Monday, August 29, 2005

Running To Stand Still: The hidden ones
*episode 1*

Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Shippo, Kagura, and Kohaku are gathered around a campfire in a clearing. The thick surrounding woods prevented them from doing as Sango had said earlier that day and finding a village. They are tired and upset by the day’s happening. Trying to lighten the mood in his usual gruff manner, Inuyasha says, “Ahh…Kirara know what she’s doin and Sango can look after herself. They’ll be fine and they’ll find us in a couple’a days.” That said, the group returns to a depressed silence. Kagura reaches out and puts a hand on Kohaku’s shoulder. Miroku says quietly, “I think you should all know, we’re surrounded.” Not moving, Inuyasha says, “I know. Four, maybe five up close; more holding back. They’re human.” Kohaku says, “The fire puts us at a disadvantage. Kagura?” She squeezes his shoulder in accent. Miroku says, “Kagome, Shippo, get down; on 3…1…2…3!” As Kagura flicks her fan open the fire smothers. Kagome drops to the ground covering Shippo and the others all spring to there feet.

Kohaku heads for the nearest assailant. The forest is too dense to for him to throw his weapon, but he can go hand to hand. Suddenly he realizes that that is, in fact, not the nearest enemy and the nearest one is right on top of him. As he ducks under a sword thrust, he raises his scythe to his opponent’s side and presses it to his flesh. At the same time he feels the blade of the sword come to rest on the back of his neck. As both of them freeze, Kohaku takes a moment to observe the stranger. He is short, perhaps a child like himself. His clothing is black and shapeless. His most noticeable characteristic is the black cloth mask completely covering his face.

Miroku ducks back and tries to buy time to think. Responding quickly to a noise he has rarely heard, he swings his staff in front of him and feels a jolt as something embeds itself in the metal staff. Running his hand down to the point of impact, he feels something which confirms his suspicions. “Shuriken.” he says. Figuring that information is more valuable than stealth, he calls, “Inuyasha; they’re ninja!” Undoubtedly drawn by his voice, 3 more throwing stars fly at him. He deflects two, but one grazes his arm.

Kagura heads upward navigating her feather between the branches. Seeing that she is not alone, she jumps onto a passing branch and puts the feather back in her hair. “Dance of Blades!” she shouts. Swinging like a monkey, her adversary doges her attack and grabs onto Kagura’s ankle pulling them both into an uncontrolled fall.

Inuyasha draws the Tetsusaiga and stands over Kagome and Shippo. His attention is focused on anyone approaching the two. After a moment he picks his foe. This one is heading straight toward the two and he moves to intercept. As he draws near, the black figure throws a smoke bomb. Jumping clear, Inuyasha gets just enough of a whiff to know that a small amount of that stuff getting to his delicate nose will put him out of the fight. Clearly knowing this as well, his opponent throws another and another. Inuyasha jumps clear holding his breath and turns to face the ninja. He is standing over Kagome and Shippo holding a long knife. Pulling his mask aside, the ninja reveals hi…her face. She shouts, “Drop your weapons or the girl dies! I have two squads on standby; there is no escape.”

As each of the group members turn to see Kagome’s predicament; they each drop their weapons and stand back. The unmasked Ninja says, “Kaze, Kouu, Kousetsu; get their weapons.” One of each of her companions moves to collect the scythe, the staff, and the fan. Inuyasha has still not dropped his weapon. The ninja moves the knife against Kagome’s skin. Inuyasha sheathes his sword. “You are too dangerous to be moved as you are.” she says. She throws a smoke bomb and this time Inuyasha doesn’t dodge. When the smoke clears he is lying senseless on the ground. The ninja says, “Bind them.” Each of them has their hands tied behind their back and a cloth sack pulled over their head. They are led, or in Inuyasha’s case carried, away.
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