Chapter 2

Kagome looked up at the woman when she spoke. Kikyo, as she learned later, was the mistress of the younger lord, and therefore had to job of keeping the other women in line. She felt a moment of fear as she gazed at the stony-faced woman, some of her fear must have shown, Kikyo's expression softened and she came the rest of the way into the room, closing the door behind her. Kagome watched the other warily, not sure what to expect in the craziness her life had become.

"You may rise girl, I have no intention of treating you like trash. I too am a slave in this house."

Kagome slowly stood, surprised that this woman was a slave, she didn't cringe away from every noise like the others, she didn't have a look of hopelessness about her either. Instead she carried herself proudly. Kagome decided at that moment that she liked this woman, for all her stern demeanor she had spoken kindly, perhaps she'd have an ally when it came time to make her escape. Kikyo had been watching her, then nodded as if she had passed some sort of test. She handed a bundle of cloth to Kagome; who, upon shaking it out, found it was a plain white kimono, matching the one's she'd seen the other women wearing.

"Put that on, you'll find some more in your chest when we return. Hurry now, I'll wait outside." She left Kagome alone to change. Kagome sighed stroking the soft fabric and thinking of her mother, how she would've been appalled at the thought that her daughter wear any kimono that didn't have at least a little embroideries on it. She very much wanted to stay in her room but knew that it would be a waist of time. If Kikyo were going to show her around in order to explain her duties she would be able to memorize a bit more of the manor. With that purpose set firmly in her mind she changed into the white kimono, wishing she had a brush for her hair to make herself a little more presentable. Then she went out into the hall where Kikyo was. The other woman nodded at her appearance then walked down the hall, Kagome falling in step behind her. Then Kikyo began to speak

"You are one of the many slaves of this household now, the masters are strict, especially Sesshomaru-sama, if you make a mistake be sure they will know about it, and you will pay the price for it." She paused then, turning to look fully at Kagome "Do not try to run away. Many other girls have tried, and when they were brought back they were punished severely. Their spirits were broken, and after that the masters didn't even think them worth their time and they have been sent into the basement to work in the laundry and other such tasks. It is hard work; believe me, you do not want to lead that kind of life."

Kagome was surprised that Kikyo had guessed her intent, was it that clear on her features? She listened to the woman's words and shuddered, wanting and not wanting to know exactly what happened to those that were caught. But, she thought that she must know, it could mean the difference between her try at freedom, or her staying to see what happened. "Kikyo-sama, what exactly happened to those girls?" Kikyo sighed, her eyes darkening, and for an instant Kagome wished she hadn't asked. Then the other woman pulled herself together and the mask that Kagome had first seen was back in place.

"They were beaten of course, then the master ordered them maimed so that they could not run away again. It is a cruel thing to do, but when a person is missing their toes or their entire foot it makes it impossible to run. Then they were hidden away from the rest of us, we do not know for sure what happened to them while they were hidden, but when they come out their eyes are lifeless, and the live like a puppet. Eating when told, sleeping when told, even working until told to stop."

Kagome shuddered at the thought, her mind creating all sorts of horrible images of what could have happened to those women to make them loose their essence. Being a Miko she could think of many dark magic's that could do that to a person. Kikyo gestured to her then and they continued on in silence for a time. Both lost in their own thoughts. Finally, after a short while Kagome spoke again "Kikyo-sama, where are we going? What is it that I am meant to do here, and where are all the male slaves?" It made no since that only the daughters of men would be taken, when males were so much stronger and able to do the hard physical work that must be done to keep a building this size running.

Kikyo slowed her pace allowing Kagome to walk alongside her, and then spoke quietly, her voice grim. "This is a place that no woman would ever come to willingly Kagome, there are nearly no men because this house is a whore-house. The women are given to male visitors, who pay of course, for a certain time, to perform for them." Kagome gasped, all the fears she'd forced down earlier rising to the surface. How could any man run a place like this! Where the women were forced into un-virtuous acts, for money. Tears rose in her eyes and her face paled at the thought. When would she be expected to perform like this? It would ruin her; a man, as his wife, would never accept her after being used by many other men. Her life was ruined! She could never return to her family, no longer pure, a disgrace to her father's name. She felt sick and leaned against a wall fighting down wave after wave of nausea.

Kikyo looked at her pityingly, she too had been disgusted and terrified at the thought. When she first arrived here. The older woman went to Kagome and put an arm around her shoulder trying to comfort her. "You are still a virgin, are you not Kagome?" The girl nodded in answer, finding her throat to tight to speak. "Then you are safe for a time, the lord, our master, values virgin's. He will want to save you for an important friend, or someone he needs as an ally. You may be lucky to have a few moons before you are expected to perform. By then the idea would not be so horrible." Kagome shuddered a few more times, pulling herself together. She would be useless like this, and Kikyo was right, in time the idea of her new life would not cause her to be ill. But that didn't mean she was happy about it, but now she was at a loss, what should she do?

Kikyo pulled her away from the wall and continued walking, her arm still wrapped around Kagome's shoulder. She led her outside to a small, abandoned garden. They sank onto a bench, hidden from the view of the main door. "This is my own little garden, gather yourself and we will continue to talk, you may not have to become one of the whores." Kagome nodded, it took a while but she managed to pull herself together. She turned to face Kikyo, who was quickly becoming her anchor to the real world. "How?" She felt a small flickering hope deep in her breast, but she was afraid to allow it to flower. Afraid that whatever it is that Kikyo had meant would be beyond her grasp.

Kikyo gently brushed the hair out of Kagome's face, feeling a sort of motherly affection for the young girl. There was something special about her, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what that was. "There is a chance that the lord, when I take you to see him, will choose to make you one of his personal attendants. You will act as a servant to Sesshomaru-sama, along with about a half-dozen other slaves. He chooses many of the new girls to attend him; if they please him they may keep their position, if they displease him they are sent to the visitor's halls where they will be paid for by the men who come. If you can somehow impress the lord and stay on his good side, you may never have to spend your nights with the visitors." She looked at Kagome closely, finding that she had indeed pulled herself together she rose, reaching down to draw the girl to her feet. "Now come, we shall go introduce you to the master"

Kagome had sat silently while Kikyo spoke, drinking in the words. It didn't sound too hard, just keep on the good side of the master and she would be spared the life of a paid whore. She could do that, she had to be able too, it was her only choice. She had already decided, even if she wasn't consciously aware of it yet, not to run away. She didn't want that kind of life that Kikyo described. When Kikyo pulled her to her feet she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, she was afraid to go before the master, afraid that he may not choose her. But she was no coward, and she nodded with false bravado and followed Kikyo on trembling legs deep into the manor. They went to the very center of the house, to an elaborately decorated door that she assumed lead to the lord's private chambers. Kikyo sank to her knees and waited for Kagome to do the same, then knocked softly at the door. The two women waited silently for a few moments that seemed forever to Kagome, then a brisk 'enter' was heard.

Kikyo slid the door open and bowed to the man inside, Kagome followed her lead. Then they rose and entered the room, closing the door behind them, as the door slid shut Kagome felt as if a prison cell had closed behind her, cutting off all escape. She was trapped and now the man before her was to decide her fate. She glanced up cautiously to see a man that resembled his younger brother in a way. They both had flowing white hair, and golden eyes. The elder lord was dressed in white, with a little red design on the sleeves. His face was smooth and betrayed no emotion. On either side of him, seated about two paces behind, were four women, his attendants.

His eyes were on her, noticing that she was looking at him, her face burned and her eyes turned down to the floor before her. Kikyo was saying something but she was too afraid to pay much attention. Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears drowning out most other sound. Finally her name was spoken and she forced herself to pay attention to the words that were being said. 'Kagome is pure milord. She is young and beautiful, I would recommend her as your new attendant should she please you milord." Kikyo had then fallen silent. Kagome risked another glance up at the master and found that this time she could not pull her gaze away, their eyes locked. For the briefest moment some emotion flickered through his eyes, was it surprise? Not quite, but something else. Whatever it was she felt her face heating again at the penetrating glance, why was he looking at her like that?

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