Now, depending on where you are in the anime, there may be spoilers ahead. Tread wisely. Don't be sending me an email telling me how I ruined the story for you, because I will just laugh, then delete your mail. :P

For those of you that don't mind a spoiler, or already know what's going to happen, read on and I hope you enjoy.

If you find anything that I've omitted, or you think is wrong, contact me and let me know. (Though I've watched the most recent anime episode directly from Japan, and read all; including the recent chapter of the manga; so I hope I don't state anything wrong. ^_^;

  Inuyasha is a hanyou (half youkai/half human) that is trying to get the Shikon no Tama to make a wish in order to become a full-fledged demon. This is contrary to his original intention with the jewel years earlier; he was going to use it to become completely human to be with the miko Kikyou.  Unfortunately, due to the interference and deceptiveness of Naraku; he instead became sealed to the Goshinboku tree, in an eternal sleep, because of an arrow fired by Kikyou.

Fifty years later, he was unsealed by Kagome; who was carrying the Shikon no Tama in her body. Then, through a series of events, the Shikon no Tama became shattered and the pieces became scattered across the Sengoku-Jidai. That resulted in Inuyasha and Kagome heading out on a quest to collect all the shards and make the jewel whole again.

Along the way Inuyasha comes across his older half brother, Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru is in search of their fathers sword that is hidden in a secret location. That secret location.... a black pearl in Inuyasha's eye. The pearl takes them to their fathers grave. Funny thing is, neither brother can dislodge the sword. Kagome, on the other hand does. Oops. Anyhow, Inuyasha gets the sword that looks like a rusty katana, that is until he vows to protect Kagome then the Tessaiga transforms into a large fang shaped sword. He then defeats Sesshoumaru, cutting off his arm in the process.

Inuyasha is not very trusting. He has spent his life being shunned for being a hanyou, humans hate him for his youkai blood, youkai hate him for his human blood. It makes for a very solitary existence. That is until he met the miko Kikyou, who he fell in love with.

Since Kagome entered his life he began to love and trust again. Then Kikyou was reanimated, which has caused Inuyasha plenty of confusion about what and who he really wants. (From how the manga is developing, I think; even if he won't come right out and say; he has subconsciously chosen.) As proof of him beginning to trust, Inuyasha has allowed the entire group to know his secret night of change. He is a hanyou, and hanyou have one night a month in which they lose all of their youkai blood and characteristics. Inuyasha's night is the night of the new moon. That night he loses his white hair as it becomes black. His cute puppy ears move down his head and become human, and his eyes change from gold to gray. Also, his fangs and claws disappear.

Now Inuyasha has to collect all of the shards and complete the jewel before Naraku. But he will have to multi-task, because he also has to avenge Kikyou; protect Kagome; try and decide which girl he wants to be with; curse and fight with his rival for Kagome's affections, Kouga; and least I forget, be generally rude as often as possible.

  Kagome Higurashi is a typical schoolgirl from modern Tokyo. Well, that is until the day she was celebrating her fifteenth birthday. The day started out typically with Kagome leaving for school from her families shrine grounds. (She lives on temple grounds, which just so happens to have the Goshinboku tree on them, with her mother, brother, and grandfather.) As she was leaving, she found her brother searching for their cat, Buyo. He tell Kagome tha he thought Buyo went in the creepy, ancient well house. In search of Buyo, Kagome ventured inside the well house, and low and behold, she found him. As she was turning to leave a youkai from the Sengoku-Jidai came bursting through the well grabbing Kagome and pulling her back through the well.

As the youkai; Mistress Centipede (Centipede Jourou); is pulling Kagome through the well she is rambling to Kagome about handing over a jewel, and how she can sense it on her. Kagome, of course, has no idea what she is talking about, and says so. As Kagome is pushing away at the Centipede youkai; she unknowingly uses the power of the Shikon no Tama that is hidden inside her body; and loses the youkai.

She then proceeds to climb out of the well, only to discover she is no longer in the well house. She then decides to wander around to try and discover her whereabouts. (This is always a good idea when lost. :P) When; much to her elation; she sees the familiar Goshinboku tree and rushes forward. There, she notices a boy (with cute puppy ears) sealed to the tree by an arrow. Unable to help herself she takes a second to play with his ears. (Who can blame her. ^_^)

To make a long story short, she eventually unseals Inuyasha, the jewel bursts from her body and Inuyasha has to fight Mistress Centipede to retrieve the Shikon no Tama. During their melee it is discovered that Kagome can see the jewel when no one else can.

It is discovered that Kagome is thought to be the reincarnation of the dead miko Kikyou. But, Kagome is her own person and gets annoyed when the comparison is made; especially by Inuyasha. But that can easily be remedied by a necklace that was thrown around Inuyasha's neck that allows Kagome to plow him into the ground with a simple word... OSUWARI!

Kagome is always kind and compassionate towards others. She is happy to help anyone that needs it. Which accounts for the additions to their group. She cares for Shippou, like a younger brother; Miroku, like an older, perverted (I adore the pervert) brother; and Sango, like a sister. She has even fell in love with Inuyasha, even though he has promised to protect Kikyou and even go to Hell with her if that is Kikyou's wish. (*smacks Inuyasha over the head* Baka!) Even knowing all this, Kagome still promised Inuyasha that she would remain by his side.

So, in-between sheilding Shippo from Inuyasha's wrath, loving and sitting Inuyasha, watching Miroku's hand, comforting Sango about Kohaku, having a wolf youkai declare his love and intent towards her, sensing shards, and trying to defeat Naraku, she still has to study for school! 0_o;

  Shippou is a kitsune (fox) youkai. He is still quite young and isn't as powerful as other demons yet. He relies in others protection; using his kitsune tricks and kitsune bi, if in a jam. He stumbles upon Inuyasha and Kagome right after his father was killed by the Thnder Brother, Hiten and Manten. He was after the jewel shards, thinking that if he used them he would become more powerful allowing him to go after the Thunder Brothers and avenge (<-- Does it seem like everyone is avenging everyone? :P) his father's death. All it gets him is some lumps on the head, courtesy of Inuyasha.

Eventually though, Inuyasha avenges Shippou's fathers death for him by destroying the Thunder Brothers (pity, Hiten was quite yummy ^_^), along with a cute little scene in which Inuyasha thinks Kagome and Shippou have died. ^_^ Turns out that the pelt of Shippou's father protected them from death. So, Shippou ends up going along with Inuyasha and Kagome on their quest. He sees Kagome as a big sister, mother type. He wants to protect her and see that she is happy. Inuyasha, he just wants to see irritated. He calls him names and gets under Inuyasha's skin sometimes, but he knows that Inuyasha will protect them when needed. He also occasionally tries to encourage Inuyasha to express his feelings for Kagome.

  Miroku is a lecherous, Buddhist Monk. (And ranks quite high on the yummy level as well! ^_^) He is always asking women to bear his child. He does this for a good reason. Miroku's family has been cursed by Naraku. The curse has caused a hole to develop on the center of their palm. This kazaana, or air void, sucks up everything in it's path once in is unleashed. One day, the kazaana will turn on it's bearer a suck them up as well. In order to defeat the curse, a member of his line has to destroy Naraku. Hence, the reason he asks the infamous "Will you bear my child?" line. He needs a child of his line to be able to go after Naraku if he runs out of time.

He comes across Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou accidentally. He is bathing one night in a hot spring, when he hears someone in the water near him. He investigates and discovers a bathing Kagome. The second thing he notices about Kagome is the jewel shards around Kagome's neck. ( I think we all know what the first thing he noticed was. :P lol) Anyway, he decides to kidnap Kagome and get her shards. This he does, except he ends up with only the shards and Kagome's bike (which remarkably he KNOWS how to ride?).

Inuyasha and Kagome discover Miroku at a geisha house demanding the return of the shards. This results in Inuyasha chasing after Miroku with Tessaiga and Miroku opening his kazaana at Inuyasha. Kagome having faith in Miroku's true personality let's herself be drawn towards the kazaana. Miroku, reseals the kazaana with the prayer beads just in time, and Kagome smacks into his chest, throwing them backwards with her on top of him.

Kagome tells Inuyasha that Miroku isn't a bad person, and Miroku takes the opportunity to cop a feel. This in turn causes Kagome to rethink her earlier assumption and asks Inuyasha to kill him. ^_^ Then there comes a 'Will you bear my child?" Which I might add, Kagome never technically says no. (lol, Can you tell I really love Kagome/Miroku fanfiction pairings? I'm not saying I don't like I/K, cause I do. :P) Anyway, it comes to light that Miroku has the same intentions as Inuyasha, destroy Naraku and gather the shards. So, Miroku joins up with them.

Miroku does all he can during a battle, even if it means to sacrifice himself. He has sucked a few Saimyoushou; Hell's insects; into the kazaana to create an opportunity for Inuyasha to attack, or for someone to get away. If unable to use the kazaana, he will use his shakujou; monk's staff; quite effectively. He also uses his holy powers to create barriers and makes powerful ofuda.  He appears to kind hearted, to have a good sense of humor, and to be a bit of a con-artist, but he often worries about the kazaana and that his time is running out.

Later, he and Sango, form a relationship. Miroku even asks Sango to be his wife after they defeat Naraku. He never does tell her that he will be faithful, though. Silly, houshi.

  Sango is from a village of youkai taijiya (youkai exterminators). She, along with her father and brother were sent on a job to exterminate a youkai. This was her brother; Kohaku's; first extermination. As it turned out, they were caught up in a trap set up by Naraku. A spider demon controlled Kohaku and made him slay his follow exterminators, including his father. He came close to killing Sango, when the demons control stopped and Kohaku remembered who he was and what he had done. With tears in his eyes, he called out to Sango. The villagers, thinking the exterminators had snapped fired arrows at Kohaku and Sango. They lay on the ground dying. That same night youkai invaded the taijiya village, killing all of the inhabitants.

Sango, did not die though. She was devastated by watching her family die right in front of her eyes. So that made her an eay target for Naraku and his deceptions. He told her that the village destruction was a hanyou, named Inuyasha's fault. She tells Naraku that she will find Inuyasha and avenger her fellow villagers. During her travel she is fatigued and bleeding, as Naraku offers to let Sango use a jewel shard to seek her vengeance against Inuyasha without any obstacles, such as her declining health. She agrees.

She confronts Inuyasha and the others and attacks with her weapon, Hiraikotsu (a giant boomerang made fom the bones of youkai). Eventually, she discovers that Naraku was only using her to get to Inuyasha. Naraku extracts his precious shard and leaves with a chase.

Everyone returns to the village, where Sango notices that Inuyasha and the others have properly buried and marked the villagers graves. After which, she takes them to Midoriko's cave and explains the origin of the Shikon no Tama, and how the villagers were left in care of the jewel. The villagers came to no longer be able to care for the jewel and took it to a miko that could protect and purify it. Kikyou. Sango, then agrees to join up with Inuyasha and company in order to destroy Naraku.

Later, it is discovered that her brother, Kohaku, is still alive, and being controlled by Naraku. Naraku loves to torment Sango by sending the little brother; whom she loves dearly; to kill them. Sango came close to killing Kohaku, then herself once. Inuyasha stopped her, and told her they would get Kohaku back.

Sango is a rather reserved character. She is apt to contemplate the fate of her brother Kohaku. She has a friendship with Kagome, a comradeship with Inuyasha, and a love for Miroku (who she has never called anything but Houshi-sama).

  Kirara is a neko (cat) youkai, that fights alongside Sango. She is a faithful companion of Sango's, having been with her since she was a child in her taijiya village. Kirara can transform from her cute kitten form, into a fierce, large cat form that has fire around her feet. Kirara can also fly, helping the other members travel great distances faster since she can hold up to three people on her back. It was also hinted, that Kirara might have served alongside Midoriko, long ago.

  Myouga is a flea youkai. He is Inuyasha's retainer. He is often full of relevant information, that has helped the group out on more than one occasion. His biggest fault, he's a huge coward. If the action is going on on one side of the room, you can bet he is on the other. If he thinks danger might come, he usually comes up with some excuse to leave the scene.

  Naraku is the main villain of Inuyasha. He is the result of the combination of the thief, Onigumo, and hundreds of youkai. This happened because Onigumo fell in love; a demented love;  with the miko Kikyou as she nursed him, after he had severe burns all over his body. Kikyou didn't return his love, for she was already in love with Inuyasha. So, Onigumo allowed the demons to consume his body in order to become stronger. So, Naraku was born. Except, much to Naraku's displeasure, he still holds Onigumo's heart inside him. The heart that yearns for Kikyou.

Naraku then deceived Kikyou and Inuyasha by making them believe they had betrayed one another. This resulted in the death of Kikyou, and the pinning of Inuyasha to the Goshinboku tree. Though, he didn't get what he was after, because the Shikon no Tama was burned along with the miko Kikyou, in her funeral pyre.

Fifty years later, his object is back in sight as Kagome comes to the Sengoku-Jidai with the jewel inside her body. Soon the jewel is shattered, which allows Naraku to start collecting the pieces in order to complete the jewel, and make it tainted. He is ruthless in this quest, using his lies and deceptions along the way.

He becomes annoyed by Onigumo's heart inside him. It yearns for Kikyou, and will not allow him to harm her. So, he begins to search for ways to get rid of it. Soon, he begins sprouting off his evil offspring; demons he's created from pieces of himself. Daddy dearest, is more than happy to send them in harms way, in the hopes that they will defeat Inuyasha and company. If they don't, oh well. As a result of one of these science experiments, he actually succeeds in removing Onigumo's heart, and also creates a little boy as ruthless as himself, Hakudoshi. A.K.A. Naraku Jr. ^_^ It still remains to be seen if Naraku will succeed in his quest for the shards before Inuyasha's group, and exactly the significance of Onigumo's heart.

  Kikyou, was the priestess entrusted with the Shikon no Tama by the taijiya of Sango's village. She was asked to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, since she had the power to purify any evil the jewel displayed. Many youkai tried to take the jewel from Kikyou, but she always prevailed, keeping the Shikon no Tama safe.

On one such attempt, the hanyou Inuyasha, tried to steal the jewel. He failed, but attempted to do so numerous other times; never intending Kikyou any harm. Eventually, Kikyou and Inuyasha established a bond, and grew to care for one another. Kikyou convinced Inuyasha that he should make a wish on the jewel to become human instead of youkai. Since it would be a pure wish the jewel would vanish taking with it Kikyou's obligation to protect it.

Except, one day Inuyasha came before Kikyou and mortally wounding her, taking the jewel and telling her that she was a fool to believe he would make such a wish. Hurt and deceived, she gathered the last of her power to confront Inuyasha, and seal him to the Goshinboku tree in an eternal sleep. With that done, she fell to the ground and told her sister Kaede, to burn the Shikon no Tama along with her body. She then dies from her wounds.

Then, fifty years later, Kikyou's bones and grave dirt was stolen by the witch Urasue. She used these items to re-animate Kikyou. Except, this Kikyou was a thoughtless shell, because it was missing her soul. That could only mean that she had been reincarnated. When low and behold, guess who arrives nearby? Kagome and her reincarnated soul. Urasue makes her way to Kagome and steals her away to get back Kikyou's soul. Well, thanks to Inuyasha, Kikyou does manage to get a piece of her soul back. Though, Kikyou ends up falling off a cliff. Inuyasha is upset that he failed her twice.

Kikyou lives through her fall. Since being resurrected her personality is completely different from the one that she had when she was alive. She now appears sad and bitter. She relies on her Shinidamachuu, to collect souls for her to survive.

  Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha older, half brother. Sesshoumaru dislikes the fact that Inuyasha has human blood. (I also think he resents the fact that his father took a human mate.) He is also disgusted that his father gave Tessaiga to Inuyasha, while he received; what he views as a pointless sword; Tenseiga. Tenseiga is a sword that revives life. He would much rather use is other sword, Toukijin, which was forged using the teeth of one of Naraku's defeated offspring.

He is a stoic individual. He rarely shows emotion about anything. He has shown bits of compassion, such as when he saved a small human girls life. He even allows Rin to travel with him, and he protects her. Which is rather funny, a powerful demon lord with a cute, bubbly human girl tagging after him. Least we forget Jaken, his faithful servant. He is also in pursuit of Naraku, because he used him as a ploy. No one manipulates Sesshoumaru. No one.

  Urasue is the witch that stole Kikyou's bones and grave dirt, using them to resurrect Kikyou. Needless to say, her plans don't go the way she intended. as a result she soon meets her fate. Her children make an appearance in a later episode.

  Rin is a young girl that stumbles upon an injured Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru's wounds were a result of being attacked by Tessaiga's Kaze no Kizu. She then tries to care for him, which he wants none of. During this Rin never speaks, only smiles.

One day, her fellow villagers discover she has been stealing food, and as result is severely beaten. The villagers discuss how she hasn't said a word since her parents died, and how much of a burden she was to them. She then goes to Sesshoumaru with her meager food offering, and he notices the beating she has taken. He asks her what has happened, she of course does not speak. Sesshoumaru seems not care either way.

A few days later, Jaken finds Sesshoumaru, who seems to be completely healed. As they prepare to head out, Sesshoumaru notices the scent of blood in the air. As they move on they discover the young girl Rin, lying on the road. She had been killed by Kouga's wolves. Sesshoumaru then uses the Tenseiga to cut the strings of the creatures from the other world, bringing Rin back to life.

Rin is now glued to Sesshoumaru. She does anything Sesshoumaru says without question. She has a bubbly personality, and is full of life, not to mention she started speaking again.

  Jaken a toad youkai; is Sesshoumaru's faithful servant. He is annoying and quick to grovel at Sesshoumaru's feet if he thinks he has offended him. He has absolute faith in Lord Sesshoumaru's ability to defeat any opponent that is foolish enough to step in front of his Lord. He is also shocked that Sesshoumaru allows a mere human girl to follow him.

  The Thunder Brothers are responsible for the death of Shippou's father. If that wasn't enough, Manten then wore his pelt as a belt. They were after the power of the shards. Hiten, had three shards embedded in his forehead, and Manten had two. The brothers are thunder youkai. Hiten, is the oldest; and the better looking of the two. Both can fly through the air. Hiten on wheels, and Manten on a cloud.

After the death of his father, Shippou went in search of the Shikon fragments in order to become stronger. He wanted to become stronger and avenge his father. That is were he meets up with Inuyasha and Kagome and tells them about the Thunder Brothers.

Shippou then tricks Inuyasha and runs off with the shards, with Kagome giving chase. Shippou and Kagome then run upon Manten. He remembers Shippou from before, and then notices he has Shikon shards. Kagome protects Shippou by burying an arrow in Manten's snout, in the process making him lose to pieces of hair. This infuriates Manten so much that he forgets about Shippou and his fragments, instead focusing on Kagome and her destruction of his precious; if few; hairs. He grabs her up and takes her back home with him with the intent of using her to make a hair tonic.

Back at the home of the Thunder Brothers, Kagome is trying to think of a way out of her situation, when Hiten arrives. He finds out about Shippou and the shards and is livid that Manten let the precious shards go. This is when Kagome comes up with a plan to make it seem as if she and Inuyasha are a couple, and she can lead them to the shards.

Well, humorously the truth of Kagome's fib becomes apparent. Hiten and Inuyasha start to fight. As this is going on, Manten is attacking Kagome and Shippou. Manten comes close to killing Kagome, only is stopped in the nick of time by Tessaiga. Hiten is devastated by the death of his beloved brother, as he consumes Manten's jewel shards, along with his heart.

Inuyasha is severely wounded and is now forced to use only Tessaiga's scabbard. Hiten then attacks Kagome and Shippou. Inuyasha thinking Kagome and Shippou have died summons his power and kills Hiten.

  Kohaku is the loving, younger brother of Sango. He was training to become a taijiya with help from his big sister, Sango, who was one of the best. One night, their father decided to take Kohaku along on an extermination they had been ask to do, by a local lord. This was Kohaku's first youkai extermination.

The Lord had been taken over by a spider youkai, unbeknownst to anyone. As the extermination was taking place, a small spider landed on Kohaku's back, causing him to lose control of himself. He began killing all of his fellow taijiya, including his father. He then severely wounded Sango, as well.

Kohaku then came to himself, unbelieving of the carnage he wrought. With tears in his eyes and Sango's name on his lips, the two embraced as the villagers arrows rained down on them, thinking they had gone insane.

Sango lived through the event, believing Kohaku had died. It is later revealed that Kohaku instead lived, because of a jewel shard that Naraku; the man behind the whole attack; placed in his back. Now, Kohaku is under Naraku's control, so he won't have to remember the horrible thing he did. Though Kohaku can not seem to forget Sango's face.

  Kouga is a wolf youkai, and the head of his clan. He ran into Inuyasha and the others in a village that his wolves had slaughtered. He soon came to realize that Kagome could see the shards. Knowing this would be an advantage with his tribes current situation, he decided to kidnap Kagome. (geez, what's up with Kagome and being kidnapped?)

He then steals Kagome right out from under Inuyasha's nose. He takes her back to his clan's cave. Her he asks for her help in defeating a youkai that is slaughtering the wolf tribe. She agrees, and they do with a bit of Inuyasha's help. Kouga declares his love and intent to make Kagome his mate; he also calls her 'my woman'. This, by the way, infuriates Inuyasha.

Later, his tribe is nearly wiped out. He thinks that it is Inuyasha's doing because when he arrives on the scene Inuyasha is covered in his clansmen's blood. In actuality it is the doing of Kagura, an offspring of Naraku. She had killed the youkai, and re-animated them to attack Inuyasha.

Kagome has to help Kouga remove the shard in his arm; because it became tainted; with one of her arrows. Of course Inuyasha thought this was the perfect opportunity to kill Kouga. Kagome then protects him and tells Inuyasha that he should not fight Kouga since he is weak from his injuries. Inuyasha does not take this well, he thinks that Kagome is returning Kouga's feelings.

Now, Kouga is traveling around the countryside with his companions Ginta and Hakkaku, fellow wolf youkai. He is searching for Naraku to avenge (there's that word again) his tribesmen. He can travel great distance quickly because of the shards embedded in his legs (Is it just me, or does anyone else find it interesting that Kouga can use the power of the Shikon no Tama without any negative effect? The shards have never become corrupted. Hmmm...), making him run extremely fast and kick exceedingly hard.

Whenever he comes upon Kagome's group, he makes it a point to stop and check on her. He wants to make sure that 'the dog' is taking care of 'his woman'. This always leads to Kouga and Inuyasha trading insults, and throwing a few punches occasionally.

  Kagome's mother is simply known as Mama. She is sweet, kind, and incredibly understanding about Kagome's trips to the Sengoku-Jidai. She is always there for Kagome when she needs her. She is also a lot more observant then see lets on.

  Jii-chan is Kagome's grandfather. He is often babbling to anyone that will listen about legends, and the families illustrious heritage. He also tries to help Kagome by coming up with MANY different excuses why she can not attend school while she is away in Feudal Japan.

  Souta is Kagome's little brother. He adores Inuyasha.

  Buyo is the Higurashi family's over-sized housecat. He is the reason that Kagome was in the well house the day she was dragged to the Sengoku-Jidai by Mistress Centipede. Whenever Inuyasha comes to Kagome's time, he always plays (if you want to call it that) with Buyo.

  Kaede is the younger sister of Kikyou. When you first see Kaede, she is beside her dying sister with a fresh gash over her eye. Kikyou tells her to burn the Shikon no Tama along with her body. This is done, and the jewel seems to disappear from earth. The next time Kaede is seen is fifty years later, she now is an old woman that uses a cane and wears an eye patch over her eye.

She is the first one to think that Kagome is the reincarnation of her sister, Kikyou. She's also responsible for the necklace around Inuyasha's neck. She threw it around his neck when he was after Kagome, now Kagome can control Inuyasha with a single word. OSUWARI! Kaede is full of wisdom, and is well versed in the art of healing. Usually bandaging the group up when they come back to recoup.

  Houjou is Kagome's classmate in modern Tokyo. He seems to be the popular boy at school, and has a crush on Kagome. He is often giving Kagome gifts; to help her with her 'sicknesses'. Houjou-kun is always asking Kagome on dates. They actually had one once, In which Kagome thought of Inuyasha the whole time. He doesn't mind when Kagome breaks a date with him, because he thinks it's her health that is interfering, and he has said that he won't give up on her.

  Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi are Kagome's friends from modern day Tokyo. They are always pushing for Kagome to go out with Houjou-kun. They also give her a hard time about her 'psychotic, cheating' boyfriend. ^_^;

  Kanna is the first of Naraku's offspring, or a detachment of his body, however you want to put it. :P She is cold and emotionless, always talking in a soft monotone voice. Her weapon is a mirror that she carries around with her everywhere. This mirror sucks in the soul of the person before it. It also allows Naraku to see things when he is not near. Kanna also seems to be the most loyal of Naraku's offshoots.

  Kagura is Naraku's second offspring, and she is also a wind youkai. She can control the wind with a fan that she always has with her. She also flies around on a feather. She was also the one responsible for the slaughter of Kouga's clan.

Kagura despises Naraku because he always sending her out on reckless missions, but there is little she can do about it, because Naraku holds her heart. If she disobeys or betrays him, he will crush it ending Kagura's life.

  Toutou-sai is a youkai sword smith. He is the one that forged Tessaiga and Tenseiga. He is quite old, and puts on a feeble-minded act. (I think it's put on. ^_^;) When he first meets Inuyasha he wants to see his skill with Tessaiga. Thoroughly disappointed with the skill in which Inuyasha wields Tessaiga he tells Inuyasha to give him back the sword. Let's just say that didn't go well. He later helps everyone get a 'berserk' Inuyasha away from a Toukijin wielding Sesshoumaru, by breathing a large blast of fire.

  Ginta and Hakkaku are Kouga's companions, and remaining survivors of his clan. They follow Kouga everywhere. Always at a distance usually, since Kouga moves extremely fast due to the Shikon fragments. Ginta and Hakkaku usually try to help Kouga think about things he seems to have 'overlooked'. They do not dislike Inuyasha, and they are always happy to see 'Sister Kagome'.

  Hakudoushi is another of Naraku's offspring. He started out entirely different then his current form. On Mount Hakurei, Miroku and Sango come across a large pile of white, childlike forms. That leads them to the discovery that the mountain is Naraku's body. Naraku's body is changing and gaining more power.

At the same time, Kikyou sees Kagura fly off on her feather carrying a small bundle. Everyone soon discovers that Naraku has finally succeeded in his wish, he has finally separated Onigumo's heart from his body. The result of this was a small, pale, white-haired baby.

Kagura was forced to carry this 'evil baby' around and heed his orders. Eventually, they get to Kagome. He searches her heart, it seems as if he finds nothing, then he finds it. That small thread. Her jealousy of Kikyou. He then tries to use a tainted Shikon fragment to permanently gain her ability to see the shards. Kagome; to their amazement; is able to break through his control. Which leads to Inuyasha coming to save Kagome, and ruining his plans.

They begin to go after high ranking monks. Kagura attacks them with her wind attacks, then when they are close to death, lies 'evil baby' on their chest. He is looking for the darkness in their hearts, to help lead him to the next location of the final fragment.

During one of these such attacks, a monk is able to attack and split the baby in two. Kagura carries the baby away. The two halves become seperate. One half becomes Hakudoushi, a young boy form. While the other, carries the heart of Naraku.

Hakudoushi then goes on a rampage, killing many youkai and taking their heads. He is looking for information on how to get the location of the final shard. It is located in the realm between this world and the next.

  Bankotsu is the leader of the Shichinin-tai (Seven man army). Not to mention fine eye candy as well. ~_^ The Shichinin-tai were a band of mercenaries that killed ruthlessly, that is until the local lords banded together. They eventually defeated the Shichinin-tai, capturing and be-heading them. Afraid of vengeful spirts, they then buried their remains in a single marked grave.

He and the other members of the Shichinin-tai were revived from their grave by Naraku, using fragments of the Shikon no Tama. Naraku is using them in the hopes of defeating Inuyasha.

The first thing on Bankotsu's agenda, is to collect his weapon, Banryu. The halberd had been taken by the local lords that had slain the Shichinin-tai ten years earlier. He makes easy work of the lords, procuring his weapon.

Soon, Bankotsu, is the only surviving member of the Shichinin-tai remaining. He is now using the other members Shikon fragments as well. Bankotsu then heads off to the final battle with Inuyasha, on Mount Hakurei. The battle is intense. As the battle rages, Inuyasha begins to slowly slice away shards, removing them from Bankotsu. Then the battle swings in Inuyasha's favor and he swings slicing Bankotsu in two. One half turns to dust and bones, the other is swiped away by Naraku. Naraku removes Bankotsu's final shard, putting to end the final member of Shichinin-tai.

  Jakotsu is a member of the Shichinin-tai. Upon his first meeting with Inuyasha, he becomes instantly attracted to him. (Oh! He thinks Miroku is sexy too. lol) He always makes sexual innuendos directed towards Inuyasha. (it's quite funny, by the way.)

Jakotsu uses a special weapon. It is a snake sword. When he swings, it moves a great distance due to the fact that it is in fact several blades connected together. During the first battle with Inuyasha, Jakotsu might have indeed won, if not for the interference of Mukotsu.

He is also there when Suikotsu is dying, asking Kikyou to take his shard and let him die. Instead of allowing this Jakotsu uses his sword and takes Suikotsu's shard. Jakotsu is probably the most loyal to Bankotsu, and they share a special friendship. So automatically, without any thought to the contrary, he hands over Suikotsu's shard to Bankotsu.

Renkotsu, wanting Jakotsu's fragment, is there when Jakotsu and a human Inuyasha pit off against one another. It at first seems as if Jakotsu has the fight wrapped up, when of course Inuyasha finds a perfect opening. The battle then swings in Inuyasha's favor. Renkotsu enters the scene and takes Jakotsu's fragment for himself, thus ending the Shichinin-tai member Jakotsu's life.

  Renkotsu is a member of the Shichinin-tai. He is possibly the most deceptive member. He can look ordinary; and impersonates a Buddhist monk. He tells Inuyasha he will care for the poisoned members of his group, so Inuyasha can pursue Ginkotsu. With Inuyasha gone chasing after Ginkotsu, he takes Kagome's shards, then sets fire to the building that Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou are sleeping in.

Later, Renkotsu notices that Kagome can see the shards. He then decides that he must kill her so Bankotsu will not find out about the shards he took from her. Needless to say, Bankotsu does indeed find out and warns Renkotsu of the consequences if he should withold any future shards.

The temptation is too great after Ginkotsu's death, and he decides to keep the shard. Quickly realizing what this means once Bankotsu discovers his deceit, he comes up with a plan to go after Kouga and his two shards as well. First though, he needs Jakotsu's shard. He gets Jakotsu to go after Inuyasha, in the hopes that he will be defeated. Jakotsu becomes severely wounded. That is when Renkotsu comes into the open and collects Jakotsu's fragment. He watches without remorse as Jakotsu dies.

With the shards he has, he decides it's time to get Kouga's. He heads to Mount Hakurei and attempts to retrieve them from an injured Kouga. Inuyasha and Renkotsu battle for a while, which results in Renkotsu leaving to regroup. That is when Bankotsu confronts him. Bankotsu has no sympathy for a man that would kill and betray his comrades. He then kills Renkotsu.

  Suikotsu is a member of the Shichinin-tai. His member status is odd, because Suikotsu has a dual personality. His first appearance is when Kikyou comes across a small village with a  young, kind doctor treating patients. She senses a Shikon shard being used by the doctor. Upon closer inspection she notices that the fragment is pure, without a hint of malice. Finding this odd, she watches the young doctor closely, noticing that he is caring for a group of orphened children, as well as doctoring the other villagers. The only oddity is his ironic fear of blood.

Eventually, the doctor's Shikon fragment attracts Inuyasha and company. They come across the doctor as he is gathering herbs with some orphens. Inuyasha tells Suikotsu that because he has that shard he must be in with the Shichinin-tai. Suikotsu has no idea what Inuyasha is referring to. Then Jakotsu, Renkotsu, and Ginkotsu arrive to pick up Suikotsu. Suikotsu seems to honestly have no clue who they are, and why they want him.

Jakotsu asks him if he's forgotten again, and says that it is really annoying when he does that. So, the Shichinin-tai attack Suikotsu. He sees the children he was with about to receive a killing blow from Jakotsu and rushes over taking the blow himself. Bloody from his wound, he begins to hear a voice in his head. His entire demeanor changes. He becomes sinister in appearance with markings on his face and a psychotic look about him.

He soon gets his hands on Rin, using her as a hostage as Jakotsu battles Sesshoumaru. He then decides he wants to kill Rin, and as he gets ready to do just that an arrow hits straight in his neck. He then changes back to the kind doctor. Kikyou kneels beside him and he tells her of his past. He then asks he to remove his shard so he can die and find peace before he can harm another person. As Kikyou prepares to remove the Shikon fragment, Jakotsu uses his weapon and removes Suikotsu's shard so Kikyou can't have the shard. So, Suikotsu dies and finds the peace he didn't have in life.

  Mukotsu is a short and chubby member of the Shichinin-tai. His specialty is poisons. He arrives on the scene as Jakotsu is battling Inuyasha. He uses a vaporous cloud to distract the battle. This allows Jakotsu to lead Inuyasha  away so Mukotsu can deal with Kagome and the others.

He then paralyzes Kagome, and tries to kill the others. Shippoou does manage to get away, and he tries to find Inuyasha. Meanwhile, Mukotsu tries to rape a paralyzed Kagome. No one can help her because Sango and Miroku are also paralyzed. But thankfully, Sesshoumaru arrives and splits Mukotsu in two, saving Kagome from a horrible fate.

  Ginkotsu is a member of the Shichinin-tai that is partially made of metal and has one arm that is a weapon, and a cannon protruding from his back. After Mukotsu is killed, Renkotsu sends Ginkotsu to finish what Mukutsu started. During this, Inuyasha is trying to get a poisoned Kagome, Sango and Miroku as far away from the Shichinin-tai as possible. That is until Inuyasha detects Ginkotsu following them.

Ginkotsu then sends saw blades in their direction. Inuyasha seems to have his hands full with Ginkotsu, sending Shippou away with the others. He then continues to battle with Ginkotsu. He uses the Kaze no Kizu, and buries Ginkotsu underground.

He digs himself out though, and shows up during a battle between Inuyasha and Renkotsu. Inuyasha severly wounds him to the point that all that is left is his head and chest. Naraku's Saimyoushou arrive and carry him away. Ginkotsu soon returns though, and his body has been replaced with a tank like construction. Eventually, he meets his end thanks to Kouga.

  Kyoukotsu is the first member of the Shichinin-tai to be seen. He is large and giant-like, because he has been on a rampage consuming demons. Kohaku is with him. Kyoukotsu starts to think he has the upperhand, so Kohaku lops of his hand. Kyoukotsu merely laughs and reattaches his hand. Then Kouga happens across Kyoukotsu. Kyoukotsu noticing Kouga has two shards in his possessions, decides to make them his.

They start to fight. Kouga is kicking with the power of the shards, and it seems not to effect Kyoukotsu. Kyoukotsu then brags about his own Shikon fragment, and points to his forehead. They begin to fight again. Kouga uses all of his strenth and that of the fragments,  to kick Kyoukotsu's head and punches straight into his forehead digging out the shard. Kyoukotsu then turns to dust and bones.