Sunday, April 24, 2005

   Hi everybody!
I’m so glad that you all liked Deep Wounds, but I’ve decided that it has some flaws. So, rather then sacrificing my creative vision by rewriting it, I’ve decided to take a page from the George Lucas handbook. Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with Jar Jar Binks. I decided to turn my next story, which I was already writing, into a prequel. I was writing another Inuyasha piece and I decided to tie them together. This story starts one day before the beginning of Deep Wounds.
Enjoy. ^_^

Caged Hearts: Kagura’s Sorrow
*episode 1*
The lord of the western lands wanders his domain, as is his custom, accompanied by his servants. It is a warm summer’s night, and the sky is an endless canopy of stars. They approach an ancient wood, following no path, across an open plane. The Lord walks first; the servants follow. The Lord is a demon, although he takes a human form. He is tall, robed in white, and he is missing an arm. His rich silver-white hair flows to his shoulders. He carries, at his belt, a massive claymore; and beside it a sheathed katana. His brow bears the emblem of the crescent moon. The first of his vassals, an imp, walks directly behind him. The small procession is brought up by a two headed dragon, wearing a muzzle, and carrying the strangest member of this expedition. This one is abnormal only in her normality. She is a human girl, no more then ten, and she rides the great beast. To any observer, she would first seem to be out of place among these creatures. One might even suspect that this was a meal, brought to be eaten at the journey’s end. However, the girl’s behavior shows no distress, or even surprise. She is quietly humming to herself and she occasionally strokes the neck of one of the beast’s two heads. As the party approaches the edge of the wood, two figures emerge. One is a woman, beautiful yet cruel in appearance, she wares a fine silk kimono and caries an ornate fan. Her companion hides himself beneath the skin of a white baboon. The hidden man says, “Greetings, Lord Sesshomaru.” “Naraku.” The lord replies. “Do you seek death?” Naraku says, “Give me some credit. I am not foolish enough to come in person. Not after our last meeting.” “Another puppet then?” asks Sesshomaru. “Why have you come?” “I wish to offer you a trade.” Naraku says. “My service can not be purchased, nor can I be coerced into serving you. You must realize as much.” says the lord. “You misunderstand me.” Naraku says. “I do not seek your services, I desire something you have in your procession, and I offer something of equal, if not greater value in return.” “I’m listening.” Sesshomaru says. “I have few possessions, and fewer still with which I would part willingly. What do you desire?” “Only that which I once took by force.” says the dark one. “Rin.” Sesshomaru says in a hushed voice. “Before you disregard my offer out of hand; hear what I offer in exchange.” Naraku reaches under his cloak and pulls out a glowing red gem. His companion’s eyes go wide, as he clasps his hands around it. She collapses in pain, clutching her chest. Naraku says, “I offer my servant Kagura. This is her heart, with it comes complete control over her. She would be yours to command, in every way.” Sesshomaru asks, “Rin, what do you think of this?” “Uh…me?” the girls says. “Hmm…m’lord, I think you should accept his offer.” For an instant, Sesshomaru looks surprised. “You want to go with Naraku?” he asks. “No m’lord!” she replies. “Then why do you want me to accept Naraku’s proposal?” the lord asks. The girl stops in indecision for a moment, then she says, “M’lord, I am a burden to you. I can not defend myself; the last time we met Naraku proved this. There are also other things I cannot do for you which Miss Kagura could.” “Such as?” Sesshomaru asks. “Miss Kagura is a sorceress.” she says. “This means that not only could she protect herself, but she could also aid you in battle. Also m’lord, I am not a demon.” she looks down. “I can never bear your children; but Miss Kagura is a strong demon. She could be a fitting mother for m’lord’s sons.” Sesshomaru is taken aback. “Rin, what makes you think I desire children?” he asks. “Nothing m’lord.” she says. “But in time that may change, and then Naraku may no longer be willing to take me. I will age m’lord. For a time, this will be good, but in time, I will become old and I will be an even greater burden to you then I am now. I want to stay with you m’lord. But I want what’s best for you even more. It would be better for you if you took Miss Kagura.” The girl is on the verge of tears, but she restrains them. The lord looks at her for a moment. “And what would you do with her?” he asks Naraku. “I would kill her and turn her into an undead; a companion for Kohaku.” the demon says. “But surly you cannot be allowing the welfare of a human to influence your decision.” “One party has not spoken.” says Sesshomaru. “Make your wishes known woman.” Kagura turns to Naraku who gives a small nod of approval. She faces Sesshomaru, “I am the wind, I wish to be free. But failing that, I would have any master before Naraku!” The dark one clutches her heart again, and she doubles over. “Why don’t you examine the merchandise.” he says thrusting Kagura toward Sesshomaru while clutching the gem in his other hand. She collapses against the lord and looks up at him in her agony. As she falls to her knees against him, he looks on her with what might almost be pity. “Naraku!” he says. The dark one unclasps his hand. Sesshomaru place two fingers beneath Kagura’s chin and lifts her to her feet. She looks up into his deep amber-brown eyes, with a mixture of hate and love; fear and excitement; despair and hope. All of these are replaced by surprise as he bends his face to hers. His nose hovers, a centimeter from her skin as he moves past her face to her neck. He inhales deeply and then pulls his head back. “…no.” he says. Before a look of shock can form on Kagura’s face, the lord shoves her roughly off of him; she falls to the ground, at once stunned and embarrassed. “Not to your liking?” asks Naraku, his sarcastic voice laced with surprise. “On the contrary,” says Sesshomaru, “She is all that has been said about her, but I will not buy a companion. Rin, would you die for me?” “Uh…yes m’lord.” the mortal replies. “Jaken?” the lord asks. “Of course m’lord.” “Yet as desirable as she is,” Sesshomaru says, “She would never be loyal. No Naraku. I will take the eye-blink of time during which Rin will live as my loyal servant over an eternity having to watch for the knife which would surely fall as soon as my back was turned. Jaken, Rin, we’re leaving. Oh and Naraku, one more thing…” the lord lashes out, ripping the head from Naraku’s puppet. Before he departs, Sesshomaru says, “Woman, if you wish to bear my children; seek me out when you are free of Naraku. I might just grant your wish.”
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