InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cold ❯ Chapter Fourteen ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter Fourteen

March 13th, 4035

Feeling solid ground beneath her feet, and the blitfers leave her tummy, Kagome slowly opened her eyes. Curious gazes greeted her. The room was filled with more of the skti wearing individuals. Many were standing at attention in various places around the room, while other sat typing on translucent key boards and seated on thin, hovering, gray slabs. The transport command center was littered with rows of computers, transparent screens and platforms. Their attention immediately snapped to their silver haired leader as he stepped off the platform they stood on. Typing ceased and feet hit the floor, the floating slabs disappearing as they stood. Knees hit the floor and heads bowed, the action fluid and well practiced. A beat passed before they stood and returned to their posts.

A tall, seemingly female, individual moved close to the group.

“We’ve prepared quarters for your guests, Xaltan, if you would follow me, sir..”

Kagome wasn’t shocked the person sounded a male. On a plant like Rektan 7, there was an endless array of aliens that didn’t fit into traditional gender roles in the way a sizable amount of species did, but were, instead, a category all their own. Such was the way of the wide, vast universe. The combinations of gender, culture, language and lifeforms were infinite.

Sesshomaru moved to follow, Kagome and her brother trailing after. Eyes sharp, Kagome placed her arm around her brother’s shoulder and moved at a close but sedate pace behind Sesshomaru. She was nervous and suspicious, watching the strangers watch them as they passed. They didn’t seem hostile, at least she didn’t think so but one could never be too careful in their predicament. On a strange ship going God knows where with a male that had been less than forth coming with who he was. It was a disaster waiting to happen. A gamble she had no choice but to ride out.

Kagome pulled her brother tighter to her side, ignoring his inquiring look.

She’d made a choice and whether it turned out to be right or wrong, she’d make damn sure Sota was safe.

The ship was of moderate size. Large enough to hold a several hundred and small enough to move gracefully and with urgency if need be. The walls of the ship were fitted with environmental holographic projectors, currently set to a strange looking material she couldn’t quite place. It was sleek and shiny but seemed to move with life. Almost like it was a living creature. Dull light reflected from its polished surface, bathing the long stretch of hallway with a comfortable glow. There weren’t any rooms that she could see, but knew that meant nothing. As upscale as this machine seemed to be, she was almost positive the portals were merely hidden within the walls and required proper identification to activate its appearance. Her suspicions were confirmed when they stopped in a short time later.

Their unigender guide gestured to the door.

“Please, Ms….”

“Just Kagome please,” Kagome supplied, “and my brother Sota.”

“Kagome,” it repeated, “and Sota, please move forward and allow the computer to sync with your systems.”

Kagome glanced over at Sesshomaru. His golden eyes were sharp in his otherwise expressionless face. While she didn’t trust him completely, he was the only person on this entire ship she could listen to with any sort of confidence and she was pretty sure he knew what she was silently asking.

“Basic information is captured and encrypted after,” he informed her,“The process goes no further than that.”

She wasn’t completely sure of his words but it was better than nothing she supposed. He didn’t seem like the type that relished explaining himself, so for him to do so now gave her some hope that their intimate relationship carried some weight with him. All the same, she would take his assurance with a grain of salt.

“I’ll go first.” Kagome informed them.

“Sis.”

Kagome pasted on a reassuring smile for her worried brother, giving his shoulder a squeeze. She unfolded her younger sibling from her embrace and moved to the indicated spot. Seconds later, she felt a slight inquiry to her system and granted restricted entrance. It swept through her external data quickly and efficiently before connecting her with a microscopic amount of the ships system. A basic program for accessing her room and facilities began. As the access codes downloaded, she moved back to her brother.

“Alright Sota, your turn.”

Her sibling gave her a slightly hesitant look before moving forward and taking her place. Her arm throbbed, reminding her of the hole in her limb. She grimaced, placing a hand over the bandage, watching as the process was repeated on her brother and a doorway opened in the wall. Their guide ushered them inside of the spacious room. Inside, the room projected a cool, welcoming environment in the form of a shady clearing. Fluffy lavender clouds drifted along the ceiling, and cyan grass swayed gently on the floor. Towering light blue tress with frilly pink leaves blocked most of the bright ruby sun, beams of red streaming through the gaps. Definitely expensive environmental manipulation devices. She could feel the warmth of sunlight, could smell the earthy scent of nature, could hear low chirps and trills of creature in the distance. She’d have sworn she was outdoors and not in a ship had she not known better.

“There is space enough for you and your brother,” it informed her, “Xaltan assumed you would wish to share a room with your sibling.”

Kagome turned her attention to the guide.

“Yes, thank you,” she said with a smile, “this is perfectly lovely.”

The creature bowed low and turned, stepping from the room and heading down the hall.

“Hey Sota, why don’t you get unpacked and settle in. I need to speak with Sesshomaru for a sec.”

Sota gave the two a suspicious, questioning look before entering the room. Reaching out, Kagome gripped Sesshomaru’s forearm and pulled him a ways away from the open portal and curious ears. She already knew she would get the third degree when she got back. Sota hadn’t done too much questioning, and wouldn’t, not in front of strangers, but when they were alone. She was in for it. Once satisfied they were out of hearing range, Kagome moved close, placing her lips on his; the contact soft and brief. She pulled back, cheeks lightly flushed.

“Thank you, for taking us with you,” she began, “but we need to come to….an understanding about a few things.”

A silver brow arched.

“Understanding?”

“Yeah. We both clearly have things we aren’t in a….position to speak about but you have information about me that even I don’t have. I need to know what that information is and what interest you have in it. This isn’t just about me, my brother’s life is also depending on keeping information out of the wrong hands.”

She winced, bringing her wounded arm to her chest, hoping to ease the pulsing ache.

“We can have this conversation at a later date,” Sesshomaru responded, “You’re injured.”

“We can have this conversation now, Sesshomaru. Injury aside.”

His brows lowered. He clearly didn’t like being contradicted.

Tough.

She wasn’t kidding, she had no intention of playing games with him, not when her brother’s safety was on the line.Moving forward, he backed against the wall, leaning down at her ear.

“We will have this conversation later,” he repeated, “Understand this, Kagome, the safety of you and your brother is no longer an issue. You have my protection, and the information you seek will be discussed as it is available.”

Kagome glared up at him.

“Of all the arrogant, pig headed-” she pressed her lips together, holding onto her temper as best she could, “Okay, now I’m positive we need to come to an understanding here.”

She took a breath and gathered her thoughts.

“I appreciate the help, I really do, but I need a straight answer from you. What is your interest in me and my brother. The information you were able to uncover has obviously piqued your interest otherwise you wouldn’t be so eager to take on us and our…issues. What’s in it for you? What are you getting out of this?”

“Smart woman,” he complimented, arctic gaze calculating.

“Can’t afford not to be. I’d be dead or worse by now if I were anything less.”

“As it stands, what I have to gain is unclear but I am not lacking in intelligence either. You have several corporations after you and your brother, several of which happen to be my competitors. Having something they want is advantageous, even if I don’t know what that something is yet.”

“My brother and I are not interested in furthering whatever plans you have. All we need is a place to stay for a little while until we can relocate somewhere else. If you have some information that I don’t, I’m asking you to forward it to me so I can protect myself and my brother. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less. I have a little money saved up. I can pay for the info-”

His brows slammed down over glacial amber eyes..

“You insult me.”

She huffed.

“I’m not trying to. I’m just trying to make a bad situation salvageable, alright? Can you agree to housing us until we figure out what to do, and allow me access to the data you collect?”

There was a slight, tense pause as he thought over her words.

“Your terms are acceptable.”

“I mean it Sesshomaru. If you go back on your word…”

She looked him in the eyes.

“I’m not as helpless as you may think. You and I both know I’m not exactly…conventional. I may not know everything about myself, but I know enough to leave if I feel it necessary. Trust isn’t something we have in common but I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that you’ll keep your word.”

His eyes sharpened.

“I expect the same of you. There are things you know that I do not. I would have access to your knowledge as well, Kagome.”

She looked away. She didn’t like that. Wasn’t comfortable with telling him what she already knew, but she couldn’t very well hold out when he might be able to shed light on some of the more confusing aspects of her capabilities, as well as the draw backs and potential value it posed to the people after her.

“Alright,” she finally agreed, “We’ll share what we have and figure it out from there.”

She turned back to him.

“Not only information about me, but you as well. I don’t really buy a few of the things you’ve told me. You need to know who I am and I need to know who you are.”

“Curious are we?”

“Right back at you.”

His lips mashed against her own, tongue tangling with her own.

“I accept the terms.” he murmured against her lips before sweeping her into another blistering kiss.

Wet lips smoothed down her neck, then whispered against the shell of her ear. A shiver of awareness washed through her.

“Had it not been for your brother, you would have been staying with me. True, we don’t share trust, but we do share attraction. One that has not yet ebbed.”

The air left her lungs as their lips met again. A rough hand gripped her buttocks, pulling her flush against his hard frame. Head spinning, she wrapped her good arm around his neck, deepening the kiss.

He pulled back abruptly.

Confused, she looked up at him, wondering what had snared his attention. Kagome nearly recoiled at the gleam in his honey eyes. They were cold, murderous even. She didn’t know who that look was reserved for and wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

“Tend to your wound. I have matters to attend to.”

xxxxxx

Sesshomaru leaned back in his plush chair, sighing deeply as it kneaded his sore muscles and soothed his body with gentle vibrations. He brought the smoldering joint, laced with kran and cyis, to his lips and inhaled, holding the thick smoke in his lungs before slowly releasing it in a steady stream. The darkened room filled with drifting orange smoke, curling around the males and females kneeling at his feet. The surrounding walls flickered, displaying live footage of political leaders, financial readouts for the month, and the current status of several large drug shipments in progress.

The muted broadcasts gently illuminated the shadowy room.

The group kneeling were deathly quiet and still, sweat sliding down their temples. As calm an image as he presented, Sesshomaru knew they could sense his silent ire. These were no new recruits, unfamiliar with his moods, these were seasoned members of the Xaltaric empire. Individuals painfully aware of when he was displeased. Sesshomaru frowned, taking another long inhale and exhale of his joint.

Displeased was too tame for what he felt.

Rage boiled beneath the surface of his expressionless facade. Being back in his domain had stirred the deep anger he’d stewed in during his absence. The drugs flooding his system heightening the violent fury coiling in his gut. He was the laughing stalk of the underground world. Ignorant of the events taking place right beneath his nose.Having the Gilrex in on something while he’d been unaware was an insult, a mockery of everything he stood for.

Everything he’d built.

But even more shameful was being so grievously uninformed of the movements of his enemies, within and outside, that he’d suffered an attack that had nearly been the end of him.

It was a misstep not to be borne.

These empty headed, useless glurtaks had stained his reputation, made a fool of him before the world.

Displeased was a grossly inadequate description of his atrocious mood.

During his brief interlude in the hall with Kagome, he’d received a series of messages; the contents of which had pissed him off to no end to read. The suspected traitor that aided the Gilrex had escaped, and the Sarn had demanded a meeting among the prominent underbosses, apparently upset with his heavy handed dismantling of the Foxling. That the Sarn or any one of the other syndicates for that matter, would demand his presence in order to chastise him for any action he saw fit to take was infuriating.

The people before him had each contributed to this humiliating situation.

Blazing amber eyes peered through hazy smoke at his intel commander, his large form pathetically hunched over. Brodix was a bald, seven foot three, powerhouse. His dark green skin was littered with scars and scales, his face rough and marred, giving him an intimidating and sinister look. Beneath his command, an unfathomable amount of information was organized, analyzed, categorized and distributed to Sesshomaru and other branches of Xaltar. He was directly responsible for any missing data pertinent to the continued dominance of Xaltar.

Next, his intense gaze moved over Shera, one of the high ranking members of the ever increasing security task force. The same task force that had failed to detect the battle craft that had attacked the vessel he’d been in on his way to Saratuo. Her petite form looked even smaller next to Brodix. The light azure glowing lines that traced navy blue skin were muted in fear, her dark shoulder length hair hiding most of her panicked face.

Hikban, a coordinator of shipments, was a little less subtle in her nervousness. She trembled on the floor, her breathing harsh in the quiet of the room. Three large sticky, tentacle like appendages attached to her head twitched, her sharp elf ears drooping to slim shoulders. Her pasty white skin and black polka dots gleamed against the low light.

Delr’ik knelt behind the three. His cyan dreadlocks pulled up in a tight bun.

“I am most displeased.” Sesshomaru informed the room.

Murmurs of apology ensued, some from voices that tremble. It wasn’t enough, not even close. A wall behind him hissed as it rose, revealing several instruments of torture, gleaming and polished.

Sesshomaru inhaled and exhaled, amber eyes mere slits beneath the billowing smoke.

Real punishment was in order.

xxxxxx

Inuyasha stared at the screen.

Stunned.

His eyes shifted left and right, reading and rereading the data.

No mistake.

The psychotic group of scientists at TinO were not only trying to prove the multiverse theory, but were attempting to use wormholes and negative energy to break through the fabric of reality and link the universes together, using the holes and energy as gateways.

He sat back in his seat, placing a hand to his forehead.

What the fuck had Sesshomaru gotten himself wrapped up in?

He knew his brother preferred the wrong side of the law, and hell, he was no rule follower himself, but this? This was dangerous, insane even. A crazy ass experiment several hundred years in the making. An experiment that had originated on some long dead, long forgotten planet in the galaxy of the Milky Way. Planet…

He brought up another screen and read through the contents.

“Planet Earth?”

xxxxxx