Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Inuexodus
*episode 2*

Several hours later, Inuyasha reaches the edge of the forest. Officially out of his grandfather’s domain, he accepts his companion’s assurances that they are now relatively safe. Stretched out before him is a cultivated valley in the domain of one of Inuyasha’s grandfather’s vassals. In the distance, he sees a village. The boy has no idea what to do; and the flea is less than overflowing with ideas. Despite a cautionary word from Myoga, Inuyasha heads toward the town. As he approaches, he sees a group of village children gathered in a field playing a simple game with a ball. Inuyasha has never been around anyone his own age, the people of the castle always kept their children a cautious distance from him; but he has seen adults playing similar games and decides to join. A small girl loses the ball and runs after it. It stops at Inuyasha’s feet and he picks it up. The girl’s attention is focused on the ball, and she takes a moment before she looks at the newcomer who is holding it. When she does, she screams and dashes back to the safety of the others. Two boys, nearly old enough to join the men in the fields, step protectively in front of the younger children. One whispers to the other, “It’s a demon. We should run; now.” Realizing that thinking that he is a demon is going to drive these people from him, Inuyasha calls out, helpfully, “I’m not a demon; I’m a half-demon.” Relaxing, the boys step forward. The one who has remained silent up till now says, “See, it’s just a filthy half-breed. We can deal with him on our own.” Glad that they aren’t about to run, Inuyasha tosses the ball to the closer one. The boy doesn’t react and the ball thuncks against his chest. As Inuyasha goes to get the ball, the first boy comes up behind him and hits him. Unbalanced, Inuyasha falls on his face. Turning to look at the boys with a puzzled stare, Inuyasha sees them come at him. They both begin to hit and kick him. Inuyasha raises his arms to shield his face and hears Myoga call, “Lord Inuyasha, Run!” That is exactly what the young half-demon tries to do, but the boys won’t stop hitting him long enough for him to get to his feet. As the pounding continues, Inuyasha realizes that they aren’t about to stop. Running having failed and having no other ideas; he decides to try hitting back. He pulls back his arm and strikes out at the arm of one of the boys. Suddenly, the world is flooded with new sensory information: he smells a rich iron scent flooding the air, he hears a wail of pain, he feels flesh parting before his claws, and he sees red blood gushing from the boy’s arm. The injured boy collapses in the ground, screaming; and the other boy, along with all the other children, flee in terror. Slowly, Inuyasha gets to his feet. He tries to reach out to help the boy, but his screams become louder until Inuyasha backs away. He is unsure what to do, but his companion is not. Myoga calls, “M’lord, look there.” The boy looks where he is instructed and sees a number of village men hurrying toward him. The flea says, “They mean us ill master; hurry away from this place.” Seeing the hate in the eyes approaching him, Inuyasha turns and runs.
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