Episode 4 - The Crossed Scar
Mitsuka
tells Kenshin that Tomoe has gone to the temple that is located at the hilltop.
There, he will have to face some people who want him dead. Tomoe walks slowly
along the snowy pathway. Enishi is very happy to see her. Tomoe enters into
the temple and sees a middle-aged warrior (Sorrie, I don’t think that I have
caught his name)
Kenshin
follows Tomoe's footsteps. His face is bleeding profusely; his hands hold
Tomoe's purple shawl.
Tomoe
wants an explanation for their actions. Why didn't they wait for her signal?
The answer is that they have found out that the legendary Battousai has
feelings and that is his weakness. His feeling towards Tomoe is his weakness.
Tomoe is his weakness. Battousai would have probably found out the truth and is
an unstable emotional state. Tomoe realized that she has been used. Her hands
go behind her back.
Kenshin
is being attacked and is injured during the fight. Like the warrior has predicted,
Kenshin is not focused in his fighting.
The
warrior snatches away the dagger that Tomoe is about to take out and slaps her.
Women are incapable of controlling their feelings. They can love and hate the
same man. Tomoe tries to bite off her tongue but the warrior stops her. He
isn't going to let her commit suicide that easily.
The
attacker is heavily wounded by Kenshin. Before he dies, he pulls a rope that is
hidden underneath the snow. An explosion.
The
warrior questions Tomoe. Has she forgotten about her fiancé? Has she forgotten
about what was she supposed to do? Her fiancé has died for her and for the
country. It's a man's duty to fight for the country when it is in turmoil. When
the country returns to stability, only then can the people experience true
happiness. This is what he has died for.
Two
more attackers approach Kenshin
It's
a pity that Tomoe has fallen in love. However, it is common for humans to make
mistakes. It is not too late to change.
All
that Kenshin could think about is Tomoe. Another explosion.
The warrior
is determined to kill Kenshin. He would let not his fellow comrades die for
nothing.
Kenshin
collapses from his wounds but gets up. Petals of plum blossoms fall across his
path. He remembers the questions that the people have brought up about Tomoe.
Still, he wants to be with her. He wants to bring her to Otsu with him. The falling
snow reacts to his spirit. Inside the temple, Tomoe seems to hear Kenshin's
voice. The wind blows snow inside the temple. She opens the door and sees
Kenshin. The warrior begins his assault.
Tomoe
closes her eyes and covers her ears. Then, she senses someone. Looking up, she
sees her fiancé all covered in blood. His hand holds out a plum blossom.
Meanwhile
Kenshin is doing very badly. The warrior takes out the dagger. With his last
strength, Kenshin charges forward with his eyes closed. He prays for Tomoe's forgiveness
for taking away her happiness. Then, he has a vision for him standing in front
of a wooden cross; a purple shawl is tied around it. He remembers his promise
to Tomoe that he will always protect her…
The
sound of a body is being sliced. Kenshin opens his eyes. To his horror, he sees
Tomoe in front of him. Apparently, she was trying to act as a shield for
Kenshin. The warrior dies. Kenshin screams.
Before
Tomoe dies, she holds out the dagger (which the warrior intended to use to
finish off Kenshin) and gives Kenshin another scar on his cheek, completing the
famous crossed scar that Hitokiri Battousia is known of. She asks for
forgiveness. Kenshin holds her in his arms. Enishi who has witnessed the
entire fight, is shaking uncontrollably.
Kenshin
mourns for Tomoe. He blames himself for making her suffer unnecessary pain,
vowing to remember her love and care. Someday, he will repay for all those that
he had killed.
At a
harbour, Mitsuka prepares to leave. Katsura has followed and kill him for his
betrayal. Later, he finds Kenshin and asks him for his service. Kenshin agrees
but when the new era has come, he wishes to put down his sword. Katsura knows
that he has made a mistake - a sword is meant to protect not to destroy. At
night, Kenshin burns down the house and left. Soon, Kenshin is involved with
many battles including his fight with the Shinsen-gumi, especially Saitou
Haijime (Somehow, their fight is never concluded). Throughout the whole time,
Kenshin carries Tomoe's purple shawl with him.
It's
the dawn of the Meiji Era. Hiko Seijirou walks back to the graveyard (where
Kenshin buried his 3 guardians) and finds a wooden cross behind the three stone
graves. A purple shawl is tied around it. He looks up at the bronze-copper sky.
What is your name, boy?
Shinta
Your name is too gentle for a swordsman.
From now on, your name is Kenshin.
Kenshin…
OWARI