Date posted: 1 year ago
Title:
Episode 98 - Kikyo and Kagome- Alone in the Cave
Author:
Catatonicloki
Description:
Kikyo is traveling through the forest when she hears the sound of a sobbing child. Outside a cave, the priestess spots a child, but before she can come to it’s aide it vanishes, and Kikyo is sucked into the cavern. Elsewhere, it’s lunchtime, and Kagome can’t catch a break about her culinary skill. Inuyasha has insulted her cooking again, and Kagome stomps off alone, into the forest, so her anger can cool down. As she walks, Kagome senses a Shikon shard nearby and discovers the same cave as Kikyo, earlier. A child’s voice beckons, begging for help and Kagome ventures inside and the opening seals after her. Inside the cave, Kagome discovers Kikyo and the source of the jewel shard; it’s hers. Kikyo appears to be the worse for wear and taken aback to see Kagome inside the cave. When Kagome asks Kikyo what’s wrong, Kikyo tells her they are inside a monster which consumes miko and they are powerless to escape. Kagome seems determined leave, despite the odds and, helping Kikyo to her feet, the two set off in search of an exit. As they hunt, Kagome makes one-sided small talk with the Kikyo about the one thing they have in common (besides a reincarnated soul): Inuyasha. Lots of uncomfortable memories of Inuyasha and Kikyo assault Kagome, and the subject is dropped due to Kikyo‘s silence. Kikyo’s suffering brings Kagome back to reality; the priestess is becoming progressively weaker. Kikyo on the other hand, tells Kagome she’s impressed with the girl’s power: any ordinary miko wouldn’t have the strength to keep going. Kikyo advises Kagome go on alone, even handing over her bow and quiver of arrows, but Kagome won’t leave Kikyo behind. They are interrupted by the sound of buzzing, echoing off the walls of the “cave”. Abruptly, the two women are attacked by a swarm of repugnant insect creatures. Kagome and Kikyo defeat the swarm combining their spiritual power, but the skirmish depletes Kikyo’s energy even further. In order to keep going, Kagome carries Kikyo on her back. Kikyo begins to understand Kagome’s strength; the girl draws power from compassion and humanity. In an unexpected moment of amity, Kikyo responds to Kagome’s earlier conversation, sharing some advice about loving Inuyasha. When the women arrive at the heart of the creature, they believe it can be destroyed if they strike at it’s ‘heart’ with spiritual power. Once again, Kikyo advises Kagome to save herself, but Kagome won’t abandon her. In the belly of the beast, Kagome attempts to figure out a way to defeat the creature. Kagome shoots at the beast’s core with an arrow bearing Kikyo’s single Shikon shard, with encouraging, but minimal damage. A bigger shard might work, so combining their powers, Kagome and Kikyo bond Kagome’s collection of shards together as one. Kagome fires again, piercing the creature’s heart and frees she and Kikyo. Before the women go their separate ways, Kikyo asks Kagome why she refused to leave her. After a pause, Kagome replies that if something happened to Kikyo, someone might be very sad, and walks away. Kikyo whispers an enigmatic ‘and you, too,” watching Kagome go. As she emerges from the forest, Kagome is surprised to discover Inuyasha waiting for her. He’s clearly embarrassed Kagome caught him waiting for her, gruffly stating they should go back. As they walk back to camp under a canopy of stars, Kagome thinks back to Kikyo. Kagome seems just about to say something to Inuyasha, but thinking better of it, takes his arm, instead.
Rated: 19 times
Viewed: 8,861 times
