Thursday, July 21, 2005

Dancing In The Dark: Meridian
*episode 1*

Under the watchful eye of the priestess Kaede, the villagers carry Inuyasha and Kagome back to the village. They are placed in Kaede’s house, the young priestess noticeably more gently than the half-demon. Inuyasha needs water to replace the blood he lost. He also needs twelve hours of sleep; so, naturally, he’ll be up in six. Kagome on the other hand needs medical care. Her body is covered in minor burns, most will fade, some will not. However, she is also clearly suffering from an affliction of sprit. The old woman cannot begin to treat that until she knows more. For once, it may be a good thing that Inuyasha will refuse to take the time he needs to heal. He maybe able to shed light on the happenings of the day. Their friends are not with them, and the priestess has no quick way of reaching them. This is a shame because the mere presence of the foxling would be a balm for Kagome’s soul and the monk might be helpful in her treatment. Kaede knows that, despite his questionable behavior, Miroku is a skilled shaman. For now, she will have to hope that her own knowledge and priestly powers are enough to dispel the magic. A quarter day later, almost as if on queue, Inuyasha awakens. He groans and reaches for his chest. Feeling the scar nicely healing, he sits up and rubs his head. Coming out of a daze, he snaps to attention and calls, “Kagome?!?” Kaede says, “Aye Inuyasha, she is here, and alive.” As his eyes come into focus, Inuyasha sees the old woman sitting next to where the young one lies. He tries to get to his feet and falls on his butt. Settling for crawling, he goes to her and examines her with great concern. He watches her breathing and listens to her pulse. As he reaches to touch the scorch mark on the side of her face Kaede grabs his wrist with a strength beyond what one would expect of a mortal of her age. Answering Inuyasha’s look, she says, “Best to let her be. Now sit ye down and tell me of her injury. There is precious little I can do until I know what sorcery is afoot here.” Settling back, Inuyasha says, “…Naraku.” The old woman nods, “I suspected as much. Few others could render ye both to such a state. Know ye how the spell was put upon her?” Inuyasha says, “It wasn’t. It was put on me. One of Naraku’s incarnations stuck a knife in me. The spell was on the handle. Kagome pulled it out; that’s how she got hurt.” Kaede says, “Hmm…Inuyasha, thine skill is far too great to be struck there with not but a knife. How was’t thou struck thus?” Inuyasha looks away. Finally, he says, “The incarnation she…looked like Kagome. Damn it! She didn’t just look like Kagome: she smelled like Kagome, she sounded like Kagome, she even cried like Kagome.” Inuyasha pulls himself to his feet and heads for the door. “Sit ye down.” Kaede says. “Ye need rest.” Inuyasha doesn’t even make a rude comment as he walks, slowly, out of the house.
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