Chapter 7: Onigiris at Dawn

Thank you very much for all your support! Over 1,000 hits! =] I never thought that this many people would read and review! Please keep it up! Enjoy! Oops, I forgot the disclaimer A LOT. Anyways, I only own the plot line of this fanfic which was based off of the movie owned by Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki-san. **Arigatou gozaimasu=formal thank you **Hakama=work shirt used in spirit world (Haku's is white) **Onigiri=riceball **Mewaku kakete gomen nasai=I'm sorry for the trouble **Okaasan=mother/Otousan=father

I cried into Haku's face for what seemed like a long time. He didn't seem to mind, but eventually I pulled away, embarrassment smeared all over my face. I wiped my face roughly and went over to brush the moisture off of his muzzle quickly. His mouth curved up slightly and what sounded like a mix between a growl and a cough came out. It would have seemed intimidating if he wasn't shaking uncontrollably.

"Are you laughing?" I asked in surprise. He bumped his muzzle into my arm playfully. I have never seen this side of him and it was interesting to see. Then my shoulders couldn't help but tremble as I started to laugh along. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the radish spirit leave my bag on the dock. I ran over and bowed.

"Arigatou gozaimasu for taking care of my bag," I said. His face crinkled in a smile as I took my bag. I walked over to haku slinging it over my shoulder happily. His dragon form faded and there stood a boy. He was taller than me with the same jade green eyes and tinted shoulder length hair and the same clothes. He pulled out onigiri from the folds of his hakama.

I was becoming clear and my backpack fell through my shoulder. I flinched in surprise. Haku took a piece of an onigiri and placed it in my mouth. It was as delicious as I remembered it. He took my hand and gave me some more onigiris. We sat by the grassy hill and ate quietly.

Dawn began to break over the horizon and the sky lit up faintly. Haku was still holding my hand when the river dissipated into nothing. He pulled me up and asked me, "Why did you come back?" The question stung deep in my heart.

I turned away and said, "there's no reason for me to stay there anymore. I came because I wanted to and-..." I blinked back the tears angrily. That's enough crying for one day. "I was in a car accident and almost died. My parents...my parents...everything was all my fault and now they're gone. There's nothing left...not America please don't make me go." My voice was hoarse and strained from the dammed tears.

Haku grabbed my other hand and turned me to face him. "Whatever happened was not your fault. You can talk about it when you're ready. A lot has happened recently and I'll explain later. Right now, you need to rest. I can see you're tired and yes, you can stay." I felt something get lifted off my shoulders and my heart became calm. His eyes flashed concern while staring into my watery ones.

I nodded and said, "Mewaku kakete gomen nasai."

He smiled kindly and said, "Here get on." Suddenly, he transformed into a large white dragon with an aqua mane. His eyes never changed. I smiled tiredly and got on remembering to squeeze my knees, but not too hard. I grabbed his horns and we took off into the morning light. The sudden ascent unnerved my stomach somewhat. I inhaled his fresh scent and laid my head down on his ticklish mane.

"Thank you Haku." The sun rose and warmed us with it's heavenly rays. I never felt so peaceful since the death of my parents. I fell asleep watching the scenery below.

~~~~~~~~~~•••~~~~~~~~~

I landed on the balcony with Chihiro asleep on my back. I was ready to put a holding spell to keep her from falling, but I didn't need to surprisngly. I transformed carefully back into my human form, so I was giving her a piggyback ride. She looked so peaceful sleeping like that. I found an empty guest room and arranged the cushions into a comfortable position. I placed her down slowly dropping the backpack. I covered her with a blanket and realized something fell out of her backpack. It looked like me as a dragon, but smaller, fluffier, and squishy?

I studied it carefully along with other contents from her bag. She drew rin and kamaji and the soot balls in a book, even Kaonashi. At the end of it was a bunch of scribbles. Someone's eye? A whisker? She tried to draw me and I chuckled to myself. There was a picture of her family. I couldn't help but wonder why fate was so cruel. Sure it brought me to her, but the cost was too great.

Chihiro shifted in her sleep. "I'm sorry Okaasan..Otousan.. Haku...thank you...I..I...love...you.." At the sudden mumbled statement, I jerked my head in shock. I told myself that she was dreaming and didn't mean it. I set up another set of cushions on the opposite side of the room for myself and fell asleep with the day's events replaying in my dreams.

Was this chapter a little out of character?