Friday, January 13, 2006

Inutakai
*episode 2*

Myoga the flea is in an awkward position. It’s not so much that there is any inherent danger to his lord in being with the woman; if there was he wouldn’t be there. But it set’s a bad habit that he cannot allow. Understandably, the boy’s upbringing with his mother has made the company of humans seem normal, if less than ideal. But now that she is gone, Inuyasha must learn that there is no place in that world for him; and the old woman making one is not teaching him that lesson. It doesn’t occur to them demon flea, but he naturally assumes that the boy’s place will be in his father’s world; among demons. He knows that such a place won’t be easy to attain; heaven help the boy if ever he should encounter him. But he feels confident that, with time, and strength, the boy will be accepted in the eyes of at least some demons. But regarding the current situation; Myoga knows that it may resolve itself sooner than the boy thinks. Konpon is losing strength, and this journey is killing her faster. As the flea falls asleep, his last coherent thought is, “Could that be her intent?”
Comments (5) | Permalink

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Once again I find myself apologizing for having disappeared. I have no decent excuse on hand; so, if you’d like, you can all throw cooking implements at me until you get bored. Any takers? Anyone?
Comments (3) | Permalink

Inutakai
*episode 1*

A non-descript couple walks together on a road far from any village. Perhaps non-descript is a poor choice of words. While they aren’t doing anything to draw attention to them, and there is no one here to have their attention drawn, they are strange to behold. For starters, there are three of them. Two of them are plain to see; while the third’s presence is only made known by his voice. Of the two we can see, one is an old woman in priestly garb. The other is a boy; and he’s the one who would draw stares. Instead of re-enumerating his distinctive characteristics; let us simply say that it is our beloved protagonist Inuyasha following Konpon as another day on the road approaches its end. With them is the Myoga the flea, who is the seemingly disembodied voice; and a whining one at that. There are still several hours left in the day; but Konpon informs them that they are stopping. “Why now?” Inuyasha asks. “Best get used to it my lord;” Myoga replies, “when traveling with humans, one must accommodate their weakness. Which is why, I might add, a demon generally avoids traveling with humans. It is neither safe nor wise.” “Then what would you advise him to do, oh miniscule one?” Konpon asks the flea, “Leave me here and now?” “Now that you mention it…” squash “You know,” Konpon says to the boy, “His words have merit. I do not so categorically denounce all humans as weaklings; but there may come a time when you must leave me.” As he has every time Konpon attempts to raise the subject, Inuyasha finds an excuse not to talk about it. This time he silently begins gathering fire wood. The old woman sighs; but she doesn’t have the energy to force him to listen. However, she knows that the time may come when he has no choice.
Comments (3) | Permalink

Friday, January 6, 2006

Inuenro
*episode 8*

It is morning, and Inuyasha is nursing several bruises, and a grudge. Against his instincts, but at Myoga’s insistence, he had done nothing when the village men, having escorted him out of town, gave him several parting gifts with the blunt ends of their spears. The fact that the marks, minor as they were, have long since faded does nothing to ease the pain of the largest bruise; that being the one on his ego. Between his status as the lord’s grandson; and the constant vigilance of his mother and her loyal servant, no one had ever actually hit the boy with any force until he left his grandfather’s home. Now, he is beginning to resent it. Exasperated by his young lord’s pigheadedness, Myoga asks, “And how long do you intend to sulk my lord?” Inuyasha asks, “Why’d I have to let them hit me?” The flea says, “Lady Konpon, about whom I still have doubts, seems to have gone to quite a bit of trouble so that you could depart peaceably.” “They hit me!” the young half-demon says. “And if you had hit them back, that succulent young priestess would have hunted you down and done much worse to you.” Myoga retorts. “My lord, until you grow and come into your full demonic strength, you will have to choose which battles you fight; and which ones you don’t.” Inuyasha responds showing just what he thinks of that. It is upon this scene of the boy apparently arguing with himself that Konpon arrives. “Little one,” she says, “Good morning; and to you as well even littler one.” “Hello yourself.” Myoga says, “And I will nOTTTT!!!” The parasite’s words are cut off as the person he is ridding runs to embrace her; and he nearly falls off his shoulder. As Konpon gently returns the gesture, Myoga shouts, “Stop this at once! This must not be tolerated as well.” Konpon asks, “As well as what?” Myoga starts again, “I will not tolerate your addressing his lordship in such a casual and familiar tone. He is a lord, both among demons and humans; you will address him as such. Furthermore, he is not to be handled by you in this fashion. It was one thing when his mother treated him in such a manner; but he must not become accustomed to it from other people. From now on, you must…” splat “Thank you little one.” Konpon says. “Now, if you will take this sack from me, I believe we were headed this way…” And so the 2…3 of them set out to continue their journey.

*The End*
Comments (4) | Permalink

Friday, December 30, 2005

Inuenro
*episode 7*

As the men stand and think, Konpon whispers under her breath in a voice only a half-demon could hear, “If it comes to it, remember what I taught you. Hit with the knuckles and keep your claws pressed to your palms.” After a time, the leader of the armed men turns and pokes Inuyasha with his spear. Following his lead, the men of the village begin to drive the boy out of town. Again whispering, but this time to the flea, Konpon says, “Go with him; and tell him I shall find him tomorrow.” As Myoga leaves, Konpon turns to the younger priestess. She says, “You have much to learn young one. Not the least of which is to pick and choose your battles. Let that lesson stay with you, after I leave in the morning.” Wakai turns around and storms off, while still maintaining a measure of dignity. Sighing, but satisfied that things will hold themselves together till morning, the old woman returns to what will be the last real bed she ever sleeps on.
Comments (4) | Permalink

Friday, December 23, 2005

Inuenro
*episode 6*

The flea and the old woman’s conversation, while not finished, is forced to stop as a commotion outside draws both their attention. The old woman slowly struggles to her feet, then walks to the door. Outside, a group of men with torches and spears lead a captive into the village. Both woman and flea are surprised, and upset to see the boy with silver hair. Not allowing herself to react, Konpon assess the situation. As she considers the inevitably grim consequences of this night, she hears, “What is this, what is the meaning of this?” It is the young priestess Wakai. The leader of the armed band says, “Lady Wakai; we found this demon child outside of town. We meant to go to get you; or the elder priestess; but finding him alone and asleep, we decided to capture him and bring him before you.” The young priestess says, “If it was asleep in the forest, how did you find it?” The man says, “He…it had built a fire.” Wakai says, “Interesting, hmm, well, if it had been unseen we would have been no worse for it; but what’s done is done. We can’t very well have you growing any bigger; so…” Taking her bow, the young priestess begins to reach for an arrow. Stepping out into the light, Konpon says, “You should think a bit before you do that.” All eyes are drawn to her; including a pair of puzzled golden eyes which catch a barely perceivable shake of her head as he prepares to speak. Not about to loose her monopoly on attention, Konpon says, “This is, as you say, a child; and children have parents. Demon parents have a nasty habit of avenging their slain young.” Responding defensively to this intrusion on her territory, the younger priestess says, “Surely you must see that this is but a half-demon. No parent would bother avenging one such as he.” Konpon says, “Never underestimate a mother’s love; not even that of a demon.” As tension mounts between the two women; the Wakai says, “Then what would you suggest; venerable elder?” “I’d suggest you watch your tone young one;” Konpon retorts, “and as for that thing, you found it in the forest, put it back where you found it.” Seething with frustration, Wakai turns to the gathered villagers who have been watching in silence; she says, “It seems age has robed the old priestess of her senses.” Once again, the eyes of the village turn to the old woman to see how she will respond. Taking a deep breath, she begins, “If you wish to make this personal, then very well, let it be so. This little girl seems far too eager to risk bringing down the wrath of a demon upon all of your heads. Perhaps she is merely young and foolish; or perhaps she would like to have this village attacked. It would certainly give her a chance to prove herself, and win a place in your hearts. If you want to gamble with your lives, as well as those of your families, then indulge the child. However, if you wish the aid of many years of experience, hear me well: drive that thing from the village, alive, and unharmed.” A heavy silence falls on the gathering as the men try to decide which priestess should be obeyed.
Comments (2) | Permalink

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Inuenro
*episode 5*

The old priestess Konpon is settling down to sleep. She had considered the possibility that she would have to be away for the night, and discussed it with Inuyasha. He should be fine without her; and she hopes he’ll remember to stay out of sight. She is about to relax, when she suddenly feels a slight touch on her arm. She says quietly, “There is little blood left in this body, small demon; and many more appealing sources in this village.” She hears a response, “True, but will you prove a fine vintage; or mere bitter dregs?” She feels the tiny bite…then hears a nasty coughing and hacking. Smiling, she says, “Humans are like sake; we age poorly.” Regaining his breath, the pest says, “I heartily agree; but down to business.” Konpon asks, “Have I business with you?” The response comes, “You do if you are the lady Konpon. Which you must be, as you are one of only two priestesses in this village; and the other is much younger, more attractive, and tastes much better.” She tells him, “When a demon seeks one such as me by name, it is usually to kill her. But I think you are one demon even I can still handle.” He says, “I do not mean you harm. But I must know, what are your intentions regarding my lord.” She tells him, “I cannot answer that question without knowing who your lord is.” The bug says, “I now serve the younger son of my late lord; he is known as Inuyasha. I believe that you two are acquainted.” Smiling, Konpon says, “Then you would be the cowardly Myoga.” Myoga says, “I heartily object to your use of that term.” She says, “You abandoned that poor child when he needed you most; when he was being hunted by being who now stalk him in his dreams. You most certainly are a coward.” He shouts, almost loud enough for others to hear, “This is entirely off the subject! I didn’t come here to talk about me; I came to talk about you. What are you doing with my master?” She says, “I am taking care of him, and teaching him.” Myoga asks, “Why should I believe you?” Smirking in the half-light, she says, “You shouldn’t. If you truly have Inuyasha’s best interests at heart, you should not trust me. Your lord trusts me completely; far more than I would like. If you wish to protect him, be suspicious for him and doubt my good intentions.” The flea stops to think, then he says, “Don’t think that that speech has convinced me of your good will.” Konpon says, “It wasn’t meant to. Its purpose was to advise you toward the only sensible course of action.” The flea sits back to ponder this statement.
Comments (3) | Permalink

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Inuenro
*episode 4*

After being smushed by his lord and master, Myoga listens to Inuyasha tell briefly of his travels from when they last parted ways. When the boy has finished, the flea says, “Master Inuyasha; this is unthinkable! How could you allow yourself to be taken into the care of a mortal; not only that, but a priestess as well?!? To say nothing of your dignity as a demon lord, how can you justify such recklessness? No mortal is a greater threat to you than a priestess; they are not to be trusted!” Inuyasha interrupts, “I know that; Konpon told me.” Stunned, Myoga replies, “She did? What else did she tell you?” Inuyasha proceeds to retell his story, only this time focusing on the advice and lessons he has received from the old woman. When his lord finishes, he stops in thought. Finally he says, “This seems to be a most fortunate turn of events; far too fortunate, for that matter. I must meet this priestess myself. You said she had headed into the nearby village for supplies; when was this?” Inuyasha pauses in thought, “Well, it was morning.” Myoga responds, “Yet now it is nearly sunset. She seems to have gone to an awful lot of trouble simply to abandon you here. Hmm…assuming she is everything you have claimed, she may have encountered some unforeseen difficulty. In that case; lord Inuyasha! I am going to go into the village. I will find this priestess and decide for myself if she can be trusted.” Inuyasha says, “You can’t go. The people will see you.” Myoga says, “M’lord, I spent the better part of your life in your grandfather’s palace, with only two people knowing about it. They’ll never notice a mere flea. But you must remain here and out of sight as well.” With that said, the flea departs.
Comments (3) | Permalink

Monday, December 19, 2005

To my readers
I would like to apologize for disappearing for more than a week. I had my final exams for my first semester of collage. Now I’m home for the holidays, and intend to update my story daily. But if I miss a day now and then, please accept my advanced apologies.

Comments (3) | Permalink

Inuenro
*episode 3*

Inuyasha waits in the forest outside the village. He understands the situation, and why it’s important for him to not be seen. That said, he is growing impatient, it’s already been several hours. He is sitting there trying to decide what, if anything he should do when he feels a stinging sensation on his right cheek. Slapping his face, he looks to his hand and is utterly shocked. There, flat as a pancake, is Myoga the flea. “Greetings, lord Inuyasha. I trust you are well.” the parasite says. The boy says, “You! You left me!” He prepares to smash the bug between his thumb and forefinger. “No, stop!” the flea calls. “Let me explain.” The boy pauses, unsure what to do. Myoga continues, “I had important business to attend to; and, as I rightly surmised, you were in no danger you could not get yourself out of.” Inuyasha stops, clearly unsure whether or not to believe all this. Capitalizing on his reprieve, the flea says, “After my business was concluded, I began to search for you at once. I unfortunately wasted a good deal of time on a blind alley. It seems that some hapless half-demon has fallen under the sway of a mortal priestess. Furthermore, she herself is being hunted by her own kind; although I know not why. I was following a lead on this pair when I happened upon you. I must say that I am relived to learn that you are not the poor dupe I had been following. Whoever he is, his stupidity will soon be his undoing; allowing himself to be taken in by the likes of a priestess. The idiot!” squash
Comments (3) | Permalink