Chapter 3: Alone on the Mountain Village
Sorry to keep you waiting...
Beautiful weather today...
The firewood will be dry.
Rurouni Kenshin OVA Series Tsuioku Hen (The Flashbacks)
Translation by: Hiko/Hiro (who is the MAN ^_^) Editing/Timing: Hiko
Special Thanks to: Chibi Ifta Vedarx Beau SupaBagel PsychoChico Matt Frank and Mr. Gray, of course.
I'm sorry...
Hm?
I feel I've been neglecting you lately...
Oh, it's nothing. I don't mind.
But...I feel terrible...
I want to grow some white radishes. Eh?
I don't know why, but it's something I've wanted to do.
When I was young I helped grow them often.
I want to do it again.
Is that so...?
Working hard I see!
Hmm...
What is it?
Nah, it's just that you two really look like a couple.
I'll go plant now...
Uh, did I say something bad?
No, but anyway...
Yeah.
Got some bad news.
Back home we're having to reorganize ourselves, because of what happened in the Bakan War.
Reorganize?
Those who support the government, to show their loyalty, are being forced to commit seppuku.
Nowadays, not a day goes by without someone committing suicide.
Also, the Choshu managed to escape punishment from the government.
So, everything is pretty much level again.
But if this goes on...
Right now, we're working on freeing Takasugi-san from jail.
When he's out, he'll lead the Kiheitai into battle soon.
What of Katsura-san?
I have no clue where he is.
They've nicknamed him 'Nige no Kogoro' (Runaway Kogoro)
No way..! Yeah, no kidding.
Anyway, all we can do now is wait.
Here's some money for you, from Katagai-san.
Also, I'll leave these supplies for you. Go sell some medicine to support yourselves.
Medicine?
A merchant is much less conspicuous.
There's not many people around here, you know.
When you go through Otsu, there are some nearby villages. The medicine will help you to camoflage your journey.
From here, you can reach Kyoto in a day. But I don't recommend it...
The Shinsen Gumi and Mimawari Gumi are hunting us down like mad.
The number of reformists they kill is way more than the amount you killed as the Hitokiri Battousai.
If you do go, be careful.
Well, I'll see you later, Tomoe-san.
As of today, you're the wife of the medicine man.
I've forgotten about the Jugoya thing these past few years.
At dusk, I saw some dragonflies...
What are we going to do now?
How long will we live here?
It'll be a while. That's all I know...
I'd like to get back before sunset. Are you ready to go now?
Yes, I'm coming now.
I guess it's true a couple draws less attention.
Yes...we sold more than I thought, I'm glad.
You left your dagger at home.
Yes, I did.
Because now, I'm the medicine man's wife.
It's getting cold. Let's get going.
Great...
Really?
It's been a while since I've tasted something this good.
Yes...
What's wrong?
No, it's nothing. Here.
Is that so...
Well, we should be patient a little longer.
Or maybe, you're tired of being a medicine man already?
That's not it at all. I don't like to kill people.
And also, in the time I've lived here, even if it's been boring, it has enlightened me greatly.
That's good. But, be careful that your skills don't weaken. See ya.
Yeah...be careful...
I'm sorry...I just don't like him. I didn't even see him off...
Oh no...
After all that...
It's because of the rain. Don't worry.
At least half of them should survive. It happens all the time.
But...
But.....
But.....!
You never ask about me, do you?
About my past or anything.
I feel bad your father doesn't know of this.
Even though it's just a disguise, we are still living here as man and wife.
That's why even if I knew your past, I couldn't say anything about it.
You are... Hm?
No, nothing...
Tomoe-chan, take this...a keepsake for you.
I'm sorry to have troubled you.
Being the second child of a former samurai, he couldn't make Tomoe-chan happy, so that's why he went to join the Kyoto patrol groups...
Yes, he was all set to go with the patrol groups, and that's why all this happened...
Don't say things like that. Think about how Tomoe feels.
Sis? What's wrong?
Answer me!
Sis! What's the matter?!
Sis...
When you aren't killing...how can you be so nice...?
Katsura's run off, but we still have Battousai.
Just a little longer, and we can finish him off.
So, it was him after all...
These past few months, his Kenki has weakened, and the color of his eyes have changed.
I'm impressed on how the plan has been executed so far.
Damn, it was Katagai...
I think it's about time to put on the final touch before we proceed.
Hey, Enishi.
You've been waiting for this.
After the rain ends...it's your turn.
Yukishiro Enishi...
Hey, sis!
Enishi...?
I finally came, sis!
This is my brother, Enishi.
Your brother? Yes.
I've been sending him letters often, but I'm glad he finally came to visit.
I see. You must have a lot to catch up on, right? I'll go tend the crops.
It's so great to see you. Is father doing well?
Yeah, I guess.
When did you leave Edo?
Ever since you did, about a half year ago.
Enishi...who is taking care of you now?
And how did you know we were here?
I know...because I'm the informant.
You're ready, right?
Come on, sis. Now, we can finally bring Tenchuu down on the Battousai!
That's what you wished for, right?
That's why you went alone, right?
In this god forsaken place...living with him...
Go back to Edo alone.
What're you talking about, Sis?!
You're the heir to the Yukishiro family, right? I won't let you do such dirty things.
I don't care about the family! I'm doing this for you! That's why...
Go home, Enishi.
Please understand.
Why are you doing this? Why are you defending him?!
He's your enemy!
He's the one that took your happiness away!
Please give father my best.
Please?
Sis...
Please?
I've told you where to meet them.
Damn him...If only he hadn't been...
We got it done before winter.
Yes.
Since it was on the spur of the moment, I didn't know if it would work.
But it looks like they'll be fine.
Oh, you just look like you're enjoying your food...
I see.
So, if things were different, you would really be living like this?
Growing your own food and all...
I've been thinking since I got here.
Mitsurugi Ryuu's purpose says that I should fight for others, to protect everyone's happiness.
It also says to forge a new era with my sword.
I thought I could protect everyone with my hands.
I know now the best I can do is protect the life I have now.
And now I finally realize it.
Having lived with you in these mountains, I realize the truth.
I now know what I was fighting for in the past, and what I will be fighting for in the future.
That is the answer you have shown me.
Can I also talk for a while?
Mm? ...Sure.
My family is from Edo, and my father is a former samurai.
He wasn't a great warrior, but he was a nice person.
My mother died of frail health shortly after Enishi's birth.
That's why, to Enishi, I'm not only a sister, but his mother also.
He's a cute brother.
We weren't very wealthy, but we got by pretty well.
My engagment...was arranged for me.
He was the second son of a former samurai, and a childhood friend of mine.
When Enishi heard of it, he was upset, but everything was set for the marriage.
But amidst the chaos in Kyoto...
...he was killed.
When I heard the news, I couldn't sit still, so I went there as well.
And...
...that's where I met you.
I'm sorry...
I...love you.
Enishi, tomorrow you'll be able to go home with your sister.
If Battousai isn't here, then Sis will come home with me, won't she?
Yeah, that's right.
And then it'll all be over.
After this, the obligation will be over, for you and I both.
Sorry. There's just no way I can lose this gamble now.
Just a little more. Yes...
This is the last journey here.
The next time we come will be after the snow melts.
But that's if things do not change by next year.
We should hurry. You may catch a cold.
I...
I...will...
I...will......
I...will......protect you.
I will...protect you.
When he died in that foreign place, my happiness disappeared.
I couldn't show my happiness in front of him.
But that was all my fault, because I didn't tell him my feelings.
Back then, If I'd had the courage to tell him...
And the more I thought about it...
...the more I felt I had to blame someone or something.
That's why I went along with the plan to kill you.
A woman like that...and...
...you would still protect me?
He was the second child of a former samurai...
He was just like my father, he was a kind person to everyone, no matter what.
That is what I liked most about him.
When he had chosen me, I was truly happy.
But...even though I was happy, I didn't do anything.
He never knew...how happy I really was.
But that was my fault.
Maybe I am destined to never be happy...
"You make it rain blood," you said when we first met.
Yes.
You also said there is no happiness gained through killing others.
Yes.
You are right. But, I must kill to pave the way for the new era.
But, when that time comes, I want to stop killing and find a way to protect people.
So I can protect the happiness of all that I can.
And, so I may atone for my crimes.
If you are with me, I can throw away my sword.
Tomoe...
Yes?
I will protect your happiness...
Okay...
This man stole my happiness from me...
But, he also gave me a new happiness.
Goodbye...my second beloved one.
Tomoe?
Tomoe?!
Iizuka-san!
We found the spy...It was Tomoe.
What?
Her accomplices are at the mountain shrine that way.
Tomoe is probably there too. Take care of her.
No way...
There is evidence...in her diary.
Diary?
Remember the man who gave you the scar on your cheek?
Tomoe was the woman he was going to marry.
"Amidst the fighting in Kyoto, he was killed..."
Next time on Rurouni Kenshin: Chapter 4: Cross Scar
Available on VHS/LD 9/22/99