Damsel In Distress Challenge
Title of Chapter: When the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Title of Series: When Love And Hate Collide
Author: Beermoney5
Challenge Set: Damsel in Distress
Prompt: Damsel Indigent
When the Walls Came Tumbling Down
“I just received news that Lord Naraku has attacked the eastern lands, killing Lord Higurashi and his whole family,” Inutaisho said. “Supposedly, Ichiro Higurashi had attacked one of Naraku’s boarder villages, breaking their treaty. Naraku responded by attacking the eastern lands and eliminating the Higurashi clan.”
“And do you believe this to be true?” Sesshomaru asked, turning from the window he was looking out.
“Of course not.”
“Both Higurashi’s mate and daughter were Miko’s weren’t they?” Inuyasha asked.
“They were. Very powerful from what I heard,” Inutaisho replied, “and over half his army were youkai. This means we need to be extra cautious and keep an eye out for spies.”
“You think the attack on Higurashi was an inside job?” Haru, Inutaisho’s personal guard, asked.
“Yes, I heard the attack happened in the middle of the night, and they were caught unaware; otherwise, I think he would have had a hard time of capturing the eastern lands.”
“Do you think he would be bold enough to attack us in the same manor?” Sesshomaru asked. “Our pack is strong, stronger than Lord Higurashi’s.”
“Yes. I believe Naraku is planning on world domination and just biding his time to make a move on us.”
“To give himself time to build and strengthen his army,” Sesshomaru replied.
“I believe so. But I think it may take a long time for Naraku to do that, if ever.”
“Let’s just take as much precaution as we can. We need to be ready for anything. Now, for other business.”
Sesshomaru sighed because he knew what was coming.
“Kenichi’s niece is coming over tomorrow to present herself as a potential mate,” Inutaisho started.
Kenichi was on his father’s council of advisors and didn’t have a very high position. He was using his niece to help him gain position, and it aggravated Sesshomaru. “I’ve met her before, and I have no interest in her.”
“I know. Just humor me, and spend some time with her, even a short time. It will help get the council off my back on the subject of you selecting a mate.”
Sesshomaru sighed. “Yes father.”
*******
Kagome groaned as she woke up. She was disoriented with a splitting headache. She lay there for a moment on the hard dirt floor with her eyes shut. The last thing she remembered was blacking out after finding her parents slain. Kagome guessed that someone had hit her from behind, knocking her out.
A strange feeling overwhelmed her, almost as if she was drained of energy. There was something around her neck, and with her eyes still shut, she moved her hand to her throat. Kagome sighed when she felt the collar with the two charms hanging from it. A subjugation collar. That would explain the weird feeling that overwhelmed her. Subjugation collars were meant to suppress the powers of Mikos: one charm for less powerful Mikos; two for stronger ones.
Slowly, Kagome opened her eyes. It was dark except for a sliver of moonlight slipping through a narrow window in her room. She pushed herself up off of the floor, feeling some straw beneath her hands as she did so. In the distance, she heard water dripping. All that mixed with the dampness in the air and the musty smell, Kagome concluded that she must be in a cell. Kagome crawled to a corner of her damp cold cell, tucked her knees up to her chest to help keep warm, and waited to see what type of horror daylight would bring.
Kagome instantly awoke when she heard keys unlocking a door and then footsteps as the door opened. A guard appeared at the door of her cell. “So, you’re finally awake,” he said with an evil grin. “Are you hungry? If you are, I could get you some food, but you’ll have to do me a favor.”
“Daisuke, back off. Naraku said the miko was to remain untouched,” another guard said, walking into the dungeon.
“There are things she could do for me and still be considered untouched,” Daisuke said, unlocking the cell door.
“Be careful,” the other guard added. “Don’t forget she’s a miko.”
“She has a subjugation collar on. She’s practically harmless,” he said, walking up to Kagome. He stroked her face. “So, how about it? You want…” Kagome spit in his face, interrupting him.
“Stupid bitch!” Daisuke slapped Kagome hard enough to make her fall to the ground.
“Daisuke, stop messing around,” the other guard said, halfheartedly. “We need to get her to Naraku.”
“I’m going to teach this bitch a lesson first.”
“It’s your head.”
Daisuke grabbed Kagome by her hair and lifted her up off the ground. Kagome grabbed at his hands, trying to get him to let go. The pain in her scalp intensified as he started to shake her. “Does that hurt?” Then, Daisuke threw Kagome across the cell. Kagome slumped to the floor after hitting the wall. He walked over and grabbed her by the neck, choking her. Kagome clawed at his hands, trying to free herself. Daisuke pulled out a knife and started to slice down Kagome’s face. Desperation, anger, and fear rose up in Kagome as the knife cut into her. Her spiritual powers began to rise to the surface in defense. One charm snapped off her collar, and the second followed. Daisuke screamed in agonizing pain as his arm burned from the energy being released from Kagome’s hands. Kagome let loose one more surge of power, and Daisuke was was thrown back against the far wall of the cell.
Kagome stood there for a moment, staring at her hands, shocked by what she did. Seeing the blood falling to the floor, she put pressure on the gash Daisuke sliced into her face and then ran to the door for escape.
“Don’t hurt me,” the other guard said, moving quickly out of Kagome’s way as she ran toward him.
Kagome ran past the guard and ran up the flight of stairs that led out of the dungeon. She cautiously opened the door when she reached the top and peered out into the hall. The coast was clear, so she slipped slowly and quietly out into the hall. When Kagome heard the guard call out for help, she started to run again. This was her chance to get away.
Kagome heard guards approaching from the direction she was heading and stepped into an alcove, putting up a barrier to keep her presence unknown. After the guards ran past, Kagome dropped her barrier and ran from her hiding spot. As she approached the end of the hall, she slowed and came to a stop, making sure the coast was clear before proceeding. Then, everything went black again.
Kagome woke up back in her cell with another headache. Remembering that Daisuke had cut her, she touched her face, feeling a bandage on the wound. Kagome already knew she had another collar on but felt her neck to see how many charms were there, hoping for just two again. Kagome’s spirits sank when she felt four. Deep down, she knew there would be at least three, but four. There would be no escape for her now. She lost her only opportunity because of hasty desperation. She should have felt the Youkai that snuck up on her.
Shortly after waking, Kagome was brought to a room. There, standing before her, was Lord Naraku of the southern lands. She should have known that he was the one who killed her family.
“I hear you’ve been quite naughty,” Naraku said after the guard left the room.
“Your guard attacked me,” Kagome answered, defensively.
“Maybe so, but you are a prisoner here.”
“There’s no reason for me to be a prisoner. I did nothing wrong. You attacked my father’s lands and killed him, my mother, and my two brothers!” Kagome yelled.
“Your father attacked my lands, breaking our treaty.”
“You lie!” Kagome shouted. “My father would never do such a thing!”
Naraku lashed out, slapping Kagome in the face and knocking her down. “Do not accuse me of treachery!” Naraku grabbed Kagome’s hair, hauling her to her feet. “Come. I have someone waiting to see you.”