Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Inumittsu
*episode 2*

Inuyasha and Konpon are walking in the woods outside her hut. The old woman is gathering herbs, and the boy is full of questions. “Konpon,” he asks, “Why are you gathering those plants?” She says, “At this point, mostly out of habit. For most of my life I have gathered herbs and medicinal plants; I find it hard to stop.” “What do you need them for?” Inuyasha asks. She says, “When a priestess guards a village, she must see to the health of its inhabitants.” “A village,” he says, “But you don’t live in a village.” “No,” she says, “But I did till of late. Only now, in my last days, have I sought the privacy of a hermitage.” “Last days?” he asks. She nods, “I am old, little one. Soon enough I will die. But more than that, I am weak. I can no longer string a bow; let alone hit a mark. I cannot move quickly when I am needed; and I cannot endure until a task is finished. Another priestess has come to care for my people, so I have gone here to be alone.” After a long pause, Inuyasha asks, “Does that mean I have to leave; so you’re alone?” She tells him, “No little one, if fate has thrown you in my lap; so be it. I will teach you what you must learn to survive; at least for as long as I am able. For starters, it has been some time since I have tasted food which can run away from me. Use that nose of yours and find a rabbit.” Inuyasha asks, “But how do I get it?” The old woman tells him, “You have claws, use them.” The boy turns from the old woman and stares at the ground. She says, “You are thinking of the boy; the one you harmed with those claws. His fate was his own making; but so is yours. If you refuse to use your claws you are choosing to not survive. I am tired; I shall return home to rest. We shall have rabbit for dinner, or we will not eat. I can go through the night unfed, can you?” With that said, she turns and walks back to her hut. It is not until late in the evening, but they do eat rabbit that night.
Comments (2)