Unknown Intent

I don't own Inuyasha and crew. If I did, you would notice. This chappie goes out to Ice-Kitsune-317, who made my day with the wonderful review. Hope it meets your expectations :) Please excuse any grammar/spelling errors.

Enjoy

Ch.2

Kagome gazed out the window of Rolls Royce as it cruised through Uptown Tokyo, barely noticing the 5-star restaurants or expensive boutique shops as they flashed by. Fingering the soft silk that made her green sundress, her mouth turned into heavy frown as she reminisced about the conversation with her brother she had just before leaving her apartment…

Flashback

"Is it finally happening? Is my big sister finally getting with the times and getting a demon slave?"

Stopping mid-brush, Kagome felt her temper rise near exploding level at Souta's exclamation. Turning in her chair to give him an icy glare, she smirked when he flinched.

"I don't recall you mentioning that you would be visiting Souta," she stated as she turned back to the vanity mirror and resumed her brushing with slightly more force.

"Shippo and I were going shopping today so I decided to visit, and Sango-san let me in." Kagome peeked to the silent woman by her bedside, and saw her shrug apologetically. Smiling at her, Kagome returned her attention to her brother; or more importantly, the adorable fox child that followed his shadow.

"Hello Shippo!" Startled green eyes flashed in her direction, and he glanced to Souta before mumbling a soft hello. Smiling at his shyness, she knelt by him and asked, "How are you adjusting Shippo?" Shippo looked into her kind eyes and saw the seriousness lingering there. She was genuinely concerned for him. Blushing madly he replied, "I am quite happy Miss Kagome, thank you."

"Of course he's fine sis! He's with me and I'm the greatest in the world!" Kagome glared lightly as her brother ruined the moment with his ego, and sighed inwardly as Shippo went back in his shell.

"But seriously Kagome, are you finally getting a demon? Cause if you are you should totally get an Ox demon! My friend Shiro-kun has one and it's huge! He can crush boulders and-" Kagome tuned out her brother's rambling as she fixed a small daisy barrette into her hair. Gazing at her reflection, she steeled herself for something she swore she would never do.

I'm sorry Papa. I'll only break my promise just this once.

End Flashback

"It'll be fine Kagome-chan." Turning her attention to the pretty brunette who sat opposite of her in a plain pink and green kimono, she looked so out of place in the plush interior of the fancy car. Sighing heavily, Kagome looked to her closest friend and pondered aloud, "I must look like such a hypocrite to you Sango-chan. Here I am on my way to purchase a slave when I swore to never do so!"

"But it wasn't your choice. You are bound by the contract Yakamura-sama issued to you for your living quarters," Sango spoke as she moved to the younger girl's side. Kagome placed her head on Sango's shoulder, wishing with all her might that she could be elsewhere.

"But I still feel really bad about it. I hate knowing that I will 'own' someone soon," Kagome whispered sadly, the feeling of helplessness creeping under her skin. She abhorred the sensation.

"Truthfully, I think you're doing a good deed." Sango raised her hand in a placating gesture when Kagome pulled back as though she were burned, hurt and confusion swimming in her blue eyes.

"You have the biggest heart Kagome-chan, rarely seen in a woman of your status. You treat demons and poor humans as people and not as slaves, and when you set your mind to help someone you really help them. As far as I'm concerned, having you as a Master is the best thing any demon could wish for." Kagome stared at the maid/bodyguard that was hired as protection for her in stunned silence. Feeling the burning sensation of tears, she grabbed Sango in a tight hug, earning a slight squeak of surprise from the older girl.

"You're right Sango-chan; I was looking at this the wrong way. I'm going to see this as freeing a demon and not imprisoning them," she spoke through the soft fabric of her friend's collar. Pulling back, Sango smiled at the determined look on Kagome's face.

There is the Kagome-chan I'm used to.

Suddenly the voice of the chauffeur issued over the radio in the car: "We have arrived Miss, the Youkai Trade Center." Turning to the window to see a large dome-like building with a surrounding stone wall, Kagome couldn't help but feel her confidence lower slightly. Steeling her resolve and comforted by Sango's squeeze of reassurance on her shoulder, she took a quick breath before the driver opened the door.

Click… tap-tap, click… ding!

The receptionist sighed happily as he typed on the typewriter, the florescent light bouncing off the golden nametag showing: Akitoki Houjo. His smile broadened slightly as the machine issued another loud 'ding' and reverted back to the other end of the page.

Boy I love my job.

Working at one of the most refined trade centers was quite an honor, and even the pay was good! Sure, sometimes it was a bit eerie when the screams carried to entrance where he was stationed, but Houjo didn't pay attention to it for long. His job was to make sure that any future clients were comfortable, and he strived to do the best at his job. A tinkling of a bell grabbed his attention, but when he faced the front door he was suddenly struck speechless. A…An angel!

Dressed in a simple but vibrant green sun dress, a stunning young woman entered the room with another woman in tow. Silky black tresses hung freely, stopping just at the end of her shoulder blades. Thick eyelashes framed dark blue eyes that slowly roved as her pink lips pursed in contemplation. Her pale skin looked as soft as the petals of her daisy hair clip, creamy in color. She walked with light, precise steps and Houjo gulped as her hips swayed and caused the dress to flutter pleasantly around her mile long legs. Houjo felt his heart rise to his throat and felt his ears burn when she locked eyes with his, a tiny smile rising to her delicate mouth.

"Hello, um... Houjo-san." Almost melting at the sound of her voice, he snapped out of his stupor and gave her his brightest smile.

I really so love this job.

Kagome almost cringed at the overly bright smile the man was offering her, and wondered how he could look so happy when he worked at a place like this.

"Good day Miss! Welcome to Youkai Trade Center! I am Akitoki Houjo and your most humble servant. Is there any refreshment I can fetch for you? Some water, coffee, or wheat grass juice perhaps? It's very healthy, you know." Kagome's eyes widened slightly as he took her hand in his and gazed at her like she was a goddess. Ok…this guy is a tad too eager to please. And Sango-chan snickering isn't helping any! Tugging her hand out of his grip, she discreetly wiped her hand on her dress while Houjo waited on pins and needles for her reply.

"Um no thank you Houjo-san, I'm just here to… buy a servant." Completely missing the venom in her voice as she spoke the last few words, Houjo whipped back to his desk to pick up a stack of papers and answered; " Of course how stupid of me! May have your name Miss?"

Kagome fussed with the hem of her dressed and mumbled out her name, almost making Houjo sigh at her cuteness. Kagome Higarashi-hime. Such a wonderful name. Fishing out her paper, his eyes widened a fraction at the amount of money on the slip. Wow, she must be a very famous person to afford this much. She could afford any demons we have and then some! After calling up an escort to show Kagome and her companion through the showing quarters, he produced a nametag that gave Kagome authorization to buy any demon she wanted. Kagome frowned as he made his intention to pin the nametag on her himself, but breathed easy when Sango's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.

"I believe Higarashi-sama can do that herself, Houjo-san." Gulping slightly at the guard's glare and icy statement, he quickly withdrew his hand and handed Sango the tag with rushed apologies. Kagome waved off his stuttering as she placed the object over her left breast. Suddenly the attention of the three was drawn to the right side of Houjo's desk as the door opened to reveal a scruffy human male in a uniform similar to a policeman, but with some attached armor pieces that made him look bigger than he was.

"You called Houjo?" Kagome nearly flinched back as his gaze racked over her body and felt Sango inch closer to her side protectively. The man gave her no comfort and practically oozed an aura of cruelty, his voice sounding breezy and bored. Kagome knew the instant she met his eyes that she didn't like this man. Not one bit.

"Ah Kito-san! Yes, Higarashi-hime wishes to buy a slave. Please show her the best demons we have to offer." Kagome nearly sputtered at the 'hime' suffix added to her name but was distracted when Kito stared just a little too long at the tag above her breast. Smirking as he met Kagome's furious stare, the escort merely offered, "Try not to get lost girly. The money your daddy packing won't save you once to enter the cells and you pose as a temping snack." Cackling at Kagome's stunned face and Sango's maddened growl, Kito entered back through the door he came from. Biting back the retort she knew her Mama would scold her for, Kagome straightened her shoulders and followed him into the belly of the beast with Sango at her heels.

Yay! Finally a chapter that I'm happy with the length! I'm quite pleased with this one and how I wrote Houjo, and Shippo. They may seem a bit OCC but given the situation they're both in, I think anyone would expect them to be a tad different. And coming next chapter is the awaited meeting of Inuyasha and Kagome! Fyi to readers unfamiliar to japanese words, 'hime' means princess, so when Houjo calls Kagome ' Higarahi-hime' he means Princess Higarashi.

Please review

NokaNinja