Episode 4 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Gateway to the Past is the fourth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis

 * 1) Moroha discovers a way back to the Feudal Era, striking a deal with Root Head she intends to break.
 * 2) The girls head to the Feudal Era through a portal, where they meet the Spirit of the Tree of Ages, who asks them to slay two demons: Kirinmaru, the rival of Tōga, and Sesshōmaru.
 * 3) They refuse the Tree of Ages' request, and are attacked by Root Head. The girls team up to defeat the demon, and are transported to the Feudal Era.

Summary
Moroha is learning the martial art exercise from the elders. The elders say Moroha has real sense for her age and quite amazing, her form is quite good too, and since she's so young she's a fast learner. Moroha tells the elders that they all keep saying she's young but in this era she's older than all of them. The elders tells Moroha that's impossible. Moroha tells the elders it's true as she's probably around 450 years older than anyone here. The elders clap Moroha. Grandpa appears and says everyone's so energetic. Moroha tells Grandpa 'good morning'. Grandpa tells Moroha that she's fitting in quite well. Moroha tells Grandpa it's been a few days after all. Grandpa tells Moroha since she's doing well he has a gift for her. Moroha excitedly asks Grandpa he's giving her something. Grandpa gives Moroha for gift and tells her it's a mummified foot of a Kappa that brings good fortune and to take good care of it. Moroha happily hugs Grandpa as she tells him the kappa foot is such a precious item. Grandpa tells Moroha that she understands its value as Kagome such a good daughter and thanks Kagome as he still have some life left in him. Moroha senses a demon in the dirt approaching to the Sacred Tree. Moroha thinks to herself that Root Head finally noticed their presence.

At Saint Gabriel Academy, Towa is at the English classroom and is looking out the window during class. Towa narrates that she's decided to return to the Feudal Era and if Setsuna and Moroha are from the Feudal Era then the forest that she grew up in would also be there as that would mean she was raised here but was born in the Feudal Era and has only gratitude for Sōta for raising someone like her but she can't then was interrupted. Osamu approached Towa and calls out to her. Towa looks at Osamu. Osamu tells Towa to stand up. Towa complies. Osamu tells Towa that daydreaming won't help her understand the context and to read from line 23. Towa picks up her book and says I'm going to visit Kyoto next year. Towa narrates learning English probably won't be that useful in Feudal Japan.

In the Higurashi Apartment, Moe is playing the piano as she is teaching Setsuna to play the violin. In a flashback, Towa asks Moroha what can she do so Setsuna can sleep again and what can they do to get Setsuna's dreams back. Moroha tells Towa it goes without saying as they have to capture the Dream Butterfly. Towa asks Moroha where is the Dream Butterfly. Moroha tells Towa that she doesn't know but definitely isn't in the Modern Era. Setsuna tells Towa and Moroha that they must hurry back to the Feudal Era. Moroha tells Towa to get back there to get the butterfly as its easy. Towa questions Moroha about it being easy and wonders how are they supposed to get to the otherworld. Moroha tells Towa to not sweat it as it'll turn out okay somehow. Setsuna continues to play the violin as she thinks that it doesn't matter if she dreams or not as it's not like she has ever suffered from it. Moe stops playing the piano while Setsuna stops playing the violin. Moe praises Setsuna as to master it this in such a short time. Setsuna nervously tells Moe that it's only thanks to the teacher. Moe happily tells Setsuna that she's a prodigy that comes once in a hundred no once in five hundred years, making Setsuna blush. Moe tells Setsuna that she can probably become a worldwide violinist like her some day. Mei appears and calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna asks Mei what is it. Mei tells Moroha is calling her. Moe asks Mei really. Mei tells Setsuna that she found found a way back home. Setsuna becomes interested.

Moroha says there we go as she places a massive bag on the floor. Setsuna and Mei walks towards Moroha. Moroha greets Setsuna as she tells her that she found a way back but questions what's with the clothes as she actually looks pretty good. Setsuna becomes annoyed as she threatens to kills Moroha before asking her that she's found a way to get back. Moroha confirms it and tells Setsuna the thing that stole their demon energy back in the rainbow corridor is a demon named Root Head. Setsuna questions Moroha about Root Head. Moroha tells Setsuna that Root got tangled with the roots of the Tree of Ages and created a time-traveling corridor. Setsuna tells Moroha that she researched well. Moroha tells Setsuna that she didn't research it as she asked Root Head herself. In a flashback, Moroha is negotiate with Root Head. Moroha tells Setsuna that Root Head looked pretty bored so she asked it some questions and then it wouldn't stop talking and they can get back to the other world by negotiating with Root Head. Setsuna tells Moroha that she suppose they could try it and asks about the bag.

Moroha tells Setsuna it's just a few things that they'll be able to over in the Feudal Era. A history book falls out of Moroha's hands as she wonders what it is but brushes it off and places it along with other items back in the bag then rummages through. Moroha tells Setsuna that she'll use Mistress Three-Eyes' head and Hitōkon's corpse will be able to buy her lunch. Setsuna become annoyed. Moroha rummages more in the bag as sees what else is in the bag. Mei wonders how Moroha was able to fit all of the items in the bag. Setsuna tells Mei who knows. Sōta and Towa appear. Sōta asks what's everybody up to. Mei greets Sōta and Towa back home. Towa tells Mei thank you. Sōta tells Mei that he's home. Mei tells Sōta to guess what as Moroha has found a way back home. Sōta tells Mei that's amazing. Towa asks Moroha did she really. Sōta says the backpack looks just like Kagome's. Towa questions Moroha that wouldn't all of the items risk changing history. Moroha tells Towa to not worry as they can just say it's demon magic or ninjutsu or something then starts to remember. Moroha gives Sota a few items as she tells him to please take care of this. Sōta looks at the items and becomes shocked to see that they were his credit card and huge bill of receipts and wonders when did Moroha spend all of this. Moroha tells Sōta that it's just some modest shopping for his cute niece. Sōta nervously laughs as he wonders about Moroha being cute. Moroha informs everyone that preparations are completed and it's time to make their grand return to the Feudal Era. Towa laughs nervously as Sōta looks at her.

Later at the Higurashi family home, Sōta is in Kagome's room sitting on a bed while looking at an old photo album until he hears Towa come in. Towa calls out to Sōta. Sōta calls out to Towa. Towa tells Sōta that Ms. Higurashi said he was here and asks to talk to him. Sōta tells Towa 'of course' as he wonders what is it. Towa sits next to Sota and sees photographs of Kagome. Towa tells Sōta that Kagome's pretty and wonders if she's his older sister. Sōta confirms it as he tells Towa that her name is 'Kagome'. Towa asks Sōta what kind of person was Kagome. Sōta tells Towa that Kagome was always causing a ruckus but for different reasons than hers. Towa apologizes to Sōta for troubling him all the time as she's always so selfish. Sōta tells Towa that she's just like Kagome as she also went to the Feudal Era. Towa asks Sōta how did he know. Sōta asks Towa that she wants to go with Setsuna and Moroha. Towa sadly tells Sōta that he's raised her until now. Sōta tells Towa to not worry about it as he knew this day would come sooner or later ever since he found her barefoot in front of the Sacred Tree. Towa tells Sōta even if she's here she'll cause nothing but trouble for him. Sōta explains to Towa that he's telling her that she doesn't have to worry about it and to be safe. Towa tears up and hugs Sōta and tells him 'thank you' as she'll be off before affectionately calling him 'Dad'. Sōta pats Towa on the head.

Later at night near the Sacred Tree, Grandpa tearfully tells Moroha the Elder's Association would like to give her a parting gift as he hands her a small bag. Moroha tells Grandpa it's awesome and to tell the Elder's Association she said 'thanks' as she accepts the gift. Ms. Higurashi calls out to Moroha and tells her to give her regards to Kagome if she sees her. Moroha tells Ms. Higurashi 'sure' but says to herself even though she doesn't really know Kagome. Moe tells Setsuna that to send off a once-in-a-500-year prodigy to the Feudal Era and for her to take care of the violin. Setsuna tells Moe that she'll play the violin on nights when she can't fall asleep. Towa tells Sōta that she's leaving then. Sōta tells Towa to be careful. Mei tells Towa to please come back. Towa becomes surprised. Mei yells at Towa that she has to come back but also for Setsuna and Moroha to come back to the Modern Era as well.

Towa picks up Mei and hugs as she tells her 'thank you' (in the English Dub she'll 'miss her too') as she can't make any promises but she'll do her best. Mei tells Towa to just promise her. Towa agrees as she promises Mei that she'll come back to the Modern Era once they get Setsuna's dreams back. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha to promise Mei as well. Setsuna tells Towa the feudal age isn't some fairytail world and if she's not prepared to die. Towa tells Setsuna that she's prepared but it's not for death as she can keep her head and come back to the modern era safe. Moroha stands in front of the Sacred Tree as she says let's get going already. Moroha pulls out her red Rainbow Pearl from her Beni and tells Root Head that they have something it can't get from this era as they're 3 coveted Rainbow Pearls stuffed with demon power as she holds it up. Towa and Setsuna stand next to Moroha as their 3 Rainbow Pearls begin to glow. Moroha tells Root Head that if it let them pass through to the Feudal Era they'll give it the Gold, Silver, and Red Rainbow Pearls and wonders about the offer. A breeze from the Sacred Tree appears before it glows. Root Head says all right as it shall allow them to pass as a rainbow beam appears from the Sacred Tree and into the sky. In the Feudal Era, Kaede senses something before she steps out from her hut to see the rainbow beam. Hisui goes towards Kaede with Kirara as he calls out to her about the light. Kaede agrees with Hisui as it's the light from the Sacred Tree. Hisui wonders to Kaede if Setsuna could be returning here. Kaede tells Hisui that may be so. Hisui calls out to Kirara, who transforms, before flies on her. Hisui tells Kaede that he'll notify Kohaku as he leaves.

In the Modern Era, a rainbow corridor opens on the Sacred Tree. Moroha says there it is. Towa says it's the same as back then. Setsuna's violin and Moroha's bag are sucked into the rainbow corridor, making Setsuna and Moroha shocked. Moroha says that's hers and for her bag to wait. Setsuna and Moroha jump into the rainbow corridor. Towa says 'hey'. Moroha says 'give it back'. Towa looks at her family and tells them 'thank you' as she's heading out before jumping into the rainbow corridor. Mei tearfully asks Towa if it's a promise and she loves all of her sisters. The rainbow corridor closes. Sōta and Moe kneel to Mei. Moe tells Mei that she's sure Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha will come home. Sōta tells Mei that because all of them are family after all. Grandpa says that Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are all his adorable great grandchildren. Ms. Higurashi agrees with Grandpa.

While traveling in the rainbow corridor, Towa thinks to herself that she must've passed through this corridor when she was 4 and the Feudal Era is just ahead and that's where Setsuna's dreams were stolen as she'll definitely get them back for her. Setsuna calls out to Moroha and asks her was it really okay to make such a promise to Root Head. Moroha tells Setsuna that it's fine and if it comes to it she could slay Root Head then realizes that Setsuna called her by her name. Setsuna becomes shocked for a moment and asks Moroha what of it. Moroha happily tells Setsuna it's nothing at all as it's not so bad. Towa tells Moroha that it is bad as she needs to keep her promises as lies are bad. Moroha tells Towa that it wasn't a lie as it was a means to an end. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha suddenly notice a bright light ahead of them.

In the bowels of the Sacred Tree of Ages, Rin is in a deep slumber. A female voice says a decade's worth of time has passed and the hanyō princesses travel under her feet and if her predictions are correct, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha will save the world. The female voice takes the appearance of Kikyō as it watches Rin. The spirit says for now she shall let Root Head dream as she lets Root Head sleep. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are walking through somewhere in the Sacred Tree. Towa wonders if this is the Feudal Era. Moroha tells Towa 'no' as something's not right. Setsuna tells Towa and Moroha to stay alert. Towa tells Moroha that she bet she had them take the wrong path. Moroha tells Towa there was no wrong path because it's only one path. Setsuna calls out to Towa as she tells now is a good time to warn her that in the feudal age there is no room for hesitation. Towa hesitantly agrees with Setsuna. Setsuna tells Towa that if she doesn't kill her enemy they will kill her. Moroha tells Towa if it's just her then it's fine but they can't have her dragging them down with her. Towa becomes annoyed as she agrees with Moroha.

Setsuna says 'both of you'. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha stop to see a light encased in branches. Moroha wonders what is this place. The light turns into an appearance of Kikyō. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that they've done well as it calls them 'Hanyō Princesses'. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha prepared to fight. Setsuna asks the spirit was she referring to them. Towa asks Moroha if the spirit was Root Head. Moroha tells Towa that the spirit isn't as she doesn't sense any demon energy. Setsuna asks the spirit who was she. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that she is the Tree of Ages. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha stand down. Moroha asks the spirit does it supposed to look like a priestess. The spirit tells Moroha 'no' as it is a borrowed appearance and it appears this form was created from the spirit of the Arrow of Sealing that was struck on its trunk as it believes the priestess' name was Kikyō. A flashback of Kikyō pinning Inuyasha to the Sacred Tree with a Sacred Arrow, putting him into a deep sleep, is revealed. Moroha questions the name 'Kikyo'. Setsuna asks the spirit was she the one who summoned them here. The spirit says 'yes' and she calls Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha 'Daughters of Sesshomaru' as she has a request for them. Moroha tells Towa that she is the daughter of Sesshōmaru then angrily tells the spirit that she's not Sesshōmaru's daughter. The spirit tells Moroha to listen to her tale until the end as she says her name. Moroha wonders how did the spirit know her name. Towa asks the spirit what was the request. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that it would like for them to slay a certain demon. Moroha agrees and wonders if it's Root Head. The spirit says 'no' as Root Head means nothing to her and the demon she would like them to slay is the Beast King Kirinmaru. Setsuna questions the name Kirinmaru.

The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that Kirinmaru is attempting to twist time and swallow this world into the degenerate age and return it to nothingness as he is a king who, alongside the Great Dog-Demon, had long reigned over the demon beasts as Kirinmaru ruled in the East while the one who held the West was their grandfather the Great Dog-Demon. Moroha questions the Great Dog-Demon as it's a name that she's heard of. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that equal in strength the Great Dog-Demon and Kirinmaru ruled their lands while keeping watch over the other to maintain the balance in power however their father Sesshōmaru renounced his Great Dog Demon title and walked his own path and taking that as an opportunity as Kirinmaru plots to plunge this world into devastation and the power to travel across time would be necessary to fight him. Towa asks the spirit that's where they come in. The spirit confirms it as ones with deep ties to the Great Dog Demon and they must slay Kirinmaru and wonders if they will agree to this as she calls them 'Hanyō Princesses'. Moroha says that she's all for it but when she succeeds she'll be collecting a worthy bounty. The spirit asks Towa and Setsuna about the request. Setsuna tells the spirit that she refuses. Towa and Moroha become shocked. The spirit questions Setsuna that she will not do it. Setsuna tells the spirit that she will not and decline to accept. The spirit asks Setsuna for what reason. Setsuna tells the spirit that firstly she does not know this Sesshōmaru who she claim is her father and why in the world must they atone for such a demon’s failure and if Kirinmaru must be defeated then have that Sesshōmaru deal with it as she was asking the wrong people.

The spirit laughs as she tells Setsuna that it seems she was right to place confidence in her. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha become surprised. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that Sesshōmaru cannot defeat Kirinmaru because the 2 Beast Kings currently walk the same path and if they defeat Kirinmaru then Sesshōmaru will emerge and similarly if they defeat Sesshōmaru as in other words they must defeat them at the same time. Setsuna questions about defeating Kirinmaru and Sesshōmaru at the same time. The spirit tells Setsuna that she wasn't atoning for Sesshōmaru's failure as she's telling her to defeat 2 demons who have taken the wrong path. Towa tells the spirit that's more reason they can't accept what she's asking them to do. Setsuna and Moroha become surprised. Towa tells the spirit that even if she and Setsuna never met Sesshōmaru but he is their father and to not ask his daughters to do something like that. The spirit asks Towa and Setsuna will they not accept her request. Towa tells the spirit 'yes' as she and Setsuna do not accept. Moroha becomes nervous. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that it seems they do not understand what will happen if they disobey the Tree of Ages. Towa tells the spirit that she won't let anyone stop us from their own mission. Setsuna tells the spirit they will do as they please. The spirit tells Towa and Setsuna that she ask one last time will they not slay Kirinmaru. Towa and Setsuna prepare to fight. Setsuna tells the spirit she will not repeat herself. Towa tells the spirit that she has no doubts either. Setsuna tells the spirit to let them pass or they'll cut her down. Moroha nervously asked Towa and Setsuna are they really doing this. The spirit tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha very well as fate is a continuously spinning wheel as they shall meet again. A bright light appeared. Towa says what. Moroha asks what's going on. The spirit tells Root Head to awake as the Rainbow Pearls it desires are getting away. Root Head awakens.

Kohaku, Hisui, Kaede, and Kirara are standing outside the glowing Sacred Tree. Kohaku calls out to Kaede as he asks her could this presence be Root Head. Kaede says Root Head's demonic power is increasing. Hisui becomes surprised as he asked Kaede what. Kohaku, Hisui, Kaede, and Kirara covered their eyes as the Sacred Tree became brighter. Kohaku says it's too dangerous here before they left the Sacred Tree. The spirit transports Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha to another place in the Tree of Ages. Towa asks Setsuna and Moroha if they're okay. Setsuna wonders where is this. Moroha sees Root Head and realizes that the Tree of Ages sent them to where it was of all places. Root Head tells Moroha that a promise is a promise and hand over the 3 Rainbow Pearls. Setsuna realizes this is Root Head. Moroha tells Root Head 'sorry' but they can't give it the Rainbow Pearls anymore. Root Head tells Moroha to perish where she stands as it attacked her, Towa, and Setsuna with it's roots. Setsuna uses Cyclone Burst on the roots. Towa uses her energy blade on the roots. Moroha takes out her Kurikaramaru and uses her Crimson Dragon Wave on the roots. Towa says it'll never end like this. Setsuna says Root Head should have a weak spot and if they can find it. Root Head starts using energy absorption as it takes Towa's demon energy. Towa becomes surprised as she notices her energy blade is fading. Moroha tells Towa that her demon powers are being drained. Setsuna asks Moroha can't she do anything. Moroha realizes she has something before she pulls out her kappa's foot and says here we go. Moroha jumps and tells Root Head to have a taste of a lucky kappa's foot before she throws the foot at it's eye, hurting Root Head. Towa notices her Energy Blade return and realizes her powers are back. Moroha happily says thanks Grandpa as it really did bring herself good fortune. Setsuna tells Towa and Moroha that they'll hit it all at once before she uses her Scourge of Swallows on Root Head, weakening it. Moroha uses her Heavenly Arrow Barrage on Root Head as she weakens it further then notices a light. Moroha tells Towa to aim for the spot under Root Head's big eye as it's the weak spot and to finish it off.

Root Head tells Towa it won't let her. Towa sees the light and powers up her Energy Blade as she repeatedly says to not hesitate as she activates her Silver Rainbow Pearl before she uses her Azure Dragon Wave for the first time. Setsuna becomes surprised. Moroha becomes shocked as she wonders what's that blue dragon. Towa's Azure Dragon Wave hits Root Head, killing it. A Rainbow Corridor opens up as Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are sucked in and exit as they arrived in the Feudal Era. The Sacred Tree stops glowing. Setsuna's violin and Moroha's bag falls on Moroha, surprising Towa and Setsuna. Setsuna takes her violin. Towa asks Moroha if she's all good. Moroha does answer. Towa realizes this is the Feudal Era. Kohaku and Hisui calls out to Setsuna. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha look to see Kohaku, Hisui, Kaede, and Kirara arrive. Kohaku tells Setsuna that he's glad she's safe. Setsuna tells Kohaku and Hisui that she has managed to return. Kohaku becomes relieved at Setsuna. Kaede says she can't sense Root Head's demon energy and wonders what happened. Moroha caresses her bag before she tells Kaede that she, Towa, and Setsuna defeated Root Head. Kaede becomes surprised as she wonders if that's true. Towa becomes shocked and thinks to herself and realizes that's right. Towa looks at the Sacred Tree and thinks to herself that if they defeated Root Head and how are they getting back to the Modern Era. Towa says maybe this wasn't a good idea.

In the Sacred Tree, the Spirit of the Tree of Ages watches over Rin, who is still in suspended animation, with the Dream Butterfly circling overhead as Sesshōmaru stands nearby. The spirit says Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha have such fighting spirit as she's the Tree of Ages and yet they refused her wish. The spirit asks Sesshōmaru was he sure about this and if he forsake's Rin then she'll never awaken. Sesshōmaru walks away. The spirit says that she suppose this is one path as well and perhaps staying like this would be best in the end.

Trivia

 * In the beginning of the episode, Moroha suggests to some elders that she is about 450 years older than them in the modern era while they are doing a martial art exercise.
 * Grandpa Higurashi offers Moroha the same alleged mummified foot of a kappa he tried to offer Kagome for her early 15th birthday in the very first episode, and Moroha makes the same expression Kagome did, but otherwise has the opposite reaction. Moroha noted that such an item is treasured (due to coming from when the demon is still alive); it later DOES provide good luck by serving as a distraction.
 * Moroha stole Sōta's credit card to buy supplies, much to his utter horror due the massive bills.
 * Moroha is to blame for the book of future knowledge that was discovered by Towa's captors in the first episode.
 * The path used to go back to the feudal era is similar to the spirit road often used in Kyoukai no Rinne.
 * The Sacred Tree mentions the Sealing Arrow on its trunk, which Kikyō had demonstrated to her younger sister Kaede in "Episode 148". However, it does not inform Moroha that her father had been sealed on its trunk for half a century.
 * Towa sees Kagome in pictures but is not aware that she is Moroha's mother at the time.
 * This marks the first appearance of Rin as a teenager in the present timeline.

Error

 * When Moroha throws the kappa foot at Root head, Towa's demon energy blade was shown to be active, despite the latter having her demon energy absorbed by Root head.