I do not own Inuyasha. Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I only own Kaori.
Recap of the story till now. Images from the previous episode are shown.
Kaori: (narrating) Half-demon Inuyasha covets the power of the Sacred Jewel. He was able to take possession of Tetsusaiga, his father's sword, and defeat Sesshomaru in battle. But this only makes him more determined to become a full-fledged demon. Priestess Kaede warns me to make sure that Inuyasha doesn't find all the fragments and disappear.
Cut to the previous episode when Kaori pushed Inuyasha to the middle of the bridge after he mocked her.
Kaori:(narrating) Not to worry! Inuyasha may have Tetsusaiga but I also have a potent weapon. Inuyasha, (to Inuyasha) sit!
Inuyasha crashes the bridge violently and onto the river.
[ End of recap: 31sec ]
[ ACT I ]
Daytime, Kaori swims in an idyll pond. She is wearing a bathing suit, while her school clothes, a towel, and a float lie on a nearby rock.
Kaori:(stands up and raises her hands in the air) Oh, this feels so good! Sparkling clear water and clean, fresh air! There's something to be said about this age, after all!
Inuyasha: (resting on a tree nearby) It's been three days since we left the village. Maybe there aren't any fragments of the Sacred Jewel left in Musashi County.
Myoga: (sitting on a branch, looking in the distance) Huh?
Inuyasha: Say, are you listening?!
Myoga: Huh? Oh, you may be right. But my, my... the firm, luscious flesh of young women.
Inuyasha: Hey you!
Myoga: (hops onto Inuyaha's knee) I'm just going to take a peek.
Inuyasha: Stop! You'll only get whacked!
Something flashes past Inuyasha and catches his attention. Inuyasha gets off the tree and chases it, passing by Myoga.
Myoga: See? Master Inuyasha, you can't resist either...
Inuyasha leaps among some trees. Cut to Kaori. She notices something, turns around, and screams. Cut to Inuyasha in midair lying towards her, looking shocked. Inuyasha lands on a rock in the pond and struggles to balance himself.
Inuyasha: What?! I'm not peeking!
Kaori: (points) Get my clothes back!
Inuyasha looks in the direction where Kaori is pointing to. The thing that was flashed past him just now turns out to be a little white baboon. It continues sprinting off. A whistle is heard in the background.
Inuyasha: A finger whistle?
A young man sits under a tree, with his hand over his mouth, whistling. The baboon from just now hops towards him with Kaori's clothes and into his lap.
Man:Here, here...Hiyoshimaru. Good job. (reaches into the bundle of clothes and takes out a brasserie) Th-this...isn't something to eat! (Hiyoshimaru shrieks and slaps his forehead)
Inuyasha: (pops of out a nearby bush, clenching his fists) Hey!
Kaori:(pops out behind Inuyasha) Please return my clothes!
Man:(unsheathes his sword and points it at Inuyasha and Kaori) Wh-who are you?! You look suspicious!
Inuyasha: (kicks the young man in the face) That's our line!
Hiyoshimaru shrieks, raises his arms, and runs around in circles.
[ End of ACT I: 2min 9sec ]
[ Title screen: The Toad Who Would Be Prince ]
[ ACT II ]
The young man sits under a tree, munching on a bag of potato chips ravenously. Hiyoshimaru sits on his shoulder biting into one piece of chip. Kaori kneels next to him, and Inuyasha lies on the curved tree trunk.
Kaori:You really must've been hungry. (holds up her hand) Want some tea?
Man:Uh-huh... (takes the tea and sips)
Kaori: (reaches into her bag and takes out a bag of food) Want something to eat too, Inuyasha?
Inuyasha: No thanks.
Kaori: If you'd help me eat, I'd have less to carry.
Inuyasha: (gets off the trunk and picks up Kaori's bag) Well, why'd you bring so much stuff each time you go back to the well?
Kaori:Well, I have clothes to change into, homework...
Inuyasha: (slouches and closes his eyes) Listen here...
Man: (slaps the empty bag of chips, Hiyoshimaru follows suit) Mmmm... The dried potatoes were delicious. My thanks, woman.
Kaori: My name is Kaori. He's Inuyasha. And...
A sucking sound is heard and the young man slaps his cheek.
Kaori: This is Myoga the Flea...
A flattened Myoga drifts from the young man's cheek towards Kaori.
Man:(worried look, thinking) Who the heck are they...?
Kaori:You said you had become separated from your comrades. Are you from a high-ranking family?
Man:(folds his arms and turns away smugly) For personal reasons, I cannot reveal my lineage. (walks a few steps away and turns around) But call me Nobunaga. (light filtered from the leaves above shines on his face as he smiles)
Kaori:(holds her face with her hands, excited) Nobunaga?! No way! (grabs Nobunaga's hand and shakes it) Please let me shake your hand! And... (flashes out an ink-brush and a piece of paper, and bows her head) Please give me your autograph!
Nobunaga: Autograph?
Kaori:(Nobunagaholds the brush and paper, Kaori pointing) Oh, your name... Please sign your full name.
Nobunaga signs.
Inuyasha: (deadpan) Why are you so excited?
Kaori:He's Nobunaga Oda!! Don't you know him? He's so famous!
Myoga: His full name is not Nobunaga Oda.
Close-up of Nobunaga's signature.
KAG:Nobunaga Amari? No! Aren't you Nobunaga Oda?!
Nobunaga: (folds his arms and scoffs) I belong to the Takeda Clan in the land of Kai. Don't lump me with that cretin from Owari!
Kaori:Cretin?
Nobunaga: I meant fool!
Kaori:(mad) If you're not Nobunaga ODA, why didn't you say so earlier?! (sighs) I got excited for nothing.
Nobunaga: (coughs in an important manner) Ahem... Thanks for the food. I have an important mission, so I'll take my leave. Fare thee well. (walks off)
Inuyasha: Hey, that's...
Nobunaga's scream is heard in the background. Cut to Nobunaga's flat on a slope from where they were, and Hiyoshimaru grabbing onto the surface.
Inuyasha: The ledge...!
Kaori:Such a simpleton but he's not Nobunaga Oda.
Cut to a small village surrounded by mountains. A group of villagers gather.
Villager 1: (worried) Why are all the girls in the domain being taken there?
Villager 2: I heard that none of the girls summoned to the castle have ever returned.
A group of girls walk in a line, with their hands tied up.
Nobunaga: (pops out of a bush) Wh-what...? So the rumors are true!
Inuyasha: (pops out behind with Kaori) Why do we have to keep this guy company?
Kaori:Well... He doesn't seem like someone who can manage.
Inuyasha: (mad) Look, we have to look for the Sacred Jewel!
Villager 3: (whispers to two other villagers) Just between us, I heard that the lord of the castle had been possessed by a demon.
Inuyasha: What?!
Inuyasha, in his excitement, subconsciously steps on Nobunaga's head. Hiyoshimaru shrieks and runs around in circles.
In a castle high up in the mountains. In one of the rooms, a pretty girl kneels and pours some water into a bowl. A Lord, with his head and arms bandaged up, holds up the bowl.
Lord: Princess Tsuyu... Have you adjusted to castle life?
Tsuyu: Yes, I have naught for want.
Lord: I am glad to hear that.
Tsuyu:Err... My lord?
Lord: Yes?
Tsuyu:I understand that you have summoned many of the young village women to the castle... Where are you keeping them?
Lord: (drops his bowl and slams on it) You do not need to know!
Tsuyu:(kowtows) Please pardon me...for being so intrusive!
The lord walks off.
Tsuyu:I'm so frightened. I wish I could go back to the land of Kai.
Nighttime, at the bottom of the mountain of the castle. Inuyasha, Kaori, and Nobunaga look up.
Inuyasha: No mistake about it... (scoffs) This place reeks with the smell of evil. I'm sure we'll find a Sacred Jewel fragment. (squats) Okay, let's take a leap up there! Kagome, hop on my back.
Kaori:(hops onto Inuyasha's back) 'Kay. (Nobunaga follows suit)
Inuyasha: (yells) Hey, why are you jumping on my back?!
Nobunaga: I have business at this castle, too.
Inuyasha: Then climb up yourself.
Kaori:Just take him, too.
Nobunaga: Please!
Inuyasha: Oh well! Hang on tight!
Nobunaga nods, determined. INU leaps up and over the castle fence. They landed. Nobunaga and Kaori get off Inuyasha's back. One guard is sitting by a bonfire and he is asleep. Another guard lies on a staircase, snoring.
Kaori:Such lax security... Everyone's asleep.
Myoga: Master Inuyasha, please be careful. They're under a hypnotic sleep. Probably everyone here in the castle.
Inside the castle.
Nobunaga: (slams open a door and yells loudly) Princess! Princess Tsuyu! Princess Tsuyu! Where are you?!
Nobunaga slams open another door and more people are sleeping inside.
Nobunaga: Nobunaga is here to rescue you! Princess! Princess Tsuyu!
Kaori:Is it safe for him to yell like that?
Inuyasha: Well, everyone's under a hypnotic sleep. With this much noise, I'm sure the demon will come seeking us out.
Nobunaga slams open a door and finds a woman sleeping, face down on the floor.
Nobunaga: Princess! Princess Tsuyu! Are you all right?! (turns over her to find a snoring old woman) Princess, what has become of you?! (cradles her, mock tears flowing)
Kaori:Say, Nobunaga... (referring to Tsuyu who is sleeping nearby) Isn't the princess you're looking for...over here?
Nobunaga: Huh? (notices and plops the old woman onto the floor) Oh!
Myoga: Such a beautiful princess! We must awaken her! (hops onto Tsuyu's cheek) I'll taste her blood!
Tsuyu slaps Myoga and wakes.
Nobunaga: Princess!
Tsuyu:Nobunaga...? Why are you here?
Nobunaga: Princess Tsuyu...you recognize me?
Tsuyu:How could I forget you? You are my childhood friend who was ever so kind to me.
Nobunaga blushes. Hiyoshimaru, on his shoulder, blushes too.
Nobunaga: Oh... Thank you for those words! I thought you had long forgotten a lowly vassal like me. (laughs nervously)
Tsuyu:You'd fallen into the pond...or slip on horse dung...and always made me laugh.
Hiyoshimaru falls off and Nobunaga sighs disappointedly.
Kaori:Say, Inuyasha... Do you think Nobunaga is in love with the princess?
Inuyasha: Keh! What a silly question!
TSU:I wish I could return to those days...! (starts to tear)
Nobunaga: Princess!
Tsuyu:My lord husband began to act strange shortly after I came here as his bride.
CUT-SCENE of the lord stamping along a corridor.
Tsuyu:(voice-over) He fell at the edge of the pond in the garden and ran a terrible fever. He completely changed... Almost like he was another being.
CUT TO PRESENT.
Tsuyu:Nobunaga, what am I to do?!
Nobunaga: You have no choice! You must return with me to the land of Kai. Even your father has heard of this lord's derangement. In fact, he ordered me to come for you.
Tsuyu:My father's orders?
Nobunaga: Even had he not ordered it, I would have...
Tsuyu:Nobunaga...
Nobunaga: Princess Tsuyu, I...
Tsuyu:Nobunaga... On top of your head...
Hiyoshimaru is spinning a bowl on top of Nobunaga's head like a circus clown.
Nobunaga: (clenched fist and mock tears flowing) Hiyoshimaru...!
Inuyasha: (hears the lord's footsteps) Hmm... It's come. Let's go, Kaori.
Kaori:Uh-huh. (follows)
In the corridor.
Lord: Intruders!
Inuyasah: Keh! So there you are, you demon!
The Lord sticks out a long tongue and attacks Inuyasha.
Inuyasha: Let us see your true form!
Inuyasha leaps and slashes away the bandage on the Lord's face. The lord falls back, revealing a large toad masquerading as the lord.
Kaori:A toad?!
Tsuyu:My lord...! (gasps in horror and faints)
Nobunaga: (catches Tsuyu) Princess! Hang on!
The Toad Demon laughs and croaks. A pink glow appears on his right shoulder.
Kaori:I see it... the Sacred Jewel!
Inuyasha: For someone with the Jewel, he doesn't look strong.
Myoga: (hops onto Inuyasha's shoulder) Beware of him, Master Inuyasha. This demon toad is 300 years old...the Toad of Tsukumo. He is a formidable foe!
Inuyasha: Keh! I'll crush him in one blow!
Inuyasha brandishes his claws and leaps at Toad, who burps out a breath of fumes at Inuyasha. Inuyasha is taken aback and falls onto the floor, clenching his neck. Kaori steps back, coughs, and puts a hand over her mouth.
Myoga: (hops onto Kaori's shoulder) Oh no! Toxic vapors! Kaori, do not inhale it!
Kaori:Okay... When'd you get here?
Inuyasha, Nobunaga, and Tsuyu cough. The Toad walks towards Nobunaga and Tsuyu.
Toad: Princess Tsuyu!
Nobunaga: (cradles an unconscious Tsuyu and unsheathes sword) Get back, Monster!
Toad: Fool! Just what can you do, mortal?!
Toad sticks out his tongue. Nobunaga dodges and the tongue pierces his shoulder instead. He yells in pain and falls backward, Tsuyu falling out of his lap.
Kaori:Nobunaga! Princess!
A loud crash is heard. Cut to Toad running across a roof outside with Tsuyu slung over his shoulder.
Nobunaga: (struggles up) Princess!
Kaori:Don't move! You're badly wounded!
Nobunaga: Never mind me! Save the princess!
Kaori:Nobunaga... You truly love the princess, don't you?
Nobunaga: How could you tell?!
Kaori:Don't you know it's pretty obvious?
Inuyasha: (looking through the hole in the wall that Toad burst out of) That disgusting toad! He won't get away!
Tsuyu's scream is heard in the background. Inuyasha runs out of the hole onto the roof.
Inuyasha: I'm going on ahead! Halt!
Kaori:(holds up Nobunaga) W-wait!
In another room. Close-up of Toad laughing in a semi-ribbiting-semi-croaking manner.
Toad: Princess Tsuyu... I like you... Let me have you!
Tsuyu cowers into a corner, frightened. A loud crash is heard and Inuyasha bursts through the door.
Inuyasha: Found you, you repulsive toad!
Inuyasha gasps as he notices Toad caressing a toad-egg-like sphere with Tsuyu trapped, frozen in motion, inside.
Toad: It's too late...
Kaori:(reaches behind Inuyahsa with Nobunaga) Wh-what are these?!
Nobunaga: Princess Tsuyu!
Myoga: The rumors were true... Just like toad spawn. (cut-scene of a lot of eggs with women sealed in them) The Tsukumo toad seals the souls of young women until they mature, then eats them. He used the magical powers of the Sacred Jewel to possess the clan lord, as well as the domain.
Nobunaga: He intends... He intends to devour Princess Tsuyu?! Why you--!
Nobunaga takes out his sword and charges at the toad. The toad balloons up his cheeks, readying another burp of toxic fumes. Inuyasha shoves Nobunaga aside and takes out Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha: A miasma! Back away!
Toad burps out his toxic fumes, but Inuyasha leaps in time and slashes Tetsusaiga downwards, which transforms.
Inuyasha: Die, Toad Demon!
A loud crash is heard.
Kaori:You did it!
Myoga: (proud) Ohh! You're controlling the Tetsusaiga!
Kaori:Well, he is rescuing a human.
Inuyasha: I'll use Tetsusaiga to slit your belly and dig out the Sacred Jewel!
Toad gets up and touches his heavily wounded shoulder.
Toad: I'll die! (raises a hand and yells) Spirits! Spirits!
The eggs behind the Toad of Tsukumo glow and several women float out of their eggs and fly towards him. He opens his mouth wide open and devours the spirits. The wound on his shoulder stops bleeding and closes up.
Toad: (proudly) Revival!
Kaori:His wound has healed! (Thinking) He ate that girl's spirit just to get his wound heal, disgusting!
Inuyasha: Why that...!
Toad: (stands up and says smugly) Keep stabbing me! And for each wound, I'll eat a fresh spirit!
Toad notices something and turns his head. Cut to Nobunaga prying, with his sword, the egg that Tsuyu was sealed in. She flows out with a pile of goo.
Nobunaga: Princess! Princess Tsuyu! Princess!
Tsuyu:(wakes and coughs) Nobunaga! (hugs him) Nobunaga!
Nobunaga: (blushing) Princess Tsuyu! (hugs Tsuyu tightly) I now have no regrets in life! (Hiyoshimaru spins a bowl on top of his head again)
Toad: What're you doing to my princess?! (trotters towards Tsuyu and Nobunaga )
Inuyasha: (slaps the toad on the head with Tetsusaiga) Keep your mouth shut!
The toad falls backward and faints. He wakes and stares in disbelief.
Toad: (in a different, gentle voice) Princess Tsuyu! I... I... (feels his face and looks around) Is this all my doing?
Inuyasha: Huh? It's too late to act innocent!
Tsuyu:That voice... It's the voice of my kind lord husband!
Kaori:I see! The real lord still lives inside the toad! I know it!
Toad: What a frightening thing I have done! Although I was possessed by a toad demon, my heart was still human. But lately, even my heart... Kill me!
Inuyasha: Huh?
Toad: Otherwise, I will end up devouring Princess Tsuyu!
Tsuyu: My lord!
Toad: (cries) I beg you! Slay me now!
Inuyasha: Pretty noble words... I gotta hand it to you, lord! (holds up Tetsusagia) 'Kay then, as you say!
Nobunaga: Hold it, Inuyasha! What about the real lord?!
Kaori:Yes! He still has a human heart!
Inuyasha: Will you stop yapping?! The REAL lord is asking me to slay him! This is no time for silly sentimentality!
Nobunaga: (stands in front of the toad, blocking) Stop! Sheathe your sword, Inuyasha! Inside this monster, the real lord's heart still beats!
Inuyasha: Why you--! (points Tetsusagia at Nobunaga) If you don't move, you'll die, too!
Nobunaga: I can't die.
Inuyasha: Then move.
Nobunaga: I can't do that either! I cannot allow you to kill the monster while the lord's heart beats! Even if he weren't a lord, I despise the taking of life!
Kaori:Nobunaga...
Nobunaga: This may sound naïve considering the times in which we live... Laugh at me if you like. But I still...still...!
Inuyasha: (sheathes Tetsusaiga deliberately) All right! I won't lift another finger. You guys can settle this. (sits down, folds his arms, and sulks) Humph!
Kaori:(glad) Inuyasha... (Thinking) I know he's a good heart.
Toad: (laughs and talks in a different tone) Thanks for sparing me. (stands up, sticks his tongue out, and pierces Nobunaga's shoulder)
Kaori:Nobunaga! The toad demon is back!
Tsuyu:Nobunaga!
Kaori:Inuyasha!
Inuyasha: (still folding his arms) If I help, the lord will die.
Toad: (totters forwards) Princess Tsuyu!
Nobunaga: (struggling) Kaori... Pay me no heed. You must take the princess and escape!
Kaori:All right! Let's go! (grabs Tsuyu's hand and runs off)
Tsuyu:Nobunaga!
The toad totters forward, making slurping noises. He stops and looks downwards. Nobunaga is grabbing onto his feet tightly.
Toad: (kicks Nobunaga aside, next to Inuyasha) Move! (totters out of the room, following Kaori and Tsuyu)
Inuyasha: Fool. Now do you see?
Nobunaga: (winces in pain) Do NOT kill him!
Inuyasha: You!
Nobunaga: Princess...
Inuyasha remains seated and looks pensive in Toad's direction.
Running in the corridor with Tsuyu.
Kaori:Isn't there something we can do?!
Myoga: (hops onto Kaori's shoulder) Though a demon, he's still just a toad. He should have an aversion to heat.
Kaori:Heat?
Myoga: Throw some hot water on him.
Kaori:(stops and stares at Myoga) Hot water?
Myoga: Then the toad will be in agony and the real lord will be released.
Kaori:(shouts) And just how do we get hot water?!
Toad: Stop! (tottering behind)
Kaori:He's coming! (grabs Tsuyu and runs again) Something hot...! I know, fire! Is there something like a large torch?
Tsuyu:Huh? (Hiyoshimaru jumps onto Tsuyu's shoulder)
Kaori:Hiyoshimaru! When'd you appear?!
Hiyoshimaru leaps off Tsuyu's shoulders and sprints forward. While running, Tsuyu trips and falls. Kaori stops and turns around.
Toad: I'll gobble both of you!
Hiyoshimaru hops towards Kaori with a candle in his hands.
Kaori:Fire! Good work, Hiyoshimaru!
Hiyoshimaru leaps onto Kaori's palms and scratches his back.
Kaori:It's too small...
Toad unreels his tongue and attacks Kaori. It hits her bag, causing her to fall onto the floor. The contents of her bag spills out. Toad laughs smugly.
Inuyasha: (leaps from behind Toad) Wait up, repulsive toad! (lands in front of Kaori, facing the toad and with his back facing Kaori)
Kaori:Inuyasha!
Inuyasha: Kaori, the time for niceties is over! I'll gonna get 'im!
Kaori:Niceties? I know...(turns around and notices an aerosol can that spilled out of her bag) Hairspray! It'll work... this will drive the toad out!
Inuyasha: (sprints towards the toad) I'm gonna get 'im!
Kaori:(turns around and shouts) Sit boy!
Inuyasha: (falls flat-faced onto the floor) Wh-what...!
Kaori stands up, holding her hairspray in one hand and the candle in the other. She sprays and a torrent of fire bursts at Toad. He yells in pain, transforms into a tadpole-like form, and flies off.
Kaori:It worked! Inuyasha, get the fragment!
Inuyasha: (gets up) I don't need you to tell me that! Die!
Inuyasha slices the flying tadpole into two with a transformed Tetsusaiga, which dissipates into thin air. The Sacred Jewel fragment falls out and Inuyasha catches it. Inuyasha sheathes tetsusaiga.
Nobunaga: Inuyasha! Inuyasha! (tumbling towards Inuyasha and holding his hand)
Inuyasha: Huh?
Nobunaga: Well done! The lord is alive! You waited until the toad was driven out! Good work! (laughs joyously)
The real lord lies flat-faced on the floor.
Inuyasha: No, I...
Kaori:(gently) Just let him believe that.
Tsuyu:(gets up) Nobunaga...
Nobunaga: (stutters) Princess Tsuyu!
Nobunaga:Nobunaga! (walks forward)
Nobunaga: (shouts happily) Princess Tsuyu! (with outstretched arms)
Tsuyu hugs the real lord tightly instead, who just stands up.
Tsuyu:Thank you for protecting my lord husband!
Lord: Princess Tsuyu!
Nobunaga falls to the floor.
Tsuyu:My lord, you are your old self once more.
The face of the real lord is seen at last. He has a tiny nose, a tiny mouth, and two dots for eyes.
Lord: Forgive me for all that has happened.
Nobunaga's legs twitch.
Kaori:He seems to be a very kind lord.
Inuyashas: (scoffs) Hah!
[ End of ACT II: 19min 33sec ]
[ ACT III ]
Under a tree outside the castle grounds. Kaori and Inuyasha sit on a picnic mat. Nobunaga sits further away, back facing them. Hiyoshimaru sits on his head.
Kaori:The toad demon's spell was broken and all the women have been saved. I'm so glad! So… Please cheer up, Nobunaga.
Inuyasha: I knew it... He IS a first-class fool! He was almost killed, yet he saved the life of his bitter rival in love!
Nobunaga: (bows his head and sighs) That's true... I am the world's biggest fool. (grimaces)
Inuyasha: Oh well... But thanks to you, many were saved. Why not keep it at that?
Nobunaga: (looks at Inuyasha and smiles, and gets up) Okay! I'm feeling quite chipper now! I'm off! (walks off)
Kaori:Off to where?
Inuyasha: Nobunaga, that's...
Nobunaga walks and falls off a ledge.
Inuyasha: The ledge!
Kaori:He really is a fool.
Hiyoshimaru scratches his butt and looks at Nobunaga with Inuyasha and Kaori.