Vanishing Point: Nakaru Disappears

After a brief recap of prior events, the episode takes us back to Sesshomaru facing Naraku's hideous spider-like form. Naraku becomes aware that Inuyasha has broken through his barrier and speeds up his plan to swallow up Sesshomaru. Jaken looks on horrified as his master disappears under the pulsating blue limbs of Naraku. Just as he attempts to absorb Sesshomaru's full demon powers, Inuyasha arrives. The young hanyou uses his Kaze no Kizu. The force breaks through Naraku's feeble barrier and shreds a good portion of the evil man/demon's body. The two continue to battle while Kagura watches from above.

Naraku tries to absorb Inuyasha, but the hanyou is able to escape and attack once again. This time Naraku's flesh protected Sesshomaru from the power of the Kaze no Kizu allowing the full dog demon to break free. Both brothers continue to fight Naraku until the evil demon's body was so badly destroyed that he must leave. Sesshomaru becomes angry at his departure, but Naraku just sneers saying,"you should be more worried about your young companion."

Inside the cabin, Kohaku's eyes glaze over as Naraku's hypnotizing shard instructs him to kill young Rin. Outside, Sango, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo are fighting demons. Amidst the chaos, Kagome notices Kohaku escaping with Rin. Inuyasha arrives just in time to save Kagome from a demon attack. They pursue Kohaku fearing Sesshomaru may find him first and kill the manipulated boy.

Deep in the forest, Kohaku is about to finish off Rin when Sesshomaru appears. The boy faces Sesshomaru....ready to attack. Inuyasha arrives and slugs the boy while Kagome cares for Rin. Kohaku gets to his feet and throws his sickle-type weapon at Sesshomaru. Inuyasha strikes it away, while his brother grabs Kohaku. Sesshomaru lifts the boy up by his neck and notices that the child feels neither fear nor pain. Both Kagome and Inuyasha practically beg for the boy's life to be spared. In a surprising act of what appears to be compassion, Sesshomaru drops Kohaku. The boy flees with Kagura. Kagome thanks Sesshomaru, but the dog demon feigns if off saying he just didn't want to give in to Naraku's whims. He turns to leave and Rin happily follows.

The next morning Inuyasha and Kagome tell Sango what transpired with Kohaku. Meanwhile, Kikyo observes the deserted grounds that were once Naraku's castle. She knows he has found a new hiding place, but this time, she cannot sense his presence. "What was behind this?" she wonders.

Gap Between the Ages

Continuing from last episode, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango are surveying Naraku's deserted Castle. Inuyasha is furious that Naraku has once again escaped. Meanwhile, Kagome has returned to present day and is attending class. A sick feeling overwhelms her when the instructor announces a test.

After school Kagome meets with her friends and asks if she can borrow their notes. Unfortunately, they all have tests too. "No problem," they thought, "we can just make copies." Too bad every possible copy machine was either out-of-order or too busy.

Back in the Feudal Era, Inuyasha grows impatient waiting for Kagome. Miroku and Sango try to reason with the hanyou saying now is a good time to take some rest, but Inuyasha isn't buying it. Not far off, Kikyo can tell that Naraku is still hiding in the shadows, while at the same time in the skies above, Kagura is warning Kohaku not to betray Naraku or he won't live very long. (When evening falls, there's a really cute scene where Miroku tries to cheer Sango up.)

That night Kagome is trying to study, but it just doesn't make any sense. She ends up calling her friend for help, but after two hours on the phone...she hangs up wondering why she called in the first place (duh)?!? The next morning, Kagome is in a bad mood because she accomplished nothing the night before. Imagine her shock when she finds Inuyasha had come to get her. She specifically tells him to stay in the house, and she will return in the evening. Unfortunately, in her haste, Kagome forgot her lunch. Mrs. Higurashi asks if Inuyasha can deliver it.

On his way to Kagome's school, Inuyasha stops a thief, as well as, rescues a small child from a burning building. All the while he is thinking, "Kagome's world is pretty dangerous, too." When Inuyasha finally makes it to Kagome's school, he perches himself right outside her classroom window. Kagome is startled to see him. Another student sees the girl looking out the window, and just as he turns his head to see what is there, Kagome screams "SIT!!!!" (hilarious scene).

After a brief commercial, Kagome and Inuyasha are seen talking on the roof of the school. Inuyasha hands the girl her lunch explaining he was told to deliver it. She offers to share it with him only to find that he has already eaten over half of it.

When classes end, Kagome decides that it's best to study in the library. There she runs into Hojo. He hands her a notebook of medicines and leaves. Suddenly, Kagome realizes she could have gotten the notes from Hojo and races after him. Too bad he rides away on his bike before Kagome can ask for the notes. (This is the scene where you'll realize Hojo is a bit strange.)

A disheartened Kagome arrives home to find everyone watching the TV news. The newscaster is reporting how a boy in red clothing captured a thief and saved a child. Sota is impressed, and Kagome is stunned that Inuyasha did all this on his way to return her lunch.

Later that day, Kagome is trying her best to study, but there just seems to be one interruption after another. (You're gonna love Inuyasha and Sota's brief after-bath scene.) Finally, after hours and hours of studying Kagome turns to see that Inuyasha has fallen asleep on her bed. She decides to let him sleep for he has had a busy day.

The next day, Kagome can barely keep her eyes open during the test. Poor Kagome (-_-). She was very tired and grumpy when they returned to the Feudal Era.... Why?....because someone's been sleeping in my bed!!!

Note from Julie:This has got to be one of the funniest episodes I've seen so far. Don't miss it!

Female Wolf-Demon & the Lunar Rainbow Promise

After their brief break, Inuyasha and the others resume their search for Naraku and the shikon shards.

A large white wolf peers off the edge of a cliff. He nods instructions to a pretty young wolf-girl and her pack. Not long after, Koga is fighting off that same pack. When the wolf-girl appears before him, he asks who she is. Ginta and Hakkaku arrive in time to tell their leader that the girl is Ayame, Chourou's granddaughter. Koga is shocked when she declares she has returned from the mountain to be his bride. (Seems he had made a promise to her long ago.) When Koga doesn't come willingly, Ayame jumps on the limb where Koga is standing and grabs him. In the process, the limb breaks, and they both fall into the river. Once on dry land, Koga tells her his fiancé is Kagome, and he doesn't remember any promise. He departs leaving behind a bewildered Ayame.

Not too far away, Inuyasha and the others are having trouble finding Naraku or even sensing a shikon shard. "Maybe we should wait until Naraku comes to us," Miroku surmises.

Back by the river, Ayame recalls the day Koga made his promise. She thinks of her grandfather's territory getting destroyed and how much they need the power of the shikon shards. It was her grandfather who told her to find Koga and bring him back quickly.

A short distance away, Koga, Ginta, and Hakkaku survey the ruins that were once Naraku's castle. Koga is able to pick up only a little of the evil demon's scent. Since he can pick up Inuyasha's scent as well, the wolf demon decides to find Inuyasha to see what happened. Meanwhile, in the cellar of the broken down castle, pieces of hair and skin are merging together to form...?

Not long after Koga left, Ayame arrives at the deserted castle. She wonders what Koga's interest is in such a creepy place. Suddenly, the Earth vibrates and a huge demon with only long black hair and a large drooling, fanged mouth emerges from the ground. Ayame is able to protect her pack, and they all flee into the woods. She soon catches up with Ginta and Hakkaku. The two tell her of Naraku and what had happened while she was North.

Up ahead, Koga meets with Inuyasha and the others. He suavely asks Kagome how she's been....making Inuyasha extremely jealous. Then Koga asks what happened to Naraku. Inuyasha proudly tells how he was able to break through the barrier. However, Koga was furious that the dog face let Naraku get away. As the two are bantering, the huge hair monster emerges from the woods. The thing utters, "Gimme the shikon shards." Inuyasha grabs the creature by the hair and tosses it around. When it aims for Kagome, Koga sweeps the girl off her feet telling Inuyasha that he will take her to a safer place. Just then the monster breaks free and rolls down a ravine (Talk about a hair ball!). Inuyasha is sure it fell on purpose.

Koga is looking for a place to take refuge, when he is suddenly attacked by Ayame. She can't believe he is in love with a HUMAN girl! And Kagome can't believe Koga is telling everyone that she is his fiancé. Ayame angrily tries to attack Kagome, but Koga protects her. He asks Ayame, "When did I say I'd marry you?!"

Ayame began to explain: It happened during a full moon with a rainbow. Ayame was just a child when she got lost during her training. Unfortunately, she was near the Gokuraku bird nest (remember them). Right when she was about to be eaten, Koga came to the rescue. He carried her on his back and told her (among other things) when she comes down from the mountain, he would marry her.

Kagome can't believe Koga cannot remember such a poignant moment, and Ayame is in tears saying his words are what kept her going through all of her training. Poor Koga.....he just can't recall the event!

Will Koga get over his selective amnesia? We'll find out in the next exciting episode!

Koga's Bride-To-Be

Continuing from the last episode, Koga has rescued Kagome from the hair monster only to be confronted by Ayame.

While Koga sits pouting, Kagome talks with Ayame. The young wolf-girl explains why she came down from the mountain at this time. It seems that a strange evil energy came from the north mountain. Her grandfather thought it could be from an ogre. The smell of evil caused the Yourou tribes from the north, east, and west to fight. To settle the fighting, her grandfather asked that she look for a young person with power to get the allies back together.....in other words, a forced marriage to Koga. However, Ayame doesn't feel it is forced since he made the promise years ago. Their discussion comes to a halt when the hair monster appears.

Not far away, Inuyasha and the others are trying to catch up with Kagome and Koga when they are attacked by small clumps of hair that the monster left behind (Don't ya just hate split ends?). Miroku, Sango, and Shippo wrestle with them and tell Inuyasha to continue looking for Kagome.

Meanwhile, Koga and the girls are in an all-out battle with the hair demon. At one point, Ayame is captured by the monster, but Kagome comes to the rescue with one of her spiritual arrows. Just as another attack is eminent, Inuyasha arrives. Of course, he and Koga get into their usual arguments regarding WHO will protect Kagome and defeat this demon. However, it isn't long before it's the demon that has the upper hand. It was able to get Inuyasha, Koga, and Ayame tangled in his thick black hair. It chuckles ominously saying that he was released from Naraku and with the shikon shards, he can return to his true form. They realize then that this creature is not a clone of Naraku but just a useless part left behind. Before destroying the monster they want to find out more, but the monster merely says that Naraku has escaped to a location where no one can reach him. It doesn't know any more than that.

After learning absolutely nothing of Naraku's location Koga ventures to finish the monster off, but is suddenly pinned by one arm. Ayame comes to help using her Shyoubu flower (it can ward off some evil energy). Oh No! Kagome and the others are left horrified when the hair monster swallows both Koga and Ayame. However, it isn't long before bright flashes of light emit from the demon just before it explodes into thousands of pieces. Koga has used the strength of his legs and the shards to destroy the monster.

Ginta, and Hakkaku finally catch up. Koga gives them a part of the destroyed hair monster. They will use it to track Naraku's scent. Before leaving Koga grabs Kagome's hand promising to bring Naraku's head to her. Both Ayame and Inuyasha are angered by this. Kagome reminds Koga of his promise to Ayame. After thinking deeply, the memory returns to him, but he won't admit it. He turns to Ayame and says how it was a story told long ago. Ayame says she understands his desire to find Naraku, therefore, she and her grandfather will deal with the feuding tribes. But she insists that his wife can only be her so don't forget. Koga says his wife can only be one that can see the shikon shards. Ayame declares that she, too, will learn how to see the shikon shards...then departs. Koga then leaves quickly when Inuyasha mentions taking the shards from his legs.

That evening in separate locations, Koga and Ayame's thoughts become apparent. Koga is unsure of the future and wants Ayame to stop thinking of him, but Ayame will always think of him for he is the one who saved her. Meanwhile Inuyasha laments how he is unable to use his new powers now that Naraku has disappeared. Under a bright evening moon, Kagome says if they all work together, Naraku can be found.

Evil Within Demon's Head Castle

As with many episodes, Inuyasha and the others are continuing forward in their search for Naraku and the shikon shards. Suddenly, they sense an evil demon close by. Inuyasha races into a grassy field where he arrives just in time to save an elderly woman from a weasel type demon. However, this is no ordinary old woman. Seems she is a retired demon exterminator that was called upon to help due to an increase in demons in the area. She tells them the youkai (demons) have increased because of the "curse of the demon's severed head". She further explains by telling about the town of Demonhead that was built on the burial sites of demons. Now, for some reason, those demons are reviving. The old woman tells them to follow her to the town. They are reluctant until Miroku hears they will receive many rewards.

Inside Demonhead's castle a servant girl has made a fatal mistake. She saw the Lord of the castle transform into a demon....a vision that cost the poor girl her life.

When Inuyasha and the others arrive at the castle the next morning, they are told of the Lord's strange behavior. They notice how the area is reeking of an evil aura. The old woman, however, does not sense this aura, which leads Inuyasha to believe that she is a fake. Just then, they see the servants carrying a stretcher with the body of the maid slain the night before. Sadly, the Lord kills any maids or servants who may come near him. They are told the demon comes at night.

After the sun has set, our heroes wait patiently for the demon. Miroku whispers to Sango that they should finish this off quickly and get going. No sooner did he say that, when the beautiful princess shows up telling them to be careful for many have lost their lives. Sango steams watching Miroku professing his dedication even if it takes days. Suddenly...."DEMON", screams one of the servants. Everyone goes running, but Sango resolves to take care of this one herself. Unfortunately, her boomerang goes right through the demon's head. Inuyasha's Kaze no Kizu doesn't fare much better as the head is able to regenerate. Miroku realizes that weapons won't work and uses houriki (spiritual papers) to destroy the illusion.

Later over a meal, Miroku explains how this illusion was probably used to divert their eyes from the real demon. He expects it will show up again. They begin to suspect the Lord and secretly go to watch him. Miroku sees that this man is an ordinary human and the aura is NOT coming from him. Meanwhile, the old woman is using her holy purifying salts as a means of protection for Kagome, Sango, and Shippo. Inuyasha walks in and says it is fake. The old woman proceeds to chase him around while throwing the salts at him. Kagome get angry and orders him to "SIT."

A short time later Miroku is asked to accompany the princess after she hears from a servant her father may not be the demon. (Funny little scene here as Miroku, more or less, tells Sango to trust him.) Before he leaves, the old woman gives him a packet of the purifying salts. Using candlelight, the princess leads Miroku down many steps into a dark and deserted cavern. Seems demons had been buried here, but the seal was broken. Miroku looks down horrified to see the remains of many other priests and priestesses who failed to destroy the demon. He realizes then that the princess lured him down there to take his powers.

Back inside the castle, everyone is wondering what is taking Miroku so long. Inuyasha is being his usual crass self resulting in a "SIT". Through the still of the night, they hear loud yelling coming from the servants....the Lord is at it again! When Inuyasha and the others arrive, he transforms into a demon.

In the cavern, Miroku finds himself nearly paralyzed from the jaki (evil aura). Luckily, he has inserted some of his power into the salts from the old woman. He strikes the princess-demon (who has now shown her true self). She sneers at Miroku telling him he is doomed as no help will come for him. She has used a spell on the Lord so that Inuyasha will believe he is fighting a real demon.

Are Miroku's days numbered? How will he get out of this one? Charm will NOT work on this Demon. Till the next exciting episode.