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

Chapter Twenty-Four: Explosion Part Two

Serena reached out for Sesshomaru, tears welling in her eyes, he went to her instantly checking over her body. He could smell the vermin on her skin, on her lips. Brushing his thumb gently across her bottom lip, Serena shuddered. She couldn't look him in the eye, she felt disgusting. Sesshomaru felt the rage wash over him like a tsunami.

"What did he do?" he asked through clenched teeth. Serena told them how he showed up after Sesshomaru left, taunting her. How he wanted to torture her before forcing a kiss on her. His promise to break her.

"It hurt" she whimpered raising her fingers to her lips. Serena wanted to curl up into a little ball, feeling almost ashamed to look at Sesshomaru. Another man had put his lips on her skin, had touched her. Sesshomaru stood beside her bed rage bubbling under the surface, his fingers clenching her bedsheets unwilling to touch her again. He was afraid he might hurt her unintentionally. His nose could smell her sadness and disgust over what happened, Sesshomaru wanted to hold her and cover her in his scent again so she only smelled of him. To reassure her that they were okay and he was not angry at her. But in that moment, he was rooted to the spot.

Kagome stood by the wall, her hand tracing down the large crack in the wall. A lot of power went behind that hit. She scrunched her face up in confusion "how did you do this?" she asked looking over at Serena.

"I called out for help and the crystal answered my call" Serena explained in a hushed tone "I couldn't use anything else, still too many drugs in my system I think"

Kagome nodded "Thank kami for that, I am glad you are okay"

She looked at Sesshomaru and sighed. Her brother was trying desperately to keep his beast at bay that he was missing the obvious signals that his intended needed him. She was upset and distressed. Kagome glanced over at Toga who nodded back, understanding what she was thinking. They couldn't push him however, he needed to come back on his own. It would take a bit of time. Seeing your true mate in this state with the notion that another man had touched her? Almost unbearable he would bet.

Koga coughed bringing Serena's attention to him. He was standing to the side, hands clenched into fists at his sides, guilt etched on his face.

"Koga" she whispered opening her arms. He went to her immediately and she wrapped her small arms around the wolf demon and cried.

"Thank you…thank you"

Koga stiffened, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Serena pulled away enough so he could see her soft smile.

"You saved Rin. You protected Rin when I couldn't and I can't ever thank you enough for that Koga"

"But you are…" he gestured to her leg and grimaced at the flashback of the blood pooling under her. She waved him off with her hand

"This is nothing" she said. Sesshomaru growled in response "It. Is. Not. Nothing" his eyes narrowing at the pair. Serena bit back her agitated response, first, he refused to talk to her or touch her after Sion showed up now he was acting like this. Was he that disgusted by her? She hadn't asked to be touched by another, surely he knew that. So what was his deal?

"This is not your fault Koga" Serena grasped his hand tightly, ignoring the low growl from Sesshomaru "I will be fine in a few days so please don't blame yourself"

It took a little while longer before Koga could relax. He stood vigil at her side refusing to move for anyone. Miroku poked at Ayame's side asking an unspoken question about why Koga was acting this way. The explosion hadn't been his fault in any way, Sion was at fault. He was just doing what Serena asked him to but when it came to pack, nothing was more important. Ayame explained that wolf demons were just as protective as Inus. Koga marked Serena as his responsibility in the same way Toga and Inuyasha had, she was pack. While Koga and Serena were talking, Inuyasha scooted out to get Izayoi and the children back so she could see Rin.

Izayoi brought the kids in, Serena taking Rin in her arms immediately checking over every inch of her. Serena looked to Toga asking if they could find out what tests were run and the results. She wanted to make sure, a hundred percent that Rin was okay and there was nothing wrong. Koga automatically took it upon himself to do it. He dashed from the room vowing to not return until he had Rin's nurse in tow. Serena kept her Rin close to her body, her maternal instinct was in overdrive. She refused to let Rin be handed off to anyone but her, needing her to be close to ensure she was okay.

"I've relieved you are both safe" Toga said "when you are healed however we need to come up with a plan. I am done with this monster getting close to you. This needs to end."

Toga rubbed his hand over his face feeling the effects of the day on his subconscious. He gripped the edge of the hospital bed taking a deep shuddering breath. When the call came in about the explosion, his heart nearly stopped.

"Miroku and I will figure out a way to help you regain your energy back quicker when and if you need to call on the silver crystal again" Kagome added. Inuyasha went to Kagome's side, holding her close. This whole situation had made him grateful for the safety of his mate. He sent a silent prayer that he would never have to be in the same position as his brother. He felt for Sesshomaru.

Miroku stepped forward "I think I will do some research, we need to know everything he can do and you. Use all our advantages we have"

"Good idea" replied Toga tapping her foot on her uninjured leg "I have some old scrolls and texts in my office"

Serena nodded smiling gratefully at her dad and family. She took in a shuddering breath trying not to cry. Inuyasha tensed at the smell of her unshed tears turning to glance at his brother. Why was he just standing there? He could smell Serena's tears so why was he not comforting her? Today had been terrifying for everyone involved, they had almost lost Rin and Serena all in one foul swoop. That he understood and he didn't envy the emotions his brothers were going through but she needed him. Toga grunted catching his attention. Inuyasha looked to his father who just gave a slight shake of his head telling him to leave it be. Sesshomaru was hanging on by a thread as it was.

"I've already called security and no one can come onto the grounds without permission" Inuyasha said "we got you, little sister"

Sesshomaru unclenched his claws drawing in a shuddering breath, discussing how they would protect was helping reign in his anger. He noticed that Serena had inched away from him and it saddened him. Did she no longer want his touch? Because he had failed in protecting her? He would have to wait until they were alone to reassure her.

"When can I go home? I need a bath and our bed" she asked looking around and letting out a small yawn. Truth be told she wanted to be alone with Rin as she had a feeling it may the last time. Sesshomaru was bristling with anger standing beside her bed, his arms crossed and his eyes trained on Serena's head. She wasn't sure what to say to him, Rin could have died and Sion had gotten to her quite easily.

Izayoi stood "I'll go find out" and left to find Dr. Jinenji.

As Izayoi left, Koga returned with Rin's nurse in tow to answer all Serena's questions. Everyone was pretty sure that Koga gave him no option but to come.

"So is she healthy?" asked Serena, clinging to a sleeping Rin

The nurse nodded "extremely ma'am. She is a very healthy and happy little girl"

Serena took a deep breath in and let out all the anxiety she had been feeling about Rin's safety out. At least there was that.

"Thank you for all you did"

The nurse nodded "my pleasure Mrs. Taisho"

Serena blanched and stuttered

"Oh no, I'm not…I mean…"

Inuyasha snickered "cat got your tongue?"

Serena blushed and glowered at him "shut up Inu!" throwing one of her pillows at Inuyasha's head "I'm not his wife," she said firmly. He quickly dodged it. A hurt expression came across Sesshomaru's face, did she not want to marry him? Had something changed? He made a note of adding that to the list of things to ask her when they were alone.

"So I spoke with your doctor" Izayoi said walking back into the room "he wants you here for a few days"

Serena groaned and slumped back against the pillows in frustration. She didn't want to be here prolonging the inevitable that she just knew was coming. Sesshomaru would want her to leave now knowing how easy it was for Sion to get to his family, he wouldn't want her around. She could feel it in her gut and it was slowly killing her inside. Serena looked around the room and tried to not sob. They were her family, she was finally happy and now it looked like it was going to be taken away from her.

"I want my bed" she whispered shooting a puppy dog eye look at Toga.

"You just got out of surgery young lady, so you will stay put" Toga started, his tone doused in fatherly tone as he crossed his arms.

Serena gapped at him.

"But Dad…"

"No buts!" Toga snapped back giving her a look that left no room for arguments.

"I believe you've been told" Ayame piped up stifling a giggle "Sesshomaru will be here all night anyway. Plus Koga will stay outside your room with your security detail"

Sesshomaru nodded curtly, he knew this was the way. Pack protects pack. Koga needed this, today haunted him. Not as much as it did Sesshomaru but he still felt it on a deeper level. Sesshomaru was pleased that Koga would be nearby, not just to protect his girls but also if he could not get a handle on his beast. He would not be leaving her side, not for one thing. They needed to talk about some things, clear the air between them.

"And Rin?" tightening her hold on the sleeping girl. Serena didn't feel comfortable leaving her right now. She needed to have her where she would be kept safe. That is until Sesshomaru took her away. Toga could see the tension between the pair and wanted to give them their space soon rather than later.

"We will get her a bed and she'll stay here with you" Toga pulled out his phone and fiddled with it for a few moments "I got us all rooms at the hotel across the street for the night"

"You did not need to do that Father" Sesshomaru answered firmly. Those were the first words he had spoken since they returned to Serena's room.

"We need to be close" Toga began placing a hand on Serena's leg "I need to be close tonight"

The pain evident in Toga's eyes. It was clear that what had happened affected everyone in the family and they were all needed to heal a little. Serena reached out for his hand and squeezed it sending him a message of love.

"Alright everyone, let's go" added Toga "she needs to sleep now"

Sesshomaru nodded at everyone as they passed giving quick hugs to Serena. Toga hugged her a little longer than anyone, shedding a tear or two that only Serena saw.

"Stop giving me a heart attack my girl" he whispered in her ear

Once everyone left and Koga was situated outside her room. Sesshomaru took one glance at his little family and let out a shaky breath. He had been holding in all the rage, anxiety and pain he had been feeling. But now it was overflowing. He turned back to the door leaning against it, he could feel his beast struggling to burst forward. He was rattling against Sesshomaru's subconscious barriers, wanting to erupt and tear the city down. Sesshomaru's eyes turned red, his fangs and claws lengthened digging into the door. He panted heavily trying to reign him back in but failed.

"Sesshomaru?" Serena questioned when she heard his breathing getting heavy and erratic.

He growled at her in response not turning around. Sesshomaru didn't want to lash out at her so he just needed silence to calm himself.

"What's wrong?" she pushed.

Sesshomaru whirled around. His marks growing jagged and his eyes became so red, his irises turning blue.

"Rin could have died! You could have died! Then he shows up and kisses you. Touches what is mine" he snarled out "He got to my family too easily!" Tears sprung to Serena's eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Sesshomaru felt terrible immediately, he pulled his anger back. His eyes going back to the normal golden colour, his hand coming to rub across his face. 'I let my rage cloud my better judgement' he thought 'I should have taken a few moments before everyone left but I didn't want to leave her alone'.

Serena nodded, stifling a sob

"I see. I've become a problem. I have brought this pain into your family. But for your information, he forced that on me."

Serena's lip trembled and sniffled back her tears. With a jolt, Sesshomaru realized what she thought was happening. She thought he was telling her he wanted her gone, she couldn't be more wrong.

"Serena…" he began but she stopped him with a held-out hand. Tears poured down her cheeks and she pulled Rin closer to her body.

"I understand. You don't need to say it, I put Rin in danger" she smelled Rin hair trying to memorize her features and her smell "please just give me one night with her?" pleading with him. Sesshomaru felt his heart constrict painfully causing him to grimace. Serena couldn't even look at him, she thought he was sending her away. Did she not realize that she held his whole heart? Every single piece of him.

"Serena…I…"

"Please Sesshomaru" she interrupted "don't. I told you I get it. Just please leave"

Sesshomaru scowled "no" crossing his arms. She kept interrupting him, not giving him the chance to explain.

Her shoulders slumped "Sessh…"

His growl interrupted her as he took a step forward "I. Said. No. You spoke now I get to speak"

Serena stared at the ground waiting for him to take Rin from her arms and tell her the mistake he had made.

"I…" Sesshomaru shuddered "I lost you for a moment. I thought I had lost Rin and you, it nearly killed me"

He took a few steps towards her, his ached to gather her in his arms. He hated to see her tears.

"I am not sending you away. I love you, the only place I want you is by my side. You are not some problem to be fixed, you are the answer" he knelt next to her bed putting a finger under her chin lifting her face. Her blue eyes met his gold and his face fell, her eyes held a world of sadness in them. He wished she could see how much he loved her, she had been alone for so long that it almost seemed impossible to her that someone could love her that way.

"I am not leaving. You are not leaving. Do you understand me little star?" he asked her sternly.

Serena let out a soft sob trying not to wake Rin, she clutched the front of his shirt pulling him in close. Her forehead fell against his, their noses brushing against one another. Sesshomaru wrapped his long arms around both his girls holding them flush to his chest breathing in their mixed scent. It brought him a sense of serenity. Sesshomaru kissed Serena's lips lightly.

"Oh Sesshomaru" she whispered, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly "I'm sorry I thought…after what happened that…"

Sesshomaru hushed her "I know, my lack of communication only perpetuated the situation. I was trying to keep my beast at bay but I lashed at you. I apologize for that." He wove his fingers into her hair brushing his lips against her skin, if Rin was not there and she was not injured he probably would have taken her right then and there. Show her how much he loved and cherished her. "I am furious he forced himself on you, so furious I could tear this city apart until I found him then make him regret ever even breathing the same air as you"

"Please don't leave me right now" She begged in a hushed tone "I need you here"

Sesshomaru kissed her lips and muttered "I won't leave. I love you. Though I see I am going to have to tell you a thousand times a day. I am going to make you mine in every sense of the word if you still want that"

"In every sense of the word, I do" Serena smiled softly. She couldn't put the relief she felt into words, he still wanted to marry her and have a life with her. Maybe his love wasn't so fragile, though it would take her some time to really let it sink in.

"Lay with me?" she asked pulling back, slowly shifting to give him room on her hospital bed. Rin laid fast asleep in Serena's lap not giving any indication that she even heard their argument. Take off his shoes, Sesshomaru climbed into bed pulling them both into his arms. One of his hands cradled her face, Serena leaning into his touch.

"If you died today, I would have died along with you. You are everything my little star, every heartbeat, every breath, every choice. It all comes back to you. To our family." With tears in her eyes, Serena looked at the sleeping girl in her arms than at the silver-haired man she desperately loved. He continued cradling her face as he spoke. "When I first saw you, it took every ounce of me not to kiss you. When I first heard your laugh, it took every ounce of me not to marry you. And when I met your soul, it took every ounce of me"

Serena leaned forward capturing his lips as he held her face. Their lips moved in perfect harmony with one another pouring all their love into that first. It was a kiss of forgiveness and undying devotion. A kiss that could take your breath away. Sesshomaru wasn't one to speak openly about his emotions and feelings in front of others but in front of Serena? His words were poetic and deep.

"I don't think I have found words to say how much I love you" she sighed against his velvet-soft lips "I don't know if I ever will."

Sesshomaru smiled softly, of course, she already forgave his outburst. She was too kind-hearted not to be honest. He readjusted them so Serena was comfortably laying against him, her head on his shoulder and Rin tucked between them fast asleep. Her injured leg carefully propped up as to avoid ripping her stitches open, Serena yawned audibly. He chuckled brushing her hair away from her face.

"Sleep my little star, I'll be right here"

She snuggled closer, her eyes drifting close. Sesshomaru rubbed circles on her shoulder, his lips pressed against to her head. He felt relieved she hadn't pushed him away after his outburst earlier, thankful she understood why he acted the way he had and not held it against him. Though he doubted she could ever really stay mad at him for anything, it wasn't in her nature to hold a grudge. Except for the one time, he drank her Starbucks and she didn't speak to him for a whole afternoon. His father just laughed at him while he grovelled for his mistake, yet she still iced him out. That was one long afternoon, he had to buy her coffee every day for a week to make up for it.

"Sessh" she mumbled from his shoulder

"Hmm?"

"Can we have lots of pups?" she mumbled, barely coherent. He chuckled against her hair

"I'll give you as many pups as you want" he answered. Hearing no response but light breathing and Rin snoring, he knew she was asleep. Her one arm wrapped securely around Rin and the other grasping his hand tightly. He took a deep breath of her and Rin's scent, he sighed with gratitude that they were safe and protected in his arms. At least for tonight. He would go to the ends of the earth to keep them safe.