A/N: Reviews are always welcome!

Sari faded in and out of consciousness for an indeterminable amount of time. She heard multiple voices whispering around her but couldn't catch or process anything that was being said. Her body was exhausted and throbbing in a way she'd never felt before. Her throat was still sore and right eye ached fiercely as well, a strange thought to her as she hadn't been able to see out of it since she began growing into her powers.

"Please, Sari, wake up soon. Just open your eyes for me," came Yoru's voice from a distance.

"Yoru," Sari rasped almost silently.

"Sari? I'm here," Yoru's voice was much closer this time.

She vaguely recognized the feeling of his hand touching hers so she squeezed it, to see if it was real. She felt him squeeze back.

"Open your eyes, my love," Yoru asked again, this time stroking her cheek with his free hand.

Why was he so adamant about her waking up? He was acting as though she was dying or something-

Sari's eyes shot open as her mind cleared. She turned her head and saw Yoru sitting on the bed beside her. She was unable to control herself as she launched herself into his arms, burying her face in his neck. He let himself be comforted in her embrace as he felt her shaking from the effort.

"Your wound?" she asked, her voice weak and gritty as she pulled back, touching his chest lightly and looking down.

"You healed me. You saved my life," he said, his eyes locked onto hers as she released a shaky breath of relief. "Don't you remember?"

"I don't remember much after Naraku attacked you, but I'm glad you're alive."

Yoru gave her a brief overview of what happened, leaving out the detail of the kiss. He knew it would embarrass her and impede her recovery. She swayed ever so slightly as he finished, a clear sign that she wasn't well yet.

"You need to lay back. You're not back to full health."

He stood and moved her pillows so she could lay back but remain propped up. He could see she was in pain and it cut him, but he was overwhelmed with joy at her being awake. He helped her lay back and began to fuss with her pillows and blanket to make her comfortable.

"You're awake!" Ayame's voice came from the door, her and Koga moving to the opposite side of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore... tired...weak," she said, her hand fisting in the blanket Yoru had fixed over her.

"That happens when your demonic side takes control. I imagine it goes double for you using your mother's powers while being a demon yourself," Ayame smiled gently at her and pet her hair back. "We're so glad you're okay. We just kicked your family out of here a little while ago so they would rest."

"How long was I asleep for?" Sari asked, seeing the sun from the window.

"Almost two days," Ayame said, seeing her brow furrow in thought.

"Sari, I know you're not feeling great, but I have to say we owe you a great debt for saving our son," Koga said, feeling his throat was thick with emotion.

"You don't. It was my-" she broke off with several weak coughs as her throat burned. Yoru grabbed a glass of water and helped her sit up a bit to drink. She took several small sips and nodded her thanks to him as he laid her back once more.

"It was not your fault," Yoru spoke for her, seeing her turn her head back to him. "I turned my back to the enemy. A rookie mistake. But you saved me, and I owe you a life debt."

"No," Sari said and shook her head gently.

"It's customary, Sari. Whatever you wish for will be yours," Koga said, Ayame nodding beside him.

"Get your family to forgive me, for causing this mess," Sari said to Yoru, her eyes damp with frustration.

"We can't forgive you if it wasn't your fault," Ayame said plainly, lifting her arms in a shrug.

"Then prepare to go to war," Sari said, making the wolf trio grin and laugh. "There. You laughed. The debt is repaid."

"You saved me, that's worth more than a smile, Sari," Yoru said, grasping her hand again and holding it to his heart as he sat beside her once more.

"Your happiness is everything, Yoru," she said as her eyes fluttered with the effort of trying to stay awake.

"She needs to rest. We should let her sleep and tell her family she's awakened," Ayame said, placing a hand on her son's shoulder as he continued to watch her face.

"Yes, of course," he said, standing up and releasing her hand, pulling the blankets up once more.

Sari was asleep before they had crossed the threshold into the hallway. Yoru looked back at her, her head tilted to the side, her chest heaving with the effort it took to breathe, her lips parted just a bit. He wanted to stay and guard her. But his parents were right. She needed rest and her family needed to know she was alright. Still, he sent the doctor in to monitor her so she wouldn't be alone.

Seiya and Sesshoumaru sat in silence in the drawing room. Kagome refused to lay down but had fallen asleep resting against her mate. He dared not move her so that she could rest as much as possible. She'd been awake almost as long as Sari had been unconscious, waiting anxiously for news. He was able to request that Koga and his family look over their daughter and get Kagome to leave her side on the condition that if anything happened, they would be informed immediately.

Seiya heard the wolf family coming down the hall and moved silently to address them outside of the room as not to wake his mother.

"There's news?" he asked, his chest tight with worry. Ayame smiled at him.

"She awakened for a few minutes. Sari was lucid and seemed very much herself again. Her body is still recovering and she needed to sleep more so we left her in the doctor's care. How is Kagome?"

"She has finally fallen asleep. She'll be relieved to know Sari is alright. Maybe Father can make her lay down and actually rest now," Seiya said, quietly reentering the room.

Seiya saw his father nod, having heard the conversation outside of the door. He moved slowly and carefully to position Kagome to lift her into his arms. She stirred as he rounded the corner to their room.

"Sesshou? Put me down. I'm fine. Sari?" Kagome asked, feeling dizzy with fatigue.

"Sari awakened for a brief time. She is now peacefully sleeping off the rest of the incident. It is time for you to sleep as well."

"But-" Sesshoumaru growled and looked down at her.

"You will rest, and that's final. I will keep watch over Sari," Sesshoumaru spoke as he gently deposited her onto the bed. She didn't have the strength to argue as she let Sesshoumaru remove her clothes and wrap her in her sleep robes.

"Take care of her," Kagome said helplessly as her head hit the pillow. She was instantly asleep.

Sesshoumaru leaned down to kiss her forehead, watching her for a few minutes silently before he left the room and rejoined the others in the drawing room, but not before stopping a maid and ordering her to keep watch over Kagome.

"She's sound asleep," he announced to the room, upon reentry.

"Finally," Seiya said and sighed in relief. "I'll go sit with Sari for a while. You all should get some rest now that Sari is recovering."

"I'll sit with her. You need to rest, Seiya," Sesshoumaru ordered, seeing his son struggle with his emotions.

"You both should rest. Let us watch over her," Ayame said gently, seeing Sesshoumaru shake his head.

"I'll see to my daughter. Thank you for being here for my family," Sesshoumaru said and left.

"Yoru, let's take a walk," Ayame said with a soft smile toward her son.

"I should get back to Sari," he said, seeing Koga shake his head.

"Go walk with your mother," the Southern lord ordered, seeing his son struggle before nodding.

"Yes, Father."

Yoru followed his mother into the gardens, seeing her stop to smell some flowers here and there. She made a few comments on the horticulture but was still avoiding talking about why she brought them outside. He had a fairly decent idea of what it was.

Ayame took her time, watching her son's reactions to gauge his mood. She knew he was frustrated, as they all were, with Sari's current state of being. They still didn't know the reason she ran away or what she was going to do once she was recovered. Ayame knew Yoru had at least some idea of what was going on in Sari's head. The way he reacted to her the night before and in the dispensary this morning were clear indications, especially to a mother.

"Yoru, do you mind if I'm direct with you for a moment?" Ayame asked, moving to take a seat on a bench to look over the flowers.

"Of course not, Mother," Yoru said, following her lead and sitting beside her.

"How long have you been in love with Sari?" she looked at her pup, seeing him blush slightly for a moment.

"It feels like forever," he said, leaning onto his knees and holding his head in his hands for a moment before standing up once more to pace. He was entirely too restless.

"Does Sari know how you feel?"

"She does. And she feels the same. Or she did," he fisted his hands and then sighed. "We were going to talk to you and her parents the next time we came together. We had talked about finding some excuse for the families to meet. And then we got the invitation to the gala and it all changed. She never responded to my letter and when we arrived she told me it was over."

Ayame rested one arm across her lap as the other leaned on her knee and propped up her chin, her gaze thoughtful as she watched the emotions cross her son's face.

"Her father learned about her warring auras because of me, because she was working out her frustrations about me at her training ground all night and didn't take care of herself. Then I exposed those secrets too. She's never going to trust me because I keep screwing up and I don't know how to stop!"

Ayame stood up with a sigh, moving over to Yoru in a few steps. He looked at her, expecting a sympathetic hug or pat on the back.

"OW!" he yelped, crouching down and away from he as she whacked him on the head with her knuckles.

"Since when did you become such a wimp? I didn't raise my son to give up on the things he's passionate about. Do you really love Sari?" she asked, seeing him growl and stand up, coming face to face with her.

"Of course I do! Why would I be embarrassing myself to tell you all of this if I didn't?"

"Then fight for her! I know you were bleeding out and hazy, but even you saw what an incredible reaction she had to you being hurt. Demons don't lose control of their inner beasts at random. She used up all her strength, defeated Muso, and attacked Naraku to avenge you, then saved you with the rest of her energy because she has feelings for you!"

Yoru's eyes widened with his mother's revelation.

"You're right!" he said and grinned. It only lasted a moment as his brow furrowed again. "But why did she try to end our relationship if she still loves me that much?"

"I don't know. But it sounds like something to talk about with her when she's not lying in the medical wing, doesn't it?" Yoru nodded swiftly and started to jog away from his mother, a new sense of determination filling him. He stopped after a few steps and turned around.

"Thanks Mother."

Ayame smiled and nodded at him, seeing him take off again. She stood back and rested a hand on her hip as she shook her head. How could all the men in her life be so dense?

Sesshoumaru sat in the window sill, looking out over his lands as he stayed with his daughter. The last three days had been more than unpleasant for his family and friends and he was unsure how to proceed. What he had presumed would be a simple talk with his daughter to lay out his expectations of her in hopes she would understand his feelings, turned into nearly losing his youngest pup and his friend's son. Now there was an active threat against him family that he knew little about, only the rumors that traveled through his country to his servants through idle gossip.

Time passed by slowly as he waited for Sari to awaken. After several hours, Seiya came into the room, offering to take watch in his place. He refused and sent him to check on his mother instead. He wanted to be there, rather he needed to be there, when Sari awakened. It wasn't unusual for hanyou to have power fluctuations after losing control to their inner beast. If something happened, he'd best be the one to take care of it.

He looked from the window and over to his daughter when he saw her slowly sit up. She held her head in her hand, cupping her right eye and grimacing in pain. It was evident to him she hadn't noticed his presence in the room as she grabbed the pillow from behind her and pressed it to her face, muffling an scream of emotional anguish. She threw the pillow behind her again and sighed heavily, collecting herself again. He might have been amused to see her acting so much like her mother under different circumstances.

Sesshoumaru remained silent as he continued to observe her, sure she would notice him as she turned to her right and grabbed the cup of water on the side table. She didn't react, still not having seen him from her peripheral vision. This was very odd to him, knowing how detail oriented she was.

Sari still felt weak but not nearly as weak as before. Even her throat was starting to heal itself. Everything seemed to be getting better, except her eye. Having already screamed out her frustration in a most undignified way, Sari swung her legs over the right side of the bed, still hiding her father from herself as she walked around the bed and over to the doctor's station. There was an ice box and cloths stationed there, conveniently for her.

Sesshoumaru watched her crouch and select a few chunks of ice before wrapping it into a cloth, closing the ice box back up. She pressed the cloth to her eye with a noticeable wince. He noted that she could have had the doctor come in and help her, but chose to take care of it herself. It was a menial task that even he would have relied on a servant for, yet she did not. He wondered just how many other things did she chose not to rely on anyone else for.

Sari turned, still not having faced her father, looking toward the door. She was hungry after laying in bed for two days, but she didn't want to make a fuss about it. She kept the ice cloth to her eye and started toward the door.

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment that he should stop her, knowing the doctor had said she needed to stay in bed, but the peculiarity of her not knowing she was being observed mixed with his curiosity of what she was going to do next compelled him to watch her peek around the door before she slipped out.

He decided to actually suppress his aura now, not wanting to be caught as he watched her make her way around the castle through the servant quarters and into the kitchen pantry. Several times he had to hide from servants as not to catch their attention or hers. He noted that many of them stopped to ask how she was feeling and if she needed help, but none were surprised that she was there. It seemed to be a part of the castle she frequented.

Sari selected the biggest apple she could find, bringing it to the island that way just outside the pantry doors. She went back in and found a jar labeled green tea, setting it on the island as well, still working with one hand and one eye as far as Sesshoumaru could see.

He watched from the doorway as she boiled water and prepared the tea leaves. She set the ice pack down, keeping her eye closed, as she grabbed a knife and began slicing the apple. He noticed her making extra cuts and stared as she made herself what his wife referred to as "apple bunnies" for herself. Kagome used to make them for the pups when they were little, mostly for Sari as she struggled for health more so than Seiya.

Sesshoumaru made the connection immediately, knowing now that her miko and demon blood must have been battling within her since she was young. It explained her seemingly random illnesses throughout her childhood. He didn't imagine as a child she would have known what was happening or how to express it.

The train of thought ended as Jaken barreled down the hall in shock.

"Milord, what are you doing in the servant quarters?"

Sari dropped the knife in surprise, the blade narrowly missing her foot as she stared in shock at Jaken.

"If you needed something from the kitchen, you need only ask-" Jaken stopped at the cold glare Sesshoumaru gave him before stepping out of the shadows into the doorway.

"Papa," Sari was too surprised to keep her face calm or her right eye closed. Sesshoumaru instantly saw her eye was rimmed red, a sign that her inner beast was not yet quieted, as he'd suspected.

"Princess Sari! You shouldn't be out of bed!" Jaken scolded, hoping a show of active concern for the girl would earn him brownie points with his master.

"Leave us, Jaken."

"H-Hai! Right away!" Jaken scrambled out, not wanting to anger him.

The stunned look that had come over Sari's face dispersed as the kettle whistled that her water was hot. She picked the knife up off the floor and set it aside before moving to take the kettle off the fire.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked quietly, risking a moment of eye contact before quickly looking away.

"... Yes," he said after a moment. He noticed the surprise on her face before she moved to the pantry again to grab a different blend of tea.

"This is a blend that Chef Mochi makes himself. It has an herbal blend with nutty undertones that's less potent than green tea," she paused and looked up at him. "Or I can fix something else."

"Mochi's tea sounds fine," he said and watched her continue to prepare it.

Sari put the teas back in the pantry and shut it before returning to the island. She handed her father his tea and stepped back, waiting to see his reaction.

"I was going to go back to the infirmary, I promise," she said quietly, fingering the robes as she looked to his feet.

"Sit," he gestured to the stools on the other side of the island. "Have your snack."

Sari nodded hesitantly, moving her tea and apple slices to the other side before taking a seat. She lifted the ice pack to her face once more as the ache pulsed with her heart beat. He sipped his tea, enjoying the mild flavor that didn't clash with his sensitive taste buds.

"Your right eye," Sesshoumaru started, seeing her flinch before looking up at him. "The pain will subside when your inner beast has calmed."

"When will that happen?" she asked, setting the ice aside and grabbing an apple bunny.

"When it decides that you are no longer in danger, of your surroundings or yourself," Sesshoumaru answered and see sighed.

"I see."

Sari quietly ate her apple slices, not sure what she should do. She didn't know what her father was thinking or what she should even say. He was calmer than she expected him to be, having caught her out of her cot against doctor's orders. When she was finished, she placed the plate and cup in the sink. Sesshoumaru followed suit as he finished his drink, seeing Sari step back for him to exit the room.

"Lead the way," he said quietly, wanting to continue to observe her.

"Yes, Papa," she said with a shallow bow, holding the ice to her eye as they walked back to the infirmary.

They were silent as they reached the room, Sari moving to sit on the bed as her father loomed beside her. He knelt before her, reaching up to cup her right eye with his left hand. She stared at him with a look of uncertainty as he gently pushed his aura into her. Her eye faded from red rimmed to pink, to it's normal white and gold hue.

"Is there pain?" he asked, pulling his hand back.

"No, Papa. Thank you," she said quietly, lowering her gaze.

Sesshoumaru stood as he heard footsteps approaching the door. Seiya opened the door quietly, not expecting to see Sari sitting up.

"You're awake," he started toward her and saw her wince and shrink back, ever so slightly.

"Please don't yell 'Nii-san," she asked, closing her eyes as she knew it was coming anyways.

"You idiot," he said, kneeling beside her on the bed and pulling her into his chest. He held on tightly, comforting himself with her scent as she sat stunned. She expected plenty of yelling but not a hug.

"I'm so glad you're awake," he pulled back and looked at her face. "Are you in pain? Do you need anything?"

Sari shook her head, seeing him sigh in relief and stand up.

"Father, Lord Koga and his family have decided to take their dinner in their quarters so that we may have time with Sari alone." Sesshoumaru nodded.

"Sari, you should rest some more. You've been awake for some time now. Your body won't heal if you do not let it," Sesshoumaru spoke. "I'm going to check on your mother. Seiya, stay with your sister."

After their father left, Seiya helped Sari settle back into bed. He fixed the blankets for her, much like Yoru had earlier, and made sure she was comfortable.

"I have so much I want to say to you. But all that really matters right now is that I'm glad you were returned home, and I'm glad you're awake. The rest will have to wait," he said, petting her hair a few times as she closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry, 'Nii-chan," she whispered as fatigue caught up with her again.

"I know. I just don't know what for."

Sesshoumaru remained by his mate's side for the rest of the night, watching over her as she slept off two days of exhaustion. He laid beside her, feeling her cuddling in close to him for comfort as she snored ever so lightly. It was endearing to him, in a way he could never describe.

When the sun began to rise, so did his mate, stretching and arching her back in an enticing manor. He might have used the opportunity to copulate if there weren't more pressing matters at hand.

"Good morning, my love," he said, cupping her cheek and leaning down to kiss her thoroughly. They may not be able to couple but he could take a few moments to enjoy her taste.

"Good morning," she replied, giving him a small smile. It couldn't hide the concern in her eyes as she stroked her hands over his neck and shoulders.

"Sari is recovering well. She was out of bed for a snack yesterday and did fine. Her healing abilities are slower than a full blooded demon's but still very effective."

Kagome sighed in relief.

"I need to go to her," she said, hearing Sesshoumaru's light chuckle as he pressed his face into her neck.

"I expected no less."

Kagome didn't even bother to dress, merely throwing on a robe and rushing out of the room. Sesshoumaru followed, eager himself to see how their daughter was fairing.

Sari was sitting up, hugging a pillow with her knees withdrawn, staring off into the distance when her parents charged in, lead by her mother. Sari sat up, eyeing her mother as Kagome stormed up to the bed, tossed the pillow aside and tucked Sari into her arms, much like Seiya had. This time, Sari hugged back, comforting herself with her mother before Kagome pulled back, her eyes focused.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Mama. I feel a bit foolish having fallen for their hypnosis on top of everything else." She now could clearly remember what had taken place at the river's edge.

"Good."

"Please don't worry-" Sari stopped as Kagome stood up and slapped her, her head cutting to the side. It surprised her, hurting her emotionally rather than physically as she cupped her cheek and looked back up at Kagome.

"Do you understand how worried we were about you? What the hell were you thinking?" If Sari had ears like her Uncle Inuyasha, they would have flattened with Kagome's yelling. "Did you really believe running away was going to fix whatever problems you've been stewing over in your head?"

"Mama-"

"Sometimes you are just so stubborn and foolish! You could have come to either of us-"

As Kagome's rant continued on, the tightness in Sari's chest grew. She brought her hands to the blanket in her lap and fisted it tightly, silently listening to her mother. She knew she deserved more than just a slap for all of the trouble she'd caused her and everyone else as of late.

"I am so disappointed in you, young lady. I thought we taught you better than this!"

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru spoke quietly, cutting off her next words. Kagome turned to him, her anger and pain written across her face.

"What?"

"Look."

Kagome turned back to Sari and really focused on her. Her knuckles were white from fisting the blanket. Her body trembled wildly as she fought not to sob. Tears flowed silently from her eyes as she bit her lip to hold herself back. Kagome sat beside her and cupped her face in her hands, forcing Sari to look her in the eyes.

"Listen very closely. I need you to remember these words for the rest of your life." Sari could barely make out her mother through the tears but she looked at her and listened as she was told. "I am your mother. I am here for you. No matter how mad I may get, no matter how much I may not like what you have to say or have done, no matter how much you want to shrink and hide from me, I am your mother. There is nothing that you could say or do that would make me love you less, or change how proud I am to have you."

Sari sobbed loudly, slapping her hands over her mouth to stop herself. She had never felt this out of control emotionally, at least not on the outside. And of course, her parents had to both bare witness as she broke down, unsure of how to attempt to stop her reaction.

"Stop fighting and let it go, Sari," Kagome said, wrapping her arms around her once more, bringing Sari's face to her shoulder and rocking her gently as she broke completely.

Her cries were loud and childish and out of control. She soaked Kagome's robe with her tears, clinging desperately to her arm as she listened to the soothing tone of her voice. A hand stroked her hair as she hyperventilated, helping her focus and calm herself.

Luckily for Sari, her breakdown didn't last long, though she continued to embrace her mother for some time after her sobbing died down. Now she felt embarrassed and sick to her stomach. Her mother had said something about letting it out to feel better but she only felt ill.

"Do you feel better?" Kagome asked gently, attempting to pull back but feeling Sari cling tighter as she shook her head, still feeling her gentle hair strokes as she stopped rocking. "Sari, it's okay to let go now." Sari shook her head again, hiccuping quietly into her arm even though the tears had stopped.

"Your mother never feels better immediately after crying either," came Sesshoumaru's deep voice from beside her. She pulled back and looked up, startled to see it wasn't her mother's hand on her head, but his.

"Sari, why don't we find Ayame and take a bath together? You've been in bed a few days and I know always feel a little yucky after crying. A nice hot bath will help get rid of the lingering 'icks' of tears," Kagome said, seeing Sari give a shallow nod.

"I'll send someone to attend to your bath," Sesshoumaru said and Kagome smiled.

"Would you ask them to send in some snacks as well?" he nodded. "You're the best, Sesshou."

Sesshoumaru started to walk away, hearing Sari and Kagome rise from the medical cot. He turned back to look at his daughter, pale, puffy, and clearly embarrassed beneath his gaze. His strides were long as he approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder and kissing the top of her head gently as he used to do when she was a child.

"What your mother told you is true for me as well. I am forever your father, whether you like it or not." Sesshoumaru stepped out, not seeing a little bit of the light return to her eyes.

A/N: Writing this story made me emotional. I know with my mental health issues I can seriously relate to Sari... Review and tell me what you think!