With the tinny sound of breaking crystal, the portal closed behind them, Kagome and the others descending toward the village square. At once a cheering crowd swarmed around the returning heroes as cries of “Kagome-sama–Kagome-sama is back!” rang out through the fields and streets. Swept off Ah-Un’s saddle, the weary miko found herself half-escorted, half-carried

As the last of Naraku drifted off glittering into the ether, Kagome sank to her knees. It’s over, she thought, closing her eyes with a sigh that welled up from the very bottom of her soul. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the Shikon no Tama lying before her. Dark amethyst in color,

Swiping a furious hand across her lips, Kagome scrambled back from Naraku in revulsion. The hanyou laughed, assuming the form of Hitomi Kagewaki once more. “Does Sesshoumaru’s kiss so revile you now, Kagome?” The miko glared. “It’s you who disgusts me, Naraku. You can put on whatever face you want, but I see what you

Perhaps his power alone was not enough, but— Channeling his full strength into Tessaiga, Sesshoumaru unleashed the Wind Scar in a torrent of blinding light, directing it toward that divergence in Magatsuhi’s youki and his own. His attack blazed through the gap, prising into it and driving the demon’s own power back onto himself with

“It is unspeakably foolish,” Magatsuhi’s cold voice sneered, “to turn your back on your opponent.” Blood spilled from Sesshoumaru’s clenched fangs as he glared behind him. Serrated and envenomed, the tentacle spearing him through withdrew in a sharp, shredding lash–its course diverted from his heart and the Jewel shard above it by Tenseiga’s timely intervention.