The Preferential Slave by Lady Sianna

The New Slave

The Preferential Slave

This story was written in response to a challenge posted by angelfire123, so the plot belongs to her. I hope you enjoy my portrayal of her story line!

The New Slave

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It was late in the day, and the sun was already beginning it’s descent into the horizon. The air around them was growing cooler, and so the passengers of the large wagon huddled together for warmth. Many of them already knew one another. Some of them were friends and family. Some of them were demons, some humans. Some male, and some female. They were from many different places, and backgrounds. What ever their lot in life had previously been, none of it mattered anymore. They all shared the same fate now. They were all slaves.

A large burly boar demon sat at the front of the wagon steering them to their destination. The passengers rode in silence as the sky above them grew darker. The only sound was the hoof beats of the horses as they trotted leisurely at the command of the boar demon.

They traveled for what must have been hours before a large castle came into view. As the wagon trudged on, the castle became larger and larger, until several sentries who were guarding the front gates came into view. What was this place? Soon, the wagon came to a stop and one of the sentries came forward to confront the burly boar demon who had been driving the cart.

“What is your business here?!” A dark haired inu youkai demanded.

“I have brought the slaves, as requested by your lord.” the driver replied

“Ah, yes,” replied the inu youkai guard, “we have been expecting you.”

The dog demon stood to the side, and ordered the gates to be opened. He pressed his lips to a large horn and blew. The sound from the horn was deceptively sweet sounding. From the instrument’s appearance, one would think it would have had a harsher more rugged sound. As the other sentries responded to the signal, the large gates were slowly parted revealing an enormous courtyard. In the distance was the main structure, the castle itself. Surrounding the castle were other various structures. Off to the left, was apparently the slave’s quarters, as indicated by the people who were looking to them expectantly. Closest to them, and to the front gates were the lodgings designated for the sentries. Finally, were the larger, more lavish structures. They were closest to the castle, and were apparently reserved for guests.

The wagon came to a stop and was immediately surrounded by many guards and slaves. Among the onlookers, one person stood out. A young woman. She was apparently in charge, as the slaves stood behind her, apparently awaiting her orders. She stood confidently, with a scroll in her hand prepared to take inventory of the incoming shipment of slaves. A light breeze whispered past her, and the woman’s hair danced gracefully in the wind. Her beautiful silk kimono swished quietly as her eyes settled on the cart of slaves.

Among the cart’s passengers, was another young woman. A woman who bore a striking resemblance to the woman with the scroll. Her name, was Kagome.

Kagome studied the other woman’s appearance, and immediately noticed that she looked unbelievably familiar. It was strange indeed, as no one looked familiar to her. She could not remember any details of her own life. She had a basic idea of how things worked in the world, but she could not remember her own past. She did not know if she had any family, or friends. She could not remember if she had always been a slave, or if she had been a captive of war. She had no recollection of what her life had been before.

The first thing she could remember clearly, was being thrown callously into this wooden cart. At first, there had been just a few others in the wagon with her. They were very kind to her, and advised her not to make an escape attempt. It was a thought that hadn’t even crossed her mind. She had been in such a dazed, she wouldn’t have known where to go anyway. As the wagon continued to travel, more and more slaves were added, and eventually the entire cart was filled. Now, they were in this strange place, with no idea of what awaited them.

One of the guards looked to the young woman holding the scroll. She nodded her silent agreement, and the guard opened the small door which had secured the cart.

“Come on!” he ordered “Move your butts!”

The slaves closest to him began exiting the cart. Each human or demon would go and give the young woman his or her name. The woman recorded their names on the scroll then she ordered one or two other slaves to escort them to the slave’s lodgings.

When she got to Kagome, she immediately notice the same thing Kagome had noticed. The young woman bore an uncanny resemblance to herself, and, there was something else which also caught her attention.

“What is your name?” The woman asked

“My name is Kagome.” she replied in a quiet voice.

The woman studied her for a moment, before speaking again. “You will stay here with me for now.” she said. “I will personally escort your to your quarters.”

Kagome was both confused, and concerned about this, but she remained silent. She stood behind the woman quietly, as she continued her inventory of the slaves. When the final slave was escorted to his barracks, The woman turned to Kagome. “Come.” she said. Kagome followed in silence as her mind filled with frightening thoughts. Why had she been singled out? What was going to happen to her?

“Forgive my discourtesy,” the woman said suddenly, “my name is Kikyou.”

“Oh,” said Kagome. “N-nice to meet you.”

The woman chuckled ever so slightly as she lead the way to the largest structure within the slave encampment. This, was Kikyou’s personal cottage, and Kagome’s new home.

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Several weeks had passed since Kagome had first come to this place. Kagome had no memories of ever being a slave before, but after seeing how the slaves lived here, she had a feeling, that the lord of this castle treated his servants with a higher level of respect and value than most in his position.

All of the slaves she had seen were clean and well kept. Even their clothes were of moderate quality. They appeared to be well nourished, and reasonably content. She had even come to know a few of them by name.

There was Daichi the moth demon. He, along with several others tended the gardens. He was quite friendly always spoke politely when he saw her. There was Masuyo. She was human. She worked in the kitchen helping to prepare meals. She was an older woman, perhaps in her forties, or fifties. She always wore a gentile smile, and always spoke kindly. Finally there was Mai. She was a young cat demon who tended the castle’s library. She organized books and scrolls, and saw that dust was kept to a minimum. She was a sweet and charming girl.

As for Kagome, she did various chores throughout the castle. On different days she would do different chores with different slaves. The reason behind it, was simply to get her acquainted with the layout of the castle, and to allow her to see how thing were done.

Whatever she was doing, and whom ever she worked with, Kikyou was not far away from her. She wasn’t entirely sure why the woman seemed to take a special interest in her, but she didn’t mind. Kikyou was always pleasant toward her. She actually seemed even a bit protective of her, sort of like an older sister. It was quite nice really. Since Kagome, had no family that she could remember of, it was nice to see that someone seemed to care for her.

One night after a long hard day of work Kikyou and Kagome retired to their cottage. Kagome had noticed that the other servants resided together in larger groups, and she wondered why Kikyou had invited her specifically, to live in the larger cottage with her. She had seen the other lodges, and the slaves who lived there, shared rooms and had limited space for themselves. But, in Kikyou’s lodging, there was more than enough space for the two of them. She didn’t question it at first, but this evening, she was felling especially curious, and thought she would ask.

The women came in and sat in the larger sitting room, as they sometimes did before retiring to their separate rooms. Kikyou made tea, and they sat on soft mats on the floor and sipped their tea. Now was the perfect time to ask.

“Not that I’m complaining,” Kagome began suddenly “but why do you and I get to live in a big cottage, and everyone else lives together in smaller lodges?”

Kikyou, looked almost pleased that Kagome had asked such this question. She took another sip of her tea, before sitting her cup down, and turning her full attention to the younger woman. “I have served the western lands since I was a child. My mother had been the top servant in charge of the other slaves. When she died several years ago, the position went to me. This cottage belonged to her. She and I resided here together.

She paused in a moment as she collected her thoughts. “The reason I invited you here, is because you and I have something in common.

Kagome furrowed her brows for a moment as she considered what Kikyou could possibly be talking about.

Seeing the look of confusion on the young woman’s face, Kikyou began to speak again. “I know we have discussed this before,” she began, “but, are you certain you cannot remember anything from before you were brought here?”

“Yes.” she said sadly. “Every time I try to remember, I get a really bad head ache. I don’t know where I come from. I can’t remember my family. I don’t know if I even have a family.” she said.

Kikyou gave her a sympathetic look. “The reason why I asked you, is because I can sense miko energy in your aura.”

Kagome looked surprised. “Really?” she asked.

“Yes.” Kikyou answered. “In all my years of service here, the only other miko I have ever known, was my mother. I am surprised that the demons have not detected it in your aura, but I think you should learn to mask it your powers.”

“My powers?” Kagome repeated. It was strange to think of herself as having powers. Not that she knew any different. She could have had them all along, but she simply did not remember. There was no way to know. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kikyou begin to speak to her again.

“I would like to train you. It is not common knowledge that I am a miko, and that is because I mask my miko powers. As I’m sure you know, demons and priestesses do not usually have the most peaceful of relationships with one another. My mother trained me in secret. And she showed me how to mask my powers, the only other person who knows, is Inuyasha.”

“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked.

“Yes,” she answered “He is brother to the lord of the castle. However, unlike the lord himself, he is not a full blooded demon. He is a hanyou, and he is treated as an outcast because of it. The only reason he has not been banished from this castle, is because of their father, Inu Tashiou has forbid it.”

“That’s so sad.” Kagome said in a quiet voice. “It’s not fair that he’s treated differently, just because he’s half human.” Her brows drew together as she thought. “But why did you tell him your secret? She asked.

Kikyou smiled sadly. “Because, he and I are in love.” she said simply. “We would have married long ago, but the lord of the castle has forbid it.”

“Why?” Kagome asked, concern in her voice.

“There is no reason. He simply hates his brother, and wishes to deprive him of anything which provides him with a measure of happiness.”

“How awful.” Kagome said, as she looked down at her empty tea cup.

The two women sat in silence for several moments, before Kikyou finally asked, “So will you accept my offer for training?”

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Okay, there is your first chapter, hope you enjoyed!