The Doll
By DreamWeaver
"50,000 dollars, do I hear 55,000 dollars?"
The bidding place was noisy, expensive smells were emanating from the room. There were many men and women lavishly clad, smoking cigars and drinking wine, all gathered for the show. On the stage was the current bid, a prized possession of an ancient queen from the Mesopotamian era. It was a lyre. Normally, such a thing would have gone straight to the museum but at this time, nobody cared. All they wanted was to get a treasure nobody else had. Bidding was more than just a game for rich nobles who had money to burn. It was a competition.
"60,000 dollars" said a man as he raised his wine glass, slightly shaking the contents with his movements. His dark brown eyes held the triumphant glint of a bidder who won the treasure.
"60,000 dollars, do we hear 65,000 dollars?" asked the auctioneer to the crowd and then he continued, " None? Alright, sold to Lord Kouga."
The next thing to be auctioned was placed in a covered steel cage, capturing the interest of the crowd. What thing could be so precious that it had to be placed in there? Surely it was not the crown jewels of the royal family. The Queen would hang their necks if it happened and the Queen was known to have such a violent temper when provoked.
"Now my dear people, this is the main highlight of tonight's bids, the most treasured prize of all. She came from a ruined temple found at the heart of the forest of death." He said as he pulled the cloth off the cage, eliciting gasps from the ladies and some of the men from the crowd. In the cage was a young girl with black hair dressed in heavy robes with lots of ornaments around her. She stirred for a moment, opening her eyes to reveal the cerulean orbs that hide within.
"Her hair color is like spun midnight, my friends. I tell you. And look at her lovely little eyes, sapphires with flickers of silver and flashes of gold. Her skin is snow white, like a porcelain doll. It is truly a contrast to the hot but sometimes humid climate of the forest of death. She appears to have been the last of the priestesses that guard the temple of Nienna. Nobody knows how her village was destroyed. It was deserted when I and my men ventured there. One thing is for certain folks, she is definitely a keeper and a fine jewel to the crown of your collection."
The said girl just stared mutely at the crowd. She was confused and afraid of what they would do to her but she wasn't oblivious enough not to know what they plan to do with her. She had seen this happen before and sadly, she was taken to be part of this inhuman game. It was all the same. Prisoners of war, slaves, women and children were sold to different countries. They were stolen from their land, stripped from their rights and freedom, abused and stepped on. It was all the same. She saw the leery looks of some men and she grew more afraid.
"Do I hear 150,000 dollars?" She heard the man speak.
"150,000 dollars" said a man in a violet robe.
"160,000 dollars." Said another with a dog on his shoulder and he flashed a smile showing his canines towards her direction.
"160,000 dollars, do I hear 165,000?"
15 minutes earlier
On the left side of the stage, in a dimly lit corner was a man with deep set amber eyes and light silver colored hair with magenta stripes adorning his face, looking as regal as ever with his companion. The companion, a man with the same features too though rougher in appearance, was happily slurping his most favorite meal, ramen.
"Oi, are you going to bid Sesshou-teme?" the blond asked.
"Hn" was the only answer he got.
"You know, if you continually send out one-word answers to people who want to have a decent conversation with you, you might wake up one day unable to speak at all. Sometimes, I think you're worse than a laconic."
"Big words coming from the mouth of an idiot"
"HEY!"
"150,000 dollars" said Naraku, the man who wore the purple and black ensemble with a dark-haired woman beside him.
"I see Naraku is participating in the bid as well. Too bad his sense of fashion is as tacky as ever." said the "idiot", smacking his lips in satisfaction as he finally finished eating his ramen.
"Says the idiot who still wears red underwear."
The companion gasped. "Oi Teme! Have you been spying on me?! Are you gay?! Answer me damnit!"
Sesshoumaru turned to face him and sent him a glare that could freeze hell up. How dare he insinuate that he was an invert. He wouldn't even dare look at the idiot if he were the last male specimen found on earth.
"Your fly is open." He said casually, maintaining his usual cool demeanor.
"160,000 dollars" bidded Kouga as he showed his signature doggish smile.
What irked him was where Kouga smiled. He went to gander at the girl in the cage.
"What a weird eye color." He mused. The girl looked aghast, probably scared to death. He understood why. He scanned her whole figure. She certainly wasn't that bad looking. He was sure underneath that dirt and grime was a lovely girl. Her most valuable asset wasn't her body or pretty face. It was her eyes. It was a very beautiful shade of blue. Beneath the confusion and fear that clouded her eyes were passion, defiance and an innocence that seemed so surreal. He then knew that at that moment, he must have her. He must possess her.
"160,000 dollars, do we hear 165,000 dollars? No? Sold-"
"10,000,000 dollars."
The auctioneer's eyes grew big. "T-ten million dollars? Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru smirked a bit, enjoying the sight of the cowering auctioneer in front of him. The rest of the crowd started to murmur amongst themselves.
"You heard me. 10,000,000 dollars."
The auctioneer cleared his throat, obviously intimidated by the arrogant air of confidence that Sesshoumaru held.
"Very well, anymore bidders?"
None could respond to the question as the crowd grew silent.
He faked a cough and then went on with the show. "None? Sold to Lord Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru's smirk grew big again if that were possible without him being out of character. He then stood up to collect his prize. He didn't care about the dumbfound and invidious looks that were hurled upon him. He couldn't care less.
"Oi Teme! Are you sure of what you are doing?! "
"Hn" Sesshoumaru replied to which Inuyasha fully understood. After all, being the only trusted friend of Sesshoumaru would let you have the advantage of comprehending one-word answers. Surprising? Yes. He was a trusted friend. Nuff said.
"Err… My Lord, You're not going to release her here, are you?"asked the auctioneer.
Sesshoumaru shot him a glare. How dare he imply that he should do as he bespoke. Nobody mandated Lord Sesshoumaru of the West no matter how indirect it may be given.
"Open her cage..NOW!"
The man scrambled on his feet as he hurriedly searched for the key to the lock in his pocket.
The cage opened and Sesshoumaru reached out a hand to the girl. She looked at him with questioning eyes-that of an innocent child.
"Come" he said.
She looked at his stoic face, looking deeply in his raven eyes devoid of emotion and then to his outreached hand. She took it and held it tightly. He pulled her and helped her stand.
What surprised her and the on looking crowd was Sesshoumaru's next action. He suddenly swung his arm and held her like a baby, carrying her like a prized possession for that was what she was. Unable to react and voice out her shock, she found herself being carried towards the carriage.
"Oi! Are you going home now?" asked Inuyasha.
"Hn"
"Hmmp! Never mind. You girl", Inuyasha said motioning to the girl in Sesshoumaru's arms. "Don't worry about Lord Ice Prick here. He's just being a bastard and although he acts like he always has a stick stuck up his ass, you'll be fine. If he bothers you in any way, you'll be welcome to stay in my place."He added, grinning widely.
"I suggest you leave now Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru stated with a killing intent. Really now, it wasn't a good idea to insult him with him listening to every word he said. It was stupid.
Inuyasha just laughed at him as he closed the carriage door, leaving Sesshoumaru and the girl behind.
The ride back to the Taisho Manor was silent with the girl looking out the window and Sesshoumaru glancing towards her direction every now and then. A few minutes more and they had reached the Taisho estate where the Taisho Manor was located. The guards opened the huge gate which carried the Taisho crest, the crescent moon.
The carriage was opened by a kind footman who helped the girl get out. Bright blue eyes twinkled with amazement at the sight of the magnificent manor as she entered it.
"This place is even grander than the palace of the King and the temples of Mother Goddess Nienna." She thought. However, her amazement was cut short when she was pulled inside by Sesshoumaru.
"Welcome back Lord Sesshoumaru." Said a chorus of maids with a nasty looking butler of short stature.
"Hn"
She felt the queer stares being given to her by the help and she couldn't help but redden at the sight she must have must be thinking, "What could their master be doing with a weird-looking girl like her?" Everything was so strange to her. Their clothes, their appearance, and the way they talked. Everything.
"Tend to her in every way and I shall see her in my room once you are done" he said as he left the girl at the mercy of his help.
The girl was led to a strange chamber where she was stripped of her garments. She tried to protest when they started to take off the last of her undergarments but they succeeded in taking it off her and pushed her on to the porcelain tub. She would have hit herself from the rough-handling of the maids if it weren't for the quick hands of the kind, elderly-looking maid who shooed all the other maids away.
"Now, now dear..please cooperate."She said as she took the girl's hands from her chest.
She was surprised to see what the girl had been hiding. She saw elegant markings and a mystic-looking emblem on the left side of her hip. She could see the slight hesitation of the girl and she smiled as if to reassure the girl that her fears were nothing to worry about. She then proceeded to bathe the girl thoroughly. She scrubbed her hair, her legs, her feet, her shoulders and the back of her ears till she was squeaky clean. Her fingernails and toenails were cut to short perfection. She was anointed with sweet-smelling perfumes and oils that were mild. The girl was none-too-happy though when she discovered that her markings have been erased. The only thing was left of it was the star-shaped scar that she had acquired from her birth. Her body was towel-dried and her hair was brushed and put up in a bun while she was dressed in a blackish-red gown.
The woman made her look at herself in the mirror and she was surprised to see her reflection. She was a far cry from her former self yet surprisingly, she took it all in a calm manner. She was used to this kind of living anyway. Her people had intentionally built their city in the middle of the forest of death, hidden from the prying eyes of the "civilized barbarians" and had lived peacefully by themselves with nature under the guidance of their Mother goddess Nienna. Her mother was a weaver while her father was a warrior destined by birth to be the protector of the village where they lived. They had been together for as long as she could remember until the time came when they were suddenly attacked by the "barbarians".
She flinched at the unpleasant memory.
"You Girl! Lord Sesshoumaru will see you now!" said the butler from before. In her mind, he resembled the ugly toad god of her village who was the guardian of the little children. He just squawked in a very loud voice that was very painful to the ear. She bobbed her head questioningly, blinking her eyes in confusion. What on earth was that person talking about?
The butler sighed and then escorted her to His Lord's room. She found him sitting by the fireplace, drinking his evening tea as he read over some pieces of paper.
"We have arrived, Master." Said the butler.
"Leave the girl may leave now Jaken."
The butler "Jaken" bowed his head low and then walked out the door, closing it. They were once again alone together. Sesshoumaru gestured her to go and sit beside him and for some reason, she seemed to understand.
She came forward, quite unsure of her actions.
"What is he going to do with me?" She thought nervously, gripping her hands tightly. "Is he going to violate me?"
He eyed on her thoughtfully. "You look more beautiful now" he murmured, taking a strand of her hair in her hand and smelled it. Indeed it was true. The girl's locks seemed to look shinier and healthier now that it was cleaned and her skin restored to its fair white complexion free from dirt and grime.
Her stomach grumbled and she blushed.
Sesshoumaru chuckled, "It seems that you are hungry." He rang the bell for the kitchen whilst he twirled her strand of hair in his hand.
She faced the fire and watched it dance. Sesshoumaru then crept behind the girl as he crooked his head towards the arch of her neck. His amber eyes shone darker against the light of the fire. And even though the room was toasty warm, the girl felt a sudden chill run down her spine as he gave a kiss on the base of his neck, feeling his warm breath tickling her ear.
And he spoke in words, she never understood.
"From now on, you are mine. You belong to me. You are my Kagome."