Hey guys! Finally finished chapter 4! Would have finished it sooner but I didn't feel well.

Thank you to everyone that is following this story and a big thank you to Lunarose jodes for your review! Really helped motivate me to finish this chapter.

I hope it doesn't disappoint~

Enjoy! 3

Protect

"Too late child. No other choice but to fight now. Release me." Ten no Ikari's power pulsed from her chest, causing the marking on her chest to glow.

"No! Only as a last resort." Tsubaki refused to go back on all her hard work. Whether the clan starts to believe she is in control or not. She worked so hard to gain control. So hard not to give into the swords desire to rid the world of evil. She knew as well as anyone that the world must have balance. For there to be balance, there must be both good and evil. Light and darkness. Tsubaki only wanted to intervene if a greater evil was throwing everything out of balance.

Sesshomaru suppressed a growl that threatened to thunder from his throat when he heard a deep sickening voice come from the treeline. He was once again rendered both confused and angry. The yokai was unable to continue his questioning with Tsubaki nor was he able to fully process what she had just told him. All because he has now gained unwanted visitors. Visitors that he didn't sense coming. How was that possible? He was powerful. In all the centuries he's been alive, he has yet to encounter another being that surpassed him. Not since the half-breed, Naraku. Despite his stoic facade, he was rather annoyed with the outcomes that followed since meeting Tsubaki. She is able to conceal so much from him. Now there are beings on his land that he didn't sense.

"Yet she was able to sense them" His beast growled out through clenched teeth.

Sesshomaru could feel his beast pounding against his cage, wanting to be freed. Wanting to protect what is his. Wait, his? The yokai almost grimaced at this. The mysterious ningen was not his. He didn't want a mate. Didn't need a mate. Didn't desire having pups. Not that he'd admit it, but not since his ward, Rin passed all those centuries ago. Sesshomaru was brought out of his thoughts when he finally noticed the woman he was still holding onto was shaking. If she has the power he believes her to possess, why was she afraid of these trespassers that seemed to be after her? When he turned to looked down at her with his piercing gold eyes, he found that she was looking up at him. Then, he saw that her chest was glowing.

"Sesshomaru…" She almost sounded like she was in pain. This made his chest feel like something was clenching it. He could feel his beast fight harder to get loose.

"Mate is in pain! Must protect!" His beast roared.

Slowly, almost mockingly the Guardians emerged from the treeline and into the cleaning before the yokai's home. Tsubaki gently tugged her arm free from Sesshomaru's loosened grip to face them. "How many times must I tell you? I am not a threat!" She said as she stepped towards them, trying not to reveal too much to the yokai behind her.

"Not a threat!? As long as you are in possession of Ten no Ikari, you will always be a threat!" One of the Guardians glared at her as they all took a fighting stance.

Tsubaki's shoulders fell in defeat as she sighed before taking a defensive stance.

"Don't be a fool! Release me!" Ten no Ikari's echoing voice made her marking tingle.

She didn't need Ten no Ikari. She would not stoop so low. Would not waste all her hard work just because she wished to be left alone. She wanted to know peace again but killing them won't gain her that. No, they would only send more people after her. Only prove the clan elders right if she killed any of the Guardians.

"Ten no Ikari? I thought that sword was destroyed just after father took the throne…" The yokai narrowed his eyes at the men. He would have to do some research after this.

Sesshomaru watched the scene before him carefully while trying to keep his beast in check. The ningen wasn't in danger. With being so focused on the men in front of her, Sesshomaru could feel power vibrating from her. One of the five men made the first move, which caused the others to advance on the woman that was only a few feet in front of him. He scoffed at the fact that all five men had a weapon to take on just one female ningen. But was quite surprised by the speed they had for being ningens. Could he even call them ningens? They were not like any ningens he ever met before. He knew they were not monks and that Tsubaki wasn't a miko. They were definitely not yokai. So what were these beings that were fighting before him?

Tsubaki did her best to dodge the Guardian's and keep as much distance as possible. Delivering a punch or a kick here and there. Even though she was quite confident in her abilities, she will always be anxious when it came to fighting the Guardians. Why? Well that's easy, she refused to release Ten no Ikari or use any weapons on them, on the people she called family for thirteen years. Though it was obvious that they didn't care what they used. Whatever it took to take her down. Even if it meant fighting dirty. Which is why they almost always showed up in a group of ten but no less than four. You would think that was a tad bit extreme just to bring her down.

With each dodge, she could feel herself getting more and more exhausted. Not because of the Guardians but because she was fighting to keep Ten no Ikari under control. The glowing from under her dress got to the point that you could easily tell what the marking was. Ten no Ikari's sign. The mark of their bond. Their connection to each other. Even in death.

'If she is indeed in possession of Ten no Ikari… Why not use it?' The yokai thought in confusion, noticing that her speed was decreasing.

"Mate need us!" He could hear his beast starting to sound more feral, could feel that he was in distress. Sesshomaru refused to save the woman just because his beast believed her to be his mate. Though he felt that way, he felt control of his body waiver, almost flashing to her when she got thrown across the clearing. Her pained yelp echoing around him when her body finally stopped rolling across the grass as her body slammed into a tree.

"Lost all your fight? Finally realizing that you are in fact a threat!" One of the men said mockingly as they approach her. "Kazuma should have ended you the moment Ten no Ikari starting calling out to you."

"She's refusing to harm those from the clan she spoke about. Wanting to prove she is not a threat to the world. Go to her aid now pup!" His beast rattled its cage, fearing for Tsubaki's safety. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously, "No. If she chooses to not use Ten no Ikari and dies because of it. That is of no concern of mine. Foolish girl."

Tsubaki coughed as she moved to her knees, holding her right side while using her free hand to wipe the tiny bit of blood from her cheek. "I will never lose my fight. I will not return to that prison." She managed to say, though her voice came out in heavy breaths. The marking on her chest no longer tingled, it burned. Ten no Ikari wanted her to release it. To properly defeat herself.

The men laughed, "She thinks we were being sent after to all these years to bring her back." The leader finally said before chuckling darkly. "No you stupid bitch. We were sent to dispose of you. To rid the world of Ten no Ikari. Now that you two are bonded forever, it will disappear from this world with you." The leader said as he raised his weapon and quickly swing to take her down. Though he didn't get inflict the fatal wound he was going for, Tsubaki pushing her body to the left as to avoid such a fatal wound. But that didn't mean she went uninjured, blood slowly flowed down her arm and dripped to the ground from her fingertips. Tsubaki stared at the men, panting as she felt Ten no Ikari's power leaking heavily from the mark. Trying to release itself when the leader voiced the threat against Tsubaki life and Ten no Ikari.

Power vibrated madly from Tsubaki's body. Sesshomaru could feel her power from where he stood but that is not what shocked him. Angered him. "They mean to kill our mate! Must protect!" His beast roar echoed through Sesshomaru's whole being. Making him see red as well as lose control of his beast. Flashing to stand between the five men and what is his. Blood red eyes glancing at Tsubaki then her wound before glaring at the men. They stepped back slightly, not because of the red eyes since they couldn't see it thanks to the glamour ring. No they were confused as to how he appeared before them. "What...How did he.." The man closest to Sesshomaru didn't let him finish as he flashed to him, cutting the man's throat with his clawed hand.

"He just cut Jin's throat without a weapon." Another tried to say as calmly as possible though the yokai could smell fear rolling off of the younger man. Obviously new and hasn't been informed that yokai still exist. The leader narrowed his eyes at three men that were backing away, "Remember your training. It would seem the bitch has been shagging up with a yokai." His voice dripped with disgust.

Sesshomaru flashed behind the men, snapping one's neck before moving to the leader. The yokai dug his claws into the man's right arm and began to pull as he released poison from his claws but only a small dose because he wanted the man to suffer, causing the arrogant man to scream out in pain. "Sesshomaru! Please no more!" Tsubaki cried out to him as she weakly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "He's not worth it." She whispered, resting her cheek against his back.

Sesshomaru growled, glaring at the man he still held in his death grip. Reluctantly, he tossed the leader to the last two unharmed men. "Get off my land." He roared, making the two scramble to get their leader and disappeared into the treeline.

When Sesshomaru had appeared in front of her to separate the Guardians from her, Tsubaki had been stunned. He stayed out of it all this time. What made him interfere so suddenly? Then she saw his red eyes. What made him lose control of his beast? Before she could move to try to stop him, he had already killed one of them.

"The yokai already knows too much. Take him and the Guardians down." Ten no Ikari urged her.

"No. He won't tell." She replied softly as she forced herself to move from her spot against the tree she was leaning against. Then she saw his reaction to what the leader of the Guardians had said. Was the yokai upset because he accused them of being together? That had to be it Tsubaki concluded. His beast had to be pretty upset about these unwanted guests being on his land. She had to stop him though. This would surely make the clan send more. More than the amount of Guardians usually send after her once they hear about her knowing a yokai. So she willed her legs to move despite the burning. Despite her blood loss. She needed to stop him from doing more harm than good.

Once the three remaining Guardians had disappeared into the treeline, she moved to stand in front of him. His eyes were still red but she noticed that they weren't as dark. "Sesshomaru. It's fine. They are gone. No longer on your land." She whispered, her hand moving to cup his cheek against her will and her thumb gently brushed against the stripes that no one could see. Tsubaki didn't know why she was doing this but it just felt right.

"It is not fine. You are injured."

The way Sesshomaru's voice sounded and the words that came from his mouth caused Tsubaki to freeze. Not because she was scared. No, the yokai's aura was not threatening. It was because she couldn't believe he was concerned for her. A smile graced her slightly scratched and bruised face. "It's nothing life threatening." She tried to reassure him. Though she did feel quite weak from fighting both the Guardian and against Ten no Ikari. Tsubaki didn't even notice when the burning and glowing from the mark stopped. Nor did she know how to reaction when the yokai picked her up bridal style and licked the blood from her cheek.

"The whelp should have gone to your aid. He should have protected you." His voice was deep but soft as he spoke against her cheek.

Awww Sessh come on she's not foolish. She's trying her best in a bad situation.

Bad Ten no Ikari still trying to get Tsubaki to kill Sessh

Those Guardian guys are pretty mean as well. Thought they were suppose to be the good guys.

Well thank the gods that Sesshomaru's beast was able to gain control to save Tsubaki from not only the Guardians but Ten no Ikari as well.

Yay!

Hope you guys enjoyed chapter 4. Wonder what will happen next time on "My choice"~ Ohhh exciting I know! Haha

Be sure to leave a review or fav/follow. Motivate me people! Also thinking about doing a special side chapter after maybe two more? Idk let me know what you guys think and what you want the special chapter between Tsubaki and Sesshomaru to be about. Halloween? Thanksgiving? Christmas? New years? A vacation? Etc. Let me know in the reviews guys~

Love you guys~ -back to typing I promise- 333