Monday, May 2, 2005

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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