Episode 176

Sesshomaru in the Underworld is the 9the episode of InuYasha: The Final Act.

Summary
Inuyasha and his group are still coming to terms with Kikyo's death. Koga leaves the fight against Naraku to them.

Elsewhere, Sesshomaru is aggrivated by Meido Zangetsuha being unable to become a full circle, which is it's perfected form. Seeking answers on how to make the technique evolve, Sesshomaru visits his mother for answers. However, will he be willing to continue his quest to make Meido Zangetsuha stronger? Even if it may cost the life of someone he cares for?

Plot
Rin asks Jaken why Sesshomaru has taken them to a field in the middle of nowhere. Jaken doesn't know, but the fact Sesshomaru has been looking for something for the last three days makes it important. Tenseiga pulses as they talk. Rin notices Kohaku staring off into the sky, thinking of Kikyo; he saw he soul ascend the previous nightm just like everyone else did. Rin offers his condolances to Kohaku, who only laments being weak. Sesshomaru notices a dog demon flying the sky and transforms, flying along with it and crashing into the ground. Once the smoke clears, Sesshomaru is back in human form along with the other dog demon, revealed to be female. She addresses Sesshomaru without honorics, making Jaken angry. She ignores him and continues, saying that Sesshomaru must have questions about Tenseiga; what other reason would he have to seek out his mother? This shocks Jaken.

Elsewhere, Hakkaku and Ginta have arrived, learning Koga lost his shards, something frustating him. Kogawalks over to Inuyasha and kicks him, but gets a calm response from him. Inuyasha wonders if Koga's leaving; he is, he'd only slow them down now that he lacks his shards. Koga yells that Inuyasha isn't the only one whose suffering. Inuyasha calmly accepts this and Koga says he feels terrible for leaving Kagome behind; Inuyasha agrees again. Koga smacks him on the head, freaked out by Inuyasha agreeing with him. Inuyasha snaps back to normal, saying he's being kind because Koga's injured. Koga tells Kagome that Inuyasha needs her by his side to help him recover. Inuyasha tells Koga the loss of his shards wasn't in vain. Koga hopes Inuyasha is right and tells Kagome to find him if she gets tired of Inuyasha. Koga takes, surprisingly being faster than Ginta and Hakkaku. Inuyasha then notices a cloud shaped like a dog, which carries Sesshomaru's scent.

Back to Sesshomaru's group, they have arrived at a castle in the sky, where Sesshomaru's mother lives. She is confused by Sesshomaru keeping two human children with him; he used to despise them. She wonders if he intends to eat them. Sesshomaru changes the subject, asking if Inu no Taisho told her of a way to strengthen the Meido Zangetusha. She explains that he only gave her a Meido Stone, which was to be used if Sesshomaru came seeking advice about Tenseiga; it would place Sesshomaru in danger, but she is to not be worried or concerned about it. Jaken quickly sees Sesshomaru msut have inherited his mother's cold-heartedness. Sesshomaru has his mother use the Meido stone, summoning a Hell hound, which is uneffected by the Meido Zangetsuha. The beast swallows Kohaku and Rin, returning to the Underworld. Sesshomaru follows after them, but is warned by his mother it would be foolish to go after the humans. He lies, making seem like he's going to slay the hound. When the path closes, she says that noone can return alive, pretending to be distraught. Jaken is annoyed she chose NOW to say that.

Arriving at the path to the Underworld, Sesshomaru follows after the Hell hound. In the world of the living, Jaken is crying about how cruel Sesshomaru's mother is; he wonders what will happen to Sesshomaru. She only says sacrifices are neccasary to master swords. In the Underworld, Sesshomaru sees paulbearers try going for Rin, but uses Tenseia to slay the Hound and the minions of the Netherworld. Sesshomaru' mother sees this from her Meido stone, explaining what has happened to Jaken. This confuses Jaken, who is asked by Sesshomaru's mother about Rin's relationship to Sesshomaru. Jaken expreses his jealousy at how Rin is favored over him. She says Rin will die. In the Underworld, Kohaku awakens thanks to his jewel shard, but Rin remains unconcious. Skeletal birds begin attacking them, forcing them to run away. Sesshomaru fights off the demons, but is force to rescue Kohaku when the path begins crumbling. He is left to wonder what lays atthe end of the path, Jaken asks Sesshomaru's mother the same question, only to learn that Sesshomaru will never be able to return, let alone Rin and Kohaku.

Kohaku infroms Sesshomaru that Rin stopped breathing, something that shocks him in place. Sesshomaru's mother watches this and says the Underworld's darkness is in front of him. He orders Kohaku to place her down and attempts to revive her again with Tenseiga; however, he cannot see the paulbeares of the Underworld, something that fills him with great despair. Jaken listens as Sesshomaru's mother explains that unless the paulbearers of the Underworld can be seen, Rin cannot be revived; if the Guadrian of the Underworld if slain, Rin may be given her life back. However, it resides in the Underworld, and noone can ever return from there; Rin is dead, with no wya to return to life. In the Underworld, Sesshomaru's rage begins to grow because Tenseiga will not bring back Rin again. Kohaku begs forgiveness, but Sesshomaru now regrets bringing  Rin with him; he should have left her at a human village.

Just then, darkness rushes over them and takes off with Rin's body.Sesshomaru and Kohaku give chases; they run into the darkness of the Underworld. In the World of the Living, both his mother and Jaken are shocked by this. Jaken begins cryign, unable to live. Jaken is quieted when Sesshomaru's mother explains that she will open a path back to the World of the Living for Sesshomaru to return through; she is not a heartless monster. Back in the Underworld, Sesshomaru is still giving chase to Rin just as the portal back to the World of the Living opens; his mother urges him to come back as Tenseiga has been strengthened. He orders Kohaku to take the path back to the World of the Living, but both take off. Sesshonaru's mother decides to leave him to his fate.

Sesshomaru soon comes to a heap of bodies. It begins sucking them into a black hole,Sesshomaru pulls Kohaku back from the pull's reach as he almost got sucked in. He sees the Underworld Guardian holding Rin and is preparing to send her in next until Sesshomaru slays the guardian. He orders her to wake, but finds that she isn't. Sesshomaru's mother sees this in her stone, asking Jaken if Tenseiga brought Rin back before. Once he tells her yes, she explains Rin cannot be brought back. In the Underworld, Sesshomaru grieves, dropping Tenseiga as he realizes that he can not save her. His rage boils beneath the surface, blaming himself; to him, nothing is worth losing Rin's life. Tenseiga begins glowing and the corpes begin moving towards the blade, seeking salvation. Sesshomaru picks up his blade and grants the dead souls salvation, covering them in a blinding blue light. Sesshomaru's mother sees this in the stone, becoming surprised.

Sesshomaru is heard calling out "Meido Zangetsuha," and a Meido opens in the World of the Living (it's now in the shape of an eye). Sesshomaru exits the Meido with Rin's body and Kohaku. Sesshomaru lays Rin down with Jaken looking at her corpse. Sesshomaru's mother notices he's sad, but wonders why; Meido Zangetsuha has become stronger, the reason he sought her out. Sesshomaru's calm barely remains intact as he angerily asks his mother if she knew Rin would die. She infroms him that she's learned Rin was already brought back by Tenseiga; however, the blade is limited to "one revival per person"; one can only bend the laws of life so much. Inu no Taisho needed Sesshomaru to learn sorrow and fear for someone's death; the sword of healing can only be held by one of with a caring heart.

Jaken begins crying, explaining that Sesshomaru is not one to do so, so he is doing so on his behalf. This shocks his mother, who realises Sesshomaru valued the human girl's life over power. She tells Sesshomaru that "this is her last chance" and places the Meido stone around Rin. The stone glows  and Sesshomaru's mother explains the light is Rin's life. Rin opens her eyes, shocking Sesshomaru. He places his hand on Rin's face; Rin is happy that Sesshomaru is there. Jaken thanks Sesshomaru's mother in his place; she asks if Sesshomaru is happy now. Jaken tells her Sesshoamaru is very happy. This confuses her. All Sesshomaru's fuss over a human girl; she notes Sesshomaru has inherited one of Inu no Tiasho's more unsual traits. Upon leaving, Sesshomaru's mother inquires as to how Kohaku could survive in the Underworld, but Rin couldn't; he explains about the shard in his neck. She warns him that Tenseiga cannot bring him back.

Elsewhere, Kagome tells everyone Kikyo's final words; she wanted her to protect Kohaku and the light in his shard. They all decide to go and find him.

Trivia

 * This is the last time Sesshomaru uses his Whip of Light. He last used it in Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga. It would also appear, he can control the whip to due injuries to a person or kill 'em, given that he pulled Kohaku back from the pull of the black hole without harming him.