Episode 169

 is the second episode of InuYasha: The Final Act.

Summary
Kagura rides her feather, fleeing Naraku.

In the Village of the Demon Hunters, Sango brings Kohaku to the grave of the villagers.

InuYasha, Miroku, Myoga, Shippo, and Kagome visit Midoriki's Cave, and see what appears to be a chrysalis within the hole in her chest. Miroku tries to approach for a closer look, but is stopped by a barrier. InuYasha notes they should keep an eye on the cave. He detects a scent.

Koga seeks Goraishi - Lightning Claws - the strongest weapon of the wolf demon tribe.

Miroku, Kagome, Myoga and Shippo discuss InuYasha's eagerness to guard the cave alone.

Within the statue, the chrysalis opens and a soul collector hatches. InuYasha follows it, realizing it was Kikyo's scent he detected earlier. When he finds her, he asks why she wants Midoriki's soul. Kikyo reveals that Kagome was unable to completely purify the miasma that Naraku used against her. Kikyo absorbs the soul of the long-dead priestess, and collapses. InuYasha rushes to her, and sees the wound on her shoulder heal.

A glow surrounds the stone body of Midoriko.

Kagome suddenly looks up as Kohaku's jewel shard begins to glow. Kohaku rushes out of the hut, following some soul collectors, as the others hurry to follow him. They are blocked by a barrier and cannot follow Kohaku.

Kikyo, apparently healed, gathers her bow and arrow. She explains to InuYasha (with Kohaku listening in) that the only way to defeat Naraku is to purify the Shikon Jewel as he is absorbing it into his body - which will obliterate the soul of Onigumo. Kohaku races after Kikyo. InuYasha tries to follow, but is blocked by a barrier.

Under the directions of the Infant, Moryomaru absorbs the demon Meioju to possess his shell - the ultimate armor.

Koga battles a guardian demon to acquire the Goraishi. He has an opportunity to take the claws, but chooses instead to save his flunkies. When he proudly tells the guardian that no weapon is worth the lives of his men, and attacks, he finds himself already wielding the claws. The spirits of the wolf demon tribe tell Koga that the claws are his, but they can protect him from that which controls the Shikon Jewel Shards only once.

Naraku appears in front of Kagura and informs her that Hakudoshi is dead. Naraku tells Kagura he will free her. He returns her heart to her chest, then stabs her and fills her with miasma, and sends her off to enjoy her "freedom".

Sesshomaru is leading his companions through a valley when Jaken notices that the demonic aura from the crystal he carries is weakening - indicating the nearby presense of the Fuyoheki, and by extension, Naraku's Heart. Rin points out a nearby cave, and Sesshomaru knocks down the cliff to open the cave. (Overdoing things seems to run in the family...) Moryomaru appears, and the two toss threats at each other. Battle begins, and Tokijin seems not to even scratch Moryomaru's new armored shell. Moryomaru mocks Sesshomaru as he first absorbs Sesshomaru's demonic energy then turns it back on Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru attacks again, and cracks appear on Tokijin. Moryomaru gets a hold of Sesshomaru.

Kagura staggers through a nearby field of flowers, her strength fast fading.

A breeze carries Kagura's scent to Sesshomaru. Moryomaru gloats over Kagura's death, saying she died in vain to obtain "freedom". In a fury, Sesshomaru unleashes an attack with Tokijin that cracks Moryomaru's armor, but also breaks the sword. Moryomaru retreats. Sesshomaru tosses aside his broken blade and seeks out the dying Kagura. He takes hold of Tenseiga, but realizes even its power cannot save Kagura. She fades away into the wind, content to have seen Sesshomaru one last time.