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MANGA CHAP. 548 - BYAKUYA'S BLADE

OUR STORY: Chapter opens with a view of Naraku's giant disintegrating body, crackling and rumbling as pieces fall off. Inside, Miroku is desperately seeking safety for himself and Sango as the shaking and crashing tell him something big has started. Around him, cracks and bubbles form. As the cracks open and the bubbles burst, deadly shouki pours forth. Miroku thinks that the shouki is overflowing and he might have to use the Kazaana to save himself and Sango from it. He plans to set her down before using it so that if it tears open it will kill only him and Sango will be saved. But he feels there's something different about the Kazaana. As he studies it, he trips and he and Sango fall.

Scene changes to a view of Shippo, running about in hopes of finding safety. The Naraku-flesh near him is breaking up and dissolving. He knows he must keep moving or he'll be caught by the destruction. He hears a sound from above and looks up just as little, unconscious Kilala slams into his face. Followed a moment later by Sango's Hiraikotsu. Shippo is knocked down, dazed. He recovers just before the destruction of Naraku-flesh reaches him and he flees again, dragging Hiraikotsu and Kilala with him. He sees Miroku and Sango falling toward him.

Nearby, Sesshomaru is racing through the collapsing Naraku body with Jaken, Rin and Kohaku following close behind on Ah-Un the dragon. Kohaku and Rin are amazed by the destruction wrought by just one cut with Sesshomaru's sword and how it just won't subside. Jaken says the Bakusaiga is "really something else." Four sharp-tipped tentacles emerge from a wall and try to ensnare Sesshomaru. He comments that Naraku is still squirming, then he slices the tentacles with his Bakusaiga, destroying them and starting another wave of destruction.

In Naraku's inner sanctum, Inuyasha and Kagome are facing what's left of Naraku. Inu says Naraku should give up, it's all over. Naraku says it does appear that way, but he reminds them that there's a part of him that no sword can cut. Inu thinks Naraku is just being a sore loser, but Kagome knows what he's talking about. She knows Naraku is referring to his soul. She says that's why she is here, to purify Naraku's soul. Naraku glares at her, thinking that in the end it comes down to a battle of souls.

As Kagome is talking, Byakuya sneaks up behind her and draws his black blade. Inu spots Byakuya and recognizes the blade as a Meidou. As Byakuya lifts his sword, Naraku smiles and his body pulses. Byakuya slashes at Kagome's back with his black blade. He appears to miss but Kagome falls forward anyway. Inuyasha doesn't give Byakuya a chance for a second strike. He fires one of his Meidou crescents at Byakuya. Inu's aim is perfect. The Meidou catches a surprised Byakuya, who slowly sinks into it. As Bykuya fades into the blackness of the Meidou, he says he was a detachment who would have died with Naraku anyway. He says he has no regrets. His last coherent thought is that he fulfilled his purpose. He vanishes.

Inu rushes to Kagome, asking if she is alright. She says she thinks so, but there's hesitation in her reply. Inu wonders what Byakuya was trying to do. Kagome wonders if Byakuya inflicted some kind of wound that doesn't show. Above them, Naraku is still smiling.

Meanwhile, Shippo changed to his balloon form and caught Miroku and Sango. Shippo strains to stay aloft and not touch the dangerous ground below. Miroku says he's glad Shippo found them. Shippo notices how badly they've been beaten up and asks if they are okay. Miroku says they're find and that this battle will be over soon.

Sango, who'd been unconscious for a while, wakes up and is glad to see Miroku still with her. She tried to get up but Miroku tells her not to move lest she spread the poison within her faster. Miroku assures her he is fine and can still fight. He says the sound from his Kazaana had quieted. Sango realizes the implications at once - that the power of Naraku's curse has weakened because Inuyasha and the others must have struck Naraku a decisive blow. Sango says they must hurry so they, too, can sever their fates from Naraku's. Nearby, Sesshomaru and his half-pint entourage also are headed for Naraku's inner sanctum for the final confrontation ... THE END (^_*)