After giving their teacher some story about Chihiro not feeling well and Haku taking her home, they snuck off to a secluded area of the woods to talk. Haku had gently led her through the maze of tree, helping her navigate the fallen logs and slippery stones wet from the rains. The two of them took shelter under a giant old fir tree where it was still mostly dry and protected.

"How long can you stay Haku?" Chihiro asked, slightly afraid of the answer, afraid that he would have to leave her all over again.

"About a week is all I have the power for." He replied looking down again.

"Oh."

Haku looked over to her downcast face, "Hey cheer up! I have a plan."

"Really? I don't know what I'll do when you leave again." she told him, "It was hard enough the first time."

"I know. I don't want you to have to suffer anymore. I've been working very hard for these last 5 years, getting everything in the Bath House in shape. I wanted everything to be perfect. Rin is managing the staff and I've never seen such flawless customer service. I got Kamaji an apprentice to lighten his work load and they seem to be getting on well." Haku explained, "I've been waiting and preparing for when I had enough power to come here to see you. So let's make the most of this time together."

"Ok, so what's your plan?" she chirped, feeling much more up beat.

Haku stood and bowed to her formally, "Ogino Chihiro, I would be honored if you would allow me to take you out on a date tonight."

Chihiro gasped, "Of course, I would love to!"

She jumped up off the bed of pine needles and threw her arms around Haku's neck, "But you'll have to meet my parent's first. They have this rule that they have to know who I'm going places with." Chihiro said, suddenly nervous.

"Well why don't you show me around the town until then. It'll give me an idea of where to take you." Haku suggested, knowing that they had some time to kill.

The pair navigated with ease back through the forest towards town, Chihiro internally fretting over the rumors that would start if she were seen by one of her classmates walking around town with Haku.

After a few minute of walking in silence, her chewing on her lip, she finally voiced her concerns, "Haku, what if someone from class sees us together?"

"What do you mean? Is it strange for a guy and girl to walk together?" He asked, puzzled.

"Oh no it's nothing like that." She hurriedly replied, "It's just that I'm the school outcast, and you're... well... popular. People would talk." she continued, slightly ashamed.

Haku smiled kindly at her, gently grasping her delicate chin in his thumb and forefinger and lifting her eyes to his, "If that's all it is, then let them talk. I don't care if the whole world talks about us. All that matters is that we care about each other. Right Chihiro?"

"I suppose." she replied, still nervously chewing on her lip.

"Well then don't fret about it. Would you feel better if I just took you home on the pretense of you not feeling well? Then I could still meet your parents and we wouldn't be seen together." he suggested chivalrously, not wanting to stress her anymore today.

A sigh of relief escaped her reddened lips, "Yes Haku, I would like that. My house is just up this hill. The blue one on the end."

Sweeping his arm wide and inviting, he told her, "Lead on, my lady."

Chihiro led her dragon up the steep hill face towards her house, circling around to the front as to avoid inquiring questions. Her dad would still be at work, so all she'd have to deal with was her more understanding mother, and she was glad for that.

"Mother, I'm home." she called to the seemingly empty house, motioning Haku in as she did so.

"What are you doing home so early, dear? Are you not feeling well?" her mother asked as she came around the corner from the utility room, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

"I was feeling a little nauseous so I came home. Don't worry I got a list of homework so I won't fall behind."

"Well that's good. And who's this charming young man?" she inquired smiling kindly at the green eyed stranger.

"Oh I'm sorry. Mother this is Haku. Haku this is my mother Yuuko." Chihiro said, exhilarated that her mother was meeting the man she had oft dreamed about.

"A pleasure to meet you maam." Haku replied graciously, lifting her hand a placing a gentle kiss to her fingers.

"Oh my. Such a proper gentleman, and handsome as well." her mother tittered, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"You honor me too much maam." he replied graciously, "May I escort Chihiro to her room so she can lay down?"

Taken aback by his flattery, her mother stammered out a yes, watching wide eyed as this perfect gentleman carefully helped her daughter up the stairs to her bed.

Haku opened the door, allowing Chihiro to enter unobstructed. She crawled across her bed to her dresser, wanting to get out of her school uniform and into something more comfortable. Pulling our her favorite pair of shorts and a baggy tshirt that said I heart New York on it, she excused herself to the bathroom to change.

Chihiro quickly locked the door, staring at her face in the mirror. Her cheeks burn with the blush that stained them, her eyes as wide as a frightened child. she pressed her fingers to her chest, marveling at how her heart flutter at the very thought of the young man waiting for her in her room. With clumsy fingers she undid the buttons of her uniform, cursing under her breath each time her fingers slipped on the tine bits of plastic. Finally she managed to remove the skirt and top and slide into her shorts and tshirt. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she left the bathroom and returned to her bedroom.

She opened the door, expecting him to be impatiently waiting for her. Instead he was seated in her computer chair, examining the tiny ceramic figurine from her nightstand.

"It's really quite beautiful." He said, still studying the minute detail the craftsman had so painstakingly etched into the medium.

"I bought it at a flea market a couple years ago. It reminded me of you." she added sheepishly.

"You flatter me too much." he said playfully, "If you're not careful it might go to my head."

"Oh now we wouldn't want that would we? An all powerful dragon with an ego to match? Whatever would we do?"

"All powerful, eh?" he said, looking up to the ceiling and thoughtfully tapping his chin, "I like the sound of that."

Chihiro laughed, getting down onto the floor and mock bowing at his feet, "Oh great master, I bow before you and pledge myself in worship unto your greatness."

As she raised her arms and torso to bow again a firm hand tightened around her wrist and pulled her up off the floor. With a startled 'eep!' she landed squarely in Haku's lap.

"You pledge yourself to me?" he growled, a possessive edge to his voice, "I like the sound of that even more."

Chihiro's eyes widened to the size of saucers, another strangled little noise escaping her lips.

"You want to know why I like that?" he practically purred into her ear.

All she could manage was a dumbfounded little nod.

Haku smiled at her then, a predatory glint in his eyes, "Because then I could do this whenever I wanted."

He slid a hand up to cradle the back of her head, pulling her closer and pressing a light kiss to her lips. Chihiro tensed for a moment, not knowing how to react, but soon melted into the heat barely restrained but still felt in the kiss. His lips moved in a gentle caress against her own, weakening her resolve with every brush.

Haku growled again, deep in his throat, as he felt her press closer, and deepened the kiss. Pressing his lips to hers a little more urgently. But all too soon he pulled away, knowing that they needed to take it slow, that she needed time to get used to his more dragonish characteristics. He really didn't want to scare her off.

"I think it's time to put you to bed, sweetling." He whispered, running a thumb over her blush stained cheeks, "You've had a very long and emotional day, and you could use a nap."

Chihiro opened her mouth to protest, not wanting to lose a moment with him, but a finger rose to cover her lips. Locking eyes with him, she marveled as he began to sing a beautiful tune in language she'd never heard. The words seemed to have a life of their own, passing through her and leaving a feeling of contentment behind. It wasn't long before she started to drift off, feeling safe and secure in her dragon's arms. She knew that her dreams would be peaceful ones, and with that thought she fell into the velvety darkness.

Well there's chapter 3. Teaser for the next chapter, Haku has a talk with Chihiro's mother.

I just made a couple of changes to the wording…I seem to miss a lot of small things when my rug rats are screaming

Thanks for all the great reviews Savvyzzzz, MeikoSakine, and Air Nomad.