Naraku's Barrier -- Kagura's Decision

It's evening as Sesshomaru and company wander through the forest. The moon is barely visible. Sesshomaru feels an odd presence and wonders why the demons are restless. Not too far away, Kagura notices many demons disappearing into Naraku's barrier.

When morning comes, a restless Koga is making his way to Naraku's castle. His poor, tired friends are having difficulty keeping up, but Koga is intent on getting to the castle and disposing of Naraku. (Flashback: Kagura killing members of his wolf tribe.)

Meanwhile Inuyasha is having trouble picking up Naraku's scent....that's when everyone realizes that tonight is a full moon (you know what that means). Just as the young hanyou is sniffing the ground, he is run over by Koga's tornadic speed. After giving a friendly greeting to Kagome and insults to Inuyasha, Koga tells the others about Naraku's barrier. He and Inuyasha get into a little confrontation while vying for Kagome's attention, but when his pack arrives, Koga leaves quickly to confront Naraku. Inuyasha is frustrated when the others remind him that he cannot fight Naraku in his human form.

Kagura wanders inside Naraku's castle where the skeletal remains of men line the halls. Seems the barrier's poison had killed them. Kanna suddenly appears behind Kagura. The young girl's mirror shows Koga approaching the castle. Kagura resolves to kill anyone with the Shikon shards even if she IS a tool of Naraku.

Outside the castle, Koga and his pack are attacked by Kagura and her sword wielding skeleton crew. Koga fights valiantly, but soon Kagura surrounds him in a tornado of skulls. His friends run to get help from Inuyasha and the others. They discover Inuyasha's secret ... (changes to human during a full moon).

Returning to the vicious Kagura....we find that Koga is able to escape the tornado of skulls from the top. Before he can even return a blow, Kagura counters with her skeletal troops as well as her wind attacks. OH NO! Koga's shards have been dislodged from his legs! Kagura picks up the shards triumphantly and turns her attention to Koga. Sango and Miroku arrive just in time to save the young wolf leader. The wind sorceress flies away just before Kagome and Inuyasha arrive on the scene. Kagome treats Koga's wounds while Inuyasha looks on angrily.

Kagura isn't sure whether to give the shards to Naraku or not, however, she knows he can destroy her any time. After seeing a vision of Sesshomaru, Kagura decides to make a deal with Inuyasha's brother. She will give him the shards if he agrees to kill Naraku, which would ultimately free her from his control.

Will Sesshomaru accept? Does Naraku suspect? What will Koga do without his shards...walk? Watch the next exciting episode!

Howling Wind of Betrayal

The episode begins with a recap of the events that lead Kagura up to a meeting with Sesshomaru. She will give him the shards (taken from Koga's legs) if he will kill Naraku thus freeing herself. Much to Kagura's dismay, Sesshomaru refuses....he is probably the only demon in this series that has absolutely no interest in the Shikon jewel. Kagura flies away but not before calling Sesshomaru a coward.

At the same time, Kagome is putting the finishing touches on Koga's bandages. Hanyou and wolf leader continue their bantering about strength and Kagome. Afterwards everyone follows the aura of the shards.....they notice that Kagura is heading away from Naraku's barrier. Not only that, but Naraku's scent is getting weaker....this could only mean that Naraku HIMSELF is a hanyou (he was created from man and youkai (demons) after all).

Returning to Naraku's castle, we see the evil man resting among demons in his cellar. Kanna appears before him displaying a mirrored image of the fleeing Kagura. Needless to say, he is not too happy.

The Inuyasha group continue to chase Kagura's scent. Koga runs ahead (Yep, his legs have healed that quickly....perks of being a full demon.). When Sango follows Koga on Kirara, Inuyasha wants to go as well, but Miroku knocks him out with his staff (perks of being a hanyou on a full moon...NOT!).

Koga catches up to Kagura determined to get his shards back. Kagura mocks him when she sees Sango is there to help. Koga insists that the demon hunter stay back even though he is using all of his strength just to dodge the wind attacks. Suddenly, Naraku's demons appear. Sango fights them off while Kagura watches and wonders if Naraku knows that she was going to betray him. This gave Koga the edge he needed to give the wind sorceress a good punch resulting in her dropping the shards. Unfortunately, before the wolf demon can grab them, Kagura counters with vicious tornadic winds.

Inuyasha (awake now) and the others arrive. The young hanyou insists Miroku not stop him and runs into the fray thinking...."Sango, Miroku, and Kagome are human and yet they fight....now it's my turn." He arrives just before Kagura is able to put the finishing blow to Koga. Inuyasha stands proudly before Kagura in his human form, however, the rising sun causes a quick transformation. Kagura soon realizes that Inuyasha becomes human during a full moon. She sends her tornadic winds towards the young hanyou, but now that he is in his demon form, Inuyasha uses his Kaze no Kizu to rip apart the tornados. Kagura, however, is saved from death by Naraku's youkai, whom took on the impact while she fled.

A victorious Inuyasha turns to Koga insisting Naraku is "His fight!" The hanyou's grin turns to a frown when he sees that Koga has retrieved the shards. Koga shouts that "Naraku is his enemy, too" just before taking off with lightning speed. Kagome stops him for just a minute to ask that he not tell anyone of Inuyasha's weakness, and it appears that he will not.

Meanwhile, Kagura has arrived back at Naraku's castle. She follows Kanna to the hidden dungeon and sees Naraku's hanyou form. He grabs her knowing she tried to betray him, but she begs him to give her another chance. Silently she wishes for Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's help to rid herself from this evil man.

Inuyasha and company continue on their quest while kidding the boy hanyou and talking of the trust that's been built between them. What new adventures await them.....watch and find out!!!

Shippo Recieves an Angry Challenge

Shippo is walking, deep in thought, when suddenly an arrow shoots through blackened clouds. Attached to the arrow is a paper announcing a challenge to a duel by Thunder Beast, Souten. Souten is the last survivor of the Thunder Beast family (Remember them when Shippo was first introduced?) Shippo is told to meet him at Laimei Valley or his friends will be killed. The others offer to help, but Shippo feels he must fight himself to avenge his father's death. The poor little fox is quite scared at what lies ahead of him.

At the Thunder Beast residence, a young Souten discusses the battle plan with his small dragon-like friend, Koryu. Souten knows Shippo's friends are too strong for him, thus he must settle for the little fox demon.

On the mountains, approaching the valley, the first part of the plan is carried out....separate Shippo from Inuyasha and the others using a huge falling boulder. The young fox is captured by Koryu, and taken back to Souten. Even though he is caged, Shippo is no longer as scared when learning it's another kid he'll be dealing with.

The next trap is set for Kirara.....make him drunk and unable to fly. Afterwards, Miroku and Sango are lured into another trap by a phony helpless maiden (Miroku's weakness). While Shippo and Souten continue to argue, Koryu is working on the next plan.....render Inuyasha useless by using Kagome's "SIT" command. Sorry, Koryu that's not going to work.

Meanwhile, the two young demons are bantering when Souten notices Shippo's crayons (brought from Kagome). Souten wants them bad and lets Shippo out of the cage with an agreement....winner of the fight gets the crayons.

Not too far away, Koryu is acting defiant to Inuyasha, which results in a punch to the head. Unbeknownst to Inuyasha, but three blows is all that's needed for the little dragon to transform to a cloud. Koryu (the cloud) begins to pelt Inuyasha and Kagome with lightning arrows. Unfortunately, the tetsusaiga doesn't seem to have any effect on a cloud, and they need to run for it. When Kagome falls and Inuyasha takes an arrow to save her, they learn that the arrows are fake. The hanyou gives Koryu three whacks so he will transform once again, and then demands the dragon takes them to Souten.

Souten and Shippo are sending cute attacks back and forth at one another until they are both exhausted. That's when Inuyasha and Kagome arrive and discover Souten is just a child. Kagome picks up the cute little demon-child and cuddles him. But wait! It's not a boy....it's a girl. After learning that, Shippo admits defeat and gives her the crayons (awww how kawaii!).

The team reunites once more, while Souten is left happily drawing a picture of....."Shippo".

Terror of the Faceless Man

Kagome is back in the present taking a difficult math test. It did not go well. A little while later, she is drowning her sorrows at Wacdnalds with her friends. When they ask Kagome about her badass boyfriend, she ends up on the defensive. (It becomes really funny when Koga and Miroku are brought into the conversation.)

Once back home, Kagome enjoys all the luxuries that present day has to offer....delicious food, a steaming bath, and a warm bed. (Don't get too use to it, Kagome...they're missing you back in the Feudal Era.) And speaking of the Feudal Era....an evening breeze brushes past Naraku and Kanna while they stand at the edge of a cliff. That's when Naraku's arm begins to transform into an ugly, veiny, purple blob (wha?) The evil man releases the blob into the depths below.

A short time later, the blob approaches a camping gang of thieves. They try to do away with it, but the blob changes into a naked, faceless man with incredible strength and Naraku's symbol on his back!

Through the forest, Inuyasha follows the scent of Naraku and human blood. They come across the slaughtered thieves, and are shocked to find that all of the men's faces have been carved out! (eewwww). This reeks of Naraku's dirty work.

By the riverside, the faceless man samples the faces he has acquired. None are to his liking. He is approached by the Monk, Masou. Masou tries to rid the world of this evil, but the Monk is easily defeated and de-faced. The man is faceless no more, and he likes what he sees.

Not long after, the once faceless man kills another villager, obtaining clothes and a sword. Afterwards he goes on a rampage...leaving a trail of robbery, destruction and murder at every town he enters. Unfortunately, what he steals isn't enough....he needs more of....something. That's when he spots Inuyasha's village. It reminds him of something.

Inuyasha and the others stop the man before he can attack the village. They are sickened by his murderous behavior. Naraku watches their meeting through Kanna's mirror. He chuckles realizing they have met the nastiest creation of himself.

Pissed at this guy's unremorseful attitude, Inuyasha draws the tetsusaiga, and the two go at it. The hanyou is able to destroy the man's arm, but Naraku's poisonous bees arrive, and miraculously form a new one. Then the man questions the village. He wants to destroy it, but seems to remember something. Our heroes attempt to stop him, but the man's arm has now become a powerful weapon. During the thick of battle, Kagome happily arrives. Inuyasha instructs her to run for it.

Memories begin to flood the man's mind. "You're the one," he exclaims and sends his shape-shifting tree-like limbs to grab Kagome. Inuyasha and the others are unable to stop him. As Kagome hovers above everyone, she wonders, "What's up with this guy?"

Another incarnation of Naraku's? Who is this guy, and why does he want Kagome? We'll find out in the next episode.

Onigumo's Memories Reawaken

Recalling the last episode, Naraku's monster is using the name Musou, and he's got a hold of Kagome. Inuyasha is finally able to get rid of this menace by using his "Kaze no Kizu", but everyone is wondering why he wanted Kagome so badly. Lady Kaede approaches the group questioning all the commotion.

Meanwhile, back at the village of the murdered priest (recall where Musou took his name), Kikyo is tending to many injured men. She is taken to see the young man who witnessed the murder. The youth tells everyone that the culprit had a spider symbol on his back. Kikyo knows this is Naraku's doing and wonders what he is planning.

At the same time, Naraku is watching Kikyo through Kanna's mirror. Angered at having Onigumo's weaknesses, Naraku approaches Kagura who has been shackled in his dungeon. He tells her to find Musou and then inform Inuyasha of his whereabouts. The scene cuts to a dark and barren area, where Musou has regenerated once again.

In Kaede's village, everyone is fearing for Kagome's safety. She is surprised when told to go home or into hiding. Before Kagome returns through the well, Lady Kaede mentions going to the cave. Kagome joins her. Unbeknownst to them, Musou arrived at that very cave just a little while before them. His memories are slowly returning.

Inuyasha and the others were retracing Musou's path and hoping it would lead to Naraku's palace. Kagura appears before them and tells them where Musou is. They all wonder if she can be trusted OR if she revealed Inuyasha's secret to Naraku.

Lying in Onigumo's very spot, Musou recalls his past. Lady Kaede and Kagome arrive at the cave. When Musou notices the women, he goes after Kagome knowing that she has somehow become Kikyo. Lady Kaede fires an arrow, but he merely brushes it away. Just as Musou's long branch-like arms are about to catch the young girl, Inuyasha arrives. The dog demon is furious that Kagome didn't return home when she had the chance. Then his attention turns to Musou (the demon spider), who is spewing out the events that happened 50 years ago. They realize this monster does not take orders from Naraku. He targets Inuyasha for death, and a battle ensues.

The scene cuts to Kikyo. Naraku emerges from the trees surrounded by his poisonous bees. He wants to test his strength and grabs the priestess by the throat. Kikyo mocks his futile attempt stating that he still carries the soul of the demon spider. After his hand shape shifts...then back...he leaves vowing to destroy her one day.

Back to the vicious battle between Inuyasha and Musou. This time the hanyou has used the "Kaze no Kizu" twice. Oh uh, Musou is shape-shifting again into what appears to be a scorpion type being. Kagome screams a warning, but Inuyasha is unable to dodge the demon spider's next attack. The young hanyou is pierced through his midsection and left hanging in front of Musou.

Is this the end for Inuyasha? (Feh! No way...there's still 97 episodes left...not to mention 3 more movies....(^_~)..) Try not to bite your nails waiting for the next exciting episode!!!