InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Harem ❯ Chapter 1

DISCLIAMER: Inuyasha, belong to Rumiko Takahashi and not to me. The AU world this story is set in, the plot and any additional characters do belong to me though, and so please don't try to take them without my permission. I make no profit of this story, and am doing it only for my own enjoyment (and hopefully yours too).

 

CHAPTER 1

 

Inutaisho, King of the Kingdom of Inu, sat almost calmly in his audience chamber awaiting the arrival of a very important party. He had just been informed that the company of soldiers he had sent to the village of Ado a number of weeks ago had just returned, and since the commander in charge of the company had been ordered to report directly to him as soon as they returned, he was now sitting here waiting as patiently as he could for said report. He knew that the commander would have to see to the welfare for his men and their animals before coming here, but Inutaisho was anxious to hear what had happened and if the villagers had complied with his demands. Some might think that Inutaisho was cruel in demanding such firm obedience from his people, but the truth was he wasn't. He was just worried and wanted this kingdom and all it's people to survive. The common people might not know it, but it was becoming more dangerous for small kingdoms like Inu all the time, what with the Agabre Empire on the rise, especially since Emperor Naraku had taken the throne. Naraku had plans to make himself known as the greatest Emperor his kingdom had ever seen, and gaining more land for his empire was just one way that had planned to go about it. In the last twelve years he had already absorbed the kingdoms of Ecku and Rajan into the Agabre Empire. But those kingdoms had made it easy for Naraku to do so, Inutaisho knew. The kings of both kingdoms had lost touch and control of their people, and thus made it so much easier for Naraku to sweep in and take control himself. Inutaisho was determined that such a fate would not befall his kingdom while he ruled, and if he had to be seen as a tyrant to do so, so be it. It was for his people's own good in the long run whether they realised it or not.

 

That said, Inutaisho was worried about what would be the outcome at Ado. He had given a list of demands which while they wouldn't destroy the village would not doubt be unpopular, and so encourage them and those like them not to disobey him in the future. He hoped the villagers would be willing to follow his demands, he would not be happy to have the consequences of their refusal on his conscious. He had ordered that should they refuse the village be burnt to the ground and the men of the village killed, an order which had laid heavily on his heart and mind since giving it. Yes, he had ordered that the women and the children aged fourteen and younger be spared, but still… And then there was that final demand he had made, the one which ever since the order had been given, he had been asking himself what possessed him to make such a demand. What if that was the request that made the villagers say no? And what would he even do if they said yes? He had barely used the ones he had these past eighteen years, what would he do with another? Inutaisho sighed to himself, this was a pickle he had got himself into all right, but it wasn't like he could change anything now. He just had to wait and see what his army had achieved and go from there. Who knows, maybe there was a solution somewhere in here after all.

 

Inutaisho was brought out of his musings when the herald at the door spoke up suddenly.

 

“Your Majesty, Commander Kadar reporting as ordered, Sir.” The herald announced before the Commander himself entered, followed by two of his men holding firmly onto another figure wearing a hooded assemble which kept them almost completely hidden from view. Despite the fact that the figure gave every indication that they were not going to fight or run off, the men were still firm, even harsh in their grip as they forced the person onto their knees before kneeling themselves.

 

“My King.” Commander Kadar said, kneeling and bowing deeply in the space in front of the threesome. “Our mission to Ado was a complete success. The villagers surrendered without a fight, and have agreed to all of your demands to ensure that their village remains safe. As agreed upon before leaving, Captain Jafar and a small group of soldiers stayed behind to ensure that your orders are indeed carried out to the letter. Behind me kneels the result of your final demand, the village woman you demanded be brought to you to serve as your new concubine.”

 

“I see, very good Commander.” Inutaisho said, not taking his eyes off the hooded figure who bowed their head even lower when she was mentioned, no doubt in fear Inutaisho rightly assumed. “Soldiers, let her go, unless you believe she is likely to try and escape?” He said, his tone making it clear that he doubted that.

 

“No, I do not believe so your Majesty.” Commander Kadar said, either not noticing or not caring about the inflection of his king's voice. Inutaisho guessed the former, Kadar was a good soldier and a good commander, but he wasn't the sharpest sword in the armoury when it came to things not relating to the battlefield. “She has been nothing but a model captive throughout the whole journey. What's more, she actually volunteered to serve you when her headman would have sent other woman in her place.”

 

Inutaisho raised an eyebrow at that. This was good; he would feel less like the scum of the earth if the woman had volunteered. He wondered what she looked like under that hood.

 

“Stand up woman and take your hood off.” Inutaisho said suddenly, wanting to get an answer to his question. The woman hesitated for a second, but did as he asked without having been forced by the soldiers who looked about ready to step in if she refused. Standing up, she pushed back the hood before removing the cloak completely and draping it over her arm.

 

Inutaisho was surprised by what was revealed. She was beautiful, with long black hair and wide grey eyes. Her skin, while tanned from living and working in the sun for so long, looked soft and firm. Her figure now that he had a better look unobscured by the hooded cloak she had been wearing, was gorgeous, trim yet curvy in all the right places. In short, she was breathtaking.

 

And young, much younger than he would have expected. She looked about sixteen or seventeen, younger even than his youngest son. He had thought that maybe one of the village widows would respond to the demand, not a beautiful young woman with her whole life still to look forward to.

 

“What's your name girl?” Inutaisho asked, trying to figure out what to do now. He couldn't just send her back without risking the image of a King who expected complete obedience which was the whole point of this mission. Yet he really wasn't happy about taking on a new concubine less than half of his age, probably closer to a third. “And how old are you?”

 

“My name is Kagome, your Majesty.” The girl said, while bowing deeply. “I'm seventeen.”

 

`Damn, she's every bit as young as I thought.' Inutaisho thought to himself. `Izayoi's likely to be annoyed enough that I've taken a new concubine, but one that's even younger than our son? I just don't know how she'll… wait, Inuyasha of course!'

 

“I was not expecting to receive a concubine so young, nor do I want one so.” Inutaisho said, taking care to keep his voice and face neutral. Noticing how the girl looked alarmed at that, he continued. “Still, it is not fair of me to punish your village because I was not clear enough in my demands. So, as a solution you will still stand as the part payment for your village's crimes against me, but not as part of my harem. Instead I believe you would be better suited to my youngest son, Prince Inuyasha, and so I will give you to him instead. Do you understand?”

 

“Y-yes your Majesty.” Kagome said quietly, her head still bowed. He hadn't known what her reaction would be to his decision, but all he saw was relief that her village would not be punished because she did not meet up to expectations. He had thought there might be some disappointment that she would not be part of his harem, but there was none showing in her face and manner.

 

`Hmm, so she's really only doing this to help her fellow villagers, not because she hopes to use such a position to gain her own wealth and power like so many others do. She has courage, and is willing to sacrifice herself for here people. Very admirable, I'll have to keep an eye on her and ensure that Inuyasha doesn't mistreat her. Not that I think he will, but such courage and selflessness deserves respect after all.'

 

“Commander, did Miss Kagome bring any luggage with her?” Inutaisho asked, noting that the girl didn't carry anything with her.

 

“Yes, your Majesty. My servant is currently holding it outside. I felt it best to ensure that you would accept her before having it taken to your harem.” The commander answered.

 

Inutaisho nodded. “Very good. Instruct your servant to take it to my son's harem instead. Mahir!” He called to the eunuch who had until this moment been awaiting his master's commands from the shadows. When his loyal slave had moved forward Inutaisho continued. “Take Miss Kagome to my son's harem and instruct the servants working within to bathe her and make ready a room for her. With so few concubines in residence, I'm sure they will be able to find room on such short notice. My son will be gone from the palace until around dinner time, so you will have plenty of time to get ready for him my dear.” He added to Kagome, who simply bowed, maidenly fear forming in her eyes.

 

`Almost a pity that such a fate would befall such a sweet looking young thing, but it can't be helped now.' Inutaisho thought, as he watched Mahir lead Kagome out of the room. `Don't worry girl, my son will treat you right I'm sure. And if not he'll answer to me.'

 

***

 

The Royal Palace of Inu was actually made of several buildings within a large compound. There were separate wings for the formal function, the noble chambers, the servant's quarters and working areas. There were also separate buildings for the harems of the King and his two sons. Each was made up of their own separate building, surrounded by walls and guards to ensure that only those permitted entered the sacred domains. Such features also doubled as insurance that unwilling concubines couldn't escape. Aside from the common areas, baths and private rooms of each concubine, there was also a large suite in each harem used by the man the piacular harem belonged to. While the King and Princes all had rooms in the Royal Wing as well, it was generally expected that after they reached what was considered in their land to be adulthood (aka, sixteen for a male, and for a female whenever their periods started) they would live mostly in the harem and entertain their concubines regularly until they settled down with one or more wives.

 

It was a couple of hours later, when Kagome sat in the room which had been allocated to her in the harem belonging to Prince Inuyasha, having just come from the scrubbing of her life. Having lady's maids who washed and scrubbed for her was a new experience for the girl, and not a very welcome one actually. The women were not gentle in their scrubbing and Kagome felt at times like they were trying to take her skin off along with the dirt. They also made no point of hiding their distain for her dark tan and calloused hands, nor the grime that covered her. Like she could help it after two weeks hard travel from her village. She felt rather humiliated by the whole experience, even though she knew that before the night was over she would most likely have her body handled in a much more intimate way than just being scrubbed clean and perfumed.

 

The maids were also very critical, brutal even, in their views on the clothes Kagome had brought with her, declaring that there wasn't a single one good enough to be seen by the Prince. Kagome actually had to beg them not to throw the whole lot away, promising never to wear them for the prince if they would just let her keep them. The clothes may not be fancy or even new, but they were all she had of home and she could not bear to part with them. Eventually the maids gave into her pleading, but gave her strong warning that if she broke her promise they would be forced to take action. They then produced a rather exquisitely made silk robe from somewhere, possibly borrowed from one of the other concubines, and told her they would arrange for a dressmaker to see her tomorrow. The robe would have been beautiful, Kagome thought, if not for the fact that it was so skimpy. She had undergarments that showed less skin. Then again, with her new role in life, she might have to get used to dressing like this, she thought gloomily.

 

Kagome already hated her new life, but she couldn't quite bring herself to regret her decision to volunteer to serve as the King's concubine. She couldn't let Ayumi suffer in her place like her father had wanted. Ayumi had been one of Kagome closest friends since childhood, even if they had been drifting apart slightly in later years. She was so sweet and shy, and Kagome was sure she wouldn't be able to survive long in this kind of life. What's more, the poor girl had her whole life ahead of her, and as soon as Hojo worked up the courage to ask her father for her hand was sure to be happily married. Of course, she wasn't married or even engaged yet, so Khayyam must have figured she was fair game. Well, neither was Kagome and she didn't have any prospects within the village, so Kagome guessed it only made sense that she be the one sent here. Her father didn't disagree, didn't care if his own daughter was sent so long as his own neck was saved. Her mother and brother were another matter Kagome thought, remembering her tearful farewell with them. She remembered her mother crying while shooting death looks in her father's direction, swearing that she would love her daughter forever and telling her to be strong while engulfing her in the biggest hug Kagome could ever remember getting. She remembered Souta blinking back the tears he refused to shed as he told Kagome how proud he was of her for making such a sacrifice, while swearing they would meet again. Kagome wondered if he was right. She hoped so. The chance that she might meet her family again some time in the future might be all that kept her going in the days, weeks and years to come.

 

Trying to pull herself out of her depressing thoughts, Kagome looked around the room she had been given. She had been taken here straight after her bath and told to relax and prepare herself for when the Prince would no doubt send for her later tonight. Yeah, sure, relax, that was going to happen. It was a beautifully decorated room though, Kagome noted, filled with silken drapes and beaded pillows, and furniture made of highly polished brass and gilded gold. Kagome wondered how the servants had prepared this in just one day, or if it was already done before hand for some reason. Maybe the rooms were all prepared in advance in case a new concubine turned up out of the blue like she did.

 

Speaking of other concubines, how many did this Prince Inuyasha have? She hadn't seen any others since being brought here. The king had said that this harem had few concubines, but few most certainly wasn't none so where were the others? Then again, was she sure she wanted to meet the other concubines so soon? Granted in a small village such as hers you didn't hear many harem stories, but she had heard a few growing up and one thing that was always emphasised in them was the backstabbing and plotting of concubines all vying for the favour of the one they served. Just another thing Kagome wasn't looking forward to about her new life, and one she was happy to hold off as long as possible.

 

Suddenly Kagome was brought back to reality by the sound of the door to her new room opening and someone entering. Her blood turned cold at the sound. It couldn't be the Prince could it? No! It was too early, too soon, she wasn't ready to deal with this yet. Feeling sick to her stomach, Kagome turned to face the figure who had just entered.