Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Yoshitsune finally returns to the capital and is welcomed by Go-Shirakawa warmly. He pretends to sympathise with Yoshitsune, who has been rejected a meeting with his brother Yoritomo.

After Yoshitsune leaves, Go-Shirakawa, Tomoyasu and Tsubone discuss about how they have to guard against Yoritomo, who is slowly amassing power. (I think they talk about how to use Yoshitsune against Yoritomo.)

In Kamakura, Morinaga reports to Yoritomo that although Yoshitsune questions Yoritomo's decision to execute Munemori and his son at first, he eventually completes the task without hesitation. Masako reminds them that that does not mean he will not rebel as Go-Shirakawa may make use of him to turn against them. (Oh, Masako, YOU WA DAMAREE!!! Shut up!! It's cos people like you exist that is why the world is so messed up. Grrrrr~~~~)

Shizuka notices Yoshitsune is feeling down and consoles him that Yoritomo will understand and let him into Kamakura someday. She is shocked when Yoshitsune tells her he has decided to pursue a different path from his brother. She asks what is going to happen to Moe, who has been sent to Yoshitsune by Yoritomo. Just then, Benkei and Tadanobu brings news that Yoritomo confiscated all his territories.

Not long after, a huge earthquake hit the capital. Many people lost their homes and are injured. Yoshitsune and his kerai busy themselves with providing relief aid to the people and rebuilding the capital. Peace is restored quickly under their charge. As such, Yoshitsune grows more popular with the masses.

One day, Otoku brings a dazed and injured Utsubo to Yoshitsune's house. Utsubo has lost her husband in the quake and has wandered aimlessly on the streets for many days before finally ending up at Otoku's place. Yoshitsune asks her to stay at his place but Utsubo refuses. She wants to depend on herself. However, the rest are worried leaving her alone and decides to put her up with Kichiji. Utsubo agrees.

Sometime later, Go-Shirakawa summons Yoshitsune and praises him for his efforts in rebuilding the capital. He appoints him the Governor of Iyo (present day Ehime prefecture in Shikoku) after learning that his original territories have been confiscated by Yoritomo. Yoshitsune hesitates but eventually accepts the appointment.

Saburo and the rest are happy that Yoshitsune has been awarded such a rank. However, Tadanobu reminds them that accepting an offical rank from Go-Shirakawa again without Yoritomo's permission will worsen their relationship with Yoritomo. In private, Benkei reminds Yoshitsune of the same thing but Yoshitsune replies that he took up the appointment precisely to show Yoritomo that he is pursuing another path.

Yoshitsune: "Someone once told me, to realise your dream, you need power. A place where we have power, that will be Iyo isn't it?"

(As in, since Iyo will be in Yoshitsune's control, he will be able to start building his dream country from there. And of course, the person who told him one needs power to realise a dream is none other than Kiyomori. He told him that during their very last meeting at this temple.)

Soon, news of Yoshitsune's appointment reaches Kamakura. Tokimasa complains why Go-Shirakawa purposely offers official posts to Yoshitsune knowing very well that Yoritomo's kerai are not allowed to accept such posts without the latter's permission. Yoritomo decides to send Kagetoki to the capital to check on Yoshitsune, on the pretext of acquring Buddhist altar fittings.

Later, Tokimasa discusses Yoritomo's decision with Masako in private. (Don't really catch here but I think Masako said something about returning Yoshitsune a blow, taking revenge. She still holds a grudge against him for refusing to her request of meeting Oohime. Ebil ebil ebil....)

Kagetoki arrives in Kyoto and looks up Yoshitsune. He pretends to be nice and respectful but everyone knows he has an ulterior motive for being there. Moe arrives in the room and Yoshitsune and Benkei leave to let them talk alone (he knows Kagetoki is expecting a "report" from her).

(Moe's father is one of Yoritomo's men. The initial reason for sending her to Yoshitsune was to spy on his actions and report to Yoritomo. Yea, Yoritomo is that distrusting kind of a man. Mukatsuku.)

Moe: "What messages does my father have for me?"

(Wow, she sure gets to the point fast. She looked pissed off here. I would too! Seeing how fake and fat Kagetoki is. Obviously here to demand info out from her, but pretends to be respectful and all. Cut the act!)

Kagetoki looks around to make sure that no one is around first before asking...

Kagetoki: "He asks how is the situation here."

Moe: "Everything is peaceful."

Kagetoki: "If things get messy, you can return to Kamakura."

Moe: "I do not plan to do that."

(Moe gives snappy answers to Kagetoki to make him feel unwelcomed. You go girl!! *thumbs up*)

Later, Moe looks up Yoshitsune.

Moe: "I heard that something happened between you and Yoritomo."

Yoshitsune: "Un."

Moe: "... ... What should I do so that it is best for you? Must I leave this house?"

Yoshitsune: "No. I wouldn't make you leave. Don't let it affect you."

(Yoshitsune is fully aware that Moe is sent to spy on him by Yoritomo, but he trusts her.)

A few days later, Yukiie looks up Yoshitsune. He congratulates Yoshitsune on his new appointment and says he is there to support him.

Benkei: "What do you mean?"

Yukiie: "Isn't it obvious? You took up the post and Yoritomo is already taking steps to guard against you. You don't really think he sent Kagetoki here to purchase Buddhist altar fittings do you? He is obviously sent to check on you and Go-Shirakawa as well. This is clearly a manifestation of his distrust and suspicion towards you. So we should react first and topple him!"

Yoshitsune: "I did not take up the post with an intention of going against him. It is just that my goal differs from him so I decide to pursue a different path from him."

Yukiie: "That is treason! To Yoritomo, that is already considered treason! If you think differently from him and do not agree with his goal, he will only treat you as his enemy. He will come after you eventually. What are you going to do then?!"

Yoshitsune: "I will... ... ..."

Yoshitsune is at a loss of words.

Yukiie: "You have to decide!!"

Benkei asks Yukiie to stop pressing Yoshitsune for an answer. The latter replies he will continue to look Yoshitsune up until he has an answer. Yoshitsune is shocked realising he is suddenly seen as a rebel by Yoritomo. He has no intentions of going against him at all. But unfortunately, Yoritomo's thinking is, if you are not with him, then you are against him. (See how possessive of his power he is. Truly a dictator.)

In Kamakura, Yoritomo soon learns of Yukiie's repeated visits to Yoshitsune from Kagetoki.Tokimasa suggests that they need to take down Yoshitsune as soon as possible. Hiromoto warns them against sending troops to Kyoto to attack Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune is considered a subject of Go-Shirakawa afterall. Sending troops after him will make themselves look like the traitors instead. Yoritomo realises he has to think of a way to deal with Yoshitsune without going against the imperial family outright.

(The problem with Yoritomo. He is so distrusting of Yoshitsune. He trusts everybody except Yoshitsune. He thinks Yoshitsune associates himself as his brother instead of his kerai because he wants to share power with him. There is no hard proof that Yoshitsune is staging a rebellion. But he just assumes he is because Yukiie visits him. In fact, it is exactly this distrust that forces Yoshitsune to eventually go against him.)

That night, Yoritomo ponders about what to do with Yoshitsune. (He still has a liiiiitle reservation about going after his own brother afterall.) Evil Masako appears and probes him not to hesitate anymore. She offers to relive Yoritomo of this burden by letting her deal with Yoshitsune for him.

(ebiiillll, Ebbilllll, EBBBIILLLL!!!)

Back in Kyoto. Some time has passes but Kagetoki still remains in the capital. Benkei wonders if what Yukiie said is true, that his real intention is really to keep a watch over Yoshitsune.

Unknown to Yoshitsune, suspicious men are gathering in the capital...

~End of Episode 42~