i pictured miroku sucking in naraku to save the others, and when miroku refuses to close it and is going to die…sango chooses to go with him.

and the rest live happily ever after.

And changing the subject…. I wonder if Patches could be interested in tranlating some Sesshomaru and Rin doujins from this site:

http://absolutetrouble.com/nwlf/

Is only that I'd love to know what the characters are saying…. Just a question… No compromise…

And where did Magatsuhi go?? I've also lost track… *sigh* lately some instances with Naraku have been getting a bit hard to follow..

 Oh, and if this ends up being my first AND last post, it's only because I killed myself due to the wait for the next chapter….
 

And as for the Sess/Kagome "cliffhanger," I think he'll just nudge her with his boot to see if she lives or not, and then continue on his merry way.

And, wow, I don't think we've ever seen Sango look that frightened or dependent. She's really shaken up. Finally Miroku gets it- "Oh, so it's *not* all about me?"

I also believe Inuyasha was holding back, based on the look on his face just after he dumped her over the cliff. He wants her away from him as he fights his youkai side down.

I'm just along for the ride on Miroku and Sango, no theories there yet.

Sesshoumaru is the one character is this chapter that's best equipped to finish Naraku once and for all. However rescuing Rin is the only thing holding Sess back.

And out of all the characters other than Naraku (who rarely gets involved in mano a mano fights), the only one who has a fat chance at dropping Sess in his own blood Inu.

Now if Naraku were to control Inuyasha and pit them together in a duel and grant him some of the power of the Shikon Jewel, then it just might be enough to tip the scales in favor of our underdog (no pun intended). And even though this could mean the end of Sess, I highly doubt it (I'll explain later).

In regards to Sango and Miroku, my best guess is that Naraku no longer had anything on Sango now that her brother was free (at least I think he is). So the fear of losing Miroku is most likely going to mean Naraku is somehow gonna manipulate Sango. Miroku's probably going to have a shot at dealing a crushing blow to Naraku with his wind tunnel and Sango is going to stop him.

Back to Inu, Sess and Kagome, I'm guessing that it's going to requiere all 3 of them to finish off Naraku, as it's been seen on the anime 2x already. (When Inu first uses Red Tessaiga on him and later on his fathers tomb with his new barrage, btw both times with Kagome and Sess were somehow involved). So if this tendency holds true once more, I'd say Sess helps/heals Kagome and probably just leaves her unconcious (but safe enough for her to put Inu back on her leash).

When Inu first used the A.barrage on Naraku, Sess told him his arrogance would be his undoing before dealing (what he thought) was the last strike. I'd like to think Inu + Shikon Jewel precense is gonna somehow lead to that mistake once again. Kagome should regain her power, start killing off Naraku, while Inu protects her and dishes out more damage, and Sess will finish him off with his sword.

And since Sango and Miroku won't have anything to do with this… the die a horrible death!.

(Kidding).

My guess is Sango and Miroku rescue Rin ensuring Sess gets the green light to deal the final blow.

Once again I'm just making my best guess based on past events, and quite frankly it's definitely Sooo unfair to have to wait basically a month to see what happens after the next 2 chapters.

That being said…my personal theory (though this may be far fetched because Inuyasha isn't much of a forward thinker…) is that Inuyasha IS holding back. He's putting on a sort of show for Naraku so he can figure out where the Shikon Jewel is and keep Naraku from killing Kagome.

If Naraku thinks Kagome's been taken care of he'll leave her be giving Inu the freedom to fight him without having to worry about her getting hurt. Well whatever I could be totally wrong. I probably am hahaha Can't wait till next week.