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Rurouni Kenshin The Romance of a Meiji Swordsman Reminiscence Edition
I was seen... What should I do?
Should she be silenced?
Blood...
This aroma.
Second Act "Stray Cat"
Flowers, does anyone need flowers?
I have flowers for sale.
Flowers, does anyone need flowers?
I have flowers for sale.
Oh, is that Himura-san?
Welcome back.
Madam, could you please prepare a room.
Choshu faction can get inconvenient at times. So you want a woman after you committed hitokiri?
Please hurry with that room.
We're thoroughly occupied. You won't find vacancies anywhere.
This isn't an all night teahouse.
Keep her in your room Himura-san while I bring hot water and a change of clothes.
Are you finished?
I'm grateful.
It's nothing. Anyhow, what should we do with this?
Hey,
are you alright?
I'm sorry, I was not sober.
It seemed I was under your care. I was drunk.
Your name?
My name is Tomoe. Yukishiro Tomoe.
Drunk?
Yes.
Oh, you're a new face.
My name is Tomoe.
She sure is beautiful.
Please to meet your acquaintance.
Yo, I heard you were the one who brought that girl back.
Where did you pick her up? She's not bad. There's something going on here.
So how did she taste?
I heard from the Madam.
She stayed at your room last night.
Don't surprise me like that. I swallowed the seed.
You are so antisocial.
That's why
That's why...
What is it?
...I want you to forget what you saw last night and leave this place.
Am I a burden by being here?
Won't your family be worried?
Stray cat.
If I have a home to return to, I wouldn't be drinking alone in the middle of the night...
...did your bleeding stop?
I'm glad.
Isn't this yours?
Yes.
Kyoto's streets are dangerous, this won't be much help.
The best thing for you to do is to find a place to return to. A place where these things aren't necessary.
A place where there are no Hitokiri...
...am I right?
Stray cat?
Yes, do you intend to hire her?
What are you saying? Isn't it you, Himura-san, who brought her here.
Last night was because... ...the circumstance called for it.
Choshu faction is a frequent customer, we, the Kohagi Inn, are very grateful...
...but because of them we've been so busy.
You really are easy to understand. From what I've seen she works hard.
With this and that, anyone has one or two things in their past that they don't want to talk about.
Oh, here you are.
What is it?
Katsura-san and Katagai-san are here.
Maybe it will soften him up a little bit?
Who is she?
Is she the rumored...?
Yes, she is.
I... Izuka-san
I smelled the aroma of a white plum perfume.
Katsura-san.
I didn't say there was anything wrong with it.
Izuka, just in case check out her background.
Yes.
Himura.
Is there something?
We haven't come here to talk about that woman.
You slew someone last night?
Yes, as planned.
Weren't you ambushed on your way back?
It was a pain cleaning the mess up.
Don't take offense, it seems I can't take my eyes off of you for a minute.
Who was your attacker? Just give me your hunch.
Most likely a Shogunate's assassin.
Is it the Shinsen-gumi?
No, I've never seen anything like it before, but if I have to make an assumption...
...a sect of the Oniwa-banshu.
Yes.
Only we internally know the existence of Himura.
And the fact that he waited for you.
There is a traitor among us.
It seems that way.
This is important, so we will do the investigation.
You guys be careful of the Shinsen-gumi. Understand?
Yes.
Himura.
Yes.
Spring is coming to an end.
The flowers of pomegranate have bloomed.
And what?
From her accent and atmosphere it's obvious she isn't from Kyoto.
At the very least, we can tell that she was well brought up. For instance she is skilled in calligraphy.
I'm presuming that she came from a samurai family from Kanto.
But her background doesn't check out. The strange thing is the Yukishiro family doesn't seem to exist.
I've heard there was a lingering scent of white plum in the brothels, but I couldn't find anything.
Did she erase her personal history?
A spy?
Probably not, the chances are pretty slim. She has not made communication with anyone else besides us.
I'm assuming that she comes from a poor royal family and was sold off to become a prostitute; it isn't all that strange.
I understand. I can trust what you just told me, can't I?
I'm sure there is no mistake.
You've done a good job.
Be wary Kogoro. Back home the elders are in an uproar.
After all, we still are uncertain whether the Shogunate is investigating us or not.
Call it a hunch, but I doubt the situation will remain the same.
There is, after all, the case with Miyabe-san as well. This is the period that we must endure.
An unpleasant letter?
I have not read a better letter in years.
Really? Then what about the letter I wrote you?
That's different.
How is Takasugi-san's health?
It's not good. He has distanced himself from his woman for fear it might affect her.
Her name was Uno-san, wasn't it? It is unfortunate.
But Uno understands.
Really?
If a comparison was necessary, Shinsaku is like a drawn blade. No one can hinder his way of life.
Really?
If Takasugi-san is a drawn blade then I suppose Uno-san would be the sheath.
A sheath? I suppose so.
It's cut through to the bone?
I wonder if it's Jigen-ryu?
No, it's not.
Through the authority of the Kyoto Shogunate, this is the Shinsen-gumi.
I presume that the enemy parried Sudo-kun's blade then...
Are you alright?
Hey!
...it's not impossible to have your blade broken through a direct hit, but...
...his skill is at a different level.
Remarkably different.
Our information was inaccurate so I sent out these guys, but I should have been the one for this.
Who do you think it is?
Someone exceptional.
Most likely.
Another ambush?! This time it's the Shinsen-gumi.
I'll rush to Katsura-san's place. There's no mistake now that there is a traitor.
Please wipe your blood before your hands.
Are you still awake?
It's still no use even with separate rooms, I cannot fall asleep when you go out.
Don't bother with me.
Somehow I feel that I might dream about a rain of blood...
...so then...
...good night.
And... ...what did Katsura-san say?
No one should speak another word about this until further orders. That's all.
What do you mean?
Are you saying that we should sit still?
Why is that?!
This is the perfect opportunity, many of our men have been killed by the Shinsen-gumi.
We should attack the Mibu and slaughter them.
That's right! That's right!
We should finish this decisively.
Wait!
At this point there is no question that there is a traitor among us.
If we act carelessly that would be exactly what the Mibu wolves would want. We have no choice but to wait.
Is it raining again?
Yes.
It rains so often.
Thank you.
The flower lady said that this is the last batch.
Since the rainy season is irritating, you should at least have Irises.
Is there anything else?
Could you peel the potatoes over there.
These here?
They're a lot like you.
The Irises. Their aroma is the strongest during the rain.
Instead of under the sun.
Right?
A child.
Even a child can kill a person...
...but...
I'm sorry.
Since you were by the window, I thought that you might have been cold.
I'm sorry.
Did you read all of these?
No, not one...
I have them stacked there because it was perfect for my sleep. A Hitokiri needs no education.
Do you plan on continuing killing people?
Is it not you who cannot find a safe place?
You can't even sleep without a katana by your side.
This is how I've been since I was small.
I've seen people get slay in front of my eyes.
...and this is how it will be from now on?
This is my role, but I don't think it will last much longer.
Besides, I don't think I need you to worry about me.
But...
I'm the Hitokiri that makes it rain blood.
It would be a shame to get the smell of blood on your possessions once again.
I apologize to have asked you about something I shouldn't have. It is a lifestyle that I cannot understand.
I'm sorry to intrude.
Tomoe-san.
Thank you.
Forgive me. I'm sorry for bothering you so late.
Katsura-san.
You don't have to call anyone. I've come to speak with you.
"Justice through Madness"?
It is the teachings of my master Yoshida Shôin.
And I have placed Himura as the protagonist for this philosophy of "Justice through Madness."
Even if it means to put a blade within a child's hands?
Back home there is a man named Takasugi.
He is a good man, but at times he has a tendency to rush into madness and extort enjoyment from it.
But... there is an exceptional sheath to tame the mad blade...
...a sheath called Uno.
A sheath?
Would you not be a sheath?
A sheath that could reclaim a drawn blade named Himura.
Why?
I cannot help but feel that I am making Himura go mad.
A mad blade can give birth to tragedy.
I need a sheath that can properly restrain him.
I understand this may seem entirely like nonsense, but...
Choshu's Yoshida and Higo's Miyabe are in Kyoto.
From what Furutaka coughed up, it's best to assume that there are a good amount of men from Choshu gathering here.
The weapons that we've obtained from Masuya won't be enough.
I'm sure we have some supplies held up within a stronghold somewhere.
I will appoint someone to investigate this. But we must hurry, according to him the meeting will be tonight.
Something doesn't smell right...
Yes... Choshu is planning something.
Something big.
The key figure is Katsura Kogoro, isn't it?
Most likely.
I'll go discuss this with Kondo-san.
But I didn't think that Toshi-san would go so far.
I'm assuming Hijikata-san is planning on evaluating the value of the Shinsen-gumi depending on this upcoming situation.
I wonder if the Hitokiri would be at the meeting?
I wonder... people that do the dirty work are usually kept away from political affairs.
Even if he was there, how will Tennen Rishin-ryu respond to his presence?
I will react according to the teachings of the style...
...engage any battle presented.
How will Mugai-ryu react?
Sorry... It was a silly question.
Regardless... We are in the middle of a festival.
This is the perfect opportunity to create a disturbance. This will be difficult to prevent.
Is that what Miyabe-san said?
That's right, he said if you have a woman you care for, make sure that she leaves Kyoto before tonight.
Do you mean about someone "precious?"
What else is there?
What of Katsura-san?
Katsura-san hasn't shown himself at the Hantei for quite a while.
Rumor has it that he's in hiding with Miyabe-san and his men.
Hiding out?
I guess I'll try to find out what's going to happen tonight.
What are you going to do about Tomoe?
Nothing. It's not like she's my woman.
No one thinks that. But it's a woman that you saved once before, maybe you should think about it?
Later.
But... why?
Don't ask. Just leave Kyoto. Where's your hometown?
Yamashina.
Then go live with your parents for a while.
I'll be done soon.
Sorry to always trouble you.
It's what I've been told to do by the Madam.
I see.
Is there something?
No.
Excuse me...
If you'd like, would you accompany me tonight?
The Madam has given me the night off.
I would like to have a moment of leisure...
...but there's no sense to go out alone.
I see.
Is something the matter?
It's been a while, since I've gotten a decent taste.
It's probably because tonight's a festival.
Is that how it is?
...Toudo Heisuke and Okita, all ten of you are in the Commander's squad. The rest of you will be under my command.
Kondo-san.
Acting on the information we gathered, we will move into the Kawara district.
This is much like Go or Shogi. If we do not seize them this time they will strike us in the next move.
For that reason, detain every single one, otherwise slay them.
All right men, move out!
I am the exact opposite of you. Recently I am drinking less.
Is it unpleasant?
No. I've began to rely less upon drinking than before...
..it is strange...
Rely?
I see.
Has the bleeding on your cheek stopped yet?
I've forgotten.
Then your wound has almost healed.
It's just that the blood has stopped seeping.
Every time I see that wound...
...I wonder what the person being slain has seen.
You people say that you slaughter for the happiness of people, but...
What?
...I don't believe that there is happiness that can come from the death of people.
Everyday people die for many reasons, I'm not killing people for none.
Then you understand the value of each person you slay, but even that you're devoted.
You merely obey...
If I know who they are then I'll stray. This is for the sake of change. This is the only logic I need.
Get out of here immediately!
What is it?
Katsura-san is in danger.
Later tonight Miyabe-san and his men are planning on setting fire to Kyoto.
What did you say?
Above that, he plans on dethroning the emperor.
Katsura-san tried to stop Miyabe-san and got in many violent disputes.
But Miyabe-san and Katsura-san were able to come to an agreement.
It gets worse, all this may be known to the Shinsen-gumi.
Wha...
I'll call Oe, you go to the meeting place.
Where is it?
Kawara district 3rd ward, Ikeda Inn.
Soushi, up there.
Who goes there?
It's not him.
What is it?
Turn out the lights.
This is the Shinsen-gumi.
It's him! There's no mistake.
Go back the way we came.
Do you know that every katana needs a sheath?
What are you saying?
I want to watch over you as long as you continue to slay people.
With these eyes...
Is Katsura here?
I don't know, the Hitokiri isn't here either.
Isn't he finished yet?
You are in my way.
Move!
Hokushin Itto-ryu. Heino Shigesuke...
Remain nameless!
Katsura-san.
I already told Miyabe-san that I don't care about his affairs...
The Shinsen-gumi are at Ikeda Inn.
Ikumatsu hide out for a while. Understand?
Katsura is not here.
Miyabe has committed harakiri in the back.
I see.
What is it?
I thought I smelt the aroma of a plum in bloom.
But it's summer.
Yes, but it could be a blooming out of season.
Might Katsura-san be here yet?
No, but I've heard about Ikeda Inn.
It's dangerous here, quickly go out from the back.
Tomoe-chan do you remember?
The scent of an Iris is strongest during the rain, even if it may be a rain of blood.
Himura.
Katsura-san, I'm glad you are all right.
It's not strange to think I'm dead. Even the Hantei is surrounded by the Shogunate's soldiers.
Now we've lost everything.
But we must first think of a way to escape Kyoto.
I'll prepare a house in Otsu. You two live there as husband and wife.
It's better to hide out as a married couple.
I'll have Izuka contact you.
Wait there for a while. Take care of yourself.
Understand Tomoe-san.
Shall we head to Otsu...
...as husband and wife?
One month later on July 18th,
The Kimon incident took place.
Shogun's army and Choshu's army fought in Kyoto.
The town was burnt and destroyed.
A power shift had occurred within Choshu.
The conservatives managed to gain control.
I want to eat Uno's cooking.
Isn't it Tomoe-chan from the Kohagi Inn.
Flower lady...
Are you headed somewhere?
It is dangerous today. It might be best to take the day off.
Let's hurry.
That person is...?
My husband.
Presented By Tsunami Fansubs Pre-Release Version
- Do Not Sell Or Rent -
Translation By Steve Ikeguchi
Special Thanks To Kotus for Sub Station Alpha
Timing By Tsunami
Editing By Steve Ikeguchi & Tsunami
Third Act "Yoinosato-yama"
June 19th release
©·Shueisha·Fuji Television·SPE Visual Works