Rurii saw something pink peeking out from under the mud. To her delight, it was a pink satin ribbon.
"It's so pretty," she said and washed it in the stream.
Tying it on her wrist, Rurii continued to walk. She was looking for her twin brother, Ode. Someone had told her to go to the Konan Palace.
Just outside the gate, Rurii saw a girl with in a brown dress eating a cake. Smiling, Rurii walked over to her.
"Miss, do you know where I can find the Konan Palace?"
The girl nodded. "It's right there. By the way, I'm Miaka. What's your name?"
"Rurii. I'm looking for my brother, Ode."
"What does Ode look like?" Miaka asked, not taking her eyes off the cake in her hands.
"He looks just like me."
Miaka turned to Rurii. She nearly dropped her cake. The sparkling gray eyes, the purple hair done in two ponytails, and that same sweet smile.
This can't be Chiriko's sister. "Are you sure your brother's name is Ode?"
"Well, no. That's his nickname. He's real name is Ou Doukun. He's also known as Chiriko," Rurii said, gazing thoughtfully at the sky. "I miss my brother so much, so I came to see him. Do you know where I can find him?"
The hopeful expression in Rurii's eyes broke Miaka's heart. Without warning, she threw her arms around Rurii and began sobbing.
"Miaka-sama, what's the matter?" Rurii asked, completely startled.
I can't tell her about her brother. It'll break her heart. Miaka let go of Rurii and smiled. "Chiriko isn't here. He went on an important mission, but he'll be back. Why don't you stay at the Konan Palace?"
"I don't want to be any trouble," Rurii said respectfully.
Miaka took Rurii's hand and smiled. "You'll be no trouble at all."
On the way, Rurii began to sing. She had a sweet, flowing voice, similar to that of a whistle and a flute. Just hearing her voice made Miaka's heart ache. She wished with all her heart for the thousandth time that Chiriko had lived.
Once inside the palace, Rurii couldn't help but marvel at everything. "It's all so beautiful!" she said over and over again.
"Let me show you to your room," Miaka said.
Miaka walked Rurii down the corrider to Chiriko's room. It only seemed right that his sister should stay in his room.
"Uh, this is your brother's room," Miaka explained. "You don't mind staying here, do you?"
Rurii shook her head. "Not at all, Miaka-sama. Thank you for all your kindness. When do you think my brother will be back?"
Miaka turned around and walked toward the door. "Soon," she lied. "Uh, feel free to look around."
Miaka closed the door behind her and went to find Tamahome.
Rurii sat down on the bed. She scratched her ankle and saw the familiar birthmark. It was the character for sound.There was another character, but Rurii couldn't see it that well.She smiled and thought, I can't wait to see you again, Ode.
"Chiriko's sister?" Tamahome asked, a little stunned.
Miaka sat down on a bench and sighed. "I can't believe how much the look alike. They both have the same colorings and the same smile." Miaka buried her face in her hands in despair. "What are we going to do?"
"We have to tell her the truth, of course," Tamahome said logically. "We can't just give her false hope."
Tamahome walked toward the palace, but Miaka caught his arm.
"Miaka?"
"Tamahome, please don't tell her," Miaka begged. "At least not yet. Give her a little hope. I'd hate to see that sweet girl upset."
Tamahome took a seat next to Miaka. "I see. But we're going to have to tell her sooner or later."
"Let's wait until later. She traveled so far from her home just to find him. Imagine how crushed she'll be when she finds out her brother died a month ago."
Tamahome and Miaka walked to the Konan Palace to meet with the remaining of the Suzaku Seven.
"Chiriko's twin sister is here?" Hotohori asked.
Miaka nodded a little sadly. "It's kinda creepy. She looks so much like him."
"Are we going to tell her about her brother's death?" Chichiri asked.
"Let's keep quiet," Tasuki said, staring out the large window. "The kid looks so happy."
Everyone walked over to the window. They saw Rurii playing with Mitsukake's cat. She was giggling and singing a little song.
Mitsukake smiled and walked out of the room.
"Mitsukake, where are you going?" Nuriko asked.
"Please, don't tell her," Miaka begged. "Look at how happy she is."
"Don't worry," Mitsukake said. "I'm not going to tell her."
Tamahome saw Mitsukake sit down next to Rurii and talked to her. Mitsukake made his cat perform tricks, much to Rurii's delight. The girl's laughter was like a delicate silver bell.
Nuriko sighed. "I really don't want to tell her."
"Me neither," Chichiri said.
"Ditto," Tasuki said sullenly.
"Then it's decided," Hotohori said. "We won't tell Rurii about her brother."
Everyone nodded.
"There's one more thing," Miaka said. "We need to protect Rurii."
"Why?" Tamahome asked. "Is she in danger?"
"I'm not sure, but Chiriko made me promise to protect her. Maybe she is in danger. After all, she and Chiriko are twins. Maybe Rurii is also connected to Suzaku."
"And if she is connected to Suzaku," Nuriko said, "then she's in as much danger as the rest of us."
"So we'll protect her," Tamahome said.
"Yes," everyone said.
Rurii started to sing again. The song brought tears to Miaka's eyes. It was a song about hope.
Chiriko, why didn't you live?