"So you really can't see what's going on outside!"
Yui looked thoughtful. After a moment's consideration, she answered, "You might not believe this, but another friend of mine is lying in the coffin."
"What?" Kazama Ya froze, then asked in bewilderment, "Another friend? Isn't Nai Hyuga your only friend?"
"When did you get another friend? You're not lying to me, are you?"
Yui capped the gourd and hung it back at her waist, smiling. "I never said Nai Hyuga was my only friend."
"You..." Kazama Ya faltered. It felt a little angry, but soon realized that the mistake really had been its own.
"Hmph, I should have asked more clearly," it said indignantly.
"But at least you didn't lie to me. I sensed someone else's presence. Otherwise, I would have stopped trusting you."
Those words made Yui stiffen, and her gaze darkened slightly.
"Tell me about him. What symptoms does this friend of yours have? He seems to still be alive?"
"Hmm... He probably went too long without any nourishment and ended up starving. I just gave him a little, so he should wake up soon." Yui did not conceal Orochimaru's condition.
She had now realized that Kazama Ya seemed to possess exceptionally powerful senses. If she had concealed Orochimaru's presence just now, there was no telling what would have happened, but it certainly would have been more than the "loss of trust" it claimed.
After Yui finished explaining Orochimaru's condition, Kazama Ya fell silent. A long while later, it said, "So that's what happened. It's good that he's not in danger. Looks like you'll be getting out of here soon..."
Its voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
"By the way, could you tell me how many of you entered this ruin together? Do you have any other friends besides