ok***I DON'T OWN INUYASHA OR SAILOR MOON***

Chapter Thirteen: Going Home

A gentle breeze brushed past them, Serena closed her eyes 'Home' she thought. If she concentrated hard enough she could almost feel the breeze and smell the air. She hadn't seen the moon kingdom in decades.

"This was your home?" Kagome looked around in amazement.

"It was."

You could see people walking around and children laughing. It all seemed so normal and mundane.

"It is beautiful" Sango muttered spinning around trying to take everything in.

"I've never seen flowers like this!" exclaimed Izayoi kneeling in front of their gardens. Toga groaned "Of course she focuses on that"

Serena smiled kneeling next to her brushing her fingertips through the petals, she could almost remember how they felt. She had forgotten how much home brought her a sense of peace.

"These are lunar Esminnie's, they only bloom at night when the stars are at their brightest." She bit her lip "my Father had them planted for my mother. He said that a beauty as rare as she should be covered in flowers just as rare."

Ayame and Sango sighed "how romantic." Turning to their husbands smacking their arms "why can't you be romantic like that?"

Koga grumbled at Serena "Thanks for that"

She smiled looking around, it brought back so many happy memories of strolling through the grounds and playing with the children. Sesshomaru reached for her hand, she grasped it tightly. Sesshomaru pulled her close, sensing her sadness. He didn't like her being too far from his person, not now knowing what he did.

"We'll find a way to bring a piece of your home to our home" he whispered, brushing her hair back and looking down deep into her eyes.

She smiled kissing him "I love you"

He rumbled low in his chest in response "as I love you"

Sesshomaru cupped her face staring into her blue eyes, they held so much love in them. He found himself getting lost in their gaze.

"Is this too much for you?" she whispered concerned for Sesshomaru "these memories will not be easy to watch"

His gaze softened, of course, she was more concerned about him and his feelings rather than her own. Sesshomaru leaned down pressing his forehead against hers drawing her close to him. Before Serena, he would have never acted this way with another especially in front of his family. But there was something about the way she loved him that made him break down his walls.

"I am more concerned for you my little star" he whispered brushing her hair behind her ear "I know how difficult this will be for you. I am here and I will not leave your side"

Serena kissed him lightly letting her lips linger on his.

"I know you are my love" she brushed his cheek "keep me close"

"Your kingdom seemed to thrive your highness" Serena stopped and turned to Miroku "I'm not a Queen so you don't have to call me that. I have not been a royal in a long time"

"But technically you are" he rebutted

Serena chuckled and shook her head "Yes but you are family, family doesn't use honorifics"

"Wait" Inuyasha interjected holding his hands up, "if you and Sesshomaru mate will he be king?"

Serena turned to look at Sesshomaru, his face filled with love and adoration. The same way her father would look at her mother. She had always dreamt of her match looking at her the same way. Her parents love had been an epic one, stories of their courtship and marriage were legendary across the galaxy.

"If he chooses to have me then yes"

"Oh god" Inuyasha groaned "just imagine how insufferable he'll be then"

Everyone laughed as Inuyasha rambled on how annoying his brother would be as a royal. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru kissed her cheek and whispered "I'm going to make you my mate as soon as you are ready"

Serena blushed at the thought of being so intimate with him, it was something she greatly desired. Not just because he was drop-dead gorgeous with the body of a god but she craved that spiritual and emotional connection they would share.

"Hey! Is that you?" asked Sango pointing as a young Serena came barrelling around the corner laughing. Her blonde was longer then, down to her feet and worn in her signature meatball style; two buns on either side with hair trailing down to the ground. She stopped wearing it that way when she went to Earth and cut her hair to waist. It was a reminder of a time that was long over and reminiscent of her mother. She stumbled picking up the hem of her dress running through the group. "You'll never catch me!"

Toga smiled at the young girl, she was so young and looked so much like her mother.

'She looks so carefree' Sesshomaru thought 'I've never heard her laugh like that'. She was a beautiful young woman with an infectious laugh. He found himself wondering if their daughter would look like her.

Inuyasha started to snicker, whispering something in Koga's ear who then laughed too.

Serena glowered "What?"

"What's with your hair?" Inuyasha asked snickering

"I was a teenager and it was very popular than" she replied crossing her arms glaring at him

"Is that why you are the only one wearing it?" countered Inuyasha

She scoffed and glared at him "I wasn't the only one!"

Koga shrugged "they look like two meatballs on your head"

Inuyasha burst out laughing, his hands coming to rest on his knees "Meatball head!"

"Oh that's it, I'm going to kick your ass Inu!" she yelled making her way over to hit him Sesshomaru had to hold her back.

A group of four young women chased her laughing. "You can't run forever Princess!" yelled a brunette in a red Senshi outfit. Serena stopped suddenly, and a strangled gasp left her lips, staring at the brunette. Inuyasha and Koga ceased their teasing immediately with a well-placed smack from Toga.

"Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury" tears welling in her eyes. Serena reached for them only for them to pass right through her, her heart ached. Tears sprung to her eyes remembering the late nights they spent up talking about love and duty. The times they shared, the secrets they whispered to one another. "Those were my guardians, tasked with training me in my duties and passing a gift from their planets to me. They were my best friends" she whimpered.

Sesshomaru collected her in his arms, rumbling low. He did not know how else to comfort her watching a memory of her closest friends. Instantly she calmed, a single tear rolling from her eye. Young Serena laughed hiding behind one of the statues, screaming joyfully when Jupiter grabbed her swinging her around. She was always so much taller than her.

"Ah there is my little Princess!" a loud voice boomed. The group turned to see who the voice belonged to, it held authority but also filled with love. Serena breathed out "Father"

King Matis stood at the top of the stairs. He was a large man with deep red hair as most males from Mars did. His skin was tanned with bright green eyes adorning his face. A slender ethereal figure joined his side. She had floor-length white hair in the same meatball style, creamy white skin and crystal blue eyes. She screamed grace, regal and love.

"Mother"

She moved from her place in Sesshomaru's arms picking up the hem of her dress and rushed towards her parents needing to be closer.

"She is the perfect combination of them both" Toga said a sad smile coming across his face. She got many of her physical features from her mother but her personality? It screamed of the passion, loyalty and loving nature of the Marsarian people. No one saw as they were watching Serena but Toga couldn't help but stare at Serenity. A look of a long past love and remorse passed across his features. His mate squeezed his hand looking concerned for him, and she remembered he spoke of a childhood love that broken his heart was it possible that he was speaking about Serenity? That broken heart was the reason he went into a political mating of sorts with Sesshomaru's mother.

Inuyasha and Koga instantly felt bad about teasing her about her hairstyle, clearly she had worn it because her mother did.

Serena stood feet from the memory of her parents, her arms wrapped around her torso. She had dreamt about them so many times but see them and hear their voices again was almost too much to bear. She was so close she could take a step to reach out and touch them. If only she could. Sesshomaru quickly joined her side encircling her in his embrace pressing his lips to the side of her head. He could only imagine how difficult this way for her.

"Come, sweet girl, we have much to discuss" Serenity said reaching her delicate hand out, her voice filled with grace and love.

"Oh mother" her younger self pouted "but Venus and I were going to spy on Earth! She says my soul match is there!"

Venus interjected, "yes your highness he is so dreamy" turning to young Serena "wait until you see that silver hair though" the girls giggled. Sesshomaru looked at Serena smirking that little minx had spied on him.

"Sweet girl…this is important. You will meet him one day and it should be a surprise, he does not know what beauty you have."

"But father has seen him many times why cannot I?" she complained

Queen Serenity looked to her husband who was whistling looking anywhere but his wife's face. She crossed her eyes and stared him down, King Matis eventually broke throwing his hands up.

"What?! I was just making sure he was worthy of my little Princess which he is so you know don't give me that look. I'm King and her father, I'm allowed to"

"Come Serena" her mother stated lightly smacking her father's arm.

Young Serena huffed and trailed after them, turning to Venus she whispered "we'll go later"

Serena blushed feeling Sesshomaru chuckling against her head "you spied on me?"

She whirled around in his arm poking a finger into his chest "no thank you very much. I'm a royal I have more dignity than that"

The group laughed at her. Kagome leaning over to Inuyasha "she got caught" snickering.

He leaned close "you are lying" teasing her

Her blush deepened "okay once, father showed me an image but I only saw the back of you"

"Ahh I knew she was not so innocent" said Miroku smirking.

Serena's younger self followed her mother as King Matis turned to her guardians "you know what to do, prepare"

The guardians bowed turning and walking in separate directions. "They were in charge of preparing defences but it was already too late" she explained "they were right under our noses the whole time. It didn't made how much we prepared we were lost before we began"

Serena followed the memory up the long stairs down the hallway to her father's office. The hallways were lined with a painting of royals past including one of her parents holding a small bundle in their arms. The group followed her lead, looking at everything and taking it all in. Sesshomaru stuck to her side teasing her about spying on him when he was but a young man. Looking to her younger self, he knew that as a young man he would have fallen over himself to gain her affections. She smacked his arm causing him to laugh and kiss her cheek.

"What did you mean right under your noses?" asked Toga interrupting their moment.

"They had infiltrated our guard, Sion had seduced some with promises of untold power and a place in his council" she stated the anger evident in her tone. Her eyes flickered to the guards lining the halls trying to remember who had betrayed their family and whether it could be read on their faces that in a few hours they would be slaying their people.

Toga growled at the thought that people who had sworn to protect them would then betray them. How easily some people fall to the promise of power.

They followed the memory into her father's office, the walls lined with texts and scrolls from floor to ceiling. The high vaulted ceiling had large wooden beams that let the light from the night sky filter in illuminating the space, the floor adorned with a crescent moon surrounded by symbols of the planets. On one wall was a large painting of Serena looking ethereal, kneeling in a field of flowers as she held the silver crystal in the palm of her hands. Her face upturned to the heavens, a look of bliss on her face. It was clear her father adored her. Serena spent hours in here with her father reading and studying, it was a cherished memory.

"Father would let me stay in here late into the night as he worked, I would read to him. He said it calmed him" she smiled recalling the memory.

Serena looked at the book currently laying open on the chair by his desk. They never did finish it, she couldn't even remember what it was about but smiled remembering how her father gasped at the dramatic and groaned at the romantic bits. They had an extremely close and special relationship.

"My sweet girl" her mother began "you know we have discussed Sion but I am afraid things are moving faster than we predicted"

Serenity brushed her daughter's cheek

"What do you mean mother?" her younger self inquired

"He is coming for the crystal" her Father started looking grim "we do not know when he will strike but it is imminent. Pluto has seen it, just as she has seen…."

"Seen what Father?" she pushed

"Our deaths"

A young Serena gasped covering her mouth, King Matis gathered her in his arms holding his little girl close. It killed him to be the one to tell her he would never see her grow up. He spent many hours working out his anger on the training grounds with his sword.

"What? No Mother, Father that cannot be" she cried "what can we do to change the way it is written?"

"Nothing your highness"

A tall woman with long dark green hair stepped out of a white portal. She wore a green, white and black Senshi outfit. She carried a long black staff and a shining emerald sat in the middle of her forehead. Everyone stopped and stared, it was clear she commanded a great deal of respect from the royal family from the way they straightened up.

"Pluto" Serena whispered "She died sending me to Earth. She stayed behind to ensure that he didn't follow me"

"She could have survived" Ayame said hoping to offer her sister and friend some type of hope.

"Pluto would have given me a sign by now," Serena shook her head "she is the guardian of time so she could travel anywhere within the galaxy and foresee what the stars have planned"

Pluto bowed to the royal family.

"Your highness" she looked to the young Princess "time is a fickle thing. It is constantly flowing and changing like waters in the ocean. Their deaths are written in the stars just as it is shown whose hand they will fall by. I am sorry your majesties"

Serena turned to her parents, desperation written on her face. She grabbed their hands trying to pull them away.

"Then we shall all leave, tonight! You told me the plan if Sion comes, we can just all go together" she exclaimed. Her father gave a gentle tug on her arm, pulling her into a tight embrace. He wrapped his large frame around her as she rested her head and hands on his chest crying. Serenity stood behind her daughter, her own hands resting on her shoulders.

King Matis tightened his hold on the weeping girl, how he wished he could.

"My precious girl. I wish we could but this is a battle you must fight for us. We are taking the necessary precautions to keep you and our people safe" he whispered rubbing her back as she cried "but soon you will have to lead them. You will be Queen and you will rule just as well as your mother did. Your mother and I will watch over you from the stars proudly"

Young Serena pulled slightly from her father, tears dripping from her eyes. It made Sesshomaru's heart clench that even at such a young age she had to endure the knowledge that she would grow up without her parents.

"But Father you won't see me marry or have children or guide me in making the right decisions! Who will I read to at night?" she sobbed

He smiled, brushing her tears away "I will always watch over you my girl, one day you will meet your match and his father will care for you just as I do. You read to him, bring him that solace you always do for me." He looked to his wife nodding, they knew who her match was and whose father would come to watch over her. Serenity's face held a look of brief relief over the knowledge that someone special would watch over her daughter.

Toga looked at King Matis feeling as though he was speaking directly to him. 'She probably told him about me and our time together' he thought looking at Serenity 'she is too good not to have told him. I will not let you down Sere.' He looked at Serena being held by Sesshomaru staring sadly at her parents. He would not let him down.

"Plus" her mother interjected "I may have also peeked at your match. He is quite the strapping young dog demon. He is strong and kind, he will make a good King and Husband. He is quite handsome too. Not surprising of course"

"Mother!"

"I knew it!" King Matis said pointing his finger at her "and you gave me trouble, you are just as bad my love." The trio laughed, overwhelming sadness was the undertone of their laughter.

Pluto stepped forward "come Princess let us go over the plan again"

Serena hugged her parents tightly, unaware it would be the last time the three were all together. Once she left, Serenity broke down clinging to her husband crying

"I fear this will not go our way, my love. What will happen to our little girl?"

Matis gathered his wife in his arms and kissed her staring where his precious daughter once stood "She will need to be strong…for all of us"

The scene faded and shifted to the Moon Kingdom engulfed in flames. You could hear people screaming and running, they were losing.

"They attacked in the middle of the night, we were vastly underprepared. They knew exactly where to strike first. They crippled us." Her voice echoed as everyone stood shocked watching the events unfold in front of them.

The doors blasted open and a young Serena was thrown through against the wall. She screamed crumpling to the ground. Toga and Sesshomaru instinctively took a step forward. She reached out for the sword laying on the ground and shakily stood up, the hem of her dress was soaked in blood. Her arms and arms covered in cuts from defending herself and her people. A large guard rushed towards her, she swung and cut through his throat. Blood splattered across her face, he collapsed to the ground. She wasted no time, picking up the hem of her skirt running towards the throne room.

"Mother! Father!"

She stumbled into the main room and stopped short, a scream erupted from her mouth. There on the floor were the bloodied bodies of her Senshi, they died trying to get to her. Sesshomaru buried her face in his chest, wrapping her in his large frame.

'She should not have to relive these horrors' he thought.

"This night is forever burned into my memory" she mumbled into his chest clutching at his shirt.

The women clung to their mates crying, all this bloodshed and death was a lot to take in. Every step they took, another life was taken and the light drained from their eyes. A young Serena wanted to stop and help the soldiers but they yelled for her to get to safety, she was the only thing that mattered. Watching her covered in the blood of her people and enemies, it soaked into her dress, her skin and her hair. Unable to help her was almost too difficult to bear for them. Toga, Koga and Inuyasha struggled to keep their beasts calm while Miroku mumbled a prayer for the loss of life. Serena drew her sword close and quickly made her way to the throne room, pulling her strength from the memory of her friends.

"Hello Princess, so glad you could finally join us"

Sion stood in the middle of the room holding her Mother captive, he had her chained to the floor blood streaming down the side of her face. Toga felt his anger rise to the surface. She may not have been his true mate as Izayoi is but she was his childhood love and a dear friend.

"Unfortunately Daddy dearest couldn't wait" he stepped to the side revealing her father's bloodied body. His lifeless eyes staring back at her, her hand covered her mouth choking out a sob. Sesshomaru looked down at Serena, his arms wrapped around her protectively. Her face held sadness and grief over the loss of her father.

"You vile monster! You will pay with your life"

She lifted her sword and rushed him in a bid to drive it through him. He easily blocked her, drawing her close.

"Isn't that sweet? The Princess thinks herself a warrior. I don't think so, soon I will be the one in charge" he sneered at her.

Sion pushed her to the side causing her to stumble and fall, she got to her feet and lifted her sword poised to strike again. Her face scrunched in confusion, he was gone. Her mother screamed as she felt a warm liquid spread across her back, her sword dropping to the floor with a clatter. He leaned to her ear and whispered

"Lesson one, never have your back to the enemy"

Sesshomaru snarled watching Serena's blood pour from her back. He released her taking a step towards Sion, his claws lengthening and his eyes turning from gold to red. Serena grabbed his arm and pulled him back. She threw herself in front of him putting her hands on either side of his face and pulled his face closer "look at me" she whispered "don't look at the memory, because that's all it is, a memory. I'm okay right here in your arms. Feel my body I'm okay." He stared into her eyes his forehead against hers, trying to keep his beast at bay. He splayed his hands across her back careful not to dig his claws into her, the edge of his eyes still tinted red.

Young Serena gasped stumbling forward and falling to her knees. The back of her dress was split open, blood dripped down soaking the back of her. She collapsed to the ground, one hand reaching out for her Father. Her eyes opened and her breathing stilled. She looked dead. Bloodstained the back of her dress and pooled underneath her.

Inuyasha growled "that fucking piece of garbage, I am going to enjoy his death" looking to the other demons in his family. After this night, they knew when they got the chance, they would hunt him and torture him for the pure enjoyment of it. Something not done since the old days.

"Oh, kami!" cried Izayoi "I can't watch this anymore" burying her face in her husband's chest. He held her close, rumbling low trying to comfort her.

Serenity sobbed "Serena! You must stay strong my sweet girl, remember what we said"

Her mother struggled against the chains trying to get to her daughter. Toga watched with regret, she had grown into an exquisite woman, looking to Serena he thought 'this could have been me, I could have been her father.' He didn't regret his choice, choosing to let Serenity pick based on her heart not politics. He had met his true mate because of that choice, he loved Izayoi with all of his being. Though he had always secretly wished for a daughter. He knew that from this moment on Serena would be his daughter and he would care for her just as they did.

Young Serena looked to her Mother and slowly nodded without alerting Sion that he had not killed her. She moved her hand inching towards her Father and clutched his hand. Saying goodbye. She felt something hard in his hand and pulled away with her Mother's transformation brooch, soon to be hers.

"Goodbye Father" she whispered

"Serena" her Mother called to her, unafraid of her fate but wanting to ensure her daughter's safety.

Sion pulled her towards with him by her hair, glowering.

"She is dead you foolish woman and soon you will join them. Then that little gem you hide" he tapped her chest with his sword "right there will be mine"

Serenity jerked from his touch "you have never known light Sion, the crystal will never answer to you. You may have taken my husband from me but you will never have my daughter!"

Unbeknownst to Sion, Serena slowly rose to her feet looking her Mother in the eye and mouthed "I love you"

"Run!" her Mother screamed

Sion snapped his head to see Serena racing from the throne room, disappearing into the clouds of smoke and ash. He growled.

"Guards!" he bellowed "Follow her! Do not kill her, she is mine"

He turned to the Queen in rage and drove his sword through her heart. Toga's eyes widen and he growled deep in his chest. He had seen her body but to watch Serenity be killed brought a rage to the surface that would only be surpassed in intensity if it had Izayoi standing there.

"That's where you are wrong, she will be mine. I will take that crystal from her" he pushed the sword in deeper as she gasped out her last breaths "then I will take her for my own. I could always use a silent Queen to bear my children"

Serena gasped and reached out to the memory struggling against Sesshomaru's hold.

"NO! NO!" she screamed out trying to get to her "let me go Sesshomaru!"

She had never seen her Mother die and she was desperate to get to her. Sesshomaru pulled her back, letting her cry. She beat against his chest in anger until she clung to him in tears. Inuyasha and Koga snarled at the memory, wishing they could rip him apart with their claws. Miroku analyzed every moment trying to commit them to memory so he could discover a weakness that would allow them to destroy him. That's how much Serena had come to mean to them. Toga looked to the sobbing girl and tried not to let the shame consume him. The scene faded and they found themselves back in the living room. Serena dropped to the floor on her hands and knees crying for the loss of her parents, for a second time. Sesshomaru was first to break the circle pulling her into his lap and cradled her close.

"Mother. Father" she cried

He nuzzled her head whispering comforting words to her. They had never seen him so affectionate before with anyone other than Rin.

"Shhh you aren't alone, I am right here" he soothed. They gave him a few moments to calm her, letting her grieve.

"We are here and we will help you" Izayoi said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Toga joined her and said "yes, you are staying here. You are to be my daughter in law and I will not have you living anywhere else. You will be protected here"

She sniffled "I'm not his mate yet"

Sesshomaru growled lightly "yet being the operative word love"

Izayoi looked around at her family, they all looked emotionally and physically exhausted.

"I think it is time we all got some sleep. It's the weekend so we are all going to stay home and spend it as a family…all of us" ordered Izayoi.

After everyone said their goodnights, Sesshomaru picked up Serena and walked towards his bedroom. Toga knew she would be safe with his son.

"Serenity was your childhood love wasn't she?" Izayoi inquired causing Toga to turn to his mate. He sighed and opened his arms to her, she embraced him kissing his cheek.

"She was. I would have married her if I thought she felt the same but she didn't" he placed a kiss on her lips "but I am grateful then I would have had Sesshomaru or Inuyasha nor would I have met my true mate; you"

"I am not angry my love. You have lived a long life, who could expect you not to have fallen in love at least once" she smiled at him "we will honour her memory by abiding by their wishes. Loving her and protecting her as though she was ours."

Toga sighed and hugged her close, he did not deserve this woman. He was relieved she understood why he reacted in such anger and why he pledged his undying protection to the girl.