For the story so far, simply watch all 13 episodes of the anime and then read my summaries of the previous manga chapters. I'm assuming that you're reading this to find out what happens next, so the following are packed with spoilers. Since this page contains some large pictures, please be patient with the slow loading.
Where we last left off, Sarasa has just lost her eyesight after rescuing Chacha and Zaki. In fact, she went blind the moment Shuri - in full Red King mode - rode by with his army. Stop teasing us Tamura-sensei!
Speaking of Shuri, word of Kazan's death has finally reached him, and he is not happy about it. When Sakaki tells Shuri that Kazan died thinking about the Red King, and that he wanted to go on serving the Red King, even in the afterlife, Shuri barks back with:
Shuri's intention was to attack Kumano. He was only going after Kazan as an excuse to attack Kumano, and was more than willing to forgive Kazan for keeping Tatara's mother from him. Kazan on the other hand thought differently. He felt that he had betrayed the Red King, brought shame to his name, and can only erase that shame by capturing Tatara. When he couldn't capture Tatara, suicide was the only alternative.
At this point, the clueless Ashô said something like: "But Sire, I thought you wanted Kazan dead." And Shuri slashes at Ashô with his sword, injuring Ashô's arm. This act of rage doesn't sit well with Shuri's men, who question the Red King's tactics and tyrannical temper behind his back. When Sakaki hears them talking, he worries for the Red King.
When Shuri has recovered from the shock, he orders his army to continue the attack on Kumano, because that's where Tatara is hiding.
Meanwhile, Sarasa's mother Chigusa is standing next to Kazan's body when Kakujî happens by. Kakujî is overjoyed to find Chigusa and tells her all that's been happening with Sarasa: how she's acting like a true Savior, gathering so many new allies, and being a great leader. When Kakujî begs her to go see Sarasa, Chigusa refuses and explains why...
"I can't face her right now. If I see her, and hold her in my arms, she may choose to abandon her responsibilities. I don't want to be a foolish mother."
Chigusa hopes that someday, Sarasa will be able to create a world where mother and daughter can live together in peace. But until then, they must be apart, so Sarasa can stay strong. Kakujî reluctantly heads back to camp alone and tells Sarasa what her mother said. Sarasa takes the news well, and says she won't worry about her mother anymore.
At the same time, Asagi is evaluating everything that has happened so far.
While most of Sarasa's gang are resting from the attack, Hijiri finds Nachi crying in a corner. Turns out this is the first time Nachi has killed a man, and he's pretty upset about it.
* guessed meaning
After comforting Nachi, Hijiri decides to go to the Motomiya Shrine and ask for their fathers' help to drive out the red army. Once Sarasa hears about this, she wants to go too. Asagi offers to take her there, and on the way, Sarasa begins to cry. Of course, Asagi can't help but comfort her.
Ah...finally a sign of Asagi's weakness! Sarasa's you-must-fall-in-love-with-me-because-I-am-a-shoujo-heroine power is too strong for him, and he is slowly falling under her spell...whether she likes it or not...heh heh heh...
But back to the story... after much begging and bowing, Hijiri and Nachi - along with Sarasa - finally convince their fathers, two very powerful men (one being the head Shrine priest, the other being the head of the local Yakuza), to send out the Shrine warriors and drive the Red Army out of Kumano.
Faced with a huge army of Shrine warriors, Shuri has no choice but to retreat. But he swears that one day, he'll burn Kumano to the ground. On the way back, he bumps into Asagi.
Asagi acts like he's only going after Sarasa to spite Shuri, but I just know he wants her because he wants her. At least I'd like to think so ^_^;
Anyway, back in Kanto, Ageha is meeting up with his old friend Tarô, a journalist from Kyôto who's been keeping an eye on all the happenings in Japan (woohoo, another new character!). He gives Ageha - and the reader - an overview of the current situation.
Tarô suspects the eventual clash between Tatara and the Red King will determine Japan's future. And that Ageha will play a key role in the conflict. Tarô further predicts that a great calamity will befall Suou, and tells Ageha to check it out.
Meanwhile, back at Suou, Shuri is still haunted by Asagi's threat. He orders Sakaki to find Sarasa, but he doesn't know where she is. So all he can do is worry, while giving us a great view of his bare chest :)~
Next Chapter: Downfall