Bound by Privilege

This story is not for profit. It is purely fanfiction. I don't claim any ownership of the manga or anime Inuyasha, the original story, or the characters within, created by Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 2

Sesshoumaru stood in the ring eyeing his appointment. The other demon stood about his height, dark gray hair reaching to his shoulders, green eyes facing his own gold. His opponent's attire was a black vest bearing the emblem of his handling team, black cargo pants, and black boots, his wrist bearing what looked like the band of a watch but Sesshoumaru knew better. It was a far cry from his own attire, a white t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. It was the attire of a rebellious demon not to show the respect of a handling team. The crowd around them closed in, shouts and grumblings about as money exchanged hands quickly and bets were made. Sesshoumaru quickly scanned the crowd, his hunger matching every dollar. He watched his opponent, Goru, crack his knuckles and stretch before flexing at the removal of the vest. It was a display, a show for all to see that he was a force.

Goru shifted to his dog demon form, dark gray fur, pointed ears, and two tails. Sesshoumaru matched this transformation with his own pure white form roaring his disgust at the altered demon's form. This was no true dog demon. They were never two-tailed and never that coloring. Goru was either the result of targeted or cross-breeding. It was no fault of his own or even of his parents. It was simply the way that things were done. Sesshoumaru returned his focus to the reason that they were there. Goru was still his opponent and was now charging toward him. He moved to avoid the head-on attack only to make his charge, barely missing while again avoiding another advance of his opponent. They seemed to play this angle for a while before one of the men outside of the ring threw both of his fists up into the air signaling for a barrier. Sesshoumaru mentally cursed as the ring was encircled with a blue light. Their movements would be slowed, making attacks harder to dodge and pushing them into closer vicinity as the fight continued forcing fangs into each other's throats. Sesshoumaru quickly decided to attack before Goru had the chance to do it quicker. Goru defended himself but the defense came late as his shoulder bled from the contact of claws. Sesshoumaru turned himself at the ready again but Goru was retaliating and he could feel the heaviness in his legs now as the air felt thicker. He shifted to his left, letting his side take the blow knocking him toward the barrier but forcefully stopping himself before touching it. Goru was already charging again and the ring was closing in.

The crowd around them chanted, shouting, and screaming for a bloodier fight. Their rage against each other was so encouraged and yet the kill was not the goal. Sesshoumaru braced himself as the two of them clashed again but this time they were deadlocked facing each other down attempting at each other's necks, their only movements short circling each other to catch an opening. Sesshoumaru knew this would have to end soon. They were both getting tired and were easily prone to mistakes. He would have to use the barrier to his advantage but it would come at a cost. Sesshoumaru threw the full weight of his body into Goru knocking them both into the barrier. His opponent's roars matched his own pain but he'd latched onto Goru's throat. Sesshoumaru could feel the false demon starting to lose his legs as his eyes met the man in the crowd who signaled for the barrier. His arms remained at his sides, his hands in fists, face and mouth wrinkled in anger, disgust, and disappointment. Would he let Goru die in the ring today? Sesshoumaru closed his eyes trying to fight the pain and keep himself from passing out. Opening his eyes again, Sesshoumaru saw the man's hand raised.

"End!" The barrier around them dropped and he let Goru go. They'd both made it out of another fight alive. Sesshoumaru shifted and pulled himself up. He watched Goru shift as well but his former opponent was met by the man who had gestured his commands. Sesshoumaru turned and exited the ring quickly grabbing the paper he was handed and not wanting to see his opponent belittled and kicked while he was still down. Sesshoumaru maneuvered through the crowd. He found a room at the back corner, where a familiar woman sat, her fingers maneuvering the cash with a quickness that only she could count.

"Akari"

"Sesshoumaru! I heard you were fighting today."

"You know I don't have much time for the small talk."

Akari nodded, glancing at the paper Sesshoumaru held out, and placed the cash down on the table.

"A hundred."

"That's it?"

Akari shook her head knowing it wasn't fair. Handling teams could make up to thousands on bets. She looked around her making sure the room was clear before she spoke again.

"Rules changed two weeks ago. They sent the update to the handling teams. The officials docked you for using the barrier to win."

"...!" Sesshoumaru tried to hide the shock but he knew Akari could see it. She'd already said too much but like him, she was a demon and a rebel in her own right. She'd been around for years keeping close ties with his parents, living her life around the rings, and trading to multiple teams in her early years. It was hard to pinpoint where Akari was actually from. She was street smart and carried a thick northern accent with a southern heart, western style, and an eastern attitude. Akari never fought. Her looks and smarts kept her out of the ring but it still wasn't enough to keep her out of this life. Who knows how many demons she was mother to and even she'd lost count.

"Handling teams keep seeing you win sweetheart. You have no team and they don't like it. They don't want demons getting ideas."

Sesshoumaru nodded as he placed his hand over the purple band around her wrist, her hand slipped around his bare wrist in an embrace covering the demonic markings and the additional $100 she slipped him.

"Thanks. I'll see you again soon."

Akari smiled, "There's a call coming by the pier in two weeks. Take care of yourself, hun."

Sesshoumaru merged with the crowds in the streets before finally arriving at a parking garage. It was nearly empty on that level. He crouched behind one of the center pillars noticing the lights of a patrol car. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until the lights of the car were gone. He groaned sitting back up as his ribs reminded him of the fight less than an hour ago. The garage wouldn't be an option tonight.

His trip would be a short one, just down the street to a diner that seemed more like a hole in the wall. It always served as a place to hide out and grab a bite to eat for the night.

Sesshoumaru found his way through the back alley behind the diner staying against the shadows of the spotlight just above the backdoor as it flickered on and off. The inconsistency of it always gave him a bit of an advantage. He'd watched as one of the cooks sat a bag outside. It was just past closing time and there wasn't a restaurant in town that didn't seem to be ashamed of throwing out perfectly good food. Sesshoumaru waited another half hour. The cook brought out two more bags before eventually making the hike to the trash can and then pulling out of the parking lot for the evening. It wasn't hard for Sesshoumaru to let his nose find the most recent foods thrown out. The pickings may not have been up to human standards but it was just enough to satiate the hunger of a demon's stomach after a fight and going several days without food. He'd packed the last of it into his bag as the beam of a flashlight met his feet.

"Hey! What are you doing back here?!"

Sesshoumaru immediately backed out of the path of the officers' flashlights. Even if digging through the trash wasn't against the law they would arrest him for trespassing on private property without any questions asked. The fence behind him was surely meant to be a barrier to something but it would not hold him here. He made short work of it, jumping it and getting out of earshot and vision of the officers, easily leaving them behind. Sesshoumaru continued moving, realizing that there wouldn't be a place to rest tonight and that it might be the last time he would be able to use the diner or any of the restaurants in the area. The officers would be patrolling for the rogue demon that got away with a few scraps from the trash. It never failed that this was the way that it would go. Just when he would find a reliable source for food or shelter surveillance would be placed or officers would start patrolling the area and he would have to move on.

Sesshoumaru sighed, looking toward the moon as he walked and adjusted the bag on his back. This wasn't the life that his parents wanted for him. For a moment he allowed himself to consider the options. Was the only freedom he'd ever see mean being constantly hungry, having to steal or scavenge, and fighting for his life in the rings? His other option seemed even worse although others might have considered it just a simple band around the wrist to calm the fears of humans. He could register himself and let the authorities of the city track his every move and then have better chances at a normal life. But what would ever change the minds of humans being that half of them were still afraid of demons and the other half were jealous? There was a small percentage of humans that treated demons just like everyone else no matter what. But something as simple as a band around the wrist made the difference for everyone else? His parents disagreed with the practice and made sacrifices to keep him away from the intrusion of his life despite knowing their efforts were an uphill battle.

A/N: I hope to update again soon!