Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
I'm so sorry for not having updated for so long, so as a special treat this chapter is really long! A special thanks to all who read and reviewed the story, and I hope this was worth the wait for my brain to function properly. I'm still deciding between Koga or Sesshomaru, so let me know what you think! I also apologize for any typing or spelling mistakes - I use spellcheck and reread this three times, but I still may have missed something. Also, it's REALLY HARD to create a picture of the airship and things like that! So use your imagination.
Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.
"What now?" Kagome wondered, as the group rested, in the safety of Mt. Gagazet and its dangerous cliffs. They had found a cave, and decided to use it for temporary shelter.
"I don't know," Inuyasha admitted, and Shippo couldn't help snorting.
"Like any of us expected you to be the brains of this, anyway."
"Why you little…"
"Shippo, apologize," Kagome ordered, and then stopped Inuyasha from using the fox's head as a battering ram against the cave wall.
"None of us have our communicators, do we?" Miroku wondered, and they shook their heads regretfully. "I suppose we could try to contact one of the other Gardens, but I'm not sure how," he thought, and Sango frowned in concentration.
"I wonder if we could somehow use our aeons?" she sighed, and then blinked. "Wait – didn't Summoner Yuna mention something about the ruins of Zanarkand?"
"Yeah, why?" Inuyasha grumbled, and Kagome elbowed him.
"They were trying to rebuild it, weren't they?" Sango continued, her excitement growing, "There's probably workers there now! If we can mange to get there, we can use their communication system to contact someone."
"What if they're under the enemy – whoever they are?" Inuyasha objected.
"It sounds like the only plan we've got now," Miroku said calmly, and looked at Kagome. "What do you think?"
"It's worth a try," she agreed, and Shippo nodded. "If anything goes wrong, we can just bail," she added, "I say we try it."
"Alex?" Koga called softly, activating the mechanized sliding door to the cabin. He found her fully clothed and asleep on one of the three beds.
"Must've been wiped out from everything," Koga said to himself, backing out of the dark room. "None of us have slept in days, after all," he added ruefully, thankful demons hardly needed sleep for long periods of time before returning the bridge. He had left it on auto-pilot, since they had decided to remain near the peaks of Gagazet for cover until they decided their next move.
"She's asleep," Koga told Sesshomaru, who merely raised an eyebrow.
"Humans lack the stamina demons have," he commented, and Koga couldn't help but agree.
"Well, I'd rather she fall asleep when we don't need her, than pass out at a critical time," Koga said finally, giving Sesshomaru a glance. The Dog demon merely gazed out the window at the clouds.
"She can't protect herself," Sesshomaru said suddenly. Koga jumped at the abrupt break of silence, and sat back down with a thud.
"What do you mean, Taisho?" he demanded, "Alex isn't weak."
"Neither were our teachers, and where did they all go so suddenly?" Sesshomaru reminded him, "Either they're dead or gone – either way, they were strong as well, strong enough to teach demons how to fight. But that didn't save them, did it?"
"What are you getting at?" Koga asked suspiciously.
"Whatever happens, one of us must protect her at all times, because of this new threat," Sesshomaru said firmly.
"Why do you care?" Koga asked gruffly, "I thought you hated all humans, especially her."
"It's as you said – we need all the fighters we can get at this point," Sesshomaru replied calmly, "No one is expendable. But with her human stamina, I fear she won't be as strong in the upcoming conflict as we may like."
Koga nodded unwillingly, seeing the other demon's point, but unsure as to why Sesshomaru even cared. The Dog demon, for his part, wasn't sure either, and it was beginning to piss him off more than usual. He liked having control over every emotion, and whatever this girl was doing to him, he didn't like it one bit.
"Still in Gagazet?" she noticed, waking up from a dead sleep several hours later. Coming onto the bridge, she stood for a few moments on the small walkway that hung over part of the lower level before sliding down the stairs to stand next to Koga.
"Well, we weren't going to make any decisions without you," the Wolf pointed out, and she shrugged.
"I wouldn't really care."
"I'll remember that next time," Sesshomaru told her calmly, from his seat on the upper level by the window. "I turned the engines off to save fuel for a while."
"Good," Koga nodded, and sighed. "I tried using low-sensory radar – to avoid getting detected ourselves – but I didn't pick anything up on it."
"Hm…" Alex tapped her foot thoughtfully, gazing out at the floating peaks before snapping her fingers. "Weren't the Gardens doing reconstruction on the ruins of Zanarkand?"
"Yeah…"
"And that would probably include the Floating Peaks above us," she continued, lost in thought and totally ignoring the two demons. "I wonder…the Gardens are in charge of the operation, so are they still safe? They're so isolated here, it's hard to tell…"
"I think we should check it out," Koga interrupted her, causing her to start at being jerked back to reality. "The Zanarkand Ruins are good, but we're so close to the Peaks we should at least give it a shot. This ship is fast as hell, according to Cid, so if something happens we can juice her up and shoot out fast."
"Interesting idea," Sesshomaru mused, much to the other two's surprise. "It might be worth a shot. Kami knows I'm certainly tired of waiting for them to find us."
"So, it's a done deal then?" Alex asked cheerfully, more than ready for some action – and revenge. Koga cracked his knuckles in response, and she grinned. Sesshomaru's expression remained stoic, but his grip tightened slightly on Rozan's sheath.
"Well, you were right about the workers," Inuyasha commented, as the small group approached the edge of the cliff that overlooked the path to the Ruins and Dome. Navy-clad workers worked with both machina and their hands in the area, and most paid little or no attention as the group descended toward them.
"Something's up," Miroku murmured suddenly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"What's wrong?" Sango asked, reaching over her shoulder to grasp the tall magical blade strapped to her back, which was shaped like a crescent moon and had a steel part in the middle for her to grasp in battle.
"Notice some of the workers?" Miroku pointed out quietly. "They're carrying tasers, unlike most of the workers. And they're eyeing us."
"So, they're enemies?" Inuyasha guessed, and cracked his knuckles. "Oh boy."
"Inuyasha, stop," Kagome hushed him, edging closer to her boyfriend.
"So, what do you think we should do?" Shippo asked, preparing to put up a shield if necessary.
"Let's just act like we don't notice anything," Miroku suggested, ignoring Inuyasha's derisive snort. "It's our best bet at this point." The others nodded in reluctant agreement, and the knot of teenagers made their way closer to the Dome of Zanarkand. When they reached the archway to pass to the final area, they were stopped by several workers, all who had black-and-crimson insignia on their shoulders.
"Hold it," one of them ordered, and Miroku fingered his staff lightly. "We require identification to authorize entry to this area. It's restricted."
"We were hoping to see the Garden Master in charge of the project," Miroku replied genially. "We're students from the Calm Lands Garden. Surely you've heard the news?"
"Yeah," another grunted, and they pointed their tasers at the group. "Orders are to bring you back alive to the Master."
"Hey, hold on!" Kagome began, but squeaked when one of the tasers burst with electricity.
"Fuck off," Inuyasha ordered, unsheathing his dark-orange blade and gripping the hilt, as Shippo tried to erect a barrier.
"They've got something that blocks magic!" the Fox squealed, and Kagome groaned when she realized it as well.
"I can't summon Shiva!" Sango gasped, and hauled her blade in front of her as if it was the lightest feather in the world. "You bastards aren't getting away with what you did at our Garden. We'll make you pay."
"I must agree with her on this matter," Miroku nodded, and suddenly thrust his weapon into the leader's abdomen sharply. The man grunted, spitting up blood before slumping to the ground.
"Get them!" another worker cried, as the group tried to escape. Without their shields, they were practically defenseless except for their own weapon skills. Shippo dodged attacks and stole a taser from one of the men, while Kagome used her arrows as spears, not having enough range to use her bow. Sango cut through the attackers easily, and Miroku backed her up. Inuyasha defended their other flank, cutting a path back to the mountains.
"It's no use!" Miroku warned, slamming another man to the dirt. "There're too many of them!"
"I won't – give up!" Sango grunted, and was thrown back by a taser blast that made it's way past her blade.
"Stupid kids," a man chuckled, as they were surrounded. "Just give up, and we won't have to hurt you any more than necessary. The Master wants you alive and unharmed for the most part, after all."
"Yeah, right," Inuyasha snorted, but Miroku suddenly stopped him.
"All right, we surrender," the young man said calmly, lowering his staff to the ground. Inuyasha gaped as the others followed his lead, and grunted when Kagome elbowed him.
"It's called playing possum," she whispered in his dog ear. "Just go along with it. Maybe we get to the bottom of it and attack from the inside instead."
"Oh, I see," the half-demon grinned, and reluctantly lowered Rozan to the ground. "Take good care of it," he warned the man who picked it up, and received a smirk in return. "You little…"
"Inuyasha…" Kagome pressed, and he fell silent as the men began to bind their hands behind their backs.
"Identify yourself," a voice barked over the speakers in their ship. "Unauthorized ship, identify yourself immediately or you will be shot down."
"Kinda tight security for a reconstruction zone," Alex murmured to Sesshomaru, as Koga sent over their false registration and identifications over the comm.
"Yes," he agreed, and glanced around. "Look at the crevices in the rocks. There are soldiers there with anti-aircraft weapons."
"Hm," she followed his gaze, but remained silent as Koga slowly maneuvered them closer to the interior area. Suddenly, several smaller ships bearing heavy artillery zoomed in around them, hovering around the ship nervously.
"The registration belongs to a ship long disposed of," the voice informed them, and Koga slammed his fist on the board.
"Goddamn it!"
"There's a barrier around the area preventing magic," Alex realized. "I can't summon!"
"We're trapped," Koga said bitterly, but Sesshomaru smirked.
"I'm surprised you're giving up so easily, Wolf."
"It's either that or be blown to pieces," Koga snapped, but was interrupted by Alex's thoughts.
"If one of you can use your demonic aura to break the barrier, I may be able to use a spell to divert the ships' fire away from us, and blind them long enough for you to get us far enough into firing range," she said, referring to the small laser cannons the ship bore, courtesy of Cid's handiwork.
"It's that or surrender – I'm in," Koga said instantly, and Sesshomaru nodded.
"I can break the barrier easily," he told them, and the two demons blinked as Alex raced out of the bridge.
"What are you doing?" Koga yelled, watching on the monitor as she stood by the cargo bay that opened up on the side of the ship.
"Let me know when the barrier's down!" she called, glancing briefly at the camera. "Just do it!"
"If you insist," Sesshomaru nodded, and closed his eyes.
"Stop it immediately!" the voice ordered, as the demon's aura began to surround the ship and steadily grew stronger.
"Screw you," Koga retorted, turning the speaker off. Sesshomaru ignored the exchange, and within a few long moments the barrier had been burst. "It's down!" Koga told Alex, and saw her nod over the screen.
"Get us out of here, Koga," she ordered, and suddenly pressed the button to slide the large door open.
"What the hell does she think she's doing?" Koga demanded, but Sesshomaru interrupted him sharply.
"Do as the human says and get us away from this place, so I can use the cannons," he said coolly. Koga gritted his teeth but gripped the controls eagerly, accelerating at an alarming speed and whirling the ship around, preparing to break free from the ships that had encircled them. Suddenly, a huge black sphere shot out from their ship, enveloping the enemy ships and blinding their radars.
"Good girl," Koga praised, and used the opportunity to shoot past them. Sesshomaru took his seat at the weapon control, but glanced at the screen momentarily and noticed Alex bracing herself on the edge of the doorway, the wind whipping her hair back as she concentrated on the holding the spell for as long as possible. After a few minutes she was forced to drop it, and the ships began to close in – but by that time, Sesshomaru had enough range to use his cannons.
"Fuck!" the demon uncharacteristically swore, when he realized they had Level Eight shields equipped, and his shots merely bounced off. Within seconds, however, a blast of wind shot past their ship aimed straight at the aggressors, knocking their radar off-balance and temporarily taking down their shield support system as well. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and hit several targets easily before they lost them. He leaned back in his chair as they climbed the sky, and glanced at Koga.
"Amazing – she was able to cast two powerful spells in such a short amount of time," Koga sighed in relief, clearing the Floating Peaks and entering the atmosphere high above Gagazet where the smaller ships weren't able to climb. "Alex, it's good," he said over the speaker. When there was no response the Wolf examined the monitor hurriedly, and saw in horror that she was barely able to support herself any longer. Her hands began to lose their grip on the open doorway, and Koga jumped to his feet. Before he could move any further he realized Sesshomaru was already gone from the bridge, and watched in amazement as the Dog demon appeared on screen and caught Alex by the waist just as she was about to fall from the door.
"Whew," he let out his breath, and used the controls on the bridge to close the door himself.
"Stupid human," Sesshomaru muttered, supporting the nearly-unconscious young woman with a single arm. Looking down at her pale face he sighed in defeat, forced to admit that she was more powerful than he usually gave humans credit.
"Are we…" she murmured, and he blinked in surprise that she was able to talk. With a sigh he hauled her legs up from underneath her and began to carry her to cabin.
"We lost them," he told her shortly, and she sighed deeply.
"Good…I'm glad…" she smiled weakly, and her eyes closed wearily. "Sesshomaru…thank you…"
"She's sleeping again," Sesshomaru told his fellow demon, reappearing on the bridge several moments later. "She used too much strength casting those spells."
"I didn't know Dog demons could move that fast," Koga commented, eyeing the demon sideways as Sesshomaru sat down in a screwed-down chair that spun around. "I thought only Wolf demons had that kind of speed."
"So did I," Sesshomaru admitted to himself, but there was no way in the Nine Hells he would ever tell the other demon that. "You don't know everything, Wolf," he said coolly. Expecting a retort, he was surprised when Koga grinned at him before turning back to his radar, now using full power since they knew enemies were in the area and aware of their presence anyway.
"I owe you one, Taisho," Koga informed him. "If you hadn't had caught her, she'd be dead."
"A human that powerful shouldn't be put to waste," Sesshomaru told him calmly, and Koga restrained the urge to attack him, focusing on the more important matters at hand.
"Sore?" Koga asked sympathetically, coming into the cabin as Alex struggled to sit up. "It's to be expected, after using so much of your strength," he continued, and handed her a bowl full of some kind of stew. "Here, eat it."
"What is it?" she asked suspiciously, knowing full-well several odd demon concoctions after knowing Koga for almost twelve years.
"It's better you just eat and don't ask," he admitted, and she wrinkled her nose at the smell. "It's better than it smells, trust me," he assured her, and blinked at her doubtful glance. "I mean it this time!"
"Tell me what it is once I finish it?" she asked, and he nodded. Sighing heavily, she raised the brim to her lips and drank it quickly. She lowered it in surprise and began to eat the bits of meat that was in it. "You're right – it is good," Alex nodded. Once she had completely finished the meal, she stretched lazily and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I feel a lot better. Now, what was it?"
"Raw liver in chicken stock," Koga told her, and watched as her face turned green.
"R-raw?" she choked out, holding her stomach. "How the hell did you manage to get raw liver? Or is it better I don't know that either?"
"Cid knows what demons eat," Koga shrugged. "It's fine, trust me. And you feel better, right?"
"Ye-yeah…" she nodded, still a little odd-colored. "Where's Taisho?"
"At the bridge, taking care of the controls," he told her, helping her stand. "That was some impressive spell casting, Alex."
"Thanks," she grinned. "All that damn practice paid off. Glad I could help, since I'm worthless at any kind of control."
"Well, why don't you take a quick shower to wake up and meet us at the bridge," Koga suggested. Striding out of the cabin, he glanced back briefly with a Wolf-like leer. "And I suggest you find some warmer clothes, 'cause it's cold up as far as we are, and I'm trying to save on energy."
"Thanks for the warning," she nodded, and headed toward the shower after grabbing some clothes from the drawer next to the bed.
"Ahh…that does feel better," she sighed, wearing the same boots and jeans – the only pair she had – along with the crimson turtleneck as before as she toweled her hair dry. Brushing it out vigorously she thought how weird it was to be wearing normal clothes for so long, and winced as she hit a knot. "Damn…" she muttered, flinching as she pulled the brush through the tangle. Once her hair was dry, smooth, and clipped up she headed back to the bridge, to find the two demons playing poker.
"Oh, hey," Koga greeted her with a grin. "If I'd had known you'd be so quick, I would've waited before starting."
"What on earth?" she blinked, inspecting their hands. "Poker? For what?"
"Nothing, yet," Sesshomaru replied, hiding his cards from her view. "No cheating."
"You're so paranoid," she rolled her eyes, and winked over the Dog's shoulder at Koga, who grinned and promptly played his hand.
"Bitch," Sesshomaru muttered. Koga growled in the back of his throat, but Alex shrugged.
"Them's the breaks," she smiled overly-sweetly at the tall demon and made herself in another chair. "What now? We have no idea if anyone from the Garden is still alive, and the soldiers are most likely waiting for the moment we have to leave the clouds."
"If you haven't noticed, we've been gliding with the atmosphere currents," Koga pointed out, proud of his piloting skills for which he was praised for at the Garden, being one of the best pilots there. "We should be miles away from Gagazet at this point."
"That doesn't answer my question," she replied. "That means you don't have any idea."
"Nope," Koga shrugged, and Sesshomaru snorted.
"You certainly don't, human."
"Correct," she admitted, completely unabashed. They fell silent, each pondering their private thoughts as the cards and chips lay scattered on the small bench-like table that rose from the middle of the floor of the lower level of the bridge like a wave cresting the ocean surface.
I got inspiration last night as I fell asleep, much to my surprise. I'm glad I had it, though! Please review!