Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Finally... a non-synopsis entry. Recently my entries have all been Yoshitsune synopses dane? *scrolls down* Well you see cos I had been falling behind due to work and all... I remember when Yoshitsune first started, i was able to post the synopsis within the week it aired and even write the gist of the next episode. Haa~ those were the days. But now, with this annoying work that has me doing UNPAID overtime every other day, i don't have that luxury now. Stupid work keeping me away from my Yoshitsune-sama... I pay extra money for NHK to what... watch it twice a week??! *bangs head on wall* So annnyywaaay, i'm trying to catch up on the synopses now because I want to be in sync with the current epi and that ALL-IMPORTANT last epi... I don't want to be still stuck at Epi 45 or sthg then when i am wailing for Yoshitsune-sama's xxxxx!!!!! KYYAAAHHHHH.. just thinking about it..my heart aches... 義経さまは、本当に・・・本当に・・・死ぬの？いやぁ～～～言っちゃった～～T---T

ok, i'm sorry but i cannot help talking about the drama. Yoshitsune's life is REALLY going to be downhill from now on... His brother is SO MEAN TO HIM!!!! If I didn't rem wrongly, the 2 of them will actually never meet again. I think when he left after Child-murderer Yoritomo beheaded little Yoshitaka, Yoshitsune never steps foot in Kamakura again. So that means, Yoshitsune never gets a chance to explain himself to his brother in person. Yoritomo gets all the bad ideas about Yoshitsune through rumours and hearsay from other people... people like the FAT AND BIASED KAGETOKI. Like you STUPID UGLY YORITOMO!!! You call yourself a samurai leader when you let yourself listen to this kinda obaasan uwasa???? And all the CRAP TALK about reason over sentiments... *kicks* How can you blame Yoshitsune for returning the Three (or rather, two) Treasures to the scheming Go-Shirakawa?? He *IS* the one in the capital with Go-Shirakawa, you sent him there!!! So tell me, HOW CAN HE NOT RETURN THE TREASURES TO THAT OLD MAN IF HE'S JUST LIVING NEXT DOOR???!?!?!? USE YOUR BRAIN!!! Afterall, Go-Shirakawa is the one who ordered the mission to retrieve the treasures, how do you expect Yoshitsune to explain to that old man if he doesn't return him the stuff??? MURI DAYO, MURI!!! If you don't want the old man to get the stuff, THEN YOU GO TO KYOTO YOURSELF!!! You stupid ugly one who stays in that mansion of yours in Kamakura and expect everyone else to do the dirty work for you... Grrrr~~~ And don't expect Yoshitsune to KNOW your secret plan (of keeping the treasures for yourself) if you don't tell him!!!! HE IS NOT SCHEMEFUL LIKE YOU!!! You never told him not to return the stuff, HOW WOULD HE KNOW???? And you always pretend to be loyal to Go-Shirakawa, HOW WOULD HE KNOW YOU ARE ACTUALLY PLOTTING AGAINST HIM??? TONIKAKU, YOU WA BAKA!!!

Oh gawd, i am getting so worked up just thinking about it, but SERIOUSLY, those of you that actually follow the drama, 義経さまは本当に可哀そうと思わない?!?! Don't you feel so sad for him now?? His life is such a mess now all because of his brother. It is a mistake to look him up. BAAAD MISTAKE. Hayaku, GO BACK TO HIRAIZUMI ALREADY... Yoritomo doesn't deserve your loyalty. Look at how much tears you shed for him... Seems that every episode now, Yoshitsune is crying... MOU~~~ IT BREAKS MY HEART...

okok, this is supposed to be a non-synopsis entry... i should stop rambling on and on about it... I don't know who really reads my synopses (i thank those who do ^^) since mine are slow to update and there are English-subbed episodes on BT but for me, i think i will feel a sense of achievement when i finish all 49 episodes... This much time and effort i want to put into this Taiga drama, because it is Takki's masterpiece.

Next, Utsubo's crank-up. "Crank-up" (or kuranku appu) actually means wrapping up of filming in Japanese. Apparently Ueto Aya finishes her studio filming (shes ends location filming in Gunma next week) yesterday on the 27 Sept. Otsukare chaaan~~~ Thank you for always watching over Yoshitsune-sama! *bows* She says she is really impressed by Takki and feels like she has really fallen in love with the Yoshitsune character that he plays so well. XDDD

「義経役の滝沢秀明さんはすごい。」
"Takizawa Hideaki-san who plays Yoshitsune is really sugoi."

「滝沢さんはコンサートやバラエティに出ながら、長ぜりふをちゃんと覚えている。圧倒されました。」
"Takizawa-san while busy with concerts and variety shows, he can still remember his long lines. I am overwhelmed."

「義経が馬に乗って去っていくシーンは自然と涙が出て、本当に義経に好きになったかと思うほど感情が入った。」
"In the scene where Yoshitsune gets onto his horse and leaves (for good), tears just came naturally out of my eyes. I think I have really fallen in love with Yoshitsune."

http://www.nikkansports.com/ns/entertainment/f-et-tp0-050927-0021.html
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200509/gt2005092809.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/geinou/index.htm

You really can't hate her character can you? Utsubo knows Yoshitsune will never return her feelings but chooses to watch over him and his beloved Shizuka nonetheless. Never underestimate the emotional power of women in love ne!

By the way, Takki updated his Takiren. He says Yoshitsune filming will end this week. Gyaaaahh, maji de... I feel sooo samishiii... and i think he does too. He says something like 「終わりたいけど終わりたくないけど終わりたい。」 "I don't want it to end but i want it to end but i don't want it to end." What a sentence BUT I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL! It has been a loooong one-year project for you and you have grown so attached to the Yoshitsune family... I will miss Yoshitsune too! But Takki asks us to look forward to his solo concert then. Yes, with you around, we know we will always have something to look forward too.

THANK YOU FOR BEING MY MOTIVATION AT WORK!! m(__)m
I really can't complain seeing how much HARDER you are working compared to myself. But still, i think i am being underpaid... -_-;;;

By the way, i am addicted to the soundtrack of NANA recently. *Like finally! I am listening to non T&T stuff.. LOL* I haven't even read the comics nor seen the film but i really love the 2 theme songs. Yuna Ito's Endless Story and Nakashima Mika's Glamorous Sky.

You can find Yuna Ito's performance of it on Popjam here.
(Or if the video fails to load, i've uploaded the clip to here. Full credits to the above site.)

For Mika Nakashima's Glamorous Sky, you can hear it on Alexiel's radioblog.

I seriously have no idea what NANA is about, but the trailer/soundtrack makes me want to watch it. You can see the trailer on the movie website. One of my friends tell me only Vol. 2 of the manga is nice, and i think the movie is based on Vol. 2? Shiranai naaa~ Ne, Alexiel *pokes* Lend me the manga when you are done? LOL~ I *think* the movie is about TWO VERY DIFFERENT GIRLS (kawaii 奈々 vs rockish ナナ) going after their own dreams. Hmm, it is good to have dreams ne... Everyone should have dreams. I hope this movie comes to Singapore! Heard that they already have plans to remake the other volumes too with the same cast!

I have been watching a bit of anime ever since my brother passed me his Naruto. Haa, previously, i didn't understand what's the hype about this anime, but i tink i do now... BUT HOW CAN MY BRO LEAVE ME STRANDED AT VOL 6??? A CLIFFHANGER???!?!? I was gg crazy after Vol 6 ended... like nooooo.... DON'T END HERE!!! and immedately texted my bro on his handphone "Where's Vol 7?????" and his reply was...

"No money to buy."

-_____________-;;;

Therefore i conclude, it is best to watch an anime only when you have the whole series on hand.

While most people will end up falling for Sasuke (he is quite cute i must say.. ahha) but the one i really like is Kakashi-sensei!! Hahhaha, thou i never saw his face before. It's always hidden.

Kakashi: "Yo!"

I loved the way he protects his students. When he carried Sakura back from the Chuunin Eliminatory Tournament, i was squealing all over. LOL~ Yasashhiiiiiii~~~ He can be so serious but also funny even in times of crisis. That ayashii "Come Come Paradise" book that he is always reading... LMAO~~~ And always late for appointments, whether it is an important mission or not, so that he can make a grand entrance... LOL~ There's also something sexy about the way he fights. LOL~ canNOT believe i find a 2-dimensional character sexy.... XDDD

So in the meantime while waiting for Naruto Vol. 7, i am watching 鋼錬金術師 or Full Metal Alchemist. The violent scene at the very beginning of the anime shocked me a little, but im fine now. The main character Edward looks like someone from Final Fantasy 9 though...

BOY, HURRY UP GO GET NARUTO VOL. 7!! I don't care how you do it, starve if you must! Your sister cannot help you (so stop hinting)... her money is all locked up in Sakusen Fund. LOL~

The Genji wins the battle at Dannoura and destroys the Heike clan. However, instead of feeling the triumph, Yoshitsune feels sad and a sense of emptiness. He stares quietly at the sea that swallowed up the Heike.

Boats are sent out to comb the sea for survivors as well as one of the missing Three Sacred Treasures, the sword.

Otoku comes to look for Yoshitsune and the two recall Heike in its glorious days under the charge of Kiyomori. Otoku feels sad for the late Kiyomori that his clan has fallen this way. The truth is Yoshitsune feels the same way too, as they had been his family when he was young. He still looks upon Kiyomori as a fatherly figure.

(Flashbacks from Episode 1 up til present is shown here. Yoshitsune/Takki has come a loooong way na... Kandou, kandou...)

Yoshitsune feels wretched inside knowing that he is the very person who brought the Heike to its downfall. (Frowning Takki appears again... Gyaaah, you really feel the burden of his heart.. this is ALL YORITOMO'S FAULT!!!)

Yoshitsune tries to forget about his feelings and returns to his camp. Kagasue notices that Yoshitsune doesn't look right although they won the war.

Yoshitsune: "This war was won through the sacrifice of many men. Never forget that."

Tadanobu brings news that survivors of the Heike clan has been found. The list includes Kenreimonin, Tokitada (Tokiko's brother), "Shinno" (actually Antoku), Akirakeiko, Munemori and his son Kiyomune, Sukeko and Yoshiko...

EVeryone is glad to find out that Yoshiko survived.

Kagetoki: "Are you going to see your sister?"

Although he will very much like to, being the General, Yoshitsune has priorities... He decides he has to meet Heike's general, Munemori first.

Munemori: "You.. you are that Ushiwaka isn't it? The one who used to play with Tomomori and Shigehira..."

Kiyomune: "What is going to happen to us?"

Munemori: "Of course they are going to take our heads!"

Yoshitsune: "Without orders from the court and Kamakura, I will not do anything now. Even though you are our enemy, as the Heike general, we will treat you with respect."

Munemori: "I am not the general! The general this time is Tomomori!..... I will like to ask you something. What happened to my mother?"

Yoshitsune: "We found survivors but..."

Benkei: "She is not among the list."

Munemori starts to weep and Yoshitsune sympathises with him, for he lost his own mother as well.

Next, Yoshitsune goes to meet Kenreimonin and the surviving Heike ladies who give him the cold treatment. Yoshitsune asks about the whereabouts of Antoku and the missing sword but Akirakeiko replies that they have gone under the sea with Tokiko. Yoshitsune notices their strange expressions and senses they are keeping something from him. He recalls the boy that Yoshiko tries to protect and the boy that went down into the sea with Tokiko are two different persons... However, seeing that the ladies are still shaken, he decides not to pursue the matter for the moment. Before he leaves, Kenreimonin tells him something.

Kenreimonin: "Destiny... isn't it a sad thing?"

(Kenreimonin is referring to Yoshitsune's destiny of having to fight the Heike against his will and her own, her political marriage to Emperor Takakura and having her whole life mapped out to boost Heike's power.)

Yoshitsune strolls along the coast and runs into Yoshiko. This is the first time he meets Yoshiko ever since she was carried away by the Heike when she was still a newborn.

Yoshitsune: "I still remember the day you were born. They were yelling that it's a girl. I went to see Mother and saw you moving your small hand while lying next to her."

Yoshiko: "That was 20 years ago."

Yoshitsune: "And finally we meet again!"

Yoshiko: "Hai!"

Yoshitsune: "Now that the Heike has been destroyed, from today onwards, stay beside me. Stay with me at the capital."

Yoshiko shakes her head.

Yoshitsune: "Why?"

Yoshiko: "Kiyomori's blood run in me. I am a Heike and I want to stay with the rest of the Heike and face our destiny together."

Yoshitsune is surprised to hear that from Yoshiko.

Yoshitsune: "There is something else I want to ask you. The boy that you covered the white cloth with during the battle... who is he?"

Yoshiko is taken aback by the question. Pausing for a moment, she lies.

Yoshiko: "It is Morisada Shinno-sama. Thanks to you, that white cloth saved his life."

Yoshiko starts to take her leave but turns back again to thank Yoshitsune.

Yoshiko: "Brother, I received the letter from you. Thank you! I am very happy to know your concern for me."

Yoshitsune: "That is because I don't want you to be at the receiving end of arrows (after the Yashima incident) ever again."

Yoshiko: "Knowing that I have a brother like you in this world, it will be my pillar of strength. With this knowledge, even if I am alone, I will never feel lonely."

With that, Yoshiko leaves.

(And this will be the ONLY and LAST time that Yoshitsune will ever talk to Yoshiko. Anou... and we were sooo paranoid when we found out that Goto Maki is in Yoshitsune. LOL~)

(Narration) Yoshitsune finally finds her sister but fails to keep her with him. Suddenly, fe feels the transcience of life. There is also a growing suspicion in him regarding the surviving Shinno's identity.

~End of Episode 36~

23rd March 1185, one day before Battle of Dannoura.

Yoshitsune holds a strategy meeting with the rest. Kagetoki volunteers to lead the vanguard for this battle (he blabbers something about this being the chance for him to show Yoritomo his utmost loyalty and blah... urusai na~ like who cares about you?? The important thing is to defeat the Heike... -__-) but Yoshitsune appoints Miura no Yoshizumi instead as the latter is more accustomed to the sea. Kagetoki gets very upset and complains that Yoshitsune is neglecting Yoritomo's own men (that is, Kagetoki himself... -_-).

(Point to note: Miura no Yoshizumi is originally Noriyori's subordinate since long before Noriyori joined Yoritomo. So to Kagetoki, he is not 100% Yoritomo's men. Therefore, he is against Yoshitsune appointing Yoshizumi to be the vanguard for this battle. To Kagetoki, this final battle should be won by "Yoritomo's men"... you tell me how petty this man is???? GAWD!!! *kicks his fat butt* All Yoshitsune wants is to pick the right man for the right job but here Kagetoki prides himself on such crap stuff... he's the reason why "racism/class difference" exists!!! COCKY OLD MAN!!! Not to forget that he wants the credit of being the vanguard if they win the battle.)

Kagesue gets embarrassed about his own father's behaviour and tries to calm him down but to no avail. Yoshitsune tries to talk some sense into the stubborn old man.

Yoshitsune: "We should stop differentiating between the armies. Winning the battle and retrieving the Three Sacred Treasures is top priority as opposed to worrying about who takes credit. At the end of the day, we are all working for Yoritomo. We are all Genji. "

Kagetoki storms off in anger and Kagesue chases after him.

Akirakeiko lets Yoshiko out of the shed and brings her to Tokiko and Muneko, who are discussing about what to do with her now that she found out about their secret plan. Tokiko decides to leave Yoshiko behind when battle begins.

Yoshiko: "I know the identity of my mother and my brother bothers the family. But the blood of Kiyomori-sama runs in me too! Please, take me whenever you go! I want to go through all these with the Heike."

Tokiko is touched by Yoshiko's words.

Tokiko: "Alright. You shall follow us. But you understand there is a chance that you may have to die with us?"

Yoshiko: "Hai!"

With that, the Heike ladies proceed to board the ships. Kenreimonin separates from Antoku and boards the same ship as Shinno and Tokiko while Akirakeiko takes care of Antoku on another ship. Meanwhile, Heike's commander Tomomori preps his men.

24th March 1185.
The day of battle finally arrives.

Yoshitsune worries about Yoshiko's safety but knows there is nothing more that he can do except hope that she follows his instructions.

Otoku and Karasumaru watches the battle from afar.

Out at sea, the ships of the Heike and Genji approach each other in great numbers as they converge at the narrow passing of Dannoura. Showers of arrows begin to rain on each fleet from the opposite side. Soldiers disguised as women trick Yoshitsune into thinking that they found the ship which is carrying Antoku and gives Heike the chance to surround the Genji's ships. Yoshitsune orders his men to take down the oarsmen to try and disable the Heike's movement but that has a limiting effect. The sea current is flowing from west to east, giving Heike a natural advantage. For a moment, things seem to be going Heike's way.

Just then, one of Heike's major allies Taguchi no Shigeyoshi (father of Taguchi no Noriyoshi who has joined Yoshitsune earlier) betrays the Heike and joins the Genji. The west-east sea current also stops momentarily. Suddenly, Genji has the upper hand. Yoshitsune realises he has to find the ship that Antoku is on to win the battle as soon as possible. They spot two ships that are bigger and more protected than the rest. Yoshitsune concludes that the second one is the one with Antoku.

Benkei: "Why are you so sure? The two ships look exactly the same!"

Yoshitsune: "Even though both are surrounded by us, the smaller boats stick to the second ship closely and do not leave its side to attack us. There must be something onboard that ship that needs to be protected like this!"

Yoshitsune's ship approaches Antoku's ship and Yoshiko, who is on the same ship, decides to do something to keep Yoshitsune from attacking their ship. She risks her life and goes onto the deck, covering herself with a white cloth. Yoshitsune sees that and stops his men from attacking that ship. Just then, Antoku suddenly appears behind and Yoshiko rushes to cover him with the white cloth. Before Yoshitsune can go nearer to get a better look, more Heike ships arrive and seperate his ship from Yoshiko's.

Onboard the ship carrying the "fake emperor" Shinno, Tokiko suddenly has a change of heart and decides that all the Heike ladies and children should stick together. With Kenreimonin's permission (I feel it is soooo weird that Tokiko has to bow and talk to Kenreimonin Tokuko in *such* formal terms.. i know she is the Empress but Tokiko is still her mum right??? I mean, this is the same Tokuko that Tokiko used to scold when she was reluctant to marry Emperor Takakura at first...), they board Antoku's ship and reunite with the rest.

Tokiko briefs the rest on the new plan of action. The Three Treasures is to be split up. Sukeko will hold the mirror, Muneko the jewel and Tokiko herself, the sword.

By noontime, the sea current has totally reversed and now flows east to west in Genji's favour. Yoshitsune finally runs into Tomomori and persuades him to surrender to save his life. Tomomori refuses of course, and the two begin to fight each other. Yoshitsune slips and Kisanta throws a bag of gold dust at Tomomori to distract the latter. (Thou I have no idea... what's the gold dust there for in the first place??) The bigger and stronger Tomomori tries to attack Yoshitsune but the agile Yoshitsune jumps from ship to ship, dodging his attacks. (This is supposed to be the famous "八艘飛び" (Hassotobi, meaning jumping eight ships) but it looked kinda bimyou... yappari, they need HK's action chereographers...) Suddenly, scenes of his childhood with Yoshitsune and Shigehira surfaces in Tomomori's mind.

Tomomori: "Is our fate of meeting today as enemies sealed since that time?"

By now, the Genji is totally winning the battle. Tomomori reports the situation to Tokiko and the other Heike ladies with much regret.

Tokiko: "Everyone, after Kiyomori passed away, you have all stuck by the family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Ever since that incident at Yashima (where the fan got shot down by Nasu no Yoichi), i already sense the coming of this day. This is our destiny. The seas of Saigoku (current day Kyushu) has always belong to the Heike. Shall we return to that sea together? Kenreimonin-sama...?"

Kenreimonin: "I will go together with you all." (She always talk in a monotonous tone... WHAT DID ROYALTY DO TO HER???)

Akirakeiko: "Shinno-sama too?"

Tokiko: "We will all go together."

Shinno: "If everyone goes together, no one will feel lonely."

Akirakeiko: (in tears) "Hai!"

Antoku: "Are we returning to the sea?"

Tokiko: "That's right."

Antoku: "What is there?"

(His voice scared me... but there is something very special about this boy's eyes. Very piercing...)

Tokiko: "Under the sea, there is the 'dream capital' that Kiyomori built. I think Shigemori, Koremori and Kiyomori are waiting there for us."

Antoku: "If Grandfather is there, I want to meet him soon!"

Suddenly Tokiko thinks of something.

Tokiko: "No! Your Majesty (Antoku), you shall remain on the boat. Yoshiko, do not leave his side!"

Tomomori: "Mother!"

Tokiko: "She is Yoshitsune's sister. They will not hurt her. Antoku will be safe with her."

Yoshiko agrees in silence.

Tomomori: "That's it! Everyone, I will leave you all now."

Tomomori stands to leave the room for his final showdown but his wife Akirakeiko stops him.

Akirakeiko: "No! We will definitely meet again in the 'dream capital'!"

(Gaaaahhhh, POOR AKIRAKEIKO!!! How sad is it that when you know that is the last time you are ever going to see your husband??? T-----T)

The sun shines brightly as the Heike ladies and their maids line up along the deck. One by one, they jump into the water. Yoshitsune is shocked at this scene and yells at them from his ship to stop but to no avail. He orders his men to steer the ship nearer to save them from the water. Just then, Tokiko and Yoshitsune's eyes meet. (I believe this is the first time Yoshitsune sees Tokiko?? But I am sure that somehow he knows she is Kiyomori's wife.) Staring at Yoshitsune, she smiles at him before jumping into the water carrying Shinno and the sacred sword.

They enter the water and the sword sinks into the depths of the sea.

Yoshitsune: "Someone!! Save the women and children!!"

While the women jumped into the waters bravely, Munemori (on another ship) has to be pushed into the water by his man, but Kagesue fish him (and his son) out immediately. On another ship, the brave Tomomori continues to fight as long as he can. Finally, he too jumps into the water holding on to the ship's anchor.

Yoshitsune watches all these with tears in his eyes but unable to stop them.

The battle finally comes to an end with the sea filled with bodies and red Heike flags.

Yoshitsune stares out into the sea sadly as the sun sets, his kerai afraid to disturb him.

The once formidable Heike clan built by Kiyomori is now annihilated... by Yoshitsune.

~End of Episode 35~

I don't even know what to say!!! I didn't expect a lot of dates since it's his first solo... but 4 shows wa.... and YAPPARI Xmas season da! OMG, 4 shows = ONE HELLA MAD RUSH FOR TICKETS... >_< I hope there wouldn't be too many juniors backdancing for him if not all the precioussss tickets are going into the *cough*wrong*cough* hands!!!! ALL CHIBIKKOS GET OUT!!! IMAI TSUBASA, GET IN!!! lol~ And they actually managed to book Yokohama Arena on CHRISTMAS DAY for Takki!!! Sugeeeeee~~~~ OH MY GAWD... WILL HE DEFINITELY SING STARRY SKY THEN????? Will I *finally* get to hear it in the correct season????

Spending Christmas with Takki?????????????!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!????

*faintsssss*

GIRLS, FALL IN LINE!!!!!
SAKUSEN PLANNING SUTAATO!!!!

THIS WILL BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS E.V.E.R.

Yoshitsune and his troops gain more naval allies as they advance towards Nagato, where the Heike is. Kagetoki learns that Kumano Naval Clan has agreed to help Yoshitsune and questions their loyalty.

Kagetoki: "Can they be trusted?"

Benkei: "Hai!"

Kagetoki: "I am asking Yoshitsune!"

Yoshitsune: "I trust them."

(Seriously, Kagetoki is becoming such a pain in the ass. Always being cocky and erasou ni... MUKATSUKU! He just doesn't believe anything great can be achieved without him... and underestimates Yoshitsune totally. Grrr... In fact, he is the one who will widen the rift between Yoshitsune and Yoritomo by always talking bad about him later in the show. *kicks*)

The Heike men has a strategy meeting and once again assure themselves that they have the upper hand in a naval battle.

Tomomori tells Tokiko they will definitely win the next battle but she still feels the anxiety. She devises a plan to preserve the bloodline of the Heike clan even if they should lose the battle.

Back in Kyoto, Utsubo visits Shizuka intending to update her on news about Yoshitsune but the latter already heard about it from Kichiji. Moe suddenly appears and calls the two for a word with them. The two are startled and prepares for a scolding from the "legitimate wife" but instead, Moe begs them to keep her informed about Yoshitsune too. She is afterall Yoshitsune's wife and has the duty to know what is happening to her husband.

Shizuka: "I am so sorry for making you feel left out. My being in this house must make you feel terrible..."

Moe: "It is never my intention to drive you out of this house. I just want to be able to talk to you, to exchange words normally when I meet you... Utsubo too. Afterall, it is the same man we want to protect, isn't it?"

(Sigh... Moe is such a poor victim of circumstances... KICK YORITOMO TO OKINAWA ALREADY YO!!! But come to think of it, Moe may be the luckiest of the three because she gets to xxx in the hands of Yoshitsune... T---T)

Utsubo leaves Yoshitsune's house depressed and meets Karasumaru.

Utsubo: "There seems to be many people who wants to protect Yoshitsune ne... it wouldn't make a difference less me..."

Karasumaru: "Utsubo?"

Utsubo: "Should I be happy about that? Or feel lonely..."

Karasumaru: "I will be going with Otoku to watch the battle in the west. Do you want to go too?"
Utsubo shakes her head sadly and walks away.

Meanwhile, Yoshitsune gains Funadokoro no Goro Masatoshi (what a long name) as his ally. With the addition of his fleet, he now has as many ships as the Heike. Yoshitsune learns from Funadokoro that his sister Yoshiko was indeed the one who was holding the fan during the incident at Yashima and starts to worry about her safety.

Otoku (with Karasumaru) reaches Yoshitsune's base and updates him about things in the capital. She tells him Shizuka is doing fine and Utsubo may be getting married. Kisanta gets agitated here as he has always like Utsubo while Yoshitsune is glad that Utsubo finally finds someone.

Yoshitsune has a private word with Otoku later and he asks her what her real motive for coming is. The old lady replies she just wants to witness the biggest battle ever, to witness what could be the final battle between the Genji and Heike. She wants to watch Yoshitsune in his greatest battle ever so that she can report to Kiyomori when she sees him in the other world.

Otoku: "But..."

Yoshitsune: "Hmm?"

Otoku: "What is there after the battle?"

Yoshitsune ponders in the night with a heavy heart. The truth is he does not really want to fight the Heike if he has a choice.

Later that night, Yoshitsune is informed that Noriyori is making good progress landwards towards the Heike. Benkei reminds Yoshitsune about Yoshiko. Once battle starts, it is going to be so chaotic there is no way to identify her and she may be killed. Yoshitsune decides to write a letter to her to tell her how to protect herself. (We see Takki doing calligraphy here!! LOL~ Ano, this guy with such a childish handwriting... maji de?? Hahhaha, i bet he was just doddling nonsense. Most of these handwritten Japanese look like meaningless doddles to me anyway. Hohoho~~) He has Kisanta send the letter to her secretly.

At Nagato, Tomomori briefs the ladies on what to do when battle starts. Tokiko reminds them to act as a samurai's wife should should they lose the battle (as in, to kill themselves and not be subject to humiliation by enemy troops).

Muneko: "Sister, should I call in the girl from the other clan (meaning Yoshiko) for this? She should hear this too."

Tokiko: "No, i am going to tell you all something that no one else should know. No one else but those closest to Antoku and Shinno."

Tokiko tells them that they will swap Antoku and Shinno so that if they should fall, the Genji will capture Shinno thinking he is Antoku instead. (That is to say, they are going to sacrifice Shinno to keep Antoku alive.) As long as Antoku lives, Heike's lineage will continue. Akirakeiko is particularly against this arrangement as she has been acting as Shinno's nanny ever since they left the capital but Tomomori reminds her they have no choice.

That night, Kisanta finally arrives at Yoshiko's room and passes the letter to her. In the letter, Yoshitsune begs Yoshiko to cover herself with a white cloth during battle so that the Genji will not attack her (he wrote a lot more in the letter but I can't catch all). Yoshiko cries as she reads the letter and feels the brotherly love from Yoshitsune though they have never met. However, she is troubled. She appreciates Yoshitsune's care for her but at the same time, feels guilty if she should save only herself when the time comes. Afterall, she considers herself as part of Heike.

The next day, Yoshiko accidentally learns of the plan to swap Antoku and Shinno. Muneko, afraid that she will betray them to her brother Yoshitsune, confines her in a small shed.

Yoshitsune and his fleet finally arrives at the narrow passing before Hikoshima, Dannoura. Both sides gear up for the final battle.

~End of Episode 34~

By request from Ray, she made a birthday bulletin board for Tsubasa, who is turning 24 on 17th October! For all those who want to wish him well, please visit the link below and write a short message for him, with your name and country! Don't start cramming it with your personal details ne!! LMAO~ We are not looking for a bride here... XDD 花嫁募集じゃないだからね！Eventually, I think Ray will print out all the messages like she did for Takki earlier this year and bring them down to the Johnny's Family Club and ask them to pass to Tsubasa. Show Tsubasa your love people!!! Hit the Tsuba icon below right now! ^^

Click me!

Kagetoki's army reaches Yashima as the Heike flees to the west. He picks on Yoshitsune for not waiting for his ships to arrive before leaving for Yashima, if not, they will have captured the Three Treasures. Yoshitsune is sure that the next battle will be a naval battle and suggests that they try and get more naval clans as their allies, in particular the Kumano Naval Clan, one of the strongest around. This sets Benkei thinking. (A couple of episodes ago when Benkei was back in Kamakura and at Chidori's house, Chidori told him her father had saved the lives of some men from the Kumano Naval Clan many years ago. So now Chidori and his father are old time acquaintances with the Kumano Naval Clan people, a relationship that Benkei can use to help Yoshitsune.)

Hearing Jiro say that the Kumano Naval Clan can affect the entire outcome of the battle, Benkei volunteers to go and speak to the head of the naval clan, Tanzo. The rest of the kerai are not so sure, as Benkei is often blunt with his words and may offend Tanzo instead but Benkei is adamant. He manages to convince Yoshitsune to let him go. (Benkei says something to Yoshitsune here which I don't really catch, but seems like there is a likelihood that he may lose his life in this mission.) Night falls and the rest send Benkei off. Just before he leaves, Yoshitsune has a last word for him.

Yoshitsune: "Benkei, I don't want to lose another man."

With that, Benkei takes off into the night.

Meanwhile, the Heike has taken up camp at Hikoshima at Nagato. The men have a strategy meeting. Munemori passes the title of General to Tomomori (This coward... -_-;;; he dons the samurai gear but I have never seen him fight even once.) and lets him direct the battle. Tomomori psyches the men up and inspires them, claiming that they have all the upper hand in next battle, which will definitely be fought at sea.

The womenfolk on the other hand, sits around watching the child emperor Antoku play with Shinno. (Shinno is the child of the late Emperor Takakura and another woman. So he and Antoku are half-brothers, but of course, Antoku is the legitimate heir since his mother Kenreimonin Tokuko is the Empress.) Tokiko comments how the two resembles each other.

Tomoyasu informs Go-Shirakawa of the outcome of the battle at Yashima. Although Yoshitsune fails to retrieve the Three Sacred Treasures this time, Go-Shirakawa has confidence that Yoshitsune will not let him down.

Yoshitsune announces to his kerai that they will set off for Nagato with whatever ships they have now. (Don't really catch this part again, but it is not Yoshitsune's intention to attack the Heike yet, but more to get used to the sea.)

Benkei finally reaches the base of the Kumano Naval Clan. However, Tanzo's men refuse to let Benkei meet him and a fight breaks out. Benkei forces his way in nonetheless and finally meets Tanzo. He requests Tanzo to become Genji's ally and help them with the next naval battle. Tanzo rejects his request as he is indebted to the late Kiyomori. However, he gets more and more curious about Yoshitsune seeing how loyal Benkei is to him and all the effort he puts in to convince himself to join as Genji's ally. Just then, Benkei reminds Tanzo of a past incident.

Benkei: "You talk about your indebtedness to Kiyomori just now. Then you should be indebted to Mokusuke from Kamakura too. He once saved some of your men from drowning during a storm isn't it? This fisherman Mokusuke from Kamakura has a daughter..."

Tanzo: "And her name is?"

Benkei: "Chidori."

Tanzo: "And?"

Benkei: "I am Mokusuke's son-in-law."

Tanzo does not believe Benkei but the latter swears on his life that he is not lying. Just so happens that Chidori is in Kumano for a visit and Tanzo sends for her to verify Benkei's words. (Enters Chidori in her tattered mini-skirt and Benkei's reaction here is soooo funny!! He just went like O_o Huh?? seeing Chidori suudenly appear next to him.)

Tanzo: "Chidori, is Musashibou your husband?"

Chidori: "Un! ^^"

(And Tanzo's expression goes totally anime-ppoi here, you can see the sweat lines like -__- Hahahah, so comical!)

Chidori: "Eh? Speaking of which, what are you doing here? Do you already know each other since before?"

Benkei: "No, I am just here to request something from Tanzo..."

Chidori: "Ahh, I see. Then you are safe. Because Tanzo never rejects people's requests. ^^"

Tanzo is now in a dilemma. He is indebted to both Kiyomori and Mokusuke. And even if he is not indebted to the Heike, becoming Genji's ally is a still a huge decision as it concerns the survival of his entire clan. Benkei chides him for being undecisive and challenges him to a life-and-death match, using Tanzo's favourite game, a cockfight. If Benkei wins, Tanzo will join Yoshitsune. If he loses, his own life will be in the hands of Tanzo. Benkei eventually loses the cockfight. Even so, Tanzo is touched by Benkei's efforts and agrees to become Yoshitsune's ally. Benkei rushes back with Tanzo's letter of coalition.

Meanwhile, Yoshitsune and his kerai are out in sea when Yoshitsune suddenly asks Jiro to steer towards the coast. Apparently, he has this feeling that the seagulls are telling him to go there, as if someone, as if Benkei is waiting there for them. True enough, they find Benkei waiting there. Everyone is glad that Benkei is safe. Once onboard the ship, Benkei hands Yoshitsune the letter of coalition from Tanzo.

Yoshitsune: "Benkei, it has been hard on you."

Benkei: "Not at all!"

Yoshitsune: "Now, we set off for Nagato!"

~End of Episode 33~

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I came home drained after my fourth consecutive day of working overtime... thought I will just go online to clear my email and check my tagboard before hitting the sack when I wandered to check the TVR of Yoshitsune and WHAT A HUGE SURPRISE HUGE SURPRISES!!! Suddenly, ALL MY GENKI-NESS FLOODS BACK.

7th: Yoshitsune (Episode 35) 21.1%!!!

Yoshitsune's ratings jumped up a whopping 5.6% from the previous episode!!!!! If Japan's population is 127 million, that means an additional 7.1 million tuned in to this episode!!! That is like almost TWO SINGAPORES!!!! LMAO~~~~
URESHIIIII!!!!

Yappari all those trailers helped! It is the all-important Dannoura battle afterall... Wakakkakakakka, i'm sooo happy!!! Yoshitsune's ratings haven't been consistent so it has been bothering me for a while. And I am sure the numerous reruns within the same day has something to do with it. -__- But now I hope Takki is happy!!! It is his precious Masterpiece afterall!!! Not to mention how taihen it was for him to shoot this particular epi! The seasickness, the heavy armour and wirework, the gold dust, etc.

After getting all hyped up about Yoshitsune's TVR, my eyes ran up the list to check what is hogging the number one spot and OH MY HOLY COW!!!! My eyes like REALLY POPPED OUT! *cups mouth in shock*

1st: Zubari iu wa yo (30 Aug) 23.5%!!!

Zubari actually beat the legendary SMAPxSMAP as the top variety program and overall TV program this week!!! OH MY GAWD!!! *gasps* I am getting faintish.... LMAO~~~ This episode is the one where they danced the UFO dance with Pink Lady as guest!!!! Haahahhahahhahaaa, i saw the trailer and it looked so funny!!! Mitaaaai~~~ Anyway, I still can't believe it managed to... it really managed to beat SMAPxSMAP!! I rem just a couple weeks ago and I was still saying things like "I wait for the day Zubari beats SMAPxSMAP" and it really happens!! WAKAKKAKAKKAKAAA, hontouni U R E S H I I dessuuuu!!!! Yappari the Hosoki/Takki duo with Cream Stew is not to be trifled with. ^^

Think about it... 21.1% + 23.5% = 44.6%

THAT'S ALMOST HALF OF JAPAN!!!!! Wakakkakakkakakkaaaaa~~~~

タッキー、頑張れ！どこからでも、応援してるからね！*chuuuu*

Yoshitsune and his company sail through the rough waters and amazingly, manage to reach Awa in one day instead of the expected three by cleverly manoeuvring the wind. The head of the Kondo Clan, Kondo Chikaie looks up Yoshitsune and asks to work for him. He hates the Heike because they took his father's life. With the help from his new found allies, Yoshitsune progresses quickly towards Yashima.

Reaching Yashima, they employ similar tactics as at Ichinotani, setting patches of forest on fire and making noises to dupe the Heike into thinking that they have a large army (although they only have 250 men). Genji's sudden attack from the landside caught the Heike off guard. However, they are still a step slow as Munemori hurriedly orders to move everyone, including Emperor Antoku and the sacred treasures to ships out in sea. The battle comes to a standstill as the two clans are separated by sea. Munemori refuses to leave as he wants to see what Yoshitsune is capable of since he cannot reach them without ships.

Tokiko comes up with a plan to boost the morale of the Heike clan and Yoshiko offers herself for the job, knowing that she may be shot to death by Genji's arrow. Soon, Yoshiko boards a small boat and holds a fan perched to the end of a pole. Yoshitsune understands this as a challenge to the Genji to shoot the fan down, the fan which symbolises the Heike. It is a great challenge indeed as the fan is far out in sea on an unstable boat, the winds are strong and the Genji are stuck on the shore. However, it concerns the dignity of the Genji so Yoshitsune has to find a way to win the challenge no matter what. He instructs his men to assemble the best archers they have.

Among the 4 that are assembled, there is a 17-year-old young man by the name of Nasu no Yoichi (Tsubasa no toujou!!! He is soooo serious here, and doesn't even look at Takki in the eye!! LOL~) Yoichi somehow impresses Yoshitsune and is chosen for the job. (Gomen, i don't understand that whole chunk of stuff that Yoichi/Tsuba said at all... x_x)

Yoichi gets onto a horse and rides out into the waters as he surveys the situation. Benkei asks Yoshitsune why he picked Yoichi and Yoshitsune says it is because he is a calm and observant fellow. (Not really sure about what Yoshitsune said here, but something like when he talked to Yoichi just now, the latter considered a lot of factors like the wind direction, the waves, etc, things that usually go unnoticed by the rest. Yoshitsune is impressed by his acute sense of surveyance.)

After some time, Yoichi finally draws his bow and takes aim. Yoshitsune suddenly seems to realise that the girl on the boat could be Yoshiko and worries about her safety.

Yoichi pulls back his arrow slowly...

Yoichi: "Namuhachiman!" (A Shinto God of War)

The hurling winds suddenly stops as if there is really divine intervention. Yoichi releases his arrow which flies out towards Yoshiko and hits the fan right off the pole into the sea.

The Heike is shocked. The challenge is meant to be mission impossible. As the fan falls into the sea, it also signifies the beginning of Heike's demise.

Yoshitsune: "Excellent!"

The Genji cheers as Yoichi goes up to Yoshitsune. (MOE~~~~~ and Tsuba looks really young here! 17 daaa...) Yoshitsune praises Yoichi and presents him with a sword as reward.

Later that night, Yoshitsune tells his kerai that since the Heike has learnt of their real numbers (that is, size of army), they may get attacked sooner or later. He sends Saburo to talk with Taguchi no Noriyoshi of Awa, head of the largest naval clan then, to persuade him to be their ally. With Saburo's clever tongue and earnestness, he manages to win Noriyoshi over (he who looks like a character borrowed over from the Chinese wuxia drama set!! LMAO~).

Yoshitsune receives news that some of the Heike are assembling at Shido temple to launch an attack on them. He brings some of his men to the temple but gets ambushed by more men than they can handle. A fight breaks out. In the midst of the chaos, Tsugunobu notices that Heike no Sukemori, who is the one leading the attack is aiming an arrow at Yoshitsune. (In BokuMado mode, this is Takashi trying to kill Kyon. -__-) Tsugunobu lurches at Yoshitsune and blocks the arrow for him, receiving a fatal shot to his heart. (You see, I never understand why they just stand there NOT MOVING after hitting away one arrow. Hello??? MOVE!!! And the attackers, if they had just hurry up and release the arrows, they would have wipe out the Genjis. It is so irritating to watch them pull on their bows but not do anything... There is something seriously wrong with their momentum here. No sense of urgency!!! Call in the Hong Kong chereographers already yo!!! MOU!)

Just when it seems like Yoshitsune and his men are being surrounded by enemies, Saburo suddenly arrives with Noriyoshi and his men who drove the Heike soldiers away. (And you see a stupid Sukemori STILL not letting go of his arrow despite aiming at Yoshitsune for the past 35 secs... Be realistic guys!!!)

Yoshitsune and the rest bring the injured Tsugunobu to a room and gather around him. (This is the key to start crying.. like really!)

Tsugunobu: "My Lord, please forgive me for not being able to serve you til the end."

Yoshitsune: "No! I will have you follow me til the end."

Tsugunobu instructs his brother Tadanobu to serve Yoshitsune doubly hard after he is gone.

Yoshitsune: "Tsugunobu... I wouldn't forgive you if you start on that journey alone. You hear that? I wouldn't forgive you!"

(And you see how Yoshitsune/Takki starts tearing up... OH MY GAWD!!!! At first he was all calm but then you can REALLY REALLY SEE how his eyes turn watery and tears just appear.. his tears are real!!!!! *hugs Takki and comforts him* My heart just breaks into a million pieces as tears flow down his cheeks... SUGOI acting dayo!!! Oh my goodness, each time he cries, it just wrenches my heart more and more.)

Yoshitsune: "I want you to stay by my side!"

Tsugunobu: "Hai... I will."

A dying Tsugunobu starts calling the other kerai one by one and thanks them for the good times they had together. He begins recalling the past.

Yoshitsune: "Tsugunobu, aren't we supposed to return back to Hiraizumi after all these?... Therefore you cannot go to sleep now!"

Tsugunobu: "Hai..."

Tsugunobu's eyes goes souless and passes away. Everyone is devastated. Benkei starts praying for him and the rest start singing the song they always sing, in tears.



Back on the Heike's ship, Tokiko stares at the fallen fan floating in sea and starts crying. She too senses the demise of the Heike.

On the shore, Yoshitsune laments the outcome of the Yashima battle.

Yoshitsune: "We didn't manage to reclaim the Three Sacred Treasures, and we lost Tsugunobu..."

Benkei: "Someday, we shall bring Tsugunobu back to Hiraizumi with us."

Yoshitsune: "Tsugunobu, until the battle is over, stay with me."

Yoshitsune tightens his grip on a lock of Tsugunobu's hair and stares at the setting sun.

~End of Episode 32~