Are you gonna be okay? That wound isn't gonna reopen again, is it?
I cannot be sure. That is why I must make haste. (picks up her bow and arrows)
Can't you just wait, until I defeat Naraku?
You cannot defeat Naraku with a sword.
Please listen to me: Destroying Naraku requires the obliteration of his entire being, including his soul. It doesn't make a difference how many times you destroy his body. Naraku was originally created when demons' were merged into the vile soul of the thief, Onigumo. From the beginning he's had no true body. So, the Shikon Jewel is the one and only power great enough to eradicate his soul.
The Shikon Jewel must be restored at once; there is no other way. There will only be one chance: When Naraku obtains the restored Shikon Jewel, the Jewel will be defiled within Naraku's hands as it fuses with him. At that instant, we must purify Naraku- along with the Jewel. And only I am capable of this.
Inuyasha, now is not the time for hesitation! And it is too late now to turn back!
Inuyasha (thinking) Restoring the Sacred Jewel would mean taking Kohaku's shard... and to do that, you'd have to take his life.. Kikyo, you're not the kind of person who's capable of that...are you?
I understand, now; I know what I have to do. So, I'm going.
(thinking) I don't get it- why didn't I notice Kohaku's scent when he was so close?
Please explain to the others!
(turns and smiles) I'm not going there to die. I'm going there to defeat Naraku! Please, take care of my sister.
... I almost lost you two.
(weakly) Sorry about that...
WSWolf-Sentry
Pathetic Fools! Behold!
Koga, the Goraishi! It's gone!
WSWolf-Sentry
You should've abandoned your friends and obtained the Goraishi when you had the chance!
Heh! If you think I regret my choice, then you don't know me at all!
Listen up! The only reason I came for your precious Goraishi is because I planned to use it to avenge my tribe! But if it means sacrificing my comrades, then I don't need the Goraishi! Got it, moron?!
(suspiciously) So... you'll grant me my freedom?
You wish to be liberated from me, do you not? Isn't that why you disobeyed my orders, allowed Goryomaru to escape, and allied yourself with Hakudoshi?
(nervously) If you were aware of it, then why- (Naraku holds up his hand, and a demonic heart appears in it) M-my heart!
That's right. If I were to return this to your body, you would no longer be under anyone's control... not even mine. You'd be free, at last.
(sneering) Not to worry- I was careful to avoid hitting your precious heart.
Now, you may go, wherever you wish.
(thinking) Damn him- that bastard, he's cursed my body with miasma!
(thinking) Enjoy what little time you have left. Of course, it will be filled with only pain and despair. You didn't honestly believe you deserved a better fate than this, did you, Kagura? You longed for freedom- well, now you have it!
(thinking) It's so quiet... no one is in sight. Is this how it ends? All by myself? Is... this the freedom... that I longed for?
(shocked) You! You... came.
I followed the scent of blood and miasma.
(smiles sadly) Oh- I see. You thought I was Naraku. (stares down, holding back tears) Disappointed...that it's not him?
... No. I knew it was you. (Kagura gasps)
... I see. (smiles, thinking) So, you came- you came here, to see me.
(thinking) Even Tenseiga cannot save her. (aloud) Are you leaving?
... Yes. I've had enough.
(thinking) Now that I've seen you... one last time.
Wait! Sesshomaru. (he and his group arrived in time to witness Kagura's death)
Kagura. Did she... suffer?
(not turning around)... She was smiling.
I am the wind... the free wind.
(glances at Tenseiga, in Sesshomaru's belt) Oh- that's why I'm here.
I had a feeling something was missing. Tokijin's gone, isn't it?
(scoffs) Even without the Tokijin, my claws would be more than sufficient to tear you apart!
(rolls his eyes) There'll be no need for any of that. I had no choice but to come here- it was Tenseiga that summoned me.
Don't play dumb with me. I refuse to believe you haven't noticed that Tenseiga's been disturbed for the past few days! (Sesshomaru glances at Tenseiga) Interesting... It appears your heart now possesses what it had been lacking all this time!
What do you mean by "lacking?!" Lord Sesshomaru's heart is flawless!
That's right! He's strong and kind-
(glares at her) He's never been kind to me!
Oh, please don't cry, Master Jaken.
Tenseiga has reacted, to the change in your heart. (Sesshomaru scoffs and turns away) A heart that has felt rage and sorrow, not just for yourself... but for another being. Now, you must hand over Tenseiga.
The time has come to re-forge Tenseiga- to use as a weapon.
(thinking)... Re-forge Tenseiga?
Forgive me. I mustn't be very good company.
(glances at her) Sango...
You don't have to stay with me, go have fun. Just- as long as it's not with another woman.
Listen, we'll get through this together. I'm staying here with you- I can't even fathom leaving you alone to go indulge myself.
(smiles) You're so kind- my good monk.
Oh, I thought maybe you were Shippo in disguise, but- it's really you. (smiles and leans against his shoulder) I'm glad.
(walking up behind them with Kaede, outraged) I don't believe it- she doesn't trust me?!
No, no, 'tis the monk she does not trust, Shippo.
Perhaps, but that's not what's troubling Sango. While their objectives may differ, we know that both Naraku and Midoriko are attempting to complete the Shikon Jewel. According to Inuyasha:
(flashback) When Naraku obtains the completed Shikon Jewel, it will instantly be defiled by his touch. In that instant, we must purify Naraku- along with the Jewel. He cannot be defeated with a sword.
That is what Kikyo said to Inuyasha.
I see. But, of course, in order to complete the Shikon Jewel, Kohaku's life would have to be sacrificed.
(looks away, sadly) And that's also what Kohaku wants.
And... what of you, Sango? Is it also your wish that Kohaku be sacrificed?
(shakes her head) I don't know.
Ye do not wish him dead- 'tis written all over your face, my child.
It may be a little early, yet, to give up on your brother.
Indeed, it is. If Naraku seeks to complete the Shikon Jewel, then we must simply find a way to defeat him before that happens. Am I right?
Sango, regardless of what we decide to do, we must remain united. If you want him to live, say so.
HGrandpa Higurashi
This will guarantee that you pass all your exams! (holds up a Shikon Jewel keychain) The Shikon Jewel will grant any wish! Long, long ago, the Priestess and the demons engaged in a ferocious battle over this very Jewel...
(rolls her eyes, thinking) Yeah, I've definitely had enough of that stuff!
HGrandpa Higurashi
It is said, that in the end, when the person who obtains the Shikon Jewel makes the one and only correct wish-
HGrandpa Higurashi
-The Jewel will be purified, and disappear from this world forever!
(suddenly interested) What is it? The one and only correct wish?
HGrandpa Higurashi
Well, they never told me that.
Hmm- I've never heard of it.
HGrandpa Higurashi
(defensively) Well, you never listen to the end of the story!
But, Grandpa- that story has absolutely nothing to do with my exams!
HGrandpa Higurashi
(guiltily) Er- I wouldn't say nothing-
SHSota Higurashi
Sure didn't seem like it did.
Umm... I just got this thing. (shows the other Kitsune his ranking card)
1K1st Kitsune
That's impossible! How'd you reach twenty-fifth rank on your first exam?!
2K2nd Kitsune
I can't believe you just went up five ranks!
(confused) Five ranks is good?
3K3rd Kitsune
Number 77, who are you, anyway?!
Is it because I beat up Inuyasha? (thinking, gleefully) That must be it! Does that mean I'll advance in rank every time I beat up Inuyasha?!
1K1st Kitsune
Number 77 knows those guys! He shouldn't be allowed to get points for tricking them!
3K3rd Kitsune
Don't you feel bad, using your friends for points?
I do, I really really do! (grins wickedly, emitting a fiery aura) But the exam must come first!
2K2nd Kitsune
(amazed) That's cold-blooded.
3K3rd Kitsune
With a cutthroat attitude like that, Number 77 is goin' places!
(thinking) Now, let's see if it works, Sesshomaru. If it has truly accepted you, Tenseiga should guide your stroke.
It didn't cut him! He swung the sword, but there's not a mark on it!
(pointing) Master Jaken! What is that thing, behind the demon?!
He's opened a path to the Underworld.
W-wha-what just happened?!
Isn't it obvious? The demon's body was just taken to the Underworld.
A technique that cuts through to the Underworld...
It is possible, because Tenseiga is a sword that can connect this world with the Underworld. (flashback of Sesshomaru resurrecting Rin) That is why the master of Tenseiga is able to see creatures of the Underworld. Furthermore, he has the power to bring the dead back to this world by killing those very creatures.
(glances at her, thinking) Hmph. if only you knew!
Instead of doing battle by wounding his opponent, the master of Tenseiga cuts into the path to the Underworld, and sends his enemy there for eternity! (Sesshomaru stares at Tenseiga, then sheathes it) That is how it is used. And the name of the technique is: Meido Zangetsuha. (thinking) He mastered it in his first attempt. I must admit I'm impressed, spiteful brat though he may be. But, Tenseiga has spoken; it has accepted him, like it or not.
MMoryomaru
(speaking of Kagura) What does she do? She dies. And dies in vain, at that.
(as she dies) Now that I've seen you... one last time.
(thinking) I shall be the one to determine, if she died in vain. (aloud) I am ready for battle. I now wield the re-forged Tenseiga.
The demon-blade Dakki, huh?
C'mon, you must know something about it!
[examining the broken Dakki] Well, yes. I have heard of it. Take a look at this! [he hammers the broken tip; green lightning erupts from it, and it transforms into a dragon scale]
[hops onto Inuyasha's nose and sucks his blood] I've heard of this sword! The legendary Dakki- [Inuyasha squishes him]
This one is a failed attempt, hardly worthy of the name.
"A failed attempt?" That thing absorbed all of Tetsusaiga's demonic energy! [smugly] Naturally, it still wasn't enough to defeat me-
[sternly] If the blade had been successfully forged, you wouldn't be here!
Are you saying it's possible that there's a real one like this, somewhere?
Why would you ask such a thing?
Well, if Tetsusaiga had the ability to absorb demonic energy like that, then fighting Naraku and Morymaru would be easy-
Out of the question! To achieve that kind of power, you'd have to fight against Dakki! If you were to lose such a battle, and all of Tetsusaiga's demonic energy were to be absorbed, it'd be just a rusty blade, incapable of being returned to it's original form! Tell me, Inuyasha: is that a risk you're willing to take?
(kneels before her) I'm here because I want you to use my shard.
Is that so? I'm aware that you've been following me for quite some time. Do you understand what it will mean if I use your shard? Do you realize what will happen to you?
I understand. I'm willing to sacrifice my life.
Am I to believe, then, that you do not fear death?
Kikyo (thinking): His eyes show no fear. Not even the slightest hesitation.
(thinking) Is life so painful for you that you welcome death? It saddens me greatly to think that if we had met under different circumstances, my only instinct would have been to heal this child's broken soul and encourage him to live his life. But my duty now forbids me from doing that for him. Forgive me, Kohaku.
Come on, boy: out with it! What'd he do this time?
No, it's Tetsusaiga; it hurt Inuyasha! It tried to burn him! I've never seen anything like it!
Oh, hello again, Totosai.
Hmm. Here, let me have a look. (Inuyasha hands him Tetsusaiga, which he examines) I see it's now capable of absorbing demonic energy. So?
(headbutts him) So I'm asking you what the problem is, old man!
There is nothing wrong with Tetsusaiga! (returns the sword) If there's a problem, the problem is you, Inuyasha!
What're you talking about?
Listen carefully. Demonic energy is like a poison, of sorts. Originally, Tetsusaiga was forged from the fang of your father, who was a mighty demon. He had the capacity to absorb an infinite amount of demonic energy! However, you, who are half human, simply do not possess the power to restrain the demonic energy absorbed by your own sword! Now, then, show me your hands.
Huh! What, are you gonna read my fortune or something?
(thinking) Stubborn boy! This much damage, and you still refused to let go of the sword?!
The Dragon-Scaled Tetsusaiga grew hotter as it absorbed more demonic energy.
It was warning you of the danger you faced- a warning you would have been wise to heed!
(thinking) So, Tetsusaiga never wanted to hurt Inuyasha.
All right, what should I do?
Now that Tetsusaiga has become stronger, you too must become stronger to handle it!
It's going to take extensive training-
We don't have time for any of that, and you know it!
(deadpan) That is unfortunate, but it's your fault for ignoring my warning in the first place.
My fault?! I'm begging you for help, and that's all you can say?!
Well, if this is your idea of "begging", I'd hate to see what demanding looks like. Since you insist, go meet the Great Holy Demon Spirit!
He's the demon equivalent of a wise old hermit. If you want to master the Dragon-Scale Tetsusaiga, you have no choice but to go train under him.
HDHoly Demon Spirit
Thanks. The wind was picking up. So, you're Inuyasha are you? I shall train you well, my boy. At least, that's what I'd like to say, but...
HDHoly Demon Spirit
I can't. Please leave!
Bastard! (he grabs the Holy Demon Spirit and starts stretching him) Why not?! Tell me!
HDHoly Demon Spirit
Well, it happened last night. I was preparing for my evening meditation, when a demon attacked me from behind, and made off with all of my internal organs! That's how I ended up like this.
I see. In that case, let us help you! We just have to recover your internal organs, right?
No way! I didn't sign up for that!
HDHoly Demon Spirit
It's a very nice thought, but this isn't an opponent a half-demon and a bunch of humans can handle.
(sarcastically) Well, excuse me for only being a half-demon, Oh wise one.
You are not helping things!
This place is crawling with demons!
(draws Tetsusaiga and leaps) Huh! I'll cut every single one of 'em down!
HDHoly Demon Spirit
Somebody stop that fool!
HDHoly Demon Spirit
Isn't it obvious, boy? Those aren't demons, they're villagers.
HDHoly Demon Spirit
Their appearance has been altered by demonic magic. The demonic energy drifting in the air is from my missing organs!
I thought the demon took them.
HDHoly Demon Spirit
While it absorbs the energy, the demon can't move. It is likely still in the village somewhere.
So, it transformed the villagers' appearance to make them look like demons, in order to hide amongst them.
Your name is Koga, is it not? Have you also come here in pursuit of Moryomaru?
Yeah, I have. You, too, right?
Listen to me: Cease your pursuit of Moryomaru. (she notches an arrow in her bow and aims it at Koga)
Lady, I heard you were reckless, not stupid.
I have no intention of taking your life. I need only for you to give me the Sacred Jewel fragments in your legs.
(scoffs) All right! Now I'm sure you're insane.
You must have noticed by now. Those shards in your legs are being controlled by the will of another. I'm sure you experienced the sensation many times now, where your legs stopped moving in the face of an enemy.
Kagome told me about it. She said it's happening because of an ancient priestess named Midoriko.
And now I have joined her spirit with mine for the sake of defeating Naraku. In order to destroy him, the Shikon Jewel must be completed and purified as a whole. Every time your legs stop moving, it is because Midoriko is trying to give Naraku your shards. However, if you lose your shards in the midst of battle, you may very well lose your life as well.
Oh, I see! So you were just hoping I'd hand over my shards and run away, right?
I made a vow to bury Naraku. You have my word.
Don't give me that!! You listen to me!! You're not the only who's got a score to settle with Naraku!! He murdered dozens- no hundreds- of my fellow wolf-demon tribe members!! And still you expect me to run away just to save myself!!?
(Kikyo fires her sacred arrow, but Koga successfully jumps out of the way)
Guess you were aiming for my legs! Big mistake. Well, it's been interesting. But if I waste anytime here, I'll never catch up with Moryomaru. See ya, Kikyo! (runs off)
I tried to prevent an unnecessary sacrifice... but I failed.
MMoryomaru
I've been expecting you, Naraku.
So, Moryomaru- you long for my Shikon Jewel shards? (holds out the near-complete Jewel) I applaud your ambition.
MMoryomaru
Huh! At this point, the only advantage you have over me is the number of Shards you possess!
It's futile. I cannot be killed, no matter how many times you try. My heart is inside you, and I don't imagine you want any harm to come to it.
MMoryomaru
Perhaps, but that works both ways, doesn't it? For you cannot kill me either, so long as your heart remains inside my body.
(inside Moryomaru) That's right. Like it or not, our fates are connected, Naraku. If I die, you die.
Really? Before you go on, I should tell you that your betrayal comes as no surprise- in fact, I knew this would happen when I first released you from my body.
(shocked and angry) What?!
MMoryomaru
You knew this would happen?
Why would I allow my heart- my very life to exist outside my body in such a weak infantile form? Perhaps it is because I know you so well, and I could foresee you betraying me and attempting to overthrow me one day. And, just as I expected, to protect yourself you created a suit of armor in Moryomaru. (chuckles) Suit of armor? No... he's a genuine fortress! I must say, you've done an impressive job of fattening him up for me; I look forward to devouring him.
MMoryomaru
Hmph! You cannot talk your way out of this!
You really think you can defeat me? (reassembles his body) Let us find out, shall we? And, may the one who's left standing be vindicated!
