Episode 138 - Survival of the Two People in Demon Infested Lands
Four shadows streak through the trees and attack Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango, blocking their attempt to rescue Kagome and Akitoki Hojo. Frustrated, Inuyasha blows the four specters out of the trees using the Kaze no Kizu. Grounded, the four sinister creatures reveal themselves as Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu and Suzaku. The evil quartet harasses Inuyasha and the others until their master arrives - a yokai named Hoshioni. While Inuyasha faces a new foe, Akitoki and Kagome flounder helplessly down the rapids of the river where they fell. Akitoki panics when he doesn't see Kagome in the torrent, and calls to her. She finally answers as the current washes her towards him. Akitoki pulls Kagome to the safety of his eager, waiting arms. Akitoki's romantic reveling ends abruptly when a log, driven by the white water, knocks him senseless, dislodging his grip on the bank. Both teens are swept back into the rapids and over a spectacular three-level waterfall. Hoshioni proves to be a formidable opponent, prepared to do whatever he must to obtain halberd Akitoki possesses. Dispatching his demonic thugs to find the halberd, Hoshioni turns his attention to Inuyasha. Inuyasha tells Miroku, Sango and Shippo to find Kagome before the bad guys do, and prepares to fight. As he engages Hoshioni, the yokai casts a spell on Inuyasha, paralyzing him in his tracks. Miroku, Sango and Shippo arrive at the falls fearing the worst, but are relieved to find Kagome's uniform scarf and nothing else. Others search, too. In the woods, Genbu, Suzaku, Seiryuu and Byakko look for clues to the halberd's whereabouts. By accident, they find a lost photograph of Kagome and her three friends. Recovered from their aquatic mishap, Akitoki and Kagome trek through the forest. Kagome's ankle is injured but Akitoki is deliriously happily to carry her on his back. Distracted and babbling cheerfully, Akitoki walks painfully into a low hanging tree branch. The situation compounds as a snake falls onto his head. Alarmed, Akitoki trips and slides down a hill and into a thicket of brush. Akitoki's string of disaster ends with a close encounter with a wild boar. Although Akitoki is lavish with his praise and chivalry, Kagome is conflicted. Akitoki is a nice guy, but he is awkward and uncomfortably fervent … but what about her name paired with his on the old scroll? Kagome recalls her confrontation with Inuyasha: his problem with Akitoki wasn't his normal jealousy - he was hurt and afraid. Did she prefer to be with her own kind, like Akitoki? While Kagome searches her heart, the demonic foursome has located their target and hatches a plan to steal the halberd. Spell-bound, Inuyasha listens as Hoshioni reveals the reason for seeking the Hojo blade - he has the other half of the weapon and wants to make it whole. Inuyasha manages to break free and charge Hoshioni, but his attack has little effect. Back in the forest, Akitoki marvels at Kagome as she sleeps, and makes plans for their future together. Akitoki tries to steal a kiss from the sleeping girl, but he is thwarted by the arrival of three young ladies resembling Ari, Yuka and Ayumi, Kagome's friends from the photo. Kagome wakes and realizes something is wrong even though Akitoki thinks they've been saved. Kagome plays along and, while they travel through the woods, the three imposters ambush Kagome and Akitoki. Kagome dispatches the trio quickly, but the victory celebration is brief; Hoshioni's yokai thugs appear and kidnap her. Inuyasha's battle with Hoshioni ends explosively and Hoshioni disappears. Playtime is over -Hoshioni received word he has what he needs to get the halberd. No further need to stall. Unaware of this, Inuyasha pursues Hoshioni to finish the fight. On the way, he collides with Akitoki. When Inuyasha doesn't see Kagome, he grabs Akitoki demanding to know where she is. The answer isn't what Inuyasha wants to hear and, as Inuyasha prepares to brain Akitoki, Hoshioni interrupts. Inuyasha looks up and, to his horror and outrage, spots Hoshioni hovering above him, holding an unconscious Kagome.
