Contents and Publishing details
This issue contains the third Stan Sakai Usagi Yojimbo story, "Lone Rabbit and Child - Part II", as well as part four of " Erma Felna, EDF" by Steve Gallacci. Only 6,000 copies of this issue were printed.
Reprints of the stories
The Usagi story was reprinted in the Usagi Yojimbo: Summer Special and in the Usagi Yojimbo TPB #1: The Ronin. Steve Gallacci's "Erma Felna, EDF part 4" was reprinted in Gallacci's Command Review volume.
Plot of "Lone Rabbit and Child - Part II"
After discovering Tomoe's body limp along the riverside, Usagi and Lord Noriyuki find that she is alive, but in bad shape. The young lord must decide if they will take her to town to recover, or stay in hiding and watch her die. Such is the weight of leadership. Not considering his own safety, Noriyuki decides to help her recover at an inn in a small village. Several days later, Tomoe awakes and is horrified that her lord has been placed in danger on her behalf. She scolds Usagi, but Lord Noriyuki stands firm by his decision. He is the Lord after all. After seeing her through the worst of her recovery, Usagi and Noriyuki plan to depart, leaving Tomoe to rest.
Dressed as peasants, the two leave the small town. On a bridge, the two are attacked by Shinobi of the Neko Ninja Clan. Usagi valiantly fights them down to the last ninja, who temporarily blinds Usagi with dust. Seeing the danger to his bodyguard and himself, the young Lord slays the last ninja saving them both. Shortly after, two samurai on horseback approach. They are retainers sent from Lord Noriyuki's mansion to help escort him safely home.
A week later, at Lord Noriyuki's mansion, Tomoe returns. She asks after the long eared ronin who had helped them, but is told he had left as soon as the young lord was safe. Meanwhile, Lord Hebi reports to his master Lord Hikiji that their plans to kill Noriyuki have failed. A ronin by the name of Miyamoto Usagi interfered and brought the child safely home. This is one of the few appearances of Hikiji, and we learn he is a human, with a scar above his eye very similar to Usagi's...
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