Monday, November 14, 2005

Inugenesis
*episode 6*

Lord Sesshomaru has left his faithful servant, Jaken, in the forest near the castle. The lord made what Jaken chose to interpret as a vague promise that he would return for his vassal. Jaken is confused by his master’s decision to spare the humans earlier and his abrupt departure. As he often did when his lord left him, Jaken speculated about the numerous females a mighty demon like his lord must have. Naturally, he was unworthy to see these jewels belonging solely to his master and that was why he was left alone time and time again. The imp refused to consider the possibility that his lord simply grew tired of his company and he was none too keen on the theory that his master values his solitude either. To be fair, after countless such instances, Sesshomaru had always returned. Had he not, there would have been no further opportunities for him to leave Jaken. So the little green imp passed the long sleepless night awaiting his master’s return. As dawn broke, the master had still not come. Jaken’s intense scrutiny of the grain of the wood in the staff of two heads is broken by the approach of two persons not making any attempt to conceal themselves. Grasping the staff, the imp hails them and demands that they explain themselves. Recognizing the larger of the two, he says, “You, you were with that mortal lord who insulted my lord yesterday! What business have you with me?!?” The old and decrepit human says, “We have no business with you master imp. We are passing through the lord’s forest with his permission. By your leave, we shall continue, and leave you in peace.” Jaken says, “Mortals do not concern me. You may go about your business.” The elder make a slight bow and the younger follows suit. As they walk off, the imp shouts, “Wait!” The old man turns back to him. He says, “We must be on our way. As you said, human are of no interest to you. Please, let us continue.” Jaken says, “I dare say humans are of no consequence to me, but one of you is not human. Look to yonder lad’s feet, he wears no sandals, but he walks through bramble with no concern for pain. This is not the action of a mortal. Beyond that, for what purpose does he hide his face? I say boy, lower your hood this instant.” Without waiting for the man’s approval, the boy lowers his hood allowing the imp to see his features, simultaneously granting him his first view of a true demon. The imp looks intently at the boy, then he says, “Oh aye, he is the one. There is no doubt that this is the vile half-breed who defiles my master’s bloodline. See his face, a mockery of the noble features of lord Sesshomaru. Demon eyes on a face that lacks demonic strength. And those ears, a pitiful gesture toward the perfection of my master’s true form. This must be the lout, the son of the cow who seduced my lord’s noble father. By what name call they you, boy?” The boy says, “I’m Inuyasha.” The imp says, “Inuyasha, is it? Well I am Jaken, loyal servant to your noble half-brother, the demon lord Sesshomaru. Take both names with you to next world!” He raises the staff, but the human jumps between them and cries, “STOP!!! If you must, then take my life, but spare the boy.” Jaken is surprised: he asks, “What care you for the creature? He is not human. Your kind despises his like as much as demons do, if not more. Yet you would offer your life for his, why?” The man says, “On her death bed, I swore to her ladyship that I would keep him safe. Please master imp, I beg you.” Jaken stands for a moment, deep in thought. Finally he says, “I too serve a master and would die for him. As much as it disgusts me, I feel there is a connection between us. So I shall grant your wish.” That said, he lets fly a burst of flame from his staff. Chuugimaru, loyal to the end, performs his final duty and dies in his lady’s son’s defense. Inuyasha is thrown off his feet and by the blast, but he is not burned. As the boy looks up, he sees that nothing of the old man remains; he begins to cry. The Imp walks to him and strikes him with the staff. He says, “Stop this at once!!! Despite your tainted blood, you still have a most noble sire. Do not dishonor him by your weakness. As I told that human, I shall not kill you, not today. But you are alone now. If you survive long enough, my master will kill you himself. Now go!” He strikes the boy with his staff again. Inuyasha struggles to his feet. He turns and flees the site of the altercation.
*The End*
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