"When will the young princess be leaving us?" Sana asked as they walked through the hall.
"She will be staying." Noa answered flatly as she reviewed the document in her hand. She missed Sana's eyebrow raising with his smirk.
"Oh?" He prompted.
"Lord Sesshomaru has decided to remain here." Noa sighed and looked at her oldest and most trusted general. "I do not trust her with anyone else."
"Lord Sesshomaru?" Sana asked, his smirk growing into a large grin as he gently elbowed his queen. "Since when is he "Lord" anything?" He chuckled and Noa elbowed him back, fighting back a smile.
"Nosy old man." She said fondly as they walked. The two fell into silence as they walked a bit farther. Noa looked out the windows lining the hall as she walked. Though her face was calm she was awash with turmoil and doubt. Her mind raced with the needs of her people and her heart clenched at the need to address her family.
"Our first concern needs to be defending this city." Itsuki said as he unrolled a map of the city. The city itself was nestled into the side of the mountain, flanked with the steep ridges and slopes that created a natural wall. "These ridges provide some protection."
"I want sentries in pairs along the border at all times." Noa instructed. "I want stations five miles apart."
"Consider it done." Itsuki told her and began mapping out where each one would be.
"How are we on food?" Noa asked.
"The reserves have been reopened for the people." Asahi reported and Noa looked at him. Sensing her confusion she began to elaborate. "While you were….incapacitated Nobuo closed off the reserves and began rationing food. Those closest to him got the freshest and most abundant portions. His next priority was the military." He paused and looked at the other guards with them who nodded, confirming his words.
"He restricted access to food in order to keep the people dependent on him and his authority." Sana explained quietly. "Food is being redistributed the way it was before he took over."
"We should be more careful." Asahi suggested. "Nobuo cut trade ties with cities around the island. The King supplied the city each month."
"With that supply now gone, we will have to reestablish those friendships." Noa nodded. "Though I doubt there are any still free."
"There are a few cities who have been able to keep themselves protected." Botan told her quietly and she nodded.
"How is the rebuild going?" Noa asked.
"No, like this!" Takara repeated the move and Rin tried to follow. Takara was too fast for her and Rin lost her balance, wobbling a bit. Takara giggled and tried to catch her but the two fell into the dirt laughing at each other. Takara had dragged her to the nearest garden to teach her the dance. Rin had been getting the hang of it quickly except for a few of the turns or spin.
"I think Moma hates him." Takara admitted after they caught their breath. Takara sat with her feet stuck out and Rin rested on her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows. "Do you think he hates her, too?"
"I don't think Lord Sesshomaru hates anyone." Rin blinked at her friend. Takara looked at her and tilted her head.
"Do you think Moma hates him?" Takara asked. Rin hummed in thought.
"I don't know." She admitted and smiled. "But if they have you, then maybe they liked each other at some point."
"Do you think they'll like each other again?" Takara asked. Rin smiled and nodded.
"Lord Sesshomaru is stern but he's really nice!" Rin explained. "I'm sure she'll like him again!" Takara giggled and shoved her friend gently.
"Why do you keep calling him that?"
"Calling him what?" RIn asked, sitting up on her knees.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Takara explained.
"That's his name!" Rin laughed.
"Isn't he your father, too?" Takara asked and Rin shook her head, a sad smile on her face.
"Uh-uh." Rin told her. "My parents died. He keeps me safe, though."
"Well, my moma will keep you safe too, now!" Takara announced brightly.
"Oh, will you guys be coming with us?" Rin asked her with a smile.
"Where are you going?" Takara asked, confused and confusion slid on Rin's face as well. Were they staying or leaving? How long would they be staying? Why were they leaving?
Inuyasha watched the two girls from a distance and neither were aware of his presence. They were talking about something he couldn't quite hear, but eventually Takara pulled Rin back up and they went back to dancing.
"Those two are like night and day." Miroku said as he stood next to his friend. "Rin has always been a bright, sweet girl."
"Takara's more of a fighter." Inuyasha nodded as he folded his arms under his sleeves.
"They seem to have already accepted each other as sisters of sorts." Miroku mentioned and the two lapsed into silence. "It's an odd family."
"Yeah, we never were much of a family." Inuyasha told him. "My old man went and got himself killed. My mother did what she could." Then he scoffed. "And Sesshomaru's never cared about anyone but himself."
"Or so we all thought." Miroku pointed out.
"Yeah, what the hell did she see in him?" Inuyasha asked, turning to his friend in confusion.
"Maybe she sees a side of him only she can see." Miroku suggested, shrugging and Inuyasha scoffed at the thought. "The same could be said of you and Kagome." Miroku pointed out and he took joy in the blush creeping over his friend's face as Inuyasha sputtered, trying to insist he was wrong.
"This city is incredible." Sango admitted to Kagome as they left the west wing after dropping off more medical supplies.
"Yeah, everyone seems to really work together." Kagome agreed.
"I've never seen a city of this magnitude rebuild his quickly." Sango explained. She had been out in the city while Kagome stayed in the citadel, helping the healers. "They've already built a full ship."
"In one day?" Kagome gasped, shocked at the speed. "That's incredible!"
"I think it's the queen!" Shippo announced from Kagome's shoulder and Kirara seemed to mew in agreement, walking next to Sango. "She was out there earlier, helping rebuild the wall. And her soldiers are doing more than just standing around. They're helping, too."
"Seems like she really cares about her people." Sango said with a smile.
"She wasn't really what I expected." Kagome admitted.
"How do you mean?" Her friend asked and Kagome thought about Takara when they first met her.
"Takara is so serious. I guess I expected Lady Noa to be more stern." Kagome admitted. "Although, she may just get that from Sesshomaru." She giggled with Sango.
"Well, they do say opposites attract." Sango agreed.
"Do you think they'll get married now?" Shippo asked and the women stopped walking, looking at each other, the question raising in their own minds.
"I don't know, Shippo." Kagome said, unsure. "We don't even know if they have marriages here."
"They do." Sango explained. "Miroku and I were talking earlier. He's learning a lot about this place."
"So, what's stopping them?" Shippo asked.
"It's more complicated than that." Sango told him, the two women smiling at his innocence.
"How come?" He asked, looking at his two friends. "They've already got kids. I thought that's why parents get together in the first place."
"Well, with that line of thinking, why would they have to get married?" Kagome asked him and the little fox boy on her shoulder thought about it before shrugging.
Noa had spent all evening in the war room with her generals, taking stock of the damage and the work that needed to be done. The small group worked late into the night and had food delivered to them, though it mostly went untouched. Noa wasn't going to rest until everything was in order and she was kicking herself for approving the celebration.
It was needed. Nobuo had hardly kept to the traditions that brought the city unity and Noa knew her people would benefit greatly from coming together to celebrate one another again, but she felt wrong celebrating when there was so much left to do.
She found herself roaming the halls late at night. All staff had gone to sleep hours ago. The lights had been snuffed and the palace was engulfed in darkness, only illuminated by the guard's fires along the citadel perimeter and the soft glow of the waning moon.
Noa stopped in her meandering and looked up at the glowing white crescent, the same moon that rested on the brow of her daughter and her daughter's father. She had been pushing him out of her head all day, busying herself in her work, isolating herself from the dog demons. The white hair brought pain, confusion, and indecision.
Noa wanted him. She wanted to be wrapped around him, her fingers tangling in his long hair, wrapped in his embrace. She wanted Takara to know her father, be raised by him, and accepted by him. But after years of believing he had abandoned her, abandoned them, it was hard to let him in.
When her eyes landed on Sesshomaru, she was torn. She longed to embrace him, but the thought of that vulnerability terrified her, so she ran. Sesshomaru had noticed her distance and did not pursue her. He left her to her own devices, knowing she had a city to defend. Matters of the heart could not take priority now.
Sesshomaru turned his gaze away from the moon and continued inside. He had been standing out in one of the many gardens, enjoying the quiet night and breathing the air around him. His boots clicked along the wooden floors as he walked. Sesshomaru's white hair flowed behind him, catching the glances of moonlight that shone through the windows.
When he rounded the corner he found Noa standing just outside of their daughter's room and he approached slowly, quietly. She knew he was there and she paid him no mind as he stood just behind her, peering into the dark room where two little girls lay sprawled out on the pillows, deep in sleep. The two stood in silence, watching them sleep until Noa spoke, her voice quiet, not wanting to disturb them.
"The little boy fell asleep with your brother and his woman." Noa explained. Sesshomaru didn't say anything, continuing to stand behind her. Noa closed her eyes and breathed deep, steadying herself and resisting the urge to lean back against him. As terrified as she was of her vulnerability, a part of her couldn't help but be soothed by his presence. "I have done my best to raise her." Noa spoke slowly, trying to find her words. "I have done my best to teach her, guide her, however I know she must have been lonely. I am happy to see she now has a companion."
"Hm," Sesshomaru acknowledged, pleased to see Rin has been accepted so easily by Takara and her mother.
"She is your daughter, yes?" Noa asked cautiously.
"No." Sesshomaru told her again and he glanced down at her when he heard a quiet snort.
"You protect her." Noa pointed out. "You care for her and keep her safe. She may not be of your blood, but she is your daughter." The queen turned to him and looked him over before stepping away, slowly walking down the hall. Now was as good a time as any to clear the air. "I have become accustomed to being the sole authority over Takara. However, not only has she grown in my absence, her father is now in our lives." Sesshomaru said nothing but followed her down the long hall. "I apologize for earlier." Noa's apology was met with silence and she looked at him over her shoulder and continued walking. "Once matters have settled here, I do not expect you to stay. For the time being, I am amenable to raising her together." She still only got silence from him. They stopped at her door and she looked him over again before stepping inside, letting him follow.
Noa and Sesshomaru stood in silence, watching each other. He could feel her hesitation as she stood before him. Her curly brown hair was pulled away from her face in braids, wrapping around her head and being pulled into a knot at the back of her head. The rest of it fell freely past her shoulders and he could see a few braids hidden in the curls. Her dark black eyes seemed to pierce him in place and he fought the urge to caress her soft face. He could still see the bruising and bandaging of her injuries from her captivity. Her clothes were the dark green of her royal family, indicating their connection to the island. She wore little jewelry aside from the bangles on her ankles that jingled when she walked and the rings in her ears. Sesshomaru traced the tattoos with his eyes until they disappeared under her clothes. Something he enjoyed most was watching the skirt sway when she walked, her strong, toned legs being revealed clear up to her thighs, the tattoos swirling and climbing up her legs like vines. He watched as she nervously laced her fingers together in thought as she had done so many times before and she cleared her throat.
"I want…" Noa started and paused, thinking over her words carefully. Sesshomaru's gold eyes seemed to look through her, knowing her deepest desires. Noa giggled nervously and shook her head, looking down. "I want so much to be back in that field with you again," She admitted and looked back at him. "I want to go back to a time where we were free." Noa's smile fell. "It's so complicated now. I had been lead to believe all this time you had abandoned us."
"My actions have shown otherwise." Sesshomaru told her, stepping forward. Noa remained where she was, letting him come closer.
"I know." She breathed. Noa closed her eyes as Sesshomaru rested his forehead against hers. Their noses brushed together before she nuzzled her cheek against his, breathing in his scent deeply. Her head spun with desire.
"Have you decided?" Sesshomaru prompted her, his voice a low rumble. Noa reflected on it. It was her decision where they go from here. Do they embrace one another, raise their daughters together and love one another, even if it is only for a short while? Or do they keep this uncomfortable distance and keep themselves guarded?
Noa never had a chance to speak as the silent still of the night was interrupted violently. The two looked around as they felt the explosion shake the ground around the palace. They waited until the shaking stopped and the moment all was still, Noa lit out of the room and into the hall. She could hear the shouts and armor of the guards clinking as they ran.
"What's going on?" Inuyasha asked as he stepped into the hall, hand on his sword.
"Moma?" Takara asked, rubbing her eyes as she opened her own door.
"Stay here." Noa ordered and turned to Inuyasha. "Watch her. Monk!" She called and knocked on the door that led to Sango and Miroku's room. After a moment, Miroku slid open the door, yawning.
"What's wrong?" He asked and Noa yanked him out of the room.
"The seals." Noa told him and ran down the hall.
"What is she talking about?" Sango asked, appearing behind the now alert Miroku. He turned to her and grabbed his staff.
"I'll be right back. Stay on the alert." He told her and she nodded, confused but trusting him. Miroku followed after the queen and Sango looked to Inuyasha for an explanation.
"Don't look at me, I don't know what's going on." He shrugged and turned to his brother. "What the hell's goin' on around here?" Inuyasha asked with irritation. Sesshomaru ignored him and turned to Takara.
"Wake Rin." He instructed and Takara nodded before stepping back into the dark room, waking her friend.
"What the hell is going on?" Noa hissed as she grabbed one of the guards rushing past. The young man blanched and swallowed nervously. "Answer me!" She shouted and shook him.
"One of the prisoners." He stuttered. "One of the seals was set off." Satisfied, Noa released him and he took off, wanting to complete his duties.
"Why would one of the prisoners try to escape, knowing they would die in the process?" Miroku asked and the queen asked herself the same thing. "Unless it was an attempt to free them." Noa's eyes widened at his suggestion and she took off again, following her guards.
"Lady Noa!" Sana called, meeting with them just outside of the throne room. The ground shook once more and they all reached out to steady themselves.
"Another one?" Miroku asked. Before he could answer there was another explosion.
"What the hell is going on?" Noa shouted in anger as she stumbled down the hall, careful not to let the explosions tip her over. "We need to get down there!"
"It's too dangerous, my Lady!" Miroku warned her.
"If we don't we risk them either breaking free or dying!" Noa shouted over her shoulder.
"If they die, are we sure it is realy much of a loss at this point?" Sana asked, trying to keep things light as he followed her.
"They have information I want." Noa explained. "And I'll be damned if I let them go out so easy!" After a few minutes of shakily running down the halls, the explosions stopped and once more the palace stilled.
"Is that all?" Miroku asked cautiously, still leaning against the wall incase the shaking started once more. Noa looked to him and Sana, the three waiting. Once more they heard to footsteps of guards and palace workers running through the halls, some of them running past the trio.
"Sana, I need to go down there." Noa told him and the older man looked at her, the confliction clear on his face.
"We don't know what to expect." He warned her. "It could be a trap." Noa met his gaze and offered a small smile. Sana was like a father to her. He was more of a father than her own father. Most of what she learned she learned from him, and for as long as she could remember, he had watched over her, not only as a child, but as the queen.
Noa opened her mouth to speak but was thrown to the ground with a yelp as the largest explosion yet rocked the palace. She hit the ground hard and covered her head as debris crashed down around her. She could hear Sana and Miroku calling to her and the ground continued to shake. She could hear grunts and cries of pain but she could do nothing, trying not to screech as her old injuries were agitated and the heavy wood and ceramic tiles crashed onto her.
Noa lay there, feeling the debris on top of her as dust filled her lungs. She coughed, trying to catch her breath. Once she was sure the ground was no longer shaking she began to shift and push the wood from the ceiling off of her.
"Sana!" She called and coughed again. "Monk!"
"Lady Noa!" She heard them call back and she sat up, looking around, taking in the damage around her. The last explosion was strong enough it had caused significant damage. The external wall of the palace in their section of the hall had completely toppled, bringing down some of the ceiling on top of them. She could hear the two men coughing and turned to them, pushing herself to her feet. She winced at the pain of her new and old injuries. Noa may have been strong, but having the roof cave in on you hurt.
"Sana, Monk!" She called as she gingerly made her way over the debris, covering her mouth as she coughed. With her other hand, Noa lifted part of her skirt, not wanting to snag it on anything and trip. It was already ripped in some places and she had begun to bleed through her bandages. "Sana." She said as she saw her friend.
Sana stood and began brushing himself off, coughing. He was covered in dust and luckily his armor had provided him some protection but she saw a nasty gash on his brow.
"Sana, are you alright?" Noa asked as she gripped his arm. She could see Miroku pushing debris off of himself but a large beam rested on his leg. "Monk, stay still." She told him and Miroku sat there, breathing deeply, trying to hide his pain.
"I don't think I could go anywhere if I wanted." He joked before grunting in pain as he shifted.
"Sana, help me." Noa instructed and she gently grabbed one end of the beam. Sana stepped over the debris and grabbed the other end. The two lifted and Miroku grunted in pain as they lifted it off of his leg. She could see the blood and she knelt next to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Let's get you to the west wing. No doubt the healers are awake."
"And you as well, my lady." Sana pointed out as he slipped under Miroku's other arm, helping to carry his weight.
"Let's hope they are in better shape than we are." Miroku grunted as he let the two help him over the debris and through what was left of the palace. Noa observed the damages as they walked and unease settled in her. She didn't like not knowing what was happening and she fought the urge to run to her daughter, to make sure they were safe.
The palace had been thrown into chaos and all had been roused from their beds. Some thought it was an attack. Others wondered if the volcano had erupted. Noa could not get a clear picture of what had happened from anyone she passed and this only made her worry more.