InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Indentured Survitude ❯ I'm Naught but a Possession ( Chapter 2 )

Kagura sat huddled in her cell, the smell of unwashed bodies and rotting corpses swam around her and it took immense control to keep what little she could eat from resurfacing. She had tried to push the memories out of her head, the officers that came to her home, the court, the horrible prison. She had wanted to believe her father would save her… that he would bribe the magistrate into declaring her innocence, but she knew it was a delusion, and she had always been far smarter than that. She was just grateful her father had not left her to die, raped and murdered, in the prisons where they made no attempt to separate the criminals by gender, age, or crime. They were all the filth of England and whatever happened down there, it meant one less out on the streets.

 

Her father had persuaded the court to give her passage on a convict ship. Sending her to the colonies seemed far more appropriate than letting her rot in jail. Less of a blush on the family name, and the court readily agreed, packing her along with several hundred other women onto the large ship in chains.

 

Now here she was, silently stewing in her own misery, waiting through the few moments left before she once again stood on solid ground. That is…if anyone had the mind to buy her papers. She was well aware of how horrible she looked now. Having to fight for the few vittles given to her. The maggot infested biscuits leaving her feeling sick and week, she was sure one could count every one of her ribs. The odds of getting a fair price for her seemed remote. When she was so scrawny and starved looking a skeptical eyebrow was probably the only thing she would raise.

 

One of the ship hands came down with a ring of keys jangling.

 

~*~*~*~*

 

The call boy blew his whistle, giving the signal or the waiting crowd of colonials to come aboard. Though most men had come to the ship intending to acquire field hands, some had more dubious reasons. Kagura sat back, breathing in the fresh sea air, enjoying the small bit of freedom between the switch of prisons. Many stopped to look at her, eyeing her small waist and large bosom for a moment before acknowledging her boney hands and sickly look. No one wanted a servant who would most likely drop dead a few steps off the ship. He once beautiful gown lay in tattered ribbons around her, her bare toes curled beneath her as the early spring chill crept upon her like a stalking predator.

 

It took her a moment before she realized it wasn't the chill of the air but the sensation that someone was watching her. Turning her head slowly she caught the glance of a tall sophisticated looking young man. His milky hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck, powdered no doubt. Either that or he was a demon like her. She couldn't tell right now, she was too weak to waste precious energy searching for a demonic presence. She watched as he came closer, catching the eyes of many of the other bondswomen and several colonial women as well. She fully expected him to pass her by with only a swift glance, his muscles folding and stretching beneath his white home spun shirt, she would enjoy the brief view for the time. His long legs carried him over the wooden deck in quick strides, halting him before her, much to her surprise.

 

She didn't bother with an expression; she just stared up at him curiously. His sharp golden eyes roamed over her, not like the others looking for a person to work for them, but like she was some object, a possession whose perfections and flaws must be determined now lest it cause trouble later. With a nod he stepped around her. She let out a sigh, thinking he was gone, only to feel his hands land upon her shoulders. She stiffened, fully expecting him to grope her, but he didn't, he just watched her, letting his hands slide down her ribs to feel her bones beneath the thin layer of skin. She could entertain no uncertainty that she had piqued the stranger's interests as he looked her over.

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Inuyasha sat back talking with the captain when he noticed his brother totally engrossed with once of the convicts. They had come aboard to hear some news about England and not to ogle the bondswomen. Sesshoumaru had said as much before they left for the dock, yet here he was, breaking his own rules. Still, he didn't have any complaints. Even with her cheeks smudged with grime and her hair wildly snared about her broad thin shoulders and down her back the woman's beauty was unmistakable. She looked as though she was raised in a wealthy household, either a favored servant or perhaps a lady. Despite the rags that adorned her, her graceful bearing gave undeniable evidence of her refinement, for she held herself with a regal air, her chin slightly elevated, her eyes meeting Sesshoumaru's directly. As if she saw herself his equal. Very few people could do that and live. Still, he had his reservations. They didn't know what this woman had done, and would probably do again.

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Sesshoumaru was fully aware of those deep crimson orbs devouring his every movement, gently putting pressure under her arms to indicate she should stand he watched her legs wobble slightly, his lips turning down slightly. Her creamy skin and decorative dress, though filthy and in shambles, both the dress and girl, were enough to confirm his suspicions that this was a lady of high decorum. She looked straight into his eyes, something only his brother and few others had done since arriving at the colony; that alone was enough to perk his interest. Still, he didn't want to seem overeager to buy her, especially with his brother just a few paces off.

 

She was not the cleanest creature he had ever seen, or, for that matter, the sweetest smelling, but the fiery attitude that flashed din those sharp ruby eyes amused him, and that meant a great deal to him. The girl looked half starved, obviously not much victuals had been given to the convicts, that or she had not been able to defend herself against other greedy passengers who wanted the food. His eyes lingered some time on the angry red wheels around her wrists and ankles. He ground his teeth in vexation. They honestly wanted to sell her in such a condition. He would have quite a haggle with the buson if he should charge more than fifteen pounds… at the most.

 

“She looks half dead already Sesshoumaru, why bother buying her when you might just push her further into the grave.”

 

Sesshoumaru stiffened, mentally cursing himself for being so engrossed in the bondwoman that he had not noticed his brother's approach. “Better than being half something else.” he retorted, stepping back from the girl to survey her once again.

 

Inuyasha smirked, stepping forward and grasping one of the girl's wrists to study the injuries at a closer view. Sesshoumaru pressed his lips into a flat line, irritated by his brother's forward behavior, but held his tongue. He knew the Hanyou's game, and would not be swayed into revealing his thoughts on the woman.

 

Kagura didn't like being the center of so much attention, especially when she was aware of how unclean she was at the moment. It didn't help that this new character was just as undeniably breathtaking as the taller, more elegant man behind him.

 

Sesshoumaru turned and walked brusquely to the buson, wanting to acquire the price of the raged woman. He really couldn't stand seeing his brother touch the woman, even if it was just to examine wounds on the wrist.

 

“Find any what interest you gov`na?” The bulky man asked. Sesshoumaru was immediately irritated by the look of the man. Images of the brute and other ship hands wallowing in gluttony while their precious cargo half starved down below swamped his brain and he found himself gritting his teeth again to keep from releasing the building verbal assault.

 

“I'd like to make inquires about that prisoner over there.” he extended his arm with casual grace toward his brother and the convict.

 

The buson craned his head to see, as soon as he caught sight of Kagura he broke into a wide grin. “Aye gov`na you gots ya a good eye fer da good uns,” he let out a laugh. “dat be da best o da cream dere, she gots a nice feel ta er and pretty willin once ya chain er down and whip er round a bit.”

 

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth at the prospect that the man could see no better use for the woman to a cultured gentleman than way of relief, the fact that the man had had her himself pushed the button all the further down. Still, he kept his emotions inward, releasing only an annoyed sniff raising his head a bit higher to show the man he had no need of his tips. “How much?” he asked after a moment.

 

“Twenty pounds for da whore.” The buson sneered. Licking his lips as he continuously watched Kagura answer whatever question Inuyasha had asked her.

 

“Twenty pounds man?!” Sesshoumaru feigned shock. “She doesn't look fit enough to make a trip past the planks! It would take me nigh a fortnight before she could make a suitable tumble.” How degrading…

 

“She felt just right last night gov`na.” The man snickered

 

“The price would be docked five for just her impurity. The fact that she must be restrained would make it ten pounds at the best.” Sesshoumaru insisted thoughtfully. “I don't see her being of much use to any others. You won't find many in this town willing to pay even that for a bondswoman who could become a problem later.”

 

 

The buson's face went chalk-white a moment, considering such a loss in prices if people were not up to paying even ten pounds for such a prize. But it being mostly his fault for violating the slut in the first place the captain would keelhaul him if he should find out.

 

“Fifteen pounds sir, take it or leave it.” came the captain's voice. Sesshoumaru turned to see the familiar face of the captain, a small smile tugging at his lips. He was sure that the man had overheard the conversation and the buson would be punished severally for the drop in the prisoner's value. With a disgruntled sigh that was not all faked Sesshoumaru pulled out a small leather pouch of coins, carefully counting them out and handing them to the buson.

 

Eager to get the transaction over with the captain signed the papers of indentured servitude and handed them to the young lord who rolled it up carefully and tucked the scroll into his vest. Nodding to his brother he walked brusquely to the end of the ship and descended the planks with haste.