Opening song: Ai Suru Hito wo Mamoru Tame Ni-
Romaji Lyrics
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Zubunure ni naru koto ga wakatte ite mo Tamerawazu ame no naka ni Saa tobikomou
Arashi ga sugita ato no Kagayaku niji no you ni Kanashimi ni makenai asa Yume no doa ga hiraku
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Kimi no namida nuguu yubi wa Sukoshi ranbou demo Kokoro no itami nakanaru made zutto Otoko wa tatakau darou Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Tsumibukai omoide wo umi ni shizumete Hito wa mata hateshinai tabi ni deru no sa Hageshii kaze ga fuite Egao ga tobasarete mo Yuuki sae mune ni areba Itsuka yume ni aeru
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Kimi no namida nuguu yubi wa Sukoshi ranbou demo Kokoro no itami nakanaru made zutto Otoko wa tatakau darou Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
~English Translation
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Even though I know we will be drenched Well, let's not hold back and just plunge in the rain
Like the bright rainbow After the storm has passed Morning that cannot be beaten by sadness The door of dreams opens
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves The finger that wipes off your tears Even a little violence Perhaps a man would surely fight Until the pain in his heart disappears If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Drowning memories steeped in crime down the sea A man goes out once more for an endless journey Even if the fierce winds blow And blow away the smile If one has courage in his heart Someday he shall meet his dream
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves The finger that wipes off your tears Even a little violence Perhaps a man would surely fight Until the pain in his heart disappears If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind ________________________________________________________________________ Episode Four: Hey! Journey Again! _______________________________________________________________________ "When the wheel of destiny begins to spin, escape is hardly possible. The Four Gods were to be since the beginning of time. The Journey was now only beginning." - - - - -
"Nandemo jibun de dekiru'tte tsuyogaru dake tsuyogatte no ne kimi ga inakya nan mo dekinai shi..." Ayuru sung to himself as he strolled down the street. "Man! It's great to be off that stupid horse!"
He let out a yawn as he stretched. "I shouldda gotten more sleep last night. Oh well..." he eyed a food stand with hungry eyes. "Those look good."
"Hey you! Whatta ya doin' here?!" Ayuru turned to see a gang of four standing behind him. "You ain't got the right ta be on our turf! We've heard of the blue haired mercenary!" The leader smacked his fist into his hands. "Now we gotta beat ya up."
Ayuru nearly choked on the air he was breathing. "Dream on, you puppies."
The largest man in the group dove toward Ayuru, his wooden club wielded high. "You're going to have to do better than that to get to me." Ayuru crouched into a defensive pose.
The club's rough form rushed eagerly to meet Ayuru's head, but it never connected. It flew from the man's chubby hands and landed handle first in the street. "Now, as you were saying?" Ayuru brushed some dirt from his clothes.
"Get 'im!" The leader pointed swiftly to Ayuru with the glinting blade at his side.
"Yare yare... you never learn, do you?" Ayuru let the gang get close enough to him to believe they had already won. "Let me teach you again!"
He uncoiled the whip at his side with a flick of his wrist, and with another he had the gang unconscious in the dirt. "Now, hopefully you've learned not to mess with me. I don't have a reputation for nothing."
Ayuru gently coiled his whip back at his side. "Good thing I decided not to come unarmed. I could have beaten them without it though... maybe they would've felt more pain that way."
* * *
"Now they're going to be after you for the rest of your waking days, right?" Kishuku stroked the nose of his black stallion.
"What gives you that idea, Oji-chan?" Ayuru cracked the knuckles of his right hand. "They won't be able enough for the rest of their waking days."
"If you want to believe that, I wish you well in the heavens above." Kishuku turned his gaze from the horse to Ayuru.
Eyes glaring at the prince, Ayuru snorted. "They won't be gettin' me that easy."
"Unless they gang up on you."
"Moron! What do you think the four of 'em did?"
"I meant with more than four."
"I've beaten people more experienced than them, and in larger groups." Ayuru placed his hand on the whip at his side.
Kishuku shrugged. "Just don't get too cocky," there was silence for a moment as Emtao exited the house.
"We'll be leaving soon." Emtao's green hair moved with small bursts of wind. "You two had better get ready."
Kishuku nodded and winked at Ayuru. "Better watch your back or your little friends are going to get you sooner than you boast."
"Little moron! They aren't gonna get me at all!"
"Sure, sure!" Kishuku ran back into the house as Ayuru charged after him.
* * *
Kasaru swung his leg over the horse's back. /Looks like it's time to be going./ He surveyed the surrounding houses as he waited for the rest of his traveling party. "Are you guys ready yet?"
Emtao came out of the house laughing and trying to hold it in. He leaned against his stallion till he could regain control of himself. Kasaru blinked in confusion. "What's so funny?"
Emtao took a deep breath before explaining. "The girl, Kyogen, is...is..." at that point Emtao broke into more bursts of laughter.
"Uhhh... Emtao?" Kasuru hopped off of his horse.
Before Emtao had the chance to reply Kishuku and Ayuru came running out of the house, Ayuru in the lead. The blue haired mercenary was laughing harder than Emtao had been.
Kishuku scrambled onto his stallion and gave the reins a snap. Kasaru was still in the dark.
As Kasuru turned to face the house, Kyogen stood in the doorway, wrapped in a robe. Her eyes searched the faces of the three travelers who still waited outside her family's home. Kasaru had the feeling he should get moving. He regained his position on top of the white mare and followed the trail of dust Kishuku's mount had kicked up.
Ayuru and Emtao trailed along behind, still recovering from whatever had happened inside. He slowed down the mare's pace till Ayuru and Emtao caught up to him. "What happened back there?"
Ayuru shrugged. "Nothing much...."
"Jerk!" Kasaru shouted.
"Geez, you don't need to raise your voice Ka-chan." Ayuru teased.
Emtao checked his dun stallion's speed and looked ahead to see if he could see Kishuku anywhere. "Poor guy." He shook his head as a smile crept onto his face. "He never saw it coming."
"What?" Kasaru demanded.
Ayuru let a smile worm its way onto his lips. "Kishuku accidentally walked in on the Goddess when she was taking a bath. Was he surprised! He was out of there faster than I ever saw him go. He was stumbling with an apology the whole way to the door!"
The mercenary and the military strategist broke into a fit a giggles as they recalled the scene. Emtao grinned, "Didn't you see how red his face was when he ran out of the house?"
Kasaru shook his head. "That was some embarrassing accident. Didn't he know she was taking a bath."
"Nope. Never had a clue till he walked in." Ayuru nodded sagely. "Actually, I believe Goddess' mother did, and she _wanted_ Oji-chan to go in there."
"You have a sick mind, Yuru-chan." Kasuru shook his head.
"No I don't! And don't call me CHAN!!!"
* * *
The only sound Kishuku could hear was the sound his horse's pounding hooves. He could still feel the burning warmth on his face. His free hand trailed along the burning skin. He hadn't meant to walk in on her.
The buildings flashed passed in a blur of color. "I had better slow down..."
The horse collapsed underneath him, trapping his right leg under it. "Nani?!"
"Well, well. If it isn't the prince himself." a deep, haughty voice skulked out of the shadows.
"Who are you?" Kishuku demanded to the shadows around him.
Instead of a voiced answer, six men stepped from the shadows. They all wielded weapons. A man wearing a blood red cape stepped forwards and knelt next to the fallen Prince. He smirked and cupped Kishuku's chin in his hand.
"Now what is the Konan Prince doing here, hmmmm?"
"Get away from me." Kishuku snarled as he jerked his head free of the man's grasp.
"Now, now. That wasn't a very princely gesture." The rest of the men nodded their agreement to their leader's words.
Kishuku ignored the taunt and tried to pull his leg out from under the unmoving horse. The leader made a gesture of mock worry. "Oh! You're leg is stuck! Are you okay?"
Kishuku only growled reproachfully. "I said get away from me," he kept his voice quiet.
"You are the little brat, aren't you? I don't suppose you have any money on you...?" The cape swirled as the man stood. When Kishuku didn't answer he smirked. "That is what I thought." He turned to his men. "What should we do with the emperor's sorry whelp?"
There were cries of "Kill him!", "Torture him!", "Use him as ransom for money!"
Kishuku's eyes widened as he listened to the list grow. He shook his head and pushed at the horse with more strength. "You wouldn't be trying to get away, would you?" The red cape danced as the leader stood closer.
With hardly any sound he pulled his sword from the sheath that was concealed by the long cape. He smacked Kishuku across the back with the flat of the blade. "Don't be so eager to go, my Prince. We have only just arrived."
The red-eyed prince held his breath as the blade tickled his neck. "Your eyes are very beautiful. Especially when they are filled with determination."
Kishuku's stomach began twisting itself into sickened knots as the black haired leader whispered in his ear.
Elegantly the boss stepped away. "I believe the Master would prefer the fist option. Go ahead men, do what you want to him." Eagerly the men rushed forward and their leader let forth a crazed laugh.
Kishuku's eyes grew even larger as he watched the men wave their weapons wildly. A scream dragged itself from his throat.
* * * "I wonder where Oji-chan disappeared to?" Ayuru patted his horse's neck. "We were supposed to go somewhere, right?"
Emtao nodded. "Yes, but where was that? I don't think any of us know."
"What do you think, Ka-chan? Do you know anything?" Ayuru stretched as he waited for an answer that never came. "Ka-chan?"
Kasaru was sitting stock-still on the back of his white mare. "What's wrong?" Emtao asked.
"Look." Kasaru's voice caused Ayuru and Emtao to look into the distance. A large red pillar of light was burning the air to the North.
Emtao spurred his horse forward. /Could that mean Kishuku-sama is in danger?/ Ayuru and Kasaru were right behind him.
_____________________________________________________________________ Ending Song: Saa
"nandemo jibun de dekiru"tte tsuyogaru dake tsuyogatte mo ne kimi ga inakya nan mo dekinai shi konna chippoke na heya ga ima ja chotto dake hiroku mieru yo reizouko akerya nan mo aryashinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no sabishisa kodoku o zenbu kimi ga Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran koto nayami sugiru boku no warui Kuse o
Saa waratte kure mujakina kao de mata boku o cha kasu you ni Saa uketotte kure kono tsurasa o Saa wake aimashou? Saa
karada ga Gishi Gishi itai yo saikin otsukare Moodo ne kimi ga inaku natta dekena no ni
tame ni iki bakari fueru yo chotto tsuyoi kusuri o choudai shimeppai futon ja nemure yashinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no kokoro mo karada mo sou nani mo kamo Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran iji haranu you ni mouichido kimi ga
Saa waratte kure Dame na yattu to "hanarete kidzukunante osoi" to Saa uketotte kure yappari kimi ni "sayonara" dekinai
nani mo kamo umaku ikainai nandaoka kara mawari bakari de kimi ja nakya daiji na mono mo zenzen mitsu ka rya shinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no sabishisa kodoku o zenbu kimi ga Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran koto nayami sugiru boku no warui Kuse o
Saa waratte kure Dame na yattu to "hanarete kidzukunante osoi" to Saa uketotte kure yappari kimi ga dare yori suki dakara "sayonara" dekinai
Romaji Lyrics
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Zubunure ni naru koto ga wakatte ite mo Tamerawazu ame no naka ni Saa tobikomou
Arashi ga sugita ato no Kagayaku niji no you ni Kanashimi ni makenai asa Yume no doa ga hiraku
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Kimi no namida nuguu yubi wa Sukoshi ranbou demo Kokoro no itami nakanaru made zutto Otoko wa tatakau darou Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Tsumibukai omoide wo umi ni shizumete Hito wa mata hateshinai tabi ni deru no sa Hageshii kaze ga fuite Egao ga tobasarete mo Yuuki sae mune ni areba Itsuka yume ni aeru
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
Don't break your dream
Smile once again
Ai suru hito wo mamoru tame ni kitto Otoko wa umarete kita yo Kimi no namida nuguu yubi wa Sukoshi ranbou demo Kokoro no itami nakanaru made zutto Otoko wa tatakau darou Ai ga nakerya tsuyoku nakerya Yasashiku wa narenai
~English Translation
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Even though I know we will be drenched Well, let's not hold back and just plunge in the rain
Like the bright rainbow After the storm has passed Morning that cannot be beaten by sadness The door of dreams opens
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves The finger that wipes off your tears Even a little violence Perhaps a man would surely fight Until the pain in his heart disappears If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Drowning memories steeped in crime down the sea A man goes out once more for an endless journey Even if the fierce winds blow And blow away the smile If one has courage in his heart Someday he shall meet his dream
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind
Don't break your dream Smile once again
Surely man was born To defend the one he loves The finger that wipes off your tears Even a little violence Perhaps a man would surely fight Until the pain in his heart disappears If there is no love If one is not strong One cannot be kind ________________________________________________________________________ Episode Four: Hey! Journey Again! _______________________________________________________________________ "When the wheel of destiny begins to spin, escape is hardly possible. The Four Gods were to be since the beginning of time. The Journey was now only beginning." - - - - -
"Nandemo jibun de dekiru'tte tsuyogaru dake tsuyogatte no ne kimi ga inakya nan mo dekinai shi..." Ayuru sung to himself as he strolled down the street. "Man! It's great to be off that stupid horse!"
He let out a yawn as he stretched. "I shouldda gotten more sleep last night. Oh well..." he eyed a food stand with hungry eyes. "Those look good."
"Hey you! Whatta ya doin' here?!" Ayuru turned to see a gang of four standing behind him. "You ain't got the right ta be on our turf! We've heard of the blue haired mercenary!" The leader smacked his fist into his hands. "Now we gotta beat ya up."
Ayuru nearly choked on the air he was breathing. "Dream on, you puppies."
The largest man in the group dove toward Ayuru, his wooden club wielded high. "You're going to have to do better than that to get to me." Ayuru crouched into a defensive pose.
The club's rough form rushed eagerly to meet Ayuru's head, but it never connected. It flew from the man's chubby hands and landed handle first in the street. "Now, as you were saying?" Ayuru brushed some dirt from his clothes.
"Get 'im!" The leader pointed swiftly to Ayuru with the glinting blade at his side.
"Yare yare... you never learn, do you?" Ayuru let the gang get close enough to him to believe they had already won. "Let me teach you again!"
He uncoiled the whip at his side with a flick of his wrist, and with another he had the gang unconscious in the dirt. "Now, hopefully you've learned not to mess with me. I don't have a reputation for nothing."
Ayuru gently coiled his whip back at his side. "Good thing I decided not to come unarmed. I could have beaten them without it though... maybe they would've felt more pain that way."
* * *
"Now they're going to be after you for the rest of your waking days, right?" Kishuku stroked the nose of his black stallion.
"What gives you that idea, Oji-chan?" Ayuru cracked the knuckles of his right hand. "They won't be able enough for the rest of their waking days."
"If you want to believe that, I wish you well in the heavens above." Kishuku turned his gaze from the horse to Ayuru.
Eyes glaring at the prince, Ayuru snorted. "They won't be gettin' me that easy."
"Unless they gang up on you."
"Moron! What do you think the four of 'em did?"
"I meant with more than four."
"I've beaten people more experienced than them, and in larger groups." Ayuru placed his hand on the whip at his side.
Kishuku shrugged. "Just don't get too cocky," there was silence for a moment as Emtao exited the house.
"We'll be leaving soon." Emtao's green hair moved with small bursts of wind. "You two had better get ready."
Kishuku nodded and winked at Ayuru. "Better watch your back or your little friends are going to get you sooner than you boast."
"Little moron! They aren't gonna get me at all!"
"Sure, sure!" Kishuku ran back into the house as Ayuru charged after him.
* * *
Kasaru swung his leg over the horse's back. /Looks like it's time to be going./ He surveyed the surrounding houses as he waited for the rest of his traveling party. "Are you guys ready yet?"
Emtao came out of the house laughing and trying to hold it in. He leaned against his stallion till he could regain control of himself. Kasaru blinked in confusion. "What's so funny?"
Emtao took a deep breath before explaining. "The girl, Kyogen, is...is..." at that point Emtao broke into more bursts of laughter.
"Uhhh... Emtao?" Kasuru hopped off of his horse.
Before Emtao had the chance to reply Kishuku and Ayuru came running out of the house, Ayuru in the lead. The blue haired mercenary was laughing harder than Emtao had been.
Kishuku scrambled onto his stallion and gave the reins a snap. Kasaru was still in the dark.
As Kasuru turned to face the house, Kyogen stood in the doorway, wrapped in a robe. Her eyes searched the faces of the three travelers who still waited outside her family's home. Kasaru had the feeling he should get moving. He regained his position on top of the white mare and followed the trail of dust Kishuku's mount had kicked up.
Ayuru and Emtao trailed along behind, still recovering from whatever had happened inside. He slowed down the mare's pace till Ayuru and Emtao caught up to him. "What happened back there?"
Ayuru shrugged. "Nothing much...."
"Jerk!" Kasaru shouted.
"Geez, you don't need to raise your voice Ka-chan." Ayuru teased.
Emtao checked his dun stallion's speed and looked ahead to see if he could see Kishuku anywhere. "Poor guy." He shook his head as a smile crept onto his face. "He never saw it coming."
"What?" Kasaru demanded.
Ayuru let a smile worm its way onto his lips. "Kishuku accidentally walked in on the Goddess when she was taking a bath. Was he surprised! He was out of there faster than I ever saw him go. He was stumbling with an apology the whole way to the door!"
The mercenary and the military strategist broke into a fit a giggles as they recalled the scene. Emtao grinned, "Didn't you see how red his face was when he ran out of the house?"
Kasaru shook his head. "That was some embarrassing accident. Didn't he know she was taking a bath."
"Nope. Never had a clue till he walked in." Ayuru nodded sagely. "Actually, I believe Goddess' mother did, and she _wanted_ Oji-chan to go in there."
"You have a sick mind, Yuru-chan." Kasuru shook his head.
"No I don't! And don't call me CHAN!!!"
* * *
The only sound Kishuku could hear was the sound his horse's pounding hooves. He could still feel the burning warmth on his face. His free hand trailed along the burning skin. He hadn't meant to walk in on her.
The buildings flashed passed in a blur of color. "I had better slow down..."
The horse collapsed underneath him, trapping his right leg under it. "Nani?!"
"Well, well. If it isn't the prince himself." a deep, haughty voice skulked out of the shadows.
"Who are you?" Kishuku demanded to the shadows around him.
Instead of a voiced answer, six men stepped from the shadows. They all wielded weapons. A man wearing a blood red cape stepped forwards and knelt next to the fallen Prince. He smirked and cupped Kishuku's chin in his hand.
"Now what is the Konan Prince doing here, hmmmm?"
"Get away from me." Kishuku snarled as he jerked his head free of the man's grasp.
"Now, now. That wasn't a very princely gesture." The rest of the men nodded their agreement to their leader's words.
Kishuku ignored the taunt and tried to pull his leg out from under the unmoving horse. The leader made a gesture of mock worry. "Oh! You're leg is stuck! Are you okay?"
Kishuku only growled reproachfully. "I said get away from me," he kept his voice quiet.
"You are the little brat, aren't you? I don't suppose you have any money on you...?" The cape swirled as the man stood. When Kishuku didn't answer he smirked. "That is what I thought." He turned to his men. "What should we do with the emperor's sorry whelp?"
There were cries of "Kill him!", "Torture him!", "Use him as ransom for money!"
Kishuku's eyes widened as he listened to the list grow. He shook his head and pushed at the horse with more strength. "You wouldn't be trying to get away, would you?" The red cape danced as the leader stood closer.
With hardly any sound he pulled his sword from the sheath that was concealed by the long cape. He smacked Kishuku across the back with the flat of the blade. "Don't be so eager to go, my Prince. We have only just arrived."
The red-eyed prince held his breath as the blade tickled his neck. "Your eyes are very beautiful. Especially when they are filled with determination."
Kishuku's stomach began twisting itself into sickened knots as the black haired leader whispered in his ear.
Elegantly the boss stepped away. "I believe the Master would prefer the fist option. Go ahead men, do what you want to him." Eagerly the men rushed forward and their leader let forth a crazed laugh.
Kishuku's eyes grew even larger as he watched the men wave their weapons wildly. A scream dragged itself from his throat.
* * * "I wonder where Oji-chan disappeared to?" Ayuru patted his horse's neck. "We were supposed to go somewhere, right?"
Emtao nodded. "Yes, but where was that? I don't think any of us know."
"What do you think, Ka-chan? Do you know anything?" Ayuru stretched as he waited for an answer that never came. "Ka-chan?"
Kasaru was sitting stock-still on the back of his white mare. "What's wrong?" Emtao asked.
"Look." Kasaru's voice caused Ayuru and Emtao to look into the distance. A large red pillar of light was burning the air to the North.
Emtao spurred his horse forward. /Could that mean Kishuku-sama is in danger?/ Ayuru and Kasaru were right behind him.
_____________________________________________________________________ Ending Song: Saa
"nandemo jibun de dekiru"tte tsuyogaru dake tsuyogatte mo ne kimi ga inakya nan mo dekinai shi konna chippoke na heya ga ima ja chotto dake hiroku mieru yo reizouko akerya nan mo aryashinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no sabishisa kodoku o zenbu kimi ga Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran koto nayami sugiru boku no warui Kuse o
Saa waratte kure mujakina kao de mata boku o cha kasu you ni Saa uketotte kure kono tsurasa o Saa wake aimashou? Saa
karada ga Gishi Gishi itai yo saikin otsukare Moodo ne kimi ga inaku natta dekena no ni
tame ni iki bakari fueru yo chotto tsuyoi kusuri o choudai shimeppai futon ja nemure yashinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no kokoro mo karada mo sou nani mo kamo Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran iji haranu you ni mouichido kimi ga
Saa waratte kure Dame na yattu to "hanarete kidzukunante osoi" to Saa uketotte kure yappari kimi ni "sayonara" dekinai
nani mo kamo umaku ikainai nandaoka kara mawari bakari de kimi ja nakya daiji na mono mo zenzen mitsu ka rya shinai ya
Saa sui konde kure boku no sabishisa kodoku o zenbu kimi ga Saa kami kudaite kure kudaran koto nayami sugiru boku no warui Kuse o
Saa waratte kure Dame na yattu to "hanarete kidzukunante osoi" to Saa uketotte kure yappari kimi ga dare yori suki dakara "sayonara" dekinai