Comics Which Contain This Story

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Characters

The following characters are mentioned in the story:

• Miyamoto Usagi

Story Synopsis

While strolling through the village, Usagi again sees the girl he noted at the end of issue 25. He decides to follow her and saves her from accosters.

The next morning Usagi views a procession of the famous courtesan, Lady Maple. In the procession is the girl that Usagi helped the night before.

Later in the day at the inn, Usagi receives an invitation to Lady Maple's private home and is further invited to remain as her guest in thanks for helping her servant, Yoshino. After dinner, Usagi decides to stroll the courtyard, and sees Yoshino sneaking out again. Concerned for her safety, Usagi follows. After witnessing a switch designed to foil any pursuers, Usagi trails Yoshino to a small house.

The samurai who accosted Yoshino the night before show up and Usagi barges into the house to warn her. There he finds Yoshino with a toddler boy and an old woman. Yoshino gives the boy to Usagi, begging him to take the child to safety and then tell Lady Maple what has happened. Usagi takes the child and hides behind another building, watching what happens. Yoshino and the old woman run with a bundle in Yoshino's hands. The samurai kill the old woman and run down Yoshino, only to discover the bundle she carries are rags. She is taken away, but not before she dissuades Usagi with a shake of her head not to interfere. Usagi relunctantly does as she directed.