On the extra page…did Kagome call Inu Dude? Classic.

When the series ends, you should just redo the entire series with your own words.   

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Comic page was awesome.

I'm so over Sessho. Seriously, his act is so damn tired. "This trap has merit!!" No it doesn't; you're just a "fluffy" ball of angst who is quickly devolving into redundancy. I mean it: If Sessho doesn't lose his second sorry arm after this battle, I'll be pissed.

Realistically, though, Inu will overpower Sessho. And I think this will mark Sessho's grand departure from the manga, a la Kouga, since he'll be pretty useless (unless he decides to get angsty about Inu's fire rat outfit).  

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Thanks for the chapter, Starks.
I just can't guess what Sesshoumaru might be up to. Will nothing quench his quest for power, or assuage his massive ego/pride? Will he never grow up and see the bigger picture? I thought that Rin's (second) death brought him to his senses, and taught him the dangers of unbridled ruthlessness…but maybe not. Or perhaps this is a way of settling the issue of the swords once and for all. I am not happy with this Tessaiga-Tenseiga spinoff arc (It still seems very contrived and very much after the fact).

…prizes, yay!  

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Lol, the crack about the fire rat outfit was funny Shouki!  

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Rumiko is making a pathetic attempt at trying to resolve things. She's making things needlessly complicated and the whole manga is going downhill because of it.  

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Re: 3093

I love you, Shouki. I'll cut off Sesshoumaru's arm myself if it will make you happy.

Finally a forum where everyone isn't making excuses for Sesshoumaru's behavior and where people see that he brings some problems onto himself.

I like Sesshoumaru at times (especially after the Meidou arc), but I find it very hard to feel pity for him. In comparison, other characters have it worse, don't feel sorry for themselves, and are truly victims of outside manipulation. Kohaku and Miroku are two good examples, both being innocent kids minding their own business when Naraku's evil intentions (Miroku suffering for his grandfather's actions by getting the kazaana) turn their lives upside down.

You just might be right about Sesshoumaru's departure. As a poster elsewhere commented, the manga is named after Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru may just be a recurring character (like Kouga) who advanced the plot.

BTW, that fire rat outfit is quite fetching and would be a great color for Sesshoumaru. I could see why he'd get angsty over it.   

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I'll refrain from passing any judgement until I see what this merit is. I just think he's trying to find the answer for himself. But I also believe this is the time when Sess gets his Tensaiga absorbed and PROBABLY makes his exit. I just want this sword stuff done with so we can move onto more meaningful things.  

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Re: 3098

True, Sesshoumaru is not who allows himself to be manipulated so easily. Elsewhere people have theorized that Sessho is simply testing Inuyasha to see if he is worthy of receiving Tenseiga. Seems out of character for Sessho to be so generous, but who knows yet, and we all know that RT likes to make things seem one way when they really are another.

My question is (and I'll have to review the chapter because it's been awhile) what's the real threat in Inuyasha being challenged by a bit of Kanna's old mirror demon? Sure, it had the potential of taking all of Tessaiga's powers before, but Inuyasha defeated that problem long ago.  

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I think NP's right. We should at least see what Sesshoumaru is thinking before chopping limbs off. lol

One thing we have to remember about him is his thoughts are never completely clear. If it truly is out of malice then I'll be dissapointed in the guy. Chop away.

Did anyone else get a weird feeling with this chapter? Something seemed different.  

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I reread 3099 and felt I was a little unclear. I meant to say Inuyasha overcame the power of the mirror demon before, so why couldn't he do it again? (I realize that the little fragment could still have powers even though the full demon was destroyed.)  

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My, my, but we have some Sesshoumaru haters around here.
That panel with the merit business and Sessh's evil eye leads one to believe that villian Sessh is back, but I agree with Tiger in that RK likes to make things seem one way, and then surprise us.
Also, what Toutousai said about Sessh surpassing daddy was not said for no reason at all. I have a hard time believing that RK will send Fluffy away from the manga empty-handed, ass-kicked, and armless.

I'm a fan, so here's hoping.  

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Tiger

I believe that the mirror monster in Kanna's destruction chapters had the power to duplicate the powers of Tessaiga. That mirror shard Sess has now still has Tessaiga's powers in it.

Also I was one of the believers who did theorize that Sess could be seeing if Inuyasha is capable of wielding a Tessaiga that included Tensaiga's powers. He has every right to because he was the one who held possession of Tensaiga and understands the sword's nature better than anyone (besides maybe his daddy of course).

But I will remain neutral because I don't like to villanize a character's intentions. Like many have stated already, RT could be planning something big. I just hope she does this quickly because I'm sick of sword upgrades XD.  

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I think that this whole arc on Tessaiga and Tensaiga being the same sword was a half-baked idea thought of by RT at the last minute when she couldnt find another reason to drag this out even longer than it needs to be (seems to be a habit of hers). If you go back to the beginning, it seemed to imply that the Great Dog Demon gave totosai two seperate fangs in order to forge the two seperate swords. One sword with the power to kill and the other to heal, aka the swords of heaven and earth. It even looked like pieces of his fangs were missing from his skeleton at the gravesite. Their father gave the weaker Inuyasha his powerful offensive sword in order to help him survive, while giving Sessh the defensive tensaiga which make him invincible against the tessaiga so Inuyasha would be strong enough to defend himself but not kill his brother. Now if tensaiga was already apart of Tessaiga that means tessaiga originally had the healing powers of tensaiga so why does totosai talk of forging tensaiga to be able to save 100 lives as such a awe-striking concept if all he was really doing in breaking off tensaiga from tessaiga and not actually forging everything. And if the purpose of this breaking off was to allow Sesh to master the Meidou and then return the sword together, why not leave the original healing power with the Tessaiga instead of giving it to Sesh who seldomly used it? It seems as if the Great Dog Demon gave Sessh the sword in order to teach him compassion (remember it was Tensaiga that compelled him to save Rin's life) and even love (as the tensaiga was only ready to be reforged to attack after Sessh desire to avenge Kagura). So it seems like this whole two swords to balance out the qualities of the two sons made a whole lot of sense and seemed to fit very well – tessaiga makes inuyasha stronger to compensate for being half-human and tensaiga made Sessh compassionate to compensate for being full-demon- and then all of a sudden this Shishinki guy comes out of nowhere and talks all this bullshit which didnt fit the storyline up to that point at all. I just think that it was a spur of the moment decision in order to help make an ultimate sword and end the storyline, although it seems as if RT originally had another direction in mind (implications of the Dragon-Scaled Tessaiga's true form) but got bored. if anyone else agrees that this whole idea of the swords having to be reunited is a half-baked idea and that they were never really the same sword until RT randomly changed her mind, let me know.

P.S. Why did Sessh bother with Tokinji when he could have used his own fangs? If Sesh does "surpass his father" be giving inuyasha tensaiga, maybe then totosai will forge him a much more powerful sword using Sessh's own fangs. If Sessh becomes stronger than his dad, than his sword made from his own fang should be as well.  

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O yea and I forgot. If the true intention was for the Tessaiga to aquire the Meidou, then Inu's Dad would have been able to master it himself. But HE DIDNT!. Now if I was to indugle this whole halfbaked original one sword idea a little longer, the swords would not have been meant to be reunited bc Inu's Dad DISCARDED the Meidou as a worthless technique and had it reforged into tensaiga, which also had the healing ability. So why would he want this worthless technique, although now mastered (which he could have done himself) to be returned to tessaige ALONG with tensaiga? None of this just makes any sense. If I were to give RT the benefit of the doubt, maybe tessaiga is simply suppossed to acquire the Meidou from tensaiga by defeating it in battle, and not by having the swords merged together again? Still think that this last minute disclosure about the origins of tensaiga dont make any sense and that Shishinki was definately full of shit in what he was saying (it is obvious he was trying to antagonize Sesshomaru)  

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For your P.S., firstly, Toutousai refused several times to forge Sesshoumaru a sword. Secondly, I've been also thinking about why Sesshoumaru couldn't have used his own fang(s) for a new sword… I guess he didn't, because he wasn't sure if his fang can surpass (sp?^^") his father's own… But when he saw that Goshinki could break Tessaiga in half, it became a certain fact that a sword with that demon's fang would probably able to overpower Tessaiga. So I think that's why he forged Toukijin of and enemy's fang and didn't tried to create on using his own…

Anyway, it's true, this sword-issue becoming more… more… eh… strange? Yeah. Like a spaghetti… you know, it's streching, streching, but never ends -.-"

And now I see some really cruel/violent people here! Taking limbs away from Sessh, not knowing his true intentions…? tsk_tsk… even knowing that, it'd be just plain cruel… T_T
However, I do think that Takahashi-sensei have a plan again to confuse us further… I agree with the above posts which said she would probably make this again to us seeming one way, while she is really want to tell us it's the other way @.@ But, it's one thing, I really like in Inuyasha – the twists and that you have to THINK! It's interesting seeing everyone's posts/thoughts on the issues and making up ours…

Anyway, thanks for the chapter, Starks, and everybody!^^

PS.: The joke-page… well, it was funny, but I'm grateful that it cleared up all the panic around ch. 500 – it was getting really annoying :/  

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In response to comment #3104:

Au contraire mon ami, but you dead wrong. We definitely don't hate Sesshoumaru around here; as a matter-of-fact I think it's fair to say that most of us live for the chapters that feature Sesshoumaru. It is because we're such die-hard Secchan fans that we expect more of him (he is the elder brother, after all), and we get disappointed when he doesn't live up to his full potential as a great daiyoukai. And RT has fed us the sword-envy plot device on so many previous occasions, that to bring it up yet AGAIN in some ridiculously convoluted story arc is nauseating. We are just sick of it, that's all.

I do not believe that RT will dispose of Sess at all; to do so would mean dropping half (or more) of her fan base. The manga may be titled 'Inuyasha', but if Big Brother exits, most of us will depart as well.  

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I think you should re name your website "WeHateInuyasha" because thier sure are alot of negative post! By the way Inuyasha's father only had one fang missing in the graveyard. Which confused me up till this point 'Shouldn't he have 2 fangs missing?' But then this story arc came out, and I think the RT has thought of this arc close to the beginging of the manga based on how she drew their father. (then again maybe not! It's just wishful thinking)
Anyway I don't think we should make assumptions about this being 'half baked' until we've read the entire arc.
because that would be like eating a half baked turkey. Which is stupid.
Another thing That mirrior monster w/ Kanna that Inuyasha battled it out with a few arcs ago, barely had an inkingly of an idea about how to use Tessiaga (sp?) not to mention he was slow! Sesshoumaru on the other hand knows what is doing and he's not as slow as frankstien! So if they battle it out, it will actually be a battle between Tessiaga and tessiaga! Since they'll both have thier powers!
Thanks for loading the chapter!  

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I hope that Sess is not written out. All things considered I want to wait and see what his intentions are. For all we know he wasn't sulking at the begining of this chapter, but trying to come to grips with his fathers intentions and Inuyasha's place in the world. Whatever his intentions are, Byakuya has spurred him to action. One thing; in generel when Sess wants to kill someone, he just attacks, like when he through the meidu before he could even see Byakuya. In the past, when he was testing Inuyasha (like when he wanted to see turn into a demon)he gave warning he was going to fight, just as he did now. Clearly there is more going on then RT wants to make obvious, the two swords will become one shortly, and with his sword gone Sesshoumaru finds his true power.  

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>> 3111

No, we don't hate the manga. Stop making assumptions that make you look ridiculously immature. The best of fans can point out the greatness and the bad, and Inuyasha has been both. Rumiko is a great manga-ka, but she's not the goddess of writing that every worshiping fangirl makes her out to be. Even Rumiko makes mistakes, and like all writers who are obviously tiring of what they write, she's dreaming up a bunch of half-assed bullshit because she's either trying to drag it out longer until her planned end or she's forgotten a lot of earlier arcs. Hey, it happens.

No matter what dumb shit she dreams up, I still read it. I always will because I can take the good and the bad. Apparently, so can most people here.

Also, Starks' joke pages help. Today's was LMAO-worthy!

As for Sesshoumaru, like I said in the preview thread, his "Inuyasha's penis sword is bigger than mine!!! WHY DADDY WHY???" routine is getting old. He may be trying to find the real answer of the swords, but it's not too far-fetched to believe that even Sess-sama is capable of having a moment of weakness in his jealousy over the swords. Anyway, won't pass judgment until we see more.

Yay, prizes! I'm not sure what chapter it'll end on, but I think it'll end around the same time it began (July or October…can't remember now) since it will have been 10 years now.  

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Starks, I got that error page again. I copied it for you this time –

The mailer failed to connect. Errors:

Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[num] => 0
[time] => 0.11971300 1175088451
[message] => Connection to the given MTA failed.
)

)

Log:

Array
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)  

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Like Kalliope, I have to pipe in and say that I'm a big Sessho fan — which is why it's a little exasperating to watch him devolve so much. I'm not actually advocating limb-chopping. Lighten up a little, it's just a manga.

No doubt Sessho isn't about to attach a dragon arm and attack Kagome. But that doesn't mean he is moving forward with his character development, either. Did you see what he's been doing this entire time while Rin and company were being attacked? Standing on a cliff.

And why's he so hung up? For power's sake. His very memorable Meidou/Hell arc, where he leaped ahead in character development and maturity, seems to have come to an absolute standstill.

And yeah, I know, "Just wait and see what he does next week!" I will, trust me. But the Comments section is here for a reason. These are off-the-cuff impressions of mine, and as of now, those off-the-cuff comments are brimming with irritability and Sessho's serious downgrade.  

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I'm with you on the whole "OMG CAN'T CRITIQUE THIS MANGA!!1" crap. It's a book, and all books get critique.

Some fangirls act as if it's a sin to have a different opinion just because "IT'S FROM JAPAN AND THEREFORE AWESOME". Not everything coming out of Japan is awesome. I rest my case at stained women's panties in vending machines…although some might like those.  

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3115
nah, I'm not saying that you can't critque this manga. But how do you know if all of this half baked until you've finsihed the series?
I know the RT is making it up as she goes, but ever since kanna and the mirrior, I think she had this arc in mind.
I agree with you this arc of angry sesshoumaru is getting old, in fact it's already decomposed.
you're making assumptions too, by assuming that anyone who disagrees with your opinion is a crazy fangirl who worships the ground Rumiko walks on.  

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Whoa. It is very sad to see that having fun and joking around causes widespread pandemonium on here. Some people need to lighten up. I obviously was making a joke before because I don't know Shouki from Adam or Eve, and I can't step into a FICTIONAL manga anyway to cut anybody's arms off for him or her. I just thought his or her original rant was funny and wanted to comment on it.

It appears the radical Sesshoumaru fan contingent that dominates other forums has traveled here as well and is trying to prevent others from voicing concerns over his recent characterization. As if anything but "Sesshoumaru is the greatest" prevents one from being a fan. No one has said, "I hate Sesshoumaru." In fact, I even said "I like Sesshoumaru," and I know others have piped up and said the same as well. As others have said, sometimes liking a character means wanting the best for them and being disappointed when it seems he or she is not living up to that. People have to vent sometimes. I mean, if I can be upset with my friend, my mom, or whomever I love for doing something wrong and still love them, why can't I still like a fictional character for doing the same thing? Like Shouki said, it really seems Sess was brooding on a cliff the last couple of episodes instead of rushing back to save Kohaku, Rin, and Jaken like we all hoped. That is really disappointing.

My point is some Sess fans need to stop trying to censor discussion about him by criticizing and squelching any comments that aren't always overwhelmingly positive. (And it seems it's mainly the "radical" Sess fans who do it because I don't see people doing the same for criticism of other characters, at least not in a long while — probably since the Kagome/Kikyo debates long before Kikyo died and redeemed herself.) They also need to not jump to conclusions about someone's true feelings on a character because one voices a few negative comments. Sometimes I feel like the forums are becoming like North Korea or something, and anyone who voices any reservations will be tried for treason, lol!

As far as "waiting and seeing," I was the one who pointed out that RT has a way of making things seem different than they really are, so I am well aware of that.

Lastly, to NP, thanks for clearing up that point about the mirror fragment. I didn't realize that the shard could still contain Tessaiga's powers in it. I thought it gave Tessaiga's powers back when the mirror broke and that it only contained it's own inherent abilities. What you said makes a lot more sense on why the fragment would be a threat.  

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Sorry about the comment 3115, but when you go around saying that it's alot of bull* and other stuff it really does give the impression that you don't really like the manga. However it seems I was wrong. It just really annoys me when seemily inuyasha haters post on a pro Inuyasha site, that's all ^^'  

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Re: 3120

Touche. Maybe they aren't crazy fangirls here, but on other forums, I'm sure it's the case just by the comment history of some posters. Perhaps I'm being unfair in assuming those kind of people have traveled here, and if so, I apologize.  

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Re:3120 and 3123

Sorry. Seems you were referring to the RT and the manga in general and not just the comments about Sessh. I'm staying out of the former argument, but I will let my previous comment stand anyway. If any of the people who criticized this forum of being full of "Sesshoumaru haters" aren't radical fans, then I apologize for assuming that. But don't assume we are haters, like I said, for venting a little. If you are a "crazy fangirl/boy", however, don't try to squelch people who hold differing opinions.  

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3125
honestly I wasn't trying to squelch anyone's opinions. Anyway nyah, I think I should of made myself clear.
yeah, I know I was assuming things wrong. hince the reason never to assume, anyway sorry to those whom I may have offended about my previous comment.  

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Re: 3126

Nah, we're all good now. See, we're all going to hold hands and dance!

I just got confused because there are two debates going on, one on critiquing the manga/RT and one on venting about Sessh. Some people referred to both in some of their posts, and I got confused on what statements were referring to which argument. My fault for still not being fully alert and observant this morning. It's probably holds for both debates, though, not to assume things about others based on a few comments.

So, let's just let it all drop now. Seems we've cleared the air anyway.

To change topics, in re: 3100, what do you mean by the chapter being different? Do you mean about the drawing or something like that? (Also, props to Starks for the very funny comic page.)  

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Oh, brother. Look, I'm pro-Inuyasha, too, but lately, some of the arcs have been half-baked and poorly written. I say this as a writer. I don't see what's so horrible about saying this. I'm not saying that the WHOLE manga has been half-baked. I am merely stating my displeasure about most recent arcs (and not all of those have been that bad).

I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to have an opinion other than "OMFG IT'S ALL SO GOOD RAWR" when it comes to this manga, but then again, I've dealt with fangirls more rabid elsewhere on the internet, so I guess I should be used to being told that I'm an "Inuyasha-hater" by now.  

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THERE WAS SPARKLY JAKEN EYES.  

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Well, I won't pass judgement of anyone just yet. But Sesshomaru, considering what he was thinking and saying in the chapter might want to go through with a trap that would leave both him and IY powerless so both swords will be destroyed. That way noone gets tessaiga/Tenseiga. Might be a bit cruel and selfish, but it would totaly eliminate the whole sword envy once and for all. if this is Sesshomaru-sama's motive. I want both the two scentence preview and the full spoiler preview before i try to delve into Sessh's thought patern any further. Lord knows, one can get lost in the enigma that is known as Sesshomaru's mind if you dive in too deep.  

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I've always thought about what would happen if Miroku gets his right arm cut off. Then the shouki wound won't exist anymore! The curse would be over? (sorry I feel as if I've been talking like Tarzan… hope you can get the idea!)  

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Re: 3133

In the chapter where Kikyo purified his wounds, I thought the wounds had extended almost to Miroku's heart. I'm pretty sure the picture showed wounds extending to the right side of Miroku's chest. I'm afraid he's beyond the point that cutting his arm off is going to help. Knowing Naraku and his evil ways, he probably planned the curse to move to the other hand anyway.  

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Dear Sesshoumaru:

Even after offering you my couch, my bacon, and my beer, you still continue to persist in your delusional ‘Daddy issues’. I and your other fans have tried, tried and tried, to drill into your thick skull how detrimental this is to your overall well-being. Even losing your arm has failed to illustrate this fact to you. (You wouldn’t happen to be part Beagle, would you? Because I know a few Beagles and they all fit the same profile.)

I know, I know, it’s just your personality. You always have to do everything to the extreme – extreme anger, extreme sorrow. Just once I want to see you give in to an extreme fit of the giggles. It might do you good.

It is time to resort to drastic measures. As a literature student, I believe the great works of writing hold all the answers to life’s questions. Therefore, it’s time for you to read Oedipus Tyrannus. In fact, you should read all three Theban plays. You need to know what happens to people with Daddy issues.

I don’t call myself well-versed in the inner machinations of your mind, but I know you don’t want to end up blind, I’m assuming you don’t want to marry your mother, and I know you don’t want Rin to be sealed alive inside a cave. (If it’s any consolation, she’ll kill herself before it ever gets that far.) You also need to learn that the crazy old guy is always right no matter what he says, and if you don’t like it, trying to change it will only make things worse for you.

I don’t suggest this lightly, mind you. Sophocles is not someone I usually recommend to those unfamiliar with Greek tragedy. Just like you he’s the pick of the litter, someone you have to work your way up to, like Shakespeare, or Shikibu Murasaki. I don’t think we have time to warm you up with a run through Aeschylus first. You have fans who want to see you succeed. It’s even driving a few of us to make long, epistolary posts on scanlation websites. (Epistolary = 'In letter form', a writing style which reached the peak of its popularity during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Whole novels were written as journals or correspondences. Most of them sucked.) All we’re asking you is to put your ego aside; you need only look to the Classics in order to see why.

In short, Sesshoumaru, read Oedipus. It has many, many lessons to teach you.

Sincerely,

Mental_Butterfly

P. S. I could always just pick up some mary jane and put on some Buffalo Springfield, get you stoned, then take you to one of the local bars, find you a drunk hot chick, and get you laid. That might help, too. Literature, first, though. It’s better for your liver.

P. P. S. Anyone who takes the above statements literally needs to be hit over the head with the definitions of both satire and self-mockery.  

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"Sesshoumaru haters" Poor word choice on my part? I did not mean anything
pejorative, I thought it sounded kind of funny in response to de-arming a fictional character. I'm really sorry if I offended anyone. Really, the point-counter-point discussion here is great. It would be boring if everyone agreed. And I really do hate the idea that I may have made somebody feel badly – sounds silly, but that's me.

Mental_Butterfly – I liked your post. Classics rule!

Concerning this chapter, re 3097 – yeah, Sessh is angsting a bit more than others, but they were done wrong by an undisputed dick bad-guy. Sessh thinks he was done wrong by his own dad. Brutal.
But then again, at age 500 or so, maybe he could worry less about what daddy intended for him, and more about what Sessh intends for Sessh? But I think that's where we are going.
Valete! -Pliny  

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Haha, Mental Butterfly! If you were near, I would hug you and offer you a drink right now. That was truly a brilliant post.  

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Drama up in the HOUSE. Jeez. It's a manga series, calm down. XD I've been a fan of the series for so long, and even I'm beginning to just want it to end already, instead of watching Rumiko milk it for all it's worth. It's played out, and it's time to wrap it up. However, I do still enjoy this series, Rumiko just seems to have lost interest, for lack of better wording. Almost like she's not motivated to fine-tune the storylines anymore. Of course, what can anyone expect after 500 chapters worth of material?

Either way, THANK GOD some of the Sesshoumaru fangirls have calmed down XD I just really don't like him and never have.  

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Well, it's good to see Sango finally make her brother face his own weakness, not to say any one is perfect.

I'm interested to see if Kagome's powers finally start to mature now that she has a new bow and the chore of taking over what Kikyo left behind. Not to rain on the wonderful skills everyone else has, but I really don't see the series ending unless Kagome either figures out how to make her powers strong enough to give Naraku a run for his money.  

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Oops. To finish what I posted before.. I don't see it ending unless Kagome can give him a run for his money, or somehow they figure out a way to all but cram that last shard down his throat.  

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I'll stay with my Sessho-chan forever, even if others turn against him! I Love You, Sessho!

Ok, now that my fangirl pledge is over, I thought this was a passive episode, with some mild turns it. I can't help but think that maybe Byakuya is doing this himself. He's supposed to be Kagura's replacement, maybe he also has her fascination for Sessho, as well as a secret hate for Naraku? Can't wait for chapter 500!  

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Haha, I never thought of that. Like Inuyasha and Jakotsu before him, now Sess-sama has his own fanboy, too!  

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Now that you mention… a couple of days ago I came across a fanfiction (ffnet), where what you mentioned in the 2 posts above, took place! It was intented to be funny, don't take me wrong… I laughed a lot! If you're interested in, I'll take a look for the address, but I'm in hurry now.
Ja matta!  

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Concerning Kohaku-
I'm not sure I really understand what Sango and Kagome are talking about with Kohaku on the first few pages…
Is it just that she wants him to stop avoiding her, or was he trying to defeat Naraku all on his own cuteness? If so, why did he stick with Sessh in the first place? (Maybe I'm not remembering it clearly… I'm researching/writing my master's thesis right now, and there are a lot of stray facts bouncing around in this ol'melon o'mine) I mean, if Kikyo was keeping his shard pure, than wouldn't Sessh and Jaken have an adverse effect on him?

If anyone can help me understand this a bit better, I'd be much obliged! ^_^  

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I think it was a combination of both. They were trying to get it in his head that he cannot defeat Naraku alone, and of course, Sango wants her brother around. I do think it was more of the former though than the latter. Working together as a team and leaning on each other for support have both been big themes in this manga.  

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Re: 3155

If I remember correctly from the chapter before this one, Kohaku's memories and guilt over killing his clan make it easy for Naraku to contaminate Kohaku's jewel shard. That's what I think Sango means by Kohaku being weak not only in body but in spirit. So Sango and Kagome are trying to tell him that he needs to stop going after Naraku alone with the idea that the power of the jewel shard (Kikyo's purification of it) will be enough purify Naraku and bring him down. Yes, Kikyo's power is there, but Kohaku's weakness/darkness in his heart makes it easier for Naraku to overcome it.  

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Re: 3155

If I remember correctly from the chapter before this one, Kohaku's memories and guilt over killing his clan make it easy for Naraku to contaminate Kohaku's jewel shard. That's what I think Sango means by Kohaku being weak not only in body but in spirit. So Sango and Kagome are trying to tell him that he needs to stop going after Naraku alone with the idea that the power of the jewel shard (Kikyo's purification of it) will be enough purify Naraku and bring him down. Yes, Kikyo's power is there, but Kohaku's weakness/darkness in his heart makes it easier for Naraku to overcome it.  

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Sorry, for the duplicate post. I got directed to a blank screen the first time and my comment didn't show up when I went back to the group. So I tried to repost my comment, but I got a message saying I was making a duplicate comment. Very weird that when I come back to the group my original comment shows up as "Anonymous" and the duplicate comment shows up, too. :S  

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Re: 3155

I also meant to add, Sesshoumaru and Jaken aren't feeding off the darkness in people like Naraku does. Naraku is using Kohaku's bad memories of an evil act and amplifying them to manipulate things, in this case contaminating the jewel shard. Sesshoumaru and Jaken don't do that, so jewel contamination doesn't happen when they are around. Naraku is actively trying to contaminate the jewel; it's not a passive process.

The blank screen and problems posting are still happening, btw.  

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Well, there's a 50, 50 shot Sesshy is gonna be written out after this next epic sword fight, you know make an exit. I'm still holding out some hope RT will let his character stick around by doing something like having Naraku interupt their battle. But, there are those who deffinaitly see Sess's grand exit at hand. I still say if Sess has to go bye bye like Kouga and Kikyou and yet Shippou get to see the final battle, that is soooooooooooo unfair!!! sure Shippou has some good commentary, but unless he's getting an upgrade arc next, he's not gonna be able to do much of anything against Naraku.  

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There's a difference with Sess and Kouga not being there for the final battle, and Shippo being there. Shippo's only a child. He can't really fend for himself which is why he sticks around the Inuyasha group. They're like his family. Sess and Kouga can pretty much take care of themselves with no problem at all.  

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I guess, but I think it'd be safer for him to be somewhere else durring the fight, unless, of course he gets a small tiny last minute power up.  

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Thanks, KagomeKagome and Pliny (is that the elder or the younger?), I wasn't sure how that post would go over given all the bickering in the previous posts. I'm glad the board's calmed down and we're all discussing things like adults again, it's much more entertaining that way.

As for the question of "Is this Sessh's exit?", I think it's contingent upon whether or not Sesshoumaru is still intending to avenge Kagura – hard to say if he's forgotten about it or just put it on the back burner. I do hope he's just put it aside for a bit, after all the daddy drama clears it'd be nice to see him do something just a little bit noble to make up for the angst.

Either way I agree with Yin-Yang Heart, if Shippou stays and Sessh goes then it just ain't fair. (And if Shippou suddenly gets a power-up arc, then there's no hope for any of us.)

On a minor tangent, now that we know where the Meidou came from, have we found out yet where Tenseiga's resurrection powers came from? I don't think they said anything about Shishinki having that capability, did Totousai just add it as a feature, like power windows and a moonroof? Damn plot-holes.  

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Besides Miroku, Sesshomaru is the only reasonable character that I have seen that recurs throughout the anime. He is logical, coldhearted, and…he looks cool and is cool >.. Smack some sense into that boy already. I am hoping this lil duel between brothers finally brings them together so both groups can slam-waste this idiot naraku already :> As far as bets go…I'd put money on this whole thing wrapping up by summers-end if she doesnt dally on this bufoon Kohaku any longer. As for you Sesshomaru haters out there… (blades of blood on your eyes) >.  

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I don't understand something. If Sesshoumaru is written out, what will he do? Does anyone believe that it is in character for him to be defeated by Inuyasha, tuck his tale between his leg and slink off into the woods to sulk for the rest of eternity? Kouga has a tribe to return to, and responsibilities as leader of the wolf tribe. Once he lost his jewel shards he could leave and gather together the survivors of the various tribes, without loss of dignity. By leaving the hunt for Naraku, Sesshoumaru would concede that he will never be his father in body, mind, and honour. With that he would concede that Inuyasha is not only heir to Tesseiga, but the sole heir to their fathers legecy.  

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Hmm, comment 3164, really has me thinking. Sesshmom also had the ability to bring back life to others and open a doorway to hell. I'm thinking either daddy gave her some of the power too, or could Shishinki have been the origional thief and stole power from Sessmom, I mean that moon on their foreheads has so got to be more then a birth mark. Kind of like the moon has a light and a darkside, so do the attacks of Sessh and his mom. Just some food for thought.  

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Be kind of funny if sesshmom was the healer of the family, origionaly. Who's to say tshe didn't have a hand in healing abilities.  

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David — Sesshy can pull a Ryu a la Street Fighter II, or a Kain a la Final Fantasy I, and go off yonder to train harder or meditate further on his own weaknesses. Just b/c Totousai said that Sessho may surpass his father doesn't mean we'll see it happen on-screen. In fact, knowing that the end is around the corner, Totousai's words gave readers the perfect excuse to have Sessho exit. And it's believable, isn't it? After all, what can inspire Sessho to give up his pissiness at Naraku better than his own desire to surpass his father? and the realization that raw power isn't the issue, but his own internal angst that he can only overcome? Maybe Sessho stupidly standing on that cliff in the last chapter (as Kohaku and Rin were nearly killed) gives us a glimpse that he may be prone to being meditative after all, and hints at what he'll be doing a lot of in the future?

Mental_Butterfly — My guess is that the Miedou and life regeneration powers go hand in hand; both are incidents of Tensaiga's powers to tap into the afterlife. My bet would be that Shishinki had life-regenerating powers too — maybe explaining how he could survive such a devastating attack that took half his face?  

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My prediction is that Sessho will realize what an asshat he's been acting for so long, that he is dirtying his hands with this Naraku nonsense, and that his angsty obsession about sword size has retarded his growth into an incredibly powerful youkai leader. After all, THIS late in the series, he's still agreeing to go along with Naraku's plans? Come on now. I think Sessho will realize how low he's sunk, and — make his exit to focus on himself. He can leave Naraku, whom he's always considered trash, to Inuyasha. And he'll leave the sword — the object of his unhealthy obsession — with Inuyasha as well, realizing that he's better off without it.

He'll use his own fang one day.

My money's on a Sessho exit!  

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Thanks Tiger and KangomeKagome – that clears things up a bit. Still, though, it seems weird that it's ok for him to join Sessh's party.
Re: David – You asked what Sessh might do if he is, indeed, written out? Maybe he'll open a daycare- kids seem drawn to him! ^_^ Or, there is also his favorite hobby – staring off into nowhere… Seriously, though, I agree with you. It would be dissapointing and out of character if it ended that way. I'm still hanging my hopes on the surpassing the old man (father) bit.

And another thing – I've been wondering how RK will kill off Naraku in the end. I mean, how could it happen and have *everyone* get a piece of him, a la "working together is best" theme of the manga?

M_B – Pliny the Elder. Ever read his stuff on health remedies from nature, specifically the mystical powers of boobs? Hilarious.  

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3172

LOL. Well, I just have to say it, despite how much he cares for Rin, before oppening a daycare he really has to work on not letting children wander whhile a maniac is on the loose. Just some food for thought. Also, maybe Sessh can seek some professional counseling to control his anger issues and allow him to get in touch with his real feelings. Have a feeling for that, he's gonna have to go back home to mommy, though. Unless, Sess could actualy put up with someone like Myouga or Totosai as a therapist.

Also, who says naraku will die??????
Sure, we all want him to, but that is even still up in the air. For all we know he can pull another dissapearing act, even if half or more then half dead and shardless.  

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It's obvious, Naraku will be purified and turn into a little bambi-esque fawn. Byakuya will become his cute rabbit sidekick and they will run into the forest together! *bambi music*

…then Inu will hunt them down and they will all have a roast.

It's the perfect ending.  

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Re: 3173

LOL, when I read this, I thought of those GEICO commercials where the caveman goes to see his therapist. I can just see Sessh with his "existential breakdown" now, holding a plush of himself and having to act things out: "He doesn't say anything because he's a doll." ROFL!   

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Pliny: Nope, haven't read Pliny the Elder yet, I'm more into the Greeks at this point – I feel like they tend to have a better sense of humor overall. But if you know of any great Roman comic authors that I'm missing out on, feel free to share.

Tiger: Just imagine if Sessmom called and got put on speakerphone in the middle of the session. I'd almost feel sorry for the therapist.  

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LOL! M_B, after I posted that, I thought of the same thing.

Re: 3175
I can't recall having rabbit before, but venison is very good. Yum!  

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Speaking of the kids…

Sesshoumaru hasn't made mention either way of Naraku's almost successful attack upon Kohaku and bunch. Perhaps he omnisciently knew what was happening the whole time and deliberately and callously chose to ignore it. Perhaps he was too self-absorbed with his own brooding melodrama to detect it happening. Maybe Mr. Unperturbable needs to be strangled and hanged with his own fluffy boa…or at least Sango taking the end and smacking him with it.

However, perhaps he simply does not yet know the meaty details, as he has just returned to the scene still sword-fixated, and neither Jaken nor Rin have yet made their usual report to him. Byakuya never made mention either. Another tidbit to be revealed in the heart of the next battle, faltering Sess enough for Inuyasha to get in a well deserved comeuppance. Go Inu!

Dr. Freud would have a field day here…"So Sess, tell me about your mother."  

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3179.

For all we know Sesshmom would be on the therapist side. So, I'd feel bad for Sess.  

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Patches put up the preview elsewhere. Is it going to go up here, too? Or does somebody want me to copy and paste it? (I don't want to steal anybody's thunder. It's good, though.)  

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