Episode 6 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Cat Juan of the Old Temple is the sixth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis

 * 1) Jyūbei the corpse dealer asks the trio to investigate a series of disappearing travelers.
 * 2) They meet a monk named Juan, but find that he is possessed by a cat demon.
 * 3) Towa manages to absorb the energy of the cat demon, saving the monk's life.

Summary
Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are walking through a village as Moroha is carrying a boar demon skull with a cloth over it. The villagers become surprised and wonder what Moroha's carrying. Towa becomes embarrassed as Setsuna ignores it. At Shikabaneya, Moroha gives Jyūbei the boar demon's head. Moroha asks Jyūbei how's the boar demon skull. Jyūbei tells Moroha 10 mon. Moroha questions Jyūbei about 10 as it's a whole head. Jyūbei tells Moroha that he's saying that the boar demon's head not worth much. Moroha becomes annoyed. Towa asks Jyūbei does he know anything about the Dream Butterfly. Setsuna looks at Towa. Jyūbei tells Towa 'no' and wonders why she asked. Towa tells Jyūbei that Setsuna had her dreams stolen from the Dream Butterfly and she wants to get them back for her. Setsuna tells Towa that even though she said she doesn't care. Jyūbei questions Towa about the Dream Butterfly and that he'll keep his ears open. Towa tells Jyūbei 'thank you very much'. Moroha asks Jyūbei doesn't he have anything juicier. Jyūbei tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that if it's for them as 'Hanyō Princesses' then he may have just the thing. Moroha excitedly ask Jyūbei what is it. Jyūbei tells Moroha that there's been a lot of travelers going missing in the northern mountains. Moroha tells Jyūbei that sounds interesting and leave it to her, Towa, and Setsuna. Towa smiles nervously while Setsuna becomes annoyed.

Later, Towa is riding a bicycle while Moroha stands on the front in a basket while Setsuna sits in the back. Towa watches Moroha singing a song on an. Towa calls out to Moroha. Moroha asks Towa what. Towa tells Moroha that she's in her way and to get off and use those legs she's so proud of. Moroha puts her butt in Towa's face and asks her was she in the way of when she's so graciously being the lookout. Towa asks Moroha how the hell could she say she's in the way and to get her annoying butt out of her face. Moroha questions Towa that she thinks it's annoying and what's so annoying about it. Setsuna looks forward and tells Towa and Moroha to watch out. Towa and Moroha look to see a little girl carrying pine cone then drops them as they become shocked. Towa tries to use the breaks but doesn't work as they continued to speed. The little girl moves out of the way and ducks. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha hit a tree and fly into the air and crash into the ground with a broken bicycle. The little girl becomes surprised. Later, the little girl takes pocky out of the box and quickly eats them. Moroha says look at the little girl go as she gives her a bag of chips. The little girl takes the bag and eats them. Towa asks Moroha can she blame the little girl as she said her parents ignored her to take care of the cats as it's called neglect. Moroha tells Towa that if she's hungry then she should just steal whatever's around. Moroha asks the little girl does she know about the people going missing near an old temple in a mountain pass. The little girl becomes confused as she continues to eat. Moroha tells the little girl that no one comes from the mountain pass and whoever goes there doesn't come back and they're here because they've been asked to look into it. The little girl tells Moroha that she doesn't know but her village is at the foot of a mountain pass. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha let's check out the village since it's on the way.

Upon arriving at the village, Towa tells the little girl this is the village. The little girl confirms this with Towa. Everyone notices the cats. Towa says look at all these cats and questions that the feudal era has cat villages just like cat islands but for some reason everyone in the village. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha notice that village is filled with cats and everyone in the village seems to be focused on only taking care of these cats. Towa becomes surprised and questions that the cats are really being doted on. The little girl calls out to her mother, who is doting on a cat, as she runs towards her. The little girl tells her mother that she's home as she reaches out to her. The mother ignores her daughter as she decides to feed the cat and walks away. The little girl calls out to her mother. Towa says what a horrible mother. Moroha notices that something isn't right. Setsuna says just like she thought. Towa notices a cat rubbing against her leg and kneels down to pet it as she says kittens are so cute. Setsuna and Moroha questions cats being cute. Towa continues to pet the cat as she says 'there, there'. Suddenly the cats starts to angrily hiss at Towa, surprising her. Moroha says 'you idiot' before she kicks the cat far away. Towa stands up and angrily asks Moroha what did she do that for. Moroha tells Towa that she's telling her that isn't a cat and wonders if her nose is just a bump on her face. Towa becomes shocked. Moroha pulls out her Kurikaramaru and tells Towa to look more closely. Setsuna says the entire village smells like demons. Towa questions the smell of demons. The demon cats show their true forms before they ran towards Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha. Towa says that she guesses that's that then before she pulls out her Kikujūmonji and makes an Energy Blade. The demon cats continued run towards Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha before they jump in the air and try to atttack them. Setsuna tells the demon cats to not think ill of her, Towa, and Moroha before she uses her Kanemitsu no Tomoe to attack them. Moroha tells the demon cats that she'll turn them all into lunch for her Kurikaramaru before she attacks them with it. Towa attacks the demon cats with her Energy Blade. The demon cats continue to still attack Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha. Moroha tells the demon cats how about she gets them all at once before she uses her Crimson Dragon Wave on them. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha defeat most of the demon cats while some of them flee. Towa unactivates her Energy Blade and says she still feels a bit sorry for them. Moroha questions Towa that she's still saying that as she puts away her Kurikaramaru. The little girl calls out to her mother, who was on the ground, and tells her to wake up. The mother begins to wake up and tells her daughter welcome home and wonders where has she been. The little girl tells her mother that she's so glad. The villagers come back to their senses. Towa says that she sees as the villagers were being controlled by the ghost cats and she didn't notice the smell of demons. Setsuna tells Towa that her sense of smell is too dull. Towa starts to smell and says that she's never smelled something like this. Moroha tells Towa that 'Tokyo' place she lived in seemed to be pretty demon-free but she won't live long if she doesn't get used to this soon. Towa tells Moroha that she knows then notices Myōga appear on Moroha's shoulder. Myōga calls out to Moroha. Moroha asks Myōga that he was here. Myōga tells Moroha that he would follow her to the ends of the Earth. Moroha calls Myōga a 'liar'.

Setsuna says the ghost cats ran towards the mountain. Moroha questions the missing travelers near the old temple is their work and seems like an easy win. Myōga says ghost cats tend to get stronger as the years go by but it looks like there weren't any that strong. Moroha says time to hunt for corrupted cats and let's go as she and Setsuna walk forward. Towa says 'all right' and prepares to follow until the little girl calls out to her. Towa asks the little girl what is it. The little girl tells Towa thank you. Towa tells the little girl that she's very welcome and says 'goodbye' before leaving. The little girl tells Towa 'goodbye' as well. Setsuna looks at the scene for a moment. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha reach the temple in the mountains. Towa says just like its name it sure is an old temple. Moroha says she smells something suspicious. Setsuna says she doesn't sense anything so the ghost cats are probably hiding somewhere. Juan asks Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha do they have any business at the temple. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha become confused. Juan appears from the temple. Moroha says it's just a monk. Towa becomes surprised at Juan as she calls him 'Julian'. Setsuna and Moroha becomes surprised and question Towa about Julian. Juan introduces himself. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha that Juan looks exactly like Mei's favorite idol Julian. Setsuna becomes confused about the word 'idol'. Moroha tells Setsuna that she thinks Towa's talking about weird modern stuff again. Towa becomes annoyed for a moment and becomes attracted to Juan as she says Juan and Julian really do look alike and if this were the modern era Juan would be definitely be a celebrity and wonders if Juan could be Julian's ancestor.

Juan asks Towa beg her pardon. Setsuna and Moroha become annoyed. Moroha tells Towa to just forget about the modern era for a bit. Moroha asks Juan has he seen any ghost cats around here. Juan asks Moroha beg her pardon. In the temple, Juan tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that he sees and ghost cats in the mountain as he can't say he's ever seen any. Setsuna asks Juan any strange occurrences recently. Juan asks such as. Towa tells Juan a lot of people who have passed through here have gone missing. Juan says there have been people who'd stay the night here but nothing special to note. Moroha becomes suspicious. Juan asks Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha would they like to stay the night as well as the mountain pass can be quite dangerous at night. Moroha tells Juan 'yeah' as they'll take him up on his offer. Towa and Setsuna look at Moroha. Later, Juan offers Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha room and tells them to make themselves at home before he leaves. Towa wonders if the ghost cats are hiding in the mountain. Setsuna says the ghost cats are here. Towa questions that the ghost cats are here. Moroha says the entire temple smells of demons. Towa questions if Julian too. Moroha tells Towa 'no' as Juan smells like a human and she needs to hurry up and learn to sniff out demons and to stop calling him 'Julian'. Towa puts an earphone in Moroha to hear Julian sing, confusing Moroha. Moroha asks Towa what's this. Towa tells Moroha that it's one of Julian's songs. Moroha tells Towa that it's not her thing as she takes the earphone out of her. Moroha sneakingly attempt to put a earphone in Setsuna's ear, only for Setsuna to smack it away. Towa catches the earphone. Setsuna asks Towa and Moroha what should they do with the ghost cats. Moroha asks Setsuna if they leave themselves open wouldn't the ghost cats come to us.

Setsuna says the basics of a demon slayer. Towa questions about demon slayers and she guesses she does have to get used to it or she won't be able to help people. Moroha questions Towa about helping people. Towa asks Setsuna isn't that right. Setsuna tells Towa that demon slaying is a job. Towa tells Setsuna even in the village back there. Moroha says but for now it's nothing but small ghost cats and wonders if this really going to get them money. Towa asks Moroha why was she trying to save up so much as it doesn't look like she's spending it. Moroha says 'all right' and time to pretend like she's sleeping before she pretends to sleep. Towa tells Moroha 'hey'. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna to come on too. Towa tells Setsuna that she guesses they should make their beds too. Setsuna tells Towa that she can't fall asleep anyway. Towa tells Setsuna 'right'. In another room, Juan is mediating. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha pretend to sleep. Towa moves around before she opens her eyes. Setsuna tells Towa that her energy is leaking out. Towa tells Setsuna 'sorry'. Setsuna tells Towa although it really doesn't matter at this point before she opens her eyes to see ghost cats on the ceiling. The ghost cats try to attack Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha as they think that they are vulnerable and asleep. Moroha opens her eyes and tells the ghost cats that they fell right into their trap before she covers them with a blanket and tells them to take this as she attacks them with her Kurikaramaru. Setsuna attacks the ghost cats with her Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Moroha tells Towa behind her. Towa turns around to see more ghost cats before she pulls out her Kikujūmonji and activates her Energy Blade to attack them.

Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha put their weapons away as they defeated all of the ghost cats. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna that she knew the ghost cats would come out. Suddenly, Juan comes running in and asks Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha what's going on and becomes surprised to see all of the ghost cats. Moroha asks Juan that he didn't notice all these ghost cats. Juan tells Moroha that he didn't. Setsuna asks Juan why are these ghost cats living in this old temple. Juan says he most likely failed to notice the phenomenon because he lacks sufficient training however the truth is the temple has an old legend as about 100 years ago a powerful priest sealed a demon and laid its corpse to rest beneath the floors of the temple. Setsuna questions under the floors. Moroha asks Towa that it's her move as she wants to help people. Towa confirms it with Moroha and let's go investigate. Moroha and Setsuna investigates what’s beneath the temple and finds the bones of a ghost cat. Outside, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha investigate beneath the temple. Moroha asks is she sure it's really here and it was dark brown here. Setsuna says they need some light. Towa says to hang on one second to before she pulls out a flashlight. Towa offers Moroha the flashlight. Moroha tells Towa 'awesome' as it's perfect. Towa turns on the flashlight, making Moroha cover her eyes. Moroha asks Towa what was she doing and to cut it out before she took away the flashlight. Moroha shines the flashlight underneath the temple and says the flashlight is great. Meanwhile, Towa and Juan are in the temple as Juan placed sutras' on the doors of the temple. Juan tells Towa that he's put up a barrier and it should prevent demons from entering as he walks away. Towa tells Juan to not worry as she'll protect him. Juan sits down and tells Towa 'thank you very much' as it's very reassuring.

Setsuna and Moroha investigate beneath the temple. Moroha calls Towa a 'cheat' as she tells them 'let's go investigating' but she and Setsuna are the ones doing the dirty work. Setsuna and Moroha notice a hole up ahead. Moroha tells Setsuna that there's a hole. Setsuna and Moroha look inside and finds the bones of a ghost cat. Moroha questions the bones of a ghost cat. Setsuna tells Moroha that looks like the legend was true. Moroha tells Setsuna that this ghost cat is. Setsuna and Moroha noticed that the bones of the demon ghost cat comes back to life. In the temple, Juan and Towa noticed the shaking for a moment. Juan asks Towa what's going on. Towa says this is. Outside the temple, Setsuna and Moroha are facing the giant skeleton ghost cat. Moroha becomes annoyed. The giant ghost cat revives completely. Moroha jumps into the air and tells Setsuna to hit it all at once. Moroha uses her Crimson Dragon Wave on the giant ghost cat, splitting it in half and into a skeleton. Setsuna uses her Cyclone Burst on the giant ghost cat, turning it back into pieces. Moroha says 'all right' as she and Setsuna defeated the giant ghost cat. Setsuna and Moroha notices the giant ghost cat regenerating. Moroha tells Setsuna that something's wrong and the bones don't smell like the ghost cats. Towa calls out to Setsuna and Moroha as she goes to the doors. Juan asks Towa does she think Setsuna and Moroha are okay. Towa tells Juan that if it's Setsuna and Moroha then she's sure they'll be fine.

Juan tells Towa that they've had a few in the past as well and they'd come to slay the cats here but ended up being eaten and what a lot of fools they were. Towa looks at Juan and becomes surprised to see him transforming into a ghost cat. Juan tells Towa that she, Setsuna, and Moroha will share the people's fate. Towa tells Juan that his face. Setsuna says how about this before she throws a bomb at the giant ghost cat, exploding in it's face. Part of the giant ghost cat's face reveals multiple skulls. Moroha says human bones. Setsuna tells Moroha that the human bones are probably the bones of the people the giant ghost cat has eaten and the one controlling these bones is somewhere nearby. Moroha tells Setsuna that the only one other person here is Juan. The giant ghost tries to attack Setsuna and Moroha, who quickly dodge it. Juan tells Towa that she's about to be eaten so she might as well give up. Towa backs away from Juan and questions that he's the big boss of the ghost cats. Towa tries to open the door but is unable to. Juan tells Towa that he did that he put up a barrier but not with the monk's Buddhist magic but with his demon magic. Towa calls out to Setsuna and Moroha. Juan tells Towa that right now Setsuna and Moroha are fighting with ghost cats that he controls and not one of them will leave this temple alive. Towa tells Juan that they just have to take him down as she takes out her Kikujūmonji and activates her Energy Blade. Juan tells Towa to not make him laugh as he's over 300 years old and wonders if she, Setsuna, and Moroha think they can defeat him. Juan tells the ghost cats to get Towa. The ghost cats appeared and tried to attack Towa. Towa uses her Energy Blade to defeat them. Towa tells Juan that no matter how many. A voice says 'help me'. Towa becomes surprised. The real Juan was able to talk outside of the demon and begs Towa to help him. Towa questions Juan that he's not a demon. The real Juan tells Towa that he is. The possessed Juan regains control and asks the real one why does it matter as he's about to get eaten. More ghost cats try to attack Towa, who uses her Energy Blade. Setsuna uses her Kanemitsu no Tomoe to slice the giant ghost's hand off. The giant ghost cat's hand reattaches itself. Moroha questions again as she cuts and cuts but nothing's working.

Setsuna tells Moroha that she's leaving this to her before she leaves to help Towa. Moroha becomes surprised and asks Setsuna where was she going. The giant ghost cat tries to attack Moroha, who was able to dodge it. Setsuna calls out to Towa as she tries to open the doors to the temple but couldn't. Setsuna questions a barrier and is it the apparition's spell. Moroha tells Setsuna to move as she'll break through the barrier with her Sacred Arrow. Moroha uses her Bow and arrow and shoots her Sacred Arrow at the door, breaking the barrier and sutras. Juan becomes surprised about his barrier. Setsuna opens the door and steps in. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna tells Juan that he smelled only of human until now and wonders why. 'Juan' tells Setsuna that he has been sealed beneath the floors of the temple for a 100 years but recently the real Juan thought to hold a service for him and the sutra he chanted out of compassion was able to awaken his soul and he broke through the seal and took control of his body. Towa tells Juan that the real Juan tried to save him. Juan tells Towa that he wasn't seeking salvation. Setsuna tells Juan enough talk and to brace himself. Towa tells Setsuna to wait as the real Juan was taken over by the ghost cat. The ghost cat spirit says Juan is his disguise after all so he's been letting him live and wonders what will Towa and Setsuna do and will they cut down Juan down as well. Setsuna runs towards the ghost cat spirit and cuts him with her Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Towa becomes surprised to see a cat's paw inside Juan. Setsuna says that's the main body and there's a smell leaking from his belly that wasn't there when Juan was human. The ghost cat spirit asks Setsuna what of it. Towa and Setsuna look in shock to see Juan completely transform into a ghost cat. Towa says 'oh no'. The ghost cat spirit tells Towa and Setsuna to go ahead and split him in two along with Juan. The ghost cat spirit tries to attack Towa and Setsuna, who managed to dodge it. Moroha was able to dodge the ghost cat spirit's attack. Moroha becomes annoyed and she says that's dangerous as she's fighting all by herself here. Moroha quickly dodged the giant ghost cat's attack.

Setsuna tells the ghost cat spirit if that's how he feels then she won't hold back. Towa tells Setsuna that she can't and to not do it. Setsuna asks Towa why does she stop her. Towa tells Setsuna that's Juan that why. Setsuna tells Towa that they can't slay Juan otherwise. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna asks Towa why doesn't she try it then and see if she can cut the ghost cat without killing Juan. Towa tells Setsuna 'but'. Moroha tells Towa to just do it. Moroha strikes the giant ghost cat with her Kurikaramaru. Moroha tells Towa that otherwise she's going to have to cut all of Juan down. Myōga appears on Moroha's shoulder. Myōga tells Moroha that speaking of whether can or can't as Inuyasha was able to do it. Moroha asks Myōga what was he talking about at a time like this. Myōga tells Moroha that Inuyasha's Tessaiga was able to take just the opponent's demon power. Moroha questions Myōga about the Tessaiga and why talk about something they don't have. The giant ghost cat tries to attack Moroha, who was able to dodge it. Moroha tells Myōga that none of them can steal away just the demon power. Towa questions about stealing away just the demon power and that's it. Towa says that one time. A flashback of Root Head stealing away Towa's demonic power is seen. The ghost cat spirit says he won't let Towa and Setsuna cut him down so easily. Setsuna tells Towa that they have no choice. Towa tells Setsuna 'no' and to not kill Juan. Setsuna tells Towa that if they don't then they'll get killed. Towa becomes surprised. Setsuna asks Towa how long will she be dragging the modern era with her as her life is at stake in this feudal era and cut those ideals down with the ghost cat. Towa tells Setsuna that she can't. Setsuna asks Towa 'what'. Towa tells Setsuna that she saw a bit of what it's like there that peaceful world and everyone in it. Flashback of Moe praising Setsuna and the Higurashi family saying 'goodbye' are seen. Towa tells Setsuna that when she gets back her dreams then she's going back over there because she Mei that and that's why she'll risk her life but she won't take other peoples' lives away.

Towa’s Silver Rainbow Pearl in her eye starts to glow. The ghost cat spirit tries to attack Towa, who was able to dodge his attack. Setsuna calls out to Towa. Towa tells Juan that she'll save him as she activates her Energy Blade energy as it surrounds the ghost cat spirit. Towa strikes the ghost cat spirit with her Energy Blade and the demon energy from the ghost cat gets absorbed into Towa’s sword. Setsuna questions that the demon energy is being absorbed. Towa completely absorbs the ghost cat's demon energy into her Energy Blade. Moroha says no matter where she cuts the giant ghost cat keeps coming back and wonders what. Myōga appears and tells Moroha that it looks like Towa is taking the demon's power. The giant ghost cat fades and turns into a skeleton. Moroha wonders did Towa cut Juan's down. Juan falls unconscious to the floor as Towa unactivates her Energy Blade and the the ghost cat's paw falls on the floor before it fades away. Myōga tells Moroha as expected the from the daughter of Sesshōmaru. Moroha tells Myōga that she thinks Towa could do more with cold-heartedness. Towa puts away her Kikujūmonji. Setsuna tells Towa that she was lucky this time but next time her naivete might cost her 'her' life. Towa tells Setsuna to not worry as like she said before until she gets back her dreams she won't die. Juan groans in pain as he wakes up. Towa kneels to Juan as she calls out to him. Juan asks Towa what has he. Towa happily tells Juan that she's so glad and she's really happy.

In the morning, Juan, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha near the grave of the ghost cat. Juan says to rest in peace. Juan tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that this disaster was all because of his pride and inexperience as he's not powerful enough to be a priest and shall return to the secular life. Towa tells Juan to become the proud ancestor for Julian. Juan asks Towa beg her pardon. Setsuna tells Towa that she's sprouting nonsense again. Moroha says that she mean that's fine. Towa and Setsuna look at Moroha. Moroha pulls out a skeleton ghost cat's paw and says at least they took care of the job. At Shikabaneya, Moroha gives Jyūbei the skeleton ghost cat's paw. Moroha asks Jyūbei what did he just say. Jyūbei tells Moroha 15 mon. Moroha asks Jyūbei but why. Jyūbei questions Moroha that the ghost cat wasn't that big of a deal. Moroha tells Jyūbei that it was a real pain trying not to split the ghost cat in two. Jyūbei tells Moroha that sounds like her problem. Moroha tells Jyūbei to give them jobs that'll actually make them money. Towa laughs nervously as Setsuna stays silent.

Trivia

 * The girl at the beginning bears a strong resemblance to Sayo of Episode 22 of Inuyasha.
 * This episode incorporates the arc with the Unnamed Cat Demon, which only occurs in the manga from chapters 393-395 and was not adapted in InuYasha The Final Act.

Error

 * Despite erasing everything from the Red Bone Palace in the previous episode, Moroha ended up getting her hands on Tōkotsu's skull.