A.N. - Well, this chapter has been a long time coming and I do apologize for that, there's been a lot going on in my life lately but there's only one or two more chapters until this story is finished so I hope to complete it soon. I really wanted to do justice to these two characters and give them the fluffy ending they deserve, since my other two stories involving them will be a little more complicated. Thank you to all who have waited so patiently!
The Proposal
Flying high over the land, Chihiro felt at peace. The scenery was beautiful, as the greens of grass and trees, the yellow of fields of grain, and blues of rivers and ponds were laid out under her. This land, with Haku, was where she was meant to be. She nuzzled into the back of his long neck and heard a contented rumble come from him. Her stomach gave a replying rumble that had nothing to do with contendedness and everything to do with hunger, for it was already mid-afternoon. Fortunately, the bathhouse finally rose into sight and Yubaba was waiting for them. Haku transformed back into his human form on the ground as Chihiro approached the witch.
"So, you've finally come back," Yubaba said. "And you found the dragon too."
A wry smile crossed Haku's face. "Hello Yubaba, nice to see you again as well."
"Where is the demon?" Yubaba asked, waving Haku off.
"It's dead and gone," Chihiro replied. "If you'd like, we can go over your perimeter right now with protective enchantments to keep this from happening again."
"Absolutely, I have to protect my business and employees. I'll meet you on the back side of the bathhouse Chihiro, whenever you're ready."
Just then Rin came running out beaming, and gave Chihiro a huge hug. "I knew you were ok! Hey, you found Haku, just like I said! How's it going, dragon boy?"
"I'm much better now that Chihiro is back, weasel girl," Haku retorted, chuckling.
"I'd better get to work, guys," Chihiro said, "Yubaba isn't one who likes to wait."
Haku grasped her hand and said, "I'll wait for you to finish." A light blush spread over her cheeks as she nodded.
As Chihiro walked with Rin towards Yubaba, Chihiro decided to interrupt her friend before Rin could say anything embarrassing. "So Rin, I want you to know my real name, it's Chihiro. Everyone else knew it but you and you're my friend so I just wanted to tell you."
"Awww, thanks. Chihiro's a beautiful name. I want you to know my name too, it's Narinumi. Honestly though, I like Rin better."
"I love either name for you, but how did you remember your true name?"
"I didn't. Yubaba gave all the employees back their real names and offered us new contracts. She told us we could keep our names, that we were free to go out of the bathhouse for a day or two as long as she was given a week's notice."
"Wow, she really has changed hasn't she?"
"Well, she's still grumpy a lot, but yeah she's at least a fair employer now. And she's seen that happier employees bring in more and better business."
It took most of the rest of the day for Chihiro and Yubaba to do the enchantments, since the bathhouse was so large and they wanted to make sure that the barrier was complete. Yubaba glanced at the setting sun, remarking, "The customers will be coming shortly, I'd better go make sure everything is ready. Before I do though, I'll give you the payment for Tejina. Also, I believe there's something else I owe you, but I'll take care of that when the date is set. Alright, I'll see you again soon, and don't get into any mischief in the meantime." With that, Yubaba gave Chihiro a hug and went to open her bathhouse for business. But as Yubaba passed Rin on the way, she pulled Rin aside and said, "Distract Chihiro for a few minutes for me, will you? I have a dragon to talk to."
"What do you need with Haku?"
"There will be a ceremony soon, and I want to make sure he knows that I'm going to be the one hosting it here at the bathhouse and that it's going to be the most elaborate one anyone's ever seen."
"Ceremony? What do you... Oh my God!" Rin squealed in delight as she realized what Yubaba meant.
"Be quiet, you idiot girl! And if you blab to your friend before that boy proposes, you'll be back on tub duty before you can bat an eye!"
"Of course, of course!" Rin ran off, giggling.
Yubaba pulled Haku aside. "You're asking her, right?"
Confusion showed on his face. "Asking who what?"
"Don't play dumb with me Kohaku. You're asking Chihiro to marry you, and I'm hosting the wedding. The question is, what date you will choose?"
A flush spread over Haku's cheeks, but quickly vanished to be replaced by a baffled expression. "Why would you want to throw the wedding?"
"Because I want to one-up my sister on something, and her cottage neither has the room nor the ambiance for an elaborate wedding! Besides, I promised the girl, though she has no clue what I promised."
Haku glanced at Yubaba, who was studiously avoiding looking at him, and smirked. If she still wanted to play like she didn't care, that was fine, he'd let her. "Thank you, Yubaba. I'll let you know what date we choose." With that, he went off to talk to Chihiro.
Chihiro was packing up her supplies, checking off items in her head. "You're leaving so soon?" Haku called from the doorway.
She turned and smiled at him. "I'm afraid I must. Princess Tejina is most likely wondering where I've been, why I've taken so long. But now that I know where to find you, I'm going to visit often. I'm not going to lose you again." Chihiro and Haku embraced, grasping each other's hands, and touching their forheads together. Haku took the opportunity to kiss her and Chihiro felt as if she were flying again, but for a totally different reason.
"I don't want to lose you again either," he said after they'd separated. "That's why I've come to ask you something."
"What's that?"
Haku presented a small box wrapped with a silk ribbon to her. "Open it," he commanded. She did as he said, curiousity filling her. The lid came off to reveal a silver ring which had been worked to resemble a dragon, with emeralds for the eyes. Chihiro gasped. "Chihiro, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes!" Chihiro practically screeched, flinging herself into his waiting arms. They kissed again and this time it was harder for them to part.
"I'll need to work out a deal with your princess, so that we can live together, but Zeniba said it shouldn't be too difficult to do. And Yubaba is insisting that we have the ceremony here."
"So that's what she meant," Chihiro giggled, with moisture in her eyes. Her dream was coming true and she was almost afraid that if she pinched herself, she would wake up. "I'm so happy, Haku, and I'm sure you're right. Princess Tejina is very nice, so I'm sure we can work something out. But right now, I really do have to go. I know we'll see each other soon, though, so I'm not worried."
Haku slipped the ring onto her finger and ran his hand down her face gently. "I love you, and I know we'll see each other soon as well."
"I love you, too."
The couple went out front, holding hands, where everyone was waiting to say goodbye. Chihiro saw that her steed was also waiting for her. "There you are, Jinsoku. Zeniba must have sent you back to me." She turned to all who had gathered. "Don't worry everyone, I'll be back soon."
"You'd better come back!" Rin called out.
"I will, but only if you do me a favor."
"What's that?"
"Will you be my maid of honor, Rin?"
Rin shrieked in delight, "I knew it! I knew you'd say yes! Of course I'll be your maid of honor. Who else would be organized enough to help you plan this wedding, you big dork?!"
Chihiro laughed. "Bye everyone!" With that, she took off.
Yubaba turned to Haku, "So, when will you be leaving to meet with the Enchantress?"
A gleam entered the young man's eyes as he replied, "Right now." He transformed into a dragon and flew off.
Yubaba shook her head, then turned to face her employees. "Alright everyone, I have a feeling that this ceremony will be sooner than expected, so let's get started! Rin, you will have to talk to my sister to get ideas on what the love birds would want theme wise."
"Just leave it to me, Yubaba. This will be a wedding no one will ever forget!"
