Thanks Starks.

Very eventful chapter. Kohaku is pretty amazing. I always thought he'd die, but now I'm actually dreading the thought more and more. Will he really have to sacrifice himself?

Sessho has to make an appearance next time. He has the perfect excuse to defend Kohaku: not only is he foiling Naraku's plans, but he'll be attacking Naraku directly — and defending Rin. It's all a letdown; I was hoping to see how Sessho would react to Kohaku alone being in trouble, since it would reveal how far he's come in feeling for humans. Still, I'll take whatever help I can get for Kohaku.  

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I liked Byakuya's entrance… He better put up a good fight to the death and not wuss out.  

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2615: Ditto, Byakuya has done too little for far too long, all the stalling had better be worth it.

Other than that, not much to say about this chapter, it's mostly just setup for next week, isn't it? Since when does Naraku just go flying around in the shape of an Uber-Smoke-Slug of Doom? Seriously, it just doesn't seem like his style. Although I guess he's been cooped up for so long he was bound to go a little overboard.

And lastly: Jaken + Daffy Duck Freak-out Eyeballs = hilarious.  

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Is anyone else surprised by Jaken's rare burst of bravery? If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time he's ever directly attacked Naraku. I never knew he or his Nintoujou could ever be useful.  

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Hahahaaa…!!! xD
The picture: Naraku is standing calmly while the purifying (?) flames try to eat him and he doesn't even shrug them off! xD Just thinking about how to get Kohaku's shard!!! :')
Sorry, it was just really funny^^"

This chapter was great, however, not much happened; I also think it's more like a filler to the next one(s). And the final battle scene… well, everybody's gathering now of the main characters who got to survive this long x)

But the last question that popped into my head: Where the hell is Sesshoumaru???
Ahem.
Anyway, I think he'll make his appearance soon – after all, he'd already started back, ne? :S

About Kohaku, well, after Sesshoumaru's Mom told him that without the shard even Tenseiga won't be able to save him, somehow I tired to accept his death in the end… however, I just can't help, but hope that there's maybe a way to save him which we don't seem to now… or, Sesshoumaru's Mom can always come back and save him like Rin, ne?^^"
(Okay, I was only joking xD)

The last/first page (the plus page), it was funny, I think, good job! And thanks for the quick update!

PS.: Sorry for all I haven't been able to post into the last chapter's comments, but by the time I get to do it, you wrote down my exact thoughts and I saw no point in it… then an arguing started and after only a night I came back there were plenty more comments which scared me a little bit^^"
Anway, just os you know now, I'm still alive… If somebody's interested…

Ahem.
Good chapter, really can't wait for the next one!^^   

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I can never get over how selfish Sesshy is… He leaves Kohaku, the trump card, vulnerable to attack as he pursues his own desires.

As much as Sesshy doesn't want to admit it, he has a vested interest in protecting the final shard and defeating Naraku.  

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(i'm kinda new here, forgive me)

how close do ya'll think we are to the end of the manga?  

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The way I see it… veeeeeery close…  

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I'd say about 10 or so more chapters for the final battle and stuff and then 5-10 chapter epilogue arc.

Rumiko could finish the manga this summer if she is diligent with the rest of the story.  

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2620: "But the last question that popped into my head: Where the hell is Sesshoumaru???"

He's over HERE, trying to steal MY bacon!

Down Fido! You don't want Keating bacon anyway. It's undercooked!

2617: I too was impressed by Jaken's actions. Go little guy-who-looks-like-Yoda-but-has-a-voice-like-Richard-Horvitz, go! It would be funny to watch Rin, Kohaku, and Jaken take out Naraku all by themselves and then see everyone else's jaws drop to the floor with the unlikeliness of it all, heh.

2613: I know, the thought of Kohaku dying was an uncomfortable one to me in the beginning, as I've mentioned before. I think I would really like to see him alive in the end.  

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I think more surprising than Jaken attacking Naraku was Jaken attacking Naraku in Kohaku's defense, after all, Jaken probably wouldn't find himself beheaded if Kohaku died on his watch. I guess Kohaku's officially a pack member now.

A thought occurred to me: Sessmom said the Tenseiga can't save Kohaku, but what about Tessaiga after it's reabsorbed Tenseiga? Might be a loophole, then again, might not be.

Arvael: Glad to have you back, we missed you last week. I always worry when people who post regularly suddenly stop, I'm one of those who tend to think the worst has happened.

Lys: Only the best bacon for Sesshoumaru, we're getting that boy some Nueske's. Mmmm… thick-sliced applewood smoked pepper bacon. And the thought of Rin doing some weird magical-girl transformation and taking out Naraku single handed is… madness. Brilliant madness.  

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Ack! Delete that apostrophe in the "its" above. I hate it when I make those little third-grade apostrophe errors.  

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2628: "Mmmm… thick-sliced applewood smoked pepper bacon."

Curse you…. Gods, that sounds absolutely delicious. Now I'm not going to be able to help stealing some of Sesshoumaru's prize for treating us as his personal psycologists. Bah, he deserves it anyway, for just coming over here to make fun of the poor college student who can only afford to eat crappy bacon at the local dining hall. *sniff* He taunted me and made me sad.

Yeah. I'm going to die at the hands of Sesshoumaru for taking his bacon. But he shouldn't make fun of the skinny little white girl because she grabs any food she can get her hands on!!! Fast-metabolism + only-three-daily-meals = Why am I always hungry???? I'm not BITTER!

Ahem.

So… Yeah, Rin kicking Naraku's lilly butt… mmmhmmm, brilliant. Yeah. I know I am insane. You don't have to tell me.

2625: I certainly hope you're right in your estimate Starks. I'd like to see this thing end somewhere around there for sure. Do you think the epilogue would contain a recent after-battle resolution of Kagome and Inuyasha's feelings for each other, or perhaps a little projection of events into the future?  

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2629

No, that's right. It's is a contraction of it has, so the apostrophe is necessary.

Possessives don't have them.

Ex. "The cat finally caught a mouse. It's been a long time since it's done its job."  

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Captain Grammar: Yeah, I realized that after the second post. What you see before you is an English major who's had to write four papers over the last three days; all the rules of English grammar have blended my brain into one big gooey contraction-confusing mush. At this point apostrophes and comma splices are the banes of my existence. I hate mid-terms.

Lys: You manage to get three meals a day? I'm jealous, half the time I only have enough cash for brekkers and maybe a bagel for dinner. That's right, I call it "brekkers". Mock if you will.  

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Only a few more chapters and the count reaches 500. Rumiko better have something good for the end!

The chapter disappointed me a tad because there was no Sesshoumaru, which I had expected, but it was cool how Kohaku could protect himself and Rin/Jaken came to the rescue.

I have one question though. Who's Byakuya?  

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ugh! i want this to go on… but.. i want to see the ending too! *dies*

(where's my sesshoumaru? ok. not mine.. don't start killing me^^)  

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Byakuya? Naraku's latter (and the only one still alive xD) incarnation.

PS.: I'm tired now can't think of answer, but I promise, I'll try tomorrow… I mean, replies for Mental_Butterfly, Lys…
Ah, but I finally know where's our Sesshoumaru… maybe with some Hungarian dish specialities I can make him coming here   

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Hehehe… Azula. If she wants to end the manga at 500, Rumiko will have to adopt the "kill 'em all" mindset that was made popular by Ideon

(look it up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Runaway_Ideon#.22Kill_.27Em_All.22)

  

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Looking at it Sessho, is definitely showing up next chapter to save Jaken and the kids. I think it might be too late though because the shard in Kohaku's back is already becoming corruptive again, and the only one who could protect the shard, Kagome, is caught up in a battle. The cliff-hanger is exciting but I agree that the next chapter should be off the chain!  

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@Starks: Oi, I didn't say she's going to END it at exactly 500. XD I just read somewhere that she plans for the manga to be at least 50 volumes, which would make 500 chapters some sort of mark – since it's obviously not going to be the last. xD;;

I hope she doesn't kill them all. T_T I can see -some- characters dying but… Gawd, if Sesshoumaru dies, I'll be very sad.  

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2633: …. Wow. I feel EXTREMELY lucky right now. This brings my self-esteem right up there. Still, if I tried out your diet for a week, my metabolism would likely kill me. *shivers* I think the only reason I DO manage to get three meals a day is because I have a dining plan with the college and the people who work there tend to think that I'm so skinny because I don't eat. How little they know….

What do you DO with your time to make it so scarce? If you don't mind my asking, of course.

2635: Heh, I think we have another candidate for joining the "Share Sesshoumaru" club we've got going on here….  

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Curses, scratch time and put in MONEY for the secon paragraph. I am so scatterbrained today, I can't even think straight….  

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Damn, Byakuya is sooo annoying! So are the constant Inu gang to the rescue scenes whenever Kohaku is in trouble. How is it they always happen to be close by? The next chapter looks promising and it looks like this manga is definitely going to be over 500 chapters. * smiles inwardly *  

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2644: "Damn, Byakuya is sooo annoying!"

Yes, but he is a friend to the rocks. That counts for something doesn't it?

As for my last comments, scratch the question altogether. It was an incredibly stupid one and I can't believe I asked it. The answer lies in the fact that a good portion of us are students….

Can anyone tell me where I left my brain? I seem to have lost it….  

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@Lys:
Ahaha there will be thousands of members in the "Share Sesshoumaru" club. XD He's like one of the most loved anime guys in the history of the last decade, perhaps. >_  

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–crap it didn't let me finish my paragraph. XD;

I used to like Sesshoumaru as much as you guys, but after reading loads of fanfiction about him, it sorta ruined him for me. Take this as a warning! =O Fanfiction can ruin good animanga characters sometimes. x3;  

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This chapter was good, but I feel like it's more of an introduction for the hopeful big bangs in the next chapters.

I'm thinking Byakuya is more of a decoy to delay them a bit while Naraku gets the shard, both in seeing his actions up until now and his words. I just don't think Byakuya has extremely significant power like what maybe.. Moryoumaru had (I know I spelled that wrong, forgive me xx)

Looking forward to the next chapter, at least~  

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Jaken clinging to Kohaku = XD!! He was a total fangirl in his youth.

I dunno about this "beginning of the end" business, usually Takahashi makes things more climatic and drawn-out (i.e 7 level dungeon before the boss stuff). I think this byakuya/naraku encounter + aftermath will resolve (some, not all) of Sesshomaru's issues and the sword stuff. It would be too much of a leap for everyone to suddenly change their feelings on those things in one battle. Thus I don't think this is the FINAL battle, but it's obvious we're only a few arcs or so from it. I think it'll end nearer 600 or so chapters.

Then again I could be totally wrong XD I don't mind that, let me tell you!

p.s. Am I the only one insanely jealous of Takahashi's roughly $4000 a page pay during the meidou chapters? Thos are some expensive 90% filled-in black circles. No wonder she made Sessh's HUGE. She WINS.  

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Lys: Yeah, I think our club will expand xD

Mental_Butterfly: I think I know what you mean… though the big reason for my grammar (in my native language) to be worsen is Word, however xD That software just doesn't know Hungarian grammar and doesn't creative to try to do it correctly xDD

About the manga: I don't know when it'd come to an end, but I'm sure, it's not so far away… I remember Starks (?) saying/writing that Takahashi Rumiko said she would like to end Inuyasha in 2007. And… it really seems like it… :/

PS.: Azula, I know what you mean about fanfics, some of them are truly a disappointment. But can also find really good ones! I love reading them, though xD And I love the looooong ones where all character development can be build up and seems closer to reality, then ones where the authors just hurry up things…
I remember once reading a… well, I think it was around 1,5 pages on Word? And the storyline was good, but… I got the feeling that the author didn't work so much on the writing itself and again, hurried things up… and I almost fell off my chair because of laughing so hard, 'cause… one minute, Sesshoumaru tried to kill the heroine and in the next one, he was like a 'love-struck puppy' xD You see, it ruined the whole story… T_T
But that was only one tough example. I do find every now and then very great fanfics^^ So I think you should try some… though it's hard to find good ones -or even ones- with my exceptations xD But you can do it   

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Here's something for you all to think about: If this story was placed in the feudal era and, following logic, the present day japan is not overun with demons I ask you this: where the hell did all the demons go to? hmmm? I think that perhaps there will be some sort of apocalyptic ending involving the jewel of four souls banishing (destroyinh) all demons…maybe sesshomaru will gather up all the demons and use his sword bane ability and wipe em all out.
Truthfully the only person that I can reasonably see living through this story and through it's conclusion would be Kagome. Call me pessimistic but Rumiko has been alluding to Mirokus death for far too long…he is probably going to get himself into a situation, like always, where he has a choice between his own life and sangos and company. Inuyasha has shown nothing to back that he can kill naraku…on the other hand his brother does with that black hole ability. Seeing as how Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are technically the sons of god I see no other outcome then the both of them, along with their respective groups, working together to take out naraku.
Sorry to be long winded but this is my first post and I had a lot to say :>  

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@Arvael:
Haha I remembered looking all over Fanfiction.net for good fanfics, but alas, I really couldn't find any. There were some with good plot but bad writing, and some with insanely good writing but insanely terrible/boring plot. XD Have you read "How did I fall in love with you?"? It's a really good fic, but hasn't been updated in a quite a while.

What? Rumiko got paid $4000 per page? O_O  

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Cool Chapter.

Sorry I'm late, I was watching this cool anime series called Blue Seed, these past few days, and it took all my interest. It was good, so I suggest it for anyone who likes action, touch of romance, and sci-fi.

Chapter-wise>>
The last battle is coming very soon. All the main characters are coming together. All we need is Koga, Sesshomaru, and maybe Totosai, and we'll have the whole gang!

Even though it looks like Kohaku's doomed, I think he's going to live somehow. I've come to beleive that stories like this do the opposite of what people expect. All the clues say, that he's going to die, but I think that firmly points to the fact that he's not.

Oh, and I think Sessho's going to come back very soon, if not the very next episode. He doesn't let Rin out of his hearing range very often. And I think she screamed around page 16 or 17, so you KNOW that Sessho's on his way.

Oh, and I agree with Naraku in the beginning. What DID Kohaku think Naraku wanted? To have cookies and tea?  

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Oh and on pg. 8, somebody better tell Naraku, "Umm…excuse me, but–YOU'RE HAIR'S ON FIRE!!!"  

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Azula: It's something along those lines. She's like the second/third richest woman in Japan (last time I checked at least, at one point she was the richest). Though I was only kidding about the drawing-huge-black-balls-to-make-money thing XD I very much doubt she's had the chance to enjoy her money due to her schedule!

Irene: XD!
Kohaku: A-Are you here for the shard?!
Naraku: (holding tea and cookies) What did you THINK I was here for!?  

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(Blue Seed is such an incredibly "meh"-tastic anime…)

Irene, you're right… Sesshy better be on his damn way.

As for Kohaku, his fate has been 98% clear since day one.  

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Kind of an off topic note and I don't know if you can do anything about it, but page 178 of volume 26 is missing in the archives for volumes 1-46.  

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Unfortunately Curious One, there may not be much I can do with regard to that…  

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>>2679

Well, Blue Seed is not a great, great anime, but I'd put it in the top 20.

The really great and powerful anime are only few and in between. I count FMA, Pretear, and Ceres among them. Inuyasha, DeathNote, and Naruto would be in the top 10. Blue Seed and maybe Gundam Seed would be in the top 20.  

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FMA is one of the best.  

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Definitely! I've never heard of Pretear or Ceres, but FMA, Inuyasha, Naruto, and Bleach have got to be somewhere in the top ten.  

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Not to be cast into oblivion but..

First of all I really liked FMA, it ranks 2nd behind Inuyasha for me but they Bastard-ized FMA after Ed and Al met "teacher". The series completely split from the manga and the plot was nothing like the original. I understand that adaptations are not perfect and there are episodes which had nothing to do with the manga; these are fillers and filler arcs (See bleach and naruto). The FMA ending was completely changed to make it seem better than it was. The producers started with an original story and shifted to something that would draw more people and fan base. This is thier job, to get more to watch and to have a good show but it is not the true form. I also understand that animes just all of a sudden end because the anime caught up to the manga (see inuyasha) but this will not the case in Fma. The producers knew from the start what they were going to do. Like i said before, i enjoyed fma but it should be pointed out what it really is. When doing an adaptation, they should either stick to the manga like inuyasha or create a fresh series like eureka seven. Again i enjoyed fma but the truth should come out.

…. Goes into a hole ready for the backlash wave..  

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Nothing to go into a hole about. Valid statement.  

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The spoiler preview should be out in a few hours… I'm psyched.  

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Not to be spammy but   

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..me too! Wow it cut off, must validate double-post…

I have no idea why above all else I'm hoping for more Jaken action XD  

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The spoiler preview hasn't been translated, but here's a part of it that I was able to translate myself (with great difficulty).

*drumroll*

Byakuya escapes. But not before Kagome, Miroku, and Inuyasha unloaded holy hell on him (Hama no Ya, Kazaana, Kaze no Kizu).

There is also gonna be blood spilled this week… Something about Kohaku using his kusarigama on his own neck.  

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Here's the full spoiler as translated by Patches…
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Inuyasha fires a Kaze no Kizu at the thorns that sprung up! Shouki comes out.
Inuyasha: "I'll break it up with Kaze no Kizu!"
Add one more. Miroku's Kazaana! Kagome attacks Byakuya with her bow. The second shot destroys the right wing of the paper crane.
Sango heads to where Kohaku is. Inuyasha attacks Byakuya. Byakuya disappears. Inuyasha's group also heads towards Kohaku.
Scene change to Kohaku and Rin. They're trying to escape while fighting off Naraku. They talk. Kohaku tells both of them to escape, much to the delight of Jaken and the charign of Rin.
Naraku's voice? Then he shows up. As a cloud of shouki above them?
Sango catches up to the cloud of shouki. Rin and the others are thrown from their mount due to the attacks. Kohaku gives Rin his gas mask. It seems that the corruption in his shard has become quite bad.
Rin berates Kohaku, but is shrugged off. Kohaku trembles.
Kohaku: "R… Run, Rin…"
Naraku appears. He appears to manipulate Kohaku. Kohaku presses his own weapon to his neck. Blood comes out.
Sango appears. Kirara bites Kohaku's arm that's holding his weapon. Sango confronts Naraku.
Sango: (Something is… coming out of Hiraikotsu…?!) To continue in the next issue.
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End spoilers  

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Thanks for the preview! ^^

…No Sesshoumaru? *cries*

It sounds like Kohaku miiight just die.  

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No Sesshoumaru? ~also cries~

But, seems there're someones who were right about Hiraikutsu, ne???^^"

Poor Kohaku… but I'm still hoping he'd survive somehow!!! ~even she doesn't believes it~  

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Kohaku's been in the manga for around 9 years now… We've all come to expect him to die.  

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Also, with regard to what is going to be coming out of the Hiraikotsu, I'm pretty sure it's gonna be the demons inside.  

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sango: You're going to try and take my demons!?
naraku: Is this whole state-the-obvious thing a family trait or something?  

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Sesshoumaru or no Sesshoumaru, it sounds like a decent chapter coming up. And it sounds like Sango finally gets to show off a little girl-power without Inuyasha and Miroku getting in the way.  

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Yea Sango's fearless, especially when it comes to protecting those she cares about. I really can't wait to read the chapter. But I still feel as if no matter what Sango may do, that Naraku will eventually get the shard in Kohaku's neck.  

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Poor Sango. I think that right now, Kohaku is more likely to die than to survive. Or maybe, the demons coming out of Hiraikotsu might grant him a new life or something – haha. *shot*  

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I think we've just about seen the end of this arc; Hiraikotsu demons will come out and overwhelm Naraku, and he'll escape. Minor charaters like Kouga have had "one time" shots at Naraku that have let them escape certain death — Kouga had that wolf spell, and apparently Sango's Hiraikotsu will be something similar.

Sort of cheap if you ask me.

The battle with Byakuya looks great, though.  

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KOHAKU! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! DON'T DIE!  

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Jeez, calm down. RT isn't stupid enough to kill him off just like that.  

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sorry TREN, who is RT??  

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…You're joking right?

It's Rumiko Takahashi.  

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I hope this won't become just another battle arc where Naraku and his kid get away again…

I love the KohakuxRin angle though, but why would RT make poor Kohaku Naraku's slave puppet again?! That's just cruel!

What will Sango do? Was the Bone Arc really not a filler after all? Did the Hiriakotsu really get an upgrade? And WHERE THE HECK IS SESSHOUMARU???!!!!
This guy's reason for living is about to come to some serious harm, and the guy is taking his ever lovin' time getting there?! It looks like Rin's going to have to give him a little sit down talk when he gets back, about who really gives the orders around here.

Well, I'm done ranting, and I'll wait for the next chapter. I'm going to go back to my newest anime: Code Geass.   

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I love Geass…

*Uses Geass on Rumiko*

"YOU WILL FINISH INUYASHA THIS YEAR!"  

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Something major needs to happen within the next few chapters. 500 is almost here.

Rumiko has made the plot far too circular in the past.  

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ZOMG! its tuesday.

where is chapter?  

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Mina, Starks doesn't usually updates in the morning… though, I always see on wednesday, thanks to my time zone^^"  

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Eeeer… I mean I always see it (the new chapter) on wednesday… argh… I'm tiredˇˇ" T_T I had a japanese test today o.O  

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>>2776
Yes, Lelouch! Command RT to hurry up! Also, have Sesshomaru come in sooner than later!

Yes, I love Code Geass. Lelouch is such an intresting character, and his alter ego, Zero, even though he looks like a futuristic vampire, is so cool!
I probably love this show, cause I love Gundam Seed which is a lot like Geass. Two childhood friends against each other in battle, in a tolitarian ruled Japan. One, the disowned son of the defeated Japanese prime minister, the other a banished Britannian prince. It's so cool…   

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I have a theory about Kohaku and the Jewel.

Remember way, way back in the series, when Kikyo said that if the jewel would be used for a good, nobel purpose, that it should dissapear? And, also, take note of how Kohaku relies on the fragment for life. My theory is that Inuyasha and Co. finally defeat Naraku, take the fragments, and instead of Inuyasha using the Jewel to become a full demon, they use it to save Kohaku's life, thereby solving forever the problem of the jewel, as well as returning Kohaku to Sango.

It'd make for a nice, happy ending.  

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>>2782

That would be a nice ending…  

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2782: Inuyasha doesn't want to be a full demon anymore…  

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Not trying to knock that idea but I think they're going to use the jewel to destroy Naraku.  

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