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!
A/N: This is your warning that there will be time jumps from here on out to help keep the chapters going at a faster pace. So if you have major problems with that, then sorry, not sorry. Next is I will do my best to keep characters in, well, character. Following that I finally figured out my Time Stamp for this part of the story. It is two years before Zackary Fair becomes First class, aka Cloud Strife is just at 15 years of age and joining Soldier. So from there, I am going to be changing arcs in Crisis Core and FF7 itself for this. So if you're a purist, please no flaming or rude reviews please. This is my work of fiction, so yeah. Bear with it. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
A/N 2: This chapter is dedicated to two very special authors. MissKatt18, who has helped inspire me over an over to continue to write this, with both her own words and her InuYasha FanFictions. So go read them if you haven't, they are absolutely amazing. And Akino Hakume. MissKatt18, who has helped inspire me over and over to continue to write this, with both her own words and her Inuyasha FanFictions. So go read them if you haven't, they are absolutely amazing. And Akino Hakume, who's own story got me to come up with the idea for this. So if you want a good Final Fantasy 7 read and can handle some Yaoi then go read Walking out on Destiny or W.o.D.
Month 1, week 1, day 3: Turks
As she sat there looking at the computer screen, boredom clear on her face, reading the questions before answering them appropriately, Kagome let a soft sigh. She was beginning to wonder precisely what Kenya wanted from her. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but three days of reading questionnaires and answering them hadn't been on the list. Especially with all the strange looks she had received, on top of the hushed whispers from everyone around that saw her.
Clenching her jaw, grinding her teeth as she clicked the answer that was best suited to her, from what the question was asking. Only to stare in disbelief as the screen flashed brightly as computerized fireworks went off, and the message of congratulations appeared just as a spasm started under her left eye, the urge to pick up the keyboard and smash it into the computers now brightly colored screen.
"Dammit, Hojo!" She screamed, and she threw her hands into the air in exasperation.
A soft snicker was heard in the silence that followed, making Kagome spin the chair around to face whoever had done it. Only to narrow her blue eyes at two men, who were definitely at different ends of the spectrum. One was tall, tattooed and bald; the other was a bit shorter with spiky red hair and a mile-wide smile on his face. Letting her know who had found amusement in her actions.
Raising an eyebrow at the duo as she shifted her annoyance to them, Kagome stood up to her full height and spoke, "Professor Hojo is not in. Please come back later this afternoon, please and thank you."
She knew she came off as rude and snappish, but that didn't matter to her. Since Kenya had been very clear that no one was allowed into the lab while he was gone. So when neither of the men made to leave, the twitch under her left eye became more pronounced, as a frown formed, pulling her lips downward.
Taking a step around the desk, she placed her hands on her hips and tilting her head up as she looked them over, noting that they wore black suits with dark sunglasses on their face, well except the redhead, who had them sitting on the top of his head. Both looked like they were relaxed though she could tell that they were battle-ready at a seconds notice.
Narrowing her eyes, Kagome gave a derisive snort as her mind supplied one word that flowed from her lips, "Turks."
It was enough to cause the men to react. The tall bald one stiffened as he moved his head ever so slightly to look at her while the redhead blinked in surprise as his mouth fell open a fraction on surprise. Not wanting them around, she gave a roll of her shoulder as she turned her back to them, clearly dismissing them.
"Oi! Princess, what the hell?"
Back stiffening at the spoken words as she became very still. Her frustration and annoyance turned into anger as she let a smile dance across her lips, just as a deeper voice spoke.
"Reno, please behave yourself. "
"What the hell, Rude. Don't give me that crap when I know you're just as curious as I am. Hence, why you're here with me, to begin with."
Rolling her eyes as she slowly turned to face them once more. Now aware of their names, as well as the reason why they were visiting the lab. Feeling more furious at the whole situation as it unfolded, she let a small moan escape from her lips and drawing their attention back to her and the pronounced hostility that was on her face.
The red-headed man defensively raised his hands as the tattooed one spoke, "Please miss, we do have a reason to be here, other than to get a look at you. So please don't be too offended by either Reno or myself."
Letting the hostility fade away as she again raised an eyebrow at the duo, putting on a warm smile that still guarded before speaking, "Oh really? Well, then what is the reason?"
At the sudden shift in her demeanor, Rude's mouth became a bit slack, as Reno let out an exaggerated and very dramatic moan as he slumped. Kagome laughed in delight and amusement, causing the men to look at her, trying not to smile.
Once things seemed to calm down, Rude pulled a small packet from his breast pocket and held it out to her. Letting her eyes drift to it, using her Reiki to briefly scan it, making sure there was nothing harmful on it, before taking it. She was noting that there was no name on it.
"Thank you; I will make sure that it gets to Kenya. But the fact remains that the Professor isn't here and you need to leave now. I don't want to be lectured for hours by the crank." She said in a very soft manner that gave no room for them to stay around longer.
Month 1, week 1, day 6: Bathed
Giving the machine a dubious look, Kagome glanced over at Hojo as he typed away on the computer that was hooked to the terminal that ran the machine. Though she wasn't in it as of yet, Kagome felt a bit claustrophobic, knowing she'd be locked in there with her body floating in what Hojo called Mako. Add the fact that she was going to be wearing her white bikini.
"Uh, are you sure this is safe, Kenya? And please tell me again why I won't be put to sleep while... being bathed in the green go," She asked.
The sound of keys clicking away stopped as the man lifted his head and looked at her with a flat stare. When he didn't say anything for a few minutes, her body began to shift from side to side from her nerves. Which he noted as he let his gaze drop back to the terminal as the rapid clicking of keys resumed, leaving her feeling more anxious.
The minutes seemed to drag on by before she was startled from Hojo, speaking, "You may enter the tube now, Kagome. It is safe; I will be here monitoring you carefully. As to why, because each person experiences it differently. Now in and no stalling."
With a small huff, she let the lab coat fall from her body, pooling at her feet before swallowing her fear and entering the tube. Once she was entirely in, the door snapped shut with a hiss and soft bang, before the latch clicked into place. Turning to look at Hojo, who had gone back to being fixated on the terminal as his hands flew to adjust dials.
There was a loud pop as the door sealed itself, before the sound of rushing liquid filled the inside of the tube. It was almost defining to her ears, as her eyes looked down just in time to see the bottom of the floor turn a vibrant green pooling around her feet.
The moment it touched her, her brain registered how cold it was as she screamed in shock. Kagome knew her eyes were blazing as she looked up at Hojo, whose shoulders were shaking in barely contained mirth as he watched her reaction, curling her lips as she snarled at him, punching the glass, only to hiss in pain from the action. Earning her a full, deep, and rich baritone laugh from the man.
"You're not supposed to hurt yourself before the experiment starts, Kagome. Now just stand there and relax." His voice was barely audible in her mind, above the sound of the liquid filling the small area, but she just flipped him off before going back to watching the liquid (now up to her knees) continue to pour in.
Deciding that it might be a good idea to relax as he suggested, Kagome began to take slow, steady deep breaths, slowing her heart. Closing her eyes as the Mako, as it was called, swelled up and over her breast, lifting her body, causing it to float. Small waves of panic washed through her when it finally covered her body completely. Kagome opened her eyes; she saw everything through a green haze as her mind snapped as panic caused her to struggle.
The Mako was sliding into her mouth and down her throat, feeling as if it was half solid jello with no taste. Continuing to panic, Kagome realized that she was able to breathe while submerged in the fluid. Blinking, as her body began to calm down, her gaze snapping back to a smug-looking Hojo. Wanting nothing more than to punch him, she opted for another method, giving him the double bird.
Month 1, week 2, day 5: Gender Bender
It had been a rather intriguing week for her, with the mako baths every other day. She was revealing extreme compatibility with it since her body absorbed it. The Mako she found out was then lifeblood of the planet, on top being what she had initially been hearing the faint voices from while on Mideel Island.
But for herself, what she found most fascinating was that it helped her meditate and build a stronger repor with not only her powers but the Shikon no Tama and Mi-tamas — causing her to make some severe leaps in what she could do, which was what she had planned for today's Mako bath, having already discussed it with Hojo.
Letting out a small giggle Kagome slipped behind the door to the bathroom, quickly discarding her clothes and donning her (now) pale green two pieces. Once finished, she opened the door and made a beeline for the tube. Her bare feet slapping on the cold tiles floor in her haste, earning a chuckle from the labs, only other occupant.
"Quit being an old fogey Hojo; I want to get started. "She said as she jumped into the tube.
Rapidly twisting her body, so she was facing the terminal, a small frown on her lips as she impatiently watched him shuffle at his own pace. Noting the glimmer of humor in those flat, alien black eyes he was sporting. Nor the low rumbling hiss of a laugh from Jenova at her childlike restlessness.
The moment Hojo reached his designated spot and began to turn everything on, before closing the door and filling the chamber, Kagome was sure she was going to expire from the anticipation of the wait. Just to have her face beam in glee when the sound of the Mako filled the closed and sealed tube.
Quickly she established a mental link with Hojo, "So do we just jump into this, or do you wanna take me through my paces like a thoroughbred horse. ... Uh, I mean, Chocobo."
There was silence before she got her reply, "I would prefer you do all the warm-ups, but seeing as you're antsy to get going, just a quick meditation before you rush into this. Since I must admit that I want to see if you can do as you have claimed, you could."
As Kenya spoke, Kagome closed her eyes briefly as the Mako fully submerged her. She was letting her mind make the connection to not only her Reiki, but the youki from Sesshoumaru, and the jewel inside as well. Once it was done, Kagome began the slow, steady deep breaths, directing the flow of all three through her body, preparing it for what she needed to do.
Feeling a calm settle over the body while a pleasing sensation echoed in her mind, Kagome started to imagine what she needed to do for the gender swap. The rush of all three powers pounding in her veins was almost like a high, as she felt her body start to remind itself. Each shift caused her to take a deeper breath to stay calm and in control of the discomfort, it was causing.
"Are you okay? Your heart rate is jumping around."
Cracking her eyes to give a glare, that stated she was insulted by his comment, Kagome continued, after closing her eyes once more. Soon enough, she felt the last changes to her body. With a triumphant grin, she opened her eyes, looking at Hojo, who was showing a rare display of emotion.
"Well, what do you think? Is it fair? Want to drain the goo and let me out so we can test it?" She poured over the mental link.
A slow, regular nod of his head was her only answer as his hands flicked, pressing the buttons and twisting dials. The Mako drained, leaving a thin film of it coating her body, as she was lowered to the floor of the tube, waiting for the door to open. With a soft pop and noise, the latch was released, and she stepped out, almost falling on her face, due to her center of gravity no longer being where it was.
Strong hands grabbed her, just before she kissed the tiled floor. Jerking her head up to tell Hojo thanks, her blue eyes went wide as she stared at Tseng, making her face go a dark scarlet as he looked at her with a mix of interest and horror.
Awkward didn't begin to describe the situation or how she felt as she gave a weak laugh and spoke softly, "Uh...hi! Tseng!?"
Month 1, week 3, day 6: part 1 Lucrecia
It had been a week since she had done her gender swap. The test Hojo had put her through had been rigorous and exhausting, but she'd made it through them all, with the help of Tseng. Who after the initially strained moment, had decided it would be best if he helped out. While the low, rumbling laugh of Hojo filled the lab.
Kagome could honestly say it was bizarre explaining why she looked like a boy, on top of a younger version of Tseng himself. There were a few days before he would even look her in the eye without going red and turning away from her, which she did her best to accept with grace, at least until she took matters into her own hands.
Afterward, things went very smoothly as Hojo did his test. The first were x-rays and ultrasound, leaving him intrigued as to the why and how she still had a uterus, while male. Even though she had explained to him, she couldn't change what she was born as he was obsessed about it. From there, things went to mental and emotional aptitude in various situations of all kinds. Before, they got physical with her doing basic hand to hand self-defense.
Tseng had thought to take it easy on her in either form, irritating her to the point she had flipped him and placed her foot on his throat growling low in her throat. A warning he had gotten loud and clear not to treat her any differently. He was thus making the sessions of sparring and endurance more fun for her.
With a smile on her face as she recalled two days ago while putting data into the computer from that morning Mako experimentation, Kagome didn't notice that someone had entered the lab. Her eyes on the notes, while her fingers typed away.
Her only alert was a soft, yet cold feminine chuckle, that drew her eyes up. To see a tall slender, brunette in a lab coat, holding a large stack of files. Leaving the smile on her face as she sensed that something was off with the woman, and it was something familiar.
As she tried to figure it out, the woman spoke in a condescending voice, "Well, I guess a person's taste does change in preference to things they like. But I can say I wasn't expecting a slip of a girl who isn't even a woman. Guess he has finally turned into a pedophile. "
She was feeling her eyes go wide, before narrowing into thin slits. Kagome stood up, the smile still in place, though it had gone from friendly to cold in mere seconds. Looking the woman over from head to toe and back again, she gave a small snort of disgust at her.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but I do not know what you are speaking of or why you are being rude and hostile towards the Professor and myself. "She replied, doing her best to be polite because she didn't like the implications the woman was throwing around.
A low, grating laugh (reminding her of an anime character - naga from Slayers) as the woman looked down a small pert nose at her. Giving the impression to Kagome, she thought she was superior. She was causing the youki in her body to surge at the insult she was delivering.
"Oh, don't play coy with me, girl. Why else would Kanye have you as his only lab assistant, on top of you being a willing participant in his experiments? You're obviously sleeping with him. It's just disgusting he decided to go for a chit of a girl that looks to be bare out of puberty."
Taking a deep breath in through her nose and exhaling it from her lips as they pressed into a very tight, thin smile. The youki, as well as her instincts, were telling her to make this woman submit and know her place. But Kagome knew if there was one thing she had in spades, it was sheer, stubborn willpower. Giving in to what almost every fiber of her body was telling her, she made her body relax as she took a step closer to the woman.
The smile on her face warming into a friendly and inviting one, as she opened her eyes wider. Knowing that her power might be shining in their depths. With a soft chuckle, Kagome gave the woman her response, "I think you are highly mistaken, obaba-san(1*). You see, the Professor is a married man, and I was raised to have the decency to respect the sanctity of that bond. Besides, he isn't my type. For one, he is like an awesome, older brother or better yet uncle. And I think incest is wrong, but hey if that's your thing then, by all means, have at it. But if you are another imbecile ShinRa worker coming down to get a look at me and make rude comments, under the guise of delivering something to the Professor. I suggest you drop off whatever it is and leave before you do anything you might regret later. I mean, clearly, you are losing some sanity, or do you need me to help walk you back to your desk, so you don't get lost. "(*1): Means old lady with San being the respectful add on to it in Japanese/Wuatian.
The red flush of anger spread across the woman's face as her mouth hung open. It was then that Kagome noted her eyes were a flat black like Hojo's, telling her what was off with the woman. Making the smile on her lips morph into a smug grin. All the while, the woman took aggressive steps towards her, intent clear on her face. Raising an eyebrow, Kagome slowly began to leak out her Reiki but kept it close to her body so the woman would know what hit her.
"That is quite enough of that posturing ladies."
A third party speaker broke the glaring contest between them. Slowly they turned in unison to stare at the intruder, who just happened to be the very person they were talking about. The look on his face spoke volumes, so Kagome ducked her head in shame. While the woman just clicked her tongue in irritation.
"I expected better of you, Kagome. But then again, she does have that effect on people. Please meet my wife, Lucrecia." Hojo said in a tight voice.
Raising her head, she looked the woman over once more, realizing that she fit the man's profile of what he liked. With a small shake of her head, she muttered a half-sincere apology.
"Why are you here, Lucrecia, other than to stir up trouble. "
A frown appeared on the woman's face as she spoke, "I don't know what you are talking about Kenya. It's that time of year already, so I was just delivering your half of the soldier recruits files, for this fall. That's all, I promise."
Rolling her eyes at Lucrecia's obvious ploy at innocence, Kagome watched Hojo take the files from Lucrecia before he shoved them at her. The look he gave told her what she needed to do. So without a word, Kagome turned and made her way back to her desk as he walked out his wife, catching a few words he was speaking.
"You are not to mess with her. I just saved your life. Now go play with the little boys you prefer while I continue to wait for you to get bored and come home."
Month 1, week 3, day 6: part 2 Home Economics
The sound of things being tossed around, rang through the small house, as Kagome continued what she termed a deep cleaning after having been excused for the day. Which only served to make her angrier, making her both more productive and furious. It had been a good day, too, until the witch, as she dubbed Hojo's wife, showed up. Finally, answering a few questions, he had had about the woman.
Giving a low growl as she lifted another half-destroyed box full of God knew what type of paperwork, she lugged it across the room and stacked it carefully on the floor with the rest next to the door. Her thoughts were churning around her head at the things she would love to do to torture that woman, knowing full well that was the youki in her body demanding recompense for the insults that had been delivered. Which hadn't even been remotely subtle at all, no, they were like a cold glass of water, then a slap followed by another cold glass of water to the face?
At some point, Kagome had realized that in a way, the woman was an older, more bitter version of Kagura. So when that did bit jumped up in her mind, she let out a dark laugh, that shocked her. Making her slow and stop, to calm herself down before she shifted the balance of her Reiki and the youki in her body for the worse. Besides, she knew it was time for her to take a short break and probably get dinner going.
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Kagome turned around and screamed in shock, not having realized Hojo was home. Telling her that it was much later than she had initially thought. Shying away as he raises his hand, sticking fingers into his ears, giving her a baleful look. She finally got a good look at him, noticing that his hair was standing up where the hair tie wasn't holding it down. With a sheepish smile, she reigned in her rampant Reiki, watching him visibly relax.
"I'm hungry. And stop worrying about it, Lucrecia has always had that effect on people."
Blinking her eyes slowly as she watched Hojo turn and leave, she couldn't help but grin at the man. Still annoyed, Kagome snorted before following him out of the room and downstairs. Peeking at the grandfather clock in the living room, she darted to the kitchen, mentally berating herself at how selfish she'd been by becoming absorbed in her anger. It was already seven o'clock, well past time for her to have dinner done.
Glad that they had a few leftovers from the previous two days, she quickly made them into a casserole. Once it was ready, she preheated the over, knowing it would take the darn thing forever to heat, she made her way to the living area to see Hojo in his worn-out chair, reading the evening newspaper. With a smothered giggle at how normal he could appear, she pecked him on the head, before dashing up the stairs.
A hot shower to wash away the dust from her work in Hojo's office, as well as to relax her, was just the thing she needed. With a quick stop by her room for her bathing necessities and pajamas, Kagome was in the bathroom. The water already pre-adjusted to her preferred setting, steaming up the mirror and chrome decorations.
Though the house was older, she had been pleasantly surprised at how updated and modernized the only bathroom in the townhouse was. She was learning that Hojo was a man who was meticulous about his hygiene. Not one to complain about a beautiful bathroom with all the best amenities, she took to it. She was enjoying what was already there to be used.
Grinning like a happy idiot as she stepped out of the shower, looking at the waterproof digital clock next to the sink, Kagome felt glad that she'd only taken fifteen minutes. Leaving her more than enough time to dry herself, dress, and put her hair up. Or at least, she thought she did.
When Hojo's bellowing reached her ears, sounding annoyed. Rolling her eyes, before doing a quick dry of her person and slipping into a pair of baggy hakama's she'd snagged at some point during her travels in feudal Japan, then her bra and a loose t-shirt with the wording, keep talking, I've already killed you a dozen times in my head.
Twitching her nose as she flipped her hair up into a loose and very messy bun, she opened the bathroom door just as Hojo screamed her name again. Rolling her eyes as she huffed, Kagome bounded down the hall and the stairs, only to go very still at the sight of Hojo standing next to Tseng and another man. Who was heads taller than either of them, as her eyes went wide?
Shooting Hojo an I will get you for this stare as she took the final steps to stand next to Hojo, a bright smile on her face once more. Reaching out a hand, she grasped Tseng's hand in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting it go. Then turning her attention to his companion who was dressed just like him, offering a slight tilt of her head in welcome to him before giving Hojo all her attention.
"I am going to make some tea and put dinner in the oven, so why don't you take them and sit in the living room, Professor. Black tea this time," she said, making the last bit a statement instead of a question.
With that, she turned and started towards the kitchen. "Oh, Kagome, can you please take down the blue and white Wedgewood set and put it off to the side, please. Its owner has requested that I bring it in tomorrow and give it to her so that she can serve tea to her guests."
She went still, back going rigid as she turned around to look at Kenya, the smile on her lips was no longer bright, but rather a thin line that was being forced as she raised her eyebrows upon her forehead and nodded. As she noted that his hair was starting to rise, where it wasn't tied down. Not waiting for him to say another thing as she spun and went into the kitchen and started to get the stuff ready to make tea. Not missing the softly spoken words from Hojo, '" She met Lucrecia today."
It took her roughly twenty minutes to do everything, with a bit of banging and cursing about arrogant, stuck up old hags. But once she was done and calmed down, food in the oven heating, so that it could be just served, Kagome made her way back to the living area. Her trademark friendly smile on her lips and not a care in the world was showing on her face or in her eyes. Ignoring the looks that Tseng and the man were giving her as she set the tray with the tea and cups down on the table as she started pouring cups of tea. Making sure to provide Hojo with his first as it was his house than Tseng whom she had learned a while ago preferred two sugars in his tea.
With that, she turned and looked at the other occupant of the room and said, "So how do you like your tea?"
The owlish look on his face before he replied that just milk would do, as she quickly made his cup and handed it to him, before serving herself. Once she finished, she stayed sitting on the floor but leaned back against the arm of Hojo's old, faded and ratty looking chair that he was sitting in. She was taking a small sip of her hot black tea as she waited patiently for introductions to be made while making eye contact with Tseng, who was trying not to smile slightly amused at the current situation.
With a small grunt, Hojo began to speak, "Kagome, you already know Tseng. The man next to him is Vincent Valentine, second in command of the Turks. He is the one that I said I would talk to over two weeks ago when you first arrived here. Vincent, this is Kagome Higurashi, my assistant. If you have questions or anything to say, you do it to her. Otherwise, I leave you at her tender mercies for you being insensitive."
Rolling her eyes at Hojo's words, Kagome shifted her gaze to Vincent as he looked at her, putting on an inviting smile as she spoke, "Well, let's not beat around the bush, let us get to the heart of the matter."
"It is nice to meet you, Kagome; I have heard a bit about you from Tseng as well as Reno and Rude. It seems you have left a rather lasting impression on them. Now on to what you asked Tseng. It is rather a serious request to make out of the blue, but not without its own merits. So why don't you give me the breakdown of why and what you are intending."
She is giving a soft, sweet chuckle at Vincent as he finished speaking, before setting her cup on the floor next to her person. As her face became a blank mask, as she gave her reply, "It is rather simple actually. Since it will serve a dual purpose that is mutually beneficial to all of us, Tseng acts as an intercessor by pretending to spy on Hojo and me. At the same time, we feed him select bits of information to give in a report to the head of Turks and that fat, slimy, arrogant pig you all call President. While at the same time, giving us the bare-boned facts of what is going on outside of the lab that is not going to leave you guys liable for grounds of dismissal, or rather, from what I read of that man's aura death."
Laughter wasn't what she had been expecting from the tall and dark-haired man, but it was rather pleasant to her ears when he did. Tilting her head up and looking at Tseng, who was a bit shocked at the man's reaction, but the smile tugging at the edges of his lips was enough proof that this was a good thing. Giving a small chuckle as she tilted her head back and looked up at Hojo, who was relaxed and appearing content with the proceedings. So when the laughter stopped, Kagome put her attention back on Vincent.
"That would be most acceptable for me since most of the Turks report to me before they do our President Veld. Who at some point you will have to meet due to this arrangement. But it wasn't long after Hojo contacted me that Veld asked me to find a way to do precisely that. I think it will be rather amusing to do this, since the President has to have his fingers in everything, considering the Turks were created by his wife, who still technically is our big boss, even though she is Vice President of ShinRa. Though I am curious to learn more about you, rather than this whole deal, since you were rather blunt and to the point about it all."
With a throaty laugh, Kagome gave a small shake of her head, as her blue eyes became half-closed as she spoke softly in Japanese," Mā, watashi wa watashi ga mite, nenrei wa, watashi wa, 18 gozen dono yō ni furui jissai ni aru. Watashi wa chikara o motsu mikoda, watashi wa kono sekai kara naidesu tsu~en wa watashi no sonchō no uchi, nani mo no tonari ni anata ni itta to iu jijitsu o shitte iru. Soshite, wa I, watashi wa yorokonde sore ga sōgo ni watashitachi no ryōhō ni yūekideattanode, Hōjō no jikken ni naru. Īe, anata ga tokutei no shitsumon ga aru baai, watashi wa sore ni kotaeru tame ni saizen o tsukushimasunode, soreijō wa. Sore baai ni tsuite no setsumei wa arimasenga sonzai shimasu." (*2) "Well, I know for a fact that Tseng has told you next to nothing out of respect for me. I am not from this world; I am a priestess with powers. The age I look at is actually how old I am, eighteen. And yes, I willingly become Hojo's experiment, since it was mutually beneficial to us both. No, there will be no more expounding on why. So if you have specific questions, I will do my best to answer them."
Unable to help the laughter that burst from her at the look on Vincent's face at what she just said, in what they called Wuatian. While both Hojo and Tseng were laughing aloud, it felt good to be surrounded by people who made her feel safe and sound, even if she knew that it was a false sense at the moment. Her place and job in this world were hanging on a thread, that was being held by the man beside her while being split into three ways by the two across from her. Fate was fickle, and any of them she knew could and would turn against her at any moment, but until it happened as she would enjoy and go with the flow of things.
Month 1, week 4, day 2: It's what's for dinner
"What is this?"
"Dinner."
"I get that, but tell me what it is."
"It's what's for dinner. Now eat it!"
"No. Not until you tell me exactly what this is."
A short pause, before Kagome got up from her spot on the floor, next to the small table. Taking a few steps, she was standing before Hojo, looking down at him, eyes narrowed. Then without warning, she snapped her arm out and took the plate from his lap and marched to the kitchen as he sat there sputtering in indignation.
"Bring that back here right now, woman. That is my food; you have no right to take my food away from me."
Stopping and spinning around right in the kitchen doorway, eyes narrowed and glowing a vivid pink, making him snap his mouth shut and shrink instinctively back into the chair.
"Oh, really? That is odd because you were just complaining about it and not eating it."
"I was just asking what it was. I never said I wouldn't' eat it, just that I won't eat it until you tell me what that concoction on the plate was."
Raising an eyebrow at his words, Kagome let out a slightly annoyed Growl. "I did tell you, it's what's for dinnerDinner. So if you are just going to question what I cook for you instead of eating it, then you do not need to eat it. You can drag your sorry kiester into the kitchen and cook something else or go out and get take out."
Again silence hung between them before Hojo looked away from her intense, slightly angry glare. "Fine, I will eat it. Now give me my plate back, woman."
Not making a move when he spoke, consenting to eat the food, Kagome waited for Hojo to say one singular word. A word that didn't seem to be in his actual vocabulary and that she was dead set on putting in there. So when his black eyes met hers again, she could see his jaw set stubbornly. With a snort, Kagome turned to start going into the kitchen again.
"Please...Please, can I have my plate back? I won't ask what it is anymore. Instead, I will save a portion of it to test tomorrow in the lab."
At his words, Kagome stopped, spun, and smiled brightly at him, before swiftly walking back to him and handing him his plate. "There that wasn't too hard now was it? Besides, if you feel the need to do a test on it after you taste it, then, by all means, do so. And you're welcome."
With that, she went back to her spot at the small table and sat down to finish eating. Mentally counting in her head, to see just how long it took for him to figure out what it was. She had reached eight when Hojo gasped.
"It's chicken!"
Month 1, week 4, day 5: Drinks & Karaoke
It had been a quiet day in the lab, leaving it to feel as if it had dragged on forever. Glancing up at the clock, Kagome frowned upon seeing it only read three o'clock, letting her know she still had another two hours to go before she would be released for the day, to enjoy her weekend. Well, except for the Mako bath, that would happen the morning after tomorrow. So with a melancholy sigh, she went back to entering the data for the candidates for the Soldier program. Something that had intrigued her when she was finally able to get Kanye to give her more information on it. Though that information had come at the price of being told No on her unspoken request to be apart of it.
That alone had led to a major exchange of words before she had stormed out of the lab and up to the training floor. While she understood why Kenya didn't want her to be a part of that particular program. Hojo didn't want to share her or her natural abilities with anyone outside of Tseng, and now Vincent knew about it. Which the latter of the duo had been shown her ability to Gender Bend, leaving him in a stunned state of mind for a few hours as his mind tried to rationalize what he had just seen. So when he had come back to himself, Tseng had then suggested that they go to the training room so that Vincent could see what her physical skills were. Which again left Vincent mostly speechless at her innate abilities, on top of them being enhanced by either her Reiki or youki.
Tilting her head as she opened up the next file on the stack, only to stop and get a good look at the candidate. It was a young man from an outlying village called Nibleheim. Scanning over the picture saw he had spiky blond hair with eyes that were the same shade of blue as her own. But it was the naiveté in the eyes, as well as the uncertainty in them. Something she could sympathize with since she had been there not too long ago, before starting to enter it into the computer. Reading aloud his name, age, and height as she put it into the computer, a smile on her face as she realized that he would be coming to the lab for his mako treatments while in basic in two months.
"Oi Princess."
Being absorbed into her work again, Kagome gave a small start and looked up to see Reno standing in the doorway, looking rather leerily behind her. Letting her know that Hojo had, at some point, returned from his weekly meeting with the other bigwigs of the various departments. Tilting her head to the side as she smiled up at him, before closing the file before her and waving him in. Not missing the second of hesitation before his usual cocky attitude preceded him into the room, as she wondered why he was down here in person.
Ever since their first meeting, then stumbling upon her and Tseng in one of their random sparring bouts in the training room a few weeks ago, Reno had taken a rather keen interest in her. Going so far as to pester her for her PFS number, which at that time she didn't have one, or even know what it was. Which was quickly remedied, much to Hojo's annoyance and grumbling about females not being allowed to have devices to socialize. The comment had earned the man a painful tweak of the nose, that had left Vincent, Reno, and Rude slack jaw, while Tseng just watched amused since he was used to their rather unique interactions.
The moment Reno stopped in front of her desk, his green eyes darting back and forth between her and Hojo in a slightly nervous manner, Kagome gave a small cough to prompt him to ask whatever she felt he needed to ask her in person. A slight flush on his cheeks, making his red hair stand out a bit more before he scratched the back on his head.
"Uh, if your keeper is okay with it, you want to get some drinks and Karaoke with Tseng, Rude, and me tonight? I mean, all work and no play can do funny things to the mind." He mumbled softly.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, a reply was given, "Take her, I could use a night to myself. But as her keeper, I want her butt back at my house no later than one am, and fairly sober. If anything comes up on your end or mine, she is now accessible by the PFS. What time should I expect you to whisk her away from our living quarters."
Blinking a bit as she slowly spun her chair around to see that Hojo was still doing his measuring for one of his projects. She was shrugging her shoulders before turning back to Reno, who was staring determinedly at Hojo over her head. Almost as if he was trying to figure out if the man was joking or serious about what he just said, since, in a way, his own words contradicted themselves.
Already knowing Hojo wasn't joking around, she reached out and poked Reno's nearest hand, making him jump and crouch into a defensive posture. Earning her a look that said what she did wasn't funny. To which she just smiled and mockingly batted her eyes, while giving him a look that said he couldn't prove she did a damn thing.
"How about now? I mean, it is almost five o'clock now, so by the time I swing by your humble abode with her so she can put on something more presentable for a bar and restaurant."
"Fine, now get out you are disturbing my work."
With a small smile, Kagome clicked the button that would save the data she had already inputted before putting the files in the bottom desk drawer and locking it before shutting the computer down. A small sense of excitement welling up in her at the prospect of getting to go out, for the first time unattended by Hojo. Standing up, with her purse, that she kept under her desk, in hand, Kagome gave a small wave to Hojo as she ran around the desk to leave the lab with Reno.
"Have fun and be safe, Kagome."
Both were stopping at the words just as they reached the door to the lab, turning to look over their shoulders at the man. She saw that he hadn't even budged from his work. But to Kagome, she saw the slight shift in his aura, that showed he was mixed about this. So, she called over her shoulder that there was leftover pork cutlet with mashed potatoes in the fridge, as well as one last slice of the fudge cake she had made left for his dinner. That made him look up for all of three seconds and smile gratefully at her before going back to his work, dismissing them both.
The trek to the elevator was a quick one, with Reno staying silent until they were in it. "How do you make him seem so human? Are you an angel and hide your wings?"
With a laugh as she looked up at him, Kagome gave him a wink as she replied, "Maybe if you bought all my drinks and beat me at Karaoke, I will tell you. But good luck on that one Red."
TBC!
