The Imprisoned Heart
by
Firebird Phoenix
Chapter IV
Akago cut the twentieth lash across InuYasha's back, InuYasha had given Akago what he wanted, crying out with each lashing, but it only fed into Akago ferocity more, whipping InuYasha harder and faster. A servant approached Akago nervously waiting for the young Lord to notice him before he dared speak.
"What is it, can't you see I'm busy." Barked Akago, the servant gulped his body shaking.
"O-Orders from Lord Naraku, he has given the half-demon slave to the Lady Kagome, he is to be removed from the post and immediately taken to her quarters." Akago narrowed his eyes, throwing the whip to the ground and storming off to see his father, the servant ducked as Lord Akago passed by thankful he didn't take his anger out on him. The Servant helped InuYasha down attaching the metal collar around his throat, the Beads of Subjugation finely releasing their two-day hold around his throat. InuYasha was lead to a large sitting room in the west wing of the castle he fell to his knees staring down to the floor.
"This is the half-demon slave InuYasha. The Lord Naraku has given him to you to be your personal slave and protector, the Enchanted Beads work only to your commands and can be released only by you."
"Released, what do you mean?"
"If he ever tries to harm you or is within two leagues distance from you the beads will retract around his throat and release spiritual energy into his body that can only be released by you, also if you utter the command Sit the beads will pull him to the ground. This slave also has many... other skills that can help warm your bed at night. Good-Day my Lady." Lady Kagome stiffened tightening her fist, The servant bowed to Kagome hiding his mischievous smile then left, InuYasha chanced a glance at the Lady Kagome he was right, she wasn't the woman from last night. His heart dropped a bit, part of him hoped he would be to have a kind master not one that would hurt him for sport.
'That woman was she real... No, she couldn't be real she was just an illusion.' InuYasha kept his eyes cast down as she stood before him. Her scent was intoxicating, a mixture of flowers and cool night air. Kagome studied him, she hoped they would clean him up and dress him in the clothes she'd chosen, but as she expected they delivered the clothes to her and brought him to her filthy most likely straight from the post.
"InuYasha there is water and a change of clothes in the small room at the end of the hall, go clean yourself up, once you are done I need to go into the forest."
"Yes Mistress." Said InuYasha submissively, Kagome waited but he hadn't moved puzzled but not wanting to ask him why, she studied him, dirty, bruised, dressed in rags, with the Enchanted beads hanging loose around his throat and a collar and chain, cluing in Kagome removed the collar. InuYasha stood without a word walking down the hall his shoulders slumped and eyes cast down, Kagome's heart ached as she watched him, his golden eyes showed a spark that he had once known freedom, to run wild in the forest, but his Masters had beaten most of it out of him, she hoped part of the Spark survived.
InuYasha got out from the wooden tub after his long bath, an actual warm bath. He'd enjoyed it so much he waited for the water to go cold before he got out. He hadn't even bothered to look at the clothes Lady Kagome had left for him when he finely unwrapped them his heart leapt to his throat. The robe of the Fire Rat, the clothes his mother gave him, his previous masters' allowed him to keep the robe but Lord Naraku took the robe the moment he arrived. He held the robe close breathing deeply, he could still smell his mother's scent faintly, almost non-existent. InuYasha doubted the Lady Kagome did this knowingly, but inwardly he thanked her, dried and dressed InuYasha headed to the living room unable to hide his smile. InuYasha dropped to his knees waiting for Lady Kagome to notice him without looking up from her embroidery she said.
"The robe suits you, almost as if it was made for you." InuYasha eyes widened forgetting his place he looked up and for a moment, he saw the woman who aided him on the night of the new moon her long white hair fell down her back, sparking ice blue eyes watched him, then she was gone, replaced by the Lady Kagome. InuYasha's heart dropped, he couldn't get the woman out of his mind she'd haunted his dreams. Remembering his place InuYasha cast his eyes down, Kagome glanced over at InuYasha his silvery bangs hiding his eyes, she was slightly disappointed. She had truly hoped he would have more spirit, that returning his robe would draw it out, but obviously, she was wrong.
End Chapter