InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cold ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

 

 

Chapter Five

 

February 22, 4035

 

Heavy copper, and the wretched stench of chard flesh saturated the air, masking the once prominent scent of stagnant moisture and putrid mold the dilapidated building, turned torture chamber, exuded. Bloodcurdling screams echoed from one graffiti laden wall to the other, reverberating with the spine chilling misery only unimaginable agony could produce. Sesshomaru remained unimpressed. He had lived this scene more times than he cared to recall, had drawn forth this screeching symphony of suffering years before he’d left childhood behind. Brutality was an integral, ingrained component of his core composition, a founding personality trait present at birth that he relished, nurtured and indulged. One that had not loosened the lips of the writhing youth bearing its brunt. The bloodied male beneath his merciless claws hadn’t revealed anything remotely useful. Either he didn’t know anything or was determined to keep his mouth shut until his inevitable, gruesome end.

In other words, useless no matter which scenario held true.

A waste of his valuable time.

Reaching behind, Sesshomaru slipped the pulse pistol from the waist band of his pants and settled it against the youth’s forehead.

A single, listless orange eye met his. The fire and fury had long since been extinguished and while dull and bleak, that faded tangerine iris stood in stark contrast to the mangled, empty void of his corresponding socket. The only splash of color veering from the blue, black, and crimson that painted his swollen face.

The doomed man swayed forward, further bending the odd, painful, angle of his arms. His battered limbs, rubbed raw by the blood soaked chains that held them, were the only thing holding his abused, mutilated body suspended. Broken and snapped the wrong way, his legs lay useless beneath him in puddle of urine, oozing crimson much like the trickling nubs that remained of his amputated fingers.

His silent motion was as loud as any scream that had left his puffy lips.

He wanted the relief the gun promised.

The terrifying finality of oblivion.

Sesshomaru was more than willing to oblige his voiceless plea. It was getting late and the drugs were working their way out of his system. Real pain was creeping into his side, aggravating the sour mood the lack of pertinent information had created. But before he dispatched this traitorous filth…

“Last chance to save your worthless life.” he probed.

Unwilling, or unable to form the words his silver haired tormentor wanted, the quaking youth let lose a low, soul grinding groan of despair before leaning again towards the barrel of the metal that would end his anguish.

Amber eyes narrowed, and a clawed finger curled around the trigger.

A single squeeze and the back of his head ruptured, showering those closest in a splattering of cherry dipped brain matter. Dispassionate honey orbs watched the brutalized body sag in its chains. Sesshomaru tapped the side of the firearm, reloading the weapon with a soft beep. A trickle of blood trailed a path down his magenta stripped cheek as he turned his attention to nearest captive. The Gartuan was panting, horrified panic turning his eyes wild. Its arms twitched, twisting and tugging in a desperate bid for freedom. 

Sesshomaru slid the gun against his temple.

Purple tears followed the kiss of steel. The Gartuan’s segmented body took on a petrified tremble, rattling the chains from which he hung. 

“Speak.” Sesshomaru commanded softly.

“The Gilrex ordered the hit!” he screeched, “That’s all I know!! I swear!!!”

Sesshomaru slid arctic eyes over to Delr’ik.

Delr’ik nodded, touched a button on his coat and began speaking in low tones.

The Gilrex.

A consistent bane of the Xaltaric Cartel.

A fucking thorn in his side.

He was unsurprised and unimpressed by the revelation. Since taking his position as head of the Xaltaric Cartel, and many years before it, the Gilrex had waged a war against the biggest rival competing for territory throughout the cosmos, often raiding their drug shipments, attacking their compounds and compromising their shaky alliances with interplanetary authority figures. The attacks were a part of a long standing rivalry between two massive syndicates, a feud that had begun long before Sesshomaru had seized the reins of the Xaltaric drug cartel. Despite how incomprehensibly gigantic the universe was, few organizations were willing to share their territories with others of a like mind. Such an arrangement crippled income.

“The Gilrex,” he coaxed, jabbing the sobbing creature with his pistol, “Who orchestrated the hit directly? Names.”

The Gartuan trembled, a deep wail erupting from his chest.

“I don’t know!” he screamed over the thrumming of his thorax, “They didn’t tell me!!”

A fist, the strength and consistency of a boulder, connected with the Gartuan’s eye. Soft bone gave way, the devastating force driving one of its onyx eyes deep into its skull, turning the bulging sphere nauseatingly concave. An arching spray of violet liquid burst from the battered optic, spewing the Gartuan’s life sustaining fluid across the dirty floor before retreating into a gushing flow that ran like a river down the side of its face. It trilled, wailing its agony over the sudden collapse, its body trembling as a swirl of burnished orange, cobalt and magenta, exploded across its skin, telegraphing the great and completeness of its pain.  

Sesshomaru reached for its throat, his strangling grip halting its airflow and agonized screams.

The Xaltaric leader was in the throes of agony himself.

Radiating waves of burning torment was ravaging his insides, the intensity of which was gradually increasing. He’d be damn if he succumbed to even a wince of discomfort before his men or the lowlifes that had plotted to end his life. He trusted none other than Delr’ik at the moment, and would allow no others to learn the extent of his injuries. A timely retreat and the reapplication of a curerator was in order, both of which offended his pride. It grated to have to bow to the weakness of his flesh and had it been any other wound, he would allowed only the natural healing of his system and endured the suffering of it. Cyntari radiation was a different breed to his body. Treating such an infection with the scorn he often showed injuries had the potential of damaging him permanently.

“Delr’ik,”

“Xaltan.” he answered, pausing his low conversation.

“Reiterate the severity of their situation throughout the night,” he bade, releasing the Gartuan’ throat, “I will return tomorrow.”

He tossed the gun to Delr’ik, then strode for the exit.

He paused within the open entryway leading to the outside world.

“Do not waste any more of my time, Gartuan,” Sesshomaru cautioned, “I will not be so merciful when next we meet.”   

Sesshomaru stepped out of the makeshift interrogation building and onto the shadowy street corner. Night had fallen, twinkling stars gleamed over head and oppressive darkness cloaked the downtrodden apartments within a blanket of blackness. Hover lights floated above, their tiny beams of light failing miserably to illuminate the crappy neighborhood in which he stood. Sesshomaru turned in the direction he had come. He walked gingerly in the direction of the teleport, gripping his side when the battering pulses of torment returned. Warm liquid coated his fingers, fresh blood slipping from the over saturated band aid. His wounds were throbbing, sharp shafts of agony shot through his body and nausea churned in his gut. He slowed his pace even more, panting softly as he fought to stay on his feet.

It seemed an eternity before he reached the teleport and even longer before he made it back to Kagome’s dome.

He felt ill with fatigue as he opened the door and stumbled over the threshold.

He staggered around the living room, catching himself on the arm of the couch as his empty stomach heaved and his dizzy mind struggled to activate the mechanism that would lock the door behind him. Hot agony clawed his oblique, horrendous in its intensity, ripping the breath from his lungs. Weaving on trembling legs, he locked down the apartment before bending at the waist, his shaking clawed hand gripping his side in response to the vicious pounding tearing apart his insides. That ache bloomed, spreading until the very blood in his veins felt akin to the burn of acid. Sharp fangs gnashed and a booming growl rose from his chest.

Rage churned his gut, rivaling the trauma of his body.

The humiliating, putrid taste of weakness coated +his tongue in a poison so foul he felt gorge rise in his throat. Clenching his teeth, Sesshomaru forced his hunched form to straighten, ruthlessly fighting through the dark spots that swam before his eyes. Supported by will alone, Sesshomaru stumbled down the hall, and into the bathroom to clean himself up. The shower was taxing to his abused body and despite his dogged determination to hold onto his pride even in the privacy of his own presence, he barely made it back to the couch before his legs gave out. Freshly cleaned and exhausted, Sesshomaru leaned his head against the headrest, the last of his strength draining away while the chair contorted in effort to bring him comfort. He was drowsy by the time it stilled, and sleeping fitfully moments later. 

xxxxxx

Kagome stretched as nanonites crawled over her scalp. The braided bun atop her crown unraveled and shiny dark curls dance for several seconds before losing their spiral shape. Ramrod straight strands replaced her bouncy tresses, and like a shiny blue-black banner, took up a wild wave within the whistling air. The tiny technology moved on to her work shirt and skirt, connecting the two fabrics before shrinking and contouring around her body. Spaghetti strapped and ankle length, the bright blue dress glimmered beneath the floating streetlights. Exotic, dark purple flowers bloomed and unfurled on her dress, stretching along the left side of her waist and the right curve of her hip. The studs in her ears lengthened, then looped, morphing into shinny gold earrings.

Free of her work uniform, and seated in the comfortable, plush seat next to Plynus, Kagome relaxed with a small sigh as the world drifted by. Her twitchy friend had let down the top on his cherry red Levatine Cruiser the moment they hit the skyway, and with the rushing wind caressing her skin and the stars above gleaming like precious gems in a black sea, Kagome felt a fleeting moment of careless exhilaration. The car rounded a steep curve, gifting the young woman with an unobstructed view of Rektan 7’s mesmerizing coral moon. Swirling indigo mist drifted across the coral sphere, outlining its outer shape with a hazy magenta glow. So high above the city, the pretty pink circle appeared within reaching distance of her fingers.  

She glanced over at her companion when the tip of a skyscraper blocked the eerily beautiful scene.

“Do you mind if we stop by the store, Ply?” she asked.

Plynus clicked in agreement. He slowed then guided the hovering vehicle to the nearest off ramp.

“Thanks.” Kagome said, smiling at her kind co-worker.

The descent from their great height was just as thrilling as coasting the winding roads. Her stomach dropped and a bubbly giggle left her lips. Amused by the childish sound, Plynus took a sharp bend with a swishing drift that brought fluttering butterflies to her bottomed out tummy. They reached ground level and the hovercar shift gears in deference to the slower speeds driving on traditional roads dictated. Plynus pulled into a general store on the outskirts of her rough neighborhood. The parking lot was fairly empty. Plynus found an available spot near the door and set the cruiser down gently between the white lines.

“Coming in?” she asked as her seat belt detached.

“I’ll wait here,” he told her, voice changing octave mid-sentence, “My cilia are aching.”

Kagome grimaced in sympathy. Her own feet were killing her too. Today had been rough. A packed house that had persisted well after her shift was over. It was almost eleven o’clock, she was supposed to have gotten off an hour ago. She wasn’t complaining about the long hours, it was more money in her paycheck, but she had a guest at home that she’d promised to bring medicine. For all she knew, Sesshomaru was lying dead on her apartment floor…

Perhaps it wasn’t that dire, but he was most assuredly in a world of discomfort. The pain relief timer on the curerator she’d used had long since passed and from the heat she had felt radiating from his forehead earlier, he was in need of another dose immediately. With that thought in mind, Kagome hopped out of the sporty vehicle and headed for the brightly lit building.

“Be right back.” she called over her shoulder.

Otarnic General Store was a stunted building constructed in gunmetal gray alloy that was just beginning to rust. Bright fluorescent light seeped from the tall window and the double sliding doors, illuminating her slender figure as she walked towards it. Kagome trekked across the lot and stepped through the entrance, closing her eyes briefly when a cool, gust of air ruffled her hair. The doors slid closed and her blue orbs opened. Familiar with the store layout, she turned her gaze to the hovering signs above the aisles, searching until she found one indicating the salutarysection and making a beeline for the lane.  

Long, floor to nearly ceiling shelves packed with medical supplies, organized alphabetically, sat neatly arranged behind thick plexiglass. Situated outside the glass displays, and placed at convenient intervals along the extensive stretch of goods, were floating digital keypads listing available items and their price. 

A translucent keypad drifted down to her.

‘Welcome. Please make your selection using the keypad.’ the store computer prompted.

Kagome placed a inquisitive finger to her lip as she mulled over the selections. She typed in four curerators, a handful of pain inhibitors, disinfectant, and thermal regulating band aids.

‘You have selected: four curerators, five pain inhibitors, one antiseptic tonic and one box of heat regulating band aids. Does this complete your transaction?’

“Yes,”

The computer chimed.

‘Would like your items shipped to home or produced at the counter?’

“Ship to home,”

Another chime.

‘Your total is; 38 pernix and 27 xin,’

A clear scanner in the shape of a hand appeared. Kagome pursed her lips at the total, but placed her hand on the device. A small pang of financial pain filled her chest as the amount was extracted from her account.

‘Your transaction is complete. Thank you for shopping at Otarnic.’

Kagome turned and headed for the door. Plynus was jamming out to some fast beat music she couldn’t even begin to understand when she returned to the cruiser; though the groans and whines of the singer were surprisingly well tuned. A sharp contrast to the horrific, ear cringing B&C he normally favored. She danced into the car, grinning when his trilling laugh rang out at her antics.

She hopped back into car, seat belt bucking as the cruiser rose from the asphalt and glided from the general store parking lot.

The two merged back on the skyway, exotic music booming.

Half an hour later, Plynus pulled up at her little apartment. They chatted a brief moment about tomorrow’s work schedule before exchanging goodbyes. His white headlights illuminated the doorstep as she made her way to her front door. Plynus waited until she had safely opened the door before pulling away. Kagome waved at the retreating car then turned back to the dimly lit living room.

Blue eyes met cool amber.

He looked a bit haggard, his tan skin a bit paler than before. His silver hair was pulled back at his nape, and he’d showered and dressed for bed. A fitted white shirt covered  his chest, while clawed feet peeked from beneath gray and blue stripped pajama bottoms.

“Are you feeling better today?” she asked as the door slid closed behind her.

He inclined his head.

She waited a few moments for more details before realizing he had no intention of providing any. Kagome huffed. Didn’t he know how to elaborate? His conversational skills were a joke.

She moved to the kitchen.

“I brought back some more medicine and and pain inhibitors. Do you need one now?”

“Yes,”

Kagome shuffled through the cabinets, linking to the home computer. She glanced over the inventory within her minds eye, scrolling down the digital list until she found her most recent purchases.  

‘Pain inhibitor selected,’ her system confirmed, ‘Location?’

‘Living room table.’

The house beeped, a laser descended from the roof, and aimed at the living room table. A bright red beam shinned and a small, L shaped metal emerged. Grabbing a box of krists from the cabinet, Kagome rounded the kitchen counter as Sesshomaru leaned forward and grabbed the object, placing it at his neck and pressing the dispenser. A soft hiss ensued, smoothing the lines of strain on his face. She debated whether to leave him alone and hang out in her bedroom, or sit and chill with the mysterious male.

She weighed her options briefly before coming to a decision.

No sense in pretending he wasn’t here.

With what she hoped appeared to be confidence and ignoring the nervous fluttering in her tummy, Kagome strode over to the couch. He was resting with his eyes closed but opened them when she sat a respectable distance from him. Uncomfortable beneath his assessing gaze, she shook her snack box.

“Want some?” she asked, “I ordered dinner for us but it’ll be a while before it gets here.”

He closed his eyes.

Declining her offer.

“Guess not,” she huffed, though a bit glad to be removed from his silent scrutiny, “anyway, we’ve got a few minutes. Mind if I put a movie on?”

Silence.

‘Guess not.’  

The television winked on, spreading across the wall opposite the couch. Kagome switched through the channels before settling on a new horror flick.

Excitement flared.

She absolutely adored gore and lore.

She sat engrossed in the movie and her krists up until the soft beep of dinner arriving chimed halfway through the film. Her stomach dutifully rumbled in anticipation. She’d ordered from a nearby, family owned Slaxton restaurant, one of her favorite places to eat, not to mention, well within her budget. Their take on the Earth dish lasagna was to die for. The matter transfer lazer on her ceiling whirled before beaming two dome shaped plates and cups of lemonade onto the table.

Both domes opened, revealing a steaming concoction of cheese, sauce and noddles. She glanced over at her companion to see him eyeing the dish with a dark brow raised, clearly unfamiliar with the messy looking entree.

Amused, Kagome picked up her own plate. Accompanying silverware slid from a side panel of the plate. Grabbing up a fork, she took her first bite with great relish. Her mysterious guest hadn’t moved to try his and she wasn’t sure if he wasn’t hungry, or just wasn’t interested in the stringy, gooey goodness that was pasta, tomato sauce and cheese.

She swallowed, then offered a bit of reassurance.

“I know it probably looks like a really messy concoction, but it’s really delicious, I promise,” she encouraged, “Give it a try. You’ll like it.”

He glanced at her as though trying to glean whether she was telling the truth or not. Kagome took another bite, demonstrating her enthusiasm. With silent skepticism, he reached for his plate, picked up his fork and took a bite.

She waited, watching for his reaction.

“It is acceptable.” he commented after a moment.

Kagome pursed her lips at the lackluster compliment. Acceptable her big toe. It was the bomb and he knew it. She shrugged, allowing him to hold on to his modesty, and returned her attention to the TV while she ate. The movie was pretty good, the creepiness just right and after it ended she probed him to pick one.

“I do not watch movies.” he informed her when she turned to look at him expectantly.

Kagome shrugged.

“Just pick one, whatever sounds interesting,” she encouraged, “I’ll watch just about anything.”

Again, that assessing look, as though he didn’t know what to make of her. The guy clearly didn’t get out much because his social skills were atrocious. It was kind of cute. She would have thought such a handsome guy would exude a more suave personality, but he was as stiff and unbending as an android. He shifted through the channels, reading through the brief synopsis then settled on an action film with an interesting story.

By the time they finished the movie and one after it, Kagome was tired, her internal clock reading 3:37am.

She stretched.

“Time for me to hit the sack, work tomorrow.” she explained as stood and grabbed the dishes, “Thanks for hanging out.”

Another silent look of scrutiny was her response.

With a sigh at the lack of verbiage, Kagome retreated to the kitchen. So much for trying to form a truce.

The small kitchen incinerator sat next to the sink, and its lid slid open as she approached. Kagome dumped the disposable items inside. The top snapped closed and a bright light flashed beneath the cap. After a quick hand wash, she wandered back into the living room. He was watching her again and she debated whether or not to ask what his deal was.

Was the cold shoulder, silent observation a gesture of mistrust or just a make up of his personality?

Perhaps his people weren’t very socially engaged with each other?

It would explain the remote aura he was soaked in.

Whatever it was, she decided against investigating, at least for tonight. Much like the reason he’d ended up wounded at her front door, maybe she was better off not knowing.

Decision made, Kagome turned and headed down the hall leading to her bedroom.

“Goodnight.” she called over her shoulder.

Inside the sanctity of her room, Kagome sailed through her cleaning routine and was swathed in green cotton pajamas and ready for bed in record time. She hopped into bed, and began activating security measures, locking doors throughout the house and setting the alarm. Once satisfied, she reached under her pillow for her gun.

Cold metal met her seeking hand.

Reassured, she laid down and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep minutes later.

xxxxxx