Thursday, May 5, 2005

Independence Day: A New Beginning
*episode 2*

A little later, Kagura and Sango are sitting by Sango’s fire. Kagura has just explained the significance of her heartbeat. Sango is still not completely trusting, but she’s willing to go along for the minute. She asks, “So if you’re free, why come here?” “There’s something I have to do.” Kagura says. “After I tried to free Kohaku, Naraku tortured me. Each time he was finished, he sent Kohaku to tend my wounds. Only, it wasn’t the Kohaku I had known. That Kohaku was a lifeless tool; an extension of Naraku’s will. This Kohaku had emotion, he took care of me and he was kind. When I tried to free him, it was just a way of striking out at Naraku. But now, I want to help him. I…I don’t know. I feel something when I think about him. I want his freedom the way I wanted my own. Is any of this making any sense?” she asks on the verge of tears. “More then you might think.” Sango tells her. Kagura composes herself. “There are things I need to know.” she says. “I didn’t exist when Kohaku died. I never learned the whole story. Before I can try to help him, I have to know what happened to him. That brought me here. I know that Naraku destroyed this place to get the jewel shards you were collecting. I know that Kohaku was killed and then brought back to life with a shard of the jewel. But something else happened. Naraku punished Kohaku by showing him memories from his past. They were enough to make him serve Naraku. Even if I can get him away from Naraku, even if I free him, he will still need to face his memories.” “Kagura,” Sango says, “first of all, it’s not a question of you. It’s a question of us. I’m not sure I can trust you, but any attempt to free Kohaku begins with me. But if you are telling the truth, I’d be glad to have your help.” Kagura nods and even smiles. “The first problem we have to face is the jewel shard.” Sango says. “Even if Naraku would let Kohaku go, he would never give up the shard.” “Even if he would,” Kagura says, “that would be no way to live, always being attacked for it. No, the jewel shard has to go.” Sango says, “But, without it, he will die. Even Kagome’s medicine won’t be able to help him.” “There’s another way.” Kagura says. “Sesshomaru’s sword the Tenseiga, it can revive the dead. We take out the shard and use the Tenseiga to bring him back.” Sango is stunned. “How do we get Sesshomaru to help us?” she asks. “I’m not sure.” Kagura admits. “But have you got an alternative?” “No.” Sango says. “The hard part will be once we have him free, helping him deal with his past.” Kagura says. “Which brings us back to what happened here.” “We were summoned to a lord’s castle.” Sango begins. “It was a trick. While we were slaying a minor demon, Naraku took control of Kohaku’s body. He forced him to kill our father and several other slayers. Then Kohaku was turned on me. We fought until Naraku had his guards shoot arrows at us. Kohaku was killed and I was gravely injured. Also, Naraku has had Kohaku do other terrible things. He’s a good boy. Knowing what happened, he would blame himself.” Kagura looks glum. “Then I suppose there is no way to avoid this destroying him.” she says. “You know him better then I do. Is he strong enough to put himself back together? He wouldn’t be alone. I know how much that can mean. He’ll have you, and, to whatever extent I can be helpful, he’ll have me too.” Sango thinks. “It won’t be easy on him, but he can survive. But we will need help.”
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