Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Running To Stand Still: The hidden ones
*episode 13*

No more than four minutes after excusing himself, Miroku rejoins the others at dinner. It does not escape the monk’s notice that the headwoman receives a hand-signal from a woman near the door as he sits down. Judging by the fact that weapons are not drawn, the monk accepts that his actions were witnessed and excused. Several swallows of sake later, Miroku looks to his three buxom brides of the evening and asks if anyone is in the mood for desert. Rolling her eyes, Kousetsu stands up, walks to behind the monk, hoists him to his feet, and begins ho shove him out of the room. The other two women follow. Miroku is led down a hall way to what must be the most luxurious room in the village. Thick mattresses and silk sheets await the foursome as gentle lamplight floods the room. Leaving Miroku standing in the doorway, the three Kunoichi kneel on the bed and look to him expectantly. Offering a silent prayer to any deity who had anything whatsoever to do with this, Miroku closes the curtain. Addressing no one of them in particular, he asks, “So, how shall we begin?” Kousetsu says who, being the most forward, has become default spokesmen for the three says, “We start by seeing you naked.” Miroku asks, “Why don’t you go first?” Kaze says, “Yamaneko and the hags already got to see you like that; now it’s our turn. Don’t worry, you’ll see all you want before too long.” Accepting the promise, Miroku unties his robe and lets it fall to the floor. Allowing himself to be viewed, Miroku stands for a long moment watching the girls’ reactions. Kousetsu is literally drooling, Kouu is blushing but can’t seem to look away, and even Kaze the strict disciplinarian seems excited. Done looking, Kousetsu begins to fumble with the ties for her Kimono. Just as she gets them loose, but before she parts her robes, Kouu asks, “What about that?” Kousetsu stops and looks at what her sister is pointing. All eyes are drawn to Miroku’s right hand which is still wrapped in blue cloth and surrounded by the sutra beads. The monk says, “That won’t be coming off; and a good thing too.” He kneels and reaches for Kousetsu, figuring that if she won’t finish undressing herself, he’ll help. Kaze snaps, “Explain.” Sitting back, having accepted that he will have to tell his tale before they proceed, Miroku says, “That is the place where my grandfather was cursed by a demon. The sutra beads contain a demonic hellhole called the windtunnel. It was passed from my grandfather to my father; and from him to me. As long as the demon who placed the curse still lives, the hole with continue to grow until it consumes me as it did my forbearers. At that time, should it come, the curse would pass to my male heir. Since you’re village would only keep my female offspring, it is no cause for concern. Now, if I may…” Miroku reaches out for Kousetsu’s garment, but she and the others draw away from his approach. Leaving Miroku kneeling naked on the bed, the three get to their feet and hurry out of the room with Kousetsu clasping her partially opened kimono to her. Miroku calls, “Ladies? What is this?!? What?!?” Confused, upset, and supremely letdown; Miroku begins to redress. As he finishes, two black forms wielding swords burst into the room. “Ladies?” Miroku asks.
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