This is the last chapter. Sorry so short, but I just lost my inspiration for this story. I hope you like this bittersweet ending instead. Enjoy!

Serenity entered the castle and had the servants shut the door behind her before she allowed a single tear to fall.

He hadn't said anything to her. Castria rushed forward and looked at Serenity.

"My lady," she said before reaching the silently crying girl. Serenity could feel the pain in her chest, but she refused to let it consume her.

"Castria, could you take Rin and Kouki to the nursery and read them a story please," she said in a strong voice. Castria nodded before taking the still slumbering pup and Rin upstairs to the nursery.

Serenity walked into Sesshomaru and hers room. She laid down on the bed and grabbed his pillow and crushed it to her chest.

It still had his unique scent on it and that just brought more tears to her eyes. Serenity let them fall silently as she drifted off to sleep.

Sesshomaru arrived late that night. He carried the news of Naraku's defeat at his brother's hand before he had even arrived there.

His brother had fought bravely, but lost so much in the battle. The priestess Kikyo was killed along with the small fox demon Shippo who shouldn't have been at the battle in the first place. The monk, Miroku, was injured badly but would recover with time. The demon slayer, Sango, mourned the loss of her pet demon Kirara. The girl Kagome was by InuYasha's side as he mourned Kikyo's second death.

The Shikon Jewel was destroyed and the battle was over without Sesshomaru's help. He returned home quickly deciding to allow his brother to live at this point in time.

Entering his chambers he found his mate sleeping soundly on the bed. She was holding his pillow like it was a lifeline.

Sesshomaru moved over to the bed and gently brushed her hair out of her eyes. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. Fresh tears filled her eyes as she leapt into his arm and held him tightly to her, sobbing into his shoulder.

"I was worried about you," she said. "I love you so much and I was so worried."

Sesshomaru held her to him and listened to her say over and over again that she loved him. For the first time since he was a pup, Sesshomaru smiled.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Serenity gasped and pulled back to look in Sesshomaru's eyes. This time it was Sesshomaru, not someone pretending to be him. He had said the words, had said he loved her.

Serenity smiled before pulling him in for a passionate kiss.

THE END