Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Yoshitsune and his kerai discuss how to save Shizuka and bring her with them to Hiraizumi. Akane and Otoku inform them of a rumour that Shizuka will be sent to Kamakura soon. Yoshitsune and company plans to hijack the transfer and get Shizuka back on the way. However, Shizuka's mother Iso no Zenji, upon hearing their plan from Akane, pays Yoshitsune a visit. Initially thinking that she visits them because she is worried, Yoshitsune apologises to her for losing Shizuka but promises to get her back. He persuades her to go with them to Hiraizumi. Iso no Zenji asks Yoshitsune to abort his plan instead. She is grateful to them for wanting to save Shizuka but wants them to consider her feelings. She knows Shizuka has been keeping mum about those who have been secretly helping Yoshitsune to protect them. If Yoshitsune manages to rescue Shizuka, that will give Yoritomo's men an excuse to capture Yoshitsune's allies in the capital, including Kichiji, Akane and Otoku. She knows Shizuka will not want to harm the people who have helped them and urges them to go to Hiraizumi without her.

Yoshitsune: "But I cannot just hand her over to Kamakura and leave without her!"

Iso no Zenji: "It is enough. To Shizuka, knowing that you have this thought is enough."

Tears well up in Yoshitsune's eyes as he feels a sense of dilemma and helplessness.

Three days later, Yoshitsune and his kerai prepares to leave the capital dresses as monks. (More specifically known as "yamabushi", monks who stay in the jungle to train themselves. By the way, that thing they tie on their head is a cup. LMAO~ Yes, thank you Takki-sensei, for telling us on Takiren.) Otoku passes Benkei a letter from the head of Enryakuji Temple which may be of help to them in their journey. Karasumaru brings news that the group that is supposedly escorting Shizuka to Kamakura just left Rokuhara (the place where Shizuka was supposedly held captive). Kichiji reminds Yoshitsune not to try and rescue Shizuka. Yoshitsune decides to at least see her off secretly.

Waiting along the main street, Suzaku no Okina tells Yoshitsune that the sedan holding Shizuka is empty. They realise it is a trap to lure Yoshitsune out. Suddenly, Tadanobu who has been missing all this while dashes out and tries to rescue Shizuka. Yoshitsune and the kerai wants to stop him but they cannot, as that will expose their identity. They watch in pain as Tadanobu gets slashed by Yoritomo's men. Tadanobu collapses onto the ground but before the men can finish him off, Suzaku no Okina tells them Yoshitsune and the rest of his men are waiting upfront. The men run off in search of Yoshitsune and Suzaku get his men to carry Tadanobu away.

At a small shed, Yoshitsune and the kerai gather around a dying Tadanobu. Apparently Tadanobu has been tracking Shizuka like a madman, trying to get her back. He begs Yoshitsune for forgiveness.

Saburo: "Tadanobu!! We are leaving for Hiraizumi today zo!!"

Tadanobu: "Lord Yoshitsune, let's go to Hiraizumi. We will be able to build our dream country there, we will... ..."

Tadanobu passes away. Like his brother Tsugunobu, Tadanobu never live to return to Hiraizumi again. (T---T)

That night, Yoshitsune and his kerai set off for Hiraizumi.

Unknown to Yoshitsune, Shizuka has already been sent to Kamakura secretly. (oooh... Shizuka looks extremely cold and scary here. YOU GO GIRL!!! GIVE YORISAKO THE COLDEST STARE YOU CAN!!) This day, Shizuka is summoned by Yoritomo. She who has been keeping mum throughout all the interrogations has a question for Yoritomo.

Shizuka: "Yoshitsune-sama was full of respect for you and worked hard to defeat the Heike. Why do you want to kill him now? Was he only useful to you during battles? Or are you jealous of his achievements and good reputation? Or is it hatred?"

Everyone is speechless at Shizuka's question.

Yoritomo: "... ... ... because he is my brother."

Shizuka stares at Yoritomo with hatred in her eyes.

Later, Masako tells Yoritomo that Shizuka is pregnant. Yoritomo instructs Masako to kill the baby if it is a boy. He resolves not follow in the footsteps of Kiyomori, letting his enemy's son live. Even Masako is shocked. (Amazing how these two continue to shock each other with their evil tactics. Uwaaahh...mouuuuu ATAMA KITA!!!! CRUEL CRUEL CRUEL!!! NO WONDER YOUR OWN DAUGHTER IS SICK!!!) Yoshitsune, unknown to all this, continues on his way to Hiraizumi as he and his kerai try and hide from Yoritomo's men sent out to look for them throughout the country. They have to take more arduous routes and detours to keep away from people's eyes.

A few months later, Shizuka goes into labour as Masako waits outside the room. The maid informs Masako that Shizuka has given birth to a baby boy. That night, before Shizuka has a chance to see the baby, Masako has it killed. (They didn't show it, but according to history, the baby was flung down some seaside cliffs. IYAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! YOU... YOU.... BABY MURDERER!!!!!!)

Shizuka wakes up the next morning and realises her baby is missing. She struggles to find Masako.

Shizuka: "Let me see my child!!"

Masako: "He is not here."

Shizuka: "Where is he.. where is he?!"

Masako: "We are taking the child into custody."

Shizuka suddenly senses that her baby has already been killed and wails in grief and anger. (Oh my gawd, Ishihara is really damn convincing here!!! The way she literally CRAWLS up to Masako like Sadako.. and the way she wails.. plus she's wearing white. SCARY!!! I suddenly pity women from her time. You can't really do anything if someone from an upper class like Masako decides to be cruel. It's like the empress killing concubines' sons in the Imperial Palace. If it is now, I WILL SUE MASAKO TO THE SKIES!!!! *kicks Masako to Pluto* ATAMA GA KITA YO!!!!!! This is like Takki's first-born son in his acting career but he suffered such a terrible fate. Go! HAUNT YORITOMO!!!)

At that time, Yoshitsune is totally unaware of Shizuka's suffering.

Meanwhile, Yoritomo hears that there have been many requests to see Shizuka perform, being a famous shirabyoshi from the capital. That night, Masako looks up Shizuka.

Masako: "There is going to be a celebration at Hachimangu Palace (Yoritomo's base in Kamakura). We will like you to dance for us."

Shizuka: "... ..."

Masako: "Well... I do not tink that you will accept this request. I am just asking anyway to satisfy the men."

Shizuka: "I accept the request."

Masako is shocked and warns Shizuka not to try anything funny but Shizuka just asks her to prepare the things that will be needed for the performance.

The day of the performance arrives. Many men of high social standing gather at Hachimangu to watch Shizuka dance. Although it is an insult to Shizuka to perform just after she loses her baby, Shizuka appears on the stage with dignity and begins her performance professionally. (I can't really catch what she is singing. Only hear something about separating at Yoshino, her child and her own name. But according to legend, this is a very famous scene. Shizuka supposedly sang about her grief for her lost child and her longing for Yoshitsune. How she yearns to go back to the days when she can hear Yoshitsune call her name repeatedly. I think "Shizuyashizu" is actually something like "Shizuka, Shizuka", like as if Yoshitsune is calling her. Oh man!!!!!! i *LOVE* how this scene is shot. NHK finally gets it right!!!!! Shizuka's voice is soooo hauntingly beautiful! I don't think it is really Ishihara Satomi's voice but it doesn't matter. Her dance was very composed too. And most importanly, her gaze. Full of emotions. Hatred for Yoritomo and longing for Yoshitsune. Uwaaah... i got to parrot Masako on this. MIGOTO JYA!!! *APPLAUSE* And i LOVE the way they end the performance. The Yoshitsune theme never sound MORE DRAMATIC coming in like that! (Perhap it will reach the peak of its dramatic-ness in the last epi... x_x) The momiji leaves flying around. They had different shapes of leaves in the fore and background so that they will fly properly. NHK even purposely change the colour of the wooden flooring to emphasise the redness of autumn and Shizuka's costume. And i like how they contrast it with the bleakness of the mountains where Yoshitsune is fighting off attackers, still unaware of Shizuka's pain. I repeated this part so many times!!! EVERYONE MUST WATCH THIS SCENE!!!!! SUGOI!!! MIGOTO JYA!!!)

Masako is extremely impressed by Shizuka's performance. She admires her strong character and suggests to Yoritomo to let her go back to Kyoto.

Masako: "As an exchange for her baby's life..."
(Oh yea, some people are finally feeling guilty...)

Yoritomo nods his head. He will let Shizuka go now.

Meanwhile, Yoshitsune and his kerai continues their harsh journey to Hiraizumi.

(This is DEFINITELY Ishihara Satomi/Shizuka's episode.)

~End of Episode 46~