Episode 23

Kagome's Voice and Kikyo's Kiss is the twenty-third episode of the InuYasha anime. It first aired in Japan on April 16, 2001.

Synopsis

 * 1) Kagome confronts Kikyō; Explaining Inuyasha didn't betray her, but victims of an elaborate ruse.
 * 2) Kikyō ignores Kagome, and is resolved to destroy Inuyasha.
 * 3) Inuyasha and Kikyō meet, Inuyasha declares that he's never stopped thinking about her and they kiss.
 * 4) Kikyō attempts to drag Inuyasha to hell so that they will be together; but Kagome's voice saves Inuyasha.
 * 5) Witnessing the whole thing, Kagome goes home.

Summary
Inuyasha arrives at a lake and questions if it's the place Sayo spoke of, then noticing something near the lake and goes over to it. Inuyasha picks the item up and realizes it is a hair cord. As there is a flashback of Kikyō taking off her hair cord at night, Inuyasha asks himself if Kikyō is really still alive. In another flashback, Kikyō uses her spiritual powers on Inuyasha and asks him didn't she tell him when she dies he's coming with her. Inuyasha tells Kikyō to stop this but he also starts to slip on the cliff but manages to hold on to the cliff. Inuyasha tries to hold on to her but she slips from his grasp. Inuyasha calls out to Kikyō as she falls of the cliff and disappears in the mist. Inuyasha thinks to himself why did this happen and angrily made a fist. Kikyō says she died hating Inuyasha and at that moment her soul became immobile and as long as he lives, she cannot be saved.

Kagome walks over to where Kikyō is sleeping in a tree and stands near her. Kagome thinks to herself is Kikyō asleep and looks closer to Kikyō move a little bit. Kagome thinks to herself that Kikyō seems a bit sad. Kikyō wakes up to see Kagome staring at her and asks was she able to break through her barrier. Kagome questions about a barrier as she didn't notice anything like that than she sees the Soul Collectors carrying souls of the dead women. Kagome asks Kikyō is she the one who has been luring women's souls away and if so tells her to let them return. Kikyō ignores Kagome's words and asks her isn't Inuyasha with her. Kagome tells Kikyō that Inuyasha set out to find her and thinks to herself that he's trying to come here. Kikyō asks Kagome what was her relationship to Inuyasha. Kagome becomes confused. Kikyō uses her spiritual powers as she touches Kagome's forehead lightly with her fingers, making her glow. Kagome thinks to herself that she can't move her body. Kikyō tells Kagome she's in the way. As Inuyasha is running he notices Soul Collectors with souls going into a barrier but couldn't go in and thinks to himself that Kikyō is behind it and is it really her. Kikyō immobilizes Kagome more by tying her to a tree with her Soul Collectors. Kagome thinks to herself that she can't move. A Soul Collector brings a soul to Kikyō and she announces to Kagome that Inuyasha is here before she absorbs the soul. Inuyasha notices the barrier has opened. Kikyō tells Kagome that Inuyasha is not here to save her and he's here to see her and she won't allow any interference. Kagome questions about interference and asks Kikyō she doesn't still mean to kill Inuyasha and says someone purposely set her and Inuyasha against each other and it wasn't Inuyasha who killed her.

Kikyō tells Kagome she looks as though she expects her to be happy. Kagome becomes confused. Kikyō tells Kagome the one who caused her premature death and asks if that person dies will she be resurrected. Kagome say she guess not. Kikyō tells Kagome the dead wish for one thing to live once more and it's a wish that cannot come true, however, the dead can wish for one thing which can come true and she wants to steal his heart from the one she will never forgive if he dares to forget her. Kagome questions Kikyō about never forgive he forgets her and does she mean Inuyasha. Kikyō says to Kagome that Inuyasha wishes for her death and that is good because that means he has regrets about their fights and regret all he wants and she shall never let him forget about her as time will not go forward then she can exist is the time that is frozen and she will be able to continue living in his heart. Kagome tells Kikyō even now Inuyasha thinks about her and isn't that enough as he loves her and he always has asks isn't that enough. Kagome watches as a Soul Collector pass by before focusing on Kikyō again. Kikyō tells Kagome that she and Inuyasha parted despising each other and the love she speaks of is but a shallow emotion which only served to deepen the hatred and nothing is stronger in the strengthening resolve than bitterness and if Inuyasha must love then love her consuming hatred and as her she will love his heart which is about to fall into deep despair. Kagome tells Kikyō her hatred is pointless and it makes no sense. Kikyō and Kagome notice that Inuyasha, who is surprised, has arrived. Kagome calls out to Inuyasha and tells him to talk to Kikyō about how Naraku deceived them. Inuyasha walk over to Kikyō. Kagome calls out to Inuyasha in confusion. Inuyasha calls out Kikyō's name. Kikyō moves a little bit. Kagome thinks to herself that Inuyasha can't see her. Inuyasha says to Kikyō it is her who's been gathering the souls of the dead women. Kikyō tells Inuyasha says her new body is molded from the earth and bones at her gravesite and needs to be nourished with human souls or else she cannot move. Inuyasha remains silent. Kikyō tells Inuyasha that he must despise her as driven by her hatred towards him and she has gathered the souls of the dead to remain in this world. Inuyasha tells Kikyō how stupid as she may hate him but never a day went by without my thinking about her. Kikyō becomes touched by this. Kagome thinks to herself that she thought so as Inuyasha has never forgotten Kikyō but she feels a bit sad as he's been taken from her and asks what is she saying as Inuyasha's not her boyfriend or anything. Kikyō turns away from Inuyasha. Inuyasha tells Kikyō that no matter what her appearance he would never hate her or think less of her. Kikyō asks Inuyasha is that's true before she turns to him. Kikyō caresses Inuyasha's face and asks him even if she were to kill him with these hands then leans forward and kissed him, surprising Inuyasha. Kagome becomes shocked at Kikyō kissing Inuyasha. Kikyō hugs Inuyasha and calls out to him and she says after meeting him she stopped being a priestess and she became a mere woman and this is what she longed for when she was alive. Inuyasha embraces Kikyō in his arms in return. Kagome calls out to Inuyasha and tells him he's going to accept Kikyō and she guesses it's only to be expected and asks herself what was she doing here anyway as she was such a fool. Kagome begins to cry and questions herself why was she starting to cry.

Inuyasha thinks to himself that the familiar scent of Kikyō is just like back then and the only difference is that she has no warmth as her body died and it's cold, sad, and lonely. Kikyō tells Inuyasha that they cannot return to that time and she wants to stay like this a little longer. Inuyasha says to Kikyō he can't save her and if he cannot do anything for her but to stay like this and how he wishes time would stop. Kikyō asks Inuyasha is that all right if time would stop. Inuyasha closes his eyes and tells Kikyō 'yes' and he doesn't care if as he's with her before becoming unconscious. Kagome says she can't watch the scene of Inuyasha and Kikyō anymore and she won't interfere and wants to be released and she'll go far away then asks if they are listening. Kagome notices Kikyō opening up a portal to with Inuyasha. Kikyō calls out to Inuyasha and tells him she'll never let him go and come with her to hell. Kagome realizes Inuyasha is being dragged in. The Soul Collectors and Souls were being sucked in. Kagome calls out to Inuyasha and asks what was he doing as he must get away but realizes he's unconscious. Kagome calls out to Kikyō as she knows she can hear her and says she's a coward as Inuyasha said he wants to be with her but he never said he wanted to die with her and unlike her he must go after Naraku who tricked him and her 50 years ago and more than anything he wants to live to fight and is determined to avenge her death as well. Kikyō stares at Kagome. Kagome questions if Kikyō understands. Kikyō becomes annoyed and raises her hand to use the spiritual power from her finger to smash the tree, intimidating Kagome. Kagome sits down and calls out to Kikyō. Kikyō asks Kagome will getting revenge bring her body back to life before turning back to Inuyasha. Kikyō calls to Inuyasha and tells him rather than live with her memory and come with her as she and him have the same wish as she embraces him. Inuyasha and Kikyō are dragged further down to hell. Kagome tells Kikyō how dare she and if Inuyasha were conscious he would never follow her and to get away from him and to not touch him. Kikyō senses the souls pulsing within her and she clutches her jacket before some of her souls leave her body. Kikyō thinks to herself that Kagome's taking her souls once again and before her body is completely emptied before she embraces Inuyasha once again. Kikyō calls out to Inuyasha and tells him to come with her. Kagome tells Inuyasha to wake up and repeatedly calls out to him. Inuyasha wakes up and thinks to himself that he's heard Kagome's voice and questions if she's here then looks to see her tied to the broken tree by Soul Collectors.

Inuyasha left Kikyō to free Kagome as he calls out to her. Kikyō sadly watches Inuyasha leave. Inuyasha uses his Iron Reaver Soul Stealer to kill the Soul Collectors to free Kagome and kneels in front of her. Inuyasha calls out to Kagome and asks her what was she doing here. Kagome asks Inuyasha what about him. Inuyasha becomes nervous and can't answer the question. Inuyasha and Kagome notice the Soul Collectors and Souls before they look at Kikyō again. Kikyō closes the portal to hell. Inuyasha calls out to Kikyō. Kikyō becomes heartbroken and stands up then asks Inuyasha is Kagome more dear to her. Inuyasha and Kagome become confused before they avoid they nervously avoid eye contact with one another then they see Kikyō flying away on her Soul Collectors, who are carrying souls. Inuyasha moves forward as he tells Kikyō to wait and to listen to him. Kikyō tells Inuyasha not to forget her feelings when her lips were against his was real. Kagome becomes sad. Kikyō tells Inuyasha not to forget before disappears with the Soul Collectors and Souls in the sky. Inuyasha calls out to Kikyō. After witnessing Kikyō leave, Kagome stands up and walks away. Inuyasha notices Kagome leaving before he decides to follow her. Kagome stops and tells Inuyasha to not come. Inuyasha asks Kagome what was she so mad about. Kagome asks Inuyasha if he can find the Sacred Jewel fragments alone as she doesn't think she can help him anymore. Inuyasha asks Kagome what was she saying as she was the only one who can see the Sacred Jewel shards and she has to help. Kagome asks Inuyasha if that's all he needs her for before she tells him to forget she said that as maybe it's because she's alone in this strange world and she's feeling lonely. Inuyasha tells Kagome that he's here. Kagome tells Inuyasha that she gets it as he couldn't see her. Inuyasha becomes confused. Kagome says to Inuyasha that she's sorry as she did see it all between him and Kikyō. Inuyasha becomes surprised and moves forward a little bit as he asks her that she saw it all. Kagome tells Inuyasha from the start to finish and to leave her alone for awhile before she continues to walk away. Inuyasha asks Kagome what was this about and start to finish and calls out to her as he asks what did he do then he wonders to himself. Inuyasha follows after Kagome again and calls out to her as he wants her to tell him. Kagome stops walking before she angrily tells Inuyasha to "SIT", causing him to implanted in the ground. Kagome tells Inuyasha that start to finish means everything and she saw everything from a front row seat and she's leaving before she continues to walk away again. Miroku and Shippō appear as Shippō asks Miroku did he find Kagome. Miroku and Shippō find Inuyasha and notices imbedded agroof in the ground. Shippō calls out to Inuyasha and asks what was he doing on the ground and has he seen Kagome. Miroku tells Shippō that he has seen that pose before as it must mean that Kagome is just fine. Shippō says that Kagome is full of energy.

Meanwhile, in the village, Kikyō approaches Kaede's hut. Kaede, who was sleeping, wakes up and becomes surprised to see Kikyō at the doorway. Kaede calls out to Kikyō as sits up. Kikyō asks Kaede what's the matter and was she afraid of her own sister. Kaede tells Kikyō 'no' because since that day she fell from the cliff she thought she didn't survive. Kikyō says to Kaede 'yes' as she is a dead woman but she guess she still longed for this world. Kaede asks Kikyō does she still seek Inuyasha's life. Kikyō reveals to Kaede that she just met Inuyasha moments ago and she barely missed killing him and asks her to tell her everything she knows about Naraku as she sits down. Kaede explains to Kikyō that everything started from the evil desires of Onigumo as he called forth the demons and was eaten by them thus was born the demon Naraku. Kikyō realizes that it was Onigumo the bandit. Kaede confirms this as Onigumo used to say that the Sacred Jewel grows in beauty when it is tainted with malice. Kikyō thinks to herself that Naraku caused hatred between herself and Inuyasha then stole the Sacred Jewel that had been tainted in the process. Kaede tells Kikyō that Inuyasha was seriously wounded by Naraku again. Kikyō stands up and prepares to leave as she tells Kaede that she has heard enough as she just thought she should know the circumstances of her death and notices that Inuyasha has changed as his face had a softness as back then he trusted no one and his eyes were cold. Kaede says that Kagome is a strange child as she has been able to slowly heal Inuyasha's heart. Kikyō says it's Kagome again as she's the one who changed Inuyasha and if she had lived she would have been the one to heal his heart. Kaede asks Kikyō is she not able to break away from the past and move on. Kikyō tells Kaede they shall meet again before she leaves. Kaede asks herself how long will Kikyō linger. Kikyō rides on a boat as her Soul Collectors that are carrying souls follow her.

The next day, Kagome travels all the way back to the Bone-Eater's Well to return to the modern era as Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippō watch. Miroku says Kagome is gone. Miroku says to Inuyasha that Kagome wasn't her usual self and asks what happened between him and Kikyō. Inuyasha tells Miroku what he always does with women. Miroku becomes surprised and asks Inuyasha if he participated in such an act in front of Kagome. Inuyasha asks Miroku what does he usually does. Miroku doesn't answer the question. Shippō asks will Kagome ever come back as she seemed to be quite troubled. Inuyasha starts to remember what he said to Kikyō about never a day went by without him thinking about her and thinks to himself that he spoke the truth then remembers Kikyō telling him her feeling when her lips were against his was real then thinks to himself that his words were real. Inuyasha remembers Kikyō asks him if Kagome is more dear to him than she does. Miroku and Shippō meanwhile accost Inuyasha about who he wants to be with, Kagome or Kikyō. Kagome returns to the Feudal Era as she forgot her belongs and secretly listens to their conversation. Inuyasha asks if he can't just be with them both, much to Shippō's annoyance. Miroku tells Inuyasha that Kagome must never find out about this. Kagome tells Inuyasha to "SIT" and Miroku and Shippō look to see him face-down on the ground again, with Shippō remarking that karma includes bad thoughts.

Music

 * Opening Theme — CHANGE THE WORLD — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Flashback to Kikyō, Kagome finds her — Spiritual Power (Reiryoku) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Kagome paralyzed, Kikyō wants Inuyasha to never forget her — Trap (Wana) — TV OST Vol. 2
 * Inuyasha says he does not hate Kikyō, she hugs him — Longing (Bojō) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Kikyō tries to bring Inuyasha with her to hell — Evil Spirits Desiring the Shikon no Tama (Shikon no Tama o Nerau Chimimōryō) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Kikyō flies away — Demon Brother Sesshōmaru (Yōkei Sesshōmaru) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Kaede sees Kikyō — Dead Soul (Shinidama) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Kikyō travels on boat — Misfortunate Miko, Kikyō — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Inuyasha thinks about what he did with Kikyō — In a Trip of Destiny (Shukumei no Tabi e) — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Inuyasha falls to ground from “Sit” — Osuwari! — TV OST Vol. 1
 * Ending Theme — Fukai Mori — TV OST Vol. 2

Quotes
[Shippō and Miroku find Inuyasha imbedded agroof in the ground]

Shippō: Inuyasha! What're you doing here? Have you seen Kagome?

Miroku: I've seen him like this before. Kagome is just fine.

Kikyō: By the way, Inuyasha has changed. His face had a softness. In the past, he trusted no one. His eyes were cold.

Kaede: That Kagome is a strange girl. She has been able to slowly heal Inuyasha's heart.

Kikyō: That girl, again. So she's the one who changed him... [bitterly] ...If I had lived, I would have been the one to heal his heart...

Miroku: "She's gone. Inuyasha, Kagome wasn't her usual self. What on earth happened with Kikyō?"

Inuyasha: "The same thing you always do with women."

Miroku: [jumps back; shocked, appalled] "Wha—?! You mean—?! You did something like that in front of Kagome?!"

Inuyasha: "What do you usually do?!"

Kagome: [reappearing in bottom of well] "What's the matter with me? I was in such a state I forgot my things here. Hey, is anyone out there?" [hears others talking]

Miroku: "What'll you do, Inuyasha?"

Shippō: "Who will you choose?"

Miroku: "Decide now(!)"

Shippō: "Well?"

Inuyasha: "...Can't I choose them both?"

Shippō: "You mean— Two-timing?!"

Miroku: "Well, it often happens with men. But regardless, no matter what happens, Kagome must never find out about this. If she were ever to hear what you just said..."

Kagome: SIT!!!

Miroku: "That's right, BIG sit."

Shippō: "They say karma includes bad thoughts."

Differences from the manga

 * In the anime, Inuyasha is shown to have traveled all the way to the lake where Kikyō killed Seikai.
 * The conversation between Kikyō and Kagome is much longer in the anime than in the manga.
 * The anime omits the scene of Miroku and Shippō noticing the souls escaping from Kikyō.
 * The anime and the manga are nearly completely different in their handling of the fight between Inuyasha and Kagome after Kikyō leaves. In the anime, Kagome's anger leads her to travel all the way back to the well to return to the modern era. Miroku and Shippō meanwhile accost Inuyasha about who he wants to be with. In the manga, Kagome and Inuyasha continue walking around the river area they previously made camp at, and eventually have a heartfelt conversation.

Episod 23 第二十三集 Tập 23