Rurouni Kenshin Chapter 252 "Autumn Wind" From Shounen Jump 40 Translated by Reiko (wl0423@aol.com) Notes *thoughts* [scene descriptions] -sensei = master, teacher, etc. -san, -kun, -dono = respectful suffixes an-san = what Chou calls Saitou // meaning "you", a short form of "anata-san" in // the Osaka dialect. All narrations are by Kenshin. Pg. 1 Narration: In the capacity of time------- There exists circumstances where a person's stream suddenly intensifies. [Kenshin, Megumi, Kaoru, Aoshi, Misao, and Yahiko are gathered at the clinic.] Kaoru: You're returning to Aizu?! So suddenly...! Megumi: It's not really something I decided on the spot. I've thought about it continuously since before, when I was asked to open a medical clinic at Aizu. With the conclusion of this time's events, and Ken-san and Yahiko-kun's treatment being generally over, I've decided to depart from Toukyou a week from now. Side text: The era has engraved equal changes upon each person... Pg. 2 Kaoru: Kenshin... She turns towards him as if expecting an objection. Kenshin: It will become a little lonely, but this is Megumi-dono's own thought out decision... It's an agreeable farewell... Megumi: Thank you... She pauses for a moment, becoming more serious. Megumi: Concerning Ken-san....... Kaoru: ! Megumi: I've kept quiet about it until now, but here I'm a doctor. There's something you have to know... Narration: In the capacity of time------- There exists circumstances where a person's stream suddenly intensifies. If I think about it now, Megumi-dono's confession may have been the start----... Pg. 3 At the police station, Shinichi and another policeman are guarding the gates. Shinichi [yawning]: Geeze, I'm bored. I wish something would happen. Policeman: Hey, Shinichi, watch what the hell you're saying! Shinichi: Sorry, sorry. The disturbances lately were kind of stimulating... [getting starry-eyed] But with that the way it is, don't you think it was the perfect time of mission fulfillment as policemen? Policeman: You're talking idiocy! I've already had enough of those kinds of death duels! Shinichi notices Kenshin walking towards them. Shinichi: ! Pg. 4 Shinichi: Himura-sensei!! Kenshin facefaults. Kenshin: Umm... you're Shinichi: Shinichi Kosaburou, Fifth class policeman! Kenshin: Well Shinichi-dono, what's with the sensei thing? Shinichi [saluting enthusiastically]: Ha-! I've heard from the chief! I think of all the Ishin Shishi-sama as sensei! Kenshin: ..... Well, all right. I'm glad you're here. Because of my sword, I'd have trouble entering. He hands Shinichi a folded piece of paper. Kenshin: Sorry, but can you take this? Shinichi: If it's Himura-sensei, I don't want to ask any questions but... Is it a letter? Kenshin: Yes. Please give it to police assistant Fujita... Later in the police station, Saitou reads the letter as Chou cleans his swords nearby. Chou: From Battousai? What, do you even carry around letters of thanks from this case? // From Battousai? What, has he come to hand you a letter of thanks from this case? Pg. 5 Saitou: Have you seen it? // Wanna read it? He flicks the letter to Chou, who glances at it casually. Chou: H--m. What, what... Suddenly he freezes, eyes going wide. Chou: -----............... A... An-san... This... Saitou: Fu. Interesting, isn't it. Chou: It's not the place to make jokes... At last, it's finally------... Pg. 6 Kenshin walks away from the police station, thinking of the recent conversation. Megumi: I've kept quiet about it until now, but here I'm a doctor. There's something you have to know... Kenshin: Is it perhaps about my health? Everyone: ?! Megumi [putting a hand to her mouth]: ... It looks like you've realized... Kenshin: It's my own body after all... Vaguely... the first time I remember feeling something was wrong was a little while after the Kyouto fight... From then on in every fight, little by little... If it was my imagination then it would have been nothing but weakness. But I could feel something becoming stagnant inside my body. Megumi: Certainly, I noticed at the time of the Kyouto fight. And then with what I see today, your body is gradually deteriorating... // Certainly, compairing with the time of the Kyoto fight and today, your body is gradually deteriorationg... Kenshin: Perhaps it was the comprehension of the ougi... That probably became the trigger... Pg. 7 Megumi: By nature, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is a superman's sword art. For example, a pysical constitution like Hiko-san's would allow him to use it due to the armor of muscles... You using it is a little too much for your body... No matter how much natural talent you compensate with, there are limits to the reactions accumulating in your body. The small injuries engraved are showing... Kenshin: I see... But my understanding of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu came from my own choice of preparing for the existence or nonexistence of life, more so than my body's safety. I don't have even a bit of regret about that. More importantly, please answer this honestly. What will happen to me in the future? Megumi clenches her hands in her lap. Megumi: Your body's injuries are still weak... If you are cautious, there's no question about you still being able to wield a sword. However, no matter how careful you are, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is already... Within four or five years, it will certainly become ineffective... Pg. 8 Kenshin: *Before it gets like that------* He pauses and looks up at the window where Saitou is visible. Kenshin: *I must establish a settlement with this man, at least...* Saitou glares down at him from above. Kenshin: *The sole remaining person who drove the era with the burning wind... The conclusion with the last old enemy-----------* Pg. 9 Nighttime at the Kamiya doujou. Sanosuke, Misao, and Yahiko are hanging out in the yard. Sanosuke: Wow. The moon's already come out of the east sky. Until now it was still twilight. Summer's already over also, huh. Kaoru [stepping out]: Dinner's ready---- Eh? Where's Kenshin? Misao: Huh? He still hasn't returned. It can't be helped, should I go look for him? Kaoru: It's all right. Various things have happened today. Kenshin probably also has a place where he can think alone. Yahiko: There's no need to be worried. Sanosuke: Because here is the only place he'll return to. Kaoru [smiling]: That's true... Then shall we go ahead and eat...? Pg. 10 11:50 p.m. Kenshin sits atop a boulder in the meadow where he first went to meet Saitou in volume 7. A soft wind blows as he waits for the other's arrival. // he carries a clock that ticks loudly. Pg. 11 At the doujou, Kaoru sews as a nearby clock ticks loudly. She glances worriedly at the clock and continues working silently. Pg. 12 12:10 a.m. At the police station, Chou walks in the room and is surprised to find Saitou staring out an open window. Chou: Wha! Saitou [turning]: What's with you. Do you have some kind of business at this time of night? Chou: No, I'm irresponsible. Even spies get tired..... But more importantly, what are you doing, an-san? It's past the time for the "battle!" Hurry up and go! // No, it's just that I've got tired of this job as a spy and I was thinking about stealing some valuables and getting away... But more importantly, what are you doing, an-san? It's past the time for the "battle!" Hurry up and go! Saitou: Fn. Who said I was accepting the fight? Chou: Huh? Pg. 13 Saitou [turning back to the window]: The opponent I wished for a settlement with was Hitokiri Battousai. Not that man. A wolf is a wolf. The Shinsengumi are the Shinsengumi. A hitokiri is a hitokiri. That's what I thought, but it looks like my expectation was mistaken. Chou: Himura Kenshin and Hitokiri Battousai are one and the same, aren't they? I don't understand what you're saying. Saitou: If you don't understand, it's better that way. Even if I established a settlement with a hitokiri who doesn't kill anymore, by now there are already no more strong feelings, nor is there anything to get worked up about. That's all there is to it. //If you don't understand, it's better that way. There's no thrill at all in establishing a settlement with a hitokiri(killer) that doesn't kill anymore. That's all there is to it. Pg. 14 A strong wind suddenly blows through the open window, scattering papers everywhere. Chou: Uwa-?! Saitou [lighting a cigarette]: Cold wind, isn't it... Chou: Ah? Yeah, I guess so. It's already fall huh. Pg. 15 Saitou takes a drag from his cigarette and stares out into the night. Saitou: Idiot... Dawn. The meadow lies empty. At the doujou, Kaoru has fallen asleep sitting up. Kenshin: Kaoru-dono. Pg. 16 Kenshin: You'll catch cold sleeping in such a way... Kaoru glances up and sees Kenshin standing in the doorway. Kenshin: I'm home. Kaoru: Yeah... welcome back. Wait, I'll prepare breakfast soon. She leaves as Aoshi approaches. Aoshi: Himura. Was a conclusion reached? Kenshin: ... No. He smiles slightly. Kenshin: It seems like I've gotten a compliment... // It seems like I've killed his affection... Pg. 17 Narration: A little while after that, we got the news from Chief Uramura that "Fujita Gorou" changed to a different station. Captain of the 3rd Shinsengumi regiment Saitou Hajime-----... The last wolf possessing fangs disappeared in this way from my sight forever... Along with the justice that was never shared twice... [view of Saitou walking away] Narration: Aku * Soku * Zan---------... Side text: The Bakumatsu might end now. // The Bakumatsu might have ended now. End chapter 252