Hey guys! I am so sorry for some of the spelling errors in my story! I have this bad habit of typing too fast so when I get a chance, I will go through all my chapters and correct any spelling errors. Serafina is trying to plan a way to get into the castle so that Kagome can be rescued. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru have a brother to bother moment. Thank you, guys! Hopefully, I can try to update as much as possible with me starting college classes, my kid starting 5th grade and work so I will do my best. Read and review!

Chapter 13

Serafina looked at the sky and noticed that the sky was turning dark, and the stars were showing. Merchants were closing their shops, children headed to their parents, and guards were telling the people it was time to head inside and they would be watched. She was chatting with one of the women in the village and gotten some useful information, but as they were heading inside, a guard blocked their way. He smiled an evil smile and had some not so pure intentions.

"You don't look like you're from this village, cutie. What brings you here?" said the guard. Serafina wanted to punch the man, but she had to keep a low profile. She smiled and began to talk.

"I came here to visit a friend. If you don't mind, my husband and brother are waiting for me" she said curtly but the man grabbed her arm. She squirmed and tried to get away, but the man's breath reeked of alcohol. He told the other woman to get lost and she scrammed home. Serafina told him to let go but the man did not listen and grabbed her hood off.

"Well, aren't you beautiful and feisty? I might keep you to myself after I kill your husband and brother" he sneered. She fought back and spat in his face. The guard got upset and was about to hit her until Sesshomaru and Inuyasha came. She looked relieved.

"Yuki, I was worried about you and what did I tell you about wandering off? I do not want us to get in trouble in this new village" said Sesshomaru. Serafina looked at him.

"I am so sorry, Jin, I lost track of time with my new friend" said Serafina, shyly. The guard yelled at the men to get back or there would be trouble. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. He loved a good fight.

"When it comes to my sister, I don't care about rules" said Inuyasha. Serafina got between the men and the guard scoffed and walked away, saying that they better be gone by the morning or else. Serafina sighed and hugged Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. She had to admit, she was scared and knew that the man would try to rape her or worst. Sesshomaru comforted her and Inuyasha told her to be more careful, earning a shocked look from Sesshomaru who eventually regained his composure. Inuyasha was not known for trying to be rational but at least he did not try to fight the guy or things would have been bad. The trio returned to the old man's house where they were staying.

"Thank you, guys. I was getting scared a bit, but I got some useful information from one of the women in the village and she told me about how the guards have been taking the pretty women of the village to his castle along with the fact he is taking the men of the village for his army. She heard that there is a possibility Kyoran maybe be also planning something" said Serafina in a whisper. The old man welcomed them, and they enjoyed dinner. Serafina went outside and sat near a river, watching the stars. Sesshomaru sat next to her.

"Something on your mind, Serafina?" Sesshomaru said. He wanted nothing more than to shred through the man who dared touch what was his, but he did not want to risk their cover being blown. Serafina laid her head on his shoulder.

"I was a bit scared but at the same time angry because those poor women are being used for Kyoran's guards plus Kagome and the pups in danger so hopefully I can get another telepathic link from her. I will kill Kyoran and avenge Kinjiro," said Serafina. Sesshomaru nodded and the two enjoyed the quiet night together.

At Kyoran's Castle

Kagome made a choice and decided that she was going to take her pups to safety, so she peeked out the door and noticed the guards were not there which was strange to her. With the basket in her hand, she snuck towards the secret passage and saw a hawk circling around and landed in front of her.

"You must be Tenji. Please send this basket to Serafina and tell her I will send her another telepathic link," said Kagome. She looked in the basket at her sleeping pups and kissed their foreheads and said a prayer to Kami. She cried but knew this was the only way to save her children.

"Please protect them and may Kami watch over you" said Kagome tearfully as she heard the guards. She knew they were looking for her and she put a quick a quick message in the basket. Tenji flew off with the basket and Kagome ran for her life. One of the guards saw her and ran after her and grabbed her arm but she purified him, burning him. She saw a small hole in the wall and was about to crawl, but a strong hand grabbed her hair. Kyoran stared at her and laughed.

"Well, Kagome, you thought you could escape, huh? Looks like I will have to teach you a lesson! Where are your pups?!" yelled Kyoran as he backhanded her, swelling her face.

"I used my miko powers to send him far away where you could never find or hurt them!" she said and spat in his face. Kyoran refrained himself from hitting her.

"Oh well, once you become my personal whore, you will not need those brats! I would be damned to be raising some half-breed spawn!" he yelled and dragged her to her room. He slammed the door and told the guards to stay there and only he, or servants, were allowed to go inside. Kagome cried and prayed to Kami that her children would be safe.

Back with Sesshomaru, Serafina, and Inuyasha…

Sesshomaru was still outside as Serafina went back inside to rest. Inuyasha came out and watched the sky. Sesshomaru sat near his brother and noticed that Inuyasha was in deep thoughts. Sesshomaru knew Inuyasha was thinking about Kagome and his pups along with killing Kyoran. He knew if it was Serafina and Syuri, he would have done the same thing for them.

"Inuyasha, I know you are worried for your mate and pups, and this Sesshomaru promises we will get them back safe and sound. You are starting to mature, and I know father would be so proud of you" said Sesshomaru, patting his brother on the back. Inuyasha bowed to his older brother in respect and thanked him.

"Kagome's personality and mannerism must have rubbed off him" thought Sesshomaru. Since Inuyasha became mated to Kagome, his younger brother was not as hot-headed and was starting to think before heading into battle. Now that Inuyasha had a family, he was starting to become a little more mature although he still had a temper and quite brash, he was improving. Once this was all over, Sesshomaru would teach him everything to become a good and wise ruler to this people when the time comes.

"Sesshomaru, you may be prick and arrogant most of the time, but I am glad we made amends. Father would not want us to be bitter enemies" said Inuyasha. As they were talking, the old man rushed outside; he looked panicked.

"Your friend is having a seizure. Her eyes are turning white!" said the old man as the two men rushed in. Serafina had another telepathic link to Kagome. Serafina started to talk to Kagome. The old man was scared and realized that she was not human. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha listened as Serafina talked.

Kagome

I had Tenji take the pups to safety. They are in a basket I made so Kyoran would not hurt them, but I got recaptured. I did also leave a message in the basket as well.

Serafina

Are you alright, Kagome? I am glad you got the pups to safety, but we are in Kyoran's village under disguise and got some useful information about the secret passage then we will take Kyoran head on.

Kagome

I got to go! Kyoran is heading back, and he might have something in store for me except I fear it is something not good, but I hope the pups are safe. Until then…

After the link severed, Serafina's eyes went back to normal. The old man realized that something was amiss, and Serafina knew the jig was up and removed the concealment spell from them. The old man was surprised.

"You're Serafina, Kyoran's former mate who was killed! You're the Phoenix Empress!" he said and bowed to her.

"There is no need and yes, I am but promise you will keep this secret. We will get your granddaughter back and bring life back to this once beautiful kingdom like Kinjiro would have wanted" she said, and the old man promised he would carry this secret to his grave. Serafina went outside and saw the streets empty apart from the guards and noticed morning was coming. She had a feeling that sooner or later, Kyoran would find out that they were in the village and send guards out to find them.

As daybreak was approaching, Inuyasha felt his half-demon side surface again, but Serafina's concealment spell was in place, under the disguise as a human. Sesshomaru checked outside noticed the sky was grey and sensed a thunderstorm was approaching. The trio went outside as the old man started to make breakfast. Suddenly, Serafina saw Tenji with a basket in his talons. She prayed the journey for him was safe.

"It Tenji, he is heading towards the river. He must have retrieved the pups. Quickly, let's go!" she said, and they rushed to the river. Tenji landed and set the basket down. Serafina heard a noise from the basket and opened it. Lo and behold, it was Izayoi and Toga, safe and sound. Inuyasha was ecstatic that his children were safe and gave the bird some food he had saved. Serafina patted him and found the message Kagome left in the basket.

"She said that during the night, there is no one guarding the tunnel but there are two guards in front of her room and Kyoran is sending guards to the village to find us. We need to hurry! Tenji, send the pups to my mother and father plus tell them we are temporarily safe for now" Serafina said and tied a small scroll to his leg. Tenji flew and headed to Nadinia. Once they got inside the hut, they heard the guards yelling.

"We have some unwanted guests in our kingdom! Anyone who is hiding these people will be killed on spot! Men, find them and bring them to our Lord!" yelled one of the guards.

"Shit! They are looking for us! We need to get out of here, fast!" said Inuyasha. The old man gave Serafina a scroll along with a package and she looked puzzled then saw the tears in the old man's eyes. He knew he was not going to live to see his granddaughter.

"I know I will die by their hands so if you do find Mei, give her this scroll. She will know I have gone on the afterlife. Thank you, My Empress and may you find your friend" he said and showed them a secret passage he had under his house where he would hide Mei. He told them to escape, and the passage would take them to the trees behind the village.

"Thank you and may Kami watch over you" he said and closed the passage. The guards broke into the old man's house and asked him to tell him where they were. Serafina watched from afar, hidden in the bushes as the old man was dragged from his house. The old man refused to talk even when being beaten.

"You men and your Lord will get what you deserve. Judgement has come for you!" said the old man. Serafina, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha watched as one of the guards stabbed the man through his stomach. Inuyasha covered Serafina's mouth to stop her from screaming. The man's body slumped on the ground leaving a trail of blood.

"Find them!" he yelled to the other guards as another guard took the old man's body and started digging a hole for him. "Let this be a lesson to those of you who dare betray Lord Kyoran! "We will search every house and entrance to the village, everyone will be searched" a guard yelled. Once they were far enough, Serafina burst into tears. Sesshomaru comforted his intended. She witnessed a human being murdered to protect them.

"His sacrifice would not be in vain. We will rescue Kagome and the others. Mei must know what happened to her grandfather" she said and wiped her tears. Inuyasha held back his tears. Kyoran's days were numbered. Inuyasha sped off and killed a guard who was about to kill a woman and her child.

"I can't stand there and watched people die! That old man died for us! At least we could save some of these people!" Inuyasha said. Sesshomaru and Serafina agreed. The concealment spell was off, and they began to take out some guards. The villagers could not believe the Phoenix Empress came. Once the guards were disposed of, Serafina spoke.

"I promise you, I, Serafina, Empress of Nadinia, will bring back your women and young men. Kyoran's reign will end once and for all!" she said and raised her sword in the air. The villagers had hope once more that their kingdom would once again be joyous. The trio left and headed off to the castle.

"Kyoran, be ready because I will show you no mercy!" said Serafina.

At Kyoran's Castle

Kyoran roared in rage at his head guard. He couldn't believe that his ex-mate managed to sneak into his kingdom and now she was heading this way but then he realized this would be a good opportunity to come face to face with his former mate.

"You find them and bring them to me! I will make Serafina my Queen even if I had to kill her intended and all that she loves! I will not be defeated!" yelled Kyoran as the glass in his hand shattered, making his hand bleed. Kyoran stormed off and kicked open the door to Kagome's room, startling her.

"Looks like your mate and family came to save you, Kagome but it won't matter! Once I kill both brothers, I will make you and Serafina mine and kill everything you girls ever loved! You and she will come to love me, and I will be more powerful than Naraku!" he said and maniacally laughed as he dragged her by her arm to his throne room. Kagome screamed until Kyoran knocked her out and carried her to the throne room.

"Soon, both women will be mine and I will have ultimate power!" thought Kyoran as he carried Kagome on his shoulder, laughing along the way.

With our heroes….

Serafina's head began to ring. Kyoran must have knocked Kagome unconscious and she couldn't make a telepathic link. Serafina knew they needed hurry because Kyoran probably found out they were heading his way to save Kagome. It was afternoon so almost evening so the guards would not be guarding the passage since Kyoran sent more men out to look for them.

"We seem to be getting closer to the castle. Kyoran is probably in the throne room waiting for us. We need to be ready" said Sesshomaru. The sky was starting to become darker, they made it to the castle and saw the passage the old man talked about. Kagome was right; the guards were not there, and they stealthily walked towards the entrance. Inuyasha grabbed his sword, Sesshomaru grabbed his and Serafina took the pins out her hair and they turned to rapiers. As they headed inside, Serafina saw some guards coming towards them.

"Sesshomaru, Inuyasha! It's an ambush!" yelled Serafina as the guards charged and the attacks began.

"Phoenix Fire Strike!" yelled Serafina.

"Adamant Barrage!" said Inuyasha.

"Dragon Strike!" yelled Sesshomaru. The guards were falling one by one as the trio made their way towards Kyoran. They made to the level where the dungeons were and saw the women who were scared. Serafina broke the locks and saw Mei. Mei looked tired but otherwise unharmed. She handed the scroll and package her grandfather left. Mei cried and knew he was no longer in this world.

"I promise you; he will be avenged. Now go!" said Serafina as the women ran. Inuyasha was searching for his mate in each of the rooms, but she wasn't there until Inuyasha caught her scent.

"Son of a bitch! He took her to the throne room. He knew we were coming, and he is going to try to use her to coerce you to being his mate" said Inuyasha as more guards came their way. They started cutting them down. Sesshomaru growled. Kyoran was not going to take Serafina from him, and he would fight to the death for the fiery beauty that captured his heart.

"No other man will have her but me! She is mine!" thought Sesshomaru. Serafina smiled and knew her intended mate would fight to the end for her. She hoped once this was over, they could finally mate. After taking out the guards, they were getting closer to the throne room. Serafina grabbed Sesshomaru's arm, and he stopped to stare into his eyes.

"Sesshomaru, I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens, you are the only man that I will ever love in this life. I love you" Serafina said and kissed him passionately. Sesshomaru kissed her and held her.

"No other woman will be this Sesshomaru's mate! You are the only one and I will kill anyone who dares to take you away from me!" said Sesshomaru. Inuyasha scoffed and told them now wasn't the time for sappy romance confessions. The trio headed to the throne and realized the battle was about to begin and today is the day Kyoran will fall, and he will pay for all the people he made suffer under his reign. Serafina still had the dagger Kinjiro gave her. It was now or never. They walked into the throne and there sat Kyoran on the throne with an unconscious Kagome.

"Hello, we meet again. Don't worry about the miko for she is simply sleeping, and she will my concubine and as for you, Serafina, you will become my Queen and we will be unstoppable. No one will stop me from ultimate power" said Kyoran.

"I rather kill you before I become yours! Release Kagome and I will make your death quick and painless" said Serafina as she drew her rapiers. Kyoran laughed and pointed his sword at Kagome's neck as she started to stir.

"You lay one hand on my mate, and I'll splatter your blood and organs all over this floor!" said Inuyasha and Kyoran laughed. Serafina realized with one wrong move; Kagome would be killed. She had to think fast. Time was running out and Serafina needed to save Kagome. Kyoran knew Serafina would do anything to save the people she loved and formed an idea.

"Become my mate again and I will spare the miko and return her to her mate or watch her die" said Kyoran. Things were about to go bad, and Serafina had to make a choice, but she then formed an idea. She would pretend to come to Kyoran and when the moment came, she would stab him with the dagger in his heart then save Kagome. Arrogance was going to be Kyoran's downfall. It was only a matter of time.

Looks like Serafina has a plan! Will it work or will all be lost? Will Kyoran be defeated once and for all? A decision needs to be made. Chapter 14 will be amazing, and Serafina will be getting help from someone she never expects. Keep reading and reviewing!