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: 3-11-02.

Table of Contents:

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 5 • Wooded Country ————— 5

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 6 • Upon A White Horse ——— 56

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 7 • Cursed Forest —————— 97

Lapis Lazuli Chapter 8 • Fleeting Image —————-- 147

• TamuTamu Time ——————————————— 191

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. Even though Byakko village has been destroyed by the Red King, Sarasa - at the time of her older brother's death - decides to fight back. Moreover, Sarasa and the Red King • Shuri, are enemies, but they met without knowing each other's identities, and fell in love.

The Blue King • Asagi, having approached Sarasa under false pretense, schemes to bring down Sarasa and Shuri. Meanwhile, Sarasa is heading to Kumano, with the knowledge that her captured mother is being taken there by Shuri's subordinate!!

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...

Sarasa:

Mother, please wait for me.

I'll defeat General Kazan,

and definitely rescue you.

Sarasa:

Let's land on Kumano.

Sarasa:

Make sure no one sees us. Bring the ship to shore!

Hayato:

Hey Tatara.

What's that?

Under the water.

Hayato:

That black thing,

coming up from below.

Hayato & Sarasa:

DOWAAH!

Voices:

UWAAAH!

Sarasa:

Something's surfacing!

Hayato:

Is it a fish?!

Stranger:

Hey—

The big ship over there.

Get out of my way—

You're blocking me——!!

Stranger:

That's my prey——

Kakujî:

It's a whale.

He's hunting a whale!

Hayato:

Eh—

That's the legendary whale?!

Men:

It's huge!

That guy...

with the little boat...

and the harpoon...

he can't be...

Stranger:

DYAH——

Stranger:

This encounter is the chance of a lifetime— !

Stranger:

Today's the day I turn you into fish cakes— !

Stranger:

Ugh.

HYAH——

Stranger:

Take that—

Stranger:

Ah—

NOOO—

Little girl:

Young Master—

(Note: "Wakadanna" is basically what you call the son of a high official. I'm translating it as "Young Lord/Master.")

Little girl:

Kyah—

(The stranger tries to harpoon the whale, but he gets trashed. His boat is wrecked and the little girl in it gets thrown overboard.)

Stranger & Little girl:

AH—

Sarasa:

Lower the small boat.

Stranger:

Goddammit—

Miki—

Are you alright?

Miki:

Young Master—

Sarasa:

Take my hand.

(After pulling the stranger and Miki out of the water, Sarasa sees the whale surface in front of her. She holds her sword in front of the whale, and it slowly sinks back underwater.)

Sarasa:

It's...huge.

Stranger:

I've...

wanted to catch that whale ever since I was little.

Stranger:

It's all because your ship got in my way...

that I failed to get him!

Stranger:

You better compensate!

For my boat!

Kakujî:

We saved you, don't make excuses.

This guy's big.

Stranger:

Let's see,

this much should be sufficient.

Stranger:

How's that!

Sarasa:

Well...if you don't mind, please take our small boat.

Men:

No way!

Sarasa:

You went against that whale with nothing but a harpoon.

I'm very impressed.

Stranger:

You're not so bad yourself.

Stranger:

First time I saw someone stupid enough to face a whale with a sword.

Gah ha ha ha ha

Man:

Yeah—

I heard this place used to be legendary for whaling.

Man:

That was quite a shock—

Man:

Looks like it still is.

Sarasa:

There're still many things I don't know about this world.

Sarasa:

It was so big,

my body just froze...

Sarasa:

Going up against...

a giant whale with a single harpoon...

isn't so different...

from what we're doing right now.

Asagi:

The Emperor's final destination

is the Motomiya Shrine.

Map:

Kii Peninsula

Motomiya Shrine

Nachikatsuura

Asagi:

Since it's deep inside a primeval forest,

it cannot be reached without a guide.

Sarasa:

We'll ambush General Kazan...

at the Shrine!

Man 1:

Let's hope the plan goes well.

Man 2:

Of course!

Asagi:

Therefore, we should land at Nachikatsuura.

Asagi:

The Emperor's party will also hire their guides there.

Sarasa:

Here's the advance party.

Me, Kakujî,

Hisha,

Sarasa:

Shôta,

and Ishi.

Ishi:

Okay.

Asagi:

Of course,

I'm going too.

Nagi:

Take care.

Hayato:

Tatara! What about me?

Sarasa:

Hayato, please stay with Nagi.

Hayato:

No way!

I want to go too.

I'm going with you!

Sarasa:

...

Sarasa:

Lately,

Hayato has been so disagreeable...

—Nachikatsuura—

Narration:

The doorway to the Shrine...

is a rural hot spring village.

Voice:

The town is busy preparing for the Emperor.

Sign:

Market Street

Voice:

What a lot of worthless trouble.

Voice:

Tatara, want to go to a hot spring?

Voice:

Tata...

Kakujî:

Tatara... don't brood. Don't brood.

Everyone is by your side.

Asagi:

Tatara,

leave everything to me.

Kakujî:

What's he up to?

Asagi:

Excuse me, where's your village representative?

Villager:

You mean our Village Chief.

Villager:

He's over there...

Hey Chief.

(Asagi suddenly pulls out his sword, and slashes the town person across the back. He then grabs the Village Chief.)

Town person:

Uh...GYAH!

Sarasa:

ASAGI?!

Asagi:

Listen up!

We're Tatara's army.

Asagi:

If you don't do as we say,

we'll kill everyone, starting with the Chief right here!

Sarasa:

Asagi!

Stop!

What are you doing?!!

Asagi:

What's wrong Tatara?

Asagi:

We don't have to go to the Shrine.

The Emperor's party will have to stop here along the way.

Asagi:

Why don't we use the villagers and ambush them right here?

Sarasa:

ASAGIII!

{sfx: slap}

Asagi:

Why're you so mad?

Sarasa:

I'm not the Blue King!

Sarasa:

I won't use such methods!

Sarasa:

Such methods...

Asagi:

{sfx: heh}

What a nice thing to say.

Asagi:

How sweet.

You think you can beat the Red King this way?

Sarasa:

Forgive us!!

Sarasa:

Such methods...

Sarasa:

It's our fault!!

Sarasa:

...are wrong!!

Sarasa:

I apologize...

Forgive us.

Sarasa:

My man was foolish...

I'm sorry. So very sorry!

Town person:

Chief, his life is not in danger.

Village Chief:

I see. Thank goodness.

Village Chief:

Well now, it appears the legendary Tatara I've heard so much about...

Village Chief:

...actually resorts to the tactics of burglars and bandits.

How disappointing.

Town people:

Go back!

Go back!

Leave our village!

Kakujî:

We're very sorry, we won't start any trouble at this village.

Kakujî:

Would anyone guide us to the Shrine?

Village Chief:

Nobody here wants to be your guide.

Village Chief:

The people of Kumano will not be terrorized by political power or military might,

so just give up and leave.

Stranger:

Ah, but they can be tempted by money.

Stranger:

If there's money, I'll show you guys the way.

Villagers:

Young Lord!

Motomiya's Young Lord.

Villager:

Don't bother with them.

The Emperor is coming.

Stranger:

So, how about it?

Sarasa:

Please...I beg you.

I must,

I must get to the Shrine.

Sarasa:

Mother.

Stranger:

No need to cry.

Sarasa:

Asagi!

Just get lost!

Asagi:

Eh.

You dare talk that way to me,

Sarasa-chan.

Asagi:

Sorry Tatara,

I was just trying to help.

I won't do that again.

Kakujî:

Tatara,

I'm worried he'll do it again.

Stranger:

I know.

Stranger:

We'll just take him like this.

Gah ha ha ha ha ha

Asagi:

I think this is a bit much.

Soldier 1:

Tatara has appeared?!

Soldier 2:

He showed up in Katsuura.

Solider 2:

He's entered the mountains,

heading for the Shrine.

Soldier 2:

No need to chase him. Let's hurry to the Shrine.

Soldier 2:

He may be targetting the Emperor.

Voice:

Order the entire moutain to go on full alert!

Hisha:

haa haa

I'm glad we didn't take Nagi-sama.

Ishi:

Awesome trees.

I can't even see the sky.

Kakujî:

These should be Japanese cedars.

Stranger:

This is "ki (historic) country."

It came from the name "ki (wooded) country."

Shôta:

Oh yuck yuck yuck...

Spider webs.

Kakujî:

This road, does the Emperor's party actually pass through all this?!

Stranger:

Stupid.

Of course he travels on a much nicer road.

Stranger:

This is just the fastest way.

Stranger:

But it is a tough road,

so it's not for people who don't have enough guts.

Sarasa:

I'm fine.

This is nothing.

Stranger:

Scary scary.

From now, the more energy you use, the more tired you'll be.

Sarasa:

This is nothing.

Mother.

I want to see Mother.

Stranger:

Want to rest a bit?

{sfx: Oh}

Sarasa:

{sfx: huff huff}

No!

I'm fine.

Everyone else:

...

{sfx: hah— sigh—}

{sfx: wheeze— wheeze—}

Kakujî:

Hayato, how's your leg?

It's barely healed. Must be hard for you.

Kakujî:

It's unusual for Tatara to not notice such things...*

Did something anger him earlier?

Hayato:

My leg's fine.

Hayato:

Tatara...

probably...

still hates me.

Kakujî:

Hayato...

Hayato:

I...

How can I trouble him at a time like this?*

Kakujî:

That's not true.

It's not, Hayato.

Kakujî:

Tatara, turn around.

Sometimes, you can only see...

the flowers and butterflies...

behind you...

Stranger:

Ah, it's getting dark.

Let's set up camp.

Sarasa:

Not yet.

I can still walk!

Sarasa:

Just a bit more...

Kakujî:

Tatara!

Kakujî:

This is not an one-man journey.

Kakujî:

The General won't get here...

even if we take our time.

{sfx: pat pat}

Stranger:

Now,

make sure the fire doesn't die!

Or else wild boars and poisonous snakes will come out.

Stranger:

For mosquitos, we can use this!

It's a local specialty.

The convenience of civilization.

Stranger:

In the meantime,*

Tengu and spirits may come out!

Da ha ha ha ha

(Notes: The tengu is a mythical creature believed to live in the Japanese mountains. It has the body of a human but a red beak for a nose and wings on its back. Sort of like a male harpy.)

Stranger:

How about it?!

You scared?

(Everyone else is already asleep.)

Stranger:

...Oh well, good night.

They're no fun.

Sarasa:

I can't sleep.

Can't sleep.

I can't sleep, Mother.

(Sarasa sees ghostly apparitions floating by, one resembling her brother.)

Sarasa:

Br...

Brother?!

Sarasa:

Father.

Grandfather.

Yunoka.

Sarasa:

Is it a dream?!

Am I asleep?!

Sarasa:

Br...

Brother.

Sarasa:

Kumano...

Sarasa:

Brother,

Sarasa:

...is next to the realm of the dead,

Sarasa:

I've found Mother.

Sarasa:

I...

Sarasa:

...where one may see the dead.

Sarasa:

I'm going to save her.

I'm going to save her.

Sarasa:

Even if it's...

just a dream.

Sarasa:

But,

what if I can't save her...

Sarasa:

What if I try to save her,

and she's killed just like everyone was before?

What should I do then?

Sarasa:

What if someone,

or maybe all my comrades, dies because of this?

What should I do?

Sarasa:

I'm so...

scared,

Brother.

I'm so scared.

(Tatara's ghost points at her sleeping comrades.)

Sarasa:

Everybody...?!

Sarasa:

Everybody...

is tired.

Sarasa:

They...

have never...

trekked through a mountain,

nor endured such humidity.

Sarasa:

But...

no one...

complained,

or asked for a break.

Sarasa:

Brother...

Sarasa:

Plantain...

Voice:

AH—

Oh no!

Hayato:

I forgot to tend the fire!

Shôta:

Me too!

Hayato:

The fire...

What? It's still burning.

Stranger:

It was Tatara.

Shôta:

Eh?

Stranger:

Why don't you all take a look at your feet?

Shôta:

They're covered with some green stuff...

What is it?

Hayato:

Mine too.

Stranger:

It's plantain.

{sfx: pick pick}

Stranger:

If you attach its leaves to a sore foot, it helps relieve the pain.

He's so thoughtful.

Shôta:

I...I'm going to get some drinking water.

Hayato & Ishi:

Let's make breakfast.

Asagi:

I slept without noticing.

How embarrassing.

Stranger:

You got some too?

Lucky for you he ain't the discriminating type, huh?

Da ha ha ha

{sfx: sticking}

Asagi:

Always the good child.

Tatara, you're disgusting.

Stranger:

This place has a lot of water mists.

So be careful not to slip.

Voice:

You sure this is a road—

Shôta:

Wah

{sfx: slip}

Sarasa:

Shôta!

Shôta:

UHYAAH—

Sarasa:

I can't pull you up.

Sarasa:

You'll have to get yourself up!

Hayato:

Tatara,

we're coming!

Sarasa:

I'm oka...

Stranger:

Don't move!

It's a pit viper.

Voice:

What?!

Stranger:

It's one of them poisonous snakes I talked about yesterday!

Sarasa:

The last thing I want to see now...

is a snake.

Shôta:

Tatara!

Voice:

Tatara!

Kakujî:

We can't get close this way.*

Sarasa:

Hayato,

please!

(Hayato shoots an arrow and nails the snake to the cliff wall.)

Voices:

You did it!

Voices:

Great shot, Hayato!

Voice:

Gotcha!

You okay, Shôta?

Sorry, Mr. Pit Viper.

Sarasa:

Hayato,

you're a genius.

I knew you could do it.

Hayato:

...he...

hehe...

hehe...

Hayato:

He-he-he-he...

Shôta:

What's so funny?

I feel disgusted.

You did it even though the thing was so close to me.*

Voice:

Ah, be quiet.

If it was you, Tatara would definitely have been hit.

Ha Ha Ha.

Stranger:

That Tatara fellow didn't waver one bit.

Miki:

Eh? Is it because he's confident in his friend's skill?

Stranger:

No.

He just didn't want to let go of the other guy's hand.

Miki:

Young Master, you can't measure all people with a ruler.

Stranger:

Be quiet.

Voice:

What's this?

A dead end?

Shôta:

Ah-h.

Stranger:

It's a mudslide.

Must have been caused by the heavy rain.

Shôta:

Let's see if we can climb this...

Nope.

Kakujî:

If there's no other way, we'll have to clear up this mudslide.

Kakujî:

It should be do-able if everyone works together.

Hayato:

Since Tatara has no strength, I'll do his part.

Ha ha ha ha ha

Sarasa:

What was that, Hayato?!

Exactly what she was worried about—

Shôta:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Everyone:

Heave-ho.

Heave-ho.

Hi-ho—

Hi-ho—

Stranger:

You're...

not helping?

Asagi:

I don't like physical labor.

Stranger:

Aren't those your friends?

Asagi:

I don't need such things...

as friends.

Stranger:

Ah, so you're just cajoling them.

I see through you now.

Ka ka ka

Asagi:

Be quiet, you backcountry hick.

Stranger:

Geh! And what are you?

You think you're all that? What's so great about you?

Asagi:

How childish.

Voice:

Good, just a bit more.

Voice:

The soil over here looks weak as well.

I guess we better bind some bamboo together to hold it back.

Voice:

Hmm—

Yeah...

Sarasa:

Even in light of such an obstacle,

if everyone gets together, the problem is quickly solved.

Sarasa:

You're right...

Brother.

Sarasa:

Just like...

this...

Sarasa:

Young Lord.

Stranger:

What?

Sarasa:

I'd like to ask you something.

When you're up against that huge whale,

Sarasa:

...what goes through your head?

Aren't you afraid?

Stranger:

That whale,

called Ojiro, is like the lord of this place.

Stranger:

Since long ago, it has been feeding on local fishermen.

Miki's father was one of them.

Stranger:

Perhaps it'll eat me too someday.

So be it.

Stranger:

But I won't lose easily.

I'll put up a good fight.

Stranger:

It'll put up a tough fight too,

so we'll make a good match.

Stranger:

I have faith...

in my ship,

my harpoon,

my friends,

the sea,

and my own skill.

Stranger:

That's the whale hunter code.

Sort of like

a motto.

Shôta:

Alright!

It's all done!

Hayato:

Hurray!

Voice:

Hey, the rain's letting up.

It's getting brighter.

Sarasa:

Waa...ah.

Hayato:

Look at that!

Voice:

A rainbow.

Voice:

Ah

Is that the Shrine?!

We're almost there!

Stranger:

Uh-oh!

Kakujî:

Now what?

Stranger:

Over there.

The bridge is gone!

Stranger:

The rain must have washed it away.

Stranger:

From the looks of it, even though you guys are dead tired,

you still have to chop down about 10 trees.

Stranger:

Dah ha ha ha ha

ALRIGHT!

Stranger:

Feels great!

This is Dorokyô.

Sarasa:

I feel sick~ I'm about to puke~

Stranger:

Hyah hyah hyah

It used to be a prime tourist spot long ago.

Great scenery. Great scenery.

Stranger:

Well well, we're finally here.

Stranger:

Yo! Granny.

I'm back.

Woman:

Ayah!

Young Master?

How did you get back?

Woman:

Some officials came looking for you.

What did you do now?

Stranger:

Ah, well.

Stranger:

That's right, I brought them here.

Stranger:

Along the way, they cleared up that mudslide on the hill,

and even fixed the bridge by chopping wood.

Woman:

Oh no—

You shouldn't have.

Woman:

We haven't used that road for ages.

We couldn't even use it to collect bamboo shoots.

Ha ha ha

But— Thanks.

Want some tea?

Woman:

Now we can go pick Matsutake mushrooms.

Sarasa:

Umm...

What?

Stranger:

Oh, you don't know about Matsutake mushrooms?

Hayato & Shôta:

It's not that—

So we've been making a road for you from the beginning?!

That damn road?!

Stranger:

Yep.

Ka ka ka

Tatara's gang:

And you want to get paid for guiding us?!

What a moneygrubber.

Stranger:

Of course.

You're lucky I didn't leave you guys out there.

I kept my promise and brought you here.

Stranger:

The Emperor's soldiers didn't catch you,

and the villagers here are grateful.

Stranger:

I killed 4 birds with one stone.

Merchants can't prosper by being nice.

Kakujî:

But you're a whale hunter.

Sarasa:

Pu...

Kakujî:

Tatara!

Don't laugh.

Stranger:

Yeah, it's no laughing matter.

Stranger:

The Emperor's procession will reach Katsuura in a couple days.

Stranger:

Well, I'll help ya if you pay me.

Stranger:

I forgot to introduce myself, the name is Nachi.

Nachi:

I'm the son of the Shrine's head Shinto priest.

Nice to meet ya.

Sarasa:

Same here.

Sarasa:

I'm going to challenge that giant whale...

called General Kazan!

Sarasa:

I may be small and weak,

but I have faith in myself and my friends...!