Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Final Fantasy (any of the titles), that right belongs to the game developers, Artist, storyboard writers and Sony/Square soft!
Junon, next morning
Kagome gave a small growl as she felt her body shake. She did not want to wake up when she was so warm and comfy in the lumpy mattress of the bed. When her body was shaken once more, she gave a lower and more threatening growl as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. Only to let out a small sigh of contentment when her body wasn't shaken anymore. A smile curving her lips as she started to drift into a deep slumber again, only to hear two male chuckles before the mattress was shifted.
Instinct had her rolling as it was lifted, to dump her from the bed. As it capsized, she landed on her feet in a crouched position, as her hands shot up to stop the mattress from falling on top of her. She was giving a small grunt as she pushed it back hard. A thin smile on her lips as she watched it flip back the other way, causing both Hojo and Tseng to throw themselves to the side to avoid landing on them. Making her snort as she stood up, placing her hands on her hips, eyes flashing dangerously as she glared down at them.
"Well deserves both of you right for that stunt. Then again, it is better than that huge piece of ice Kenya somehow got a hold of on the ship and placed in bed next to me." She said as she took note of their reactions.
Hojo looked miffed, yet amused at her, while Tseng glared up at her, before blushing and turning his gaze away. Tilting her head to the side as she watched his odd reaction, Kagome glanced back at Hojo, who was outright smiling at her in a placated amusement. Feeling curious, Kagome started to walk toward the foot of the bed, only to trip over something on the floor. With a small hiss as she tumbled down, arms waving around wildly in an attempt to gain her balance back.
Unable to achieve balance, she toppled forward with a loud thump to the floor. With a hiss of pain as she pushed herself into a sitting position, grumbling as she looked at her feet to see what had tripped her up. "W-w..what, my shirt... Oh my god, oh my god... I... quit looking at you perverted freak of a wanna-be mad scientist!" she sputtered and screamed as she untangled the shirt from her feet, stood up crossing her arms over her bra clad chest, and ran into the bathroom.
She was slamming the door behind her, hard enough that it rattled precariously on its hinges. She caught her reflection in the mirror, showing how beat red she was in her embarrassment. Leaning back against the door with a whimpered groan as she slid to the floor. She was allowing her arms to drop to her sides as she looked down, only to spot rub burn across the tops of both breasts. Not caring what they thought, Kagome threw her head back, banging it against the door with a loud cry. Thinking this was a perfect start to her morning.
It was a few minutes later when a soft knock was heard on the door, followed by Tseng asking if she was okay in a soft voice. With a sigh, Kagome stood up, turned, and cracked the door just enough to see throw whispering back that she would be okay and out in a few minutes. Then shutting the door, she went to the small sink and washed her face, ran her hands through her hair a few times before pulling the shirt over her head. Once she was done and satisfied with herself, she turned and left the bathroom.
"I am ready to go. Sorry." was all Kagome said as she made her way to her worn-out yellow backpack, head hanging demurely, not wanting to meet the eyes of the other two in the room.
"Well, now that your female dramatics are done, let's leave. As much as I despise helicopter rides, we best not make the pilot wait too long. And as such, the president, who tends to get rather impatient, to begin with." Hojo said in his usual muttering manner, as he looked at Kagome, who just looked back at him before nodding her head. "Tseng, please lead the way," was all that was heard.
The walk to the helicopter pad gave Kagome a good look around the city's interior. Which was a military base, though small, she could see it could become a rather large one. The interior was muted concrete with dark blue paint on the steel walls. They were making it feel dismal and depressing, as they kept turning up and down halls, before coming to a rather large lift in a large shaft that was lit at wide intervals. At a signal from Tseng, they took it, riding it up for what felt like ever, before it came to a jerking halt.
Once they were off the lift, they walked down a short hallway before coming out onto a large platform. Unable to help herself after riding another elevator briefly up to the platform, Kagome gasped in amazement. They were now at the top of Junon, allowing her to miles in all directions. The morning sky was clear blue with few clouds, but what caught her attention was the airship or blimp that was in the process of being completed at the far end. Hearing a soft chuckle, she looked over to see Hojo looking amused at her.
"Your face tells everyone what you think. Making you seem like a small child, Kagome," he said, his voice soft and almost fatherly, which caused her to raise an eyebrow, before sticking her tongue out at the man. Only to earn a shake of his head before he started walking towards the only helicopter on the landing pad, it's blades already beginning to spin.
She was taking a small gulp of air in a mix of excitement and fear at the prospect of riding in it for the first time. Kagome jogged towards it as well. Tseng directed her upon her arrival to sit in the middle, Hojo being on the far inside and Tseng on the outside. Complying with that, she got in, sat down, and buckled herself in tightly. Only to turn her head towards Tseng when he tapped on her shoulder, handing her a set of heavy-duty earmuffs, then indicating that Kagome should put them on. Giving the nod, she slipped them on, just as a loud whirring sound followed by a thu-thu-thu sound echoed throughout the helicopter.
She quickly found out that lift off wasn't as smooth as a plane, making her place her hands over her stomach. Her eyes darting to the left and right, seeing Hojo without any ear protection and Tseng just sitting there as calm as could be. Closing her eyes, Kagome let out a long breath before opening them again. Already the ride was smoothing out, except for the occasional rocking due to air currents. Which didn't help her motion sickness at all, which was still odd to her, that she never got nauseated like this when riding on Inuyasha's back.
"Are you going to be okay, Ms. Higurashi?" a soft voice resounded in her ears as she swung to look towards Tseng. Who had a smile plastered on her lips, while pointing at a microphone on the earmuffs? "The headphones have built-in Mics so you can talk without yelling over the propeller."
Blinking slowly as her mind finally caught up, she nodded, before pulling a face. "I am getting motion sickness. Had it on the boat as well. Say, Tseng, what is your job at this Shinra Corporation? No offense, but when I heard the word Turk, I had my mind picture a flightless bird for some reason." She said, her eyes glued to his.
Her words caused confusion to cross Tseng's face before he smiled a bit hesitant. With a small shake of his head, with the skin between his eyebrows scrunching in thought before he spoke, "Flightless bird? And as for my job, let's just say we are a highly trained and efficient group that is called upon to take care of stuff...behind the scenes." His last words are coming out in a soft voice as if you didn't mention the name of the group.
She was raising an eyebrow up as she gave him a cursory look from the head to his toes and backed up, making him fidget as her gaze became critical. "Okay, so not something I would be interested in at all. Gotcha. As for what Turkey is and how I got to the idea of a flightless bird... I ...ermm.. uh..." she said, trailing off, closing her eyes as her face became pinched as she thought how to get out of this one.
A soft hum was heard before Tseng spoke, "Don't try to recall it. I don't want you to feel uneasy; having amnesia isn't an easy thing. Sorry, I should know from dealing with it per se that they can say random things. It is alright, Ms. Higurashi." His voice was very apologetic, making Kagome feel even worse about bringing it up, then hiding behind a lame excuse Hojo had given.
Opening her eyes, she looked at Tseng, before smiling and turning her head to look at Hojo, who had passed out against the wall of the helicopter. His mouth was opening and closing slightly with his breathing and light snoring; he claims he didn't do it. Shaking her head, and placing a hand on his arm, in a comforting manner. Kagome took a few deep breaths, her body relaxing a bit more before turning her attention back to Tseng, who had a look of confusion on his face at her actions, making her smile.
Rolling her shoulders and nodding to indicate that he could ask his question that was there. "You are rather close to Hojo. And very friendly to him, even though he can come off harsh, absent-minded, and very creepy. Almost as if he wasn't just one but two or three people. So heads up, when you get to Shinra in Midgar, people are going to look at you and think you're odd, and most likely go out of their way to avoid you." He said, his voice dropping to a whisper as if to make sure Hojo didn't hear it.
She is blinking her eyes at him before bursting out in a peal of giggles, causing a rather loud snort to be heard from Hojo behind her, then thinking carefully how to word her next few sentences. "I don't think I will care since I have amnesia and don't recall anything. I can't say if I ever gave a damn, so I'm not going to start now. Fair deal. Let them speculate; it is fine with me. This means I can smile and confuse them more. Also, Hojo is the sort of person who well... is like an odd family member, I think... So taking it in stride and continuing is fine with me."
She gave him her warmest, maternal smile as she reached out and patted him on the arm in a sympathetic manner. Only to grin widely as his jaw dropped, from she was sure both her words and her touching him for the first time since the handshake. Making her realize that with his job that he didn't come into contact with people regularly, that was normal. That was something she would change depending on what Hojo said he had in plan for her. He told her, her abilities were astounding and wanted to see how far he could push them in stages.
Settling into the comfortable silence that followed her words, Kagome let her mind wander — picking up the stray thoughts of both the pilot and Tseng. Making her wonder just what was going to come in the following months. Sure she knew that in a sense, she was making a deal with the devil, her path and future unsure and unsteady. But something told her that this was the right course of action. Slowing her breathing as she began to tune out the thoughts of the others, she felt the familiar pull of the Shikon from within her body, allowing her mental self to be pulled into the depths of her soul.
As she reached her core, seeing the intense lilac glow radiating from the Jewel. She caught flashes of images as it pulsated at her. In its way, it was communicating with her, as it was wanted to do at random. A smile on her lips as she began to bask in the warmth it was giving off this time. Much more preferable to the stinging cold last time, it brought her here when the images began to shift and become clearer, making her pay more attention. The images were making her smile go away, as she felt her loss and pain at those images. It was giving her an update on everyone she had chosen to leave behind.
Seeing her mother, Kun-loon, brother Sota and Ji-chan, she gave a small choked sob. They still looked sad but were moving on with life. Before it flashed to her friend, Emi and Ayumi as they teased a slightly red Hojo. Who had his wrapped around Mako? Which made her smile as she read their lips as they reminisced about their antics back in middle and high school. Causing a pang of hurt to resound in her heart, as the images faded to be replaced by those of her feudal era friends. Making the tears, she was always hiding, coming to the surface and falling on her face.
It showed Miroku and Sango, who were now married and rebuilding the Slayer Village. They looked happy, and Sango was now sporting a rather noticeable belly. Foretelling that there would be a small one soon living with them. Kagome felt such pride for her two friends at that since they both deserved to be happy and have a family that had been denied the both of them. Their faces showed how much they loved each other as they looked at each other, with subtle touches and caresses. It was as if a fairy tale was being written before her at seeing them.
Soon the images shifted to a very familiar head of white hair, with dog ears on top. Like always, he was sitting in his tree, the forlorn look in his amber eyes, made her heart feel heavy. He seemed so disconnected as he stared out at the sky. The Jewel was showing that he was missing her in his way. The wind softly rustling his waist-length white hair, as he just sat there, legs hanging over the edge of the tree. Just as the image was changing, she saw his mouth move as he said her name, eliciting a sob from her.
The image of her adopted son appeared; next, he looked taller but still the same Shippo she loved. His face was lit up in amusement as he seemed to be talking to someone that wasn't being shown. Just before his eyes went wide and his face went red. Then next to him appeared a very familiar little demon girl. Making Kagome smile as she saw the thunder demon Soten lean in and kiss Shippo on the cheek. Nothing but a mother's pride welled up in her chest at seeing her little boy finding someone to love him for himself.
Before she could get any more emotional over it, the image shifted to a small girl in an orange Kimono chasing a small toad-like creature around a two-headed dragon. Once more, making Kagome smile widely as she watched the antics of Rin and Jakken, as they played around Ah and Un. The girl looked like she was finally maturing into her pre-teen years. Which would play havoc with the senses of both Sesshomaru and Jakken? That thought brought a dry, dark-humored chuckle from her as she wondered what the said demon lord was doing.
And then as if on cue, it showed him standing next to a small pond looking at it intently. Kagome tilted her head as she felt curious about what he was doing; she didn't have to wait long. A slow, sardonic smile curved his lips, making his handsome face seem to look cruel yet kind. His amber eyes glinting as he crouched down and began to speak, "I was wondering when you would come and check in on us, Miko."
A small gasp escaping in her surprise, Kagome felt something inside of her just relax as she looked back at him. "How?" was all she asked. Receiving his normal raised eyebrow as it to tell her that it was obvious, he was Sesshomaru.
"I was told in a waking dream, that I could talk to you through water and mirrors, should I be near one. How this Sesshomaru knew you'd be here today to check in, is because this Sesshomaru isn't like the half-breed. I have honed my instincts to be sharp. This Sesshomaru felt your presence the last time since you are this Sesshomaru's property," was his reply.
In shock and feeling breathless at his lengthy reply, Kagome just stayed silent and looked at him, noticing her reflection in the water next to his. Then his words finally sunk in, making her eye twitch as she puffed her cheeks up in anger. As if on cue, the magenta crescent moon on her forehead appeared against her will. Blue eyes were flashing dangerously as she let out a low animalistic growl as she recalled wanting to beat the crap out of him for marking her as he did.
"You oh Lord Smartypants, what do you think you were doing marking me! I am not something that can ever be property, you arrogant dick," she fumed at him, small growls still coming from her person.
When all she got was a dark chuckle, she looked at him rather clearly to see something she thought was impossible. His mask was gone, and there was mirth dancing in the depths of his amber eyes. He was laughing openly at her and her tirade. This helped to cool her ire as she fisted her hands and placed them on her hips as she stared up at him in disbelief.
"Because I can. And this Sesshomaru has nothing but respect for you, Miko Kagome. Therefore, of course, this Sesshomaru would mark you for our protection since you have this habit of attracting trouble wherever you go. Even if you are in a different world now, you will have hard times to come. And that mark and my yokai will help protect you. It pleases this Sesshomaru that you have melded the yokai with your Reiki already," he said, his voice that same neutral mocking tone, of you should already know this.
Rolling her eyes in a huff, Kagome lifted her hand to touch the image of Sesshomaru, pleasantly surprised when she felt the softness of his skin. The warmth of it through the spirit image. Which was also echoed by Sesshomaru, if the slight widening of his eyes was any indication. Jerkin her hand away as small blush crept across her cheeks. Only to feel her physical body being shaken. With a low whine of sadness, she looked up at Sesshomaru as his image began to fade away. The look in those amber eyes made her breath freeze in her body.
At that moment, her consciousness was slammed back into reality, and she snapped her eyes open, to see the worried faces of both Hojo and Tseng. They were looking at her with concern, while the latter suddenly widened his eyes as their eyes met, making Kagome realize that she hadn't let her power and Reiki recede and must be shining clearly in her eyes as little pink swirls. Blinking her eyes, she looked to Hojo, who was giving her a very hard stare, that promised he would get a full report of what she was doing, what had happened since his hair was slightly smoking from being burnt.
Placing a sheepish smile on her lips as she giggled nervously. "So are we there yet?" she asked, trying to divert both their attention away as she pulled her power back into her body, tucking it away into the recesses of her soul.
When neither took the bait, Kagome let out a small sigh as she crossed her arms under her breast. A petulant look was crossing her features as she had a staredown. Knowing full well that she wasn't going to get away without an explanation to Tseng now, and Hojo knew it as well since her power had manifested in her zoned out time.
"Fine!" she snapped loudly, causing both men to flinch as it reverberated through the headphones and into the skulls. "The more, the merrier on this one." Her blue eyes were looking at Tseng, piercing through his dark-tinted sunglasses, right into his brown eyes, making the man shrink back in fear, as Hojo squeezed her knee.
Not moving her gaze from Tseng, Kagome unfurled her arms and placed a hand on Hojo's. "It is alright; he will keep us... No, my secret. His soul has told me enough, on top of his actions of being very discreet. His life hasn't always been easy and will more than likely get worse before it is better where we are going, Kenya." she said in a whisper.
Taking her other hand, Kagome reached out and deftly plucked the glasses from Tseng, essentially unmasking him, leaving him vulnerable, which was evident as he shied away from her. "It is okay, Tseng. I won't harm you, but what I have to say is pretty darned impossible to believe. So I will just give you a short brief of it, after placing a silencing barrier around us. Don't want no accidental listening in."
The look of fear, curiosity, and amusement on Tseng's face was an interesting thing for Kagome. And as she snuck a peek at Hojo, she noted he was intrigued by it too, as Tseng just nodded his head in acceptance. She was giving a small smile as she withdrew her hand from Hojo while the other set the sunglasses in her lap. Kagome raised them and gave a short Buddhist mantra chant, as her power flowed through her hands, it's faint pink glow manifesting before surrounding them. Once it was done, she lifted them and took off the headset. Which she rested in her lap with the sunglasses, before indicating they should do the same.
At first, it was Hojo who compiled without hesitation, already knowing this trick of hers. Then shortly, a somewhat perplexed Tseng followed suit. Once Tseng's was off, Kagome took a deep breath and let her body relax into the harsh bench seat. "Well, let's get this over with. I will be blunt and keep it short. Essentially I am the meteorite that fell; hence it doesn't exist. I am not from this world you call Gaea, but another called Earth. My nationality is Japanese, not this wuatian you two are, but the language and beliefs are very similar; it is creepy. My full name is still the same, Kagome Higurashi, and no, I don't have amnesia. That is our cover so that if anyone does ask me questions, I don't put my proverbial foot in my mouth."
At that, she stopped, watching as stuff sank into Tseng's mind. Even with all this training, his eyes would briefly show what he was thinking. And most of it was rather amusing to Kagome. When he shook his head, before motioning for her to continue. Taking her cue, Kagome began again. "The power I use is called Reiki or spiritual energy. Where I am from, I am a miko or priestess, and of high caliber, since I can manifest it and use it as I need. It is good for healing, warding, and other such things. But I can also use it as a weapon if need be. Hojo here seems not to react well when it is used around him, and worse when it is used on him. Don't ask that is up for debate."
Once more, going quiet, watching, and waiting for Tseng to process it all once more. Once he did, Kagome decided to wait and see if he would ask anything. When he didn't say anything but waved at her to continue, she let out a small sigh and looked at Hojo, who was observing both of them.
"My story is a hard one, that is similar to your past Tseng. I keep my body covered for the scars that I have there, that you can physically see. While the emotional and spiritual scars won't ever show, cause like you, I have learned to hide them well. My task in my world was complete, finished after three long, arduous years. I choose to leave there and go where I was needed, leaving behind my family, friends, and adoptive son Shippo. Knowing full well that I won't ever be going back there to see them in their lifetime or mine."
As her words trailed off, she withdrew into herself. Mentally thinking of all the things she just saw of them. It hurt badly, knowing she wouldn't be able ever to hug them close anymore. But even worse, any friends she made here, in time, would pass away as her time was now eternally stopped thanks to the Shikon no Tama. She was closing her eyes as she held back the tears that were threatening to fall once more. Once she felt she was in control, she opened her eyes to see both men looking at her.
With a shake of her head, she waved her hand at them. Taking that as a cue, Tseng spoke up. "So you are from another world, have crazy powers that can do what magic from materia here can do, but without it. And you left all your friends and family behind after completing a task after three years... But that doesn't explain why you came here, let alone being a willing sacrifice to Hojo."
It took a few seconds, but Kagome burst out in a fit of laughter, her arms tightening around her stomach. The look of indignation and dark humor on Hojo's face only made her laugh harder. After a few minutes, Kagome was finally able to collect herself, getting the air to return to her starved lungs, before she replied, "Because I was told to come here. I don't know when, but in time this planet will be put in danger. Already I hear it's cries of pain as well as occasionally feel it. As for Kenya, well, he was a means to an end, which is working out in both of our favor. And you're not getting more on that, but while I am in his lab being a guinea pig, you can come to visit and check up on me. If it will help soothe your soul that I will be alright. In fact, you might want to check in to make sure our esteemed scientist is still mentally, emotionally, and physically fit to be working because I am a whole different type of crazy that I don't think he is man enough to handle."
At her words, Tseng's wall finally broke as he laughed as Hojo sputtered and hissed at them both. Kagome was enjoying the deep bass chuckle that Tseng had when a crackling sound was heard through the headset on her lap. Seeing the men calm down and narrow their eyes, each of them put them back on, hearing the pilot request that they get buckled in for the landing at Shinra Inc. The smiles wiped off their faces as they all went back to being blank, emotionless masks. Tseng put his sunglasses back into place as the helicopter touched down, and the blades began to wind down.
It came to Kagome then, that this place was almost dead, that there was very little life energy on the planet. That this city was sucking it dry of its lifeblood. A grim scowl setting onto her face as she watched Tseng, then Hojo left the helicopter before she got up and followed suit. Only to see a group of people standing near a door that would lead into the large building that seemed to look over the bustling city. Each person's aura was showing her exactly what type of person they were — making her feel repulsed by most of them.
TBC!
