Chapter Text
Her suitcases were heavy, but nothing compared to the pain of her half-healed stitches protesting against so much effort. And yet there wasn't any other option for Noa Shuzenji. She didn't want to worry anyone by asking for help. If anything, she would rather not even see anyone for at least a full month, but that's not possible.
The front porch in front of her had seen better days, but so had she. Time tended to do that: make everything worse. She knocked on the yellow door and waited with tears in her eyes and a body aching for a flat surface.
"I'm coming!" yelled a voice from inside the bungalow.
What a funny word bungalow was. Noa laughed to herself and leaned against the doorway. Her grip relaxed and she let go of her things. Her clothes, the trinkets she could never part with, her equipment; everything fit in three suitcases.
The door opened and a woman with a wrinkled face opened the door. A smile faded away from her face at the sight of Noa, like she couldn't believe what she was seeing or like she didn't want to see her. It'd been a long time since Noa had been confused by someone's expression so badly, but she blamed it on how physically exhausted she felt.
"Hi," she said lamely when the silence had stretched out for too long. "I'm sorry for not calling earlier, but I left my phone across the ocean."
"Noa?" The woman blinked. "Noa what are you doing here? Are you okay? Do I need to call an ambulance?"
"No, I just… need one hug, Mom."
"Oh darling one is not going to be enough," she said before wrapping her arms around her daughter's waist. "Will you explain?"
"I don't think I can, Mom. At least not yet." Noa murmured with her face hidden on her mom's thick curls like a child. "I need some time away from everyone, but I also need you."
"Of course, baby, let's get you settled, shall we? The guest room is yours for as long as you need it."
"Thanks."
Both women stumbled their way through the house, suitcases abandoned on the front porch. The neighborhood was nice enough to not worry about things like that, but Noa still worried and basically sent her mother running to get the stuff. It was that or doing it on her own and her mother didn't seem too keen on the idea.
The guest bedroom was dusty from disuse, so Noa sat down on the front couch with a sigh. She sneaked a hand under her shirt and prodded at the wound. When the white glove came back white, Noa relaxed.
At least she had one good thing going for her. The rest of her life was a mess.
"Christ, Noa, what the hell is in here? Rocks?"
Noa chuckled. "Just leave it, Mom. I'll--"
"You'll do nothing of the sort until you feel better. Don't think I didn't see you checking those bandages under your stomach. Didn't your aunt heal you?"
"She did. Aunt Chiyo saved my life and used up most of my stamina reserves."
The memories of having someone's fist puncturing her stomach were clear as day. She could almost feel the villain's arm struggling to back off.
God.
What the hell was she thinking?
She wasn't a hero. She wasn't a hero. She wasn't a hero. She wasn't a hero.
"Noa?"
"I'm sorry, I just…."
Tears. She was crying again. Where were those tears coming from? Noa assumed she'd run out of tears a couple days ago, but apparently she had plenty more to give.
"I don't think I can ever go back to Japan, Mom. Not after this. Dad must be so worried, but I can't talk to him like this."
"Don't worry about it. I'll give him a call first hour in the morning, darling."
"No." Noa shook her head, careful not to jostle the almost healed wound. "He needs to hear it from me. I have something very important to tell him."
Her mother nodded. "All right," she began, "but you gotta call him now before the sun sets in Japan."
Noa nodded too. "Can I have your phone?"
"Sure thing. Do you want me to leave or…?"
"No, stay. I think you need to hear this too."