Prologue

"I want to go home!"

"I want my mommy!"

"I want my daddy!"

They were all crying for their parents as they continued to waste their energy on a lost cause. We were somewhere underground, far from the public's eyes. The chances of our rescue were practically nonexistence, yet these children were either crying or holding on to hope. I, myself, was doing neither. I had no reason to believe. I lost everything when I was sold. Everything, but my life.

It was because of this life that I still possessed, that I am here, in a place of auction. I had no other value but my life that would be bought and be owned by another. It would be he that would determine my life.

My only complaint would be the lack of light and heat in this place. When we arrived, they simply shoved us together in this cell and left, but not before leaving two guards to watch over us.

I lifted my legs up and embraced them, hoping to keep as much of my heat to myself as possible. I feet were numbed, or at least beginning to feel numb since I was not able to feel any pain. I had scratch marks all over my feet from walking around all day. It made it the more easy for the ground to cut through my skin when I went bare.

Well, it was not like I knew I was to be sold, I just was. There was no time to prepare my shoes much less my socks. All I wore was a plain shirt that covered my body overall, alongside my garment underneath. None of which could provide me the sufficient amount of warmth needed to prevent this numbness from spreading.

Still, if I could hope for one thing, it would be that the numbness could take me whole. I do not want to feel at this point. Nothing good could come in this world and it was this numbness that I may find salvation.

"Alright! The auction is about to begin so all you runts better be on your best behavior!" Yelled one of the guard, the one stationed closer to the door.

"You heard him, you better or else me and my friend here will get to know you…personally…" My attention went to his sword, his friend as he called it, hanging around his waist. He would be the type to enjoy practicing his skills on children, no question about it.

Then suddenly, I could hear voices coming from the narrow exit, but I made no effort to move.

"Today, we have an extensive amount of items for sale. I assure you, they are better than last week auction." A person said, as he was the first one to walk in from the narrow path.

Behind him was a small group of people, most of which were elderly men. Each carrying a folder in their hands.

"Please, if you could be so kind to stand behind the line so we can start this auction."

They walked over, stopping in front of us, but a good meter away from us as they stood there.

"Good, first item on the list is Toro Makko from the Sand Village. He's a developing 14 years old boy who could help around the field while possessing a nice face for your wife to enjoy. We'll start the bidding at 2 million ryô."

Sighing, I started at my feet. I had no need to be concern. No matter who purchased me, my fate remained the same. They all shared the same desire, I could feel it from their constant stare.

It went on in this fashion for another hour or so, until it was finally my turn.

oooOOOooo

"Alright, onto the next wonderful thing for sale. This one is a real treat for you all. Not much is known about this little fellow here but what we do know is that he's around 12 years old with a healthy body. Speaking about body, he's the best of both worlds; with those nice slender legs and oval shape face, soft eyes, and best of all, light colored skin that's wrapped around tightly makes this one a real prize. We'll start the bidding that 15 million ryô!"

"15 million!"

"15.7 million!"

"15.9 million!"

"16 million!"

"17 million!"

"18 million!"

I continued to ignored them as I waited for my inevitable fate. It was then that I felt a pressure. It was different from what I felt already, but I knew it was from someone's gaze. I lifted my head and noticed a man, leaning on the wall as the others were practically pushing each other to call out their bids.

Our eyes met and the pressured increased. It was coming from him, this man with his lower face covered by bandages. His skin was darker than the rest and he wasn't all that old. My guess, he was about in his late 20s or early 30s.

My body began to shake slightly but it was not due to the cold. Just a while ago, I could not feel anything as my body began to shut down due to the cold, but now it felt like it was restarting. Focusing more on his eyes, I felt something similar from within them. Despite the menacing fronts them eyes displayed, they were clear. They were very much like mine in every sense of the word. Like me, he was hollowed; empty within this world that claimed to have what filled our lives with meaning.

I gave the man a smile. It was not much but knowing that there was someone else who had the same eyes as mine made me happy for a change. He was taken back by my gesture, I could tell.

"20 million, do I hear 20?"

There was only two bidders left and one was already reaching his limits. It seems like my fate was sealed and to some obese man at that. I take back what I said before, the one true thing I hoped was being able to meet that man again. Maybe then, I could see with my vision filled.

"100 million ryô!"

What? I opened my eyes, sharing the same disbelief look everyone else in the room had; everyone, but the man. Even the auctioneer was stunned, but he eventually recovered, sooner than the rest.

"I'm sorry sir, but did you say 100 million ryô?"

"Did I stutter?" The man narrow his eyes at the auctioneer, resulting in the auctioneer to take a few steps away from the front before slowly making his way back to his spot.

"No no…just making sure. Do I hear anything higher? Anyone?"

No one said a word. They just stood there, frozen like statues as they stared at the man.

"Alright, going once! Going twice! SOLD to that gentleman over there!"

It was then that my fate was sealed by this strange bandaged man. I was not scared nor cold like everyone else, just curious about what was behind those eyes.

-To be continued...

So, what did you think? Please let me know. Oh and lastly, I'm still working on my other stories. Hopefully I can start to post them sometime early January. Until next time!