Okay! Chapter 11 was interesting, and I really hope our heroes can save Kagome and the pups before it is too late! Serafina's parents are coming, and I wonder how they are going to feel about Sesshomaru? We will see. Thanks for reading and keep those reviews coming!

Chapter 12

Shen stared at his old friend in disgust. He could not believe that his most trusted guard and second in command betrayed him and the Empress for what? He was determined to get to the bottom of this because Kagome and her pups were in danger. He grabbed the whip and started lashing at Hanosuke's back; the man screamed but kept quiet despite the stinging pain. Shen knew if Empress Serafina came down, there would be hell to pay especially since she was known to show no mercy to traitors, so he kept going until Hanosuke talked. He then asked his friend a question.

"Tell me Hanosuke, was it worth it?! You kidnapped the sister-in-law of Lord Sesshomaru and the mate of Inuyasha, the hanyou who defeated Naraku! What was your motive? Tell me and maybe the Empress will spare your life" said Shen, who with every lashing, grew angrier and angrier. Shen had been courting a maid in the castle named Ruka, a beautiful fox demon and planned to mate with her along with starting a family. If anything was to happen to her, he would kill the person who dared tried to harm her. Hanosuke, after being quiet, started to talk.

"Kyoran promised me power, money, and a high-ranking position in his army if I kidnapped the miko, but I didn't expect her to have given birth to pups, so the pups were a consolation prize. I have always been in your shadow, Shen. The Empress trusts you and I should have been the one not you! He plans to make the miko his concubine and Serafina his Queen. With her immortality, Kyoran will be unstoppable. That bitch always saw me as second best to you!" said Hanosuke, grinning maniacally. Shen heard enough and left so he decided to shower. He did not want the stench of blood on him then told the guards to keep an eye on Hanosuke.

"I must tell Serafina about Kyoran's plans for the miko" said Shen as he showered the blood off him. He heard that Lord Haru and Lady Alina were coming to Nadinia so preparations were being made plus he hoped with the little information he got from Hanosuke, they could try to save the miko and her pups.

Lady Alina and her husband Lord Haru came when they got the message from their daughter about what happened. Lady Alina knew of the Shikon Miko and her group who defeated the evil Naraku and the jewel was no more. As they approached the throne room, they heard the footsteps of their daughter who entered the room. Serafina smiled and hugged her mother and father.

"You look happy, my daughter. I see you are finally coming into your seer powers, and you are courting someone?" said Alina, slyly. Haru facepalmed his face into his hands and couldn't help but wonder what man was courting his beautiful youngest daughter. His older daughter Shizuka was mated to a handsome wolf demon named Hanzo who lived in the Southern Mountains and leader of the Southern Wolf Demon tribe. His oldest daughter was expecting her first child so she could not travel. Haru smiled when he saw Lord Sesshomaru who gently kissed his daughter's hand and noticed the blush on her face.

"Sesshomaru, my boy, it has been a while! So, you are courting my beautiful youngest daughter, Serafina. I must say congratulations and you two will make a wonderful couple" said Haru with a big smile on his face. Sesshomaru noticed Haru hadn't changed much. His hair was still black although he seemed to age a little in his facial features looking only as if he was in his forties. He then turned to Alina, Serafina's mother whose beauty was stunning for a human. His mother might have competition. Alina had long black hair down to her back, her beautiful brown eyes, and medium-caramel skin. She wore a jade green kimono with silver heels and a silver comb in her hair.

"Well, Sesshomaru, aren't you handsome? Just like your father and since you and my daughter plan to become mates soon, I know anymore grandchildren you give us would be gorgeous!" said Alina; Sesshomaru and Serafina blushed while Inuyasha couldn't help but snicker.

"Congratulations, Inuyasha on your mating and pups but I hope you get your family back. I had a vision about your mate Kagome. It seems like Kyoran has something unsettling planned for her and the pups. I sensed he might use your mate's powers," said Alina. She heard about how Inuyasha and his friends defeated the evil Naraku along the fact she knew his mother Izayoi who was a friend of hers; she was saddened when Izayoi died but was glad that Inuyasha was thriving.

"Thank you, Alina. My mother mentioned you a lot when I was young. You were the one to comforted her and me when people called me a half-breed" said Inuyasha, as memories of her mother played in his head. He already lost his mother; he could not afford to lose Kagome and the pups. Alina comforted him and told him everything would be alright. Syuri came down and hugged her grandparents and introduced her friends and chatted with them. Shen came into the room and approached Serafina.

"My Empress, I managed to get some information out of Hanosuke. He said that he was only supposed to kidnap the miko but took the pups as consolation prizes. He was then told by Kyoran that he would give Hanosuke money, power, and higher rank in his army if he also kidnapped the girls as well. He said that you always considered him second best to me" said Shen as he bowed.

"How about I beat more information out of the bastard?!" said Inuyasha, cracking his knuckles but Sesshomaru halted him and suggested that he would get the information out from him; Sesshomaru gave his brother a sadistic smile. Inuyasha gulped. Sesshomaru never smiled unless he was about to kill someone and if there was one thing, he knew about his older brother was that Sesshomaru was not the one knowing for showing mercy.

"You take care of that, dear. Your father and I will keep an eye on the little ones. Have fun, darling" said Alina with a smile. Haru shuddered. That woman was creepy when she smiled while angry and knew that there was nothing scarier than a woman who hid her anger behind a smile. Serafina gave the same sadistic smile and Inuyasha and Sesshomaru shuddered.

"Remind myself to never piss her off. I can only imagine what horrors she may do to me" thought Sesshomaru. Serafina kissed him.

"Do not worry, love. You'll know when I am angry, but I am glad you are figuring that out now" said Serafina as her heels headed towards the dungeon. As everyone got to the dungeon, the stench of blood hit everyone's noses. Hanosuke raised his head up and his eyes widened in fear as Serafina pulled out her whip and gave a sadistic smile. Sesshomaru looked at her and she gave him a smile.

"Have fun, love" said Sesshomaru who stood back and watched. Hanosuke begged and pleaded. Serafina started whipping his back. The skin on his back started peeling off. Sesshomaru saw the rage in her eyes as she whipped harder. Hanosuke finally broke down.

"I'm sorry, okay?! She and the pups are at Lord Kyoran's castle! He's planning to take the miko as his concubine and you as his Queen plus raise those pups to be killing machines. I just wanted power, money, and a better position! Have mercy on me! I know he has also wanted me to kidnap the girls to coerce you to become his mate so please spare me!" pleaded Hanosuke but Serafina would hear none of it.

"First, you kidnapped my future brother-in-law's mate and children then you tried to take my daughters, yet you plead for mercy?! Thank you for the information, Hanosuke but you will not live to see me kill Kyoran" said Serafina, slowly backing up. Sesshomaru had a feeling she was not going to be merciful.

"Phoenix Fire!" yelled Serafina as she breathed fire from her mouth, burning Hanosuke alive. His screams echoed through the dungeon as Shen, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru watched in horror and fascination. The smell of burned flesh hit their noses as all that was left of Hanosuke was a charred body that disintegrated into ashes. Shen felt no remorse for Hanosuke because instead of being loyal, he chose to betray the Empress and he paid the ultimate price. She requested a servant to sweep the ashes as they headed back towards the throne room. Alina knew what her daughter had did and she did not blame her. Traitors were one thing she hated as well, and she knew that the punishment would be severe; she had a way of punishing traitors. Haru saw his wife in deep thought and knew that she remembered how a female servant tried to seduce him and when Lady Alina heard about it, she branded the word "whore" on the woman's forehead for all to see and the girl left the palace and never heard of again. Luckily, he was very faithful to his beautiful wife and told his wife what happened.

"Mommy, promise me you will come back and Papa Sesshomaru and Uncle Yashie, you better protect our mom or else" said Syuri and Rin together. Inuyasha smiled and said they will. Serafina hugged her parents and her daughters and left to head towards Kyoran's castle. Alina sent a prayer to Kami that her daughter would return and may Kyoran receive his retribution. Alina's eyes turned white and had a vision of Kyoran's head being severed by her daughter and she smiled at her husband.

"I have a feeling that Kyoran will get exactly what he deserves so he might want to stop while he is ahead" said Alina who made a joke. Haru then had an idea and called for his loyal hawk, Tenji who flew to him instantly.

"Tenji, keep an eye on my daughter and have her message me during her travel" said Haru and the hawk flew off. Haru was worried about his daughters and although they were grown, he still saw his daughters as his pride and joy. Alina assured him that everything would be fine, and the couple headed to the children's room to play with them.

At Kyoran's Castle

Kyoran was waiting for Hanosuke to return with his daughter Syuri and Sesshomaru's adoptive daughter Rin, but he never got word from Hanosuke, meaning he was either dead or tricked him. Frustrated, he headed into the room where Kagome was and licked his lips. While Serafina would be his Queen, he would take out his sexual frustrations out on the miko. She would be treated well, and he would screw her while keeping Serafina as well. She was the Shikon Miko and if she and her friends were able to defeat Naraku, her power would be an asset to him, but he needed to break her will; once he had her under his control, she could purify his enemies while Serafina would give him immortality. He saw the miko as she was tending to her pups.

"So, you're Kagome, the Shikon Miko who had defeated Naraku, huh? You could be useful to me, both your power and your body. After killing your mate, maybe I will also take your adopted kit and make him into a mindless solider" sneered Kyoran. Kagome's hand glowed pink until Kyoran took his whip and brought her to his face and kissed her until she bit him. Kyoran slapped her in anger.

"Defy me all you want, bitch! I will have you and Serafina! So, either give into her or I will slaughter your pups" Kyoran said as he pointed his sword to a crying Izayoi. Kagome panicked. He was really going to murder her children before their eyes.

"Please no! Give me time to think about it and I will give you my answer" said Kagome, begging Kyoran at his feet. Kyoran laughed and picked her up.

"Good girl, you're learning your place. Since I am feeling merciful, I will give you three days. If not, say goodbye to your children" said Kyoran as he slammed the door. Kagome calmed her pups with a lullaby, and she pulled out a basket that she made. She had an idea: she would take her pups away from this place and hoped that her pups would be safe but first she had to alert Serafina, so she started to telepathically send a message to Serafina. She prayed to Kami that her children would be protected.

Meanwhile with Serafina, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stopped as they noticed Serafina had stopped. Her eyes turned white, and she started talking.

Kagome

Serafina, I am okay, but Kyoran wants me as a concubine and he gave me three days to decide or he would slaughter my children, I have a plan. I am going to put the pups in a basket that I made and get them away from this place.

Serafina

Kagome, try to bide your time. My scout Ryo said that there is a secret passage in the castle. Use that and take your pups in the basket; I will be sending Tenji to get them. Once the guards fall asleep, take your chance. I promise you this, I will bring you back to your mate.

Kagome

Hurry! Tell Inuyasha that I love him!

The link closed again, and Serafina's eyes were brown once more. She told Sesshomaru and Inuyasha what had happened. Inuyasha punched a nearby tree. Dammit, Kyoran wanted to make Kagome his personal whore and then tried to kill his pups?! He was determined to kill the bastard once and for all. Serafina saw Tenji and summoned him. She also could control her father's hawk as well.

"Tenji, head to Kyoran's castle and there will be a basket with the pups inside. Bring them to me and then I will have you send them to my mother and father" Serafina said as Tenji flew off towards Kyoran's castle. They were getting close to the village and Serafina knew they would have to disguise themselves in order not to alert the guards. Sesshomaru had told Jaken before leaving to protect the children or he would sever Jaken's head. Jaken gulped and obeyed his lord. Serafina planned to use a spell to conceal their demon abilities, making them look human to blend in with the villagers. Sesshomaru was not too keen on this but knew there was no other way, however, Inuyasha was lucky because tonight was the new moon so he would become human. It was already nightfall and Inuyasha's changes started to kick in. His hair became black, his claws disappeared, and his eyes were a grayish-purple color. Serafina was surprised because she had never seen his human form. Serafina chanted her spell on Sesshomaru and showed him his reflection. He had black hair, and brown eyes along with normal fingernails plus he had a kimono that commoners would wear. Inuyasha's outfit was changed to a black haori and black hakama. Serafina had black hair and brown eyes with a simple blue kimono along with a cloaked hood. They headed to the kingdom of Lydia and its village. They were in for a shock.

The village was very solemn and depressing. The people looked miserable, and guards were everywhere; one guard bullied a merchant and took his money, and another was drunk. Kyoran's guards were abusing their power and their people. Kyoran ruled with an iron fist, and no one dared want to go against the ruler. Children were quiet. It was as if Kyoran sucked life out of this once vibrant kingdom. Inuyasha started to growl. These bastards were drunk on their own power and seeing people suffer made Inuyasha angrier, but Sesshomaru halted him.

"Inuyasha, I am too angry, but we must not make a scene, or we will be discovered. We need to see if any of these villagers know anything but with as quiet as they are being, it's a slim chance" said Sesshomaru. Inuyasha knew his older brother was right, but it was starting to piss him off.

They walked around and took in their surroundings. A man in a navy-blue kimono came and cleared his throat. Serafina recognized him as Shinji, Lord Kinjiro's most trusted advisor. She never liked him because of his arrogance, chauvinism, and was known for being sneaky especially since he is a weasel demon. Shinji spoke in his proud, arrogant voice.

"There will now be a curfew. No one is allowed to be out at night unless they are guards and shall anyone disobey this order will be put to death! All men of age will be taken to the palace to be in Lord Kyoran's army, no exceptions! Finally, women of beauty will be selected to come to the palace and anyone who disobeys dies!" said Shen. An elderly man got on his knees and begged Shinji.

"Please sir, do not take my granddaughter! She is all I have!" he pleaded, and the guards beat up the old man and a young woman came, putting her arms around her grandfather begging the guards to stop. Shinji and the guards just laughed, pulling the girl and dragging her to the palace. The old man looked to someone for help, but the people were so scared that no one dared moved. As the guards and Shinji left, Serafina helped the old man to his feet and cleaned his wounds.

"Thank you, dear girl. I am guessing you are new to this village, and I would like to offer you and your friends a place to stay," said the man. Serafina agreed and they headed to the old man's modest home. He made some rice, tea, and vegetables. Serafina felt sorry for the old man and thanked him for his hospitality.

"My granddaughter Mei is all I have. Her parents died when she was 5 and my wife and I raised her. This kingdom was once so lively and beautiful. Lord Kinjiro and Lady Suara were good people, while Lord Kinjiro came off as arrogant and sometimes mean, he never subjected us to this! After his wife died, he became cold, but he was still a fair and honorable man. My wife died from an illness, so I was left to raise Mei on my own. In this kingdom, beauty is nothing but a curse to our women. I overheard the guards talk about a miko who is in the castle with her children. Poor girl, to be taken from your family must be unbearable. Someone must put an end to Kyoran's reign, or we will continue to suffer. I also heard that there might be a secret passage into the castle from a friend of mine who works in the castle" said the old man telling his sad story. Sesshomaru knew if Kinjiro was watching from above, he would roll over in his grave at the state of his kingdom and how everything he worked for, his son was eroding away.

"Why are there guards in the village? What is trying to do?" said Sesshomaru. The old man sipped his tea and began to talk about how Kyoran was worried about the Phoenix Empress coming and trying to kill him and to also keep the people from rebelling against him. Inuyasha scoffed, earning a glare from Sesshomaru and Serafina.

"What?! Sooner or later, the people will start to rebel! Imagine being killed for stupid things and barely having money to take care of your family! That bastard kills for fun and we're suppose to just watch?!" yelled Inuyasha. The old man shushed him, telling him that the walls have ears. Inuyasha apologized and the old man said all is forgiven. Sesshomaru peaked his head out and noticed that guards were everywhere and were probably listening on people's conversations to see if any of the villagers were going to start a rebellion. The old man offered them to stay the night, which Serafina accepted. Serafina was thinking of a plan while Sesshomaru said he was going to stay awake in case the guards would start looking into people's houses. Inuyasha lightly slept.

"It seems like no one is really wanting to talk except the old man. He knows more than he is telling. Maybe if we can be stealthy, we can take out the guards and head towards the passage, but we will have to hurry because Inuyasha will get his powers back at daylight, so time is of the essence" said Sesshomaru. Serafina sighed and prayed that everything would work out in their favor. She told Sesshomaru said also still put the concealment spell on Inuyasha, meaning even if he did turn into a half-demon at daybreak, he will still look human. Sesshomaru was impressed with his intended's cleverness and that she always had a backup plan. He wondered how the children were faring and not driving Jaken completely insane. Serafina held his hand and reassured him that the children were fine.

"You two are really in love. Reminds me of my beautiful wife Hitomi and she always reassured me that everything will be okay. Here's my advice, you two: Always be there for each other and cherish every moment in this life because you may never know when it would be the last time you get to be with the one you love. I do not have much time left on this Earth but before I go into the next life, may my granddaughter Mei be unharmed" said the man and he went to sleep. Serafina shed a few tears and gripped Sesshomaru's hand tighter. This old man lost his daughter, son-in-law, and wife with only his granddaughter left who was taken to Kyoran's castle. The poor old man was going to die of a broken heart. Sesshomaru told Serafina that they will bring the girl back and hoped the old man lived a little longer to see his granddaughter return. Time was of the essence and Sesshomaru hoped this would all work out.

Wow! So, Kagome is thinking of a way to save her pups and how to get out of this situation. Hopefully our heroes will save her and all the other people who are trapped or forced to be there in that castle. Kagome makes a choice about her children and Kyoran. Read and review, people!