Hello everyone here is the long awaited finale chapter. I am sorry it took so long to complete but with a newborn I hardly was able to think straight much less create an ending for this story. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 18

Akemi stood at the window of her rooms, looking out over her people going about their daily duties. If you did not know the people you would never realize that they were on high alert.

Tensions ran high but still her people lived and laughed and prospered. And that was the most important thing to her. She wanted her people to be safe and happy. They had known too much hardship these last few decades.

Willing herself to relax she went about getting ready for the day. No doubt she would be dealing with Sesshomaru's mother again, like she had been everyday these last few weeks.

The woman was nothing short of nerve racking. She never showed any emotions and insisted on pointing out things that she thought could be done better. Akemi's personal favorite was how she thought Akemi needed to be sequestered away until she gave birth to the future Lord of the Western Lands.

Akemi snorted. Like she would let anyone lock her away ever again. She would claw the eyes out of anyone who tried. She had grown bolder under Sesshomaru's loving care. She no longer feared stating her opinion or taking charge of a situation that needed attention.

She just wished she could just do something more for her mate then sit around and wait for attack. But short of using herself for bate she honestly didn't believe anything would bring Lord Tomo out before he was ready.

Sesshomaru himself was even more uptight then usual due to the looming attack. The man kept no less than two guards on her when he was not near. Akemi knew he wanted nothing more than to wrap up things here so that he could hall her back to the Western Lands where he knew she would be safe. He had already expressed his need for her to spend her final months there before birthing their pup so that they could den in. It was something most canine demons did to create a bonding atmosphere with the growing pup.

Akemi also knew it was because he would feel better with her in his den and with his most loyal men there to guard her and their pup so nothing else could happen to endanger her or the pup.

A small part of Akemi wished she could have the pup here where she grew up and was birthed herself. She knew if she really wanted to her mate would let her but he would no doubt be a wreck the whole time. He would be constantly on guard and waiting for some new enemy to attack.

That was definitely not how she wanted how she wanted to bring her pup into the world. So she would wait for Tomo to show himself and then she would go back to the Western Lands with her mate.

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Sesshomaru was done with this waiting game. It had been two weeks since his mother had shown up on his doorstep and that was two weeks two long for his taste. He was itching to sink his claws into his enemy. With the knowledge of Akemi bearing his pup his beast was demanding he eradicate any threat to his mate and pup.

Striding across the courtyard he watched and waited. His men went about their daily routine of training and standing guard at the newly repaired walls. He knew they were all on edge just waiting for something to happen and the waiting was making them all antsy. He did not care for it.

Then of course he had his mother lurking about. She had adamantly refused to leave until Lord Tomo made his move. She had stated her reasons being she wanted to make sure his mate and pup were thoroughly protected.

He of course could not fault her for that but he also did not believe that that was the real reason for her extended stay. No matter how much he may not like having his mother underfoot he knew she had struck the one weakness he had. The need to see his pupped mate safe.

He could not wait to get her back to his home and safely tucked into his rooms with a platoon of his most loyal guards in place to protect her. No doubt Akemi would balk at being followed about with a set of guards but she would humor it for him for she knew that to him she was the most precious thing in the world.

Tomo needed to show himself soon or Sesshomaru's beast would be unleashed. It already paced restlessly in its cage. It did not care for the goings on any more than Sesshomaru did himself. The need to den in with his mate was strong and she wasn't even far along in her pregnancy. He had a feeling that in the coming months it would only get worse.

Shaking off is mood he went to the castles study to meet with his new steward and Daisuke.

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Akemi had managed to go most of the day without running into her mother in law. She was not proud to say that she had hidden upon more than one occasion from the woman.

Sighing, she settled in front of the fireplace and propped her feet up. Dinner would be announced soon and she would have to face the dreaded woman whether she wanted to or not. Why could she not have gotten a sweet, warm, and welcoming mother in law?

"Ahh there you are Akemi. One would almost believe you are hiding from me if I did not know better." And speak of the devil she mused.

Akemi plastered on a fake smile as she turned to look at her monster in law. "My lady I have been seeing to somethings around the castle today. I know Sesshomaru will want to travel back to the West as soon as we are able so I was making sure things would be settled here before we leave."

Sesshomaru's mother raised one delicate eyebrow as though silently showing just how much she doubted that. "Well isn't that smart of you. But really pupped females should be relaxing in their rooms. Why Sesshomaru's father kept me denned in as soon as he found out as I was pupped."

Akemi just barely managed to keep from rolling her eyes. Placing a demure look on her face she replied, "Of course these circumstances are a little different. Bringing a castle back to order, impending war, and needing to have everything in place for when we leave does not exactly leave one time for resting." 'Take that you old bird', she thought.

Sesshomaru's mother gave her a smirk. " That's even more of a reason for you to den in my dear. Sesshomaru has enough to worry about without adding you wandering barely guarded."

Akemi gritted her teeth but was saved from saying something that she would regret by Kayo. "My lady dinner is set to be served. My lord wished for me to escort you to the dinning hall."

Silently thanking the woman, Akemi nodded and followed her out of the room.

Sesshomaru stood handsome and regal next to her chair, ready to pull it out when she was ready. Akemi gave him a loving smile and sat. He slid her chair up to the table before dropping a kiss to her head and taking his own seat. She wondered briefly if she would ever get used to the Sesshomaru she first met turning into this affectionate creature.

Dinner, like it had the last two weeks, droned by slowly. The men talked of plans and back up plans for when Tomo would show himself. How could they not be tired of planning and strategizing? They had been doing it for weeks. The gods only knew how many contingency plans they had in place.

Daisuke gave her a small smile when he saw her yawn. " Little Akemi I am sorry we are boring you with these discussions. I know in your state you want nothing more than to spend time with your mate."

Sesshomaru chuckled as she blushed. She had been more affectionate and needy these last few weeks. Sesshomaru of course loved it. He practically strutted around like the only cock in a hen house.

"It is okay really I understand the importance of these talks. You need to have every possibility analyzed. I am just ready for it to all be over."

Sesshomaru patted her hand. "Soon my little wolf. It will all be over soon and then we can return to the West and relieve my brother. I just hope he hasn't run my lands into the ground while we were gone."

Akemi smiled at her mates joke. It was so nice to see him relaxed like this. These last few days it was like he had regressed to his old self. She knew it was only because of the anxiety and stress going around the castle but it was still sad to see. She liked the Sesshomaru that had come out of his cold shell more.

"Well little wolf shall we retire to our rooms? I can't have my mate falling asleep at the table." Akemi blushed again at his teasing but nodded and took his out stretched hand.

Sesshomaru tucked her closely into his side as they made their way to their rooms. She loved the feel of his solid warm body next to her. It made her want to drag him to their bed and ravish him.

Unfortunately the days events had wiped her out. As soon as Sesshomaru helped her disrobed she was tucked into bed and out in seconds.

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Sesshomaru looked down at his sleeping mate. She tried to do too much. Their pup was taking her energy and she was refusing to slow down. And that was just one more reason for him to kill Tomo. His mate needed a calm atmosphere to settle and relax her.

Restless Sesshomaru made his way over to the window and stared out into the night willing something to happen. He was so tired of waiting and with his beast refusing to settle down he could not sleep.

Almost as if the gods had heard his plea he watched the shapes slither over the outer wall and "take out" his guards. His guards stayed down and let the scene unfold. Seconds later the heavy wooden gates were eased open. It looked like contingency plan 5 was going into play.

Sesshomaru let loose a terrifying smile. One that would have struck fear into his enemies and sent them scurrying home. He was finally going to get to sink his fangs into his enemy.

Sliding on his armor he strode out of his chambers and alerted the guard at his door to stand watch over his mate. Next he made he strode down the hall and alerted the other guards to the situation at hand. His men went into action silently.

After weeks of planning and waiting everything was finally being set into motion. Guards arranged themselves at check points and extra men went to guard his mate. Females and children were woken from their beds and ushered into safe rooms.

Lord Tomo had no idea what he was about to walk into.

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Lord Tomo sat back in the shadows as he watched his men scale the outer wall and open the gates. Just as was promised they met no resistance. Had he not made Sesshomaru's mother swear a blood oath he would have thought it was too easy.

The old bitch was cagey for sure. And for that reason he had altered his plan a little. He still had a poison he was fairly sure could kill even Sesshomaru but he was no longer making Sesshomaru his primary target.

No he knew that if he could get his hands on Akemi he would have all the leverage he needed. Smiling crazily he thought of having the bitch all to himself. He would make her regret ever running away.

His hideout was still safe and hidden so as long as he could capture his prey then he was in the clear.

Waiting in the shadows a little longer he finally got the signal he was looking for. His men had breached the inner baily and were making their way into the castle.

Slinking along the shadows he made his way down the wall bypassing the open door. He had no intentions of going in the easy way and risk being spotted. No his only hope was to climb the rope ladder closer to the Lords chambers. He had sent it in with one of his men with strict instructions on when and where to place it.

Scaling his way up the ladder he made it to the walkway and followed it down to a turret. He smiled even wider when he saw several of Sesshomaru's guards knocked unconscious and tied up. Served the bastards right.

It didn't take long to make his way to where he needed to be. Looking up he spotted the open window that he needed to go through. Unleashing his claws he began to scale the rock wall.

It was by no means an easy task for a demon his age and weight but the promise of the reward awaiting him renewed his determination. He hauled his considerable bulk up inch by inch. By the time he made it to the window he was out of breath and sweating profusely.

He cursed the day Sesshomaru was ever born. He should not have had to do any of this. He was a Great Lord and his original plan should have worked. Things had always gone his way. But no here he was filthy and sweaty, sneaking into this little bitches room.

Hooking his claws over inside he hauled himself up enough to peak inside. He grinned when he saw the figure curled up on the bed. White hair shined in the moonlight and illuminated her delicate figure.

A cursory search of the room showed that no one else was inside but he knew she would have guards nearby. Sesshomaru would never leave his mate unguarded. But he had done what Tomo knew he would and that was leave to go hunt him down. He no doubt believed that Tomo was lurking around the house ready to strike from a corner.

The brat would never suspect that Tomo would come in the most unconventional way possible. That was Sesshomaru's first mistake. Not learning after the spider demons abduction of his mate was his second.

Heaving his considerable bulk through the window and into the room, he sighed in relief at his feet finally touching the solid floor. That was not a climb he ever wanted to attempt again. Sheathing his claws he wiped the sweat off his brow and crept his way over to Akemi.

He peered down at her flawless face and nearly drooled. Placing a hand over her sweet little mouth he placed a slim blade to her neck. Tapping it on her jugular he waited for her to wake up.

He took great delight in watching her brow crease in confusion before her eyes fluttered open. The moment he saw her face register his presence was pure ecstasy to him. Her eyes widened in horror as her body stiffened.

He let loose another evil grin and wagged the blade in front of her face. "Ahh now be quiet and my dear and I wont have to cut that pretty little throat of yours, understand?" Akemi's eyes filled with even more fear and he reveled in it. "Now listen to me you little bitch I want you to stand up very slowly and don't make any sudden movements. Do you understand?" He waited for her to nod before he backed up a step and motioned for her to stand.

As she rose he noticed she wore only a thin covering and he could see her sweet little body clearly through the fabric. His grin grew as she tried to cover herself from his prying eyes. "Now why would you try to hide yourself from me? Soon enough I will have that lovely little body underneath me. I will know every inch of you and you will be powerless to stop me."

Akemi flinched at his words and he nearly chuckled in delight. Too bad he had to whisper to keep noise to a minimum or he would take the little bitch in Sesshomaru's own bed.

How amazing would that have been? For Sesshomaru to come looking for his mate only to find his scent on the sheets and his mates blood? His taking her later would have to suffice for now he needed to escape with his head attached.

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Akemi was trying her best to keep calm but it was hard. All her confidence had faded as she felt the tip of Tomo's blade against her neck. It was like she was a helpless female slave to her uncle all over again. Only this time she knew if Tomo got her out of this castle her mate might not ever find her.

She had to play this smart. She had to keep her cool and not let him get her out of this castle. So for now she would play along with whatever Tomo wanted and bide her time. When the moment was right she would make her move. She would not be a victim again she had to find her inner beast and let it guide her. There was no way she was going to let this monster take her no matter how scared she was, she had a pup depending on her.

Shaking Akemi did as Tomo bid her to do and stood slowly. "Please Lord Tomo, don't do this. I will give you anything you want." Akemi let her voice tremble a little to play into her act. Though if she was honest it didn't take much to do it. She really was scared for her life. This demon was not sane in the least.

Tomo just sneered at her request. "Bitch I want everything and we both know that the only way for me to get it is you. No one will recognize my claim to your money or lands without it."

Taking a shaky breath she tried to stall him longer. "But I am mated to Sesshomaru now. His claim to my lands and money has already been recognized. Stealing me will not change that."

Tomo glared at her, his face turning a deep red and his gaze growing wild with madness. "Do you think I am stupid? I know that you insulant little pup. I am going to use you as bait and when your mate comes charging in to save the day I am going to kill him and mate you myself. How do you feel about that?"

Akemi did not like that plan at all. "Sesshomaru has men all throughout the castle there is no way you can just walk out with me. Surely you see this plan is madness?" She knew for a fact that if Sesshomaru left her alone then there were at least half a dozen guards at the door to guard her.

Tomo laughed at her words and stepped closer trailing the cold blade down her throat. "I already thought of that. If they wish to see their lady alive they will have to stand down. And if you think I don't smell his pup in you then you are dumber then I previously thought. There is no way any guards will risk me killing their alpha's pupped female. And don't worry darling that pup won't be an issue for long. My first order of business will be to rid you of it."

A cold chill raced down her spine at his words. She would sooner die then meekly sit there and let this monster kill her pup. No she was going to get out of this one way or another.

Playing the scared helpless female she let Tomo lead her through the chambers to the door. "Now slowly open that door and tell those guards to back away and lay down their weapons. If they try anything I will slice your pretty little neck wide open."

Reaching out slowly Akemi opened the heavy wooden door. The guards on the other side all turned to look at her and went still at the sight of a blade placed at her neck. But only she knew Tomo would never make good on his promise. He needed her alive or all this would have been for nothing.

Taking a deep breath she recited the speech Tomo had just told her and watched as the men stepped back and cleared the way for them. She could see the furious looks in their eyes. They had not planned for this.

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Sesshomaru battled with his men against the swarm of warriors in his castle. No sooner had they entered then his men had retaken the wall and secured the gate. Tomo's men were trapped inside and at his mercy now. And everyone knew that he had none.

As his men made short work of unarming the intruders Sesshomaru searched for his own target. Of course there was a chance that Lord Tomo had not come and entrusted the poison to another but his gut told him that the weasel was here somewhere. No way would Tomo not want to see the fruits of his labor.

Once he was sure his men had things handled he made his way inside. His guards inside had taken care of the few intruders that had made it into the castle. But before he could get an update a young demon guard ran into the room.

The wide eyed guard scoured the room and fixed his gaze onto him. "My lord he is in the castle! Lord Tomo has her my lord!"

The roar Sesshomaru released reverberated throughout the castle. Walls shook and all the action in the castle ceased. The most feared beast in the lands had just been unleashed. There would be hell to pay.

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Akemi nearly smiled when she heard her mates roar. Lord Tomo was not going to make it out of this castle alive.

She felt Tomo's grip on her arm tighten, leaving bruises. They had not made it halfway through the castle yet and that was a problem. They still needed to reach the kitchens to even try to make an escape out the back way. But Sesshomaru's roar made it clear that there was no way they would reach it in time for Tomo to escape with his prize.

Tomo's wild eyes widened and were replaced by true fear. When a demon like Sesshomaru released his beast it meant that someone was going to die. And Tomo knew it was going to be him. He had been so close, so sure.

Pulling at his hair he screamed, "No not know I will not lose now!" Reaching into a hidden pocket in his coat he grabbed an odd shaped vile and Akemi felt her own fear grow. What was he planning to do with that? She whad no intentions of sticking around to find out.

Suddenly she could hear the pounding of feet rushing toward them and she knew she had to make her move. It was now or never. Calling on her inner beast she struck out and landed a blow to Tomo's midsection with her foot.

Despite her smaller size Tomo stumbled back. He had not been expecting the attack from his helpless prey. And while he was reeling from that she managed to twist her arm free and unleashed her claws.

Calling forth her power she unleashed a freezing blast that hurled Tomo back several feet before turning and fleeing. She ran as fast as her body would allow her and refused to stop even when she heard the cursing behind her.

Just as she was about to round a corner she felt something hit her on her left shoulder. She screamed in pain as a burning liquid seeped into her skin. What the hell?

The pain was instant and crippling she stumble forward and tried to keep moving but her legs were quickly giving out as her vision dimmed before going black. The last thing she heard before she was pulled under was Lord Tomo's insane laughter and her mates roar of pain and rage.

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Sesshomaru recognized his mates scent and followed it through the halls of the castle. It was clear that Tomo thought he could sneak his mate out the back entrance. Sesshomaru had that entrance covered barring a large group of Tomo's men taking out the he had stationed there.

He knew that Tomo was notorious for managing to slip his way out of tight situations. Sesshomaru was determined the weasel wasn't going to slip out of this one. No he was finally going to pay the piper.

Zeroing in on their sent Sesshomaru nearly ran over his mate. He just barely had time to catch her before she fell to the floor. The stench of poison covered her right shoulder. He could already see where it had seared her flesh and seeped in. His beast roared in rage. His already red eyes glowed darker and his claws and fangs lengthened even further. His beast was incensed at the sight of its hurt mate.

He growled as Daisuke came skidding to a halt next to them. Daisuke smartly bared his throat to show his submission. "Please my lord hand her to me and take care of Tomo. I will see she is tended to by the healers."

Sesshomaru's beast wanted to cradle his mate to him but his thirst for vengeance was even stronger. No one was allowed to hurt his mate and walk away alive.

Carefully her placed Akemi into Daisuke's arms and went to finish his business with Tomo. It was time for him to die.

Within seconds creams of terror and pain could be heard throughout the castle. Sesshomaru's men flinched at the sounds. Blood would coat the walls red.

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None of the castles healers knew what poison had been used on their lady. Every cure they knew of had been tried but nothing appeared to be working. Sesshomaru had even tried licking the wound but to no avail.

His beast whimpered and wanted to curl around his mate. He could not lose her. She had become his life. They had been destined for another. He could not and would not survive without her.

His mother had disappeared in all the confusion and had yet to be located. Why was it the one time he needed her she was nowhere to be found?

Laying down in bed he pulled his mate to him and despaired as her breathing continued to slow. He could barely hear her or the pups heartbeat. How could he lose them both? He has just found them.

Weeping the healers left the room so that he could spend his last moments with his mate alone.

"My little wolf please don't leave me. I need you to survive now. You are my heart and my soul. My life holds no meaning without you. I was but a shell of a demon without you."

In that moment Sesshomaru felt a loss so profound it was crippling. Tears filled his golden eyes and spilled over. For the first time in his life he cried. He cried for his mate, for the life they would never have, and for the pup he would never get to hold.

His tears fell down his face and onto his mate. The closer he held her the harder he cried. His beast howled with pain and sorrow. And his tears began to saturate the bandage on her shoulder.

Blue liquid began to bubble and ooze out from under the bandage. The stench burned his sensitive nose and he jerked his head up and looked at the source of it.

Seeing the blue ooze on Akemi's shoulder he ripped off the bandage. Shock swept through him as he watched the poison being purged from the wound. Blinking, more of his tears fell into the open wound and more poison was purged from her wounds. Soon the wound began to close and Sesshomaru was crying for a whole other reason. Letting the tears come and fall he made sure they hit his mates wound.

With in minutes the wound was purged clean and healed leaving not even a blemish on her smooth skin. Sesshomaru prayed to every god and goddess he knew of. He prayed that they would perform a miracle and bring her back from the brink of death. He prayed that the poison had not already done too much damage to be reversed.

Pressing his ear to his mates' chest he listened for the sound of her heartbeat. His own heart began to race at he heard his mates own heartbeat grow slowly stronger along with their pups.

Cradling his mate gingerly to him he let out a howl of triumph and the castle let out a collective breath. All was once again right in their world.

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Hey you guys should know I was going to give you a happy ending but I bet those last few scenes scared you lol. The epilogue will be coming soon I promise! I hoped you enjoyed this update and I really appreciate all the positive encouragement as I wrote this story. My readers are truly the best!3