A Slave is Still Just That—a Slave

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha in any way, shape, or form. Even so, I am still so much better than Akita Inu. (That'd be me—I'm writing my little sissy's summary and disclaimer so please don't give her nasty reviews)

Chapter 1: Runaway

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They came to a dead stop. "Where'd he go?" one puzzled guard asked his shorter counterpart.

"Dunno," the similarly dressed man replied.

 "We better find him, or mistress will make us take his place."

 "But we're not youkai," the taller guard protested with a faint note of worry in his voice.

 "She has her ways. What she says goes." The two guards nodded to each other and hurried on. A tall boy with long matted silver hair walked out from behind a dumpster in an alley, a smirk creeping onto his face, displaying his abnormally long canines.

 Amber eyes flashed and the pointed, white ears on top of his head flicked in barely concealed arrogance.

"So, still looking for me Kikyo?"

~*~

"Kagome-chan? Kagome-chan, wake up!" Kagome slowly opened her eyes and groaned.

 "Five more minutes Sango," Kagome muttered, flipping onto her stomach and burying her head under the pillows.

 "Kagome-chan! Master Higurashi-sama told me to wake you up!" Kagome instantly sat up and stared at Sango blearily

 "Father's home?!"

 "Yes, but-"

Sango was unable to finish her sentence because Kagome dashed out the door leaving the baffled servant behind.

 "He's only staying for a quick breakfast," Sango finished, crest-fallen. She swelled with pity for Kagome. With a sigh she started to make her mistress's bed.

Kagome entered the dining room to find her father hurriedly drinking coffee. "Father!"  She ran up and gave him a hug.

 "Kagome, my sweet! How are you?" He asked.

She could tell his mind was not on her, but on something else. She ignored this and responded, "I'm fine how are-"

He cut her off hurriedly. "Very good dear; I must be off." With that he hurried to his room.

"…you," she finished unhappily. Shaking her head, she followed him up to his room. It was time to have a talk with her father. He was always away on business.

Kagome climbed up five of the six floors of her father's mansion before getting to his room. Her father had been a good, law-abiding merchant, or so her mother had said before she passed away. But now he was a thief, a con artist, and slave trader, and he still managed to win the majority of votes in the election for governor.

As Kagome got to his door, his phone rang. She listened as he answered,  "Governor Higurashi speaking. Hello dearest! Yes I'll remember dinner. Of course I always have time for you! Veronica and I? Oh we're through. The girl doesn't even know you exist. Yes I have. Hojo. Love you too." He never heard Kagome running outside or her tears; she had no idea where she was going, but at that point it didn't really matter.

~*~

Running is getting riskier, Inuyasha thought to himself. He was wearing a black wig and baseball cap to hide his hair color and ears. He kept his eyes half closed to block out some of the amber color in them, and his hands were kept in the sleeves of his red haori to hide the claws. He tried to act inconspicuous in the crowd of humans as he casually turned in to the alley between the barbershop and the tattoo parlor.

Hope Koga got away ok. There were more guards then I expected. Kikyo must have tripled the number since the last time I escaped. Suddenly a man in a long coat and tied up hair walked down the alley towards Inuyasha.

"Good to see you made it Koga."

"Same to you Inuyasha. More guards than you said there were."

"Kikyo must have been suspicious."

"So what's the plan Inuyasha?"

"Dunno. But we've got to avoid getting caught for one. Ever since the goddamn governor made the law about youkai slaves, all the cities, towns and villages are swarming with hunters. What can we do?"

"How about accepting yourself as a slave?" a feminine voice said behind Inuyasha. He turned around only to see Kikyo.

"Good job Koga."

Inuyasha turned to face Koga, who had a smug look on his face.

"Sorry Inuyasha. Freedom is priceless."

"Bastard!" Inuyasha lunged at Koga, but the guards already had their tranquilizers ready. Three darts and Inuyasha lost consciousness.

"Guards, gather up Inuyasha and put him in the truck." the guards nodded and did as they were told. Kikyo turned to leave, but Koga shouted to her.

"Kikyo! What about our deal!?"

"Oh yes" Kikyo spun around, pulling out a pistol as she did. Three bullets and Koga was dead, a look of surprised shock still on his face.

"That's the freest you youkai will ever be," she said calmly. "Load Koga's body too." The guards nodded, and soon they were headed back to the slave trading headquarters, where Kikyo would decide what to do with Inuyasha.

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Sisu: Hope you liked it! Please review (no flames please.) I like reviews. By the way, Miroku and Shippo will be introduced in the next chapter. The pairings are Inu/Kag Mir/San

Akita Inu: Hi! I'm susisisu's proof-reader (I think the term is beta-reader) Akita Inu. I go through susi's work and make sure that she doesn't use the term 'said' too many times. Bwa ha ha ha ha. Susi's under the curse of having an overly nosy older sister (me) who likes English class. Poor her. BWA HA HA HA HA!

Sisu: Please ignore my insane older sister. We're sending her the insane asylum tomorrow. Do you feel my pain, younger siblings? Oh well.