Ninja Scroll (1993)

Wendee Lee: Kagero

Quotes 

• [Jubei runs to a mortally wounded Kagero] 

  Jubei : Don't die! Kagero!

  Kagero : [weakly]  Jubei...

  Jubei : I told you to stay there!

  Kagero : I owed you a favour... remember, Jubei?

  Jubei : [gasps] 

  Kagero : [tearfully]  It was the first time... anyone ever treated me as a woman, and not, not as a ninja warrior who was completely expendable. I knew I would become more attracted to you if we stayed together, but I needed that from you - please forgive me, I'm sorry. You were the only person who didn't care about my poisoned soul! Whether for an antidote, or just from compassion. I wish we could have made love just, just once!

  [cries as Jubei embraces her tightly] 

  Kagero : I was not honest, I was weak. I... needed... you!

  Jubei : No... it's not over yet!

  [They kiss. Kagero takes off her headband and gives it to Jubei] 

  Kagero : Oh, Jubei... I'm so glad I met you and I'm, I'm happy... I...

  [dies] 

• Jubei : [awakens]  Uh! Gemma...!

  [winces and nurses his injured arm] 

  Kagero : I'm sorry.

  Jubei : Forget about it. Haven't the retainers of the castle taken some action yet?

  Kagero : They've had two hours.

  Jubei : Hmm. I see.

  Kagero : You knew it was a trap, and yet you still came to rescue me. Why did you do that? Why risk your life to save me?

  Jubei : Because we're comrades.

  Kagero : Comrades?

  Jubei : Why not? We've helped each other out many times since we met yesterday. You're my comrade.

  [Jubei gets up to leave. Kagero follows him] 

  Jubei : Stay here. The Mochizuki clan has already backed out of this. You mission here is completed.

  Kagero : I'm not done yet. I still have a debt that I owe to you.

  Jubei : You can pay it back later.

  Jubei : Not if you're dead, ninja Jubei! I'll take care of this right now!

  [takes off her clothes] 

  Jubei : What are you doing?

  Kagero : The old man told me how to do it - counteract the poison. "Kill poison with poison", he said. He said, if you make love to me, you'll be free from poison. Mine will destroy it... so you must take me now.

  [Jubei embraces Kagero, but leaves when he hears the Shogun of the Dark's ship nearby] 

  Kagero : What are you doing? You'll die unless you take me! Why not? Wait, Jubei!

  [cries] 

• Chamberlain : You, ninja girl! You've done well.

  Kagero : You must hurry, or they'll get away! Are there any other members?

  Chamberlain : Don't be worried, we've already surrounded this area.

  Kagero : Then please, you must go quickly!

  [They are surrounded by Yumimaru and other ninjas. Kagero prepares to defend the Chamberlain, but he suddenly stabs her from behind. She screams] 

  Kagero : Jubei!

  Jubei : [watching from a rooftop]  Kagero!

  [Dakuan holds him back] 

  Dakuan : No, stop! Don't do it, it's a trap!

  Chamberlain : You idiots! Sakaki Hyobu died two days ago!

  [laughs as he morphs into Gemma] 

  Lord Himuro Gemma : I killed him myself.

  Jubei : [screams]  GEMMA!

• Hanza : Kagero! What are you doing here?

  Kagero : Hanza, tell me why you have counted me out of this mission.

  Hanza : Need I remind you, you have your own mission, don't you Kagero? Don't forget that poison tasting is a very important responsibility.

  Kagero : While our lord is away, there is really no need for my expertise. Till he returns I belong with you... a member of your Koga ninja!

  Hanza : But it is too dangerous!

  Kagero : You might die on this mission. Do you expect me to just sit here and wait? Alone?

  [cuts part of her hair and throws it before Hanza] 

• Jubei : [after killing Utsutso Mujuro, angry at Kagero for interfering]  Haven't you had enough yet? What are you thinking?

  Kagero : Why have you become so desperate to die?

  Jubei : It's not me who's so desperate to throw my life away to return a favour! You're acting as if your life is worthless or something! Because of your body? Is it true then, that you kill whichever man sleeps with you - by poisoning him?

  Kagero : [beat]  You'll know if you sleep with me.

  Kagero : [Jubei embraces Kagero, but she backs away]  No, you fool! Poison is seeped into every part of my being. It's become so strong that even the touch of my lips can kill you instantly. No one can ever touch me. If you dare to, you're dead.

  Jubei : Is your heart filled with poison as well?

  Kagero : [gasps]  How dare you!

  Jubei : I hate those who think so little of their own worth.

  Kagero : What do you know of it? You will never know.

• [Jubei is covered in snakes set by Benisato] 

  Benisato : Answer my question. Are there more than just you and the travelling monk?

  Jubei : Of course. There's a whole army - even if you sent one of these snakes for each one, you wouldn't have enough. You'll see.

  Benisato : Hmph - what lies!

  Jubei : Okay - I'll tell you the truth! Well, there's... the monk and myself, and one other. She's right behind you!

  [Kagero grabs Benisato from behind and puts her sword to her throat] 

  Kagero : Get rid of the snakes. Get rid of them all!

  [a snake emerges from Benisato's vagina and bites Kagero's leg, who winces] 

  Benisato : Her sting is most deadly!

  Kagero : Get rid of them!

  [Benisato makes the snakes leave, freeing Jubei] 

  Kagero : And now it is your turn to answer this. What are you doing in this village? Well, speak!

  Benisato : [screams as she is electrocuted by Yumimaru] 

• Jubei : Who was he, that devil back there? Never mind, I don't really want to meet him again.

  Kagero : I'm grateful to you. I am Kagero of the Koga ninja team.

  Jubei : My name's Jubei. Jubei Kibagami. Are you certain you're alright?

  Kagero : I am not in danger anymore. Kakio is west of here. I must go now.

• [Kagero has poised her sword at Dakuan's back] 

  Dakuan : What are you planning to do?

  Kagero : The man you hired will die of poison soon unless you give him an antidote. You must tell me how to save him.

  Dakuan : Why ninja girl, you amaze me. Do you mean to tell me that... you're in love with him?

  Kagero : Old fool, he saved my life and I'm simply... returning the favour!

  Dakuan : [chuckles]  I don't think so. Imagine a ninja woman who believes she's falling in love...

  [Kagero stabs through his hat] 

  Dakuan : If you kill me, then he will die as well.

  Kagero : Hmm. Yes that's true, but your mission won't be accomplished either.

• Kagero : Tell me - why did you join him, Jubei?

  Jubei : He hired me. For a hundred pieces of gold.

  Kagero : Will you do anything for money? A ninja for hire?

  Jubei : That's right. But it seems that he's beaten me this time.

  [shows her the wound on his arm] 

  Jubei : You see, he trapped me. Looks like I'm gonna die of this poison in about half a day.

  Kagero : [gasps] 

  Jubei : He also promised me an antidote besides the gold pieces. That's why I work for him. I can't back out now. You better go away while I divert their attention.

  Kagero : I couldn't do that. I would end up owing you another debt.

  Jubei : I can't sell your debt, okay?

  Kagero : Look, I told you, I don't take orders from you! And I'm ready to die at any given moment.

  Jubei : You don't have to convince me you're tough.

  Kagero : No?

  Jubei : Oh, damn it! It's this hot and damp air. I wish a storm would come so a shower would cool your head.

  [walks away and vomits blood] 

  Kagero : You're in no position to worry about me.