Set during Inuyasha: The Final Act, episode 16, "Hitomiko's Barrier".


Spider Web

Hitomiko had always known that, as a miko, her life would be short and her death no doubt cruel, despite the fact that she possessed considerable spiritual powers. It was simply the way things were for her kind. But she had always hoped that, once death had claimed her, she would find the peace she could never attain in real life. After all, was the reward for a life dedicated to the wellbeing of others not supposed to be a peaceful and harmonious afterlife?

But when she opened her eyes all Hitomiko found was darkness and a pair of violent, glowing red eyes staring back at her.

No! Her mind rebelled at the sight. This was not how it was meant to be. She had told the villagers to take precautions. Hadn't she? She thought she remembered doing so.

A dark chuckle penetrated her rather fuzzy and slow thinking. "Don't strain yourself my dear. I can assure you, you won't need that much of your mind for my purposes." Naraku smiled at her. "All I need is your body and your power."

Hitomiko felt her limbs jerked back and then suddenly, she was standing upright. Her eyes caught on the thick, white strands that seemed to be attached to her body at various places. She was nothing more but a puppet on strings.

Seeing her horrified expression, Naraku began to laugh. Hitomiko closed her eyes in despair. No, not a puppet. It was much worse than that.

She was a fly caught in the spider's web.