A New Way Of Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha or any of its characters J
Summary: Kagome is sold into slavery to repay a debt of her fathers, now she must learn to live in a world were she means nothing until she disappoints the master. She soon finds out what her real purpose is in this house and is horrified…how will she cope with this new turn of events in her life? And why does her new master look at her like that?
Kagome sat quietly in the carriage, hands folded meekly before her, eyes downcast, trying her best to avoid looking at the man who sat across from her, the man that now considered her as merely his property. The tension in the carriage was thick; Kagome kept her eyes down, while the man kept his on her. Weighing her, seeming to judge her worth. She risked a flickering glance at him, and saw, to her dismay, that his eyes had yet to leave her. She blushed brightly and turned for the millionth time to look out the window. Thinking.
This same time yesterday she had been ignorant to the dark turn of events her life was about to unfold. She had been happily playing with her little brother, and their cat. While her mother sewed a new kimono for her, her grandfather renewing the purification rites on the shrine. If she had know what was about to happen to her, she would've told each of them how much she loved them. Now, she was afraid she'd never get that chance again. Before her mind was able to continue in it's brooding the carriage came to a halt. They were there. Her eyes squeeze shut, trying vainly to imagine this was not happening to her, that she was not about to spend the rest of her life in this place, trying to rein in the growing despair that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Come wench."
His cold words jolted her from her desperate fantasy; she looked up to where her companion was gesturing for her outside the carriage. She followed obediently, intent on finding out just what her circumstances were before she tried to escape. She couldn't live like this, as their property, but she was well educated enough to know better then to just try and run off. She didn't know how extensive their resources were yet, she'd bide her time for now. Be a meek good little slave, until an opening presented it's self to her. As soon as he was sure she was following he turned and walked away. She hesitated for a moment, resenting being treated like a dog to follow after her master.
He led the way into the largest house Kagome had ever seen. It was five stories high, with a grand gilded roof and had clean-whitewashed walls. There were many other women around; they were dressed in the same simple kimono that marked them as her fellow slaves. Each of them bowed, backing three steps away as the lord passed them. Kagome tried to meet the eyes of one of them, but they didn't look at her. Fear prickled in the back of her mind as she realized that these women had given up all hope. They had resigned themselves to being the mindless slaves of the young lords. That was the reality that she faced if she didn't get away, and soon.
She forced herself not to look at them anymore as they entered the manor. She kept her eyes down, not wanting to see the hopelessness of the other women, or the fear of the few male slaves. Instead she occupied herself with memorizing the twists and turns of the halls as the young lord led her deeper into the manor-home. As hard as she tried to remember the way they'd come she was soon lost in the maze of halls and rooms. Finally, her companion stopped, sliding open a screen-door to reveal a small, simple bedroom; containing a small bed in one corner, with a clean if worn blanket, and a small chest to put her kimono in. Knowing what was expected of her she crossed the threshold, turning to face him once inside, eyes down like a good slave.
"You are not permitted to leave this room wench. Any disobedience will be punished."
He turned to leave but she halted him, speaking up for the first time since they'd met.
"May I know the name of the man whom I know belong to?" She kept her gaze down, afraid that if she looked at him he might think her to impudent and punish her for speaking out at her master. He stared at her, as though surprised for a moment, than came closer. She blushed as he neared, but didn't move, he put his hand beneath her chin, forcing her head up to look at him. She felt like a mouse in the hand of the cat that had been chasing it for some time. His touch was firm, but not painful, so she hoped that he didn't intend to hurt her.
"You are the property of the lords of the Western Lands. Lord Sesshoumaru is the master of this household, I am the younger lord Inu-Yasha." He released her then and left, sliding the door closed behind him. She breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed, looking around at what would presumably be her room now. Most girls would be sobbing about now; sure their lives were over. She refused to break down like that, hot tears stung her eyes but she was stubborn and none fell forth. She was not some simple-minded girl to be scared so easily either, instead she was already going through plans in her head to escape. She would get out of here.
She went over to the bed and curled up on it, hugging a pillow to complete the image, if someone were to open her door right now they'd think she was terrified into submission. After a short while she decided there was nothing she could do at the moment but bide her time. Her mind started to wander back to the events of the earlier day…
She sat on the floor of her little home, playing a game with her brother Souta, her mother was sewing a kimono for her bridal dowry, and her grandfather was wandering about the house muttering under his breath as usual. It was just another typical day, noting spectacular but she enjoyed this time with her family, ever since her father died. There was a sudden impatient rapping at the shrine door, as if the person waiting disliked having to knock at all. Kagome glanced at her mother; from the look of confusion on her face they weren't expecting a visitor.
Her grandfather, being the only adult male in the house, went to answer it. There were a few moments of rushed, angry voices. Then a thump followed by a cry of pain from her grandfather. An unknown man entered the room they were in. His icy golden eyes locking with hers for the briefest moment, but in that moment she felt her blood run cold. Her grandfather shuffled into the room after the young man, his face red with anger, clutching a document of some sort in his hand. He looked at her and she felt her stomach sinking. Something was wrong.
Her door suddenly flew open with a loud thump, shocking her out of her memories. She jumped to her feet turning to face the intruder, a woman was standing there, dressed in a finer kimono then most of those she'd seen wandering about the grounds. Her dark hair was piled into an elaborate design, her eyes were cold, her face stony. As if she never smiled. Not knowing if this woman was one of her new masters she sank to her knee's in a show of submission, head bowed waiting silently for her to speak. After a few moments she did;
"I'm Kikyo, I've been instructed to teach you how things work around here."
It's short I know, but it's my first fan fic and I'd like to see how you guys thought I did before continuing with this story. Constructive criticism welcome, but please don't flame me unless you find it absolutely needed
P.S. This is a repost, I took this story down a long time ago and now I've found my muse for it again. The 3rd chapter is the new one if you were one of the many who have already read this before J
