Destined to the Stars by KuraiTenshi

Dark Matter

I've been thinking about this story for quite some while now. It's kind of strange and pretty far-fetched, but its all stuff I'm into. I'm a health science/ biology double major with a concentration in astronomy. That's kinda where I got the idea for this story. I really hope you all enjoy! Please review! I think it's going to be short too, so don't be disappointed.

Oh, and just in case you already didn't know, I don't own any of the characters from Inuyasha.

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Destined to the Stars

~Chapter 1~

~Dark Matter~

"After all you've done at the training center, why do you still want to go back to the research center?" Sango sighed. She just didn't understand why Kagome wanted to research. Hell, she didn't understand why anyone would want to do research at all, especially when you had the chance to go into outer space. Kagome was a natural when it came to being an astronaut, the top of their class. No one could come close to achieving her scores or breaking her records. Their superiors had even resorted to bribing her to go on the next mission, yet she still refused. Who in their right mind would refuse their own private jet? Apparently her best friend would.

Kagome smiled, knowing exactly what was going on in Sango's head. She knew her friend thought research was boring, but it was so much more than that to her. "How do you think I came up with the new space suits? Do you think a material like that just pops up out of thin air? Plus, I already told you I have a new idea for a propulsion system for the shuttles, along with a stronger, yet lighter, shell for them as well. I can't very well implement any of my ideas here or get any raw materials while I'm in orbit around the moon."

Sango couldn't help but laugh. Kagome could scramble her brain in only a matter of moments. All it took was just a mere memory of a previous conversation with the young genius to boggle her mind. "I wish I had the mental capacity to understand everything you tried to explain to me. You are unbelievable." She wrapped her arms around her best friend. "I'll miss you. Please take care of yourself and call me."

Tears started to form in Kagome's eyes, threatening to fall if she didn't leave soon. She never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye to her. Over the year they had spent training together they had become close friends... no, more like sisters. "Don't worry. I'll call you as soon as I get in, promise. You promise me you'll take care of yourself too. I want to see you come back alive! You have to tell me everything about your first mission into space."

Sango laughed, trying to fight off the tears. "I'd have a better chance if you were there, but I promise I'll take us home in one piece. Now hurry before you miss your flight."

"I love you Sango." She whispered as she pulled away and ran to the runway. The pilot had promised her that she would be able to fly if she were on time. That was something she wouldn't miss for the world. To have that much control at the tips of your fingers, knowing how every inch of it worked with every button you push, was exhilarating in itself.

~*~

The director of research center walked down the corridors to the room where the newbie would be working. He sighed. Sesshoumaru was not going to be happy that he had yet another partner. He had managed to drive off the last co-worker they had hired. He hated to admit it, but the man actually intimidated even him.

Speaking to the man was like speaking to a wall, and that was if he decided to pay attention to you at all. The only emotion he ever showed was anger, his mere presence alone promising a painful death if any disrespect was shown. It was almost as if he wasn't human. He just knew too much.

Gathering up all the courage he could muster he opened up the door and greeted the cold man. He was, as always, over his desk. "Sesshoumaru! I have some great news to tell you!"

He had hoped that being enthusiastic would at least gain his attention. He just shook his head and continued when the man refused to look up. "I found the perfect person to help you with you recent work!"

Sesshoumaru scowled, but still didn't look up at the man. "What would make you think that I need assistance?"

The man ran his hand through his hair nervously. This had been a lot easier in front of the mirror. "Look, I know the last one didn't work out for you, but this one is different. She has quite the résumé."

This caught Sesshoumaru's attention and he arched a brow at the director. "Oh? She must be a looker. She didn't by chance do any sort of favor to get this job, did she? You know I don't need some prestigious stuck up girl more focused on her makeup than the current experiment to mess things up."

Michael scowled at the man before him. He thought he was so much better than everyone else. He smiled to himself though; this girl was going to throw him for a loop. "To answer your question, yes, she is beautiful, although she tries to hide it to the best of her ability. She is also twenty-four and has four masters degrees: biomechanics, astrophysics, genetics, and computer engineering."

When he noticed that he had Sesshoumaru's full attention now, he grinned and continued on. "Suzuki paid her $2 billion for some kind of car she came up with that runs off of nothing but water, releasing harmless oxygen back into the air. Her hand built laptop can hold more data than two of our biggest computers here. And to top it all off, she has forever changed the spacesuit. You'll flip when you see it. It fits like a second skin. It's been adopted all over the world."

Sesshoumaru grunted. "I'll believe it when I see it, then watch it tested."

Michael smiled as he looked down at his vibrating beeper and then looked back at Sesshoumaru. "Well prepare yourself, because she has arrived."

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "Thrilled, I'm sure."

~*~

Kagome giggled as the director of the research center himself walked her to her new lab. She couldn't believe she worked at the NASA. It was something she had dreamed of her entire life. She couldn't wait to get started. Not only did it pay well, but she could get her hands on anything she wanted to perform an experiment so it didn't have to come out of her pocket. Granted, she had to at least give them a round about idea of what she was spending the money on to get permission to spend it, but it wouldn't be too hard with what she had planned. She already had some things waiting for her arrival.

The director glanced at her and smiled. He was definitely going to have his hands full with this one. All kinds of trouble was going to be attracted to her. She hadn't been there five minutes and she had already turned at least five heads. It was a good thing he was married, not that she would go for his type anyway. There would definitely be some fights over her. She had to be at least 5'8" with long raven hair that hung in waves to her hips and the most beautiful silvery eyes.

It was a shame her lab coat didn't show off her curves, because from what he saw in her new spacesuit, she had plenty. Her glasses only added sophistication to her, while the way she giggled wherever she went made her look almost innocent in nature. He shook his head. Sesshoumaru was definitely not going to like her. He only hoped the cold hearted bastard didn't say anything to upset her. They could not afford to lose a mind like hers.

"You know, Kagome... Sesshoumaru isn't exactly the nicest person in the world. He's actually kind of really... hard to get along with." He said, trying to prepare her for the rude welcoming about to happen.

She shrugged her shoulders and flashed him a smile. "That's fine. That just means no one will interrupt me while I'm working. I am quite bubbly outside of work, but once I'm on an experiment I never quit."

He shook his head. "Still... you should probably stay away from him."

She smiled and patted him on the back, pulling her hair up into a messy bun as they entered the lab. "Don't worry. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

Sesshoumaru got up out of his chair to inspect the new girl as she and the director walked in. He heard them approaching and almost smiled when he heard the director warn her about him. He was forced to scowl though when he heard her answer. She was far too confident in herself.

When she came through the door with a big goofy grin on her face he shook his head. He could already tell she was going to be irritating. He did have to give it to Michael though... she was beautiful. Now he would just have to test her intelligence along with it.

Kagome smiled at the tall silver haired man before her. He had the most beautiful amber eyes and she could tell he was young too. Although, the look he was giving was sending chills down her spine. Her boss had been right. "Hey!" She said cheerily as she held out her hand. "I'm Kagome Higurashi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He looked down at her and in distaste and turned around back to his desk. "Sesshoumaru Taisho." He glared at her and sat back down. "Now that we have that over with, I need to go back to work."

In a flash Kagome was over his shoulder smirking, looking down at his papers. The director sighed and quickly left, not really wanting to see Sesshoumaru blow up in her face as he had done to so many before. He had a feeling this girl was going to have to learn things the hard way.

Kagome instantly knew what he was working on the moment she looked at the papers, but she thought she'd play the part this man apparently thought her to fill. "What are you working on?"

She could have sworn she heard a growl coming from him and jumped back, a little surprised. Returning his glare she stormed off in the other direction and threw her hands up in the air. "Fine! I won't tell you how to contain antimatter and get it to work as propulsion for a shuttle. I'll just keep that information to myself."

His eyes widened and he shot up from his desk, grabbing her by the arm. "It would be wise not to insult my intelligence girl. This is something I have been working on for eight years and I do not take it lightly."

She gave him an eat shit and die smile and gently tugged her arm. When he didn't release it she just left it there. "Hmm... eight years? Isn't that an awfully long time to research something and come up with nothing?"

She whimpered as his grip tightened around her arm, but she refused to back down. He was glaring daggers at her and she narrowed her eyes. "I will not tell you this again girl. Do not presume to think you can insult me. You know nothing of research."

She jerked her arm from his grasp and glared back at him. "If you ever touch me again I'll file a lawsuit and have you fired." She gave him another sweet smile. "Oh, and just so you know, I may know nothing about research, but I am still going to take your eight years of work and chuck it out the window."

How dare this mortal speak to him in such a way? Never, in his entire existence, had a lower being ever spoke to him in such a way and gotten away with it. Even ningen instinctively knew not to speak to him in such a way. He had never been so infuriated with anyone in his life. He couldn't help but let another growl slip. "You need to be knocked off your high horse. It will be a cold day in hell before you throw my work out the window."

She almost lost her composure when he growled again. It was so... cute. She shook her head to get the misplaced thought dislodged from her brain. This man was anything but cute. "Well then the devil just bundled up and put his snow shoes on now, because it's going to happen. My name is Kagome Higurashi. Got it? Ka-go-me. Not wench, bitch, ningen, or anything else. I won the Nobel Prize at 18 for proving Newton's law of gravity incorrect for crying out loud! I have four masters degrees and have invented things you wouldn't even begin to comprehend."

He wanted to rip this girl apart. She was still insulting his intelligence. "Do not presume to know my intelligence and do not even dare to compare it to my own."

Kagome smiled and turned toward her desk. "Oh trust me. I would never do that. That would only insult you more. I have more knowledge in my pinky than you could ever dream to have in a lifetime."

It took all he had not to rip her throat out right where she sat. It was almost as if she were instigating him on purpose. Really, it would only take a second to wrap his hands around her throat, dig in with his claws, watch her blood trail down her slender, pale neck... He shook his head. He couldn't lose this job to a woman, a ningen woman at that. He calmed himself down before he spoke again. "We will see about that."

Kagome congratulated herself on the verbal score and pulled out her laptop and headphones. At least know he knew she wasn't going to be a pushover. Once she had pulled up the data she needed, she set to work at building something that would blow this stuck-up jackass's mind. It was the reason NASA offered her a $1,000,000 bonus for signing a 10-year contract to work for them.

He tried to ignore her working, but she was making so much noise playing with all kinds of equipment in her area that he could barely hear himself think let alone get any work done. Not to mention that her headphones were driving his sensitive hearing crazy. Who in the hell does research to techno? After about two hours he had had enough and slammed his fist on his desk. "Can't you work quietly!?"

Kagome just smiled and motioned for him to come over to her area. Rolling his eyes he got up and went over to her side of the massive room. He figured it would be easier than starting another argument, that she could possibly win. "What is this nonsense that you have been wasting your time on?"

Kagome glared at him and handed him a gray looking metal box about the size of a stereo before flashing him another smile. "That box right there contains enough energy to power the U.S. for about a year."

He eyed her suspiciously. There was no way a ningen had come up with what he couldn't. "Prove it."

She shrugged her shoulders and hooked it up to her laptop. "This box right here is kind of like a more efficient antimatter accelerator. It produces the antiprotons and then, instead of extracting them, it stores them. This box can contain up to 50 pounds of antimatter without losing it to annihilations. It can also power anything. You would have to change up the equipment you want to power a little so you can hook it up, but its much more efficient. They want me to build it into the next shuttle, along with the new antimatter propulsion system I came up with. It will take the shuttle to wherever we desire at the speed of light."

Sesshoumaru couldn't believe what he was seeing. Not only had she taken something the size of two rooms and made small enough to put just about anywhere, she had managed to figure out how to make space travel more efficient at the same time. Researchers had been trying to find a more efficient fuel for the past thirty years.

He noticed her smiling and quickly realized that his mouth was hanging slightly open and he snapped it shut. No person, especially ningen, had ever been able to stun him before. "If you know how to do all this then why are you not out working on the shuttle?"

She flashed him a smile. "You know the theories in physics about going the speed of light. I wouldn't want to lose a billion dollar shuttle just because I got overzealous and jumped into things. We don't know what it will do to the astronauts either. So far, all living cells I get to go the speed of light end up getting flattened."

Sesshoumaru grinned to himself. "So there is a kink in your research."

She glared at him. Why did he want to make her look like an idiot? She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. She still had a lot more up her sleeve. "No, actually there isn't. I've actually redesigned the material that the shuttle is made out of specifically for this reason. I believe that if in a zero gravity situation the speed wouldn't affect the body so much. I test my theory tomorrow."

He narrowed his eyes. This girl had an answer for everything. "Where do you find the time to come up with such things? It would be more believable coming from a 65 year old man than coming from a 24 year old woman."

She rolled her eyes and pushed him away from her computer. Classic sexist male. "Yeah, I bet it would be more believable to you coming from a man... arrogant prick. Just to let you know, the only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. I prefer everything does. Things happen a lot quicker that way."

Returning to his desk he sat down refusing to look at her any further. "Ningen brains are not supposed to function in that way."

"Well mine does." She spat out. He was getting on her nerves. Was it so hard to believe that she was smart?

He smiled to himself. He could smell the irritation coming off of her in waves. He could also smell something else, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was so he shrugged it off. "Well maybe you're not ningen then."

She gave him the most incredulous look that he almost laughed, that was until she spoke. "And you are one to speak! Don't think I can't see straight through your illusion!"

His eyes widened in shock. No one, no one had ever been able to see through his concealing spells. He decide she had to be thinking about something else and regained his composure. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

She laughed. She had known what he was as soon as she walked through the door. She could spot any demon, anywhere, no matter the concealment spell they used. This Sesshoumaru person was definitely one. "Ah come on now. You've got the elf looking ears, magenta stripes on you cheeks and wrists, and a blue crescent moon on your forehead. And not to mention, I've never seen a human with silver hair and amber eyes that almost looked like gold."

He glared at the seemingly ningen girl standing before him. She smelled ningen, unusually pleasant, but still ningen. "If looks like hair and eyes determined ones humanity then you would not qualify either. Any other ningen does not share your silver eyes. Not to mention your ability to spot a demon. What are you? You do not smell like a priestess, although a little unusual."

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know why and if I did why would I tell you? You're a jackass." Kagome didn't even have time to blink.

Sesshoumaru let out a roar as he pinned her up to the wall by her neck. "I warned you ningen."

As much as it hurt she just looked up at him and smiled. "You... need... my... work." She managed to squeak out.

"I can see for myself." He growled out.

She tried to shake her head no and grinned even more. "My... computer... won't... let... you."

He dropped her to the ground and made his way over to her laptop, determined to prove her wrong. No sooner than he touched the keys did it shut off. He took a deep breath and sat himself back down at his desk. "I think it is best if we do not speak to one another."

Kagome glared at him as she rubbed her sore neck. "Don't worry, I don't associate with assholes."

Sesshoumaru ignored it and went back to work. The workday just got a hell of a lot longer.

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So... what do you think? Is it any good so far? Let me know and I'll continue the story.