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

Chapter Seventeen: The love of a Father

"Well don't you look beautiful" Serena gushed as Rin modelled her new clothes. They took some time to walk around the garden, as Sesshomaru told her about his childhood. He spoke about the qualities he admired in his mother and how she was not all bad, how she would brush and braid his hair when he was a small pup. Sesshomaru spoke until he got to her death, that one was tricky for him. Serena brushed his cheek and smiled at him reminding him that she loved him and was there for him. She suggested they go back inside sensing he had reached his quota for sharing. Eventually they strolled back inside the house to find Rin showing off her dress to the family.

"Really Mama?" she squealed spinning again.

Serena knelt down brushing her hair away from her face, tapping her on the nose.

"Like a Princess of the silver moon Kingdom should." They had taken the time to explain who Serena was to Rin but all she heard was Princess and Queen. Rin giggled launching herself at Serena, she reached up touching the crescent moon on her forehead. Her little tongue poked out as she carefully traced the curve.

"Mama, Can I have one of those?" she asked

Serena smiled at her, Rin never questioned Serena's role in her life. She was her mama and that was the end of that conversation.

"Maybe one day Baby, why don't you show your Dad your dress?"

Rin looked up at her father and backed up spinning showing off the light purple dress that had silver stars stitched throughout the skirt. Sesshomaru chuckled

"You look beautiful, so much so I could eat you up!"

Sesshomaru let out a growl scooping Rin up and pretending to eat her. Rin screamed calling for someone to save her. Everyone laughed watching the pair. Shippo ran to "save her" climbing on Sesshomaru's back claiming he would defeat the evil demon. The family spent the rest of the afternoon and evening watching movies and playing games together. Family night was something Sesshomaru used to detest but would tolerate for the sake of Rin. However now with Serena, he found it somewhat tolerable. As day bled into night, Serena found herself sitting and watching the family from the outside. They looked so happy just being with one another laughing and talking. She didn't realize how much she had missed in life. Looking outside she noticed the moon was full tonight, she stood up slipping quietly past the group. Rin was snuggled into Sesshomaru's chest and Shippo fast asleep on Kagome's lap. No one noticed as she left.

Serena walked in the cool air towards Izayoi's gardens, ignoring the goosebumps spreading on her skin. She felt the moon shine down on her skin, she leaned her head back basking in its glow. Serena needed the familiar feel of the home tonight. She looked up at the full moon, she missed it. Closing her eyes, she sighed.

"Mother. Father"

She knelt on the ground with her eyes shut smelling the air that was filled with the scent of flowers. She could almost pretend she was back in the Moon Kingdom. She hadn't spoken to either of her parents since they died. It was too hard but seeing them last night made her ache for her own. She wanted the comfort of her mother and the warm hugs of her Father.

"Mother, Father I met him. My match. You were right, you'd love him so much. He is sweet, funny, intelligent and strong although he is a little stubborn" she chuckled playing with the ends of her hair "I know what you are thinking Father just like me huh? He has a beautiful daughter named Rin who I adore and she calls me Mama. I'm a mom now can you believe it? I have his crazy family too. You'd love them all. So I am not alone anymore, I have a family again. You don't have to worry anymore. There is so much that's happened to me, I went to school, got a good education, travelled the world and fell in love. All without you guys" she choked back a sob "I've done my duty and protected the crystal. But he found me, I had no choice though I had to use it. To save her, to save my little girl. I know you would understand, mother. But…what do I do next? I don't know what to do…" she cried folding in on herself "Daddy what do I do? I need your guidance Daddy. I need you…mommy…daddy"

That's how they found her. Kagome had taken the kids to bed and Sesshomaru noticed she was gone. He had been so wrapped up in enjoying cuddling with Rin, he hadn't noticed her slip away. Sesshomaru flew up the stairs to see if she went to their room as Koga, Inuyasha, Miroku and Toga searched for her. She wasn't in their room and Sesshomaru began to get nervous, Inuyasha said she wasn't out front nor in the library. Suddenly, Toga called out to them standing on the deck, they quickly joined him staring down at the scene unfolding. His heart broke seeing her folded in on herself sobbing under the moon. The air was thick with her sadness. He felt his claws dig into the ledge in anger towards the man who stole her family from her. Sesshomaru could hear her cry out for her father, begging for his arms to hold her and guide her through what to do.

"She's talking to her family…" Miroku said looking at the woman with pity. When she let out a loud painful cry calling for her father, Sesshomaru stepped forward. Toga stopped him with a hand on his shoulder shaking his head.

"Son she needs a Father right now"

He nodded and let him go to her. Toga walked silently down to the gardens, automatically going to her and gathered her in his arms. She clung to him curled up as a small child would. He rocked her running his fingers through her hair.

"She is too good to have this much pain" said Inuyasha clutching his hands, his claws digging into his palms.

"I want to rip that vermin limb from limb for this, she is our sister" growled Koga. Miroku nodded in agreement. Her cries lessened as Toga continued to just sit and hold her like a father would, whispering to her. They were having an intense and personal conversation so the rest of the demons closed themselves off from hearing it. They wanted to give them privacy. Sesshomaru found it difficult to let someone else comfort her and hold her close but he knew she needed a comfort that he couldn't give her right now.

"Sometimes a girl needs her father" Kagome interrupted walking outside to join them looking down at Serena with sympathy "we all have known loss but we still had other family members. She has been alone for decades, to go from that to being surrounded by family? That had to bring up a lot of long-buried memories." Kagome felt for the girl, to lose a father was a painful thing for a girl to go through. But to lose so much? And to have to go through that relatively alone? She could not imagine the ache that leaves in your chest.

After some time, Toga stood up with Serena asleep in his arms her eyes puffy and red-rimmed. Her arms clutching his shirt that was wet from her tears.

"She cried herself to sleep" he whispered. He held tightly to her, not waiting to give her to anyone.

Sesshomaru stepped forward to take her, Toga involuntarily growled

"Father I will not harm her, you know this" Sesshomaru said through clenched teeth "don't be ridiculous and give me my intended"

Toga looked at the sleeping girl, she was a daughter to him. The way she spoke about King Matis, the way he loved her and cherished her like the precious gem she was. She told him about the late-night reading to sneaking into the kitchens and eating all the baked goods. How strong and full of life he was. How much he adored her mother and her, offering her guidance and how they shared secrets in the middle of the night when no one was awake. The Inu in him demanded he step in for a fallen parent as he did with Kagome and Sango when their fathers passed. He kissed her forehead and handed her to Sesshomaru.

"I should have stepped in years ago but I will right those wrongs" he stated, his eyes trained on Serena's face.

"Father you are too hard on yourself. You cannot punish yourself for things you didn't know about" Sesshomaru held her closer "I'm going to take her to sleep"

Toga nodded watching them leave. Sesshomaru tucked her small body into his, she fit perfectly into his. He pressed his face into her hair breathing in her scent. He wished he could have brought her comfort tonight. Sesshomaru laid her down and took some silk pyjamas from one of the boxes from her apartment. They had been delivered earlier that day. He undressed her, putting her pyjamas on and tucked her in. He got changed quickly and crawled into bed pulling her close.

It was about 3:30 in the morning when Sesshomaru rolled over to find his bed empty. He bolted out of bed 'where is she?' he thought. He scrambled out of bed and threw open the door. He stalked down the hallway, afraid someone had gotten past him and hurt her. He stopped suddenly when he heard her voice.

"It's okay to be afraid sweet girl but I promise you that I am not going anywhere"

Sesshomaru leaned his ear against his daughter's bedroom door. He heard Rin sniffle "promise?"

There was a pause then Serena spoke "oh sweet girl I will always be right here in your heart but I promise you I won't leave"

He heard some shuffling as he assumed Serena hugged her. He appreciated that she was more physically affectionate with their daughter then he was, she enjoyed giving hugs, kisses and snuggles.

"Will you marry daddy?"

"One day if he asks I will but I don't think that will happen for a long time"

"Why not? Aren't you daddy's mate?"

He heard her giggle "yes but we are getting to know each other. Your father doesn't seem the type to rush but time to go to bed"

"Aww mama"

"Don't mama me, now lay back, close your eyes and I'll sing you a song"

He heard her humming a tune and sing softly. Sesshomaru made his way back to bed not wanting to be caught. He enjoyed being a single father not realizing what was missing from both their lives until he burst into his father's office and saw her. Serena was a fantastic mother to Rin. He pretended to be asleep feeling her crawl back into bed. Pulling her close, he mumbled

"I awoke to find you missing, where did you go?"

She snuggled as close as possible tucking her head under his chin. Her fingers traced along his chest and he smiled. He liked how she wanted to be as close to him as he wanted to be to her.

"Rin had a nightmare" she explained

"About?" Sesshomaru inquired

"She was frightened I was going to die"

He tightened his arms around her tilting his head down to nuzzle into her hair.

"I refuse to let you go" he mumbled into her hair

Serena took her arm, wrapping it around his frame running her fingers through his silky mane.

"I'm not going anywhere" she reassured him. Even though she was okay, she knew what happened that day haunted him. Seeing her laying there and dying was something he would never forget and she wished she could take that away for him.

"What else did you discuss?" he questioned

'Will she tell me?' he thought

"Nothing" she answered placing a kiss on his neck. Serena hitched her leg up over his hip pressing her body against his. Sesshomaru grabbed her thigh and held her close.

"let's get some sleep" she muttered

'Hmmm does she thinks I don't want those things yet?' he thought watching her eyes flutter for a moment before she fell asleep.

He waited for a few moments until her breathing evened out.

"Serena?" he whispered. He kissed her forehead, the past few days had been hard on her emotionally and mentally. She was exhausted and needed a good night's sleep. "I'm going to propose to you and then mate you right after the gala. Then we will face all the things life throws at us together including Sion. I will make sure you remain happy and safe for all our days."