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MANGA CHAP. 542 - LIGHT SWALLOWED UP

OUR STORY: As chapter opens, we see Inu (in full color)racing toward Miroku, carrying Kagome on his back. They both are thinking that Miroku mustn't open his Kazaana. They crest a rise and see Miroku facing off against what appears to be Naraku and the Shikon Jewel. As they draw closer, they see Miroku raise his right arm and start to unwrap the holy beads that hold Kazaana's seal in place. Kagome screams Miroku's name but he doesn't notice. Miroku is focused totally on Naraku and jewel in front of him. He thinks that even if the Kazaana rips out of control, he'll die happy if he can take Naraku and the jewel with him into oblivion. Kagome screams a warning for Miroku to stop, that this Naraku is an illusion.

Seeing no response from Miroku, Inu draws Tessaiga and fires a diamond spear barrage at the figure of Naraku. The deadly spears pass through the Naraku figure harmlessly, but Miroku doesn't appear to notice them. Miroku hears Naraku taunting him, saying he must value his life more than he values Naraku's destruction. Miroku grunts and resumes unwrapping the beads. Inu and Kagome have come up behind the Naraku image and they can see through it to Miroku. They pass right through the image but when Miroku still doesn't react they realize Miroku has been rendered blind to anything except Naraku's image before him. Inu curses as he realizes Naraku's intent that Miroku should unknowingly destroy them along with the illusion.

Miroku, seeing only Naraku, says this will be the villain's end. He thinks briefly of Sango and regrets he won't be spending his life with her. He pulls off the beads and is about to pop open his hand to open up the wind tunnel when Inuhasha screams his name and claps a hand over Miroku's, preventing him from opening the Kazaana. Miroku still doesn't register Inu's presence and he tries to free his hand. But Inu keeps a tight grip and body-slams Miroku to the ground, stunning him for a moment. Inu tells Kagome to get the holy beads and they wrap them around Miroku's hand to seal the Kazaana tight once more. Inu says this was too close, that if they'd been an instant slower...

Miroku, however, has eyes and ears only for the Naraku image. He hears Naraku taunt him again, saying he's too bound by worldly attachments to go through with his mission. Miroku struggles to free himself, yelling that he's taking Naraku with him right now. Inu yells at Miroku to get hold of himself and is frustrated that Miroku doesn't seem to understand that he's there. Kagome realizes this illusion must be dispelled, NOW. She fires a miko-power arrow at the Naraku figure but the arrow passes through without any effect. Now she hears Naraku's laughter as the figure tells her that he won't disappear until Miroku is killed and until Sango does "a certain something" to save the monk. Kagome fears for Sango.

Scene changes to a view of Kohaku walking up a hill, leading the 2-headed dragon Ah-Un. Kohaku sees light up ahead and he goes toward it. It's shining through a small window, barred with strips of Naraku sinew. Kohaku looks through the window and sees Sango, mounted on Kilala, confronting Naraku. He sees that Sango has unlimbered her Hiraikotsu for use. Then he notices that Naraku is holding Rin and he yells to his sister. But she doesn't seem to hear him. Indeed, she hasn't noticed her brother. Sango is thinking only one thought -- if she can defeat Naraku, then her monk's life will be saved. Her face shows her single-minded concentration on what she must do. Kohaku is sure she's about to throw her weapon and yells several times in a desperate attempt to attract Sango's attention.

But the only one to notice Kohaku is Byakuya, who greets him with a casual "Yo, Kohaku." He says Sango can't hear his voice so Kohaku should just be quiet and watch. Kohaku demands to know what Byakuya means. Byakuya replies that human hearts are weak, especially Sango's, and that her head is filled only with thoughts of saving her dying monk. Indeed, Sango's thoughts seem to grow darker and darker. She thinks that if she lets Naraku go, Miroku still will die by the Kazaana as he opens it to destroy an illusion. So even if it means sacrificing Rin, she must act. She sets her Hiraikotsu in throwing position as her eyes gauge the range to her target.

Meanwhile, the real, naked Naraku has been watching the drama from a distance, and is pleased to see that Sango's fears and weakness are feeding the darkness within the Shikon Jewel. Kagome senses that the darkness in the jewel is repelling her purifying light. The Naraku illusion confirms this for Kagome, telling her it looks like Sango has fallen and the light in the jewel is being swallowed up by the darkness. Kagome knows she must stop this before the light dies out and Naraku regains full power. But how? Should she shoot? At what?

Kagome tunes her senses carefully, seeking out where the real Naraku and jewel are hiding. Ah, is that glimmer what she's seeking? She concentrates on that spot as Inu, still holding down Miroku, wonders what she's doing. YES! That's it! She sees naked Naraku and the jewel. She nocks an arrow, draws her bow and takes careful aim at her target. Kagome fires, willing with all her heart that the arrow hits him. At that same precise moment Kohaku yells his dismay as Sango, praying that Rin will forgive her, throws her Hiraikotsu with all her strength... THE END (^_*)