Rurii's chest felt tight, as if there were some kind of weight on it.

What I can see is getting blurry, she thought. She was lying on her back on the grimy floor. She didn't notice the shackles chafing her ankles. At least I know I'll see Ode again.

Rurii closed her eyes. Sleep is nice, she thought, coughing up saliva and such. Dying is just like going to sleep, so death won't hurt. Choking isn't pleasant, but it will all be over soon.

"Riri, don't!" someone called.

Only one person knows my nickname. "Ode?" Rurii whispered in a raspy voice.

Rurii became aware of a warm hand brushing away her bangs. She opened her eyes to see Chiriko. He looked a little unearthly. He was nearly transparent and was surrounded by a golden glow.

"Am I dead already?" Rurii asked.

"Do you feel dead?" Chirikoasked with a smile.

"I don't know. What's it like to feel dead?"

"Well, you're not. I need you to live, Riri. Miaka-sama needs you alive. You can't help her if you're dead."

A startling realization came to Rurii. "Miaka-sama, where is she?"

"Trying to fight Nakago-sama. She' badly hurt, but you can help her."

"How? I don't know how to fight."

"You're a part of Suzaku now. The character on your ankle will help you."

Rurii remained silent for a long while. "Why did Miaka-sama lie to me?" she finally asked. "I just don't understand."

"She feels guilty. Even though the only regret I have is never being able to see you or mother again, she wanted me to live. I knew there was nothing that could've been done, though. The reason she lied to you was because that was the only way she knew how to deal with that particular situation. Do you remember Yui-sama? She used to be Miaka-sama's best friend. Now, they are rivals. Miaka-sama misses her greatly, but she hides it behind a big smile and vast love for sweets. But if you look in her eyes, the hurt and loneliness is still there. She suffers inside, but doesn't tell anyone because she doesn't want them to worry. I think that's because she didn't want to tell you. So you wouldn't become like her."

"I see. Miaka-sama always seems so cheerful. It must be hard to have a deep loneliness in you."

Chiriko nodded. "I have to go now. Your powers depend on sound so please do the following. Sing until the character starts glowing. The vibrations will cause you shackles to break and you will find yourself just inches away from Miaka-sama. She is really hurt, so please help her in my place."

"Don't worry, Ode. I will."

Chiriko smiled and slowly faded. "Thank you, Riri."

Rurii woke up and did as she was told. It hurt to sing with hardly any air left, but just as promised, her shackles broke. The character was glowing a brilliant blue. There was another character glowing, too. The charcters for sound and strangth were glowing, together. A gust of cold air whipped her hair. Gratefully, she took a deep breath.

Thank you, Ode, she thought and went to find Miaka.