The Queen of Bonin Island stood at the end of the pier. The enemy ships had been burned and the docks were empty of ships. Next to her, Takara stood, her hand gripping the green fabric of her mother's robe. Noa spoke the traditional words of goodbye in their ancient language before she released the lantern, letting it float from her hand. Takara repeated the words and released her own lantern. Soon more lanterns floated out over the sea, leaving the hands of her people.
Noa bent down and lifted her daughter to her hip, wincing at the pain. Her bandages peeked out from under her robe and she still looked a little ragged, but she had taken a moment to wash her face and dress herself. The two watched the lanterns drift over the sea, lighting up the night like stars. Takara leaned her head against her mother's and she listened as her mother hummed to her quietly. Takara smiled, recognizing the lullaby as she watched the lanterns.
They were saying goodbye to those they lost, not just in the battle. They mourned the loss of their friends and family who perished under the cruel reign of Nobuo. Takara breathed in the smell of her mother and closed her eyes, the fear and tension leaving her finally. Noa pressed her lips to her daughter's temple and turned to look at the people behind her. She looked at her people as they held each other close and said goodbye. Many lined the docks and shore. Some stood close to the water, letting the water creep up the sand and over her feet.
They were tired, they were raggedy, but they were free. Noa began to make her way down the dock and her eyes fell on the people who had returned her daughter to her. The first person she passed was the father of her daughter. She met his eyes briefly before looking away. They hadn't spoken more than a few sentences and their current situation required a bit more.
The small child next to him rubbed her eyes, tired from the long day and hard work. Little Rin had spent her afternoon and evening running in and out of the palace, helping bring bandages, water, and medicine to the healers. She was bright, beautiful child and though she was afraid, she couldn't help but love her.
Inuyasha and Kagome were the next faces she met as she walked by. She found it funny watching Inuyasha and her daughter interact. Though she was wary of the group when she first saw them, she had quickly accepted them. Inuyasha was her daughter's uncle and Noa could see he would be a much better relative, even if the two did fight.
She had seen Kagome and Sango helping with the wounded and fell in love with the two women. Miroku had helped as well but she enjoyed him more for his playful demeanor. Shippo had tried to keep the young man in line and she admired the little fox for his efforts. Jakken had tried to help, but his shrill voice and nagging tendencies drove her crazy.
All in all, they were good people and she couldn't help but feel relieved they had found her, kept her safe, brought her back. One by one they followed her out of the harbor and through the city. Noa looked around her. There was so much to do and so little time. They had to rebuild. They needed to rebuild their military. They needed to fix the infrastructure. They needed to rebuild homes. She knew it wouldn't happen overnight and while they would have to start rebuilding as soon as possible, the first thing she was going to do was put her child to bed and tuck her in.
Noa lead their small group into the palace and past the workers who were still cleaning the debris from earlier. It had been established her guests would room in the family wing. Under the circumstances she wanted everyone as close together as possible.
The young adults made their way to the rooms they were given but lingered in the hall. Rin and Shippo followed Noa to Takara's room. It was Noa's idea to let Shippo and Rin room with her daughter, feeling they would all feel safer together. When she opened the door to the room she saw the workers had already begun fixing it and had pulled in two extra mats for sleeping. They had brought in plenty of pillows and blankets for their comfort.
Noa smiled as Rin and Shippo ran into the room and plopped onto the large pillows, the two giggling. Takara was asleep in her arms and she walked over to one of the mats, setting her down and tucking her in. Noa brushed the hair from her daughter's face.
"She looks so peaceful when she sleeps." Rin whispered, crawling over the pillows to look at her.
"Yeah, I hope she doesn't have any more nightmares." Shippo said, propping himself up on his elbows.
"Nightmares?" Noa asked looking at the little boy.
"She's been having nightmares since we found her." Kagome explained quietly and Noa turned to see her standing in the doorway. Noa looked her over before turning to Shippo with a smile and she gently poked his nose.
"Then you two," She joked quietly and looked at Rin as well, "will just have to stick close and keep each other safe." The two kids smiled at her and Shippo saluted her, taking his new assignment seriously. Noa couldn't help but laugh quietly as the two children lifted the blanket and crawled into the same bed, both of them snuggling close.
Noa stood and walked over to the door, smiling at Kagome and quietly shutting the door. Noa looked at the small group and almost looked nervous.
"Thank you for bringing her home." Noa said to them. "And for keeping her safe."
"It was our pleasure, your highness." Miroku answered and Noa waved her hand.
"No, none of that." She insisted and took Kagome's hand and reached over, taking Sango's. "You are my guests. You have protected my daughter and brought her home. You have helped my people retake their homes." Noa looked at Inuyasha and stared into the gold eyes he shared with his brother. "You are family now." Inuyasha looked away, shifting his weight nervously. Noa had noticed Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were not very close but that was not her business. She looked at the four of them. "All of you are family now. Please make yourselves at home." Noa explained and released the women. "If you are hungry ask a worker. They will make sure you are fed. If you need a bath they are down this hall." Noa pointed briefly. "I will be up a while longer. I have business to take care of. If you need me, please do not hesitate."
"Thank you for your hospitality." Sango smiled at the queen who returned her smile.
"If you'll excuse me." Noa said after a moment of awkward silence. She stepped aside and began to walk down the hall. "Please have a pleasant rest." She said and walked away. She kept her head high and back straight until she turned the corner. Noa leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, pushing aside the pain. Everything hurt and she was so tired but she wasn't ready for sleep. Noa pushed herself up and slowly made her way through the palace until she reached the throne room. Noa put her hands on the large wooden doors and pushed them open.
The queen stood and took in the sight that made her skin crawl. Tables were set up around the room, maps and papers scattered everywhere. The windows had been blasted out and the moonlight illuminated the room. Red banners hung in tatters. She would have to have her workers take them down.
Noa walked forward slowly, her bare feet tapping on the floor as she approached her throne. She stopped at the bottom of the dais and looked up at her seat. In this seat she had ruled as best as she could while raising the woman who would rule after her. Her own brother had betrayed her for a claim to the throne and he disgraced himself. Before them sat her father. Before her father was her father's mother and so on and so forth. She knew the history well enough but never before could she recall a time such as this. Yes, siblings and rivals made grabs for the throne, but none had ever done so to bend to the will of another ruler.
It made her question herself. She had tried to be as fair and just as possible, strengthening outside relationships to ensure protection, but where were those allies now? No one had come during or after the fall. It took a hundred years for the father of her child to care, and even then her daughter had to risk her life to beg him to help. Had all of her work been for nothing? Noa wrapped her arms around herself and looked down at her feet, her shoulders slumping.
"Noa." A quiet voice called and she turned to face him. Noa sighed and did a mock curtsey.
"My lord." She taunted. She had been relieved to see him earlier, but now all she felt was anger, hurt, and resentment. "Is there something I can help you with?" She asked as she watched Sesshomaru approach. Neither spoke at first as he stopped in front of her. He raised his hand slowly and rested it on her cheek. Noa closed her eyes and couldn't help but lean into the touch as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek.
"You should be resting." Sesshomaru told her and she opened her eyes and swatted his hand away. Noa looked at him for a moment before walking away and bending over, picking up some of the scattered papers. She tried to hide her pain but he could see how much she hurt by how slow she moved.
"How did you lose your arm?" Noa asked, changing the topic.
"It's nothing." Sesshomaru shut her down and she set the small stack of papers on a nearby table before walking over to more that were still on the floor. "Do you intend to clean this hall tonight?"
"Not all of us have the luxury of wandering all over Japan." Noa bit out at him, her voice full of venom, but it only seemed to hurt her. A twinge of guilt twisted her heart. "I have much I need to do. I have a city to rebuild." Noa explained quietly. She could hear him approach and tried to ignore him but Sesshomaru gently took her hand, pulling her to face him once more.
"You cannot rule if you are dead." Sesshomaru told her firmly. Noa could hear the truth in his words. She needed rest. She needed to let her body recover. Noa sniffed. She needed a bath.
"Take a bath with me?" Noa asked him quietly, searching his face for anything. At one time she could read him like an open book, but it had been too long. The two stood in silence for a beat while Sesshomaru looked at her. He gave her a small nod and she took his hand gently, leading him slowly from the hall.
Sesshomaru knew where the baths were but let her lead him, enjoying the feeling of her hand in his. Noa looked at him a few times as they walked, as though she was going to say something, but the words never came and the two walked in silence through the dark palace.
The lights in the baths were still on but the baths were empty. The water was still and steaming as the two stood in the room. The candles in the lanterns gave a warm glow and Noa looked at him before turning and stepping away. She began with her belt, untying it and letting it fall away from her onto the floor. She still wore the small tunic from her imprisonment and reached for the hem before struggling to remove it. Noa hissed in pain as its removal agitated many of her wounds. She dropped the fabric and looked at herself. She was covered in bruises old and new. Scars and cuts littered her body. She had endured much at the hands of her brother and she was relieved it was over.
Noa startled herself when tears began to fall and she sniffed, trying to collect herself. She began removing some of the less vital bandages and stepped to the edge of the bath. She stepped in and a sigh slipped out. She stepped again, letting the water rise higher on her body and she sat on a ledge, letting the water come up to her neck. Noa hummed as she leaned back, resting her head on the wood as she let the hot water sooth her body. She had almost forgotten she wasn't alone.
Sesshomaru slowly entered the bath, sitting near her but just out of arms reach. Noa rolled her head to look at him. He was resting in a similar position, his eyes closed. The candles and lanterns flickered and she could see the steam rising from the water. He was beautiful with the warm light illuminating him. She watched was water trailed down his neck.
Noa looked away quickly when he slowly sat up. She tried to hide her blushing embarrassment and turned away from him. She tried to think of something to say, anything really but words were failing her. Her heart all but jumped out of her throat when she felt him behind her, his arm wrapping around her middle and gently pulling her against his chest. Noa leaned against him and let her head fall back though her face was red as a cherry. She could feel the rise and fall of his bare chest against her naked back and several memories came forward that she quickly pushed aside.
"This is completely inappropriate." Noa said quietly, breaking the silence. A puff of air blew from his nose in humor.
"We have a child." Sesshomaru told her flatly and Noa sat up, remembering why she was angry with him now.
"Speaking of." She started and looked at him over her shoulder. "Where were you?" Sesshomaru met her stare and she could read the confusion hidden in his eyes as he remained still. "You never came. Where were you?" He still said nothing. "Not only that, you have another child. Where is her mother, Sesshomaru, and why doesn't she smell like you?" Sesshomaru slowly stood and the water came up to his stomach. Noa watched as he slowly moved in front of her.
"Rin is human." He explained as he moved. "She has no family. She decided to follow me." Sesshomaru stood infront of her, his legs touching hers and Noa looked up from his chest into his eyes and scowled at his smirk. Her face turned red once more as he leaned in close, his hand reaching past her as she sat helpless. "You were jealous." Sesshomaru told her and she didn't deny it. He leaned in closer, pressing his forehead against hers, their noses touching and Noa closed her eyes, her heart racing wildly. She parted her lips ever so slightly, hoping, praying he would kiss her. She loved this side of him, this teasing side he hid from the world so well. "I can feel your desire." He told her, his voice quiet and deep, almost like a threat and Noa gasped quietly. Her head was spinning and the anticipation was killing her. Noa's heart beat wildly and for a moment there was nothing.
Noa was wrapped in darkness. There was no pain and she felt light. When she could feel something, she felt something running over her skin. Then she could feel the hot water covering her body. She could smell the herbs in the soap and she remembered where she was. Noa opened her eyes slowly and found she was looking at the ceiling. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she watched the soft light cast shadows along the ceiling. Noa lifted her head slowly, watching the room spin as she felt the cloth running over her skin. She blinked a bit, trying to clear her vision while Sesshomaru continued to wash her. She looked down at herself and found she was clean. Had she fallen asleep?
"You feinted." Sesshomaru told her, a small smirk still on his face. Noa blushed once more but covered her face in her hands in embarrassment as he finished cleaning her. Sesshomaru tossed the rag aside and grabbed a new one, taking the time to clean himself as well. Noa watched him as he washed, admiring his body but keeping herself calm, not wanting to pass out again. She watched as he cleaned his hair quickly before he turned to her. Noa slid off the seat and dipped her hair into the warm water. Her fingers ran through her hair, untangling her curls that had become matted in some areas. She made quick work of it, ready to get out of the bath and retreat to the safety of her room before she embarrassed herself further.
When she did find herself in her room again, she was still very much in danger of feeling like a fool. They had pulled on clean robes and walked to the room in silence. Noa didn't know what to say and Sesshomaru was never one for idle chatter.
Noa stood facing him in her room, the bed freshly made and big enough for the both of them. She shrugged at the man before her and fell backwards onto the bed, letting out a sigh of comfort as her body relaxed into the bed. Noa wiggled up and rested her head on the pillow for a moment before propping herself up on her elbows, looking at Sesshomaru. He watched as she patted the spot on the bed next to her and he joined her under the blanket. The room was dark except for the moon shining through the broken windows and his hair seemed to glow.
The two lay in the bed looking at each other and saying nothing. Noa was tired but she needed to know.
"Where were you?" She asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer. Noa searched him, looking for answers. "Why didn't you come?"
"You never sent for me." Sesshomaru answered after a moment of silence, his voice quiet but firm.
"I sent you letters every month once I knew." Noa argued quietly, propping herself up on her elbow and looking down at Sesshomaru. He lay there, looking at her. She looked confused. "I wrote for years and not once did you ever respond."
"If you wrote letters," Sesshomaru told her, "they never made it to me." Noa shook her head.
"How is this possible?" She asked him, her voice dropping to a whisper again. "I don't understand. I gave them to Nobuo." Something clicked and he could see it in her eyes as she realized what had happened. "He kept them from you. He never went to you." Sesshomaru remained silent as she spoke. "He told me he personally delivered them to you."
"Your brother never once stepped foot in my lands." Sesshomaru told her, his tone firm. She knew he wasn't lying and once more tears came to her eyes and began to spill down her face.
"If you had known, would you have come?" Noa asked him quietly. Sesshomaru reached up and gently brushed a tear from her cheek before pulling her closer and kissing her. Noa kissed him back, deepening the kiss and trying to ignore the tears rushing down her face. His fingers tangled in her hair, pressing her closer and he was so gentle she thought she would die. Sesshomaru broke the kiss for a moment to speak, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke.
"I will always come when you call." Sesshomaru said quietly before kissing her again. Noa broke, crying freely and she had to break away from the kiss to breathe as sobs shook her. After so many years of doubt and fear, he had finally given her the answer. Sesshomaru pulled her to his chest and she cried against him. He ran his hand through her hair, letting her be. He made no effort to silence or console her. Sesshomaru let her be, only providing comfort and the space to grieve.