A gurgle escaped Ichigo's lips as the blade connected with his neck. The attack meant for me taking one of their own.

Alerted by the scream, two other men rushed from the camp. They arrived just in time to watch in horror as Ichigo's head slowly slid to the ground. The idiot, realizing the danger he was in, lifted his Katana to defend himself from his two comrades. It was an unfavorable battle from the start, and the idiot soon joined Ichigo in death.

The two men that had joined my death trap away from camp sheathed their weapons without glancing around for threats; the fools. How could they not even think to question why their comrade betrayed them? One of the pair kicked the idiot's lifeless form, causing his limp foot to rock side to side. Did they not believe him to be truly dead? One would think being sliced nearly in half would leave little room for doubt. Clearly, I was thinking these humans to be far more intelligent than they were. Yet more proof of their inferiority.

When the man that so needlessly kicked the idiot's corpse turned to return to camp, I recognized him as the one who had violated my subject. Though he deserved death last, I wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. That didn't mean I wouldn't make him suffer. A cruel smile curved my lips as I saturated a piece of the bark I had kept in my hand with Dokkasou. With precise aim that would make Father proud, I launched the dart-like projectile into his achilleas tendon. The man screamed from the burn of my poison as it slowly entered his bloodstream. The filth of a man fell to his knees, unable to support his weight on his injured foot. His companion spun around at the cry, searching all around the darkened forest for the threat.

"The fuck is wrong with you?"

"My leg!" The filth screamed, clutching his ankle as if his grip alone could end the pain. Not able to see any threats, the other man rolled his eyes before grabbing his slowly dissolving comrade by the arm. As he tensed to pull the other man to his feet, I struck. In a heartbeat, I had jumped to the ground behind the pair, landing soundlessly to keep the air of surprise.

"Stop wasting time." The man's voice carried the sneer that likely covered his face. "Ain't nothing wrong -" Before he could finish his reprimand, I thrust my cawed hand through his chest. I could still feel his heart beat in my grasp as I forced it out of the man's body. Blood sprayed out from his chest and covered the face of the dissolving filth who watched in horror, trying to understand what exactly he was seeing. Pulling my hand back from the new corpse, I continued to hold the slowly stilling heart in my first. The body collapsed to the earth without my arm to support it, blood pouring from the hole to saturate the earth below. The filth kept his eyes pinned to the body of his comrade.

I knew the moment he registered the sight of my black boots behind the corpse. Slowly, his eyes trailed up my body until it locked with the heart in my hand. For a split second, I debated taking a bite of the heart like a persimmon just to see the horror that would consume him, but I thought better of it. Who knew what worms or parasites could be crawling inside these men. Instead, I tossed the heart behind me like the trash it was before walking closer to the filth.

"Stay back!" The man's wits finally returned to him as he shouted at me, shakily reaching for his sword. Terrified, the filth couldn't draw his weapon, not that it would have saved him. Raising my hand, I let it hover over his head while I worked on producing a thin and potent form of Dokkasou. I wanted his death to be slow and agonizing, much like how his attentions must have felt for my poor subject.

In my mind, I had thought the Dokkasou would gather as some kind of ooze, but what I had actually created was more like a rope. Without missing a beat, I changed tactics and reared my hand back before whipping the filth with Dokkasou. The scream that was ripped from his throat was lovely, but what was truly beautiful was the severe acid burn left on his right cheek from the blow.

The first few layers of skin had melted, yet charred at the same time. As long as I kept Dokkasou at this potency, it would take hours before the filth would be released into death's sweet embrace. But first, I had one other to take care of.

No doubt summoned by the screams of the filth, the leader of the scouting party joined us. I had heard his footsteps approach long before he got close enough to see us. More so curious about what this new technique could do than from strategy, I increased the potency of Dokkasou tenfold. The poisoned rope lightened from a sickly green to nearly a yellow color, as if made of light as opposed to poison. Turning on the ball of my foot, I let my youki extend the Dokkasou rope into a true whip. As quick as any technique I had used for years, the youki and Dokkasou infused light whip shot across the space between the leader and myself, hitting him square in the chest and killing him instantly. It really was a kind of death for him, but his underling would pay all the more for the gift.

I was quite impressed with this new technique and felt like a second nature in my hand. All the work I had been doing with Mokomoko-sama had to have played a part in the near instantaneous mastering of this new attack. I would be a pleasure to show Father upon his return to claim me.

Keeping my new light whip in the same form, instead of adjusting the potency of the Dokkasou within the attack, I used the youki giving it shape and flexibility to control the amount of poison that would be released with each hit. "Now," I said, turning back to the filth with a wicked glint filling my blood-red eyes. "Where were we?"


Streaks of color started staining the sky by the time the filth succumbed to death. He had lasted far longer than I expected. Quietly, I returned to the near abandoned camp by foot, the last soldier long felled by the testing of my light whip as he came to investigate the filth's screams. I secretly hoped that the woman would have taken the opportunity with all the soldiers gone to escape, but that was not to be. The moment I reached the camp, I could smell her hiding inside the tent. Terror permeated the air, and I frowned. I had not wanted to scare her as I punished those who harmed her.

"It's safe now." I spoke gently, as though speaking to a wounded animal. I did not wish to frighten the poor girl any more than the men's screams had thought the night. She whimpered in the tent's safety, but made no move to leave. Frowning deeper, I wasn't sure what to do. There was no way to know for sure when others would come searching for the missing scouts. I couldn't just leave her to wait for them. All that world do was hand her over to a new man to continue her abuse. "You need to come out." I let the authority of being the future ruler of these lands seep into my voice, spurring her into action.

I stayed where I was as the tent moved. Slowly, the girl crawled out of the tent and I was hit with the stench of old blood, sweat and man that clung to her small form. She was no child, but old enough that she should have been married by now. Her presence here could only mean she had no one to return to. Brown eyes were glazed over, unseeing and proving without a doubt that the man had been right when he claimed her to be nearly broken It was painful to see, especially in someone I was duty-bound to protect.

"You're safe now," I repeated. The girl blinked, clearing away some of the haze in her eye. She stared at me a moment before screaming and collapsing to her knees.

"Youkai!" Her screech hurt my sensitive ears. Wincing, I raised my hands in a placating gesture to show her I was no threat to her.

"I shall not harm you." I had protected her and granted her the vengeance she so rightly deserved. Didn't she realize that? The girl screamed louder as she crawled on hands and knees to the fire.

"Help! Youkai!" She reached into the fire and I took an involuntary step forward. Was the girl mad? Pulling out a stick, she held it before her protectively. The glazed look in her eyes now a distant memory. "Stay back!" I was so surprised by her ungrateful attitude I actually took a step back. Emboldened by the action, the girl stood, holding the flaming branch ready to attack. Had her reaction to my rescue not have spurned me, her wish to harm me would have. She let those human men do unspeakable things to her, yet when faced with a youkai she can fight for her life?

Mother was right all along. Humans are only good for food. My short friendship with Kagome blinded me to the truth. Even if Kagome hadn't abandoned our friendship, it was easy to forget she came from another time. She was unlike the humans of these lands; more the fool was I to forget.

"I should have left you to your fate." I growled darkly before leaping into the trees and leaving the girl alone in the woods where she would either die or be taken to warm new soldier's beds.


I traveled the land for many moons before Father came to retrieve me. Never again did I stop to protect a human. I didn't outright hunt them, though many could use a good culling; but I would ignore any I would have once stopped to protect. Instead, I focused on honing my survival skills. That was the entire purpose of this excursion. By the time Father arrived, I felt at home in the forest.

"You've been quite difficult to find, my son." I could see the humor in his eyes. He knew I was aware of his search for me and that I had spent the last week leading him on a merry chase. I had enjoyed our game, and from his look alone, I knew he did as well. This was probably as close as we would ever come to playing games like other fathers and sons.

"Perhaps if you weren't so old, I would have been easier to find." I couldn't help the small jab. It was all in good fun; I did not want our game to end just yet. Father barked with laughter before affectionately patting the top of my head.

"Well said, Son." He shook his head in amusement before removing his hand. I could already feel the heat from his palm dissipating. It was rare for him to pat me on the head, let alone touch me outside of training. I didn't understand how both he and Mother could stand it. We were Inu and needed a pack. I think... I think that was why I was so attached to Kagome and why her betrayal hurt so much. She was pack... or at least, had had been. I frowned at my thoughts, not really wanting to think about that further. Thankfully, Father had already turned around, so he didn't see my discontent; and thus wouldn't ask. He had started walking back to the Shiro without a word, expecting that I would follow.

"Tell me of your adventures." His request, or command rather; for that's what it was, is a veiled attempt to figure out why I had traveled so far away from where he expected me to stay. I had anticipated as much as soon as I decided to travel this far out. It wasn't common for those in my position to do so; but most didn't have as much to prove as I did.

"The first few weeks weren't a challenge. How was I to prove myself if I was not challenged?" Unexpectedly, Father growled at my answer. I blinked, nearly stumbling as I followed in his wake. I had not expected that reaction.

"And what were you to do should an enemy you could not defeat came across your path? Did you not think that the life of The Western Heir was more important than a challenge?" As he spoke, I had first thought he was worried about my own life and safety; but no, that wasn't the case. He was only concerned over the future of the West; as he should be. Should I perish, he would have to cease his philandering ways in order to sire a new hope for the West.

"That wasn't a concern." I had meant to continue that statement and put his mind at ease, but wasn't given the chance. Father spun around faster than I expected, causing me to walk right into him.

"It should have been. You are needed for the success of the West." It took everything within me not to snort at that. I was replaceable. The Court had made that perfectly clear early on. Instead of cowering like many would have, I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with Father in challenge.

"I know my limits. There was no danger." Before he could take true offense, I lowered my gaze once more. I had made my point. If he accepted it or not was up to him. I had no regrets and would make the same decision again if given the chance.

We stood there, unmoving for what felt like an eternity. "Overconfidence is just as dangerous as underestimating your enemy." It wasn't overconfidence, but I wasn't given the opportunity to explain that. Dismissing me, Father turned back around and continued leading the way home.


I missed the forest. It had taken Father and me nearly a week to return to the Western Shiro. Once Father had let go of his anger, the journey was one of the most fun I'd ever had. Father also felt more at home in the forest than back at the Shiro, and thus the two of us took longer than needed to return. That was likely the true reason he stayed away during much of the year. The Western Shiro no longer felt like home to me, and for Father, it was clearly the home of Mother and her Court.

I yearned to return to the joyful days of my survival test. It might have been dangerous and challenging, but I enjoyed myself. When I'm old enough, much like Father, I planned on staying away from the Western Shiro. As long as Mother was still living, I wouldn't be needed there. Until then, I wouldn't have much of a choice. The only forest available to me was in the Dream Realm.

It had been quite a while since I had returned to the grotto. During the survival training, it wasn't safe to slip into the Dream Realm. By the time I returned I had just gotten so used to avoiding the plane I never went back. It wasn't because I worried about running into Kagome. That would make me a coward, and I was not a coward.

Frowning, I rested my head down on the desk covered in scrolls. My tutor had given them to me to read and analyze hours ago; something that took me no time at all. Really, one would think he wanted to avoid the honor of being the tutor to the Western Heir, considering he vanished after giving the assignment and had yet to return. If I missed the forest so much, there was no reason I shouldn't visit the Dream Realm right now. Especially since I wasn't worried about running into Kagome. Should she be there and not run as she had in the past, I would just inform her she would need to find a new place to spend time in.

Though it had been a long time since I had been to the grotto, it was still second nature to reach it. As expected, Kagome wasn't there; and I promptly ignored the slight relaxation in my shoulders at the knowledge. Walking through the grotto, I moved closer to the waterfall. How I had missed this sound. There were no waterfalls in the area I had taken my survival test in. I had not realized how much I enjoyed and calmed at the sound until I stood before it once more and felt its affects.

I sat down against the base of one of the many trees near the waterfall. One leg out and one bent, I let my guard down; closing my eyes and focusing on the sound of the rushing water. I should have come here sooner. This grotto wasn't just a training ground, nor was it a reminder of Kagome's betrayal. This was my solace, the one place I could let got of the chains of responsibility and just be myself.

"There you are!" I stiffened at the voice. Why, of all the times to show, why now? I ignored her, not wanting to give up this relaxed feeling just yet. If I were lucky, she would get the hint that I was aware of her betrayal and her falsehoods would no longer work on me. But, there was still that nagging thought I had about her bring pack. "Sesshoumaru?" Kagome took a few steps closer, and I couldn't believe her audacity. Could she not see I wanted nothing to do with her and her lies?

"What are you doing here?" I growled. Her steps paused only for a moment before she continued and was standing in front of me. I refused to look at her. "You shouldn't be here." Her breath hitched and the sound of her plopping onto the ground echoed through the grotto.

"Why are you so angry?" Her voice was barely a whisper, so quiet that if I were not a youkai I wouldn't have been able to hear her. I wish I hadn't. Why was I so angry? How could she dare ask me such a question? Only then did I open my eyes and glare at her. She was crying, but I refused to be swayed by the tears. I wouldn't be made a fool again. "Sesshoumaru…"

"What do you want, girl?" She jerked back as if I hit her. I smirked at her reaction. If she was in this time, I would have punished her for her actions. No one made a fool of the West. I watched as another tear slipped down her cheek, sliding past the dark circles under her eyes... Cocking my head to the side, I looked her over once again. Something wasn't right here.

Ignoring the tracks of tears, there were lines of exhaustion around her eyes, dark circles, and a wariness about her entire demeanor that screamed she hadn't been sleeping well. But that was a lie... wasn't it? I had seen her in the Dream Realm a few times, just long enough to see she was avoiding me. I frowned, still glaring at her. Even if she has lied and betrayed me, she was still pack. If she wanted to try to voice her excuses, I would hear them. They would change nothing, though.

"I have a baby brother now." She spoke after some time, finally realizing I was granting her the chance to speak. "Mama says he was daddy's last gift to us." I snorted. I failed to see how any of this was helping her cause. Clearly, the added stress of her new family dynamic was causing her to slip up. If my father died and left a babe in his place, I would be furious. "He's very loud," she continued. "All night he screams, making it impossible to sleep."

I blinked, staring at her. Could it be that she didn't betray me the moment she learned who I was? That she didn't lie to me about wanting to be friends? That it was all her not being able to sleep or being woken abruptly? Was it really me that betrayed our friendship by not trusting her? I watched as she lowered her head, probably believing that no matter what she said wouldn't matter to me. Honestly, when she first appeared, it wouldn't have.

"So, you aren't afraid of me?" She jerked her head up before blinking and cocking her head to the side in a very Inu gesture.

"Why would I be afraid of you?" The impact of her innocent question hit me hard. I had let my own insecurities, my weakness, taint our friendship. She didn't want to stay away, she had no choice. I was a terrible friend. Hanging my head in shame, I couldn't look at her for a completely different reason than when she first came. At the very least, I owed her an explanation.

"I told you the last time who I was." Anyone else wouldn't have gotten anything more, but Kagome deserved more. "All the children of the Court fear me." I was too powerful or not powerful enough. Fear of their safety or the safety of the West prevented them from getting close. Honestly, it was probably for the best. I would rather be alone than have others pretend to be my friend in order to get perks from Mother, or worse, once I rule. That was what had attracted me so much to Kagome once I realized she was from the future. She couldn't be after those kinds of boons since they wouldn't benefit her. That was also why I was so quick to judge her actions as betrayal.

"So?" She shrugged. Did she not understand? I was about to open my mouth to explain in another way; once again, something I never would have done for anyone else when she beat me to it. "Just because you have a title doesn't mean we can't be friends." She paused, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Unless you don't don't want to be friends."

"Of course I want to be friends!" I practically yelled, blushing a bit myself at the outburst. Kagome just laughed and smiled, her tears completely forgotten. How could she be so forgiving? I didn't deserve her friendship, but I would never again question it.

"Do you want to play a game? I don't know how long Souta will let me sleep, but while he does, we should have some fun!" She jumped up quickly with a smirk on her face and mischief in her eyes. She took a few steps closer while still keeping us apart before tapping me on the top of the head. "Tag! You're it!" Without warning, she then ran off.

I had seen other children play something similar. Though being called a different name, the idea was still the same. I've always wanted to play, and now was my chance. Slowly, I stood and shifted my eyes off to the side where Kagome had run. She was clearly hiding, waiting for me to make a move. I may not have my sense of smell, but I could still hear far better than any human.

Squatting low, I launched myself into the air. As I leapt over the steam, I did a few somersaults, Mokomoko-sama spiraling around me. Landing on the other side of the bank on one foot, I closed my eyes, listening carefully. I knew Kagome would be amused by the display, and she didn't disappoint.

A quiet giggle reached my eyes, and I smirked. Hiding from me was a much better strategy than running since she was human. But no amount of hiding could save her if she gave away her position so easily. Lunging toward the sound, the giggle changed to a surprised shriek. There was no fear in the sound, just enjoyment. Humans may be inferior, filthy, and ungrateful. But that would not always be the case. Or, at least, Kagome wasn't like the humans of this time.

Opening my eyes, I watched as Kagome tried to run before it was too late. But it was no use. Reaching out a hand, I gently tapped her on the shoulder. "Tag, you're it."