Chapter 23: They Finally Mark Each Other.

It had been several weeks since Sesshomaru and Serena confessed there love for each other. He was still amazed at how great a fighter she was in battle. Naraku made his appearance every now and then but they managed to beat him up enough to send him back into hiding.

Serena was slowly getting stronger and braver whenever Naraku showed his face. He used to scare her so much that her mind would go blank and her body would freeze up. But after one battle where Sesshomaru was stabbed in the shoulder, she finally snapped out of it and attacked him for injuring the one she loved.

And both she and Sesshomaru had several moments when they were alone where they kissed each other non-stop. They loved those moments where they could be away from Jaken's annoying voice.

The group was now on their way back to Keade's village. They had successfully found several jewel shards and it would be Serena's birthday in a few days. She told Sesshomaru a few days ago that she was now ready for him to mark her. So he already had his present for her.

"When's your birthday Sesshomaru?" Serena asked as they came closer to the village.

"I'm not entirely sure. After a few hundred years, a demon tends to forget something like that." He said as he carried her on his back. She had gotten a pretty good injury on her leg from a battle yesterday and wasn't able to walk because of the pain.

"Well do you remember when you were born?"

"In the winter I think. I asked my mother once and she said that I was born in the middle of winter."

"That must mean you were born sometime in December. Probably in the middle of the month. And it's almost December now."

Sesshomaru nodded. He remembered the feast he had with her family that was called Thanksgiving about a week ago. He had never eaten so much food in his life until that day.

The group made it to the village in a few hours and stayed at Keade's to rest.

"Is your leg feeling any better Serena?" Sango asked as Sesshomaru gently set her down.

"Yeah. It's healing quickly because of my demon powers. It should be healed by tomorrow." She said as she looked at her leg. It was less swollen then it looked a day ago.

Kagome took off the bandages she so could take a look at the wound.

There was a large cut that ran down her leg. It was pretty deep when Serena received it. She had almost passed out from blood loss. And she was right about how she said that the wound was healing faster then normal. It was smaller then it looked when Kagome placed the bandages on her leg earlier that morning.

"It's definitely getting better." Kagome said as she put clean bandages on it.

Sesshomaru was sitting behind Serena and hugging her. He was getting excited that he was finally going to mark Serena as his mate.

She had to admit that she was getting excited too. She leaned into his embrace as Kagome worked on her leg. "You're getting excited aren't you?" She whispered low enough so that he could hear.

He nodded. "Yes. I'm finally going to make you mine. Not even Naraku can spoil my happiness." He whispered in her ear.

"I doubt he even knows. Plus we'll be in my era where he won't be able to interfere with what we are going to do."

"He has his ways. But you're right. He won't be able to harm us in your era. In our weakened state from blood loss, he could easily destroy us." He said as he went to her neck again and nibbled on her skin again.

She noticed that his nibbling on her neck was getting a little more anxious. He really was getting excited to claim her as his mate. "Soon dear. Soon." She said as she kissed the side of his head.

"I can't help it dear. I want you now." He whined sweetly as he nibbled at her neck more.

Inuyasha left the hut, disgusted with how his brother was acting. Serena laughed at him and then went back to kissing Sesshomaru.

The next day, Sesshomaru and Serena made their way to the well. Serena's leg was all better and she was able to walk again. She was glad to be going home.

She was holding onto Sesshomaru's arm as they walked toward the well. They were going to mark each other tomorrow night so that would be able to mate on her birthday a week later. Serena spoke with Inutaisho as she slept and asked him about the day of Sesshomaru's birth. He told her it was sometime around the day she was born possibly the same day as hers.

She was still thinking of when her boyfriend's birthday was when they reached the well.

"Ready?" He asked as he stood on the rim with her in his arms.

She nodded and they both jumped into the well. The reappeared in her time and she instantly smelled an odd scent that wasn't normal. "Do you smell something?"

"Yes. It almost smells like Naraku." He said as he stared up out the well.

Serena stared at him wide eyed. Like Naraku. It couldn't be!

Sesshomaru jumped out of the well and landed on the stairs. Serena slowly opened the doors and looked around the shrine.

It looked normal enough so she stepped out of the well house. Sesshomaru followed and stayed cautious as they walked on the grounds. "Something doesn't feel right." She mumbled as she looked around.

Sesshomaru silently agreed. Naraku's scent lingered in the air. "Where could he be?"

When they were front of the Scared Tree, a net was fired and pinned Sesshomaru to the tree.

"Sesshomaru!" Serena went over to him and tried to free him of the ropes that held him.

Then suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her and threw her to the ground. "It's been a long time Serena Higurashi. Far too long."

Serena looked above her and saw the one person she never wanted to see again. Naruki Hosenki. Around him was his gang. She swore one of the girls liked almost like Kagura.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as she slowly got up.

Sesshomaru was trying his hardest to free himself from his bonds but they were to tight. He could barely move at all.

"What do you think? I want you to be mine again." He had the same evil voice as Naraku's. It made her shiver slightly from hearing his voice.

"I'll never be yours Naruki. I've found somebody else." Her voice shook as she spoke. She was trying to sound brave as she stood before her ex-boyfriend.

"You mean this loser? He loses pretty pathetic. You even look like him."

"Sesshomaru is a great man who respects me. Unlike you! You just wanted me as a sex toy. I'm not yours anymore and I'll never be yours ever again." She stood proudly before him.

Naruki glared at her and then pounced on her. She fell back and hit the ground hard with him on top of her. "Leave her alone!" Sesshomaru yelled as he watched helpless from the tree.

"Shut up you basturd. Serena is my girl and I will have her back." Naruki took out a dagger and held it close to her neck.

Serena was instantly angry at him. She wanted him off her and Sesshomaru freed. Her powers were growing stronger and she glared at him.

"Now Serena. You are going to come with me. Refuse and you will be killed." He said as he pushed the blade into her skin. The edge of the dagger pierced her skin and she started bleeding.

"How many times do I have to say it." Serena said softly as she closed her eyes. She then opened her eyes to reveal her blood red eyes.

Oh no. Her inner demon is coming out. Sesshomaru watched with wide eyes as he saw her body start glowing red.

She then placed her hand on Naruki's face. "I NO LONGER LOVE YOU!!!" She then sent a blast of energy into his face, making him fly backwards. She stood up and his gang backed away. Her demonic aura was strong and powerful.

Naruki lay on the ground cringing in pain and holding his face. There was a burned hand print where she had touched him. "Get out! NOW!"

Naruki's gang helped him up and dragged him off the shrine. Serena turned around and face Sesshomaru. She used her energy whip to free him and he flopped to the ground. He sat there before her, staring at her red eyes. "Serena."

The jewel pulsed once and her eyes faded back to their normal golden yellow color. She wobbled around a bit as she stood there. "Ow….My head."

Sesshomaru got up and caught her before she fell. "Are you okay now?"

Serena nodded slowly and he carried her into the house. "What happened? All I remember is that I was getting pissed off at Naruki for insulting you."

"You're demonic powers took over your body. You injured Naruki pretty good."

"Good. I don't want to see that basturd ever again." She then snuggled into his arms.

Sesshomaru smiled. "I'm just glad that you're okay."

Serena smiled and then fell asleep in his arms.

Serena woke up later that afternoon. Sesshomaru was beside her in his modern day cloths. He was wearing denim jeans and a soft blue t-shirt. He smiled when he saw that she was awake. "Hello dearest." He said as he kissed her.

She kissed him back and sat up. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours. That was to be expected. That was the first time I ever saw your full demon side take over."

"I know. It was like I couldn't control myself. It was scary." She said as she looked at him. He could see the she still looked scared.

He sat on the bed with her and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay. At least it's over now."

Serena nodded and kissed him. "Thank you for being there for me."

He smiled and kissed her back with all the love he had for her. "I love you Serena."

"I love you too Sesshomaru."

The two then went down and had dinner with the family. Sesshomaru explained the mating ritual he and Serena were going to be doing tomorrow. Mom smiled and was happy to see that her daughter was getting married, even if it was an odd way of doing it. Souta thought it was gross and Grandpa just nodded. He had gotten more relaxed around Sesshomaru. He treated him the same way as he treated Inuyasha.

The lovers then went up to the attic to get some rest. They would need their strength for tomorrow.


Then next morning, Serena and Sesshomaru went out to the Scared Tree. That's where they planed to mark each other at the same time.

They kissed each other passionately. Sesshomaru pulled her close to him as they stood beneath the tree. He kissed his way down to the spot he needed to mark her between her neck and shoulder and started to nibble at her neck. Serena nibbled the same spot on him, shaking silently from excitement and from his fangs on her skin.

"Ready?" She asked as she kissed the spot on him.

"Yes. Remember to bit down hard. And don't be afraid. It will hurt immensely but we'll survive." He said as he kissed her skin again.

"Okay. On the count of three."

"One." She said as she readied herself to bite him.

"Two." He was shaking slightly as he stared at her neck.

"Three!" Both said as they sank their teeth into each other.

Serena winced in pain as he bite her. The taste of his blood flowed into her mouth. She did as he told her to and kept her hold on him with her teeth. He had told her to keep biting him until he stopped bleeding. She could feel him sucking on her as he bit her. She started to do them same on him, drinking his blood as it flowed into her mouth.

He held her tightly as he bit her. He could sense that she was in pain but kept biting her. He was also in pain from her fangs in his skin.

A few minutes of pain later, he finally pulled his fangs out of her skin and licked her wound. "It's alright love. You can stop biting me now."

Serena slowly pulled her fang out of his skin and was panting. "That was very painful." She said as she held onto him. "I feel really lightheaded."

Sesshomaru had them sit down before she fainted. He then took out a cloth and placed it on her mark. "It's alright. It's over now."

Serena nodded and licked the blood off her teeth. "Now what happens?"

"My blood will run through your veins soon. I don't know if it will make you a full demon or not. But at least we're marked now."

Serena nodded and licked the blood that was slowly oozing out of his mark. "Are you sure I'm going to be okay."

Sesshomaru nodded. He was also starting to feel dizzy and lightheaded. She soon passed out from the blood lose and so did he.

About an hour later, Souta came out and took a picture of them together as they slept. He did it for his own reasons and knew that Serena would love the picture.

Her head was laying on his chest and his chin was resting on her head, his arm protectively around her shoulders.

Souta smiled and then went back into the house to print out the picture.

It wasn't until later that night when the demon lovers finally woke up. Serena was the first to wake up. She slowly moved and looked up at him. He looked just like he did when she first saw him asleep.

She laid her head back down on his chest. She winced as she moved. The mark on her collar wasn't healed yet and she still felt very weak from all the blood she lost.

She could here his heart beating softly in his chest. She smiled and kept listening to the rhythmic sound in his body.

A few minutes later, Sesshomaru gasped as he suddenly woke up. "What happened?"

Serena giggled. "I think you passed out from blood loss." It hurt to move her neck as she looked up at him.

Sesshomaru smiled at the mark he left on her. "I guess I did….Mrs. Taisho."

"Taisho?" She was confused by the name.

"Yes. It's my last name. I just prefer that everyone calls me Sesshomaru instead of Taisho." He said as he stroked her hair. His hand felt really heavy and weak as he moved it. I guess my strength hasn't returned yet.

Serena snuggled close to him as they sat under the Sacred Tree. "Serena Taisho. I like the sound of that."

Sesshomaru smiled softly and kissed her lovingly on the lips.

"Sesshomaru." She said as she looked up into his golden eyes. "I still feel really weak."

"I know. I do too. I've never felt so weak in my life."

"Can you try and get up? It gets really cold out here during the winter."

Sesshomaru nodded and tried his best to get up off the ground. His whole body felt weak as he tried to stand. He leaned against the tree once he was up. "I don't….know if…..i can make it….to the house." He panted as he stood there.

Serena struggled to stand up and leaned against the tree with him. "If we…work together….Maybe we…can make it."

Sesshomaru nodded and wrapped an arm around her. Serena put an arm around him and both moved slowly to the house. The sun was setting fast as they made their way to the house. They were already starting to feel cold as they were half way to the house.

But they soon reached the house and Serena opened the door. "Mom!"

Mrs. Higurashi came running into the room. "Oh my goodness. Serena what happened to you two."

"I'll explain….later…..help Sesshomaru….to my room." She said as both she and Sesshomaru collapsed in the doorway.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded and helped Sesshomaru to stand back up. She then helped him up the stairs as Serena sat against the wall. Souta saw her and went to get a glass of water. "Here sis." He said when he came back with a glass of water.

Serena thanked him and took the glass from him. She drank the cold water slowly and then gave him back the glass as her mother returned for her.

"Sesshomaru passed out the moment I set him down on the bed. I think just think he's tired and went to sleep." Her mother said as she helped her daughter to stand.

"Yeah….we both….marked each other…..We….are both…very weak….from the experience." She said as her mother dragged her up the stairs.

Mrs. Higurashi helped her daughter up the stairs to the attic and placed her on the bed with Sesshomaru. He was out cold on the bed as his mate lay beside him.

"Well sleep well dearest. I'll close the attic stairs so no one can disturb you while you two sleep." Mrs. Higurashi said as she went down the stairs.

Serena smiled and went to sleep next to Sesshomaru.