That sounds SOOOOO nice right now. I have so much stuff to be doing at the moment; writing a spooky story I had an idea for years ago and finally got around to developing, practicing the various languages I've taken up, turning over the garden for the FINALLY approaching winter, performing a ritual for banishing capitalism to the deepest pit of oblivion, and distraction seems to get in the way of every single one of these tasks. I need a primal place I can retreat to that doesn't have internet or its pitfalls, quiet, secluded, and pure/serene enough so that none of these pesky demonic time-wasters drops in to visit unexpectedly and sidetrack me. A cave on Mt. Hakurei seems like just the spot.
Some others might need it to recover from hardcore trauma first, though.
After a short transition, Kagome and Kouga are running along the river downstream, Shippou between them, and the wolf underlings bringing up the rear. Kagome calls out Inuyasha's name in worry and desperation, hugging his fire rat coat to her chest. Behind, Mohawk says that Inuyasha and Renkotsu shouldn't have been washed down this far, and Two-Tone agrees that Renkotsu dammed up the river downstream. I'm not sure what the logic is here, it seems a little fishy, but sure guys.
Kouga says that their conversation only really applies if "Dog-Turd" wasn't completely blown to pieces, and his lackeys put on sad, horrified faces, his name escaping them as almost a reprimand for his morbid speculation. Kouga turns to snap that it's true, and even begins a diatribe about how idiotic Inuyasha is, but clams up immediately when he sees Kagome trembling. She's gathered the coat up to her face, tears welled up in her eyes as she mumbles into the fabric that Inuyasha wasn't wearing these clothes, though the garment is as good as armor.
Mohawk moans in exasperation that Kouga made her cry, Kouga stuttering at Kagome that she should stop. She's pushed the coat up over her eyes now too, sobbing that it must be her fault, because he let her wear it. Kouga tries to reason that it WASN'T her fault, because he saw that Inuyasha forced the coat on her even though she refused it at first.
Uhhhhhh. I really feel like this line could have been worded better. Brings to mind that he's being accused of forcing something ELSE on her...
Mohawk and Two-Tone have brightened up a bit at the sight of him, stammering his name in relief. Shippou has hopped up on Kagome's shoulder, elatedly declaring that Inuyasha was okay all along. Inuyasha haughtily asks what everybody thinks he's made of, announcing that OF COURSE he's fine. He says that Renkotsu certainly wasn't ready to die, it seems, because he tossed those explosives just before they went off.
Kouga drawls that he THOUGHT it would be that kind of explanation, since idiots don't die and all. Inuyasha snaps that Kouga doesn't know when to stop, so Kouga invites him to come and get him. Just when Inuyasha says that this is the day he'll slaughter Kouga, the two of them glaring daggers at one another...
Yeah, they weren't going to give you much of an opening, girl, may as well just make one to express your relief for yourself.
A tear streaming down her face, Kagome says she's so glad, asking if he's okay and not injured. After tenderly saying Kagome's name, Inuyasha apologizes for making her worry, to which she responds with another question about whether he's really REALLY okay. Kouga turns away from the affectionate display with a scoff, and his lackeys look over their shoulders at him in amazement, asking if he's going to ignore this. He looks up, promising to overlook it just this once, since Kagome's feelings are a bit frazzled with the shock of the situation. He does turn back around to address Inuyasha again, though, demanding that he not think he's won; Kouga announces that he has no intentions of giving up on winning Kagome over. Still committed to the paper-thin illusion that you're chasing after Kagome? Puh-lease.
Inuyasha scoffs at him, suggesting that he just can't see he's lost, drawing out a "stupid" epithet for good measure. Arms crossed and haughty, Kouga advises Inuyasha not to get elated over just a hug, also calling him stupid and dragging that middle syllable out. Inuyasha interprets Kouga's stance as mortification, calls it pathetic, and adds another elongated "stupid". In and of itself, it's all very stupid. Kagome's tears have dried up entirely, and in her exasperation, she marvels at how quickly that happened in the midst of this utterly riveting exchange going on over her. Shippou also looks on in exasperation, saying that anyone who calls others stupid is bound to be stupid themselves, and Two-Tone is bound to agree that both Kouga and Inuyasha seem pretty dumb, he and Mohawk looking deadpan at the pointless argument.
All the more pointless in light of the REAL loser here sulking away in defeat.
Renkotsu internally curses his failure to take the Shikon shards off Kouga's legs, clutching at the fragment in his shoulder from Ginkotsu, and worrying about what will happen if it's discovered that he's using this particular memento from his comrade. He thinks he's going to be killed by Bankotsu for sure, and wonders what his next step should be. My strategy would still be to take it out now that it's no longer needed to heal, hand it over to Bankotsu, and stop needlessly creating drama for myself, but that's just me.
It is said that if you speak of the devil, he shall appear, and it appears that Bankotsu's got one-up on THAT guy, because Renkotsu has but to THINK of him and he steps right into the next panel. He greets Renkotsu casually, who just stares in alarm while muttering Bankotsu's big brother title. Saimyoushou hover next to him as he tells Renkotsu that they informed him Ginkotsu ate it. Renkotsu hesitantly affirms this, concerned that Bankotsu already knows about Ginkotsu's death. Bankotsu turns and hoists a hand on his hip, saying it's too bad that they tried their best only for Ginkotsu to get "remodeled" so to speak. That... sure is a way to put it.
Renkotsu is simply SPEECHLESS here. Are you starting to wonder if revolting against a leader that doesn't seem to have ANY ill-will toward you or the rest of the group is ridiculous and unnecessary yet?
Bankotsu watches a buzzing Shaimyoushou in front of him, reporting that Suikotsu also died, mentioning that he "caught" Sesshoumaru, but not who ACTUALLY took him out. Renkotsu repeats this information with something of a shocked look, and Bankotsu wears a mournful expression when he points out it's just three of them left - himself, Jakotsu, and Renkotsu. He soon puts back on that easy smile though when he walks over and claps Renkotsu on the shoulder, saying that's just the way it is. A fair attitude about a profession of murder, I guess, since there is always the chance you get murdered yourself. He tells Renkotsu he'll be relying all the more on him now, and all Renkotsu can think about is how this bastard hasn't seemed to have noticed that Ginkotsu's Shikon fragment is missing yet. As Bankotsu walks off, Renkotsu assumes he must still be useful, hence why he gets to live a bit longer.
Manufactured drama, dude. Manufactured. Drama.
In the meantime, on the side of that steep mountain of purity that is Hakurei, Miroku has paused in front of Sango, who asks what's up. He references the path.
Super problem is super sus as well.
Sango looks up to where the path would connect to the other side and points out to Miroku the cave just beyond it. Miroku states the obvious the the path SHOULD have led them straight to that hole in the side of the mountain. Sango starts to take Hiraikotsu off her back, asking Miroku if they should go inside this cave. Miroku questions whether they can, and Sango suggests that they try as she throws her giant boomerang.
Sango uses the boomerang as a stepping stone, so to speak, to hop across the chasm in the path in two parts rather than trying to leap the whole thing in one, carrying the end of her grappling hook with her. She is by far the coolest team member, and you can't convince me otherwise. She tosses the weighted end of the hook back to Miroku for him to catch, and he does so easily, even if the way it's drawn is awkwardly stiff as Miroku compliments Sango on her greatness. As he should. Once she's pulled him up to the cave entrance and is winding back up her rope and hook, she comments on how the cave leads inside the mountain, the dark tunnel receding far into the rock. Miroku is alarmed to find that he senses a faint evil coming from within. He charges inside, inviting an eager Sango to follow, announcing that Naraku is DEFINITELY inside.
You're being awfully Inuyasha-like in impulsiveness right now, Miroku. Don't you want to... make some sort of plan or strategy? No? Okay...
YES! It's my giiiiiiirl! I missed her like she must have missed being part of the main plot for this long.
Kanna softly shuffles up behind Kagura, saying her name in typical monotone. Kagura is startled at first, and then starts to gripe how easy it is for Kanna to slip in and out of this cave, since she has no youki for the sacred grounds to purify. So, Kanna is bland enough to "pass" as non-youkai, huh? This holy barrier has created a very awkward definition of youkai and human, hasn't it? Kagura complains that if she sets one foot out of this cave, she'll be purified by the barrier.
Not interested in Kagura's whining, it seems, Kanna shows her mirror with an image of Miroku and Sango running in the glass, indicating that they've got enemies incoming. Kagura kneels down to get a better look and identifies them as the priest and the slayer, and scoffs that this is interesting.
This is why we always call Kagura for a crazy fun night. She knows how to party.
So, what did I think of this chapter overall? The beginning of it is one of the more remembered scenes in the series, and I think that's for a good reason; it comes out as more emotionally complex than most of them. You've got Kagome freaking out about Inuyasha's safety and the possibility that he died because he gave her is armor, you've got Kouga sticking his foot in his mouth by callously forgetting that she's a bit attached to Inuyasha and solidifying the fear of his death in the first place, you've got Inuyasha popping back up in one piece if a little miffed at Kouga's shit-talking him in his absence, Kagome's delayed breakdown in her relief that Inuyasha is okay, possibly the most tender moment between them so far, and Inuyasha gloating over "winning" her affections so much that it completely dried up her emotional response. It's a LOT of contrasting and conflicting expressions in a very short amount of time, but it's pulled off very well, with fairly seamless transitions. The characters all riff off of one another's natural reactions to the rapidly progressing emotional atmosphere. It's a lot of fun, and siphons off some of the tension from Kagome's terror at Inuyasha's near miss, relieving us too with a comedic exchange. This was another of those "rivalry" spats that could have easily been overdone, but I think RT managed to keep it corralled for the most part. One more "stuuuuuupid" would have sent it over the edge, so I'm glad she stopped where she did.
Renkotsu continues to annoy me with how committed he is to overthrowing Bankotsu, even more so after how REASONABLE Bankotsu came across in their conversation. It almost gave the impression that Bankotsu was giving Renkotsu an opportunity to do EXACTLY what I've suggested and just hand over Ginkotsu's shard with the excuse that he needed it for a minute to heal. He does seem genuinely bummed that his team members have made their exit too, and that he needs Renkotsu now more than ever just to try and finish up their job. It just makes me question all the harder WHY Renkotsu is so determined to pull off a coup. Ambition is one thing, feeling like you're in too deep because you keep using Shikon shards under your boss's nose is another, but I still feel like these require a bit more development in the motivation department than they've been getting. Renkotsu just doesn't seem have much reason for his opposition to Bankotsu, because Bankotsu just doesn't seem to be that bad of a leader.
You know, as far as leaders of mercenaries go.
And the refocus on Sango/Miroku and Kagura at the end of the chapter is really exciting, mostly because it's been a while since both Sango AND Kagura got to DO anything. As the only member of the main group that doesn't have supernatural powers, Sango's support often gets overshadowed by the more showy, flashy actions of her team members. It's nice to see her getting a moment to show how indispensable she can be, even if it's only a moment.
As for Kagura, I just missed the shit out of her sass, you know? She's just too fun.
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