Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any characters involved in the anime.
A/N: Hi, first story here, bear with me. ;D
GLADIATOR
Chapter 1
The arena was filled with shouts of "Kill! Kill!" whilst the king looked on in amusement from his elegant balcony situated over the playing field. Allowing him to get a safe, yet wonderful view of the exciting bloodshed taking place below. The jewels that adorned his hands shined greedily, as well as the ones embossed into his crown of gold. There he sat, in that relaxed posture he always had, amongst the fine furs of his expensive cape.
The people in the stands were covered with sweat due from the lack of shade, and man, was that sun ever so hot today! Of all days! The day when they got to see "Him" fight!
He fights ever so well, and was most certainly the best entertainment out of all of them. He was the only one who has survived every single battle, and comes back every match practically polished and untouched!
Him, being the Dog-eared hanyou currently battling the ferocious looking ogre down in the arena.
The sun reflected off his brilliant locks of silver hair, as well as the sweat rolling off his tan, toned skin. He had taken off the top of his signature fiery red haori long ago, well, more like the ogre took it off with a swipe of those ridiculously long claws…
Each opponent had their choice of weapon, the hanyou having used his usual rusted katana…but oh looks were deceiving. That katana could transform into a ferocious fang of a sword when he wanted it to…
The battle continued, gashes and blows were exchanged fairly equally throughout the match via claws and inhumanly possible strength.
"KILL HIM INUYASHA! KILL HIM!" shouted a spectator from the audience, if you could call them that…
And so…with his signature smirk and flash of his brilliantly golden eyes, he whipped out his katana. In a blinding flash of light the sword transformed into a magnificent weapon, suitable for a king they say!
"KAZE NO KIZU!" came his battle cry, and with it streaks of demonic power, slicing through his opponent, and effectively ending the match.
The crowd went wild as they heard the ogre's screams of agony before his form quickly turned into a pile of ash.
He had survived another day. He sheathed his sword and was about to head back through the gate, the gate where he comes through nearly twice a week to this. That bloody gate that opens the pathway to what could be his doom.
He looked down at the collar he wore, with that damned black jewel fragment.
If it weren't for that damned jewel he would have left a long time ago. All of the other fighters, well, the ones that were still alive, had one of these collars too...except that Inuyasha's jewel fragment was slightly larger than theirs.
The king couldn't allow him to escape, or rebel as they put it…No..he was the king's most prized possession, his savior from the kingdom's inhabitants.
You see, the king was no good…corrupt they say. How? He lavished himself day by day with whatever his heart desired, while his people toiled in the harsh weather with nothing to look forward to. The taxes were so high, they hardly had enough currency to keep bread on the table.
They had to build this and that, obey everything to the king's whim, and for what?
Nothing.
That is, until about a year ago. The king, Naraku Onigumo is his name, had this arena built in order to host all sorts of battles and bloodshed to entertain them. As long as they had some sort of entertainment to look forward to, there weren't too many complaints about the state of the kingdom.
So when inuyasha was captured and sold to the king, things just got better and better.
He was the crowd favorite, because he never loses to any of the other demons he is put up against. So, since he is the crowd favorite, he was also the king's favorite. The king saw him as a means to keep the kingdom under control, by providing blessed distraction.
Of course, this "blessed distraction" was also a pain in the ass for the hanyou. What the king calls blessed could be stated as pure hell for Inuyasha. This is what he lives for.
That is, until he can figure a way out.
And he swore to himself, that one day, he would.
With that thought in mind, he turned his back on the shouts of the crowd, and continued on his way across the beat-up turf towards the gate.
It was then time for the King to speak.
There he stood, in all of his glory that just reeked of corruption, and opened his mouth to address the spectators.
"As all of you know, my late wife, Kikyo, has passed on quite some time ago, so therefore I have chosen a new bride to carry on with me and my custody of the throne."
Inuyasha paused in his movements to look up at the king's balcony, and stared at him with not so hidden resentment. So…that was why he had to fight today of all days…so all of the people would show up to watch the king gloat about his new choice of wife…figures…the king knew their would be great turnout if he was the one fighting.
He was about to turn and continue his journey to the exit when all of a sudden someone was ushered out onto the balcony. A woman in a dainty blue dress.
There was a sudden silence in the arena as she timidly stepped out into the open for all to see.
Her magnificent raven hair flowed freely in silky tendrils that caressed her curvaceous form to the middle of her back. The skin that was visible took on a delicious porcelain color, contrasting beautifully with her blackest of black hair. The dress she wore revealed a decent amount of her ample bosom, but what stood out most were her eyes.
Her innocent, crystal blue eyes that were like windows to the sky itself.
As everyone took in the sight of her, the king took this opportunity to speak once again, "I am glad to announce that this lovely woman here, Kagome Higurashi, is to be my future wife, therefore your queen. The wedding will take place in two weeks time from today. Until then, plan on enjoying time off to attend a new match everyday, as preparations for the wedding are made," he then looked down at Inuyasha, with a smirk, "and of course, each fight will involve your choice of fighter."
The crowd roared they're excitement, and began to chant "Inuyasha! Inuyasha!"
Said hanyou just looked on with a rather peeved expression, that is until his eyes met with a pair of blue ones.
Their eyes held for what seemed like forever…
That bitch was staring at him! The nerve!
He glared back at her and returned his stare to the king, who was in turn staring down at him, with his greasy, evil looking grin.
"As you wish! Inuyasha it is! Good day to you all!" with that said the king took his leave, dragging the petite woman with him out of sight.
That meant everyone had to go home now, but with a fight to look forward to tomorrow, no one left unhappy.
Inuyasha just snorted and made his way into the dark building. A pair of guards holding whips among a few other choice weapons escorted him through a dimly lit hallway.
A few rats scampered away here and there, but Inuyasha grew accustomed to their coexistence some time ago. They reached a group of cells, each decorated with hideous wrought iron bars. Cages were more like it…cages for wild demons they say.
He was all but thrown into one of them, which he had begun to accept as his home, at least, until he could figure a way out of here. He made no sound of complaint, since his wounds had already healed significantly; there was nothing to cry about being handled as such.
He would never let them have the satisfaction of hurting him anyways. They could piss off for all he cared.
After slamming the bars back into place they snickered at him and went on their way to mess with some of the other cell occupants. They had nothing better to do.
It had been a long day…and his body was still a bit tired from the fight today. So he meandered over to his straw bed, if you could call it such, and off to sleep he went, his last coherent thought being of that woman. What was her name? Kagobae? Kag…Kagome? Yeah…Kagome…she kinda looks like kikyo…except far more innocent. That's probably why the king chose her…
A/N: How'd you like it? Let me know what you think, any improvements and such. Until next time!
-Jinju-