In the family restaurant, Miharu's aunt questions him: but if you go, what could you do to help? The hospital where Raimei-chan is staying is in Kanagawa,
isn't it? Though of course you're concerned about your friend...Miharu, seemingly not hearing her, hauls his suitcase across the restaurant floor. Miharu-chan has certainly become more interested in things lately, they remark;
in the past he would never have gone on such a long trip alone without anyone's suggestion. [Indeed, his formerly constant air of slightly resentful boredom is completely gone; he's become a creature
of focus and decision overnight.] Uncle says cheerfully that it's good to be young and try out changes in yourself. Miharu pauses to look at a photo on the wall: himself as a very little boy,
with a couple who are almost certainly his parents, all smiling. Auntie calls for him to be careful...Yeah, see you, he says as he walks out, and Grandma sighs that he hasn't really changed at all.
Raimei leaves the hospital with Miharu. She tells him Gau is no longer there; he was transferred to another hospital managed by the Kairoushuu, so they don't know how he is. She asks if Miharu really doesn't want to stay at the hotel--he can stay for free since the owner is from Fuuma Village.
He says it's not good to take advantage of such things, and walks on. --You're going to Yoite's place, aren't you? she asks. I heard it from Thobari-sensei. --Miharu's not pleased that he told her this. --She storms up to him: how did it turn out this way? It's too weird, I don't get any of it! It's nothing to do with you, he says, trying to head off,
but she keeps pace with him: working with a guy who's like a shinigami, it's so dangerous! I can't possibly send you there and smile about it--She yanks herself to a halt. I'm sorry, she says. After what happened with Raikou...I'm determined to understand others better. She takes his hand. Most importantly, I want to respect Miharu's own will,
she says very seriously--but she's holding the wrong guy's hand, as she still does at times, and he grins like he'd gotten really lucky as the two of them hurry off. [Seriously, he looks like he'll never wash his hand again. Loli-hentai...]
If my will is the most important thing, Miharu asks her, does that mean you won't stop me even if I want to use the shinrabanshou? If it's to save people, there's nothing bad about it, Raimei says, though I don't know who you'll be saving...As he walks ahead, she calls to him: you're doing this for Yoite's sake, not for the Kairoushuu, right?
And you're still concerned for the rest of the world, right? He confirms both. Then I'll help you, she says.
You're carrying the burden of Nabari; I want to help too. Miharu turns back. If that's the case, he says, can you get me the Banten kinjutsu scroll, Engetsu-rin, from Kumohira-sensei? She's startled. It's OK even if it's just information, he says; we need it to save Yoite.
She says yes, and he apologizes for tasking her though her wounds aren't yet healed. These are nothing, she scoffs, thumping herself proudly on the chest (and going into a coughing jag...); then hands him a cell phone, saying to contact her if anything happens.
He agrees; they walk away from each other; she suddenly turns and runs back to him, saying "I ought to stop you right here..." I'm worried that you'll cry, she says, and takes him by the shoulders. You must smile, she says most earnestly; whether I stop you or not you must smile to the very end. He stares at her with no idea what to make of it.
Miharu walks on alone, thinking:
if the shinrabanshou didn't exist, the Shimizu clan would all still be alive and living happily, and Gau wouldn't have been hurt either. And Kouichi wouldn't have to kill people, and Kumohira-sensei wouldn't be so troubled...if the shinrabanshou didn't exist. If I didn't exist. (He's taken to looking at the Kira scar in his palm a lot.)
As he walks on, he passes a narrow gap between buildings--barely wide enough for a cat--and suddenly leans back to look into it; Yoite is standing there. Are you stuck? he asks. Hiding in here, says the assassin. Let me hide too then, says Miharu, hauling his suitcase in behind him. No point to that; let's get out, says Yoite, and then, politely as ever, "Konnichiwa."
In a park [we can see that the trees are autumn colors] Miharu apologizes for being late. Yoite wraps his arms around himself, and Miharu asks if he's cold, reaching up as if to touch his forehead. Yoite pulls away, saying there's no need for Miharu to worry about him or treat him with any kindness; I don't require your feelings beyond this
(presumably, beyond their mission). Miharu smiles and says that's a relief, then holds up his hand: promise me two things,
he requests. First, as soon as I can use the shinrabanshou, you'll remove your Kira fragments from Kumohira-sensei
and the rest. --Yoite agrees.-- I will erase your existence; that is my will and I won't let anyone change it, says Miharu very
firmly. So, second...until then...you mustn't die.
They're sitting by the road like hitchhikers when a car pulls up and rolls down the window. It's Yukimi, who at once begins griping about how busy he is, having eight articles to complete in the outside world this month, and his Kouga investigation to complete in Nabari...the kids begin to climb into the car, but he protests that he's not there to fetch them ("I'm not your mom here to pick you up!").
Where has Yoite been all this time?--he asks. Miharu steps forward and politely introduces himself. The blond looks at him warily; I know who you are, he says, what do you want? Miharu smiles...
We see Yukimi and Yoite waiting in the car outside, Yukimi wondering what Miharu is up to--is it a trap?--while Yoite sits in an immobile huddle in the back seat. The building is a large library: as Miharu walks through it he meets Katou, who greets him excitedly, explaining that he's a librarian both in the real world and in Nabari.
Miharu says he wants to study the leader's books [you'll recall that Fuuma-dono is the leading chronicler of the history of Nabari], and Katou is
glad to help him, letting him into a locked section and leading the way down the stairs. He suggests the autobiography of "the previous generation's Fuuma Kotarou" =), but as Miharu walks down the shelves, asks if he's looking for the Togakoushi kinjutsu scroll. Miharu's surprised; Katou reminds him that the skill to read others' hearts is his specialty.
He takes down what looks like a hentai-anime box set (nude brunette on the cover=) and holds out the scroll. Izunashingan gives the power to read hearts at a price,
he warns gently; it brings pain to both the body and mind. Shinrabanshou may be the same. Miharu takes the scroll,
gives him a sharp look: how deeply have you read into my heart? he asks. Can't say, you're exceptionally good at hiding your own heart, smiles Katou.
Keep that as long as you like.
As Yukimi's car drives away, Katou asks, is it really OK to let them take that? (He's speaking of course to Fuuma Kotarou, who it seems can be exactly where he should be at a moment's notice.) It'll be fine; I have my own way of doing things, says Fuuma-dono, adding cheerfully that he dearly enjoys watching young people agonize over their decisions.
As for him, he's off to deliver something to Banten...
The car pulls up at a temple that Yukimi tells them belongs to the Kairoushuu, so they'd better not do anything stupid.
Inside, Hattori, Raikou, Ichiki and Kazuho are sitting around a table, examining the contents of an envelope exactly like
the one Fuuma-dono said he was taking to Banten. After being
in hiding so long, why would they suddenly send an invitation like this?
--wonders Hattori. Obviously there's a plot afoot, but what can it be? Should they keep their eyes wide open but go anyway? --there's a tap on the door: they look up surprised to see Miharu and Yoite. Ah, it's Hattori-san, says Miharu calmly, and walks straight up to the table, adding that his grandmother is a big fan. Hattori welcomes him warmly by name and introduces himself as the leader of Kairoushuu.
Miharu didn't know this, but nonetheless bows and holds out the scroll, saying it's for him: a meeting gift. I want to join the Kairoushuu, Miharu says.
At school, Kouichi is asking Thobari if it's really OK not to go looking for Miharu. He's probably with Yoite, says the teacher gloomily. Isn't that the worst-case scenario? asks startled Kouichi, but Thobari says that in his current condition he has neither the right nor strength to stop him. So Miharu's separated himself from you?--asks Fuuma-dono, leaning onto Thobari's shoulder [really, how DOES he do that?]
and going on in a mocking tone. What if someone influences him and he learns to use the shinrabanshou?
What would we do then? --Thobari stands up, brushing him off. I have my own way of thinking; if Miharu wants to use the shinrabanshou, I'll stop him at all costs. It'd be good if you said that to his face, needles the master, and Thobari says "I already have."
Kouichi interrupts to ask sharply if Fuuma-san came here just to make fun of sensei,
and he replies airily that that was only one of the reasons; he's really here to deliver this invitation.
It's from Kouga, he adds. [Ah...and just when did Fuuma-dono become Kouga's postman? We smells a nezumi, we does...]
Miharu has cooked lunch for the Ash Wolves, and everyone seems to be getting along splendidly. Yoite eats fast, with no expression. --With this, says Hattori,
all we need are the scrolls from Kouga and Banten. And the timing is excellent, as we just got this from Kouga. He shows Miharu the envelope.
Apparently they want a "summit meeting" to discuss the future of Nabari. Let me help, says Miharu, and the leader smiles and says "let's not talk about that now". What made you decide to join us?-- he lays a hand on Miharu's shoulder, and suddenly his eyes are keen and scary. We're a little curious, he adds...
Yukimi slugs down more sake' (and he's already had quite a lot). He asks if Miharu is willing to confront the Banten group; Miharu says coolly "of course" and Yukimi snickers that it seems he didn't have much fun there. That messy-haired guy, he's naive and stubborn both, and I hear he won't kill, will he? It was too much for you, huh? --Kazuho, embarrassed, tries to rein her brother in, but Miharu looks at his hands
and says quietly, it's not that, not at all. I just ran away. You did no such thing, says Yukimi, very drunk. People who won't face reality, like people who want to kill themselves, are the ones who are really running away. --He slumps into his plate as
Yoite walks past behind him; the table's attention abruptly shifts from Yukimi to the young assassin, who is standing at the door, tears streaking his face. He walks out.
We see him with his head under the water tap in the garden, Miharu standing by. No matter what I eat there's no taste,
says Yoite bleakly. As my senses fade away--even though I've discarded my feelings--these things pour out of me, as though I were always sick. He stands up, dripping, and Miharu comes up behind him, lays a hand on his back, saying he'll catch cold if he doesn't dry off.
Don't touch me!--Yoite strikes him away, levels a shaking finger and asks furiously why Miharu followed him here. To save you, he replies. Wrong! snaps the assassin, it's because I have your comrades' lives on the line; to save them you had no other choice. Didn't you say, says Miharu evenly, staring down the deadly gesture, that you don't care about my reasons as long as your wish is fulfilled? You have it all wrong,
spits Yoite. I'm already numb to killing,
the Kairoushuu will use me until I'm used up; I can never come down from this mountain of corpses. He turns and looks at Miharu with stark black eyes; his voice is low, bitter, and shakes with intensity. --When you become the ruler of Nabari, all you have to do is hate me and make me disappear, he says. Don't involve me in anything else.
Hattori and Ichiki are driving home. That kid can't take much more, she says; he's held on a long time for a Kira user. Though he still performs well on missions, it seems he's forgotten you're the one who saved him. He'll be dead soon, let him do as he likes until then, dismisses Hattori. Such a pitiable child...
Yoite and Miharu, sitting on the opposite ends of a bench in the temple garden. Deep and dark as the bottom of the sea,
thinks Miharu. That time I made a promise with him...though then I was thinking of everyone's safety...I can't tell
exactly how it's changed, but it has changed.
A bowl of incense burns on the bench between them, smoke curling up to the night sky.
Can't we stay here a little longer?--Miharu asks...(--this can apparently also be translated as his saying he doesn't want to leave Yoite.)
Yoite, Miharu and Raikou are loaded into the car for the trip to Kouga, with (now sober) Yukimi at the wheel, griping that this isn't a field trip. Miharu and Yoite are forbidden to leave his sight during the mission, he adds. Kazuho hands Koite a sack of medicines and says "make sure you take them." They're taken to a tailor shop where they're fitted for school uniforms (though Raikou covets an awful gold lame' jacket)
but Yoite can't be pried out of his turtleneck and
belted-coat armor. Just fit his slightly longer and slimmer in the waist than mine, says Raikou.--Yoite peels foil off a sheet of pills and takes one with shaking fingers. Miharu asks worriedly if he's still running a fever; should I ask Yukimi-san to take you to a doctor? Yoite glares so balefully that Miharu draws back.
[In the manga, while waiting for the tailors' work to be done, Miharu asks Raikou if he knows anything about Yoite's background. The samurai says that he knows very little,
except that he's always been special to the leader, but he does tell Miharu that Yoite was found about two years ago, bloodied and close to death. He quickly adds that since he only heard this as a slip of the leader's, Miharu shouldn't repeat it to Yukimi-san. Found, thinks Miharu; then he was thrown out? by whom?]==Yukimi and Raikou explain the reason for the uniforms: the meeting place in Kouga village is a school, the place the most elite ninjas are trained. Only three students and one companion are allowed to enter. --So, we're off to locate the Kouga Daya scroll! says Raikou cheerily as they pile back into the car, he takes the wheel over Yukimi's protests,
insisting it'll be fine, but seconds later they've crashed through a stone wall and plunged into a shallow river...
...go on to next episode.
--He hears something outside, pauses for a moment on the downhill stairs, and says quietly, "Kumohira-sensei, you liar."
--He's gravely serious; the leaves rustle in the wind; Yoite looks troubled, turns his head in what might be a silent nod. OK, let's go, says Miharu.
A gloved hand strikes his grip clear of Miharu. Hattori stares up at Yoite absolutely astonished that he'd dare, and Miharu hastily explains that he prefers the Kairoushuu attitude to that of Banten, where he's not permitted to use hijutsu. He's felt this way since
meeting Yoite, he adds. Hattori asks Miharu to forgive his suspicions, saying that as he's older and has seen more of the world, he's experienced
many deceits and betrayals. Here, he says, you act according to your own beliefs, and decide for yourself where you go and what you do.--He looks up at the assassin. Yoite, this is to your credit, he says; as you brought him here, he's under your protection from now on.
..go back to Episode Guide mainpage.