Thursday, September 15, 2005

The Jackson Cage: Tragic fate
*episode 1*

The group has spent a while recovering in Kaede’s village. Kagome goes to school, Miroku moves from one village girl to the next, Inuyasha and Shippo fight, and Kagura rides the wind for hours, going nowhere or anywhere as she pleases; just like she always wanted. Sango and her brother spend most of their time together with Kirara and Kyoubou. Both of the cats are up and flying; and if the male seems to lack the zeal for life ever-present in the female’s eyes, maybe that’s just his nature. At first, Kyoubou is reluctant to be ridden; but Kohaku is patient and gradually gains enough of the flame-cat’s trust to mount him. Now, he will carry the boy without compliant; but he won’t accept anyone else. Today, the boys have been out racing with Kagura; who wins every time. They’ve returned and the group is gathered in the afternoon sun. Naraku hasn’t reared his ugly head; nor have any of his minions been seen. Inuyasha is itching for a fight when his ears pick up a sound, sweeter than any music. As he gets to his feet and puts his hand on the Tetsusaiga’s hilt, he calls, “I hear Naraku’s bugs; a lot of’um. I’m gonna go check it out.” Kagura says, “No need, look.” She points toward a distant black cloud, heading straight for them. Kagura’s eyes are almost as sensitive as Inuyasha nose, so it’s a moment before the others see it. Inuyasha remembers that Tattoimaru last left suspended in such a cloud; and he would welcome a chance to fight him, for no other reason than to break up the monotony. He is disappointed when the cloud lowers itself to a hill on the other side of the village, and disperses. Inuyasha is about to go after the nearest insecets, when Sango says, “Wait Inuyasha; I think they left something there.” Inuyasha turns to look and sees that she’s right. As they all head to the hill, Inuyasha’s nose gives him a pretty good idea what it is. When he gets close enough to see it, he calls, “Shippo, Sango, Kohaku, stop; go back!” The others stop and turn to him. He says, “You ain’t gonna want to see this.” He should have known that that would only evoke their curiosity. All of them keep going and he shrugs wondering why he even bothers. Lying on the hills is a man in armor…or at least part of him. His legs have been cut off, as well as one of his arms, some of his entrails have become extrails, and blood is pouring out of him. Shippo recoils in horror and Miroku seems somewhat upset. They all live in an era of constant warfare and war torn corpses are not new to any of them. But what makes this sight truly horrible is that this man is both alive and conscious. Kagura and the cats look on with demonic coolness which is mirrored by the emptiness in Kohaku’s expression. Sango, however, rushes to the man’s side. Inuyasha says, “Sango, ain’t nothin you can do. Be best to end his pain, quick.” Sango looks over her shoulder, “I recognize this man; he’s one of Kuranosuke’s guards.” The man is clearly aware, he thrashes and his eyes turn this way and that; but he seems to not see, or if he sees to not comprehend that which he sees. Sango reaches out to him and he grabs her arm with his remaining hand. He looks at her, finally seeing something he can distinguish. He says, “La…lady Sango…the lord…you must…he…hel…” The man collapses, dead or finally free from consciousness; either way he’ll be dead soon. Sango stands and turns to her friends. Miroku says, “We must go at once.” Inuyasha says, “Le’me see if I can get Kagome.” Sango asks, “It’s probably a trap; are you sure?” Both of them nod without hesitation. Kagura calls, “Excuse me; want to tell us what this is about?”
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