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

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Twenty-Three: Explosion

Toga raced through the streets, bobbing and weaving through traffic. He didn't care if he broke all the laws, the only thing on his mind was getting Sesshomaru to his daughter and true mate. Toga's eyes tinted red, his daughter was hurt badly. But he needed to maintain control for his son, this was hell for him. Not knowing how badly she had been hurt or worse if she was dead.

Inuyasha called his mom explaining the situation as Toga shoved Sesshomaru into his Porsche Macan. When Kagome had relayed the call she got from the hospital, Sesshomaru went completely still. His entire body felt like it had been dunked in ice-cold water. There was an explosion at the venue. They had been inside when it happened, his daughter, his intended. Sesshomaru was barely hanging onto the control he did have. He could felt his beast hammering against his subconscious trying to break free so he shut down until he could see them with his own eyes and know what the hell had happened. Inuyasha's next call was to Ayame to meet them at the hospital with Sango and Miroku.

They knew which hospital she had been taken to, it was the largest medical centre in the country. Part of that was due to the numerous donations made by the Taisho family and the expansion they had created. They had paid for and constructed an entirely new wing that was solely focused on the treatment and care of any patient without human DNA. This included yokai, monks, Mikos and anyone that had suffered an injury due to a rogue demon. Their basic DNA structure differed from humans. Now Serena was there. They were concerned they wouldn't know how to treat her due to her lunar blood. Toga was barking orders into his phone for security to be heightened in the wing and to be prepared for their arrival. Sesshomaru's only goal would be to find Rin than Serena. No one could get in his way or he may hurt them. It wouldn't be his fault, just a reaction of his beast. He would be satisfied until his girls were safe back in his arms.

"What do we know Kagome?" Toga asked hoping to offer his son some comfort.

"All I got out of Koga was that there was an explosion at the venue. He says Rin is okay, he shielded her from the blast but Serena…" she choked out a sob "she is in surgery"

Sesshomaru snarled deep in his chest, his hair beginning to float away from his body and his eyes going blood red.

"Father" he growled

Toga looked towards his son, his claws were digging into the armrests trying to maintain control.

"Rin is okay, focus only on that thought" he said hoping to keep him in some semblance of control until he could see Rin. Sesshomaru would feel some relief when he had his daughter in his arms where he could see that she was okay.

Toga's Porsche screeched in front of the doors, they all jumped from the vehicle not caring where it was parked and bolted inside. Sesshomaru tore through the hallways following Rin's scent.

'I left them alone for one day, my little girl and my mate were hurt. I will not make the same mistake again' he thought his claws cracking. Everyone jumped out of the way as they recognized the daiyokai. They knew how enraged Inu yokai became when their mates were injured. No one would be stupid enough to stand in his way, lest they wanted to be at the sharp end of his claws.

Sesshomaru quickly found Rin. She and Koga had been put into a waiting room designated solely for them, the Taisho name earned special treatment. The security guards stationed at the entrance moved out of the way automatically without a word needing to be spoken. Rin was sitting on Koga's lap crying. Koga was covered in gashes and soaked in blood, attempting to soothe the small child.

"Daddy!" she wailed reaching for him. He scooped her up checking over every inch of her body and sighed. She was uninjured, not even a scratch. Sesshomaru wrapped her up in his arms, burying his face into her hair. Her scent calmed him enough to be able to think rationally for a moment. His daughter was safe.

Rin clung to him, she had been afraid. There was a really loud boom and then it got extremely hot. Uncle Koga had protected her, covering her tiny body with his but her mama wasn't so lucky. They had tried to help her but there was so much blood and Rin couldn't breathe. She screamed and screamed when Uncle Koga left her Mama behind to take her outside. She hit him and begged him to save her mama. Uncle Koga wouldn't let her look when they brought her mama outside but she could hear them yelling about how much blood she lost. That she might not make it. She didn't know what that meant but all she wanted was her Mama.

"Sesshomaru…" Koga started rising to his feet. He looked dejected and disgusted with himself. He had no words.

Sesshomaru passed Rin to Toga who shielded her immediately. He grabbed Koga by the shirt, lifting him several inches off the group and snarled "what the hell happened?"

No one made a move to stop Sesshomaru, they knew better than that. His beast demanded answers and Koga better have them. Koga threw his hands up demonstrating his submission

"Everything was fine when we got there, nothing out of the ordinary. I did a scan and got no other demonic auras. I swear to you" he started his gaze trained on Sesshomaru's enraged face "Rin wanted to see the view so Serena asked me to take her. We stepped away fro a minute maybe two…" he stuttered for a moment "then the whole place just burst into flames, it was crawling the walls. I tried to get her out, I did. But she was stuck, a pole went through her leg. There was just so much blood. I tried to stop the bleeding, the smoke was too thick and Rin couldn't breathe…I tried I did."

Kagome gasped, tears coming to her eyes. All that blood on Koga was not his, it was Serena's. Kagome had seen some coverage of the explosion on the news while they drove to the hospital. They had framed it as an accident which was for the best. They didn't want to cause a panic amongst the general public. Inuyasha had seen some bits of the coverage but when he began to lose control, his eye quickly saturated in red, she shut it down and calmed him. Inuyasha did not have the same control as Sesshomaru and Toga over their demonic side. She reminded him that he needed to step up into the role of Beta for his brother. Sesshomaru was not himself and his only focus was his girls.

Koga eye's welled up as he continued "she told me to take Rin and get out or she wouldn't forgive me. I didn't want to but she forced me." Koga's gaze flickered to the bit of Rin's hair that he could see then back to Sesshomaru.

That sounded like his sweet little star, putting everyone first especially Rin. She would have moved heaven and earth to save her little girl. Sesshomaru growled tightening his grip before releasing him. Koga fell to the floor in a heap, the guilt practically radiated from him. Sesshomaru grabbed his forearm and pulled him to his feet.

"Thank you for protecting Rin" Sesshomaru stated looking him in the eye. Koga nodded once.

Sesshomaru stepped away walking to the window, he needed some distance. 'Why does this keep happening?' he thought. He just wanted to live their life. His hands gripped the window frame so tightly the wood cracked. Sesshomaru felt a deep need for revenge and that need would only be satisfied when he killed Sion. Sesshomaru breathed heavily, his marks growing jagged.

'Let me rip this city apart until he is found. Our mate could die' his beast raged 'our pup could have died. He will beg for death'

"Koga!" Ayame yelled rushing in front of Sango, Miroku, Izayoi and Shippo "oh kami! You are covered in blood." Her hands cradled his face, her eyes trailing over his body, his white shirt was now red.

Koga hushed her with a flick of his eyes towards Sesshomaru "it's not mine. I'm fine"

Tears rolled down Ayame's face "is she?" She found that she couldn't even say the words. It would kill Koga and the whole family if Serena died.

Koga shrugged "we don't know…I'll never forgive myself is she does Ayame." She wanted to pull him into her arms but he was coated in Serena's blood so she could only squeeze his hand and pour all her love into his mark. He smiled tightly at her. Koga was heavy with guilt and regret, he had made a promise to Sesshomaru to keep his girls safe and he felt like he had failed. If they hadn't been outside, Rin would have most certainly have died and Serena…he couldn't even think of that. He would carry this regret for the rest of his days and if she by kami's grace she made it? He would do everything in his ability to keep her that way. Koga looked to his mate who just nodded sympathetically. She understood the emotions he must have been feeling. When a pack member falls, it is like getting stabbed with a hot poker in your chest.

Toga stepped forward placing a hand on Ayame's shoulder "sweetheart, take him to shower, the scent is too much." He wrinkled his nose, the room was saturated in the smell of Serena's blood and he didn't like it. Toga could only imagine what the scent was doing to Sesshomaru, who was barely maintaining control as it was. Ayame guided Koga out of the room to the washroom. He looked like a zombie, glass-eyed and unresponsive. Toga worried about his state of mind if she didn't make it. He worried about them all. They were a family and a pack but Serena bound them together in a way he couldn't explain. He held onto Rin firmly, his granddaughter was keeping him calm. Toga's gaze kept glancing towards the door, hoping for some good news. They needed it.

Once he knew Rin was okay, he put some distance between them. He was hesitant to hold her at that moment, not with his beast so close to breaking out. If they came in with bad news, he knew that his resolve would disappear. He wouldn't put Rin in that situation, not if she was the only one he had left. Izayoi watched Sesshomaru leaning against the window, his shoulders slumped and head bowed. He was in so much pain right now. She went to him pulling at his arm gently. He let her, his eyes filled with tears.

"Sesshomaru" she whispered.

The other turned automatically to give them a moment of privacy. Toga held onto Rin and pulling Shippo into his lap, his thoughts centred on his daughter laying in a surgery room somewhere in the hospital. Izayoi pulled him into a comforting hug as he stifled his tears. He would not cry, he had to be strong for her, for their daughter. He pulled out of her embrace after a few moments, nodding to Izayoi and she knew what he was telling her. All of it said in his gaze.

"I'm scared that she'll die on me. I'm terrified that this was all we had, this short time was it"

She put her hands on either side of his face, kissing his forehead before retreating. It was all she needed to do. Izayoi took a seat with the children. And the waited. They waited for hours in silence. Shippo held Rin's hand and tried to distract her. Miroku and Kagome muttered prayers for Serena. Ayame and Sango sat with Koga who hadn't lifted his head from his hands. He barely spoke since showering off her blood and borrowed some scrubs. The only thought running through his head was that Sesshomaru had given him one job and he had failed.

Inuyasha and Toga stood near the entrance with their arms crossed watching Sesshomaru. They knew how hard he was trying to maintain control, he was bubbling just under the surface. His muscles rippled and tense under his clothing. If there wasn't anything but good news, they feared what would happen next. Sesshomaru stood frozen to the spot, his hands clenched at his side and his red-tinted eyes trained on the door. He had never been in this situation before. His heart and mind were not there, they were lying in a hospital bed somewhere. Serena was the best part of him. Loving her had changed him so it would come as no surprise that the prospect of losing her did the same.

Dr. Jinenji entered looking around before settling on Sesshomaru, he stepped towards him.

"You are Miss Luna's mate?" he asked him

"Yes is she alive?" he asked curtly, his heart pounding awaiting the answer.

The doctor nodded "yes she is"

The whole family all breathed a sigh of relief. Sesshomaru raked his fingers through his hair. She was alive. His little star was still breathing. Thank Kami.

"She is remarkable actually. She healed most of her own smaller wounds" Jinenji started scanning her chart, he was astonished "it was the pole through her thigh that cause some issues, it damaged her femoral artery which is why there was so much blood. We repaired it and she should be healed in a few days. She is very lucky though, if she wasn't so special" he paused "she wouldn't have survived"

Sesshomaru nodded taking in all the information. He shut his eyes thinking back to their morning and the sound of her voice. The whole time they were waiting, he kept running through those moments. The feel of her skin, her smell, the way her lips felt on his skin, the sound of her laugh and the way she said I love you. He wanted to commit it to memory, just in case he lost her and all he had was the memories.

Dr. Jinenji patted him on the shoulder looking sympathetic "would you like to see her?" he asked.

"Yes" Sesshomaru blurted out, turning to his father "give me a minute to hold my girl"

Toga nodded "we'll stay behind, let you two have a few moments. I'll watch Rin like a hawk." Toga knew he needed time with her, knowing your mate was hurt and could die was mentally tolling on a demon. It was like having your soul ripped from your body. Inu demons loved and lost passionately.

Sesshomaru thanked him kissing Rin's head. He bent down to her level "I'm going to check on mama then Daddy will come get you to see her" he said.

"Okay, Daddy" muttered Rin who was dozing beside Shippo. It had been a day full of excitement that had worn her out.

He hesitated at the door, turning to hug Rin tightly once more before following the doctor. He followed him through the winding hallways then he saw her. Serena laid in a hospital bed connected to various wires, her bandaged leg propped up. Her eyes closed, he went to her side immediately, gently lifting her hand and kissing it. Her skin was warm against his lips. He shuddered letting a wave of comfort wash over him. Being able to touch her and see the rise and fall of her chest brought the smallest amount of comfort to him.

"She should wake in a few minutes" Jinenji told him coming to stand next to him "call us when she wakes. I just want to do a quick examination"

Sesshomaru turned and grasped his hand "Thank you doctor"

He waved him off "it's my pleasure. I am happy to help"

Dr. Jinenji left him, thankful that he hadn't had to deliver bad news. It was clear he loved her very much.

Sesshomaru turned all his focus to Serena, brushing his knuckles across her cheek. He committed her features to his memory, the way her blonde hair brushed the side of her face. The way her blue eyes seemed to sparkle when she looked at him. The little smirk she would get on her face when she teased him. Sesshomaru took a deep breath of her scent letting it fill his senses.

"I thought…I thought this was it. That this morning would be my last memory of you. Of us together as a family", he leaned his forehead against hers, holding her hand against his chest "my heart beats for you"

He felt her fingers tighten as her face scrunched in pain

"Little star? Can you open those pretty eyes for me?" he asked pulling back slightly, his one hand cradling her face.

"Uhh" she groaned reaching up to try and remove the oxygen mask from her nose. Her whole body was screaming at her. Her leg throbbed and she felt disorientated and confused. What was going on? The last thing she remembered was asking Koga to take Rin out on the balcony to look at the view. After that everything was a blur…there was fire and smoke. She barely recalled much beyond Rin coughing and telling Koga to take Rin outside where she would be safe.

"Doctor!" he hollered pulling her hands away from her face "shh love its okay. You are alright. You need to relax." Serena dropped her hands hearing a familiar voice calming her. It sounded like Sesshomaru, her eyes fluttered. She felt heavy from whatever drugs they had put into her system. Serena could feel a large warm hand touching her skin, it felt safe like home.

Dr. Jinenji rushed in going to her side. Sesshomaru moved away from her, keeping a hold of her hand. Jinenji pulled out a penlight beginning his examination.

"Miss Luna?" he started, opening each of her eyes flashing the light "you are in the hospital. You are safe. Do you know who this is?" pointing to Sesshomaru.

Serena blinked slowly staring at Sesshomaru, his gold eyes boring back into hers.

"Sessh…" she whispered grimacing. Sesshomaru let out a sigh of relief.

"Good, good. You were in an accident" Dr. Jinenji continued getting her to focus on him, following his finger "your femoral artery was damaged but we repaired it. You are quite a remarkable young woman. I've never treated a lunar child before"

Serena blinked slowly still groggy from the drugs. Sesshomaru clutched her hand shooting the doctor an apprehensive but surprised look. He knew who she was which surprised him since her mark was so similar to Inu demons.

Jinenji reassured him "my mother was a devourer of history. We don't have much on her people but I do know some bits and pieces. Her DNA is interesting, it is almost like she was created from pure light but in terms of physiology, she is similar in treatment to that of a demon or Miko."

Jinenji made a few notes on her chart as Serena slowly came out from under the haze of the drugs. He looked at her leg one more time before turning to Sesshomaru.

"She will need to take it easy for a few days but she will be just fine" he said before leaving telling him to call if they needed anything.

"Sesshomaru…" she whispered, her blue eyes locking onto his face

Sesshomaru cradled her face and pressed his lips firmly against hers.

"Say that again" he muttered, his lips brushing against hers. Sesshomaru closed his eyes brushing his nose along hers, her small hand reaching up to brush his cheek. He leaned into her touch like he hadn't felt it in years.

"Sesshomaru" she repeated smiling at the silver-haired demon above her. She could see the tell-tale red tint in his eyes. Today must have been hell for him, she wanted nothing more than to gather him in her arms.

Sesshomaru collapsed back into the chair pulling it as close to her side as possible. He clutched her hand against his chest running his fingers through her hair.

"I never thought I would hear you say that again" kissing her again "stop scaring this one, my little star"

Serena smiled gently pecking his lips "I will try…wait" she glanced around the room noticing no one else was there. Where was everyone? More importantly where was her daughter? Her breath quickened, her heartbeat skyrocketing.

"Rin…where is Rin? Where is our daughter?" she exclaimed, fear evident in her voice. Had something happened to her? Tears sprung to her eyes as she struggled to sit up, Sesshomaru grabbed her shoulders in an attempt to keep her from moving. He didn't want her to tear her stitches, causing further damage. She looked at him terrified.

"She's fine!" he exclaimed "look at me love, she is okay. Not a scratch on her." He placed his hands on her face forcing him to look into his eyes. He took slow deep breaths, getting her to mimic him, she needed to calm down. Serena panted her heart rate slowing back to a normal rate, she let him slowly push her back down.

"Rin is okay," Sesshomaru soothed her "no injuries, no smoke damage. Koga shielded her from the blast" kissing her hand.

Serena let the information sink in leaning back in bed. Rin was safe that was all that mattered to Serena, she didn't care about her own safety or life. The only thing that mattered was her daughter. She was thankful that she listened to Sesshomaru and brought Koga with her. If he had not been there, Rin might have been killed.

"Koga?" she asked, her lip trembling. He was a demon so she knew he was quick in his reflexes and would heal fast. However, that did not stop her from worrying about his well-being as well.

"Also fine" he grumbled "he feels awful which he should. I gave him one job…"

Sesshomaru lip curled up in displeasure, he found himself at odds with his feelings towards his best friend. On the one thing, he saved Rin's life. On the other, his beloved was laying in a hospital bed after losing too much blood. He kept reminding himself that Koga was being tortured by his own subconscious. Sesshomaru could already tell Serena placed no blame on him so he would try to follow her example.

A hand on his cheek stopped him, her eyes held forgiveness

"It's not his fault. I didn't feel anything until it was too late…" tears welled up in her eyes thinking back to how afraid she was for her family. How afraid she was that she might never touch Sesshomaru again.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you" she whimpered

Sesshomaru nuzzled her face rumbling low in his chest. She needed him close and he could feel it. He stood and climbed into bed, pulling her close against him, careful of her leg. He wrapped his arms around her, pleased to have her this close to him. She tucked her head against the curve of his neck, her small hands grabbing a hold of his shirt.

"I am right here" he whispered brushing away her hair "I won't let him get close to you again. He will come to regret touching what is mine. You will be protected until we come up with a plan to kill Sion"

Sesshomaru didn't want to protect Serena because he believed she was weak. He knew her capabilities and had seen her strength while training. He knew she could be a force to be reckoned with just by the fire in her eyes. Serena had refused to let life break her. She faced tragedy, she felt pain and it only made her stronger. He protected her because she was important. Serena was the constant in his life, he always thought of her. No matter how busy he was, where he was, his brain was constantly on her.

Serena nodded knowing better than to argue with him right now. She could tell from one look in his eyes that he had been stressed. She could only imagine what today had been like for him.

"I know today was a lot on you" she fretted, her hands playing with the fabric of his shirt "are you alright?"

Again his little star surprised him. She was lying in a hospital bed after having major surgery and losing a lot of blood. But she was focused on what today had been like for him.

"I will be honest, I almost lost control today" he confessed thankful they were alone, revealing a weakness was not something he normally did "I could not breathe until I knew you were okay. I do not know what I would have done if you hadn't come back to me"

Serena ran her hand up his chest letting her fingers trace his muscles then trail down his arm.

"I am here in your arms. I will only ever leave your side if you send me away" she responded

They laid snuggled together for several minutes. He counted her heartbeats trying to keep himself calm. Although being able to touch her, breathe in her scent and taste her lips helped, he still had a difficult time holding on to control.

"What do you think he was trying to achieve?" asked Sesshomaru

Serena furrowed her brows "he likes to toy with people before taking what he wants. I've hid for a long time, clearly, he is mad"

He growled his eyes bleeding more red, his resolve shaking. Serena attempted to calm him rubbing her fingertips across his marks.

"Not this time, that psychopath crossed a line going after my mate and daughter"

Serena pulled his face down to hers pushing her lips against his. He licked her lips slipping his tongue in when she opened her mouth to him. He devoured her natural taste.

"We'll destroy him together but right now. I really need to see Rin please?" she begged, her face pleading with him.

Sesshomaru smirked. He wondered how long it was going to take her to ask for their daughter.

"I'll go get them" he said rising to his feet, shifting her back into a comfortable position "but first…" he grabbed her face, capturing her lips in a passionate need-filled kiss. She brought her hands up to his face moving her lips in sync with his. He didn't want to release her or leave her side. They kissed until neither could breathe. Breaking away, he panted with a need to be with her "that should hold me until I get back"

He pecked her lips once more before leaving the room and closing the door. Sesshomaru gave strict instructions to the security guards standing outside her room that no one should enter without his or Dr. Jinenji's personal permission.

Serena sighed leaning back into the pillows behind her. She was so sore. She was grateful that she healed quickly so she would be in a weakened position for long.

"Well well wasn't that sweet"

Serena's eyes snapped to the corner of her room. Sion leaned against the wall, an angry sneer on his face. He appeared out of nowhere, when did he get that ability?

"Sion" she whispered reaching the panic button. She lost too much blood to use any of her gifts and he knew it. He did this on purpose, he wasn't trying to kill her but rather weaken her. She groaned sitting up, Sion tsked pulling the button far from her reach.

"Now, your highness we just started our conversation. Don't be rude, what would dear mommy think?"

Serena snarled back at him, clearly her time spent around demons showing.

"I will never give you what you want!" she growled, her eyes narrowing at him

He laughed running his fingers against her skin, she jerked away. Serena hissed in pain at her sudden movement.

"I'm not here for that…yet" he started his eyes roaming down her body "my my you have grown up little princess though maybe not so little anymore huh?"

She hated his eyes on her body knowing the look in his eye. He was looking at her like a piece of meat he wanted to devour. Sion grasped her chin harshly causing her to wince

"I've been looking for you for decades! Now that I've found you, I'm going to have fun breaking you down and then I'll take what is mine. But before I do…" he licked his lips causing her to try and shrink away from his touch. He pushed his lips against her roughly, too rough. She could feel her lips bruising. His kiss made her want to sob, her lips should only be kissed by Sesshomaru, her body only for his hands. She struggled against him, screaming internally for help.

Her fist clenched tightly. She could feel a tiny pool of pure energy in her hand, it was the silver crystal. It was reacting to her cry for help. Serena pooled enough energy she could spare and pushed it directly into Sion's stomach. With a loud blast, it shoved him back into the far wall cracking it. He stood up fuming, his purple eyes narrowing at her.

"You insolent child!" he roared with rage "we are far from done, I'll be seeing you soon."

With that, he disappeared in a black orb just as the door slammed open. Clearly he had felt the auras of her family coming to her aid and did not wish to take them all on in a small room. The room filled with five snarling demons, Miroku and Kagome with their hands glowing and a pissed off slayer.

"He was here" she whimpered, tears springing to her eyes "Sion was here"