Disclaimer: I don't own the movie or anything that relates to it!

I want to thank my reviewers: EmiRay - Thanks for the review

44dreammaster -Thank you for the review

mewgirlfreak - Thank you for the review

Chapter 2: Reasons and Lessons

"Haku."

"Chihiro."

Chihiro stared at the man before her. He had changed a lot through all these past years. He was taller than her 5'7, so he must be about 6 feet or even more. His colored hair was exactly the same. His shoulders were broader and he was more muscular. The only thing that didn't change was his eyes. They were still the same intense color.

"Why are you here, Chihiro?" Haku asked her. She looked at him suspiciously. "Did Granny not tell you?" she snapped at him. Haku smiled, "You've changed a lot since we last met. If I could remember, you would have been too scared to talk to me like that. And no, Zeniba did not tell me anything." Chihiro raised an eyebrow, "You know that she's not Yubaba?" Haku nodded, "Come. Zeniba said that we have a lot to talk about. I believe you still know how to ride a dragon?" Chihiro smiled.

"Just picture the place in your mind and I'll be there." Haku looked at her intently and when she entered his mind, he completely closed off. "Just trust me on this," she said to him. He nodded and let her enter his mind. She found the place that he was taking her to and placed the information in her own mind. She retreated back into her own mind, as he transformed back into a dragon. She closed her eyes and plucked out the information again.

A few moments later, when she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in a large clearing in the middle of what looked like a forest. Chihiro heard the sound of water and when she looked past some of the trees, she found a small waterfall. Hearing a noise behind her, she turned to see Haku landing. He went back to his human form and looked at her surprised. "What kind of magic did you just do?" he asked her.

"Among the secrets that I have been hiding," she said, "I am also a Shifter." "Before we start anything," Haku said, "I must know why you're back." She hesitated.

"I guess you deserve that much," Chihiro answered carefully. "After I came out of the tunnel, the first two years of my life was normal enough. My . . . powers did not reveal themselves to me yet. On my 16th birthday, something unimaginable happened. As I was celebrating with my friends and family, I fainted with no apparent reason. I was healthy throughout the day, until my party came around. The weird part was, I fainted right at 6 o'clock in the human world." At this point in her story, Haku had stopped her with a question.

"Do you remember what time it was when we first met on the bridge?" Chihiro turned to him confused and a bit annoyed, "No, are you kidding me? I was more concerned about my parents then the stupid time!" Haku smiled, "Okay. Then do you remember what day it was?" She nodded. "It was my birthday." Haku smiled brighter, "You met me at exactly 6 o'clock in human time, on your birthday." Chihiro looked at him for a moment, shocked, "You're kidding me!" Haku lost his smile and shook his head. "Wow," she whispered. "So, can you continue your story?" Haku asked her. She nodded.

"So anyway, I remembered hearing a different voice every time, giving me a gift. Then the voices started again and again. I woke up to see everyone over me, trying to get me to wake. The next day, I wanted to test out my new abilities. I . . . couldn't control them like I did today at you. And let me apologize, I am so sorry I pushed you. I panicked. Like I said, I couldn't control my powers in the other realm, like I do in this realm. So in short, I came back for some guidance in my powers. So here I am, sitting and talking to you."

Haku stayed quiet after she was finished and only the sound of the waterfall could be heard. "What do you mean by 'test out'?" he asked her. At this, Chihiro looked up and smiled at him. I taught myself how to fight with magic, scry, spells, and other things that could be handy if I need them. I also learned how to fist fight and weaponry." He looked at her sharply, "You taught yourself how to fight with magic?" She nodded and he smiled slightly. Haku stood up and walked a few feet away from her. He turned around to face her and stretched one of his arms out, with his palm facing up. He seemed to concentrate as a sheathed sword appeared. The sheath was a dark blue with white thin spirals from the wide end to the thin end. The hilt of the sword was simple yet elegant, which was made possible by the white, round stone on the top of the hilt. "Choose your weapon and fight me," Haku said sharply. He quickly got into a stance.

Chihiro looked at him and got up. She took off her jacket and threw it to the ground. She turned and faced him, stretching out her arm like he did just moments before. Her sword appeared more quickly than his and the sheath was made of a forest green color. The hilt was made to fit her grip and a round diamond was set at the top of the hilt. Haku's eyes sharpen. "I also learned how to forged swords out of magic," Chihiro smirked. "Whoever lands the first wound wins. Ready?" Haku asked her. She nodded although none of them moved.

They stood like this, watching each other, Haku in his stance and Chihiro's sheath and sword gripped loosely in her right hand. The two suddenly lost patience and charged at each other at the same time. The two sheaths clashed as none drew their swords. They stared at each other before springing apart a short moment later. Haku threw his sword and threw his sheath to the side. Chihiro's smirk grew more sinister as she did the same. She stood with her left foot in front and her right in behind. Her right hand held her sword above her head with the tip pointing at Haku. Chihiro's left arm was raised with her palm facing up. Her sword shined brightly in the sunlight, producing a bright glare.

Haku charged at her with both hands holding the sword with both hands. He brought the sword down dangerously. She blocked with her sword and kicked him in the stomach with her foot. He stumbled back a few steps as she executed a back flip. This time, Chihiro ran at him slashing with her sword at his side. He parried, making her lose her balance. He didn't take the opportunity to hit her, but did jump back. She looked at him curiously before realizing what he wanted from her. 'He wants to know how good I am and how much I know,' she thought.

She then started to move gracefully and using her sword in complex patterns. Although she didn't land a blow on him, he was amazed at how she moved with her sword and how much she knew. Her foot work was a blur and so was her sword. It seemed as though she was dancing with it. Her moves were flashy, more on appearance than power. Chihiro's agility was great yet she lacked power and defense.

'Fatarium!" Chihiro yelled. Her sword was covered in white flames,vfor that was her magic color, in a matter of seconds except the hilt. Haku looked surprise for a moment before blocking a blow that could've been fatal. She became unstable and took the opportunity. Haku slashed her on the stomach. The wound started from her far right side and ended on far left side. Her whole abdomen was cut open from the cut. Immediately after he had slashed her, Haku knew that the cut was too deep.

Chihiro gasped and let go of her sword. The flames stopped before the sword hit the ground. She fell down with her back to one of the surrounding trees. She was bleeding heavily as she gasped for breath and pain coursing through her body.

Haku dropped his bloody sword and rushed over to her. Unfortunately, he did not have the ability to heal. He cradled the back of her head with his right hand and his pressing down on the wound as Chihiro fought for consciousness. "Chihiro, I'm so sorry," he said emotionally, for once, "Stay awake, Chihiro. Please."

Chihiro was breathing in deep short gasps, while trying to remember the healing words. She pushed his hand aside and using her last bit of strength, she said softly, "En tharay." Her right hand glowed a dull white as she moved her hand over the wound. The cut healed itself immediately and as soon as it did, Chihiro fainted from the blood loss. Haku looked around him and saw that Chihiro's blood surrounded them. He felt disgusted and quickly muttered an incantation to rid them of her blood.

Haku retrieved his and her sword and sheath, holing them in his hand. He then took her jacket and placed it across her shoulders, so she won't be cold when he flew them back to the bath house. Haku then summoned a rope and tied their swords onto his back. He carried her in his arms as he flew them home in his human form.

He got them home to the bath house before 4 that afternoon and luckily no one saw them. Haku found her room and laid her down on the bed. He got her underneath the covers and tucked her in. Haku moved a strand of brown hair out of her face. 'I'm so sorry Chihiro.' He then sat on the side of her bed, watching her sleep.

Chihiro woke up the next mourning to an empty room and a sore stomach. She sat up and passed a hand over her stomach, remembering what had happened the other day. 'He must think it was his fault that I fainted on him. I have to talk to Haku.' She got out of bed feeling sore all over from the fight. Chihiro went to the bath room and looked in the mirror. She looked horrible with a serious case of bed head and pale from the blood loss. 'I must look like a vampire.' She jumped into the shower for a really hot bath.

After she got out in her robe, she found Granny on the bed holding a new set of clothes. It consisted of blue jeans and a black short sleeve shirt. Chihiro took it from her and thanked her. Granny smiled and pushed her into the bathroom to change. When Chihiro got out, Granny was holding the white top from yesterday that was covered in blood.

"Who did this?" Granny demanded. "It was nothing Granny," Chihiro said quickly. "Tell me the truth right now Chihiro," Granny said dangerously. Chihiro told her quickly and quietly what had happened. Granny's face clouded with even more anger.

'HAKU!' Granny's mind screamed. Chihiro winced at the loudness in her mind.

A few short moments later, Haku came flying into the room. He landed in front of Granny, noticing that she was holding the shirt that Chihiro had worn yesterday. 'I must have forgotten to clean her shirt.' He glanced around the room and saw Chihro looking worried at the situation.

"I own up to my fault," Haku said. "YOU DARN RIGHT YOU SHOUD!" Granny screamed at him. "I TOLD YOU TO TRAIN MY GRANDDAUGHTER! NOT KILL HER!" She flicked her wrist and sent Haku flying into the back wall about 10 feet up. He fell to the floor with his front facing the ground. Haku groaned and got up slowly. "I SHOULDN'T HAVE LET YOU GO EVEN NEAR HER! YOU BETRAYED MY TRUST IN YOU KOHAKU!" A fireball was launched from her hands and grazed Haku's arm. He gritted his teeth, trying not to hiss at the pain.

"Granny, stop it!" Chihiro pleaded. Granny ignored her and continued to rant, "I SHOULD BANISH YOU FROM THE BATH HOUSE THIS INSTANT!" She was forming an even bigger sphere of fire and was intending on not to miss this time. "Granny, quit it!" Chihiro yelled at her. Granny ignored her again and released the fire.

"ROHIRIUM!"

A translucent sphere of white covered part of the room. It absorbed the fire and there was nothing left. Chihiro was found standing in front of Haku, shielding them both with her magic. Chihiro was panting hard as though she had run a mile.

"Granny," she said softly, "I'm okay. I'm standing right here. Haku didn't do it on purpose. It was just an accident. It was because of Haku that I got back. Please stop and forgive him, for I already did."

Granny stood there, panting from the loss of energy. She looked at them and left the room, leaving Haku and Chihiro alone.

As soon as Granny's footsteps faded away, Chihiro's weak knees gave way. Haku caught her before she hit the ground.

"I guess that took more energy than I thought," Chihiro said weakly. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. "You shouldn't have done that," he said firmly. "Why shouldn't I?" she snapped back, "You want me to stand on the sidelines and watch you get killed?" He hesitated before answering, "I don't deserve your forgiveness." Chihiro sighed, "We both know that it was a slight of hand. There's nothing to worry about. And besides, are we in the spirit world or not?" Haku nodded, "True. But you're only human, not a spirit." Chihiro smiled.

"Now there you're wrong. The spirit world has accepted me as one of there own. Which means that I'm a spirit, not a human." She sighed again and looked at his arm. "Let me heal that for you." Haku looked at his arm where Granny had burned it a bit and shook hi head. "No you're too weak. And besides, dragons heal faster than normal spirits." Chihiro rolled her eyes, "Will you stop acting so sexist against women for once? Just because we're women doesn't mean that there couldn't be a possible chance that I'm better than you. So could you please let go of this thought, 'cause you're really driving me insane. And to answer you're unspoken question, I'll draw my strength from you. Just open your mind and let me invade."

She grabbed his arm, making him wince. "Imagine trying to hide that from the staff." Chihiro took hold of his hand and opened his palm. She placed her hand so they were touching palm to palm. She entered his mind and said the healing words, "Noctu enverituim tharay." Her palm glowed a bright white and transferred from her hand to his. The glow went up his arm and around his body. She was concentrating intently, healing every wound there was. She broke off their connection a few moments later and retreated from his mind. He felt better, even though he felt a drain from his energy. "Thanks," he said to her. "I healed that cold of yours that was going to happen soon, too," she answered back. "You really shouldn't have flew through a storm like that." He shrugged his shoulders, "Let me thank you by making you your breakfast."

"You sure you can cook, dragon?" she teased him. He pulled a face at which she laughed at. "You stay and rest while I'll make breakfast." She nodded at him gratefully and settled back into the pillows. Haku brushed back a piece of her hair, "Thank you." She smiled at him, "My pleasure.'

Chihiro didn't remember when she fell asleep, but she was shaken awake by Haku, holding breakfast on a tray. "Wake up lazy," he teased her back. She frowned and sat up, "Since when did you learn how to show emotion?" He gave her a smile, "A long time ago." She shook her head, "Thanks for the food. But if you try to poison me, you're gonna be sorry you ever lived."

"Who said 'trying'?" he asked her confused. Her eyes sharpened and threw a pillow at him as he laughed joyfully. "Where are you going?" she asked him. Haku turned around, "I have to take care of the staff remember?" Chihiro nodded, "Meet me downstairs in the boiler room for lunch." Haku hesitated. 'Should I tell her what happened when she was gone? Surely Kamaji or Rin didn't tell her anything. I have to tell her sooner or later anyway.' Haku nodded, "I'll meet you there." He left the room, leaving Chihiro frowning, 'I felt like he was worried about something.'

She heard the multiple doors closed and jumped out of bed. She took the tray into the kitchen and stated to cook lunch for everyone.

Chihiro was finished by 11 o'clock and started down to the boiler room. 'Haku,' she thought.

'Yes?'

'Could you call Rin to meet me downstairs, too? Don't tell her that I contacted you with magic though. Tell her that you forgot to tell her.'

'. . . she said yes. I thought you were suppose to be eating and resting?'

'I gave up and wanted to see everyone. And besides, that is the most boring thing you can do right now. I'll meet you downstairs soon.'

'Yeah, likewise.'

She cut off the connection and shifted downstairs, outside the little door. She opened the door to find Rin talking with Kamaji. "So why did you call us down here?" Rin asked her. Chihro smiled and pulled out a large basket from behind her. The other two breathed in the aroma and Rin jumped at her for the basket. Kamaji reached out just in time to save Chihiro from a terrible collision. "Let me go Boiler Man!" Rin said loudly. Kamaji shook his head, "Not until you think before you jump at the basket." Rin made a small noise and settled down.

Chihro opened the basket to reveal large bowls of rice and dim sum of every kind she could think of. Drool hung from Rin's mouth as she struggled to get out of Kamaji's grasp. "Let me at her!" Rin said loudly. "Calm down Rin!" Chihiro said laughing, "You'll get to eat in a few moments." She passed around the bowls and the basket that held the dim sum. About ten minutes passed before the small door opened to reveal Haku crawling through. "Hi." Rin nodded before resuming to stuff her face. Chihiro sighed and turned around. "Hi! Come and eat lunch with us." Haku stopped her, "There's someone I'd like you to meet first."

Rin stopped and placed her bowl down, "We shouldn't be here, Haku. Not here, not now." Kamaji agreed with her, "this is between you, Chihiro, and Kira."

Chihiro looked at him puzzled, "Who is Kira?" Haku cleared his throat, making her turn to him. A woman appeared by his side a short moment later.

"Chihiro, this is Kira . . . my mate," Haku said, looking at the woman next to him.

TBC

Meanings:

Fatarium: Fire

En tharay: Be healed

Noctu enverituim tharay: Let everything heal

A/N: Who is this 'Kira' and how is she important to Haku? How did they meet and does Haku love Chihiro? Find out in the next chappie! PLEASE REVIEW and tell me how you think of the story so far!