Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Yoshinaka's head has been sent back to the capital. It is decided that it will be displayed in public. Yoshitsune objects to such cruel treatment.

Yoshitsune: "Although it is practice of samurais to display the heads of fallen enemies, Yoshinaka is afterall family..."

Noriyori and Kagetoki tells him off however. They remind him that Yoshinaka had tried to oust the leadership from Yoritomo and even attempted to take the ex-emperor's life. He was already considered a traitor. (I think the gist is like, if they don't display the head, it will seem like Yoritomo still treats Yoshinaka as family. And that will mean Yoritomo is a cold man that murdered his own family member. Well, he is. Bleah~~~)

Yoshitsune runs into a devastated Tomoe at the place where Yoshinaka's head is hung on display. She tries to kill him but Yoshitsune stops her.

Yoshitsune: "If you draw your sword now, you are going to lose your life. (Because there are other soldiers around) Don't waste your life like this."

Tomoe slowly releases hold of her sword. (i know i'm crap.. but, i found it sooo MOE to see how Yoshitsune holds Tomoe's hands. okok, i know he is just preventing her from drawing her sword. Nothing sensual but gahahahha, just MOE. XDDD *whacks self*)

Yoshitsune: "Hate me if you need to. At least hatred can make a man stronger."

Tomoe softens. She asks Yoshitsune about Yoshitaka. Yoshitsune promises that he will protect him no matter what. With that, Tomoe leaves.

Yoshitsune visits Kurama Temple and meets his guardian Kakunichi after a long time.

Kakunichi: "You seem sad."

Yoshitsune: "I was praying for the dead."

Kakunichi: "You have submitted yourself to a life of battle. Buddha doesn't like killing."

Yoshitsune: "Please forgive me... ... but i am a samurai..."

Kakunichi: "Why fight the Heike?"

Yoshitsune: "I want to build a new country with my brother.There are too many grudges between the Heike and the Genji. As long as both clans are around, fighting will never stop. But when it becomes a Genji-only world, there will be no more fighting."

Kakunichi: "It will be good if that really happens..."

Yoshitsune: "I vouch with my life." (as in, the no war part)

Kakunichi: "But either way, we have to go through pandemonium."

Yoshitsune: "Yes."

Kakunichi: "... And on the way there, if you ever feel lost or tired, come to Kurama Temple. The doors are always open for you."

(Awwwww, i love Kakunichi, i really do!!! He is such a GREAT guardian and mentor to Yoshitsune, always there to provide directions and offer him inner peace when he needs it.)

The Heike set up a permanent camp at Ichinotani and reassured themselves of its natural fort-like qualities.

A few days later, Tsubone calls for Yoshitsune and asks him for him why he had objected to displaying Yoshinaka's head in public. Unknown to Yoshitsune, Go-Shirakawa is peeping at him from another room. (Gawd, the way this old man behaves, i feel like he wants to rape Yoshitsune!! Gyaaah, CHOU wacky old man!!!) After Yoshitsune leaves, Tsubone asks Go-Shirakawa what he thinks of him. The ex-emperor thinks he is a docile man, trustable but doesn't really reveal the makings of a samurai general yet. But he will wait and see.

Yoshitsune reaches home and everyone seems to be acting weirdly, grinning non-stop. It turns out that Akane had found Shizuka and brought her to see Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune is really surprised.

Jiro: "I am sure you want Shizuka to stay with us in this house right??"

Yoshitsune: "Eh? But... er..."

Tsugunobu: "I think we (the kerai) are all hoping for that."

Tadanobu: "Eh, but what about Shizuka herself...?"

(And you can see how Benkei and Tsugunobu just go -__- as they turn to stare at the blur and "uncooperative" Tadanobu... LOL)

Jiro: "There is no reason why Shizuka will reject this suggestion.... right??"

All turn to look at Shizuka, who remains silent. Saburo then prods Yoshitsune in the arm. (Muahhahahahha, this part is so funny!! You just really become a block of wood in front of the woman you love ne!!)

Yoshitsune finally speaks.

Yoshitsune: "Shizuka, how about it?"

Shizuka: "But I still have a mother (and don't want her to be alone)..."

Benkei: "She can stay with us too!"

(Benkei is a genius for once! LMAO~~~)

Shizuka now has to convince her mother, Iso no Zenji to move in with her. Her mother refuses the offer though.

Iso no Zenji: "Yoshitsune is a samurai, a Genji samurai. You can never become his wife." (due to class differences)

Shizuka: "I know that."

Iso no Zenji: "Battles are inevitable for a samurai. Even though you get to spend peaceful days with him for a while, life and death to him is but a thin line..."

Shizuka: "Even so, that is precisely why I want to stay by his side."

Iso no Zenji: "I see that you are bound to the same (lonely) fate i have..."

Iso no Zenji realises she cannot dissuade her daughter anymore. She hands her some clothes to take with her. (I think it is some symbolic costume worn by shirabyoushi??)

A letter from the capital reaches Yoritomo. He learns of Yoshitsune's objection to the public display of Yoshinaka's head. Masako reminds him about breaking the news of Yoshinaka's death to Yoshitaka. Tokitada is assigned this job.

Tokitada: "Whatever your father did wrong, it has nothing to do with you. Therefore just continue to be Oohime's groom. Don't let this bother you too much."

Yoshitaka: (clutching his fists) "I understand."

Tokitada reports back to Yoritomo about how the boy seemed to have taken the news quite well. Yoritomo is reminded of himself when he was young, when he was captured and sat before Kiyomori. Under that repose of Yoshitaka, he knows hatred exists. Just then, Oohime enters and room and asks why Yoshitaka is crying. No one can give her a reply.

Yoshitsune is listening intently to Shizuka playing the flute for him when the kerais start singing next door. (wakakakkka, and Yoshitsune's face just went -______-;;;) Shizuka tells him to be able to hear people's voices, be they laughing or quarrelling, is something they should be grateful for. Yoshitsune tells Shizuka this is the kind of life he desires. Himself, Shizuka and his kerai, all living happily under one roof. (I SERIOURSLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GONNA KISS HERE!!!! WHY DIDN'T THEY????!?! URGHHH!!! CHOTTO!! DO THEY EVEN HAVE KISSING SCENES IN TAIGA???)

The Heike are amassing their naval troops at Ichinotani. Yoritomo thinks that Go-Shirakawa will give the order to them to attack the Heike soon (and retrieve the treasures). He reveals that he will fight the Heike to get the treasures, but he will not hand it over to Go-Shirakawa immediately when he does.

Noriyori receives orders from Yoritomo to prepare for battle. But problems abound. Heike has managed to amass a troop of 100,000 while the Genji only has 60,000 to spare. Moving such a huge number of soldiers out will invite much attention, and words of their impending attack (which is supposed to be a secret) might leak to the Heike through their allies that remain in the capital. Yoshitsune then comes up with a brilliant plan, that is to move troops around the city regardless of night or day as guards (to watch over the city). As such, the people wouldn't notice when some of these troops leave the city. Noriyori accepts this plan instantly and assigns the task of karamete to Yoshitsune again. They will lead troops to Ichinotani separately and meet on the 7th of February. Yoshitsune will close in to Ichinotani from the north (the cliffward side).

Utsubo turns up at Yoshitsune's house and finally runs into Shizuka for the first time. The whole situation in the house turns awkward (since everyone knows Utsubo likes Yoshitsune).

Go-Shirakawa finally passes the order to capture the Heike and retrieve the treasures.

Yoshitsune and his kerai prepares to leave for battle. Shizuka is visible worried as they might not return alive. Yoshitsune has a last word with Shizuka as the rest wait outside.

Yoshitsune: "I don't know if I will live or die, but I will definitely return to you."

Shizuka: "I will be waiting for you."



Shizuka then changes into her shirabyoushi costume and performs a dance for Yoshitsune with a heavy heart. This may well be the last time they meet. shizuka weeps as Yoshitsune finally leaves. (mouuu~~~~~ T-T)

Utsubo appears as they are leaving the capital.

Utsubo: "Don't die!! Yoshitsune-sama, don't worry about Shizuka! I will take care of her."

With 2 ladies weeping for him, Yoshitsune finally leaves for Ichinotani.

~End of Episode 26~