It had only been a few hours, but already the place was looking better. The walls had been replaced with sheets of plywood, and a few demons were working on covering the plywood with some wallpaper. The floors were cleared of the ashes. Beds had been made from several large sheets of cloth and many old pillows that Inuyasha had discovered. Hammering could be heard as two fox demons worked on building a frame for a couch.

"Ow! Damn it! Watch where you're hammering!"

"I would if you wouldn't put your hands there!"

The older demon chuckled, "That's what she said..." Both cracked up.

"I don't get it..." Sesshomaru whispered to Luna, who glanced up from her work as he spoke.

"It's supposed to be perverted..."

"Oh..." Sesshomaru watched as Luna carefully sewed a cloth bag shut, setting it to the side to pick up another. "So... what are these?"

"Couch cushions. Once Makoto and Elidian finish building that couch, We can attach these & it'll be very comfy." Luna smiled as she continued, wincing when she poked her hand by mistake. "Damn... I need to learn how to be more careful..."

Sesshomaru paused, trying to think of something to say. "Um... What was it like in the hunters' hideout?"

"You followed me in there... Did you forget already?"

"No... but it seemed almost like you'd been captured before..."

"I have... multiple times."

"And yet, you're alive..."

"Because I broke out."

"You don't like talking about your past, do you?"

The silver needle went through Luna's thumb as he spoke. She didn't even notice in her shock. Trying to regain her composure quickly, she resumed sewing. "There's nothing to talk about... It's not that I don't like it..."

"You've sewn yourself to the cushion..." Makoto was right in front of her face, chocolate eyes staring into her crystal blue ones. "And you promised I'd get to practice my healing magic if you got hurt again..."

Luna sighed, smiling in relief that she had escaped Sesshomaru's questioning. "Sure. Do you remember how to, though?"

"Of course. Remove foreign object..." He cut the thread with a short, sharp claw and pulled the blood soaked material out of her wound. "Wrap up..." He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wrapped it around Luna's thumb. "Focus on healing..." He shut his eyes and focused his energy on healing the hole in Luna's thumb. Opening them, he grabbed the handkerchief. "Unwrap." Pulling on the handkerchief, he revealed a perfectly healed thumb, with no evidence of the wound.

Luna carefully examined the thumb. "Very good, Makoto. At this rate, you'll be an excellent healer. Thank you very much." Smiling, Luna re-threaded the needle and returned to her work.

"Oi, Makoto, a little help here?" Elidian held up one post with his head. "The couch is trying to kill me."

"I doubt an inanimate object can kill you..."

"Is it the person making swishing sounds or the sword that kills people?"

"Wait... what?"

Sesshomaru's attention went back to Luna, watching as she was careful not to jab herself in the thumb again. 'I wish she'd just tell me...'

"I hear your thoughts... We need to talk... now."

Sesshomaru nearly attacked as a strong hand grabbed his arm and hauled him onto the roof. The hand released him once the body it was attached to had landed.

"I know you want to know her past... but I want to know what your intentions are. And you'd best answer quick. I've killed things thousands of times bigger than you."

"Well... I don't really know... I like her a lot... but, Zakura, I can't get her to tell me about her past..." He had stood up by now, dusting himself off.

Zakura walked in a circle around him, examining him as an archaeologist would examine ancient pottery to determine if it was real or fake. Finally, she stopped. "You don't look dangerous... for a demon. You seem to be telling the truth too... Maybe I can help you..."

Sesshomaru blinked, not expecting that response. "So you'll tell me her past?"

"No." There was a deadly calm tone in her voice as she spoke. "That is hers to do, when she chooses, but I will tell you this. Her past was far more tragic than most. She tries to forget. But nothing is truly ever forgotten. The imprints are there... and they cause her pain, so she rejects them. Her dreams remind her of her scars... of her pain... and she's afraid of getting hurt again. She guards herself as a loyal guard guards his queen. The only way to know is to get close to her... You must break through. My advice is, start by holding her hand. She bonds by touch, not words." As the last word was spoken, Zakura climbed off of the roof and back through the window.

'Bonds by touch? Well... if it will help her...' Sesshomaru followed Zakura back into the apartment.

Luna was not where he left her, but her scent led to her room, though it was nearly covered by the scent of overwhelming fear. He had to fight the panic rising within him as he got to Luna's room. 'Panic is useless. She needs someone calm, not scared out of their wits...'

Luna was on her bed, curled up, and had a look of terror and pain on her face as she slept.

'Bonds by touch...' Sesshomaru entered the room and knelt by her bed. 'Bonds by touch...' His hand gently shook her until she was almost awake, then took her hand. 'Bonds by-' His thought was cut short by a slight noise from Luna, who was convinced she was still dreaming.

'He's holding my hand... His hands are smooth... and warm... very warm...' A smile slowly spread across her face.

'It's true then... Wow... She's beautiful like that...'

Authoress: Sorry I took so long... I got in trouble (oddly enough, for writing fanfiction... Seriously, mom needs to grow up and realize that putting their daughter's phone in the trash will not stop the daughter from waiting and getting it out of there later...)

Zakura: Wait... Aren't you a bit old for her to be bossing you around like that?

Authoress: Yes, but she thinks I'm two.

Zakura: ...Ouch.

Authoress: Oh well, what do you expect? I'll be out of the house in a year or so... And I'm the only child...

Zakura: It will get worse.

Authoress: It already is... She bought a dog...

Zakura: How is that worse?

Authoress: She compares me to the dog.

Zakura: ...wow...

Authoress: Yep. *looks at audience* Hey, you guys still here? I've got the two chapters that you were expecting... And since you all were so nice, I'll let you have a third chapter. Nice little present there. Also, I'd like to thank .eclipse () for the review. The reason I can write these stories from my phone is that it's one of those "smartphones" (I actually consider it rather dumb, myself... Since it keeps telling me I've mispelled my name...) and it has a word program on it (With no spellcheck). After typing it there, I have to use my computer to convert it to a file that will upload correctly. Well, I've got to go put the next two chapters on... Sayonara!