Chapter 29: Reality
His face was lax, stone chipped into a peaceful expression, breathing slowly in the dim light of the room. His breathing was slow, calm and steady as he lay on his side, arm draped around the figure in his arm.
His nose was suddenly moistened and he opened his honey golden eyes, looking at a mischievous grin as Rin licked her own lips.
"Good morning." He said, calm and cold.
"Morning. Sleep well?"
"I didn't sleep."
Her eyes closed as she sighed and wiggled closer to his chest. "Ahh, and there I was thinking I tired you out."
"You will have to do much better than last night to make me tired, mate."
She licked her lips and smiled, reaching up to his face and stroked his nose. "I'll have to keep that in mind."
The Inu grinned before pushing her slowly onto her back and straddling her lap. "Can always try again now."
His hands were already beginning to rub up her arms, teasing her slowly as he did. Rin smiled and reached for him, pulling him close for a kiss until she abruptly pushed him back, grabbing her left shoulder. "Ahh!" She grunted, rolling to sit at the side of the bed, still holding the appendage.
Concerned, Sesshomaru knelt behind her, blinking at her. "What's wrong Rin?"
For a moment, she said or did nothing, just stared blankly to the floor. Then she smiled and looked over at him with a toothy grin. "Someone doesn't know his own strength." She joked rubbing the join. "My shoulder is killing me this morning. Seriously, watch it next time!"
Her tone was joking, her eyes shone with happiness and mischief but there was something else, something in her body language that made Sesshomaru reach out for her arm and try to touch it. But when he did, RED stood and walked away.
"I'm hungry." She said as she did, grabbing her nightgown and slipping it on. "I'll go start breakfast."
No fool, Sesshomaru quickly slid on some clothes of his own and hurried after her, finding her by the fridge. He watched her for a moment, watching how she favoured her right arm as she began cooking. He growled warningly at her and she heard, turning to look at him.
Carefully she touched her arm. "Look, it's nothing."
"Rin, you've only just been cleared by the medics. If anything is wrong, you have to tell them."
"Cramp from overuse isn't exactly a condition for concern, Rookie. They are looking for…fainting, loss of breath, serious stuff. This? This is nothing. Not even related to what happened before. So stop worrying and come and have breakfast."
Still worried, Sesshomaru went to her side and began helping with their early meal, watching every move she made to see what was wrong with her. Since Sesshomaru was pouting, they spoke very little.
The silence was only broken by RED's communicator bleeping on her arm. She stared at it wide eyed. Only three people had her personal frequency and could call her without her turning the com setting on.
And since Sesshomaru was before her and Sameul knew better than to call her this early, that left only one person.
"Hey Atom!"
"Hey, RED, you alright?"
"Yeah, just having breakfast."
There was a pause on the line. "Breakfast? As in… a meal?"
RED looked down at the lump in her bowl. "If you could call it that."
"You're… not eating Nurtron Bites? You're eating… proper food?"
"Yes. Is that so hard to believe?"
"I tried for two years to get you off that stuff! Anyway… Commander Tilatia informed me about what happened. He told me you've been alright but I requesting time to come see you. Just to be sure." He added.
Rin chuckled and poked her food. "Well… any excuse to see you is good to me. How long before you get here?"
"I'm coming into the hanger as I speak. I expect my student to be there to welcome me, uniform and all."
"You'll be lucky! I'm in my night dress!"
Another pause. "Too much information RED. See you when you can then. Oh and bring Sesshomaru."
"See you in a bit Atom!" Rin sighed as she lowered her arm and looked up at Sesshomaru who'd just been working his way through his breakfast silently. "Wondered when he'd call."
"Hm."
"Oh get over yourself."
~#~
Atom smiled as he waved over to the pair, joining him in the rec room where he had been enjoying a light snack.
"RED, Sesshomaru!" He laughed, walking over to them. He stopped just before RED and looked her over. "RED, you look good."
"Expecting the worst again were we?" RED grinned back, hand on her hip.
The blonde haired male shrugged. "It sounded pretty bad."
"Well, medics have cleared me. Nothing wrong. Fit as a fiddle. And I get another month off work!"
Although smiling, Atom shook his head. "Oh RED, you never change." He chuckled again and stepped over to her, arms wide to the side as he grabbed hold her in a hug.
RED laughed as she hugged him but she was suddenly pushed back, watching as Atom stared at his hand. "Atom?"
The Taulan lowered his hand and stared at her, his eyes wide and pale. "RED… you…." He stopped speaking and looked around the room then back at her. "Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"
Confused, the pair nodded and left the rec room without another word, leading Atom away to their apartment. He said nothing on the walk, his frowning down to the floor.
Finally, RED opened the door to their home and Atom passed past him. "RED, tell me… have you been in any pain?"
"What? Atom what are you… "
"Yes or no RED."
RED backed a little and crossed her arms. "A little. Nothing to worry about."
"Do you remember what happened with Dmitri?"
"No. Atom, what is going on?"
Atom ran a hand slowly back in his hair and sighed. "RED, there is something wrong with the Seon. I need to check."
RED's face fell as she stepped over. "Atom… are you… sure?"
"I know you hate it but it has to be done. Something is wrong. I need to make sure."
Groaning, RED turned away from him and Sesshomaru. "What is with you two! Every last little thing and you panic! Come on! Relax! There is nothing wrong with me!"
"Then you won't mind me checking."
"Of course I mind!" Rin bellowed towards him. "You know I hate it!"
"But it has to be done."
Rin didn't say anything for a moment, eyes lowered to the floor before sighing and nodding. "Sesshomaru, no matter what happens, you can't make contact with myself or Atom until it's over."
The Inu, who'd been stood by the door the whole time, frowned. "What are you two walking about?"
"It's hard to explain Sesshomaru." Atom said, sitting on a sofa. "And if I'm wrong, you really don't need to know."
"And if you're right?"
Atom lowered his head. "Just don't touch us." He turned to look at RED as she sighed and walked over to him, sitting across from him.
Sesshomaru also moved to a seat, watching the pair but they appeared to have forgotten he was there. Atom nodded, remarkably seriously to his old student. "RED, I need you to relax all of your barriers. I need full access."
Her eyes narrowed a little but said nothing, closing her eyes. As she did, Atom reached out to her, sliding a hand around each side of her neck. His eyes closed as well, his head dropping where it was.
RED's eyes were closed as well but soon they began to cringe, flickering from side to side, her hands closing into fists and her breathing becoming harder and sharper.
"No, no." She muttered, clearly in pain. "Stop it, please! Stop it. No more!"
Atom made no movement, just sitting where he was with his head down and eyes closed while RED continued to flinch in pain.
If not for their warning, Sesshomaru would have grabbed hold of her, trying to ease whatever pain she was in. but instead, he just sat and watched.
"No, no please, please!"
This time, Atom did do as asked and took his hands away from RED's neck but in doing so, she fell forward towards him. Luckily, he caught her and held her loosely, brushing her hair back slowly. Atom slowly looked up at the Inu and sighed. "Is there somewhere she can rest?"
He nodded and stepped over, lifting RED into his arms and carrying her carefully upstairs, lying her on the bed. He brushed her hair back and shook his head. "What happened?"
"Relieving memories can be painful. Especially for someone who suffered as much as RED has."
"Reliving memories?"
"Remember? RED and I have a Seon. I can use it to fully control her memories, even opening ones she's forgotten."
Atom sighed from the other side of the bed, staring down at her. "Like what happened to her when she was attacked. And we might have a problem."
"Why?"
Atom said nothing but then closed his eyes. "RED's been poisoned."
A/N: Save your thanks for three new chapters for later. You may yet hate me.
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OH and Taraah36! YOU WERE MY 1ST 200TH REVIEWER! (And if memory serves, you were the 100 and 150 reviewer as well)
