They had traveled far in just the first day, even after the sun had set. Rin had fallen asleep on Ah-Uhn's back. The three had a long day of getting to know each other and chasing Kirara around. It was the most fun Takara had in decades and she was sad when the other two slept. Kagome had pulled out a blanket and covered them but Takara just watched them sleep. She envied them and their peaceful sleep.
"We will rest here." Sesshomaru announced, stopping the group. "We will reach the shore in the morning."
"Right." Kagome responded and set her bike against a tree. People began settling down for the night, gathering wood, starting a fire, passing around food. Takara watched from her perch as Inuyasha's group chatted quietly. Kirara had grown to her larger form and lay down next to a tree, near the dragon. She knew that's where Sango and Kagome would sleep. Inuyasha and Miroku usually slept sitting up, legs crossed and weapons upright. She looked over and watched as her father sat beneath a large tree, legs extended and the white pelt resting next to him. She watched him for a while as he closed his eyes. Was he already sleeping? He looked so peaceful. He was a mystery to her and she wanted to know more. She had known him for a day and her curiosity was driving her crazy. She had so many questions.
Takara crawled off the dragon and crept over to him. She sat just out of reach. Should she wake him? Should she ask him?
"How are we going to get across the sea?" Kagome asked quietly.
"Kirara can carry some of us, and the dragon can fly." Sango pointed out.
"Can we fit everyone on both of them?" Miroku asked.
"Sesshomaru can worry about his damn self." Inuyasha said as he bit into a fish. "I'm more worried about getting to her mother. She's locked away right? We got no idea where she is, we don't know nuthin' about what's going on."
"I'm sure it's just something we are going to have to be flexible with." Miroku suggested as he took a bite of his own food.
"I'm sure if we stick together we'll be alright." Sango added, taking a sip of water. "Should we wake them, make sure they eat?" She asked, looking over at the two who slept on the dragon's back.
"Nah," Inuyasha shrugged. "Let them sleep. We got a long day."
"Takara's still up." Sango said and Inuyasha followed her gaze and choked. She was squatting, crouched down on the ground and staring at Sesshomaru. "Takara!" Sango called to her softly, so as not to disturb any one. The girl looked over at her. "Come eat something," Sango suggested and Takara looked at Sesshomaru once more before standing and walking over to the group. Kagome unwrapped something and handed it to her. Takara sniffed hesitantly before taking a bite. Kagome giggled as the kid's eyes lit up at the taste and began to shove more into her mouth, hungrily. It was gone in moments and she looked to Kagome for another. Kagome suspected this would happen and had it ready, passing it over to her.
"She's got your appetite, Inuyasha." Miroku joked, elbowing his friend as Takara ate it quickly. "How's it feel having a niece?" Inuyasha didn't say anything and just watched her as she ate. The girl was his niece, family. He never really saw Sesshomaru as family, but as much as Takara claimed to hate him, she hadn't tried to kill him. That's a start.
Takara watched as the adults chatted, never speaking, just listening. They were a warm, close group who teased and bickered like a family. It reminded her of her mother and those close to the family. Her mother had a similar relationship with them and now they were dead. Takara had been forced to watch the execution. She watched as each one was beheaded. Each face that had at one point given her a kind smile and word of encouragement lay blank on the ground. They were all dead. Her stomach sank. Would the same fate happen to the people around her? Would the laughter turn to cries of pain and loss as they had at home? Was she leading them to the slaughter?
Doubt crept into her and slowly each member bid them all good night, going to lay down or rest against a tree. Takara sat by the fire and watched as they all fell asleep, blissfully unbothered by what she knows waits for them. She looked over her shoulder at the man sleeping against the tree. Her father was her only hope. She had to trust he would save her mother. Was he strong enough? Would he be able to save them all? Takara stood and walked back over to him, sitting a little closer, wanting to study him. She wanted so badly to know the man who loved her mother, the man her mother trusted to return and rescue her. Could he really do this?
Could she? Takara looked at her hands. It was her fault. It was her fault her mother was locked away, wasting away to dust, powerless. It was her fault her mother's friends and advisors were beheaded. Her uncle had used her against her mother. Tears began to fall and she sniffled quietly, furiously wiping them away. If she had never been born, then maybe everything would be different.
Sesshomaru knew she had sat herself next to him. He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to speak, only wanting to rest in peace. He only slowly opened his eyes at the sound of her quiet sniffling.
"Sleep." He told her quietly, his tone firm. Takara was startled, not realizing he was still awake. She didn't even know why she was sitting with him. Why did she feel so safe with a stranger?
"I'm not tired." She mumbled and rubbed her eyes, trying to hide her crying. She didn't want him to see her so weak. He was strong, so she would be, too.
"You will sleep." Sesshomaru told her. It wasn't a request and she knew it. Takara scowled and for a moment he couldn't help but be reminded of who her parents were. Takara stood and crossed her arms, stomping her foot.
"No." She hissed and turned on her heal to walk away. She'd been taking care of herself long enough. She would sleep when she wanted! She barely took a step when Sesshomaru's hand wrapped around her ankle, tripping her and she yelped as she fell. Takara struggled and dug at the earth as he dragged her to his side. He let her go for only a moment and she felt his hand on her back, pinning her to the ground. Takara struggled a bit and he let her, knowing she would wear herself out. He kept her pinned. While Rin was willful in her own right, she was more free spirited and fun loving, going with the flow and listening well enough. Takara was proving to be willful and stubborn. He would have to take a different approach with this one.
Takara huffed in defeat and stilled. She rested her head on her arms and refused to look at Sesshomaru. He still did not remove his hand and she wondered if he would hold her down all night. She wiggled a bit, testing to see if he had lessened his grip. He had not.
"You will sleep." Sesshomaru repeated quietly, letting a small growl through, telling her this was not up for debate. He felt and heard her sigh deeply. It was silent for a few minutes, the only sound being the crackling of the fire and insects buzzing around. A quiet chuckle told Sesshomaru they were not the only ones awake. Takara didn't stir and he felt her chest rising and falling under his hand. She was already dozing off.
Sesshomaru looked across their little camp site and saw his brother smirking at him, shoulders shaking in a quiet chuckle before sighing, shaking his head. Inuyasha felt a little smug seeing Sesshomaru have to actually be a parent. With that small bit of satisfaction, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back, going back to sleep.
Sesshomaru sat in silence, feeling his daughter's chest rise and fall. His daughter. He had to mull that over. He cared for Rin. He would keep her safe, he would always keep her safe. She was the closest thing to a child he had, or so he thought. He looked to the sky and thought it over. Noa had been pregnant with his child when they parted and he had a suspicion he knew when she was conceived.
"I have a duty to my kingdom." Noa said firmly as she looked into his gold eyes. She crossed her arms defensively. "I have to go." She stated, trying to hold back her breaking heart. She was saying goodbye to the man who held her heart. How long had she been traveling with him? How long had she been in love with him?
"I will not stop you." Sesshomaru told her, his voice quiet as he stepped closer. He watched as she closed her eyes and sighed, turning her head away. He could smell the salt of her tears.
"Why not?" Noa whispered, letting the tears fall. She rested her head against his chest, her shoulders shaking. "Why won't you at least try?" She asked him. Sesshomaru was silent. He want to. He wanted to keep her by his side until the end of time. He had found a companion, an equal, but they both knew it wasn't meant to be.
A breeze fluttered around them and the grasses swayed while the leaves in the trees rustled. She smelled of fire and the sea. She was wild and stubborn, but loyal. Sesshomaru knew she would never forgive herself if she gave up her birth right. He hooked a finger under her chin, lifting her face gently to look at him. Noa opened her black eyes and sniffed, meeting his gaze. He could see the sky reflected in her eyes and a part of him wished they could stay like this forever.
"Could you forgive yourself?" He asked her quietly. Noa thought over his question for a moment before answering.
"No." She whispered and brought her hands up, resting them on his chest. "I don't want to lose you." Noa admitted.
"Our lands have been strong allies for centuries." He assured her, giving them both false hope. "I do not intend to change this." Noa gave a weak smile. He was trying. While they were allies, the families didn't often make a habit of visiting each other. She knew this was goodbye and so did he.
Time ticked by and they stood there, staring at each other under the glowing moon. Sesshomaru moved first, lowering his face to kiss her gently. Noa met his lips and they just stood there, kissing for a moment before pulling apart to breathe. Her heart was racing and her tears began to fall faster. He kissed her again, kissing her deeper, pulling her closer, his arms wrapping around her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling gently. Sesshomaru growled against her lips as he felt her tugging. He broke away from her lips and bit her neck. Noa moaned in his ear and he bit a little harder. She rolled her head, exposing her neck to him and he kissed and bit at it hungrily.
Sesshomaru lowered them to the ground where they lay together, kissing, touching, sighing. They memorized each other, burning the other's form into their memory. Sesshomaru hovered above her, his eyes roaming over her tanned skin, taking in all of her tattoos she had earned in her life and his fingers traced a few on her sides, making her shiver.
Noa felt him inside her flexed, eliciting a beautiful noise from the man above her. Her palm rested on his cheek, her thumb caressing his skin gently. Sesshomaru's hand covered hers and he turned his face, kissing her palm before biting her wrist and thrusting into her.
It felt as though time stood still for them but time waits for no man. The two spent all night together, dedicated to one another, but as Sesshomaru woke the next morning, he saw she was gone. Noa had left with the dawn.
Sesshomaru propped himself up his elbows and looked around. He was alone. In a very undignified manner, he rolled his head back and sighed a long exhale. She was gone.
"Takara." Someone called her gently, shaking her awake.
"Hm?" Takara hummed as she tried to blink away the sleep. She looked up and saw Rin's smiling face.
"Takara, wake up." Rin told her. "It's time to go." Rin pulled her up and Takara looked around. Everyone was getting ready, pulling bags onto their shoulders or mounting their rides. "I saved you breakfast!" Rin cheered and pushed some food into her friend's hands. Takara looked at it and nodded, letting her new friend pull her back over to the dragon.
When had she fallen asleep? Takara looked back to the spot where she had been sleeping and then looked over to the man who was supposed to be her father. He met her gaze and only stared at her. She didn't have any nightmares, she didn't even dream.
"Do what I do, ok?" Rin spoke, pulling Takara's attention back to her. Rin showed her how to climb onto Ah-Uhn and Takara tried, but the food in her hand made it more difficult. She tried but almost dropped her food. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and picked her up from the back of her shirt, making her yelp.
"You're holding us up!" He told her and dropped her onto the dragon's back. Takara just stuck her tongue out at him and Inuyasha, ever the adult, made the same face back.
"Did you have any nightmares?" Shippo asked her as the dragon began to walk, following Sesshomaru through the woods.
"Nightmares?" Rin asked, looking at her friend.
"I didn't." Takara told them, not wanting to talk about it.
"That's good!" Rin cheered. "I used to have them, too! Lord Sesshomaru would let me sleep on his pelt when I had them." Her face lit up with an idea. "Hey, maybe he'll let you do that, too!" Takara just nodded and looked at the food in her hand. She wasn't hungry.
Takara sat and listened as the adults and her two new friends chatted away. How were they so calm? Why were they not afraid? She sat in silence as the group made their way to the shore. Takara could smell the sea and her stomach rolled. She had given her food to her friends, unable to eat. This had not gone unnoticed by Sesshomaru, but he didn't say anything. She would learn.
They stood on the sand as the waves crashed in front of them. On the horizon, an island's mountains seemed to pierce the sky, their peaks covered with clouds.
"Bonin Island, hu?" Inuyasha asked, breaking the silence. "So how do we do this? Just crash in and kill the guy in charge?" He asked Sesshomaru, wanting to have a game plan. Instead of cooperating, Sesshomaru shifted into a glowing orb and took off across the water.
"Woah!" Takara exclaimed as she watched him fly away. Kirara roared into her larger form and people began climbing on.
"What about it, Shippo?" Kagome asked and the little fox demon cheered and jumped, transforming into a large pink bubble and Takara just stared in awe. She watched as Kirara and Shippo followed after Sesshomaru and before long Ah-Uhn was soaring across the sea. Takara watched the water under them as they flew and she could feel the salty air against her skin. Returning was so different from when she escaped. This was much more pleasant.
However, when she looked up at the approaching island, her stomach sank. She was terrified and had no idea what to expect. She couldn't even garuntee she wouldn't die today.
Takara was pulled from her thoughts as Rin gently squeezed her hand. She looked at the black haired girl and her smile.
"It'll be alright!" Rin assured her with a smile. "Lord Sesshomaru will keep us safe!" Takara looked at the girl. She had so much faith in Sesshomaru, perhaps she could as well.
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