Chapter 11:
"Ay-yi, lad! I think that's quite enough for one morning." Tamisé wiped sweat from his brow.
"But… that was fun. Once more?"
Tamisé shook his head. "You've worn me out, young one. I need a shower and maybe a swim. Besides – you have an appointment with Tayne, remember?"
Inuyasha pouted a little. Tamisé had spent the morning doing what he called 'follow the leader'. Anything that he did, Inuyasha had to do as well. Tamisé was a superb gymnast among other things, and Inuyasha had enjoyed stretching his own considerable abilities in that area. It kept his mind from noting that Kirsten had not as yet shown up as she had promised.
His worried glance at the observation room where Spider fiddled with equipment did not go unnoticed by Tamisé.
"Not to worry about our Kirsty, lad. She'll come when she's ready."
"Tam… is she… " He leaned closer to the tall redhead and whispered so Spider could not hear. "Is she in heat?"
Tamisé jumped as if he had been poked with something sharp. "What makes you say that?"
"Well – she smells different from the way she did a few days ago. And Jon is hovering over her like a hen with one chick. Every time I go near her, he seems to find a way to manoeuver himself between us. I wouldn't touch his woman, Tam. What happened yesterday was an accident."
"I'm sure he knows that, lad. Xi, we forget how keen your senses are." Tamisé put a companionable arm about the half-demon's shoulders and drew him close so he could speak quietly in his ear. "Jon told me this morning that it was Kirsty's time. They want to try for another child. And I would appreciate you saying nothing about this to anyone – including Kirsty. It's a sensitive subject to her."
"But why?"
Tamisé sighed. "She had a miscarriage a couple years ago. A bad one. Even though Spider says everything's okay, she hasn't been able to conceive again. Although she loves my little Breanna, it pains her sometimes to be around the baby, since it reminds her of the one she lost."
"Oh." Inuyasha thought about that for a while as he and Tamisé left the training room and walked down the corridor. He had seen too many mothers keening over lost children and thought that at least this was one emotion he could understand. "Tam? Can I ask you something about women?"
The tall redhead laughed and rolled his eyes dramatically. "Ask away! According to some people, I am apparently an expert."
"How come it's so hard to tell Kagome how I feel, but so easy to tell Kirsty? I mean, we talked for hours on the way over, and I feel like Kirsty really understands how I think and what I feel. But every time Kagome and I start having a serious talk, it seems to end up in our arguing and yelling at each other. She always tells me to grow up – and I'm beginning to think she's right."
"Maturity isn't something that comes overnight," Tamisé said. "You have to work at it. Maybe you should start by telling Kagome how you really feel about her."
"I'm afraid to. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she's only staying with me because she feels sorry for me?"
Tamisé laughed. "I don't think that's the case here. Sometimes you have to take a chance and do something that scares the hell out of you. Because then you might find that it wasn't so scary and awful after all."
"It was scary to make the decision to come here," Inuyasha said. "I've never been out of my country before. I never knew there was such a place as Ca-na-dah."
"Canada," Tamisé corrected. "I know just how you feel, lad. I was sixteen when I left my home world. I didn't know at the time that I would never be able to go back."
"How come?"
Tamisé smiled. "My home world has higher gravity than Earth. I've stayed here so long that I've adapted. If I went back home, I would have a great amount of difficulty even moving around. I'd be okay for a short visit, but I would never be able to live there again."
"Oh. Do you have any family?"
"Indeed I do. I'm the sixth of nine children. The Okronnorchs are star-faring traders, so I do see one of my older brothers occasionally when his merchant ship passes through this area of the galaxy. But I haven't seen my parents in the flesh since I left home. I write to them and send video messages, but it's not quite the same."
"You miss them?"
"Oh yes. I was lucky that my brother, his wife and my youngest sister were able to come to my wedding to Fawn. It meant a lot to me to have them there, since none of the family came to my first wedding."
"You were married before?"
"Yes. I'd rather not speak of that just now, lad. I loved and still love my first wife – that will never stop. But Fawn and the children mean the world to me. Fawn gave me what I could never have from my first marriage – the opportunity to be a father. I love her totally, Inuyasha. Fawn holds my heart now, and will until our time on this plane is over."
Inuyasha felt his throat constrict. "I loved someone once too. Before I met Kagome. I thought she loved me back – but maybe I was wrong."
"You speak of Kikyo?"
He nodded. "I guess you got the story from Kirsty and Kagome."
"I did. It's a sad tale, indeed, lad. I completely understand why you need to kill this Naraku character. But even… even if you still love Kikyo, Inuyasha, do not let that stop you from loving Kagome. She's opened up opportunities for you that you might not have had with Kikyo… just as Fawn did for me."
OoOoOo
Tamisé put Inuyasha in Alaina's care and left to take care of other business. Alaina was running an aerobics class scheduled for the early lunch period and had Kagome in it, so Inuyasha joined in as well. This particular class was held for general staff, so both men and women were present.
Inuyasha pretended that he didn't know people were staring at him. Although he could feel their curiosity, there did not seem to be any maliciousness in any of them. When he overheard someone whisper about his ears, he deliberately flicked them and glanced over his shoulder at the person who had spoken. The woman had the grace to blush and stammer out an apology, which he accepted with a nod.
But many of the stares were directed at his sensor suit rather than his ears. Alaina gave everyone a brief introduction to their Japanese guest and explained that he was in the sensor suit so his movements could be recorded and analysed.
"Inuyasha will be working with Cobra and Dragon," Alaina told them. "So you'll see him around TDN for a while. Please help him feel at home while he's here."
After the class, Alaina took Inuyasha and Kagome to one of the cafeterias for lunch. She showed Inuyasha how one went about getting food and helped him choose something to eat. They took their trays to join several of the other warrior women that Inuyasha had met previously. They greeted Inuyasha enthusiastically, and Kagome a little less warmly, but politely nonetheless.
Inuyasha was very quiet during lunch, going over the conversation he had had with Tamisé in his mind. So it came as an utter shock to him when Kagome announced that she was going out the next evening with some man named David.
"Huh?"
"You remember David, don't you?"
"Yeah…" Inuyasha remembered David all right. Maybe too well. At the party, he had hardly left Kagome's side and had danced with her several times. The half-demon hated him already.
"We're going to dinner and then to a movie. And I don't want you following along, Inuyasha."
He snorted. "Fine! I'm gonna watch TV with Jon. Or maybe go over to Tam's for a swim." Or maybe go down to the park and use the Tetsusaiga to give Tam and Jon a year's worth of firewood. Each.
"Good. That's settled then."
Hardly settled. Inuyasha felt that David was too old for Kagome and might be more than she could handle. He knew that he would be waiting up until she was safe home.
After lunch, Inuyasha went back to Kirsten's office to change out of the sensor suit for his meeting with Tayne. He was relieved that Sharon was still apparently at lunch, since she was not at her desk. Kirsten was not in her office, either. He felt a little lost without her.
It was much easier to get the sensor suit off than it was to get it on. Inuyasha pulled on his jeans, and grabbed up his t-shirt. He left the changing cubicle and went to the window, trailing the t-shirt from his fist. He leaned his free arm on the window and rested his forehead on it, looking out at the strange city. His head was beginning to ache and he wanted to be with Kirsten in a bad way. The feeling was almost the same as when Kagome was away too long. Inuyasha worried over that – he wasn't staying here forever. After he went back through the Well, he might never see Kirsten and Jonathan again.
The door opened suddenly and he glanced over, hoping to see Kirsten. But it was Sharon who had entered.
She stared at him for a moment, then closed the door behind her. She was carrying some filefolders, which she put down on Kirsten's desk.
"I didn't know you were here," she said.
"Have you seen Kirsty?"
"She left a message for you. Said to tell you she won't be coming in today after all. You and Kagome are to go home with Tam and have supper with him."
"Oh." He rubbed his aching temple irritably.
"You okay, handsome?"
"I've a headache." He turned towards the window once more, hoping she would get the hint and leave.
No such luck. Suddenly, her hands were on his shoulders, massaging gently. Her scent flowed around him and he could not help but inhale deeply.
"This should help a little. I've got aspirin too."
Her hands were warm and gentle, and Inuyasha let the tension flow from him. She kneaded gently along his spine to his waist, then up again and across his shoulders. Inuyasha had never been touched in such a manner and he found it arousing. Apparently, Sharon did too, for he caught the subtle change in her scent as she rubbed the tense muscles. His body began to answer hers whether he wanted it to or not. He sighed deeply and thrummed deep in his throat.
"Like that, do you?"
"Mmm, yes."
"How's the headache?"
"Getting better."
Her arms came about him and he felt her press herself against his back.
"You know – you could have dinner with me tonight instead of going to Tam's."
One hand explored the muscles of his chest. It felt as pleasant as the massaging of his shoulders had been. The other hand gently stroked his belly and began creeping downward. When Sharon touched where no one had ever touched him before, Inuyasha gasped and jumped like a scalded cat. He twisted away, breathing hard.
"What are you doing to me?"
"I thought I was making you feel better."
"No one has ever… I mean… I – I don't want you touching me there!" he stuttered.
Sharon stared at him for a moment, then folded her arms and began to grin. "Are you telling me that you've never been with a woman?"
"What business is it of yours if I have or if I haven't?"
"Well, there's no reason to be nervous about it. I don't bite…"
Sharon came forward again and put her arms about his neck. Inuyasha put his hands on her arms to push her away, but before he could do so, the door opened again and Kagome's scent wafted over to Inuyasha. He groaned. Oh, gods! Why now?
"Inuyasha? We're going to be late…"
Sharon turned from the half-demon. "Can I help you?"
Inuyasha squeezed his eyes shut. He could imagine the look on Kagome's face. He didn't need to see it. Inuyasha growled softly and hit the window ledge hard enough to dent it just ever so slightly. He was going to have to turn and see the hurt in his love's eyes.
"I've come for Inuyasha. We have an appointment…"
"I'm coming, Kagome." Inuyasha pulled the t-shirt over his head and tugged it down. Somehow, he remembered the sword harness and the sandals that Kirsten insisted he wear. He jammed his feet into the sandals and grabbed up the sword harness, buckling it around his waist.
He pushed by Sharon, then turned. "Some other time for dinner?"
"Any time you like," Sharon purred at him.
"Fine then. Let's go, Kagome," he said gruffly as he reached the lab door. "Don't wanna keep Tayne waiting."
He took Kagome's hand and dragged her from the room. Inuyasha could feel her tension and building anger. He prayed that she would keep silent until they were a little more private.
"Cerberus!" Inuyasha called. "Private elevator, please. We're going to see Tayne."
"Of course, Inuyasha. Car five is waiting."
Once on the elevator, Inuyasha shook the index finger of his free hand under Kagome's nose before she could open her mouth.
"Don't you dare tell me to sit! I know what you're thinking, but it wasn't like that. She came into the lab while I was changing. I didn't invite her to hang all over me."
"Well, you weren't stopping her either!"
"I was about to push her away."
"That's not what it looked like from where I was standing!"
He dropped her hand, snorting. "Ah – think what you will. You never listen to me anyway."
"Inuyasha…" Her voice grew soft. "Inuyasha, I'm sorry. I guess I jumped to conclusions."
"Keh." He folded his arms across his chest. "Let's just drop it, okay?"
OoOoOo
Tayne had a sentry outside her office as well: an older woman with grey eyes as cold as ice. Her eyes raked the two of them as they came up to her desk.
"We have an appointment with Mrs. Newcastle," Kagome said politely.
"Well, you must be Ms. Higurashi. And this…" Her cold eyes registered disapproval. "This must be Inuyasha."
Inuyasha's chin came up defiantly. "That's 'Lord Inuyasha', human."
Kagome elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't be rude, Inuyasha."
Tayne's voice came floating out of the open door behind the secretary's desk. "Maggie, are they here?"
Maggie stood and gestured for the two of them to enter. "Yes, Ma'am."
Inuyasha and Kagome looked around the office with wide eyes. The office was huge and consisted of two levels. The lower level, which they entered, was done in neutral earth tones. Comfortable chairs and couches were scattered about, with two of the couches placed in front of a huge flat-screen television. Expensive framed art hung upon the walls and in odd corners were small sculptures and plants. The upper level, reached by a few steps, held Tayne's mahogany desk and various bookcases.
Tayne had been seated at her desk, but at their entrance, arose and came gracefully down the stairs to greet them. She motioned them to sit on the couches in front of the television.
"Please have the tea service brought in now, Maggie, if you don't mind."
"Of course, Ma'am." Maggie nodded her head and closed the door.
"Well, how are you getting on, Inuyasha?" Tayne asked. "I understand from Spider that the testing is going well."
"Okay, I guess," Inuyasha replied. "But I'm getting tired of testing. When will you people start to train me?"
Tayne laughed. "Patience, patience, young friend. How do we know what to teach you if we don't know what you're capable of? Kirsten will likely start next week with the real training."
There was a knock at the door, and Maggie entered with another secretary, both laden with trays, which they left at a sideboard.
"Hold all my calls, if you please, Maggie. When Tam arrives, he can just come in."
Maggie nodded again before she shepherded the other woman out.
"You must forgive Maggie for her brusqueness," Tayne said. "I could not do without her. She's a little nervous about leaving me alone with a dangerous man."
"Oh, Inuyasha's hardly dangerous," Kagome giggled.
"Keh! Speak for yourself."
Tayne smiled at him, and he felt his heart turn over in his chest. Gods above, she was beautiful! And elegant. And aristocratic. In short, everything her rank bestowed upon her and more. Next to her, Inuyasha felt like a country bumpkin, even though his lineage was as noble as hers.
"So… I promised an explanation of what goes on here," Tayne said. She got up and poured herself a cup of tea. "Anyone else? No? Well, then… where, oh where to start?"
"The beginning is a good idea," Inuyasha said. "Oof!" Kagome had elbowed him again.
"Well, then… perhaps let's start with the Krulls. I know that Kirsten has mentioned them to you. The Krulls have been attacking your world off and on for at least thirty to forty years. They like to prey on worlds with relatively primitive technology or no technology at all. Worlds they manage to get control of become breeding ranches. Krulls are carnivorous, over-populated, and have this innate religious belief that everyone else is dinner.
"The Galactic Council has time and time again tried to set up treaties with them and time and time again have failed. Some of us have reluctantly come to the conclusion that annihilation of their species is the only solution - and to that end, we once found their home world. But we were too late: their world is a burnt-out cinder no longer capable of supporting life in any form. They have expanded outward among the stars and are nomadic and widespread enough that I fear we shall never be able to contain them.
"At any rate, yours is one of roughly two hundred worlds that the Council is trying to protect right now. You can understand how that can over-extend us. So, several colleagues and myself began what we have called the Cerberus Project. It was the brainstorm of my late husband, Khorun, and one of its purposes is to train humans to defend themselves against the Krull and their allies, the Glonds. It's been fairly successful here, and similar projects are currently being set up on other worlds, where appropriate."
"Where did you get the name from?" Kagome asked.
"We chose the name Cerberus for the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of Hell in Greek mythology. The Project is so named because of its three-fold purpose. Firstly, to train humans to defend themselves against the Krull; secondly to find and train humans with psionic potential; and thirdly, to prepare your race to take its place as a star race.
"Tamisé and I set up TDN International and later, TDN Rescue, in order to accomplish the objectives of the Cerberus Project. I am in charge as the Chairman and CEO. TDN International is run as a proper company. On the surface. Below the surface, we serve as trainers and organizers for those who fight the Krull.
"TDN Rescue is a non-profit subsidiary of TDN International that was set up seven years ago and is run exactly like a business. We contract out our services to aid in natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other unique and dangerous situations. We do not take sides in political disputes and have diplomatic immunity. We are endorsed by the United Nations and will assist when requested in peacekeeping operations. However, there is strict control over how Rescue is deployed. Every assignment, big or small, is okayed by me or one of my three associates.
"Now, the core members of TDN Rescue are often called Psi One, and they have all taken a drug called Psicorin to increase their natural psionic talents. Other more mundane humans assist them in supporting roles. Since there is currently minimal threat from the Krulls, the people we train as Krull-fighters are either sent to assist in the defence of some of those other worlds I mentioned, or they work as needed with TDN Rescue."
"Wow!" Kagome sighed. "It's hard to believe that everyone keeps quiet about this."
"Well, most of the employees here are mundanes with absolutely no knowledge of what our true purpose is. They know about the Psi One people of course, and TDN Rescue. But they do not know about the Krull or the rest of us aliens."
"Alaina was passing Inuyasha off earlier as a mutant working with Psi One," Kagome said.
"Well, it accounts for his more unusual physical characteristics. Our mundane staff are very used to seeing Jonathan and Kirsten in their natural states and understand that they are mutants. It's easy enough to tell them that Inuyasha is the same. And in fact, it may not be too far off the mark."
There was a perfunctory knock on the door and Tamisé entered. He went to the sideboard and poured himself a cup of tea before coming over to the group. He set down his cup and took up Tayne's hand to kiss it before seating himself beside Kagome. He leaned back against the couch with a sigh.
Tayne had watched all of this with some amusement. "Rough day, Tam?"
"You know it, dearest. Inuyasha here has more energy than Ryan and Colin put together. And of course, there's all the other disasters, calamities and mishaps that have to be dealt with every day." The tall redhead straightened up and reached forward for his cup. "So, you've answered all their questions about us?"
"I was just giving our guests the speech. They haven't had time to ask questions."
"Well, they're not running down the hall, screaming in terror, so I suppose that's a good thing."
Kagome laughed. "We've probably seen scarier things than you think."
Inuyasha snorted. "That's for sure."
"I'd like to get on for home, that is, if you're done with them, dearest," Tamisé said. "It's Friday, after all. I've told Fawn that we should order in pizza since we'll have Ryan with us too. Want to join us?"
Tayne shook her head. "Lili, Lintet and I are going to a concert tonight, so we are eating downtown. And that reminds me." She turned to Kagome. "Kirsten had promised your mother that we would see to some extra schooling for you. The summer session begins in another week and you will be attending with my son, Lintet."
"Not more school!" groaned Inuyasha. "It always drives her crazy."
"Inuyasha – I can't spend my life running around the Feudal Era with you."
"Why not?"
"Because!"
"Children!" Tayne said with a laugh. "The arrangements have already been made, Inuyasha. Classes are run only in the mornings, so she will have the afternoons to do any homework and studying. And Kagome will be working with our trainers to improve her bowmanship and to learn various other things as well."
"You, my lad, will be busy enough with your own training. Between Kirsty, Thorne and myself, you won't have enough time to miss Kagome." Tamisé grinned at him knowingly.
"There'll be school for you, too, Inuyasha. Kirsten has asked me to engage a tutor to teach you to read and write, as well as do math. She insisted that you be taught in your native tongue, so it has taken a little time to find someone suitable."
Inuyasha stared at Tayne. School for him as well? But then, Kirsty had promised, hadn't she? Suddenly, he felt better than he had all day.
These people kept their promises, and that was a thing to be treasured. They had accepted him into their homes, and into their lives. Kirsten, Jonathan and Tamisé had all treated him like he was part of their families, and never once had he been made to feel that he was there on sufferance. Tears of gratitude stung his eyes, and he went down on his knees before Tayne, taking up her hands and pressing his forehead to them.
"Thank you, Lady," he said, his voice catching, as he blinked back the tears that threatened to shame him. "Your kindness means the world to me."
Tayne gave a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Don't thank me until you've met your tutor, my dear. You may curse me instead."
