The author took a deep breath and began her questioning. "After your deaths, why didn't you and the other seishi move on to the afterlife?"

"We couldn't actually. The mahjin, Tenkou, blocked our way, otherwise, we would have already moved on and reincarnated." Hotohori answered.

"But in a way, didn't that work out? You may not have moved on to your just desserts as you all should have but Tenkou's maneuver didn't work out in his favor, ne?"

"Indeed. He endangered Suzaku no Miko and since we were still 'around', we were able to come to her aid." The seishi added softly. "It was fortuitous for more than just Miaka though. Some of us had unfinished business with our families."

She nodded and said quietly, "I'm glad you did. We have a phrase "only the good die young" but it's tragic when it comes true. It's so unfair."

The young man smiled sadly, "It was our time. But, I was glad for the chance to see Houki again. And see my son...to hold Boushin in my arms...my precious child. It was unforgivable of me to make my beloved grieve so much. I was fortunate (if indeed that is the right word) that I had the chance to say my farewells."

"You and Houki needed the closure. To never know what happened and to not be able to say goodbye is the worst for lovers. But more than that, if you had already passed on, you would never have saved your son."

"Hai. Had Tenkou been successful from the beginning, his minion Ren would have slain my son in order to obtain Tamahome's memory stone." The emperor stated flatly, "I will not allow anyone to harm my son as long as I am around to protect him."

"Kakkoi! You're a wonderful parent, Hotohori-sama. I can just see you surrounded by beautiful and adorable children and age gracefully with your empress ever at your side." She sighed happily. "And with Boushin-chan, yours and Houki's genes certainly bred true."

"Of course. Beauty like mine is eternal. Indeed, Boushin looks exactly as I did at that age, so intelligent and adorable."

The author sweatdropped and thought, "Ah...the sweet voice of vanity. @@" After recovering, she asked. "Were you happy, Hotohori-sama? I mean, you had a solitary childhood and there are so many constraints as a ruler. Did you find the friendship and love you've always wanted?"

Hotohori nodded decisively, "Yes, I did. With Houki, I found love and a companion who would always be at my side. The closeness with the seishi was what I've always wanted in a family."

She smiled at him, happy that he found so much joy in his life, no matter for how short a time it was.

*
*
*

Author's closing words...

As with most pieces of writing, perceptions and opinions color the way we see any given character. While the summary in the first part of the article was based on character information and facts already established in the Fushigi Yuugi universe, the rest is how I see Hotohori. It's been fun writing about the young emperor. I see Hotohori as a very admirable person. To him, honor and duty is more important than using his position and power for personal gain. He's the white knight I dream of, faults and all. After all, with *his* gorgeousness, what's a little vanity? ^_-

And oh yes, forgive me the insanity. But, being on cold medicine, being in the air for several hours at 32,000 feet and having a fanzine article does wonders for creativity...I hope.

Comments go here: nchiang@prodigy.net

Nellie's homepage: Through Different Worlds, Through Time and Space


Article copyright 1999 Nellie Chiang