Monday, May 9, 2005

Ties That Bind: Bring on the Fluff
*episode 1*
It is evening and Kaede has four guests. Two of them are familiar, her sister’s reincarnation and the demon slayer. However, this is her first time meeting the other two. Kagome is preparing soup from the strange packages she brings back with her from the other side of the old well. Kagura is lying on a blanket holding Kohaku; or more accurately, being held by him. Ever since his ill-fated attempt at consciousness he has been sleeping with his arms locked around her. Sango is sitting against a wall, trying very hard to look happy. She isn’t fooling anyone. She and Kagura keep exchanging apologetic glances. Sango’s eyes clearly state that she is sorry that Kagura hasn’t been able to move in hours; while Kagura’s eyes say that she is sorry that she is the one Sango’s brother clung to. Kagome brings Sango a cup of noodles. She sits by her friend and talks quietly. “Well, we finally got him back. The shard is gone and Sesshomaru kept his end of the bargain. When he wakes up I’m sure he’ll feel better and be happy to see you.” Sango says, “He was afraid of me. When he saw me, he was terrified.” Kagura calls softly, “He wasn’t afraid of you. He was afraid for you. Naraku had him kill many people. Now that he has his memories back, he was afraid that he would hurt you. But me, I’m from Naraku’s world. He knows he won’t hurt me because I’m Naraku’s servant.” “But you’re not his servant anymore.” Kagome says. “But he doesn’t know that.” Kagura says. “At least not on the level he was working from. He felt like he wouldn’t hurt me, so I’m the one he came to. He ran because he cares about you, Sango.” A new voice interrupts, “I’m sorry.” “Kohaku!” Sango says. As she starts to get up, he says, “No! Stay back! Please stay back.” As Sango settles back down Kohaku turns his face toward her and says, “Sister, I…I can’t be near you, not now. My hands,” he begins to cry, “My hands are still covered in blood. I can’t touch you with these hands.” He rolls over turning his back to Kagura. After a pensive moment, Sango stands and says, “Kaede, I want to ask your forgiveness.” The old priestess asks, “For what do ye apologize child?” Sango reaches for her weapon and says, “Your village, I’m going to destroy it now.” All eyes are on her. “If my hands are too clean to hold my little brother, then I must drench them in the blood of the innocent. I’ll raise the village: I’ll kill everyone. The young, the old, I’ll kill them all if that’s what it takes.” She is deathly serious, no one questions that. Kohaku says, “Sango…” He throws himself at her and clings to her legs. She drops the Hiraikotsan and falls to her knees. Brother and sister embrace. She says through her own tears, “I don’t care what you have done. You are my little brother and I love you. I’m not about to lose you; not to Naraku. He took our entire clan from us. I refuse to let him take you, and if you let what he made you do stand between us then that is exactly what will have happened.” Kohaku says, “Sister, I’m sorry!” “I know.” she says. “It hurts!” he says. “I know.” she says. “I know it hurts and I’m sorry. I should have protected you better. You should never have had to face any of this. I failed you and father and everyone. But please, don’t leave me. Please Kohaku, don’t leave me alone again.” As she holds him to her, she begins to hum. She hums a childhood tune they both remember. No one notices, but when Sango starts to hum, Kagura starts to cry.
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