Even Kaede had been in shock at the change Serenity had made to Inuyasha's beads; but the elderly miko soon regained her composure after Serenity and Sesshomaru had left and even had a small smirk on her face.

"How was she able to do that?!" Inuyasha exclaimed before looking at Kagome. "I thought you said she wasn't a miko!"

"She's not." Luna answered. "The miko of the senshi was Sailor Mars. But it is possible that when Mars passed her powers to Serenity, it included her miko abilities as well."

"That seems likely." Artemis agreed.

"The fact is that you deserved it Inuyasha." Miroku spoke up this time. "Serenity-hime has proved already that she doesn't take well to the idea of those she cares about being harmed, likely a development from all the loss she's endured."

"Aye. But even she realizes that ye are soon to be family." Kaede remarked. "It is time ye start finally thinking before ye act. Before ye do something to cause her to instinctively use that new ability on you in the middle of a battle."

"Feh!" Inuyasha scoffed. "Kagome, can you let me up already?"

Kagome thought for a moment. "Let's see. What command would be the opposite of stay used for dogs? Um….Up, boy?" She looked to him nervously.

Inuyasha attempted moving and grinned when he found he was successful this time. "Ha!" He hopped up and headed for the doorway.

Miroku moved in front of him to block him. "Where are you going Inuyasha? Surely you're not planning to go confront her? Do you want to give her reason to go all out against you? She has the powers of her senshi at her disposal. Let's not alienate her. Not to mention by now, Sesshomaru has probably taken her to the palace in the West and they've had time to get a really good head start. "

"Fine." He dropped down to the floor and closed his eyes. "Let's get some sleep. The runts will likely be up early."

Sango, Kagome, Kaede and Miroku all rolled their eyes at his words before they all settled down to sleep as well.

Meanwhile….

"Serenity." Sesshomaru gently tapped her back; since she had turned to face him a while back and fell asleep against him.

"Hmm? Five more minutes.." She murmured in her sleep.

"Hn." Sesshomaru glanced down at her in amusement. "Serenity. We're almost there. Time to wake up."

"Alright, I'm up. I'm up." She muttered as she rubbed her eyes and turned around in his arms, once more in time to see the palace coming in view. "It's as majestic as I remember." She then glanced up at him. "Sesshomaru...shouldn't we at least let the staff know about my return? I know you're the lord and all, but surely they'd ask questions?"

"Not as of yet. I won't deny that they won't hear results later. But as the most we'll be initially passing will be the guards by flying overhead, that's it." Sesshomaru explained as he gently nuzzled her soothingly. "Less chance at a last-minute competition showing if they don't know until after the mating is complete. Are you nervous?"

Serenity smiled and shook her head. "Well...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little nervous. But it's the typical first time nerves and nothing more. I just wanted to know. After all, the last time any staff here saw me, I was regularly dressed in my royal attire."

"I will do my best to show you just how treasured you are. But I cannot promise there won't be any pain." Sesshomaru answered.

"I know." She turned her head slightly towards his. "What pain will happen if any is supposed to, either because it's the first or because of your baser instincts. It's long overdue my love, my mate."

Sesshomaru let out a low growl of approval at her words as he directed the cloud to land on the balcony of his chambers. The moment the cloud disappeared from under their feet, he swept her up into his arms and carried her across the threshold to begin the long overdue mating.