I do not own destiny.

Ashura groaned as she looked around her, everything hurt. She tried to throw back the covers that were over her, but she couldn't. She looked to see what the small weight on her was and she smiled softly as she ran her fingers through her son's hair. "Oh, Noah..." she whispered as she pulled him closer to her. She hugged him tightly and sobbed softly into his hair as she rocked him back and forth. She had been so scared that she wouldn't be able to return. She sniffled as she fought back the tears that kept trying to fall. "I love you so much..." She whispered as he blinked up at her with sleepy amber eyes. "Love you Momma..." he said with a yawn and she hugged him tighter.

"Too tight momma." He mumbled against her shoulder, so she only let up a little bit. "I told you I would always come back to you, I promised you that. Didn't I?" she asked and he nodded softly. "Don't you ever forget that." She said as she pinched his cheek lightly. "Ugh... I'm starving..." She groaned and he nodded in agreement as he slipped himself out of the bed. She looked up to see Kabr watching her from across the room. "You're upset with me." He said nothing, only vanished from sight. "I'll take that as a yes..." She grumbled as she slipped out of her bed. She couldn't remember how she had gotten home, but she was happy she was home.

Her entire body hurt and she groaned as she changed her clothes, seemed as though Kabr wasn't going to be any help to her anytime soon. She limped over to the door and opened it, letting Noah out first. They made their way up to where Zavala usually stood looking out over the city but he wasn't there. She looked around for anyone she knew, but it seemed like they were all away doing things. She made her way over to Shaxx, who greeted her kindly. "Hello!" She offered a small smile to him. "Where is everyone?" she asked and he tilted his head to look over her. "Zavala is meeting with the new Exo. She has brought information on some old guardian forges." He explained and she furrowed her brow at him.

"They've all been avoiding me, haven't they?" she asked and he shook his head. "Not at all! Quite the opposite actually. While you were resting, they took turns watching over you." He said and she sighed in relief. "And Misra?" she asked and he chuckled at the mention of her. He turned and pulled her up on one of his screens. She was busy wreaking havoc in the crucible. She released a sigh of relief as she saw she seemed to be unharmed. She felt a deep seated regret for what had happened. She had tried to prevent Misra from getting injured in that way, but she had been the one to cause it.

"Ah, good, you are awake." Zavala's voice called out to her and she turned to him with a small frown. "You are reckless, you understand this?" He asked and she nodded. "Then you understand why you are being put on restrictive service?" he asked and she nodded once more. She understood fully, there was nothing she could do to argue with him, however she was never known for her obedience. He seemed to catch this glimmer of excitement in her eyes and he shook his head. "Kabr has also been informed that if he aides you in any way, you will both be punished." He said and she couldn't help the dirty look that crossed her face.

"Whatever." She grumbled as she looked down to her young son. "I guess I will sit here and be useless again." She bit out and lifted Noah up to carry him. She made her way down to the city below. She didn't want to be anywhere near guardians right now. She set him down when they got to the elevator and he just watched her silently. She offered him her hand and he took it gently. "I miss daddy." He sighed and she nodded and rubbed his cheek with the back of her hand. "Me too baby, me too." They made their way to a small restaurant that the civilians ran, one that served something other than ramen. She couldn't bring herself to go back to Cayde's go to ramen place anymore.

She waved at the staff and they approached her excitedly, they hadn't seen her in a long time and were so happy she had returned. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had been here, it was before the red war, she knew that for a fact. A slight chill in the air caught her attention and she couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips. This would be the first Dawning that Noah would get to participate in and she couldn't help but be excited. A thought crossed through her mind and she smiled softly as she raised the StarShard and watched as his light danced across the surface of the blade.

Her heart fluttered and she couldn't help but wonder where he was right now. She knew he couldn't come here because all of the guardians wanted nothing more than to end him once more. Her eyes dropped at this and she frowned. If she were to be with him once more, she would most likely have to abandon the tower. She thought it over for a moment as she picked through her food. She would be willing to do it, she could go be with the fallen... her eyes slipped over to look at her young son. It wouldn't be fair for him though... she couldn't take him away from his home just because she wanted to find her lover...

She glanced up as someone slipped into the seat next to her. "Don't make a fuss, just listen to me." He said and a small smile crossed her lips as she realized who he was, even through his disguise. "Hello. I'm sorry I never came to find you as often as we had agreed." She said and he shook his head. "I couldn't be anything other than cryptic about what you needed to do. If I had told you exactly I was sure that things would never happen the way they needed to. They didn't follow the path they were supposed to, seeing as Riven made you do that to him, but everything else seems to be falling into place as if that had never happened." He said and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I feel so horrible." She whispered as Noah continued to eat, blissfully unaware of anything they were discussing. "Play it safe for a while, but back Misra. She is going to figure some things out soon that she will need help understanding." He said and she nodded. "I'm basically on desk duty though." She grumbled and he chuckled lightly. "There are many ways to slip in and out of the city." He said and she nodded. "Of course there are. How are you doing?" she asked and he scanned over her before he chuckled lowly once more. "I am doing the same as I was before. Still fooling with the Sundial." He said and she nodded.

"Any luck?" she asked and he shook his head. "Perhaps if you could come and smack it or something, you seem to be good at breaking things into submission." He grunted and she gave him a dirty look. "Get out of here before I renege on my offer to help you, you crazy old coot." She snapped and he scoffed at her before he slipped away from her table. She shook her head and sighed as she started to eat. She looked over to Noah who was playing with his food.

"You alright?" she asked softly and he looked up at her with those little molten eyes filled with sadness. "Yeah... momma... I feel daddy's light... but he is very far..." he sighed and she rubbed his cheek gently. "I know... one day we will be with him again I hope..." she said and he continued picking at his food. He looked up at her so excited all of a sudden and she couldn't help but smile. "Momma can I play with the city kids again?" he asked and she nodded. "Sure... just eat first." She said and he huffed lightly but began eating. She sighed and shook her head. He was so different from both of his antisocial parents that it amused her.

:-:_:-:

When they had come up from the city below, the decorations for the Dawning had already begun getting set up. Noah was busy running around and pulling at streamers, causing the decorators to scramble for him and give him some to play with. They weren't angry with him, they adored him and just wanted him to be careful. He ran back over to her and began waving the streamer at her, to which she screamed and ran in small circles as he chased her giggling.

"Ashura!!!" a familiar voice called out and she stopped running to see Misra running towards her with some gear in her hands. "I got you all the things!!!" she yelled and she laughed as she handed her two new exotics, Oathkeepers and a bow called Le Monarque. "What's this? She asked and Misra seemed to be beaming. "Thorn Bow." Is all she said and a smirk crossed Ashura's lips. The bow needed no other explanation other than that. "I did want to start playing with some bows... and the Oathkeepers?" she asked and if Misra could smirk, she would.

"They ensure you don't lose your grip until you are ready. You could keep an arrow nocked forever if you wanted, they're also awoken made so Petra wanted me to give them to you. I had to forge a bow to match for you." Misra chirped and Ashura placed the items in her ghost, who had yet to say anything to her. That was no matter though, it was ok. "So, Misra, what are you up to lately?" she asked and Misra rocked her head from side to side. "Really only forging weapons... the lucky seven have taken over all major missions until you are back on active duty." She said and Ashura smirked. "So, why are they waiting on me for that?" she asked and Misra sighed and scratched her head.

"Cause they admit you're strong. And you whooped all of our asses except for Hinata, of course." Misra sighed and Ashura blushed lightly. "Y-yeah... my bad about that." She stammered lightly, only for an annoyed twitch to hit her brow. "Where the hell is that bastard Arma!? Calling me disgusting and telling me to crawl back into hell where I came from?!" she snapped and Misra started laughing. Ashura glared at her, only to sigh and wave a hand at her dismissively. "Show me the footage then, if you agree." She grumbled and Misra held Elkin out to her.

The footage of her began playing and Ashura had to agree with them. Every banshee shriek and the way she was moving was definitely hellish in its own right, but when she spawned a third set of arms on the back of her shoulder blades she had to admit they were right completely. "Ok yep that's spooky as hell." Ashura sighed and Misra shook her head. "Nah, that is cool. I just wish you woulda had control cause that's some of the coolest stuff I had ever seen." She said and Ashura rolled her eyes, only to look down and see Noah roaring like a dragon and waving the ribbons at her once more. She reached down and ruffled the white mop of hair and he grinned up at her. "Come to auntie Misra!" Misra yelled and began chasing him around while he roared at her between giggles.

Ashura looked over to see Zavala standing by the balcony overlooking the city once more, so she made her way over to him between the contractors putting everything up to decorate. "Ashura." He greeted softly, only to side step and have Noah roar at him then run away once more. He raised a single brow but said nothing of Misra rushing around them chasing Noah back the other direction. "How are you?" she asked and he shook his head. "So many things are happening all at once that I can't really understand it." he sighed and gripped the railing tightly. He looked up to the sky and sighed.

"Sasuke, Gaara, and Hinata just finished a raid for Ada-1, while Shikamaru and Ino are helping the drifter with some things. Sakura and Naruto are dealing with Calus and his request as well. I don't understand why these things keep coming at us back to back, but I do so hope for a reprieve soon." He sighed once more and she nodded. "I do agree, I hope within the next few months to be able to help with things again. One day we will have the reprieve we have been looking for." She said and he nodded. "I hope you are as well, because things are only getting harder from here on out and I need you to be fully focused." He said and she nodded once more.

"Believe me, I will be."

:-:-:-:

It was time... it was time for her to be released back out on the world, whether Zavala was ready for it or not. Eris had called out to them and begged them for assistance on the moon. Ashura was not going to be told no this time. She approached him in full gear, ready to go whether he said so or not. He looked over her and frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm sending an army to the moon." He said and she knew he was going to try and convince her to stay, but she was not going to let him do that. "I am the leader of your army, Zavala." She said and motioned to each side of her with an open palm. Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Gaara, Naruto, Ino and Shikamaru stood to her right. Artemis, Rev, Octavia, Sadiya, and Misra stood to her left.

"That you are. Fine, go. Just be careful. And no more recklessness." He said and she smirked. This was war, there would be an abundance of that. She turned and bowed to them all once more. "Thank you all for your assistance and willingness to follow me to the ends of the system and back. Treat this like war, it may not be one, but we are sick of this. Let's go!" she said and they all made noises of approval before they made their way to their ships and took off. she turned to Zavala once more and smiled at him. "All we know is war right now... one day we will know peace and if I have to lead us to it I will." She said before she too took off towards the docking bay.

When she got there, she saw they were all still waiting for her. she smiled at all of them before her helmet materialized over her head. The moment she hopped in her ship they all did as well. They sped to the moon and landed in the landing zone where Eris told them to go. She watched as the group took out all the hive they came across, death and destruction in their wake. Ashura was so sick and tired of this, all this fighting and yet there was no foreseeable end to it. she spun Ace out of her holster and began taking out hive as well. Red hive struggled with Octavia's hive and her fallen. Krux tackled a red knight and ripped him apart right before her.

She wanted nothing more than to go home and be with her son, that was the feeling plaguing her right now. The desire to return home and sleep with him cradled in her grasp. Her regret was becoming something else and she was struggling with it already. She glanced to the the shadow hovering over her shoulder. She didn't know who it was or what it was, only that it was causing her a great deal of stress right now. She looked over at the others to see none of them had this following them around.

When she finally made it back to Eris she saw five of them hovering around her and she was hunched over holding her head begging for them to be silent. Ashura reached out and touched her and her head snapped up. "Ashura... you too are plagued by the nightmares I am... please... forgive me for bringing you here." She said and Ashura shook her head. The woman had no need to apologize, there was nothing she could do about it now.

"Who are yours?" Ashura asked and Eris looked up at the hovering nightmares surrounding her. "My team, your team's ghosts." She said and Ashura breathed a sigh as a woman's voice screamed at her. "You did this!!! Your failures! Why are you such a failure!?" Ah, yes... her sister. That voice she knew so well. Her eyes slipped shut and a soft sigh escaped her lips, she didn't want to even look at the second one that had appeared. She knew who it was just from the silhouette. His glowing eyes shimmered back at her and she knew she couldn't bear to face him just yet. "Are you proud of yourself? Wishing for us to live and killing us? Is this what you wanted?" Oh... Cayde... she never wanted this. She never wanted him to die... she wanted to save him.

"And then you used my bell to kill him... what kind of friend does that? Destroying a gift for vengeance? I never would have done that..." She scowled at the apparition and rolled her eyes. "Bite my ass." She scoffed and he laughed a small smirk crossed her lips at his laugh. It wasn't really them. She knew that this was now a manifestation of her own guilt. These were the thoughts she had struggled with on her own. "Cayde would have been proud that I killed him, just like Taniks. So why don't you buzz off." she bit out and looked over to Eris who was looking from her to her apparitions. "Ashura... please... I beg assistance of you, since you seem to bee immune to their taunting... please... help rid me of mine." Eris begged and Ashura nodded, completely ignoring the apparitions yelling at her. Cayde-6 would never yell at her, Kira would but that was beside the point.

"Tell me how."

:-:-:-:

Misra watched the apparition of Kira as she followed Ashura. It continued to berate her, both about Uldren and about Cayde. She wasn't sure if that was who she was really meant to be, but she could tell that some things she was saying were bothering Ashura. The subtle twitch of the jaw, the tremble of her lips, and the stagger in her steps, all were very obvious signs that the comments were affecting her. "Shut up!! You died! What do I care what you think now!?" she finally snarled and Misra cringed away from her as she swung at the apparition. "You left me behind! You have no say in what happens now!" she snapped and continued to swing at the apparition, who just crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her.

When Ashura had run out of energy trying to hit the apparition, her shoulders slumped and began to shake. She grabbed her face and crouched to attempt to hide her tears from them. "You dragged me to my death. You did this." Kira said and Ashura looked up at her with tears streaming down over her cheeks, her hair plastered to her forehead. "I begged you not to go... I never wanted you to die... nor did I ever want you to turn yourself into an exo... I could have had two best friends if you had just stayed behind and continued working on your vex project..." Ashura sobbed and both Misra and Kira were taken aback by this. "I learned so much about you after you left... your ghost was your husband the entire time, he had just been hiding that fact." She said as she stood and faced the apparition once more.

"You created the most amazing Exo... you should look at her instead of berating me..." Ashura said and pointed at her. Misra was in awe as the apparition faced her and seemed to be examining her. "This one... she is mine...? I never knew she would be functional... she's beautiful." Kira said softly, only to reach out to her. Misra reached up and the moment their fingertips touched a white glow engulfed the apparition and it appeared she was purified. "She's how I carry you with me..." Ashura said and she looked over to see Ashura smiling for the first time in a real time, a true smile not one of those half assed ones she had been pulling with everyone else.

"You carry me within you?" She asked and Misra nodded. "A portion of your consciousness resides within my data banks. We are one in the same, although my consciousness won over. Kinda bullshit really." Misra sighed and Kira's apparition began laughing as did Ashura. Misra was confused as to what could be so amusing, but the moment Kira's apparition placed her hand on her hip and waved the other in the air lightly, she knew. She herself had just made the exact same motion when explaining. Everything about her became excited as she looked between the two. This meant more to her than she thought it would. This was the revelation that she had the exact same personality as Kira, only the memories didn't all exist. She looked over to Ashura who was currently shaking her head.

"I am her! I was so sad! I thought I had messed up your chances to have your sister back but I have been her the entire time!" she cheered and Ashura rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. What do you think I have been telling you the entire time when I told you that you were exactly like her?" Ashura sighed and Misra scratched her face slightly in embarrassment. "Ashura... it is time for me to go, just know, Misra... as you call her, is so much more than just my vessel. She is like you but with the vex. We were meant to be a weapon against them, help her understand." She said before her apparition vanished completely. Ashura just continued to stare at her oddly.

"What the hell does that mean?" Ashura asked and Misra shrugged. She had no idea, but it could be worth looking into. "Maybe it's the reason I like drinking vex milk so much..." she said and Ashura sighed and called her an idiot with a small smile. Misra shrugged and followed after Ashura who was arguing back and forth with the apparition of Cayde, who was doing so playfully at this point. It was as if both of them now knew that if they resolved their differences then he would vanish. If she could smile, she would because it was adorable to see them bickering again. She missed the interactions between the two of them, the carefree and amusing comebacks they had for one another was memorable.

She wished there was some way she could help bring him back for Ashura. She knew she had been searching through all of Osiris' books to see if there was anything that ever said he would come back, but Osiris himself said there was no way to bring him back. That was all she wanted for Ashura, and for herself. She missed her shenanigans with Cayde, especially back when they used to both ignite Ashura and turn her into a human bomb. She missed those days, but she would miss Ashura more.

One by one they restored the memorabilia of Eris' teammates, and they began to vanish in the same way that Kira had. They all made peace with her and continued on their way, which brought more peace to Eris more than anything. The voices stopped plaguing her and she sighed as the last nightmare left her. Eris turned to them and thanked them profusely, but there was sadness in her voice. Despite the face her teammates were now at peace, she was still going to miss them. Eris looked over at the apparition of Cayde-6 and frowned deeply.

"If you know how to make peace with them, why don't you give him that peace?" she asked and Ashura ducked her head lightly. Over the past month and a half, her and the nightmare plaguing her had been going back and forth and it felt like old times again. "I can't let him go, not again..." she said and Misra felt for her. It would be hard for her if she had had to do the same. She watched as Ashura looked over to her apparition and sighed, seeming to realize it wasn't fair to hold onto her guilt for Cayde. Even if it weren't actually him, she needed to let him go.

"How have you been carrying me with you?" he asked and Misra's mechanical heart ached as she reached to her thigh and pulled the Ace of Spades and held it out to him, the still melted ribbon melded with the barrel at this point. Cayde's laughter echoed around them as his image faded to white and then faded away completely, but not before he gave her one last bit of hope. "You'll see me again one day, I promise." Ashura hit her knees and gripped the gun tightly as tears streaked over her cheeks and splattered over the weapon.

Misra made her way over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, which Ashura responded to by placing her own hand on top of hers. "Don't cry, it'll be ok..." she said and Ashura began laughing as she looked up at her with a brilliant smile. "I know... I know it'll be ok now. I just gotta keep on going." She said and Misra nodded to her, but before she could say anything Ikora came in over the comms and relayed to them that vex portals were now opening up all over the moon.

Ashura wiped her tears away and stood just as swiftly. She looked over to Misra and a smirk crossed her lips as she spun Ace up and placed on her hip. "No rest for the weary!" she said as she summoned her sparrow and hopped on it. "As if we could ever rest!" she scoffed as she summoned her own and took off after Ashura on yet another adventure. When they pulled up in Archer's Line and saw vex everywhere she sighed audibly. "Can you guys please stop?" she sighed with a hand on her hip and they all looked at her and raised their weapons. Before they could fire at her, Ashura's foot slammed into the vex goblins and sent them flying into the pillar nearest them.

"Let's get to it then!" Misra yelled as she pulled her own weapon and took aim.