Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Independence Day: A New Beginning
*episode 1*

There is a dead village in a wooded highland. It is surrounded by a stockade; sturdy and built to last. No one has lived there for months, but the village has not been overrun. Demons, who have begun to push into the area surrounding the village, still fear to come near its high walls. There are rumors of spirits, the shades of the warriors who lived there, still walking the village perimeter. It has even been said that the greatest of the killers have risen from the grave; that they wander the earth, but come home to punish any who dare trespass. The young and reckless demons go as far as to stand upon the mesa on which the village stands and call the words that their mothers taught them to fear, “Demon Slayers.” It is a night when even monsters do not walk the land. Great clouds billow over head. Strong winds build to a howl. Every creature that has a hole is secure within it. Also, those who believe have spread the word that the hunter’s spirit has come home. No one is near enough to the village of the demon slayers to notice the thin smoke rising from a house within it. Also, no one is about to see a lone figure walking toward the wall. Sango nurses a small fire. The walls of the old house are well built, but she will need warmth for the coming storm. She has spent the day repairing her weapons, visiting her friends and family, and fighting the slow degeneration of the village caused by time. She and Kirara have both eaten from the strange foods her strange friend brought from a strange world. Kirara is curled up by the fire; she looks asleep, but Sango knows better. The wind picks up and the house groans. Sango finally stops procrastinating and calls to mind the incident for which she required solitude. Several days before, in battle with Naraku, she had been completely absorbed by the task of slaying countless demons. She had just lashed out with her Hiraikotsan, and was being pulled by its momentum. As she spun, she collided with Miroku, her friend the monk with self-control issues. They found themselves pressed against each other in a very intimate manner. Naturally, in battle one must find oneself situations which would have drastically different implications out of combat. While this excuses the situation, it has no bearing on her reaction to it. She forces herself to admit that when her flesh pressed against his she felt excitement. When they collided, the monk’s hand found its way to a privet area of her anatomy. More disturbing then the fact that this added to her excitement is that, without conscious action, her own hand went around his waist and pulled him closer to her. She has a list a mile long of why she should not, can not, and must not feel attracted to the Miroku. She knows his style, he loves them and he leaves them. She knows that any respect she has gained in his eyes would dissolve in an instant if he suspected. She knows that, although he rarely follows them, he has taken a monk’s vows, and as his friend she must not tempt him. She knows that he is an arrogant, egocentric, womanizer. But, she also knows that she has never felt anything like what she felt there, on the battlefield. She knows that, most of the time, he is a kind, courageous, loyal friend. To say that she has mixed feelings would be an understatement. She is suddenly pulled from her pondering by a twitch of Kirara’s ear. Kirara has been with Sango since she was a baby. The cat was her first teacher, in life and in combat. Sango knows that that small twitch means that Kirara has heard something. Sango grabs her weapon as Kirara gets to her feet and cocks her head. Suddenly, Kirara grows and walks out of the house and heads toward the wall, followed by Sango. There is one opening in the wall, and the two approach it. Standing in the portal is a beautiful woman in a fine silk kimono. There are feathers in her hair; her eyes are crimson. She caries an ornate silk fan, limply by her side. “Kagura.” the demon slayer says. Kagura answers, “I hoped to find you here.” Kagura walks toward Sango. “Give me your hand.” she says. Sango looks on her with suspicion. After a glance at Kirara, Sango extends the hand not holding the Hiraikotsan. Kagura takes the hand and gently presses it to her breast. “Do you feel it?” she asks. “Feel what?” Sango asks. “My heart,” Kagura says, “I’m free.”
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Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Winds of Change: For a Friend
*episode 5*

Kagura stands before Sesshomaru. The demon lord holds her heart in his hand, contemplating its depths. “So now you are my master?” she says, resigned to the inevitable. “I cannot cage the wind, nor would I if I could.” he says. “Here.” he says holding out the gem. “Take it. Now hold it above your chest.” In a lightning motion, he draws the Tenseiga and impales her hand, the jewel, and her bosom. Kagura looks down in shock. Sesshomaru pulls the sword free and sheaths it. Kagura clutches the hole in her kimono, not to cover herself, but rather to feel her breast. “My heart!” she says. “Yes.” He says. “I’m free?” she asks. “Yes.” He says. “But why did you…” she asks. Stepping towards her, he cuts her off, “So I could do this.” He wraps his arm around her and gently, yet firmly pulls her face to his. Kagura is too shocked to do anything as their lips come together. She is frightened, nervous, her whole body is rigid. Sensing this, Sesshomaru begins to pull back. At this cue, Kagura melts into his embrace, drawing his lips back to hers. Her arms envelop him drawing him closer. The kiss goes on and on, neither one willing to let it end. At last, their lips part although their bodies do not. “You are the wind,” he says, “and the wind doesn’t stay.” Reluctantly, he steps away. They part, separated by the winds of fate.
*The End*
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Monday, May 2, 2005

   300 HITS
and 33 GB entries.
I’d like to thank all of you for coming and I hope you keep coming back.
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Winds of Change: For a Friend
*episode 4*

Kagome walks the empty corridors of Naraku’s castle with Shippo on her shoulder and Sango beside her. Room after room, hall after hall, reveal nothing except the litter of a short lived army. In time, they reach the lower levels, stone replaces wood and it becomes apparent that this is a dungeon. They find a door broken in and inside, they find Kagura chained to the wall. Kagome quickly runs to the demon’s side and releases the cuff. She helps Kagura to her feet. “Are you ok?” she asks. “Naraku, is he dead?” Kagura asks. “Not yet.” says Kagome. “You can’t kill him!” Kagura says. “If you do, it will kill the boy.” “My brother?” Sango asks. “Where is he?!?” “He’s gone.” Kagura says. “He left with Kanna; she will make sure that they are not found. You have to go; warn your friends.” “Will you be ok?” Kagome asks. “Save your piety.” Kagura snaps. As the three turn to go, Kagura calls, “You, demon slayer, there is something you should know about your brother.” As the others turn to look at her, Kagura says, “I didn’t think it was so until recently, but there is still a human being trapped inside him; and a good one too.” “Thank you.” Sango says.

As the others search for Naraku, Sessomaru stands by a lone tree at the crest of a ridge, watching the sunset. Oranges give way to reds telling of the blood this day has seen shed. Then reds give way to purple, and purple to black. As the stars come out, the expected rendezvous occurs. The despicable beast, Naraku, pulls himself from the shadows. His power has waned: he can barely walk. “Sesshomaru!” he says. “The jewel! I must have it. Gi-give it to me!” “Naraku!” the lord says. “I’m going to kill you. As for the jewel, I think I will give it to Rin. Humans like crystals.” “You can’t k-kill me.” the dark one says. “If I die, the boy will die.” “You expect the safety of a dead human to influence my decision?” the white one asks. “Try again Naraku.” “I-if I die now, it will have been by the hands of a mortal wench. The great Sesshomaru will have had battle fought for him by his bastard b-brother’s bedfellow. Surely your pride will not permit this.” “Under the circumstances, I think I can live with that.” Sesshomaru says. “I grow tired of this idle banter. Prepare yourself for oblivion.” As the lord reaches for his sword, the wretch cries, “Kagura!!!” Sesshomaru pauses with his hand on the Tokigin’s hilt. Naraku continues, “I will give you Kagura’s heart for the jewel. You have never sought the jewel’s power, but her, you desire her. You can have her. It pained you when I asked you to choose between Kagura and Rin; now you can have both.” Sesshomaru ponders the offer while still clutching his sword. Then he…
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Sunday, May 1, 2005

Winds of Change: For a Friend
*episode 3*

Kagura and Kohaku are still sitting in the cell in Naraku’s castle. Suddenly, the door turns to splinters. Naraku has smashed through the doorway and he approaches the two. “YOU!” he shouts. “Inuyasha and his friends will be here any minute and you are the only one who could have brought them.” “Did you think to trap the wind with walls of stone?” Kagura asks him. With a shout, he seizes her by the neck, raising her off the floor. The young demon slayer grabs Naraku’s arm and tries in vain to break the demon’s hold. Naraku throws Kohaku across the cell with his free hand. “No!” Kagura cries. Naraku turns back to her; his eyes blazing. Then a wicked smile forms on the monster’s face. “Kohaku.” he says. The boy gets to his feet. “Yes master Naraku.” he says. “I think I’ll have him kill you!” Naraku says. Naraku pulls a knife from his belt and hands it to the boy. As a look of despair forms on Kagura’s face; Kohaku raises the blade, and prepares to strike…then he hesitates. Nothing shows on the boy’s face, but it is clear that a battle of wills is in progress. As the boy stands, undecided, Naraku asks, “Kohaku, do you defy me? You know what I can do to you, think carefully before you reject the shelter I give you.” “You aren’t going to do anything to him!” Kagura says, “Not now. You know that you’re going to have to leave this place, but you’re not willing to lose him. He could be in agony if I were here to take him. But without me, you’ll have to have him get out on his own. Every second he stays makes it more likely that Inuyasha will rescue him.” “Clever Bitch!” says Naraku. “Kohaku, take Kanna and run. Get as far from here as you can and don’t get caught. If I die, Kanna will know. If that happens, I want you to kill yourself. Do it somewhere where Inuyasha and his friends will find you. Do you understand?” “Yes master Naraku.” he says. As the puppet turns to leave, the puppeteer turns back to Kagura. He grabs a nearby manacle and secures her arm. “If I win this battle I will kill you. And if I die,” he says pulling her heart from his robe, “I will take you with me to hell.” He turns from her, leaving her alone in a, suddenly cold and empty, dungeon.

Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo approach Naraku’s lair. A few minutes ago, the wind that had been leading them died. However, by then the group could simply follow the ominous demonic aura leading to the castle. When they first see the fortress, they are stopped by the site. In front of the castle are thousands of demons. In addition to the hoards of simple demons, there are several hundred of a new kind: nine feet tall, rippling muscles, long horns aching back over there heads and small tufts of red fur. These are clearly not to be taken lightly. Suddenly, the six become seven. Sesshomaru arrives and goes unnoticed until he clears his throat. “I see she summoned you as well.” he says. The six turn shocked faces to him. He produces a feather, identical to the one Kirara found. Inuyasha is clearly about to explode. Sesshomaru cuts him off, “Brother, I’m asking for your help.” Shocked does not begin to describe the look on Inuyasha’s face. “This will not be an easy battle, even for me. I would much rather have our father beside me, but you will have to do. Well little brother, are you going to stand there looking confused or are you going to join me?” There is a stunned silence. Kagome breaks it, “Wow! This is new.” Sango adds, “I’m not use to seeing Sesshomaru act so mature.” Inuyasha replies, “Well, I guess so. But we aren’t friends and we still have a score to settle after this.” “Agreed.” says Sesshomaru. Into the valley of death rode…walked the seven. It is agreed that Kagome and the brothers will handle the new breed of monsters, while Miroku, Shippo, Sango and Kirara will handle the lesser demons. The monk attempts to open his windtunnel, only to find himself confronted by Naraku’s bugs. Rather then using it as a ranged weapon, Sango rushes into the demons and wields her Hiraikotsan at close range. Her great leaps and mighty spins seem to defy the laws of physics; not that they have been written yet. Shippo hits Miroku on the head and says, “Focus! Keep your attention on the demons, not Sango.” The monk composes himself and follows her into the fray. Both brothers let loose huge energy blasts from their swords, which break uselessly on the demons. Kagome fires a sacred arrow, expecting it to plow a path through the foe. Her arrow connects with a demon in the front line. It lodges itself in the demon’s chest; the beast collapses, dead. The brothers find that the demons can be slain, by several powerful blows. So they begin a slow battle against overwhelming odds. As the monk and the demon slayer takeout hundreds of demons, they gradually lose site of each other. Both coming out of hard spinning attacks, they find themselves pressed against each other face to face. In an instant, they each see that the other is drenched in demon-blood and their own sweat; and neither one has ever seen anything so attractive. Then they notice that their free hands have been taking action on their own. Miroku’s hand went where it always goes, however, what surprises them both, is that Sango’s left hand is on the small of Miroku’s back, pressing him to her. Being on a battlefield, they both break away and continue fighting. As Sango fights off her embarrassment; Miroku fights off his joy. Kagome is down to one arrow when suddenly Naraku arrives, floating above his army. Everyone else is to busy too attack him so she takes her last arrow and looks for a mark. She finds it in his shoulder: she sees the sacred jewel. She lets it fly. It misses the jewel, but tears his entire arm, shoulder and all, from his body. As his arm falls to the ground, he lets out a terrible cry. Suddenly, the hoards of weak demons head away from the fight, fleeing in every direction. The new breed simply fall over, every last one of them dead as a doornail. As pieces of his body begin to fall away, the dark one speeds off into the distance. As the others are focused on Naraku, Sesshomaru approaches the severed arm. After a quick conference, it is decided that Miroku will take Kirara and, with Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, pursue Naraku; while Sango and Kagome search the castle to try to find Kohaku.
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Saturday, April 30, 2005

Winds of Change: For a Friend
*episode 2*

The work to repair Kaede’s village progresses. Inuyasha’s party help as they can; here a strong back, there a helping hand. Naraku has disappeared and they have no way of knowing where to look for him. All in all, this village is lucky. Their loses are few, due to the fact that they were defended from the first onslaught by capable warriors. The survivors have the benefit of antibiotics, antiseptic supplies, and simple medicines, centuries ahead of their time. There is even a monk to bury the dead. Three days after the attack, a strong wind comes upon the village. The old priestess, still recovering herself, looks up from the child’s bandage she is changing to note the strange shift in the weather. The demon slayer looks up from her carpentry to wonder if a storm is coming. The monk, sanctifying the last graves, feels relief from the sweat that accumulated as he dug the graves himself. The school girl, hurrying back from the well with fresh supplies, wonders, not for the first time, if her legs would be warmer if she wore a longer skirt. The great cat, who has been watching against demonic incursions on the weakened village, looks off into the distance, then dashes off, chasing a small speck. The half-demon, who has been felling timber, looks up and sniffs the air. He rushes to the village and gathers the others. “It’s Naraku’s scent.” he says. “Is it strong enough to track?” Miroku asks. Inuyasha nods. Sango says, “Wait a minute. It has to be a trap. We’re not ready to face whatever he has prepared for us.” “She’s right.” Kagome adds. Then, Kirara approaches the summit. She walks to Sango and holds out something in her mouth. Sango takes it. “A feather?” she says. “There’s hair wrapped around it.” “Le’me see.” says Inuyasha. She hands the feather to him. He pulls the hair loose and brings it to his nose. “It’s Kohaku’s!” he says. “Then that must be one of Kagura’s feathers.” says the monk. “I think this is a message.” “Ya! An invitation from Naraku!” says Inuyasha. “No.” Kagome says. “While you we’re fighting Naraku, Kagura brought Kohaku to me so that I could purify his jewel shard. She said she wanted to set him free.” Miroku adds, “And she told us that she hated Naraku and was trying to escape from him.” “Don’t tell me you believed her!” says Inuyasha. “But if she was telling the truth,” Sango says, “then this could be an attempt to lead us to Naraku before he’s ready for us.” “She might even be able to get your brother again.” says Kagome. Miroku says, “It may be a trap, but it’s an opportunity we can’t pass up.” “Just a minute ago, you two were saying it was too dangerous.” Inuyasha says to the girls. “Now, just because Kagura says so, it’s suddenly safe? I expect that from Kagome, but I would have thought you’d have better judgment Sango.” “Hey!” Kagome shouts. “Sango,” Inuyasha says, “We all want to get Kohaku back, if for no other reason then because it will upset Naraku. But you can’t let that desire cloud you’re judgment. That said, I trust your judgment over any of ours. If you think it’s worth all of us taking the risk, I’ll follow your decision” “Inuyasha.” Kagome says in surprise. “Well Sango, are we going?” asks Miroku. Sango takes a minute to consider her choice. “I won’t deny that the possibility of saving Kohaku is affecting my judgment.” she says. “However, if this isn’t a trap, it may be the best chance we’ll ever get to catch Naraku. We’ve walked into Naraku’s traps before, and we’ve paid for it. But we’ve always come out alive. Miroku is right, we can’t afford to let this chance slip away. Besides, knowing that there is a trap is the first step in evading it.” Inuyasha nods, “Ok, we’ll go. But let’s be careful. We’re not taking Koga, or my brother.” They assemble their gear and begin to track the scent.
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Friday, April 29, 2005

For those of you keeping score, this starts at the end of deep wounds.

Winds of Change: For a Friend
*episode 1*

For eight days, Naraku indulges in his favorite hobby, torture. Kagura is subjected to hours of pain, indignity, and torment at the hands of a sociopath. However, this is clearly only a recreation; he comes twice a day, clearly as a diversion from some work he is tending to. After each session, Kohaku is sent to care for her, so that she will be ready when Naraku next desires her. This is not the lifeless gola who slaughters villages, and betrays friends; this is the boy he was before. He has no memories of his life before Naraku, or of the atrocities he has committed, or even of the other times he has come to her. But, he has his human heart. Every time he comes into the chamber and finds a woman, demon or no, broken, mutilated, and lying naked on the floor in a pool of her own blood, tears come to his eyes. He tends her wounds, knowing that her demonic body will heal quickly; but not quickly enough. When the bones are set, the burns are treated, the cuts are patched, and he has washed the blood away, he wraps her in a blanket and holds her. He sings a lullaby, he doesn’t know where he heard it, or even that he knew any songs. But it is written on his heart, and as he holds her, the words come to his mouth; and he cries. Kagura has never had anyone to cry for her, and as she lies there in his arms, she is content. The pain withdraws and she never wants his song to end. Then Naraku comes, and the look on his face, tells her that he has given her this comfort, just so that he can take it away. The boy prostrates himself before the demon, begging, not that she be spared, but that she just be given a few more minutes of rest. Then he offers to take her place, knowing full well that his body will break much more quickly then hers and that even a shard of the jewel will not preserve his life through 5 minutes of what Kagura has endured. Finally, he prepares to attack Naraku, barehanded. Naraku says, “Kohaku.” Not a request; not an order; merely a statement of inevitable fact. Something in the boy dies; his face loses its emotion, the passion in his eyes dissolves, and his tears end. “Yes master Naraku.” he says. Without looking back, he leaves, and the cycle begins again. Then, at the end of the eighth day, the beast fails to return. The sun sets and rises and Naraku does not come. The two sit in silence. Neither one has a life to tell the other about; no fond memories to share. They sit together against a wall, and Kagura rests her head on Kohaku’s shoulder and goes to sleep. In time, looming forms begin to walk the corridor outside the torture chamber. Ogres, at once clearly Naraku’s creation, yet seeming to lack the care and craftsmanship one usually sees in Naraku’s incarnations. They have no way of knowing how many there are, but by the end of the day, there are at least dozens, just in that one section of the castle. Clearly, Naraku is amassing an army; hoping to achieve by quantity what he failed to achieve by quality. As night draws on, it becomes apparent that Naraku has lost interest in his plaything, or that something serious has occurred which requires his full attention. Kagura wakes up in the middle of the night and looks at the face of the sleeping mortal; and she has never seen anything so beautiful; and in that beauty she finds her salvation.
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Thursday, April 28, 2005

Caged Hearts: Kagura’s Sorrow
*episode 5*

Kagura regains consciousness and struggles to her knees. She is on top of mountain and she is not alone. Kohaku and Kanna stand over Rin and Shippo. An army of Naraku’s demons circle the summit; and Naraku himself stands with his back to Kagura. He turns to face her. He is smiling. He takes out her heart and begins tossing it from hand to hand. He stops and holds it up. “You betrayed me.” he says. He clasps his fist around the ruby gem and she collapses forward. He hits her in the face with his full demonic strength. “YOU WILL SUFFER!!!” he shouts. With his free hand he grabs her hair and he continues to pound her face with the hand clutching her heart. Finally he pulls her to her feet, still squeezing her heart; he forces her face to his own. “YOU WILL KNOW MISERY AND ANGUISH UNTIL YOU BEG ME TO TAKE YOU BACK INTO MY FLESH SO THAT THE PAIN WILL END ALONG WITH YOUR EXSISTENCE!!!” Naraku throws her from him; she rolls for ten meters. He gives her heart a final squeeze and thrusts it into his robe. He walks away, proceeding to marshal his forces for the coming battle. Kanna walks to where Kagura is picking herself up off the ground. “Naraku, he’s angry.” she says. “What was your first clue?” Kagura asks. “He said more then he meant to,” says the older sister, “he will regret that later.” Kagura looks at Kanna. “That’s what he wants from me.” she says. “That’s what he’s always wanted. He wants me to want to be a part of him.” “Kohaku wants to serve Naraku.” Kanna says. “He knows that if he doesn’t, Naraku will restore his memories and he will go mad. Naraku knows this. I am void. I am nothing, so I can desire nothing. Naraku knows this as well. But you, you resist him. You refuse to give in to despair. No one else has ever withstood his cruelty, and it is slowly driving him insane.” “But surely he has been defied before.” Kagura says. “Not in this way.” Kanna answers. “He had planned your existence. You were to fight Inuyasha and then you were to die. Even if you survived the battle, Naraku was confident that soon your spirit would break and then he would reabsorb you. But here you are, he thought that being rejected by Sesshomaru would finally destroy the last vestments of hope in your heart. He was sure that you would be crushed from within, but you were not. He misjudged you, and that makes him feel weak.” Kagura takes a moment to take this in. She says, “By surviving, I defy him.” Her sister nods, and almost looks like she might smile. As Kanna walks away, Kagura vows, “For now I will settle for defying him. But I am the wind, and I will be free!”
*the end*


or the beginning
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Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Caged Hearts: Kagura’s Sorrow
*episode 4*

Koga dashes away from Naraku carrying Kagome. Beside him, Kirara is trying to match pace while carrying Sango and Shippo. Koga says to Kagome, “I’ll kill Naraku this time, but this is going to be messy. I’ll get you to safety first.” “Find Inuyasha!” says Kagome. “If we’re going to fight Naraku, we’re going to need his help.” “Me accept help from that stinking mutt?!?” asks Koga. “That’ll be the day!” “Cut the Macho act!” says Kagome. “Naraku is too powerful to be taken lightly.” The pursuit is suddenly cut short by a white streak. When they look behind them, the five see that Naraku has been stopped by Sesshomaru. They stop and turn back. Sesshomaru says, “Naraku! I trust that I have the honor of killing your true-self this time.” “Lord Sesshomaru!” the dark one replies. “This is none of your concern.” With that, he lashes out with an indeterminate limb. “I beg to differ.” Sesshomaru says, blocking the attack. “When you first crossed me, you sealed your own death warrant. More then that, that is my brother’s woman.” “HEY!” shouts Koga. “Kagome’s my woman.” Naraku, ignoring the wolf, asks, “You would protect your brother’s plaything?” “Certainly not.” Sesshomaru says. “However, her life is mine to take at my convenience. As such, you have no right to harm her.” “Hear me well Sesshomaru.” says Naraku. “Before now, you have never stood in my way. As such, I have never sought to kill you. But if you get in my way tonight, that will change. Be sure that you are ready to face the consequences of your actions.” “I am prepared.” Sesshomaru says. “Very well then.” says Naraku. With that, hoards of demons pour from the sky, attacking everyone but Naraku. As Naraku begins a fresh offensive, supported by his minions, Sesshomaru calls, “Jaken! Protect Rin.” The imp is already before the girl, spraying fire from his staff, but there are too many of them. Demons begin to approach the girl from behind Jaken. Suddenly, Rin’s wrist is grabbed and she is pulled from the fight. Kagome is pulling her and Shippo to safety. Meanwhile, Jaken, Koga, Sango, and Kirara are fighting off an unending stream of demons. When Kagome has gone 50 meters, she turns back to watch the fight. She is clearly upset that there is nothing more she can do, but Inuyasha has her bow. She turns to the child and asks, “You ok?” The child nods. “So what’s your name?” Shippo asks. The girl responds, “Rin.” “Well that’s a nice name.” Kagome says forcing a smile. “This is Shippo and my name is Kagome, I’m…” “I know who you are.” Rin interrupts. “Master Jaken told me. You’re m’lord’s younger brother’s lover.” “ehh…” Kagome says. Sesshomaru is focused on his fight with Naraku and is taking numerous attacks from lesser demons. Individually, they are bug bites, but together, they are beginning to take a toll on the demon lord. Suddenly, two new warriors enter the fray. With Inuyasha and Miroku’s help, the others start to stem the tide of demons. As more and more of his minions leave to take the place of those slain by the others, Naraku begins to lose what had previously been a stalemate. Suddenly, the dark one pulls back and looks around. He sees Kagura standing by Kagome, holding Kohaku and gesturing at his back. Naraku heads off like a dart, striking all five of them together. Kagura lands, unconscious, and Kohaku wakes up. The demons destroyed, Koga, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha are approaching Naraku at top speed. Naraku turns to Rin, and lashes out. Suddenly, Sesshomaru sees Kagome pushing Rin out of the way, taking a glancing blow in the process. Kohaku grabs Rin and is by his master’s side, before Kagome can react. At the same time, Shippo sinks his fangs into Naraku and takes a blast of poison gas to the face. By the time, the other’s reach Kagome, Naraku is speeding off, with Kagura over his shoulder, Kohaku carrying Rin, and Kanna, who no one had seen up till then, cradling Shippo beside her mirror. Inuyasha comes to Kagome, “You ok?” “That’s going to hurt tomorrow.” she tells him. “But I’ll be ok.” “I’m going after Naraku.” says Sesshomaru. “All of you stay out of this.” “Now wait just a minute!” says Koga. “I got business with Naraku. He’s mine.” “You’re both wrong!” says Inuyasha. “I have the oldest grudge; you can both get in line!” “SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!!!” cries Kagome. “We have to save Shippo and Rin, so we’re all going to work together!” Inuyasha looks glum, and you can almost hear Sesshomaru counting backwards from ten. “I couldn’t care less about those two!” says Koga. “I’m not working with a pair of flea-bitten mutts.” “You’ll do it because I’m asking you to.” says Kagome, taking the wolf’s hands. “Please.” The wolf looks into her big, pretty, brown eyes. He pulls her into an embrace and says, “Baby, for you, anything.” As Inuyasha prepares to explode, Kagome says, “Sit.”. Koga pulls Kagome tighter and bends to kiss her. She blocks his mouth with a finger. “Naraku.” she says. “Oh…right!” he says letting go. “Ok everyone, let’s go.” Kagome calls.
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Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Caged Hearts: Kagura’s Sorrow
*episode 3*

Inuyasha and Miroku run through the night. The half-demon says, “I hope Kagome and Sango are alright!” The monk replies, “They’ll be fine. Koga won’t let anything happen to Kagome, and Sango can take care of herself.” “How can you expect me to have faith in that stinking wolf?” Inuyasha asks. “I’m not asking you to like him!” Miroku says. “But if anything goes wrong, he can always outrun it.” “We wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place if you hadn’t gone after that woman!” says Inuyasha. “How was I suppose to know Naraku would chose now to reappear?” the monk asks. “That’s not the point!” Inuyasha shouts. Suddenly, Inuyasha stops. He sniffs the air. “Naraku! He’s coming!” “No.” says the monk. “Look! It’s Kagura…she has Kohaku with her!” As the two watch, the sorceress approaches and grounds her giant feather. “Kagura!” shouts Inuyasha. “So Naraku sent the two of you to slow us down.” “What’s wrong with Kohaku?!?” cries the monk. As soon as they land, the boy collapses on the ground. “He’s just unconscious.” says Kagura. “Inuyasha, where is your woman?” “My What!?!” he shouts. “The priestess with the power to purify the sacred jewel! Where is she?!?” Kagura asks. “What do you want with Kagome?” asks Miroku. “Naraku controls this boy through the jewel shard in his back. If she purifies the shard, then Narku’s hold should dissolve.” “Why would you want that?” asks the monk. “I have my reasons.” she replies. “More importantly,” says Inuyasha, “Why do you smell like my brother?” Kagura looks embarrassed. Inuyasha sniffs the air and says, “Kagura! Get downwind.” With a wave of her fan, the wind patterns change and Inuyasha sniffs the air again. “It’s not just you.” says Inuyasha. “Sesshomaru’s near by. His scent is mixing with Kagome and the others. They’re near Naraku!” “Come!” says Kagura pulling the feather from her hair. “You must be joking!” says Inuyasha. “If Naraku kills your lover, then my revenge dies with her. Now, you can travel as fast as the wind or as slow as the monks sandaled feet. Take your pick.” Inuyasha turns to the Miroku only to find that he is already beside Kagura. With a look of distrust, the half-demon joins them. The four are surrounded by a strong gust, and they rise into the air. The monk asks, “So Kagura, do you no longer serve Naraku?” “I despise Naraku.” she says. “The only reason I ever obeyed him was because he has the power to kill me at any point. But this time he has gone too far and I’m willing to risk death if I can harm him.” “Really?” he says. “In that case, since you are no longer our enemy, I was wondering if you would be interested in bearing my children.” “Miroku!!!” shouts Inuyasha. Kagura meets the monk’s eyes and she smiles. She raises her fan to cover her face, then she snaps it shut. The monk clutches his throat and tries to gasp. “What’d you do to him?” asks Inuyasha without much concern. “I cut off the air to his lungs.” “Don’t kill him.” says Inuyasha. “He probably deserves it, but he can be useful. Also, Naraku wants him dead.” “He’s far from death.” says Kagura. The monk continues to try to breathe until his skin turns the same color as his robe. “D’you think that’s enough?” asks Inuyasha. “I suppose so.” says Kagura. She opens her fan and Miroku begins to take gasping breaths. Which way Inuyasha?” she asks. “That way.” he answers; and they’re gone like a summer’s breeze.
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