A/N: Getting close to the end. This story isn't perfect, but I would appreciate any feedback you might have for me. It's been a while since I was up to writing and I have a lot of work to do to make it better. This is the first on-going story I've written in ten years...

Sari moved to stand beside her father, her hands folded delicately before her as she waited to make her decision, or at least display it. She watched as Toshi stepped forward from the gathering crowd and bowed to her. Yoru did the same, and they waited a moment for the other few men to step forward. No one else did.

"Is this all whom you bestowed a crane upon?" Sesshoumaru asked her. Her head shook.

"I gave out 5 cranes tonight to possible suitors."

"I ask one final time, those who were given a crane, step forward."

"My son will not," came a woman's voice stated over the murmuring of the crowd.

"Step from the crowd if you have an objection to voice," Seiya spoke, watching as the people parted to reveal a demoness with red eyes, a striped magenta kimono, and a large fan. Hakudoshi stepped out beside her, his hands folded behind his back as a villainous smile remained on his face.

"I am Kagura, and my son will not be subjected to Naraku's leftovers!"

The assembly gathered began to whisper and share looks as they considered the implications of the demoness's words. Kagome quickly held Seiya by the arm, not wanting him to run in and cause a scene as he growled ferociously.

"You will silence yourself and leave, before I'm forced to silence you myself," Sesshoumaru spoke. Kagura opened her fan and hid her face behind it, staring him down.

"My mother is merely stating what the people are thinking. No one will explain just what happened while Princess Sari was captive at Naraku's castle. The rumor is that she was going to be used as a brood sow," Hakudoshi taunted, Sesshoumaru's gaze narrowing.

"I will not repeat myself," Sesshoumaru warned.

"Three perfectly respectable demons have rejected the chance of being cast together with your daughter. You might wish to-"

"That's perfectly acceptable," Sari interrupted, another rush of whispers flooding the masses. "I would never have chosen someone clearly not interested in me as a person. Most definitely not someone like your son. He may be a full blooded demon, but he was foolish enough to insult humans while under the roof of his human hostess, specifically my mother. I only gave him a crane to silence him and move on." Sari told the demoness, noting her fingers tensing on the fan.

"You dare insult my family this way?" Kagura snapped her fan shut, glaring fiercely.

"I would think it would only be insulting if my rejection mattered to you," Sari countered.

Kagura shook with fury, and Hakudoshi's face fell into a sneer. Neither were pleased with the results of the chaos they had tried to create. Without another word, they walked off, leaving a silent crowd in their wake. The families of the two other men she'd given cranes to decided to use the opportunity to bow out as well. Seiya snarled at them, disgusted.

"Papa, I would like to continue the ceremony. If no one else is willing to step forward, I don't feel that is my loss," Sari saw him nod.

"Well said, Sari," Kagome said as she looked over to her and Seiya.

Sesshoumaru gestured for her to step forth.

She took three paces and stopped a moment to address the crowd.

"Tonight is a very important night for me. I would like to take a moment to address those of you who came in support of my family and my search to find an appropriate suitor," Sari bowed to the people as she finished.

Shippo stepped out from the crowd and bowed in return. Several people around him bowed as well. It set off a wave until the entire congregation was bowing in respect of the Princess. Sari rose and blinked in amazement, looking back to her family. They grinned and smiled toward her as everyone straightened.

"Prince Toshi," she started. "You will find an amazing partner someday."

Toshi stepped to her, grasped her hand in his gently and bowed before walking out into the crowd to watch what he knew would be a sweet scene.

"Prince Yoru," Sari saw him perk as his eyes locked onto hers. "I choose you."

Yoru let out an excited howl that startled a few people but ultimately amused the crowd as they laughed and clapped. He rushed to her side, grasping her hands as he knelt before her.

"I'm honored and humbled by your decision, Princess," he said, seeing her struggle to maintain her straight face.

"That was a humble howl?" He laughed and stood, bringing her hands to his lips.

"Our daughter has made her choice," Kagome said, approaching the people with a smile. "We thank you for coming and hope you continue to enjoy the festivities!"

Seiya came up to his sister and Yoru, patting his friend on the back and grinning as the crowd dispersed.

"About time," he said, Yoru laughing and Sari blushing.

"The party will be over soon," Kagome said, stepping up to the young couple. "Those who don't leave immediately will make their way to their carriages or suites within the hour. Take a moment together to enjoy this but we will have to start saying our farewells at the door," Kagome looked to Yoru and pat him on the arm with a smile. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you, Lady Kagome," Yoru bowed to her as she walked to her mate.

"The audacity of these people!" Jaken spoke, waddling up to Seiya and Sari. "You graced them with cranes and they chose to not present themselves and run away? How utterly rude!"

"Jaken, it's not surprising. It's not unusual for people to find me unfavorable for circumstances beyond my control," Sari spoke, looking down at him and seeing him twitch.

"Let's go to Mother and Father so we can end this charade," Seiya said, ignoring Jaken and offering his arm.

"Yoru, you have to let go of my hands now," Sari said with mirth, his brow wrinkling at her in protest.

"We're going to be mated and married. I don't want to let you go."

"We'll have some time together after the guests leave, I promise," Sari laughed softly at his sulking face.

Yoru wanted desperately to kiss her in that moment, and every other, but he knew that fro propriety sake he had to refrain. He raised her hands to his mouth once more to kiss her knuckles before letting her go.

"Way to go, son!" Koga came up behind him as he watched his woman walking away. "I didn't know you two were so close."

"That's because you don't pay attention unless it's food or fighting," Ayame said, hearing Yoru chuckle as Koga scoffed. "I'm glad you can finally express your feelings out in the open. Man, it's been so dramatic these last few weeks, like living in a story book."

"A poorly written one," Yoru said, seeing his mother nod.

Jaken swallowed hard before knocking on the door to his master's study. He knew the family was waiting for him at Princess Sari's request now that the gala was over. It terrified him.

Seiya opened the door, Jaken flinching under his gaze as he bowed and stepped forth.

"Y-You wished to speak t-to me, Princess?" Jaken quivered under the heavy gazes of Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Seiya, and Yoru. Sari stared down at him with a blank face and a nod.

"Yes. It will be brief," she assured, pacing toward him and watching him cower.

"Don't hurt him too much," Kagome said. Seiya scoffed.

"I say don't hold back."

Sari moved to kneel before him, sitting at eye level with him as he shook.

"Jaken, please look at me," she requested, the imp moving the arms that had come up to cover his face to obey her. "I wanted to thank you."

"What?!" came four stunned voices, Jaken's included.

"You were absolutely wrong to lie to me about my father's thoughts and feelings, and you manipulated my self worth into the ground," she spoke, hearing her father's growl as Jaken sweat and trembled before her. "However, the way I see it, I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for you. My wish to prove you and my father wrong lead me to jump the wall and begin training myself. I studied harder because of that need to prove myself. My knowledge of flowers and herbs was gained from my desire to find ways to poison you enough to make you uncomfortable without killing you, and it came in handy tonight with Mukotsu," Sari said, hearing Seiya laugh, even as their mother scolded him for doing so.

"And if I hadn't been trying to better myself to become worthy, I'm not sure Yoru and I would have come together. Much of our earlier interactions were through competition, after all," she said, looking back at her mate-to-be and seeing him smirking at her. "So as terrible as you've been to me, I'm much stronger for it in the end. So thank you, Jaken. I forgive you."

The imp watched as she stood up and looked down on him with a gentle smile, meaning her words. He'd been frustrated with his punishment, of course, but the way Sari handled herself that night at the gala and how she'd stood up to him with the utmost grace made his eyes water.

"Oh Princess! You're so benevolent and kind! How could I have been so cruel and terrible to my Lord's pup who is so very much like her father?!" he wailed, his arm coming across his eyes to hide his tears.

"That being said," Yoru moved to crouch before Jaken, startling his tears away. His scowl could have frozen hell. "If I ever hear you disrespecting my mate again, there will be nothing left of you to feed the pigs."

Jaken screamed and nodded furiously, falling back and away from the wolf in fear.

"Never! Never again! I promise!"

"Then you're dismissed," Sesshoumaru said, watching him flee the room.

"He's such a coward," Sari said, hearing Seiya and Yoru laugh.

"What did you say about trying to poison Jaken?" Kagome asked, spotting Sari bring her fan up to cover her face carefully.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Mama," Sari avoided her gaze.

"We will revisit this when I'm not so utterly exhausted," Kagome said, stifling a yawn. Her kimono felt heavy and she was ready to give anything to remove it and let down her hair. "Sesshoumaru, I'm going to go ahead and begin readying for bed."

"I'll be there soon, my love," Sesshoumaru said, looking over to his daughter.

Sari and Yoru stood together, locked in each other's eyes as their hands tangled together. He could feel the difference in his daughter's aura, see the contrast in her behavior from just a few weeks ago to now. It was remarkable.

"Seiya, I'd like to speak with Sari and Yoru, alone," Sesshoumaru stated, seeing the siblings share a look before his son nodded.

"Of course. Goodnight, then," he said, giving a short bow before leaving the three together.

Sari and Yoru moved to the settee as Sesshoumaru gestured to it. Sari put herself between her father and Yoru on the chance the talk was not going to be as pleasant as she hoped. Sesshoumaru sat in his designated chair beside the settee and looked at them with a gentle face, not a smile but relaxed.

"Yoru, I have confidence that you will take great care of my daughter. This Sesshoumaru does have one request of you as your relationship progresses," he spoke, watching the wheels turning in Sari's eyes as she tried to predict his words.

"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Yoru squeezed his hand over Sari's as she tensed with uncertainty.

"Work with her on her self worth. This Sesshoumaru has not been successful at convincing Sari of what a wonderful woman she has become and will continue to grow into. Sari responds to you in a very positive manner so I suspect you will be far more adept at making her see what we all see in her."

Sari felt a storm of emotion welling up inside her, threatening to spill forth. Her father was very sparing with his words within the family, much more so outside of it. Sesshoumaru addressing Yoru like this, and on her behalf, made her tremble with the effort to suppress herself.

"I will. I've only ever seen Sari as amazing and capable. It baffles me that she doesn't see herself in the same light. We'll work on it," Yoru said, bringing her hand to his lips as she looked back at him.

"Sari," Sesshoumaru waited for her to turn back to him. "We are your family. Whatever adventures your union takes you on, or how far you go, this is your home. You will remember this and visit often."

"Of course, Papa," Sari said, feeling a bit sad.

She hadn't thought much of what would happen once she and Yoru were together, just that they would be happy. It hadn't registered that she would be leaving with him to start their own life.

"You two should return to your rooms and rest. It was a long and busy day. There are still a few guests staying here overnight before they begin their journey home so breakfast will be busy, I imagine."

Sari and Yoru stood with her father. They bowed respectfully and started for the door. Yoru moved to hold it open for her and saw her hesitate. He was startled, as was Sesshoumaru, when she turned and leapt into her father's arms to embrace him.

"I love you, Papa," her voice was thick with emotion as he held her tightly and loosed a low rumble, comforting them both.

"I love you, my pup."

He pet her hair and held her until her trembles subsided. When she pulled back he lifted her chin so she would look up at him. Her eyes were damp but no tears escaped.

"Sorry, Papa," she lifted her sleeve to wipe her eyes.

"You never need to apologize for your emotions. Come," he offered his arm. "I will escort you back to your room."

"That's okay, Papa. Yoru can-"

"No." Sesshoumaru's face was carefully blank.

"It's alright, Sari," Yoru said, closing the door behind them as the walked from the study into the hall. He took a moment and grabbed her hand to kiss it, staring into the eyes. "I will see you tomorrow morning, my love."

"Goodnight, Yoru," she said as he let go and walked away. "Are you angry, Papa?" Sari asked after a moment, walking with him toward her chambers.

"No. I may approve of Yoru as a mate but you're my daughter, and your virtue will be protected."

Sari's head shot to the floor and she blushed furiously. She hadn't been thinking about mating, she only wanted a kiss... but what if he was right and Yoru had wanted more?

Sari's bedroom opened as they approached, her maids ready to attend to her and help her undress from the formal robes she wore. Sesshoumaru saw her release his arm and bow to him before she stepped into her room. Then she turned back to him.

"Papa, can we train tomorrow, perhaps in the afternoon when the nobles have left?"

Sesshoumaru nodded and saw her bow again with a soft "Goodnight" before the door closed. He waited there a moment before going back to his own chambers.

Kagome was brushing out her hair when he entered, quickly turning to greet him. The troubled look on his face caught her off guard.

"What's wrong, Sesshou?" She put her brush down and walked up to him, feeling him embrace her tightly.

"Sari has chosen her mate. She will be leaving us soon," he said, feeling Kagome hug him tighter.

"It's what children do. She won't leave us for long," Kagome said. "She knows we're family and need each other."

"She hugged me," he watched her eyed widen as she looked up at him.

"That's amazing! You did hug back, right?"

Sesshoumaru answered her questions and soothed himself with her presence. He couldn't explain the kind of peace his mate brought him. He thought it must be what Yoru did for Sari.

Kagome could see how unsettled Sesshoumaru had been feeling when he came into he room. It was difficult to imagine the castle without their children in it, but it would happen some day. Such was life.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome spoke, pulling back and grabbing his hand so he would walk with her. "I think I must have inhaled the vapors from that love potion earlier tonight," she teased, dropping her robe off her shoulder and seeing his eyes dart to her exposed skin.

"You play a dangerous game, my love," Sesshoumaru said, watching her shrug the robe off the other shoulder too, exposing her upper breasts and his mating mark. He growled low as she slid her hands up and down his chest, gliding across the taut muscles as she looked up at him seductively.

"I'm only telling you for your own safety. I may not be able to control my actions."

Sesshoumaru leaned down and lapped his tongue across her mark, smelling her arousal spike as she quivered on a moan.

"This Sesshoumaru is willing to sacrifice sleep to help you manage the side effects," he said, hearing her quick giggle as she clung to him.

Sari had a hard time settling down for the night. Her maids helped her change and let her hair down into it's usual braid before she dismissed them to rest. After some time just laying down and staring at the wall, she sighed and lifted her covers off. She would go to the stable and visit with Ah-Un for a bit. They always calmed her on restless nights.

Was her father right, she wondered, to believe Yoru would have wanted to mark her that night? It was a bit scary to think about. What if Naraku was right about-

"No," she chastised herself. Naraku was a manipulator. Nothing he said was true.

Sari turned into the stable with a sigh, her gaze at the ground as she moved toward Ah-Un's stall.

"I was hoping you would come here."

Sari's head shot up to see Yoru grinning at her from the wall next to the stall door. Her face brightened and she rushed to him, feeling his secure grip around her as she leapt into his arms.

"Yoru!" she clung to his neck as he spun her around twice before lowering her down again.

"I had to see you. I'm just glad you showed up so I didn't have to scale the castle wall to get to your room," his heart warmed as she laughed softly.

"I wanted to see you, too," she said and blushed, thinking of her father's words.

"You're flushed," he said, petting her hair back from her face. "You okay?"

"I'm fine! I just... I missed you," she said, bringing her hand to her lips as her words surprised her. "That's foolish. I just saw you."

"I completely understand. Let me help you feel less lonely," he said, lowering his mouth to hers.

Sari parted her lips and fisted her hands on his chest. He cupped her neck in one hand as the other held her waist, pressing them together. When he moaned, she felt his grip tighten on her for just a moment, the threat of his beast taking control evident as her tongue swiped over his fangs. It brought her father's words back again.

Yoru felt her tense and made him self pull back, giving them a moment as his forehead rested on hers in a moment of silence.

"What's on your mind, baby?" Yoru said sweetly, seeing her gaze turn low.

"I'm... nervous," she admitted with quite some reluctance.

"Nervous about what?" Yoru lifted his head and rubbed her back, holding her close and comforting her as he encouraged her to elaborate.

"About... mating," she felt her face burning as his hands paused on her body.

"Oh," he felt his ears redden a bit as he looked down at her. "That's reasonable. It makes me a bit nervous to think about as well, if that helps."

"You are? I thought you'd have more experience with... that," she brought her hands up to cover her face.

"I think the wolf pack is a bit more open about making love and the mating process than most others. We tend to be boastful of our feelings," he said and loosed a quiet howl, hearing her laugh behind her hands. He grabbed them and brought them to his heart to see her face. "I don't have much personal experience, though. I've loved you for the last 4 years. There wasn't much time for experimenting before I found the woman I needed to complete me."

"We discovered our feelings for each other three years ago," she corrected, seeing his sharp grin.

"That's just when I told you how I felt. I had to make you feel the same, first." Sari opened her mouth to taunt him for his foolishness when she heard footsteps at the exterior door.

"For a little girl you have a lot of nerve!" Sari had no time to process the voice when she felt a wave of energy thrown at her and Yoru. They dodged, jumping apart and turning to see Kagura and her son at the entrance to the stable, throwing off waves of energy in their fury.

"Wolf, if you know what's good for you, you'll leave. We have business with the Princess," Hakudoshi spoke, hearing Yoru's snarl in response as he posed to fight.

"Stand down," Sari shifted her stance as Hakudoshi approached, wielding a naginata, a pole arm with a curved blade.

"You were really planning on ambushing her in her own home?" Yoru snapped, seeing Kagura roll her eyes.

"Don't worry. We won't kill you," Hakudoshi said, charging forward.

"We'll just make you wish you were dead, half breed!" Kagura spat as she waved her fan, sending blades of wind around her, trapping her as Hakudoshi thrust his blade toward her.

Sari formed a barrier around her of her miko energy, dodging the blade and swiping at the white haired cretin. He jumped back, avoiding her and then Yoru as he followed up with several kicks, and narrowed his eyes at her.

"Just like your mother, I see," Hakudoshi taunted.

Sari ignored him, extending her two fingers and creating a whip, lashing it toward him and his mother at the stable's entrance. Yoru backed her up, using the worce of his kicks and his demonic energy to push them back.

"Princess? What's going on!" came Jaken's voice from behind them.

"Get back, Jaken!"

"Dance of blades!"

The warning came too late as sharp blades of wind flew toward him in a gust. Jaken brought his arms up to block it and felt.. nothing? Lowering his arm again, he cried out as he saw Sari had moved to block the attack, her body shielding him.

"Princess!" "Sari!" came the cries of her lover and tutor.

"I'm fine. She's weak," Sari said, wiping the blood from her cheek with her sleeve. Her whip and Yoru's kicks had deflected and weakened most of them but some were still able to find their way to cut her.

"My mother is certainly stronger than a half breed like you and your pet wolf," Hakudoshi called, enjoying the sight of blood that cascaded down her face from under her eye.

"Princess-"

"Go, Jaken! Get out of here!" Sari said, seeing him run off in a hurry. His small form was hard for Kagura to hit with her blades with the two lovers defending him. She let him go, having confidence she and her son would be fast enough for them to maim the couple and go before her father could appear.

"Hakudoshi, beat her down. I'll take care of the wolf," Kagura said, moving her fan up as her son nodded.

With a swing of her arm, several tornadoes formed, circling Yoru and keeping hims trapped in place. He attempted to break free, only to feel the strength and sharpness of wind blades cutting his arm. Growling, remained still, attempting to form a strategy as he peaked through to see Sari dodging more attacks.

Hakudoshi charged at her once more, swinging the naginata and forcing her to retreat, only there was nowhere to go. She cursed and hit the ground, rolling toward him to throw him off balance. He jumped back, avoiding her glowing hand, barely.

"I'll give you one more chance. Stand down," Sari spoke, her body crouched and ready to attack.

"You should give up instead. You'll never beat me," Hakudoshi smirked as her claws extended and began to glow green.

"You were warned!" she said, using her claws to spray him with a barrage of acid needles.

A barrier formed around him instantly, and suddenly the acid needles were reflected against her. She brought her arms up to shield herself, growling in irritation.

"Look out!" Yoru warned.

Glancing up, she narrowly dodged the blade Hakudoshi swung at her, but couldn't manage to dodge the kick her followed up with, sending her into the ground with a harsh thump. Yoru snarled behind the tornadoes as she laid limp.

"Stop playing and finish this before daddy wakes up and we have to deal with him too," Kagura spoke, her son nodding and standing over Sari's prone form.

"This is going to hurt," he thrust the blade down.

"Sari NO!" Yoru yelled, trying to force his way through the vortexes. He growled against the force, ignoring the cuts he felt as he tried to get to his woman.

Hakudoshi narrowed his eyes as she caught his weapon between her hands. A burst of energy flew up from the tip of his blade, feeling like a bolt of lightning. It pulsed through him and suddenly he felt like he was burning from the inside out.

"W-What did you..." he dropped the blade as he looked down at his hands, seeing himself disappearing in splotches.

"Hakudoshi!"" Kagura watched as her son glowed, screaming in pain before he vanished.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Lady Kagura," Sari spoke, standing up with the naginata in her bleeding hands.

"You bitch! I'll kill you!" Kagura charged toward her with a growl.

A ball of light appeared before Sari, exploding with a burst that revealed her father. He wore only a sleep robe, obviously cast over himself with haste as he held his Bakuseiga in hand. Before she could react to his disheveled stated, he was charging toward Kagura, his Bakuseiga now unsheathed. In a single thrust of his sword, Sesshoumaru cut through the wind demoness, her body disintegrating from the corrosive powers of the blade.

"Curse... you..." Kagura muttered as her body vanished, leaving a pile of gungy remains on the floor.

Sesshoumaru returned the blade to it's sheath and turned to Sari, Yoru leaping to her side immediately as he was released from the tornado prison.

"You're injured," her father accused, smelling too much of her blood.

"It's nothing. I'm already healing," she said, dropping the blade and lifting her hands to show him the cuts that slowed to an ooze. He brushed his hand over her face to see that cut was already healed. When he withdrew his arm, she turned to her love. "Yoru, let me heal you-"

"I'm fine. Her intention was to keep me out of her son's way. My wounds are already just about healed," he said, looking over the cuts on his arms.

"I'm relieved to hear you are both relatively unharmed."

"Papa, did our fight wake you from bed?" Sari asked, noting his state of undress once more.

"Jaken ran screaming down the hall to our chambers that you were under attack in the stables. Your mother was already fast asleep and did not hear him, fortunately for him. What were you two doing down here, Sari?" Sesshoumaru spoke, directing the attention off of himself.

"Just talking. I was restless and wished to visit with Ah-Un for a bit before going to bed. I didn't expect Yoru to be here or to be attacked. I'm sorry for disturbing you, Papa."

"It's not your fault we were attacked," Yoru spoke, cursing himself. "I should have been ready to protect you. Instead-"

"I handled it myself, like the capable fighter I am?" she offered, hearing his snort of frustration as he brooded.

"Indeed. Sari, go clean up and go to bed. I do not wish for you to leave your quarters until dawn this time," Sesshoumaru heard her soft sigh, feeling properly scolded.

"Yes, Papa," she replied, before looking up at Yoru and wishing silently for a moment alone with him.

"Sari," Yoru cupped her cheeks in his palms and leaned down to kiss her gently. "Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight, Yoru," she said, avoiding her father's gaze as she all but floated away.

"Maybe if I'd allowed that in the first place she wouldn't have been out here to be attacked," Sesshoumaru spoke sardonically, catching Yoru off guard. "Goodnight, Yoru."

"Goodnight, Lord Sesshoumaru," he replied, staring openly at the demon as he walked away. He hadn't expected him to say something like that. He shook his head and started back for his room.

A/N: It gets really difficult not writing lemons...