InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Entrapment ❯ Miko Clash ( Chapter 2 )
Entrapment
By: Jazmin Turner
Chapter Two:
Miko Clash
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha…damn…can't think of anymore witty comments.
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"W-What kind of test?" Kagome stammered, biting her lip. Since when was it necessary to test your slaves? Was she not good enough already? Kagome looked down at her tanned skin and crude, burlap dress. She was muscular, but not as much as Sango and you could tell she did hard, back-breaking labor. She may not have been beautiful and elegant, but she was a slave, not some princess!
"You are a miko," Kikyou stated plainly, dismissing Kagome's question. "You are very much aware of that, aren't you?" Kagome's eyes widened. Was she that transparent? She kept being a miko a secret, because if someone knew, she'd be forced to do all sorts of awful, evil jobs like blowing up villages, and she couldn't bear to do that.
The only reason that she hadn't used her powers to bust out of slavery was because she couldn't even control them, much less use them against her enemies.
"Yes ma'am," she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.
"I want to make sure you are safe."
"Safe?"
"It is obvious you cannot control your powers and they are probably very weak," Kikyou looked haughtily down her. "Or else you'd be able to tell that I am a miko, as well."
"You're a priestess?" Kikyou refused to answer, mouth hardening into a firm line.
"I want to make sure you don't upset my other slave and cause chaos. We have worked very hard to make it to the Slave Trades in time, and already, most of the slaves have been traded in," Kikyou explained icily. "I think another miko around would help everyone out. Why don't you meet my first helper, Inuyasha?"
As if summoned, a tall boy pushed his way through the thinning crowds and stood over at Kikyou's side, staring at Kagome critically, making her feel very small and insignificant. He had long, silvery white hair pooling down his shoulders, and deep, mysterious amber eyes. He had two, cute, fuzzy white triangles twitching on his head and two, gleaming white fangs poking out of the corners of his mouth. The boy seemed every bit as beautiful as she was ugly, and she found herself getting lost in his perfect eyes.
"Slave," Kikyou snapped acidly. She glared at Kagome, as if to say: He'll never be yours, so back off! As if to prove her point, she wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's neck and pecked him on the cheek. He blushed and smiled lazily, as if caught in a dream. Kagome cast her gaze to her grubby feet, suddenly embarrassed and slightly upset at the abrupt display of emotion.
"Yes?" she asked shyly.
"Stay in your place, understand?" Kagome bristled at the command, but then again, who was she to oppose her? She nodded. "How is she, Inuyasha?" Kagome could feel his hard gaze whizzing over her body, taking in and analyzing every bit of her.
"Hm," he grunted. "What about her face?"
"Raise your head," Kikyou commanded. Kagome looked up at the pair, trying in vain to scrub away the stubborn, black dirt streaks on her face. The boy's eyes met hers and he frowned.
"She looks like you," he replied softly. Kikyou's eyes narrowed. Her hand shot up to grab his ear, making him yelp in pain. Kagome wanted to yell out from the indecency of it all, but she bit her tongue, holding back her shout. "Say that again, and you'll…you'll be punished horribly. How dare you compare me to that dirty, rough, calloused, ugly little slave over there!" she hissed, eyes flashing as she jabbed her finger in Kagome's direction.
The girl gasped. How could she say something so cruel…right in front of my face? I know I am a slave, but I'm a human! Now that I think about it, I don't want to be her slave! I'd rather die first.
"Sorry," he gasped. "You're right," Inuyasha cast a quick glance in Kagome's direction. "You're much cuter, Kikyou." Kikyou beamed at him.
"Yes. You are right. I was just about to test her. Watch."
Kagome stood, smoldering in her stall as Kikyou switched her attention back to her.
"Girl. I am going to send some of my energy at you. Create a barrier and you'll pass. Get shocked and you'll probably be killed." There seemed to be no hesitation in her voice. "Understand." Kagome nodded furiously. I think I'll let myself get shocked. I'll never work for that mean girl and that snob of a slave!
"She probably won't pass," Inuyasha muttered. Kikyou chose to ignore him.
"And don't think of not trying. I can revive the dead if I wish." She stared at Kagome loftily. "Do not underestimate me." Kagome gulped. I have to be transparent! How could she know what I was going to do? She can't read minds, can she…? She gazed into Kikyou's hard brown depths and shook her head. Naw. "Did you hear me? Don't underestimate me, slave." Kagome crossed her arms over her chest, fingers digging into her flesh, leaving fresh white welts in her skin.
"Okay," she found herself saying. She'll just have to revive me then.
"I'm starting."
Kikyou squeezed her eyes shut and clasped her fingers together. She murmured a few magical words under her breath and her aura stared to glow flaming red. Kagome swallowed and began to perspire. I won't let it get to me! I won't let it get to me! I'm going to die and that's it! I'm not going to work for her and Inuyasha! The energy that had been licking at Kikyou's figure suddenly left her and went charging for Kagome. This is it. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for pain.
But there was none. Kagome opened her eyes and stared at shock as a rippling, pink bubble surrounded her huddled form. She rubbed her eyes. It's not a trick. Kikyou's red miko energy seemed to be evaporating against Kagome's barrier. The miko in question stared at Kagome, eyes and mouth open in shock - very uncharacteristic. Even Inuyasha looked interested. Finally, when all of her energy seemed to drain out of her, Kagome felt to her knees, gasping for breath, clutching her chest.
Her barrier dissolved along with Kikyou's own energy. She struggled to calm her beating heart.
"T-That w-was…"
"Seems I underestimated you," Kikyou said, a tiny hint of a smile in her icy voice. "You are safe. You can protect yourself. You are a suitable slave. I will go and trade some of my personal items for you. Inuyasha, you stay and get to know her." Her white-slaved nodded as she turned her back and walked stiffly away.
"You idiot. You believe that you could make that on your own free will? I could tell that you wanted to die," Inuyasha grunted. He leaned his elbows over her stall and grinned at her. "I'm sure Kikyou probably saw right through that as well." Inuyasha sighed as he inspected his claws. "I don't know why she'd trade something valuable for a low-class slave just like you."
"Shut up. I obviously am good enough or else she wouldn't have wasted her time!" Kagome said airily, sticking out her tongue at him.
"Look bitch," he snarled, glaring at her with smoldering golden eyes. "I am going to be your master and you will listen to me! Understand?" Kagome folded her arms over her breasts, and pouted.
"That doesn't mean have to like it!" she reminded him coyly. "Why does Kikyou need two slaves and why is she trading something for me?"
"That's none of your business!" he snapped. "And if you're smart, you'd keep your ugly little nose out of it!"
"I'm not that ugly," Kagome protested. "Why are you so mean? I haven't done anything to you."
"Look, you're battered, beaten up, rough, scabbed, and dirty," Inuyasha told her, counting on his fingers. "Kikyou is beautiful and graceful and clean. You'll never live up to her." Kagome curbed her fierce insults and returned to chewing on her stubby nails
"Whatever," she whispered. Kagome ran her tongue over her dry lips and sighed. "I hate you already. You're mean and conceited. Look, you may be my master, but you act like you're king of the world and you're only a SLAVE!"
"I'm not a true slave! I'm Kikyou's lover!" Kagome gasped; he clamped his hand over his mouth.
"Lover?" She squinted at him, scratching her messy hair. "You're in love and you're her slave? I mean…I…that doesn't make any sense…Why would she do something so mean?"
"That's none of your business!" Inuyasha roared, narrowing his eyes at her. His lips curled as a snarl escaped him. "Don't mess with us. You're not in this."
"But…" she faltered. "That's indecent…" He ignored her and turned to see Kikyou returning with a smug Hiko. Kagome opened her stall and walked out to him and bowed. Hiko ignored her kind gesture and grabbed a hold of her hair, yanking her up to face him. She yelped in pain.
"Be a good little slave. Don't cause any trouble," he warned. He looked at Kikyou who was staring at Kagome impassively. Inuyasha looked slightly troubled. "Whips work well with this one. Take mine. You'll probably need this more than me." He handed Kikyou his black whip. Hiko growled at her and tossed her to the ground. Kagome cried out and hit the ground with a thud. A cloud of tan dust surrounded her. Hiko sneered at the prone slave and walked off.
Kagome's tears of pain and hatred pelted the ground. She pounded the dirt with her tiny fists, sobbing hysterically, scalp still throbbing in anguish.
"I hate him," she whimpered. Inuyasha's nose scrunched up as he smelt her salty tears. He took a shaky step towards her.
"Stop," Kikyou warned. "Slave! Get up! Get up now!" Kagome massaged scalp and gritted her teeth. Why had she fallen apart all of the sudden? She had been going strong just a second ago and now…what had she reduced to? A sobbing weakling!
Maybe it was because of Inuyasha and Kikyou's combined harsh treatment. Her troubles, which had started since she was captured, had been piling up on her shoulders, higher and higher and when Hiko had abused her, the weight had become too much to withstand and she had just cracked.
Kagome forced her quaking knees to support her weight and pushed up on her elbows, struggling to stand. She felt pain sear through her back, causing more tears to well up in her eyes. I'm strong. I can do this. Kagome finally stood up, and tried to ignore the burning pain in her back as she swept her gritty, dusty hair from her face. Kikyou was looking at her smugly, while Inuyasha had switched his gaze to retreating Hiko's back. What was wrong with him?
"Next time you will obey me. And you will obey Inuyasha. Understand?" Kagome wiped her tears on her back of her hand and nodded furiously. I will not crack! I am strong. I can do this, I can handle it. I will not let Inuyasha get to me. "Good."
"Now. Follow us."