Geboku
A Gensoumaden Saiyuuki AU fic
seikazu aisenai
Kazuya Minekura, etc. own Saiyuuki. Any misuse of the characters of the said series was just for the perverse enjoyment of the one who came up with this "idea."
Gensoumaden Saiyuuki in itself has no definite timeline in real time, ne? This fic is more so since I have that right in an AU.:p
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Scrawl One
Acquisition
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"Are you looking for a slave?"
The voice startled me from my reverie. "No, I'm just looking for a place to stay the night." I looked back at an obvious resident of the village.
"Oh, then come right in. I thought you were one of many of who wanted to view the auction. Most of our customers are leaving right after the event."
My curious mind must have transferred my expression into a questioning look, which encouraged the evident proprietor to tell more as we entered the inn.
"The weary traveler does not know what our lodging is famous for? Every 13th of the month, we hold an auction for slaves. People from all over the realm come to purchase their slaves here. We have every kind that one would ever want, name it and we have it."
"So, is this an authorized sale? Once you buy one, you have full control over that person?" I didn't even know that this place existed, let alone the rules that governed the town. If I hadn't decided to make a brief stop before I proceeded home, I wouldn't have stumbled upon this place.
"Of course, it's legal! We won't have any dreadful business tarnishing our community, small as it is." We reached the bar, the usual stools flanking its front. Perpendicular to it was the stage, with tables scattered around the remaining space. "On the other hand, we don't actually get the slaves, they were all delivered. We only deal with their previous owners."
The crowd was already humming with anticipation.
"Just enjoy the show. Treat yourself a drink."
I nodded and took a seat. I couldn't wait for them to begin. So that they could finish it already.
"Holler if you need anything." He started for the door beside the end of the bar.
A flash of red caught my attention. "Wait." It disappeared toward the entry the innkeeper was heading for. "Can I take a look at them?"
The dark eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
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The backstage proved to be a zoo of hectic preparations.
"What specifications did you have in mind?"
I could almost hear the wheels in his mind clicking into place, another customer equals more money. "I don't have anything in particular—" There, that same patch of scarlet. The crowd shifted once again, making me lose my sight of my target. Slaves being pulled by their handlers, owners negotiating with clients, guards ushering unwanted visitors out the door, all in the space of minutes inside the room.
"I thought I heard you say that this was an auction?" My eyes trained pointedly at the sight of a trade right in front of us.
"It is. Only special customers are allowed here."
"That means we get to pick whoever we want?"
"Exactly." He motioned to one of the slave handlers. "Show our kind guest a nice variety of our selection." The handler bowed and proceeded to do as she was told. I followed her as she gestured and introduced every available one until I had located my goal.
Crimson eyes regarded me with fierce animosity.
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"It's him that I want." The shackles rattled loudly, apparently protesting the announcement.
"Sir, you haven't even glanced at the other ones." The innkeeper obviously was discouraging me from purchasing the flame-haired youkai.
"I've already decided. It's my money."
"But sir, he's an extremely violent youkai. His previous owner was more than willing to accept less than half of the usual price just to get rid of him."
"It doesn't matter. I'll take him. Take off his chains."
"But—"
"No buts. Unhand him already."
"And book us a room for two. Prepare warm baths." I flashed my gold credit card. "Now."
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We were given a spacious area on the third floor. Businessmen were all the same, they catered to your every whim as long as you had the greens. Or the credit card, for that matter. We were escorted by a guard, the fire-eyed youkai still bound by chains. The innkeeper had finally settled on a lofty price and a compromise that the slave will only be untied within my closed quarters.
"You can go now," I told the guard after we entered the threshold.
The guard handed me the keys, mixed pity and admiration in his eyes. I closed the door after he left.
I approached the chained figure standing at the middle of the room. He went still then started acting like a caged animal, baring his fangs and growling at me. I ignored his behavior and evaded all his attacks.
His growling went louder and his strikes became faster that he was able to solidly hit me once in the gut. It knocked the wind out of me and startled him into immobility. I continued to gasp from the lack of air and the pain of having a couple of internal organs become slightly rearranged without your consent. My left arm held onto my stomach, my right arm, the keys, as I tried to stand up. With much effort, I was able to reach him yet I remained silent except for the heavy breathing.
Wild eyes stared at me and he backed away while I countered his each step with one of mine. He bumped into the end of the bed, surprise making him sit down on it. "Don't come any closer!" His voice was a shouted whisper.
"You do know how to speak." I disobeyed his request, which made him struggle against my objective. "Hold still! I won't be able to take off those chains if you keep on moving about!"
He acquiesced with distrustful eyes, watching me as if I would pounce on him any second. It took me a while to remove the odious shackles, proof of mistreatment branded on his skin made me distracted. Especially the two scars below his left eye. 'What could you have gone through..?'
"What?! You're just itching to add to these?!" He traced the wounds on his forearms. "I didn't figure you for the S&M type when I caught a glimpse of you earlier." His tone hinted an underlying bitterness at his fate. "Why, you're more of a bijin than I could ever be!"
Something suddenly lurched from my middle then went up and gripped my chest in its tight hold.
"Ha! Don't look at me if I were some charity case! I can fend for myself."
"Yeah and look where it's gotten you." Regret clearly seized pain's position in response to my own outburst as he assumed his defeat in our battle of words and glares.
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Yay! I finished the first part!^_^
04/16/2003
