It had changed.
No longer was the city a vibrant flourishing place. He could smell the change before he even landed, but he didn't realize the extent of it all until he saw it.
The city's port was now littered with hips that held red sails. The people walking around were dirty, tired, almost emaciated. Their once vibrant clothes were covered in dirt and soot, dulled by decades of oppression.
When he landed on the dock, he looked to the citadel on the other side of the city. The city itself was built into the side of the mountain with the citadel at the highest elevation. The wall that once protected it had crumbled and all but fallen, letting him see the palace clearly. The palace's only change was the red banners that had replaced the green of the royal family. His eyes narrowed. She was there.
Sesshomaru didn't think twice before cutting down the soldiers before him, only seeing their red. As his footsteps tapped on the wood while he stepped forward, the civilians stared at him in awe. Those who were alive before the war recognized him and bowed lowly. Those who did not only stared, their mouths hanging open.
More guards and soldiers flocked to him, shoving and pushing civilians to the ground. Sesshomaru cut them down.
Takara jumped down onto the dock before Ah-Uhn could even land and took off after her father. The sight of her white hair made those civilians gasp and she dodged their outstretched hands. They wanted to greet her, welcome her home, thank her, but she had a mission.
"Hey! Don't just run off!" Inuyasha called out and grabbed her, startling her. He lifted her up, tucking her under his arm and he drew his sword, ready to fight.
"Let me go!" Takara shouted and tried to wriggle free.
"You stay with the others." Inuyasha ordered her. "We'll handle the rest!"
"I have to get my mother!" She argued and Inuyasha looked down at her.
"We'll get to her!" He argued back. "Just let us kick these guys asses first!" He shouted before swinging at some of the soldiers. Civilians were running away, wanted to stay out of the way. Horns were being blown to alert the guards and soldiers they were being invaded.
"I need to go now!" Takara shouted and finally wriggled free. She looked up at her uncle, glaring at him. "I know a short cut! I have to go!" Inuyasha looked to his brother who was slowly, steadily making his way through the port and into the city, having to be careful not to catch any civilians in his blows, keeping his attacks more refined. It made it more difficult, but it did not seem to slow him. Inuyasha growled.
"Fine." He turned to Kagome. "Hey, Miroku! You can break seals right? Go with her!"
"Got it!" He acknowledged and ran over to join them, Kagome following.
"I'll help, too!" she announced and pulled her quiver over her shoulder.
"You guys are too big!" Takara argued. "You're too slow!"
"You're not going without them!" Inuyasha told her as he swung at a group of guards that dared to get closer. With a whoosh Sango's weapon flew through the air, startling Takara. She watched it fly past, striking many before returning to Sango's hand. She could only stare in awe for a minute. "Get going!" Inuyasha shouted, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Keep up!" Takara said after shaking her head and grabbing them both by the hand and taking off, running towards the line of soldiers. Takara heard Inuyasha shout out the name of an attack and a tunnel of find tore through the line, giving them an opening and she took it, the three of them rushing past and into the crowd of fleeing civilians.
The port was a swell of madness, but the city itself was even worse. Dilapidated buildings and homes were littered through the city, some of it new, some of it old damage. Takara let go of their hands and ran. She didn't care if they followed or not. She wouldn't stop until she found who she needed.
Miroku and Kagome followed the girl as best as they could, dodging the panicked city dwellers as they ran, trying to get out of the way of the battle that was ensuing. The two followed the girl down city streets, getting further and further away from everything. Every so often they would stop, hiding in the shadows of an alley as a squadron of guards ran past. They could hear explosions in the distance but no one had enough time to worry.
"Where are we going?" Kagome asked as they started to run through a maze of alleys.
"I have to find the black smith." Takara said.
"Your city only has one?" Miroku asked as they ran. Takara pulled them aside and the three crouched in silence as they heard the clank of armor and heavy footsteps run past. They listened and waited for a moment until they were sure it was safe.
"No." She whispered, breaking the silence. "The old one. He's the oldest in the city. He knows everything. He made the chains."
"He made your mother's chains?" Kagome asked. "Why are we going to him?"
"He knows how to break them." Takara explained, looking at Kagome as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "He helped me escape. He'll help us free my mother." She told them as they ran. Miroku and Kagome followed her and before long they burst out into the street, people still rushing back and forth. Takara looked around and the three jolted when someone called out her name.
Sesshomaru cut down another group and watched as the people around him fled, eager to get out of his way. He took his time. He had heard Takara's insistence on retrieving her mother. His presence would no doubt draw the most conflict. Sesshomaru decided he would keep the soldiers away from his daughter, drawing them to him and cutting them down.
He took a moment to look around at the city before going back to fighting. This city would be rid of the vermin by nightfall. Sesshomaru would see to it personally if needed.
Inuyasha panted, catching his breath and he felt Sango lean against his back, equally tired. He looked to her quickly, making sure she was ok before focusing on the guards before him.
"These guys just keep coming." Sango panted. "How many do you think there are?"
"Enough to keep a city under their thumb." Inuyasha pointed out and stepped forward, slashing at the enemy once more. His ears pricked at the whistle of arrows flying towards them filled the air.
"Fox fire!" Shippo's cry echoed through the area and Inuyasha watched with a smirk as his little friend's fire ate at the arrows before they could get any closer.
"Nice work!" Inuyasha shouted before slashing once more. Shippo looked over to Jakken with a smug smile.
"See! That's how you use your fire!" Shippo bragged while Jakken used his staff to club at guards that got too close.
"Do you remember the way?" The old man asked Takara as he crouched down on his leg, meeting her at eye level. He had pulled the three into the safety of his forge, keeping them hidden from the outside with a curtain. Takara nodded and the old man smiled at her, his wrinkles deepening and though his face was covered in soot and sweat, his smile was bright. He looked up to the two who had accompanied her. "She will lead you through secret tunnels of the citadel. They should lead you to the dungeon." He explained. "The queen is being held in the deepest cell."
"How do we get her out?" Miroku asked, referring to the chains.
"When the chains are made, every seventh link is marked with a seal." The old man explained. "There is one where the seal is smudged, weakening it. Break the seal and the others will follow."
"I bet I could break it with one of my arrows." Kagome suggested, looking at Miroku and he nodded.
"I feel that would be the best option." He agreed and the two made to leave, gently pulling Takara with them. "Thank you for your help." He said to the black smith.
"Once she is freed, it is best you get as far away from her as possible." The black smith warned, making the trio stop.
"Why? What's going to happen?" Kagome asked, looking at him with curiosity but she felt Takara tugging at her skirt and she looked at the child.
"It's the bloodline." Takara said as though it made all the sense in the world. When Kagome and Miroku shared confused looks, she huffed. "Don't you two know anything?"
"Those who rightfully inherit the throne are blessed with the power of the bloodline, the power of all those who have ruled before." The blacksmith explained with his gruff voice, saving Takara the trouble. "Each ruler is stronger than the last. The bloodline connects them to the power of the island. It flows through them. The queen has been locked away and suppressed for almost a century now. There is a chance the force of the energy will erupt."
"It sounds like an intense amount of power." Miroku responded quietly, fascinated by what he was learning. The old man nodded in agreement.
"The power being suppressed in her can be compared to that of a volcano that lay dormant for centuries." The black smith warned them. "Do not linger once the seal is broken."
"Right." Miroku nodded and Takara began to pull on them.
"Let's go!" Takara urged as she dragged them out into the street and towards the base of the citadel.
"White hair you say?" Nobuo asked smugly as he leaned back into the throne. "So the whore's lover has finally arrived. I wonder what took him so long."
"My lord," One of his generals spoke nervously. "He is cutting our forces down like they are nothing but paper."
"Is that him?" Kagome whispered to Takara. The little girl nodded as they watched from a grate. "He looks like a jerk."
"He's really mean and he's really scary." Takara explained as they watched.
"If he's the oldest like you said, why did your mother inherit the throne?" Miroku asked, wondering why the youngest child was given the throne instead.
"They don't choose." Takara whispered. "The bloodlines chooses who rules next. Shh!" Takara shushed them as she watched her uncle rise from the seat and make his way down the steps, laughing.
"You are all pathetic and weak." He spat at his men and they watched him walk towards the door. "Perhaps I should go welcome the little prince."
"I don't think he'd last two seconds against Sesshomaru." Kagome whispered and Takara began to crawl again with Miroku and Kagome following. She led them through the tunnels and passages she had explored before.
Inuyasha grinned at the sight, taking a moment to rest. The civilians were fighting back. Slowly but steadily more civilians joined in the fight, working together to push those in red out of the city. They had been waiting for the return of their queen and with the return of the princess, they knew their time was here.
Some had weapons, but most used their hands or what tools they had available. Some women had even joined the brawl, working in groups to dismember what poor fools they could grab. It was a feral and bloody affair and Inuyasha grinned at their push for freedom.
They could hear water dripping and echoing down. Takara was the first to climb into the hall, making sure no guards were present. They rarely were as the only prisoner was the queen. Nobuo didn't believe in prisoners in most cases.
"It's so cold here." Kagome muttered as she shivered and watched her breathe leave in a puffs.
"Hang onto the rail." Takara instructed as she started making her way down the dark stairwell. "It's slippery." Miroku followed after her slowly and Kagome looked at the torch on the wall. She lifted it and carried it, giving them light. The three of them made their way down the spiral, past several empty cells. Kagome stopped and peered into one only to gasp as she saw it littered with corpses. She was surprised rats weren't crawling all over the place.
"It's so quiet." Miroku whispered.
"No one wants to be down here." Takara pointed out. "Even the guards are scared. The rumors are the ghosts of those imprisoned here haunt it."
"Well it sure is creepy enough." Kagome commented.
"There are no ghosts." Takara told them matter of factly. "But you can hear the screams sometimes." Miroku and Kagome shared nervous looks. What hell has this child experienced?
The three walked in silence down the steps. Their footsteps echoed off the stone walls as water continued to drip. It grew colder the deeper they traveled and Kagome began to shiver. She looked at the girl leading them. Her white hair swayed as she walked, her braids were frayed and messy and dirt and leaves were stuck in her hair but she didn't seem to mind. They all had been crawling through dirt, dust, and muck as they stealthy snuck into the citadel and then the palace.
The pit in Takara's stomach grew as they descended. Was her mother still alive? Nobuo could have killed her once she escaped. It would have been the smart thing to do. Did he know why she left? There were so many questions, so many risks and her heart began to race. She was so close. Her mother was at the bottom of the steps, waiting for her. She had to be.
Takara picked up her pace and began to rush down the steps as carefully as she could.
"Slow down, be careful." Miroku called to her but it was too late. Takara lost her footing and slipped. With a yelp she began to slide down the steps, Kagome and Miroku calling out to her worriedly. Takara bumped against the wall and continued to roll until she hit the bottom with an oof. She rested for a minute, catching her breath and wincing. It hurt a lot and she fought back tears. She wouldn't cry. She was determined to be strong and she tried to ignore the stings of the scrapes on her arms and legs and she tried to ignore the ache of her back and head.
"Takara." Someone's quiet voice called to her and she lifted her head. She couldn't see past the iron bars and for a moment she didn't want to. She was afraid. "Takara." Her mother called again and she crawled over to the bars. Her small hands wrapped around them and she looked into the darkness. She heard footsteps approaching.
"Takara!" Kagome called. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Takara called up the steps and she saw the light bouncing off the stones as the two approached. "I found her!" She announced as they came around the corner and made their way down the steps. She turned her attention to her mother and reached through the bars, trying to reach her mother. "I'm here, Moma." Takara told her. "I found him. He's here." Takara spoke, trying to assure her mother.
"Takara." The queen whispered as though it was the only word she knew. Takara's eyes widened and she gasped, covering her mouth as the light from Kagome's torch illuminated the cell.
The queen was on her knees, her arms extended and wrapped in chains. The cuffs dug into her wrist and neck and she saw blood rolling over the chains and her skin, staining the small smock she wore.
"Oh my gosh." Kagome breathed as she looked at the woman. Her brown hair was matted with blood and dirt and her face was littered in bruises, cuts and dried blood. Her tattoos were mixed with scars and Takara was too shocked to cry.
"Watch out, Takara." Miroku told her gently as he pulled out the key the black smith had given them. She scrambled back and out of the way as Miroku opened the door, the hinges screeching. Kagome stuck the torch on a mount and grabbed one of her arrows as she and Miroku entered the cell. The queen did not move.
"We have to find that link." Miroku instructed as he started to examine the chains.
"Right." Kagome agreed and began looking as well. Takara sat, staring at her mother as she sat in chains. It was like a nightmare. She had her mother back, alive, but she had never seen her look so frail. The queen was injured and she looked sick. She looked like a corpse and Takara blinked away tears. Who was this husk of the women Takara only knew as beauty and strength?
Memories of her mother flashed in her mind. Her mother walked with her head held high and her back straight. She let no one look down on her. She radiated confidence and surety and never seemed indecisive. Takara looked up to her mother and thought she was the strongest person in the world and guilt struck her as she realized this was her fault. Her mother would not be locked away like this if she didn't exist.
"Found it!" Kagome announced and lifted her arrow. "Ready, Miroku?"
"Ready." He said as he backed away.
"Takara." Her mother spoke as Kagome struck the link with her arrow, a purple glow crackling as the chains struggled against Kagome's power. It only lasted a moment and with a pop the chain broke away. Kagome stood and hurried out of the cell as the other chains began to crack and break like a domino effect. Miroku picked up Takara and she clung to his shirt as she watched. The ground began to shake with a low rumble that only grew louder as more chains fell away. The queen began to stand, her head still bowed but Takara could see the color come back to her skin as more chains fell away.
Takara smiled as her mother stood, glowing with the power of the bloodline as stones began to fall from the ceiling at the force of the earthquake. Power pulsed from the queen and she raised her hand to the wall. A burst of power shot through the stone walls and light poured in.
Everyone froze as they felt the ground beneath them shaking. The fighting paused and everyone turned to the citadel as an explosion echoed through the city. Sesshomaru looked and watched as dust cleared from a hole in the face of the mountain. She was freed.
Inuyasha and his friends looked to the hole and he could see Kagome, Miroku, and Takara after the dust settled.
"There they are!" He pointed and Sango called Kirara to her. The large cat let the man fall out of her mouth and went to her friend. Sango climbed on and reached her hand out to Inuyasha.
"Let's go!" She suggested and he took her hand, sheathing his sword. "The civilians can handle it on their own." Inuyasha let her pull him onto Kirara and they took off through the sky. Another explosion startled them and they watched as the windows and doors the palace exploded outward. The force of it all even caused more of the wall to crumble.
Sesshomaru watched as the queen slowly walked out of the palace and stood at the top of the steps, looking down on the false king and his small group of generals and guards. He narrowed his eyes and lept through the air, making his way to the citadel, recognizing the dark clouds beginning to fill the sky.
"Master Jakken!" Rin shouted and the little imp turned to her, seeing her pointing at something. Jakken looked and saw Sesshomaru leaping through the air, making his way to the citadel. "We should follow him!"
"Yeah!" Shippo agreed as he tossed fox fire at another soldier. "Inuyasha and Sango left us, too!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted. "Sango!" She greeted as their friends neared on Kirara. The light began to fade as thick storm clouds covered the sun.
"Hop on!" Sango instructed as Kirara stopped next to them.
"Can she hold all of us?" Miroku asked as Inuyasha helped Kagome on.
"She's gonna have to." Inuyasha said as they all scooted closer, making room for Miroku and Takara.
"Hang on." He told her and jumped. Takara yelped as he leapt and Miroku landed on Kirara smoothly, as though he had done it a hundred times before. Thunder cracked overhead and Kirara roared. They were heavy and the storm was unsettling her.
"What's going on?" Sango asked, refereeing to the storm. "Where did this storm come from?" She asked as she led Kirara away from their friend's exit.
"It's my mother!" Takara explained, pointing to the large steps that led out of the citadel and into the large courtyard. Everyone looked as they flew through the air, passing over.
Noa slowly made her way down the steps towards her brother. The two glared at each other with hatred. Her tattoos glowed and pulsed with the power of the bloodline. Her hair swirled as an invisible breeze tugged at her hair and the short smock she wore.
"Traitor!" Her voice echoed over the city. She continued to walk down the steps but her brother stood still. "You betrayed this family! You have abandoned your duties to this nation!" Bolts of lightning danced around the citadel, and Sango had to lead Kirara away to keep them safe.
"You and your bastard daughter aren't fit to have the throne!" Nobuo shouted up at his sister. Fear was creeping into his veins. He knew he had no hope to defeat her, but he wasn't going to just roll over and die. "Seize her!" He instructed, ordering his guards up the steps. They cried out and charged.
With a flick of her wrist, fire shot out, the guards were tossed aside, falling off the steps and over the edge. She didn't care if they survived or not. Noa's eyes never left her brother.
"Surrender now and I will show you the same mercy you showed my people." Noa threatened. The guards looked at each other before watching the queen continue to make her way towards them. They dropped their weapons and backed down the steps, hands raised in surrender as they stood in the spacious courtyard, dropping to their knees. They were resigning to their fate.
"Cowards!" Nobuo shouted at them as he chased them, trying to pull them to their feet. "Cowards! All of you!" None of them stood and they looked away from him. "Stand and fight! Die for your king!"
"You are no king." Noa spoke. She pulsed with the energy of the bloodline. One hundred years of rage, anger, pain, and sorrow rolled off her, cracking the ground as she walked. Nobuo looked at her with a mix of fear and rage. He turned and tried to run but the ground in front of him exploded as a blue dragon of lightning struck the ground, making him fall on his back.
"Look, it's Sesshomaru!" Kagome shouted over the wind. Sesshomaru stood, making it clear Nobuo was not going to escape his fate.
"You guys ok?" Shippo announced their arrival as Ah-Uhn flew close to Kirara. Takara wriggled from Miroku and climbed onto the dragon's back, Rin pulling her, wanting to help.
"We're fine." Miroku assured him as the two groups hovered over the battle.
"I'd sure hate to be that guy." Inuyasha said with a smirk.
"What will you do, my brother?" Noa called to him. Nobuo stood and faced her. "Will you accept your punishment or will you send more to die on your behalf?" Words could not describe the hatred she felt for him. She hated the blood they shared. She hated how powerless he had made her. She hated what he had done to her people. She hated what he had done to her daughter.
Nobuo scowled at her and drew his sword. His weapon pulsed with his own power, crackling with energy. Noa reached the courtyard and lightening faded away though thunder continued to rumble ominously. Nobuo ran forward with a cry of anger and desperation. Noa waited for him and he lifted his sword, swinging it. Blood flew across the courtyard as the blade pierced her skin.
Noa held the sword tightly, her blood pouring down the blade and dripping onto the stone ground. Nobuo tried to pull the sword away to strike her again but she held firm. Noa flexed her hand and the blade shattered like glass. Her other hand reached his throat and she lifted him before tossing him to the ground. His back struck the ground so hard it left a small crater.
Noa frowned. She had wanted to throw him to the core of the earth. She could feel her power leaving her. Too much had poured out of her at once while she still tried to contain it. She didn't want to damage the palace or the city any more than it already was. It took too much energy to maintain it. She had spent a century calling it to her slowly, letting it build up inside her. Noa realized it was time to end this.
The queen looked to the four generals that knelt off to the side and approached them. She bent down and pulled the sword from one of them. He didn't stop her. Noa slowly made her way back to her brother who had started to sit up.
Nobuo froze as the tip of a sword rested under his chin. He followed it up to his sister's face and he stared into her black eyes.
"Kneel." Noa ordered.
"Or what?" Nobuo taunted with a smirk. Noa shrugged.
"Fine." The queen said and swung the sword.
Rain began to fall from the sky and Takara watched as her uncle's head rolled across the courtyard. She turned her eyes back to her mother. The light glowing from her skin had faded and the power rolling off her was gone. She watched as her mother wobbled, trying to stay upright.
Noa watched as her brother's blood sprayed upwards and his body fell limp. It was over. She was free. She watched his head roll and it stopped, facing away from her. Noa saw the rain mixing with the blood and dirt, washing it all away. She could feel the last of her power leave her as fatigue set in. The queen lifted her face to the sky, feeling the healing rains wash away some of the grime from her face and she smiled. She could still hear the distant sounds of fighting but she knew it would end soon. Noa breathed free for the first time in a hundred years.
Noa swayed on her feet as she stood and let the rain rash over her, washing away the rage and anger. She let the sword slip from her hand and clatter to the ground. Even through the rain she could smell him, she could feel him. The power gently radiated from him and brushed against her. Memories of warm summer nights flashed in her mind and rolled her head to look at him. Her black eyes met gold.
"Hello, Sesshomaru." Noa greeted him quietly as she wavered on her feet. The two stood in silence for a moment, just looking at each other as rain fell over them. Noa watched as he raised a hand and brushed some of her hair over her shoulder. It was a small, subtle sign of affection as he said nothing.
Sesshomaru looked into the eyes of the mother of his child. A longing filled him, reaching deeper than he ever expected. He longed to lean down and kiss her, to feel her skin under his fingers.
"Your majesty." One of the generals spoke as he stood, bringing them back to reality. Noa stumbled away from the prince and looked at the men. "Welcome back." He greeted with a small smile.
"Go, ensure every soldier and guard is captured." Noa ordered. "We do not stop until this city is rid of them." Without further instruction the four generals took off and she looked back at Sesshomaru, trying to smile at him. Everything hurt and she fought the black creeping into her vision. She heard her daughter call to her and she looked to the sky as a dragon and a large cat slowly descended.
"Are you sure you can trust them?" Sesshomaru asked, referring to the guards and pulling her attention back to her. Her vision swam, there was so much going on. So much to do.
"They are the reason Takara was able to leave." She explained and winced as her leg throbbed. It was one of her many injuries from being imprisoned. Noa wobbled and lost her balance but Sesshomaru stepped closer, letting her brace against his chest as his hand steadied her. "I'm fine." Noa insisted and she gently pushed off of him, righting herself. "Those four helped keep her safe."
"Moma!" Takara called and Noa watched as her daughter slid off the back of the two headed dragon. Noa began limping to her daughter as Takara ran across the court yard. Sesshomaru watched from a distance as Noa dropped to her knees in the rain, arms extended and Takara ran into her mother's arms. "Moma." Takara cried into her mother's neck.
Nothing mattered anymore. Her daughter was safe in her arms. Noa buried her nose in her daughter's hair, smelling her child and holding her tight. Her frail frame shook in her arms as Takara sobbed.
"Shh." Noa cooed, running her fingers through her daughter's knotted hair. "I'm here now. You're safe. It's over, Takara. It's over."