Monday, September 26, 2005

Thunder Road: Kikyo’s path
*episode 7*

Miroku wakes with a start and a shout. He reaches into his robes and pulls out a small pouch of cloth which he tosses across the room. Taking a moment to compose himself, he looks to his companions sleeping peacefully…all but one. Sango sleep is restless, she seems to be in fear or pain; or both. She is lying on her side and her right hand is clenched across her breast. Realizing what is happening, the monk rushes to her side. He tries to pull her hand aside, but even with both hands and consciousness he cannot overcome her sleeping strength. Dispirit for a solution, Miroku tries to wake her. Realizing what must be done, he grabs her butt with his left hand. Smack. Well prepared for Sango’s unconscious reaction, Miroku uses his free hand to pull open Sango’s garment. For once not interested in her naked body, Miroku grabs a similar bag from an inside pocket and tosses it into the same corner. With a start, Sango awakens and screams. Everyone awakens; and in the ensuing confusion, too much happens to record. On the other side of the chaos, Inuyasha is on his feet, pushing the monk against the wall of the hut with his fingers wrapped around Miroku’s throat. Sango is huddled against the wall clutching her clothes to her and shaking; and Kagome, Kirara, and Kohaku are sitting by her trying to comfort her. Inuyasha says, “I thought I knew the depth you could sink to monk; but this is unforgivable! Just be glad, your death will be nothing compared to what she’d do to you herself.” That said, Inuyasha begins to tighten his fingers around the monks throat. Miroku calls, with less and less breath, “Inuyasha…I didn’t…the jewel shards…look!” Old Kaede is the only one to look where he points. Seeing the two bags and sensing their contents, she says, “Inuyasha, all is not as it seems; let him go.” Anger apparent in his voice, Inuyasha says, “He was tryin to RAPE her; what part’a that are you not getting, you old hag!?!” Her interest drawn by Kaede, Kagome turns to look. She reaches to her bag then recoils in pain. She turns to Sango and asks, “Sango, did you keep your jewel shard in your clothes?!?” After getting a shaken nod, Kagome turns to Inuyasha, “Put him down! It’s not what it looks like!” Upset, Inuyasha gives a final squeeze before dropping the monk to the floor. “Then what the hell is it!?!” he asks turning to face her. Kagome says, “All our jewel shards have been corrupted! Miroku and Sango both sleep with their shards in their clothing; he was trying to protect her!” Inuyasha goes to Kagome’s bag and fumbles with the zipper. Getting it open, he grabs the bottle holding the jewel shards and looks carefully at them. With a humph, he goes to the get the other two shards. He pours them all on the floor and picks one up. He carries it to Kagome, pausing when he sees that just being near it is painful to her. He waits for her to extend her hand before giving it to her. The instant it touches her palm the darkness fades and the evil disappears. As the others watch in silence, Inuyasha continues to bring them to her one at a time until they have all been purified. Kagome looks to him, “Inuyasha, you are half human. That must have hurt.” He says, “I’m fine.” He takes a deep breath and looks to the monk. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come. For nearly half a minute, he struggles to form the words. At last, he turns around and heads for the door. As he stands holding the curtain aside, he says in a low voice, “…sorry.” He goes out into the moonlight.
*The End*
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