"Act One "The Man Who Slays"" "This age as well as the souls of the people{people's souls} have fallen ill..." "Heading towards this world killing day by day..." "Even though one may possesses an immense power, the tide of this era cannot be fettered." "Please." "At least spare this child." "Don't look!" "Onei-chan, at least save the boy." "Shinta!" "Shinta!" "Shinta!" "You're still young, so you can't choose the way you live your life yet." "So don't die..." "...you have to live your life... {Live...}Choose your own life and live for the rest of us who have died..." "Shinta live..." "Live" "Live Shinta" "Live Shinta for my share of life." "Who the hell are you!" "?" "I have no ears for the dead." "It is some sort of fate that we have crossed paths." "I have taken your revenge." "You can hate or lament but the dead will not return." "You should be grateful that you even survived." "It isn't all that strange for blood to rise nor the aroma of a white plum." "To be killed by bandits and die a dog's death;" "it is a hell." "To be sold off and become a prostitute;" "it is also a hell." "Yes..." "It isn't all that strange." "This is how it has been and always will be." "Even though one obeys the teaching of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu and thrashes his sword." "In the end it might be that not a single person could be saved." "Could it be that the only absolute thing I can do is to venerate the immaculate soul?" "Not only for{For not just} your parents..." "You've made graves for the bandits as well?" "They weren't my parents, they were slave traders." "My parents died suddenly a year ago." "{Be it a slave trader, be it a bandit, at the end you strut and fret your hour upon the stage and then are heard of no more.}It doesn't matter if you are a slave trader or a bandit, in the end you bow out silently." "And who are those stones for?" "Kasumi-san, Akane-san, Sakura-san." "Even though it has been only a day since I met them..." "Because I was the only boy, I thought that I had to protect them even if it meant to throw away my own life." "But they protected me and said, "At least spare this child.", since I am only a child the least I could do was build them a good grave, but these are the only stones I could find and I haven't{do I have} any flowers." "It is truly a shame to rest in peace without knowing the taste of good sake." "This is an offering." "Thank you..." "I'm Hiko Seijuurou." "I practice a little swordsmanship." "Swordsmanship?" "Kid, not only could you not protect something that was irreplaceable but you have been entrusted with the lives of those three." "Even your small hands understand the dead weight of a lifeless body." "The magnitude of the life that you have been confided with is incomparable." "That is what you must bear." "To support yourself and to obtain the power to protect people." "So that you can survive..." "So that you can protect the people that are important to you." "Protect?" "Kid..." "What is your name?" "Shinta." "Too kind a name for a swordsman." "From this moment forward{now on} your name shall be Kenshin." "Ken" "Kenshin..." "{Unto you}To you..." "I {shall bestow a great thing}will give something special." "Rurouni Kenshin{Meiji Kenkaku Romantan/Tsuioku Hen} The Romance of a Meiji Swordsman Reminiscence Edition 1864 ( Bakumatsu Period )" "We're a little late." "Let's hurry up a bit." "I've heard, Kyosato." "You are going to have a betrothal next month." "Yes." "So, you are going to marry your beautiful childhood friend." "You're quite fortunate.{You fortunate guy.}" "Thank you but I feel bad, that I'm the only one to become happy." "With the world being how it is..." "What are you saying?" "No matter how the world may be there's nothing wrong with each individual finding happiness." "I think that I can be back before the Spring of next year." "We'll have to be a little more patient." "I'll buy a hozuki* on my way back." "(*A winter ground cherry plant)" "Shigekura Jubei of the Kyoto Shogunate." "I've come to meet you." "You will now be delivered tenchu*." "(*Heavenly punishment)" "An assassin..." "Do you think that we'll back off from one swordsman?" "Stay back!" "I said stay back!" "No..." "You can't die now..." "Shigekura-san!" "I can't die.." "I don't want to die." "Give up." "I can't do that!" "I can't die..." "I can't die right now!" "I don't want to die..." "I can't die!" "I won't die..." "Never..." "I don't" "I don't want to" "I don't want to die." "...not now not yet..." "I don't" "I don't want to" "I don't want to die..." "To" "Tomo..." "Himura... were you injured?" "Nothing serious." "I can't believe there was a guy that could touch Himura..." "He must have been pretty skillful." "No..." "Determination..." "Izuka-san, please take care of the rest." "Alright... come at me!" "Faster..." "He will become strong..." "No matter how gifted you are at swordsmanship, if there is no will to become strong you will not be polished." "He is longing for strength..." "...more than anything else..." "...more than anyone else..." "Yes..." "So purely..." "So sincerely..." "In the teaching of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu the sword of Mitsurugi..." "In other words, one holds the sword for the welfare of others..." "...to protect the weak." "It's been awhile." "Oh..." "You got a hit in." "It was my negligence." "Izuka, who was it?" "One of Kyoto Shogunate, Shigekura Jubei's men." "I don't know as far as his name." "Is there something?" "Actually we will be having a confidential gathering tonight." "Toshimaru and Miyabe-san will be there." "It is an important meeting to decide the objectives of the organization." "Do you need protection?" "No." "I was wondering if you would like to take part in the meeting?" "Wow, that's pretty impressive." "I decline." "I am a Hitokiri." "I serve no other purpose other than being a Hitokiri." "If there is nothing else then you will have to excuse me." "Hey wait." "Excuse us." "What's with that attitude, when Katsura-san gave all this consideration to him." "Cavalry?" "That's right..." "...these guys will become powerful ammo..." "...for sure..." "These guys will do it..." "At times they exhibit unexpected strength." "Ultimately{At the very end}, these guys will be the ones to topple the Shogunate." "Even though they seem better than the cowardly samurai, are they alright?" "Hmph..." "You are not aggressive enough." "Next!" "There are children even that young?" "As they say "The more peculiar they are, the more spectacular they are."" "How about it?" "Isn't he something..." "Takasugi..." "What..." "Your stare is blank as a pigeon." "That boy I want him." "Leaving the mountain is unforgivable!" "Master..." "As we speak, many people are being caught up in this confusion and dying." "Isn't it the time?" "To use this power..." "To use Mitsurugi-ryu to protect people..." "What an idiotic pupil!" "What can you do by going out into this chaos alone?" "If you want to change this chaotic epoch then you will have no alternative but to consort with either side." "Which means you will be manipulated by political power." "I didn't teach you Mitsurugi-ryu for that reason." "Forget about the outside world and continue with your training." "People are suffering in front of my eyes." "Numerous people are grieving." "I can not{won't} allow myself to neglect them." "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is unquestionably the sovereign style." "Isn't that the reason why we should use this power now?" "To protect the people from the struggles of this era?" "!" "Isn't that what Mitsurugi-ryu's..." "The sword is a weapon of murder." "The art of the sword is an art of killing." "No matter what rhetoric or beautiful words you put through your mouth, that is the truth." "To protect people you must slay people." "To let people live you must let people die." "This is the true teaching of the sword." "Just as I saved you, I have slaughtered hundreds of villains." "But they are human as well." "They were nothing more than people trying to live their lives to fullest in a decaying world." "From the moment you step off this mountain there is only pointless massacre that is manipulated by conflicting justice." "If you compel yourself to that then Mitsurugi-ryu will make you into a mass murderer." "Even so I will save people who are suffering with this power." "Even if it is one more life..." "One more soul..." "I want to protect..." "...with these hands." "For that reason..." "Master..." "I don't care about an idiot like you." "Just go off to wherever you please." "Thank you" "Thank you very much." "So my idiotic pupil has chosen his own idiotic way to live for himself." "Atop his innocence, the path is unavoidable." "Blood" "Blood is coming out." "It truly is a nice weather." "It really is, it was snowing until a while ago." "Wait for me..." "I wonder if it will be sunny again tomorrow?" "I hope you're right." "...you're right, that is also possible." "What is wrong, Saitou-san?" "I thought I just smelled blood." "Come on Saitou-san, maybe you've been slaughtering too many lately?" "Okita-kun." "Yes?" "Please consider your words before putting them into your mouth." "Alright." "Alright." "So conceited..." "...walking in the middle of the road like that." "I'm counting on you tonight." "Hmm..." "Something smells good." "White plum perfume." "What?" "!" "You know some pretty amorous aromas." "So that woman..." "She's beautiful." "See you later." "Oh my." "I met with a pack of Mibu wolves on the street just now and I was so scared that I moved aside." "As the rumor goes, the Shinsen-gumi slaughter without mercy." "How scary." "For Spring we have cherry blossoms at night For Summer we have the stars" "For Autumn we have the full moon And for Winter we have the snow." "With that, sake is good enough." "If 'tis still unpleasant, 'tis evident there is some disquiet within you." "Someday you shall savor the taste of sake." "When that day comes, we shall drink good sake." "You should give up on that woman." "Yeah, but I can't forget about her." "Lately you've been pretty amazing." "{What is?" "}In what way?" "You don't even give them a chance to scream." "Hey, again." "I've heard about a story like this before when a katana wound is inflicted with a strong resentment, until the hatred is absolved the wound will never fade." "Katana wound filled with hatred?" "That's right, I hear it doesn't fade away." "Onei-chan." "You still washing it?" "Speaking of which, at the recent bulletin there seemed to have been some trouble." "What happened ?" "Miyabe-san and Katsura-san got into an argument." "It seems that Miyabe-san and his supporters are planning to do something big." "And Katsura-san?" "He seems to think it is not the time yet." "From what I've heard{from people that attended}, the course of events was getting dangerous for Miyabe-san." "It's not very assuring." "Definitely." "Allow me to be candid with you can you kill a person?" "I'll be forthright, this is simply murder." "But to create a new world you must destroy the old." "It is a horrible duty, but someone has to do it." "You've said that you wanted to use your power to help people." "If that is so, I want you to allow me to borrow your power." "Can you kill a person for a new age?" "Hey you." "And you?" "I'm Izuka, I've come to see how you are doing." "This is your first job, right?" "Keep yourself together." "Sometimes there are people that lose their sanity, then there are others who faint from losing their appetite." "I'm alright;" "{I am}much better than I expected to be." "Then it's all right." "In this job psychological and emotional strength are top priority." "There's no point standing around." "We better get going." "Beyond my tainted blood and the lives that have been sacrificed..." "Tenchu" "If there is a new age where anyone can live peacefully..." "I will..." "On behalf of the heavens I will kill..." "How is that kid doing?" "I don't need to say.{I won't say.}" "Truthfully, he's a valuable asset compared to the other soldiers." "But for you, I'm willing to hand him over." "Though I do have one condition." "What is it?" "Since you're going to waste that boy's life, I don't want you to get your hands dirty." "From this point on, you can never unsheathe your sword." "My current self is, Choshu faction, Ishinshishi's head." "I've never had any other intention." "Is that true?" "I'll make it a promise." "This is the swordsman, Katsura Kogoro's last day." "That's why you will become the main attraction in Choshu's Bakumatsu "festival".{main event/revolution}" "Leave the music to me." "I'm counting on you." "Even if my body is left in the fields of Musashi, my patriotism {shall not waver}will not change." "The Bakufu has murdered my mentor." "But that distant ideal still lives on MADNESS..." "To obtain this justice, I have no apprehension to forfeit my sanity." "This is the current Choshu faction's..." "NO..." "This is my motivation..." "Go on, he won't do any harm to you." "Now is not the time to be taking a nap." "Impressive Hitokiri Battousai to kill that many without getting blood on you." "How about getting some sake on the way back?" "No, I'm..." "Ok, I'll just drink sake by myself." "Later." "It's been a year since..." "It seems that "adopted child" has matured, his atmosphere has changed but inside his heart he is exactly the same;" "not a single impurity." "Then I guess we can rest easy." "No... because he has none, he's feeling a dramatic discord." "For Hitokiri that is himself." "Shinsen-gumi?" "No, it's an underworld assassin like me." "I better get going." "I appreciate your efforts." "I'll hold back Miyabe-san for a while." "Please do, and also be cautious of the Shinsen-gumi." "Yes sir." "Are you done for tonight?" "Yes, we are finished for tonight." "Should I order more?" "There is no need, the sake is unpleasant." "Is there anything wrong?" "It's a horrible thing..." "...to set fire to Kyoto." "You really are the one who makes it rain the rain of blood." "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" "Fine Tuning and Proofreading By Dan Milliken" "A blue flower of the soul scatters" "A crimson tide of blood ripens" "A pallid sough A sliding screen abaft" "Memories of a folded hand" "That is a phantom." "Rurouni Kenshin Reminiscence Edition" "Second Act "Stray Cat"" "April 21st release" "Information" "Rurouni Kenshin OVA Reminiscence Edition Original Soundtrack" "Dramatic Musical Score" "Rurouni Kenshin OVA Reminiscence Edition Original Soundtrack" "March 20th release" "Rurouni Kenshin OVA Reminiscence Edition Original Soundtrack" "Music by :" "Iwasaki Taku" "Rurouni Kenshin Reminiscence Edition" "©·Shueisha·Fuji Television·SPE Visual Works" "Rurouni Kenshin{Meiji Kenkaku Romantan/Tsuioku Hen} The Romance of a Meiji Swordsman Reminiscence Edition" "I was seen..." "What should I do?" "Should she be silenced?" "Blood...{chio...denaito}" "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,{I'd like to request a room} 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." "{Look, what a beauty}She sure is beautiful." "{From now on don't forget my face.}Please to meet your acquaintance." "{Yo, I heard you are the one who brought her in.}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.{Bunsuii = Lame/Dasai}" "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{worry about you}?" "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.{that I wouldn't mind even having a cat's paw as an extra hand.}" "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." "{There's nothing wrong with it.}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...{Na...}" "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.{The Shogunate's soldiers surround even the Hantei}" "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" "Sorry to keep you waiting..." "The Romance of a Meiji Swordsman Reminiscence Edition" "Beautiful weather today..." "What should I do?" "The firewood will be dry." "Rurouni Kenshin OVA Series" "Translation by:" "Hiko/Hiro (who is the MAN ^_^) Editing/Timing:" "Hiko" "Special Thanks to:" "Chibi" "I'm sorry..." "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." "at times." "So you want a woman after you committed hitokiri?" "I want to do it again." "Is that so...?" "You won't find vacancies anywhere." "Working hard I see!" "Hmm..." "while I bring hot water and a change of clothes." "Hmm..." "What is it?" "Nah, it's just that you two really look like a couple." "I'll go plant now..." "Anyhow, what should we do with this?" "Uh, did I say something bad?" "No, but anyway..." "No, but anyway..." "Yeah." "Got some bad news." "I was drunk." "Back home we're having to reorganize ourselves, because of what happened in the Bakan War." "Reorganize?" "Yukishiro Tomoe." "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." "who brought that girl back." "What of Katsura-san?" "There's something going on here." "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." "I swallowed the seed." "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." "last night and leave this place." "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." "be drinking alone in the middle of the night..." "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..." "this won't be much help." "What are we going to do now?" "is to find a place to return to." "A place where these things aren't necessary." "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." "Isn't it you, Himura-san, who brought her here." "Yes...we sold more than I thought, I'm glad." "...the circumstance called for it." "You left your dagger at home." "we, the Kohagi Inn, are very grateful..." "Yes, I did." "Because now, I'm the medicine man's wife." "From what I've seen she works hard." "It's getting cold." "Let's get going." "Great..." "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..." "to talk about that woman." "It's because of the rain." "Don't worry." "At least half of them should survive." "It happens all the time." "But..." "on your way back?" "But....." "cleaning the mess up." "But.....!" "I can't take my eyes off of you for a minute." "You never ask about me, do you?" "Just give me your hunch." "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..." "the existence of Himura." "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..." "so we will do the investigation." "Don't say things like that." "Think about how Tomoe feels." "Sis?" "What's wrong?" "Answer me!" "Sis!" "What's the matter?" "!" "Sis..." "Sis..." "When you aren't killing...how can you be so nice...?" "Katsura's run off, but we still have Battousai." "it's obvious she isn't from Kyoto." "Just a little longer, and we can finish him off." "we can tell that she was well brought up." "For instance she is skilled in calligraphy." "So, it was him after all..." "from a samurai family from Kanto." "These past few months, his Kenki has weakened, and the color of his eyes have changed." "The strange thing is the Yukishiro family doesn't seem to exist." "I'm impressed on how the plan has been executed so far." "but I couldn't find anything." "Damn, it was Katagai..." "her personal history?" "I think it's about time to put on the final touch before we proceed." "Hey, Enishi." "She has not made communication with anyone else besides us." "You've been waiting for this." "it isn't all that strange." "After the rain ends...it's your turn." "I can trust what you just told me, can't I?" "Yukishiro Enishi..." "Hey, sis!" "Enishi...?" "Back home the elders are in an uproar." "I finally came, sis!" "the Shogunate is investigating us or not." "This is my brother, Enishi." "but I doubt the situation will remain the same." "Your brother?" "Yes." "This is the period that we must endure." "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?" "Then what about the letter I wrote you?" "Yeah, I guess." "When did you leave Edo?" "Ever since you did, about a half year ago." "He has distanced himself from his woman for fear it might affect her." "Enishi...who is taking care of you now?" "It is unfortunate." "And how did you know we were here?" "I know...because I'm the informant." "You're ready, right?" "Shinsaku is like a drawn blade." "No one can hinder his way of life." "Come on, sis." "Now, we can finally bring Tenchuu down on the Battousai!" "That's what you wished for, right?" "then I suppose Uno-san would be the sheath." "That's why you went alone, right?" "I suppose so." "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." "so I sent out these guys, but I should have been the one for this." "Please?" "Sis..." "Sis..." "Please?" "I've told you where to meet them." "This time it's the Shinsen-gumi." "Damn him..." "If only he hadn't been..." "There's no mistake now that there is a traitor." "We got it done before winter." "before your hands." "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..." "dream about a rain of blood..." "I see." "So, if things were different, you would really be living like this?" "Growing your own food and all..." "...what did Katsura-san say?" "I've been thinking since I got here." "about this until further orders." "That's all." "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?" "that there is a traitor among us." "Mm?" "..." "Sure." "what the Mibu wolves would want." "We have no choice but to wait." "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." "this is the last batch." "We weren't very wealthy, but we got by pretty well." "you should at least have Irises." "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." "Their aroma is the strongest during the rain." "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'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." "A Hitokiri needs no education." "Sorry." "There's just no way I can lose this gamble now." "Just a little more." "Yes..." "This is the last journey here." "without a katana by your side." "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..." "but I don't think it will last much longer." "I...will..." "I need you to worry about me." "I...will......" "I...will......protect you." "I will...protect you." "on your possessions once again." "When he died in that foreign place, my happiness disappeared." "It is a lifestyle that I cannot understand." "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..." "I'm sorry for bothering you so late." "...the more I felt I had to blame someone or something." "That's why I went along with the plan to kill you." "I've come to speak with you." "A woman like that...and you would still protect me?" "my master Yoshida Shôin." "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." "a man named Takasugi." "When he had chosen me, I was truly happy." "but at times he has a tendency to rush into madness and extort enjoyment from it." "But...even though I was happy, I didn't do anything." "to tame the mad blade..." "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." "a drawn blade named Himura." "Yes." "You also said there is no happiness gained through killing others." "Yes." "give birth to tragedy." "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." "Higo's Miyabe are in Kyoto." "And, so I may atone for my crimes." "it's best to assume that there are a good amount of men from Choshu gathering here." "If you are with me, I can throw away my sword." "Masuya won't be enough." "Tomoe..." "within a stronghold somewhere." "Yes?" "But we must hurry, according to him the meeting will be tonight." "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?" "!" "Toshi-san would go so far." "Iizuka-san!" "We found the spy..." "It was Tomoe." "would be at the meeting?" "What?" "are usually kept away from political affairs." "Her accomplices are at the mountain shrine that way." "Tennen Rishin-ryu respond to his presence?" "Tomoe is probably there too." "Take care of her." "the teachings of the style..." "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." "to create a disturbance." "This will be difficult to prevent." ""Amidst the fighting in Kyoto, he was killed..."" "Next time on Rurouni Kenshin:" "Chapter 4:" "Cross Scar she leaves Kyoto before tonight." "Available on VHS/LD 9/22/99 someone "precious?""