INUYASHA: SENGOKU O-TOGI ZOUSHI

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Inuyasha - Chapter 337
"Fuyouheki - the Youki-Barrier"

Shonen Sunday Vol 50-51
November 12, 2003

"Every thought from within... is growing stronger, and continues on fighting!"

COVER ARTWORK || COLOR INSERT 1 || TITLE PAGE 1 || TITLE PAGE 2

PAGE 1

1
[Kagome looks sharply towards something in the distance. She's sensed something...]

KAGOME
It's the presence of Shikon shards!

2
[Kagome is on Inuyasha's back, and they're all rushing in the direction that Kagome has indicated.]

KAGOME
There's one shard… It's Kohaku-kun!

[Beside her and Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku are riding Kirara. They're looking over at her, intent on hearing the news.]

[FX: Kiraraa - SWOOSH]

3
[A side view of Sango. Overlaid in black and white, as if in her mind, is an image of Kohaku.]

SANGO
(thinking) Kohaku...

PAGE 2

COLOR PAGE (TITLE PAGE 1)

PAGE 3

COLOR PAGE (TITLE PAGE 2)

PAGE 4

1
[Scene change. Kohaku and Kikyou are standing face to face, following Kikyou's shot with the arrow. The arrow is jutting up from the ground just in front of Kohaku. She looks very intense. Kohaku looks a bit strained.]

[FX: trees - *rustle*]

2
[Close up of Kikyou's face. There's a hard crack of intensity coming from her.]

KIKYOU
You...

[FX: *hard breath*]

3
[Kohaku stares back at her, perspiration building on his face.]

KIKYOU (OFF)
You're kept alive by a Shikon fragment, aren't you.

[FX: shikon fragment - *energy hum*]

panel 1

"It was youuuUu!"

PAGE 5

1
[Kikyou is starting to lower her bow, but her intense, almost angry look at Kohaku is unwavering.]

KIKYOU
Naraku has a hold over your life, doesn't he?

KOHAKU
........

2
[Kikyou stares at him intently.]

KIKYOU
(thinking) However... It's strange. This boy's Shikon shards…

3
[A view of Kohaku as he looks back at her]

KIKYOU (OVER)
(thinking) Are corrupt because of Naraku's jyaki…

4
[Kikyou lowers her bow.]

KIKYOU
(thinking) This boy's soul...

[She speaks to Kohaku.]

KIKYOU
Why do you follow Naraku?

[Kohaku looks visibly stunned.]

KOHAKU
What?

5
[Closer view of Kohaku, who looks worried now.]

KOHAKU
(thinking) Wh-Why is this woman… why does she want to hear that?

6
[Suddenly Kohaku looks up, very surpriesd, at something appeaing, probably behind Kikyou.]

7
[Kikyou notices his reaction, but doesn't move.]

KIKYOU
!?

PAGE 6

1
[A wide view of the scene unfolding behind Kikyou. Now we see what had Kohaku so startled. Naraku, his body huge and shaped like a spider/crab form, is standing right behind Kikyou. The claw-like arms from his body are opening up, ready to close in around her. Kikyou looks very unaware of his presence.]

[FX: Naraku - *rustle*]

2
[And then Naraku strikes, and he strikes HARD. Kikyou notices, but a bit too late, as he grabs her]

KIKYOU
!

panel 1

"All the better to kill you with, my dear!"

PAGE 7

1
[Scene change. Miroku, Sango, and Shippou are still heading in the direction of the Shikon fragment. Miroku is looking at the youki crystal in his hand...]

MIROKU
!
The crystals from Gakusanjin's youki…

2
[A closer view of the crystals in his hand]

MIROKU
The youki has disappeared!

3
[Kagome looks over at him.]

KAGOME
Is the stone that makes the youki disappear up ahead… the fuyouheki!?

MIROKU
There's no mistaking it!

4
[Closer view of Inuyasha. He looks very intent now, perspiration on his face.]

INUYASHA
(thinking) And it's not just that!
We've been going to Kikyou's scent!

PAGE 8

1
[Naraku has surrounded Kikyou with his claw-like tendrils. She's trapped inside, as if in a cage. She's draw her bow and is trying to get a bead on him with her arrow.]

[FX: Naraku - tenticles *rustle* Kikyou - bow *strain*]

2
[Naraku looks down at his prey, smiling coldly; he's obviously highly amused and looking rather confident that he's got the upper hand this time.]

NARAKU
It's been a while, hasn't it, Kikyou… Since Mount Hakurei…

PAGE 9

1
[Kikyou glares back up at him, bow drawn.]

KIKYOU
Naraku...

[But she knows that she's in trouble...]

KIKYOU
(thinking) I didn't realize he was standing behind me.

2
[A view of Naraku, from Kikyou's point of view. He's looking down at her arrogantly.)

KIKYOU (OVER)
(thinking) I didn't feel his presence…
Even now… I can't feel the youki from him!?

3
[A close up of Kikyou, having a startled thought]

KIKYOU
(thinking) What does that mean!?

4
[Close up of Naraku, smiling coldly.]

NARAKU
Heh-heh-heh… You should look happier, Kikyou. You wanted to meet with me, didn't you?

5
[Kikyou releases the arrow, and if slices through the air with energy.]

KIKYOU
Ngh!

[FX: Arrow - *swoosh*]

PAGE 10

1
[The arrow slams into Naraku and tears his body apart. He still has a cold, intent look on his face, and actually looks like he's quite unimpressed with the act. The tendrils surrounding Kikyou still remain, however...]

[FX: Arrow/body - *SLAM!*]

2
[And Naraku, minus the lower portion of his body, still floats in the air above Kikyou, smiling arrogantly.]

NARAKU
Heh-heh-heh...

3
[Kikyou looks horrified as the tendril cage around her tightens it's grip...]

KIKYOU
!

[FX: tendrils - *squeeze*]

4
[Side view of Kikyou.]

KIKYOU
(thinking) I can't get another arrow…

PAGE 11

1
[Naraku's upper body hovers above the scene. Kikyou is trapped helplessly in the tangle of tentacles surrounding her. Naraku calls down to Kohaku.]

NARAKU
What are you staring at, Kohaku.

[Kikyou is looking back at Kohaku, and Kohaku's reaction indicates that he's absolutely shocked that he's being addressed.]

KOHAKU
!

2
[Naraku looks over at Kohaku intensely]

NARAKU
Take her neck.

panel 3

"...ugh..."

3
[Kohaku stares on, horrified.]

KOHAKU
........

4
[And now the tension builds as he hesitates. He looks down over at Kikyou, trapped in the vinelike tendrils. Her expression has gone dark...]

KOHAKU
(thinking) This womas is... the one Naraku fears the most.

5
[A close up of his hand, holding the sickle. It's tense and trembling...]

KOHAKU
WHAT SHOULD I DO!?

PAGE 12

1
[Naraku looks down at Kohaku, sensing something amiss...]

NARAKU
You're hesitating, Kohaku...?

2
[Kohaku is visibly strained. He knows that not obeying Naraku will betray the fact that he's begun to remember... his past. And also that it will betray that his own will has returned and he's not as "under control" as he seems to be.]

3
[Close up of Kohaku's hand and sickle. He seems to have made a decision.]

[FX: hand - *grip*]

4
[Suddenly, the hiraikotsu whirls through the air towards them.]

[FX: hiraikotsu - *whirl whirl whirl whirl!*]

5
[The hiraikotsu slams into the ground between Kikyou and Kohaku. Kohaku stares over at it, stunned.]

KOHAKU
!

PAGE 13

1
[The hiraikotsu richochets off the ground and flies back through the air...]

[FX: hiraikotsu - *WHIRL WHRIL WHIRL*]

2
[...and lands back in the hands of Sango. She, along with Miroku, Kirara, and Inuyasha, have arrived on the scene.]

SANGO
KOHAKU!

3
[Kohaku looks back at them, a bit stunned.]

KOHAKU
(thinking) Ane-ue...

4
[And Inuyasha sees, with horror, that Kikyou is trapped.]

INUYASHA
KIKYOU.

PAGE 14

1
[Inuyasha rushes ahead, unsheathing Tessaiga, and obviously VERY ANGRY.]

INUYASHA
NARAKU, YOU ASSHOLE!

[FX: TESSAIGA: *SLICE*]

2
[Naraku looks back over at Inuyasha, a cold, arrogant smile on his face.]

NARAKU
Humph.

3
[And then Naraku explodes into a huge ball of jyaki and shouki, stopping Inuyasha short.]

INUYASHA
!

[FX: shouki - *WHOOM!*]

panel 1

Inuyasha is not a happy boy...

PAGE 15

1
[Kagome draws a bow and arrow, and Sango and Miroku, who are riding Kirara, watch on]

SANGO
Jyaki!

KAGOME
I'll purify it!

2
[The arrow whooshed through the air, slicing through the jyaki.]

[FX: arrow - "SWOOSH*]
[FX: jyaki - *CRACK*]

3
[As the jyaki starts to clear, we see that the tendril cage that has been holding Kikyou has been cut through. It's smoking with energy. Inuyasha is standing in front of her, Tessaiga still drawn. She's looking back up at him, probably a little shocked that he's come...]

[FX: tendrils - *sizzle*]

PAGE 16

1
[A view of Sango, Miroku, and Shippou.]

MIROKU
Naraku… escaped again?…

2
[A view of Sango, looking strained.]

SANGO
Kokahu…

3
[View of Kagome, watching Inuyasha and Kikyou.]

KAGOME
......

4
[Inuyasha resheathes Tessaiga and approaches Kikyou.]

INUYASHA
Kikyou….

[FX: tendrils - *rustle rustle*]

5
[Close up of Inuyasha. He looks kind of worried...]

INUYASHA
Are you alright?

6
[Kikyou stands up, her hand on her shoulder, as if injured. She probably is a bit in pain from where Naraku had been holding her by the shoulders. She also looks quite upset...]

KIKYOU
…I was unprepared.

7
[View of Inuyasha, listening to her speak.]

KIKYOU
I couldn't feel the youki from Naraku.

PAGE 17

1
[Inuyasha is speaking to Kikyou now. Kagome is watching him from a slight distance back.]

INUYASHA
That bastard Naraku… That youki-barrier was because he fears you…?

2
[View of Kikyou.]

KIKYOU
Youki-barrier...

3
[Miroku speaks to them now.]

MIROKU
The protecting stone that hides youki.
However… you were made a target, so his departure was unusually simple.

4
[Sango approches Kikyou, looking worried.]

SANGO
U-um…

5
[Closer view of Sango.]

SANGO
Did Kohaku… Did my little brother do anything cruel to you?

6
[Kikyou looks over at Sango, her expression solemn, but otherwise unreadable...]

KIKYOU
No…

KIKYOU
(thinking) Her little brother…? It worries me… that boy's eyes…

PAGE 18

1
[Scene change to a view of Kohaku, flying with Kagura, over the landscape.]

KIKYOU (VOICE-OVER)
(cont.) ...they weren't the eyes of someone who is being controlled.

KAGURA
Damn.

2
[Kagura looks rather annoyed. Well, more annoyed than usual...]

KAGURA
Since only you were called to Naraku, I thought you were going to where the baby is.

3
[View of Kagura as Kohaku speaks to her.]

KOHAKU (OFF)
The baby… should be nearby...

4
[She looks back at him, a little surprised.]

KAGURA
Oh?

5
[A closer view of Kohaku, looking determined.]

KOHAKU
Kikyou... was looking for him. Naraku came out just for that, too.

PAGE 19

1
[Kohaku continues talking, and Kagura just listens. But she's kind of shocked...]

KOHAKU
Surely it was to divert attention from the baby.

KAGURA
…..

2
[Close up of Kagura.]

KAGURA
What's wrong with you? Isn't it unusual for you to be so talkative?

3
[Kagura has a realization.]

KAGURA
(thinking) I can't be… his memory is…

4
[And then Kohaku talks to her, his face hard and set.]

KOHAKU
Kagura.... don't you want your freedom?

panel 3, panel 4

"Naraku's breath stinks, and I don't like the way he dresses..."

5
[She looks back at him, a little poker-faced for what she's actually thinking.]

KAGURA
(thinking) He's talking to me? (notes)

[Then she speaks out loud.]

KAGURA
Heh… how interesting. You're after Naraku's life?

6
[Kohaku stares back at her. He's obviously strained enough as it is, but still holding his ground.]

PAGE 20

1
[Kohkau stares at her]

KOHAKU
What will you do if I am?

2
[His hand goes to the sickle at his side]

KOHAKU
Tell Naraku?

[FX: Kohaku - hand *grip*]

3
[Kagura looks back at him.]

KAGURA
Take your hand from your weapon.
You're fortunate I don't drop you.

4
[She still faces forward, but has a little bit of a sly grin on her face as she speaks.]

KAGURA
Don't worry, I won't tell your secret. Seems like you and I have the same issue with Naraku.

5
[And a view of the two as they continue to fly]

KAGURA
(thinking) For now, at most, he'll do the work. For my sake.

6 & 7
[Cloudy frame - Scene change.]

SHIPPOU
Say, Kagome.

PAGE 21

1
[Back to a scene with Inuyasha-tachi. Kagome is sitting on a tree stump, talking with Shippou. Sango and Miroku as also sitting off to the side.]

SHIPPOU
It's like it always is… Is that okay?

2
[Kagome looks over her shoulder, to where Inuaysha and Kikyou are standing off in the distance, by themselves. It's obvious she doesn't feel good about this. However, it looks like Inuyasha and Kikyou are just talking.]

KAGOME
........

3
[Miroku stands and looks over at Kagome and Shippou.]

MIROKU
It isn't as if Kikyou-sama is acting as though she wants to travel with us.
As usual, they're probably saying their parting words.

SHIPPOU
It's sure a long talk.

KAGOME
.......

panel 2

"He is SO going to get osuwaried for this..!"

4
[Side view of Kagome. She looks a little sad, or thoughtful....]

KAGOME
(thinking) It can't be helped. Besides…

5
[White frame]

KAGOME
(thinking) I'm always with Inuaysha. But Kikyou...

6
[Kagome looks over her shoulder again.]

KAGOME
.....
(thinking) I wonder what they're talking about...

PAGE 22

1
[Inuyasha and Kikyou are talking, looking all business. Kikyou is holding the paper shikigami in her hands as they talk.]

INUYASHA
So… you mean that lured out Naraku?

KIKYOU
Perhaps it did… My shikigami had almost found something ELSE.

2
[Closer view of Kikyou.]

KIKYOU
After that, Naraku didn't die, though he took my arrow.

3
[Close-up of Inuyasha.]

INUYASHA
Yeah... Since he came out from Mount Hakurei, though we've crushed his body over and over, he won't die.

4
[Close up of Kikyou's eyes. She looks seriuos.]

KIKYOU
That means his heart is outside of his body.

5
[Inuyasha considers this. He looks worried now, a little perspiration on his face...]

INUYASHA
His heart - He'd hidden it with the youki-barrier?

6
[Scene change. A gaping, creepy-looking cave...]

[FX: Wind - *how-w-w-w-wl*]

PAGE 23

1
[A close up of the dark, black Mamori Ishi, the protecting stone. It looks like a huge black marble, swirling with energy.]

NARAKU (VOICE OVER)
This youki-barrier, fuyouheki, will conceal your youki.

2
[A view of the happy little family. Naraku is standing, looking down at the baby. Kanna is also there, watching.]

NARAKU
Its previous owner, the mountain-youkai Gakusanjin, used this to prevent and useless disputes.

3
[Naraku looks down at the baby, a cold smirk on his face.]

NARAKU
How will you use it?

4
[Gah, if looks could kill... this is one of the creepiest images I've ever seen of this kid. The baby is holding the mamori ishi, a humorless, evil smirk on HIS face, as well...]

AKAGO
.....

panel 4

"I wanna play 'kill people' with you, Daddy Naraku!"