A/N: This is the last regular chapter. There will be an epilogue. Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think!

Sari's morning started with her mother waking her as she burst through the doors to check on her. Sesshoumaru had told his mate about the encounter in the night as soon as she was dressed for the day. Kagome gave him an irritated look for not waking her when it happened but wasted no time rushing to see their daughter. After assuring her mother that she was unharmed and showing her the lack of wounds, Kagome relaxed, pressing a hand to her heart.

The rest of the morning was a rush of discipline and manners as royal duties ensued with the send off of the remaining nobles. It was a great relief when they were all gone, taking all morning and the start of the afternoon up with formalities. She took a breath to decompress, hearing her mother and brother do the same as the last of them disappeared into the distance. Her father made a short sound of amusement.

As he turned to lead them back inside, he saw the Eastern family, Jaken and a few servants assisting them with luggage.

"Are you leaving as well?" Kagome asked, stepping up to hug her friend as she nodded.

"We have a long journey back to our lands and our twins have behaved for too long. They're bound to create a fuss soon," Sango said, hearing Kagome giggle in response before hugging her again.

"We have to meet up more often. It was far too long between this visit and the last," Miroku spoke, moving to squeeze Kagome's hands in a friendly manner.

"It's been a pleasure staying here, Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshoumaru," Tsuki spoke as she stepped out from behind her parents to bow at their hosts.

"You and your family are welcome to return as you like, Princess Tsuki," Sesshoumaru saw her face light up as she stood from her bow, her gaze shifting to Seiya and back quickly.

"Thank you!"

Seiya resisted the urge to whine as Tsuki gazed at him intensely. Her crush on him was blatantly obvious and unnerved him as he did not feel the same.

"You guys are leaving, too?" Inuyasha said, walking up to Miroku.

The monk nodded and pat him on the back.

"I know you'll miss us terribly but you can always come visit-"

"Why would I wanna spend time with a lecherous monk and his deviant brats?" Inuyasha said, flinching as the twins locked their eyes on him in sync with a narrow gaze that promised revenge.

"Princess."

Toshi walked up to her after his wordless vow to Inuyasha. He grasped her hands and squeezed in a gesture like his father. Sari smiled.

"Toshi. I'm sad to see you go. But I wish you the best on your way home," she said and squeezed his hands back.

"I leave for a moment and you're already trying to steal my woman again?" Yoru said, his family in tow as they came to send off the Eastern family.

"If only she'd have me," Toshi said, throwing a dramatic hand to his forehead, feigning sorrow as he threw his head back. Sari chuckled and released his hand as Yoru came up beside her.

"Thank you, Toshi," Yoru held out his hand to the man.

Toshi blinked in surprise before he grinned, Sari noting the exchange with confusion.

"Take care of her," Toshi said as he let go. He grasped Sari's hand and knelt before her, kissing her wrist with more dramatic flare. He enjoyed the low growl of annoyance that Yoru loosed at him before he stood.

With quite a few more farewells and a very awkward exchange between Tsuki and Seiya as he tried not to be rude through her pushy behavior, the family was gone, leaving the Taisho's and the Wolf pack.

"So when are you two brats gonna mate and get it over with?" Inuyasha spoke, dodging his brother's poison claws as he jumped up onto the top of the lamp post. "What's the big idea?!"

Sari's face was carefully blank but her pale skin couldn't hide the flush of embarrassment at the tactless question. Yoru looked down at her, thinking her reaction was impossibly adorable.

"You're disgustingly crude, Whelp."

"Say it to my face!" Inuyasha taunted, seeing Sesshoumaru fly toward him, claws extended.

"Enough!" Kagome yelled, seeing them both freeze in place.

"I'm going to change into my sparring clothes if you're still up for training, Papa," Sari changed the subject with haste. Sesshoumaru lowered himself down with a last growl at his brother before nodding to her.

"Do you mind if we hang out and watch? Maybe we could take turns," Ayame suggested, Koga perking at the idea.

"I'm down! Me and the mutt have a score to settle anyways," Koga snarled toward Inuyasha, hearing him scoff. The two began to bicker as they always did, this time Inuyasha remaining up on the post to look down at his rival.

"Bring it!"

"Sari, are you sure about this?" Yoru asked her quietly, seeing her confusion in response.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Last night you had a hard time with Hakudoshi and Kagura. Are you truly up for more fighting?" Sari looked at him carefully, not sure how she should take his question.

"I had a hard time? Who was stuck in a vortex prison?" She felt provoked. "Yoru, you do know I was holding back last night, right?" His face shifted from concern to contemplative.

"Why would you do that?" he asked, unsure if he believed it.

"I don't enjoy hurting people. I wanted to give them the chance to back down," she said, raising her eyebrow as he snarled loudly, catching the attention of the group around them.

"They attacked you and you didn't want to hurt them?" Yoru's tone was as combative as he felt.

"Hurting and killing people shouldn't be the first response to aggression. Life isn't something that should be taken lightly. Did you not see the devastated look on Kagura's face when I killed her son?" Sari argued, studying his face as he bared his fangs in anger with a snarl. Kagome listened carefully to Sari's words, proud to hear her stand up for life and her beliefs, even against her mate-to-be.

"You wouldn't have killed him if they hadn't tried to ambush you. He deserved it. They both did!"

"It makes me sad that you believe that, Yoru," Sari said quietly. "They even said they weren't trying to kill me. Their reasons for attacking me were semi-logical-"

"You're acting foolish!" Yoru yelled with a growl, not seeing how she flinched at his words. "If someone attacks you, you have every right to do what you need to defend yourself!"

"Yoru, calm down," Ayame said, coming up and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I did do what I had to. When I had to. I was plenty capable of defending myself without murdering them, and I did as such until Hakudoshi left me no choice."

"Is that why you were injured? Because you were 'plenty capable'?" He saw her face go carefully blank.

"Papa, I'll meet you on the training field in a few minutes," Sari said, avoiding catching anyone's eyes as she moved to toward the castle. She felt a hand Yoru's hand on her arm, attempting to stop her.

"Sari, don't walk away-" she shrugged out of his grip, giving him a cold look before leaving the group silently.

"What just happened?" Seiya asked, observing Yoru's gritted teeth.

"We'll what did you expect?" Inuyasha said, jumping down from his perch on the lamp post and crossing his arms. "You called her stupid and weak in like 30 seconds. Sari's not the kind of person to take that laying down, you know."

"I did no such thing!" Yoru spat, offended at the idea.

"You called her foolish which means stupid, and mocked her for getting injured, which if the imp is right, she was injured for shielding him. Not because she made a mistake," Inuyasha said, a dry look on his face.

"Inuyasha is right. I understand your intention and your concern," Kagome said gently. "But insulting her, even mistakenly, isn't going to help your cause. She's stubborn."

"That's not what I meant to do," Yoru said quietly, scowling into the distance.

"If you wish to fix it, This Sesshoumaru knows what you must do, though you will likely find it distasteful," Sesshoumaru spoke, looking at the young wolf.

"Please, tell me what I need to do."

Sari walked out to the field, frustrated with the interaction with Yoru. What was so wrong with trying to resolve things peacefully? It didn't make her weak or stupid to not want to hurt people. That's not why she wanted to learn to fight. She wanted to protect her people, her family, and friends. What was weak about that?

She quietly walked out onto the battlefield, greeting her father with a quick bow as she got into position.

"Sari, I suggest in this fight you refrain from using your priestess talents," her father said, gaining an inquiring look as she focused on him. He didn't join her on the field.

"Are you not my opponent?" She asked.

He shook his head and they watched as Yoru walked out and took his place across from her. Sari narrowed her eyes, confused and even more frustrated at the thought of fighting him.

"What's the meaning of this?" Sari asked, staring him down.

"I'm going to be your sparring partner."

"I refuse. I'm too powerless to hurt you anyways."

Sesshoumaru leapt to Sari's side, staring down at her as she fisted her hands and glared defiantly at Yoru.

"Do not prove yourself the fool that Yoru accused you of being. You are better than that. Show him what happens when you don't hold back."

Sari looked up at him, encouraged by his words. With her nod, he moved back to his referee position beside the field. Shifting her stance, she took a calming breath. Yoru would not be able to deny her strength after today.

"Sari," Yoru called, her claws flexing at his voice. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings-"

"You stepped onto the battlefield. Fight me or forfeit move aside," Sari answered.

Yoru sighed, shifting to fight. He'd really been hoping to avoid this conflict. Sesshoumaru was right. It was very distasteful to have to fight the woman he loved.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you during our match," Yoru said. Sari narrowed her gaze at him, making his neck hair frizz with displeasure.

Sesshomaru swiped his arm down, initiating the match.

Sari ran to Yoru, her claws extended and ready to swipe. He dodged to the side and swung his arm out to block the kick she rounded on him. She swung her other leg up, letting him catch it before she spun, twisting his arms around, forcing him to release her. When he did, she flipped her legs back and sprung off the ground, her fist launching into his stomach.

Yoru grunted in surprise, and pain, but was able to recover quickly as she retreated, landing daintily on the ground once more. He rubbed his stomach and looked her over. Her aura was carefully controlled around her as her energy spiked. He would have to get focused if he didn't want to get hurt.

Sari raked her claws across her forearm, making them bloody before launching her Uncle's famous "Blades of Blood" attack at him. He was quick to throw up his leg, his demonic energy casting them away with each kick.

"She's really wound up," Inuyasha commented, crouched beside Kagome as they watched the match.

Kagome watched as Sari dodged and blocked several more of Yoru's direct attacks, knowing now she was taking the time to analyze his movements. It tugged at her heart to know Sari was fighting for validation, something Sesshoumaru believed she could find through combat with Yoru. She was unconvinced but she sat silently watching in support.

Sari kicked off of Yoru's shoulder and landed in a crouch, her hands planted on the ground. Yoru felt her energy pulse but wasn't sure what she'd done. He figured it out as a vortex of poison crescent blades sprung forth from the ground, trapping him in place. With up being the only way out, he braced for an attack and leapt high. Sari was nowhere in sight.

He heard, then felt, as Sari dropped her foot between his shoulder blades, thrusting him violently toward the ground. Yoru bounced and pushed himself into a roll, narrowly escaping her fist as it left a crater in the ground where he'd been. Sari saw him leap up back onto his feet and withdraw once more. She stood up, calmly watching as he flexed his shoulders, checking the damage of her kick as he winced.

"That was really good," Yoru said as he readied himself once more.

Sari didn't acknowledge his words. She held her hand out toward him and he felt her energy increasing as a glowing, green ball of energy formed. It floated just before her palm until she brought both of her hands together in a clap that exploded into a noxious cloud. Yoru choked on the poison cloud and was blinded, his eyes watering as his field of vision all but vanished.

"Whoa!" Seiya said, watching the couple fade into the smoke bomb Sari had created. He would never have imagined Sari being able to pull off such tricky maneuvers with the little formal training she'd had.

"Whoa is right," Koga said, focusing on the energy on the field to attempt to decipher what was going on.

Yoru spun around, creating his own whirlwind and attempting to disperse the miasma. He was stopped as he felt a punch land on his shoulder. Bracing, he swung out, only to be hit from behind in the kidney. Over and over he was hit with singular, powerful attacks that prevented him from escaping or countering.

Sari could sense his irritation and knew he would have to make a move soon. She jumped back and out of the cloud she created, lifting her hands and closing them into each other slowly. As she did, the cloud began to condense. Yoru felt the air getting thicker and coughed more. He tried to jump out of it but felt shocks of electricity shoot through his legs with each movement. When Sari's palms finally touched, the miasma containing Yoru transformed, wrapping him in acidic chains that tethered him to the ground.

"Where did she learn to do that?" Seiya gaped.

"It seems Sari still has much left to show us of her talents," Kagome said to her son, watching Yoru struggle to escape his bonds.

"Sari, enough," Sesshoumaru spoke, seeing her release her hands to disperse the energy. Yoru's skin was burned where the chains latched onto him and he took in several big gasps of fresh air.

"Hell yeah!" Inuyasha cheered. "That's my niece!"

Sari walked off the battlefield and took a seat beside her mother. The fight had left her unsatisfied. She'd proved her power, but she'd also hurt the man she loved. It tore her up inside.

"You did very well, Sari," Ayame said, offering her a cup of tea. She declined politely and looked as Yoru walked slowly off the field, taking a seat on the grass beside Koga.

The next two hours were spent in multiple sparring matches. Seiya lost to Sesshoumaru, Ayame lost to Inuyasha and then won against Seiya, and Inuyasha and Koga came to a draw.

Sesshoumaru decided to call an end to the sparring matches as the sky darkened with the threat of thunder. Everyone stood and readied to head inside. Sari stood slowly and raised her arm to the sky. Shooting a ball of energy into the air, it exploded like before, this time raining down in gentle petals. Sesshoumaru felt it's healing touch even without having any injuries to heal. He noted Yoru looked better physically, if not mentally, for the healing Sari had provided.

"Thank you," Ayame said, smiling at her as she linked her arm onto Koga's.

"Hey kid," Inuyasha stepped up to Sari, his hands folded into his robes as he looked down at her.

"Yes, Uncle Inuyasha?" Sari responded, feeling drained from both her match and her emotions.

"Go make up with Yoru," he said, his voice calm and sincere, an unusual tone for her hot headed kin. "He's an idiot with a hot temper and an inner demon that must be driving him nuts to protect you after your encounter last night. Let it go and just be happy. Besides, after you kicked his ass so thoroughly, there's no way he could think you're anything but tough," he smirked as he finished, feeling pride for her skills as a fighter.

Sari looked up at him and then to Yoru, noting him waiting back for her as the rest of the group continued ahead to the castle. She gave her uncle a quick bow and hurried to her love. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and went ahead to join the others returning to the castle. Yoru caught her as she almost tackled him with the force of her sudden embrace, locking his arms around her and hugging her tightly to him while she buried her face in his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," they spoke in tandem, surprising each other as they both pulled away just enough to look into the other's eyes.

"No, really, I'm sorry. My beast got the better of me and I became antagonistic. I want to protect you, but not because I don't think you're capable of doing it yourself. I wasn't able to do much to help you yesterday. That unsettles me," Yoru admitted, feeling her cup his cheek to soothe him.

"I'm sorry, too. I let my temper flare. I know I don't always think much of myself but I'm working on it. It's hard to be thought of as weak or stupid by you of all people. You've stood by me and supported me for years, even before we started to form a relationship. The idea of you losing faith in me..."

Yoru leaned down and kissed her sweetly, keeping her close to him as he gently massaged her lips with his. She was slightly dazed by the soft and mild approach her was taking, different from the passionate, deep kisses he normally took from her. It made her heart flutter.

"Sari, I could never lose faith in you. I can be stupid and rash, but those are my failings, not yours. I love you. You're the other half of my being," he said quietly, petting her hair back and smiling as she lit up with his words.

"I love you, too, Yoru. I don't have your way with words, but I do love you, very much."

"Aww!" The couple jumped at the sound of their mothers, hearing them giggle as their children blushed.

"Mother!" Yoru called. He was only mildly embarrassed, but he knew from the way Sari separated from him and turned red that she was more than slightly abashed.

"Sorry but it was just too cute!" Ayame said with a grin.

"I'm glad you two have made up," Kagome said with a smile. "Now let's go back inside before the rain starts."

Yoru sighed, giving his mother an annoyed look behind her back as the two walked away. He took a step forward to follow but was stopped by Sari's hand grabbing his own. He looked back at her for a moment, losing himself in her eyes before he brought their hands to his lips. Their hands remained locked until they entered the castle once more.

"I think we need to have a discussion about how we move on from here," Ayame said to the room as they gathered in the drawing room.

"What do you mean? Sari and Yoru marry, mate, and live happily like we do. Easy," Koga said, his arm wrapped around her shoulders as he sat beside her.

"Where do they live? When do they marry?" Ayame asked, seeing him shrug.

"Where they want and when they want. It's not that hard."

Sari and Yoru sat together beside his parents as her family sat across from them, barring Inuyasha who leaned against the wall nearby. Sari noted the tension that filled the room at Ayame's question. She squeezed Yoru's hand in hers and gave him a small smile. She'd had time to think on the idea of leaving her family since her father brought it up the night before.

"I haven't had the chance to bring this up with anyone, but I had an idea for where we could live," Sari started, gaining attention as she looked around to everyone's faces. "If it's agreeable, I think it would be nice to build us a home on the border between our lands. It would be close to both our families and people, and also be a gathering spot that wouldn't force either family to be too far from their home should any situations arise." Sari looked back at Yoru, his face softening with her words.

"It also allows us to remain accessible to our people no matter which land they hail from. I'd like to think that our union allies our lands further and gives us the power to help each other's people in more ways," Yoru added, seeing Sari nod as her heart swelled with joy.

"Papa, Mama, what do you think?" Sari asked as she looked to them.

Sesshoumaru felt Kagome squeeze his hand, her gaze turning up to study his face. Her smile told him all he needed to know about what Kagome thought of Sari's proposal. He looked over to her and gave a short nod.

"We would be agreeable to this. It's much better than either pup separating completely from their family or kingdom," Sesshoumaru said and looked to the Yoru's parents.

"I think it's a fantastic idea!" Ayame stated, watching as Koga grinned.

"Yeah! See? I told you it was easy!"

"Feh, taking credit for Sari's idea? Typical mangy wolf," Inuyasha spat, growling as Koga stood and jumped to him on an angry snarl.

"You wanna say that to my face, mutt?" Koga threatened.

"Can you stop so we can sit down and continue making plans?" Seiya spoke, mildly annoyed at the two still fighting after sparring for half an hour outside.

"Whatever!" Inuyasha said, throwing his hands behind his head and leaning back once more.

As Koga sat, flinching under Ayame's glare, Yoru and Sari shared a small sigh, exasperated at their family member's behavior.

"How about your wedding?" Kagome asked, squeezing Sesshoumaru's hand once again to comfort him. She could feel his mixed emotions through their mark, even as he sat calmly. "Any ideas for what you want for the ceremony?"

"In the garden would be nice," Sari said. "A small ceremony at the pond, maybe?"

Yoru could already see it in his head, Sari coming around the corner of the hedges to join him at the water's edge, dressing in a beautiful gown that accented her pale skin and gorgeous eyes. The image brought an instant smile to his face as he looked down at her, nodding.

Their mothers started talking about ideas and details that their children might like. Sari was quiet, listening and nodding along at some suggestions here and there, but mostly just at peace to know Yoru wanted what she wanted.

"Details are good, but I wonder how soon the lovely couple are going to marry?" Seiya asked, looking between the two women as they paused in thought.

"The sooner, the better," Yoru spoke, surprising her mother and brother with his directness. His parents merely grinned and cheered.

"I agree," Sari said quietly, her eyes twinkling as Yoru brought their joined hands to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. "Hey, 'Nii-san, if you asked really nicely, I bet Papa would go find Princess Tsuki for you so we could make it a double wedding."

The room burst into laughter as Seiya flinched, clearly more than a little uncomfortable at the idea.

"You're lucky you're my little sister," Seiya said, seeing her smile mischievously at him in return.

"I'll have someone scout out a location for a home to be built on our borders. I imagine it will not take long at all if we have people from both lands unify for the construction," Sesshoumaru saw Koga grin and puff his chest out in pride.

"Our tribe had amazing laborers. If they have a plan of what needs to be done, they can make it happen."

"Good! We can have a plan drawn up for a palace-"

"I don't think we need a palace," Sari said, looking at her mother as she stopped.

"Where else would you live?" Ayame asked, leaning forward a bit to look her in the eyes.

"A small house would be fine. A few extra rooms to accommodate all of you when you come to visit..."

"This Sesshoumaru will not have you living in a shack," her father spoke. "We will build a smaller palace, one that is suitable for you and your mate but not overwhelming. You will still have responsibilities as Princess of both lands to fulfill and need the proper home to carry them out."

Sari nodded. She couldn't help but feel he was being too generous but the fact that he called Yoru her mate had made her so happy she couldn't find the words to debate him.

"Ugh, let them marry this weekend and get it over with," Inuyasha suggested suddenly. "They can barely break eye contact to have this conversation. If they don't marry soon, I don't want to be around when Sesshoumaru finds out they mated on their own before hand."

Sari's eye lit up at the idea, ignoring her Uncle's bluntness for a moment and looking up at Yoru once more. He could see that she was eager for his thoughts on the matter. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, making her blush and bring her hand up to cover her face with her sleeve.

"This weekend would be wonderful. I never want to have to say goodnight and walk away again."

"If there's going to be a wedding this weekend, we have a lot to do," Kagome said, squeezing Sesshoumaru's hand and seeing her daughter's face change to smile brightly at Yoru in a way she rarely ever smiled at all. She could tell by the way Sesshoumaru squeezed her back that he noticed the happiness radiating off of Sari as well.

The rest of the day was long and arduous, their parents, or rather their mothers, attempting to make plans for their ceremony. Sari and Yoru conceded to most of their wishes, not caring about the wedding itself but looking forward to the life they would have together afterward. Sesshoumaru called an end to the meeting as Ayame and Kagome started to reminisce on their mating experience. While he was accepting of Yoru, he wasn't ready to think about his daughter as a wife and mate just yet. Or ever, in some ways.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome began to settle down in their chambers. Kagome was humming quietly to herself in joy at the idea of planning a wedding. Her daughter wanted a small, tight knit ceremony at the garden pond and that's what she would get. That didn't mean it couldn't be lavishly decorated and celebrated with a garden party outside of the hedge maze.

Watching his mate undress, Sesshoumaru took a slow breath. It was a lot to process emotionally. However difficult it would be for them to part with their child, he knew in his head that she was well prepared to care for herself and her future mate. His heart still clenched at the thought of her not being in the castle anymore.

They heard a quiet knock on the door. Kagome finished tying her robe before Sesshoumaru opened it, seeing Sari standing with her hands folded gently in front of her.

"Is everything alright, pup?" he spoke gently, seeing her nod.

"Yes, Papa. I just wanted to say thank you," Sari said, seeing her mother come to the door as well.

"For what?" Kagome asked, surprised to see Sari's lips lift in a beaming smile that brightened her whole face.

"For giving me another chance despite my chaos. For accepting me. For accepting Yoru and letting us be happy together. I didn't mean to interrupt you," she added, noting her mother's sleep clothes. "But I couldn't wait until morning to say that. I feel really lucky and very blessed to have you two for parents," Sari said and dipped into a deep bow, her braid cascading over her shoulder as she moved.

Kagome teared up at her daughter's words and swiftly lifted her up to pull her into a hug. Sari held on firmly, being careful not to squish her mother as they both took comfort from each other.

Sesshoumaru moved and embraced them both, resting his head on his mate's as they stood together in comfortable silence. It was a huge relief to the Western Lord to finally have closed the gap between him and his youngest child. The last several weeks in particular had been rough but it was worth every moment of strife to come to this moment, knowing Sari was finally able to be herself and be happy.

A/N: This story was an emotional roller coaster for me to write. Thanks again for reading and stay tuned for the epilogue!