Before I start Chapter 4, I'd like to tell my readers that I'm switching all of my stories into third person. It's easier, and when I write in third person, it's almost always omniscient. Please check my profile for more news.

Chapter 4: Start

(Start Flashback)

"What makes you want to be with me anyway…?" She held his hand in hers. A tear silently slid down her cheek. He pulled her close. His warmth dried her fear.

"So we can soar to the moon, together…" He slipped a silver band around her finger. The moonlight reflected shapes of the moon and stars off it.

"Congratulations, you two!"

"Aren't you both a little too young to make this decision?"

"It doesn't matter what age you are! Shut your trap!"

"Those guys are just too cute! Let them!"

Hoshiko held onto Nozomu's arm as they announced their engagement to their families. At the time, he was only 17, she was 16. The two of them had been close friends for over ten long years. They had so much in common they said. They spend practically every moment together, doing missions, hanging out, practicing, or just relaxing. Hoshiko and Nozomu told each other everything; they never had any secrets between them. Their wedding was supposed to be a happy day, alas, it wasn't. It never came.

"You… you don't need me that bad… Not as bad as our people need the Teardrops…"

"What the hell are you saying! I can't live without you!"

"Living without me is the only way you're going to live."

"How can you be so sure!"

"Look at you. Look at the Lunars around you. We're dying everyday. Can't you see that? I want to be some use to them!"

"What's one more day? Have you forgotten everything about us? Our love?"

"I haven't forgotten. I'll never forget. But I want you to forget me for just for a little while…Live in the happiest way possible," Hoshiko touched his face. His eyes were filled with hot tears. But even as he cried, he smiled. He finally understood.

"I don't know why, but I know that whatever you tell me to do is the right thing… and I… I hate that…"

Without another word, he sank his fangs into her neck, killing her the day before their wedding. He held her lifeless body in his arms and cried on top of it. He knew that she would be alive again one day, but the still cried because he didn't know when.

"I don't know what to do with myself now… Where do I move from here… Hoshi…"

(End Flashback)

Hoshiko was in her room, unpacking what was left of her things. She finally pulled out her photo of Nozomu and her when they were at the park two years ago. He was taller than she was, and still was. He was standing behind her with his arms around her waist. They were both smiling.

"Those were happy days…" she said out loud to herself. At that thought, Nozomu's words rang in her head. She cried a tear of happiness.

"I promise, when I get the Teardrops back to our people, I'll marry you."

She smiled at his powerful words. At that moment, she heard knocking on her door.

"Knock knock! Anyone home?" Nozomu's voice cooed through the door.

"Come in," Hoshiko replied. He opened the door, smiling. He walked over and sat on the bed with her.

"So you finally dug up that picture of us back in the day?" he put an arm around her shoulder. "What now? Are you crying again?" Nozomu wiped the tear away with his finger. He held her tighter. "You've always been the wisest person I've ever known, but it seemed as if your wisdom was too much for you…"

"Who would know…" she leaned against him. "Do you remember… your promise…?"

"How could I forget?" he said holding onto her left hand where he had placed the ring two years ago. "How much longer do you want to wait?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm really excited. The thing is…" her voice trailed off.

"What?"

"When I finally was able to wake up, I found out that my parents had tried to bring back the Teardrops…. But they were killed in the process…"
"No way! They were the top members of the Dark Warriors!" Nozomu gasped.

"I know, I know…" she sighed. "I guess we have to break it to everyone downstairs then," the energy returned to her voice. "My parents had always been so busy; they never really paid attention to me anyway…"

"Well, here we go then!" he cheered up too.

"Whaaat!" Miharu, Mitsuru, and Akira shouted at once when they found out Hoshiko and Nozomu's secret. Every detail was told. Somehow, Miharu had gotten Mitsuru to come back, wounds treated and all.

"Sorry for not telling you guys earlier!" he waved his hand.

"When will the wedding be?" Miharu asked excitedly.

"We've decided that if you didn't mind, all we would like is a small party here. There's really no point in a wedding now…" Hoshiko gave a nervous smile.

"You just married a dumbass, good for you," Mitsuru grumbled.

"Shut up already! This is supposed to be a happy occasion; we don't need your rude comments!" Akira shouted at him with a growl.

"Congratulations," Oboro and Katsura had been standing nearby and heard every word. Midnight, who was still on her perch, gave out an excited shrill.

"I'm just surprised that you were able to keep this a secret for all these years Nozomu," Misoka joked. Nozomu gave him a playful punch.

"If you're ready for another surprise, I'll transform for you to see, Miharu," Hoshiko said in a cheerful voice.

"Sure, I'm looking forward to see it!" Miharu happily replied. And so, the party (all except for Mitsuru who was still in a bad mood) went straight to the room for extra room.

"Better stand back for this one," Nozomu pulled Miharu back away from Hoshiko.

She crossed her arms and clutched onto her shoulders as a circle of red flame appeared on the ground. It started to flare upwards as red wings sprouted from her back. Her hair swung wildly. Before long, the circle of fire went so high that you weren't able to see her at all. By the time the flames died out, all you could see was a fiery phoenix flapping its wide, flaming wings. It had a long, flaming tail to match. Its beak and claws were golden and sharp, ready to tear up anything. Around its left talon was a silver band. The phoenix was large enough to barely hold a passenger on its back. When it landed right in front of Miharu, she jumped back from the significant amount of heat it possessed.

"What… what is that!" she screamed.

"Chill girly! It's Hoshi!" Nozomu comforted her.

"I told you before, the Dark Warriors can transform into a certain animal. This is what I turn into, the never-dying phoenix, the one that carries the element of fire. I'll burn whoever I please," Hoshiko spoke from her birdlike form. Her bird head stared at the floor. "My mother was a cat the size of a tiger with the element of lightning, and my father was a snake as long as a bridge that carried the element of poison. I guess you can say that the animal and element traits that runs through my blood doesn't relate to my family history," she sighed.

"Princess, in this form, Hoshi will be able to fly you to any destination. In the best way possible, she'll be great use to you," Misoka lectured.

"Man, it's been so long since I've been able to see you like this, Hoshi!" Akira whistled.

Hoshiko transformed back into her human form within seconds.

"I can't stay in my form for too long, I don't quite have enough energy yet…" she panted as she looked up and grabbed a warmed color feather that was floating downward.

"That's only natural for you. It's alright," Oboro said.

Nozomu took the feather out of his wife's hand and tickled Miharu under her chin. She laughed loudly as everyone else chuckled.

"Don't get jealous of Hoshi now. You have Mitsuru to take care of," he winked at her as she blushed. She couldn't help it since it was true.

"I heard that, dumbass!" Mitsuru shouted as he appeared. Nozomu finger-flicked his forehead.

"Rest assured, we won't act like husband and wife, isn't that right, Nozomu?" Hoshi teased him.

"This is a new chapter in my life with the Lunar Race. I know I'll enjoy it!" Miharu smiled widely.

Chapter 4: End