His jaws opened to bite Kamigama in two, but the scream of a woman and the taste of a non-spirit's blood brought him out of his rage. His eyes were closed so the blood wouldn't get in them, but what assaulted his senses first was the smell more the scent of the thing he had bitten.
" Ningen!" Haku notices
He slowly opened his eyes to see brown hair in a ponytail with a shiny purple band around it.
No! He thought
Chihiro! Stop hurting Chihiro! Haku now could hear the lake talking to him and knew what he had done
He growled a whimper afraid letting go would cause her to bleed worse and Haku knew how fragile human were.
" Ogino-chan…" Kamigama spoke shocked the girl had flung herself in front of him to stop Haku's attack
" Shuu…" the two heard Chihiro said as she wrapped her arms around Haku's head, "…it's alright. I know you didn't mean it."
She moved her hand back and forth on Haku's mane. He slowly pulled his teeth out of Chihiro causing her to whimper in pain. As he did this Chihiro started to fall forward, his teeth seemed to be what had been keeping her standing. In a flash he was human again and caught Chihiro before she fell to the ground. He gently placed her on the ground and looked at her upset at what he had done.
She looked up at him and smiled, " Not the reunion I'd thought it's be."
" Chihiro this is nothing to joke about." Haku said frowning upset at the blood coming out of her shoulder
He then looked over at his lake seeing how upset it was and than at Kamigama.
" Explain." Haku said sternly
" We wanted her being here to be a surprise. The lake and I know how much you've missed her." Kamigama said
" So you acted like you ate her?" Haku said angrily
" We thought you'd smell her. You always said you'd never forget her scent." Kamigama told him
Haku sighed and looked at Chihiro who was starting to pale from the bite.
" Haku…" Chihiro said and he looked in her eyes, "…take me to your lake."
Haku looked at her confused, but did as she asked. He picked her up bridal style and wadded into the lake. Chihiro took her hand and placed it into the lake.
Chihiro and Haku could both hear it whimper an apology for getting her hurt.
" It's alright. I'll be fine." Chihiro tried to reassure it, but the lake being part of Haku knew better
It was then a drop of her blood dripped into the water and the lake grew even more turbulent than before.
" Shuu, you have to calm down. The creatures in you will be hurt if you keep this up. Haku will help me you know this, just calm down for me. Please." Chihiro said
The lake slowly calmed down enough so that it looked like a small wind was blowing it.
" There that's better." Chihiro said wincing in pain
Haku looked down at her noticing now how much blood had leaked onto her shirt.
" I have to get you to Zeniba, she'll be able to heal you. I can't do anything about dragon wounds." Haku said sounding very upset at this
Chihiro laughed, " I've been trying to find a way back to see you all and it seems me getting bitten was the way back."
" Chihiro please don't joke about this." Haku said upset as his eyes glazed over with tears
Chihiro reached up and touched his face, " Are we going? Maybe afterwards I can con you into letting me see everyone at the Onsen." Chihiro said smiling
Haku laughed at this and nodded, " It'll be easier on you for me to change."
" How will I hold on?" Chihiro asked
" I'll keep you on. Do you trust me?" Haku asked
" You don't even have to ask me that question." Chihiro said smiling
Haku nodded he placed Chihiro on the ground and changed into his dragon form again.
" Kamigama come here and place Chihiro on me." Haku instructed
Kamigama did as he was told and placed Chihiro so she holding onto him like the last time she had ridden him.
" Chihiro you have a good grip?" Haku asked
Chihiro nodded at this and she laid her head on top of his. Haku feeling this worried he needed to get to Zeniba fast. In a flash he was off the ground and in the air flying at top speed back over the boarder of the Spirit World and straight to Zeniba's house.
" Chihiro I need you to stay awake for me." Haku told her
" I'll try Haku. How has everyone been?" Chihiro asked
" Chihiro in your condition if I tell you that you won't remember." Haku said smiling a little
" Hey, who's joking around now?" she asked annoyed at his words
This caused Haku to laugh at her words. His whole body rumbled and Chihiro smiled that she had lifted his mood some.
" We're almost there Chihiro just a couple more minutes." Haku told her
" Haku…" Chihiro said softly almost like she was asleep
" Chihiro you have to stay awake!" Haku shouted to her
" Can I stay with you?" She asked and with that her body went limp
" Chihiro? Chihiro! CHIHIRO!" Haku shouted, but got no reply
It was then he looked and saw Zeniba's house, " Thank Kami."
He landed and No Face along with Zeniba were waiting outside the door looking to the sky for the two. Haku changed back holding Chihiro bridal style again with the light faded.
" Haku hurry and bring her in. She's lost too much blood." Zeniba said as she and No Face moved inside and Haku followed after them
As he entered he noticed a futon out in the kitchen with a bowl of water and a number of different herbs and teas beside it.
" Place her on the futon and go sit at the table. I think you've done enough." Zeniba said annoyed
" I didn't mean to." Haku said sadly
Zeniba sighed telling how upset the dragon was at what he had done, " I know Haku and I'm sorry I snapped at you. A lot of us care about her too."
Zeniba moved over to Chihiro, " Well that shirt is going to have to go for me to work on the wounds."
With a flick of her wrist the shirt Chihiro had been wearing was gone and laying in the washtub. With that Zeniba got to work with the herbs grinding them and placing them on Chihiro's wounds from Haku's teeth. Haku watched, but seeing what he had done to her had to look away ashamed at this and knowing that she'd bear nasty scars from it later. No Face had given him some tea when he had sat down and was now helping Zeniba also with healing Chihiro.
Hours later Zeniba whipped some sweat from her brow, " Ok that'll take care of the wounds. Now to deal with all the blood she lost." she said as she moved to the different teas she had out
She moved five different kinds together and added the hot water. When she did this the tea turned blood red in color and had the same thickness as blood too.
" Help her sit up for me No Face." Zeniba said
No Face did as he was told and help Chihiro into a sitting position.
" Chihiro, Chihiro my child wake up I need you to drink this." Zeniba cooed
" Ummm, Granny?" She questioned her eyes barely open
" Hai, Chihiro I need you to drink this it'll help with the blood you've lost." Zeniba explained
Chihiro nodded as best she could and allowed the tea into his mouth and slowly drank the concoction. She grimaced as the tea went down her throat and coughed when she finished the last drop.
" Granny I never want that stuff again it was totally disgusting." Chihiro said
Zeniba chucked at this, " It might taste bad, but it will help."
" Where's Haku?" Chihiro asked waking up some
" Over at the table." Zeniba said
As the three looked over they saw Haku had fallen asleep at the table the tea untouched.
" I think he was worried more about you than himself." Zeniba told her
Chihiro nodded, " No Face will you put him to bed I don't want him sore tomorrow because of this."
" Uh. (Yes)" No Face responded, but didn't move
Chihiro looked outside and noticed it was dark out, " Oh no!"
" What's wrong dear?" Zeniba asked
" My parents are going to be worried about me. I bet it's way past midnight." Chihiro said
" That it is, but that's been taken care of." Zeniba said
" What do you mean?" Chihiro asked noticing she was staring to feel sleepy again
" Haku took care of it, don't worry." Zeniba said to her
She yawned, " He's too good to me."
Zeniba chuckled at her words " You need to sleep child the tea with replenish the blood you lost and you'll be able to walk around tomorrow, but I'll take a few days before you're your old self again."
Chihiro nodded and No Face laid her back down and pulled the cover up to her chest. In a matter of minutes Chihiro was deep asleep. No Face went over to Haku and picked him up and moved him to the same futon.
" What are you doing?" Zeniba asked smiling laughter in her voice
" Uh, uhh, uh. (Moving him beside of Chihiro, she'd like it.)" No Face replied
" How do you know she'd love it?" Zeniba asked
" Uh, uh, uhhh. (Because they love each other everyone knows that.)" No Face said back
" Hai, I know everyone but her and the dragon know it, but aren't you going a little too far?" Zeniba asked
" Uh. (No)" No Face said back
" Alright, but if turns out bad I'm blaming you." Zeniba told him
" Uh, uhh, uh, uh. (It won't turn out bad you'll see, besides we don't have any other place for him to sleep)" No Face said
" You know we could tell them that. After all we really don't have any other futons and she did ask us to put him to bed." Zeniba spoke rubbing her chin
The two went about putting the herbs and teas back to their place and they went to bed.
Hours earlier in the Human World
" Chihiro, you home yet?" her mother called from coming in the front door with some groceries in her hands
She moved to the kitchen and saw a note lying on the table.
" What's this?" her mother asked and picked it up.
Dear Mom,
On my walk today I met an old friend. We decided to spend a little time together, so I'll be gone for a week or two. He lives out of cell phone reach so tell Father I'm sorry, but I won't be able to get a hold of you two.
I love you and will be back soon,
Chihiro
He mother smiled, " She met a boy. I'm sure her Father is going to flip when he comes back and I tell him the news."
The next morning Chihiro woke up feeling better, but still slightly drained. As she opened her eyes white scales faced her.
" What the?" Chihiro questioned in shock
She sat up and saw that Haku was in his dragon form and was wrapped all around her futon. Almost like he was protecting her. She petted him on his head since it was up near hers and noticed he was in a deep sleep since he didn't move when she did this.
" He's worried himself into exhaustion." Zeniba's voice said softly
Chihiro looked over at where she heard the voice and saw Zeniba by the fireplace stirring something she was cooking in the pot.
" Good morning Granny." Chihiro said happily
" Ohayou, Feeling better I see, good." Zeniba said smiling, " There's a clean shirt beside you best to put it on before Haku wakes up."
Chihiro looked down and saw she was only wearing her bra on the upper part of her body. She squeaked in embarrassment and quickly grabbed the shirt and pulled it on. Now looking over the shirt she wore it was white, with a silver shine to it. The front was a V-neck and the sleeves were only ¾ but belled out at the end. The edges of the neck and sleeves were trimmed in a bluish green silk.
It reminds me of Haku's scales. She thought
" How do you feel dear?" Zeniba asked bringing her out of her thoughts
" I'm still a little drained, but defiantly better than last night." Chihiro said
Zeniba nodded at this and went back to her pot.
" So what's happened since I've been gone?" Chihiro asked
" I think Haku's the best one the ask that question too. Myself and No Face have just been here knitting and living quietly on occasional No Face will catch someone trying to steal my Golden Seal again and eats them." Zeniba said smiling
Chihiro chuckled at this, " He makes for a good watch dog huh?"
" Something like that." Zeniba said smiling at her
For the next couple of hours Chihiro helped Zeniba with the cooking and fixing of lunch since it was now too late for her and Haku to have breakfast.
" Granny." Chihiro said placing some herbs in the soup
" Yes dear." Zeniba answered looking at her
" Where's No Face?" Chihiro asked
" Oh I sent him to the Onsen to tell Lin and the others Haku was here and wouldn't be coming back for a couple of day." Zeniba answered
" Oh. Why?" Chihiro asked
" You don't honestly think that dragon's going to leave you here with me and No Face, now do you. He feels responsible. I wouldn't doubt if he waits on you hand and foot once he wakes up." Zeniba said smiling
" It wasn't his fault." Chihiro said sitting down looking at the table
" I know, but he thinks it is. His rage got the best of him, but for a dragon he can keep it under control better than most." Zeniba told her
" There are other dragon spirits?" Chihiro asked
" Oh yes, I've heard a couple have come to the Onsen to court with Haku, but he refused them." Zeniba said
" Why?" Chihiro asked confused
" That is also something only he can answer." Zeniba answered and resumed chopping some carrots
About and hour later No Face retuned with a letter and handed it to Zeniba.
" It's from Lin for Haku." Zeniba said reading the front
It was then the three heard a yawn and looked over at the dragon that was starting to wake up.
He opened his eyes slowly and then bolted upright, " Chihiro!" he panicked
" I'm right here Haku." She said smiling at him worrying over her. He looked over and saw the three at the table and Zeniba setting bowl out.
He changed into his human form and moved over to sit beside Chihiro, " Are you sure you should be up?" He asked worried
" I'm fine Haku, a little drained still, but a couple more days and I'll be fine." Chihiro said smiling at her and he smiled back
" Did you sent a note to Mom for me?" she asked
He looked at her surprised she knew this, " How did you…"
" Well No Face and Granny were taking care of me, so I figured you must have sent them something to tell them not to worry." Chihiro said to him
He smiled at her, " Hai, I sent a note saying you met an old friend on your hike and went to say with him for a bit."
" Oh Haku you didn't." Chihiro said covering her face with her hand and shaking her head, " Did you say if it was a he or she?"
" Um…I think I said he. Why?" Haku said not understanding what he did wrong
" Oooh." Chihiro said her head hitting the table, " Dad's going to freak."
" What did I do wrong?" Haku asked looking confused at Chihiro and then Zeniba
" Nothing, Thank you for sending the letter they'd be even more worried if there wasn't one. But my Dad's a little overprotective of me and when I get back he'll give me a talking to about going away with boys I hardly know." Chihiro said
" What's wrong with that?" Haku asked still confused over this
Zeniba laughed at Haku's ignorance.
" Oh sure it's fine the first couple time you hear it, but one you have heard it 10 time the lecture starts to get annoying." Chihiro said
" 10? He's told you this that many time." Haku asked shocked
" Probably more, but I stopped at 10." Chihiro said, " Maybe I can stay here permanently."
" Well wasn't that what you were trying to do?" Zeniba asked smiling
" I…" Chihiro started, but looked over at Haku, " …I like to."
" Iie. You can't stay it's too dangerous." Haku said sternly
Chihiro sighed knowing that was going to be his answer.
" You're going to get well and I'm going to take you back to my lake and take you as far as I can go." Haku said to her
" Haku!" Zeniba said upset at how this was going, " You could at least take her to the Onsen to see her friends for a little bit. She does have at least two weeks before she needs to go back."
Haku glared at her, but the witch glared back, " Fine once she's better I'll take her back to work with me and then home."
" Yeah! I get to see Lin and Kamaji again." Chihiro said happily latching onto Haku who blushed at this
Chihiro being so happy at the news though didn't pay any attention, but Zeniba saw this and the dragon being uncomfortable with Zeniba there.
" Oh Haku, Lin sent a letter to you." Zeniba said handing him the letter No Face brought back with him
Haku took the letter and opened it. Chihiro and the other watched him seeing the frown form on his face and growl in anger.
Chihiro touched his arm and looked at him concerned, " Haku what is it?"
" Yubaba's back to her old tricks." Haku said annoyed at what he was reading
" What?" Chihiro asked surprised
" This is why I visit my lake for a day and head back if I don't she starts up her old trick, though I'm sure the higher Kami's know what she's doing and are angry at her." Haku explained
" So she's stealing workers names again?" Zeniba asked starting to place the lunch on the table
" Hai, the workers that have come in since I've been gone. Which means I'll have to talk with her and try to get their names back. Which I don't know if I'll be able to, I haven't been able to get the others she taken." Haku said upset at this
It was then Chihiro's stomach growled in hunger.
Chihiro looked at the group in shock and rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment,
" Sorry."
Zeniba and Haku burst into laughter, " I think we'll continue this conversation after lunch before Chihiro eats herself from the inside out." Haku said smiling at the girl glad for the interruption
Ningen – Human
Onegai – Please
Kami – God
Hai – Yes
Ohayou – Good Morning
Onsen – Hot Springs/ Bathhouse
Iie - No