Episode 151 - Kagome's Instinctive Choice
Naraku’s second evil baby has found a haven with an affluent Shogun and his Lady. As the Shogun enjoys the promise of his new son and heir, his Lady is bewildered and suspicious of the infant. She vaguely recalls the appearance of a strange little girl as well as a great tragedy that accompanied her child’s birth. The Lady isn’t sure the baby is really her child. Kohaku is also headed for the castle. During his journey he meets, and helps, one of the castle’s elderly retainers. The old man gladly offers Kohaku a job at the castle to repay his kindness. Kohaku accepts. Back in the woods Sango and Miroku finish off the attacking yokai and are joined by Inuyasha. When he doesn’t see Kagome, the others tell him she ran off chasing what looked like Kikyo’s shikigama and disappeared inside a barrier. Disturbed by the news, Inuyasha sets off to find her. Kagome, however, is safe inside the barrier. Kikyo’s shikigama guide her to the pool beneath the waterfall. Under the calm surface of the pool, Kikyo floats, motionless. The two spirits tell Kagome of Kikyo’s fateful encounter with Naraku and make a bold, desperate request - save Kikyo’s life. Kagome is the only one who can purify and heal the mortal wounds Naraku inflicted on Kikyo. Kagome doesn’t hesitate. Plunging into the painfully evil miasma-filled pool, Kagome attempts to heal her incarnation and rival. The shikigama provide Kagome with Kikyo‘s burial soil to press into Kikyo’s body that will purify Naraku’s miasma and close the dreadful wounds. In the process, Kagome experiences something she hadn’t counted on - by healing Kikyo; Kagome shares the miko’s memories. Kagome is a helpless spectator to the tragic story leading to the ‘deaths” of Inuyasha and Kikyo. Overwhelmed by emotion, Kagome barely completes healing Kikyo before passing out under water just as Kikyo regains consciousness. Kagome wakes by the side of the pool. Kikyo stands nearby, flanked by her shikigama attendants. The miko wants to know why Kagome saved her life - after all, she was offered a choice. Kagome tells Kikyo she had no choice - since she was the only one who could save Kikyo, she did. Kikyo doesn’t thank Kagome for her help; if she didn’t make a choice there’s nothing for her to be grateful for. Kikyo tells Kagome Inuyasha is on his way to find her and disappears with her two servants. Kagome is abandoned by the pool, wet, exhausted and feeling exploited. The longer Kagome thinks about her encounter with Kikyo, the more hurt and angrier with herself she becomes. Kagome convinces herself saving Kikyo was a “test” because of her romantic rivalry with Kikyo over Inuyasha. Kagome is sure Kikyo and her Shikigama are somewhere mocking her. Just as her temper flares, Inuyasha arrives and makes a big mistake looking around the area. Kagome seizes the opportunity and angrily tells him Kikyo is gone. She misinterprets Inuyasha’s relief about Kikyo for happiness, which fuels her rage. Inuyasha can’t get a break - he’s just concerned about Kagome. Seething with fury, Kagome unleashes her pent up wrath on Inuyasha and tells him she hates him. Later, Miroku and Sango attempt to counsel the confused half-demon while Kagome sits alone, sulking miserably. Inuyasha hasn’t a clue what he did wrong and is reluctant (as always) to apologize. Kagome meanwhile, is upset and regrets taking her anger out on Inuyasha. She’s convinced he must hate her after losing her temper so badly. Kagome looks up and sees Inuyasha sitting near her. He cautiously asks is she’s still angry and Kagome asks him if he’s going after Kikyo. Inuyasha reveals his traumatic encounter with the Saint and Kagome discovers he just was worried about Kikyo’s condition. Inuyasha is satisfied Kikyo is alive and moved Kagome healed her despite their jealousy. After telling Kagome he’s not pursuing Kikyo, Inuyasha asks Kagome to take back what she said about hating him. It seems Inuyasha had some hurt feelings of his own …
