Notes:

• My Japanese is very poor. So take my translations with a grain of salt. There are a few parts I did not know how to translate, so I guessed at the meaning. Those parts are marked with an (*). Just keep in mind these are far from 100% correct or perfect. If you see a translation mistake, please let me know.

• The following should be read with manga in hand. These are only the dialogue. There are no mentions of scene changes, and very little description of action. So you may be confused if you don't have the manga in front of you.

• If you don't have the manga, I've written a summary of this chapter. So check that out.

Key:

text outside of word bubble

Last Revised: 3-15-02.

Table of Contents:

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 1 • Parasite ——- 5

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 2 • Joker ———-- 51

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 3 • CRISIS ——-- 94

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 4 • Wedge ——-- 137

• TamuTamu Time ————————— 182

Outline:

Civilization has collapsed at the end of the 20th century, and for several hundred years, people have been suffering from the oppression of this country's ruling tyrants. Byakko village, which is controlled by the Red King, is attacked by his army and the village chief's son, Tatara, is killed. Since then, Tatara's twin sister • Sarasa, has been fighting while pretending to be her older brother.

However, the Red King and Sarasa accidentally met at a hotspring, and fell in love with each other without knowing the other's true identity.

Sarasa and Shuri have gone to Kanto to fight the Blue King. And while Sarasa may think she has defeated the Blue King, the real Blue King turns out to be Asagi...?!

Character Introduction:

Sarasa    A 15-year-old girl. She fights in place of her dead brother, Tatara. Actually, she is the "Child of Destiny."

Red King    His name is Shuri. As the Emperor's youngest son, he controls the Chûgoku, Shikoku, and Kyûshû areas. He's exceptionally clever and strong, and wary of his older brothers...

Shuri:

"Little brother?"

{sfx: squeeze}

Shuri:

Have you gone mad,

Captain of the Guards?

Asagi:

My name is Asagi.

And you're Shuri, the Red King.

I'm your older brother.

Asagi:

Don't you think I look...

more like you...

than that dead "Blue King"?

Shuri:

I see, now that the King is dead,

you want to take over.

Shuri:

No matter.

Shuri:

Here are my...

salutations!

{sfx: plonk}

Asagi:

Oh dear.

The foothold is bad there, so be careful.

Asagi:

Now,

listen to what I have to say.

Asagi:

It's the custom of the Royal Family that the eldest son inherits the throne.

Asagi:

But our father, who was one of the youngest sons in line for succession,

became Emperor.

Why is that, do you know?

Asagi:

His older brothers all died young.

Each successor fell to a sudden death.

Asagi:

They were all...

assassinated.

Shuri:

Our father isn't that smart.

Asagi:

That's exactly why...

he has to protect himself.

He's afraid.

Asagi:

He's even afraid...

of his own sons.

Shuri:

You're really pissing me off.

Shuri:

Would you...

get to the point!

Asagi:

Did you know...

we had an older brother besides the Black King?

Shuri:

No I didn't!

Asagi:

Our older brother, the Black King,

is nothing but a dumb brute.

Asagi:

That's why our father isn't scared of him.

Thus he was spared.

Asagi:

For a while after the Black King was born,

all the queens only gave birth to girls.

But soon, the First Queen gave birth to a prince.

Asagi:

This young prince was wise...

and knowledgeable.

Asagi:

It was said that he even had the power to foresee the future.

Asagi:

Our father was scared.

So it wasn't long before he made an attempt on this young prince's life.

Asagi:

One day,

during a hunt with the Black King,

in the middle of the forest...

Asagi:

the prince was shot down by an arrow...

in what appeared to be an accident.

Asagi:

He killed his own son.

Asagi:

Without a sound,

the prince sank into a river.

Asagi:

Therefore, after I was born,

my mother was worried.

Asagi:

She thought naturally...

the same thing would happen again.

Asagi:

So she found someone...

who had recently given birth...

and secretly swapped me with another.

Shuri:

That was the Snake King?

Asagi:

If he hadn't been such an idiot,

he would have been a dead man long ago.

Asagi:

He looked the fool, and acted the fool,

so Father never worried.

Asagi:

And in the end, I was able to grow up...

under that person.

Shuri:

That person, huh?

Asagi:

Yep, that person.

Shuri:

You give me this long speech.

But basically,

you're telling me you're a coward.

Shuri:

Your mother wanted to protect you,

so she had you hide behind a fool's shadow.

{sfx: rip}

Asagi:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha

Asagi:

You're the fool...

Shuri.

Asagi:

Do you know...

why Father didn't kill you?

Prophet:

If a boy is born,

he will bring ruin to the Emperor once grown.

Asagi:

You're the child cursed by prophecy.

Why do you think our father let you live?

Asagi:

Father figured he can relax...

while his sons are busy fighting each other.

Asagi:

That's why he allowed you to live.

You name means fire embers.

Asagi:

Resist,

fight rebelliously,

and Father will be pleased.

Asagi:

You think you're being willful and independent,

but you're really just a pawn for him to play with!

Asagi:

What a joke you are,

Red King.

You big fool!

Asagi:

Ha ha ha...

Asagi:

...ha...

Asagi:

...

Shuri:

You're losing your breath.

Asagi:

Unlike you, I'm not all muscle.

Shuri:

Anything else to say?

Asagi:

I'm not a fool.

Asagi:

I am...

Asagi:

the one who plays with people,

the one who uses others.

Asagi:

No!!

{sfx: ching}

{sfx: stab}

Asagi:

I'm...

{sfx: huff huff huff}

going to ally with Tatara.

{sfx: huff}

Shuri:

What?!

Asagi:

Tatara...

will soon be here with his ship.

Asagi:

If I suggest that we fight the Red King together,

I'm sure he'll agree.

Shuri:

... You won't...

see Tatara.

{sfx: squeeze}

Shuri:

Because you're going to...

meet the Snake King in hell!

{sfx: ching}

{sfx: splash}

(Just as Shuri is about to stab Asagi, Ageha comes to the rescue and pushes Shuri into the water currents.)

Shuri:

Guh

Shuri:

That's the guy...

Shidô questioned...

in connection to Tatara.

Shuri:

So Tatara...

will ally with the Blue King...!

Ageha:

Asagi,

you're not hurt, are you?

Asagi:

No,

just a bit tired.

Ageha:

You shouldn't play around with the Red King like that.

You're no match for him!

Idiot!

Asagi:

Phff—

heh heh

Ageha:

Be careful.

What if you get hurt...

Asagi:

Mm.

Thanks for worrying.

I understand.

Asagi:

Only Ageha...

cares about me.

Ageha:

So the real Blue King is Asagi...?

Although that's not too surprising.

Asagi:

Ageha should understand.

Since you also had it rough growing up.

Ageha:

Actually, I wouldn't know.

Because I didn't grow up to be all twisted like you.

Asagi:

Really?

Asagi:

Anyway,

I'll meet Tatara soon.

Ageha:

But I think he's here already.

Even though I couldn't see clearly,

and he was used as a sacrifice.

Ageha:

Now that the Snake King is dead,

will you try to use Tatara...

in his place?

Asagi:

I...

can't survive...

without living off of someone else.

Ageha:

You think Tatara will trust you?!

Asagi:

{sfx: pick}

I'll make him trust me.

Asagi:

Hey Ageha,

have you ever been to Kyôto?

Ageha:

I was there for a performance once. Why do you ask?

Asagi:

Kyôto and the Royal Family...

have lasted for more than 300 years.

Don't you think...

they've already begun to fester and rot?

Asagi:

I'll...

manipulate Tatara...

Asagi:

to fight the Royal Family.

Each will take care of the other.

Asagi:

When both sides are finished,

Japan will be cleansed.

Asagi:

Of course,

Tatara will be killed.

Asagi:

I'll take my time to get rid of him from the inside.

{sfx: heh heh heh}

Ageha:

...

It's not for power,

nor greed.

Ageha:

Then, is it hate...?

Is it just a curse...?*

At the dawn of a revolution,

the Destroyer has appeared...

Ageha:

Things are getting interesting.

Shuri:

The Sacred Sword of Byakko...

It's a splendid sword.

Shuri:

There's not a scratch on the blade.

Shuri:

Hmph.

Shuri:

Asagi... huh?

Shuri:

He's one lucky bastard.

Shuri:

After my mother...

gave birth to me - the one child Father could easily have killed -

she didn't hide me, didn't protect me, didn't swap me with someone else.

She just abandoned me, in order to maintain her position as Queen.

Shuri:

Lucky bastard...

Shuri:

Toki!

Shuri:

Did you come after me?

{sfx: neigh...}

ha ha ha

OK.

{sfx: neigh—}

Shuri:

Ha...

Shuri:

Ha

Let's go back!

Shuri:

Go back...

to Suou!

People:

Injured people over here!

The medicine...

Secure all the food!

Someone's under this building.

Come help!

Sarasa:

Shuri...

Is he okay?

Sarasa:

And what about the Sword of Byakko?

There was no time...

Guy:

Hey girl!

You're hurt.

Guy:

There's blood on your behind...

Are you okay?

Sarasa:

I'm hurt...?

Sarasa:

...!

GEH!

Sarasa:

Izumi!

Sarasa:

Izumi, help!

Sarasa:

I got so distracted and didn't even realize...

I'm so sorry to trouble you...

at a time like this.

Sarasa:

{sfx: ha ha ha}

When it's this heavy, it just won't stop.*

Hyaah~~ This is so embarrassing!

Shinbashi's a boy so he doesn't understand.

Sarasa:

It's the awful truth.

This body of mine...

Sarasa:

I wish I could tell everyone...

that I'm a just girl...

Sarasa:

From that moment on,

I vowed to live as Tatara.

From the moment I took that oath,

I should have stopped being a girl.

Sarasa:

But in my heart,

I still

want to be a girl again...

Shuri:

Sarasa...

Sarasa:

Izumi...

smiles like my mother.

Sarasa:

Mother...

Sarasa:

Every time I think about her,

my memory draws a blank.

Sarasa:

I didn't see her get killed.

Sarasa:

Perhaps she was captured.

Sarasa:

Perhaps she's still alive

somewhere...

Sarasa:

I hope so...

Mother.

Woman:

Lady Chigusa. (Note: Chigusa is the name of Sarasa's mother.)

Woman:

Lady Chigusa,

please don't do that.

Woman:

General Kazan will scold us.

Chigusa:

I'm not your guest, and I'm not your prisoner.

I won't allow myself to do nothing and be supported by the Red Army.

Woman:

But we're supposed to treat you as a very important guest...

Oh here's the General.

Kazan:

All of you may go.

{sfx: twist}

Kazan:

As long as you're energetic.

Kazan:

I picked these up along the streets.

I hope you like them.

Chigusa:

How's your war with the Blue Army?

Kazan:

... Who told you about that?

Chigusa:

I'm Tatara's mother. And I'm still alive.

Chigusa:

What does the Red King want with me?

Kazan:

I haven't...

told the Red King about you yet.

Kazan:

Take care.

Kazan:

I haven't told the Red King yet.

Kazan:

Isn't this treason?

City of Suou - Red Palace

Soldier:

General Kazan! Lord Ashô.

Soldier:

Not one Blue Army soldier can be seen.

Soldier:

It appears that they're all gone.

Ashô:

Something must have happened in the east.

Kazan:

The Red King must have succeeded. Not doubt about it!

Ashô:

Hmm

Ashô:

I thought it'd be more advantageous for me to defect to the Blue King, but...

seems like fate still sides with the Red King.

For now...

People:

Finally, the water is subsiding.

We only have to endure a little more.

Sarasa:

The seaport.

Sarasa:

Chacha!

Sarasa:

Everybody!

Pirate lookout:

Boss!

It's Tatara.

Pirate lookout:

It's Tatara!

Sarasa:

Chacha!

Everyone:

Tatara.

Tatara.

Sarasa.

Sarasa:

Hayato?!

Hayato:

Hey.

Chacha:

Just now, Kakujî and Hisha were telling me about your heroics.

Chacha:

Were you really mistaken as a girl to be used as a sacrifice?

ha ha ha

Guess that's understandable.

ha ha ha ha

Sarasa:

Kakujî?

How'd you know?

Did you see it?

Kakujî:

I'll tell you later.

Sarasa:

{sfx: neigh—}

Ah, Yato.

Sorry. I left you behind.

What on earth are you doing—

Chacha:

Your clothes are prepared inside.

We've chosen something special.*

Voices through a door:

{sfx: slam}

Sake—

Kakujî, come toast and drink with us.

ha ha ha

Hey—

Go easy on him—

ha ha ha ha ha

Sarasa:

<— bleached hemp cloth

Sarasa:

Shuri...

I'll never forget...

those several days we traveled together.

Sarasa:

I was so fortunate.

Sarasa:

If only...

everyone can share in my good fortune.

Sarasa:

From now on,

I have to be Tatara.

Sarasa:

I have to...

become Tatara!

Sarasa:

Isn't this a bit too lavish?

What's this?

A pouch for Shinbashi?

Sarasa:

You all came to see the Blue King.

But that won't be possible now.

Hayato:

Pissed.

When's it my turn?

Sarasa:

So, should we hurry back to Sakura Island?

Chacha:

Fine.

People:

Since you're our leader.

Zaki:

We've decided to use green as our symbolic color.

People:

None of the Royal Family uses this color.

People:

So we're using it as our mark and flag.

Pirate lookout:

Tatara!

There's a commotion on those hills over there.

(Asagi is tied to a cross, prepared to be burned.)

Blue Guard:

Behold the execution of this traitor.

Blue Guard:

This is the Captain of the Guards, who watched the Blue King die and did nothing.

Blue Guard:

Furthermore, he caused the flood to prevent us from coming out to fight.

He has obviously allied with the rebel army.

Sarasa:

Captain of the Guards...!

Crowd:

What's this?

Raizô:

Asagi!

Raizô:

Oh,

Tatara?

Sarasa:

I'm here now.

Blue Guard:

Behold!

All you rebels, watch this!

Onlookers:

Oh.

They've set him on fire.

Raizô:

What kind of farce is this, Asagi...?

You can't be...

Crowd:

How cruel.

{sfx: kyah—}

Let's go save him—

{sfx: heh—}

Wah—

{sfx: wah—}

Stop it—

Yeah—

Raizô:

What are you scheming?!

Sarasa:

You're not going to stop this?

Raizô:

Tatara,

that fellow cannot be trusted.

Asagi:

If you want to kill me,

just kill me.

Asagi:

The Blue King's dead.

He got what he deserved!

ha ha ha ha ha

Sarasa:

What's he saying?!

He's so shameless!

Blue Guard:

Die!

Traitor!

Sarasa:

Who's...

going to save him—

Sarasa:

Waah

His clothes are burning!

Sarasa:

Stop!

Put out the fire!!

Raizô:

The Guards have escaped.

After them!

Sarasa:

He's unconcious.

We have to bring him back to the ship.

Blue Guard:

That was close.

But everything is going according to plan.

I wonder what's on the Captain's mind.

Blue Guards:

Gyah

(All the Blue Guards are killed by a mysterious stranger using a rotating blade.)

Nagi:

He's fine.

I treated his wounds early.

Nagi:

And his burns aren't serious.

Nagi:

He'll soon wake up.

Raizô:

Tatara,

you should get rid of him as soon as possible.

Sarasa:

Yeah...

Sarasa:

But...

that looked too real to be an act...

Nagi:

Tatara...

Sarasa:

Nagi, thanks for everything.

Nagi:

Tatara, I hear the Blue King is dead.

Nagi:

Is this true?

Sarasa:

Yes.

He was devoured by alligators...

in front of everyone.

Nagi:

...

Nagi:

But Tatara,

this atmosphere...

Nagi:

this foul and evil atmosphere is...

everywhere...