Post by Mlle Bienvenu on Apr 29, 2009 7:16:26 GMT -5
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<p id="Cnbgki00" class="sceneheading">large field<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The scene opens with Ren digging in a wide field, a grim but
determined expression on his face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Ren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Why!? Why did this happen!? /Doushite!? Kore wa
doushite oyobemashita ka yo!?/どうして!?これはどうして及びましたかよ!?<br>
</p>
<p class="action">He begins digging again with a frenzied fierceness until he
breaks down on his hands and knees. He grabs a handful of loose earth.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Father... Mother...
Everybody.../Tousan...kaasan...minasan..../父さん...母さん...皆さん...</p>
<p class="action">Tears drip onto the disturbed pile of dirt. Slowly, we zoom
out to reveal the field of bodies laid out for cremation, a bowl of incense at
the head of each. The pan continues until you see a form in shadow,
watching Ren.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Mysterious Woman</p>
<p class="dialog">So... It begins... saa... hajimemashite ne...
</p>
<p id="vyQEoi00" class="sceneheading">Empty village<br>
</p>
<p class="action">It is now night. Pan around the silent village which
shows signs of a battle; broken buildings, blood stains, smoldering fires...
etc. Finally we get to the only house that has light coming from it, Ren's
house. <br>
</p>
<p id="K7ibpi00" class="sceneheading">Ren's House<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren has a troubled sleep, his eyelids twitch while he has a
nightmare.</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Rrrgn....nnnn...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">His dream takes him back to when he discovered his village
decimated. Show same scenes as before, but with the bodies still there. Show
Ren shocked like the world fell out from under him.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What... what the hell is this!? <br>
</p>
<p class="action"> Show dead bodies again. Ren covers his mouth like he's going
to be sick. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(chittering sound)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">From the shadows comes the chattering of small animals but no
matter
how he tries, he cannot see what they are, it's as though they are made of
shadows. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Somewhere a voice calls for him.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Guren<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(whispers like the wind)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ren...</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren awakes with a start, <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(chittering sound)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Hearing a noise outside he
decides to check out
the noise.. He grabs
the nearest weapon to defend himself, a nearby trowel. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren places a hand on the sliding door.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Camera switches perspective to outside looking in as Ren
slides open the door, his face shows shock and annoyance. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Tch!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Opening the sliding door, the camera pulls back and
reveals a seemingly endless torii path similar to the real life Fushimi Inari
shrine's path of 10,000 torii, against an endless black background. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Camera shifts to Ren's back, as he
runs down the path that shouldn't be there and eventually ends up
outside in his village, the chattering has grown louder. And shadowy
figures grab at him and he tries to drive them away with his trowel,
but as he strikes them they turn into the lifeless corpses of the
people from his village. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ahhh! (screams in horror)<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Horrified, he tries to run from the gruesome scene,
but an uncharacteristically large white fox, gleaming in the moonlight,
blocks his path. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Was it you!? Was it you who did this? Come get me you stupid
beast! Come on! Try and kill me too!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The fox just watches him with a severe looking glare. Filled
with rage, Ren slashes at the beast.</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Rrrrrrrrraaaaagh!<br>
</p>
<p id="Q1JvL000" class="sceneheading">Outside Ren's house<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And suddenly, Ren is plunged into wakefulness by the
high pitched scream of a frightened little girl KIKU, ready to see the
point of his makeshift weapon.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(screams)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku breaks free from Ren's startled grasp and runs away. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ngh!? <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Realizing
what he almost did, he drops the trowel and chases after the only other
living person in the entire village, spouting apologies. It is dawn.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Wait! I'm sorry! Little girl! Wait!<br>
</p>
<p class="action"> <br>
</p>
<p id="OrCuL000" class="sceneheading">burned out hut<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Finally Ren catches up to Kiku. Show Ren finally stopping.
Kiku who is hiding in a ruined
burned out building. Kiku peeks around the corner, eyes wide. Ren bows an
apology and explains he hadn't meant to
hurt her. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Gomenasai. It was a mistake, I thought you were... something
else...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">When she's convinced he's not going to attack again,
she cautiously comes out from her hiding place. Ren smiles at her
weakly. She wibbles and then bursts into tears and buries her face in
Ren's legs mumbling about thinking she's the only one left. Awkwardly
Ren tries to comfort her. After they are both calmed down, they compare notes
about what happened. Ren confesses he doesn't know much, as he was
returning from a trip into the forest. Kiku however was there when the
attack occurred, and she tells him it was a pack of wild monsters. Ren
remembers his dream and shudders. </p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Niisan! It was horrible... those horrible things. Those
monsters! They... killed them all! Everyone! That terrible noise! And there
were so many of them! I... I thought I was the only one left!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You were there? Little sister, You have to tell me what
happened! What were they? How did you escape?<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku wipes her eyes with her hand.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I was just doing the sweeping...</p>
<p class="character"><br>
</p>
<p id="kF9cL000" class="sceneheading">Flashback: Kiku's retelling<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku is sweeping the village shrine's gates when the
attack on the village occurs. The head of the small shrine tells her to
run and hide, so she does so. From her hiding place she can hear the
scrabbling and shouts of villagers and wild animals alike. Also a
terrible voice bellows for the villagers to bring him the White Lotus.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What...</p>
<p class="action">From the gates she can see some sort of activity in the
village. A villager bolts through the gates and runs past.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Villager 1<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Attack! The village is under attack!</p>
<p class="action">Reaction shot of Kiku's surprise and fear. The bell in the
shrine sounds. Kiku hears a strange chattering noise and looks in the
direction of the gate. She sees a writhing mass of shadowy creatures and takes
several steps back, holding the broom defensively. Villager 1 and the shrine
keeper exit the shrine. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">Shrine elder<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Kiku! Get out of here! Run and Hide.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The shadows advance on the two men. Villager 1 moves to
protect the shrine elder. Villager 1 is torn to pieces. Kiku screams. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I said to hide yourself! Get going! I'll come find you later.
<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Elder has a look on his face like he knows he's not going to
make it out of there. The chattering beasts attack. Unable to watch, Kiku runs
to the temple, the shadow beasts chase her through the temple, forcing her into
the innermost sanctuary, where the sacred articles are kept. Kiku knocks
into the statue of inari holding a (real) hollow reed staff filled with sacred
rice. The impact knocks the staff from stone Inari's grasp and breaks on
the ground, spilling out the rice. The creatures seem to be driven back, so
Kiku sprinkles the rice grains contained therein around herself and the statue
in a circle. As Kiku hoped, the shadow beasts don't seem to be able to
cross this barrier of sacred rice, or to even notice her there. They break off
pursuit to look elsewhere. Kiku curls up at the foot of the statue. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Voices are heard from off screen while the camera focuses on
Kiku's reaction.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Where is Byakuren? Bring it to me and I will leave your
village.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren? White lotus? I've never heard of such a thing. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">Guren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Don't toy with me old fool! If you do not hand the white
lotus over I will kill you and every living thing until it's found!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">And I am telling you I don't know anything about a white
lotus! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">The chattering grows louder. There's a thud.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Where is it!? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ngh! Wishing a fish to fly won't give it wings! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Tell me!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I don't know anything! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">There is more chattering and a protracted scream from the
SHRINE ELDER that stops abruptly.</p>
<p class="action">Kiku buries her head in her hands, arms over ears, with her
eyes widened in fear, tears streaming down her face.</p>
<p class="character"><br>
</p>
<p id="ojhwN000" class="sceneheading">BURNED OUT HUT</p>
<p class="action">Shot of Kiku in similar position, but with eyes shut.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">At this revelation, Ren looks white as a sheet.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">W-what were they looking for? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren, the white lotus. I've been racking my brains, but I
don't know what it is either... oh! do you know what it is?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren...I've never heard of anything-<br>
</p>
<p class="character">(beat)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah!</p>
<p class="action">Ren falls against the wall in shock. Realizing it
must've been himself who the monsters were after. Ren
has a mini psychotic break, laughing giddily at the ugly irony of the
whole situation, and finally swearing revenge on the monsters who
destroyed his village.
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah....ha...hahaha!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Despite the laughter, Ren has a pained expression on his face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What is it? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Hahaha!...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Laughter turns bitter</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...aheheh... Why!? If you wanted me why didn't you come and
get -me-?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I don't understand
<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...my name... it's Ren. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...so? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Don't you get it!? -I'm- the only 'lotus' in this village!</p>
<p class="action">Ren pulls his shirt open a bit to show Kiku his birthmark.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Ren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Those monsters were after -me-. And when they couldn't find
me... they destroyed my home! Damnit! I should have been here... I couldn't do
anything!</p>
<p class="action">Ren takes out his anger and frustration on a nearby charred
piece of wood. It crumbles in a cloud of ash.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku, a little bit frightened by Ren's manic behavior, but is
nonetheless determined to help Ren in any way she can.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">eheh...Those guys couldn't find me... but that doesn't mean I
won't find them ...ehehe >
<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ren-niisan... <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren appears to make up his mind and begins to head back to
his house. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN</p>
<p class="dialog">Are you listening, you shadow-bastards? You destroyed what
was precious to me, so I'm gonna return the favor!</p>
<p class="action">Kiku follows close behind him, a determined expression on her
face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Uhn!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren stops abruptly and Kiku walks into him.</p>
<p class="action">Ren returns to reality, insisting Kiku
is too young and will just slow him down. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Eh? Stop following me! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm going with you! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What? No! It's too dangerous.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Here there is a light-hearted omake styled comedy bit
where Kiku keeps helping him pack his things as well as her own, which
generally annoys Ren.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">It's my village! I want revenge too!</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You're too young for revenge!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You're not much older than I am!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm a boy! It's different!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Girls can avenge their villages too!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">No they can't!</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm going!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Not with me!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I can't help it if we're going in the same direction!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You don't even know what direction I'm going in!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Oh, do -you- know which way the shadow beasts went?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah...er... Well... -you- don't know either!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Sure of yourself, aren't you? >:}<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What's -that- supposed to mean!? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Oh... nothing, nothing. >:-}<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Fine then! Don't tell me. I'll find my own way.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Okay then. Don't blame me if you end up cold and alone lost
in the woods somewhere.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Right!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Good.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Finally the argument becomes serious and Ren insists
she absolutely cannot go with him. Kiku counters that only she knows
how to find the monster that destroyed the village, using secret
techniques taught to her by her master at the village's shrine. Ren
isn't quite convinced by this. Kiku adds, almost as an afterthought
where else would she go? Finally Ren agrees. <br>
</p>
<p id="gNml1000" class="sceneheading">LARGE FIELD<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Roll end credit music. With their things packed and
ready to go, Ren finishes the burial preparations for the fallen
villagers and lights the burial pyre. Kiku steps in and gives a
blessing that seems older and wiser beyond her years. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">While the fire still burns, the two leave the village for the
last time.</p>
<p class="action"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE</p>
<p class="action"><br>
</p>
<p id="am7ug100" class="sceneheading">Woods<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Open to a traveling montage. <br>
</p>
<p id="QQ24i100" class="sceneheading">Torii Path</p>
<p class="action">Finally they arrive where Kiku's divining takes them, but to
their surprise, it turns out to be a temple to the god Inari. Ren looks
resolute and the two move forward through the torii and fox statue lined path.
Ren recalls the dream of the fox and suspects the worst. Kiku is confused by
the actions of Inari's messengers and wonders what the village might've done to
incur Inari's wrath. <br>
</p>
<p id="kK2xm100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Reaching the end of the path, they come across a portly
looking priest, who welcomes them and escorts them to pilgrim's quarters. At
introductions the priest seems surprised by Ren's name, but says nothing. For
such a large shrine there doesn't seem to be anyone else there. <br>
</p>
<p id="a14go100" class="sceneheading">Pilgrim's Quarters<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The priest invites the two to share a meal with him. While
they eat, Ren and Kiku tell of their village. Kiku wonders aloud what could
have brought on Inari's wrath, but the priest assures them that it couldn't
have been Inari's doing. It looks like he wants to say more but restrains
himself. After this, the priest excuses himself.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">After he leaves, Ren and Kiku discuss where they are to go
from here. Ren wonders how much he can trust the old priest, and wonders where
everyone else went. Kiku asks Ren if she noticed the priest's shadow. Ren
hadn't noticed. Kiku comments that it had a fox tail. They decide the first
thing they should do is get a good night's rest before they decide anything. <br>
</p>
<p id="HPw4r100" class="sceneheading">PILGRIM'S QUARTERS - Night<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren awakes to find a mechanical fox shaped omikuji (fortune)
box bumbling about the room. After feeding it some coins. It spits out a
fortune. The fortune suggests they follow it. So Kiku and Ren tail the fox
omikuji box as it zips out of the room.<br>
</p>
<p id="H5yNu100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine main building<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The omikuji box leads the two to the main Inari shrine. Kiku
feels there's something deeply wrong here and almost doesn't want them to
enter. Ren goes in himself and Kiku reluctantly follows. The room is dark
except for some candles but appears to be empty. The yelp of a restrained fox
standing in a puddle of priest robes alerts the two to something behind them.
They turn just in time to avoid an attack from shadowy claws and teeth. The
shadow beasts go for another attack, but a commanding voice stops them from
attacking. A figure steps from behind the alter. Kiku assumes it's Inari
but the young man laughs and tells them his name is Guren and that he is the
leader of the tanuki. Ren is incredulous and compares him with the
traditional image of the happy fat little sake drinking raccoon dog. Guren is
incensed by this comparison and shouts for them not to underestimate him. He
boasts about how he took over this shrine and destroyed his greatest enemy, the
White Lotus. Ren contradicts him, revealing to Guren that -his- name is
Ren, the only survivor of the village he destroyed, and that he is going to be
the one to exact revenge for his village. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren launches himself at Guren and fighting begins.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">During the battle, Ren gets in a tough spot, so Kiku blocks
Guren's attack and is mortally wounded. Her death puts Ren into overdrive
and finally Ren overpowers Guren, mortally wounding him on his right
shoulder/heart area with a makeshift spear made from his trowel and his tenbin
(staff for carrying loads). <br>
</p>
<p class="action">As life seeps from Guren, however, something strange happens,
Ren's birthmark radiates a blinding pain, bringing Ren to his knees. Guren's
memories seem to force themselves into Ren's mind, finally Ren loses
consciousness. But just before he does, he thinks he hears Kiku. <br>
</p>
<p id="ofC90100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - Sometime Later<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Sometime later, Ren awakes fuzzy headed. Two people
seem to be arguing. As he returns to consciousness, he sees a beautiful white
haired fox-woman and an austere and important looking man with red fox face
markings and vivid red hair. Guren lays at their feet, not quite dead, gasping
and mumbling about not being able to die. The important looking man, INARI,
agrees with this assessment, but that doesn't mean Guren can't be sealed away
forever. The beautiful fox-maiden is opposed to that idea, insisting that he
must learn from his own mistakes. It's clear there is some kind of history
between the fox-maiden and Guren. Inari is reluctant to show mercy. So the
fox-maiden takes it upon herself, sealing Guren's wound and the two of them
vanish in a lotus shaped light.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren's birthmark pulses again and more of Guren's memories
flood back to him:<br>
</p>
<p id="okMI2200" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine approxamately a year ago<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren leaves the temple, tee'd off at something. The
fox priest follows after him but Guren affixes the fortune scroll in his hand
to a nearby pine and leaves in a huff.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">A close up on the fortune reveals it's a very bad curse. <br>
</p>
<p id="ufG2N200" class="sceneheading">Tanuki Woods<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren seeks out the oldest and wisest tanuki seer. After
paying the seer in sake, and explaining what happened with his fortune. He asks
the seer to elaborate. The tanuki is reluctant, but complies, spelling out that
he will be surpassed by a white lotus that grows in a farming village between
tanuki woods and the Inari shrine.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Show determined look on Guren's face.<br>
</p>
<p id="msanc700" class="sceneheading">REn's Village<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Snippets of Guren's destruction of the village. reminiscent
of Ren's dream in the first part.</p>
<p id="quyjc700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Show fox-priest scared as Guren assaults the shrine, there is
a battle. human priests, foxes on one side, tanuki on the other. Guren's forces
outnumber the foxes, trapping them in stone, and killing the humans. Fox priest
surrenders.</p>
<p id="LIA3e700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE - SOMETIME LATER<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren watching from the shadows as Ren and Kiku enter the
shrine. Gives fox priest a threatening look as if to tell him not to say
anything.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then another memory of the Guren and Ren fight, from
Guren's perspective. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then Guren lays bleeding and gasping for breath.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then fox-maiden and Guren disappearing. They travel
through a white void with a strong ethereal wind and are separated, as they are
separated Guren shouts her name: Kiku. Guren's wound is visible as a lotus
shaped mark.<br>
</p>
<p id="D3M2w100" class="sceneheading">The Village 12 years earlier<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And suddenly we're at the birth of Ren, his father wraps him
in a swaddling cloth and names him Ren after the birthmark.<br>
</p>
<p id="qtIuw100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - the Present<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren now remembers everything from his own and Guren's point
of view. Before he can really assimilate this revelation, Inari turns to him,
expecting some sort of answer for the actions that transpired. Ren has
none, he is angry, saddened, and horrified by what's happened. Looking for a
focus for his emotions he turns on Inari as though it's his fault all this has
happened. He shouts ineffectually at him and looks like he's going to attack
him, but Inari backhands him and says perhaps he should seal him away in a
statue after all. Ren lands near Kiku's dead body and that brings him back from
his violent rage. He has a mini flashback of his time with Kiku. and equates
this face with the fox-maiden he once knew as Guren. <br>
</p>
<p id="tebIi700" class="sceneheading">Meadow</p>
<p class="action">Show Kiku and Guren playing tag in animal form. Fishing in
half-animal form. Walking over a bridge in human form.<br>
</p>
<p id="3AMsj700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE - THE PRESENT<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren turns to Inari and asks pathetically what he should do
now? Inari is cold, but tells him to live, and live well, how he decides
to do that is up to him. He then disappears, leaving the destroyed shrine and
the one living fox spirit, the priest who welcomed them to the shrine, to pick
up the pieces.<br>
</p>
<p id="4C8mB100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - many years later<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Many years later an elderly Ren, now called Byakuren by the
children because of his white hair, is the
head priest at the Inari shrine. During his life he has rebuilt the shrine and
his own village, both of which are now thriving. Now he is old and dying. After
setting down his brush after writing his last testament, a white fox comes and
lays her head in his lap. As his eyes dim, he sings 'furusato' during a montage
of the new village he built up from the old. From somewhere, Kiku, the fox
maiden's voice can be heard and (Byaku)Ren -now
young with face markings similar to Guren's making him look like a calmer wiser
Guren- joins her. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">うさぎ追いしかの山 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">小鮒つりしかの川 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">夢は今もめぐりて <br>
</p>
<p class="action">忘れがたき故郷<br>
</p>
<p class="action">いかにいます父母 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">つつがなしや友がき <br>
</p>
<p class="action">雨に風につけても <br>
</p>
<p class="action">思いいずる故郷<br>
</p>
<p class="action">こころざしを果たして <br>
</p>
<p class="action">いつの日にか帰らん <br>
</p>
<p class="action">山はあおき故郷 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">水は清き故郷 </p>
<p class="action">1.Misty green hills of home I knew you well Following rabbit
trails fishing the stream Memories of blue waters come to meet me in my dream I
never will forget my dear old home</p>
<p class="action">2.How are you mother and father too How are my friends of old
I hope they're well Rain may fall and wind may blow to mark the time across the
years Still I remember you my dear old home </p>
<p class="action">3.When what I've come to do is done at last Someday when it
is done I will return To the mountain misty green and To the water pure and
sweet I will return to you my dear old home</p>
</body>
</html>
<head>
<meta content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" http-equiv="Content-Type">
<title>Screenplay</title>
<style type="text/css">
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<body>
<p id="Cnbgki00" class="sceneheading">large field<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The scene opens with Ren digging in a wide field, a grim but
determined expression on his face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Ren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Why!? Why did this happen!? /Doushite!? Kore wa
doushite oyobemashita ka yo!?/どうして!?これはどうして及びましたかよ!?<br>
</p>
<p class="action">He begins digging again with a frenzied fierceness until he
breaks down on his hands and knees. He grabs a handful of loose earth.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Father... Mother...
Everybody.../Tousan...kaasan...minasan..../父さん...母さん...皆さん...</p>
<p class="action">Tears drip onto the disturbed pile of dirt. Slowly, we zoom
out to reveal the field of bodies laid out for cremation, a bowl of incense at
the head of each. The pan continues until you see a form in shadow,
watching Ren.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Mysterious Woman</p>
<p class="dialog">So... It begins... saa... hajimemashite ne...
</p>
<p id="vyQEoi00" class="sceneheading">Empty village<br>
</p>
<p class="action">It is now night. Pan around the silent village which
shows signs of a battle; broken buildings, blood stains, smoldering fires...
etc. Finally we get to the only house that has light coming from it, Ren's
house. <br>
</p>
<p id="K7ibpi00" class="sceneheading">Ren's House<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren has a troubled sleep, his eyelids twitch while he has a
nightmare.</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Rrrgn....nnnn...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">His dream takes him back to when he discovered his village
decimated. Show same scenes as before, but with the bodies still there. Show
Ren shocked like the world fell out from under him.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What... what the hell is this!? <br>
</p>
<p class="action"> Show dead bodies again. Ren covers his mouth like he's going
to be sick. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(chittering sound)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">From the shadows comes the chattering of small animals but no
matter
how he tries, he cannot see what they are, it's as though they are made of
shadows. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Somewhere a voice calls for him.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Guren<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(whispers like the wind)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ren...</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren awakes with a start, <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(chittering sound)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Hearing a noise outside he
decides to check out
the noise.. He grabs
the nearest weapon to defend himself, a nearby trowel. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren places a hand on the sliding door.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Camera switches perspective to outside looking in as Ren
slides open the door, his face shows shock and annoyance. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Tch!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Opening the sliding door, the camera pulls back and
reveals a seemingly endless torii path similar to the real life Fushimi Inari
shrine's path of 10,000 torii, against an endless black background. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Camera shifts to Ren's back, as he
runs down the path that shouldn't be there and eventually ends up
outside in his village, the chattering has grown louder. And shadowy
figures grab at him and he tries to drive them away with his trowel,
but as he strikes them they turn into the lifeless corpses of the
people from his village. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ahhh! (screams in horror)<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Horrified, he tries to run from the gruesome scene,
but an uncharacteristically large white fox, gleaming in the moonlight,
blocks his path. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Was it you!? Was it you who did this? Come get me you stupid
beast! Come on! Try and kill me too!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The fox just watches him with a severe looking glare. Filled
with rage, Ren slashes at the beast.</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Rrrrrrrrraaaaagh!<br>
</p>
<p id="Q1JvL000" class="sceneheading">Outside Ren's house<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And suddenly, Ren is plunged into wakefulness by the
high pitched scream of a frightened little girl KIKU, ready to see the
point of his makeshift weapon.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="parenthetical">(screams)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku breaks free from Ren's startled grasp and runs away. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ngh!? <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Realizing
what he almost did, he drops the trowel and chases after the only other
living person in the entire village, spouting apologies. It is dawn.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Wait! I'm sorry! Little girl! Wait!<br>
</p>
<p class="action"> <br>
</p>
<p id="OrCuL000" class="sceneheading">burned out hut<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Finally Ren catches up to Kiku. Show Ren finally stopping.
Kiku who is hiding in a ruined
burned out building. Kiku peeks around the corner, eyes wide. Ren bows an
apology and explains he hadn't meant to
hurt her. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Gomenasai. It was a mistake, I thought you were... something
else...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">When she's convinced he's not going to attack again,
she cautiously comes out from her hiding place. Ren smiles at her
weakly. She wibbles and then bursts into tears and buries her face in
Ren's legs mumbling about thinking she's the only one left. Awkwardly
Ren tries to comfort her. After they are both calmed down, they compare notes
about what happened. Ren confesses he doesn't know much, as he was
returning from a trip into the forest. Kiku however was there when the
attack occurred, and she tells him it was a pack of wild monsters. Ren
remembers his dream and shudders. </p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Niisan! It was horrible... those horrible things. Those
monsters! They... killed them all! Everyone! That terrible noise! And there
were so many of them! I... I thought I was the only one left!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You were there? Little sister, You have to tell me what
happened! What were they? How did you escape?<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku wipes her eyes with her hand.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I was just doing the sweeping...</p>
<p class="character"><br>
</p>
<p id="kF9cL000" class="sceneheading">Flashback: Kiku's retelling<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku is sweeping the village shrine's gates when the
attack on the village occurs. The head of the small shrine tells her to
run and hide, so she does so. From her hiding place she can hear the
scrabbling and shouts of villagers and wild animals alike. Also a
terrible voice bellows for the villagers to bring him the White Lotus.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What...</p>
<p class="action">From the gates she can see some sort of activity in the
village. A villager bolts through the gates and runs past.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Villager 1<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Attack! The village is under attack!</p>
<p class="action">Reaction shot of Kiku's surprise and fear. The bell in the
shrine sounds. Kiku hears a strange chattering noise and looks in the
direction of the gate. She sees a writhing mass of shadowy creatures and takes
several steps back, holding the broom defensively. Villager 1 and the shrine
keeper exit the shrine. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">Shrine elder<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Kiku! Get out of here! Run and Hide.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The shadows advance on the two men. Villager 1 moves to
protect the shrine elder. Villager 1 is torn to pieces. Kiku screams. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I said to hide yourself! Get going! I'll come find you later.
<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Elder has a look on his face like he knows he's not going to
make it out of there. The chattering beasts attack. Unable to watch, Kiku runs
to the temple, the shadow beasts chase her through the temple, forcing her into
the innermost sanctuary, where the sacred articles are kept. Kiku knocks
into the statue of inari holding a (real) hollow reed staff filled with sacred
rice. The impact knocks the staff from stone Inari's grasp and breaks on
the ground, spilling out the rice. The creatures seem to be driven back, so
Kiku sprinkles the rice grains contained therein around herself and the statue
in a circle. As Kiku hoped, the shadow beasts don't seem to be able to
cross this barrier of sacred rice, or to even notice her there. They break off
pursuit to look elsewhere. Kiku curls up at the foot of the statue. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Voices are heard from off screen while the camera focuses on
Kiku's reaction.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Where is Byakuren? Bring it to me and I will leave your
village.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren? White lotus? I've never heard of such a thing. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">Guren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Don't toy with me old fool! If you do not hand the white
lotus over I will kill you and every living thing until it's found!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">And I am telling you I don't know anything about a white
lotus! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">The chattering grows louder. There's a thud.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Where is it!? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ngh! Wishing a fish to fly won't give it wings! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">GUREN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Tell me!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">SHRINE ELDER<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I don't know anything! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">SFX<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">There is more chattering and a protracted scream from the
SHRINE ELDER that stops abruptly.</p>
<p class="action">Kiku buries her head in her hands, arms over ears, with her
eyes widened in fear, tears streaming down her face.</p>
<p class="character"><br>
</p>
<p id="ojhwN000" class="sceneheading">BURNED OUT HUT</p>
<p class="action">Shot of Kiku in similar position, but with eyes shut.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">At this revelation, Ren looks white as a sheet.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">W-what were they looking for? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren, the white lotus. I've been racking my brains, but I
don't know what it is either... oh! do you know what it is?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Byakuren...I've never heard of anything-<br>
</p>
<p class="character">(beat)<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah!</p>
<p class="action">Ren falls against the wall in shock. Realizing it
must've been himself who the monsters were after. Ren
has a mini psychotic break, laughing giddily at the ugly irony of the
whole situation, and finally swearing revenge on the monsters who
destroyed his village.
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah....ha...hahaha!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Despite the laughter, Ren has a pained expression on his face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What is it? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Hahaha!...<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Laughter turns bitter</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...aheheh... Why!? If you wanted me why didn't you come and
get -me-?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I don't understand
<br> </p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...my name... it's Ren. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">...so? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Don't you get it!? -I'm- the only 'lotus' in this village!</p>
<p class="action">Ren pulls his shirt open a bit to show Kiku his birthmark.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">Ren<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Those monsters were after -me-. And when they couldn't find
me... they destroyed my home! Damnit! I should have been here... I couldn't do
anything!</p>
<p class="action">Ren takes out his anger and frustration on a nearby charred
piece of wood. It crumbles in a cloud of ash.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Kiku, a little bit frightened by Ren's manic behavior, but is
nonetheless determined to help Ren in any way she can.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">eheh...Those guys couldn't find me... but that doesn't mean I
won't find them ...ehehe >
<br> </p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ren-niisan... <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren appears to make up his mind and begins to head back to
his house. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN</p>
<p class="dialog">Are you listening, you shadow-bastards? You destroyed what
was precious to me, so I'm gonna return the favor!</p>
<p class="action">Kiku follows close behind him, a determined expression on her
face.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Uhn!<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren stops abruptly and Kiku walks into him.</p>
<p class="action">Ren returns to reality, insisting Kiku
is too young and will just slow him down. <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Eh? Stop following me! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm going with you! <br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What? No! It's too dangerous.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Here there is a light-hearted omake styled comedy bit
where Kiku keeps helping him pack his things as well as her own, which
generally annoys Ren.</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">It's my village! I want revenge too!</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You're too young for revenge!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You're not much older than I am!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm a boy! It's different!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Girls can avenge their villages too!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">No they can't!</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I'm going!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Not with me!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">I can't help it if we're going in the same direction!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">You don't even know what direction I'm going in!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Oh, do -you- know which way the shadow beasts went?<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Ah...er... Well... -you- don't know either!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Sure of yourself, aren't you? >:}<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">What's -that- supposed to mean!? <br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Oh... nothing, nothing. >:-}<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Fine then! Don't tell me. I'll find my own way.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Okay then. Don't blame me if you end up cold and alone lost
in the woods somewhere.<br>
</p>
<p class="character">REN<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Right!<br>
</p>
<p class="character">KIKU<br>
</p>
<p class="dialog">Good.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Finally the argument becomes serious and Ren insists
she absolutely cannot go with him. Kiku counters that only she knows
how to find the monster that destroyed the village, using secret
techniques taught to her by her master at the village's shrine. Ren
isn't quite convinced by this. Kiku adds, almost as an afterthought
where else would she go? Finally Ren agrees. <br>
</p>
<p id="gNml1000" class="sceneheading">LARGE FIELD<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Roll end credit music. With their things packed and
ready to go, Ren finishes the burial preparations for the fallen
villagers and lights the burial pyre. Kiku steps in and gives a
blessing that seems older and wiser beyond her years. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">While the fire still burns, the two leave the village for the
last time.</p>
<p class="action"><br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">END OF PART ONE</p>
<p class="action"><br>
</p>
<p id="am7ug100" class="sceneheading">Woods<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Open to a traveling montage. <br>
</p>
<p id="QQ24i100" class="sceneheading">Torii Path</p>
<p class="action">Finally they arrive where Kiku's divining takes them, but to
their surprise, it turns out to be a temple to the god Inari. Ren looks
resolute and the two move forward through the torii and fox statue lined path.
Ren recalls the dream of the fox and suspects the worst. Kiku is confused by
the actions of Inari's messengers and wonders what the village might've done to
incur Inari's wrath. <br>
</p>
<p id="kK2xm100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Reaching the end of the path, they come across a portly
looking priest, who welcomes them and escorts them to pilgrim's quarters. At
introductions the priest seems surprised by Ren's name, but says nothing. For
such a large shrine there doesn't seem to be anyone else there. <br>
</p>
<p id="a14go100" class="sceneheading">Pilgrim's Quarters<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The priest invites the two to share a meal with him. While
they eat, Ren and Kiku tell of their village. Kiku wonders aloud what could
have brought on Inari's wrath, but the priest assures them that it couldn't
have been Inari's doing. It looks like he wants to say more but restrains
himself. After this, the priest excuses himself.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">After he leaves, Ren and Kiku discuss where they are to go
from here. Ren wonders how much he can trust the old priest, and wonders where
everyone else went. Kiku asks Ren if she noticed the priest's shadow. Ren
hadn't noticed. Kiku comments that it had a fox tail. They decide the first
thing they should do is get a good night's rest before they decide anything. <br>
</p>
<p id="HPw4r100" class="sceneheading">PILGRIM'S QUARTERS - Night<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren awakes to find a mechanical fox shaped omikuji (fortune)
box bumbling about the room. After feeding it some coins. It spits out a
fortune. The fortune suggests they follow it. So Kiku and Ren tail the fox
omikuji box as it zips out of the room.<br>
</p>
<p id="H5yNu100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine main building<br>
</p>
<p class="action">The omikuji box leads the two to the main Inari shrine. Kiku
feels there's something deeply wrong here and almost doesn't want them to
enter. Ren goes in himself and Kiku reluctantly follows. The room is dark
except for some candles but appears to be empty. The yelp of a restrained fox
standing in a puddle of priest robes alerts the two to something behind them.
They turn just in time to avoid an attack from shadowy claws and teeth. The
shadow beasts go for another attack, but a commanding voice stops them from
attacking. A figure steps from behind the alter. Kiku assumes it's Inari
but the young man laughs and tells them his name is Guren and that he is the
leader of the tanuki. Ren is incredulous and compares him with the
traditional image of the happy fat little sake drinking raccoon dog. Guren is
incensed by this comparison and shouts for them not to underestimate him. He
boasts about how he took over this shrine and destroyed his greatest enemy, the
White Lotus. Ren contradicts him, revealing to Guren that -his- name is
Ren, the only survivor of the village he destroyed, and that he is going to be
the one to exact revenge for his village. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren launches himself at Guren and fighting begins.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">During the battle, Ren gets in a tough spot, so Kiku blocks
Guren's attack and is mortally wounded. Her death puts Ren into overdrive
and finally Ren overpowers Guren, mortally wounding him on his right
shoulder/heart area with a makeshift spear made from his trowel and his tenbin
(staff for carrying loads). <br>
</p>
<p class="action">As life seeps from Guren, however, something strange happens,
Ren's birthmark radiates a blinding pain, bringing Ren to his knees. Guren's
memories seem to force themselves into Ren's mind, finally Ren loses
consciousness. But just before he does, he thinks he hears Kiku. <br>
</p>
<p id="ofC90100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - Sometime Later<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Sometime later, Ren awakes fuzzy headed. Two people
seem to be arguing. As he returns to consciousness, he sees a beautiful white
haired fox-woman and an austere and important looking man with red fox face
markings and vivid red hair. Guren lays at their feet, not quite dead, gasping
and mumbling about not being able to die. The important looking man, INARI,
agrees with this assessment, but that doesn't mean Guren can't be sealed away
forever. The beautiful fox-maiden is opposed to that idea, insisting that he
must learn from his own mistakes. It's clear there is some kind of history
between the fox-maiden and Guren. Inari is reluctant to show mercy. So the
fox-maiden takes it upon herself, sealing Guren's wound and the two of them
vanish in a lotus shaped light.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren's birthmark pulses again and more of Guren's memories
flood back to him:<br>
</p>
<p id="okMI2200" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine approxamately a year ago<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren leaves the temple, tee'd off at something. The
fox priest follows after him but Guren affixes the fortune scroll in his hand
to a nearby pine and leaves in a huff.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">A close up on the fortune reveals it's a very bad curse. <br>
</p>
<p id="ufG2N200" class="sceneheading">Tanuki Woods<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren seeks out the oldest and wisest tanuki seer. After
paying the seer in sake, and explaining what happened with his fortune. He asks
the seer to elaborate. The tanuki is reluctant, but complies, spelling out that
he will be surpassed by a white lotus that grows in a farming village between
tanuki woods and the Inari shrine.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Show determined look on Guren's face.<br>
</p>
<p id="msanc700" class="sceneheading">REn's Village<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Snippets of Guren's destruction of the village. reminiscent
of Ren's dream in the first part.</p>
<p id="quyjc700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Show fox-priest scared as Guren assaults the shrine, there is
a battle. human priests, foxes on one side, tanuki on the other. Guren's forces
outnumber the foxes, trapping them in stone, and killing the humans. Fox priest
surrenders.</p>
<p id="LIA3e700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE - SOMETIME LATER<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Guren watching from the shadows as Ren and Kiku enter the
shrine. Gives fox priest a threatening look as if to tell him not to say
anything.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then another memory of the Guren and Ren fight, from
Guren's perspective. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then Guren lays bleeding and gasping for breath.<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And then fox-maiden and Guren disappearing. They travel
through a white void with a strong ethereal wind and are separated, as they are
separated Guren shouts her name: Kiku. Guren's wound is visible as a lotus
shaped mark.<br>
</p>
<p id="D3M2w100" class="sceneheading">The Village 12 years earlier<br>
</p>
<p class="action">And suddenly we're at the birth of Ren, his father wraps him
in a swaddling cloth and names him Ren after the birthmark.<br>
</p>
<p id="qtIuw100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - the Present<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren now remembers everything from his own and Guren's point
of view. Before he can really assimilate this revelation, Inari turns to him,
expecting some sort of answer for the actions that transpired. Ren has
none, he is angry, saddened, and horrified by what's happened. Looking for a
focus for his emotions he turns on Inari as though it's his fault all this has
happened. He shouts ineffectually at him and looks like he's going to attack
him, but Inari backhands him and says perhaps he should seal him away in a
statue after all. Ren lands near Kiku's dead body and that brings him back from
his violent rage. He has a mini flashback of his time with Kiku. and equates
this face with the fox-maiden he once knew as Guren. <br>
</p>
<p id="tebIi700" class="sceneheading">Meadow</p>
<p class="action">Show Kiku and Guren playing tag in animal form. Fishing in
half-animal form. Walking over a bridge in human form.<br>
</p>
<p id="3AMsj700" class="sceneheading">INARI SHRINE - THE PRESENT<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Ren turns to Inari and asks pathetically what he should do
now? Inari is cold, but tells him to live, and live well, how he decides
to do that is up to him. He then disappears, leaving the destroyed shrine and
the one living fox spirit, the priest who welcomed them to the shrine, to pick
up the pieces.<br>
</p>
<p id="4C8mB100" class="sceneheading">Inari Shrine - many years later<br>
</p>
<p class="action">Many years later an elderly Ren, now called Byakuren by the
children because of his white hair, is the
head priest at the Inari shrine. During his life he has rebuilt the shrine and
his own village, both of which are now thriving. Now he is old and dying. After
setting down his brush after writing his last testament, a white fox comes and
lays her head in his lap. As his eyes dim, he sings 'furusato' during a montage
of the new village he built up from the old. From somewhere, Kiku, the fox
maiden's voice can be heard and (Byaku)Ren -now
young with face markings similar to Guren's making him look like a calmer wiser
Guren- joins her. <br>
</p>
<p class="action">うさぎ追いしかの山 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">小鮒つりしかの川 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">夢は今もめぐりて <br>
</p>
<p class="action">忘れがたき故郷<br>
</p>
<p class="action">いかにいます父母 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">つつがなしや友がき <br>
</p>
<p class="action">雨に風につけても <br>
</p>
<p class="action">思いいずる故郷<br>
</p>
<p class="action">こころざしを果たして <br>
</p>
<p class="action">いつの日にか帰らん <br>
</p>
<p class="action">山はあおき故郷 <br>
</p>
<p class="action">水は清き故郷 </p>
<p class="action">1.Misty green hills of home I knew you well Following rabbit
trails fishing the stream Memories of blue waters come to meet me in my dream I
never will forget my dear old home</p>
<p class="action">2.How are you mother and father too How are my friends of old
I hope they're well Rain may fall and wind may blow to mark the time across the
years Still I remember you my dear old home </p>
<p class="action">3.When what I've come to do is done at last Someday when it
is done I will return To the mountain misty green and To the water pure and
sweet I will return to you my dear old home</p>
</body>
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