Chapter Eighteen

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong with you, now, or am I going to have to guess?" Kagome asked as she took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee. Across from her, Miroku scowled down at his tea.

"Dammit, Kagome." He started, taking a quick look around the deserted food court. The majority of the ship was still in the grips of the military operation. Even a few of the shops had closed because there was no one to run them. "An assassin's link? Are you out of your mind?!"

Kagome took another sip of her coffee, furrowing her brows at her friend's furious whisper. "What exactly are you so keyed up about?" She set her coffee cup down gently and crossed her arms over the table, ignoring the gauze pulling from the bruise on her forearm. "Aren't you the one to suggest to Hojo that I step in for him?"

Miroku jerked back a bit, remembering that it had been him, and not Hojo, that had made the initial suggestion to Wallace. "Yeah, for a week sub-in. And how was I to know that you'd sign on for longer? And to be an assassin's link, at that!?" He hissed allowing a bit of his truth to come out with his lies.

"It was my decision, Miroku." Kagome stated as she observed the complex emotions that flitted across his face. "If it's because you feel guilty, or responsible because of the Hojo-thing, then don't worry about it. I wasn't forced to sign on. As a matter of fact, they had a hard time bribing me to do it."

Miroku let out a frustrated sigh and took a sip of his tea, grimacing when he realized he had put too much sugar in. Truthfully, he was angry at the situation. She wasn't supposed to be thrust head-long into the fore of the danger. Get stronger, sure, but not so blatantly in the eyes of the enemy. Or at least that was what he had thought.

Staring down at his hands tightening around the teacup, Miroku came to some dark conclusions that he found he really wasn't liking. A delicate hand settled over his wrist, and Miroku's eyes came up to be met with the quirked brows and sunny smile of the first person he had come to care for in quite a while. How was he going to protect her if she was so far into the fire?

"It's not your job to protect me, Miroku." Kagome answered the question he hadn't realized he had spoken out loud. "That's Taisho's job."

Miroku caught the flush spreading over her cheeks and narrowed his eyes. What was this? As he stared, Kagome's cheeks continued to darken and she turned a flustered gaze to the table, pulling her hand back from him.

"You like him." He stated accusatorily and Kagome scowled back. "That's why you're doing this?"

"No! I…" Kagome trailed off, thinking about it herself. It was true she had enjoyed battle-linking in school, but that hadn't been the reason she had decided to stay. It was because Taisho had said he needed her. "Well…maybe."

Miroku groaned and put his head into his hands. "Kagome…"

"It doesn't change anything though, Miroku. I won't quit just because of your misplaced sense of responsibility." Kagome continued archly, still scowling at the other psychic. "My decisions are my own, and no one else's."

"Alright, alright." Miroku conceded, a knot of fear still sitting in his gut. "You win. Just…be careful." He hid his uncertainty behind a rueful grin and downed the last of his overly sweet tea. "Now, come on. Let's get some food before the cafeteria fills up with the rest of the ship."

He'd have to talk to Mushin about his thoughts later.


Sesshomaru stared at the report he had just written in contemplation. His eyes running over the same line: During the verbal confrontation with the enemy, mention of Higurashi's energy being of interest to said enemy was made known. His hand hovered over his screen, his eyebrows drawn over the indecision he was plagued with.

Though he hadn't exchanged words with the Baasratu, what the being had said still reverberated within his mind. The way it hadn't attacked, and had even pushed his saber further into its chest…what was this unsettling feeling? No one could claim to know the true thoughts and motivations of the alien race. They weren't human, after all.

Its actions during the battle, however, felt like it was attempting to bridge the human-alien distinction. Why? For what purpose? His eyes read the same line over once more. And why did he have the overwhelming urge to pretend it hadn't mentioned Higurashi at all? His instincts had never lead him astray before, but was this his battle-honed senses, or the burgeoning feelings of possession he was steadily developing when it came to his psychic partner?

He let his hand fall from the typed line and instead swiped it over the send icon. Regardless of his unease, he decided that come what may, he would protect Higurashi.


Inu no Taisho studied the reports he was being sent from those in command of the warships he had sent out. The most recent report came with pictures and evidence that the traitor had, again, been in communication with those in the enemy barricade. Though he wasn't sure exactly what was being communicated, seeing as it would have been impossible for any military secrets, concerning the acquisition of the resource planet, to have been exposed.

There wouldn't have been anything to expose. Unless this tied in with the use of his assassins in the attack. The reports from two of the assassins had already been processed and a copy sent his way. They were still waiting on Sesshomaru's report, however from what he had already read, it all seemed to be cut and dry. A usual assassination mission followed by clean-up. The fact that Sesshomaru, a ridiculously prompt individual, had not yet submitted his report had Inu no Taisho sitting back in tense contemplation.

From the time the council had notified him of the location of the resource planet, up until this very moment, his instincts had been sitting at attention, keeping him from getting any kind of sleep. He had chalked it up to the importance of their find, but perhaps the recent suspicious activity of the council was playing a larger part in this then he had thought.

A chime sounded from his screen, and he absently swiped the acceptance icon, still deep in thought. When there wasn't any immediate sound, Inu no Taisho focused on his screen to take in the raised brow of his second in command.

"Myouga."

"Commander." The elderly senator, brow still raised tilted his head slightly. "You were light-years away, my lord. What troubles you?"

Inu no Taisho snorted at the use of "my lord" and rolled his shoulders back, settling into his chair. "The usual council business. What news do you have?"

Myouga Tanaka sat forward, lacing his fingers together atop the desk his screen no doubt sat on. "The labs have come back with confirmation that it is, indeed, the same mimicry energy used previously." He trailed off faintly, staring hard at his fingers.

"But?" Inu no Taisho lead out, narrowing his eyes at his old friend's fidgeting.

"We do not have the…means…to decipher exactly how it was created, let alone what it's supposed to communicate." Myouga raised his gaze timidly to meet with an annoyed pointed stare. "Uh, but, we do know of someone who is a lead researcher in these kinds of things! We were hoping to get permission to bring him on board the investigation!"

"Who?"

"Ah, a Dr. Hadani. Naraku Hadani."

"Fine. Send out the appropriate reports." Inu no Taisho frowned thoughtfully, trying to recall exactly where he had heard the name before. "And, Myouga? Keep those in the know to a minimum. It wouldn't be good if the council caught wind of our own separate investigation."

"Of course, Commander!" Myouga chirped back, smiling in an overly bright way.

Inu no Taisho rubbed at his temples as he closed out of the communications line. Still trying to recall where he had heard the name Hadani, his screen chimed once more.

"Never a dull moment." He muttered as he accepted the call.

"Sir! I have received Captain Taisho's report, sir!"

Inu no Taisho stared blankly at the nervous face of the officer on his screen. "And you felt it pertinent to call my office directly to tell me this?"

"Uh, well…I think you should take a look at it immediately, sir."

His eyebrow hitching higher, Inu no Taisho let out a sigh. "Then send it on through. You've sent enough today alone to know the proper procedure for the reports." He leaned forward to cut off the line but hesitated over the panicked words coming from his subordinate.

"Sir! I don't think this should travel over the usual lines!"

Sitting back, he met the nervous gaze of the soldier once more. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end as he realized the nerves in his gut were telling him this was what he had been waiting for all day. "Send it through this line, then. Have you made a copy?"

"No, sir. It was sent in not too long ago, and I thought it was best to inform you right away."

Inu no Taisho nodded as he sent a secure line to the officer. "If that's all?"

The officer saluted, his shoulders drooping in relief as the call was ended. A few minutes later, the report was on his screen. Inu no Taisho read it over slowly, his eyes narrowed as he took in each detail. At the end he sat back in his chair and stared absently at the far wall. It looked like Higurashi was turning out to be far more interesting than he had previously thought.


A loud banging on her door had Kagome sitting up in panicked confusion. Fumbling for the sensor by her nightstand, she flipped on her lights as she fell out of bed. Raking her tousled hair from her face, she scowled as she opened her door to face whoever was the cause of the racket. She blinked at the sight of Micah standing on the other side with a flushed face and a shit-eating grin.

"Ah, sorry! I didn't know you'd be sleeping! Hurry and get dressed! The meeting is going to start in like, ten minutes!"

Kagome let out a sigh and scrubbed at her sleep-crusted eyes in exasperation. "What are you talking about? What meeting?"

Micah laughed as she pushed the crabby younger girl back into her room and over to her bathroom. "Go comb your hair, I'll pick out your clothes."

Kagome grumbled at the manhandling, but went to brush her hair anyway.

"The meeting about the resource planet, remember?" Micah finally answered as she opened the psychic's closet and tutted at the lack of choice in clothing. "Jeez. Don't you have anything besides work clothes?"

"I didn't see the point. I'm always in the lab, anyway." Kagome got out as she washed her face and took the clothes proffered by her fellow botanist. "And what meeting about the resource planet?"

Micah shook her head and sat down on Kagome's rumpled bed. "I take it you've been crashed for a while, then?" At Kagome's blank look she continued. "We got a message about five hours ago that all of us in botanical research were to come together for a meeting as to the acquisition of the resources and planning out what to do afterwards."

"What to do afterwards? What do you mean?"

It was Micah's turn to stare blankly until understanding dawned. "Oh, right. You haven't experienced work with a resource planet before. I keep forgetting how young you are."

Kagome raised a brow even as she pulled a new shirt over her head. "Are you saying I look old?" The irritation in her voice had Micah grinning and rising up from the bed.

"Well, you do have these wrinkles…" She trailed off as Kagome squealed in indignation and shoved her towards the door.

"I don't have wrinkles! That's your reflection, not mine!"

"I just meant it feels like you've been working here forever." Micah laughed as they both stumbled out of the psychic's room and Kagome locked the panel behind them.

"Yeah, yeah. Where's this meeting taking place?"

"In the lecture hall. We have assigned seats and everything." Micah explained as Kagome took out her screen and read over the message she had received while she had been sleeping.

Ten minutes later found the both of them entering the large doors to the lecture hall. Circular in shape, the hall was designed for large-scale meetings and during academic events, such as a breakthrough in research. Long tables circled around the lowered middle in a staggered effect, forming fifty concentric rows. At each seat on each table was a small microphone, set up before the meeting was to take place.

Kagome felt her palms sweat as she took note of the number of people filing into the hall. Micah nudged her shoulder with her own and wordlessly directed her to the lower rows, closer to the center. "You're in the first row." She whispered to her and then descended herself, stopped at the fifth row to the bottom.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome walked down the stairs carefully and looked to find the placard bearing her name. She was twelve seats in when she spotted the K. Higurashi and quickly took her seat. She absently ran a hand through her wavy hair as she glanced around the rapidly filling hall.

"How's your arm?"

Kagome's head whipped to her left, catching sight of Maria Anderson, head of the botanical research department. The look on her face must have told her of her confusion, because Anderson laughed as she sat in the seat next to her. "It's wrapped in gauze and due to the fact that you are a battle-link that participated in the battle for the resource planet…I can connect the dots."

Kagome felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her face and she ducked her head. "Sorry! I didn't know I'd be sitting next to you! It caught me off guard." Kagome explained glancing to the woman she had only met one other time: when she had first been hired on.

Anderson met her glance with an easy smile and a raised brow. "Sucks having to sit next to the head bitch, huh?"

Kagome jerked back, looking shocked. "Ah, what?"

Anderson laughed at her reaction and put her head in her hand, elbow resting on the curved table in front of them. "I'm not ignorant to the things being said about me behind my back."

While Kagome floundered around for a bit, trying to find something more intelligent to say than the sounds working their way up her throat, Anderson narrowed her eyes and continued. "The path to the top is littered with thorns. It's impossible to keep your hands clean on the way. Rumors and hearsay are to be expected. Especially from those bumped from the ladder."

Kagome solemnly took in the older woman's words, staring her in the eye the whole time. "Is there a reason you're telling me this, Dr. Anderson?"

Anderson's sharp smile eased into something softer, and her tense posture relaxed a bit. "You have the makings of a great botanical researcher. Just a fair warning of what to expect."

Kagome's mouth turned down at the corners, not exactly a frown but close enough. Anderson lifted a brow and tilted her head to the side.

"I take it you haven't read the report on the plant you've put in the chambers?" At Kagome's furrowed brow, the smile on Anderson's face grew. "She's blooming. Two of the buds have grown into huge purple flowers. After the meeting, you should go down and check for yourself." She paused as Kagome let out a strangled sound and covered her mouth with both hands at the looks they were getting. "And, Higurashi. Excellent work, congratulations."

Anderson turned her attention to the front, but Kagome found it difficult to think past the storm in her head. Her baby had bloomed! There were flowers! …and Anderson had been the first to tell her…? Taking out her screen, she pulled up the folder all her reports were sent to. The only thing new in it had been the message about the meeting. Why hadn't Micah sent her a report?

The lights dimmed slightly and all conversation hushed as a bunch of projectors flared to life in the center. Deciding to question her fellow researcher, and examine her baby for herself later; Kagome turned her full attention to the meeting ahead.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you all so much for coming!"

Kagome shuddered, recognizing the voice from personal experience in the past. Standing before them was the holo-form of the face of the council. His name flared at the bottom of the projected image and Kagome felt she would still rather refer to him as "Mr. Face" than "Mr. Holton".

"As if we wouldn't have." Kagome heard Anderson mutter and she glanced at the older woman from the corner of her eye. "Who in their right mind would miss out on the chance to influence the decisions regarding the resource planet?"

Kagome snorted softly, finding herself mentally agreeing with her superior's words. Her attention returned to the floor when another projected image appeared next to the face of the council. Anderson leaned over slightly, whispering to her. "That's the head of the researcher's on the Amalla. No doubt representing those assembled in his own lecture hall."

"Are you representing us?" Kagome whispered back taking in the man's stoic expression and aged appearance. Anderson laughed softly, shaking her head.

"No. Those that come forward to speak will be projected to the other ships listening in on the discussion. Ultimately, it is those of us on Eden that will pass judgement on actions regarding the resource planet. We are the central hub, after all. The representatives will be the voice of those that express concerns or opinions from elsewhere."

"That seems sort of one-sided. A little unfair." Kagome murmured, watching as over a dozen other holo-images were projected. Anderson chuckled and shook her head again.

"Not really. Those of us with the talent and knowledge of terraforming and extraction of resources are gathered here on Eden. All of our field's top researchers work here. Why wouldn't we have the final say on anything of that nature?" She took a breath and looked over the images appearing before them as well.

"Of course, the council will be notified of how we have decided to proceed and the representatives are here to make sure everyone has a chance to voice their opinions. It's not like this is a dictatorship."

Kagome hummed noncommittedly and settled her head into her own palm, her nerves settling now that she kind of understood what was going on. It wasn't like she herself was going to participate in the discussion. It was the first time she had ever been to something like this, so she felt it would be better to just observe.

Mr. Face, as if receiving some sort of silent cue, loudly began a summary of the battle as well as the basic findings concerning the resource planet they had fought to procure. Kagome listened with half an ear as he went on embellishing the battle, moving his arms about as if he were there shooting down the Baasratu himself. She perked up slightly as he moved on to talk about the planet itself.

"It was reported that the planet is roughly four times the size of our missing Earth. The gravity has three times the density as well, meaning it would be impossible for us to walk on the surface ourselves." Disappointed sighs and groans echoed throughout the hall, and due to the looks a few of the representatives had, Kagome could bet the other ships listening in felt the same.

"Not that the gravity is the only thing stopping us from landing on the planet ourselves. While there is oxygen in its atmosphere, the air would be entirely too toxic for us to breathe."

"Are there lifeforms on this planet?" One of the representatives cut in, looking annoyed with the pace of the report.

"Ah," Mr. Face shuffled some papers before continuing. "Yes, but they are all lower…um…paramecium and stuff." He was clearly knocked off his game, if the way he was rifling through his report said anything. "All microscopic lifeform…thingies. Nothing with intelligence, anyway."

Kagome let out a small sigh at the man's fumbling and glanced over to see Anderson putting her head into her hands. "Who made this guy the one in charge of this meeting?" She quietly moaned out and Kagome covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

"How is the consistency of the surface of the planet? We have received the report on the components of the atmosphere, but I haven't read anything about the land or water on the planet. If there is any." A representative called out, causing another shuffle of papers and more stumbling mutters from Mr. Face.

"The report I've received stated that there are several large bodies of water on the planet and that extraction should go smoothly. The land itself is made of hard material. Rock and, in some locations, mineral deposits not unlike metal. The exact composition hasn't been confirmed yet."

"Have we readied the ships for extraction? Exactly when will this be put into motion?"

"The ships have been readied and the orders to move out given. We begin the extraction operations as soon as this meeting has ended." A man from across the room, also in the first row, stated with authority into his microphone. Anderson leaned over to whisper to Kagome once more.

"That's Casoway. He's in charge of the R&D division on Eden. His is also head scientist in extraction."

Kagome nodded absently as the researchers and botanists continued to share information and ask questions. Leaving Mr. Face gawking awkwardly at the flow of the conversation around him.

"Well, we know what and how much to extract, keeping the planet's ecosystem intact. What do we plan to do after we get what we need? Are we just going to leave it behind like we have all the others?"

The question came from a particularly old woman projected as a representative. The silence following her questions rang in Kagome's ears for the three seconds it lasted before voices from all directions were speaking at once. Some shouting to be heard over others. Anderson sighed and leaned her head on the table. "And thus we reach what everyone really wanted to talk about."

The volume of the room rose steadily, and Kagome had to cover her ears as two men behind her had risen from their seats and leaned forward, shouting towards someone else at the other side of the room. She couldn't even make heads or tails of what they were shouting, it was so loud.

"That is quite enough!"

A voice boomed loud enough for Kagome to feel it in her chest and the chaotic room dropped into stillness. Kagome's eyes shifted the image that had quieted the hall, finding it to be the first representative from the Amalla. His eyes stared straight ahead, before shifting to something at the right.

"Dr. Anderson. You are head of Botany and Terraforming. What are your opinions on the matter?"

The room was dead silent and Kagome noticed a small blue light come on at the base of Anderson's microphone. She was now being projected to the other ships. Anderson waited a moment, looking the epitome of cool and collected.

"Frankly, I think it would be a waste of our time trying to cultivate something on this planet." She paused, reading the reactions from those within the room. "We all know what has happened in the past when we have attempted to keep a resource planet for our own. Within days of our fleets leaving the vicinity of the planets we have attempted to colonize, our enemy swoops in from behind to destroy whatever and whoever we leave behind. Unless we official decide to make a planet our new home planet, the same pattern will repeat."

Quiet mutterings fill the hall and Kagome found herself taking in her superior's words. A new understanding dawned on her as she thought back on all the times she had heard about resource gathering.

"If you are asking me if this planet would be something suitable to colonize, whether temporarily or permanently, then I would have to say it wouldn't be worth it. We can't even walk on its surface due to the gravity, what would be the point in cultivating life on it? In my opinion, it would be best to take what we need from it safely and then move on."

The representative nodded his head, the look on his face telling Kagome he had drawn the same conclusions. "Is there anyone else of a different opinion? Speak now, or regret it later."

There was more muttering heard around the room, but no one stepped forward to oppose. Kagome relaxed slightly when the light on Anderson's microphone went off, turning to look at the woman herself. "Do you think we'd ever permanently colonize a planet?"

Anderson turned to study the young psychic seated beside her. "We'd have to give up hope on finding Earth before we'd decided to properly colonize another planet. And I don't see us losing hope anytime soon."

Kagome looked down at the table before her, feeling the weight of Anderson's words settle in her stomach. To claim another planet, they'd have to give up Earth, huh? Looking about the room at all the resolute faces seated behind the tables, Kagome had to agree. Losing hope and giving up Earth meant they had lost. Admitting they had been defeated by the Baasratu was not something the human race could swallow. They were, after all, a stubborn race.


Kouga sat in the communications room, staring at the resource screen before him in consternation. His search had been narrowed down to fifty people in the Northern Fleet. Of those fifty people, eight of them did not have a picture. Separating those eight from the other forty-two, he began looking through their profiles, his impatience growing with every picture of a Yumi that did not match his memory.

Who knew finding the woman of your dreams could be so hard?!

Getting to the last of the pictured forty-two, and still not finding a match, Kouga save the un-pictured eight and closed out of the screen. He got up from his chair slowly, fighting the urge to toss it and the screen across the room to relieve his frustration.

"Why are you in here?!"

Kouga looked over to see Inuyasha staring at him in a suspicious manner. Lips cocking up in a sneer, Kouga gave the slightly younger male a look up and down. "What are you coming in here for? Last I checked the mess hall was in the opposite direction."

"Keh. You're one to talk! You aren't smart enough to have the thought to look stuff up!"

"You think your any better, mutt?!"

Before the shouting could escalate into another pointless brawl, Sango pushed Inuyasha to the side and out of the doorway. "Can't you guys just go beat each other up in the training rooms?"

Inuyasha muttered something under his breath that had Sango elbowing him in the solar plexus. "Just go, Inuyasha!" She growled back and watched the younger Taisho toss his hands in the air and storm from the room. She turned back to a disappointed Kouga. "Why are you in here?"

At the question from one of his main obstacles, Kouga felt a triumphant grin stretch his face, even if today's search had mostly been a failure.

"Ha! You thought you could keep Yumi from me! But, I'll show you I can get my woman without your help!" With this parting shot and a rather cheeky grin, Kouga marched from the room, leaving a bewildered Sango behind him.

"Who the hell is Yumi?!"


Kaede hung her head, meeting her sister's narrowed gaze through the fringe she had allowed loose from her ponytail.

"You didn't tell me."

It was a simple sentence, but the accusation, the hurt in the words had her flinching. "Because I knew you'd react this way!"

"Does Grandmother know?"

Kaede scoffed, settling back from the desk her screen was propped on and crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't talk to that old lady."

"Kaede! She is our grandmother! She deserves our respect."

"Whatever."

Kikyo frowned slightly, her eyebrows lowered as she studied her younger sister's sullen expression and rebellious posture. "Does she even know you're a medic?"

Kaede glanced up from glaring holes into the desk, telling herself not to flinch at the sight of Kikyo's defeated and tired gaze. "No. Not like she much cares what I'm doing. As long as I don't bring any trouble, right?"

"Kaede…" Kikyo sighed, bringing a hand up to her temple, already knowing where the argument was headed. She opened her mouth to say what she always did; that Grandmother was simply worried for their future, and she really did care! Her eyes met with Kaede's and neither could hide the bruised emotions from the other.

"Just…be careful, Kaede." Kikyo said on a deep sigh, trying to transmit the worry and love she felt for her.

Kaede looked away, determined not to cry. A thought came to her as she cast about for something to change the topic. "You still haven't called Kagome-chan?"

It was Kikyo's turn to flinch back and divert her gaze from Kaede's. "I…I've been busy."

Kaede snorted looking away from Kikyo as well, hating to see the way she slumped her shoulders at the mention of their cousin.

"How long are you going to let that old woman dictate your life, Kikyo-nee?"

The silence hung between them for a while, neither able to look at the other.

"We owe a lot to Grandmother." Kikyo finally answered, gritting her teeth on the words she had repeated to herself like a mantra in her young years.

Kaede snorted softly, not in the mood to fight over it again. "Well, I got to go. I have a bunch of medical reports to submit and two of the crew members still need an exam."

Kikyo smiled softly to hide the hurt Kaede's obvious dismissal caused. "Alright. I'll call you later."

Kaede gave a brisk nod and a brief smile, hiding her own hurt. "Yeah, love you, Kikyo-nee."

"Love you too, Kaede."

The line cut off and Kaede let out a long breath as she settled into her office chair. She should have known Inuyasha would spill the beans to her sister.

"Idiot."

She sniffed as she got up from the chair and went on a hunt for their ship's navigator and pilot. If those two thought they were lucky enough to not be included in her exam, they had another think coming.


The shuttle gave another shuddering rock as she sat huddled in the bathroom she had escaped to earlier. She had used one of the last of her pills two hours ago and the shakes were starting to be noticeable again. The mental barrage of useless thoughts from the other passengers could no longer be held at bay and she idly wondered if she was deteriorating faster than had previously been calculated.

Her emotions were riding a rollercoaster as well. Panic and rage were battling out for control and she was slightly scared over which one would win. The slightest movement from the man that had been sitting beside her had made her want to pull out the small pocket knife in her jacket pocket and slice his neck open. Knowing it would be counter-productive to be caught and arrested when she was so close, she had retreated to the bathroom at the back.

A violent tremor worked its way up her spine and through her arms. Her teeth chattered slightly before she clamped her jaw shut tight. Her eyes screwed shut as another followed in its wake, causing bile to come up her throat and coat her mouth. Her eyes snapped open; she needed to throw up. Hurriedly crawling over to the toilet, as fast as her shaky limbs would allow, she ignored the sting she felt from her hands and knees as they slapped awkwardly on the pseudo-marble floor.

She barely got the lid open before her head was hanging over and her stomach was emptying itself for the third time in as many hours. The tremors tracing up her spine grew in intensity and she found it hard to concentrate on holding herself over the toilet, even as she continued to heave.

In what felt like an eternity, the tremors stopped and she groaned, opening her eyes to realize that at some point she had collapsed at the base of the toilet. Long strings of mucus and red-speckled bile streamed from her mouth to the small puddles on the floor.

Rising to her hands in knees, feeling weaker then she had ever felt, she pulled herself over to the stall's wall, leaning her back against it. She reached into her pocket with trembling hands and pulled out the small container holding her last pill. She was supposed to have been fine until they had docked at Eden, but the last pill had only managed to tide her over for two hours.

If she took it now, there was a chance she would lose it when they docked. She felt another tremor starting up and allowed her fear to make the decision for her. Throwing the pill to the back of her throat, she swallowed it dry, wincing at the feeling of it scraping her abused esophagus. Her tired eyes wandered to the sink, debating whether or not she could stand to get a drink of water.

The mere thought of standing had her head lulling back against the wall. The tremor was easing, so the pill was already taking effect. She would attempt to stand in a while. Her eyes drifted down to her jacket pocket and she pulled out the small bit-screen she had started taking with her everywhere. Sliding her thumb over the verification she sighed as the familiar dossier came up.

At the end of the brief profile was a picture she had come to stare at, nearly obsessively. It was a candid shot of a young woman with raven hair and laughing blue eyes.

'I'm coming, Kagome-chan. We'll be meeting real soon.'

xXx

Ah, sorry this is so late folks. I had to rewrite this thing A LOT. Too much research and it was looking more like a science report written for a theology class than an actual fanfic chapter. Why couldn't I have been this motivated in high school…?

Anyway, thank you for reading and as always please review!