And It Begins


Whispers of It's him! echoed throughout the room, but Sesshoumaru ignored them. Instead, he asked. "What special event are they having tonight? Is it another provocative dance? A youkai version of Russian Roulette?"

The red-scaled demon shook his head. "Actually, it's an auction!"

"An auction?" Sesshoumaru frowned. This was new information. "I've never heard of one." The bartender stared at him blankly for a moment before realization hit him.

"Oh, that's right, you haven't been here for a year? The auctions only started a few months ago. All youkai are invited to attend. They sell humans! You can get a free slave or toy for only a few yen."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. "They sell humans?" The red-scaled demon nodded vigorously.

"I got a new plaything last month. She's such a beauty!"

Sesshoumaru stood up abruptly, his chair scraping across the floor with a loud screech. "I must take my leave. It seems like I'm needed elsewhere." Thoughts of his precious adoptive daughter Rin flew through his mind. Her sweet smiles and her joyous laughing.

Before Sesshoumaru could exit, a booming voice echoed throughout the large room. "Demonesses and demons, welcome to the auction! By the end of tonight, you can have yourself a slave, or perhaps something more intimate? Tonight, we have eighteen items to show off! Will you be taking one home after this?"

His head whipped around, and he shoved his way through the crowd until he could see the stage. A man with long light hair tied into a ponytail seemed to be the announcer. The hushed whispers of the crowd dwindled down into silence.

"Let the auction commence!"