19 Ai Ai Ai I'm your little butterfly - 19

***

A/N: In this world (fanfic), We are going with a cremated scenario. I couldn't find any information if Ai Hoshino was buried. Since, in Japan, cremation is the norm, with a 99% rate. That's frightening news to me. (I didn't know about this.) What is cremation? Dead body burnt into ashes.

***

Feeling a surge of determination, Gojo took a deep breath and focused his attention on the task at hand. With swift steps, he approached Aqua and Ruby, his gaze focused on them. "Tell me," he asked, "Where can I find Ai Hoshino's body? I just need to know its location."

Having traversed all of Japan and possessing the ability to teleport effortlessly, Gojo has already explored countless locations. Teleporting to her grave should be a walk in the park.

Aqua and Ruby exchanged uncertain glances, their worry and desperation palpable. It was difficult to share, but Aqua finally mustered the courage to speak. "Ai has been cremated," he confessed, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and apprehension. "Her ashes are kept in a cabinet."

Gojo's expression softened, his eyes conveying a mix of understanding. "I see," he said, his voice gentle. "That's not a problem. I'll take care of the rest."

Without wasting a moment, Gojo turned and walked towards the room where Ai's spirit resided.

Inside the room, Gojo found Ai's spirit, a translucent presence seemingly devoid of emotion. Stretching out his arm, he reached towards her, his touch gentle yet determined.

In an instant, Gojo triggered his resurrection ability, tapping into his immense power. The air crackled with controlled omniverse energy as his aura fluctuated a little. "Pure World Resurrection," he murmured softly, his voice filled with a blend of reverence and determination.

A/N: I won't delve into a detailed explanation and how this shit works. But do note it just sounds similar to the broken ability of Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation). However, it's not mere reanimation—it's a complete resurrection.

Everyone in the room stopped and went to look at what Gojo was doing.

A surge of otherworldly power enveloped Ai's spirit, causing her form to flicker and shimmer. Gradually, she materialized into a physical body, her features becoming solid and real. The room filled with a sense of awe and wonder as Ai's resurrection unfolded before everyone's eyes.

As Aqua and Ruby peeked into the room, their jaws dropped in astonishment.

As Kaguya Otsutsuki stood in the room, her eyes fixated on the scene unfolding before her, a mix of emotions swirled within her. The resurrection technique, a power she had only heard of in ancient legends, was playing out right in front of her. But what amazed her even more was the fact that Gojo had not performed this feat just once or twice, but thrice. And that's without the Rinnegan.

"Oohhhh." Flone watched with interest.

Miyako and Kaguya Shinomiya, having just concluded their meeting and finished signing documents, looked up in confusion, their attention captured by the unfolding spectacle. And then, their eyes fell upon a new figure in the room.

As Hayasaka witnessed the resurrection of her idol and inspiration, a rush of emotions overcame her. Awe, disbelief, and sheer joy filled her heart, bringing tears of happiness to her eyes. Seeing her beloved idol return was like a dream come true, an overwhelming moment of pure elation for Hayasaka.

And there, in the room, they noticed the presence of another individual. It was Ai Hoshino, fully clothed, standing before them.

Ai's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Gojo's with a mix of confusion.

The two people stood in close proximity, their eyes locked in a captivating gaze. Ai's eyes blinked in disbelief, trying to comprehend the reality of the situation.

"That's some beautiful eyes you've got there." Gojo whispered, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he observed her.

"Mama!" Ruby exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace Ai. Her arms wrapped around her, feeling the warmth and presence that she had longed for so deeply.

Aqua stood in awe, a mixture of joy and disbelief washing over him. "Welcome back, Ai." he whispered, his voice filled with overwhelming emotions as he slowly walked over to Ai.

Tears welled up in Aqua's and Ruby's eyes as they went to embrace their mother, their hearts overflowing with emotions too complex to put into words. It was a reunion they had longed for.

***

The two people locked eyes, a mix of confusion and curiosity evident in their gaze. Ai, was then immediately wrapped in a warm embrace by her children, held them close, finding solace in their presence.

"Hi Aqua! Hey Ruby! My, you two have grown so much!" Ai exclaimed, her voice with both surprise and delight. Her attention momentarily shifted to her beloved children, marveling at the remarkable growth they had gone through.

However, her gaze returned to meet Gojo's, a tinge of uncertainty coloring her voice. "Hmm," she murmured, her eyes probing his features once more, searching for answers and unraveling the man that stood before her.

At that moment, as Ai Hoshino stood face to face with Gojo, a strange feeling of familiarity washed over her. Was this a cruel twist of fate or a mere coincidence?

"Did you dye your hair?" Ai's voice held a hint of intrigue as she glanced at Gojo's hair. Her eyes then shifted to his sunglasses, her curiosity piqued. "And why are you wearing sunglasses indoors? That's not like you..." Her voice trailed off momentarily, a flicker of recognition passing over her face.

"Honkairi?" she mused, the name bringing back memories. After a moment of contemplation, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "You look so incredibly handsome now."

Gojo's expression shifted, annoyance mingling with curiosity on his face. He lightly bonked Ai on the head, his voice taking on a stern tone. "Who the hell are you to be calling me by someone else's name? You got that name wrong too."

Ai chuckled, her laughter filling the room. "Oops. Sorry, I've never been good with names," she admitted, a playful glint in her eyes.

A sense of relief washed over her, but confusion quickly swept in, clouding her thoughts. The memory of being stabbed and the sensation of her life slipping away were still fresh in her mind. The sight of her own blood staining the ground remained etched in her memory. And yet, here she stood, alive and breathing, confronted with a reality that defied all logic. And who was this handsome man standing before her?

Gojo sighed, shaking his head. "It's Gojo. Remember it," he said firmly, emphasizing his name to ensure it stuck in her memory.

His gaze swept across the room, a subtle understanding reflecting in his eyes. "Anyway, I'll give you some time to catch up. You have a lot of things to deal with," he remarked, finding a nearby seat and settling in.

He gave space for the long-awaited reunion to unfold, allowing Ai and her loved ones the opportunity to reconnect and share their experiences.

***

Hayasaka sat next to Gojo, holding onto him, they observed the scene unfolding in front of them. A tender moment was taking place, and Gojo couldn't help but ask as he turned to face her, "Is this what you wanted?"

Hayasaka's lips curved into a content smile as she nodded in affirmation, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction and happiness. She was overjoyed to witness her idol's miraculous return to life, knowing that Ai Hoshino now had the opportunity to be reunited with her beloved children. The sense of fulfillment radiated from Hayasaka as she cherished this moment of long-awaited reunion and newfound happiness.

"Quite a remarkable reunion we have here," Gojo remarked as he turned back to face the Hoshino family, his voice carrying a warm tone. However, a hidden darkness lingered in his eyes, revealing a deeper emotion. Gojo, who had yearned for a similar reunion in his previous life, knew all too well the pain of unfulfilled desires. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy at the sight before him, a bittersweet reminder of what he had lost.

Though I don't know why Flone is joining in on this reunion of hers. Probably going to try to play games with her or something.

Well, with this matter resolved, I can now take Hayasaka with me with a peace of mind, along with Flone and Kaguya Otsutsuki, without any issues or concerns. This is that new family ya feel.

Kaguya Otsutsuki took a seat beside Gojo, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious skill of resurrection that he possessed. She wanted to know more about it in this conversation, but to her dismay, it turned out to be disappointingly short and uninformative. The exchange could be summarized with a single sentence that lingered in her mind: "That shitty R.O.B."

***

Ai's POV

In the room, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. Aqua, Ruby, and Miyako had gathered around, their eyes fixed on the figure—the resurrected Ai Hoshino. Emotions swirled within them as they contemplated the significance of this moment.

Aqua took a deep breath, his voice trembling with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Mom... You're really here... That Gojo, he actually did it," he marveled, his words infused with a sense of awe and wonder. Overwhelmed by the moment, Aqua couldn't resist the urge to embrace Ai tightly, as if trying to hold onto the reality of her presence. His black star eye flickered and faded away, it's dark brilliance transformed into a gentle radiance of light.

Ai looked at her son, her eyes brimming with affection. She couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by his words, by the sheer magnitude of what had transpired. Thoughts raced through her mind, questioning the nature of her own existence. Did she really come back from the dead? How was it even possible? The realization sent a shiver down her spine.

Ruby nodded, tears welled up in her eyes, and she tightly held onto Ai. "This is like a dream come true. We've missed you so much, Mama," she choked out, her voice trembling with emotions that had been bottled up for far too long. Afraid that the moment might slip away, Ruby clung to Ai, desperately hoping she wouldn't disappear once more.

Ai's arms wrapped around Ruby and Aqua, her own tears welling up. The embrace was filled with a profound sense of reunion, a powerful affirmation of their bond. At that moment, she couldn't fathom how much she had missed her children until this very moment, and now that she was back, the intensity of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She understood that this feeling was love.

Ai looked at her children, her eyes gleaming with affection. "Have you been behaving while I was gone?" she asked playfully, a hint of mischief in her voice. Both Aqua and Ruby nodded in unison, their embrace tightening around their mother.

Miyako, the usually composed one, couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe. "I've heard stories about the supernatural, but to witness the power of resurrection firsthand... it's both awe-inspiring and, in a way, unsettling," she admitted, her voice quivering with a mix of reverence and a bit scared.

Her eyes glistened with tears of joy as she reached out to embrace Ai. "How are you, Ai? Welcome back," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine concern and love.

"Ahmm… Yeah, I'm back!" Ai exclaimed, her voice filled with tears of joy. The words burst forth from her, carrying a deep sense of relief and disbelief. As she stood there, surrounded by her loved ones, a rush of memories flooded her mind. But amidst the overwhelming emotions, one memory stood out vividly, etched into her consciousness.

That one memory that shone brighter than the rest. It was the memory of her last moments before death, the moment when she had summoned all her strength to say those three words she had never spoken before: "I love you." In that fragile moment, faced with her own death, Ai had found the courage to express her love to her children genuinely, from the depths of her soul.

Amidst the emotional embrace, a cheerful voice broke through the tender moment.

"So, you are Ai Hoshino, right? My name is Flone, nice to meet ya!" Flone exclaimed with infectious excitement, joining the group hug with a beaming smile.

Ai turned her attention to Flone, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Flone, nice to meet you too." she replied, to the vibrant and enthusiastic girl.

"So kids, did it work?" Flone cheekily asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Aqua and Ruby begrudgingly nodded their heads, confirming the success of the resurrection.

Ruby, with a dark-laced tone, expressed her lingering resentment. "I still don't like that handsome piece of shit. At least he did his job right." she declared, her words carrying a tinge of bitterness and unresolved feelings. As she continues hugging Ai even tighter.

Aqua let out a sigh, his tone tinged with resignation. "Can't help it. It was a deal too. That crazy mad man was the only one who could do it. Who knows if he will cancel the resurrection or something. He has done his fair share," he explained, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and reluctant acknowledgment. He released his hold on the hug, his arms dropping to his sides, signaling a momentary pause in the overwhelming emotions that had enveloped them.

Ai, taken aback by her children's choice of words, was astonished. "Ehhhh?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of disapproval. She had never expected her children to use such language, and it caught her off guard. But after hearing the content of what Aqua and Ruby said.

Ai looked at her kids, her gaze filled with understanding now. She knew that it was that weird man named Gojo who was most likely responsible for her resurrection, and she could sense the complications and risks involved. It wasn't an easy decision for her children to make, but their love and desperation had driven them to seek out any means possible to bring her back. But how in the world did they come to make a deal with a super natural feat like this?

"Oh, oh! It was me who brought it up!" Flone exclaimed excitedly, jumping around and pointing at herself. She seemed eager to take credit for the idea of Gojo's resurrection ability. Her animated gestures and proud expression hinted at a desire for recognition, as if she wanted to emphasize her role in the process.

As Ai was prepared to ask what her children did. Miyako stepped forward, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. "What did you kids do to make this happen?" she asked, her eyes searching for answers.

Aqua shifted uncomfortably, his gaze meeting Miyako's. "Well, it's a bit complicated," he admitted, his tone tinged with guilt. "We... made a deal with Gojo who had the power to bring Mom back. It wasn't an easy decision, but we couldn't bear to be without her."

Ruby nodded, her voice resolute. "We were desperate, Miyako. We couldn't let mama be gone forever. So when Flone told us that her hubby can do something like this Aqua and I sought him out and... well, under the conditions that Flone had set," she explained, her words carrying a hint of guilt.

As Flone sensed the intensity of the moment, she silently retreated, making a quick and discreet exit from the scene.

Miyako's expression softened as she listened, understanding the depth of their love and desperation. "I see," she replied, her voice gentle.

Ai looked at her children, her eyes brimming with gratitude and concern. "I'm so thankful for what you've done for me," she said, her voice filled with warmth and love. "But please remember, your well-being and values should always come first. Take care of yourselves."

Aqua, and Ruby nodded, a shared determination in their eyes. They were fully aware of the gravity of their actions and the possible consequences that lay ahead. However, it was their mother, Ai, who would be shouldering the sacrifices, not themselves.

Miyako's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist prodding further. "So what was it?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue and a hint of apprehension.

Flone, seizing the opportunity to be mischievous, silently leaned in and whispered the answer into Ai's ear and then into Miyako's ear. The price of resurrection caused both Ai and Miyako's eyes to widen in surprise and disbelief.

As the whispered secret of the price being a one night stand with Gojo reached their ears, a momentary silence enveloped the room. The atmosphere became tense, and each person's face displayed a range of emotions.

Ai's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. She couldn't fathom the implications of such a proposition, her mind reeling with a mix of shock, confusion, and a hint of embarrassment.

Ai then tried to gauge her children's reaction, she noticed a mix of emotions on their faces – a blend of concern, anger, protectiveness, and a hint of understanding. It was clear that they were grappling with their own conflicting thoughts and feelings, unsure of how to process this unexpected revelation. They are the ones who had set this up.

Aqua's brows furrowed, his face contorted with a mixture of anger and protectiveness. The thought of their mother being involved with someone like Gojo, even if it was part of a deal, stirred a deep sense of resentment within him. He clenched his fists, struggling to control the surge of conflicting emotions.

Ruby's face flushed with anger and a burning desire to protect her mother's purity. She tightened her grip on Ai's clothes, her fingers trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. The idea of their mother being used as a bargaining chip infuriated her, and she vowed to never let Gojo get away with this.

Miyako, on the other hand, wore a more composed expression. She took a deep breath, trying to process the unexpected revelation. While the situation was undoubtedly complex and morally questionable, she couldn't deny the desperate lengths they had gone to bring Ai back. She realized that they had made a difficult decision, driven by their unwavering love for their mother.

And though the price for resurrection was a one night stand with Ai, both Miyako and Ai understood that in the grand scheme of things, it was extremely cheap. In a world driven by business and politics, where power and influence reigned supreme, the ability to resurrect the dead held immeasurable value. No amount of money can buy it.

In the midst of the charged atmosphere, Flone stood quietly, her eyes darting between the individuals in the room. She sensed the heaviness of the revelation and understood the conflicting emotions it had stirred within them. She hesitated for a moment before speaking up, her voice filled with empathy and compassion. "I know it's difficult to accept, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the ones we love," she said, her tone gentle yet firm. After all, she wants Gojo to be happy.

The person responsible for all this trouble, Flone, was now discreetly trying to shift the blame onto him (Gojo).

"How long has it been?" Ai asked, her voice filled with a yearning to understand the passage of time that had occurred during her absence. The room fell into a brief moment of silence as they all paused to reflect on the magnitude of what had transpired.

Ruby looked at Ai with a mixture of relief and sorrow in her eyes. "It's been four long years, Mama," she said softly, her voice quivering with a hint of sadness. "Four years without your smile, your laughter... It felt like an eternity."

Aqua's gaze turned distant, his voice filled with a hint of resignation. "Yeah, four years of struggling to fill the void you left behind," he added, his words carrying the weight of the challenges they had faced. "We tried to move forward, but it was never the same without you."

Ai's heart ached at the realization of the pain and hardships her loved ones had endured in her absence. She squeezed their hands tightly, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and regret. "I'm so sorry for everything you've been through," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry for not being there for you, I wish I could have been by your side. But now, I'm here with you, and I'll do everything I can to make it right."

Ai wiped away her tears and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "By the way, where is Satou?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity. Even amidst the overwhelming emotions and revelations, she couldn't help but think about the person who once took care of her.

Aqua's face hardened, a flicker of resentment crossing his eyes. "Saitou... he left us," he said, his voice filled with a bitter tone. The memories of Satou abandoning them during their time of need still lingered, leaving a sour taste in Aqua's mouth.

Ruby's expression mirrored Aqua's, her gaze distant and guarded. "Yeah, he walked out on us when things got tough," she added, her voice laced with a hint of anger. The wounds of betrayal were still fresh in her heart, and she couldn't easily forgive or forget.

Miyako's face turned solemn, her voice carrying a touch of disappointment. "He chose his own path and left us to fend for ourselves," she said, her words filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. The absence of Saitou had definitely left a void in their lives, one that was not easily filled.

Ai's heart sank at the revelation, a mix of sadness and understanding filling her gaze. She knew the pain her children and Miyako had endured in Satou's absence, and she couldn't help but empathize with their feelings of resentment. However, a part of her couldn't shake the thought that Saitou's departure might have been a result of his own mental struggles, a breaking point he had reached after her death.

She took a deep breath and spoke softly, "I can't help but wonder if he left because he couldn't bear the weight of losing me. Perhaps he needed time to heal and find himself again."

The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of their emotions and unspoken thoughts hung in the air. They all carried their own burdens of hurt and unanswered questions, but in that moment, they shared a glimmer of understanding for Satou's actions. It was a complex mix of resentment and empathy, the conflicting emotions tugging at their hearts.

"Ai, are you really going to go through with it? Doing it with Gojo?" Miyako asked, her voice filled with a mix of concern and desperation. She held onto Ai tightly, as if trying to physically prevent her from making such a sacrifice.

"Are you kidding? Of course not," Ai responded, her voice laced with a tinge of amusement. A faint smile played on her lips, hiding the darkness that flickered in her eyes. Only recently had she begun to understand the depths of love and how to truly express it, but that love was reserved solely for her children.

***

A/N: I apologize if you feel that this chapter was lacking or underwhelming. I am a little insecure of my own writing. By the way, can we take a moment to appreciate Gojo's new drip when he finally emerged from the Prison Realm? AYOOOOO. Man been packing up some meat when he got out.

See you in the next chapter.

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