Episode 19 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

Princess Aiya's Beniyasha Hunting is the nineteenth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis
Moroha gets caught in the middle of a tournament between Hisui and other bounty hunters, and is forced to fight Setsuna for the amusement of the silly Tessen-wielding Princess Aiya. Setsuna warns her twin sister Towa that she will not hesitate to fight her, too, should Towa interfere.

Summary
At an estate, a guard says Aiya enters. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta bow down as Aiya enters the room and sits down. Aiya tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that they may raise their heads. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta raise their heads and become surprised to see Aiya. Rokuta questions that it wasn't Ogigayatsu Hiiragi. Nanasuke asks Hisui who was Aiya. Aiya asks Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta were they surprised as it wasn't Ogigayatsu Hiiragi who called them as it was her and she's the daughter of Ogigayatsu Hiiragi Danjo then laughs. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become confused. Rokuta says that Aiya is Ogigayatsu Hiiragi's daughter. Nanasuke says he sees. Aiya asks Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta which one of them is the chief. Hisui tells Aiya that unfortunately their chief Kohaku is currently absent. Aiya questions about Kohaku being absent and she doesn't know if she should talk to Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta if their chief isn't here. Hisui tells Aiya that he will heed her request with full responsibility in Kohaku’s absence and wonders what kind of job does she have for them. Aiya asks Hisui that he'll take Kohaku's place and does he want to know that badly and she sees as he must dying to hear it. Hisui tells Aiya that he didn't say anything. Aiya tells Hisui that's understandable. Aiya tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that if they accept her job they might even join the Ogigayatsu Hiiragi family’s mercenary forces after all then laughs. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become excited. Hisui questions about joining Ogigayatsu Hiiragi's forces. Rokuta says that would be amazing. Nanasuke tells Rokuta that they'd be set for life. Aiya asks Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that yes just so that makes them happy and to be glad and rejoice but what she's offering them is not a demon-slaying job. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become surprised. Aiya asks Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that it's a contest. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become nervous. Hisui questions about a contest. Aiya tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that if they emerge victorious in this special contest of hers then they can join their forces. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become excited. Aiya tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that here are their opponents. Aiya tells the bounty hunters to come on in. Aiya introduces bounty hunters as The Lady, The Ninja, The Granny, and The Muscle. Aiya tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that she knows and understands as they may think that this is not enough but the fun doesn't end here and be surprised and she wagered they are so surprised then laughs. Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta become surprised. Rokuta wonders about Aiya. Nanasuke says Aiya sure is having fun by herself. Hisui agrees with Nanasuke. Aiya tells the 2 guards to bring her the other bounty hunter. The 2 guards forcibly bring in Moroha. Moroha tells the 2 guards to let go of her wonders are they kidding her. Hisui calls out to Moroha. Aiya laughs and tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that she has a strange girl in their ranks and through the Corpse Dealer's Jyūbei recommendation as she's having Moroha join the ranks of the bounty hunters and wonders how about it as it's more than enough and they'll accept as of course they will as she knows they want to as she'll be expecting a spectacle. In the forest, Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta are walking. Nanasuke questions Hisui and Rokuta that they can join Ogigayatsu Hiiragi’s forces if they win and they can imagine. Rokuta agrees with Hisui. Rokuta asks Hisui if it’s really okay to do this without Kohaku's go ahead. Hisui tells Nanasuke and Rokuta that Kohaku has always been taking care of them and it’s time for them to repay some of that kindness and he already has a plan. Outside of the estate, Moroha was walking away. Takechiyo appears and calls out to Moroha then wonders was she done. Moroha becomes annoyed and walks away. Takechiyo follows Moroha. Moroha complains to Takechiyo about why does someone like her have to fight the demon slayers with those other bounty hunters and on top of that she has to attend some long boring strategy meeting. Takechiyo tells Moroha that she shouldn't be complaining as there's still a lot of debt that Yawaragi left over and Jyūbei will be getting the money for her participation. Moroha becomes annoyed. Takechiyo reminds Moroha that the demon slayers gave him a note to give to her before he gives her it. Moroha wonders what the note is. At Night, Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta meet up with Setsuna at Kaede's house to tell her about the job. Setsuna questions Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta about defeating Moroha. Hisui confirms this with Setsuna as the job from Aiya is a battle with bounty hunters but they'll no match for them and the only one they'll have to take down is Moroha and wonders will she accept. Setsuna tells Hisui, Nanasuke, and Rokuta that one thing as they need to keep this a secret from Towa. At morning, Towa wakes up to see Moroha packing her bag and getting ready to go somewhere. Towa tells Moroha 'good morning' and wonders where's Setsuna. Moroha laughs nervously and questions Towa about Setsuna as who knows as she puts her backpack on. Towa asks Moroha where was she going somewhere. Moroha tells Towa something like that. Towa questions Moroha so early in the morning. Moroha tells Towa that it's nothing much just a large scale battle and she's off and quickly leaves right after. Towa tells Moroha 'okay' and be safe. Towa then picks up Moroha’s words of something about going to a battle before she runs outside and calls out for Moroha to wait. Moroha continues to fly on Takechiyo. Towa realizes that she has to let Setsuna know. Moroha tells Takechiyo that she almost let it slip to Towa. Takechiyo asks Moroha why does he always has to come with her on these things. Moroha asks Takechiyo that she told him as if they succeed she'll get him those candies from Towa the Rock-Paper-Scissor chocolates he loves. Takechiyo asks Moroha will this really work. Moroha tells Takechiyo that it'll be fine as the plan is perfect. Takechiyo tells Moroha that he doesn’t like the plan but he guesses he has no choice and there won't be a second time. Towa looks for Setsuna but is unable to find her and only finds Kirara. Towa asks Kirara does she know where Setsuna might have gone as Moroha is in trouble. Kirara becomes surprised. Aiya is on her way to witness the contest, being carried by her servants. Aiya laughs as today will be so much fun. Aiya tells her servants to come on and pick up the pace. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna are waiting together at the field for the bounty hunters. Nanasuke wonders where are the bounty hunters. Rokuta says it's already time. Hisui and Setsuna look around. Aiya is eager to see the contest start. A horn blows and in the distance. Aiya becomes excited. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna look to see a huge drawing of a castle appears. Nanasuke becomes surprised. Rokuta wonders was there a castle there. Nanasuke wonders did the bounty hunters build the castle overnight. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna look to see Moroha and the Lady, the Ninja, the Granny, and the Muscle standing in front of the drawing of the castle.

The bounty hunters introduce themselves to the demon slayers; The Lady, The Ninja, The Granny, The Muscle. Moroha becomes nervous. The Lady tells Moroha to come on and her too. Moroha asks The Lady 'seriously'. The Ninja tells Moroha that they went over this yesterday. Moroha nervously says right. Moroha introduces herself. The Lady, The Ninja, The Granny, The Muscle, and Moroha call themselves the strongest bounty hunters who will always get the bounty but Moroha is out of sync with the rest of the bounty hunters as they do their opening. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna become annoyed. Rokuta wonders what's happening. Nanasuke asks Hisui, Rokuta, and Setsuna should they follow the bounty hunters' lead or. Hisui says 'no' and to let's just get this over with before he walks away. Setsuna agrees with Hisui before she follows him. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna use a catapult to fire a single oil pot at the bounty hunters. The Granny says something's flying towards them. The Lady tells the bounty hunters to attack. Moroha questions The Lady about attacking as their those are oil pots. The Muscle says that he'll just use his muscles and runs forward. Moroha tells The Muscles that muscles won't solve this. Moroha suggests to the bounty hunters that they run from it. One of the oil pots hits the painting of the castle. Moroha becomes surprised. The oil pot sets their mimic version of a castle on fire and as the demon slayers fire more oil pots, the bounty hunters all panic and start to run everywhere. Rokuta and Nanasuke questions about just with one oil pot the bounty hunters castle is already burning. Setsuna becomes annoyed. Hisui tells Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna that Aiya wishes to see a spectacle and commands them to keep on firing oil pots. Rokuta and Nanasuke comply with Hisui. As more oil pots are being fired down at the bounty hunters, they continue to run about in panic and doing nothing in attempt to fight back the demon slayers. Aiya says this is amazing as expected from the demon slayers. Aiya tells Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna to fire more. Moroha is also currently running and trying to dodge every oil pot being thrown at her. Moroha wonders what's going on with the demon slayers as she didn’t hear about this. Towa is riding on Kirara’s back in hopes of finding Moroha and she sees in the distance a place up in smoke. Towa tells Kirara over there and wonders can she get closer. Kirara flies faster. The Lady, The Ninja, The Granny, and The Muscle continued to run around until they noticed their fake castle burning and falling to the ground. The Lady tells the other bounty hunters that their castle' going to fall and to run for it. The Lady, The Ninja, The Granny, and The Muscle run away. The bounty hunters’ fake castle falls to the ground. Moroha questions aren't Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna going too far with this. Moroha finds herself surrounded by flames with nowhere to escape. Moroha becomes nervous and says she really didn't hear about this. Towa calls out to Moroha. Moroha looks at the sky to see Towa riding on Kirara. Towa tells Moroha that she’s here to help her. Moroha becomes surprised and wonders why Towa was here. Towa tells Moroha to grab on. Towa picks Moroha up from being in the center of a fire, flying off together with Kirara. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna are surprised to see Towa. Hisui becomes confused about Towa and Kirara. Hisui asks Rokuta did he tell Towa. Rokuta tells Hisui that he didn't. Rokuta asks Nanasuke didn't he. Nanasuke says 'no' of course not. Setsuna says she's the one who told Moroha to not to tell. Hisui says either way they're in a bit of a bind now. Setsuna tells Hisui, Rokuta, and Nanasuke that they're all on this ship now as they must see it through to the end and to leave handling Towa to her. Towa, Moroha, and Kirara all land somewhere safe. Towa asks Moroha why was she in a battle. Moroha tells Towa that it was something she had no choice but to participate in. Towa tells Moroha that she's fighting all by herself. Moroha nervously tells Towa that she had some other bounty hunters on her side. Towa asks Moroha was this a job from Jyūbei and because of the debt. Moroha tells Towa yes before she lets out a nervous laugh. Towa tells Moroha that this isn't a laughing matter and she wanted to also let Setsuna know but she couldn’t find the demon slayers. Moroha tells Towa that she thinks she’ll find them soon. Towa becomes surprised. Setsuna appears in front of Towa and Moroha and asks them if they’re looking for her. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna tells Towa to not get in their way because they’re in the middle of a battle. Towa asks Setsuna why was she here too. Setsuna tells Towa that right now she's simply doing her job as a member of the demon slayers. Moroha tells Towa that's right as she and Setsuna are currently in the middle of an epic battle. Towa asks Moroha does that mean the ones she's fighting are the demon slayers. Rokuta asks Hisui what are they going to do. Nanasuke tells Hisui that it wasn't in the plan for Towa to join. Hisui tells Rokuta and Nanasuke that if they stop here then it'll be pointless and Setsuna should be taking care of Towa and to let's just keep going. Hisui, Rokuta, and Nanasuke continue to throw oil pots. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha notice the oil pots are coming towards them. As the oil pots are coming down, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are running and dodging them all. Towa and Moroha hide behind some rocks and Setsuna hides behind a tree. Towa says this is horrible and she'll go talk to the demon slayers before she runs away. Moroha tells Towa to stop it. Setsuna tells Towa to not meddle in their business. Towa stops and tells Setsuna that all of this is just wrong and wonders why does her and Moroha have to fight as they’re on the same team. Setsuna asks Towa who decided such a thing. Towa becomes surprised. Setsuna walks towards Towa. Setsuna tells Towa that she is too soft after all as she doesn’t understand anything and she doesn't see anything before she stops walking. Towa becomes sad. Moroha nods. Setsuna tells Towa that if she gets in her way then she'll have to defeat her too, pointing her Kanemitsu no Tomoe directly at her. Towa and Moroha become shocked as oil pots continued to come down. Aiya becomes impatient. Aiya asks one of her guards what are Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha standing around chatting on about and what happened to all the fervor. Aiya wants everyone to continue to fight already as her guards hold her back. One of the guards tells Aiya to calm down as she might fall off. Setsuna swings her Kanemitsu no Tomoe at Towa. Towa dodges every swing from Setsuna. Towa tells Setsuna to come on and let's stop this already. Moroha agrees with Towa. Moroha tells Setsuna that she doesn't think they have to go this far. Setsuna tells Moroha to shut up. Setsuna uses her Scourge of Swallows at Towa. Moroha tells Towa to move before she jumps and pushes her aside out of protection. Rokuta and Nanasuke sees that this battle between the demon slayers and bounty hunters has turned into Towa and Setsuna battling instead. Rokuta says instead of a battle. Nanasuke says it's become a sibling fight. Hisui tells Rokuta and Nanasuke to never mind and let's just take care of Moroha. Hisui asks Takechiyo was he here right. Takechiyo appears and tells Hisui 'yes'.

Towa lays on the ground injured. Moroha comforts Towa and asks her was she okay. Towa tells Moroha 'yeah'. Moroha tells Setsuna that she's going too far. Setsuna tells Moroha that they must finish the battle one way or another. Moroha asks Setuna was she serious. Setsuna stays silent. Moroha tells Setsuna that she's unbelievable and she's going to win this battle and get the bounty. Setsuna tells Moroha that she's the one who'll win and she accepted the job so she'll see it through. Towa becomes surprised. Moroha uses her Crimson Dragon Wave against Setsuna. Setsuna uses her Cyclone Burst against Moroha. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha to stop. Aiya is enjoying the fight and wonders if this is what a battle between girls looks like as it's fantastic and she wants to see more. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha to come on and stop. Setsuna and Moroha continued to battle. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha that she won't let them fight. Towa pulls out Energy Blade to stop Moroha and Setsuna from fighting. Towa breaks apart Setsuna and Moroha’s attacks. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha noticed an oil pot falling from the sky and move to dodge it. Instead of landing to the ground, the oil pot follows Moroha around instead. Moroha says no way and wonders why was the oil pot following her. The oil pot eventually hits Moroha on her head and she falls to the ground. Towa calls out to Moroha. The oil pot's fire went out. Towa asks Setsuna was the oil pot a misfire. Setsuna tells Towa looks like it. The oil pot turns out to be Takechiyo in disguise. Takechiyo calls out to Moroha. Moroha becomes annoyed and gets up. Moroha tells Takechiyo that she'll get him for this before she kicks him away. Towa becomes relieved. Hisui tells Towa no it wasn't. Hisui appears behind Towa. Hisui tells Towa 'sorry' as they need to defeat Moroha. Towa tells Hisui to stop it. Hisui tells Towa that as a demon slayer it’s their duty to see a job through to the end. Setsuna tells Towa that's how it goes and to just stay back. Towa tells Hisui and Setsuna that she can't do that and if they're going after Moroha then she'll protect her with all she’s got. Moroha becomes surprised. Hisui tells Towa that fine then they’ll have to go all out too. Moroha asks Hisui and Setsuna were they serious. Hisui swings his Hiraikotsu at Towa and Setsuna. Towa and Setsuna dodge the Hiraikotsu but it aims for Towa as it swings back. Moroha protects Towa and takes the hit of the Hiraikotsu instead, falling behind a layer of thick grass. As Moroha falls into the thick layer of grass, the sound of a transformation happens. Towa calls out to Moroha. Aiya is entertained by this fight and says what a spectacular show and she was duly satisfied and take that she says then continuously laughed. One of Aiya’s servants asks her if she’ll really be employing the demon slayers. Aiya tells one of the guards of course not as her father Ogigayatsu Hiiragi would never consent to such a thing as it was obviously a lie she made up. Kohaku shows up behind Aiya and her servants, overhearing her words. Kohaku tells Aiya that's what she thought. Aiya becomes surprised and asks Kohaku who he was. Kohaku tells Aiya that he's the Chief of the Demon Slayers and introduces himself. Towa holds Moroha as she is badly injured as she calls out to her. Hisui is pleased to say that the battle is over. Rokuta says they can join Ogigayatsu Hiiragi's forces. Nanasuke says they did it. Towa is upset seeing Moroha unconscious and tells Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, and Setsuna that this is terrible and is money is that precious to them as there's nothing more important than a life. Shortly after, the real Moroha walks up in front of Towa and greets her. Towa becomes surprised. Moroha tells Towa that she's right here. Towa becomes confused about Moroha and wonders who was she holding. Towa looks to see she's holding is really Takechiyo disguised as Moroha. Takechiyo tells Towa that it's him. Towa becomes surprised. Takechiyo untransforms. A flashback reveals, that the moment when Moroha was hit by the Hiraikotsu and fell behind into the thick layer of grass, her and Takechiyo switched places and Takechiyo disguised himself as Moroha, pretending to be unconscious. Takechiyo tells Towa that he can disguise his scent with this bottle too. Hisui walks up to Towa and tells her that today’s battle had a bit more to it. Towa questions Hisui about more. Towa learns that today was all a fixed match. Moroha confirms this with Towa. Takechiyo tells Towa that all of it was scripted. Hisui tells Towa that winning this battle and joining the Ogigayatsu Hiiragi's forces would mean that the demon slayers wouldn’t have to worry about money. Kohaku interrupts and tells everyone that's not going to happen. Everyone looks to see Kohaku walking towards them. Hisui, Rokuta, and Nanasuke became nervous. Rokuta and Nanasuke call out to Kohaku. Kohaku informs Hisui and everyone else that the employment offer was a lie fabricated by Aiya. Hisui, Rokuta, Nanasuke, Moroha, except Setsuna, is left shocked. Hisui tells Kohaku that he thought if they joined Ogigayatsu Hiiragi’s forces then they could give him a better life. Kohaku tells Hisui to listen as demon slayers are there to help those who are in need and it should never be for someone who’s taking care of them or for the sake of money and he wants him to carve that deeply on his heart. Hisui, Rokuta, and Nanasuke apologizes to Kohaku. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha watch the scene. Back at the deputy shogun’s castle, Ogigayatsu Hiiragi Danjo is upset at his daughter Aiya for offering employment without his consent and setting up a battle and it's outrageous. Aiya tells Ogigayatsu Hiiragi that she couldn't stand it.

In a flashback, Aiya becomes upset at Setsuna and Moroha when her kimono got dirtied with a speck of mud as they ran inside the castle to save Towa when she was kidnapped by him and Yotsume. Aiya becomes angry and tells Ogigayatsu Hiiragi that Setsuna and Moroha dirtied her kimono and she just got so upset. Ogigayatsu Hiiragi tells Aiya that there are things she can and cannot do. Aiya tells Ogigayatsu Hiiragi that forgive her and she'll never do it again. Ogigayatsu Hiiragi sighs. Aiya secretly revealed to have lied to Ogigayatsu Hiiragi. Later, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are walking together to the village. Moroha tells Towa to come on and to not be upset as they couldn’t tell her because she’s a terrible liar. Towa stays silent. Setsuna says Towa wouldn’t understand since it’s just how business works. Towa turns and stares at Setsuna and Moroha. Setsuna and Moroha become surprised. Towa runs toward Setsuna and Moroha and gives them both a hug. Towa repeatedly tells Setsuna and Moroha that she's so glad as Moroha's okay and Setsuna's is her usual self and she's just so relieved. Setsuna and Moroha become discomforted and surprise. Moroha tells Towa that she feels it would've been better if she was just mad at her and Setsuna as she feels a bit guilty now. Setsuna agrees with Moroha. Towa still embraces Setsuna and Moroha with a hug.

Trivia

 * Takechiyo has been shown to transform into other forms such as an oil bomb and Moroha.
 * The reasoning behind Aiya's contest between the Demon Slayers and Bounty Hunters was from the time Setsuna and Moroha went to rescue Towa from the Deputy Shogunate's estate.
 * Towa rescuing Moroha on Kirara acts as a reference to when Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand in CHANGE THE WORLD.
 * Aiya's laugh is similar to Rumiko Takahashi's characters Kodachi Kuno from Ranma ½ and Anju from Kyoukai no Rinne.
 * The guy called 'The Muscle' is reminiscent to another Rumiko Takahashi's character, Mr. Invader, who is Lum's father from Urusei Yatsura. The only difference is that 'The Muscle' doesn't have any horns and his clothing is of a different color.

Episodi 19 (Hanyo no Yashahime)