Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Tamora Pierce! ^^ But Ms. Pierce herself owns the Immortals, Alanna, Circle of Magic, and Protector of the Small series. This fic is an AU set in the Yamani Islands, and the influence is taken mainly from P.O.T.S., so don't sue me and enjoy!





"Looka over here, sirs, looka over here! Fresh new slaves brough' in from the Copper Isles and Carthak! Looka over here!"

Crown Prince Watakushi Hyotaro eyed the slaver with contempt, wrinkling his nose as the people crowded in closer to see. A crooked line of female slaves was jerked along by their chains to the front of the podium, dressed in fine silks that were expensive yet revealing. Male lords and barons gathered in the marketplace to look over the women and girls, choosing some as gifts for young sons or pleasure wives for themselves. Taro shook his head in absolute disbelief, wondering how his father could allow slavery in the Yamani Islands. He knew Watakushi had a harem at the palace, but he had never been to visit, though the advisors had encouraged him to do so. Soon he would have to pick his empress, though the thought that one day he would be married to a virgin slave disgusted him. Why couldn't he marry a free woman? Why did they have slaves at all? Taro knew it had something to do with economy, but he had never paid much attention in his lessons. Now, at 15 years old, he wished he had listened a bit more closely to the history of his kingdom.

"Rinko, let's go, we have no business here anyways," the prince muttered to his ban'nin (guard). The burly man tugged at his beard and shifted his yari (spear.)

"If you say so, Heika, (Highness) but your father told me to make sure you picked a slave."

Taro sighed in frustration. "What kind of birthday gift is this? I don't WANT a slave, I've told him that many many times! What would I use her for?"

Rinko gave him a look that said exactly what he was supposed to use her for and shook his head. "I know you don't want one, Taro-sama, but your father will be most displeased if you return to the palace empty- handed."

Taro stifled another sigh. Being the heir to an empire was so demanding! "Allright, allright, I'll pick one. But she will NOT be that kind of slave, and no one is allowed to touch her in the harem."

Rinko looked doubtful. "Begging your pardon, Heika, but she'd have to be pretty ugly."

Taro smiled.



She had been standing on the podium for half an hour, half-hidden behind a taller woman. She would have preferred to stand in the back, but the slaver had dragged and chained her up front, where every hentai (perverted) man could view her as potential property. Her blue silk skirt rustled as she shifted her small weight to the other leg. She wished desperately that she could cross her arms over her scantily clad chest, but her hands were chained in front of her, leaving her helpless to anyone who came to inspect her. Three men already had looked her over, but they refused to pay such the high price. She lifted her chin proudly. Of course a slave with such a proper background would be expensive! Her second thought was dismal enough to slump her shoulders in despair. If I have such a proper background, why did otousan (father) sell me into slavery? The young woman blinked back tears and kept her head held high, wary of letting the crowd know her fear. She was a fighter, and no amount of humiliation was going to break HER spirit!

Sorry this chapter is so short, but I just wanted to test this fic here. Do you guys like it so far? Do you think it's a good idea? Please review, because I'm excited about writing my first T.P. fanfiction, since I've only done anime before. Thank you!