It was a tense ride home. True to his nature, Naraku had ordered a caravan of slaves to carry them back. The three of them sat on a platform with a harness for a demon in the front and in the rear, and several other slaves walked commandingly around them. Kagome couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand sitting while everyone else was walking, she couldn't stand the stares, and she couldn't stand the strain she saw in Inuyasha's back. Naraku had decided to welcome him by giving him the most difficult job of all: carrying the front of the platform. She knew he was strong, but she also knew that carrying half of the weight of three people, as well as the whole ridiculous structure they were sitting on, could not be easy.

But finally, mercifully, they arrived home. Kagome didn't wait for a slave to help her down like she was supposed to, but instead leaped to the ground as soon as the house was in view, landing gracefully on the balls of her feet. Without missing a beat, she then darted forward to stand in front of Inuyasha as soon as he stopped. Her hands were on his harness immediately, pulling at the buckles and cords that bound him.

"Kagome," Naraku barked. "Leave that for one of the other slaves!" She ignored him and only pulled harder until the harness fell away, then braced her own weight against it until the slave in the back was similarly freed and Inuyasha was able to lower the platform to the ground. Naraku and Kagome's mother each accepted a helping hand as they stepped onto the grass.

"When will you learn to be a lady?" Naraku asked, his tone light and teasing, but his face once again twisted into a sneer that his wife couldn't see. "Drop the new slave off in his quarters. He'll get his orientation there."

Kagome thought of the bare conditions in the slave quarters and winced. They had no heat or air conditioning, no furniture, and they were already cramped. "I don't want him to stay there," she replied firmly.

Naraku, who had turned away, turned back menacingly at her words. "You what?"

"He's my slave. Not a house slave. And we're bonded. I want him to stay in my room."

"Why?"

"For... protection."

Naraku smiled icily and lowered his voice to an evil purr. "Now we both know you don't need that."

Kagome fought the urge to shiver. "We do, but not everyone does. I'm the daughter of a very wealthy man now. How will it look if you don't assign someone to guard me at all times from those that might try to use me for your money? It will seem like you don't care about my well-being."

"Oh my!" Kagome's mother exclaimed, stepping into the conversation. "Are there really such bad people out there? Naraku, dear, I would feel so much better if Kagome did have some protection. It's alright, isn't it?"

Naraku gritted his teeth. "Fine," he ground out. "But if getting to sleep in the warm and comfortable main house makes the other slaves jealous and they decide to take it out on him," he continued, speaking a little too loudly as if he wanted the slaves still surrounding them to hear, "then you only have yourself to blame." With that, he marched into the house, barking more orders to whoever could hear. Kagome's mother smiled apologetically before following him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Kagome reached a hand out to Inuyasha. "Come on," she said, putting on her best smile. "I'll show you where you live now."

He took her hand, and she led him up the main staircase to her bedroom. She was almost embarrassed to show him because it was so ornate. And just as she feared, he openly gaped when he saw the gilded ceilings, the plush window seats and the canopy bed.

"You live here?"

"Not by choice..."

"Hey, it's better than anywhere I've lived."

Kagome suddenly felt guilty. Of course it was. She hadn't meant to sound so spoiled. She should be grateful for the heated, comfortable room and bed she was able to call her own. Even if it was incredibly tacky and given to her by the man she hated most. "Sorry..." she whispered.

Inuyasha looked surprised. "I... didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"I'm still sorry that I made such a careless comment. And that you've lived in such terrible places up until now."

Inuyasha nodded slowly and looked thoughtful. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, anything."

"Why did you really want me to stay here?"

"I didn't lie. I do want protection. Just not from kidnappers."

"Ah..." He looked thoughtful again. "So has he been like that your entire life?"

"My entire...?" Then Kagome realized what Inuyasha must have thought. "Oh, gross, no, he's not my real father. He's my step-father. As of three horrible weeks ago."

"Well that makes a lot more sense."

"Because we don't look alike?"

"Believe me. Your looks are only one of many, many things that make you different from him."

"I'm glad to hear that."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Kagome opened it to see a leopard demon with a tray of food.

He bowed and said, "Here is your dinner, Lady Kagome."

"Please don't call me that. And I thought Mom was going to make something?"

"She was, but then Naraku reminded her that she no longer needs to do such menial tasks. That is why we are here."

"And we're not going to eat as a family?"

"Naraku is a very busy man."

"Well... all the better. Thank you for bringing it. Want a roll?"

For a moment, the demon look tempted, but then regally shook his head and declined. Kagome wished he would take one. She knew he probably didn't eat a lot. But she couldn't force him, so she said goodbye.

"Here, Inuyasha." she said, placing the tray on the table next to him. "Dig in."

Inuyasha looked at her as if she were insane.

"What?"

"I'm sure my meal will come later."

"I'm sure it will be crap. Here. Take a freaking roll. Or a leg of lamb. Take all of it, actually. I'm not even that hungry."

"You're serious?"

"Of course I am."

Inuyasha sat suspiciously, still eyeing her carefully. He sampled some of the soup, then the bread, and then all of a sudden he was cramming everything he could into his mouth. Kagome stifled a giggle, fearing that if she made any noise at all she would ruin the moment. He looked so happy. And she was surprised to find that she felt a little happy, too. It was the first time in a while.

A/N: This story wins again! But not by such a large margin as last time. And that's not because it got fewer reviews this chapter, but because the other two are gaining steam. So watch out. I may be updating one of them next. You know what you've gotta do if you want to keep my attention here!

Also, I decided on a futuristic and/or just totally different kind of society altogether. It is an AU, after all. And that way I can make up whatever gadgets I want and I don't have to research anything for historical accuracy. Because I know historical accuracy is a huge concern for you guys.