Chapter 7! I hope I made it as interesting as possible, I want to start scheduling my updates, but too many things get in the way. But here it is, enjoy!

Thoughts are in italics.

Chapter 7: The Second First Encounter

Haku's POV

I was shifting my weight from the left side of my body to the right. I started pacing; I could feel my heart about to jump out of my chest.

Why am I so nervous? It's just Chihiro; an old time friend. We haven't seen each other in a while, but still!

I looked down at the black and red hakama I had on; it was folded unevenly across my chest.

Chihiro can't see me like this!

"Kohaku calm down!" Koyoko screamed at me from across the room.

I ignored him. He didn't understand. Everything needed to be perfect for Chihiro! I continued to try and even out the folds when a heavy grip came around my shoulders. Koyoko turned me around to face him and then, so fast I wondered if it really happened, he slapped me straight across my face.

I held my right cheek that was most likely now turning red and glared at Koyoko. No one dare hit me like that and he sure was going to pay.

Koyoko I'm giving you 3 seconds before I burn all that long red hair off your head! I thought, knowing he heard me.

"Oh come on Kohaku, you had that coming! You need to relax; you're making this a big deal. It's just dinner." He said, sitting back down.

It is just dinner, but he wouldn't understand what I was feeling, even if I told him. Shaking my head, I rubbed my slightly sore cheek and went to stand up by the door where Chihiro and my mother were supposed to enter.

I wondered for a second what my mom had talked to Chihiro about.

When I finally got the courage to get out my room earlier, Koyoko was standing there and Chihiro wasn't near him.

When I demanded to know where she was he answered, "Mother." That was all he said and that was all I needed to hear to know I wasn't going to see Chihiro anytime soon. When my mother started a conversation it was hard to stop her. I hope she didn't scare Chihiro or say something inappropriate. She has a tendency to do that.

I stressed for 5 hours on what I was going to where. I decided to call Iza in the end; she always knew what to do. She picked out this nice hakama that made me look sophisticated, but simple at the same time. I was very grateful; if it weren't for her I would probably be wearing some curtains with a belt right about now.

I let my hair fall over my shoulders. As I nervously kept brushing it back I started thinking of Chihiro once again.

She seemed to always be on my mind lately.

How is she enjoying it in the palace so far? Did she like her room? Does she regret coming here?

I tried to take deep breaths because I was getting a headache thinking too much.

This dinner was more stressful than it should be. It's just going to be the 4 of us though; Chihiro, my mother, Koyoko and I. Koroki was still in the human world erasing everybody's memory of Chihiro. I know it seems like a bad idea, but there's no other option. This way Chihiro will have no reason to go back and she can start a new life here. Call me selfish, but I can't let Chihiro leave me again. It would hurt too much.

Plus the prophecy needed to be complete. Chihiro was a big part of the prophecy, I believed, and without her I don't think we'd be able to defeat that man I call my father. Just thinking about him made me burn on the inside with some much hate and fury. How could he?

I never realized how bad my mother and father's relationship had gotten until I started seeing my mother walk around with many bruises. She tried to cover it up as much as possible, wearing clothing with long sleeves and longer skirts, but I still saw the signs of abuse. I tried to confront her a few times about it, but she would just say it was nothing. She stopped socializing and she was always locked in her room for long periods of time.

My father wouldn't say anything either, he would just walk around as if nothing was going on. Then one day he vanished. No letter, no scent, no trail, no goodbye; he was just gone.

A few days later my mother broke down into tears and told my brothers and I what was going on. It was clear that she left out certain details, but she told us more than enough for us to know what a horrible man our father is, then she brought up the prophecy.

Our father wasn't going to make an appearance now. We hadn't heard anything about him or his where-abouts in years, but mother told us this was all a part of his plan. She said he was an evil man and that he wasn't like that when they got married. After my brothers and I were born he started plotting. He knew one day we would take his thrown, but he despised the thought. He craved power and didn't want to have to give it up to us. He wanted to kill us when we were teenagers, but mother had taken the abuse in order to save us. My father eventually got tired of that and left, trying to devise a plan to destroy all of us so he could get his title back. He told my mother that one day he would come back. He didn't specify when, but he said, and I quote, "You're all going to wish I had killed you when I originally planned."

Nice guy isn't he?

That's where my brothers and I come into play. My mother has no real power of her own, she was only considered powerful by marriage, but my brothers and I, do possess our own power. We have grown up to be the most powerful gods in all of the Spirit World. The prophecy states that in order to take down our father we must find our other halves. Our mates, if you will. Once we have them by our sides we must perform a ritual. The ritual is very complex, but it's just what we need to take down our father.

So far we're about a one third step closer to completing everything.

Koroki already found his mate; Akita. She's a nice lady. Really quiet, but sophisticated. She's perfect for him. She doesn't really hang around a lot. I see her, at most, 3 times a week. The rest of the time she's cleaning, reading or planting things in the garden. She wasn't going to attend this dinner; not without Koroki by her side.

Koyoko has yet to find someone, it seems to be the most difficult for him, but eventually he'll find somebody special, I hope.

I believe Chihiro is my mate, but I'm not sure. That's why I had to get her here immediately. If she was my mate things would be perfect. I would do anything for her, be whatever she wanted me to be, listen to her troubles and worries, and always be by her side. I'd do that now, but being mates creates a stronger bond.

I'll know if she's my mate in a few days when her body gets accustom to the Spirit World. All I can do now is try to impress her as much as possible.

Just as I was about to come up with a list of things I could do to increase my chances, a petite servant stood in front of me and cleared her throat.

I looked down at her and waited. She bowed at Koyoko and I then spoke.

"Good evening Master Koyoko and Master Kohaku. Master Ametsuri and Miss Chihiro will be joining you now." She said timidly.

Koyoko answered, "Finally! Send them in. How long does it take to get ready for dinner?!" Koyoko asked impatiently.

I had some patience issues, but sometimes Koyoko was far worse than me.

As I turned back to the stairs, I heard light footsteps coming down. First was my mother. Beautiful as always, wearing a dark blue kimono with little jewelry and light make-up. She walked in slowly with a smile on her glossed lips. Her hair was up in a tight, neat bun that showed off her nice facial features. My mother was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

She made it to the bottom of the steps and walked over to me. She placed a kiss on my cheek and whispered, "Oh, Kohaku wait until you see her!"

I chuckled at my mother and was about to respond, but another set of light footsteps made their way slowly down the steps. I turned my attention to the next person and I literally almost had a heart attack on the spot!

Is . . . . is that. . . Chihiro?!

The person I saw in front of me was a master piece! A sculpture of pure perfection! Words couldn't describe how beautiful this lady was! She was too perfect!

I thought she was going to vanish if I blinked.

I looked at every detail from the bottom to the top. Her sandals went well with the nice kimono she had on. It fit her body perfectly, hugging her every curve. She wasn't the little girl I had remembered her as. No, this Chihiro was more mature with a very mature body, might I add. Her face, if even possible, was more stunning than I remembered. She had very attractive make up on, with her long hair cascading to the side in gentle waves. If any other person sported this look, they would ultimately look too sexy, but Chihiro pulled it off by looking like an angel.

Her scent hit me like a ton of bricks. It was a nice jasmine flower, vanilla scent. Sweet, just like she is.

I think I stared at her for a bit too long. I looked into her eyes for the first time since she walked in. She was staring at me probably waiting for an answer. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I was still admiring how gorgeous she was!

She chuckled and said, "Hello Haku, long time no see."

Isn't that the truth? Too long if you ask me.

She walked closer to me, gracefully, and extended her hand to me, probably looking for me to take it.

Instead of returning a hand shake, I aggressively pulled her into my body and crushed her into a hug. I doubt she could breathe, but I finally had her back in my arms, where she belonged.

I smiled, happy with the position we were in.

She chuckled a little more and asked, "Haku, I'm having a hard time breathing. Could you let go?"

I didn't want to, but I should keep my distant as much as possible. I didn't want to get carried away and regret doing something.

My mother cleared her throat. "Shall we start dinner?" she asked.

I looked at Chihiro and raised my arm to her. "Shall we?" I asked, a little hesitant.

"We shall." She replied, smiling.

Things are starting to look up.

Hey guys! I didn't really like this chapter, but at least I cleared up some of the prophecy for you. I want to thank bookmaniac for showing so much support. I appreciate the advice you gave and I'll try to get as many of your suggestions incorporated. You're like my first crazy fan, which makes me really happy. I'm glad you enjoy it so far and I'll try to update more frequently, but it will take some time, so please be patient. I won't give up on this story . Anyways, keep reviewing.