Episode 29 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Girl Named Rion is the twenty-ninth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime, and the 5th episode of the second season titled "The Second Act."

Synopsis

 * 1) Rion reveals that she died 600 years prior, but her soul is being kept on this plane of existence by her father Kirinmaru. Setsuna severs the which tethers a Dream Butterfly to Rion, thus allowing her to move freely away from Mount Musubi.
 * 2) The Kyūyōkon Root transforms into the Star-Slicer Flute, which then transforms into the Zanseiken, Towa's new sword.
 * 3) Sesshōmaru destroys Setsuna's Dream Butterfly, allowing her to sleep again. However, doing so puts Rin's life in danger as Zero's Silver Scale Curse is back in effect.

Summary
Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that she is Kirinmaru's daughter and introduces herself. Setsuna asks Rion that she's Kirinmaru's daughter. Rion offers the Kyuyokon Root and tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that it's right here and to take it. Rion explains to Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that this is the Kyuyokon Root as many apparitions have come here seeking it but they were all swallowed up by the barrier and disappeared and it's the ultimate weapon as it can absorb and expel unlimited amounts of demon power as it is the one thing that her father Kirinmaru fears and she offers this to them. Towa asks Rion was she sure about letting them have the Kyuyokon Root. Moroha tells Rion that it's going to put Kirinmaru at a disadvantage. Rion explains to Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that Kirinmaru cannot be satisfied unless he takes on the strongest opponent and this strongest opponent must one have the strength to successfully break through the barrier at Mount Musubi and two possess a kind heart to understand what to protect and what to let go of. Towa asks Rion is that them. Rion confirms this with Towa and tells her, Setsuna, and Moroha that she implores them to slay her father Kirinmaru. Somewhere in Mount Musubi, demons wonders if it's that Sesshomaru's daughter entered the mountain as there's no mistake as the place reeks with the smell of a hanyo but no one should be able to enter this place and agrees. A sword pierces the ground near the demons, who looked to see Riku in a tree. Riku tells the demons that he seems to run into brutes everywhere. One of the demons asks Riku who was he. Riku jumps from the tree and stands on the sword. Riku tells the demons that walking around wearing nothing but loin clothes as it's such poor taste and they can't have an audience with the Hanyo Princess in that get up. The demons become annoyed and questioned Riku how dare he as they'll get rid of him first as they tried to attack him. Riku smirks before he slays the demons with the sword. Riku says even the way the demons die is in poor taste. Riku looks up at the night sky and says Towa as he cannot enter Mount Musubi but rest assured that until she takes possession of the Kyuyokon Root. More demons from the shadows. Riku says he will hold off the small-fry demons. Inside Mount Musubi, Towa questions Rion that Kirinmaru is her actual father and does she really want them to kill him. Rion confirms this with Towa. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that she is already dead. Towa becomes surprised and asks Rion that she's dead. Rion explains to Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that she lost her life almost 600 years ago however Kirinmaru refused to accept her death and since then her soul has been trapped in this astral body and sealed here in Mount Musubi and Kirinmaru used the Dream Butterfly and forced her to meet him in dreams. Towa questions Rion all this time for 600 years. Setsuna tells Rion that she's been restrained even after death. Moroha tells Rion talk about sheltering your daughter too much. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that Kirinmaru's selfishness has been unbearable to her and to free her soul and send her to the afterlife and put a stop to her father's ambition to annihilate everything by turning this world into the Degenerate Age as Kirinmaru has traveled to every corner except for one place beyond space and time. Moroha questions Rion about beyond space and time. Towa wonders does Rion mean the future she was living in. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha to that end Kirinmaru intends to find and capture a spirit named Akuru so he can move the Windmill of Time but if he does so it is said that the world of the living will cease to exist. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha become surprised. Setsuna tells Rion that's what the Degenerate Age is about. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that the flowers, trees, insects, animals and all the things she loves in this world will instantly disappear. Towa tells Moroha no way. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that is the one thing she wants to stop Kirinmaru from doing no matter what it takes. Towa goes over and hugs Rion on the scale. Rion becomes surprised. Towa tells Rion so much pain. Towa almost falls off the scale as she can't touch Rion. Towa continues to tearfully hug Rion and tells her that she's been burdened with so much pain and forced to bear it for 600 years all by herself and how lonely she must've been. Rion questions Towa that she shed tears for someone like her. Setsuna tells Towa to not be so trusting as Rion is Kirinmaru's daughter. Towa tells Setsuna why should something like that matter. Rion tells Towa that she is a kindhearted person. Towa stops hugging Rion. Towa tells Rion to cheer up as they'll find a way to save her. Rion smiles. Setsuna suddenly notices the red thread of fate and her Yukari no Tachikiri begins to activate. Setsuna wonders is that the red thread of fate. Rion tells Setsuna that she doesn't believe it and wonders she can see the thread of fate she shares with someone close to her. Setsuna tells Rion since wielding the Yukari no Tachikiri she's begun to see something like threads and wonders where does that connect to. Rion tells Setsuna that she believes the thread of fate is probably connected to her father Kirinmaru and the thread is the evil bond with him that has continued for 600 years and to sever it. Setsuna tells Rion that she's never done something like this. Rion tells Setsuna if she does so she will be able to set out into the afterlife. Towa becomes surprised and asks Rion that she's going to die. Rion tells Towa that she died a long time ago. Rion tells Setsuna to do it as she's sure this will put a stop to Kirinmaru's tyranny. Setsuna agrees with Rion. Towa steps away from Rion. Setsuna walks toward Rion, who is praying, before she looks up at the red thread of fate. Setsuna thinks to herself if she can't even cut this she probably will never be able to sever the fate shared between her mother Rin and Zero either. Setsuna says it's all or nothing as she just have to try before she uses her Yukari no Tachikiri to cut the thread of fate. A Dream Butterfly has been sliced. Moroha questions about the Dream Butterfly. Setsuna tells Rio to forgive her as her aim was off. Rion tells Setsuna not at all. Towa wonders could it be Setsuna's Dream Butterfly. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha this is her Dream Butterfly as it is what Kirinmaru used to bind her to Mount Musubi. At his ship, Kirinmaru wakes up and calls out to Rion then wonders was she saying that she finds her father's love annoying. At Mount Musubi, Setsuna wonders she is not proficient enough yet. The cocoon falls apart. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna that the cocoon fell apart. A doll appears from the ask and grave soil. Towa wonders what is that. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that the doll is the vessel for her soul made from her bones and grave soil. Moroha questions Rion that she was locked away in a thing like that for 600 years. Rion confirms this with Moroha. Kirinmaru's aura have appeared from the cocoon and repeatedly calls out to Rion and he tells her that it's dangerous for her to leave it there and to be good and go back inside the cocoon as she must not leave Mount Musubi. Kirinmaru forces Rion back to into the doll. The doll glows. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna that Kirinmaru forced Rion back inside. Towa calls out to Rion. The doll's eyes and mouth are glowing. Rion tells Kirinmaru that she has already escaped his shackles and she will move to get away from here as she will defy fate and she will use this body made of bones and grave soil and she will rise again. The doll's head is cracking before Rion used her youkai power to transform it into a physical body. Rion tells Kirinmaru that she will walk on her own strength. Rion use the Kyuyokon Root to dismantle the barrier. In the storm, Sesshomaru and Jaken are in the sky. Jaken notices Akuru. Jaken tells Sesshomaru that it's Akuru. Sesshomaru tells Jaken to ignore Akuru. Jaken wonders to himself what does Sesshomaru intend to do about Kirinmaru's request. Sesshomaru flies faster. Rion tells Kirinmaru to begone. Rion begins to use the Kyūyōkon Root to dismantle the barrier on Mount Musubi. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha shield their eyes. Setsuna says so much demon energy. Rion says undo the barrier. The Kyuyokon Root produces the Hoshikiri no Fue as the barrier around Mount Musubi disappears. Towa says the barrier disappeared. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha watch Rion plays Star-Slicer Flute. Towa calls out to Rion. Rion cries and thinks to herself of farewell Kirinmaru. In a flashback, Rion is happily flying on Kirinmaru's back. Kirinmaru tells Rion to take a good look as the world is made of a single sphere. Rion excitedly looks around as Kirinmaru continues to fly. Rion thinks to herself that she has had more than her fill as she stops playing the Star-Slicer Flute. Rion walks over to Towa and tells her to let her present this to her once more as it is the Star-Slicer Flute created from the Kyuyokon Root. Towa becomes surprised as she accepts the Star-Slicer Flute. Towa tells Rion that the Star-Slicer Flute is just a flute. Rion tells Towa that she will understand once she plays it. Towa looks at the Star-Slicer Flute. Rion tells Towa that in exchange she has a favor to ask to allow her to journey with her. Moroha tells Rion that sure as they all say in traveling a fellow traveler in life compassion. Towa welcomes Rion. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha thank you very much but they're not out of the woods yet. Setsuna tells Towa, Moroha, and Rion the evil demon energy that shrouded the entire mountain until a moment ago amassed in one spot and it's heading this way. The Demon Spirit Beast appeared. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that's a demon spirit beast. Setsuna questions Rion about the demon spirit beast. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that Kirinmaru must have had it ready just in case and if they try to escape Mount Musubi it will attack. Setsuna tells Towa, Moroha, and Rion that they have to destroy demon spirit beast as she prepares to fight. Moroha says easy enough as she takes out her Kurikaramaru. The Demon Spirit fires an attack at Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion, who dodged it. Moroha says such intense power. Setsuna says here it comes. The Demon Spirit Beast fires multiple blasts at Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion. Towa carries Rion on her back as she, Setsuna, and Moroha run away. Setsuna tells Towa, Moroha, and Rion the demon spirit beast is just attacking recklessly.

Moroha tells Towa, Setsuna, and Rion no timing or technique at all. Setsuna says this is a vicious opponent. The Demon Spirit Beast continues to fire multiple blasts at Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion. Towa asks Rion was she okay. Rion tells Towa to play the Star-Slicer Flute. Towa becomes confused then complies with Rion. Towa puts Rion down and she plays the Star-Slicer Flute before it turns into the Zanseiken. Rion tells Towa that she believes she is worthy of wielding the legendary Zanseiken. Towa question about the Zanseiken. Rion explains to Towa that the Zanseiken is a blade that pairs with the Bakuseiken wielded by Kirinmaru as in ancient times Amatsumikaboshi the god of stars bequeathed two swords and she heard that the Bakuseiken and the Zanseiken were those swords. Towa tells Rion this the Zanseiken. Setsuna tells Towa that here the demon spirit beast comes. Towa runs towards the demon spirit beast. The Demon Spirit Beast fires an attack at Towa. Towa absorbs the demon spirit beast's attack with the Zanseiken. Towa says amazing as this is the power of the Kyuyokon and she can feel demon power building up rapidly. Moroha tells Setsuna that Towa is about to steal their thunder. Setsuna tells Moroha that she can't lose to Towa. Towa tells Setsuna and Moroha to let her do this herself. Moroha agrees with Towa. Towa uses her Twin Azure Dragon Wave attack to defeat the Demon Spirit Beast. Rion watches from behind a rock. Towa gives Setsuna and Moroha a hi-five in celebration. Rion tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that was amazing and with such power it will be possible to bring down her father Kirinmaru. Moroha tells Rion that she wouldn't be so sure as Kirinmaru was way more powerful than that demon spirit beast just now. Towa tells Moroha that they might stand a better chance this time. Moroha asks Towa didn't she learn anything from the last fight. Moroha tells Setsuna to tell Towa. Setsuna tells Moroha that she suppose but she was killed by Kirinmaru so who was she to say otherwise. Rion tells Setsuna that she apologizes on behalf of Kirinmaru. Towa tells Rion to stop that and wonders why should she bear the blame for Kirinmaru's sins. Rion becomes surprised at Towa. Towa questions Rion that didn't she make up her mind to confront Kirinmaru with her own strength. Rion agrees with Towa. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna okay then as they got what they came here for and to let's go home. Towa and Setsuna agree with Moroha. Moroha says she's starving. Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion leave Mount Musubi as Rion is being carried by Towa. Setsuna senses demons nearby. Sesshomaru and Jaken appeared. Towa calls out to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru asks Setsuna that the Yukari no Tachikiri has she learned to wield some of its powers. Setsuna tells Sesshomaru no as she still misread the target. Sesshomaru tells Setsuna that he sees as it seems she lacks resolve before he pulls out his Tenseiga. Moroha questions Sesshomaru about the Tenseiga and wonders what was he planning to do. The Dream Butterfly emerges from Setsuna. Towa questions the Dream Butterfly that's been stealing Setsuna's sleep. Rion was surprised to see the Dream Butterfly appear from Setsuna. Setsuna asks Sesshomaru what is going on. Jaken explains to Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion the Dream Butterfly that possessed Setsuna was delivering sleep and dreams to Rin as it is what kept her alive by holding the Silver Scale Curse in check. Sesshomaru tells Setsuna that if he cut the Dream Butterfly down she will be able to sleep again but also Rin will be covered by the scales of the curse and soon die. Towa becomes surprised. Sesshomaru asks Setsuna well. Setsuna tells Sesshomaru that she wants to save Rin. After expresses Setsuna wish to save Rin, Sesshōmaru destroys the Dream Butterfly with his Tenseiga. In the Sacred Tree, Rin continues to sleep as the Silver Scale Curse is back in effect and she sheds a tear. Sesshomaru turns away and tells Setsuna that now she will be able to sleep however there is no time for that. Setsuna asks Sesshomaru how can she break the silver-scale curse. Sesshomaru tells Setsuna that it is up to her. Sesshomaru asks Moroha was she able to meet Inuyasha. Moroha becomes confused and asks Sesshomaru how did he know. Sesshomaru tells Moroha that he sees before he flies away. Jaken tells Sesshomaru to wait for him before he follows after him. Setsuna looks at her Yukari no Tachikiri and says it's up to her. Near a river, Riku kills an oni and says guess that's about it. Riku is standing on the mountain corpses of oni. As Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha head back to Kaede's village with Rion, Towa sees Riku. Towa calls out to Riku. Riku asks Towa how has she been. Rion asks Riku was that him. Riku becomes surprised and tells Rion it can't be before he moves closer. Towa sets Rion down. Rion ran to Riku and called out to him before she hugged him. Riku asks Rion but how. Rion tells Riku this is an artificial body and it's been ages. Riku and Rion stop hugging. Rion asks Riku how he has been. Riku going to answer Rion but he turned away. Riku tells Rion no and to not look at him and if she shows herself to her then Kirinmaru will see her as well. Rion tells Riku that's all over. Towa steps forward and asks Riku is that true. Riku confirms this with Towa and says everything he sees and hear gets back to Kirinmaru. Towa places her hand on Riku's shoulder and asks him it gets passed on to Kirinmaru. Riku confirms this with Towa before he turns around. Towa grabs Riku's face and starts to lean forward. Riku becomes nervous and questions Towa. Towa shouts to Kirinmaru through Riku can he hear her as they freed Rion who he locked away inside Mount Musubi and if he got a problem with that then come and get them. Setsuna, Moroha, and Rion were shocked. Setsuna calls out to Towa. Moroha becomes nervous. Towa shouts to Kirinmaru through Riku that they won't run or hide and they'll fight him anytime and got that. At his ship, Kirinmaru says it's interesting. Riku tells Towa that was magnificent however he will take care of Rion for a short while. Towa becomes confused at Riku. Rion tells Riku if he's unable to move about freely then he'll only become a hindrance to Towa. Riku tells Rion there is no need to worry before he uses his sword-earring for a boat to appear. Riku tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that he and Rion will go on ahead and wait for them. Towa asks Riku really. Riku asks Rion may he. Rion becomes confused. Riku picks Rion up. Riku tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that now if they'll excuse him and Rion. Riku took Rion on the boat and placed her down. The boat starts to sail. Riku tells Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha that they shall meet again as he waves to them. Setsuna starts to feel drowsy. Towa tells Riku okay as she waves back. Rion waves to Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha as she and Riku leave. Towa says and there Riku and Rion go. Setsuna instantly collapses. Towa and Moroha become surprised. Moroha calls out to Setsuna. Towa kneels to Setsuna and asks her what happened. Setsuna tells Towa and Moroha that she can't stand up straight. Towa asks Setsuna did she get hurt somewhere. Towa and Moroha watch Setsuna falls asleep. Towa tells Setsuna to pull herself together as she repeatedly calls out to her. Moroha realizes and says so that's it. Towa asks Moroha what's wrong with Setsuna. Moroha tells Towa that Setsuna fell asleep. Towa questions Moroha about falling asleep. Moroha asks Towa remember Sesshomaru cut Setsuna's Dream Butterfly just now and so. Towa questions Moroha that Setsuna's not going to wake up again. Moroha tells Towa of course Setsuna will. Towa tells Setsuna that she's so glad as she can sleep now and repeatedly calls out to her. Moroha tells Towa that Setsuna's finally able to get some sleep so leave her be.

Trivia

 * While Kirinmaru and Rion travel around the world, the building of in  is seen before the ruins in the modern era.
 * The way Rion rises again with a body made of bones and grave soil is the same way the spiritless Kikyō did when she was forced to return to life.
 * After Setsuna cuts the red thread of destiny between Rion and Kirinmaru to cut Rion's Dream Butterfly, she saw the Dream Butterfly out of her for the first time since Towa saw it in "Secret of the Rainbow Pearls", and "Wielding the Tenseiga".
 * Setsuna's ability to sleep finally returns after Sesshōmaru cuts the Dream Butterfly with Tenseiga. However, as a result, the silver-scale curse cast upon Rin by Zero starts up again.
 * When Kirinmaru shows Rion around the world, they flew over the to see the  before the second  from the  in 1281 as Tōga fight against Hyōga of his clan.
 * Towa has been shown to know how to play the flute well, which transforms into the almighty Zanseiken, the opposing demonic, stellar sword that is equal to the one wielded by Kirinmaru, the Bakuseiken, which he had used to destroy the Grim Comet's fragment with his incredibly strong Blasting Barrage attack and had fought Beast King Tōga of the West, and eventually the Half-Demon Princesses with several times.
 * Sesshōmaru speaks to his half-niece and calls her by her name for the very first time; mentioning whether she had seen Inuyasha, his younger half-brother and her father, as well. He does not answer her question as to how he knows of her half-dog demon father's imprisonment in the Demon Graveyard.
 * The red thread of fate between Kirinmaru and his daughter Rion is shown to have been connected by several threads; whereas Towa and Setsuna's young human mother Rin's is linked to Zero by just one.
 * This marks the first time Towa announces the name of her strengthened and evolved dragon-based demonic attack she inherited from Sesshōmaru, and that Kirinmaru himself suggested; Twin Azure Dragon Wave.
 * In "The Curse of the Man-Eating Pond", Setsuna was about give Towa a hi-five but was against such childishness until now.
 * How the Bakuseiken and Zanseiken fell to Earth is exactly how the Supreme Power of the Heavens had by diving into the supremely powerful Sunflower and Moonstone in the animated show of the 2010 3D movie Tangled.

Errors

 * Among the places Kirinmaru and Rion flew above is which, however, should not have been there back then as it was built during the 17th century.
 * After she remembers traveling around the world, Rion moved as the Star-Slicer Flute didn't move when she gives it to Towa.
 * After Setsuna severed the thread of fate and Towa gives the message to Kirinmaru, as Kirinmaru is seen resting on the throne, there's missing a symbol on his right arm.

Episodi 29 (Hanyo no Yashahime)