Fuzzy silver dog ears swilved at a familair sound, though it was much different from his memories. Before it had been cold, monotone, now it was snarlng with rage and a pride that refused to be broken. Gold amber eyes looked to the down below from his position on the balcony by his mistrss's side. His eyes widened to saucers, he recognized those familiar markings, pale flesh and youki, even if it was restrained.
How the hell did a ice prick like Sesshomaru ended up in a Trade auction?
"Inuyasha?" the soft melodious voice of his mistress called him.
"Yes mistress?" he answered.
"Is there something wrong? Your awfully distracted," she said, her eyes filled with a soft and loving concern that warmed his heart to see.
"It's nothing, just..." He didn't want to finish. It felt like if he acknowledged Sesshomaru's presence that would mean that he was really here and he didn't want that. He just got away from the bastard.
"Just what Inuyasha?" his mistress asked curiousity lacing her wonderful lavender and vanilla scent.
Dammit! He couldn't lie to her. Reluctantly, he pointed a clawed hand down to his half brother's furious form as he snarled at anyone that attempted to touch him, "That's my half brother, Sesshomaru down there. He's not supposed to be here."
'Not supposed to be here' would be the understatment of the millenia! The ice prick shouldn't even be here, as goods no less!
"Hmm?" his mistress murmerd in slight curiousity, rising from her comfortable loveseat to see who he was pointing at.
Inuyasha continued to point down at the rageing taiyoukai, watching as his mistress's eye became alight with excitement, the blue of her stormy grey eyes becoming visible like sunlight. She looked so beautiful like that, not thing on her mind but carefree enjoyment. He hadn't seen that gleam in months. Inuyasha felt jelousy rip through him at the fact that his hated -brother- was the cause of that look in her face.
"He's quiet handsome, in a cool regal way, isn't he?" he mistress asked, resting her head on her chin as she leaned against the railings to look down at the stage. Inuyasha knew better than to answer that, because it was true, however he couldn't help the snort of disgust that followed.
His mistress narrowed her eyes at him and his ears flatened to the back of his head in response, he waited for the punishment that he knew what would happen. He had gotten lucky with his mistress, she was a very fair woman that gave her property more freedoms than a slave could ever expect when they were at the estate as long as they did their duty. Outside the estate however there was a certain level of subserivience that was expected to show in public in response to her station or else they were punished. Lightly or heavily depended on their actions and situation, but the causes for it were much clearer than any other master he'd known.
Inuyasha just broke one of her rules: never show any hint of rebellion in public.
She motioned him to lower his head for acess to his ears, he gave it to her, expecting a twist to the sesitive appendages for his outburst. And she did. Those elegent thin fingers pinched his soft appendages with surpriseing stength and a hint light pink that came from her miko ki, making it more painful. He yelped, the scent of his burnt flesh and pain was light but easily scented by the youkai present. He didn't bother to try and get away. If he did he would get a worse punishment.
"I'm sorry mistress," he wimpered. She pinched his ears harder, sending a bolt of pain through his head. "Please, please forgive me mistress. I didn't mean to."
The fingers lessened and her miko ki changed, no longer shooting pain down his spine but a cool soothing touch. Pink became blue at the shift and intent of her energies, now she was healing him instead of hurting. No longer rough, but as gentle as the woman who wielded them, caressed his abused ears with soft touches and ki that tingled along his head and down his spine in a tantalizing caress that made him shiver.
"I don't like hurting you pet, I just meant that it's easy to see that you two are related," she commented, her hand still strokeing his ear even though her eyes returned to Sesshomaru as his bidding had begun. "The coloring are much like yours, though his eyes remind me of Hiei's when I first acquired him. He was very uncaring and ruthless before the Contract you know."
The sound of the auction master rang through the noise of the crowd below them, starting the bidding for his hlf-brother. It was relitivly low, just like others when the merchandise was too volatile. It reminded Inuyasha of his time in Sesshomaru's place, before he met his mistress. But he barely heard it aginst the pleasure thrumming through his body that his mistress was allowing him. She always did this, meeting punishments that she handed out with pleasure.
"Would you like your brother to come with us?" she asked and her hand stopped.
His mind as still foggy from having his ears rubbed so he couldn't quite remember the proper protocol for phrasing his answer. "I don't want that bastard anywhere near you, he's stupidly dangerous, but it'd be good for the prick to get as good as he gives for once in his life. And you're interested in him, been a long time since I've seem your eyes sparkle like that," he answered quietly.
His mistress giggled, and Inuyasha smirked a little at the sound. It sounded like the chimes his mother had been so fond of putting up in the windy months of the year, a soft tinkling sound. She gave his ears another rub and light itch with her nails near the base, his legs trembled at the sensation. How he wanted to go down on his knees them and there, begging her to touch the place that was already preparing itself for her pleasure. But he couldn't, not now.
"Well then Inuyasha lets go save the auction master from the big bad Inu youkai," she said her eyes getting that look. The one that told him she knew exactly what she was doing to him, and loving the thoughts that we're begining to fog his brain. She came closer, her coral pink lips coming close to his now hyper-sensitive ears and blew a warm breath to them, "If you're a good Inu you'll get a treat when we arrive home."
Inuyasha's eyes moved to floor, his fangs pierced his lips to keep from moaning out loud. He nodded and she removed her hand from his ear. Inuyasha dutifully following his mistress down to the stages, uncaring if people could see his tented pants and youkai could smell his arousal combined with slightly burnt flesh that had already healed.
He would make his mistress proud and although he'd rather chew glass than help his asshole of a half brother, he would act like a proper slave. His mistress's rewards meant more to him than anything, even one upping Sesshomaru. And his half silbling would realize that truth very soon if that gleam in his mistress's eye had anything to say about it. He was unsure weather to be jealous, laugh, or pity Sesshomaru's ass. His mistress was going to break him throughly and make him enjoy every minute of it.
Sesshomaru tried to bite the auction master as he attempted to approach him again. He wouldn't let the bastard touch him with those filthy hands masterfully ignoring the burning sensation along his neck.
"1000!" "5000!" "10,000" "60,000!"
"100,000," said a powerful female voice that silenced all the others.
"100,000, anyone going to go any higher? 100,000 going once, going twice... SOLD, to Lady Kagome for 100,000 yen."
He didn't know whether to be insulted that he, the killing perfection had been sold at a Trade auction for such a small amout or happy that the woman had bought him just like Midoriko said she would. Not that his beast, the one in current control of his body would recognize it.
The pipe that he was attached to dragged him from the stage back behind the curtains, the auction continuing on behind him. The chains ratteled and shook as the beast continued to try and free himself and his saner half from their bindings. The skin on his neck, wrists, and arms became hot and chaffed from his efforts but did not budge.
His beast noticed from the corner of his eye that his new 'owner' and the man who dared to sell him approached. The first thing he noticed was that she was tiny. He was tall, 6'1. She barely came up to his chin wearing three inch wooden sandels, if she took them off her head would fight perfectly on his chest, right over his heart. She wore a dark blue kimmono with white lilies, a cream colored butterfly obi kept her kimmono tied to her feminine figure. Her hair was a mass of wavey black silk that fell down her back to her thighs contrasting very nicely with her creamy smooth flesh, reminding him of black ink against cream paper.
Her eyes though... The beast had never seen any human whose eyes resembled jewels as much as her's did.
The were twin pools of a stormy blue/grey. Normally such a color appeared flat, especially in the foreigners that his saner half had delt with. But hers shifted, changing hues.
And her scent! Such a scent couldn't have come from a human. The woman smelled of lavender and vanilla. The beast took a deep breath of the woman's scent, it spread throught his body and brain. Against everything, the beast calmed at her scent, the blue fading out from his iris back to their normal amber gold. It was mouthwatering, Sesshomaru wanted to curl up around her and nuzzle her neck so that every breath he took was that maddeningly delicious smell.
He breathed deeper, wanting more of the mysterious woman's scent buzzing along his senses. The beast growled low in his chest and his eyes returned to their electric blue, forest pine. Inu youkai. Some other male had dared to claim her!
Walking behind the woman was his half breed, half brother Inuyasha.
He didnt look much different, then again he did have their sires blood in his veins, and it had only been a year. His long silver hair hung uncontained down his back, amber met furious red with a blank stare. Inuyasha wore tightfiting pants that flared as his ankels, there was no color pattern to indicate his 'assets' unlike his own, though there was a sucpisoius scent coming form his half brother's direction. His chest was covered with two crossing bits of red leather and he wore a black and red collar around his throat. A silver buckle glitered in the light, an image of a cirlce being peirced by a single arrow was all that it showed. Not even the clasp was visible.
The biggest thing that was different was that he could no longer smell the scent of his half brother's anger, a scent that had long been ingrained into his normal forest and pine smell, souring it with his bitterness and resentment. Instead it was laced with something akin to... contentment. The beast that was Sesshomaru grew slightly curious at the change in his pack-mate, despite being the more instinctual half he wasn't unaffected by his own curiosity.
Even if he still wanted to rip the whelp apart for being so close to that heavenly scent.
"Lady Kagome! Are you sure that you wish to take this beast?" the auction master questioned. "There are much more, amenable pieces that would be overjoyed to be purchased by you my lady." The beast's curiosity only grew, why the man suddenly stank of fear and nervousness?
Inuyasha narrowed his honey colored eyes at the man.
The woman, Kagome, just smiled indulgently, "I assure you, I do not wish a more 'amenable' piece, Auction Master." Her jeweled gaze turned to him and his beast growled happily at having the delicious woman's attention focused solely on him. "In fact I believe that this one willl provide me much amusement. All my other peices have become broken as of late and I require a new one."
Sesshomaru snarled at her words within the confines of his mind, he would not be made to heel like some common ningen pet! His beast however didn't seem to have any qualms at the onna's words, growling louder and that only made Sesshomaru angrier. He was the master of his person, not his beast! The chains clacked against each other from his leash as Sesshomaru took control and lunged at her.
"Lady Kagome!"
The leash stopped mear inches from her body but she didn't flinch away from his vermillion amber gaze. His fangs didn't reach her throat and his claws and youki continued to be usless to him. He wanted to rip and tare this wench appart! How dare she say that she would break him! He would break her and feed on her blood and flesh!
"My oh my, you are quiet wild aren't you?" Kagome said, those grey blue eyes darkening. "I'm going to have fun breaking you in. Auction Master prepare the paper work for my new pet, I will be taking him with me today."
Tha auction master trembeled, unsure who to be more afraid of. The red eyed beast with it's destructive gaze, or the woman who stood in front of it unafraid. "Y-yes Lady Kagome! Right away."
He lunged at her again, trying in vain to get closer. Kagome clucked her tounge at him, her eyes narrowing. "Now, now, there's no reason to tare out my throat as you seem so intent on doing. It's not like I'm going to do anything that's going to harm you."
Sesshomaru just snarled again, and Kagome sighed, "So much for having a conversation. I'll just have to wait till you calm down then."
"Mistress, if I may," Inuyasha said, speaking for the first time, his face devoid of emotion. Kagome mearly looked at him but he continued, "Sesshomaru is Inu youkai as you know, we respect strength and will immediately calm when faced with our equal. If you prove that you are as powerful as him it should allow him to calm down enough to listen to you."
Kagome nodded and deftly grabbed the collar around his neck before he could move to strike her. Her hand glowed a bright pink and pain lanced him, slowly moving down from the collar to the rest of him.
It hurt, Kami did it hurt. It wasn't the pain of breaking bones or split flesh, those Sesshomaru was used to. This was a whole 'nother realm. It was a slow moving pain that settled in his skin, in his muscles, and blood. A needel sharp ache in his joints made him protest his bound limbs even more. He struggeled to move, to get away, but moving only made it worse.
Sesshomaru went to his knees, collar and leash now cutting off his air, Kagome followed him, not letting go of the least. He couldn't get in enough air and even on his knees the pain didn't stop. He didn't know how to make it end, he wanted it to end. So Sesshomaru did something he hadn't done since he was a very young pup.
He whimpered.
"Submit, Sesshomaru," Kagome cooed. "Submit and I'll make it stop."
Sesshomaru barely heard her words, his blood pumped loud in his ears drowning out all other noise. She growled and yanked on the collor making him yelp and take a deep breath when he felt a little space open.
"Submit, Sesshomaru." He heard her this time, now that the blood in his ears not beating quiet so loudly, though pain continued to flow through him. He nodded and barred his neck.
She jerked the collar forward again and he took a gulp of air unaware of the kiss Kagome placed on his vulnerable jugular though he could scent her excitement and contentedness. Then just like it had appeared the pain stopped.
Kagome released him, allowing him to gasp for air and smiled at the hanyou, reaching up to caress his cheek, "What a clever hanyou I have. You are definatly getting a reward when we return to the estate Inuyasha, I expect you to be prepared for it."
A wave of arousal came from his half brother was enough of a shock that it brought Sesshomaru's sanity back to the forefront of his mind. He blinked in confusion, 'What in all levels of hell had just happened?'
The Auction master returned bringing with him Midoriko and a sizable stack of papers. Midoriko narrowed violet-blue eyes at the younger woman and greeted coolly, "Lady Higurashi."
"Lady Higure," Kagome returned the greeting with an equally frostily air. "I'm surprised. I didn't heard that you were bringing in a Inu to the begining of the Season. I thought that you would bring one of othse other peices that you're SOO fond of."
"I could say the same thing about you Lady Higurashi," Midoriko replied, sighning where the Auction master told her to. "Your Shippo is quiet the prize. You've created a beautiful and senual piece."
"I can only be grateful that a such a powerful and well known Director amongst my associates in the Trade can appreciate my Shippo's skills," Kagome said with a pleased smile plastered on her face and signed her name right next to Midoriko's. From Sesshomaru's still slightly fogged mind he registured the scent of her anger and defencive feelings, completely at odds with her deceptivly pleasing smile and kind words. 'The two obliviously have more problems than even me and my sire,' Sesshomaru thought.
Kagome took the stack of papers from the Auction masters and bit down hard on her thump. The scent of her blood made his half brother tense as she covered her thumb with the red liquid and brought it down on the papers. Without looking to him she handed the elder woman the papers and put the bleeding appendage in his half brother's mouth. Sesshomaru heard Inuyasha's low groan and narrowed his eyes in distaste towards his half brother's shameful behavior. He was treating the woman like she was his alpha. He could only imagine the shame his sire wold feel to know that his youngest was brought so low by a human woman.
Midoriko took out a small knife form her formal kimmono and nicked her thumb as well, mirroring Kagome's actions and afixing her print in blood. "And I can only be glad that such a young and gifted Director can be so groundedd as to take pride in her pieces but not let it go to her head." She handed the papers to the Auction master.
He filed through them for a moment, nodding his head and grunting, "Everything is in order my ladies. The papers have been signed. Sesshomaru is now officially Lady Kagome's property. All that's left is to discuss the payment."
"Of course Acutiuon Master," Kagome said, removing her thumb from his brother and using his hair, so similar to his own, to dry her finger. "Will a check be sufficent Lady Higure? Or would you prefere on of my employees to deliver the payment to your residence?"
"A check now will do Lady Higurashi."
Kagome nodded and reached inside her own kimmono for a small checkbook and a pen. She quickly scribbled down inside it and ripped out the small peice of paper, handing it off to the older woman. "I hope you have a pleasant Season Lady Higure, I will quiet enjoy him."
"Of course, Lady Higurashi," Midoriko said taking the check from her. "Enjoy him to your hearts content." She placed the paper inside her kimmono and walked away leaving Sesshomaru to his half brother and his wench.
Kagome gave a small sigh and turned to the Auction Master, "I expect a copy of the paperwork to be delivered to my residence within the day. Also fetch Shippo and Hakudoshi, I am eggar to return to my estate."
"Of course Lady Kagome. Follow me if it pleases you," the auction master said bowing lowly. She nodded to the man before turning to Inuyasha, "Remove his leash from the train and escort him to the car Inuyasha. If I see a mark on him I will be sure to punish you later." Now she turned to him, eyes flashing with promise, "And if I see that you've harmed my property in any way the first time I punish you will be more brutal than any I have ever given another. Do you understand?"
'Now that I can focus again without being dizzy,' Sesshomaru thought, but wisely nodded his head.
"Good. Take care of him Inuyasha, I will see you soon."
"Yes Mistress," Inuyasha said, moving to remove his leash as instructed.
His half brother worked effeciently and removed the chain from the pipe that nearly cut off his air. The sudden weight of the chain and collor around his neck seemed to give the situation he was in a sudden finality. He followed after his brother in a daze, not really seeing where they were going since his gaze had turned inward.
'I was sold. Like some common animal, and I couldn't even lash out at the infernal wretch that purchased my freedom like she deserves. Who does she think this Sesshomaru is? Does she think that this Sesshomaru will just take this like a Inu bitch?' He didn't register the change in the air around them or the cold that was suddenly washing over his skin.
"We're here."
Sesshomaru came out of his thoughts with a start. They were in a undrground parking lot and standing in front of a sleek black limo. Inuyasha shifted on his feet, looking at him in mild confusion. After several minutes of tense silence he asked, "Why are you here Sesshomaru? Being at an Auction doesn't fit your ice prick image, and I know that the company is doing well so you can't be here to pay off a debt or anything. You didn't even sell for that much," Inuyasha muttered the last part but he still heard it, he looked him straight in the eye. Honey connecting with amber, "So why are you here Sesshomaru?"
"I am not here by choice, hanyou," Sesshomaru said, his natural dislike for his younger half brother coloring his voice for the first time in a year. "Father heard from an inside source that you were taken in by someone in the Trade and sold to that wench. Father is too well known even amongst the underworld and so he ordered me to find you and bringing you back. His distress for your safety is affecting his ability to care for the company, and this Sesshomaru used his contacts to arrange this situation in order to find you." Not exactly the whole truth but it was all his idiotic half brother needed to know.
Inuyasha had frowned the moment Sesshomary spoke and by the time he was done it was a scowl. "The company. The COMPANY? That's the whole reason that you let yourself get sold in a Trade Auction? For that damn company?"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at his tone, "Why else would this Sesshomaru allow himself to be taken and sold? Now release me Inuyasha and let's return to Father to tell him of your return." He tugged on the chain a little.
Inuyasha starred at him like he'd grown a second head that sung show tunes, "Why the hell would I go back Ice Prick?"
"It is Father's will that you return Inuyasha."
"Yeah I got that," he snorted. "Now give me a reason I would actually go back instead of staying where I WANT to be you Ice bastard and then we'll talk."
"It is Father's will, hanyou," Sesshomaru growled out. "He is alpha and his will is law."
"You don't get it Sesshomau," Inuyasha said, suddenly giving him a pitying look. "You never really did. You didn't give two shits about me when we were growing up. You didn't care what I did or who I did it with except a year ago, because you saw me as a resource to be used into order to help you secure the company's future. And that lead to now. All for a COMPANY." His bangs covered his eyes and he suddenly jerked the chain forward. It was so sudden that Sesshomaru fell to his knees on the hard concreet, Inuyasha grabbed his hair, yanking up his head. Sesshomaru hissed when he felt the pricks of claws on his scalp. "I left because I wanted someone to give a shit about me Sesshomaru. And after 3 months of hell I finally found her, and no one, not you, not our old man, no one, is going to take me from her."
'If only I could use my youki,' he mentally growled. 'Then I'll show this pathetic hanyou just who he's messing with.'
"Now now Inuyasha, calm down before our dear mistress sees you manhandling her new property. You do want her to give you that reward when we get home later don't you?" asked an amused voice.
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru turned in the direction of the sound. The voice belonged to a youkai that smelled like male kitsune. His rust red hair was tied in a loose topknot and his emerald eyes glitered with mischief on a young man's face. He looked no more than 16, which for a Kitsune meant very little. He wore a loose white button up shirt, the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of low riding black pants. Sesshomaru could see wrist bindings like Inuyasha's and his own adorning his wrists. He also had a thick rust red colloar around his neck, the silver buckle had the same image on it as the hanyou's. Unlike the hanyou or himself he was wearing shoes though.
Inuyasha growled but released him, "You're lucky Shippo was here to safe you icicle bastard."
"Luck had nothing to do with it Inu," 'Shippo' commented. "I got a feeling that you might just snap considering your history with lord ice mutt here and told our mistress that I was going to get the car ready for her. Apparently Hakudoshi needed a few more minutes to finish up the register. First day of the Season is always the busiest you know."
"Feh."
Shippo walked over, a smirk on his face and an arrogant spring in his step, he looked down at Sesshomaru's bound flesh, eyes hooded. "You know he looks real good down on his knees," he commented, his eyes trailing up and down his body in a way that made Sesshomaru wary. "Mistress will get a great deal of fun out of him. Perhaps she'll even let me have a go at him as a reward?"
"Touch me you filthy Kitsune," Sesshomaru growled, trying ot look threatening with his arms bound and his half breed half brother holding his leash. "And you will taste your own blood before you touch this Sesshomaru's body."
"Now that's just too bad," Shippo said, a challenging glint in his emerald eyes. "Cause I have it on good word that I taste delicious."
Inuyasha gave a barking laugh, "Come off it Ship, I don't think Mistrss is going to let you near her new toy for a while. Let's get the car started so you can go Kitsune on Kurama or the midget."
"Yeah yeah," Shippo said waving his hand in a dismissive jesture. "Stupid Inu's always ruining my fun."
Inuyasha tugged him up and opened the limo door. He crawled in first, pulling Sesshomaru inside before closing the door behind him.
Sesshomaru had to admit it was a well furbished limo. Comfortable well worn red carpet teased the skin of his feet and ankles, the scent of clean leather wafted from the plush leather seats around the edge of interior. There as a long minibar with several doors, probably carrying various alcohol and snacks for importanat business guests. The mouthwatering scent of lavander and vanilllia was in the air.
'Such a scent, how can someone who smells so good and pure participate in something as dishonorable as the Trade?' Sesshomaru wondered. He frowned when he noticed the direction of his thoughts was going to that woman. He shouldn't care about her, the only thing that should of concern him was getting away. Not pondering about his 'owner'.
"Well, now that your kinda settled Ice ba- Sesshomaru, time to get a run down on the rules for your new life," Inuyasha said, sitting across from him with his legs crossed and giving him a serious expression he'd rarely ever seen.
Sesshomaru's displeasure showed on his face, "This Sesshomaru dosn't need to hear it hanyou. This situation is temporary. Stop wasting oxygen with your foolish blathering and release this Sesshomaru from his restraints so that we may return to Father's manor."
"Wow Inu, you weren't kidding when you said he was stubborn," Shippo snickered from the driver's seat.
"You don't got a choice Sesshomaru," Inuyasha growled. "This isn't a 'temporary situation'. I won't be going back to the old man anytime soon, and now neither will you. My mistress owns me and soon she'll own you."
"Of course I will idiot hanyou. This Sesshomaru is vice president and Father's heir."
"Not anymore you ain't," Inuyasha said point bluntly. "From now on you ain't nothing but what Mistress says you are. Your life is no longer your own Sesshomaru, its hers. If she says kill you kill, if she says breathe you breathe." Inuyasha locked gazes with his older half brother, he could almost see the rising painic in his eyes through his ice mask. "Everything is her's to do with as she wishes now. Your strength, your youki, your mind, body and soul are hers. There's no point fighting it Sesshomaru. You won't ever be returning."