Love and Honor Page #4

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Tokuhei...

I've thought again and again

of killing myself.

But then I think

the master would be left all alone.

I couldn't bear that.

I've been a fool.

If only I'd been strong...

None of this...

would have happened.

Say something!

I have my limits. Tell me.

Who?

Who was he?!

Tell me his name.

Lord Shimada Toya.

Shimada?

The Chief Duty Officer?

Yes.

How?

Why?

I used to see him when I was going

to temple school.

When I was a girl.

I told Uncle that.

He told me to ask Shimada for help

having your position maintained.

He said it didn't matter if nothing

came of it, and insisted I go.

I had no choice.

I took a gift and went to his house.

If I'd told you, I'm sure

you wouldn't have allowed it.

So I kept quiet.

Lord Shimada invited me

into a back chamber.

He listened very kindly.

He said he would help.

There's no need to be

so formal, Missus.

All right.

I'll speak to the Senior Retainer

about your husband's case.

I'll make every effort to see

that your request is granted.

Thank you very much!

However, Missus...

Then he said his help

would not come for free.

Suddenly he seized me...

I was terrified.

I couldn't cry out.

I gave myself to him,

thinking then I would kill myself.

I only meant it

to happen once, of course.

But then he sent a message.

He threatened to tell you

if I didn't agree to see him again.

So I met him twice more.

I've fallen into Hell.

I knew eventually you'd find out

and kill me.

I'm ready for that.

Do as you will with me.

A man steals my wife

for a measly 30-koku.

Rice I was so happy to have.

I've sunk lower than any dog.

Your eyes are so cold!

Don't look at me like that!

I'm not seeing you.

I can see how you feel.

You're cold as ice.

Please! Just kill me here and now.

The Kayo I knew is dead.

You are not Kayo.

I did it for you.

I'd go through anything for you!

Please!

Don't look at me like that!

Tokuhei, are you here?

Yes, sir.

I have just divorced Kayo.

Get her things together

and send her away at once.

Sir, please! The sun's already down.

No more, Tokuhei.

At least he was kind enough

not to cut off my head.

I'll go.

I shouldn't have followed her.

She has no family, no home.

Where will she go this late?

You can't make her leave now!

This is my fault...

Silence!

This concerns the two of us.

If you don't like it, then leave too!

Tokuhei... goodbye.

The missus is leaving!

The poor thing!

Take good care of the master.

You'll be his only support now.

Thank you for all you've done.

But where will you go?!

No, Missus, you mustn't!

Watch your feet!

'Wind in Pines'...

That's enough, sir.

I understand how you feel...

Be careful, sir!

You'll hurt yourself!

Sorry?

What was that?

A bat...

Why can it fly around

in the dark?

If only I were a bat...

Your fencing's got life in it.

You've done well to come this far.

I've been practicing morning and night

with my servant.

Shall I partner you, then?

If you wouldn't mind,

I'd like to spar.

You can follow my moves?

I can sense a person's presence now.

What is it?

What's happened?

Are you after someone?

A samurai?

It's a cruel thing to say,

but you're blind.

You'd be mad to take on

a good swordsman in a real duel.

Don't do it.

I beg to differ.

I can sense an opponent's movements.

An opponent wouldn't know that.

He will be off-guard.

Once more, then?

Yes.

Remember, Mimura, a real fight

is different from sparring in a dojo.

You never know what a man will do.

Keep your sword on mine.

I could help, depending on

what the circumstances are...

Who is he?

How did it come about?

Forgive me.

Honor forbids me from saying.

There is one way you can win.

That is if you are resolved to die,

and the other man wants badly to live.

That's the only way.

I told you something

when I licensed you.

Do you remember?

'Be resolved you will both die.

'In that lies victory.

'Life lies in resolve for death.'

Sensei! Once more, please.

So you cook every day?

Yes.

Poor guy!

It's a fact you can never tell

about someone's marriage.

Still, to divorce

a beautiful missus like that!

Aye!

Squire Yamazaki,

about what I asked you...

Oh, that?

I found out.

It was generous of them...

to keep your stipend as it was

now you've gone blind.

The Council had a meeting.

The clan's short of money these days.

They decided to give you

Counselor Nose took that

to His Lordship.

You know what, Mimura?

The old man thought

for a minute.

'If Mimura hadn't tasted

that poison,' he said...

'It would have been disaster for me

and everyone connected with me.'

Right then and there he said

you would be maintained for life.

He overturned their decision!

Did he make that decision

based on advice from anyone?

No. I'm told those were

his words exactly.

Counselor Nose himself told me.

You can believe it.

And here I thought

His Lordship was senile!

That's our Lordship for you!

Aye.

And the Chief Duty Officer,

Lord Shimada...

Did he not say anything

in my favor?

Shimada? You must be joking!

All that gentleman ever thinks of

is his own advancement.

He wouldn't speak up

for anybody below him.

Aye.

So you relax, take care of yourself,

and that's that.

Does that put your mind at ease?

Thank you for your trouble.

Goodbye.

Take care.

I was hoping to see

that beautiful wife of his...

Aye.

Are you leaving?

Tokuhei...

Are you here?

Tokuhei!

You called?

Go to Chief Duty Officer

Shimada's residence.

Deliver this message to him.

'Tomorrow at the midday hour

I will be at the old river stable.'

Say only that. He will understand.

Don't let his retainers hear.

Go round the back

and speak directly to him.

What are you waiting for?

Get going!

One more thing!

Tell him not to underestimate me

just because I'm blind.

All right?

Go on.

Go!

Who are you?

Why must you speak only to me?

My name is Tokuhei.

I serve Mimura Shinnojo.

Mimura?

Aye.

What does he want?

Tomorrow at the midday hour

he will be at the old river stable.

He bids me tell you that.

This is a challenge?

I cannot say.

But do not underestimate him

just because he is blind.

What?!

That's not from me, sir!

My master told me to say so.

Varlet! Do you know who I am?

I trained for three years

at the Naganuma dojo.

I am Shimada Toya,

licensed in the Shinkage school.

Go tell your master this:

He is very brave for a blind man.

Tell him I'll be sure

to be at the river stables.

Begone!

Sir...

I beg of you, please don't fight

this duel tomorrow!

No more.

This touches what I am as a warrior.

Shimada deceived Kayo.

He lied to her about talking to

the Senior Retainer.

What he did to the poor woman

is tantamount to rape.

My very insides boil with rage.

But Lord Shimada has a license

from a famous dojo in Edo!

I know that.

Just one blow.

With every ounce of rancor in me.

I am ready for death.

Tokuhei...

I give you my thanks now.

You have served me since

I lost my father as a boy.

You've humored me

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