InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Mission to Fulfill ❯ The Decision of a Crew Member ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I hold no rights to the characters stated in this fanfiction. Hence, `fan 'fiction...

 

A/N: Sorry for the long update! Writer's block after the third chapter has gotta be illegal, I know, but I hope you enjoy this!

 

Chapter Four-

 

A Valiant Sango Saves Her Crew

 

Everyone looked at him in perplexity. “Towards Orion? Why?” ran through everyone's minds.

 

“Do not question your Captain,” Sesshoumaru ordered. “When your Captain commands you, you shall fulfill his commandment.” He gave them a cold glare as a warning and they all headed for the Control Room after him, obediently sitting in their seats and performing their roles.

 

Kouga maneuvered the front again while Sango attended to the back. Miroku outlined a map using various images to create one diagram. After finishing with the map for the two waiting pilots, Miroku attended to the small signal that alerted them to oncoming creatures in the galaxy. There weren't any to be seen at the moment, but the ones with a shard of the Shikon Jewel could easily conceal themselves from the tracker if they had the brains to use it properly.

 

Jaken scurried into the kitchen to fetch some tea for his Captain and fellow crew members. He carefully raised the loaded tray above his head as he inched his way back to the Control Room. By the time his long trek had just about come to an end, the whole ship started jostling about. The tray that had previously been heaped with cups filled with hot tea was sent backwards as he was thrown to the side, frantically dodging the steaming puddle.

 

The lights flickered and the doors sealed quickly. Jaken barely made it in time to the Control Room before everything went dark.

 

Sesshoumaru was quick to the matter. He ordered Miroku to initiate back up lights and Miroku did so in a smooth manner. Even with the dim lights that glittered in the room, Miroku and Sango, being but simple humans, could only squint and assume that what they made out was in fact correct.

 

Kouga, Sesshoumaru, and Jaken, alternatively, could see nearly as well as when it was in normal brightness.

 

Jaken scurried to a corner, frightened out of his wits. “A youkai is attacking!!” Jaken's amazing ability to state the obvious was almost unnerving.

 

As if to prove his statement, the Tanaka 11 began shaking about again, but this time a loud roar could be heard from above them. Jaken promptly went white (not a very good recruit, eh?) while Sesshoumaru kept his cool and ordered everyone to perform the necessary demon slaying procedures.

 

Sango quickly looked to the screen of her computer. Thankfully, when Miroku had switched on emergency lights, it had also initiated emergency back-up power for the computers. She searched the many camera scenes before coming to the scene that viewed the majority of the back end of the ship. There was a large fire neko youkai perched upon the tail, roaring and shaking its upper right leg that happened to be jammed into the metal defensive coating of the ship.

 

Instantly, Sango was up and running, headed in the direction of the exits. She had to stop that youkai before it permanently ruined the ship! It was only near the emergency exits, the space pods, and the normal exits that held the spacesuits that allowed them to work outside and in actual space.

 

It was still very dark down the halls, and she stumbled over things many times, but she was determined to reach her goal. She was in charge of the lower half, thus it would be her fault if anything serious happened to the coating.

 

After a few seconds, she could hear footsteps running towards her and a very masculine voice calling out to her. She turned around for a minute, but it was still dark so she could not see a thing.

 

Because she looked back, she didn't realize that there was a sealed door in front of her. She slammed into it none too gently, grumbling a little, but not yelling in pain. The man who had previously been calling her was at her side in an instant. He gently sat her up, but couldn't see much better than her.

 

I have to do my duty... With that thought, Sango pushed him away, standing by herself as she leaned against the door for support. “Houshi-sama...get back. I need to do this.”

 

“I'll do it, Sango,” Miroku assured her, taking her by the shoulders. “You just wait in the Control Room and stay safe, ok?”

 

“No!” Sango objected, brushing his hands off. “I will no longer hide and watch others risk their lives! The back of the ship is my responsibility and so it is my duty to protect it!”

 

Miroku hung his head, and a low sigh could be heard. “Sango, I understand what you are feeling-”

 

“No you don't!” Sango was huffing from yelling. Any second, the others would come running to know what the entire ruckus was about. Taking a deep breath, Sango gently said, “Please, Miroku. I just want to do what I know is right. Surely...you can relate to that?”

 

The pleading in her voice made him stop and rethink. At last, he sighed again and said in a low voice, “Alright. But, do make sure that you return safely.”

 

Smiling, Sango nodded her head and hugged him. He returned her embrace, momentarily forgetting that her bottom was inches away from his hand. When she released him, she pressed in some numbers into the key and waited while the door slowly slid open. The light that came from the room highlighted their forms, and Miroku could see the genuine smile on her face.

 

As soon as it was open, she slid inside and waited by the door for it to close. She kept her smile on her face until the door sealed shut and she turned around with a happy, yet also determined expression.

 

Deep breaths...deep breaths...

 

Doing what her mind was insisting she do, she took her final deep breath before stepping towards the second sealed door to her right- the one that held the spacesuits. After choosing the spacesuit that she had been given at the very beginning of all this, she slipped it on, making sure that she had every thing on. Then, she turned around, space helmet in hand. She went over in her mind what she was going to do to stop the youkai before putting on the helmet, determined to achieve her goal.

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Miroku sighed. He couldn't do anything now. Her mind was made up, and when it was- there was hardly anything in the world to stop her from accomplishing it.

 

He walked slowly through the doors, making his way back by mere memorization of the halls. There were too many sealed doors to pass through, though. Every direction held at least two doors leading to completely different quarters.

 

After walking for what seemed like a small eternity, Miroku pressed in his password for the last time before coming in the room where everyone was staring intently at him. Of course, he was unaware of their curious stares, being blind as a bat when it came to a vast amount of darkness.

 

“Where is she?”

 

Miroku looked up. “Hmm?”

 

“I said, `Where is she?'” Kouga repeated, growing and anxious to know her whereabouts.

 

Miroku sat down in his chair, sticking in the earphone before answering, “She's preparing to battle.”

 

“WHAT?!?! ARE YOU CRAZY- YOU'RE JUST LETTING HER GET HERSELF KILLED?!”

 

“She's not going to get killed!” Miroku protested.

 

“Listen bouzu, she could get killed and she's too valuable to this mission! I can't steer the ship without a co-pilot!”

 

“You've done it before.”

 

At this, Kouga went silent. Yes, he had had to maneuver the ship solo, but that was for a short period of time, and he was really stressed about doing everything right. But, now they had Sango, and he didn't want the heavy load to get even more extreme on his back.

 

“Sango is a strong-willed woman. If she puts her heart and soul into something, she'll go to the ends of the universe to accomplish it. Let her put her stamina to some good use.”

 

“But-”

 

“Leave her be,” ordered Sesshoumaru. “The monk is correct. That young woman is deadly serious when the situation requires her full attention.”

 

Everyone went quiet, before Miroku signaled Sango using the special earphones that each and every one of them held within their grasp at all times. There was a crackly sound before a buzzing feminine voice came.

 

“Yes?”

 

Miroku coughed before answering, “Is everything going smoothly?”

 

“Stellar,” was the reply.

 

He nodded approvingly. “Good. I'll be initiating the airlock doors to open so prepare yourself.”

 

“Oh wait...”

 

“What?” A worried sweat drop rolled down his face.

 

There was a bit of shuffling before a low giggle. “Um...almost forgot my weapon...”

 

Miroku practically felt out his chair.

 

“Hey, don't tell me you don't do it too...”

 

Sesshoumaru watched in mild amusement as Miroku sat up straight again, remarking, “You almost forgot your weapon and you're going to battle this youkai? Wait, don't answer that, I don't even think I want to hear the answer. Just, please try to sound like you're ready.”

 

After a moment's silence, Sango replied, “I'm ready. Initiate airlock doors to open.”

 

Waiting a while to make sure that she was really ready, he opened the sealed doors one by one, closing them when she entered the room. Finally, the last door was opened and Sango set out, her weapon in hand and her helmet locked on. She gazed out at the remarkable sight that never bored her- the galaxy. She completely stepped out, the door shutting behind her with a soft clicking sound.

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Outside, the neko youkai was roaring and clawing at the exterior of the craft. The flames at her feet threatened to burn the heavy duty material and her claws were about to tear it apart completely. Her right paw was already stuck inside it, and she was frantically trying to pry it out.

 

When she spotted Sango, she was not at all comforted. The giant bone boomerang that she held over her head as she carefully walked over was frightening and she roared out her complaint.

 

Sango looked at her with all the intentions of ridding her. She was a nuisance, and that was all that really mattered.

 

When she lifted her Hirakotsu above her head, she glared at the youkai as well. Then, she saw something that she was not ready for.

 

The neko youkai swished her two tails in a nervous manner and her eyes showed complete and utter fright. She gave a low growl, and hurriedly picked up the pace at trying to pry her paw out. Sango stood still, watching intently at the youkai's actions.

 

Why isn't she attacking? Sango walked a little closer, only disturbing the youkai even more. W-what's she doing? Her...her paw is...stuck?

 

Looking closer, Sango realized that the youkai was indeed stuck.

 

She had no intention of harming our ship, then? Is it possible she felt a threat and, trying to hide from us, got her claws stuck into the exterior of the ship?

 

“Hey, there,” Sango said cautiously. The youkai looked up at her. “Are you stuck?”

 

The youkai growled a little, but seeing that Sango was only checking to see her well being, she closed her jaw and gave her an intent stare.

 

“I can help you...if you...want me to,” Sango walked a little closer.

 

There was an annoying screech in her earpiece then, “Sango! What are you doing?”

 

“She's just stuck, Miroku.”

 

“Stuck or not, she's damaged out ship!”

 

“I can fix it.”

 

“It's going to require a lot of fixing, you know.”

 

She looked at the paw of the youkai. It was in pretty deep, but nothing her expertise couldn't handle. “I think I can handle it.”

 

“You think-”

 

Sango turned her earpiece off and focused her attention at the animal before her. Carefully, she walked over, more like jumping in the airless ambiance around her. The youkai was a little cautious, but once Sango tried to gently pry her paw out, her tense muscles were comforted. Soon, her paw was out of the craft and she licked it attentively. Sango smiled. She turned her earpiece back on and said in a boasting tone, “See? I told you I would be alright.”

 

“That's nice, Sango, but what about the craft?”

 

Sango nodded her head and looked at the dent keenly. It needed repairing alright, and it wasn't going to be easy. “I'll need to go back in and get some supplies.”

 

“There isn't enough time! The oxygen supply is starting to leak out!”

 

Now she started to panic. “But...I don't have the right supplies!”

 

Before Miroku could reply, the connection was lost.

 

“Miroku? Miroku!!”

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

“Sango, can you hear me? Hello? Sango?!”

 

“There's nothing you can do,” Kouga stated simply, twisting knobs and pushing buttons in hopes of stopping the leakage of oxygen. “The magnetic waves emanating from this spaceship cut off any sensors left to enable you to connect to her. I knew she shouldn't have gone out there.”

 

Miroku sighed and rubbed his temples. Sango's oxygen supply wasn't going to last forever. Even if she did have the necessary supplies, she probably wouldn't make it to the end. Suddenly, he stood up. He was going to have to finish the job.

 

“I'm going out there.”

 

“Can't.”

 

Miroku looked at him in confusion. “Why not?”

 

Kouga sighed heavily. “The doors won't open.”

 

“I'll just put in my password and-”

 

“No.” Kouga looked at him with a stern expression. “The ship's gone on lock down. It won't matter how many times ya try and punch in your password, they won't open. Unless Sango fixes the wires that got messed up, the ship refuses to allow anyone out...or in.”

 

Miroku groaned loudly and slumped back in his seat, head in his hands. Sango was out there, with no supplies and there was no way for her to get any.

 

Sango...what are we going to do...

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

“Miroku?! Answer me, please!!”

 

The connection is lost...damn! Why now- of all times?

 

Sango hung her head in defeat. Her suit was going to start beeping frantically for lack of oxygen supply in a while, but she couldn't possibly get inside just to refill it when the whole ship was in danger.

 

“Oh...what am I going to do? I...I don't know!! Ohmigod I'm not going to make it...”

 

There was a roar and Sango looked over to see the neko youkai looking at her curiously. Sango grinned a little and she pet the coat of the youkai. It purred affectionately.

 

“I guess I should just try and fix what I can, huh?”

 

Sighing deeply, she began to search through the dent. A few strings had been cut apart. Grabbing two that she was sure went together, she stared at them intently.

 

“GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Sango shouted. “How am I supposed to connect these???!!!”

 

Again, there was a roar from the youkai. Sango glanced at her again.

 

“Do...do you have an idea?”

 

The neko youkai nodded and Sango's eyes widened.

 

Maybe it was a good thing to have helped her after all...

 

A/N: Why do I do two author notes? Well, one is for an introduction and the last is for a proverb and vocabulary! So, here you go!

 

A small hole can sink a big ship. (From Russia)

 

Vocabulary:

Youkai- demon

Ookami- wolf

Inu- dog

Hanyou- half demon

Miko- priestess

Kami-sama- god

Neko- cat

Houshi-sama- monk

Bouzu- an insult to Buddhist monks