InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Cracking Utopia ❯ Chapter 6

Chapter Six

 

 

 

As Sesshomaru made his way down the main staircase, he was greeted by the sound of shouting.

 

“You idiotic little prick! Why didn't you tear them apart when you saw them?” Kagura roared at a very panicked-looking demon. His eyes darted from Kagura's menacing glare to the front door, taking a tiny step back.

 

“Oh no you don't, you -”

 

“What's going on here?”

 

Both heads turned to the tall, imposing demon standing at the bottom of the stairs, his expression holding a hint of annoyance. Kagura threw her hands in the air.

 

“This, this imbecile has something to tell you,” she said angrily, crossing her arms over her chest. The offending demon's eyes bulged at the prospect of having to tell the demon lord anything, much less something that was definitely bad news.

 

Sesshomaru eyed the bear demon, one eyebrow arched questioningly. The demon withered under the dog demon's icy glare. “What could you possibly have to tell me?” Sesshomaru asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

 

“Go on,” Kagura prodded, her ruby eyes gleaming maliciously. Sesshomaru could barely restrain his irritation. He hated for his time to be wasted so frivolously.

 

“If you have nothing to say then -”

 

“I-I saw a tank e-early this morning,” the bear demon blurted out, cringing once the words were out. Sesshomaru stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing.

 

“A…tank?” He repeated. The bear demon nodded meekly, his gaze glued to the floor. Sesshomaru glanced at Kagura, who was glaring at the bear demon's bent head.

 

“Yeah, a tank heading toward Death Valley and he just let it go about its business!” Kagura's hands balled into fists by her side, her notorious fan dangling just inches away. Before she could do something stupid, Sesshomaru walked toward the two.

 

“What kind of tank was it?” He asked the bear demon. The bear demon looked up quickly, his forehead starting to perspire. “Umm, it was big and gray…a type I've never seen before.”

 

Sesshomaru quickly turned on his heel, paying no heed to Kagura's startled expression.

 

“Get Naraku and meet me in the study.”

 

“But what -”

 

“Now!” Sesshomaru commanded, his voice holding a steely edge. Kagura glared at his retreating form before going in search of Naraku. Now was not the time for petty arguments. They had bigger problems to worry about.

 

~*~

 

As Kagome climbed out of the tank, she greeted the two demons with a bright smile.

 

“Goku! Hakkai! How are you?”

 

The taller of the two returned the smile with one of his own. “Considering the circumstances, I'd say we're pretty good.”

 

Goku crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Going without food is not what I call pretty good!”

 

A snort of derision sounded from behind Kagome. She didn't have to turn around to know that it was Sanzo.

 

“Restricting your diet to two meals a day hardly qualifies as going without food, you stupid monkey,” he muttered with a disgusted shake of his head. Kagome saw the look of hurt that flashed through the monkey's eyes before he lowered his head, shuffling his feet in the sand. She felt a little sorry for him, knowing how much he admired Sanzo, but they had more important matters to discuss.

 

“So where do you think our target went?” She asked Hakkai, her tone brisk and to the point. Hakkai sighed, a slight frown on his handsome face.

 

“I can't say for certain, but I think he may have headed for Sutter's Creek. It's about three miles west of here.”

 

Kagome nodded. She turned to Miroku. “Go pull up the coordinates on the map and give me a digital layout of the area.” Miroku nodded and disappeared inside the tank. Sango glanced around. “Is it safe out here?”

 

Hakkai followed her wary gaze. “I haven't sensed any demonic auras so I'm pretty sure we're in the clear.” Kagome glanced at him, hearing the rest of the unspoken sentence. For now.

 

She motioned toward the heavy duty tent that served as the two operatives' sleeping quarters. While they were undercover, they were afforded few amenities; having to rely on the little money they were given by Elite. It was imperative that they blend in and that meant living meagerly. Since the rebellions began, demons didn't have the financial stability that they'd once had. That was a luxury only afforded to demons in positions of power, meaning the Demon Alliance.

 

“Pack up your stuff and put it in the tank. You'll stay with us tonight.” Kagome told them. Hakkai and Goku went to pack up their belongings while Kagome turned to Sanzo and Sango.

 

“Once we get a printout of the area, we'll decide on our next course of action.”

 

~*~

 

“Forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru, but why all the fuss over one little tank?”

 

Sesshomaru and Kagura both gave the half-demon a look of disbelief. If the situation weren't so serious at the moment, he would have gladly shown the half-demon one of his poison whips.

 

“The reason for all the fuss, as you put it,” Sesshomaru said quietly, “is that a tank signifies a human presence…and humans signify trouble.”

 

A small smile formed on Naraku's thin lips, his eyes gleaming. “But, my lord, surely we can handle a few humans. We are, after all, the superior species.”

 

Sesshomaru suppressed the growl that threatened to break free. He didn't miss the hint of mockery in Naraku's tone when he referred to Sesshomaru as lord. He wanted what Sesshomaru had…everything that Sesshomaru had.

 

“That may be so, Naraku, but they wouldn't be ordinary humans. It's highly possible that we're dealing with government agents, maybe CIA or…”

 

“Elite,” Kagura finished, a frown marring her features. Sesshomaru nodded, leaning back in his chair. The room was blanketed in silence, each demon left to their own thoughts.

 

`Why would Elite be traveling outside Utopia?'

 

For the first time in Sesshomaru's life, a feeling of uncertainty swept over him. Of course they would know how foolish it was to leave the golden city of human civilization, so what could possibly have motivated them to do the unthinkable?

 

“Perhaps this is an assassination attempt,” Naraku suggested, his voice nearly giddy at the thought.

 

`Perhaps they've finally decided to take out that pompous ass Sesshomaru! I certainly won't do anything to stand in their way if that's the case!'

 

Naraku smiled to himself, pleased with the thought. Sesshomaru leveled his gaze on the dark-haired demon.

 

“Perhaps,” he said vaguely. He highly doubted it, though. The Demon Alliance was too heavily guarded, even for the talented members of Elite. That feeling swept over him again, making him shift in his seat. There were stories told about Elite and what they could do…but no one knew the real truth. No one knew what they were really capable of.

 

And that was what had Sesshomaru on edge.

 

~*~

 

“I want Hakkai and Goku on street level. Miroku and Sango will stay behind and navigate. Sanzo and I,” Kagome said, glancing around the small group, “will take the underground route.”

 

Miroku, upon pulling up the layout of the small city of Sutter's Creek, had discovered that the town was built on a series of intricate underground passages. It was unclear as to what the passages had been used for, although Kagome had an idea that it was for military purposes. All these desert towns had some kind of hidden military aspect.

 

Since Hakkai and Goku would be inconspicuous in the streets, Kagome had decided that it would be better for her and Sanzo to travel an alternate route. She didn't want to alert the demons to their presence.

 

When she was sure everyone was clear on their duties, she called it a day. Night was falling and they had an early schedule set for the next day. They'd need a good night's sleep.

 

As she lay in the small bed, tucked away in her cubicle, she stared up at the ceiling. Kagome hoped against hope that they'd find something at Sutter's Creek, even if it turned out to be the tiniest shred of a lead.

 

She let out a small sigh, feeling a dull ache start up in her temples. She didn't want to think too hard about it because if she did, she'd give herself one killer of a migraine.

 

“You know, if you frown too much your face will get stuck like that.”

 

Kagome glanced over at the blonde standing in the entrance of her cubicle. She motioned for him to join her, scooting over as far against the wall as she could. Sanzo made his way over to the small bed, stretching out beside Kagome. He folded his arms behind his head.

 

“It's funny you would say something like that,” Kagome joked. “I mean, as much as you frown it's a wonder it's not a permanent fixture.”

 

Sanzo peered at her out of the corner of his eye. “Not funny,” he muttered. Kagome grinned and rested her head on his arm. She didn't think anything of it; it was something that just came naturally. He was her rock when she needed strength, her calm when she needed stability. However, something was different. Kagome felt a tingle of electricity shoot through her when she made contact with him, a small flare that shot through her.

 

`What is going on with me lately?'

 

A touch or look from Sanzo wasn't so innocent anymore. There seemed to be some sort of hidden meaning behind his words. Kagome could admit to herself that it wasn't just Sanzo, though. It was her, too. She looked at Sanzo in a whole new light…looked at like he wasn't just her best friend.

 

She glanced over at him, realizing that he'd fallen asleep. His hair fell over his eyes in soft wisps, framing his slender features. Kagome reached up and smoothed the hair away, her fingers lingering a few seconds longer than they had to.

 

She let her fingers trail down his chiseled jaw line until they came to rest on his chest. She spread her fingers out, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart. It was comforting, tempting her to close her eyes.

 

To tired to resist, Kagome nestled closer against Sanzo, letting his warmth seep over her. It felt good to lay with him like this… a little too good.

 

~*~