10.17.02

DISCLAIMER: Sesshoumaru, Kagome and the world of Inuyasha are the creations of Takahashi Rumiko and are not owned by me.

WARNING: This fic is rated PG13 for obvious reasons: sexual reference and provocative scenes. If you feel offended by materials as such, or you are underage or watever...PLEASE STOP HERE. Of course i'm still testing the waters at this stage, tell me what you think about so far, ne?? I want to portray Sesshoumaru as a highly sensual character, often using sexuality as a tool to get what he wants. Some of you might not be used to that in Sesshoumaru, (I'm thoroughly enjoying this 'horny bastard' however =D) so you have been warned ^_________^ On the same note, if you feel that you will not enjoy reading Sesshoumaru who's like this, PLEASE STOP HERE AS WELL. As much as i enjoy reading constructive criticisms, I do not like it much when people tell me to change a very major part of my story to suit their own likings. This is my story afterall, so please respect that = )

**Yayy! i love reading all of your reviews!!They really encourage me alot =D But i hope you ppl will give me more feedback as well, say...how i could improve my storyline, my writing, and my characters! Are they out of character? In character? Boring???Let me noe please ^___________^ **

*note: added in two sections which might help clear things up a little! (press the refresh button if u dont see nething new) Do look them up. Thanks!!* **


Hakuyoukai - white demon aka Sesshoumaru. This is his Yakuza nickname, in case i haven't made it clear enough =

Yakuza - literally, ya=8 ku=9 za=3. The Japanese mafia.

Oyabun - 'Father' of a Yakuza clan. The highest in command second to none.

Shinjuku - a large city in Japan which is famous for its shopping and business district.

Kabukicho - located on the north eastern part of Shinjuku, the 'red-light district' of the area where the crime rate is one of the highest.

-YAKUZA-
By: cacat-angel

In the very heart of Shinjuku, lies Kabukicho, the famous red-light district. Where neon-lights blink furiously, screaming for attention as equally neon-haired teenagers, decked in the highest fashion prowl the streets in search of the latest entertainment. Where blasting music fills the background, and the high-pitched giggles and delighted shrieks of young women pierce the air in mock protest against groping businessmen, even as the 'victims' shove wads of dollar notes coyly into their designer tote bags.

And this, is a place where your best friend could be stabbed in front of your very eyes.

Sex.

Money.

Blood.

The perfect playground for the Yakuza.

***

chapter 3: Kabukicho

Blue and red lights danced around in the dimly lit office, shining in through the glass wall behind him. Yoshi and Hitaki stood beside him as always, two stoic blocks of living, breathing wood, ever ready for operation with a flick of his fingers. Batteries each sold seperately.

Sesshoumaru rested his chin above his fingers as he regarded her silently. The foolish boy's sister. Another idiot, no doubt. Oh sure, she was here to save her pathetic younger brother from his clutches. Play the role of the heroine, brave, sacrificial, honorable. Honorable. How he disliked that word. Little miss goody-two-shoes. He watched her little face as it paled and her pretty features scrunched together with what seemed like worry, raven black locks tumbling around her...outfit. He watched as that heart-shaped face brightened up suddenly. Hope. A word which only the weak believed in. They had to, what other choice did they have? His golden eyes narrowed and clouded.

Nervously, Kagome Higurashi shifted under the man's intense gaze, a funny, tingling sensation coursing through her entire body. It was unnerving, to say the least. The way he looked at her. His expression was unreadable. Amiable? No...angry? Doesn't seem like it. Not that she was one with an eye for these things. She shifted her attention back to Souta instead.

He hadn't gotten up. And she understood why. Kneeling. It symbolised apology, immense regret. And yet, his back was straight. proud. Tightening her lips grimly, she looked up at those hooded gold eyes once again.

She cleared her throat. "My name is Kagome Higurashi. I...I came here to...to make up for whatever my brother Souta has done wrong. Please accept my apology on his behalf." That said, she bowed respectfully, her hair falling around her shoulders. "And please, let me receive due punishment in place of my brother."

If she had been looking, she woud have seen Souta's back stiffen instantaneously, fingernails clawing instinctively into the cold marble floor. If she had been near, she could even have sensed the sudden surge of panic in him, felt him fight back the urge to stand up and grab her and run for their bloody lives.

But as it was, Kagome had her eyes glued onto the ground, blissfully unaware of the deathwish she had just made.

And with that, her fate was sealed.

***

Kagome took one last look at Souta before he was roughly shoved out of the office by Jaken. The heavy, oakwood door shut behind him, cutting off all sounds from outside. Gaze lingering at the door, she wiped the moisture that had formed in her eyes. The shock from just a few moments ago was still fresh in her mind, when one of those henchmen - the greenish looking one - motioned for him to stand. His face, bruised, battered...oh Kami...her heart wrenched now, even thinking about it. But no matter, he was safe now.

It took all her willpower to squeeze out that tiny smile and turn to face her new boss. The strange white-haired one. Abstractedly, she wondered what was with his hair. But that would have to be left for later to think about, she supposed. She had more important things on hand to question.

"Ano..."

"Hakuyoukai," the man replied, and Kagome took an involuntary step backward even though his tone was gentle. What kind of name was that? There was just something about this guy which creeped her out. Sure, he didn't seem scary or anything like she had expected, but there was just something...sinister about him. Chewing on her lower lip, she nodded jauntily, folding then unfolding her hands in front of her. She finally settled for clasping them together behind her back.

"Hakuyoukai-san..." Could she call him that? "Is there anything that you would...you know, want me to do now?" She shifted and tugged awkwardly at her pajamas. Kami, she couldn't wait to get out of these damned things! As if barging into this place wasn't disgraceful enough as it were. And she had to be wearing pink pajamas.

A low cough startled her from her musing. She flushed, embarassed at having forgotten his presence. She looked up uncertainly at Hakuyoukai. So this was her new employer now huh. Mentally, she ticked off what she would be able to do here. Washing dishes, glasses, she could handle, if she didn't break a few by accident. Clearing tables, probably. What else?

Hakuyoukai said nothing, but leaned back against his luxurious arm chair, pulling at his grey tie slowly until it came loose. The top of his white shirt fell open, revealing defined collarbones underneath. "What did you think you would be doing here?" He asked, his voice strangely soft and husky.

Kagome swallowed. "I suppose...cleaning up the place? I'm having spring break now, so I can stay for longer hours. Just need to get home to - " She stopped short when Hakuyoukai rubbed his forehead with his thumb and let off a low chuckle. What? Had she said something wrong?

He looked up and leaned forward, staring at her directly in the eye. "You didn't think that was up to you to decide, did you?"

"I...but I...what were you - "

His lips pulled up in a slight smile, but his eyes were cold, emotionless. "You'll be putting up a special performance tonight, for my guests." He stood up suddenly, pushing back his arm-chair. Yoshi and Hitaki followed closely behind as he moved gracefully across the room towards her, stopping just a few inches away from her.

Kagome gasped, startled by his sudden closeness. She wanted to move back but something inside her froze and rendered her immobile. Gently, he stroked the side of her face with his right hand, then bowed down till his lips were right next to her ear. His breath was warm, and it tickled her. "Get ready." It was a soft whisper, almost a caress, but it sent a chill down her spine.

***

She was sitting on the couch in the office when Jaken entered. Wordlessly, he grabbed Kagome by the arm and half dragged her out of the room. She bit back a cross response, determined to keep her cool.

The nightclub was noisier than she remembered, smokier. She dodged hastily when a leering man suddenly brushed close her. Jaken didn't make much of a guide anyway. And just where was this...toady...Jaken taking her to?

Her question was answered all too soon, as Jaken towed her towards a clearing, admist a silently awaiting crowd, with Hakuyoukai standing right in the center.

***


Her mind was numb, functionless. He could feel it as he held her in his arms. She was motionless. Stage fright probably. He held back a snigger as resumed his job.

As Sesshoumaru undid her buttons one by one, revealing generously rounded curves that she had kept well concealed within that ridiculous pink thing, he flicked a quick glance at the boisterous audience, which was growing louder by the minute. He paused, then started to remove his own white shirt, dropping it on the ground as he pressed his body against her damp back. Swiftly, he undid the final button and threw open her shirt before embracing her almost tenderly with his left arm wrapped around her breasts. The crowd went wild.

He leaned forward, inhaling the sweet, heady scent of fear exuding from her and nuzzled her black hair with his nose.

"Kagome..." It was a low, husky whisper amongst the taunting cries and obnoxious whistles in the audience and some foreign dance-music, pounding to the beat of his heart; a whisper only she herself could make out.

The only thing registered in her mind at that instant was his hypnotic voice as he whispered her name, and the thick, muscular arm that was pressed against her naked breasts. Her soft mounds lifted and fell as her breathing grew harsher, swelling proudly against his iron lock with each breath. Her frozen eyes were drawn irresistably to the masculine curve of his pale arm as it squeezed against her breasts. She was like a child who looked on in awe and fear at the forbidden. It was strange. The feeling of his hard, smooth arm over her two soft mounds, rubbing tenderly against her hardening nipples, was awakening something within her.

And...she hated it. Detested it!

Biting her lower lip almost hard enough to draw blood, she jerked her head to look down at the ground, snapping out of the dreamlike trance she had been in ever since just now. The full impact of shame finally dawning upon her. She was standing, topless in front of a room full of leering strangers, with a man touching her breasts.

Her face flushed as tears welled up behind her eyes, hot and threatening to burst out at any moment. And yet she refused to yield to them. She was shamed, disgraced. But she had to keep her part of the contract. She had no choice, Souta's life depended on it. These babarians could hoot and call out disgusting words all they wanted, laugh their mad, murderous laughs, stare at her body greedily as if it were some piece of tender meat at a market. She certainly had no say over that matter.

No.

They could humiliate her, but they would not see her cry. The remaining smatterings of her pride disallowed that. Souta...this is for you. As for Okasan...please do not hate me...for staining our family name.

Proudly, she held up her head high.

***


Souta stared blankly at the crumpled piece of paper he held in his blood stained hands. The piece of paper which had just saved his useless life. The piece of paper which he had used to sell his oneechan's innocence. And he couuldn't do a single damned thing about it.

He remembered his oneechan's eyes, pleading silently as he had grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

Lifeless eyes read and re-read the tiny, neat handwriting printed with such care upon the paper. It was a photostated copy for him to keep, a hot iron seal which had been branded into his heart.

"I, Kagome Higurashi, hereby pledge that, in exchange for Souta Higurashi's freedom, three months of my life will be given up to the ICE nightclub. This, I promise of my own free will and accord.

My word shall be held against me and should I fail to comply, ICE will reserve the rights to - "

He crushed the paper and hurled it towards the floor with all his might, squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth together in anger and pain. A choked sob, then another, and another escaped from him until his whole body shook uncontrollably.

She didn't even realise the full extent of what she had just done, didn't she. Well it was probably too late now. The Yakuza had staked their claim, and there was nothing he could do.

Why did things end up this way...Oneechan, you...asshole! Why must you suffer for me?!

***

The cab driver looked at the young man from the mirror suspiciously, his eyes softening only when he heard the ragged sobs.

That made two customers who were from same area this night. The pretty young thing earlier on, and now this pitiful fella. Beaten up to a bloody pulp and crying. He wondered was happening to the other lass, the one with the pink pajamas. Would she end up like this unfortunate young man? Or...worse? Clamping his hands onto the steering wheel, the cabby shivered.

Kabukicho was a city of the devil, indeed.


-end chapter 3-

-Reviews Corner-

[Karienta] - my gettin a little territorial aren't we =D

[Bast] - hehe thank you! that is one of the biggest pleasures an authoress could have, not to mention the biggest - having her audience hooked! o_______o

[atashi] - sorry bout dat i was writing this at four am and i wasn't exactly in the right shape of mind =D neway i changed it to oneechan, yes its necessary cos i was trying to show that despite how souta's became, he still treats kagome with due respect as an older sister, and he's still close to her like he used to be ^__^

[Blue Angel] - Another lovely lovely insightful comment of yours! I am thrilled ^.^ But please, feel free to blast me!! i'm all ears!

[JustAnotherPerson] - WOOwiiee that was just what i needed! Luv ya ^ ^ and yes i've read tamysan's fics = they're great!!!!!!

[DemonBlade] - agony fan huh =____= well it was slightly more 'angsty' than i what had initially intended it to be, but if the audience likes it, than angsty it shall be : )

[Dark star] - phew...i hoped it would be realistic, (angsty or not -_-;)
'ahem'...it seems like i have COMPLETELY left poor inuyasha out of all my fics huh?? me bad me bad...*hastily kowtows to inuyasha fans* actually i'm planning for him to be a supporting role, so he'll pop up in due coures = and mm...it will, more or less, revolve around kagome's life in Kabuchiko, but who noes what might happen in the future ^___^

[Bast] - hey glad to noe that i managed to surprise u! its always great when a fic evokes some kinda reaction from its readers other than um...boredom?

[ferretbaby] - u must be able to read my mind! i mean, yea, i want a love story that's crudely sexual and 'imperfect'...i'm glad you think of it that way ^___^ dick tracy?? LOL yea you're right! it does remind me of that!!! ekekekekk *grinz madly*

[voldersnort] - hey, i haven't read any of your fics, but ur pointers r welcome netime and would be greatly appreciated!! my arms (and ears) r wide open 24/7. don't be afraid to uh hurt my rather useless little ego lol =D

[Gravidy] - *flings herself wildly in front of Sesshoumaru* NooOOoOOo dont harm him PLEEEAASSEE!!!!!!!!! SHOOT ME!! ME!!!! ehh...hehe ^___^ i'm nuts.

[blank] - *gulps* that's the third death threat i've received already...*scoots behind computer*

[atashi] - lol i SO understand how you feel actually. I'm very picky about mandarin as well! (my ancestors would scorn me if i weren't -.-;) and i did think it would be highly unlikely to be seduced under such scary circumstances too o____o; and thank you for your compliments : )

As for the rest of you reviewers, thank you sooo very much for your wonderful comments!! here's a biiiig kiss for ya all! *SMMMUUUAHH!!*