Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi

Synopsis

Inside the painting they set off to find the rainbow spiritual power that will lead them to the branch. Ranmaru tries to scout ahead but his spiritual energy is so drained he reverts to his Ayakashi form, a small red puppy, and has to drink Aoi's hot cocoa to recover. Ginji finds a book about Umi-bouzo. His job was to manage the miasma caused by the Yokai and humans in the Eternal Realm, until humans imprisoned him in the ocean. Ginji tells Aoi 300 years ago they also needed a Hourai Gem Branch which Raiju promised to provide. However, Raiju insulted Princess Iso, tricking Ginji into defending her and insulting Raiju who then withheld the Branch. This led to the ceremony's failure and Princess Iso's death. Ginji wants to reconcile with Ranmaru but does not know how. Aoi finally asks Ginji if he was her childhood Ayakashi, but before he can answer they are surrounded by fog which projects an illusion of Princess Iso. They race to find Ranmaru in time to stop the fake Iso leading him over a cliff. Aoi accidentally falls over instead, forcing Ranmaru to jump and catch her. At the bottom Ranmaru expresses his belief Ginji would be happy if the fall had killed him, though Aoi assures him Ginji still thinks of him as family. She reveals she has Iso's bracelet and that Iso told her to cook the Ocean Treasure. Ranmaru is so moved he cries for a moment. At the mountain they find the fully grown Hourai Tree. Ginji also arrives and is so happy he reverts to his baby fox form so he can hug Ranmaru in his puppy form. Aoi retrieves a branch then signals Byakuya to bring them back. As they are leaving Aoi sees Odanna congratulating her on a job well done, though it may have been another illusion. With the Gem Branch now found the Orio-ya staff begin preparing the ceremony right away. Kai and Mei tell Aoi they are refusing to cook the Ocean Treasure and want her do it instead.

(Source: Wikipedia)