BUT YEAH!! NARAKU IS GETTIN THE TAR KICKED OUTTA HIM! i fear this will be coming to an end an about 20 chapters or so. GAH!! PLEASE NO! I JUST NOW WHEN THEY DEFEAT NARUAKU ITS GONNA BE GREAT! or really upseting

As for the era thing… eh. I have no idea, though there was something that resembles foreshadowing before when it said that 'Kagome never thought there would be a day when she would have to choose between the two era's' or something like that. But it could be that Takahashi is using that as a way to throw us off… again.

A) Kikyo died (REALLY died)

B) Inuyasha and Kagome actually got together

C) Miroku and Sango lived and got married

D) Naraku endured a slow, painful, fan-satisfying death, and no one ever mentions him again.

Okay, so one down, three to go.

I thought that when Kikyo died something would happen between them, but nothing did. And I see no instances where Inuyasha is more lovely-dovely toward Kagome then before. RT defiantly needs to come out and tell us what exactly is going on between those two.

Another point: Do you think Kagome is going to have to choose between eras at the end? We really don't know why only Kagome and Inuyasha can pass through the well. What if when the jewel is gone Kagome can no longer pass between times. Or if Inuyasha does become human, will he still be able to pass through the well. If they want to be together they are going to have to decide which time to be together in.

 But one of the things that I find really charming about the series is that similar scenes are repeated throughout, yet the characters react slightly differently based on the developments you mentioned.

But I'm running late for work and don't have time to think of a compelling example. 
 

There hasn't been anything concrete (at least not that I've seen) in the chapters since Kikyo's death to suggest that Inuyasha feels any sort of lovey-dovey affections towards Kagome. I think out of a desire to see them end up together, we as dedicated fans have been reading too far into what's been given to us by Takahashi.

I can't even count the number of comments that suggested that Kagome and Inuyasha were close to kissing in that scene a few chapters back when he caught her. I'm not suggesting that there is no connection between them since it's obvious they care for one another, but it's a question of what exactly that relationship is that needs to be answered by Takahashi – something she has yet to do in any kind of satisfactory way. The way those two have been drawn thus far, their relationship could be read as two lovers just as easily as it could be read as two best friends so I think it would be incorrect to suggest one over the other at this point.

That's just my peace anyway…good debate so far though! *applause*

I definitely agree with you though, Feyd, on seemingly reading a lot of the same battles over and over again. Her repetitiveness of battle sequences was getting pretty tiring. I'm getting pretty excited about what will happen next, though. These new developments seem to actually be leading somewhere.

Starks and Patches, you are amazing!

     All the characters are developed and have been developed for some time now.  Sango has been devoted to Miroku and willing to sacrifice her lifefor him for years.  Miroku has known about his curse his entire life and the fact that his life is in danger because of his kazaana is not only common knowledge but the fact that he is on the brink of death because of his kazaana is nothing new; Miroku has nearly killed himself any number of times to save Sango and the group.  Inuyasha is still the same adolescent character he's always been; giving him new powers does not change his character or his motivations.  Kagome is still in love with Inuyasha and unwilling to admit her love.  Unlocking her powers is hopefullyan attempt at somekind ofplot catalyst.  Sesshomaru has always been a cold bastard ready to kill anyone he doesn't like.  Kohaku is still the same feeble and useless failure he's always been.  Jaken, Rin, and Shippo are more or less insignificant plot characters.

On top of all this the plot has been in a very stagnant position for the last year.  Aside from very recent developements (Naraku completing the shard and being poised to make his wish) the story hasn't gone anywhere new or interesting in some time.  Even Naraku's tricks now at the "endgame" are the same as always…pit two lovers against one another..seed doubt and play mind games yet never attack directly.  It just seems like I have been reading the same exact story over and over again.  The people and story are the same but they are in a different environment. 

I think Takahashi may be more clever than I originally gave her credit for.  If she ended the story 200 chapters ago the fan-base would be foaming at the mouth; Better to exhaust all possibilities so the fan-base has no complaints about where the manga could have gone…cuz it went everywhere. 

This is not to belittle the efforts of Starks or Patches.  They both do excellent work and their endeavors are commendable.  Thank you Starks and Patches

Feyd: Is Inuyasha really, I quote, "a line of bullshit" to you? Have some respect man!

I'm down for 600 chapters!! Woot, woot, bring it on!!