Yoshiko's POV:

I woke up in an unfamiliar room. I groaned slightly as I sat up. I looked around. I'm in the hospital. What happened? How'd I get here? I don't really remember much. My memory is all foggy. Hopefully it will clear up soon and I'll remember.

I noticed someone sleeping beside me in a chair. It was Zuramaru. I hesitantly tapped her on the shoulder. Maybe she can tell me how I got here. That would be nice.

She stirred after a few taps. She looked up at me, relief flashing over her face. I didn't know how to start. What should I even be asking?

"U-um… how'd I get here?" I asked.

"I went to visit Ruby. Um… you know what she did, right?" Zuramaru asked.

I nodded. That much I could remember. The image was engraved in my mind. I don't think anything will get it to leave any time soon. It's going to haunt me for a long time.

"Well… I found you beside her. You were lying on the ground and… there was a belt around your neck."

What? That… that's strange. Wait. That's really strange. I never had a belt. And, Dia, if that was her, had a knife. Where the hell did that belt come from. Was it… was it her? Could that thing have been trying to frame my death. What if she killed Ruby… what if Ruby didn't do that…

"Look, I know you probably won't believe me, but I didn't do that." I stated.

"Then explain what I saw?" Zuramaru requested firmly.

"I'm not sure how to explain it. But… if you'll listen, I'll try." I sighed, "You know how Ruby's been seeing Dia… well, I… I think I might've seen her. She doesn't look like the Dia we know. She's… evil…"

"What are you getting at?" Zuramaru raised an eyebrow.

"She did that. She charged at me with a knife and I blacked out. She was trying to kill me. And… I think she might've killed Ruby." I mumbled.

"Why would she do that?"

"Because she's different. Something happened." I said.

"You sure you're not going crazy?"

"I swear I'm not. I saw her, Zuramaru, I really did." I pleaded. Now I know how Ruby felt this entire time.

"What do we then? If what you say is true, she'll probably come after you again." Zuramaru worried.

"I don't know. Maybe we need to do something. Let's talk to a psychic. They'll be able to help us." I said.

"You think so?" Zuramaru asked.

I nodded, "If anyone can help us with the supernatural, it would be someone like that."

"Well, I heard that Riko took an interest in that type of stuff. Maybe she could help." Zuramaru suggested.

"I hope so. How long will I be here for?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully not long. You weren't injured really."

"It's just a matter of getting them to believe I didn't try to kill myself." I sighed.

"I'm sure you can do it." Zuramaru said.

DIVIDER--

A few hours later, we were out. They had believed me in saying I hadn't done that. Since I didn't show any signs of wanting to die, they let me go. I'm glad they did. Now, we have to find Riko and see if she can help us figure this mess out. I don't know how much time we have to do this before she tries to kill me again.

Thankfully, Riko was home when we went to visit her. She was confused by us, but let us inside. We sat down in the dining room. Riko was eyeing the two of us.

"So, Riko… um, you do things with ghosts right?" Zuramaru asked.

Riko nodded, "Yeah… what about it?"

"Well, we kinda need your help…" I mumbled.

"With what?" Riko gave us a suspicious look.

"So… it's a long story." I sighed. I guess I have to explain what's been going on.

DIVIDER--

After I finished explaining, Riko was just gaping at us in shock. I guess she wouldn't have assumed that either. I'm not sure what they all thought when they heard Ruby was in the hospital.

"Can you help us? There has to be a reason for this happening and… it needs to stop now." I pleaded. If she doesn't help us, we're doomed.

"I'll see what I can do." Riko said, "Come to my room."

The three of us went to her room. I'm really glad that she's helping us. I don't know that we'd be able to do much else if she didn't. By the time we found someone else, who's to say we wouldn't be too late?

"I'll try and see if I can feel her spirit." Riko said as she sat down on her bed.

She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Zuramaru and I were watching her closely. I'm hoping she can find out the truth. Whatever is going on isn't good. And, if that is Dia… I want her to be normal. I don't want this psycho version of her.

After a few minutes, Riko opened her eyes. She looked at us. She looked worried. That's not good.

"What did you feel?" I asked.

"Something happened… something's tainted her. I can't say what, but something has done this to her." Riko said.

"So… Dia truly has gone mad?" Zuramaru asked.

Riko nodded, "Unfortunately. I don't know if there's anything you could do to fix that."

"I don't know if this will work but… maybe talking to her? Not being afraid. Could that possibly help?" I suggested.

"It could. But, if she's trying to kill you, then you don't have that much time to talk. It's very risky." Riko said.

"If it's the only thing we can do, then I'll do it." I stated.

"Good luck."

DIVIDER--

I hadn't seen Dia the entire day. Maybe she isn't coming back to kill me? Maybe she only did it cause I found Ruby before she wanted her to be found. I hope that's the case. But, that means I'll have to find another way to help her…

Oh… she's back. I guess I spoke too soon. Dia was standing before me. I had just come out of my room. I stared at her. I'm scared, but I have to try.

"Dia." I said.

She flinched at her name. Maybe this is going to work.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, but you need to come back. This isn't you. You would never do this." I continued, feeling braver now.

Dia growled as she walked closer. I stood my ground. I can't show fear.

"You killed your sister. For what? You saved her from dying just to kill her. I bet she hates you now." I said.

That got her to stop. She was staring at me. I think I know what to do now.

"You hurt your sister. You made her like this. She suffered because of you." I continued, "I bet she wishes to never see you in the afterlife. I bet she hates you so much now. How does that feel? To know you made your sister hate you. The sister who looked up to you for everything. You ruined her trust."

Dia started flickering. She was changing from her bloody form to, what I assume, would be her regular form. I think I might've done it. All I needed to do was convince her that this was making Ruby hate her, huh? That must mean she changed to this thing because of her feelings for Ruby. But, I don't understand why. Why would she change to a monster?

After a while, she stopped flickering between forms. This time, she stayed in her regular form. The form that Ruby probably originally saw. I don't know if I need to do anything else. It doesn't appear like that. Dia looked at me and then vanished. I guess she's going to the afterlife to try and find Ruby. Let's hope things go well. I've done my part. It's up to Ruby to fix the rest of it.