"From the deepest despair to new found hope"

by Hentai Jane

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or pop tarts.

WARNING: SOME MILD LANGUAGE. Does anyone think I should increase the rating to R due to language and future mild lime content?

CHAPTER 4

Morning rays of sun seeped through the cracks of washed out rain clouds looming in the sky. A lone figure in a oversized bed shifted as sunlight filtered through his window. Inuyasha yawned and stretched as his eyes focused to the now brighter room. His clock read 7:20 a.m.; it was time to get up. A new day awaited him and a journey that inspired both hope and dread. He stilled for a moment as a wave of anxiety swept through him.

He would have to look another person in the eyes today and decide if they were worthy of his purchase. It seemed so wrong to him, and Inuyasha wished he had never considered buying a slave. It was too late to change his mind. Inuyasha told Miroku that he would pick him up around 9:30 a.m.. He planned to pull up and honk the horn instead of going to the door. The last thing he needed was to face the wrath of Sango this morning.

Aside from the fact that he would "own" this person, he hoped to improve her life by giving her some freedom. He will let her go outside or take her shopping whenever she wanted. She could watch TV, go for walks, make friends of her own, in other words, do anything that a normal person would, as long as she cooked and cleaned for him. The thought of her happiness brought a smile to his face as he sat up in bed and looked around his messy room.

'I kind of feel sorry for her.' Inuyasha thought to himself, 'She has a lot of work ahead of her to get this place straightened up.' Shoes were thrown in a tall pile at the bottom of his walk-in closet while several overflowing hampers lined the east wall of the room. Inuyasha didn't bother washing his cloths, he just went and bought new ones. He figured it would be cheaper to buy more clothing than washing them and completely ruining an entire load of laundry. This point of view drew constant criticism from his friends, but when he asked them to wash his laundry, they quickly declined and changed the subject.

By 9:15 a.m., Inuyasha managed to get a shower, find a new outfit and grab a pop tart. He decided to stop by the nearest coffee shop for a quick jolt of caffeine before driving to Miroku's. 'I better get one for the lech too, this is going to be a long drive.'

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Sango sat on the edge of their bed, watching Miroku button his shirt. He was brave enough to glance at her from time to time, only to receive a sour look.

"What?!" he finally asked, not being able to stand her silent scrutiny.

"How can you ask me that Miroku? You try to look so innocent and uncaring, but don't forget what you are helping Inuyasha do!"

"Please Sango, I don't want to argue with you about this subject again. We discussed this last night."

"WE didn't discuss anything. Why are you defending Inuyasha? I know the type of man you are and I know you disapprove of slavery." Sango approached him, her hands balled into angry fists held by her sides.

Miroku lifted her hands and kissed her whitening knuckles, "I said it last night, and I will tell you again, I have a good feeling about Inuyasha's 'purchase'." He released her hands and leaned forward, giving her a quick kiss, "Do you trust me Sango?" Miroku asked in a soft voice.

Sango took a moment to look in her husband's blue eyes, "Yes." she admitted reluctantly.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

By this time, Sango had to look away. His face was pleading and eyes intense with emotion, "No." her voice was just above a whisper.

A loud car horn beeped twice, signaling Inuyasha's arrival.

Miroku turned, grabbing his wallet off their night stand, "Trust me and believe in me now Sango. And, please, don't be so hard on Inuyasha." His arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in the comforting warmth of a hug.

"Alright." Sango mumbled. She glanced out the bedroom door, toward the living room when she heard Inuyasha honk again. "Be careful, you know he drives like a maniac."

Miroku laughed and gave her one final squeeze as he headed for the door, "That's true my dear wife. I'll see you later!"

Inuyasha's hand was lingering above the horn, he was about to lay on it this time, but Miroku came out and headed for the passenger side.

"Good morning!" Miroku chirped happily. He took a moment to look around the spotless Escalade, "You know Inuyasha, for someone who can't clean a house, you certainly do know how to maintain a car."

"Yeah, well, everyone's good at somethin', right monk?"

Miroku smiled at his best friend knowing that the remark should have brought forth the hanyou's temper.

Miroku strained his mind to find something to talk about. After nearly thirty minutes of tense silence, he figured there was no sense of beating around the bush any longer, "So have you decided what kind of girl you want? Hmm... maybe big busted with long legs? Blonde or brunette?"

Inuyasha chocked on his coffee, sputtering and swearing in between coughs.

"Don't tell me you haven't given it any consideration?!" Miroku asked, raising a surprised eyebrow.

"No!?"Inuyasha shouted, "I told you before, I don't give a damn about all that as long as she can cook and clean!!"a deep red blush colored the hanyou's cheeks as he focused on the road. He refused to look at Miroku, even for a second.

A deep chuckle sounded from beside the hanyou. "I'm sure you'll change your mind after you see the selection." Miroku patted his friends shoulder, "Naraku is the top seller you know."

"Feh! Will you stop reminding me already, I'm nervous enough! It just seems like no matter who I choose for whatever reason, I'm going to be viewed as a pervert, like you!"

Miroku clasped the front of his shirt, directly over his heart, "Inuyasha, that deeply offends me. I, after all, am a faithfully married man who looks at no other woman beside my lovely wife."

"Bullshit." Inuyasha said in a playful tone of voice, "Your wandering eyes lock onto every tight ass that walks by. But, I do have to give you some small amount of credit. At least you don't grope women anymore."

"Who ever said there was anything wrong with looking?" Miroku shrugged as he took in the peaceful country side from the car window.

Inuyasha laughed at the nonchalant tone of Miroku's voice.

"Besides," Mirouku paused before continuing, "I was starting to fear serious bodily harm, not only from Sango, but from every woman my hands came in contact with. Being punched or slapped is one thing. Stun guns and pepper spray are a whole new ball of wax my friend!"

That got a loud rise from Inuyasha. He recalled several occasions during college where Miroku would run to their dorm room, locking the door and pressing his ear against it to hear any noise on the other side. The sound of angry women yelling out for the hidden man didn't surprise Inuyasha in the least. Miroku would wait until all was quiet again before relaxing and slumping against the wooden door. "They love me." he would tell Inuyasha with a lecherous grin.

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Kagome shivered from the cold damp clothing that clung to her chilled skin. Naraku brought her back to her cage around 8 a.m. Usually, by 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning, customers started to arrive. He didn't want them to see some dirty, disgusting looking girl chained up out back. Naraku made sure to give her one more slap, splitting her lip, before he warned her to stay quiet when his customers arrived.

Most of the men who arrived there drove fancy new cars that screamed 'I'm rich!' to everyone around them. Her owner liked that type; it meant good sales and lots of cash. Of course, the times she did get to see prospective owners of the additional slave girls, were some what rare. The only time Kagome caught sight of them was when Naraku demanded that she cook him a meal. The large kitchen windows allowed her a brief glimpse of the men as they walked to the back entrance. Through that door was a narrow staircase leading down to the slave cells.

The underground holding area was huge. It held the total of twenty 10x10 cells along with three bathrooms, a kitchen, one supply room and a small laundry room. Each cell had two blankets, one pillow and a bucket incase you had to 'go' and there was noone to take you to the washroom.

Only six of the cells were filled at this time. Naraku had sold quite a few girls that month and Kagome could tell by his arrogant strut that he was pleased with the profits.

Kagome tried to look out from under the dark blanket that was carelessly thrown over her cage. She was not as fortunate to have a cell like the other girls did. Instead, Naraku saw fit to keep her in a large dog cage. Most of her day was spent laying on her sides, knees drawn close to her chest and arms tucked in close. If she did try to sit up, her head would bump the cold metal top of the cage, but at least it gave her a little chance to move around.

A deep, rumbling cough sounded in the near silent prison as Kagome grasped her rib's. Her arms circled her upper body hoping to relieve some of the pain the cough inflicted. From spending the night in the freezing rain, her body felt warmer than usual and her chest ached from a feeling that could only be described as constricting. Each breath was painful, feeling like fire rushing through her lungs.

Sickness brought many unwelcome memories of her life as a child. Naraku didn't care when she was ill. He refused to bring a doctor, even when her fevers spiked at 103. How many times had she wished that her mom was there to comfort her, she could not count.

As she lay, staring at nothing in particular, a haze of sleep started to fall over her exhausted mind. Kagome prayed for the millionth time since she entered this hell hole, that she would die and join her family. Death had to be better than a life like this.

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The black escalade pulled into town around 3:30 p.m. It was a quaint town with a few larger buildings marked as a bank, a community health clinic and a small 'mom and pop' grocery store. The houses looked cozy, nestled into the hillsides with their rolling lush green lawns and sprawling flower beds.

"We made good time." Miroku said after wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"It would have been better if we didn't have to stop FOUR times to get you something to eat!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

"What can I say?" Miroku shrugged, "I'm a growing boy."

"Feh! I don't know how Sango stands you. She must have the patience of a saint." Inuyasha liked to tease Miroku, but he never understood how a guy who ate so much managed to stay in shape.

"Stopping by the road side stands and shops is the best part of traveling my friend."

"Whatever." Inyasha grumbled, "Let's just get this over with."

They opened the car door and stepped out on the paved driveway of the slave house. There were no signs stating that this two story country home was anything other than a place where children played or one held family picnics. Naraku's business was advertised by word of mouth from many satisfied customers. Actually, it looked more like a fancy bed and breakfast. Looks can be deceiving. From what smells Inuyasha's nose was picking up, looks can also be a down right lie.

As they approached the front door, the scent of blood, sex, filth, sickness and fear assaulted his senses. He shivered, suddenly wanting to run back to the car and hit the gas pedal as hard as possible. Inuyasha didn't realize his pace fell behind his friends until a tug at his arm brought his attention to Miroku, "Are you alright Inuyasha?"

"Huh?........Yeah, fine."

Miroku looked at the house and back to the hanyou. "Do you want to turn back?"

Inuyasha pondered the question for a moment. He felt confused. Part of him was yelling 'RUN!' while another side told him to go and find out what kind of monster this Naraku person was.

"No." Inuyasha walked past Miroku, not bothering to explain his uneasiness.

Inuyasha knocked on the door. A few minutes passed, until a pretty women with black hair tied in a loose bun, and a decorative fan in her hand, peeked through the glass panes of the door. "May I hep you?" she asked.

"Hi. I'm Inuyasha. I called Naraku about purchasing a slave."

Before he could say another word, she opened the door and waved them in, "Come this way gentlemen. Naraku has been awaiting your arrival. I am Kagura, Naraku's 'assistant'." Kagura closed the door and approached Miroku. She wore a form fitting black dress and swayed her hips as she looked him over, "You are certainly handsome." she purred, "Not that your friend with his sweet doggie ears isn't cute also, but you have the look of a man who knows how to please a woman." Kagura's tone was seductive as she tried to appear coy by fanning herself in slow, delicate motions and batting her eyes. "Tell me handsome, are you also here to pick out a slave? Naraku has a lovely variety, many of them make good bed mates."

Inuyasha stiffened as Miroku's eyes narrowed at the woman before him. "No, I am not here to buy a woman. I am a happily married man and have no interest in you or any other poor creature here." His tone was icy. Inuyasha thought for sure that hell had just froze over! Never, in all the years he had known Miroku, did he hear that tone of voice used with a woman, especially one as pretty as Kagura.

She didn't know when to give up. Kagura was about to saw something was when a voice interrupted her, "Kagura, you are here to welcome our customers, not harass them."

There was something about this man's voice that made you feel like ice water was being poured down your back. Inuyasha and Miroku glanced at each other, both feeling uncomfortable. Inuyasha sniffed the air. "Are you Naraku?"

"Yes, I am. I take it you are Inuyasha."

Inuyasha nodded his head, watching every move the man made. "Yeah, I'm Inuyasha. This is Miroku, a friend of mine. He came along for the drive."

Naraku turned asking them to follow. He led them to a small office with a bulky wooden desk in the center and a high back leather chair for himself to sit in. Two smaller matching leather chairs sat on the other side of the desk for guests. To Inuyasha, it was the slave dealers way of telling his clients that they were inferior to him. In this house of torment, he was the supreme ruler. This Naraku was more than a mere mortal, he was a hanyou too.

With a few more inconspicuous sniffs, Inuyasha settled in the uncomfortable chair next to Miroku.

Nearly black eyes observed Miroku for a second, "I heard you tell Kagura that you were not in the market for a slave."

"That is correct." Miroku responded.

Naraku grinned at him, "If you change your mind after seeing my girls, let me know. I'll cut you deal."

"No thanks. I am married-"

"Yes, I heard that too." Naraku stopped Miroku, pinning him with a stare, "Just keep an open mind." He looked to Inuyasha, growing tired of taunting the dark haired man. It was fun for a short time, but he sensed power from this Miroku person and decided it would be unwise to provoke him further. The power was one he had not felt for decades; it was that of a houshi. 'Hmm, a hanyou and a houshi...' Naraku thought, 'what an interesting choice of friends.'

"Are you aware of my prices Inuyasha?" Naraku watched him as he settled back into his chair.

"Word is that you're more expensive that most slave dealers." Inuyasha didn't like the cocky grin that plastered the hanyou's face.

"Very true, but, you get what you pay for. I sell each slave for at least $3000.00." Naraku pulled out a side drawer and withdrew a ring full of keys. Each key had a number painted on it. "Would you like to see what I have to offer? If you find a female you like, we'll come back to my office and get the paper work together." He dangled the key ring on his finger as he waited for Inuyasha's answer.

Inuyasha shrugged, trying to appear indifferent about the whole situation, "Lead the way."

Naraku led them out the back and down to a heavy wooden door with four large locks attached to its frame.

The basement air felt damp and heavy with a slight chill. "Um, how many women do you have?" Inuyasha asked nervously.

"At this time, only six. They are all beautiful and very well trained." Naraku answered.

'Trained?' Inuyasha wondered what he meant by that.

Naraku brought them to the first cell. Looking inside, Inuyasha and Miroku saw a red haired girl siting in the corner. She looked up at them, but quickly averted her eyes. They proceeded to look in a few more cells as Naraku read off each girls measurements and other attributes, like if she could dance, cook, sing or whatever talent she had. When Naraku mentioned their abilities in bed, Inuyasha almost gaged. How the hell did Naraku know all of this? When he sniffed at the girls, he instantly knew the answer to his own question. Naraku had bedded each of them.

That thought alone was disgusting, but the idea of having a girl in his home that forever smelled like Naraku was worse. It didn't matter how much she washed, his scent would always linger.

Their tour brought them near the end of hall, when Naraku's cell phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and glanced at the number, "Sorry for the interruption, but I have been waiting for this call." Naraku handed them the information sheets on each girl, "Take a look around and I'll be back soon."

He chatted on his phone as he climbed the steps leading out of the slave holding area. When Inuyasha was sure he was out of hearing range he turned to Miroku. "What a fucking dump! How could he keep these women here in such filthy conditions!? Aren't there laws to protect them, or at least give them some rights?"

Miroku shook his head as he looked into a cell where a girl no older than 14 sat on the floor. She looked cold and scared. "Unfortunately, the law doesn't stand behind them. A slave owner can treat them however they want, as long as they do not kill them. If they do kill a slave it is considered murder, but their jail time is drastically short compared to the murder of a free person." His voice was sad as he walked by the six cells, glancing in to see what poor creature was locked inside. All the girls were young, the oldest being 25. She was the same age as Miroku and Inuyasha, but she looked haggard and drawn. "Sango is right Inuyasha, this existence is terribly unfair."

Inuyasha gulped as another girl squirmed under his gaze, "I don't think I can do this."

Miroku turned to his white haired friend, "Do you want to leave?"

Inuyasha nodded and was about to follow Miroku to the stairs, when his ears picked up a sound similar to a whine. The noise sounded more human than animal and was followed by a "clink" sound of metal against metal.

"What was that sound?" Inuyasha asked, freezing in his tracks.

"What?" replied Miroku, "I didn't hear anything."

Inuyasha moved past the girls they had already viewed to a door on the back wall of the hallway.

"Wait." A voice called from behind. "Don't go in there!"

"Huh?" Inuyasha looked around to see who was speaking. Miroku walked over to one of the cells. It was a girl whose eyes barely reached the bottom of the cell window due to her small stature.

"Why can't we go in that room?" Miroku asked in a calm voice.

"I'm sorry," she replied, "I shouldn't have said anything." She instantly shrunk back, tucking herself in a corner beside the door where they could not see her.

"Please, don't be afraid of us. Tell us why we can't enter." Miroku nearly fell over from the soft tone of Inuyasha's voice. The usually gruff hanyou looked worried as he waited for the girl to speak again. "What's your name?"

She stood up, peering at the two strangers on the other side of the cell. "I'm Rin." she whispered.

"Hi Rin. I am Miroku and this is Inuyasha." She bowed to them.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Miroku barely heard her soft voice.

"Rin, what's in that room? I can smell blood." Inuyasha inquired.

"That's where Naraku keeps Kagome." Rin seemed to shrink back as she whispered her response.

"Who's Kagome?" Miroku asked.
"Naraku's owns her and beats her almost everyday. He asks her a lot of questions. But she never seems to have the right answers. It's horrible," Rin cringed, "the beatings go on for hours and he keeps her locked in a cage."

"A cage? That would explain the sound of metal." Inuyasha explained to Miroku.

"Come on before Naraku comes back." Miroku tugged in Inuyasha's arm.

Inuyasha pushed open the flimsy door marked "Storage Room" and instantly spotted a cage big enough for a large breed dog. It's metal edges peeked out form under a dirty blue tarp that was hastily thrown over the cage. The scent of fear, blood and illness was overpowering as Inuyasha lifted the covering enough to see a dazzling pair of blue eyes partially hidden by matted black hair starred back at him.

He was transfixed by their beauty and saddened by the fear and weakness he saw in them. Miroku stooped down, looking over Inuyasha's shoulder.

"My God." Miroku whispered. He watched as the girl curled into a tighter all, looking at them with wide frightened eyes. Her face and visible areas of skin on her arms were covered in black and blue marks. Some of the bruises looked older as fresh injuries overlapped them. Her lip was split and she had a deep cut on her cheek. The redness spreading from the wound showed infection.

Inuyasha found himself drawn to this woman for reasons he did not know or understand. What it sympathy he felt? Or perhaps the honorable need to correct this wrong? It didn't matter the reason, all he knew was this girl was coming home with him no matter what the price.

A deep felt sense of possessiveness rushed over his soul as he watched her. Inuyasha knew those eyes from the vision in his dream. She belonged with him, as more than a slave or caretaker, but as a friend and companion.

Rin heard the familiar squeek of the door opening, "Hey!" she tried to keep her voice down so Naraku wouldn't hear her. "Get out of there quick, he'll be so mad when.."

"Shut up Rin! I'll beat the shit out of you later for daring to speak to a customer! You have apparently forgotten your training." Naraku slammed his fist against the barred window of her cell.

Inuyasha and Miroku didn't hear her when she called out; they had been too distracted by Kagome's condition. They jumped at Naraku's outraged words.

"What the hell are you two doing in here!? No one is allowed in this room!" He reached out, pulling the tarp over the cage.

"What have you done to her?!" Inuyasha demanded.

"Kagome is a disobedient bitch. If I don't beat her, she forgets her place!" his chin was held high with pride.

'This monster has no shame.' Miroku thought as he watched Inuyasha and Naraku size each other up. "How much do you want for her?" Miroku asked, motioning to the cage.

It was enough to break the tension and draw Naraku's attention to the reason they came to him. "I want $12,000." Naraku demanded.

"$12,000 for a beat up sickly girl!?" Inuyasha shouted. He looked back at Kagome. At that moment he decided it didn't matter what he paid, as long as she belonged to him, but he still wanted to bargain with Naraku, "$7,000" Inuyasha stated.

Naraku's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "$11,000"

Inuyasha liked how he crumbled. Now he knew he had Naraku on the run, "$10,000, and if you throw in the girl Rin, I'll give you another $2,000. So no matter what, you are still getting $12,000." Miroku looked between the two wondering if his friend had completely lost his mind. If Naraku did agree to $10,000 for a slave, that was still an outrageous price!! Inuyasha was rich but not even the most beautiful, virgin slaves were sold for more than $6,000 dollars! And why would he want a second slave?

Naraku looked at Kagome, his eyes narrowing to angry slits. This bitch wasn't worth the amount of money the hanyou offered, but since Kagome had no knowledge of the Shikon no Tama, she had no value to him. As far as Rin was concerned, Naraku felt she had been in his possession far too long. The girl was fifteen, still had her maidenhood and standing at 5'2", she had a scrawny frame with no voluptuous features. He had bought her for a cheap price form an acquaintance after he found out that she once lived at a shrine. Rin, like Kagome, was not the maiden he was looking for, and that angered him beyond belief.

"Fine," Naraku finally spoke, "$10,000 is sufficient for her, as well as $2,000 for Rin. We'll go back to my office and I'll get the paper work together."

Thirty minutes later, Naraku led the two girls into the bright sunlight. Kagome squinted and turned her face away from the light. Miroku smiled as Rin looked skyward, taking the chance to soak up a few rays.

Inuyasha unlocked the car doors. "Rin, you and Kagome can sit in back. Make sure you put on your seat belts."

"Especially with the way Inuyasha drives." Miroku whispered to them.

"Feh, I heard that! My driving isn't that bad." Inuyasha grumbled.

Inuyasha slid into the front seat while using his rear view mirror to get another look at Kagome. Her skin, between the bruises and cuts, looked terribly pale and he was sure that her body was malnurished and anorexic looking under her baggy clothes.

Once they pulled out of the driveway, Kagome glanced at the house that possessed nothing but ten years of dark memories and pain for her. Naraku stood on the steps, waving to her and Rin with a smug grin on his evil face. Her anxiety level rose as she imagined her owner changing his mind and returning her to Naraku.

As the distance between the slave house increased, making it look like a tiny speck in the distance, Kagome's nerves calmed a little and she settled against the cool leather seats of her masters car.

What would her future bring with this stranger? No matter what happened, it had to be better than the last ten years.

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AN: Does eight pages make up for over a week of no updates? I hope so! Please review!

Hugs

HJ