Chapter 9: Notriz
Sesshomaru felt a little uncomfortable about his current situation but he was also slightly pleased with himself as he checked his communicator. He was currently down on the lower levels of the Alpha base, near where he had once met Yallow.
He walked down the hall alone, checking the map on his communicator, homing in on the small dot. Turning a corner, he found what he was looking for and smiled, reaching out and knocking on the door. "RED, it's me."
The door soon opened and RED appeared. "Sesshomaru, what are you doing down here?"
He held out the bag he was carrying towards her. "A little treat… for a job well done on Verbenan."
Eyeing him suspiciously RED reached out and took the bag before looking inside. Her eyes lit up at the sight then chuckled and pulled out a brand new red coat with a belt and a high collar.
"It… it's lovely." She held it over herself to check the fit but then turned into the room and when he didn't follow her in, she called over her shoulder. "Well, don't just stand there, come in!"
Sesshomaru sighed as he stepped over the threshold into her quarters and as he'd never been in her room before, his eyes began to take in every detail of it.
It was smaller in size than his room, darker than normal and lacked a holographic window. The walls were mostly bare pardon one side which was covered with items such as dried flowers, shells, some small toys, wrappers of foods from other planets and scribbled notes in various languages. His fingers absentmindedly ran over a few as he looked over them. It almost felt like he was looking back over RED's life.
"Traditionally it's called a scrap book." RED informed him as she tied the belt on her new jacket. "But I have too many so I made it a scrap wall."
"How long have you been collecting these things?"
"About eight going on nine years. Ever since I joined the IPF. I like to just sit sometimes and reminisce…"
She picked a small scrap of material off the wall and ran her thumb over it. "This one here for example, was part of a disguise I wore while on one of my first rescue missions. Dam thing tore when I was climbing over a fence and nearly blew my cover."
She chuckled and placed the fabric back. "I have signatures from some of the most famous beings in the cosmos and items from worlds very few have set foot on."
Sesshomaru smiled as he looked over the items, some familiar and some alien to his mind. "What would you say was your favourite?"
"I like them all so much. But… if I had to pick one that was most important…." She walked across the wall and lifted a small glass container off a peg, holding it carefully in her hand. "I would have to say this."
Leaning closer, Sesshomaru looked at what was inside and was a little confused when he saw a small, unimportant looking rock just sat there. "Why?"
"This rock is all I have left of my home. The rest is dust and rubble."
The Inu frowned. "What do you mean? You said you were from the South-eastern side of Tarke. To my knowledge that…." He stopped and felt himself shake, putting the details together. "You're one of them."
RED lowered her head as she sat on the low bunk at the back of the room. "I was. It was a very long time ago."
"I had no idea." He sat down as well beside her. "You were a survivor of the Tarke 7000 massacre."
"It wasn't a massacre. It was abduction." She let out a breath before covering her face with her hands. "I guess… I should tell you the truth." After a moment to think, she slowly pulled the new red jacket off and reached behind her head, reaching over and pulling her shirt off as well.
Even if he was taken aback by her undressing before him, Sesshomaru couldn't help but stare when her shirt dropped to the floor. She still had a tank top on under it all but he could see most of her spine.
At first, he mistook it for a tattoo; it was intricate and beautiful, a pattern of spirals and arches reaching from between her shoulder blades all the way down her spine to the top of her trousers. At its widest, it was a hands span across, right in the middle of the design.
For a while Sesshomaru just stared at it, amazed by the strange haunting beauty. It haunted his mind to think how such a thing had come to be on her skin, the edges pulled and darker than her normal flesh, glossed over from time while the inside of the mark was a lighter colour as if her skin had been torn from her over and over again. Right in the middle of this was a dark, blood red four point imprint, almost like a foreign flower.
The realisation dawned on Sesshomaru and he had to swallow. This wasn't a tattoo or a mark. It was a scar. A long, painful scar that had never fully healed.
"Ho…how?" He asked, his voice far away as he stared at RED's back.
She sighed and slid her coat on over it. "I got it after years of having a device called 'the administer' attached to my back. It was made up of millions of tiny needles that punctured our skin down the spine, injecting us over and over for years. The second part, that bit in the middle… was a controlling device. It pushed deep into our bodies so they could monitor us at all hours but also… if needed… terminate us."
"You keep saying 'us'."
RED nodded. "I wasn't the only one they experimented on. There were thousands of us, kept in the cells and only let out for training and food." She held her arm, rubbing it up and down. "It was called Notriz. For years… every single day they would inject me with it."
Sesshomaru took a breath and closed his eyes to the world. "What… was it? This Notriz?"
She went silent, thinking over her choice of words. "It was meant to be a physical enhancement, to make us stronger, faster, smarter and deadly obedient. For… some higher power that I never knew, it could have been government or terror for all I found out. But they used us as test subjects. Some people were on low concentration of the substance, but with near constant injections while others were on a higher, irregular dosage."
"Where were you?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"I was on an intensive… unique course. I was… different. The Notriz often caused a reaction in people… mental breakdown or… a physical one. When I think about… I can see these… images. Men, women… children… mutated or… losing their minds. Almost everyone suffered some kind of side effect. Except me." She looked over to him, smiling softly. "I… have some kind of… genetic abnormality that made me immune to the side effects. They soon placed me on an extensive and unique treatment plan."
"Did it… hurt?" Sesshomaru continued to question her, taking advantage of her contemplative mood to learn more about her traumatic past.
RED let out a long deep breath. "Yes. At first. I was only eight years old when they took me. Each and every time they… pumped that stuff into my body… it burned. But after a few months, I got use to it… I found a method of dealing with it. I could pull my mind away from the pain, forget it. Sometimes it went on for too long and… I was… 'locked', that's what I use to call it. A self-induced controlled coma. It's the only reason I kept my mind while my genes kept my body alive."
Sesshomaru couldn't help but swallow unsettled at hearing what she had to go through. "How long?"
"Five years. Five years of agony… of orders and tests and… training. I was… a drone. I held onto my mind but I lost myself. I use to care about the others but by the end… I could watch them without feeling a thing." she chuckled and hunched forward. "If I could see myself then and now… I wouldn't recognise myself."
"How did you get here? I mean… how did you… get out of there?"
"They made a mistake. They… believed I was perfect. They took my administrator off and without the constant pain it was causing me… I was able to plan my way out and to freedom. I took over a shuttle and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. Somehow… I ran into a team from the IPF and told them what I knew."
She shuddered and shifted uncomfortably in her seat and sighed again. "But when they found the… laboratory there was no one there. No one alive. They had terminated every last subject. The toll was over several thousands of various species and ages. And that's just those who were killed then… who knows how many died before then and how long it had been going on."
Trying to wrap his mind around what he was hearing, Sesshomaru could only imagine what it had been like for her. "Would… would this have anything to do with… Dimiti?"
RED visibly flinched. "Doctor Dimiti Sitron. He was the man who created the Notriz. He was the man who did this to me… who killed all those people."
"RED… I am so sorry."
Her head snapped over to look at him and her eyes were darker. "Why? Because it happened to me? Without the Notriz I wouldn't be who I am. It changed me, Sesshomaru and there is no way back so I learnt to use it to my advantage." She stood and turned around to face him, smiling coldly as she did.
"One day the Notriz in my body will be the tipping point between myself and the doctor. And when that day comes… he will kneel at my feet before I put a bullet in his head."
The morbid but spine-chilling determination in her voice proved without a doubt to Sesshomaru that she would one day find this man and kill him. She just stood there, half undressed with his gift around her, her eyes set on the idea in her head. With her eyes staring at nothing in particular and her mind suffused with the prospect of killing her torturer, her fingers absently scraped against the fabric of the red coat.
Slowly, Sesshomaru stood and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "RED, I promise you… I will do everything in my power to help you with your mission. We'll make sure this Dimiti pays for what he did. I swear."
For a moment RED was still but then she wrapped her arms around his much bigger frame and pressed her head to his shoulder. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."
A/N: Hope you liked that new chapter! Now for a little something for those of you who don't have FF accounts.
Chapter 1 Visitor Reviews
L - 4/21/13 - Rereading!
SL - Glad you like it enough to read it twice! And may you enjoy it a third and a fourth time!
Rairakku 4/10/13 - It is very mysterious, and funny ... our Red (Rin) ... I'm sure it will loosen our favorite youkai! Thank you for the update
SL - Oh you have no idea!
Karrat 4/10/13 - Continue please
SL - I plan on, just give me some time.
Chapter 2 Visitor Reviews
Guest 4/11/13 - Ahh I'm so curious
SL - And I hope you remain curious.
Rairakku 4/11/13 - Red isn't convenient ... and mysterious as ever. Thank you for the quick update
SL RED? Subtle? Those words don't belong in the same sentence! At least… not yet. :)
Guest 4/11/13 - This is really original :) please update soon
SL - I'm glad you think its original, its whole new area for me, something I've never tried before but I'm really glad you like it.
Chapter 3 Visitor Reviews
Rairakku 4/12/13 - Your story is always exciting and full of mystery. Thank you for the update.
SL - Aww, thanks!
Mk 4/11/13 - Alright. Ready for another chapter! (:
SL - Hope you like it!
Jane 4/14/13 - Aren't you... Updating? (;
SL - Bit late to say but… yes.
Miss me 4/14/13 - Oh my, am I the 10th review yet? (: just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying this story. Update soon, dear.
SL - I'm really glad you're enjoying the story and I hope you still are.
Guest 4/14/13 - Sorry for being lazy to log in :D ahahahahahahahahaha. It's Sunday. Can't wait to see another chapter! Btw, don't let reviews be so important that it affects pace of when you would update. Update when you think makes smooth transition! (;
SL - Well, I have no idea who you are as you were too lazy to log in. Anyway, I've since decided to stop making the number of reviews relative to the update speed so thanks for that tip.
Eternal 4/14/13 - Sesshomaru 3 I am excited for next chapter!
SL - Agreed, heart throb Sesshomaru!
Guest 4/13/13 - Woot! This is so good!
SL - Woot! I'm glad you think so!
JC 4/13/13 - What's next?. I am curious about what RED is
SL- You are not the only one wondering what RED is, JC. But you will have to wait and see. I can only hope you like the answer.
Anonymous 4/13/13 - You have a great story plot and it keeps the readers excited. I understand you want a lot of reviews, but I don't think you should treat reviews as everything; I mean isn't your purpose in writing to please the readers? I know you are getting me hooked, and just letting you know there are so many people liking this story. Don't let the reviews be indication of that. (: continue with the story!
SL - Yeah, I have decided to stop updating relating to the number of reviews I get. It was stupid and I got to a point when my chapters weren't really finished before being published!
Chapter 4 and 5 - No Visitor Reviews
Chapter 6 Visitor Reviews
Rairakku 4/17/13 . chapter 6
By Kami Oh, what happened to Red ... I think a terrible past. Thank you for the update.
SL - You'll find out soon :D
Chapter 7 Visitor Reviews (And boy are there a lot of them!)
Anonymous 4/20/13 - Update soon. (: *waiting for the cute moments*
SL - I hope you got the cute moment you were hoping for.
Emily 4/20/13 - I'm astonished and emotionally moved.
SL *blush* ahh, thanks!
The goddess 4/20/13 - (: cutest thing ever. And come on, females rock! Yay rin and sesshomaru !
SL - Ah, I don't think it was 'the cutest thing' ever. That is coming in a later chapter.
Inuyasha01 4/20/13 - Okay. Your writing improved! I am so proud! Keep up the good work and don't disappoint us! You have an awesome potential with this story to bloom!
SL - My writing may have improved but you are only seeing it as improved because I have a beta now and I have my reading software working again. But thanks, I'll keep up the work and I hope I don't disappoint *bites nails* It's going to take a long time to finish this story because of its long and complicated plot line (ops, might have given something away there.)
Narsha 4/20/13 - (; update. Please. PLEASE? This is getting so good!
SL - I'm updating when I can, so hold your horses.
The cat 4/20/13 - Ahahaha. They are adorable.
SL -Yep. That's all there is to say.
W 4/20/13 - Update! Update!
SL - I am! I am!
Jane 4/20/13 - (: so awesome
SL - So agree!
Boo 4/20/13 - Please post the next chapter soon! This is getting really exciting!
SL - Glad you think so! :)
Lacy 4/20/13 - I need another chappie! XD
SL - You got another chappie!
Hi 4/20/13 - (: update. Soon. Long chapter. I love it
SL - I have, not so long chapter. Hope you still love it.
May 4/20/13 - Okay. I never review. But I really wanted to review for yours cause its so new. So different. So awesome. Update soon.! Loving the plot. Your writing improved!
SL - To get a review from someone who never reviews, wow! Thank you, I'm glad you like the story and wanted to review! I didn't know the story would be so new and different, it was just a plot in my head and I wanted to write it. But thanks, glad you liked it!
Icecream13 4/20/13 - O.O how did sesshomaru found rin?
SL - He's had years of training from the IPF and he's got a natural talent for it. Thanks for the question.
Yuri 4/20/13 - Update, my dear. This is just so cute
SL - Glad you find it cute!
Xoxo 4/20/13 - Sesshomaru is so just. Awesome. I think I am in love
SL - You didn't need to read my story to know that. He is just sooo badass!
T 4/20/13 - Okay. Like I love the chapter. Bye. Update.
SL - Okay, glad you love the chapter! Bye!
Kc 4/20/13 - This is so cute. And adventurous. Thanks for long chapter!
SL - It is cute and I'm glad you think it's adventurous. Don't hold out for extra-long chapters again, it's not my really my style, this one just naturally grew.
Macey 4/20/13 - I know I have been reading this story for a while, and you know... This chapter is just awesome. Update soon !
SL - Hehe, thanks!
c 4/20/13 - Woooooooooohhhh! (: it is soo cute.
SL - Woooooooooooooooohhh! Glad you think so!
Anonymous 4/20/13 - Absolutely love it. You make your structure so organized. While you show dominant characteristic of sesshomaru as he restraint RED, you also show his gentle side, and emphasizing thn by adding in male-dominant society. It is very organized and i love it. Also love to see Rin's feminist side. And I love that he helps her to embrace it. I call this the dream romance. Continue with the story! Can't wait for the update. With your own pace, I think it's getting better and better!.
SL - I'm really glad you are enjoying the story. I'm trying to keep to a certain format for the first part of the story but after a certain point, it's going to change to something different which should give it a new edge. With any luck anyway.
I fear/think that Sesshomaru is going out of character but it's in a good way. I wanted to keep him as a dominant but also give him limits to push in himself, RED and the IPF.
Chapter 8 - Visitor Reviews
M 4/22/13 - Gasp. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh! I need an update! Like nowww?.!
SL - You will get your update wen its ready!
Yuri 4/21/13 - They are leaving! I wonder how their relationship is going to develop after this mission. Will I see naraku or antagonist characters too?
SL - Umm… there will be a few known names but I don't think Naraku or the others will make appearances. But I'm not giving names or pointing fingers.
Xoxo 4/21/13 - Love it.
SL - Love you!
Jane 4/21/13 - Review soon! Right now! Yes? YESSS?
SL - Are you Lady Jane the Loppy? If you are then you know what I mean. If not… my mistiake. Glad you are enjoying the story!
Kacy 4/21/13 -UPDATE SOON!
SL - UPDATING SOON!
Guest 4/21/13 - She is going to be a good leader. What of sesshomaru and rin? What's going to happen next? Update fast!
SL - You will have to wait and see. And yeah, I agree, Tib is going to be a great leader.
Kacy 4/21/13 - Update soon!
SL - I am!
Jane 4/21/13 - Will you be updating any time soon?
SL - When I can, I will update.
Rairakku 4/21/13 - This is a great adventure ... Thank you for the update.
SL - Glad you are enjoying the story!
Xoxo 4/21/13 - Wonderfully written.
SL - Thanks.
Typicalyssa 4/21/13 - Yay! Mission accomplished. Was worried RED would be seriously injured in the fight, but Sesshoumaru saved the day! By the way, Tibuza was well written. :)
SL - She did get hurt, just not seriously. It could have been worse if it wasn't for our favourite silver haired demon!
Mikaeyla 4/21/13 - I love it (:
SL - Glad!
Xoxo 4/21/13 - We forgive you for forgetting to update! (: but hey, you are giving us next update soon! That's all it matters! (: good job story lady!
SL - Thanks for forgiving me and I'm working on the next chapter! Stay tuned!
Sloth 4/21/13 - Okay. This story is great! (: it's enough to get lazy me to review. Finally sci-fi. Ugh. Something new. Omg. Thank you. It's like starwars and startrack all together with my favorite two characters (;
SL - Star Wars and Star Trek were both big leaders in the creation of this story, along with Stargate, Farscape and Transformers. I didn't know Sci-fi was so uncommon on the InuYasha fandom. I would have thought it was an easy one, I mean, instead of being Demons, make them Aliens, it's not hard! (Well, actually, it is kinda hard but…)
Macey 4/21/13 - Yay! You updated. So glad you did. (: I am gonna go ahead and read it now. :P
SL - Yay. Glad you like it!
Another A/N:
Now that you people have had your story and I have replied to your reviews, I have two questions.
1 - If you had to give this story a song, what would you pick? As in, if there was an AMV made of this story, what song would you use?
2 - What adventures would you like to see RED and Sesshomaru on? No idea is too stupid! You never know, you might have a role in the creation of this story.
Thanks everyone for your support and reviews!
