Lethe
He'd known what he was doing.
He'd known what he was going to do all along.
The river flowed and the river vanished. But even when it was gone it was always there.
No one who made it to Spirit World had ever made it back to tell their tale. Chihiro would be a first.
Always there in spirit. All spirits need it.
There was nothing in good-bye. He could never have followed her out to the Human World, so he'd just have to make do with a simple hug and a short, "Never look back."
Oh look, the water's flowing back.
No one who made it back to the Human World ever told their story. Haku knew none would remember.
The water ebbs and falters. Is it full?
"Never look back" may have been a necessary precaution, but it was just as much his own desire not to see her wide blank eyes seeing through him as she looked back, wondering how she'd ever gotten lost in the first place.
Then again, memories aren't solid, are they?
Chihiro had been a good friend, but like a good dream it had to end for her. The hope in her eyes as she asked, "Will I see you again?" was earnest, and he could not help but smile with the same earnesty as he replied, "Of course!"
How beautiful! How sweet is a lie!
Oh yes, he'd know what he was doing.
But as Haku watched her retreat into the distance, knowing her memories of him, Rin, Kamaji and everyone else were slipping out, one by one, he couldn't help but feel a bit fainthearted and dizzy. Losing a good friend is never easy. Neither is losing your home, your memory, your name...
What's wrong? We can't have you remembering…
Three out of four wasn't so bad. Through one loss he'd salvaged so many other bits and pieces that he forgot existed.
We know, we know. Lethe always knows.
His heart was heavy and his mind like lead, but the weight of Chihiro's smile supported him as he walked back towards the bath house. Night was falling, and the boat was going to get there if he didn't hurry up.
Come here, my friend. Let me wash away your pain…
Oh, Kamaji's lit the fires.
Good, bad, we take them all.
What more could be expected out of a civilization built on a river?
One girl worth remembering. Is it worth remembering it all?
Haku resigned to his fate. Kohaku, that is. He'd draw his strength from this strange body of water.
Yes, yes…just like that…
And maybe he could take back a little of what he lost.
And the river flowed and flooded, and with the seasons grew fuller.
"Yubaba? There's something we need to talk about."
Everlasting spring. Would you care to join us, Kohaku?
A/N: The cup of Lethe is something from Greek Mythology. Anyone who drinks it loses their memory.
I got this idea when a friend told me that Miyazaki meant for Chihiro to forget everything once she made it back to the Human World.
Yaah…first fic ever! Was it terrible? Horrible? Horrific? Flames would be most welcome.