Rurouni Kenshin - Tsuioku Hen
She saw me!
What should I do?
Should I kill her?
Blood...
You're bleeding!
That smell...
Act 2: The Lost Cat
Flowers for sale!
How about some beautiful flowers?
Flowers for sale!
How about some beautiful flowers?
Oh, my.
Is that you, Himura-han?
Welcome home.
Madam...
Please prepare a room for her.
You Choshu soldiers are so restless.
You kill all night, and now you've found yourself a woman.
Hurry and get a room ready.
There are no vacancies.
Absolutely no vacancies...
This isn't a whorehouse, you know.
Why don't you take her to your room, Himura-han?
I'll bring you some hot water and fresh clothes.
Are you finished?
Thank you very much.
That's okay, but...
What do you want to do about this?
Hey!
Are you feeling better?
I'm sorry.
I was drunk last night.
I know you took care of me.
I should be more careful.
What is your name?
It's Tomoe.
Yukishiro Tomoe...
She was drunk?
Yes.
You're new around here, right?
My name is Tomoe.
Oh, look at her.
What a beautiful girl!
It's very nice to meet you.
Hey.
I hear you brought her home with you last night.
Where did you find a desirable woman like that?
I bet she has some stories to tell.
So, how did she taste?
What?
The landlady told me.
You had her in your room all night, didn't you?
Don't scare me like that!
You made me swallow the plum pit.
What a serious guy...
Well...
What is it?
What you saw last night...
Forget it, and leave this place immediately.
Does my presence bother you?
Your family must be worried about you.
I'm a lost cat.
What?
If I had a home, I wouldn't have been drinking sake late at night.
Has your wound stopped bleeding?
I hope so.
This is yours, isn't it?
Yes.
Kyoto is a dangerous place.
That will be useless to you in a place as wicked as this.
You should find another place to live.
A place where you will not need that at all...
A place where there are no assassins?
Is that what you mean?
A lost cat?
Yes.
Are you going to hire her?
Do you have to ask?
You're the one who begged me to make a place for her here, aren't you?
That was last night.
It was an emergency.
I appreciate that you and the other men are such good customers for my inn...
But you Choshu boys keep us very busy and we are extremely shorthanded...
Do you know how much you all eat?
I've been watching her. She's a very good worker so far.
That's no reason for me to put her out.
Everyone has things in their past that they would like to keep secret.
Good, I found you!
What is it?
Katsura-san and Katagai-san have returned.
Perhaps this woman will bring softness to his eyes.
Who is that woman?
Is she the one the men are snickering about?
That's her.
Iizuka-san!
She smells of white plums.
Katsura-san!
I'm not casting aspersions on her.
Iizuka...
Check out her background just to be safe.
Yes, sir.
Himura?
Yes, sir?
We're not here to talk about that woman.
You killed a man last night.
Yes.
Just as we planned.
I mean the man who tried to kill you on the road last night.
We didn't have time to clean that one up.
Please don't be mad at me.
I didn't know that we needed to keep an eye on you all the time.
Who do you think he was?
Your opinion?
An assassin sent by the Shogunate...
Shinsengumi?
No.
I've never met a swordsman as brutal as he was.
I would guess that he...
...belonged to the Niwaban, the Shogun's secret service.
Yes.
Only a few select members of our clan know about your existence.
I can't see how anyone would know to send an assassin after you.
There might be a traitor among us.
I think he's right.
This is a critical matter that requires my personal attention.
Allow me to investigate this.
For now, concentrate on the Shinsengumi.
Understand?
Yes, sir.
Himura?
Yes, sir?
Spring will soon be over.
What?
The pomegranate trees are blossoming.
What have you discovered?
It's clear from her accent and manner that she isn't from Kyoto.
I'm certain that she was educated in a fine home.
She has beautiful handwriting.
I thought she might be from a samurai family in the Kanto region.
However...
I could find no record of her identity anywhere.
And the Yukishiro name does not appear in any of the samurai family registries.
I asked around in the whorehouses about a woman who smells of white plums...
But no luck there...
She could have destroyed her records.
A spy?
No.
She hasn't been seen talking to anyone from the outside.
So, it's unlikely that she's a spy.
My guess is...
...that she is the daughter of an old, penniless samurai...
...who drifted here after he sold her into prostitution.
Happens all the time.
I see.
Can I believe that story?
I don't think I'm wrong on this one.
Thank you.
Be careful, Kogoro.
Politicians in our hometown are starting to become restless.
They are not sure if the Tokugawa Shogunate will move against the Choshu.
Matters are very unstable as it is.
My sixth sense tells me something.
We need to keep an eye on Miyabe-san and his men.
For now, we need to be patient.
Is it bad news?
My letters haven't contained good news for many years.
Really?
What about the ones I wrote you?
Those were different.
How is Takasugi-san?
It seems he's in bad shape.
He can't have contact with women for fear of spreading his disease.
Even with his consort?
I feel sorry for her.
Uno understands.
Does she?
Shinsaku is...
He is like a brandished sword.
No one can deter him from his way.
I see.
If Takasugi-san is like a brandished sword, then perhaps Uno could be his sheath.
A sheath?
Perhaps so.
His bones were cut through, weren't they?
Was it a Jigen technique swordsman?
No.
You're wrong.
Surrender in the name of the Kyoto Shugoshoko!
We are the Shinsengumi!
The assassin probably swept Sudou-kun's first attack.
Are you all right?!
Hey!
Had he received the blow from a Jigen Swordsman...
He might have had his sword cut in two, but...
But this level of skill is higher.
Remarkably so...
Had I known a swordsman of this caliber was involved...
I would have accompanied these men myself.
Who could have done this?
A ghastly man...
I fear that might be the case.
Damn!
Ambushed again!
This time, by the Shinsengumi!
I'll take the news to Katsura-san myself!
There are spies among us for sure!
You should patch your wound before you clean your hands.
You are still awake?
We may be in separate rooms, but it doesn't matter.
I can't sleep when you are out.
Do not concern yourself with me!
Somehow...
I feel that I am going to dream of the bloody rain tonight.
Well, then...
Good night.
So...
What did Katsura-san say to you then?
"You must remain calm...
And refrain from action until I instruct you further."
That's all he said.
What does that mean?
We can't do anything?
Why?
The Shinsengumi are killing patriots in the clans every day!
Now is our chance!
We should attack them first, and stop them now!
He's right!
That's exactly what we should do!
Enough!
We know that there is a traitor in our clan...
We need to think twice before we make any further plans!
Striking out now...
...would be exactly what the Nibu wolves would want us to do.
The prudent thing to do now is wait.
Is it raining again?
Yes.
I'm sick and tired of the rain.
Good work.
The flower vendor said it would be the last one of the season.
The rain is depressing, so we should brighten the day by arranging irises.
What shall I do?
Peel some potatoes, please!
I will.
You resemble each other.
The iris...
It thrives in the rain...
...but wilts in the sunshine, you know?
A child...
Even a child...
...can commit murder.
However...
I'm sorry.
It's quite cold outside...
And you sleep so close to the window...
I'm sorry.
Have you read all of these books?
No.
Not even one of them...
It is comfortable to sleep against the stacks.
An assassin doesn't need anything else from books.
Will you kill people for the rest of your life?
Perhaps you should find a place where you could live in peace.
A place where you would have the time to read these books...
You wouldn't have to sleep with a sword in your hand.
I have done that since I was a child.
I have seen too many people die being careless.
And this is how you will live your life?
That is what has been given to me.
Besides, I will not live for long.
And there is no reason why you should care anyway.
But...
I am an assassin who brings the bloody rain.
You don't want any part of that.
You shouldn't cling to things that smell of blood.
I'm sorry that I made such impertinent remarks.
I accept the fact that I will never understand why you live the way you do.
I'm sorry I disturbed your sleep.
Tomoe-san?
Thank you.
Pardon me.
I know it is very late.
Katsura-san?
No.
Don't wake anybody.
I need to talk to you.
"Justice that seems like insanity?"
My teacher, Yoshida Shoin, taught me that principle.
Himura is the embodiment of that very difficult idea.
You would give a child a sword to preserve your philosophy?
I have a friend named Takasugi in my hometown.
He is a good man...
...but his methods are sometimes very extreme.
However...
He has a sheath who stands with him, and keeps him from slashing too wildly.
She is a woman named Uno.
A sheath?
Would you be his sheath?
Would you be the one to tame Himura's brandished sword?
Why me?
My role in his life is to drive his passions and make him kill.
A killer who is driven so, can often cause tragedy unintentionally.
So, he needs a calming force.
I know none of this makes any sense to you...
Yoshida of the Choshu Clan and Miyabe of the Higo Clan are now in Kyoto.
According to Furutaka's confession...
We should expect even more patriots to be here already.
The weapons we discovered at Masuya weren't enough for a large assault.
There must be another merchant who is supplying them.
I will arrange the inspection details, and mobilize them.
We have to hurry.
According to Furutaka, they are planning a meeting for this evening.
I smell something.
I agree.
I am certain that Choshu Clan is planning something.
Something big...
The leader of Choshu Clan is Katsura Kogoro, right?
Probably...
Anyway...
I will seek out Kondo-san and consult with him.
Honestly...
I didn't expect Toshizo-san to get so involved in our cause.
Hijikata-san is willing to use the Shinsengumi in this matter.
Do you think that assassin will attend the meeting tonight?
I doubt it.
The man who does the dirty work is seldom invited to secret meetings.
As a swordsman trained in the Tennen Rishin technique...
What would you do if you saw him?
Exactly as I was taught...
I hope I do come face to face with that demon.
What would you do as a Mugai Swordsman?
Sorry.
That was a stupid question.
But...
The Gion Festival has begun.
Kyoto is crowded with people.
This will be our best opportunity to create a disturbance with true impact.
At this point, there will be no way to stop the trouble from happening.
Was it a message from Miyabe-san?
Yes.
If you have a special woman...
You should make sure she gets out of Kyoto before nightfall.
Is this related to the news we heard from the meeting?
What else could it be?
What does Katsura-san say about all of this?
We have not seen Katsura-san in many days.
There are rumors that he and Miyabe-san have officially cut ties.
Cut ties?
I will try to find out more.
What will you do about Tomoe?
Nothing.
It's not like she's my woman.
No one else thinks that.
She's just a woman you rescued once, right?
Think about it.
I must go.
But why?
Don't think! Just go!
Where is your hometown?
Yamashina...
I see.
Return to your parents immediately.
I will be finished soon.
Thank you for being so thoughtful.
The landlady ordered me to do this.
I see.
Is something wrong?
No.
Well...
Would you like to go out with me this evening?
What?
I have the night off.
I would like to have a relaxing night in the city.
But it's not relaxing to be a woman alone in a city of men.
I see.
What is it?
It's been a long time.
The sake tastes good to me.
It's because of the festival.
Is that why?
Todo Heisuke and Okita...
You will report to the captain.
The rest will follow me.
Kondo-san?
We will search the inns of the Kawaramachi district tonight.
This operation will be much like playing a game of Go or Shogi.
If we let any of them escape our careful detection...
We will be attacked at the next turn.
Therefore, they must all be arrested or killed tonight.
Let's go, men!
Rise!
I am the opposite of you.
Lately, I don't enjoy sake as much as I used to.
It doesn't taste good to you?
No.
I feel like I don't want to depend on sake anymore.
It's a strange feeling.
Depend on?
I see.
Has the bleeding stopped?
I don't think about it.
Then, your wound has healed.
Well, it stopped bleeding anyway.
When I look at your wound...
It makes me think of what your victims see before they die.
You say you kill to make others happy, but...
What?
I don't think it makes you very happy.
People die every day for various reasons.
I don't choose my targets at random.
Then...
That means you are deciding who deserves to live and die.
Or rather, you've entrusted that decision to others...
...who you follow regardless of how you may feel.
Knowing more about the people I kill would disrupt my concentration.
I do what I do to create a better world.
That's all I need to know.
Get out of here immediately!
What's wrong?
Katsura-san is in danger!
Later tonight...
Miyabe-san's clan will burn Kyoto to the ground.
What did you say?
Afterwards...
They will move the Emperor to Hagi, and reinstate the government.
Katsura-san is opposed to the idea, of course...
...and has tried to talk Miyabe-san out of it...
But their ties have been cut.
Worst of all...
The Shinsengumi may have found out about this plan.
I need to rally the men...
And you need to get to the meeting right away!
Where is it being held?
At the Ikedaya in Kawaramachi Sanjo!
Soji! Upstairs!
Who are you?
This isn't him!
What's going on?
Blow out the light!
We are the Shinsengumi.
There he is!
That must be him!
Go back the way we came.
Did you know?
A brandished sword needs a good sheath.
What are you talking about?
I want to see how you always kill people.
I want to see it...
With my own eyes!
Was Katsura at the meeting?
I don't know.
It seems the assassin isn't here either.
Chain vests?
You're in my way!
Back down!
I am Heima Shigesuke of the Hokushin Itto-Ryu style!
I don't care!
Katsura-san!
What?
I've already told Miyabe-san that I will have nothing to do with this.
The Shinsengumi have attacked the men at Ikedaya.
Ikumatsu...
You must get away from here, and hide.
Understand?
It seems Katsura isn't here.
Miyabe has committed hara-kiri in the rear vestibule.
I see.
What's the matter?
I thought I smelled the bloom of the plum tree.
But it's summer.
Yes.
It might be blossoming out of season.
Is Katsura-san here?
No.
I heard what happened at Ikedaya.
It's dangerous for you to be here.
Hurry and escape through the back entrance.
Ah, Tomoe-chan...
Do you remember?
The iris...
It thrives most in the rain.
Even if it is a rain of blood...
Himura?
Katsura-san!
You are safe!
I wish I were dead.
Soldiers from the Kyoto Shoshidai have surrounded the house of Choshu Clan.
I've lost everything.
But for now...
We must concentrate on leaving Kyoto quickly.
I'll have someone prepare a house for you in Otsu.
You will both live there as husband and wife.
No one will suspect who you are if you have a house and a wife.
Iizuka will be our messenger.
Wait there for word from me.
Be careful.
I'll see you soon.
Do you understand, Tomoe-san?
Should we go to Otsu?
As husband and wife...
A month later, on July 18th: A riot breaks out at the Imperial Gate.
The armies of the Shogun and Choshu clash in Kyoto. The city is lost in flames.
In Choshu, the clan's fortunes are reversed. The conservatives gain power.
I wish Uno were here to cook for me.
You're Tomoe-chan from the Kohagi-ya house, aren't you?
You're the flower vendor!
Where are you going?
Ma'am...
You shouldn't return to that place. Kyoto is in ruins.
We must hurry.
Who is that man?
He is my husband.
Act 3: The Previous Night at the Mountain Home
Next time on Rurouni Kenshin:
The Previous Night at the Mountain Home
Please look forward to it.