Author's Note: Well yep, this is it, this is the final chapter for Protecting You. I'm definitely saddened that its over but hopefully you will enjoy this last piece before i go on to Zelman's story or someone elses. And with that I bid you adieu and hope you enjoy.

Epilogue:

Ten Years Later….

"Mika!" Mimiko called looking everywhere for her daughter. She looked under tables, in closets, and behind chairs, but couldn't find her anywhere. Suddenly she heard her daughters' laughter from outside and she made her way to the window. There she was greeting Kotaro as he made his way through the front gate. He leaned down and hugged her tenderly before giving her his back for a piggy back. Mika began to talk adamantly about something and Kotaro nodded as he walked towards the house.

Kotaro had grown considerably in the last ten years. He was now twenty years old and would stop growing and aging. His blonde hair curled around his shoulders and he was already turning out to be quite the playboy, though he still held his gentleman-like ways thanks to Jiros' constant supervision. Mika was the perfect combination of both Mimiko and Jiro. She had her mothers' stubborn chin and laugh but she also had a seriousness about her that must have been inherited through Jiro. Her long black hair was currently braided into pigtails that hung to her waist and her blue eyes, a trait from the Sage bloodline, shown with child-like innocence.

Mimiko smiled as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her against a strong body. "Hey," a warm voice murmured against her neck and she shivered deliciously.

"Hey yourself." She grinned seductively turning in Jiro's arms to face him. He leaned down to give her a kiss when they heard the door open.

"Ew!" Mika cried and giggled. Kotaro laughed with her though he wasn't bothered at all by the public display of affection.

"What's ew, Mika?" Jiro said bending down to gather her up in his arms. "This?" Jiro asked as he started kissing all over her face and Mika screamed and giggled. Mimiko and Kotaro laughed at the scene.

"You guys are the loudest bunch I've ever met. You are disrupting the peace around the Lord Dragon." Cain groused as he came in through the door as well, followed by Jinnai and Sei.

"I think it's charming." Sei commented and grinned when Cain spluttered.

"Good afternoon, Mimiko." Jinnai said as he kissed her cheek and gave her a hug, "How is Miss Mika doing?" he asked turning to the child before him. Jinnai was already fifty-three and with each passing year Mimiko felt saddened that he would not be with them anymore in the near future. She had asked if wanted to be turned but he had swiftly denied.

"I'm doing well!" she smiled and hugged his waist. "I'm turning ten!"

"Practically a young lady." Said a smooth voice from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see Zelman leaning against the threshold and smirking. "Uncle Zelman!" Mika cried and ran up to hug him.

"Hello little one." He said patting her head and pulling a large wrapped gift from behind his back. He handed it to her. "This is for you."

She gasped and smiled with glee, plopping down to open the gift and squealing happily when she unwrapped a gold chained necklace with a fire pendant hanging from it. It glowed and was warm against her skin. "If you're ever in trouble, just think of me while holding that pendant and I will be there as fast as I can."

"Thanks Uncle Zelman!" she smiled and slipped it over her head. She quickly gave him a peck on the cheek and ran off to show Kotaro and Sei who were sitting and conversing about Sei's sister.

"That was really sweet of you Zelman." Mimiko said as she came to stand next to him.

"I love her as if she were my own, you know that." He smirked at her and turned back to watching Mika dash excitedly towards the other presents that were piled on a nearby table.

"I'm glad to hear it; if it ever changes to something more I'll have to castrate you." She grinned fiercely and Zelman shuddered knowing she would do it too.

He chuckled. "There's no chance of that happening, I would have known when I first met her if she was my mate."

"Mate?" she asked confused.

"My bloodline has it to where our mates are already predestined. When two mates meet a fire burns through them that is insatiable. I thought I had found her once, long ago, but alas it was not so." He confessed.

"I'm sure you'll find her soon Zelman." She smiled tenderly placing a hand on his arm.

He smirked at her, "Are you by chance offering yourself my dear?" He said taking her hand in his and giving it a quick kiss, next to her wedding ring.

She laughed and shook her head, glancing over to where Jiro was walking towards them his mouth set in a slight frown and his eyes glaring at Zelman. She chuckled at his jealousy and Zelman too let out a brief laugh at Jiros' face before wandering off to badger Cain.

"What was all that about?" Jiro asked as he drew close and wrapped his arm around her waist possessively. He looked over at Zelman and pulled her tighter against him when Zelman glanced back smirking.

"Oh nothing. Just had a nice little chat with Zelman." She replied and he raised his eyebrow in mock suspicion.

She leaned on her toes and kissed his frowning lips until they softened for her. She stepped back smirking and he smiled at her as they both linked hands before wandering off to sing happy birthday to their daughter. Mimiko glanced over to Zelman. He looked so lonely staring out the window at the moon. She hoped fervently that he would soon find the woman of his dreams, his mate, soon. No one should be left alone for forever. Not when love was out there to be found.