Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Thirteen--A Beautiful Night
Part 105--A Beautiful Night
Sanosuke: Here’s pretty much what Saitou has to say. He won’t be done with making arrangements
for the four thousand arrested soldiers and pursuing the survivors till half the day. So
we’ll set out for the final battle break of dawn tomorrow. If it were up to me we'd be outta here by now,
but hey.
Okina: Himura, all this happened while I was laid up?
Kenshin: Yes, but nine of the Ten Swords are still at large.
Okina: And one more thing.
Misao (pointing to Sanosuke): Since you’re in my house and all, who are you?
Okina: That’s what I was going to say.
Sanosuke (to Kaoru): You didn’t tell them about me?
Kaoru: We’ve been kinda busy . . . (sorry . . .)
Sanosuke: All right fine. I’m Sagara Sanosuke. A friend from Tokyo.
DOUBT (hangs in the air)
Sanosuke: Don’t you believe me???
Misao: Sure, that’s what you say.
Okon: He’s just some punk.
Omasu: I don’t like the look in his eyes.
Okina: Anyone whose hair sticks up like that can’t be any good. (Like Chou.)
(He glances at Kenshin.)
Kenshin: There’s no one in the world I’d trust more than Sano.
Okina (pounding Sanosuke on the shoulder): Good to meet you, Sanosuke!
Sanosuke: Oh shut up.
Okina: Well, now that Himura’s friends are all together, we’ll have to have a drink tonight
to send you off before the battle!
Omasu: No way! You’re not healed yet. Definitely no drinking!
Kenshin: Thank you for the sentiment, Mr. Okina, but we’ll be leaving early tomorrow.
After dinner we should get to bed early.
(The middle of the night. Kenshin sits atop the roof, surveying the city.)
Kaoru (climbing up beside him): Kenshin . . .
Kenshin (startled): Miss Kaoru . . .
Kaoru: You said you were going to bed early. Are you all right? You’re up . . .
Kenshin: I got some sleep. Half an hour
Kaoru: Half an hour? Is that enough?
Kenshin: Miss Kaoru, it’s the middle of the night. (What were you--)
Kaoru: Ah, nature called. (smacking him) Don’t make me say it!
(A pause)
Kaoru: Hey, Kenshin.
Kenshin: Yes?
Kaoru: What you said this afternoon. "After this, it depends on my heart." What did you mean?
I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t really understand . . .
Kenshin: You don’t really need to understand.
Kaoru: I do! Since, it concerns your life.
(Kenshin smiles slightly.)
Kenshin: I understand the technique itself. The Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki, battou-jutsu
whose speed surpasses speed--but even with the reverse blade, I almost took the life of my
master. If I forget myself, as with Saitou and Chou, I will kill again. But if I hold back
too much of my strength, speed alone won’t be enough. In a fight to the finish, the secret
technique is what stands between life and death . . . If I can do that, it will mean I have
mastered my Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. So . . . it depends on my heart.
(Another silence.)
Kaoru: Kenshin . . .here. (holding out Megumi’s jar) I keep missing my chance to give it to
you, but I brought it for Megumi. Her wishes that you’ll be safe. It’s not just me and
Megumi. Everyone wants you to come out of this all right. So . . .
Yahiko (jumping out of nowhere to whack Kaoru with his shinai): There you are, Kaoru!!
Kaoru: Ow! What was that for!
Yahiko: All right, c’mere a second! (pulling her to the other side of the roof) I’ve been
watching you for a while and what do you think you’re doing, building up all this
atmosphere!
Kaoru: What do you mean, for a while? Since when have you been a voyeur?
Yahiko: Megumi’s bad enough, but you were going to k-k-kiss him or something!
Kaoru: What are you saying! I’ll tell Tsubame where your mind is!
Yahiko: There’s nothing between Tsubame and me!
Kenshin: I’m not really sure what you’re talking about, but Yahiko, I’m going to have to ask
you to stay here tomorrow.
Yahiko: Wait, I’m not going with you?
Sanosuke (appearing out of nowhere): You got that right! If something happened to you guys,
who's gonna pay off my debt to Tae at the Akabeko?
Kaoru & Yahiko: YOU!! (Your debt, you pay!)
Sanosuke: Damn. Stingy master, stingy student.
Kenshin: You’re not making any sense at all, Sano . . .
Yahiko: I’m coming with you, Kenshin! Since we got here I haven’t missed a day of training!
I’m a lot lot lot stronger than you think!
Kenshin: I know, Yahiko. I didn’t just tell you to stay here. Tomorrow, when we’re fighting
the Ten Swords, it’s not unthinkable that Shishio would send other soldiers to attack the
Aoiya. Just in case it does happen, you won’t be able to avoid a fight. So be ready for the
outside chance and stay at the Aoiya. As a guard!
Misao: It’s all under control! I’ll protect the Aoiya. Leave this to me! Just do what you
said . . . about Lord Aoshi . . .
Yahiko: Didn’t expect you to be so mercenary. And you were so weepy this afternoon.
(Misao and Yahiko start fighting)
Misao: I was not weeping!
Yahiko: It's just an expression, idiot!
(Kenshin and Kaoru are trying to break it up.)
Okina: Himura. As Misao said, there’s no need to worry. Defeat the Shishio faction for us!
(In fact, all of the Oniwabanshuu are standing on the opposite roof.)
Sanosuke: Looks like everyone’s up. We got our sendoff after all.
Kenshin (thinking): The Arai family, who entrusted me with the true reverse blade . . .
Master Hiko, who taught me the secret technique Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki . . . The friends
far away . . . And all the friends gathered here--Now it depends on my heart. There's nothing to fear--
(The next morning, at dawn, Saitou approaches the Aoiya.)
Saitou: Everything’s ready. Let’s go.
(Kenshin and Sanosuke set out.)
Kaoru: Kenshin. We’ll all go back to Tokyo together.
Kenshin (smiling): Of course!
(In Shisho’s headquarters)
Houji: Lord Shishio, I’ve received word from the scouting patrol. Himura, Saitou and Sagara
have left the Aoiya.
Shishio: All right . . . Houji, assemble the Ten Swords.
Houji: Before that, I have a strategy proposal.
Shishio: A challenge doesn’t need any strategy. When it’s your turn, you fight till it’s
settled--Houji, what are you thinking . . . ?
Houji: I’m really only thinking about one thing. Lord Shisho’s unconditional victory.