Disclaimers: I own nothing

Authors Beginning Note: Yay! Reviews and positive feedback! I'm so happy:)


The Christmas Dragon
Chapter 8

Lethe and Nemosine


"Sen, this is Haku's next mission." Yubaaba threw a sealed scroll in my direction, and I caught it; something I have learned to do in the past 3 months. I remember when I used to fumble and drop it, only to be harshly reprimanded.

"And Sen…" I looked up.

"Yes?"

"I am having a special guest arrive, so make sure that when you get back, Haku is polished and in top shape. I'll be hosting another battle in the ring, special for the occasion."

"But…"

"Hmm? Are you defying my orders?" She leaned closely to my face, her smokers breath making me dizzy.

"Its just that, why do you do this to him? He's done nothing wrong! Why do you use him…" I couldn't breath, after I had been thrown-hard-against the farthest wall. Strikes of pain hit my body and it took me moments before my vision would clear.

"Get out! You insolent girl!" I was forcefully shoved through the hallways and into the elevator.

"Ting" it began to rise, and I let out a breath.

"Ouch." I sat, barely moving, until with another 'ting' I got off to my level.

"Sen! Oh Sen! What did you say to her now?" Rin came and helped me walk, I barely stood.

"She wants him to fight in the ring again."

"No Sen, you didn't…"

"I had to Rin! It just ain't right!" I felt tears prick my eyes. Rin shook her head, and we stumbled into my room. I sat on my bed and watched as the sun was at the lip of the horizon, ready to be swallowed into the night. Rin got the bandages and began to wrap some of the whip-like cuts across my legs, arms, and chest. They stung and burned bright red against my pale skin.

"So, how did you sleep yesterday?"

"Fine." I lied with a smile.

It was that dream again…I was drownding…Nushi…and Nigi…I keep getting bits and pieces of a name…is it Haku's…its been a long time since I made that promise…I don't even know how to fulfill it…I don't know where to begin…

"There, I think you are all set" I looked at the sun, halfway down now.

"Rin…" She stopped at the door and looked back.

"I made a promise to Haku, to find his name, but I don't know…I don't know how to figure it out!" She messed up her hair, before dragging a hand down her face in exasperation.

"Chihiro! You have to quite messing with things, you can't change the whole world you know!"

"But!" She turned to leave, but stopped.

"You know…I don't have any memories from before I came to the bath house either. Kamaji once told me, that we never truly forget, but that its hidden deep with in us. Maybe…maybe you and Haku met before he came here. That could be why Zeniiba specifically sent you." She almost whispered before leaving. I looked down at the beautiful figure that felt warm in my hands as I held him.

Haku and I…met…maybe…but why can't I remember…why didn't Granny tell me anything…

I set him in my lap and looked down at the scroll. The wax seal snapped loudly as it broke and allowed me to read its contents.

As the sun disappeared, I rolled the scroll back up and set Haku in the middle of the room. Haku's form quickly grew into something more magical than what he had just been a few moments ago.

"Not all of them have healed." I reached for more salve and smeared it over some of the deeper gnashed that still threatened to break.

"What about you?" He nudged a particular soar spot and I hissed in pain. He stood, waiting for an answer.

"I…just got in a row with Yubaaba. Something about my hair being to long. It's nothing." The wounds began to shrink a little more, but not satisfactory to me. I shook my head and filled him in on what we were to do, and he growled.

"She wants us to do what?"

"Well, steal the pendant of Lethe and Nemosine, I guess."

"Lethe and Nemosine. The pendant of Remembrance and forgetfulness." I stopped and looked at him, a spark in my mind.

"Wait, Haku! If we get it, than we could…" He shook his head, and looked ready to roar in frustration.

"It is made of black magic. It would corrupt both of us."

"Then did she send us to get it, as a trap?" I slid onto him comfortably as we left the bath house, and experienced the wind rush past us. Storm clouds threatened up ahead, so Haku flew higher.

I never did get my answer.

One full day and nights of traveling in stormy weather, no doubt Yubaaba's special parting gift. I stopped to take refuge under a tree and eat.

"So Haku, how long do you think till we're there?" I asked as he instantly changed. It was harder to tell when he would, with the sky constantly darkened.

"We'll be there tomorrow night." I swallowed the bread and cheese wedges placed in it, before taking a drink of water. Haku laid down besides me, to let me finish.

"Haku?" He made a small noise in the back of his throat, as was his lazy way to respond.

"How do you know so much?" He seemed to laugh.

"I may not look it, but I've been around for a while." I leaned against him and blinked as a rain droplet hit me in the eye.

"You must be. I've been here for three months and I still feel like I barely know anything." A droplet rolled down my scalp, making me shiver.

Three whole months…people here don't really have a calendar like back at home…three months…December…January…February…and we're into March…

I sat up suddenly.

"You know what! It was my Birthday 2 weeks ago I think!" I began to giggle. It's silly, I forgot my own birthday. I sat back again, comfortably and thought about it.

Wow…I'm 17…now I'm almost grown-up…one more year…then again…I don't think anything would have changed at home…I wouldn't have been treated any differently…I'd still have a cake…strawberry cake for sure…and white frosting…then I would get presents…clothes…or money…I liked the money best…sometimes the clothes get to be the wrong size or just plain ridiculous…

I sighed, just thinking about my imaginary birthday party. Memories and thoughts of home are bittersweet.

"I miss home." Haku nudged me.

"You'll find your way home."

"How do you know?" I looked deep into his emerald green eyes.

"I promise you this, Chihiro." I couldn't help but smile. If it wasn't for him, I'm sure I would have forgotten more than just my birthday, but my name as well. Then I would forever be bound to Yubaaba.

"Well, we better get going. We're on a tight deadline." I stood up, brushing crumbs off of myself. It didn't take long for us to take flight, though we got really wet before we reached a high enough altitude to surpass the rains reach.

'Tomorrow night' came quickly. The place that the pendant was located in was a cave. An ancient cave that once belonged to a dragon who had died fighting in battle centuries ago. I stepped inside and was instantly lost in darkness. Haku nudged my hand. We walked together, down steep passageways and winding paths. I kept my hand against him.

He feels so warm…I always feel safe when I'm with him…I don't ever want to let go…

I stood back as Haku removed a boulder that blocked an opening. Light shined through.

Is it day time…

I walked in first, and gasped. I stepped aside to allow Haku to pass through.

"Its beautiful." I said in wonder. We were deep in the mountain, in a huge cave, with sapphires imbedded into the very walls and ceiling. The precious jewels seemed to eminate a nice blue hued light through out that brightened every corner. Two small waterfalls on either side existed as well. They tumulted into a blue cascade, blue gems covering the bottom of the stream and glowing through the water.

"Yes, all very nice, but where is the pendant?" I snapped out of my reverie and looked around with purpose. I dug through little nook of jewels and around boulders where gold was spread in piles.

One thing is for sure…this dragon had a lot of time on his…or maybe her hands…to organize everything so neatly…

Thirst tugged at the back of my throat so I stepped up to the water and looked down. It was crystal clear and I could see my reflection with clarity that was almost impossible. Cupping my hands I brought the cool liquid to my lips and let it quench my parched throat. It was cold, and tickled, but made me feel warm inside. Like drinking liquid diamonds.

"Chihiro, no!" I felt my body slowly fall into darkness, as if it were floating into a blissful sleep, and water wrapped around me, in a soothing blanket.

"I promise, Chihiro." Green eyes.

"… I promise that I'll find out your name. Your real one…" His warmth.

…his shape silhouetted by moon light, waiting and looking back at me. His elegance and patience.

"…however a curse was on the seal, and forced Haku to become a statue reflecting his heart. A cold Steel with sharp colored gems…" a legend.

"…with Haku at her command, she can do so many horrible, terrible things. She already has…" A curse.

I looked at the long sleek silver body, the detailed threads of emerald hair, and sparkling jewel green eyes.

"…his name is Haku." The name…but that's not all of it…deeper…

"Tag, your it!" The small brunette girl jumped from the little boy who was about to be caught, She turned and ran…

falling…

water…so much water…I can't breath…Its suffocating me…I'm going to die…my chest hurts…

green…voices…no…a single voice…rich and deep…I hear it…his name…his name is…

"Chihiro!" The voice rang out and stopped everything. I was pulled up, my arm throbbed painfully, as it was tightly grasped, and then I was gently dropped to the ground. I rolled over, an achy body, only for bile to rise and desecrated the beautiful sapphire floor. I coughed and felt desperate for air, until I could puke no more. My fit began to subside as breath came in more easily.

I rolled over onto my back, adjusting to the act of breathing.

In…and out…in…and out…

Slowly I opened my eyes, and I saw him looking down at me, worry swirling from within. I smiled.

"I'm okay, I think." I felt an anger raise inside of him, and flinched. He turned away.

"I'm sorry…" I squeaked, guilt beginning to fill me, for having worried him.

I should have asked first…I know better …this is the spirit world…things are different here than at home…

"It's not you."

"Than…"

"I should have warned you! Of course you would drink it!" I sat up.

So he's…not mad at me…but…

"Haku, its all right."

"No! Its not! The wrong river and you would have forgotten everything! Not even the other would have been able to bring back your memories. Or worse, you could have drown in it!" I let it sink in for a moment as I looked at the river. I stood up, walking to Haku, and laid a hand, then my face against him, and stroked his side.

"Haku, you know that dream I keep having?" He turned to me suddenly, his anger disappaiting.

"Well, I had it again, when I was in the river."

"It must be a memory then." I nodded.

"Only, I think you were in it this time." We both stood like that for a moment.

Why…there was something extremely important about it…why…why can't I remember…

"Lets get this done with before any more mishaps occur." I pulled away, and he looked at the waterfall of the river I had fallen into. He barely tapped it with one of his claws and it froze, a few droplets tinkled and fell, shattering onto its icy home. Inside of the ice was a moon shaped pendant of silver and ancient runes inscribed onto it. He scraped it out and let it fall.

"Take it, but do not touch it." I looked around me, and found silk cloth. I picked up the amulet and wrapped it in the silk. Haku tread to the other waterfall and did the same as he had done to the other. This time, a gold, moon shaped pendant did Haku scrape out, and I picked it up. Neither were as big as my palm, they were so tiny. I made sure both were wrapped tightly, before sticking them in a leather satchel I had brought. Before we left, I gave the cavern one last look, over my shoulder, andThinking I would never saw it again.


Authors Final Note: Wooo! Well, we're only 1 chapter away from one if this stories big climaxes. Who's Yubaaba's guest? And was this trip to the river be enough to finally nudge Chihiro to remember Haku's name? All this and more to be found out in the next exciting adventure of my next chapter!