Author's Note: The dialogue in scene 4 closely follows that encounter in Episode 115. That episode should give you a good idea of what the themes of this story are.
Shinigami: The theme of the Shinigami is used quite often in anime, most notably in Bleach, Death Note and Full Moon wo Sagashite. It refers most commonly to the death deity introduced by the Europeans during the Meiji period; therefore, Miroku and Kikyo, the religious buffs, don't know about them. A Shinigami's role differs in each anime, so you are probably wondering what a Shinigami will do here. In this story, a Shinigami makes death easier for people that are dying and also tracks down stray spirits or wandering souls.
Cast of characters:
MIROKU, a Buddhist monk travelling with Kagome and Inuyasha
KAGOME, a teenage girl from the modern era
HITEN, the older of the two Thunder Brothers
BANKOTSU, deceased leader of the Band of Seven
INUYASHA, half-demon who Kagome travels with
KIKYO, a dead, yet resurrected priestess
SANGO, a demon-slayer who travels with Inuyasha
KIRARA, a nekomata demon who is Sango's pet
SHIPPO, a fox-demon whose father was killed by Hiten
Shinigami
SCENE I
Enter Miroku through the centre doors and kneel before the audience.
MIROKU: Humans and demons… when they should die, they die equal descend together unto the world of the dead.
Enter Kagome through the centre doors.
KAGOME: Oh, Miroku, what are you doing?
MIROKU: I'm burying that demon we just slew.
KAGOME: Miroku, that's so nice of you. You know, in my era, people believe that if you are good, you go to heaven, but if you are bad, you go to hell.
MIROKU: Is that so?
KAGOME: Yes, and should you live an unfulfilled life, you return without earthly memories as Shinigami!
MIROKU: What are they?
KAGOME: Soul reapers! They make the passage to death easier for all of us!
MIROKU: (aside) Yeah, as if. (to all) Perhaps we shall meet a Shinigami one day.
KAGOME: Yeah.
All exit through the doors of entry.
SCENE 2
Enter Hiten through the right doors.
HITEN: Hurry up, Bankotsu!
Enter Bankotsu through the right doors.
BANKOTSU: So, Hiten… which soul are we supposed to take?
HITEN: This chick named Kikyo, I think. There's a picture of her here and her record says she's been stealing souls to remain on earth.
BANKOTSU: That's terrible! Those souls could be going to heaven!
HITEN: I know. It says here we have to do anything to drag her to hell.
BANKOTSU: Right.
HITEN: Listen, Bankotsu. I'm the more experienced Shinigami here, so you have to follow my lead. This is your first time back on earth, correct?
BANKOTSU: Yes, it is. But I'm sure me and Banryu will be okay.
HITEN: Well, here's my first order to you: get a haircut.
BANKOTSU: What?
HITEN: Your hairdo is too similar to mine, and I want our victim to think that I'm the one in charge.
BANKOTSU: Not on your life!
HITEN: What do you mean?
BANKOTSU: I'm telling you: I won't take orders from you!
HITEN: Fine, we'll go our own ways. But don't go whinging to me if you get in trouble, okay?
BANKOTSU: Yeah, whatever.
Exit Hiten through the left doors.
BANKOTSU: That idiot! Who does he think he is? I'm stronger than Hiten; just because he was once a demon doesn't mean he can boss me around. Ha! I'll show him; I'll get Kikyo and I'll send her to hell before him. I got a glimpse of her picture before Hiten left; I can work with that.
Exit Bankotsu through the centre doors.
SCENE 3
Enter Kagome through the centre doors.
KAGOME: Guys! I'm just going to gather some wood for our campfire, okay?
She starts pacing around the stage.
KAGOME: Ah, this stick looks good.
Enter Hiten through the right doors.
HITEN: Is that Kikyo? That girl resembles the woman in the picture. Heh heh.
He walks over to Kagome.
HITEN: Hey, you're pretty beautiful. Now let me drag you to hell.
KAGOME: H… Hiten?!
HITEN: Huh, did you know me in my past life?
KAGOME: Hiten, you became a Shinigami?
HITEN: Enough of this. Time to die, wench.
KAGOME: Stay back, Hiten!
She shoots and arrow at Hiten.
HITEN: Ha! I don't carry an aura as a Shinigami, so purifying arrows don't affect me.
KAGOME: Okay, time for plan B… INUYASHA! SOME RANDOM SOUL REAPER IS TRYING TO KILL ME!
Hiten: Wha-?
Enter Inuyasha through the centre doors.
INUYASHA: Kagome! Are you all right? Who's that? Oh!
KAGOME: Yeah, it's Hiten. He became a Shinigami.
INUYASHA: Wants me to kill him again, eh? Bring it on!
HITEN: … You killed me in my past life?
INUYASHA: Yeah, you were a pushover.
KAGOME: Not.
INUYASHA: Whose side are you on?!
HITEN: It's not my job to drag you to hell but I'll do it anyway.
They start fighting. Enter Miroku, Sango, Kirara and Shippo through the centre doors.
SANGO: What's that noise?
MIROKU: Inuyasha! Who are you fighting?
SHIPPO: I… It's Hiten!
SANGO: You know this guy?
SHIPPO: Yeah. He and his brother Manten killed my father. I thought Inuyasha killed this guy!
SANGO: He came back…How is that possible?
MIROKU: I get it. He's a Shinigami, right, Kagome?
KAGOME: Yeah. See, he looks like a ghost. That's the mark of a Shinigami.
SHIPPO: Wagh! That's scary!
INUYASHA: Feh! Who cares about that? You're going down! Wind Scar!
The attack does not seem to hurt Hiten.
INUYASHA: What?!
HITEN: Heh heh heh. No one with mortal blood can hurt me; I am Shinigami! I'm not of this world!
KAGOME: "Not of this world"? Does that mean… Oh no!
HITEN: It's true. None of you can hurt me.
SHIPPO: We're doomed!
All exit through doors of entry.
SCENE 4
Enter Kikyo through the left doors.
KIKYO: … I feel someone's presence.
Enter Bankotsu, with his eyes closed and Banryu over his shoulder through the right doors. Kikyo halts.
KIKYO: (aside) That man…
Bankotsu walks by Kikyo and stops. Kikyo turns to face him.
BANKOTSU: Woman… are you the one they call Kikyo?
KIKYO: And you are with the Band of Seven?
BANKOTSU: Band of Seven? What's that? What do you want with me?
KIKYO: (aside) Is it that he doesn't remember his comrades any more? (to all) Just curious… You're supposed to kill me, are you not?
Bankotsu turns to face Kikyo.
BANKOTSU: How did you know? As a Shinigami, it's my job to drag you to hell. Hm?
Kikyo points an arrow at Bankotsu.
BANKOTSU: I saw your picture, but I never would have guessed you were so beautiful. You want to take me on, do you? All right, then. Let's do it! I accept your challenge.
He points Banryu at Kikyo.
KIKYO: (asie) He looks pale, ghostly. Has someone resurrected him? No, that can't be it. I can't see any jewel shards. Besides, he mentioned something about Shinigami. What are they?
BANKOTSU: Come on, take the first shot.
KIKYO: I want to know what it is you're after. Where are your comrades?
BANKOTSU: Now that's a strange question. I had a partner, but he's an ass, and I prefer to be the leader. I have always been this way. I'm a Shinigami, Soul Reaper; killing people like you and bringing them to hell is my job.
KIKYO: (aside) I don't think he has any memories of his earthly existence. So… he retains his way of the mercenary even after all of this; even after he has lost his memory. (to all) In the world we live in, it is sometimes necessary to kill in order to survive. But you died twice; why not stop your evil wrongdoings?
BANKOTSU: I died twice? I must have been busy. I'm a mercenary through and through and what I do is thoroughly enjoyable. Tell me; was I like this when you knew me?
KIKYO: You once said, "People talk about heaven and hell, but when you die, that's the end of it. I have no interest in the so-called other worlds. I do as I please with no fear of the afterlife. " But, I see you have witnessed the afterlife now.
BANKOTSU: Heaven and hell…? I think I'm starting to get my memories back. Ergh… Jakotsu, Suikotsu, Renkotsu, Kyokotsu, Mukotsu, Ginkotsu… And you. Kikyo.
KIKYO: Isn't it ironic that a man like you has become a thing of the gods?
BANKOTSU: I know one thing, Kikyo. Dead people like you will probably share the same fate. You should worry about yourself. Don't be so concerned about the choices I make. Well, it doesn't really matter. Time for you to die, Kikyo.
Kikyo shoots an arrow. Bankotsu deflects it with his Banryu.
BANKOTSU: (aside) I forgot; this woman is also dead. That means she can hurt me! I've got to stay on my toes in this fight!
KIKYO: You intend to fight this out? All right, Bankotsu! We were enemies once, and we're enemies again. I won't hold back!
BANKOTSU: I wouldn't expect you to!
They fight. Fight should last about five minutes. Still fighting, Bankotsu and Kikyo exit through the centre doors.
SCENE5
Enter Hiten, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Shippo through the centre doors. Inuyasha and Hiten are fighting.
INUYASHA: Die!
He slashes at Hiten. He deflects the attack with his pike.
HITEN: I'm afraid I can't die for you, Inuyasha! Eat this! Lightning pike!
He shoots lightning at Inuyasha. He blocks with the sheath of Testsusaiga.
SHIPPO: Just like in the last fight! It seems Hiten is stronger now that he's dead!
KAGOME: Dead! That's it! If we get Kikyo to fight for us, she should be able to harm Hiten!
SANGO: Kikyo? Would she even do such a thing for us?
KAGOME: Come on! She always comes to our help when we need it these days! I'm sure she'd help Inuyasha out, at any rate.
SHIPPO: Yeah, seeing as she's his girlfriend.
INUYASHA: Shut up!
HITEN: Don't let down your guard!
He hits Inuyasha on the arm with his pike.
INUYASHA: Argh!
KAGOME: Inuyasha!
SANGO: We have to get Kikyo now or else Inuyasha will lose!
Sango and Miroku get on Kirara.
INUYASHA: I won't lose! Blades of Blood!
He attacks Hiten. His arm goes right through Hiten.
INUYASHA: What?
HITEN: I told you that you couldn't scratch me! Now for the finishing blow! Lightning - Bankotsu!?
INUYASHA: Lightning Bankotsu?
Enter Bankotsu and Kikyo through the left doors, still fighting.
INUYASHA: Ah!
SANGO: It's Bankotsu!
KAGOME: And Kikyo!
HITEN: That's Kikyo? Damn, I made a mistake! Bankotsu, I'll help you out!
BANKOTSU: Huh?
KIKYO: Got you.
She sends a wave of spiritual energy at Bankotsu, knocking him off his feet.
BANKOTSU: Ergh. Damn Hiten, damn Kikyo. I'll do whatever I want!
KAGOME: Bankotsu… he's a Shinigami as well!
INUYASHA: He still seems pretty childish to me.
SHIPPO: Like you can talk, Inuyasha.
INUYASHA: What did you say, you stupid brat?!
MIROKU: Be quiet, you two, we've got to help Kikyo!
SANGO: Hiraikotsu!
She throws the Hiraikotsu at Bankotsu, knocking Banryu out of his hands.
HITEN: Damn it! Lightning Pike!
He hurls thunder at Sango.
SANGO: Ah!
INUYASHA: Look out, Sango!
He knocks Sango out of the way and blocks Hiten's attack with Tetsusaiga's sheathe.
INUYASHA: We can't interfere with this fight. After all, we're not dead.
KAGOME: Of course. Nobody's meant to fight the Shinigami; they're neither good nor bad.
MIROKU: I see. It's up to Kikyo to hold her own.
KIRARA: Mew!
KIKYO: Please! I need more time on earth before I go to hell! Just grant me a bit more time!
HITEN: No, you're coming with us!
KIKYO: I see. I have no choice.
She shoots an arrow at Bankostu and gets him directly in the heart.
BANKOTSU: Argh!
He vanishes through the recess.
SHIPPO: How-?
KAGOME: Kikyo's dead, so she exists on a different spiritual plane than us. She can send the Shinigami straight back to the world of the dead.
INUYASHA: Wow! Kagome! How do you know all this?
KAGOME: Watching too much anime, heh heh.
HITEN: Damn Bankotsu! Ergh! You dispatched him, Kikyo!
KIKYO: It's your turn now.
HITEN: No! I have to try twice as hard for Bankotsu's sake!
He fights ferociously against Kikyo.
SANGO: Wow, Hiten is a pretty strong fighter.
SHIPPO: Hiten's generally a jerk, but he's really loyal, I remember that. Remember when we killed Manten?
INUYASHA: We? I killed Manten!
KAGOME: We all worked together to kill Manten!
MIROKU: No need to argue about that now, look!
HITEN: I've got you now, Kikyo! You won't escape form me!
SANGO: He's winning the fight!
INUYASHA: Damn it! Oi, Hiten! Don't you want to avenge your brother's death? I killed Manten, remember?
HITEN: Manten…? Now I remember… YOU BASTARD! I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY!
He attacks Inuyasha.
SHIPPO: Why's he provoking him…?
KAGOME: To get him distracted, I see.
KIKYO: That was your fatal mistake, you and Bankotsu. Letting your emotions get ahead of you instead of focusing on your duties is sure to get you in trouble!
She shoots an arrow at Hiten and hits him in the back.
HITEN: Ahhh!
He falls into the recess.
KIKYO: It's over.
INUYASHA: Kikyo? Aren't you going to stay?
KIKYO: I must learn a lesson from Hiten and Bankotsu. Unnecessary drama will hinder our goal to defeat Naraku.
Exit Kikyo through the left doors.
SHIPPO: Wow, Kikyo's pretty cool.
SANGO: I'll say.
MIROKU: She didn't want to stay with Inuyasha because she thought he would distract her from her mission.
KAGOME: She's focused; I can give her that much.
INUYASHA: … Yeah…
All exit through doors of entry.
THE END