He'd been on the plantation for a week and it was pretty much the same as every other plantation. He woke early, worked in the fields til he was tired, and then went to bed to just get up and do the same the next day. Granted people on this plantation were nicer then what he'd experienced before. The healer Jeninji was a rather weird character. Inuyasha had split his hand open the other day while plowing the southern field and had immediately been told to go see the oversized healer. Jeninji stood about two stories tall, had bug eyes, and was the shiest demon he'd ever seen. He'd later learned Jeninji was a half demon that had been left on the streets after his poor mother had been shunned by society. At least he'd learned early that he didn't fit into the world.
Today was Sunday. Master Higurashi didn't let his slaves work on Sunday. So Inuyasha sat in the huge tree that was called the God tree. He sat and relaxed for the first time in a while and thought about all the things he'd seen on the plantation. Miroku worked most often in the running of things and made sure the slaves had plenty to drink by bringing a kitchen girl to serve them. Shippo cleaned with the human woman since he was so little, and the rest of them worked the fields. His roommate was never around so he'd come to associate himself with Kohaku, a fire cat named Kirara, and a youkai named Kagura.
Kagura was a weird sort. She was a wind youkai who obviously had had a bad past due to the scars on her arms but seemed to work diligently. She had only spoke once and that had been to defend Higurashi. Inuyasha had said the stupid human was never around and should do the work they did. Kagura had lifted him off the ground to only say, "He does more than you know." And dropped him on his ass. Three days after his arrival he'd come across Shippo quickly jumping his way. He'd been told to follow the young kitsune. In the distance he saw the construction of a new barn. One man stood on top of a 2 by 4 beam that formed the roof barely holding onto a piece of wood.
Souta Higurashi had been that man and Inuyasha had been called to help. Since then Souta had talked to him on a regular bases and it seemed today would be no different. Souta strode up to the hanyou watching his ears flick toward him. So he sat under the tree and waited a while before speaking. "Nice day,"
Inuyasha glared at the top of the humans head before grunting in response. Souta laughed quietly knowing the hanyou meant nothing by it. "Who raised you to have such manners Inuyasha." A quick glance up showed the young man that he'd struck a nerve. Inuyasha's eyes had widened before lowering to conceal his eyes. His ears dropped and Inuyasha's whole demeanor changed. He wasn't arrogant anymore but resigned. "I'm sorry." Souta whispered. The last thing he expected though was the said hanyou to drop down beside him
"My mom raised me until I was 5. She died because of some stupid mans greed." Inuyasha whispered while not looking at Souta. He didn't know why he felt he could trust him but just did.
He wanted to ask what happened but it seemed like that would just depressed the poor boy. "Who after that?"
Should he tell him? It wouldn't really matter, just make him look like more of a loser but he really deserved for him to hate him. "Tatsuki. She was two years older than me but she was a demon, a coyote demon to be exact. She raised me until I was 20." He continued to look off the plantation as the sun slowly set. He hadn't spoken of her in almost a year. It hurt too much he realized. He'd lost her. She'd protected him for fifteen years and in one day he had failed to do the same. She'd warned him of the danger and he'd ignored her. Thought he knew best and in the end he'd been wrong.
Souta watched as emotions played across Inuyasha's face. First was warm, then embarrassed, hatred, and finally shame. Something had happened to make him feel responsible for something awful. "Inuyasha I'm sure it wasn't your fault." Souta reached out and touched the boys shoulder. In his head he rationally thought that this gesture could be interpreted as gay but couldn't fathom to pull his hand away.
Inuyasha turned to the human with molten eyes. Somehow he'd made a connection with the owner and it kinda freaked him out. One moment the man's face was hard as steel and the next looked way to feminine for a man. Shrugging the man's hand away Inuyasha stood. "I'm going to eat." And walked off.
Souta sat for a moment more wondering what had happened and then asked himself why did he care. Everyone had a past and most didn't want to talk about it. Brushing off his pants leg of any dirt, Souta made his way to his office. KO was probably waiting.
Life sucked. It really did, especially when you had an owner who just loved to see you in pain. So she did everything she was ask to do to perfection, and hated herself for it. She wanted to be the rebel that she'd always been but right now she valued her life and her honor more so than her pride. Looking over the fields it was a shame she happened to lock eyes with the overseer, Bankotsu. The man was human, supposedly, though his features and strength suggested he was more than met the eye. The diamond on his forehead looked like more of a fashion statement than anything else. Bankotsu was only one of seven brothers that ran the plantation. It was obviously they wanted to own the plantation but everyone knew that would not happen.
"Hurry up you stupid demon." Bankotsu shouted as she was given a lashing. Biting back a moan she quickly stopped thinking and did what she was told. She missed him terrible, why was life so cruel?
The letters had come in and things were slowly falling into motion. Both prospects had replied with a positive attitude though one was harder to tell. He just wasn't an emotional sort. In a day or two more things would roll out and soon she'd need more slaves. Excellent. Souta looked up at the man who contributed to his success. It was so exhilarating to know you had such loyalty and such faith in your cause. "Thank you KO. This is good news. But I sense you have more to say judging by your frown."
He absolutely had something to say. "Keade has the same fears I do. We are rushing things Sir. If we get caught our lives as well as this plantation will be in ruins and families will be cast out. Are you sure you want to go through with this?" he paced back and forth hoping it would relieve his nerves
Souta understood his worries but he had his faith. "Come over here and look out my window." Souta motioned the man over and he slowly followed. "What do you see out there?"
AT first he thought this was all a joke so quickly replied. "Slaves, doing what they are told plowing the fields and harvesting." He straightened. Looking at Souta it was clear he had said something right.
"Exactly. They have no free will. They cannot do what they want. They have lost family members and seen things I wish no man to see. What I do and what others do to help gives these people hope. I can't sit still KO. I can't watch them suffer. My life means nothing if they are able to get their lives back." Souta stood proud and smiling as he looked at the people on his plantation. It gave him purpose.
KO watched and felt that pride flow into himself. "As you wish. I'm off to eat before I begin my duties." He bowed before leaving through the door. Souta sat at his desk and began to write more letters.
Night was falling which meant supper would be ready and on the table in just moments. Quickly cleaning his hands, Inuyasha watched as Kohaku raced to the slaves dinning quarters. It seemed the kid couldn't wait to see his sister. After only a week Inuyasha was able to figure out peoples relations without help from anyone. Here people didn't hide their emotions like on the other plantations. He still couldn't figure that out. "You comin' or what slow poke?" Shippo's voice reached his ears and looking down found the fox kit looking up at him from his feet.
'Feh if I have to go with you I probably won't" somehow him and the kit just didn't get along and yet Shippo was his closest companion. Every time he turned around Shippo was by his side buggin' him.
"Hey Inuyasha?" Shippo's normally bold voice was meek and the fox had his head bent down to the ground. He just wanted to know if there was someone like him on the plantation. Someone who didn't have any parents or siblings to look for or to look after. "Are you alone? I meeean there someone you lookin' for out there?" he pointed to the gates of the plantation and Inuyasha instantly understood the kit.
Poor kit wanted someone to be like him. "There used to be, but there's no way I'll find her again. So no I ain't got nobody."Inuyasha picked the kit up and placed him on his shoulders as they began to walk toward the kitchen.
Shippo could tell this someone was special by the hanyou's look. "You loved her huh." He waited till Inuyasha nodded his head before continuing. "Why's she so special?"
Inuyasha paused outside the kitchen door. He heard all the others sitting down and getting their plates ready and devouring their food and somehow didn't care if he ate or not. "Tatsuki took care of me and told me no matter what the size of a person is the only thing that matters is how big their heart was. If someone's heart is big than they could overcome anything." He quickly opened the door before he dwelled too much on the past.
Out of the shadows two figures appeared behind them. Miroku's staff jingled as the light from the kitchen cast his face into shadows. "He's nothing like him even though they look alike." He murmured turning to his companion.
"It must have something to do with Tatsuki raising him. If she spoke those words to him she's wiser than her years." Souta spoke as he made his way to the front of the house. Those words meant so much to him. It gave him hope that the world was not without hope.
"If she had to raise him when she was only seven she's probably had to been older than her years." Miroku said. His only reply was a nod before Souta turned the corner. "like someone else I know." He whispered and went to enjoy his meal.
It was well into dawn before he was able to close his eyes for any length of time. His plans had been refined to a point he believed was perfect and would work flawlessly. The last letter had been signed and given to KO to deliver. Things were in motion and in two days another round would be performed. The last thing he needed to do was find Miroku and make sure he understood the plan.
Finger combing his hair he quickly straightened his appearance before exiting his office. While he walked to the other end of the house he noticed and made a list of things that needed tending to. Soon he'd have to go into town for supplies but maybe he'd send Miroku instead. Mioku's room was just ever so conveniently placed as far away from the women's quarters as possible.
He knocked once and when no answer came decided to go on in since he'd done so in the past then stopped right in his tracks. There was just no way that was Sango laying in Miroku's bed, just no way. Miroku was laying beside her with his arms around the women's waist and god forbid but he just couldn't move away. Miroku's eyes opened slowly and then all the way as he noticed Souta there. Souta quickly shut the door making sure no one else saw the happy couple.
"Miroku you fool." Souta shouted, waking Sango in the process who quickly covered herself. "Damn you that's it. How long has this been going on?" Souta pointed an accusing finger at Sango before stalking over to the blabbering idiot.
Miroku backed up into the head board. "Just last night I swear." He put his hand on his chest like he was swearing on his death bed which if he was lying was going to happen. He couldn't believe Miroku had gotten to Sango.
"Well if this continues you're going to do right by her Miroku. You're going to marry her even if I have to drag you to the altar." Souta punched his finger into the man's chest before looking at Sango who had surprisingly stayed quiet through the whole thing. "As for you I can't believe…"
"We're engaged Souta." Sango shouted as the man started in on her. She quickly held up her left hand to show the band around her finger.
He stood there stunned. Miroku had popped the question? "I'll be damned." He whispered before realizing he'd said it out loud. "beg your pardon ma'am" he quickly turned to Miroku who laughed when he met the man's face. "That's what all the hard work was for."
"I take offense I work hard all the time." Miroku took on an innocent smile before looking at Sango. She smiled before remembering she had on no clothes and dove under the covers.
Souta blushed before quickly looking away. "I came to speak to you about business but I'll leave you two be. Congratulations I'll see you at breakfast."He made a clean get away and raced to the porch. The sun had just risen spreading sunlight over the fields and Souta for once didn't have to force the smile to his face. This was all his. He was going to set things right and do right by his family. Looking to the right he saw his people start to walk out of the slave quarters.
Inuyasha just had walked out to the sun when he caught Souta's eye. What was the human doing up so early and why did it look as if he hadn't changed? For some odd reason and he blamed the sun for it, Souta looked less like a man and more like a women in the dawning light. He was to thin and lithe for a male unless he was part of the aristocrat that did nothing but sit on their asses. Inuyasha quickly looked away and went to eat.
Later in the day soon after lunch Inuyasha was slaving in the cotton fields with Kohaku on the row next to him. The boy wouldn't shut up about the news they'd learned at breakfast. Miroku and Sango were engaged. Somehow he wasn't surprised. Though he'd been told the houshi was a pervert it seemed he'd only used his charms on the women he was destined for. "I still can't believe it. I would never have guessed Sango would end up with the pervert." Kohaku said.
He was going to tell the man to shut his yap when someone beat him to it. "Kohaku say one more word about your sister and I'm going to slit your throat so you can't speak." Kagura spoke form the row behind him and he turned to mouth a thank you her way. She just shrugged as they all got busy. About ten minutes later he looked over to the porch where he'd seen Souta this morning to see a man with long black hair in a ponytail talking to Souta himself.
He'd never seen the male before but a silent alarm went off in his head. "Hey Kohaku whose on the porch?" Inuyasha asked. The man's back was to him so his face was not visible. The kid looked up and over but quickly put his head down.
"That's your roommate. No ones ever seen his face but he works night shifts for Higurashi. No one knows his real name either but Higurashi calls him KO." He only whispered but Inuyasha heard him clear enough.
"Kohaku makes things sound too mysterious. He can't see him because we all work separate shifts from him. He's just Higurashi's personal servant." Kagura spoke in a normal tone which made Kohaku seem foolish. Inuyasha looked back but the man was gone but Souta still stood facing the gates.
A commotion reached his ears and he looked up to the gates as well as everyone else. Someone wasn't happy. "Take the leash off you bastard !" a loud smack echoed throughout the field. Inuyasha slightly flinched as the sound reminded him of bad times but the voice sounded vaguely familiar. Souta however took off like lightening and ran for the gate.
"come on." Kagura said and grabbed his arm before he knew what was happening. "Souta might open his mouth and need us."
Inuyasha avoided conflict with humans but he guessed he had no choice. He soon was able to hear Souta's voice. "Bankotsu so nice to see you again. May I ask what's the problem?" he quickly stood in a relaxed stance against the iron gates.
Bankotsu smiled though he didn't appreciate the arrival of the said human. He had hoped to make it past this plantation without a meeting. "no problem at all Mr. Higurashi just a slave who doesn't know her place. Right darling?" Bankotsu snarled.
She was not getting pushed around, "I'm not going anywhere with you." The demon's face was bruised and bloodied already with an eye almost completely swollen shut. It was obviously she hadn't obeyed well.
Souta watched with anger bubbling in him as she struggled to loosen the spiked leash. "Bankotsu why…" he never got to finish.
Inuyasha came running up from his left and shouted. "Tatsuki!" he couldn't believe she was here. But oh god he couldn't look at her face. He growled at Bankotsu before rushing to Souta's side. "You have to buy her." He snarled.
Souta watched stunned as Inuyasha faced her in public like this. "Stand down Inuyasha or I'll make you." He turned to face the girl that was tied to the leash and felt a stab of pity. "Bankotsu I'd like to take her off your hands. It really would be to your advantage."
He smiled but he wasn't backing down so easily. "I'm sorry Higurashi but this slave is worth a lot more than you are willing to pay I assure you." Bankotsu dragged the demon toward him and watched as she tried to struggle. He loved that helplessness that he made her endure.
The demon had black hair spiked in different direction since it was so short, almost like Miroku's. the tips were a dull beige that almost was white. Her eyes were white glow that looked like they would light up the sky if they were ever to shine again. He just couldn't let her go. "Name your price Bankotsu." He named the price at triple the rate of a prime hand and with little fuss passed the chain over to Souta before walking off. Tatsuki slowly stood as Inuyasha rushed to meet her.
What was expected to be a warm welcome turned into a comic shock. Tatsuki grasped her hands together and laid Inuyasha out. "You fool what have you DONE!?"