Episode 132 - The Most Dangerous Confession of Monk Miroku
Miroku is seduced into a lethal trap! The village girl was bait to lure the womanizing monk into the clutches of the flesh-hungry demon lurking in the Kannon temple. The demon reveals itself as the ayakashi (evil spirit) which once ruled the river valley. Long ago, a priest sealed it in the Kannon scroll and placed it in its temple prison. It waited a long time for resurrection and now, with the help of the village woman, it is almost whole. The creature lunges at Miroku, but he narrowly escapes with the village woman. The demon isn’t too disappointed: it spots new prey approaching - Wakana and Shinosuke. Miroku shouts a warning to Shinosuke, but Wakana saves Shinosuke from a horrible death, pushing him out of the demon’s grasp at the last second. Miroku tells the couple to run and attacks the ayakashi. The wounded demon flies away howling in agony. The fight continues as Miroku’s bewitched seductress tries stab him. Attempting to knock her out, Miroku punches the woman in the stomach and is shocked when the girl coughs up a salamander! With the creature gone, the ayakashi’s spell is broken. Miroku then punches Wakana in the stomach and she expels a similar creature. At the river’s edge Inuyasha defends against a hostile army of village women. The battle halts momentarily as an object streaks through the forest and splashes into the river. It’s the demonic temple scroll, and the army of women dive in after. In the depths, the scroll transforms, surfacing in the form of a monstrous, leprous, salamander. The creature is delighted to see Inuyasha waiting on the shore -- it seems that consuming the skin of a half-demon would complete it’s regeneration more quickly. Not eager to become salamander food, Inuyasha draws Tetsusaiga. But before he can attack, the spell-bound village women rise from the river, driving him back. The ayakashi hammers his mammoth tail onto the riverbank with crushing force, hurling Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo and the women away in the explosion. Miroku arrives in time to catch Kagome and Shippo, and directs Inuyasha to send the women his way. Miroku repeats his “special exorcism” - a punch to the gut - and the demon spawn inside the women is regurgitated. Inuyasha continues his clash with the ayakashi. During battle, the creature reveals more about its nature; it is active because the jaki residue from Naraku caused it to awaken. As the battle escalates, another battalion of possessed women join the fight. Miroku calls for Sango’s help, but is informed Sango is missing in action. Inuyasha brings his fight with the ayakashi to an explosive, messy conclusion, but the village women continue their assault. Miroku’s demon expulsion task is interrupted by a soaking wet Kirara. The little demon weaves fretfully around Miroku’s feet, tugging at the hem of his robe and mewing anxiously. Realizing Kirara is trying to lead him to Sango, they dive into the river to find her. Sango finds them first! Under the ayakashi’s spell, Sango attacks Miroku mercilessly. Bloody and battered, Miroku summons his remaining strength to drive his fist into Sango’s midsection and exorcise the demon. Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo join a battle-fatigued Miroku and unconscious Sango, at the riverbank. Kagome explains Sango went off alone because she was angry with Miroku for fooling around with other women. Miroku grimly ponders the results of his actions as he holds Sango in his arms. The commotion over, Wakana and Shinosuke say farewell and leave for their village. Elsewhere, Sango and Miroku awkwardly apologize to each other. Sango feels awful for injuring Miroku, and Miroku feels guilty his lecherous behavior endangered Sango. (Their conversation is not completely private: Kagome, Shippo and Inuyasha eavesdrop.) Miroku confesses to Sango she’s very special to him, but he can‘t make a commitment. Then Miroku explains when the battle with Naraku is over and his kazaana is gone, he wants her to live with him and have his children. Sango tearfully replies “yes” to his proposal then asks Miroku a question of her own -- about cheating! Miroku replies with nervous silence ... The scene closes on Sango and Miroku sitting together -- her head resting on his shoulder.
