Kee-Ara watched them tense, her hand wrapped in Tsuki's mane so tightly her knuckles were white. They had stopped for them to practice, Takeshi worried about Yorugin's safety. That had made Kee-Ara want to pull him out right then and there. But she had restrained herself and now she was mentally picturing all of the ways she could attempt to kill Sesshomaru if he even scratched her son.

"Be careful!" she told them for what must have been the millionth time because even Sesshomaru looked at her in disbelief. She glared at them, eyes prickling as they gave her an almost identical facial expression. They looked so much alike. Especially when Takeshi clenched his fist, a blue light surrounding his claws.

"Attack," Sesshomaru commanded and Takeshi hesitated before leaping towards him. He was quick, faster than Kee-Ara could follow. But Sesshomaru was faster. He moved out of the way faster than her eyes could take in and he was behind him in an instant. Takeshi slid to a stop, growling in frustration as he turned to face him. He wasn't even close to touching him.

"Again," Sesshomaru commanded and Takeshi leapt once more. This time he jumped up instead of straight for him and when Sesshomaru moved, Takeshi immediately followed. Sesshomaru's hand moved quickly, catching Takeshi's fist in his and stopping him mid strike. Takeshi's poison didn't seem to faze him but Kee-Ara knew the magic in Takeshi's attack would've stung. He easily shoved Takeshi away.

The boy landed on his feet, sliding backwards, and he let the blue glow fade away. He grinned, happy that he improved enough to actually make contact, but Sesshomaru's expression did not change.

"Again," he told him and Takeshi frowned. This time he didn't manifest any powers. Instead he just attacked, clenching his hand into a fist. Sesshomaru moved to grab it again, reaching out with his other hand to catch Takeshi's foot from the last minute kick that would have hit him in the face. He pushed him away once more.

Takeshi didn't look for approval this time. He looked for another way to attack instead, and he darted forward, shoving off of the ground into an attack. Sesshomaru's reached out once more and Kee-Ara stopped breathing as she saw the ferocity in both of their faces.

A growl surprised them all as a thin shape slammed into Sesshomaru, bouncing off of him and grabbing Takeshi out of the air before they could react. Kee-Ara moved forward reaching them quickly, but Sesshomaru was faster, reaching out to wrap his hand around the enemy's throat before he could move away.

When Sesshomaru yanked him to a stop, Kee-Ara gasped in surprise, staring into a pair of familiar black eyes. She grabbed Sesshomaru's arm to make him let go.

"Noboru!" she exclaimed and his eyes immediately softened, turning dark blue as they turned to look at Kee-Ara. He smiled, fangs glinting dangerously as he twisted his hold on her boy and sat him back on his feet. Takeshi grinned up at him, not fazed by his abduction attempt.

"Hello, my favorite human and half demon," he greeted them raspily and Sesshomaru released him surprised. It was the kyuuketsuki. Noboru glared at Sesshomaru for a moment, eyes flashing black before he turned once more to Kee-Ara.

"I apologize, Ara. I did not realize you were here. I couldn't let the little pup get torn to pieces," he told her playfully as he squeezed Takeshi's shoulder. The boy wrinkled his nose at him, playfully growling and the demon laughed at him.

"Well then, I haven't noticed how much you have grown! I shouldn't have interfered, you just might have taken him Takeshi!" he exclaimed and Takeshi grinned up at him.

"What are you doing here, Noboru?" Kee-Ara asked her old friend and the kyuuketsuki grinned at her. He slung his arm around her shoulders, sighing dramatically and ignoring Sesshomaru's glare.

"Well, I heard my favorite pup was having trouble here recently and I was in the area. Had to come see you of course, what kind of a demon would I be if I let the woman of my dreams be murdered by while on a dashing quest?" he asked and Sesshomaru stiffened in shock at his words. Kee-Ara laughed, sliding out from in under his arm and Sesshomaru felt relieved before she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a quick hug.

Then he saw red, rage making him grit his teeth as he felt them start to grow. The urge to shift and rip the kyuuketsuki apart surprised him and he released it in in shock.

"Thank you, Noboru. That is very kind," Kee-Ara told him, releasing him from her embrace but he held on a moment longer, ignoring Sesshomaru and staring into her face.

"Does that mean you've changed your mind about marrying me? Because I will ask again if you've had change of heart," Noboru told her and she shook her head with a grin.

"Noboru," she started and he held his hands up.

"Ok, ok, don't fry me. I have to check," he told her, winking at her as Takeshi rolled his eyes.

"That is so gross," the boy muttered and Kee-Ara made a face at him, noticing Sesshomaru's hard face for the first time. She awkwardly cleared her throat, dragging his eyes away from Noboru.

"Sesshomaru, you remember Noboru," she said and the two demons met each other's eyes. You could practically feel the frost radiating from their stares as Noboru smirked at Sesshomaru's hard face.

"He has kept in touch over the years. In fact, he has helped immensely," Kee-Ara told him, smiling fondly at Noboru. Sesshomaru fought the urge to end any future help by ripping off his arms.

"I'm sure. Ever touch me again and I will kill you," Sesshomaru told him and Takeshi gasped. Sesshomaru's eyes flicked to where the Takeshi wrapped his hand around Noboru's before he turned and walked away.

Kee-Ara stepped to follow him before stopping herself, forcing a smile on her face and turning back to Noboru and Takeshi.

"Well, I'm happy to see you Noboru," Kee-Ara told him, ignoring the need to go and comfort Sesshomaru or to explain herself. She had no reason to.

"I'm glad, because there is something I have to tell you," Noboru told her and for once he was completely serious.

Kee-Ara met his gaze, fear trailing its cold finger down her spine.

"Takeshi, will you go find Sesshomaru. Tell him I said he needs to quit dramatically stomping off like a child," she told Takeshi and he stared up at her with wide eyes.

"Really?" he asked in surprise and she nodded. He grinned at her before darting off, and Kee-Ara shook her head at his enthusiasm. Yorugin pranced after him, guarding him and keeping him company.

"Come on, Noboru. Let's talk then," she told him and he nodded, following her to Tsuki's saddle. She had taken it off when they decided to rest and now she removed a blanket for them to sit on. Once they were settled she stared at the sky, not able to look at him.

"What is it?" she asked, unable to wait for him to come up with the words. He sighed at her impatience and she finally looked at him, meeting his blue eyes. Instead of the sorrow she expected she just found anxiety in his gaze. She leaned forward curious.

"It's not bad news?" she asked and he looked up at her surprised.

"What? Oh, no, I'm just not sure how to tell you," he began and she smacked his shoulder.

"Ow!" he exclaimed, rubbing it dramatically and she snorted.

"Just tell me then! You had me worried," she complained and he threw himself down with a sigh, throwing his arm over his eyes.

"You are so impatient," he muttered and she grinned at him.

"Well?" she prodded and he glared up at her from in under his arm. He opened his mouth to speak before closing it once more, frowning. Then he sat up, taking her hand. She froze in shock, surprised by the contact.

He had never tried to hold it before, the occasional hug that she started being their only interaction and she froze in surprise. He was so serious, and her heart thudded in her chest.

"Kee-Ara, I think I've found your clan," he told her and the world froze. She pulled her hand out of his as she exploded from her position, a bundle of emotions erupting in her as she stood.

"Their dead, Noboru," she told him, moving away from him as he tried to reach for her again.

"No, I promise, I've checked, and I've talked to them. I wouldn't tell you if I wasn't certain that they are yours because I know how much this means to you. They know of Taraslenden, Kee-Ara. They have a new Lenden now close by. They aren't the same and there isn't very many of them but they knew your parents," he told her, moving closer. Her eyes were wide, shining with withheld tears as she considered his words. Her breaths came faster as she stared at him, searching his eyes as if she could find the truth there.

"Mom?" she heard Takeshi ask worried, and then his hand was wrapped around hers. She knelt beside him, pulling him close as she squeezed her eyes shut and fought down her emotions.

She looked up to find Sesshomaru, his golden eyes asking her if she was okay.

"Can we make a little detour?"


I realized how long it had been and quickly updated!

I will post a longer chapter soon, promise but I decided ya'll needed something :D

So, what ya think about Noboru? ;)