Chapter 13 - The Conclusion
After the battle, Konan was properous again. Hotohori's son and his empress ruled justly and they love their people and their people love them. Mitsukake, Nuriko, Chiriko and Hotohori return to Mt Taikkyou to be reborn. Miaka and Taka return to the real world and got married and a while later Miaka bore a son for Taka while Tasuki return to Mt Reikaku to become a bandit leader. Chichri and Hoshi stayed at the palace.
Hoshi was now nine months pregnant. Her tummy is huge and she's due next month so Chichiri never leaves her alone. One night as Hoshi laid in Chichiri's arms, Hoshi suggested that they think of a name for the child, a baby boy. Chichiri asked Hoshi how she knew for sure it was a boy. Then Hoshi answered, "I was woken up by a dream to go save you guys from Tenkou and in that dream a little boy called me mummy". Chichiri understood nodding his head.
After a silent moment, Chichiri said "This child was conceived out of love and has grown in the womb with the power of love so let's call him Aiko." Hoshi agreed and Chichiri caressed her round tummy until he reached her chest and felt a scar right at the heart. Chichiri asked what it was and Hoshi said it's the wound I got when the sword pierced into my heart as a spirit. "The phoenix bird must have purposely left a mark there, which slowly develops into a phoenix scar, as a proof of my undying love towards you, Chichiri."
The next moment, Chichiri lay her down on the bed and started kissing the scar and as he did that, Hoshi felt warm in her heart and a red light glowed in her womb.
Exactly a month later, Hoshi was crying in pain as she was about to deliver Aiko. Chichiri held her hand and the midwife kept asking Hoshi to push. After pushing for about 15 minutes, sure enough a baby boy was born. The midwife immediately cleaned the baby and gave the baby to Hoshi so she could hold him and comfort his cries. Chichiri softly touched the baby's skin and though others couldn't see it, Aiko opened his eyes and smiled.
The next 6 months passed by very fast but Hoshi wasn't too depressed about it because she has treasured every single moment of it. However Chichiri felt sad cause the love of his life is leaving him. But he knew Taiitsukun would keep her promise so he held onto it and put a reassuring look on his face before kissing his beloved by his side and getting up to go feed Aiko. Soon the day came for Hoshi to leave.
Aiko was sound asleep and Chichiri followed her outside to the palace garden where he used to always meditate. Chichiri grabbed Hoshi, pressed her against his hard body and kissed her deeply. Hoshi followed suite and the two were locked in a tight embrace that no one could break apart except destiny. For a moment time stop and the lovers wished that this would never have to end.
Slowly Chichiri let Hoshi go and the next moment, Hoshi was surrounded by a red light and she told Chichiri to take care of Aiko and himself. As she started to disappear, she heard Chichiri said "I'll find you no matter where you are" and she nodded. Then Hoshi was gone.
Just after Hoshi left, Taiitsukun appears and informs Chichiri to get himself and Aiko ready for they are about to be reborn. She explained that only when you and Aiko are reborn without your memories here in the book, then you can really live with Hoshi if your love is strong enough to find her without the memories of the book to depend on. "I can't guarantee that you will be reborn in Hoshi's world and time but having Aiko will make it easier in finding his mother because Aiko is after all part of Hoshi and thus has a strong connection to Hoshi." explained Taiitsukun. "I know I can do it just like Taka did for Miaka because I know our love is strong." said Chichiri.
The next morning, Chichiri brought Aiko to meet the Empress and young King. Chichiri informed that Miaka has gone back to her world and she thanks them for their hospitality. Chichiri also explains that he wishes to go back to Mt Taikkyou so that he can raise Aiko in peace. "Are you sure you want to go to Mt. Taikkyou? You can raise Aiko here properly and you will have all the help you need." said the Empress. The young King nodded in agreement. "It's the best we can do after what Hoshi-sama and Miaka-sama and their warriors have done for Konan," explained the young King.
But Chichiri insisted that they go back to Mt Taikkyou because he needs to be at a place that doesn't remind him of Hoshi otherwise he will go mad. The Empress and young King both nodded in understanding as they knew this palace is where Chichiri met Hoshi and began their relationship. So they let Chichiri go. Chichiri lied to them because he needs to go to Mt Taiikyou to be reborn again and he didn't want to mention this to the Empress and young King because they wouldn't understand.
After Chichiri said his farewell, he left for Mt Taikkyou using his teleportation abilities.
The moment he arrived there, Taiitsukun was already waiting for him. She cast her magic onto Chichiri and Aiko and they turned into jewels before flying out into the heavens. Taiitsukun prayed that with Chichiri's love they would be reborned in Hoshi's world and time.