Tsukiyomi looked down to meet Hotohori's open eyes. "Oh thank goodness." She whispered, running over to him. "Have you been here all this time?" he asked, taking her hand. "Yes." Tsukiyomi said, nodding. "You didn't need to." Hotohori said. "You need to rest too." She smiled. "I'll be okay. And so will you. It'll be worth it when you're restored to full health." He smiled. Tsukiyomi opened her lips, and began to sing. It seemed to help him, and eventually, his eyes closed, and soon he was sound asleep.

"Please, Amaterasu, can't you help me in any way?" Tsukiyomi pleaded the princess of Pluto desperately. "We've been together ever since we were two years old. We can almost call each other sisters! Can't you do something? I won't tell anyone, I swear!" The green haired princess shook her head sadly. "Much as I want to help you Tsukiyomi, I can't. You know that." She started as Tsukiyomi fell to her knees before her. "What are you doing, Tsukiyomi?" she cried, "Are you mad? Get up before you hurt yourself or the baby!" Tsukiyomi shook her head. "I won't get up until you promise me, Amaterasu! You can do almost anything! You're my only hope! Please! I don't know what I'll do without him. Please, I'll do anything if you'll help him!" Amaterasu gazed at the girl that she had known all her life, her best friend. She knew that she really did love Hotohori. "Alright then." She said at last, "I'll help you. Just get up!" Tsukiyomi threw her arms around Amaterasu. "Oh thank you! I knew you wouldn't be so cruel!"

Hotohori frowned at the bitter taste of the liquid in the vial and almost gagged. "What is that?" he coughed, "It tastes terrible!" Tsukiyomi smiled. "Never mind that. It's from my friend. You'll be better soon. Don't worry."

Just as Amaterasu had promised, Hotohori improved quickly. In no time at all, he was back to the way he was. Tsukiyomi laughed as she helped him dress. "See?" she said. "I knew that you'd be okay." He smiled and took her hand in his. "I'm glad to see you happy again." He said. Tsukiyomi looked up at him in surprise. "What do you mean?" Hotohori gazed into her eyes. "You always looked so worried when I was ill." He said, "You look much happier now." Tsukiyomi hugged him. "Of course. I'll always be happy as long as you're okay." He wrapped his arms around her. "Then I'll have to make sure stay that way." The door suddenly flew open. Hotohori glared at the soldier standing there. "How dare you come into my chambers without knocking!" he said angrily. "Forgive me, Emperor, Empress." The soldier said, "But we're under attack!" Tsukiyomi pulled away from Hotohori. "Attacked? Is it my father?" The soldier shook his head. "No Empress, I'm afraid they are demons. But it seems that they have a hostage." Hotohori came to stand beside Tsukiyomi. "A hostage? Do you know who it is?" The soldier looked troubled. He glanced back and forth between the Emperor and the Empress and back again. "Well?" Hotohori demanded, "Speak! We do not have time for hesitations." "Well you see…" the soldier began, "It seems that the hostage is the king of Mars, King Phoenix."

Chapter 6

Tsukiyomi felt the cold feeling of shock grip her like a vise. Her legs suddenly felt weak, unable to hold her up. Hotohori held her tightly, steadying her. "It's alright. We won't let anything happen to him. Don't worry." "Why?" Tsukiyomi whispered, holding tightly to Hotohori, "Why now? Why Father? I don't understand!" Hotohori held her tightly as she began to cry. He looked up at the soldier. "Where are they?" he asked. "In the main entrance, Your Majesty." The soldier replied. "That's where I'll go then." Hotohori said. He pried Tsukiyomi off of him gently. "Rest now. I'll be back." She clung tightly to him. "Where are you going?" she asked, "Don't leave me." Hotohori kissed her on the top of the head. "I'm just checking things out. Don't worry. I'll be back soon." Tsukiyomi looked up at him with wide eyes. "Do you promise?" "I promise." Hotohori said. It was only then that she was willing to let go.

Tsukiyomi couldn't keep still. She worried about her father, and about Hotohori as well. What was going on? Now that she had calmed down, she could finally think things over. Sounds of battle wafted to her from far away. She didn't want Hotohori to be hurt again. He had told her to stay here, but she couldn't help herself. She just had to go. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. Tsukiyomi stood and threw the doors open. No one was there to stop her, so she went on her way. She was led to the main hall, where a fierce battle was taking place. She spotted Hotohori among the fighting men, and her heart ached with worry. A demon lunged at her from behind, and Tsukiyomi let out a cry, throwing a bolt of flame at it. "Tsukiyomi!" Hotohori cried, "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay away!" "I can't!" Tsukiyomi shouted. She gasped as a demon attacked her father. "No! Father!" Hotohori noticed and time seemed to slow as he ran in the line of fire and was hit. "No!" Tsukiyomi shrieked. "HOTOHORI!" Pain suddenly filled her; someone had hit her hard on the head. She fell forward and blacked out.

When Tsukiyomi awoke, she was back in her room, lying in bed. For a moment, she was confused. Then everything came rushing back at her. She touched her stomach, and was momentarily relieved to feel the reassuring kick of the baby. Then she remembered. Hotohori. Tsukiyomi threw her legs over the side of the bed and ran out of the room. Her gaze fell on a still figure gazing out at the ocean from the garden. She ran out to him, throwing her arms around him. "Hotohori!" The Emperor turned. "Tsukiyomi! Oh good, you're awake." He stared at his Empress in surprise as she clutched him tightly, crying. "What's wrong?" Tsukiyomi looked into his eyes, her eyes full of tears. "You dummy!" she sobbed, pounding her fists against his chest. "Why did you do that? What would have happened to me if anything happened to you? And what about the baby? You could have been killed!" Hotohori smiled and gently took Tsukiyomi's hands in his own, uncurling her fingers. "Is that all? You didn't need to worry. Mitsukake was able to heal me. There was nothing you needed to worry about." He hugged her gently. "Now, you took a big blow to the head. Are you alright?" Tsukiyomi sniffled and nodded. Hotohori held her close. "Everything is alright now. You don't need to worry." "Are you sure?" she asked. "I'm positive." Hotohori replied. Tsukiyomi held on tightly to him, and cried.

Tsukiyomi looked up as her maid appeared in front of her. "What is it?" she asked. "Your father wishes to speak with you." The maid replied. Tsukiyomi stood. Her father? He smiled as Tsukiyomi walked up to him. "Father" she dipped into a slight curtsy, but he caught her. "Not now. You're pregnant, remember?" Tsukiyomi stared at him in surprise. What was he saying? "About you and Hotohori…" King Phoenix began. Hotohori instinctively wrapped an arm around Tsukiyomi's waist. "Yes?" she asked softly. "What about the two of us?" "I was thinking." King Phoenix continued, "And I think I should let you two be together." Tsukiyomi stared at him in shock. "Are you sure Father?" she asked, "Why the sudden decision?" "He did save my life after all." King Phoenix said, "And I can see that you two love each other very much." Tsukiyomi let a happy smile fill her face. "Oh thank you Father!" she cried, "Thank you so much!!!" King Phoenix smiled. "But do remember to visit." He reminded, "And bring my grandchild with you." Tsukiyomi smiled. "Yes, of course I will."

4 months later…

Hotohori paced outside the room frantically, looking at the door as every now and then, a scream erupted from within. He frowned and kept pacing. Eventually he got tired and had to sit down. Hotohori looked up as Nuriko set down a tray of food in front of him hours later. "You should eat something Sire." He said, "You haven't swallowed anything all day. It's bad for you." Hotohori sighed. "I'm not hungry." "But Sire…" Nuriko started to say. Hotohori turned his head away. "I won't be hungry until I know that my wife and child are safe. Even if I did eat something, it would only taste like sand." His eyes widened as a wail rang from the room. It wasn't Tsukiyomi's. It sounded more like a child's…Hotohori stood with a start. "My son!" he whispered in amazement. He threw the doors open. Tsukiyomi lay on the bed, exhausted. She turned her head to look at him, wet hair plastered to her face. "Hotohori." He rushed over to her. "Oh Tsukiyomi." He whispered, holding her close. "Are you alright?" She smiled. "Of course I am." She motioned to the maid, and she came forward, holding a small pink bundle. "Our son." She said softly. Hotohori gazed at the face of his son. "Oh Tsukiyomi." He whispered softly, "I love you so much."

5 years later…

Tsukiyomi smiled as she watched her son play in the meadow. He had grown a lot in the little time that had passed, and he seemed to change every day. She turned her head as Hotohori appeared behind her. "He's maturing every day." He murmured, watching their son. Tsukiyomi nodded. "Yes." Hotohori looked down at her. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "I'm fine." Tsukiyomi assured him, putting a hand on her round stomach. "Really, I'm okay. There's no reason to worry." Hotohori leaned down and gently kissed her ear. "Why shouldn't I be?" he said softly, "It's my child you're carrying." Tsukiyomi grinned. "Yes, I'm quite aware of that." "Mother! Father!" The Emperor and Empress turned around as the little prince ran up to them. "What is it Boushin?" Hotohori asked. Boushin had a big pout on his face. "Chadwick won't teach me more advanced moves!" he complained. The Martian knight walked up from behind him. "I'll teach His Highness more advanced things when he's ready." He protested, "The time will come, I promise. But he still hasn't quite mastered the current lesson yet!" Tsukiyomi smiled. "It's okay Chadwick. Boushin still has much to learn about life." The prince glared at her. "Mother!" he exclaimed indignantly. "At ease my son." Hotohori said, "Didn't you hear Chadwick? He'll teach you when you're ready." Boushin didn't look quite convinced or ready to give up the argument yet. Tsukiyomi smiled. "Tell you what Boushin." She said, "Why don't you keep working? The more you practice, the faster you'll learn, and before you know it, you'll be working on harder things." Boushin grinned, pleased by the idea. "Okay!" he ran back towards the practice field, pulling Chadwick along with him. Hotohori smiled. "It seems that only you can convince our son to do things." Tsukiyomi laughed. "Well I am his mother after all." Hotohori leaned down close to her, letting his arms drape down her body. "I suppose you're right." He said, pressing his cheek against her hair. Tsukiyomi found herself smiling. Yes, a well-deserved peace had finally fallen over Hong-Nam at last.