Nova found herself kneeling on the back of Ryze in his true form of a ginormous Phoenix with crimson feathers, wearing a cropped top and leggings with her sais strapped to her thighs under her cloak. Khendon was lying flat beside her while Kishi and Touran were around them. Her guard were on the ground with the guards of both lords, keeping up as they ran. Ryze rose higher into the air and into the clouds to hide them from any unwanted attention.
The cool air blew around her and moisture collected on her skin, seeming to ease her nausea and aches some. She could barely see the land below as it zoomed by below which was for the better as it was making her lightheaded. She leaned forward, opening her knees so she didn't squish her abdomen as she could still feel her bump despite it being under illusion and pressed her head to the soft feathers.
"Lady Nova?" She felt a hand touch her shoulder as Touran spoke.
"I'm okay, just a little lightheaded. I've never traveled at this speed outside of an energy orb. I'm not currently nauseated so Lord Ryze doesn't have to worry about his feathers," Nova whispered before hearing the giant Phoenix let out several chirps.
"I think he's grateful that you aren't," Kishi chuckled.
"Perhaps I'll puke on you instead if I do," Nova muttered and heard him chuckle nervously.
"We are descending," Touran spoke.
Nova took a deep breath before lifting her upper half back up. She could see a speck of white in the distance below before Ryze suddenly transformed. His arms came around her and cradled her to his chest as Kishi grabbed Khendon and their decent slowed. Hearing Touran mumbling to herself, she looked over Ryze's shoulder to see her working on forming a barrier around them. They landed in a clearing as all their guards reached them and Touran's energy spread out two several trees before completing the barrier. Ryze helped her to her feet and stabilized her when she stumbled as they saw Sesshomaru come into view, a frown evident on his face.
"Touran," his voice was full of anger but Nova was surprised to not see his eyes bleeding red as he searched for the barrier.
"He's going to kill me," Touran frowned.
"I take this blame," Kishi spoke before walking forward and held his hand through the barrier where Sesshomaru grasped his arm and was pulled into the barrier. "Greetings, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Lord Kishi," he acknowledged before looking around at everyone before his molten eyes locked onto hers.
"This wasn't my idea," Nova frowned as she crossed her arms, "I just went along with it."
"Rather than make your mate wait, it would be easier to feed your energy into her before the battle to come," Ryze mused.
"Nor did I tell them. Lord Kishi saw the residue of the seal and pieces it together," Nova muttered.
"Why were you two in the Moon Castle?" Sesshomaru frowned.
"We had come to discuss the conflicts growing at each border around Edo and found your mate ruling beautifully in your stead," Ryze spoke.
"This Sesshomaru has sensed Inuyoukai soldiers along the west's border," he nodded.
"And soon Panther and Phoenix Youkai will be along the other two before a mix of three will be along the north's while the northern heir fights at the side of the Shikon miko," Kishi spoke.
"Has the northern lord passed?"
"No, but I do not think it will be much longer. The elders are communicating when they can," Ryze answered before he gently pushed Nova forward. "I'm kind of surprised you didn't send her off to your mother if you were worried about her safety."
"Because it would be constant screaming matches that cause more stress," Nova smirked before undoing the chain and sighed as she rubbed her swollen abdomen. Hearing several sharp inhales, she looked around and surprise in every face of the group of soldiers. "Oh don't feel bad boys, only three people knew besides Sesshomaru until today."
"Touran, seal their tongue's," Sesshomaru ordered. "Until this fight ends, your silence is absolute."
The six soldiers bowed before taking a knee as Touran went over to them. Nova wrapped her arms easily around his waist and he growled gently at her as he pressed his nose to her neck. Sighing quietly as his energy surrounded her and her aches and nausea faded, she relaxed until she felt something poke her stomach. Jerking back, she looked down and grimace as she saw a smaller bump of either a hand or a foot.
"That's unnatural," Nova frowned as she covered the appendage that had either punched or kicked her.
"Had they not kicked before?" Sesshomaru inquired as he pulled back and knelt down to feed his energy to the pups.
"Not like this. It's been strange fluttering movements up to this point."
"To only be physically eight weeks and kick that strongly, they are going to be a handful, Lady Nova," Ryze chuckled. "Touran, if you would be a dear and silence my soldiers as well when your done? I assume that when you officially announce the pups, the seals will fade on their own?"
"Correct," Touran spoke as the Phoenix soldiers knelt down around Touran and the Panther soldiers did the same without being ordered.
Nova flinched slightly as she felt Sesshomaru kiss her abdomen and looked down at him as his eyes were closed. Stroking one of the marks on his cheek, his eyes opened to look up at her. Before one of the pups decided to kick out and connect with his nose. It wasn't hard by any means, but enough to surprise him and jerk his head back.
"See? Unnatural," Nova chuckled as he returned to his feet.
"It is time to return home. Soldiers will be arriving at the borders soon," Ryze spoke as his soldiers returned to their feet. "Take care, Lady Nova. Lord Sesshomaru, we will be watching closely and we will be there to witness his end. I may not have a personal vendetta against him like those who actively hunt him, but he has done to much to Japan for me to miss it."
"Hn," Sesshomaru nodded before light wrapped around the Phoenix and his soldiers then they were gone.
"Lady Nova?" She turned and Sesshomaru's arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him as Kishi walked closer before stopping several feet away. "I have spoke to Lord Sesshomaru of this, but I feel that you also need to hear this from me. I truly am sorry for the actions of my brother. You keep proving us both wrong with how well you rule. I don't expect anything back, but I had to tell you."
"You're forgiven," Nova spoke calmly and watched him blink hard. "I cannot explain it to you at this point in time due to the sensitivity of why, but in time, you will understand."
"Until then," Kishi bowed his head before going back to his soldiers and disappeared.
"Now the obvious question," Touran frowned as she came closer. "What happens you don't return before she requires another fill of your energy and you actually be fighting? What happened if she no longer can move from the pain?"
"Touran, it won't come to that," Nova frowned.
"Whether it does or doesn't, we have to plan for the possibility, no matter how slim it may be."
"At that point, if this Sesshomaru is unable to do so, you take her home."
"No," Nova frowned as she pulled away from Sesshomaru to look up at him. "We both know what that would mean."
"Not necessarily, mate. If we are correct on what could happen once the halfbreed is defeated, this one will be there, not the other."
"But I made a promise to you!" Nova snapped as she crossed her arms.
"It is one you may have to break, mate, for our pups. Despite the rings, you still feel the pain of being away from this Sesshomaru due to the pups and if you wait too long for our energy, you will loose consciousness and it could start harming them. It it comes down to it, it would be necessary for you to go, despite the possible outcome."
"I hate you," Nova whimpered as she went back to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"This one knows," he murmured as his hands came to her legs as he lifted her up, being mindful of her belly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
"I will see you soon," Nova felt her voice waver as her eyes started to water.
"This Sesshomaru hopes to do the same," he replied before claiming her lips gently. "You have done well in taking care of our lands, but on the chance of you having to go, make sure instructions are left behind until this Sesshomaru returns to the Moon castle."
"Where is Rin?"
"She is under the care of the elder miko. It is time to go," Sesshomaru spoke before pulling her legs from his waist and set her on her feet. "Touran?"
"You orders will be followed, Lord Sesshomaru," Touran spoke quietly as she bowed.
"Mate," Sesshomaru pressed his brow against hers for a moment before quickly leaving the barrier.