He got up to his bed and lie there sobbing himself to sleep, like he did when Miaka chose Tamahome, when he bared his feelings to Nuriko, and now... He kept his mouth on the pillow, lest his wailing alert anyone outside. For now, he needed to grieve alone.

The meadow was beautiful, a single willow bearing fragrant blossoms. He walked to the tree entrance, unsure why the willow seemed so important. The reason became clear as he saw the figure standing under it. Willow was Nuriko's seishi mark.
"Nuriko!" Hotohori ran to the smiling figure grabbing him in a tight embrace and kissing him fiercely, crying the whole time.
"Oh my!" Nuriko exclaimed as he was let go, eyes wide as he smoothed his clothes. "And what was all that about?"
"I thought I'd never see you again!" he was smiling, but tears still flowed down his cheeks. "When I heard that you died..."
"Oh please!" he laughed. "I said I'd be there for you always! And to think you doubted me," he started hanging his head in a melodramatic sorrow. The contorted face of his love caused Hotohori to laugh heartily. Nuriko saw it and smiled.
"That's better. Now, I need to talk to you. How far have you gotten picking an empress? You need an heir, ya know."
"I was kinda waiting for you," he blushed suddenly. "Tasuki said you were going to wish to be a girl so I thought..." he started to chuckle at Nuriko's blushing face. Suddenly I'm glad he's dead, for Tasuki's sake. "...But it's too late now, huh?"
"Which means you'll need to start looking," Nuriko replied. "Don't worry, she's closer than you think!"
"But I wanted you! I don't want anyone else!" He retorted, knowing he was being unrealistic. I could've... a long time ago, but I didn't, did I? His face suddenly darkened with regret.
"Stop being a chibi!" Nuriko chastised Hotohori like he was Chiriko's age. "You need an heir, and we both know that if you marry, it'll be for love, so like I said before, don't worry, she'll be here sooner than you think. And it would do you good not to be so stubborn, either!" Hotohori didn't hear a word he said, taking Nuriko's hair and pushing away from his face, examining its new length.
"You cut it."
"Yeah, thought it was time."
"Doesn't matter. You're still beautiful." He kissed Nuriko's hair, taking in its sweet fragrance, and then snapped throwing Nuriko's head to the side. Hold it!! "Why didn't wait for Mitsukake? He could've healed you!"
"And let Nakago get the Shinzaho? You must be joking!" Nuriko leaned against the tree; oblivious to the glares he was receiving from Hotohori.
"Does it matter? They have it now, anyway."
"Not my fault. I did my part and protected Miaka from that thing Ashitare. Don't get mad at me because I did my job..." Hotohori's lips cut off any further protest. As they parted, Hotohori's face was a picture of anger, but his eyes held so much pain. Nuriko smiled in defeat.

Sitting down, he held his arms to Hotohori.
"Come here, Saihtei-chan," he said using his real name. He placed Hotohori's head on his chest as the seishi started to sob once again. "Shh..." Nuriko kissed Hotohori's silken hair. "You've given me the greatest joy in my life, you know that?" Hotohori looked up astonished. "Remember the night you told me you loved me?" Hotohori, unable to speak, nodded dumbly.
"You have no idea what you did to me that night. I was no longer jealous of Miaka, or of any woman. I felt, I felt like I wasn't just a servant. I was someone important to you. Those kisses you stole from me after that night weren't bad either." Even Hotohori started to laugh through the tears.
"You did it first..." the emperor smiled. "You can't deny that."
"Yes, well," Nuriko smiled. He jerked his head up as if he sensed something. "Hotohori, you have to go now." Hotohori looked up pleadingly.
"No! Please let me stay!" Hotohori hugged his love like the teddy bear Miaka entrusted him with. "Don't make me lose you again!"
"I'll always be here for you, ai dake! But you must go now." Nuriko's crying face screamed understanding. Everything started to get dark...

Hotohori woke up to see a familiar figure at the door. His heart stopped breathing.
"N-Nuriko?"
"No..." the girl turned around bowing hastily. "Houki. I was bringing you food."
"I guess I should eat something." He said standing up. Houki gasped at his bloody hand.
"You're hurt!" She dragged him to a washbasin washing off the blood. Hotohori stared in fascination as Houki ripped off a part of her dress to use as a bandage. She looked so much like Nuriko, her hair framing her face in that same familiar fashion. Her face was the same shape, with no beauty mark on her face like Nuriko, but it truly wasn't necessary. Her eyes, full of concern, were as clear and innocent as Miaka's. When she was done, she smiled, nodding her head in a way that reminded him so much of Nuriko that he almost cried.
"I'll leave you alone, your Highness."
"No!" he interrupted. "Stay. I could use some company, and I'm sure I couldn't eat all of this."
"Well, if you really want to know, I'm supposed to make sure you eat. Evidently your Highness has a habit of not eating while the Miko is away." She smiled at that last statement. This feels so familiar! Hotohori's smile was warm.
"Well, let's not disappoint them. And call me Hotohori, Houki."

Time went on, and eventually Hotohori married Houki, loving her not because she was like Nuriko or Miaka, but because she was Houki, which is the way he would've wanted it. That night, as they got ready for bed, a servant came to the door.
"Sorry to disturb you. A woman came with these gifts for the new couple." He placed down a small willow sapling and this note:

"Ryuuen!" Houki exclaimed, calling Nuriko by his real name. "I thought he was..."
"He is," Hotohori smiled. "But not his love. Strange things happen in Kounan." He smiled hugging his wife. "His love still lives, and so will ours."
Especially mine...Nuriko...