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Dear Sanemi,

This is the 378th day I have slept without seeing you. I could have said 378th night but I find myself staying wide awake everytime the sky darkens.

I've heard that Rengoku-san is dead. He was a strong pillar and well respected. Rengoku acted a bit like my brother. It dampens my heart to know that he has passed away.

But I guess sugarcoating things wouldn't do us any good.

An upper demon moon killed him. I should be mad for learning this yet I don't feel an ounce of emotion inside me.

I feel dead inside. The more time passes, the more and more I feel less emotion.

It's as if my body is slowly adapting and transforming to what it was truly destined to be.

I should be angry that Rengoku-san was killed, my friend whom I cherish so much yet I can't even find it in myself to weep or cry.

Strangely enough, my chest is hurting and I can't help but grit my teeth to the point that I can taste the warm gush of blood in my mouth.

Sanemi, I fear for what I have become. I fear that I would one day wake up to the feeling of extreme apathy and numbness. I fear that I would forget you and all the people I know.

I just wished that even if it were to happen, you would never forget about me and our time.

And if the day comes that I am no longer the Ruri you know, you must do what you have to do.

I would gladly accept it afterall, knowing that it was you who did it, Sanemi.

-former Fire Pillar

Hoshiki Ruri

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Most people would be surprised at the fact that Rengoku, the Flame Pillar and Ruri, the Fire Pillar got along so well.

Of course, there's the fact that the two would occasionally spar against each other to see whose flame or fire was stronger but in general, their carefree and friendly attitude made them good friends with each other.

Rengoku's flames were a brilliant red with a tinge of orange while Ruri's fire was striking blue like the night sky during winter. And though Rengoku's flames were hot and warm like the sun, Ruri's fire was like magma in a volcano and cold like the frosty snow.

Ruri also relied on her speed and accuracy compared to sheer power and strength which was Rengoku's expertise.

Their fighting styles were completely different from each other but nevertheless, the two never really took sparring against each other seriously. The two would occasionally engage in playful banter and half of the time, Sanemi would just drag Ruri away in his usual brooding mood.

It is no secret how often the Wind Pillar gets jealous over the Flame Pillar but Sanemi could hardly care what people thought of his behavior.

But despite the times that Sanemi would drag Ruri away from Rengoku, Ruri would still end up hanging out with him at the end of the day.

She simply looked up to Rengoku because he reminds her a lot of her brother. Though Ruri never felt guilty of the fact because she knows that the two are also different from each other.

For instance, her brother was more logical compared to Rengoku's lively personality.

Ruki was also very workaholic compared to him. Rengoku was like Ruri, very diligent yet carefree and he also loves his food quite a lot. Despite this, one thing's for sure, they were both amazing brothers.

They knew how to care for the people around them and they always know what to say in every situation.

Ruri did like Rengoku for this because of how similar he was to her brother and how unique and different he was at the same time.

While reminiscing about this, Ruri couldn't help but think about the possibility of sparring with him one last time to test each other's strength.

But Ruri would never know if her bright blue fire was stronger or if Rengoku's warm flames of passion was fiercer.

The dead could no longer fight afterall.

Almost a year had passed since she left and this devastating news was the first to hit her.

Ruri could only imagine Kagaya mourning for the lost of one of his beloved children.

Ruri wonders, was he also mourning for her departure?

She shook her head and could only push the thought away.

But she chose this and now she has to walk the path alone.

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"Rengoku-san was killed, huh?" Ruri says in a sad tone, tracing the sharp blade of the dagger she was holding, not minding the fact that it was digging into her skin but not enough to cause it to bleed.

"This is a sad time indeed."

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