INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT

The Mausoleum of Mount Azusa

Kikyo works to transfer the miasma from Miroku's body to her own for cleansing. At the same time, Naraku visits a cavern. After seeing the light from Kohaku's shard, he has figured out Kikyo's ultimate goal of purification. He now wants to regain the human heart he locked away at Mt. Hakurei to get back its negative feelings. Those feelings give the Shikon jewel its dark power. The heart takes the form of a black spider which wedges its way into Naraku's body. His next step....kill Kikyo.

It's late, and Miroku has awakened. Kikyo has done as much cleansing as possible and leaves with Kohaku following close behind.

The next morning, Kikyo finds herself trying to avoid the defiled webs of Naraku. Unfortunately, he is able to trick her by exposing an innocent child to his webs. Kikyo is able to put a barrier around Kohaku and leave him in a secluded cave so his shard will not become impure. She takes refuge in a small building trying to purify Naraku's spider webs. Kagome, too, can see the webs and leads everyone to the building. When Kikyo tries to prevent Inuyasha from entering, the miasma in her body spreads, and she collapses in his arms. Kagome is then pulled inside. In an unconscious state, Kagome sees a vision of Inuyasha and Kikyo 50 years ago. It is clear the love Kikyo had for the young half demon.

When Kagome awakens, she notices the wounds on Kikyo and wants to heal them. "My salvation requires using this bow," Kikyo says handing it to Kagome. Unfortunately, the string breaks when Kagome goes to touch it. Seems she has been contaminated as well. Kikyo tells her that if she uses the bowstring kept in the mausoleum on Mount Azusa, the bow will be restored. "However, you must truly desire to save me," she adds. Inuyasha stays behind with Kikyo while Koga and the others accompany Kagome to Mount Azusa.

Elsewhere, Byakuya has found Kohaku and attacked him with snakes carrying the venom of miasma. Sesshomaru arrives in time to save the boy.

Once they get to Mount Azusa, Kagome is the only one that is allowed to ascend the long stairway to the mausoleum. The Spirit Guardian appears before her in the form of Kikyo herself. Once given the bow, Kagome is put through the test to see if she truly wants to save Kikyo. Illusions of Kikyo and Inuyasha test her for negative feelings. When Kagome proves herself, the webs holding her and the illusion of Kikyo disappears. She finds herself free falling. "Use the bow to save the priestess." the Spirit Guardian tells her.

Naraku senses Kagome has freed herself from his webs. "I will go take Kikyo's life, as originally planned." he tells Byakuya.