Mitsukake sat at the edge of the clearing watching Houki and Hotohori's spirit. They had been traveling for a few days back to Konan–to do what, he wasn't sure. But every time he tried to leave to be alone, someone would just "accidentally" follow him. He sighed and shook his head. He wasn't going to attempt suicide until after they reached Konan. Then his duty would be fulfilled and he would be able to go to Setsuna with a clear conscience. But no one trusted him with his life.
They had stopped for the evening and the first stars would soon be coming out. He didn't know which planet, if any, were Pluto, so he contented himself with merely star gazing and wishing. He stood up and walked deeper into the forest, vaguely aware of Nuriko following him. He ignored him and continued until he found a fairly secluded spot in the forest. He lay on his back, hands behind his head, and watched as the stars slowly made their way into the night sky.
"You know, I remember when my sister died," Nuriko said suddenly. "She's the reason why I started wearing women's clothing: I wanted to keep her memory alive in any way that I possibly could." He sighed and sat on the grass next to Mitsukake.
"Leave me alone, Nuriko. I'm not in the mood."
"You haven't been 'in the mood' since after the battle," Nuriko snorted. "You've got to continue living! There's so much good that you can still do, and if you really want to honor Setsuna's memory, then why don't you try to make as much of a difference in your life as you can?"
Mitsukake sat up, angry. "Keep living? What good does my continuation of life do for the memory of Setsuna? Do all the good I can in the world? She won't come back because I'm a 'good little boy,' Nuriko," he sneered. He clenched his fists and stared up at the sky again. "I was able to go on after losing Sheena because I could at least see her grave and talk to her. She wasn't far from me. Setsuna...after the battle she was just gone. I don't know where and there is nowhere for me to go so that I can feel her presence–nowhere except afer her. That's the only way for me to find her again." He clenched his fists together and rested his forehead on them, eyes shut tight as he recalled their last moments together. "She's gone and I can't find her."
Nuriko rested his hand on Mitsukake's shoulder and was silent, thinking grimly of how their obvious victory had brought such pain And for all the strength that he possessed, there was nothing he could do to stop the pain. "Mitsukake! Nuriko!" The both looked up at the sound of Miaka's voice, then sighed simultaneously and stood. She burst through the trees and looked very relieved to find them. "We've been looking all over for you! Houki and Hotohori have both decided that this is a very good place for the burial. Neither one wants to go through a state funeral." They nodded and stood up, following her back. Houki was standing next to Hotohori's spirit, and both were standing beside a cherry tree. Hothori's body lay under it's branches.
Everyone gathered in a semi-circle around the body, staring at it silently. Miaka moved to Tamahome's side and tightly gripped his hand, tears starting in her eyes. "Well," Hotohori said dryly, "thank you for coming to my funeral."
Houki stamped her foot angrily. "Hotohori, that's not funny!" Hotohori reached out as if he were going to brush the hair from Houki's cheek. Of course, he couldn't touch her
"Love, we have to learn to laugh at life–or the lack thereof. Don't worry, we can still be together and see each other. You should appreciate that, since I think I look slightly better dead than I did alive." He smiled at her and Houki smiled back tremulously.
"I'm so stupid!" Nuriko suddenly said.
Tasuki grinned. "I could have told you that!"
Nuriko shoved Tasuki and cleared his throat, facing the group again. He straightened up and glanced at Hotohori, smiling slightly. "I have to admit, I miss my sister and having Miaka around almost makes it worse. You remind me of her and the closeness that we shared so much it's almost painful. So, I suppose I'll follow Mitsukake's future example and follow my sister. I wish to take Hotohori's death for him, so that I may rejoin my sister."
Houki cried out, then leapt across the space and hugged Nuriko. He caught her and returned the hug momentarily, then went slack in her grip. "I'm coming to you, sis," he said smiling. Mitsukake stepped to Houki's side and helped her ease Nuriko's body to the ground. Houki patted Nuriko's hand, then stood up and turned around. Hotohori was standing there, alive, and immediately took her into his embrace.
"I never imagined...oh, my Sakura, we are one again!" They hugged tightly then kissed. The wind blowing through the trees echoed their joyful laughter.