Episode 3 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Dream Butterfly is the third episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis

 * 1) After liberating her adoptive family from an ever-growing gang of bullies, Towa must now defend them from a demon brought from the past. She is aided by the newly-arrived Moroha and Setsuna, and her own growing power.
 * 2) Before they can recover, another demon possesses Towa and pits her against Setsuna. The Higurashi family are put in further danger until Moroha convinces Setsuna to deal with the threat more thoughtfully.
 * 3) Towa learns from Moroha how Setsuna has forgotten her own sister, and vows to recover her happy memories and dreams.

Summary
As Mistress Three-Eyes was about to kill Setsuna, the Goshinboku starts to glow. Root Head says by the power of the Tree of Ages he now returned to this world before suddenly opened up a portal. Moroha becomes confused and wonder what is happening. Mistress Three-Eyes, Setsuna, and Moroha were forcefully sucked into the portal before it disappeared. Later that night in the modern era, Towa and Mei look at the Sacred Tree. Towa picks up a familiar scent from the Sacred Tree and wonders what is it. Mei calls out to Towa. Towa wonders about the smell. Towa calls out to Mei before she quickly moves them to Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi. A portal opens up. Grandpa says how strange. Towa places Mei with Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi before she steps towards the Sacred Tree again. Mei asks Towa what it was. Towa becomes familiar with a scent. The portal reveals Mistress Three-Eyes, along with Setsuna and Moroha. Grandpa, Ms. Higurashi, and Mei become surprised. Towa realizes the unbelievable bright place from her memories and this smell was Setsuna as she remembers. Towa calls out to Setsuna as her silver Rainbow Pearl glows in her left eye. Setsuna wonders who's calling her name. Moroha curses as she feels so weak and wonders if it's because she crossed through the rainbow corridor as she weakly lays down. Mistress Three-Eyes becomes happy that she senses the silver Rainbow Pearl was here as well and now each of her 3 eyes will have a Rainbow Pearl. Upon seeing Setsuna in trouble, Towa runs in to save her from Mistress Three-Eyes with the Kikujūmonji. Towa tells Setsuna that she will save her. Towa tries to slash Mistress Three-Eyes but the Kikujūmonji ends up breaking upon contact of Mistress Three-Eyes's skin, much to Towa's shock. Towa quickly dodges Mistress Three-Eyes's attack. The large broken Kikujūmonji piece lands near Moroha. Towa becomes shocked that the Kikujūmonji broke. Moroha questions Towa did she say Kikujūmonji as it is obviously a fake as the blade pattern's completely different. Towa becomes surprised the Kikujūmonji was a fake. Mistress Three-Eyes repeatedly demands Towa to give her the silver Rainbow Pearl as she releases Setsuna. Setsuna wonders why her body won't move. Towa wonders what Mistress Three-Eyes talking about. Mistress Three-Eyes demands Towa to give her the silver Rainbow Pearl. Towa angrily asks Mistress Three-Eyes how dare she breaks her Kikujūmonji and dare she do that to Setsuna before her silver Rainbow Pearl glows in her left eye. Towa activates her demon powers for the first time by transforming the broken Kikujūmonji into a Demon Energy Blade with silver Rainbow Pearl, shocking both Setsuna and Moroha. Mistress Three-Eyes becomes surprised. Towa impales Mistress Three-Eyes in the chest with her Demon Energy Blade. Moroha couldn't believe Towa created a demon energy blade with her own power. Mistress Three-Eyes fell to the ground in pain. Towa becomes shocked and wonders did she did that. Moroha gets up and asks Towa what was she doing and to hurry up and finish Mistress Three-Eyes. Mistress Three-Eyes stands up. Towa tells Moroha she doesn't think that's possible. Moroha tells Towa this is not the time. Setsuna weakly begins to get up. Mei calls out to Towa. Mistress Three-Eyes charges at Grandpa, Ms. Higurashi, and Mei, shocking Towa. Moroha tells Towa does she see and if she doesn't hurry up Grandpa, Ms. Higurashi, and Mei will get eaten. Ms. Higurashi calls out to Mei. Towa calls out to Mei as she runs to stop Mistress Three-Eyes. Setsuna finishes Mistress Three-Eyes off with her Kanemitsu no Tomoe as she tells her it's nothing personal. Mei tells Setsuna 'thank you' for saving them. Ms. Higurashi tells Setsuna that she saved them and thanks her so much. Setsuna tells Ms. Higurashi and Mei there's no need to thank her as she steps back a bit. Towa approaches Setsuna as she tells her that she's sorry. Setsuna asks Towa how does she know her name. Towa becomes shocked. Setsuna asks Towa who was she. Mistress Three-Eyes's body disappears, leaving only her skeleton. Towa asks Setsuna doesn't she remember her as it's her and she used to call her 'Sis'. Moroha approaches Towa and Setsuna and says that was horrible but she can finally move her body now. Setsuna and Moroha recover their gold and red Rainbow Pearls. Moroha welcomes her red Rainbow Pearl back as she grabs it. The gold Rainbow Pearl enters Setsuna's right eye again. Towa wonders what are they before her silver Rainbow Pearl glows with the gold and red Rainbow Pearls. Grandpa Higurashi says this kind of nostalgic. Ms. Higurashi agrees as it reminds her of the times Inuyasha would could to visit Kagome. Grandpa agrees. Towa smiles warmingly at Setsuna. Moroha asks Setsuna can she keep Mistress Three-Eyes' skull. Setsuna tells Moroha to do as she wished. Moroha complies and wonders about the trip they're having and asks where the heck are they as she looks around to that night in the modern era is as bright as day. Towa apologizes to Setsuna and wonders it's all her fault as it's because she let go of her that day and that's why she's acting this way as she remembers. Towa tries to approach Setsuna, only for her to back away. Towa calls out to Setsuna in confusion. Setsuna tells Towa that she doesn't know her and to not come near her if she value's her life and take even one step and she's dead. Towa approaches Setsuna again. Setsuna tells Towa that she'll kill her before she tries to attack her with her Kanemitsu no Tomoe as her gold Rainbow Pearl glows for a moment, only for Towa to dodge it. Setsuna tells Towa to stop dodging. Towa tells Setsuna 'no' as she looks like she's seriously out to hurt her. Setsuna tells Towa that's because she was. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna to cut it out. Moroha tells Setsuna to stop acting like a kid and wonders what's the harm in letting Towa near her. Setsuna tells Moroha to silence. Moroha introduced herself to Towa and her bounty hunter friends call her 'Moroha the Demon Killer' and asks her what was her name. Towa introduces herself to Moroha as 'Towa Higurashi'. Moroha asks Towa is she's really Setsuna's sister. Towa confirms it with Moroha as she and Setsuna got separated in the forest fire 10 years ago. Moroha tells Setsuna that Towa confirms it. Setsuna says she's been alone since birth. Moroha tells Setsuna that she and Towa are both hanyōs. Setsuna tries to attack Moroha with her Kanemitsu no Tomoe, who manages to block it with her sword sheath. Moroha tells Setsuna that she can tell just from her demon energy and confirms with her as she calls her 'Setsu'. Setsuna becomes annoyed. Moroha asks Sesuna why else would a Rainbow Pearl dwell inside her eye as she pushes the Kanemitsu no Tomoe back. Moroha tells Towa she's also a hanyō as well. Towa asks Moroha what was a hanyō. Moroha explains to Towa that a hanyō is someone born between demon and a human and she and Setsuna share really similar demon energy and even if you're the child of a great demon having human blood halves your powers and she's guessing that's what bothers Setsuna the most. Moroha smells Towa and tells her that if she's not mistaken her father is the great demon Sesshōmaru and tries to confirm it. Towa asks Moroha who is Sesshōmaru. Moroha asks Setsuna if she knows. Setsuna tells Moroha she doesn't know Sesshōmaru as she's never met him.

In the Feudal era, Kaede tells Kohaku, Hisui, and the other demon slayers that Setsuna is Sesshōmaru's daughter in her hut. Hisui becomes surprised as it would make Setsuna a hanyō and wonders that's the reason she's so powerful. Kaede explains 14 years ago Sesshōmaru came to the village and took his newborn twins with him and that was the last she saw of them until one day Setsuna came to her and told her that it was 'a rite of courage and cowardice'. In a flashback, Kaede was walking to her hut until she sees a 10 year old Setsuna, surprising her. Setsuna tells Kaede that she'll be in her care for a while. Kohaku questions Kaede about the 'rite of courage and cowardice'. Kaede explains a lion is said to push their cubs into the bottomless ravine, and raise only the ones strong enough to crawl back up on their own as it is known as the rite of courage and cowardice. Hisui wonders if that's what Sesshōmaru is doing to Setsuna. Kaede says it's possible though she can't say for certain. Kohaku says Sesshōmaru used to help him a lot back when he was a kid but even then it was difficult to understand his true intentions. Hisui tells Kaede that she said 'twins' and wonders if there's another child out there. Kaede wonders but being uninformed hanyōs as it's very possible that Setsuna may have already killed the other out of hate. Hisui becomes surprised. Setsuna prepares to fight Towa and tells her if she truly is her older sister then prove it to her with her strength. Towa tells Setsuna that she doesn't need to prove anything because she's not wrong. Setsuna tells Towa empty words mean nothing to her. A parasitic root demon secretly comes out of the ground. Moroha tells Setsuna to come on and cut it out already. Setsuna tells Moroha to be quiet. Moroha says to Setsuna that she's so stubborn. Setsuna tells Moroha to shut up. Whilst Setsuna and Moroha were in conversation, Towa notices something before she was taken over by a parasitic root demon, surprising them. Towa's Silver Rainbow Pearl glows for a moment. Setsuna questions what is that. Moroha realizes it's the Hitokon that chose Towa as its host. Towa activates her Energy Blade. Moroha calls Towa 'pathetic' as this is what happens when you let your guard down. Towa tries to attack Setsuna and Moroha, who were able to dodge. Ms. Higurashi calls out to Towa in confusion. Mei tells Towa to stop it. Moroha approaches Grandpa, Ms. Higurashi, and Mei and tells them that's not the Towa they know and love anymore and they should go hide somewhere. Ms. Higurashi complies before she and Mei go somewhere safe. Moroha tells Grandpa that he has too as well, who complies as he follows Ms. Higurashi and Mei.

Moroha says to herself that the Hitōkon itself is nothing special but the problem is it can control the powers of its host as it's so annoying. Ms. Higurashi realizes Moroha looks just like her. Mei asks Ms. Higurashi look like who. Ms. Higurashi tells Mei that Moroha's eyes looks just like Kagome's. Towa charges at Setsuna as she tries to attack her, Setsuna was able to dodge Towa's attack. Moroha becomes amazed. Setsuna becomes impressed before she moves at Towa. Towa follows after Setsuna. Setsuna realizes that's Towa's demon power and she'll treat her as a worthy opponent. Moroha tells Setsuna to get real and wonders if she's really going to kill her sister. Setsuna tells Moroha anyone who opposes her is an enemy of her before she uses Cyclone Burst. Towa destroys Setsuna's Cyclone Burst with her energy blade, surprising Setsuna and Moroha. Towa tries to strike Setsuna but was blocked by Moroha's Crimson Dragon Wave. Setsuna tells Moroha to not interfere. Moroha asks Setsuna if she's a demon slayer then shouldn't she at least have medicine to weaken the Hitōkon. Setsuna stays silent. Towa charges at Setsuna and tries to attack her multiple times as all of her attacks are blocked. Setsuna uses Scourge of Swallows on Towa, who was able to block them with her energy blade. Setsuna charges at Towa as she tries to attack her, but Towa was able to dodge it.

Mei calls out to Towa, who sees her. Mei asks Towa was she okay and to wake up. Moroha asks Mei what was she doing. Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi run towards Mei as they call out to her. Hitōkon leaves Towa and decides to control Mei, making Towa faint and fall down. Ms. Higurashi calls out to Mei as she and Grandpa run towards her but stopped when they see Hitōkon on her face. Moroha realized Hitōkon transferred to Mei. Towa weakly calls out to Mei. Mei picks up a rock and walked towards Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi, who back away. Ms. Higurashi asks what's wrong. Grandpa wonders if Mei's being controlled and tells her to get it together. Setsuna tells Mei to stop right there. Mei looks at Setsuna.

Setsuna tells Hitokon that it's figured a child would be easier to control but it's foolish. Grandpa asks Setsuna what was she doing. Setsuna tells Grandpa to not worry as she will cut out the Hitōkon and prepares to remove it. Towa tells Setsuna that she can't before jumps in between her and Mei. Towa tells Setsuna that she won't let her scar Mei's face before she activates her energy blade towards Setsuna to protect Mei. Moroha becomes interested. Towa tells Setsuna that she can't trouble this family more than she already has. Setsuna tells Towa she has such naivete. Towa asks Setsuna what did she say until she notices Mei hitting her with a rock, making Towa sad. Towa unactivates her energy blade and embraces Mei in an attempt to calm her down as she tells her this is all her fault and she's so sorry. Setsuna tells Towa as long as she's alive she'll always trouble someone. Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi goes towards Towa and Mei. Grandpa tells Mei to stop it. Ms. Higurashi calls out to Mei. Towa tells Grandpa and Ms. Higurashi that it's fine before she tells Mei it'll be okay. Setsuna uses her Moon of the Resting Moth, making Grandpa, Ms. Higurashi, Towa, and Mei fall asleep on the ground. Setsuna and Moroha appear near Towa and Mei. Moroha asks Setsuna did she kill them. Setsuna tells Moroha a resting moth's powder only puts one to asleep. Setsuna looks at Mei as she remembers her smiling and thanking her for saving her life from Mistress Three-Eyes. Setsuna says right before she uses slayer potion to kill Hitōkon. Moroha tells Setsuna she did had some slayer potion and wonders about the Hitōkon as the bounty for it is pretty small but maybe it'll be enough for lunch. Moroha asks Setsuna what's wrong.

In the Feudal era, Kaede questions that Mistress Three-Eyes, Setsuna, and Moroha vanished near the Sacred Tree. Kohaku confirms it and asks Hisui to show Kaede. Hisui complies and explains he found this attached to the root of the Sacred Tree. Kaede realizes that's Root Head. Kohaku realizes as he knew he had seen it before. Kohaku tells Hisui that Root Head is a demon they've slain back when he was a baby. Kaede realizes that if Root Head really did attach itself to the Sacred Tree then this could be a problem. Hisui questions if a demon's tree root can absorb the powers of it's host like the Hitōkon. Kaede agrees and explains attached itself to the Tree of Ages of all things. Hisui wonders about the Tree of Ages. Kohaku explains he's heard of the Sacred Tree being called the Tree of Ages but wonders why. Kaede asks Kohaku does he know about the Bone Eater's Well. Kohaku asks Kaede if she was referring to the well Inuyasha and Kagome used to travel through. Kaede says it's been 15 years since it's become defunct but according to Kagome that well had the power to travel across time. Kohaku questions about travelling across time. Kaede explains Kagome and Inuyasha simply described it as going to 'the other world'. Hisui wonders about the other world. Kaede explains that the well was made using wood from the Tree of Ages and if Root Head was attached to the Tree of Ages then it may have absorbed the Tree of Ages' ability to cross into the other world. Kohaku and Hisui become shocked. Kohaku realized Setsuna and the others may have gone to. Kaede says to Tokyo the village Kagome originally came from. Hisui asks Kaede can Setsuna and Moroha even come back from a place like that. Kaede tells Hisui she's afraid it would be no easy task.

In the Modern Era at the Higurashi family's apartment, Towa is asleep as Setsuna watches her. Moe asks Sōta if Towa is asleep. Sōta tells Moe 'yes' as Towa said she was really tired. Moe says things sure have taken an interesting turn. Sōta laughs before he questions Moe he's told her about that demons were real. Moe tells Sōta she's always believe him as it's fine and all but wonders about the Kikujūmonji as it was on loan from the museum. Sōta laughs before he asks Moe what should they do. Mei calls out to Sōta. Moe tells Sōta what's done is done as they'll just have to keep holding onto it. Mei tells Moe to listen and wonders about Towa as they had a lot of trouble out there and she really had some amazing powers. Sōta says he would be lying if he said he didn't know. Moe tells Sōta that Towa will be just fine as she's always been the center of chaos and wonders if the problem is actually those girls who came from the other era. Moroha steps out of the bathroom naked without a care as says that felt great as she's never in her life splashed hot water over her head. Moe tells Moroha that's great and it's getting late then asks about her turning in for the night. Moe covers Sōta's eyes as Mei blushes. Moroha tells Moe 'thanks' as she'll do just that. Moroha walks away as she says that felt great. Sōta tells Moe according to his mother, Moroha might be Kagome's daughter. Moe uncovers Sōta's eyes as she tells him that would mean Moroha's their relative. Sōta agrees with Moe. Moe tells Sōta it'll be fine if Setsuna and Moroha stayed there for awhile. Sōta tells Moe that he doesn't mind. Mei becomes happy as she has 3 older sisters now.

Setsuna looks out a window as Towa continues to sleep. Moroha tells Setsuna to just accept it already as Towa had that much demon power. Towa wakes up. Moroha tells Setsuna that Towa can't be lying about being her older twin sister. Setsuna tells Moroha that she doesn't have any memories of when she was younger and it's not something she can simply accept as there's no way someone who indulges in slumber like that can be her sister. Moroha tells Setsuna that she knew it and wonders if she's never fallen asleep before. Towa becomes shocked. Moroha was the one who knew. Setsuna tells Moroha that falling asleep leaves you open wide open to attack as it's common sense in the warring age. Moroha tells Setsuna 'no' as that's not it as it's not that she won't fall asleep it's because she can't fall asleep and to not act like that she doesn't know as she's got her dreams eaten by the Dream Butterfly. Setsuna asks Moroha if her dreams were eaten. Moroha explains to Setsuna the Dream Butterfly is an annoying curse as it's a butterfly in the dream world has escaped over to this world and now she can never fall asleep let alone ever have dreams ever again. Towa becomes shocked as she thinks to herself that Setsuna can't fall asleep and she can't dream but she was fine back then and all of this because she let go of her hand and believes it's all her fault, feeling a deep sense of guilt. Moroha tells Setsuna she guesses she also tested the resting moth's powder on herself and she has no memories of her childhood because they were also stolen by the Dream Butterfly as she gets closer to her. Setsuna questions Moroha what of it as in the warring age it works to her advantage. Moroha becomes interested. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna and Moroha look at Towa. Towa steps on the floor as she looks at Setsuna.

Trivia

 * Kaede reveals that the Bone-Eater's Well stopped working over 15 years ago. Since this well stopped working after the final return of Kagome Higurashi to the Feudal era, this means that Hisui must now be in his late teens.
 * The episode reveals that Moroha somehow knows about Sesshōmaru's paternity, but has no idea that he is her half-uncle, Inuyasha and Kagome are her parents, and Towa and Setsuna are her half-cousins. The twins also don't have information about their roots for unknown reasons, and Towa didn't even know the term "half-demon" until this day.
 * It turns out that Setsuna has after the mysterious fire that separated her from Towa. Moroha also reveals that her half-cousin is under the curse of the Dream Butterfly that has consumed Setsuna's dreams and . However, it is not yet known whether these two events happened to Setsuna at the same time or not.
 * The origin of the Bone-Eater's Well is revealed, it was made from the wood of the Sacred Tree. That's why this well once have allowed time travel. This is also the first time this has been confirmed in the anime from the franchise's creator, as this information about the well was previously only reported in the first InuYasha movie.
 * Kohaku reveals that the Sacred Tree is also called the Tree of Ages. Not to be confused with the other tree of same name that Menōmaru once used.
 * The way that Kaede describes Sesshōmaru's "Rite of Courage and Cowardice" is similar to the performance "Renjishi".