Episode 161 - Miroku's Old Mistake
At a lakeside shrine, a man makes a desperate offering attempting to appease the shrine’s deity. Suddenly the earth trembles and the lake roils violently! Nearby, Inuyasha and the team feel the tremor. It’s no ordinary earthquake; the group senses a demonic presence and rushes to investigate. Arriving at the source of the disturbance, the lakeside shrine, they encounter the man who made the offering. He recognizes Miroku and joyously asks him if he’s returned to join their family. He drags the perplexed monk and his companions home where his household begins preparing for wedding festivities. Kagome grills the baffled monk while Sango sits quietly. Sango’s stoicism increases when a lovely young girl named Shima greets Miroku enthusiastically. Shima’s been waiting for Miroku’s return and their reunion is, to say the least, difficult with Sango watching. Miroku’s acquaintance with Shima goes back two years when she was a frail child. Shima’s health returned through a combination of his bogus herbal remedies and his promise to return to father her children. After Shima’s story, Sango is extremely unhappy with Miroku, adopting the mantra: “It’s fine, it’s something from the past, right?” Later, as Miroku tries to weasel his way out of a wedding in the comfort of Shima’s home, Inuyasha and the others are exiled to the cold outside courtyard. Sango remains composed, but her companions sense the depth of her anger. (Well… Kagome and Shippo, at least!). Indoors, things don’t fare any better for Miroku. Shima and her parents are eager for a wedding. A demon named Nushi wants to marry Shima and wouldn’t believe she was already “betrothed” to Miroku. Nushi is eager to claim Shima and, according to Shima’s father, has his heart set on his “pure” daughter as bride. If Shima is married to another, Nushi will give up and go away. Outside, Nushi arrives to claim Shima. The ground shakes ominously as Inuyasha draws Tetsusaiga, poised to fight the approaching demon threat. The tremors cease and the dust clears revealing Nushi: a pint-sized twerp with goggle eyes, fish lips and Jaken’s sense of fashion. He introduces himself to Inuyasha, Kagome and Sango as “Nushi of the Lake” and states he’s here to claim his bride. The flabbergasted trio gapes at the odd little fellow and his cartload of wedding gifts until Inuyasha breaks the spell by bopping Nushi on the noggin, telling him to go away. Nushi refuses to be bullied and deterred from nuptial bliss. The commotion in the courtyard draws Miroku, Shima and her family outside and Nushi happily blows kisses at the revolted Shima. Shima’s father finally reveals why the family is so anxious for Miroku to wed Shima - when Shima was ill, he prayed to Nushi for the girl’s recovery. He offered Nushi anything he wanted in return: Nushi chose the lovely Shima as his bride. Surprised by the revelation, Shima bows at Nushi’s feet, begging his forgiveness: she is not the “pure” bride he desires. She has already given herself to Miroku. The reaction is mixed: Sango chants her mantra (“It’s fine, it’s something from the past, right?), Kagome is incredulous, and Inuyasha receives rare validation for his suspicions. Nushi is distraught and the jilted demon turns into his true form - a gigantic catfish. Nushi thrashes angrily around the courtyard and Miroku calls for Sango’s assistance, but she coolly replies he’s on his own. Inuyasha goes to the rescue with Tetsusaiga, and the threat causes Nushi to transform back into his fish man persona. As Nushi sits, sobbing piteously in the middle of the courtyard, Inuyasha can’t bring himself to slay the blubbering little demon. Meanwhile, Miroku pleads with Sango to understand the situation, but she’s not open for discussion. Shima tries to intervene and explain, but Sango turns her back and angrily stalks off. Poor Miroku is depressed Sango doesn’t trust him even though he’s committed himself to her. However, Miroku’s blues come to a quick end when Nushi snatches Shima and drags her back to the lake. Miroku and the others give chase. Sango sits sadly at the edge of Nushi’s lake when the little demon and his stolen bride streak by. Sango is still angry at Shima but she can’t allow Shima to be assaulted by a demon, either. Nushi turns into his demon catfish form, plunging into the lake with his reluctant fiancée and Sango springs to action. Although Sango rescues Shima, Nushi traps her and dangling his new prize by a catfish whisker, informs Sango he’ll keep her too, and make her his concubine. Miroku and the others arrive in time to hear Nushi’s threat. Declaring Nushi can’t do that to “his woman” Miroku dives into the lake to Sango’s rescue. Nushi is certain Miroku can’t stop him until Miroku opens up his Kazanna, and sucks the lake dry leaving Nushi vulnerable. Defeated by the irate monk, Nushi apologizes frantically. During the fracas, Sango’s mood softens and she feels even better when Shima confesses her tryst with Miroku was a lie. Shima didn’t want to be the bride of a catfish so she fibbed about her involvement with Miroku to drive Nushi away. Apologies and forgiveness is exchanged and the team resumes their quest. …. But not without a lot of teasing at Miroku’s expense!
