Suffering severe loss of blood and irreversible shock due to the loss of blood and the frigid environment, Nuriko is about to die and he knows it. Still, he removes the boulder that would block the way to the Cavern of Genbu. This puts even more strain on his injured body. Running, Tamahome and Miaka are the first to reach Nuriko, who has just fallen after moving the boulder. The bleeding won't stop, and Tamahome is barely able to find enough fuel for a sufficient signal fire. Nuriko speaks to Miaka of how he was happy to have been born as a Seishi of Suzaku and encourages her to go on and to never, EVER give up. He then continues, mentioning how Miaka's clumsy and a glutton, but acknowledges the fact that there's just "something" about her. Not being able to handle the full gravity of the situation, Miaka gets Tamahome to hold Nuriko as she gets up to look out for the arrival of Mitsukake.