I own nothing!

Warning: This chapter contains a slight hint of lemon.

---Chapter 5---

The Red Tower

Inu Yasha felt his brain pound inside his head as he woke up. Wiping the drool from the side of his lips he looked across the room at the sleeping body in the bed. Kagome had her back to him and the covers high up over her head. Picking up his sword, he gently opened the door and made his way downstairs.

It was still early, even Sango wasn't up. The cups were still left over from last night. Inu Yasha walked around dazed and stumbling into tables and over chairs as he made his way across to the bar. Picking up a cup left on the counter he gave it a sniff and held it far from his face. His head pounded at the smell of the strong liquor in the glass, but tasting his mouth he drank what was left and slammed the cup down on the counter.

"Still drinking Inu Yasha?" A voice asked from behind him. Inu Yasha did not turn to see who it was. The man behind him gave a laugh. "You really know how to drink don't you? I've never seen one person or demon drink that much and not pass out." He added.

"Well I'm not a normal person am I?" Inu Yasha responded, slightly sarcastic.

"No I guess you aren't." Miroku added walking over and leaning on the bar beside Inu Yasha. "But then again, Kagome seemed to be having fun with you last night, so I guess you wouldn't be normal then would you?" He said smiling to himself.

Inu Yasha felt himself blush from his comment. Thinking back, he remembered looking at a drunken Kagome in front of him holding out her hand.

"Come on Inu Yasha...rock, paper, or scissors. Whoever loses drinks this!" She said, her voice slurred, pointing at a small cup of white wine sitting beside her.

"Kagome, I think you've had enough liquor for one night." Inu Yasha suggested pushing her hands down.

"Nonsense, you're just chicken to play." Slowly Kagome stood up form her seat and began walking over towards Inu Yasha, stumbling occasionally. Quickly taking a look back at the bar, Sango and Miroku were very preoccupied in their matters to notice them. Before he could stop her, Kagome had taken a seat right across Inu Yasha's lap.

Lifting her arm she wrapped it around his neck and pulled herself in closer to him. Inu Yasha sat frozen in his seat looking at a pink cheeked Kagome. She inched her face slowly closer to his and leaned all her body weight on him, pushing him backwards.

Shifting her position, Kagome kneeled on Inu Yasha's seat and sat in straddle position over his hips. Taking in a deep breath Inu Yasha swallowed hard, he was having an extremely hard time controlling his thoughts. Kagome reached over at Inu Yasha and ran her hands under his shirt.

She pushed her soft hands up his chest, feeling his toned muscles and strong build. Slowly she raised his shirt off his back and smiled at him. Inu Yasha felt himself turn red and had a hard time swallowing. Nudging her knees, Kagome inched closer to his body. Taking her hands, she ran them up his chest again and leaned in close to his face.

"Come on Inu Yasha, play rock paper scissors one more time. Trust me, it'll be worth it." She said seductively. Inu Yasha stared at her deep eyes and swallowed again. Kagome's dress was slightly loose over the chest and Inu Yasha shifted in every direction to look away. Smiling she lifted her hands from his chest and grabbed his face. Turning his eyes so that they faced her, she saw a slight red rise in his cheeks as he looked down at her. Giving him a smile, she turned around and grabbed the drink.

Sitting in her straddle position, she eased herself onto his hips and held her hand in front of his face.

"Play." She commanded to him.

Lifting his hands he rocked them up and down three times simultaneously with her and stuck out two fingers to represent scissors. Kagome had her whole hand open – paper. She had lost. Taking the drink, she swigged it down in one gulp and laughed as she wiped the side of her mouth.

"You know..." Kagome said, shifting again over Inu Yasha's hips – making him feel extremely uncomfortable, "you are a very handsome man Inu Yasha, has anyone told you that?" Running a finger down his chest Kagome shifted her position again.

"Thank...thank ...you" Inu Yasha said slowly. Kagome smiled at him again. Running her hands over his chest, Kagome leaned in close to his face. Inu Yasha caught whiff of Kagome's scent again and lost himself. Lifting his hands, he wrapped them around her waist and pulled her in. Kagome smiled once again. Lifting her face, she closed her eyes and leaned in close to his face. As she inched closer to his face, she ran her hands up his body and pushed all her weight now on him.

"I have a reputation of being the best." Kagome whispered to him.

He soon felt her soft breath on his skin. Suddenly, Inu Yasha felt himself falling backwards and just a second later, he sensed a hard knock on the back of his head. When he opened his eyes, he was looking up at the ceiling and Kagome had fallen asleep on his chest, drunk.

He could still feel her body on his; her touch lingered on his skin.

"Well, it looked like you and Sango were enjoying each other's company a little too much." Inu Yasha said quickly, as a comeback. Miroku's smile dropped from his face and his expression suddenly went blank.

Sango had exquisite skin, and tasted even better than Miroku could have imagined. Her silky hair, her lush red lips and her beautiful eyes. Even though Miroku was against drinking, he would allow it if he could spend one more time with Sango like he did last night at the bar.

They hadn't done anything in particular, none of them did. Miroku was only allowed a taste of Sango's lips, but only slightly before she turned and ran to the bathroom. He saw no more of her after that. But Sango was an absolutely exquisite being. And when Miroku says exquisite, he means exquisite.

"That's beside the point." He quickly responded quickly turning away.

Inu Yasha inched away and began walking back to his room when Miroku called out to him again.

"Hey, do you know who left this morning?" Miroku asked.

"Someone left?" Inu Yasha asked back, turning around to face him.

"Yeah. Before dawn, someone got up and left in a hurry. Didn't you hear them slamming the door on their way out?"

"No." Inu Yasha responded. A feeling suddenly came over him and he ran back to his room. Kagome had not moved. Slowly, he inched his way over to the bed and placed a hand on the covers. Pulling, he raised the blankets to find a row of pillows under it.

Shit

Ripping the pillows off the bed, Inu Yasha heard the ruffle of a small sheet of paper. Looking up, a slip of paper gently glided down towards his face. Reaching up, he gently pinched it and brought the paper to his face. Turning it over, he read the message over and over again. Crumbling it in his hands, he grabbed a small sack at the end of the bed and ran out the door.

Sango walked out of her room and over to the bar. Miroku was leaning against the bar staring at her. Sango stopped dead in her tracks and quickly turned back towards her room- she was still embarrassed from the night before. Miroku's lips left a tingling feeling on her and she couldn't look at him anymore without turning as red as a beat.

Suddenly, Sango stopped in her doorway and turned around. The sound of pounding feet could be heard from far, and they were getting louder. Inu Yasha skidded along the floor and ran towards the counter. Grabbing his sword in one hand, he grabbed Miroku's wrist in the other and ran out the door.

Miroku had a hard time keeping up with Inu Yasha's half demon speed and stumbled constantly. Inu Yasha seeing his difficulty in keeping up stopped suddenly and turned to face him. Miroku bent over to catch his breath before looking into his bright amber eyes as they constantly scanned for something.

"What the hell was that Inu Yasha?" He asked, slightly angry.

"Kagome left." Inu Yasha said quickly. Turning around quickly, he dropped to the ground and began sniffing at the dirt.

"Left, what do you mean left?" Miroku asked slightly confused, still trying to catch his breath.

"You heard someone leave in the morning. Well it was Kagome."

"Why?" Miroku asked again. Without answering, Inu Yasha reached into his pockets and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper, holding it out to Miroku. Taking the paper, he gently smoothed it out and read the message.

Thank you for helping me. I am very sorry for troubling all of you. At the end of the bed is a bag of gold, it should be enough to cover the room fee and everything else, and for all the trouble I have caused. Please do not worry about me. Please do not come find me.

Kagome

"Okay?" Miroku said looking up, puzzled. "And the point of finding her is?"

"You don't need to know, just find her." Inu Yasha commanded, walking forward a little and dropping to the ground again. "Besides, I don't want her money." He added, running forwards. He had caught a hint at her scent, it wasn't strong but it was definitely Kagome.

Miroku stuffed the paper into his shirt and ran forwards after Inu Yasha. Turning one way then another for what felt like hours, Miroku felt his energy run low and slow to a walk as Inu Yasha ran forward at top speed.

"Inu...Yasha..." He called, in a low whisper, trying to catch his breath. "Wait. Some of us aren't blessed with demon strength."

Inu Yasha suddenly stopped.

Miroku looked at him and then looked at his surroundings. His hand was leaning against a broken wall, plastered with mismatched bricks. The ground was scattered with broken glass bottles and ripped pieces of clothing hung from every corner – one looked strangely like a pair of mens undergarments. Miroku felt a shiver pass through his body and quickly turned away.

They were in the red light district. [Does England even have a red light district...assume it does. See bottom for short note on Red Light Districts.]

Miroku, somewhat surprised, staggered over to Inu Yasha's side and looked at him. His attention was somewhere else, staring at something. Miroku turned to see where he was looking.

A large red house came into view. It looked strangely similar to Asian architecture. The green roofs ruffled and curved at it ends, long red poles everywhere. On top of the large wooden doors, hung a sigh painted in gold.

It read: The Red Tower.

Before Miroku got a word or even a gasp out of his mouth Inu Yasha marched right into the large red doors and disappeared behind what looked like pink silk curtains. Miroku stood out in the road, somewhat in shock. The Kagome he had known since she was no older than three worked here, of all the places in the world. Although she had a pleasant face to look upon, she had just turned 17.

Pulling his thoughts together, Miroku marched in right after Inu Yasha through the pink silk curtains. As the soft silk caressed his skin, a heavy scent entered his nose and clogged his lungs.

The room inside was large and high. The center open and red square tables placed strategically across the floor. At almost every table, sat a large or medium sized man surrounded by two to three beautiful ladies, holding up small cups of wine to their large faces trying to catch their attention.

There were two floors all together. The top floor was covered in small windows made of paper and ran all the way around the top floor. A heavy scent of perfume, sweat, food and flower petals lingered in the air. Giggles and moans of delight could be heard from every corner, along with forceful grunts. The sound carried all around the large room, filling every corner and crevice.

A busty blond girl wearing a deep blue kimono walked by Miroku holding up a tray or wine and stopped to give the monk a good look up and down. Catching Miroku's eyes, she blushed and flashed him a smile. Her face was pleasant, round pink cheeks and lush red lips. She fluttered her eyes quickly at him, like the flapping of a humming bird's wings, showing her long lashes as she swayed her hips and walked away. Miroku – entranced - followed her like a dog on a leash and disappeared under giggles and flashes of bare skin.

Inu Yasha stood in the room, baffled by the sight. Kagome works....here?!. Holding a sleeve up, he covered his nose and looked around for his raven haired girl. A couple girls passed him giving him a good look and swaying their hips at him to catch his attention, but Inu Yasha did not notice.

Somewhere in the large room a strong voice called out.

"KAGOME! Where the hell is that lousy little bitch?" Inu Yasha tried to pinpoint the voice, but there were too many people talking all at once.

"KAGOME!" It called again forcefully. "Get up stairs now!"

Upstairs?! Inu Yasha's brain screamed at him inside his head. Frantically he looked around but he failed to look behind him at a pair of scared brown eyes hiding behind a large pole watching him.

Kagome had seen both men the moment they walked in and hid herself behind the first thing she could find, praying that they didn't see her like this. Tightening her sea green kimono, the attire required here, she pulled on her apron and prepared to play her part in the Red Tower. Taking a scrap sheet of cloth from her pocket, she tied it around her hair and braided her hair quickly. Picking up a large wooden bowl she held it up to her head, covering her face as she ran as fast as she could by Inu Yasha and up the stairs.

Inu Yasha swore he caught her scent just a second ago. It had passed by him and disappeared into the mist of smells encircling him. Inu Yasha felt his head get dizzy; the scent was too strong for his nose. Find Kagome, get out. Find Kagome, get out. He repeated to himself inside his head, helping him keep his cool. Looking around, he saw a girl wearing a green kimono with a small matching bonnet on her head running up the stairs.

Lovely legs. His thought to himself. Soon, the thought of Kagome drifted from his mind and he found his legs moving by themselves towards the girl whose face eluded him. Her hips swayed from carrying the heave weight in her hands as she staggered up the stairs. Strands of her dark hair were sticking out everywhere from her pigtails at each side. Watching her with his eyes, Inu Yasha memorized each movement of her body and every rock of her body as it moved into a room, closing the door behind her.

Kagome carried the bucket up into her designated room and looked around. Dropping herself to her knees she began to move in a rhythmic motion. Up. Down. Up. Down. Her kimono moving higher up her legs as she swayed back and forth. Giving a push, she moved forward and continued her rhythm. Sitting straight again, her legs under her, she gave a happy sigh to herself at her work.

Wiping the layer of sweat that had former on her forehead, she dipped her hands into the bucket; feeling the water seep between her sweaty hands. Bending down again she moved to a rhythmic motion once again. The candles lit around the room flickered as the door swung open a man stood before Kagome. Looking up from the floor, Kagome quickly shuddered.

It's too early, I'm not done yet. She thought to herself.

"Ah good." The man said, his speech slurred and heavily scented of liquor. "They sent me the maid special. I better get what I expected; I got the empress and the safari treatment. Both horrible." He continued on in a low growl. Kagome quickly stood up and wiped her hands.

I'm not done cleaning yet. Maid special! What the hell?

"Sir, um I think you have the wrong person. I don't work here. I just clean the floors." Kagome said quickly picking up the bucket and heading for the door.

The man forcefully stretched his arm out in front of Kagome's face just as she scrambled by him, blocking her way. Looking down at her, he saw that part of her kimono lay open over her chest and looked up at her face. She was indeed what he had asked for; pretty face, nice body, attitude that could rock his world.

Giving her a deep lustful look, he let his eyes drink in her body. Kagome felt a fear mount in her body as she staggered away from him. Dropping the bucket, water washed her feet as she backed off from the stranger. He moved in closer towards her, edging her closer to the large mahogany bed in the center of the room. Loosing her balance, Kagome toppled over and landed on the bed, looking up, the man towered over her with a malicious smile on his face.

Crawling on top of Kagome before she could resist or fight back, he leaned down and planted his lips onto her. He let his tongue wander and seek entrance. Kagome fought back but he didn't relinquish his grip on her. Leaning his body on top of hers he pushed himself on her with all his might. Running his tongue along her neck, he tasted her pure skin and smiled to himself.

Grabbing at her kimono, he tore the collar to opposite sides and ripped the tie keeping her clothes in place. Kagome screamed with all her might and held her arms to her chest, covering herself.

Please, someone help me. Please. Her mind cried inside her head as she felt the man grab at her wrists.

Fighting back with all her might, Kagome knew she was fighting a lost battle. Opening her mouth, she screamed one last time with all her might before her vision blurred and hot tears streamed down her face.

He wasn't going to stop; he was going to take her by force.

The stranger lunged down on her again and sucked at her chest, moving down towards her breasts. Kagome felt the lights around her go out, she felt the darkness crawl over her.

A ray of light from nowhere glimmered in her eyes, someone was calling her name.

[For those who don't know what it is...umm, search Yahoo for Red Light District, it's mainly in Europe I think. And well, if you don't know, a briefing would be that it's a place for men with too much money and women with too little (no offence intended). If you still don't understand...well...