Episode 22

A Wicked Smile; Kikyo's Wandering Soul is the twenty-second episode of the InuYasha anime. It first aired in Japan on April 9, 2001.

Synopsis

 * 1) Inuyasha and the others learn that souls of dead women are being stolen from their bodies.
 * 2) Kikyō proves to be the culprit, using these dead souls to animate her body.
 * 3) Kagome finds Kikyō, whom she and the others had believed to be dead.

Summary
Kaede questions Miroku about a spider on Naraku's back. Miroku confirms it as according to Inuyasha a spider-shaped burn mark on his back. Kaede says the thief Onigumo had terrible burns and perhaps that is proof that it is Onigumo. Miroku says a spider on Naraku's back will also be the telltale sign of Naraku. Shortly after the battle Rōyakan begged for help as Kagome removed the two jewel shards from his head given to him by Naraku, then returned to normal, thanked Kagome for her help and ran back to the forest. Kagome looks to see Inuyasha sitting in a tree. Inuyasha thinks to himself that Kikyō didn't even consider using the power of the Sacred Jewel to live. Kagome thinks to herself that Kikyō chose death as she chose to follow Inuyasha. Inuyasha looks to see Kagome staring at him. Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippō, and Kagome arrive at a mansion. Shippō is amazed that the mansion is huge. Kagome asks Miroku will they be staying there tonight. Inuyasha says Miroku's probably going to tell them that there's an ominous cloud over the mansion again. Miroku denies this and says he has an legitimate reason this time. Inside, Inuyasha and his friends meet with the lord of the mansion. Inuyasha questions a demon that steals the souls of dead princesses. The lord of the mansion says it's sad enough that his dear princess passed away and to have her soul stolen on top of this. Miroku tells the lord of the mansion to rest assured as they will protect the dead princess's soul without fail. Kagome becomes confused. Inuyasha and his friends are taken to a room and given feast by group of women. Inuyasha tells them it's the same as usual. Miroku says can't wage war on an empty stomach. Miroku thinks to himself that it's awfully quiet and doesn't like it.

Elsewhere, several children are looking for herbs in the fields. A girl looks around and finds an herb she's looking for and picks it. The girl calls out to Kikyō, who looks at her. The girl runs to Kikyō and asks if the plant she found is a medicinal herb. Kikyō calls the girl Sayo and says good for her as it's called a lantern plant and it relieves swelling. A boy runs to Kikyō and asks what can the plant he found is. Another girls to Kikyō and asks what the plant she found is as well. Kikyō asks the children to let her see. Nearby is an old priest and his apprentice are watching Kikyō. The apprentice calls the old priest 'Master Seikai' and asks if Kikyō is a demon as she looks absolutely human to him. Seikai tells his apprentice he doesn't have enough training and can't he sense it as the evil that permeates this area. Kikyō and the children are sitting down. Kikyō calls out to Seikai, drawing the attention of the children. Seikai becomes surprised. Kikyō says to Seikai he's been watching them for quite some time. Seikai and his apprentice stop hiding behind the trees. Seikai asks Kikyō if she noticed them as he's overcome by her beauty. Kikyō says to Seikai such flattery. Seikai walks towards Kikyō as he says he must apply himself much more diligently and he's much embarrassed before pretending to lose his balance for a moment as a scroll falls out of his pocket. Kikyō and the children looked at the now opened scroll before Kikyō realizes what Seikai is up to. Seikai asks Kikyō to pick up the scroll for him as it is an anti-evil sutra and if a demon touches it it's true self will immediately be revealed. Kikyō simply picks up the scroll, shocking Seikai. Kikyō rolls the scroll up as she says she's thankful for a sutra and hands it back to Seikai. Seikai thinks to himself that Kikyō touched the sutra yet nothing happened and carefully grabs the sutra before he is attacked by an illusion of multiple of rays of light that pass through his body and fall into a dark hole. Kikyō stands up and tells the children they have to leave as they walk away with the medicinal herbs. Seikai drops the scroll as it opens again and asks himself what was that as something went through his body then becomes surprised to see the sutra. The apprentice runs up to Seikai and asks what's the matter. Seikai tells his apprentice to look at the sutra, who is surprised that it is completely blank. Seikai says that Kikyō completely erased the sutra, surprising his apprentice. Seikai calls out to Kikyō, who stops walking. The children stop as they looked at Seikai. Seikai walks forward a bit as he tells Kikyō he doesn't know what holds her back here but this world isn't for her and return to where she belongs. The boy asks what's Seikai saying. The girl calls Seikai a 'funny monk'. Sayo looks at Kikyō in worry. Kikyō and the children continued to walk forward. Seikai says Kikyō's no ordinary demon as she's much stronger and evil.

At sunset, Kikyō and the children return to a small village. The villagers notice Kikyō as they say they're lucky to have such a wonderful priestess and the sick are cured and the children are healthy as they are grateful. Kikyō thinks to herself as she remembers that the witch Urasue desired the spiritual powers of a priestess so she robbed the bones and earth from her grave and fired her body in her kiln as her soul which has transmigrated into her new body suits her very well. A flashback of Kikyō's revival, battling with Inuyasha, and fall from the cliff. Kikyō thinks to herself that Inuyasha told her to die again but why did he pity her as thought was it the feel of the heat on her hands, the heat of anger or the flames of vengeance. A flashback of Kikyō surviving the fall as she's unconscious halfway in a river near a waterfall. Sayo calls out to Kikyō, who comes out of her thoughts and look at her. Kikyō calls out to Sayo. Sayo asks Kikyō if she won't go anywhere. Kikyō kneels to Sayo and asks does she like her. Sayo tells Kikyō 'yes'. Kikyō tells Sayo 'thank you' and she's dear to her as well like a little sister. Sayo asks Kikyō really, which Kikyō agrees. Sayo becomes happy. As Sayo is going home she waves at Kikyō before she continues on. Kikyō stands up and looks at the village as she thinks to herself that she will live here in this village and she can do that but wonders is it not allowed.

Meanwhile, at night in the mansion, Inuyasha enters the room by opening the sliding doors where Kagome and the dead princess. Inuyasha says nothing is out of the ordinary outside and asks Kagome how's the deceased princess. Kagome tells Inuyasha nothing is unusual. Inuyasha closes the door and sits next to Kagome before asking the whereabouts of Miroku. Kagome says there's another princess here and Miroku was worried about her. Inuyasha becomes suspicious. A servant is leading Miroku and Shippō lead to the other princess. The servant man tells Miroku that the younger princess is so terrified. Miroku tells the servant man to leave it to him as the younger sister of the late princess must also be beautiful and says never mind. Shippō asks Miroku if going to protect the other princess as well. Miroku tells Shippō the princess may be nervous at their first meeting so he will have to transform or something. Shippō questions about transforming. Miroku tells Shippō so that the princess will go something like say "oh, cute little fox". Shippō doesn't understand. Miroku tells Shippō when he's grown up a little he'll understand. Inuyasha becomes annoyed and says that Miroku's a monk and since he acts like a saint his hands are tied. Inuyasha becomes nervous when Kagome leans into him. Kagome tells Inuyasha that she's afraid that the dead princess might suddenly move. Inuyasha asks Kagome is that all. Kagome asks Inuyasha what does he mean and was he having dirty thoughts just now. Inuyasha calls Kagome 'stupid' and says because she came cuddling up to him. Kagome tells Inuyasha that he was having thoughts. Inuyasha says he wasn't. Kagome tells Inuyasha he was. Miroku already wants to leave the younger princess because he realizes that she doesn't look nearly as good as the dead princess. Miroku tells the younger princess that he and Shippō should go back now as he's worried about the late princess' soul. The younger princess begs Miroku not to go as she's afraid and falls on him. Miroku cries as he says to the younger princess that she's very safe here. The younger princess tells Miroku he is too cruel. Shippō watches. The dead princess suddenly rises. Kagome grabs onto Inuyasha as she becomes scared. The sheets fall off the dead princess before the wall shatters as a long eel-like yōkai with insect features comes into the room. Inuyasha says it appears as Kagome releases him. The dead princess' soul comes out of her corpse as the long eel-like yōkai with insect features is taking her soul. Inuyasha tells the long eel-like yōkai with insect features to die as he takes out his Tessaiga and kills it. The soul returns as the deceased princess falls back on her bed. Inuyasha puts Tessaiga back in its sheath. Kagome tells Inuyasha the deceased princess' spirit is safe again. Inuyasha says is this it as how boring. Inuyasha and Kagome sense that something is wrong. Kagome says there's still something outside. Inuyasha and Kagome go outside to see a large number of long eel-like yōkai with insect features carrying souls of dead women. Kagome says it wasn't just one. Inuyasha says they're carrying human souls. Kagome realizes there are so many and wonders what are they going to do with them. Inuyasha and Kagome see Miroku running towards them and stops. Miroku tells Inuyasha and Kagome for them to got after the long eel-like yōkai with insect features right away before jumping from the mansion as Shippō and the younger princess arrived. The younger princess calls out to Miroku as she begs him to wait. Inuyasha asks Shippō what is he doing. Shippō tells Inuyasha he suspects that the princess is a demon as well. The younger princess hugs Shippō and tells him he's also mean. Shippō tells the younger princess he's sorry. The long eel-like yōkai with insect features disappear along with the dead souls.

In the village, Sayo is in a hut with her sleeping family but is unable to sleep as she thinks. Sayo thinks to herself that Kikyō seems a bit depressed as it must be Seikai's fault. A flashback of Seikai telling Kikyō he doesn't know what holds her back here but this world isn't for her and return to where she belongs. As Sayo is trying to block out, she realizes she can't sleep. Suddenly, Sayo looks to see Kikyō walk by. Sayo whispers Kikyō's name and goes outside to see that she is still walking away. Sayo asks herself where is Kikyō going so late at night before she follows her. Kikyō stops near a lake. Sayo secretly watches behind a tree and worries that because of those words this afternoon maybe Kikyō's going someplace far away. Kikyō takes off her hair cord as her hair becomes loose. Multiple soul collectors appears with souls as they surrounded Kikyō. Sayo becomes frightened. Kikyō holds some of the souls as she says souls of tragic women to come to her. Sayo thinks to herself that Kikyō is manipulating the soul collectors. Seikai and his apprentice arrived to meet Kikyō again. Seikai asks Kikyō if she cannot cross to the netherworld and she was the one who has died. Kikyō tells Seikai to please overlook her presence here as she merely wants to live quietly in the small village. The soul collectors fly away. Seikai asks Kikyō if she mere wants to live quietly then why does she gather the souls of the dead. Kikyō says she has reasons. Seikai tells Kikyō it seems that she cannot sustain that body without the souls and takes out his Dragon Orb as it glows. Kikyō turns to Seikai and asks what is he going to do as she takes it that he won't leave. Seikai tells Kikyō that he will return her to where she belongs as he does this for her sake. The Dragon Orbs traps and imprisons Kikyō as a huge dragon restrains and chokes her. Seikai tells Kikyō that she cannot escape his Demon-Binding Spell as he will extinguish her light save her soul from eternal misery. Kikyō becomes angry and questions Seikai about saving her soul before she uses her own strength of will and power to overpower Seikai's spell and destroys the dragon. One of the dragon's claws ricocheted back at Seikai's hitting in the throat, causing a fatal wound. Seikai hits the ground as the dragon orb lands on the grass before it breaks. The apprentice sees Seikai being killed before he runs away in fear. Kikyō stands in front of Seikai and tells him if he hadn't interfered he wouldn't have died. Seikai grabs Kikyō's foot and just what is she trying to do. Kikyō remains silent. Seikai tells Kikyō the living are carving new moments in their lives but time has stopped for the dead like her thus the dead and the living can never mix and it's sad before he dies. Kikyō thinks to herself about Seikai saying she's sad. Kikyō suddenly senses another presence nearby and asks who's there then sees Sayo cowering in fear on the ground. Kikyō sadly asks Sayo was she watching then walked towards then kneeled down. Kikyō calls out to Sayo and tries to touch her face but she flinches. Kikyō tells Sayo that she's sorry as she has frightened her before she stands up and walks away. Sayo sees Kikyō leaving and stands up and tells her to wait. Kikyō stops and tells Sayo farewell and she's sorry before she continues to walk away. Sayo sadly watches as Kikyō fades away.

In the daytime, Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippō, and Kagome are sitting near a river. Kagome tells everyone to let's go as they have to save the souls of the dead women. Inuyasha asks Kagome where. Kagome begins to wonders. Shippō says the demons who stole souls disappeared without a clue. Miroku says it's no use returning to the mansion. Shippō asks Miroku wasn't it that he doesn't want to return because of the young princess was smitten with him. Miroku becomes nervous. Kagome kneels down and asks Inuyasha if he was tired of this. Inuyasha asks Kagome what's the point in all this as it's not like they'll find a Sacred Jewel fragment. Kagome tells Inuyasha not again and they're helping people. Inuyasha says that's what he's tired of and he's going to be a great demon someday so why must he help petty humans. Kagome tells Inuyasha that he's acting like a villain when he's actually quite a saint. Inuyasha becomes annoyed and tells Kagome to not put him down. Kagome tells Inuyasha that she's flattering him. Inuyasha tells Kagome he doesn't like this so he's out and understand. Inuyasha realizes Kagome went towards the river and asks is she listening. Everyone looks to see Sayo floating in the river unconscious. Shippo questions if Sayo is an octopus. Miroku says its a person. Kagome says that's terrible before she tells Inuyasha to hurry. Inuyasha becomes confused as Kagome sends him into the river. Kagome tells Inuyasha to help someone. Inuyasha saves Sayo, who is laying on the ground. Inuyasha is drying his clothes. Miroku says Sayo is just unconscious. Kagome says he's waking up. Sayo opens his eyes and sees Kagome before he gets scared and screams, which also scares Kagome, who hides behind Inuyasha. Miroku asks Sayo why is he scared of Kagome. Inuyasha questions Sayo about a demon. Sayo confirms this. Miroku asks Sayo that Kagome looks like that demon. Sayo says the demon was in human form but in actuality a frightening demon and a priestess. Inuyasha and Kagome become interested. Kagome thinks to herself that it's a priestess who resembles her. Sayo says the demon was able to deflect his master's immense spiritual powers and remembers her name was Kikyō. Inuyasha becomes angry and grabs Sayo then tells him if he's lying he'll really pay. Sayo tells Inuyasha he's not lying as the woman lured away lonely souls of dead women. Inuyasha tells Sayo never mind that as it's her name and how does he know her name was Kikyō. Sayo says the village children addressed her so and he's not mistaken that they called her Kikyō. Kagome questions the stolen souls were being accumulated by Kikyō. Inuyasha releases Sayo as falls to the ground. Inuyasha thinks to himself is Kikyō really still in this world and didn't she died on that day and if she's still alive and if she walks this earth. Inuyasha decides to quickly go after Kikyō alone. Inuyasha thinks to himself that he wants to save Kikyō. Sayo leaves.

Miroku asks was it wise to let Inuyasha go alone. Shippo says Inuyasha took off in a hurry when he heard Sayo's story. Kagome says that Inuyasha's probably still in love with Kikyō. Shippō becomes shocked. Kagome says that's why it's better if they stay away. Shippō asks why. Miroku says he thinks he understands. Shippō becomes confused. Miroku says the woman Inuyasha once loved may have changed and if so he wouldn't want others to see her. Shippō asks Miroku asks what was he talking about and Kikyō may turn out better than before then what. Miroku tells Shippō he would get back with her. Kagome stands up and glares at Miroku and says she sees before leaving. Miroku says Kagome seemed awfully cold just now. Shippō tells Miroku he doesn't think he imagined it. Kagome thinks to herself that this is so maddening and what is Inuyasha up to. Miroku and Shippō catch up to Kagome. Miroku calls out to Kagome. Kagome asks Miroku what is it. Miroku asks Kagome if they should go after Inuyasha. Kagome says no way and why should she. The sky suddenly becomes dark. Kagome says an evil wind. Miroku, Shippō, and Kagome see the soul collectors appearing. Miroku says let's go after them. Kagome agrees. Everyone follows the soul collectors that passes a barrier. Kagome unknowingly passes through the barrier but Miroku and Shippō are unable to. Shippō asks what's this. Miroku says it's a barrier. Shippō asks if they can't pass. Miroku says no. Miroku and Shippō look around for Kagome. Shippō asks Miroku where's Kagome. Kagome continues to run but stops at a tree when the grass is slippery. Kagome tells Miroku and Shippō to be careful as it's slippery then realizes she's alone. Kagome accidentally slips off a small cliff and lands hard on the grass. Kagome becomes hurt for a moments and wonders where she is before she sees Kikyō asleep on a tree with souls. Kagome whispers Kikyō's name.

Differences from the manga

 * Though picking up from the previous episode, the anime excludes Inuyasha telling Kagome he wants her to stay by his side before she goes back into the well again.
 * The anime adds an extra scene of Inuyasha being suspicious of Miroku's reasons for staying at the manor, as well as a group of women bringing them a feast.
 * The anime leaves out Seikai asking around the village about abnormalities before happening across Kikyō.
 * The anime omits Inuyasha ordering the group to stay behind so he can search for Kikyō on his own.

Episod 22 第二十二集 Tập 22