InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cold ❯ Twenty-One ( Chapter 21 )

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

Chapter Twenty -One

March 20 th , 4035

The wild cries of creatures unknown pierced the crisp air of the swampy marsh. Brittle, creaking trees dotted the foggy quagmire. Their gnarled branches topped with withered copper foliage and their chunky roots encased within thick dark juniper mud. Low hanging vines slithered along crooked tree trunk, while small bubbles rose from the mire. The muddy domes popped indiscriminately, spewing repulsive smelling gasses into the misty cloak obscuring the swampland. Beneath the inky black of night and the dim glow of a cyan tipped moon, a lone woman trekked near silently through the muck.

Her feminine figure was cloaked in a skin tight, midnight jumpsuit. Soft rays of blue tinged moonlight illuminated the pink armored plates attached to her elbows, knees, shoulders and midriff. The waist long, charcoal ponytail gathered atop her crown swayed gently against the metallic boomerang strapped to her back.

She grunted beneath her breath, yanking her booted feet from the hard suction of the wet ground below with each step forward.

Her system added another notch to the strength enhancing function of her battle suit. Increasing the power in her knee high footwear and reducing the effort it took to place one leg in front of the other.

Something rustled in the distance.

She stopped.

Honey feline eyes narrow as the low hiss of her visor activating joined the haunting howl of the swampland.

A thin, gray sheet of virtual glass joined the shiny half mask covering her nose and mouth.

Quick scan initiated, bathing the dense area in a vivid green haze. Shrewd orbs moved over the stinky marsh with methodical precision. Red circles leapt onto her visors interface. Diminutive numbers indicating distance and estimates of enemy combatants accompanying the scarlet warnings. Loud beeping swept her internal system a moment before those crimson rings tripled.

She reached for her equipment.

Whipping the boomerang from her back, she hoisted the gleaming weapon to her front and buried one end in the mud. A silvery force field erupted from the smooth edges of the boomerang, the wintry energy whining as it repealed the flurry of orbs hurtling her way.

The spherical globules were the size of laengs but held the weight of a charging utral.

They hammered her shield.

She gripped the short handle of her boomerang with a steadying hand, booted feet searching for surer purchase in the slick sludge below. Fang grinding as she skidded backwards beneath the force of the blows. A felid roar rent the sky and a tan mammoth of fur hurtled into the brush from which the orbs originated.

The onslaught ceased.

Bestial screams erupted.

She straightened, arm tensing to pluck her boomerang from the mud when a fast moving form slammed into hers.

She cried out as she was launched several yards from her weapon.

Twisting mid-air, she gained her feet. Sliding to a halt beneath the shadow of a crooked tree.

Across from her, a member of the infestation she was tasked with exterminating.

Humanoid but hunched painfully on all four spindly arms, the Otisc was a blind, parasitic native menace to many regions on planet Hflan. Its oval, elongated visage was covered in scarred flesh stretched over deep sockets where eyes once resided. Bellowed the ruined flesh, an abnormally wide pink gash lined with rows upon rows of ivory canines. Emaciated, its seaweed green skin molded to ridged bones like a thin layer of paint. The creature trilled, a horrible screech that brought a wince from behind her mask seconds before its gullet widened.

She spun away from the tree at her back, narrowly missing the heavy orb it launched through it teeth laced throat.

Wood splintered, the tree toppled, and the armored female vaulted atop it. Free of the mud, she sprinted towards the next Otisc thundering her way, pulling her sword from its holster at her hip as she ran. She sliced the head from one and severed the arm of another.

Brown fluid spurted.

Coating her jumpsuit in sticky, shiny blood. A low frequency pulse began in her protective gear, the ensuing tremors forcing the liquid from her person.

She carved through three more parasites before the tree beneath her began to sink.

As the collapsed vegetation dipped beneath the marsh, she sent an Otisc flying with a vicious kick to its teeth.

Two more took its place.

She brought her sword up as they rushed her.

The world tilted, and her back met the fallen tree. The Otisc chomped at the blade between their teeth, their putrid breath the stuff of nightmare. Growling and salivating in effort to tear the flesh from her throat. Her arms burned, fingers gripping her blade with every ounce of strength in her body. Bringing her feet to their sunken abdomen, she rolled. Slingshotting the jaw snapping creatures into a nearby tree and losing her sword in the process.

She rolled the opposite way and quickly gained her feet.

Springing over baying Otisc, she abandoned the tree and leapt back to the mud for her boomerang. Grabbing the handle as she cleared the curved meta, her feet hit the mire, and she jerked the projectile free. Lifting and tossing it with all her might in a single fluid motion. The L shaped metal whipped through flaky trees, cleaving weak vegetation in twain before tearing through the skeletal bodies of the Otisc hidden in the surrounding brush.

The ensuing howls of agony were thunderous.

They poured from the treeline. Mutilated and feral they launched in her direction just as her boomerang made its return trip.

Her suit braced for impact, reinforcing her defenses in anticipation of the coming expulsion. She caught the flying metal in a single hand, initiating the repulsion mechanism seconds later. She brought the boomerang to the mushy dirt at her feet and a bright, silvery light illuminated the swamp. A blast of energy erupted, the resounding explosion of concentrated pressure repelling the injured Otisc and cratering the ground at her feet. Sharp debris and body parts hurtled outward, scattering over the deep gouge carved into the wet terrain. She squeezed the handle in her hand, bracing herself against the back wind. Increasing the density of her eye shield as mud and crisp pieces of vegetation flew.

The earth quaked, the wind howled and bestial wails of death erupted.

Just as sudden as the surge began, it dissipated.

The light faded.

Trees and bloody limbs dropped.

And the quiet that greeted the end of a battle settled over the smoldering swamp.

She straightened, turning her scanner to the newly created wasteland, searching for the slightest indication that she’d missed a target. Small pockets of heat danced across the hazy green, the red glows dimming rapidly as bodies began to cool. When her shrewd regard could discern no hint of movement, reality began its slow creep to the forefront of her mind.

The dreaded hush following battle reigned and a familiar ache bloomed in her heart.

Sango pressed her forehead to the warm metal of her boomerang. Closing her eyes as cooling smoke hissed from the ventilation ports of her giant weapon.

She waited in vain for their voices.

Straining to hear a single syllable from the people she had held so dear to her heart for twenty-five years, even while knowing that such a thing would never, could never happen again on this plane of existence. There would be no congratulatory words from father. No glowing enthusiasm from her gentle, pre-teen sibling. Not a single hoot of triumph from cousins and friends she’s grown up with.

Just hated, heartbreaking silence.

A well-known thump shook the earth beside her and a warm body covered in downy fur found refuge alongside her right hip.

The meowing rumble was inquiring, soothing.

Sango reached for the comfort Kirara offered. Sliding desperate fingers through the soft pelt exposed between the giant feline’s metal headgear. She gripped the warm fur beneath her fingers. Teeth clenching as she struggled to maintain control of the agony tearing her chest apart.

It was routine now.

This emotional anchoring between the two females. One that kept her moving day in and day out.

“I’m okay, Kirara.” she answered.

She loosened her grip, petting instead of holding on for dear life.

“I’m okay.” she repeated for both herself and her companion.

A familiar scent joined the stink of the marsh. Kirara tensed, while Sango tightened her hold on her boomerang and the suddenly disturbed feline. A gust of wind blew her ponytail across her face and the soft thud of a new arrival hit the ground behind her.

“Yo.”

Sango ignored the casual greeting. Yanking her boomerang from the ground, she waited for the metal L to reduce its size. A low click rang out and the boomerang began its compartmentalization. Folding into itself with quiet ease, her trusted weapon pack itself into a long but narrow curved collection of machinery a fraction of its original size. Sango swung the stacked weapon to her back, ears perking up as Hiraikotsu settled against her spine.

There was shifting behind her. Quiet footsteps closed a significant amount of distance between her and the unwanted guest.

Kirara bristled at her side. A low, menacing growl slipping from her great jaws.

“My, my,” the woman fairly purred as she neared, “You certainly haven’t lost your touch.”

Sango glanced over the battle field for her sword. The abandoned sword was sticking up, handle first, from a pile made up of mud and mangled limbs.

“I thought I told you to stop following me.” Sango said, striding towards her gore covered blade, Kirara at her heels.

“You say that as if I have a choice in the matter,” the new comer grumbled, “orders are orders.”

The woman gave an annoyed huff.

“I don’t understand why you’re still doing this anyway,” she continued, voice laden with a layer of scorn, “The Slayers no longer exist. Contracts made in that name are null and void. You’ve no obligation to fulfill them.”

Kirara growled, muscles bunching beneath her fur. Sango pressed a calming hand to the affronted animal, sliding a palm over the black diamond exposed in the small slit of her headgear. The rumbling quieted but her body remained taunt with hostility.

The eradication of the Slayers did not release her from its obligations. She was still a Slayer, even if she was the only one and a Slayer was duty bound to uphold agreements made in it that name. It was a code of honor deeply ingrained. The governing rules of extermination etiquette that she and those that had come before had always lived by. Despite the fall of the Slayer coalition, she would continue to guide her life along the path of its teachings.

Before annihilation, the Slayers were contracted to wipe this region of the planet for habitation by a new group of off world settlers.

She had an obligation to see that contract to fruition.

Alone.

“But even I must admit that I find myself humbled by your nauseating sense of honor,” she mocked, “and disgustingly staunched integrity even though it no longer matters.”

Annoyed by the woman’s presence and callous stating of painful realities, the dark haired Slayer plucked her sword from the smelly grime, then gave the blood coated blade a flick. Slinging viscus fluid inches from the other woman’s feet.

Feline honey met soulless crimson.

Dark hair pinned atop her head with two snowy white feathers, and wrapped in a strikingly colorful garment she described as a ‘kimono’, Kagura gave her a placid smile in response to the muck inches from her bare toes.

“What terrible manners,” she chortled, tapping a closed, gleaming black fan against her hip, “how unbecoming of a lady.”

Flipping the blade with practiced ease, Sango returned the shiny metal to the sheath affixed to her left hip.

“If you only came here to hurl insults, then let’s skip to the part where we part ways,” Sango replied, “You’ve wasted enough of our time.”

“Time is the only thing you have now,” she ridiculed, “but you’re right. I didn’t come here to chit chat.”

Reaching into the long sleeve of her kimono, Kagura withdrew something small and square.

“I have a message for you.”

She held it out to the young exterminator.

Sango hesitated.

“Take it,” Kagura crooned, “You’ll only torture yourself later. Hear us out at least.”

Kirara mewled her dissent, drawing a glare from the pretty fan wielder.

“Or listen to the big hairball and miss your chance.”

Kirara swung crimson orbs to Kagura. She hissed, leveling a sharp toothed snarl at the woman.

Sango stepped forward, cutting of the rumble of hatred. Raven brows furrowed, she took the thin sheet from the other woman. She studied the dark words etched on it, then examined it. Flipping it back to front with undisguised curiosity. She knew what it was. Had learned about it during Universal History Programming, but she had never actually touched it before. Paper, is what it was called. Still used in severely underdeveloped pockets of populations within the vastness of space. It was incredibly-

“Primitive, I know,” Kagura chuckled derisively, “but the doctor is quite fond of utilizing archaic forms of communication. He says it makes him feel nostalgic.”

She snapped open her fan with a click, before slapping it closed again. Sango looked up, waiting for an explanation of the coordinates the slip of paper contained.

“There’s an information center on Byorr that needs to meet with an…accident,” she told her, “However you choose to accomplish that goal is up to you, but the information it contains must be wiped completely.”

“No, I already told you, my skills as a Slayer aren’t something I’m willing to use to do your dirty work. Not any more.”

Kagura lifted a shoulder in a delicate shrug.

“It’s hardly dirty work. I’m asking you to delete a couple of hard drives, not assassinate a high ranking official…not yet, anyway.”

“Let’s go, Kirara.”

She turned, intent on heading back to her ship. She knew what was coming next. Knew that if she stayed around to hear what reward the red eyed woman offered in return for the illegal act that she would be drawn back into a situation that would leave what was left her soul hollowed. Kirara bumped her cheek against her hip, urging her to move faster, to ignore the coming coercion.

Sango dragged her feet.

Strolling leisurely when she knew she should be running…

She wanted to hear.

Wanted to be sucked back in.

“You abandoned the project prematurely,” Kagura began, “With such delicate work there’s bound to be set backs. After the last one, we made a few changes…There’s movement this time.”

Sango froze, the softly spoken words stopping her in her tracks. In the hush that followed the announcement, two things happened. Adrenaline crashed through her veins, and the wounded ache in her heart intensified. She closed her eyes, inhaling an inaudible breath as she absorbed the impact of those words. Kirara nudged her hand, her low whine worried.

Sango barely heard her.

She licked suddenly dry lips and before speaking.

“How…how much movement?” she asked.

“Enough to continue where we left off.”

Sango swallowed, then shook her head.

“Come back when you can guarantee there won’t be another ‘set back’.”

Kagura huffed.

“No can do, kitten. Production is at a stand still until other ‘conflicts’ are resolved. If you’re not interested in continuing, then I’ll leave, but our little project goes with us. Since this was a specified request, it offers little benefit to us. With you out of the equation, there’s no incentive to see the project to completion so its off to the incinerator.”

Rage rose swiftly, suffusing her body in an ugly cauldron of emotion far stronger than her grief. She pivoted with a snarl, activating the hidden compartment at her wrist. Thin, needle shaped blades hurtled towards the smug woman. It was an exercise in futility, an eruption of fury she knew would go nowhere. They clanged against an open fan and tumbled harmlessly to the ground.

Kagura, unruffled by the outburst, gave herself a gentle fanning.

Bearing two crimson streaks on white, its ends tipped in serrated blades, the spread fan stood completely unscathed.

“If you feel that strongly about it,” she taunted softly before snapping the fan closed, “go to Byorr.”

xxxxxx

March 22 th , 4035

Kagome hummed softly as she sketched out a winding line. The sky above mirrored the charcoal outline, adding it to her redraw of the woodland creature she’d drawn a few days ago. Her second rendition of the original had certainly turned out better than the first. The lines were cleaner and professionally smooth in her opinion. She was quite proud of her work even if she still found fault in a couple areas.

She had been a pretty great mood lately.

Sota had returned to his studies with an excellent education program Sesshomaru provided from his years of self learning, cuei was a constant, sluggish hum in her veins, and they were scheduled to enter Byorr’s orbit in a matter of minutes. While she was still apprehensive about what she would find at Reinhert Genetic Testing and Research, she was hopeful that she would leave with a deeper knowledge of herself.

Her holographic pencil shifted back to the cute orbs of her feline creature. She traced the bold lines as her mind drifted.

To be honest, she was kind of scared to go.

It didn’t take a genus to figure out her phobia of hospital settings probably had something to do with her forgotten past at that center, and that visiting would most likely unearth more unpleasant memories. Memories that the Feedback program would make her live through weather she remembered on her own or not.

Her stomach clenched.

Despite her distrust of her lover’s motives, she was, at least, glad she wouldn’t be going alone.

She turned her mind back to her drawing. Hand slowing as she took in the new eye shapes she’d created. The adorable, twinkling orbs she’d initially sketched were different. The knot in her stomach bloomed. Drawn like a moth to a flame, she looked up at the image reflected in the virtual sky. Hawkish, menacing, those eyes stared back at her with an intensity and focus that made her skin crawl.

A chill swept her spine.

She didn’t like its eyes.

“Delete.” she whispered.

The ship’s computer chirped.

“Are you sure you want to delete drawing 0-”

“Delete it now!” Kagome burst impatiently.

The image dissolved.

In the ensuing silence, she dismissed the transparent sketch pad and pencil before sliding her hands over arms pebbled with goosebumps.

xxxxxx

So I didn’t get to completely finish the chapter, but I didn’t want my new job to keep postponing it either. Its been hell trying to write. I’m an night owl, but my work hours are in the morning so I’ve been so tired and spaced out. I’m looking for a new job that begins in the afternoon or evening, which is when my brain is actually awake, because these hours are just not going to work. I feel so run down, lol. Sorry about the long wait and short chapter. I’ll try and do better the next time around but I didn’t want you guys to have to wait even longer. I do hope you enjoyed it regardless though. By request, I’ve split new terms from the Glossary so you don't have to hunt for them and will continue to do that from here on out.

Please review, you know I love to hear your thoughts and I’ll see you in the next chapter soon!

Laters

~Sessakag

New Terms

Hflan- A planet located within the star system of Byorr. It has recently seen an uptake of interest by off world settlers in need of a new home but is littered with dangerous native organisms. It is mostly unclaimed with only a few regions technologically advanced.

Otisc- Blind, humanoid parasitic creatures that create and inhabit swampland on planet Hflan. They burrow beneath the ground of healthy land, sucking the life out of nearby plants and turn the area into a swampy marsh with the waste they produce from feeding. They shoot hardened projectiles from their throat and breed/live in giant clusters of clans.

Slayers- A coalition of individuals that contract with other planets for extermination services.

Utral - Two headed rhino type mammal native to another planet.

Glossary

Antiseptic Tonic: Cleans wounds and kills majority of germs.

Azerai: A bright red planet currently being evacuated due to its dying sun.

Azeraic: An individual who was a citizen of Azerai.

Betr: A two headed reptilian creature from the planet Tarthrix.

Blier: A state on the planet Lyt.

Blitfers: Six winged insect that strongly resembles a butterfly.

Brakon: The equivalent of bacon.

Byorr: A ringed planet that shares a solar system with Lyt.

Caspte: Fuzzy, peaceful nine foot caterpillar like creatures.

Check-in Station: Off planet space stations within orbit of a planet that function as a security border checkpoint before admittance to a planet is permitted. The inquiry processes are highly invasive and thorough, delving into important aspects such as backgrounds, criminal records, and genetic abilities of alien individuals that may prove harmful or dangerous. The probe encompassed brief visits, as well as immigration. Based upon accumulative results, degrees of clearance are issued ranging from unmonitored access to flat out rejection of entrance and everything in between.

Cuei: A type of energy to be explained later in the story.

Curerator: A container with a strong concentration of healing nano that promote the body’s natural healing capabilities and fight infection. Can be applied to most species without adverse reaction.

Cyis: Is a highly illegal drug with an effect synonymous with cocaine.

Exlar: Enemy cartel of Sarn and Foxling.

Daxtan: Word synonymous with husband.

Fliier: Eggplant shaped vegetable that is very bitter when eaten raw but produces a sweat, savory juice when squeezed.

Foxlings Cartel: A small cartel with a strong influence in a number of key parts of the Teriaus galaxy.

Gartuan: A grasshopper looking creature with several limbs and soft bones. It changes colors when distressed or in pain.

Gilrex Cartel: A major cartel that dabbles mostly in drug sales, prostitution and weapon deals. The cartel is a major rival of the Xaltaric Cartel.

Glurtak: Xerian insult.

Heedrix: Winged, moth like alien from the planet Qtax.

Helping Hands: A pediatric hospital.

Inugami: Unknown at this time. Rumors suggest the remnants of the Xerian’s primitive ancestors.

Jerrsix: Cylinder shaped with a smooth, round crowns, these aliens originate from a planet hollowed out and made uninhabitable by pollution too toxic for even their species to survive. They’ve since abandoned the crumbling world and taken up residence on planets with high toxicity and contamination. Their bodies are similar to the make up of a jellyfish. They come in a multitude of colors but dull gray is the most common. They are translucent, and lack facial features except for big black, pupiless eyes near the top of their form. Appendages, such as arms can be formed by their gooey bodies at will.

Kieyoshi: Xer word meaning wife.

Kran: A leaf, similar to cannabis in effect but is not an illegal substance in most of the known universe.

Kreeri: A solar system that includes Saratuo, Rektan 7 and other planets.

Knast Tree: A tree that produced nuts that are highly sought after on many plants and used to enhance the flavor of many dishes, mostly desert dishes.

Knutss: Pea shaped nuts from a Knast tree.

Krists: A snack almost like caramel popcorn.

Kryl: A creature found in the sea. It’s body consists of mostly tentacles, sort of like the spaghetti monster.

Laengs: Red eggs.

Liari: Kagome and Sota’s mother.

Lithro Technologies: A corporation the specialized in advanced android construction and programming.

Lyrial: Winter celebration on Rektan 7, pretty much like Christmas but has no religious context.

Lyt: A lime green planet, covered in thick miasma toxic to most species. It is a world wide democratic planet with moderately technological advancement.

MetaQuin: A moderate gang spread liberally through out many galaxies and specializing in smuggling. While just as dangerous as any other criminal organization, the MetaQuin are content to hang on the fringes of the bigger syndicates, often neutral in the midst of turf wars.

Omakran: A planet home to Voltrin and several other species.

Pain Inhibitors: A tonic that reduces the body’s ability to feel pain due to injury or illness.

Partanian Zoo: A chain of popular zoos scattered throughout the universe housing and showcasing several exotic and rare animals.

Pernix and Xin: Currency accepted in most of the known universe with Pernix equivalent to dollars and Xin the same as coins.

Phantox: Turkey type meat.

Pheran: A highly addictive illegal drug that induces a strong high, stimulating adrenaline and heightening senses. It leaves behind a relaxing euphoria when leaving the blood stream.

Quazix Check-in Station: Main checkpoint of the planet Lyt.

Rayn: Blue salad dressing with the texture of ranch.

Red Rooms: An illegal service that provides the customer with live murder/torture, allowing the viewer to dictate the actions taking place.

Rektan 7: A highly popular, wealthy and advanced planet home to thousand upon thousands of species.

Representative: Equivalent to a mayor in terms of a city, but can also cover a variety of position in broader terms such as a representatives of a entire planet or clan.

Rhit: Akin to spaghetti noodles.

Rilk: A city within the state of Blier that is pro-Exlar influence.

Rizek: A popular bar/restaurant near one of the major check in stations on Rektan 7.

Saratuo: A blue/green planet with a series of pink rings of average wealth and technological advances.

Sark lettuce: Orange, crisp vegetation with the consistency of lettuce.

Sarn: An old but medium sized cartel that relies heavily in sex trade.

Severance: Dissolving of a sanctioned mating on Xer, works in the same way as a divorce of a marriage would.

Sh’vek: Tall and spindly with elongated heads, these creatures have six eyes and round teeth. They are native to Rektan 7.

Slaxton: A androgynous, often times short creature with a big head, black eyes and gray skin.

Slayers: A coalition of individuals that contract with other planets for extermination services.

Skti: A form suit that is commonly worn by enforcers or military personal. It comes in both long sleeves and no sleeves and contains pockets that are visible only when in use. They are also equipped with heat regulators, emergency curerators and have the ability to be outfitted with special software, if necessary, for specialized situations.

Skyway: Equivalent of a freeway or highway. It is a transparent road high in the sky with a gravity system that keeps vehicles in place and make crashing less likely.

Syntari: Very lucrative raw minerals used in various weaponry across the universe.

Thermal/Heat Regulating Band Aid: Band aid that comes in multiple sizes. It senses the best temperature for each step of the healing process, changing its temperature from cold, to reduce swelling, bleeding and inflammation, to hot, to reduce aches and pains and any temperature in between.

Thyrn: Leader of the Sarn cartel.

TinO: A research facility on New Saturn that specializes in space sciences.

Torpal: Blue, genetically altered vegetable that is crisp on the outside, but gooey on the inside and has an earthy taste. Shaped like a bell pepper.

Underboss: Male/Females that control large, illicit corporations trading illegal goods and services for profit.

Utral - Two headed rhino type mammal native to another planet.

Utsan: A card game similar to spades.

Vaprifle: A powerful rifle capable of vaporizing an individual into dust.

Visirik: Sunglasses without the arms that cover the eyes. Most are installed with software that enhances vision, is equipped with a zoom in mechanism and records as well as transmits data. Can be customized for specific purposes if necessary.

Vlamur: City in Blier that is pro-Sarn influence.

Voltrin: A dog-like race of people that live mostly on planet Omakran.

Wurmulix: An alien with a vertical mouth full of mini tentacles called feelers.

Yothran: A domed city in the state of Blier.

Xaltan: A term applied to the leader of the Xaltaric Cartel.

Xaltaric Cartel/Xaltar: A major cartel specializing in drug sells, weapon deals, and prostitution.

Xer: A wealthy planet of significant technological advancement.

Xerian: An individual who is a citizen of the planet Xer.

Zalvan: A family that share a tight bond. The word is synonymous with pack as in a wolf pack.

Zkyek: An exotic tiger type of animal with an extremely soft pelt. It comes in a multitude of colors and is found in the jungles of Rektan 7.

5: Android sent to retrieve Kagome and Sota for purposes currently unknown.