A/N: Okay, here's the big reveal of Kagome's time being held against her will. YOU ARE WARNED! There is drug use, death, violence, and sadness. but nothing horribly graphic. Thanks so much for your awesome reviews! Keep em coming!
ALSO! I sincerely suggest you just put the song 'Tear You Apart' by She Wants Revenge or 'Off to the Races' by Lana Del Rey on repeat cuz it's such a fitting song for the majority of this chapter lol and if 'Primadonna Girl' isn't the most accurate song to describe Kikyou I don't know what is and I can't stop listening to it.
ALSO AGAIN! I make no apologies for how detailed I get when describing the club and everything else in general ever. I have an addiction. It's called caring too much. AND IT'S INCURRABLE!
ALSO ALSO AGAIN! i love you all! keep letting me know what you think! hugs and kisses!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter forty-two: Off to the Races
"Wake up!" Kagome's head snapped up from the flat mattress of her cot, cheek already sore where the hard edge pressed into her tender skin. The metal bed was almost a foot too short to fit a regular person's body, causing Kagome's feet to hang off the edge awkwardly. Despite that, it was still the only position she could find that allowed her to sleep comfortably. Her eyes reluctantly opened as light was suddenly turned on in the dark room. Around her, other women were beginning to rouse and rise up from their own cots. Thus beginning their day that was identical to the one before it, as well as the one before that, and so-on-and-so-forth.
It was hot in un-ventilated room, and a gust of refreshing fresh air swept across the girls' over-heated bodies when Miss Jane finally opened the air-tight door. Kagome's body had broken a sweat at some point during the night or early morning, but she paid no mind to the oily sheen on her skin or the stains under her arms; there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Against Kagome's stomach, something squirmed and groaned reluctantly, burying its face into her shirt to block the light out.
"We gotta get up…" She informed the unwilling being, voice hoarse and groggy. There was a ringing in her ears and a dryness in her mouth that made Kagome swallow, trying to produce even a little bit of saliva to sate her parched tongue. This was how she woke up every morning, as did the other girl's in the same situation. The endless cycle of their life moved like clockwork, predictable and unchanging with the very real possibility of driving them insane eventually. They were restricted from going outside and feeling the sun on their skin, or even get a glimpse of it. This caused them to become deficient in basic vitamins and nutrients, which only quickened the rate at which their bodies deteriorated. Days blurred together and their ability to sense the passage of time became severely impaired. No birthdays or holidays or religious days were celebrated, which only made the monotony of their life all the more unbearable.
"Shippou, come on." She urged again, ruffling his dirty hair affectionately. Already having pushed her luck, Kagome didn't wait a moment longer before finally rising from the cot. The stiffness of her muscles and joints was familiar and expected, so much that it hardly registered on her mind at all.
A ten-year-old boy grudgingly followed Kagome's lead, and rolled off the edge of their shared cot before standing up. He was small for his age, scrawny too, but exceedingly useful for the purpose Naraku had for him. His mop of tangled, auburn hair desperately needed to be brushed, or at least chopped off to allow new hair to grow. Dressed in tattered clothes bought from a second-hand store, he looked somewhat similar to Kagome's homeless former self. As he rubbed the sleep from his emerald eyes, Kagome heard his stomach growl from hunger.
"May, you look like shit." Shippou's voice was raspy and high, normal considering he hadn't hit puberty yet. He looked up at the nineteen-year-old with concern, noticing the sick pallor of her skin and the glazed look in her eyes. Waving dismissively, Kagome nudged Shippou towards the open door as they followed the other girl's out of the room.
"Don't worry about it. And don't say shit. Just go to the kitchen before Charlie gets pissed." Kagome wouldn't let him worry over her and watched Shippou take off down the stairs. As soon as he was out of sight, she finally gave into the urge to frantically scratch her skin due to the overwhelming sensation of crawling bugs. She knew it wasn't real, that it was just part of the withdrawals, but that didn't stop Kagome from raking angry red marks across her arms, legs, and neck.
"MAY! Get in line!" Miss Jane's voice cracked like a whip, scaring Kagome into immediate obedience. Her fellow captives were already lined against the metal railing of the third-floor balcony, standing shoulder to shoulder, and all displaying similar symptoms as Kagome. A new batch of girls had come in only a month ago, so they didn't have such an intense reaction yet. But Kagome and the other veterans were very much accustomed to it.
She, along with four others, had been there the longest; herself going on two years now. With the average life expectancy for a girl in their situation being less than a year, it was assumed that Kagome and the other veterans would give out before the month was over. Some staff members even had a pool going for which girl would expire first. When she had been new, and still full of hope, the notion offended Kagome's gentle sensibilities and moral code; but those had been quickly forced out of her.
They did what was necessary in order to survive. It wasn't uncommon to wake to one of their own strangled during the night by another girl; or sometimes they did it to themselves as a way out. Kagome would never forget the time she opened her eyes to discover that a girl had bitten her tongue off during the night so that she drowned in her own blood. She never knew that the human body contained so much as it created a huge pool on the cement floor. Why didn't anyone stop this from happening? It was due to the drugs long-lasting effects that made most of them unaware of the deeds being committed while they slept.
Kagome had learned to desensitize herself to death and violence; even if it went against her protective nature. There was only so much destruction of human life she could allow herself to care about before it began to take a toll on her mind. Sure, whenever there was a death of one of their own, Kagome mourned for a few minutes; but that was all she allowed. She wasn't on a crusade to save every person trapped inside these brick walls; her only concerns were herself and Shippou. For whatever reason, there was something that motivated her to survive and regain freedom, along with the young boy who was her only solace and companion. It was hard to make friends when none of the girl's understood English.
As Miss Jane droned on about their designated chores for the day, Kagome let out an impatient huff and chewed on her bottom lip. Her blue eyes darted across the space anxiously, seeing flashes of light and dark shadows that weren't really there. The girl next to her, a brunette from Russia that was called Augustina, whimpered as her forehead beaded with sweat; everyone was in excruciating discomfort. It was Miss Jane's way of torturing them, and they all knew she got a kick out watching them squirm. One time, a poor girl dropped dead when her pre-existing heart condition became lethally exacerbated by the withdrawals.
Being that she was their wrangler, Miss Jane was tasked with administering the girls' daily dosage of 'medicine'. The longer she made them wait, the more pain they were forced to endure. Kagome brought her hands down to her side to tightly grip the metal railing, needing to keep her hands occupied with something other than scratching herself. Atop her head, a messy blonde bun tipped to the side messily after she had wildly scratched at the irritated scalp. Every nerve in Kagome's body screamed for her to resume the rough, but satisfying, treatment. Still, she didn't give in. Kagome refused to give that old bat the gratification of seeing her suffer.
It was called the Lizard Lounge, and had been Naraku's pride and joy for the past ten years. Its exterior was still unassuming and plain, just a giant brick building with a peculiar lack of windows that surely broke at least one fire-code; not that any law enforcement agency ever came to write them up. There were only two entrances to the unremarkable building, one at the side and the other on the back where the kitchen was for employees only. Customers and clients were permitted to enter and exit only through the side door.
The interior, however, was a complete shock to see. Just before Kagome's arrival, The Lizard Lounge had undergone a complete redesign. The buildings original red brick walls had been left untouched, and it contrasted interestingly with the new polished cement floors and stairs. The grey surface had been waxed and buffed until there was a mirror finish to them. LED technology had been taken full advantage of, and various fixtures had been set up in certain locations to cast beautiful light shows that would distract and entrance the patrons.
No expense had been spared in the pursuit of turning the once bleak club into an indulgent getaway for those who could afford it. Now better than ever, people came from all over the city to gain coveted access into the selective and mysterious night club. It was only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; which added an element of exclusivity. Without fail, there was always a line of people waiting to get past a set of intimidating bouncer in hopes of discovering what everyone was raving about.
There were three floors to the building, though the patrons were restricted to just the first two levels. The manager was so adamant about this rule that a guard was always stationed at the bottom the stairs on the second floor, preventing anyone from trespassing onto the third floor. No one knew what was up there, and that was how management intended to keep it. The third level had been designed as a prison for the girls who were forced to live there. In an interesting design choice, the top floor only extended across half the distance towards the opposing wall; forming a long balcony that provided a disorienting view of the two floors below it.
Between the edge of the balcony and the smooth expansion of one massive grey wall, was a cold, cement walkway that couldn't have been any wider than five feet. Three doors had been spaced evenly along the huge wall, the far-right one ominous with deadbolts and industrial grade locks. Behind those doors were three very specific rooms, separated from each other by a thin cement wall. Identical, for the most part, they were built of polished cement walls, floors, and ceilings. A single light bulb in the center of the ceiling served as the only source of light, and all three fixtures were controlled by the same switch, which was located out of reach and out of their control. There were no windows to let in the sun, or a bit of fresh air, or to provide them the opportunity to scream for help.
The far-right room, the one requiring extra security precautions, was the holding room. Kagome had already become familiar with it. There was hardly enough room to fit all twelve cots, and walking between the short metal beds required more balance than someone high on drugs could possess. The room was meant to provide sleeping arrangements and a place to detain the girls during the hours they weren't working. Miss Jane, Charlie, and Naraku were the only people who had copies of the keys; and there was no handle on the inside of the door. Once they were locked in, they had no way out.
The center room was a communal bathroom. Twelve girls were expected to share three shower heads that jutted out from the back wall, as well as cleansing and hair-care products. Kagome would soon come to realize that privacy meant nothing within the walls of Lizard Lounge. The floor had been designed to dip down at the center so that the water could drain into the pipes. There were three sinks on the wall perpendicular to the shower heads, and then two toilets were partitioned off in the area across from the sinks. Separated with basic sheetrock and two-by-fours, the toilets were small and very short, forcing the girls to hunch over uncomfortably when using them. Tattered bedsheets were used as a flimsy door for the two makeshift bathroom stalls.
The far-left room was used as a dressing and preparation area. On the right-hand wall were twelve metal lockers, one stacked atop another in each of the six rows. They looked like something taken right out of a high school hallway. Each girl was given her own compartment, but there were no locks to secure their personal items. There was a metal bench that ran across the length of the back wall. Then, along the left-hand wall, a long mirror had been mounted to make it possible for them to fix their hair and faces. Underneath the mirror, a metal shelf offered a space to hold their makeup and hair tools. It wasn't the best-quality makeup either, but it would suffice; especially if a bruise or cut needed to be concealed.
Outside of the tomb-like rooms, on the edge of the third-floor balcony, was black metal railing. It was no higher than three feet tall and served as a preventative measure against people falling to their deaths. It extended down the flight of stairs as well, providing support for the girls to hold onto as they descended on precarious heels. The stairs hugged the buildings brick wall, and there was a ten-foot landing at the second floor before another flight extended to the ground level near the customer entrance.
The second floor was merely a cement walkway that hugged the perimeter, providing a three-sixty-degree balcony that stretched completely around the building in a perfect square. It was the VIP section, as well as where Charlie's office remained under lock and key. There was a small, adequately stocked bar tucked away in the corner as well. It was convenient for those who didn't want to keep climbing stairs whenever their glass became empty. There was an abundance of love seats and deep-set couches available for the VIP patrons to relax on as well and enjoy a cigar, since it was the only floor that permitted smoking.
What many considered the most impressive aspect of the club were the plasma flat screen TVs mounted on the wall opposite the stairs. The four screens were arranged to seamlessly crate one massive TV. Beneath it, pushed up against the same wall, a DJ booth glowed brightly with neon LED lights. He not only had control of the night's music selection, but also what images and videos were displayed on the humongous screen above him. Many DJs opted to run a playlist of psychedelic and mesmerizing imagery that cast dazzling shapes and colors against the walls.
Along the sides of the club, away from the dance floor and tucked away, comfortable chairs and tables were arranged to allowed patrons to catch their breath and relax a bit. At the far back, underneath the shadow cast by the third-floor balcony, a fully stocked bar catered to their every thirsty desire. Two highly-skilled bartenders were always on duty, keeping the drinks coming without fail.
Next to the shelves of liquor was a narrow opening with a swinging door to allow access to the kitchen, as well as the laundry room. The space was small, but it was enough to keep orders flying out in decent time. The menu was limited to only five items, but they were staples of typical club cuisine and were enough to satisfy hungry customers. So long as it came out fried and hot, people would eat it without complaint.
At the center of the spacious room, where people were free to dance and mingle, a raised platform stood four feet tall; it's black lacquered walls reflecting every neon and LED light in the dark club. What was so special about the fixture? It was in the shape of a massive triangle. Each side of the geometric platform extending about fifteen feet; though one side had a section cut out of the center. This allowed the girls access inside, where black steps were available to assist them in climbing up safely. The triangle shaped catwalk had been designed and built so that the glass floor that the girls stood on glowed a bright white, with the option to shift between a multitude of colors thank to LED technology and a savvy DJ. At each of the three corners, a shiny steep pole extended nearly ten feet into the air, sturdy enough to support even the most daring moves.
The final aspect of the club's redesign, which Naraku added on a whim, was the private room constructed underneath the flight of stairs that lead to the second floor. Walls were put up that reached from the floor up to the smooth surface behind the staircase. The space couldn't have been more than five by eight feet big, but would suffice as the club's new 'play room'. For any man or woman wanting a bit of private time with one of the girls, they could buy it in ten minute increments. Inside the narrow space, pink LED strips lined the edge where the brick wall met the flat underside of the stairs. It bathed the small space in a beautiful pink glow. A comfortable lounge chair was pushed towards the back of the miniscule room, where the stairs angled down towards the floor. It left about five-feet of space for the dancer to cater to the patron's every desire.
After all the additions and adjustments, there had barely been enough room to install a bathroom. With only three stalls available, it was to be used by anyone, regardless of gender. It wasn't a stand on social issues, but the only solution available in the limited space.
"You wear this at night. It's the only set you'll get for a while so take care of it." Miss Jane deposited a pair of black cotton shorts and basic white t-shirt into Kagome's open arms. "You wear this when you're on the floor, and this when you're on the pole." A black dress made of thin material was placed on top of the other clothes, followed by a skimpy black bikini. Kagome winced as the movement caused her healing arm to tense painfully. "Most girls wear the bikini under the dress. Makes it easier. All of the clothes are washed on Sunday." Miss Jane then held up a pair of black platform pumps, putting them atop the growing pile in Kagome's arm. "These are the only shoes you're allowed to wear. They are brand new, so you'll want to break them in and learn to walk by Thursday."
It was the first day of Kagome's indefinite stay, and she was coming down from the first high of her life. Though she was not addicted, yet, Kagome could tell that her body was having some reaction to drugs absence. It felt as if needles were poking her all over, coming in waves that made Kagome's muscles twitch randomly. Beyond that, she was also recovering from Naraku's abuse, and was incredibly sore inside. So far that day, Kagome hadn't been reduced to tears, but it wouldn't take much to set her off.
Miss Jane had already given the other girl's their morning pill, then dismissed them to their chores; leaving Kagome alone with the cruel and unpredictable woman. She was considerably shorter than the seventeen-year-old, but Miss Jane's dominating presence made up for the lack of height. The two were standing on the third-floor balcony, regarding each other until finally the old woman spoke up again.
"This is the only day you will be excused from chores, May." Miss Jane gave the young girl a sharp look before reaching into the pocket of her professional looking jacket. "I'm only going to tell you the rules one time. It's your job to remember them; the drug will make you obey." Kagome bit the inside of her cheek as she considered making a run for freedom in that moment. But when Miss Jane pulled the familiar green pill out of her pocket, Kagome felt a need to get it in her system as soon as possible.
Wait! What?! Had she really just thought that? In the moments of Kagome's internal struggle, she lost focus on what Miss Jane had begun telling her. She didn't start paying attention again until a cruel punch to her lower-abdomen forced Kagome to double over in pain. She tightened her hold on the clothes before they could fall, but nearly collapsed to her knees as pain wracked her torn body.
"Pay attention, May!" Miss Jane snapped angrily, and used the opportune moment of Kagome's hunched form to grab her chin like Naraku had the night before. Her sharp, boney fingers found the bruises left behind, making Kagome cry out in pain. In the next moment, a pill was shoved to the back of her throat and mouth forcibly clamped shut. Kagome's natural reaction was to swallow, and slowly the tablet sank past her throat. Miss Jane eventually released Kagome's chin with a rough, jerking motion. "Look down there." She commanded shortly and gestured towards the black railing behind them. Kagome dutifully turned her attention to the floors below them, seeing the woman hard working at their chores to keep the club in pristine condition. Miss Jane began to explained what would be expected from Kagome going forward.
"Every morning I will wake you up at eight AM and give you your medicine. You'll be assigned chores that should not take longer than an hour to finish. Then there is an hour of exercise that I oversee. If you can't keep up, your daily meal will be reduced. I allow a thirty-minute break after this and you'll be provided water and a small snack. By now you can expect the drug to be in full effect." Miss Jane looked over at Kagome's face, which was still peering over the edge with a strange look.
"After the break is over, you will spend the next three hours learning how to serve and entertain patrons. At four in the afternoon you will return to the holding room until the evening meal is served at six. Then you will brush your teeth, use the facilities, and shower. Sunday through Wednesday, you'll be sent back to the holding cell to rest until eight AM the next day. Thursday through Saturday are the nights the club is open. On those days, you'll be given a second dosage of medicine after your dinner. You will work from nine until two in the morning. Then, back to the holding room. Listen to me very carefully, May." Miss Jane leaned close to the terrified girl with an icy glare.
"This will be your life until the day you die. And just like Naraku said before, you can accept it or refuse. If you want something to be hopeful about; think about this. You are at the bottom of the totem pole right now. You will have the worst chores, the worst jobs, and be given the least amount of privilege out of any girl here. Obedience is rewarded and defiance is punished; very simple concept to grasp. Don't be difficult and you may even start to like it here." Miss Jane pointed her thin finger towards the locked door which opened to the outside world. Kagome followed the gesture in confusion, then looked back at the older woman.
"There are only two points of entry to this building, that door and one located in the kitchen. If you so much as touch either door, you will be punished. And don't even think about sneaking out during the nights we open." Miss Jane motioned towards Kagome's shoulder, where the new tattoo was healing beneath a thin bandage. "The men at the door have been trained to notice that mark and will send you straight to Charlie's office if they catch you. You are allowed only one warning, May. If you're caught trying to escape again, you will be killed." On that promising note, Miss Jane allowed Kagome to deposit her new clothes into the only empty locker before she began the grand tour.
"Alright, its break time. You may relax." Miss Jane clapped her hands twice, the sound echoing around them, and she watched as twelve exhausted bodies hobbled to the nearest couch or chair against the wall, gasping and glistening with sweat. Their vacant faces did nothing to express the kind of sore pain they were in after an hour of rigorous exercise to keep their bodies tight and trim. It'd been endless sets of running up and down stairs, deep squats, and various other exercises that left them trembling and whimpering. Not every day would be so strenuous, thankfully.
At that moment, Kagome was relaxing in a purple leather chair, breathing heavily through her nose and staring blankly ahead of her. The drug had finally metabolized and started affecting her free-will and defiant personality, rendering her as much a mindless slave as the girls around her. Miss Jane had stepped out of the massive room to get their water and snack, knowing there was no method for the girls to escape. From what Kagome could gather, there was no one else in the entire building except for them and Miss Jane.
The old woman came back from the kitchen with a canvas sack loaded down with plastic water bottles and a small, colorfully decorated box. One by one, each girl was given a water and a pouch of apple-sauce. It was the kind Kagome had seen children eat, but did not care one bit. She hadn't eaten in over a day and was beyond famished. As the women began drinking and eating, each lost in their own minds, Miss Jane answered her phone when a call came in. Kagome didn't even think to listen, she was too busy desperately trying to suck every drop of applesauce from the plastic pouch. It wasn't enough! Her stomach growled painfully for more food that she didn't have.
"No one move!" Miss Jane hollered, scanning her eyes across the empty faces. It was then someone appeared from the kitchen, and then someone else behind them. Kagome's eyesight tried to focus so she might see who it was, but in the next few moments she wished she hadn't. "Hello Charlie, Kikyou." Miss Jane spoke to them respectfully, nodding her head as they came towards the center of the room. Charlie was dressed in an outlandish and loud white suit, with dark sunglasses hiding his face and a cigar pinched between his lips.
"How's she doing?" He asked bluntly, gesturing towards Kagome without actually looking at her. Miss Jane looked over at the youngest girl in the group, then back at Charlie.
"She's fine. Did you come to check in on her?" Charlie exhaled grey smoke through his large nose and shook his head before nodding back towards Kikyou on his other side.
"No, she wanted to come by and see her." When Miss Jane looked over Charlie's shoulder, she saw Kikyou grinning wickedly towards Kagome. She was dressed rather casually, having come during her break between college classes. The girl could be found at the Lizard Lounge every once in a while, but she knew better than to be heavily associated with it. Charlie and Miss Jane watched quietly as the smug girl began approaching Kagome, her lips curling into a devious grin. Kagome did not move from her spot as she watched Kikyou come closer, simply remaining still with the half-finished water bottle in her hand.
"Hi, May~" Like acid, those words burnt Kagome's mind as she desperately tried to overpower the drug and attack the girl in front of her. "I like the new hair. Blonde's totally your color." Kikyou laughed softly and looked back at Charlie. "You sure she won't jump at me?"
"May, you may not touch Kikyou." He barked gruffly, coughing some when the smoke in his lungs began to sting. With sufficient protection now, Kikyou stepped even closer to Kagome and bent at the waist so that their faces were within inches of each other. Kagome merely blinked, seemingly unfazed and unaffected by being so near to Kikyou.
"I just wanted to let you know what's going on with your family. When the police told your parents what happened last night, your dad had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. He might die." Mocking Kagome with a false sympathetic expression, Kikyou placed her cold hand on the younger girl's slumped shoulder. "I'll be sure to take good care of Inuyasha. He's really upset; they all are. If anything else happens I promise to come and let you know. I'd hate for you to suffer not knowing how your family is doing." This seemed to utterly amuse her, because Kikyou broke out into delighted giggles as she stood back up. Kagome was torn up inside at the terrible news of her father. If he died before they got to see each other again, she might not ever recover. But there was nothing the drugged girl could do about it. She was glad to see Kikyou turning to leave, though it seemed as if that relief came too soon because she turned back around briefly.
"By the way, you look kinda warm May. Pour the rest of your water over your head." Kagome's muscles moved without her even thinking, and next she felt the water splashing into her hair and rolling across her face and shoulders. Miss Jane clicked her tongue and swatted Kikyou's arm; though it was more out of annoyance for the wasted water.
"I can't have her getting dehydrating, Kikyou." She chastised, but Kikyou waived it off.
"Whatever. I'm done anyway. Let's go." Kikyou brushed past Charlie as she headed back towards the kitchen, where his car was parked behind the building and out of sight.
"Well, this was fun. I'll be back Thursday." Charlie shoved a hand into his pocket and followed Kikyou. Once they were both out of sight, Miss Jane turned her attention to Kagome. The girl was still seated in the chair, but was now leaning forward some. The empty water bottle was in her lap, and her hair hung around her shoulders in frizzy, unbrushed blonde sheets. Water soaked the top of her head and her shirt while clear beads clung to her face. She was looking at the ground, eyes half-lidded and brimming with tears.
The first month of Kagome's imprisonment was worse than anyone could have prepared her for. Adjusting to the monotonous daily routine had been soul crushing, especially when Miss Jane made true on the promise that Kagome would be given the worst tasks to perform. She was assigned to cleaning toilets and collecting trash for the entire month, easily the most disgusting task Kagome had ever been made to complete. She was the least experienced girl when it came to entertaining on the pole, and having to wear the platform pumps did not make learning any easier. Her body could not keep up with the demands of Miss Jane, but the drugs prevented her from disobeying them. She now understood how this life so easily reduced healthy, vibrant girls into broken and useless shells.
What made matters worse is that Naraku's obsession with her seemed to only intensify with each of their interactions. He only came to the Lizard Lounge on Saturday nights; which Kagome was grateful for. But there was a catch to the relief of having such limited time around him. When Naraku was around, Kagome was made to be his eager slave and arm candy in front of friends and other patrons. She poured drinks, danced, and satisfied them with the same vacant expression and numb body that had become a default. But, once everyone else left at two in the morning, she was taken to Charlie's office to spend the next hour or so in bed with Naraku.
He forced her to perform acts that not only disgusted Kagome, but also changed who she was as a person. Her body became accustomed to the striking and punching, as well as the choking and biting, that left her covered in bruises and bite marks. He pulled her hair, shoved her face into hard surfaces, and bent her limbs past their natural ability while violating her with more and more animalistic domination. However, this was not the worst of her mistreatment.
The only thing Kagome dreaded more than Naraku, was Kikyou. It was random and unpredictable when she decided to show up, which left Kagome in a constant state of paranoia and anxiety in the back of her mind. It was always at the same time of day, during their break between exercise and lessons. While her fellow captives took the time to relax and rest their bodies, Kagome was left tense and frantic.
When Kikyou did come, she treated it as if she was catching up with an old friend. She'd sit down beside the helpless girl and speak animatedly, smiling and laughing in sick amusement at Kagome's inability to react. Reaching even lower depths of cruelty, Kikyou brought tokens and pictures to further torment Kagome with; such as the letter from Juilliard, her friend's graduation announcements, and pictures of weddings, concerts, birthdays and holidays, and even Kagura's sonogram. She showed videos on her phone of Sesshoumaru's wedding, Inuyasha performing on TV and at his own concerts, and of Sango and Ayame moving into their shared dorm room at college. But what hurt the most was when she thrusted her hand in Kagome's face, revealing the horrible news that Inuyasha had finally proposed. That's was the worst day of Kagome's life since arriving at the Lizard Lounge.
Every visit she paid caused irreparable trauma to Kagome's emotional well-being. At night, she was tormented with dreams involving the things Kikyou showed her. She dreamed of being with her family in those beautiful moments. But when morning came and she woke up in the holding cell, Kagome was brutally reminded that those dreams would never become her reality again. Even if by some miracle she escaped, there was no going back to that life. The girl that her family loved and missed had died shortly after disappearing.
She tried to not let resentful emotions cloud her mind. Her family had been tricked and misled to believe that she was dead now. She knew that it wasn't their fault that she had been abducted. She knew that they didn't know she was being held in this prison against her will; constantly violated, starved, tortured, and drugged. It was all Kikyou, Naraku, and Charlie's fault. Kagome knew these things. But knowing and feeling were two different things. Kagome felt abandoned by the family that was moving on with their lives. She felt betrayed that they weren't trying harder to find her. She felt unbridled rage when she thought of Inuyasha and Kikyou being together.
All the joy and excitement Kagome once had for her future had been ripped away from her. There would be no Juilliard, or becoming prima ballerina assoluta. She would not see the world and meet someone who made her feel alive and happy, or be proposed to and start her own family. She was left with nothing to live for.
The only silver-lining of Kagome's bleak existence had arrived in the form of a nine-year-old boy. He'd been abandoned to live on the streets and caught by Naraku foraging through the dumpsters behind the club for food. After receiving a thorough beating, the kid begged for mercy and was given it. Naraku had intended to find a kitchen boy, as the head cook was complaining that the girls didn't clean thoroughly enough and that food-prep took too much time. He also needed a new drug runner, and this kid clearly knew the layout of the surrounding area well enough to not get caught.
Shippou was put in Kagome's care, seeing as she was the only girl who spoke English. She was told to keep him quiet and obedient since he was too young to take the drug; it had terrible effects on children and would have been wasted on him. The two quickly became close as they each found something in the other that had been desperately needed. Shippou needed nurturing and love, while Kagome needed something to live for. He was kept in the same holding cell as the girls, and without a spare cot (until one became briefly vacant) Shippou had to share with Kagome. He was happy for it though, because the pitch-black room terrified him. The only thing that could sooth him into sleep was being in Kagome's arms, where it was safe and comforting.
Kagome looked at the grey wall in front of her face, her eyes dull and lifeless, as she went about scrubbing her body and rinsing the conditioner from her black and blonde hair. She had just finished shaving every inch of her body with one of the shared razors before handing it to the girl next to her. As she tipped her head back under the stream of water, another girl accidentally nudged Kagome's side, but neither acknowledged it. There were six of them, all of them naked and soaked as they stood underneath three shower heads. Hot water cascaded down Kagome's body, causing the remaining suds to roll across her skin towards the slippery cement floor. Tonight was Saturday, which Kagome dreaded all week, and yet she was resigned to it.
Once she was finished showering, Kagome wrung out her long tresses and moved towards the wall across from her, where an abundance of towels was stocked on metal shelving. There were a few girls already drying themselves off when Kagome walked up. They had no shame or modesty anymore; it was pointless to hold onto those things when privacy was no longer an option. Seeing their naked bodies, and having hers be seen as well, was no longer a significant issue for Kagome.
With her body dry and hair left in damp waves, Kagome left the steamy room proceed into the one beside it. She shivered involuntarily when the cold air chilled her naked body. On the first floor, Kagome could hear staff setting up for the evening. The DJ was testing his equipment and connections. Bar tenders were arranging bottles and cutting fruit for the various drinks they'd be preparing. Already Kagome caught the scent of food beginning to cook inside the kitchen. Miss Jane was standing on the walkway of the third floor, keeping a watchful eye of the girls moving inside the two rooms.
Kagome stepped inside the prep room, where two others were beginning to dress, and went to her locker. Pulling the black bikini from inside, Kagome had a bored expression on her face as she bent over to step into the bottoms before tugging it up her legs. She noticed that one of the ties that held it together was loose, and with numb fingertips she tried to redo the knot. After two years of being exposed to Naraku's drug, Kagome's body had become numb to its effects. It was one of the signs that her body was beginning to wear out; but that was expected. She had outlived every girl that had been there when she arrived. No one knew the reason behind Kagome's longer-than-average survival, but it was seen as nothing more than coincidence.
After tying the bikini straps behind her neck, Kagome took a moment to adjust the triangular pieces that held in her chest. Next, she took out her little black dress, identical to the other's. Little more than a tube of black, elastic fabric, it was meant for easy access and quick removal. She tugged the dress over her head and shoulders, it was an incredibly tight fit, and then shimmied it down her waist and over the swell of her hips.
Had there not been so much care on Miss Jane's part to keep the girls amply nourished and exercised, then Kagome would have surely died much earlier. Surprisingly, her body hadn't changed much in the two years. Some of the muscles that were used for ballet had become weakened and soft due to misuse, but Kagome was still rather healthy in terms of weight and appearance. However, her organs were beginning to lose some function. There weren't any obvious signs yet, but without medical intervention she'd be dead within a week or two.
Before Kagome stepped into the ankle-breaking pumps given to her two years ago, she went over to the mirror. A few more girls had come in by then, though all Kagome heard was the sound of their bare feet against polished cement and the ruffling of clothes. She gazed into the clear mirror, but did not see herself. Instead, Kagome looked around the room, observing the other misfortunate girls. They, including herself, had become little more than robots. There was no fight or resistance left to refuse what was demanded of them. Kagome sighed and finally looked at her reflection.
After two years, her black hair had grown out at least ten inches now. Every few months the girls were given a basic trim to keep looking presentable. Kagome was now sporting hair that had a gradient of black roots to blonde tips, with the transition starting just below her jaw. It was an interesting look, and some thought it was quite pretty on her. Using a comb, she began detangling the damp hair and parted it on the side.
There wasn't much to work with in terms of hair products or heating tools, so she had to rely on her hair drying on its own. Some girls used a trick to style their hair without the use of a blow-dryer or curling iron; that was to braid the hair tightly while it was still damp, and then unravel it into lose waves once it dried. Kagome had the luck that her hair dried that way on its own.
"Listen up!" Miss Jane startled the girls with her sharp command. The dozen of them were in the one room now, each at various stages of preparation. They knew, however, to keep on dressing while Miss Jane made her announcements. Kagome went back to applying concealer, making sure to hide the lingering bruises on her neck, arms, stomach, and the healing bite-mark on the inside of her left thigh. "These are the assignments," Miss Jane had to consult a small sheet of paper to confirm a few names.
"Fabianna, Julia and April; VIP host." The three girls each nodded their heads, their grasp on the English language enough to understand that much. The names weren't theirs though. Their unique nationalities and first languages had no bearing or significance inside the Lizard Lounge. Miss Jane kept on listing off names and assignments.
"Augustina, Jane, and Seraphina; waitress. Marsha, June, Octavia, Nova, Delilah, and May; dancers. You have one hour left. I better see smiles and hear you laughing down there! May!" Kagome's dark brow furrowed when she was called out specifically, and turned her face to look back at Miss Jane over her shoulder.
"Yes." It was an automatic response and didn't express her actual curiosity.
"Naraku will not be present tonight. That doesn't mean you get to slack off though." Miss Jane ended the discussion when she stepped back out of the room. She didn't notice the way Kagome's eyes widened, or that her hands began to shake. As the rest of the girls continued getting ready, Kagome was left frozen in her spot. Naraku wouldn't be there tonight? It was like a gift from up above! To be given one Saturday that wouldn't end in pain and tears was like offering another week to someone on death row; it only delayed the inevitable. But it was the kind of delay that made her incredibly grateful and relieved.
The night was going on as usual, with the building packed with individuals who had too much money and too little morality. The bouncers and hired muscle did their job well at maintaining order though; the guns at their waist an effective deterrent for bad behavior. There were a few rules that the patrons had to follow in order to stay inside the Lizard Lounge. There was no photography, not even to take a picture of themself, no going past the second floor, and no arguing with the bouncers or management. So long as they obeyed the rules, the patrons were given freedom to do what they wanted.
The time was almost midnight, and Kagome's shift on the catwalk was about to come up. Each night, six girls were assigned as dancers, though it wasn't for the full five hours that the club was open. Dancing in shifts of three girls at a time, they didn't start until eleven PM. The first three girls were made to dance and strip for thirty minutes, enticing men and encouraging them to waste their money. After a break of thirty minutes, the second trio took over at midnight and repeated the process, having to work extra hard to maintain the patron's excitement and attention. During the time they weren't dancing, the girls helped their fellow captives at their tasks or found a drunk patron to seduce and encouraged them to spend more money.
Currently, she was sitting in the lap of some nameless fellow with adventurous hands. He was saying something in her ear about being a police officer, how he had a big gun he'd like to show her, and that there were handcuffs in his car that'd look so nice around her wrists. Doing as she had been instructed, Kagome laughed and smiled in response. And when his hand dipped between her thighs, she led him to believe it was enjoyable. His lips attacked Kagome's neck, leaving trails of saliva on her skin, and caused her to turn her face away from him. It was good that she did, because then Kagome noticed that the sage was lighting up as a call for her to get up there.
"Come watch me dance~" With a sultry voice, Kagome gave the older man a kiss on the cheek and gracefully stood up from his lap. He watched her leave him, moving towards the crowd of writhing bodies that surrounded the catwalk. The officer was entranced by the sway of her hips and the display of beautiful legs that begged to one day wrap around his waist. Kagome wove her way through the hectic mass of drunk patrons, meeting her fellow dancers at the open section of the catwalk. One by one, they slipped through and were contained inside the empty space at the center. Each found the corner they would assume and ascended the steps that elevated them above the hungry crowd.
The first song of their shift began, 'Off to the Races', and the singer's voice beckoned Kagome to take long, slow strides towards the pole in her corner of the catwalk. The toes of her platform heels dragged against the brilliantly illuminated glass surface below her, and it shifted from white to dark red; which casted against her supple body in such a way that men couldn't help but stare. Kagome watched them press up against the wall of the platform, their attention completely on her, but she just turned her gaze to the wall behind them and allowed her body to glide through various sexual poses and motions that had been taught to her.
Her hands delicately grasped the metal pole as she swung around it in a small rotation, conserving her energy so that she wasn't exhausted before the end of her shift. Using all the feminine wiles of a professional exotic dancer, Kagome's background in dance was what made her a much more captivating performer than the others. She stepped around to the front of the pole and leaned against it, arching her back and bringing her hands above her head in very sensual pose. The fabric of her dress was beginning to ride against her hips teasingly.
Kagome dropped down into a squatting position with her knees together, her balance on the towering shoes a mastered skill by now, before she parted her legs as the men in front her erupted with appreciation. Her hands caressed the smooth muscles of her thighs, fingers teasingly finding the apex of her legs that was covered by a black bikini. Kagome then hooked her fingers into the dress before she stood up in a fluid motion. As she did this, she also pulled the dress up and over her shoulders, tossing it behind her head to fall somewhere into the empty middle space of the triangular stage. Dollar bills flew towards her, collecting around her feet. They screamed for more, for everything she had to offer; didn't they know that she had nothing to give?
Kagome's face was a blank smiling mask, an expression to appease those watching her. She held onto the pole as she circled it before using the momentum to spin effortlessly, her knees picked up so that her feet lifted from the glass surface. As the speed died down, Kagome lowered herself onto her knees and then pressed her hands into the warm glass between them. The action caused her breasts to squeeze together, drawing more attention to her chest that was nearly eye level with the audience now. Kagome was just out of reach though, and finally began crawling forward with her hips swaying and toes pointing straight, making her legs all the more enticing.
Hands shout out, dollar bills extending desperately towards her. Kagome smiled deviously and slowly turned so that her back was to them, giving the amorous men the best possible view of her lower assets. Kagome swayed her hips in long, slow circles before sitting her rear-end down in the space between her ankles. Then, in a display of her flexibility, bent backward until the top of her head pressed against the glass as well. Her chest was thrusted dramatically into the air, and the bikini was dangerously close to letting her breasts slip out. Kagome's blue eyes scanned the faces around her, but they all looked the same now. She brought her arms out to reach for them, allowing the men to touch her hands and arms. They enjoyed it when there were some tactile experiences thrown into the performance.
The song was going to come to an end now, and she'd need to get ready for the next one. Kagome rolled over onto her stomach, her hips lifting off of the flat surface first as if they were pulling the rest of her body. Back on her hands and knees, Kagome leaned close to her audience, giving them an opportunity to slip bills under the straps of her bikini. Her eyes weren't focused on anything as she felt their touches against her breasts, but something did catch her attention.
"Kagome?" The voice was deeper than she remembered, but it was unmistakably Kouga's. He had just pushed his way to the front and was only a foot away from Kagome, staring up at her in shock.