Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Inuyasha. Nor do I own Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Rin, Kagome's family, or any of the other copyrighted characters that may or may not appear in this fic. So please don't sue me, and enjoy the story!

Notes: To clear up some questions, yes this fic will be taking place in America. I'm not going to address the past, or the well, or any of that, though I might make cute obscure references to stuff, like Kagome telling him to sit or something little like that. There's no real reason for me making the setting in America, aside from the fact that I'm horribly uncultured and the only place I know well enough to write about with any degree of competence is the US, and more specifically the Boston area where MIT is. I don't really know why I picked MIT as the college that Kagome and Rin are attending; it was a random decision. I think she's probably majoring in computer science, but I doubt I'll be talking about that in the fic as it doesn't really have any bearing on the storyline whatsoever.

Someone also made a reference to Kagome working, but I don't think she's going to be getting a job any time soon. She's rich enough that she doesn't have to work, and her family is supporting her through college. Plus, time at work is time away from Inuyasha, and I just can't bear it when they're apart for too long! ~_^

But enough about that. Now, on to the moment you've all been waiting for. Everyone please welcome... Inuyasha!


Learning to Let Go

Chapter 3: Making the Grade.

"We're looking for male slaves, the best quality you have," Kagome's aunt told the saleswoman, standing quite calmly in the middle of the enterprise they'd come to in order to find Kagome's slave.

"Of course," The woman said, noticing the high ranking of both of the women and anticipating a large sale. "Are you interested in a human or an exotic?" she asked politely.

Matilda put her finger to her chin thoughtfully. "Yokai make much better protectors," she reasoned. "Why don't you show us the exotic collection?"

The woman nodded a pleased assent. Exotics were far more rare, especially those that could speak and reason - not to mention they fetched a much higher price. She led her two customers toward the back room where all the most high quality slaves were kept.

Kagome looked over at the lines of slaves in dismay as she walked. They were all beautiful, unusual-looking - and dead inside. She was horrified by the apathy she sensed in them, the despair and the emotionlessness with which they held themselves. They had all given up hope.

"No, no," her aunt said firmly. "Not these. They've all been owned before. Second hand slaves won't do at all. Come this way, these are the ones we'll be looking at for you."

Kagome sighed, too exhausted to argue anymore. She entered the next room with her aunt, who went to the first slave in the line and picked up his card. A quick, furtive glance around the room revealed that these slaves were indeed of higher quality - all of them Yokai of different heritages, all of them inhumanly beautiful. Even in the homes of the rich elite her mother associated with on occasion Kagome had never seen slaves of such high quality - most rich people bought slaves of grade C.

"Hmm Grade B, ranked 9 in combat. Not bad looking either." The slave her aunt was studying had long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and held off his striking face with a headband. He was wearing a somewhat revealing outfit that resembled a mix of armor and fur. "What do you think Kagome?"

Wordlessly, Kagome shook her head and they moved to the next in line. "Grade B," her aunt read. "Ranked 10 in obedience and temperament."

Kagome shook her head again. They continued on down the line, Kagome refusing every slave her aunt recommended. Finally her aunt turned to her in exasperation. "Kagome, if you're going to be difficult I'll just pick one for you myself. You need a slave if you expect to get by living by yourself. Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be."

Kagome winced, realizing that her aunt was serious, and like it or not, she was going home with a slave. Looking up her eyes trailed over the line of desolate men. Panic started to rise in her. She didn't want one, she really didn't -

A flash of something white caught her eyes and she glanced toward it before drawing a sharp breath. Her aunt followed her line of sight and her eyebrows went up. "Well, would you look at him," she said in a low voice. She moved to pick up the card at his feet, but Kagome didn't follow. She was too busy staring at the boy on the pedestal.

He was taller than average, and stunningly gorgeous. He looked about her age. The red clothing he wore offset the startling color of his hair and the deep, unique gold of his eyes. Pure white and silky looking, his long hair fell down his back unbound, and those striking eyes were large - and fierce. They held what all the other slaves had been lacking - a spark of personality underlying all the breeding and conditioning and training. And he had a terrific body. Kagome felt herself flushing. As if he'd read her mind, the boy turned his head just slightly and met her eyes steadily in what was almost a glare, as if challenging her to keep staring.

Flushing more, she dropped her eyes.

"Kagome," her aunt called, motioning her closer. "I have to congratulate you - you've got quite an eye for this it seems. He's a Grade A slave - best you can get. Just out of training, *and* he's a rank 10 protector. Ranked 10 in just about everything in fact - combat, strength, endurance, sexual ability - "

"WHAT?!" Kagome shrieked, taking a step back in shock and mortification.

Her aunt gave her a patient look. "All the best looking slaves are trained to please their masters sexually - but it takes quite a bit of talent to get a rank 10. As I said, quite a find, I think you'll be very happy with him - "

Kagome took another step back, starting to get angry. "No way!" she cried. "I don't know how I let you talk me into coming here, but - "

The saleswoman come over just then, drawn by Kagome's raised voice. She smiled in a calming way and put a soothing hand on Kagome's shoulder. "An excellent choice," she murmured, looking up at the white haired boy appraisingly. "This slave is the best we have. He was trained at the most prestigious school in the country, and graduated at the top of his class in every area. He's unique as well - the only half-Yokai we've ever heard of."

Kagome blinked, startled out of being obstinate by the mention of his ethnicity. She looked back up at him, and caught sight of small, furry white ears, half-hidden by his hair.

"Half-Yokai?" her aunt was asking. "How can he measure up to a full Yokai in a battle, then?"

"Oh, not to worry," the woman assured them. "He's been up against the very best and come out the victor. He's stubborn to a fault, which makes it impossible for him to lose."

"Stubborn," her aunt murmured, tapping her chin and looking up at the boy. "Is that why his marks in temperament are lower than usual?"

The saleswoman winced. "Yes, he does seem to have somewhat of a temper," she admitted, but added quickly, "He's very obedient however, as you'll see from his stats. His temperament has never interfered with his duty."

"Well, he seems more than satisfactory. What do you say, Kagome?"

Kagome hesitated. If she had to have a slave.

"If you don't take him, I will," her aunt threatened, and Kagome glared. But some part of her was horrified by the idea, especially with all this talk of sex. She made up her mind.

"Fine!" She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away, pouting as the transaction was completed. Her mind was in complete turmoil. How could this have gotten so out of control? Emotions churned within her. Disgust with herself for allowing herself to become one of the masses who owned slaves and supported the industry. Anger at her aunt for putting her in this position. Uncertainty and anxiety concerning this boy who she had just bought.

"Sign here," the saleswoman instructed, handing her a clipboard and a pen. Her aunt had already filled out all the paperwork for her, and she had even gone through the payment process. All that was left was Kagome's approval. Too late for me to back out now, she thought.

Numbly, Kagome penned her signature into the blank and handed it back, and the woman held out a leash to her.

Kagome stared at it uncomprehendingly.

"Take it," the woman urged. "He belongs to you now."

Slowly, disbelievingly, Kagome's eyes followed the leash to where it connected to a metal collar that had been snapped around the boy's neck after he'd been unshackled and brought down off the pedestal. Everything in her protested treating another person this way. Gingerly, as if it would bite her, she took the leash and held it at arms length.

"That's it!" The saleswoman said, beaming at her. "You are his sole master. He'll answer to you and only to you, protect you unconditionally, and serve you without question. And if you don't mind my saying so, I know what *I'd* do with him. Enjoy!" And with a suggestive wink, the woman wandered off to serve the other customers.

Kagome stood, still unsure of how she had let this happen. What on earth was she going to do with this boy?

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I think half the reason I enjoy writing this story so much is the image of Inuyasha as my slave... more specifically my sex slave... But I swear, I'm not going to let my dirty mind take over this fic - until later in the story that is! *evil grin*

Yes... the rating will be changing to R somewhere in the future. I'll probably do it sooner than later, since the sexual tension and the references to sex are something I'm not really sure should fall under a PG-13 rating, though I don't really have much experience with deciding that kind of thing. There's also going to be some pretty impressive swearing by Inuyasha (who else?) and I thought I remembered reading somewhere that any movie with the "F-word" had to be rated R, which is consequently the policy I'll follow here.