Konnichi wa, I am Ri Houjun, also known as Chichiri. My fellow Suzaku Seishi asked me if I would tell you my story, no da. After much thought, I decided that everyone could learn a lesson from my mistakes and that I will tell you everything.

    Now... where to begin?...

    When I was only 18 years of age, I feel madly in love with the most beautiful woman you could ever imagine. Her name was Kouran. I also had a best friend whos name was Hikou. Throughout our lives we were the best of friends and spent every waking moment together. Until one day...

    Kouran and I were to be married soon. We had fallen in love and, without my knowledge, it angered Hikou. He too had fallen in love with my fiancee but never let his feelings be known.

    One day, I had bought Kouran a lovely hair comb and, as I ran to give it to her, I found my friend and fiancee kissing beneath a tree. I was enraged and, dropping the comb, ran far away. Later however, I confronted my fiancee, demanding to know why... why she had betrayed me. My only answer was that she was not worthy of my love any longer.

    Anger filled my every cell and I rushed to the riverside, where I knew my friend Hikou would be. There, I took my knife and stabbed him in the arm, causing him to fall into the river.

    At this time, a violent storm had risen and the waters were raging and nearly swept my friend away. I grabbed onto Hikou's hand, promising not to let go.

    However, a large log flew from the swirling waters and slammed into the right side of my face. As my own blood fell into the river, I let go of Hikou.

    My best friend died that day admist the river's current. Later, I learned of both my family and my fiancee's death. The flood claimed the lives of every person dear to me in this world.

    I knew not what to do and wandered amilessly for a long time. It was then that I decided to try and repent for the sins I had committed. I blammed myself for their deaths and I will never stop trying to repay them.

    That is why I wear a mask. My left eye is scarred beyond recognition and, to hide this weakness, I wear a smiling face. The mask shows me as always happy and never sad, but deep down, my guilt and grief will stay with me all the days of my life.

    I am only human after all and there is not much that I can do. But to live my life in honor of their memory, that is the greatest lesson that can be learned.

    So do not be too quick to anger, my friends. For there will come a time when that anger can take such a strong hold over your body that you can never escape it. Try as you might, it will consume you. And do not be too quick to jump to conclusions. If I had listened to Hikou and Kouran, they may still be alive today.

    That my friends... is my story.

          Chichiri

Dedicated to three best friends through life and death...

Houjun, Hikou, and Kouran