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.

• "Tamutamu Time" is a little personal section Yumi Tamura uses to address her readers' questions and comments.

• 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: 8-20-02

Sarasa:

In my dream,

...I heard Shuri calling for me...

Shuri:

Sarasa...

Sarasa:

...from far away...

...in a tearful voice.

Sarasa:

But when I came to...

Sarasa:

Stop this...

Sarasa:

Let me go!

Sarasa:

How can this be happening?

Sarasa:

Stop...

Sarasa:

Don't...

...touch me!

No!!

Sarasa:

Don't you know...

...I'm Tatara!

(Asagi smirks, then Shinbashi flies smack into his face.)

Asagi:

Ouch.

Sarasa:

...

Sarasa:

Asagi...?!

Voices:

Tatara.

{bata bata bata... - approaching footsteps}

Voices:

What's wrong?

(Asagi gives Sarasa a kiss on the mouth, then disappears.)

(Kakujî and Nagi comes into the room.)

Kakujî:

Tatara!

Kakujî:

What happened?!

Sarasa:

Who... was in here...

...just now?

Kakujî:

No one...

Someone came in here?!

Sarasa:

Just now...

...that...

...kiss...?!

Sarasa:

Who...?!

Sarasa:

Was that Asagi...?!

Sarasa:

I'm not sure.

Sarasa:

Whoever that was knows I'm a girl...

...and tried to molest me...

Nagi:

Tatara,

...what...

Sarasa:

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Nagi:

Tatara...

Sarasa:

I don't know.

Kakujî:

It may be the enemy.

I'll go look around.

Sarasa:

I don't know!

Sarasa:

No...!!

(Sarasa grabs the sword hanging on the wall, and clenches it.)

Sarasa:

Nagi...

Sarasa:

Hurry...

...and fix my eyes.

Nagi:

Yes...

I'm sorry.

Right now,

Nagi:

...Ageha is searching for my master.

Sarasa:

Just hurry...

Fix my eyes.

Nagi:

Tatara...

Kakujî:

I didn't notice any suspicious persons...

Nagi:

Tatara.

Nagi:

If you feel uneasy,

...talk to us.

Sarasa:

No...

Nagi:

Put the sword away.

Nagi:

Don't think of this as a misfortune.

Those who can...

Nagi:

...turn misfortunes into fortunes...

...are the true victors.

Nagi:

You have lost your sight,

Nagi:

...so you can now sharpen your hearing, and better your other senses.

This is a blessing in disguise.

Nagi:

I,

...Tatara,

Nagi:

...can walk without bumping into things,

...can sense the person next to me even if he doesn't talk.

Nagi:

Now...

...calm down,

...and don't get too worked up.

Sarasa:

Yes...

Nagi:

Would you like us to stay with you?

Sarasa:

...Uh, I'll be fine.

Shinbashi:

I'm her bodyguard.

Sarasa:

Sorry to wake you guys up,

...Nagi,

...Kakujî.

(Outside Sarasa's room.)

Kakujî:

Wow, that was brilliant.

Kakujî:

You should become a psychologist.

Nagi:

Stop talking nonsense.

Nagi:

Someone is trying to harm Tatara.

Nagi:

What can this mean...

Sarasa:

I can still feel his disgusting hands...

...on my body.

Sarasa:

Shuri...

I want to see Shuri in my dream again...

Ageha:

Writing

"Bashô is heading for Okinawa..."

Ageha:

Okay.

Kagerô,

...take this letter to Tatara in Kumano.

Ageha:

Hurry.

Ageha:

Moreover,

...something big is happening.

Tarô:

Very soon,

...something will befall the West.

Ageha:

Just as Tarô-chan predicted.

Ageha:

I never thought...

...even Suou's Red King would be overthrown.

Ageha:

Time...

...has no mercy...

...for Suou...

...and the Red King...

(Ageha notices bodies on the ground.)

Woman:

Urghh...

Ageha:

What happened?

Woman:

Lady Senju.

Woman:

Lady Senju...

(Two Red soldiers are dragging Senju along the street.)

Senju:

Let me go!

Senju:

How dare you treat me with such impudence!

Soldier:

They say you're pregnant...

...with the Red King's baby.

Soldier:

If that's the case, we can't allow you live.

Those were Lord Ashô's orders.

Senju:

No, that's not true!

Senju:

Absolutely not!!

Soldier:

Tell that to Lord Ashô.

Senju:

Somebody...

Senju:

Somebody help—

(Ageha comes to the rescue and kills the soldiers.)

Ageha:

Princess Senju...?!

Is that really you...?

Senju:

Thank you stranger, for saving me...

Ageha:

No,

...actually, we've met several times.

Senju:

...Eh?!

Ageha:

You and Shidô used to see me on stage.

Ageha:

I'm Kichô from Madame Butterfly's troupe.

Ageha:

Ring any bells?

Senju:

Oh my!

You're actually a man!

Ageha:

My real name is Ageha.

Senju:

Goodness!

Senju:

I used to get jealous of you...

...being so intimate with Lord Shidô.

You're just so beautiful...

Ageha:

Haha.

Did I look like his lover?

Ageha:

Now,

...are you really carrying the Red King's child?!

Senju:

...!

No!!

Senju:

What a horrible insult.

Senju:

This child,

...is none other than Lord Shidô's sole surviving heir.

Ageha:

Shidô's...child?

Senju:

Yes!

Ageha:

Shidô's...

Ageha:

I see...

Ageha:

Shidô...

Senju:

Ah...

Please go save my Bâya.

Senju:

We were separated by the soldiers earlier...

Ageha:

I found her over yonder.

Ageha:

She's dead.

Senju:

Bâya!

Ageha:

Be quiet.

Ageha:

The soldiers are coming.

Ageha:

Pardon me.

(Ageha picks Senju up.)

Senju:

Ah!

Ageha:

We must leave this city at once.

Ageha:

Please trust me.

Ageha:

I will protect you...

...and Shidô's child...

Ageha:

...with my life.

Senju:

Is the Red King safe?

Ageha:

Don't know.

I haven't heard of his execution yet, so...

(Bashô is treating Shuri's shoulder on his ship.)

Bashô:

Now,

...that should do the trick.

Bashô:

Just lay off this arm for a while.

Voice:

Dr. Bashô!

Bashô:

Whah?

Voice:

A naval ship...

Voice:

They said they need to search inside the cabin.

Captain:

Sorry to bother you, but we have to search inside.

Captain:

A fugitive may have snuck onboard.

Bashô:

I'm Bashô, a traveling doctor.

Bashô:

This is my apprentice, Yûna.

Bashô:

There's no one else...

Captain:

Gotta search the whole ship.

Just following orders.

Bashô:

Orders...

Whose orders?

Bashô:

O-ho-ho.

Those traitors who betrayed the King?

Captain:

What was that?!

You've got some nerve.

Soldier 1:

Captain!

This chest is locked...

Bashô:

Oh...

Don't touch that.

Captain:

Open it!

Captain:

You can't hide anything from us.

Bashô:

I'm telling you, don't—

Soldier 1:

Ah, it's open.

Soldier 1:

Huh?

(The chest is full of snakes.)

Soldier 1:

Uuwaaah!

Soldier 1:

Wha...what are those?

Bashô:

Cobras.

Highly poisonous.

Bashô:

O-ho-ho.

I use them to make medicine.

Very valuable buggers, they are.

Captain:

Why didn't you say so earlier?!!

Soldier 2:

Captain,

I didn't find anyone onboard.

Soldier 2:

Captain,

...that ship over there is leaving port.

Captain:

Okay!

Let's go.

Captain:

That's all!

We're going.

Bashô:

Phew-

Bashô:

Sorry for the trouble.

Cobras.

Bashô:

You can come out now.

(Shuri is hidden behind the snakes, and has already fallen asleep.)

Bashô:

Look,

...he's asleep.

He looks so innocent now.

Yûna:

What a daredevil.

Yûna:

Being pursued with an injured arm and all.

Bashô:

Perhaps he's a kin of the Red King.

Yûna:

Maybe.

Bashô:

...

Bashô:

Suou...

...is a prosperous city.

Bashô:

Without the king,

...what will become of it now...

Ashô:

HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

Ashô:

The throne...

...sure is comfy.

Ashô:

Whahahaha.

Ashô:

Still no sign of the Red King?

Captain:

None... However, he couldn't have gone far with his injury.

Ashô:

Hmph. Right now...

...he must be resting up some place.

Man:

Lord Ashô.

Man:

A...a messenger from the Emperor is here to see you.

Ashô:

What?! So soon?!

Ashô:

Welcome.

You must have journeyed far.

Momonoi:

I am one of the Four Elders (tairô) from Kyôto.

You may call me Momonoi of the North.

(I'm translating tairô as "elder," but it can also mean boss, chief, or leader.)

Momonoi:

Are you in charge of the recent uprising?

Ashô:

Yes.

Ashô:

We knocked down the Red King.

Momonoi:

I see.

Momonoi:

Arrest them!

Ashô:

EHH?!!

Ashô:

Wha...

What are you doing?

Man:

Aren't we supposed to be rewarded...

Momonoi:

What are you rebels babbling about?

Momonoi:

The Emperor despises...

Momonoi:

...anyone who threatens the Royal Family,

...especially subordinates like you scums.

Ashô:

But...

...I...

...was just following the Blue King's orders...

Momonoi:

Nonsense!

Momonoi:

The Blue King is dead!

Ashô:

No... But the real Blue King is still alive...

Umewaka can...

Ashô:

Where's Umewaka?!

Man:

Haven't seen him...

Momonoi:

I've never heard of him.

You better shut your mouth.

Momonoi:

And stop disgracing yourself!

Ashô:

It...can't be.

Ashô:

This is absurd.

Momonoi:

From now on,

...the city of Suou is under the Emperor's control.

Momonoi:

I, Momonoi, will become its governor.

Momonoi:

Take them away! Now!

Momonoi:

Lock them up in the prison!

Momonoi:

I'll hand down further instructions later.

Men:

Ahhh-

Momonoi:

What about you?

Momonoi:

Are you a loyalist?

Sakaki:

I'm just a humble servant.

Sakaki:

They held my mother hostage, and forced me to conspire against the king...

...against my will.

Ashô:

Sakaki!

How dare you, trying to save your own skin.

Man:

Coward!

Momonoi:

Are you just a coward...

...trying to save your own life?

Momonoi:

Is your life more important to you than your pride as a soldier?

Sakaki:

Yes.

Sakaki:

It is.

Momonoi:

What a disgrace.

Momonoi:

Throw him outside.

Soldier:

Don't show your face back here!

Town Person:

That's Sakaki.

Town Person:

The one most trusted by the Red King.

Voices:

Ungrateful smut!

Voices:

Coward!

Voices:

Die!

Sakaki's Mother:

Stop!

Sakaki's Mother:

Please stop!

Sakaki's Mother:

He's my son...

Sakaki

Mother,

Sakaki

It's okay.

Sakaki:

I...

...can work on the water canal.

Sakaki:

And wait.

Sakaki:

Wait...

Sakaki:

...for...

...the Red King's return!

Shuri:

Uh...

Shuri:

Water.

Shuri:

Give me water.

Bashô:

Go get it yourself.

Shuri:

...

Shuri:

Ah...

That's right...

Bashô:

You've been sleeping for 2 days straight.

Though you've only been out of that chest for a little while.*

(Pouring -> medicine)

Shuri:

So it seems.

Shuri:

I'm starving.

Shuri:

Yo Gramps!

Got anything to eat?

Shuri:

I'm starving here.

Voice:

Stop acting so high and mighty when you're just a freeloader!

Girl:

Ever thought of working for your food?!

Girl:

Impudent leech.

Shuri:

Who's this? You're...

...pretty strong to be able to knock me down.

Girl:

I'm Yûna.

Yûna:

The Doctor's apprentice.

Yûna:

Who are you?

Shuri:

Shuri.

Yûna:

"Shuri?"

Yûna:

You're not from Okinawa, are you?

That's not a common name.

Shuri:

Again.

Shuri:

I'm starving!

Yûna:

I have to scrub the deck now.

Do as you please.

Yûna:

But don't come out for a while.

Shuri:

...

Shuri:

I love strong-willed women.

(Shuri grabs Yûna's arm and presses her against a wall.)

Yûna:

?!

Shuri:

And all women...

Shuri:

...love it when I do this.

Yûna:

Are you stupid or something?

(Yûna grabs Shuri's arm and twists it backwards.)

Yûna:

Dyaah.

Shuri:

Ah-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta...

Yûna:

If you're so able, you can help with the scrubbing.

Shuri:

? How'd she do that ?

Shuri:

...Hey you!

Shuri:

That's a good arm you've got there.

Shuri:

You should join the army!

Yûna:

What?!

Bashô:

Watch your mouth in front of young ladies!

Bonehead!

Shuri:

Boy or girl, it doesn't matter!

Shuri:

Not when good soldiers are in such short supply.

Shuri:

These days,

...the one with the strongest army wins.

Simple as that.

Bashô:

Hoo-hoo.

Is that so?

Bashô:

Is that what you think?

Bashô:

Perhaps the Red King was toppled...

...because he didn't have enough good soldiers.

Bashô:

Yûna's going to be married soon.

Bashô:

Try anything with her, and she'll throw you into the sea.

Shuri:

Don't worry, I ain't interested.

Shuri:

So, where's this ship headed?

Bashô:

I've already told you,

...Okinawa.

Is he deaf?

Shuri:

Okinawa?!

Shuri:

The Shôjô Family from Suzaku...

...often went there for trade,

...but I've never actually been there myself.

Shuri:

Well! This is great.

I've always wanted to go to Okinawa!

I heard it's a beautiful country.

Bashô:

Suou pales in comparison.

Shuri:

That was one word too many, Gramps!

Bashô:

Don't call me Gramps!

Yûna:

Shuri!

Hurry and come help me.

Yûna:

Or I won't feed you.

Yûna:

Put some back into it.

Shuri:

Sarasa...

I haven't even seen you as a bride yet,

Shuri:

...and I've already been reduced...

...to a penniless beggar.

Sarasa:

3 steps

Sarasa:

4 steps

Shinbashi:

80 steps

Sarasa:

It's 4 steps from the bed to the door.

Sarasa:

And 3 steps to the water pitcher.

{dosu dosu dosu...}
{tosu tosu tosu...}

Sarasa:

Ah...

Sarasa:

Those footsteps...

...belong to Nachi and Hijiri.

Sarasa:

Hijiri always softens his steps in front of my door.

For my sake.

Sarasa:

Fish is being grilled.

For lunch.

I can hear commands being yelled at the sword practice.

Sarasa:

You're right, Nagi.

Even though I can't see,

...I can still sense all kinds of things.

Sarasa:

If my attacker returns tonight,

Sarasa:

...I'll know exactly who he is.

Sarasa:

And I really have to...

...sort out future plans.

Sarasa:

First, retrieve the Sword of Genbu.

Then, make contact with the Kazuno sect up in Tôhoku (the Northeast).

Sarasa:

I also have to get in touch with Raizô over in Kanto...

...and establish our alliance.

Sarasa:

Then,

...I will be able to challenge the Red King...

{dota dota dota...}

Sarasa:

These footsteps belong to...

Sarasa:

Kakujî?

Why the rush?

Kakujî:

Ah...

Kakujî:

Aaahh...

Kakujî:

Tatara,

Big news.

Kakujî:

We've just received a message from Ageha.

Kakujî:

The Red King...

...has been overthrown.

Sarasa:

...eh...

Kakujî:

The message didn't give any details.

We don't even know if he's dead or alive.

Kakujî:

Apparently, this coup d'état was orchestrated by his own men.

Sarasa:

...eh...?

{bata bata bata...}

Hayato:

Tatara!

Tatara!

Hayato:

Is it true?

The Red King's really dead?

Hayato:

Isn't this great?

Hayato:

It's a huge load off your back.

Sarasa:

It's great...?

Great...?

Sarasa:

No...

Sarasa:

How can this be?

No way.

Sarasa:

The Red King...

I wanted to...with these hands...

With my own hands...!

Sarasa:

Father.

Brother...

Kakujî:

Tatara.

Sarasa:

This can't be.

Sarasa:

IT CAN'T BE!

Sarasa:

The Red King...

Sarasa:

No...

Sarasa:

The Red King...

...is no more.

Nachi:

Tatara's pretty shocked...

...by his nemesis's death.

Hijiri:

What a fool.

Hijiri:

To see Tatara overreact to such a thing...

...makes me want to abandon him.

Hijiri:

The leader of an army should look at the big picture.

Not just personal vendettas. He's getting emotional over petty matters.

Nachi:

That's cold, Hi-chan.

Hijiri:

Well, I'm a cold guy.

Asagi:

Good work, Umewaka.

Asagi:

Shuri,

Asagi:

...that proud and arrogant bastard...

...must be fuming right now.

Asagi:

The first round...

...is won by me!

Asagi:

AHH-HA-HA-HA... Serves him right!

Umewaka:

But...

...since I couldn't find him...

...he's very likely to have escaped.

Asagi:

That's fine.

Asagi:

I expect for him to crawl back to power.

Asagi:

It wouldn't be any fun otherwise.

Asagi:

Climb up, Shuri.

I've only pushed you down. The best part is yet to come.

Asagi:

Your beloved Sarasa is actually Tatara.

That will be my most effective weapon.

Asagi:

In time,

...she will be mine.

Nagi:

Tatara,

...let's go to Okinawa.

Sarasa:

Okinawa...?

Nagi:

I've received word from Ageha.

Nagi:

My master has gone to Okinawa.

We should go there to get your eyes treated.

Sarasa:

Where is Okinawa?

Nagi:

It's a foreign country,

...an island far south of Kyûshû.

(Cha-Cha is heavily bandaged and lifting weights.)

Cha-Cha:

Alright!

Sarasa:

Cha-Cha...?

Man:

Ahhh.

She's at it again.

Sarasa:

Why isn't she resting?

Man:

She insists on training her body...

...and we can't stop her.

Cha-Cha:

Tatara!

Cha-Cha:

Your eyes...

They still hurt?

Sarasa:

No,

...just a bit hot.

Sarasa:

Sorry.

Sarasa:

It's all my fault.

Cha-Cha:

If I had been stronger,

...your eyes wouldn't be like this.

Sarasa:

Cha-Cha.

Sarasa:

Don't say that!

Thanks to you...

Cha-Cha:

I didn't realize how weak I was.

Cha-Cha:

When I saw Zaki dying,

...all I could do was cry.

Cha-Cha:

I need to get stronger.

Cha-Cha:

So I can better help you.

Sarasa:

Cha-Cha...

Cha-Cha:

I'll do my best.

Cha-Cha:

Tatara...?

Sarasa:

How sad.

Sarasa:

Even though the Red King is gone,

...the fighting continues.

Cha-Cha:

Go to Okinawa?

Sarasa:

Yes.

The whole gang from Suzaku won't be going though.

Cha-Cha:

I'll write a letter to an acquaintance of mine.

Cha-Cha:

There's this guy on Tanega Island who deals with Okinawa.

He can be a little difficult at times.

Cha-Cha:

But if I ask him, he'll take you there on his ship.

Sarasa:

The fighting...

...continues.

Sarasa:

Now,

...I'm sure everyone has heard about the Red King's downfall.

Sarasa:

In short, the West is shaking right now.

Sarasa:

Therefore,

...I'll send Hisha's team to investigate the situation at Suou.

Hisha:

Yes.

Sarasa:

Hayato's group will go north,

...and make contact with the Kazuno sect.

Hayato:

That's a big job!

Voices:

Whoo...ooo.

Sarasa:

The situation in Kyôto,

...I'll leave for Hijiri and the Tengu.

Nachi:

Gotcha!

Asagi:

And I'm going to Okinawa with Tatara, right?

Sarasa:

Asagi will meet with Raizô in Kanto.

That is all, be sure to see Kakujî before you leave.

Asagi:

Eh...?

Sarasa:

Any questions?

Kakujî:

So we're the Okinawa group, huh?

Kakujî:

Nagi-sama?

You don't look too happy.

Nagi:

No...

It's just that...

...now...

...is not a good time for us to travel south.

Kakujî:

...Eh?

Sarasa:

When I get to Okinawa,

...my eyes will be cured.

Sarasa:

If good things are going to happen,

...let them happen on a blessed island...

Asagi:

Tatara,

...I want to go with you to Okinawa.

Sarasa:

Asagi?

Sarasa:

You're familiar with the Kanto area.

That's why you're going there.

Sarasa:

End of discussion.

Asagi:

I really want to go with you.

Asagi:

I'd be so happy if you take me.

Asagi:

I want to be by your side, always.

Sarasa:

I...

...am not interested in you.

Asagi:

.........

Sarasa:

So, please just do your assigned part, okay.

Sarasa:

Shinbashi is on alert. (Shinbashi is making noises and scowling at Asagi.)

Sarasa:

Was Asagi my attacker...?

Sarasa:

We've met several times in Kanto.

He probably recognized me as a girl back then.

Sarasa:

But, why hasn't he blown my cover yet.

Sarasa:

When the right time comes,

...I must talk to him about it...

Asagi:

I'm not interested in you either.

That's not what I meant.

You've misunderstood.

(Asagi notices that Nagi is lurking behind him.)

Asagi:

Is Nagi watching me...?!

Asagi:

He can be such a nuisance.

Better watch my step.

Asagi:

But since he's going to Okinawa,

...I'll be okay.

Asagi:

This place is pretty comfy.

With Tatara gone,

...I guess I'll just get more settled down.