The morning brought a beautiful sunrise and a cooling breeze–and startling news. "You two decided WHAT?" Miaka screamed.
"To marry. We know it's fast but..." They looked at each other and smiled, gripping the other's hand tightly. "It's right. Sometimes fate can tell you more quickly than time."
"You can say that again," Setsuna said dryly. She was standing beside Mitsukake and was in as much shock as the rest of the party. "Houki, may I speak with you privately?"
"You're not going to change my mind, Mama-Setsuna," she said stubbornly, not letting go of Hotohori.
"Perhaps not, but may we speak privately anyway? I have some news that you may be interested in." Houki looked at Setsuna for a long moment, and then nodded. She turned to Hotohori ad they both exchanged a brief, quick kiss.
"Do not be long, my bride," Hotohori said fondly. He brushed her cheek with his hand, and then let go of her. She followed Setsuna away from the others and into the shelter of the surrounding trees.
"Chronos told me that only through death may we find peace and love," Setsuna said softly and bluntly. "Any relation we make with these people will end in pan and I don't want to see you hurt. You know as well as I do that you'll remember him as soon as your power awakens again."
Houki looked down at her feet and closed her eyes. "Mama, I understand what you're saying. But this is the first time I've ever had of being in and having love. I would rather have him for a moment than to lose him now and never know the fullness of our love for the eternities to come." She looked back up at Setsuna. "Loving him will bring me death, but not loving him will kill me far more thoroughly than my attack ever could."
Setsuna looked at her sadly, and then hugged her. "I understand daughter. I just want you to be happy and careful. We have been given Guardianships full of pain and if this brings a moment of happiness to your existences, then I will be happy for you and fondly remember this time with you in the future." Houki returned the hug.
"Thank you. Don't give up on Mitsukake," she said suddenly, smiling impishly. "I think you two looked cute together this morning. Don't throw away a single moment of love because you fear the eternity of pain." Houki turned and walked back to where the others stood, leaving Setsuna alone to consider he words. She hugged herself, feeling a chill run through her. A moment of love compared to an eternity of pain. Was it worth it? She closed her eye and fought despair.
Another set of arms added to her own, wrapping around her and holding her close. She let go and hugged Mitsukake back tightly, knowing it was him without having to open her eyes. "You won't leave me?" she asked suddenly, feeling terrified of allowing herself to surrender to such a strong emotion.
"Not for the world," he whispered, then tilted her chin up and kissed her again. She kissed him back fervently, understanding suddenly what Houki meant. It was most definitely worth it.
Mitsukake broke the kiss and led her back to the others. "We have to start traveling if what you fear south is so great. We will conquer." He squeezed her shoulders as they entered the clearing and joined the others on their southward journey.
"Good always conquers," she replied, remembering Usagi's optimism in the powers of good...and in love.
A/N--Sooooo, I just realized that in my transcribing, I might have forgotten to change Hotaru to Houki...Please forgive me. If you're confused, Houki is taking Hotaru's place in this fic...