Inuyasha is still in the present, and this episode seems to pick up the day after the previous one ended. Kagome gives Inuyasha a baseball cap so he can go to town with her (still barefoot and wearing his robes). People start staring when he presses himself against the glass windows looking at various kinds of food, so Kagome takes him to the supermarket. On their way home they see Sota waiting buying flowers and then trying to talk to a little girl named Hitomi. After dinner Sota asks Inuyasha to talk to him about how to speak to women. Inuyasha gets frustrated, and then Kagome walks outside when Sota is telling him "he loves him" (they were role-playing). After Kagome finds out what is going on, she dresses Sota up (like Det. Conan) and gives him some flowers. Hitomi turns him down though, and Inuyasha tells him to be a man and impress her. He shows him how to tear a tree down with one hand, so Sota half-heartedly practices that a little. Inuyasha winds up throwing him down on the rock sidewalk outide the Higurashi house after becoming very frustrated with his "I can't do it" attitude. Sota winds up asking her out again as Kagome and Inuyasha spy from the bushes. Hitomi accepts and she and Sota hug as the sun sets. Inuyasha and Kagome blush as they watch, then stare at each other before things become uncomfortable for them. The next day, Kagome and Inuyasha gather some groceries and head back down the well.

Some villagers are throwing rocks at Kirara. Upon closer inspection it becomes clear that this little cat creature is not actually Kirara. A young girl named Koume calls for "Kuroro" and then tries to take Kirara who is wandering around with Shippo. A strange looking priest (played by Issei Futamata, I'm pretty sure) keeps commanding the villagers to attack Kirara and Kurara whenever they come across them. They even throw stones at Miroku when he gets in the way. Eventually the priest is revealed to be a rat demon who is trying to get rid of the cat-like Kirara and Kuroro. Koume and Shippo wind up trapped in a cave with Kuroro's kittens and Shippo has to dig their way out before they run out of air. Inuyasha arrives in time to save Shippo from the rat demon, and Miroku uses one of his sutras to reveal the demon is actually disguised as a rock (earlier Inuyasha had used the Tetsusaiga on him, but it seemed to have no effect since what they believed to be him was actually an illusion). With the demon destroyed peace is restored to the village.

 

Episode 126

Aired: 9/8/03
Shin no itami o yuuki ni kaeru
Changing Heartache into Courage
Miroku and Sango fight for their lives in the castle courtyard while inside the castle, Naraku's evil spawn enjoys the spectacle which forces Miroku and Sango to kill or be killed. Inuyasha's search for Kikyo proves futile: the priest lied -- he's found nothing. Shippo, meanwhile, is in a panic. Separated from Kirara, Shippo is lost, alone and scared. The youngster prepares to use 'acorn magic' to find his friends when he is rudely yanked upwards by his tail. His 'assailant' is none other than Inuyasha. Shippo tells Inuyasha about the abduction and the crisis at the castle and they race to the rescue. Inuyasha arrives in time to help Miroku and Sango subdue the bloodthirsty samurai and Miroku informs Inuyasha about Kagome's capture, Kagura, and Naraku's plot. Inuyasha thunders into the castle to save Kagome but only finds the bodies of the noblewoman and the priest. Kagome has vanished. Inuyasha sets out in pursuit, cursing himself for abandoning Kagome to such danger. Meanwhile, Kagura has taken Kagome and the infant to Naraku's latest hideout where Kanna meets them. Kanna has prepared a polluted Shikon jewel shard to insert into Kagome and, once the jewel is in place, Kagome will become another helpless minion of Naraku. But Kagome resists, yearning for Inuyasha, which gives the baby another chance to attack the weak spot in Kagome's spirit. He reminds Kagome how happy she was when she thought Kikyo was dead, and how miserable she was when learning her rival might still be alive. He tells Kagome she hates Kikyo and resents Inuyasha for his devotion to Kikyo. Confident Kagome has surrendered to the baby's spell; Kagura tries to insert the jewel again, but Kagome remains defiant. Struggling to speak Kagome admits she's unhappy about Inuyasha's commitment to Kikyo, but she doesn't hate them for their relationship. Overwhelmed by emotion, Kagome confesses her love for Inuyasha and breaks the spell just as Inuyasha breaks through the hideout wall. Exhausted and weak, Kagome faints, falling into Inuyasha arms. Furious, Inuyasha demands an explanation. The evil baby reveals the plot and Inuyasha is anguished to learn his loyalty to Kikyo was involved in Kagome's abduction and the cause of her suffering. Miroku, Sango and Shippo also arrive at the hideout. Shocked to see the baby, Miroku asks the baby if he's related to the lumps of flesh at Mt. Hakurei. Is he the vessel in which Naraku has hidden his human heart? But the baby tells Miroku the 'heart' is hidden elsewhere. Frustrated and angry, Inuyasha attacks the demonic trio with the Wind Scar, but the infant creates a barrier shielding himself and his 'sisters' and reflects the blast. The hideout is demolished in the explosive backlash. Everyone escapes, but as parting insult, the baby warns Inuyasha that Kagome will be vulnerable as long as he remains emotionally involved with Kikyo. Holding Kagome close, Inuyasha vows never to put her in danger again. The group returns to Kaede's village to recuperate. At Kikyo's new grave, Kaede and Inuyasha mourn the miko. Kaede reminisces that both Kikyo's lives were filled with suffering, but now she suffers no more ... and neither should Inuyasha. Later, when Kagome regains consciousness, she wakes to a very attentive Inuyasha by her side. As she recovers, Kagome and Inuyasha spend time together. Inuyasha apologizes to Kagome for running off to Kikyo, promising he'll never do it again. Kagome forgives him, but calls him a liar, and declares he?ll never change when it comes to his feelings for Kikyo. Kagome admits she's angry about the situation yet she rests her head against Inuyasha?s shoulder with a little smile. Gazing at Kagome, a tender smile crosses Inuyasha's face and he holds her close. For the moment, the couple enjoys a little peace.

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Episode 127

Aired: 9/15/03
Naisyacha dame! Kyobu no houshimono youkai
Don't Boil! The Horror of the Dried Demons
Naraku has vanished with most of the Shikon Jewel but the whereabouts of the last missing shard eludes him and everyone else. Taking advantage of the lull, Kagome returns home with a gift for the family: a package of 'hoshimono' (dried food) gathered back in the feudal era. Kagome settles back quickly into the comforts of home but she?s preoccupied with thoughts of Inuyasha. When she left him, he was acting too nice and it worries her. Her troubled thoughts evaporate when Kagome arrives at school the next morning. The school is in a turmoil preparing for a cultural festival. Kagome's three friends, Eri, Yuka & Ayumi, browbeat Kagome into joining their festival committees: chorus, refreshments and the class play. Kagome is quickly over-whelmed by her new commitments. On the other side of the well, Inuyasha and the others wonder why Naraku kidnapped Kagome, and conclude that he can't find the last missing shard without her help. In a dank swamp, Naraku visits Mimiseri, a demon with powerful hearing. Naraku orders Mimiseri to listen for information about the jewel shard and keep him advised. While Naraku enlists another ally, Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango dolefully ponder their own options. It's a depressing scenario: Naraku has most of the jewel, Koga has two shards, and then there is the jewel shard that keeps Kohaku alive. Sango is troubled by Kohaku's fate if Naraku gets the last shard, but Inuyasha reassures her they'll succeed. Inuyasha then notices Shippo munching on something strange. It also draws Sango's attention. Disgusted, Sango snatches the snack away from Shippo, telling him it's bad for him and eating it may make him sick. Back in Tokyo, festival preparations are in full swing when tragedy strikes: the soloist for the chorus gets sick and Kagome is recruited to take her part. The school play's leading lady injures herself and Kagome must take on her role. Last, but not least, Kagome's kitchen chores become challenging. Pushed to the brink by stress, Kagome hides out on school's roof where she bumps into Hojo. As they chat Hojo confesses his crush on Kagome, but his declaration falls on non-existent ears -- Kagome left, abandoning Hojo as usual. After her break, Kagome resumes her festival duties with new enthusiasm, even sharing her special hoshimono with the refreshment committee. Meanwhile, Inuyasha runs out of patience and goes to pick up Kagome. At the Higurashi house, Grandpa is finding the hoshimono tough to chew and decides to boil it to make it tender. As the hoshimono bubbles away a hideous steam demon is released. Grandpa continues to read his paper, blissfully unaware of the threat. Inuyasha arrives in the kitchen just as the creature is about to pounce, clobbering the vaporous ghoul. Peace is restored to the Higurashi home until Kagome arrives from school and finds Inuyasha waiting for her. They pick up the threads of their usual argument and Kagome is relieved, happy Inuyasha is back to normal. Waiting back at the well, Shippo prepares to snack on hoshimono he's hidden from Sango. He heats it when the hoshimono explodes into a demon. Sango rescues Shippo from being eaten by his own snack, and confiscates the remainder of the hoshimono. Shippo confesses he got the stuff from Kagome: it was part of the dried food she took home with her. Sango, Miroku and Shippo peer down the well, wondering if Inuyasha will encounter hoshimono-related problems. In Tokyo, the school festival begins. The food is cooked, rehearsals are finished and kids are in costume. In the Home Economics room, a lone pot boils over, splattering hot water on Kagome's package of hoshimono. As the festival events heat up, so do the demon sealed within the hoshimono!

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Episode 128

Aired: 10/13/03
Hoshimono youkai to gekitou bunkasai
The Dried Demons & the Fighting Cultural Festival
Kagome pushes her way through a schoolyard super-charged with the cultural festival's energy. In the Home Economics room inside the school, the energy is more sinister: splashes of hot water has caused the yokai hoshimono to grow into four demons - a Thistle, a Mushroom, a monster Watermelon and a titanic Fish! When Kagome and the kitchen crew enter the Home Ec room, the place is a shambles and the food they laboriously prepared devoured or destroyed. Kagome rallies the crew, and they mob a nearby convenience store, cleaning the place out of groceries. Re-supplied, the girls replace the menu at speed that would astound Martha Stewart. The damage controlled, Kagome sets off to her next task, curious about the cause of the kitchen disaster. Deep in thought, she doesn't notice the Mushroom yokai stalking her down the hall. It's ready to strike when its attack is thwarted by the arrival of Kagome's family and their guest: Inuyasha. Inuyasha annihilates the menacing Mushroom, but it's Kagome who poses the threat; unaware of the situation, she screams at Inuyasha for coming to the school. Inuyasha argues he's there to take care of her demon hoshimono. While the family grabs a snack, Inuyasha tells Kagome about the problem under calmer circumstances. He's eager to exterminate the creatures and the entire Higurashi family is united enthusiastically behind him, ready for battle. While Kagome conspires with Inuyasha to keep her family out of the yokai hunt, she spots Ayumi approaching. Kagome panics attempting to hide the extraordinary Inuyasha away from Ayumi. She flails in desperation, tackling Inuyasha and they fall to the floor in a heap. Despite the commotion, Ayumi is so focused on chorus performance she looks right at Inuyasha noticing nothing. Ayumi drags Kagome off to the performance, leaving a perplexed half-demon with a bumped head. On the way, Kagome realizes why Inuyasha went unnoticed - many students are wearing costumes for the festival. Relieved, Kagome's concern turns back to the Hoshimono demons. As the outdoor concert begins, Kagome spots the Thistle yokai approaching the audience. Kagome struggles whether to keep singing or fight the threatening Thistle. Inuyasha makes that decision easy; he attacks the creature, destroying it with remarkable discretion. After the concert, Kagome and Inuyasha try teaming up to search for the other demons but Kagome is unceremoniously dragged off again to the school play. Inuyasha finds himself alone and bewildered - again! The play proceeds normally until a scene between Hojo - costumed like the "4th" Musketeer - and Kagome, calls for them to embrace. The pair is suddenly upstaged by the flamboyant entrance of an irate Inuyasha, crashing down center stage through the ceiling. Hojo is stunned, but Kagome works Inuyasha into the scene. She's a little too successful in her effort: Hojo gets so caught up in the scene he challenges Inuyasha to a duel. Before Inuyasha can slice Hojo with Tetsusaiga, another fantastic character enters, bursting through the floor, center stage -- the yokai watermelon! Hojo resets his sights on clobbering the monstrous melon, and Kagome screams for Inuyasha for help. The mammoth melon is immediately blow to bits by the Kaze no Kizu. The monster destroyed, Kagome makes a spectacular exit, skyward, through the hole in the ceiling in the arms of her new ?hero?. The audience goes wild and Eri?s play receives a standing ovation. Finally free, Kagome and Inuyasha locate the last yokai, the huge fish, on the roof of the school. We next see the fish it's sliced up and garnished on a platter in the Home Econ room - a magnificent centerpiece for the cultural festival banquet. The festival over, Kagome and Inuyasha walk back home, planning their pursuit of the final Shikon shard. But Naraku is already putting his own plan into action. Thanks to Mimiseri, the demon with exceptional hearing, the last missing Shikon jewel shard has been located- it?s beyond the reach of the living, hidden in the yokai graveyard.

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Episode 129

Aired: 10/20/03
Inoshishi kyuu kaitoku to ryakudatsusareta hanayome
Super Kyukai and a Plundered Bride
A village trembles beneath a threatening sky while the village men stand poised for battle, armed with only humble farm tools. Inside a hut, a family cowers - a terrified mother and daughter huddle together inside a ring of salt: the father prepared to defend them against an unseen foe. A twister drops out of the clouds in front of the hut and, silhouetted within the maelstrom, are three demons. The largest creature demands his bride in a fearful voice that scatters the village men like chickens. Impatient for his 'bride', the large yokai blows the hut, and the parents, to bits. As the young woman cowers unharmed in the rubble, a golden diadem slips gently over head. The yokai calls for her to join him, and bewitched, she obeys, vanishing into the yokai's whirlwind. Switch to Kaede's house: the victimized village sent one of their young men to seek the aid of demon exterminators. Kiske, a handsome young villager, tells the Inuyasha and the team about the kidnappings and Inuyasha steps up to help and the team heads to Kiske's village. On the way, Kiske and the team detour to a cave where the young village women have hidden. A bevy of young ladies flock to greet Kiske's and their visitors, but the reunion is brief. The sky outside darkens ominously, the swirling clouds loaded with the evil energy announcing the arrival of the girl-grabbing yokai. Inuyasha charges out to meet the foe, Kagome by his side. The plan? Use Kagome as "bait bride" for an ambush. The yokai makes a spectacular, cyclonic entrance but, as twister clears, the true nature of the 'enemy' is revealed - it's a big, dorky boar yokai and his two minions - a grouchy monkey and a spastic kappa. The trio isn't up to Inuyasha or Miroku's expectations and their disappointment is clear. Insulted, the yokai extols his demonic power and magnificence, but his bravura leaves Miroku and Inuyasha baffled, bored and impatient to leave. However, the yokai means to claim his bride - Kagome - and he flings a diadem her way. Inuyasha tries to intercept the circlet, but winds up wearing it himself and he falls under the yokai's "love spell" with disturbing results. Miroku, Sango and Shippo tackle Inuyasha, removing the diadem before he embarrasses himself further. But in the confusion, the crown find's it's way to Miroku's head and he is enchanted, exhibiting another unsettling display of misplaced affection. Since Miroku isn't the yokai 's "type", the creature frees him from the circlet and it flies off again, finally hitting its female target - Kagome. The yokai claims his bewitched 'bride', Kagome, ordering his minions to attack Inuyasha. The confrontation ends badly for the kappa and monkey, so the boar yokai battles Inuyasha himself. The fight goes well until Inuyasha hears Kagome cheering for his opponent. The yokai uses the distraction to whisk Kagome away to his castle where she joins the other "brides" - a harem of stolen village women. Inuyasha is angry over Kagome's kidnapping but, as always, Miroku has a plan. His strategy involves a special ofuda -- prayer paper - and Shippo's fox magic. At the castle, the yokai celebrates his nuptials while Kagome pours sake for her "groom". The party is interrupted by a feminine voice calling the yokai from the castle gate. The big galoot investigates to discover a pretty little redhead waiting at the gate, volunteering to be his bride. The eager yokai happily inspects the flirtatious new comer; a foxy tail pops out beneath the girl's clothing. Shippo's disguise diverts the yokai's attention long enough for Inuyasha to find Kagome and free her from the crown's spell. Happy she's back to normal, Inuyasha gives Kagome her bow, arrows and the ofuda, telling her about Miroku's plan. In the courtyard, the outraged yokai attacks Sango and Miroku, so Inuyasha leaves Kagome to her archery task and joins the fight, challenging the yokai to individual combat. The boar yokai is ready to rush Inuyasha when it senses the kai - spirit power - of the ofuda and, looking up at the castle balcony, spots Kagome aiming an arrow wrapped in the ofuda, at him. The yokai dances around in panic, but his antics don't help: Kagome shoots him square in the backside with the special arrow and the yokai evaporates! Freed from the enchantment, the team reunites the stolen women with their favorite fellow - Kiske - much to Miroku's disappointment.

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Episode 130

Aired: 10/27/03
Haero Shippo ougi kokoro no kizu
Roar, Shippo! Arcanum ?Wound of the Heart'
Moonbeam lights the way as five small feline yokai trudge thru a dense, dark forest. Stopping to a rest, the creatures are startled by a fierce demon, bounding into their path. The cats cower, but the demon isn?t after them: it?s being chased. As the creature curses its pursuer, the words ?Kaze no Kizu? ring out followed by a blast of white-hot energy. The big yokai is vaporized and the frightened cats are awestruck! They watch as Shippo dashes into the blast zone to make sure the yokai is gone, listen to him declare victory, and decide Shippo is the hero they seek for disposing of their demon problem. Later, Inuyasha and the team are negotiating a demon-slaying job with a landowner. While Miroku does his sales pitch for the landlord and Inuyasha impatiently lounges around, Kagome and Sango watch as Shippo flirts with the landlord?s youngest daughter, Mezuki. The children have taken a liking to each other. Miroku seals the deal with the landlord and he; Kagome and Sango set off to search for the troublesome yokai, leaving Shippo and Inuyasha to safeguard the landlord?s home. Shippo announces he?s taking off for a little while too, and goes to pick flowers for Mezuki. His romantic revels are interrupted by the arrival of the cats. They state their business -- they need Shippo and his team to help eliminate a yokai that has been threatening them. Caught up in the excitement, Shippo agrees to help them without realizing the consequences. The cats ask for a demonstration of his amazing powers, so Shippo performs his kitsune magic attacks. The curious cats are aren?t impressed and ask for his ?Kaze no Kizu? attack they saw in the woods. Shippo realizes he?s in deep trouble. Dashing back to the landlord?s house, Shippo rousts Inuyasha from a nap, grabs the Tetsusaiga and starts flailing it around. When Shippo asks Inuyasha why he can?t reproduce the Kaze no Kizu, Inuyasha tells him he doesn?t have the right stuff to make the katanna work. Reclaiming the Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha demonstrates. His demonstration flattens the landlord?s front gate and wall into a heap of smoking rubble. Shippo stomps off muttering about what an idiot Inuyasha is but his mood is lightened by an encounter with Mezuki. Shippo gives her the flowers he picked and no sooner does she leave than the litter of cats arrive, placing Shippo on the hero hot seat! Without the Kaze no Kizu of his own, Shippo struggles to save face. His ?hero? task is made even harder when the group?s bully, a salamander yokai, shows up. The cats introduce Shippo as their champion and he unleashes a mushroom attack, which only gets all of them chased by the irate demon. Retreating a safe distance the cats insist on a better demonstration of Shippo?s power, selecting the unsuspecting Mezuki as victim. Mezuki is happily picking flowers when she looks up at a huge pink ball looming over her making ?threatening? noises. (It?s Shippo and he?s very upset about this...) On top of the ?ball?, the cats appear and start pelting the hapless girl with acorns. Mezuki loses her balance and tumbles into the river. Shippo reverts back to himself going to Mezuki?s rescue, but it?s too late. Drenched, humiliated, and angry, Mezuki dumps Shippo and stamps off. While Shippo drowns in his anguish, the cats rejoice in his victory, that is, until the salamander yokai returns! The frightened cats turn to Shippo. Upset with losing Mezuki and angry about the yokai, Shippo reaches inside himself and draws out his true ?yokai? power and he charges the salamander, full throttle. He latches onto the offending lizard with his teeth and the cats jump to his aide. Together, they defeat the salamander. The grateful cats thank Shippo for defeating their nemesis and leave. Shippo?s hero face dissolves s into tears once they are out of site; he may have won against the demon, but he still lost Mezuki. While Shippo sobs, the ?defeated? salamander yokai slips away only to encounter Miroku. The monk wastes no time plastering an o?fuda on the creature?s head and the yokai shrinks back to normal. Happy to be rid of the pesky demon the landlord prepares a farewell feast for the team. The food is brought in by the landlord?s women folk, including Mezuki. Placing the table before Shippo, Mezuki demonstrates she?s in no mood for explanations. Amused, Inuyasha teases Shippo about his misfortune and discovers Shippo?s new yokai power, up close and painfully personal.

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Episode 131

Aired: 11/3/03
Kannon kakejiku noroi no wana
The Scroll Picture of Kannon: Cursing Traps
A procession of village women bears a strange burden through the dark of night. Their torch lit trek ends at a riverbank where they drop their cargo, releasing the large, wrapped bundle into the dark water below. Down stream, an elderly wanderer watches the bizarre ceremony and, as the parcel floats by, sees a flayed human corpse slip out of the wrapping. Hysterical, the old man flees for his life. Later, the old man spins his tale of horror to Inuyasha and the team, declaring the village women ?oni women.? Although Miroku can?t sense any demons in the area, nor can Kagome sense a Shikon shard, the team decides to investigate the suspicious occurrence. Meanwhile, a wandering samurai is led to the village of ?oni? women by a young woman he met by the river. The unfortunate samurai discovers village hospitality carries a heavy price when he is drugged and imprisoned in a small temple. Inside the temple a ravenous demon drags the warrior to a grisly death. The samurai's murder by the temple demon sends a ripple of evil out into countryside. Miroku feels it?s dark vibration and the team travels towards the women?s village to investigate. On the way, they rescue a young man named Shinosuke who is also on his way to the same village. Shinosuke tells a story of star-crossed lovers separated by war, death and disappearance. While he was fighting the war his betrothed, Wakana, vanished without a trace. He travels to the village of women to seek his precious Wakana. Thrilled by the idea of a ladies only village, Miroku eagerly volunteers the team to accompany Shinosuke on his journey, but villagers find the group first, and invite them back to their settlement. At the village, the headwoman tells Shinosuke the woman he seeks is not there. Shinosuke is heartbroken but determined to continue his search. Kagome is touched by Shinosuke?s commitment and Sango is jealous about his devotion. Miroku hears Sango?s comment and walks away with a sigh. Inuyasha follows him, trying to talk about the rumored evil presence, but he?s cut short when he catches Miroku with his arms around a village girl. Although Inuyasha isn?t sensing anything, he definitely senses Sango?s anger when he?s caught between the angry demon slayter and the philandering monk! A timely invitation to stay from the village headwoman saves Miroku from Sango?s wrath. Miroku is delighted by their hospitality until he discovers the village accommodations are separate sleeping quarters for the men and women. Shinosuke and Miroku sigh over their disappointments aggravating their roommates, Shippo and Inuyasha. Shippo tries encouraging Miroku?s relationship with Sango and almost succeeds until the village girl Miroku was flirting with passes by, again. Alone in the girl?s dorm, Kagome prods Sango about Miroku, too. It?s pretty obvious to Kagome something romantic must have happened between her friends, but Sango denies, blushes and polishes her Hiraikotsu blade harder and harder. Kagome tells Sango that Miroku really loves her. Just when Sango is about to believe Kagome?s intuition, Kirara mews, drawing Sango?s attention to a tear in the old shoji screen wall. Through the hole, Sango spots Miroku with the amorous village girl. The rest of the night is sleepless for Sango and Kagome - Kagome frets about her friend?s love life; Sango is disturbed by a strange procession of village women in the middle of the night. Sango dons her armor and follows them, alone. Residents of the men?s area are equally restless; Miroku is out, Shinosuke took a while to sleep, and Inuyasha is roused by the odd smell of something wet and living. Going outside to investigate, he encounters Kagome. She tells Inuyasha about Sango?s pursuit of the village women and pair goes to investigate. In the men?s lodge, a nocturnal visitor awakens Shinosuke - it?s his fianc饠Wakana. She?s living at the village after all, but this is no ordinary lover?s reunion, Wakana was dispatched by the ?temple demon?. Miroku?s new friend seems to have the same mission, seducing the miscreant Miroku into the temple of doom. Embracing her, Miroku notices the woman is possessed. His discovery comes too late as the demon of the temple scroll reveals it?s evil intention and attacks. It wants skin -- Miroku?s skin! Meanwhile, Sango follows the villagers to the river where they disappear. Out of the depths, the villagers rise from the water, dragging Sango under. Inuyasha and Kagome arrive too late to help Sango, but just in time to be attacked by the village women, rising out of the water to battle. Sango awakes to discover she is shackled to a cave wall and face-to-face with the village headwoman. The woman reaches into a subterranean pool, harvesting an egg-like object. Looming over the captive Sango, the headwoman forces the egg to her lips. Her intention; make Sango one of them.

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Episode 132

Aired: 11/10/03
Miroku houshi no motto mo kiken kokuhaku
Miroku's Dangerous Confession
Miroku is seduced into a lethal trap! The village girl was bait to lure the womanizing monk into the clutches of the flesh-hungry demon lurking in the Kannon temple. The demon reveals itself as the ayakashi (evil spirit) which once ruled the river valley. Long ago, a priest sealed it in the Kannon scroll and placed it in its temple prison. It waited a long time for resurrection and now, with the help of the village woman, it is almost whole. The creature lunges at Miroku, but he narrowly escapes with the village woman. The demon isn?t too disappointed: it spots new prey approaching - Wakana and Shinosuke. Miroku shouts a warning to Shinosuke, but Wakana saves Shinosuke from a horrible death, pushing him out of the demon?s grasp at the last second. Miroku tells the couple to run and attacks the ayakashi. The wounded demon flies away howling in agony. The fight continues as Miroku?s bewitched seductress tries stab him. Attempting to knock her out, Miroku punches the woman in the stomach and is shocked when the girl coughs up a salamander! With the creature gone, the ayakashi?s spell is broken. Miroku then punches Wakana in the stomach and she expels a similar creature. At the river?s edge Inuyasha defends against a hostile army of village women. The battle halts momentarily as an object streaks through the forest and splashes into the river. It?s the demonic temple scroll, and the army of women dive in after. In the depths, the scroll transforms, surfacing in the form of a monstrous, leprous, salamander. The creature is delighted to see Inuyasha waiting on the shore -- it seems that consuming the skin of a half-demon would complete it?s regeneration more quickly. Not eager to become salamander food, Inuyasha draws Tetsusaiga. But before he can attack, the spell-bound village women rise from the river, driving him back. The ayakashi hammers his mammoth tail onto the riverbank with crushing force, hurling Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo and the women away in the explosion. Miroku arrives in time to catch Kagome and Shippo, and directs Inuyasha to send the women his way. Miroku repeats his ?special exorcism? - a punch to the gut - and the demon spawn inside the women is regurgitated. Inuyasha continues his clash with the ayakashi. During battle, the creature reveals more about its nature; it is active because the jaki residue from Naraku caused it to awaken. As the battle escalates, another battalion of possessed women join the fight. Miroku calls for Sango?s help, but is informed Sango is missing in action. Inuyasha brings his fight with the ayakashi to an explosive, messy conclusion, but the village women continue their assault. Miroku?s demon expulsion task is interrupted by a soaking wet Kirara. The little demon weaves fretfully around Miroku?s feet, tugging at the hem of his robe and mewing anxiously. Realizing Kirara is trying to lead him to Sango, they dive into the river to find her. Sango finds them first! Under the ayakashi?s spell, Sango attacks Miroku mercilessly. Bloody and battered, Miroku summons his remaining strength to drive his fist into Sango?s midsection and exorcise the demon. Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo join a battle-fatigued Miroku and unconscious Sango, at the riverbank. Kagome explains Sango went off alone because she was angry with Miroku for fooling around with other women. Miroku grimly ponders the results of his actions as he holds Sango in his arms. The commotion over, Wakana and Shinosuke say farewell and leave for their village. Elsewhere, Sango and Miroku awkwardly apologize to each other. Sango feels awful for injuring Miroku, and Miroku feels guilty his lecherous behavior endangered Sango. (Their conversation is not completely private: Kagome, Shippo and Inuyasha eavesdrop.) Miroku confesses to Sango she?s very special to him, but he can?t make a commitment. Then Miroku explains when the battle with Naraku is over and his kazaana is gone, he wants her to live with him and have his children. Sango tearfully replies ?yes? to his proposal then asks Miroku a question of her own -- about cheating! Miroku replies with nervous silence ... The scene closes on Sango and Miroku sitting together -- her head resting on his shoulder.

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Episode 133 & 134

Aired: 11/24/03
Inuyasha Special: Sessho-maru o itoshita onna (Part 1) & (Part 2)
The Woman who Loved Shesshomaru (1), The Woman who Loved Shesshomaru (2)
A sunlit beach holds a strong attraction for young adults and Inuyasha and company are no exception. As the gang enjoys precious teen moments of sand, surf and fun, in a nearby village the red thread of fate unravels again. A young noblewoman named Sara lies dying. Her last act in the human world is to play her flute one final time. The eerie, mournful music catches the ears of both Kagome and Inuyasha as they pass by the dying girl?s house. Sara seems to sense their presence too, for some odd reason, but death grips her and she dies, murmuring about ?useless love?. Just as the team reaches the outskirts of the village, their interest is drawn back to town by a sudden, massive influx of jaki. Looking back, they see an evil miasma creeping around the house where they heard the flute music. Suddenly, the house explodes into flames. Rushing back to investigate, the villagers tell them about Sara and her sad fate. Later, when examining the burned out ruins, Kagome spies a familiar phenomenon: a perfect human outline on the charred floor where Sara had laid, dying. Elsewhere, Sessho-maru and his entourage make their way through a misty, rocky pass. Rin chatters happily to the morose and disinterested Jaken. Sessho-maru remains aloof amid the racket. The melancholy sound of a flute halts the group in their tracks. Out the mist, a woman materializes, walking towards them -- it?s the recently deceased Sara. She drops to her knees in front of Sessho-maru, greeting him with extreme deference. She tells him the story of her father, a warlord, and how she became infatuated with Sessho-maru after witnessing him annihilate her father?s warriors. Sara tells him it was her dream to see him again, and how she wants be in his favor. Sessho-maru is bemused, telling her to figure out a way to earn his interest. Sara agrees, passing by as an outraged Jaken blusters about her audacity. How dare a human confront his master with such nonsense! Sessho-maru informs Jaken that was no lady -- she was a demon. Back the beach, Inuyasha and the others discuss the strange events of the day. Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of a sea monster. They spot the creature streaking inland, bearing down on a female human sacrifice, bound to a stake on the shore. Miroku races to her rescue with great haste followed very closely by Sango and Kirara. When Miroku and Sango reach the woman, it?s Sara, who is the monster?s bait. As her rescuers prepare to fight the approaching creature, a weird light distracts Miroku. He looks back, horrified, shouting Sango?s name in despair... Lagging behind, Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo arrive and discover Miroku, Sango and Kirara are turned to stone. The sea monster attacks, giving Inuyasha little time to ponder his friends? predicament. Inuyasha makes quick work of the monster but is bewildered by the discovery his nemesis was merely one huge mass of seaweed. Sara is rescued, but Inuyasha and Kagome must now try to free Miroku, Sango, Kirara and the entire seaside village, from their curse of stone. A grateful Sara offers to help, and tells Inuyasha about a shrine in a cave on a nearby cliff. Inside the cave is a chamber that contains the remedy to the curse. Sara?s story strikes Shippo as suspicious, but he and the others follow Sara up the cliff-side to the shrine. Inside the cave is the chamber Sara described, sealed with a great stone. Inuyasha?s attempt to move the stone is futile until Sara directs him to insert the Tetsusaiga in a slot carved into the stone seal. As the stone finally moves, Sara smiles wickedly. Shippo notices, whispering his suspicions to Kagome, who agrees that something is fishy, but their warning comes too late for Inuyasha. A powerful blast flings Inuyasha backward, and the cave collapses burying both Sara and Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha barely gets Kagome and Shippo to safety atop the cliff when the ground under their feet starts to crumble. The demon Sara bursts through the ground, riding a gigantic carrion crow. She carries Tetsusaiga victoriously. Enjoying her success, Sara remembers when she spied Sessho-maru in the forest while he recovered from losing his arm to Inuyasha. In his delirium, Sessho-maru called out his brother?s name, cursing him for taking Tetsusaiga. This memory inspired Sara to steal the katana from Inuyasha, present it to Sessho-maru and win his affection. Bad timing places Sessho-maru at the cliff following Sara?s theft of Tetsusaiga. His brother present, Inuyasha believes this is another attempt to take Tetsusaiga and he angrily attacks Sessho-maru. Sara hovers above with the katana, watching. After repelling Inuyasha, Sessho-maru makes it clear he had nothing to do with Sara?s plot. Although Sara tries to present him with Tetsusaiga, Sessho-maru refuses the weapon, making it clear he doesn?t want the Tetsusaiga from her under the circumstances and leaves. Inuyasha charges Sara, attempting to reclaim Tetsusaiga, but she attacks, hitting him with her petrifying stone spell. Quick reaction from Kagome saves him - her Miko arrows destroy and purify the spell, reversing its effect on Inuyasha, but Sara manages to escape. Inuyasha pursues her, while Kagome returns to the village to free her friends and the villagers from an eternity as statuary. Meanwhile, Sessho-maru arrives back at the woods where he sought refuge to recover after his first tangle with Tetsusaiga. He recalls the fight with Inuyasha within their father?s tomb and how afterwards, escaping to the same forest, he lashed out in pain and anger at Sara?s father?s samurai. His solitary brooding is interrupted when Sara joins him, still carrying Tetsusaiga. She tells Sessho-maru how she encountered him in the forest while he was wounded and delirious, how she learned about Tetsusaiga and his desire to possess the katana. She continues, telling Sessho-maru about how she tried to stop her warlord father from exacting revenge on him and how her father cruelly beat her for interfering with his vengeance. Her father?s attempted retaliation on Sessho-maru turned her against him and Sara declares how satisfied she felt when Sessho-maru defeated her father. Sara confesses her devotion to Sessho-maru and how, when she was dying, she allowed herself to be consumed by demons to become youkai and more worthy of his attention. As Sara presses the Tetsusaiga upon Sessho-maru again as the proof of her love, Inuyasha arrives ready to reclaim his blade. Sara isn?t giving up Tetsusaiga easily and attacks him again, sending forth hideous, snake-like demons to bind and restrain Inuyasha. In a startling turn of events, Sessho-maru blocks further attacks upon his younger brother. It seems Sessho-maru wants to keep their conflict exclusively a family matter! Sara is shocked as Sessho-maru attacks her, releasing the true demon Sara has become. Kagome and the others arrive at the strange battlefield, free Inuyasha and join the fight against Sara. The human part of Sara implores Sessho-maru one last time to be with her, but Sessho-maru isn?t interested. Kagome?s arrow hits Sara, blowing a hole through her torso. Sessho-maru strikes with Tokijin, and severs the appendage holding Tetsusaiga. Masses of youkai continue to fly relentlessly from Sara?s demon body, inundating the fighters. Spotting the freed Tetsusaiga, Sessho-maru grabs the sword and swings. It?s energy barrier sizzles viciously in his hand, painfully scorching Sessho-maru as he hacks at the huge tide of demons surging at him. The creatures are driven back temporarily. Unable to hold onto the katana any longer, Sessho-maru is forced to drop Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha takes back his weapon and successfully dispatches the deluge of demons. Demonic Sara is vaporized but the human part of Sara still lingers, dying and dissolving into dust at Sessho-maru?s feet. She melts away calling his name until noting is left but her flute. Sessho-maru stabs the instrument into the pile of dust and enigmatically walks away. Baffled, Inuyasha and the others make no effort to stop him. Sessho-maru rejoins Rin and Jaken -- it appears he already has all the ?affection? he needs from his peculiar, but devoted, traveling companions.