These pictures are from
the end of the battle between Nuriko and Ashitare -- Nuriko threw his coat
over
Ashitare's head and
jumped, thinking to attack Ashitare from overhead. However, the updraft
blew the coat away,
and Nuriko was impaled
on Ashitare's claws. However, the end of the battle was bittersweet,
because Nuriko twisted
around, grabbed Ashitare's neck and broke it, killing Ashitare.
Dying from loss of blood
and shock -- and aware of it -- Nuriko forced himself to be cheerful for
Miaka's sake.
He teased her about
being a klutz, but also told her to never ever give up. "I'm proud
that I was born
to be a Seishi for Suzaku,
Miaka," he tells her.
After arriving and finding
Nuriko dead, Tasuki began ranting at Mitsukake to save him, that Nuriko
couldn't
possibly be dead because
"he'd just been jumpin' around and was so lively just a few hours ago".
It finally hits
Tasuki that Nuriko is
truly gone, and his emotional barriers break down; tears begin streaming
down his face.
It's the first
time Tasuki is not being arrogant and carefree, like he usually is; apparently,
he cared for
Nuriko more than he
let on.
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