Hello guys! Serena here and life has been keeping me busy between my new job as an Educational Aide at the middle school, motherhood, and so much more! This chapter will be quite interesting I must say! Showdown of the mothers! Read, comment, and review!

Chapter 18: The Ball

Inukimi sat in her room, drinking tea and staring out of the window. She was nervous but didn't show it. Once her son arrived, she could only hope he was in a much calmer mood. Before she could think, Sesshomaru burst open her door and his eyes were red and blue. He was furious and held his mother by her throat. Inukimi looked scared and prayed he would show mercy to her.

"Thanks to your little stunt, my future mate almost gotten ill. Luckily, she's immortal or the consequences would be grave for you! All my life you have controlled me and nothing I did ever seemed to please you! Rin, Syuri, and Serafina are my family and if you harm them, I will paint the wall with your blood, Mother" said Sesshomaru, gripping harder on her throat. Inukimi was starting to lose consciousness.

I am going to be murdered by my son Inukimi thought. Suddenly, the scent of Sakura blossoms hit his nose. There was Serafina in a white sleeping yukata being held up by his brother. Serafina knew if she did not do something, Sesshomaru was going to kill his mother. With little strength she had, she wrapped her arms around her mate, murmuring sweet words and stroking his chest. He started to calm down a bit, feeling his bride's touch and her melodic voice in his ears.

"Sesshomaru, my love, please do not kill her. She is your mother, and I have already forgiven her plus the children, and I are getting scared" she said, looking at him with tears in her eyes. Sesshomaru's eyes went back to the beautiful golden eyes that captured her heart. He dropped his mother to the ground and hugged his bride. Inukimi coughed and gasped for air. Fear gripped her and she stared at her son holding his bride. Inuyasha smirked along with Alina and Haru.

"My daughter may forgive you, but I never will. You tried to kill me! I too am a mother, but I have never tried to control my daughters the way you did your son! Be lucky my daughter calmed your son. You will attend the ball, and you will dress appropriately because if you try anything like this again, I will snap your neck and think nothing of it!" said Alina and headed to her room. Haru looked at Inukimi with rage and followed suit, leaving the children, Inuyasha, Kagome, Serafina, and Sesshomaru with Inukimi. Inuyasha decided to speak.

"Listen here, stepmother. As much as I want to rearrange your face, you're my older brother's mother and my father's first wife, but that does not mean you can bully people around. Sesshomaru almost fucking killed you! If I were in his shoes and you did that to my mate, mother or not, I would snap your neck without hesitation! You should be indebted to Serafina for saving your life! You're lucky to have future daughter in laws like Kagome and Serafina who are very forgiving, however, I do not forgive easily. Hurt my sister or her family again, I will end you" said Inuyasha and took Kagome and the kids away. Inukimi thought about it and realized that had Serafina not calmed down her son, she would be in the afterlife. Sesshomaru stared at his mother and started to speak.

"You have done nothing but caused problems since your arrival. You tried to poison my mate's mother but also tried to harm Serafina and belittle her in every way. Since that's how you want to be, I will show no mercy! You will be stripped of your position as Lady of the Western Lands and sent to exile until you change your ways. I will write and visit every now and then, but I will never allow you near my family ever again. You brought this upon yourself. As soon as the ball is over, your things will be packed, and you'll be sent to exile." Sesshomaru said with blank eyes. Inukimi was horrified. Her son stripped her of her title, put her in exile, and was not allowed in the Western Lands. Inukimi bowed her head. Her son was serious and now she was going to be alone for the rest of her days.

Serafina felt sad because this was not how she wanted things to end, but the woman did try to kill her mother. Inukimi got up from the floor and sat back in her chair, drinking her tea. Serafina looked at Sesshomaru and he gave her nod. Serafina knew she needed to say this because while yes, she forgave Inukimi, she worried what else would this woman be capable of in the future. She sat down next to the woman in a chair and smiled at her.

"Lady Inukimi, this is not how I wanted things to be. You are my husband's mother and what you did was cruel, unacceptable, and wrong. I agree with my mate's decision as I am worried that you will try to harm me and your grandchildren in the future. Your son is a wonderful man and is a worthy husband for me along with Rin. We will visit and other things, but until you change, I cannot risk myself and my children. I love you, mother" said Serafina and bowed.

Sesshomaru was stunned. Despite everything his mother did, his bride showed her kindness and mercy; he had chosen well for a mate and hoped his mother would change for the sake of her grandchildren. Inukimi smiled as Serafina went into the arms of her betrothed. Her son had grown up and she felt bad how harshly she treated her only son. She hoped in time, she would make amends.

"You have my blessing, Serafina to marry my son. May you be happy for the rest of your days. Come back to my room before the ball for I have a gift for you" said Inukimi. The couple left and Serafina smiled. She finally got the blessing from her future mother-in-law. It was time to prepare for the ball.

Decorations were put up, servants were setting food onto tables, and the guests were pouring in. The people of Nadinia decorated their village in their Empress' colors and left gifts for the happy couple and the children. Merchants closed shops up early for the ball and fireworks were going off to celebrate. Everyone in the palace was getting dressed and prepped. Alina smiled.

"Oh Haru, our youngest daughter is finally going to be a married woman! If only Toga and Izayoi were here to see this" she said as she cried. Haru held his wife and told her that they were smiling from Heaven. He too shed tears as he couldn't believe his little girl was no longer little. Rin and Syuri came running out in their kimonos. Syuri had a yellow kimono with purple flowers along with a purple obi, and a cherry blossom comb in her hair while Rin wore an orange kimono with white flowers, an orange obi, and an orange blossom comb in her hair.

"Now girls, princesses do not run. You look stunning and no mischief, okay?" said Alina. The girls nodded.

"Mommy going to look gorgeous!" said Syuri.

"Poor daddy's heart might stop" said Rin and the girls giggled. Inuyasha and Kagome arrived. Inuyasha wore his signature red kimono, looking like Sesshomaru with his hair in a ponytail like InuTaisho, Shippo looked similar, and Kagome dressed in a red kimono with a silver dog pattern, red obi, and a silver comb in her hair. Alina smiled and headed to the room where her daughter was and smiled.

Serafina wore a beautiful kimono that was white and silver with an outer kimono that was red with pattern of a large dog demon in silver, red obi, and her phoenix tiara. Her hair was black. Alina beamed with pride and hugged her child. A knock was on the door and Haru came in.

"You look lovely, my girl. May this old man give his daughter away to her future mate?" he asked, Serafina nodded and took her father's hand. As they walked, Serafina stopped at Lady Inukimi's room.

"Father, Lady Inukimi had a gift for me. I promise I will be careful" she said. Haru and Alina had guards nearby as Serafina walked into the room. Inukimi was wearing her signature kimono and other things with a fan in her hands. She was stunned by how Serafina looked.

My son has chosen an amazing woman for his mate. I hope she will like her gift. Thought Inukimi.

"Thank you, Lady Inukimi. I read your thoughts for I am a telepath" said Serafina, hearing Inukimi gasp. Inukimi brought out a box and inside was a silver hair comb with jewels along with a necklace in the shape of a dog. Serafina gasped and hugged the woman. After hugging, Inukimi smiled and placed the comb and necklace on Serafina.

"Make my son a happy man. Forgive this old woman for being so mean. Go, my son is waiting for you" she said, and Serafina left with her parents. At the top of the staircase, everyone stopped to stare at Serafina and Sesshomaru's jaw almost hit the floor, earning a snicker from Inuyasha.

"Hey kids, I think you might get that little brother or sister you wanted tonight" said Inuyasha, earning a slap on the arm from Kagome. Inuyasha hmphed, but Serafina looked stunning. Serafina held Sesshomaru's hand as he kissed it and started to dance with her. Everyone danced and enjoyed food although the kids snuck under the table for some sweets. Serafina and Sesshomaru danced with their daughters while Inuyasha congratulated his brother. Haru raised a glass and dinged it to get everyone's attention.

"Tonight, we celebrate the engagement and mating announcement of my daughter Serafina, Empress of Nadinia to Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands! May their marriage last forever and much happiness to them and their family" said Haru and everyone raised a glass. Lady Inukimi walked towards the happy couple and Alina got in front of her.

"Inukimi, my daughter loves your son. I am going to forgive you because my daughter told me to never hold grudges, however, until I can trust you again, I want you nowhere near the kitchen or any place you may cause me harm or my grandchildren. I hope you learn your lesson while you're in exile" said Alina and went to talk to the guests. Inukimi smiled and pulled her son to the side.

"I will be leaving tomorrow morning. My coldness to you made you think that love is a weakness, but it is what makes you strong. May your marriage last a long time and be full of joy. It is sad I never gave that to your father and should have been a better mother to you. Forgive me, my son" said Inukimi and bowed.

Inuyasha smiled and hoped the demoness would let her son live his life the way he wants to. Everything came to an end as the guests exited, the fireworks went off, and servants were cleaning up. As everyone headed to bed, Alina told Serafina to join her mate to be in his bedroom since they would become one soon. Serafina blushed as Sesshomaru led her to their room. The lights were dim, candles were lit, the canopy bed had a curtain, and rose petals were on the bed. Sesshomaru held her in his arms and kissed her neck.

"You must be tired, my bride from all the festivities so tonight we will rest. This Sesshomaru is very patient, but please know on the night I mate you, my beast will not hold back" Sesshomaru purred in her ear. Serafina smiled and kissed his lips with passion as he stripped her kimonos and hair comb, leaving her in nothing but her tabi socks and hair down. Sesshomaru stripped out of his clothes and held her close as the couple drifted off to sleep.

Tomorrow night, you will be mine, my firebird and the new Lady of the Western Lands. I want to get started on those pups eventually thought Sesshomaru, although unbeknownst to him, Serafina heard everything in her sleep and smiled.

Well… Chapter 18 is done and hopefully when I get more free time, I can go ahead and finish some more chapters.