Hello guys, Serena here! Sorry for the long hiatus! I have been in the hospital with my diabetes ketoacidosis and injuries with my back, so life has been keeping me busy. I managed to fix some of the spelling errors in a few of my chapters so thank you for pointing that out! Also, I am not trying to make Sesshomaru super soft, but I want people to see that he has a soft side despite his cold demeanor, so I am sorry if I am making him out to be slightly out of character.

So, our heroes have made it inside Kyoran's castle, but Kyoran is forcing Serafina to decide but she gets help from beyond the grave but from whom? You must wait and see! Keep the comments, suggestions, and reviews going. Thanks!

Chapter 14

Serafina looked at Kyoran with anger in her eyes. Kyoran would not hesitate to kill Kagome without a second thought, and he only gave her so little time to choose. Kyoran was not the man she knew anymore; he had become so evil, dark, and corrupted that he was beyond saving. He and her maid-in-waiting Raina killed her while her daughter saw it then the bastard killed his own father for the throne. She was scared because if Kyoran forced her to mate him, he would become immortal and even more tyrannical.

"Kyoran, Kagome is innocent in this! It is me and Sesshomaru that you want! I am sorry about your old man but that does not mean you have to kill others for some stupid grudge!" yelled Inuyasha. His children were safe but now, he needed Kagome safe. Kyoran glared at him and then looked to Kagome; she was a miko, a powerful one that was able to defeat Naraku. She would be useful to him. As Inuyasha was about to attack, Serafina stopped him.

"Inuyasha, this is my battle! I will sacrifice myself so Kagome would be safe even if it means I must give myself to this monster so innocent people would not die, so be it" Serafina said as tears went down her eyes. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were stunned. She was willing to give up her own life for others even though there was a chance Kyoran would still kill people regardless. Kyoran smirked. Finally! She will be mine! I will have power and a mate who will give me an heir, but I must kill that brat Syuri and all that she loves thought Kyoran. Little did Kyoran know that Serafina was going to get help from beyond the grave.

"Kyoran, if I give myself to you, let Kagome go. I will give you what you want. I promise you no tricks," said Serafina. She turned to Sesshomaru and gave a sad smile that almost made Sesshomaru's heart drop in his chest. Sesshomaru stared at Serafina, and he was determined to not her be taken from him; she belonged to him and no one else but then she communicated with him telepathically.

Sesshomaru, do not worry. I have something in mind for Kyoran. I will pretend I am giving him what he wants and when his guard is down, I will stab him with the dagger Kinjiro gave me and kill him. Trust me, my love Serafina told him. She knew it was not going to be easy, but Kyoran's arrogance would be his downfall. Sesshomaru could not help but smirked at how clever his intended was, so he nodded and decided to trust her, hoping it would work. Inuyasha looked utterly confused at why she was looking at Sesshomaru like that but one glance from his brother, it clicked. Serafina batted her eyelashes at Kyoran and prayed to Kami that this would work. Kyoran was practically trying to contain his glee as Serafina walked to him.

"You made a wise choice, my love. You can have your miko back, hanyou! I have something more powerful in my arms" said Kyoran as he threw Kagome at Inuyasha's feet. Inuyasha picked Kagome up and her eyes began to open. She realized Inuyasha was here. He explained everything to her and hugged her. Kagome looked at Serafina in Kyoran's arms and grew worried.

"Now you may leave before I change my mind but first, Sesshomaru watch as I kissed her in front of you!" said Kyoran and as he kissed her, Serafina pulled out the dagger and stabbed him in the stomach. Kyoran stumbled back a bit and saw the stab wound and grew angry. He backhanded Serafina and she hit the floor. He would see to it that the bitch would pay for her trickery. As he pulled out his sword to attack, Serafina pulled out her hairpins and they turned to rapiers to block his attack. This time they would battle each other once more but only one of them would make out this battle alive. Kyoran smirked. Looks like she wants it the hard way and once I beat her, she will have no choice but to submit to me thought Kyoran. Sesshomaru and the others moved out the way as the former mates took their battle stances.

"Let us finish this once and for all, Kyoran" said Serafina, drawing her rapiers.

"Yes, darling and once I beat you, I will all whom you love, and you will become my Queen. Together, no one will stop us" he said and drew his sword. The ex-mates' weapons started to clash, matching blow for blow. Sesshomaru and the others were trying to keep up but Serafina and Kyoran were too fast. Kyoran was getting frustrated. She was blocking all his attacks plus she had gotten stronger from their last battle as well. I will not lose to her! She will be mine and I will have ultimate power! Kyoran thought angrily and hit Serafina so hard, she slammed against the wall, slumping to the ground.

"This is bad! If Serafina loses, Kyoran is going to make all our lives hell! Serafina, get up! Think about your daughter, your parents, your people. Do not give this bastard satisfaction" yelled Inuyasha. Serafina was groggy and as she lay there, Kyoran approached her and smirked. Serafina then heard a voice. It was Kinjiro. My daughter, the dagger I gave you can also transform into a sword as well. Use it for I have transferred my power and my soul into it. It can kill him. Fight, my girl! For my granddaughter, your loved ones, and your kingdom! I believe in you, my child. Unleash the phoenix within yourself said Kinjiro as his voice faded away.

Serafina's rapiers turned back into hairpins and stuck them back in her hair. She took out the dagger and it transformed into a sword. Kyoran looked shocked. The weapon looked immensely powerful, and he realized that he was going to lose but he would not go down without a fight. He charged towards Serafina as she got up, the sword glowed an icy blue and her aura was an icy blue. Kyoran could not believe the power she had possessed, which made him want her more than ever. Serafina made her stance and yelled. "Blue Phoenix Fire strike!," aiming the attack at him. Everyone shielded their eyes and Kyoran was knocked into the wall. Kyoran was afraid as Serafina approached with her eyes a pupilless white with a hint of ice blue and began speaking in a voice not of her own.

"Are you afraid now, dear? You will pay for all that you have done! I will not show you mercy at all. This is for Kinjiro. Enjoy your trip to Hell!" she said and stabbed him through the chest. Kyoran tried to stop the attack, but she was too fast. She removed the sword and used her Phoenix fire breath although the flames were ice blue and white, Kyoran screamed and there was nothing left of him but a pile of ashes. Everyone was stunned. Kyoran was finally dead and Inuyasha felt relieved that it was over; his family would be safe, and his father can rest in peace Sesshomaru looked at Serafina and slightly smiled. Serafina's hair turned black, and her eyes went back to normal then before she could hit the floor, Sesshomaru caught her in his arms and held her. She used a lot of power. Looks like I made the right decision in choosing her as an intended and she would make a most powerful mate for this Sesshomaru he thought.

"Sesshomaru, my boy! It has been a while since we last met" said a voice and everyone looked up to see Kinjiro's spirit. "Take care of her, Sesshomaru. I am sorry I did not live long to see my granddaughter grow nor make amends with Serafina, but at least I left this world knowing I did one right thing by training her and enjoying what little time we did have together; however, I am at peace and reunited with my beloved Suara. Farewell, until we meet again" said Kinjiro as he lightly kissed Serafina's forehead and faded away back to the afterlife. Serafina woke up and stared into Sesshomaru's beautiful golden eyes.

"Hello stranger" Serafina said with a smile. All she heard was a "Hn" from Sesshomaru as he carried her. "You now belong to this Sesshomaru forever" he said a monotone voice. Serafina giggled as Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Can we stop with the sweet stuff? What are we going to do with the remaining guards and people in this castle?" said Inuyasha. Serafina gave the guards that were not slaughtered an ultimatum: serve her or die. The guards that remained loyal to Kyoran were slaughtered along with the weasel demon that served as his advisor. She would not tolerate traitors in this kingdom. After clearing the kingdom of traitors, Serafina smiled and decided to send her advisor Hoang out until a new ruler was selected. The four of them headed home to Nadinia where their loved ones were waiting for them.

I really hoped you all liked this chapter. The dagger that Kinjiro had made from his fang can also turn into a sword although Serafina did not know that. I thought about having Kinjiro resurrected but I decided he wanted to rest in peace and be reunited with his beloved wife in Heaven. The next chapter is where Syuri and her mother are reunited and Sesshomaru is thinking about his courting gift for Serafina. Read, review and comment. Bye for now!