I really liked the quote as the title for the last chapter.
So I decided I might do that randomly whenever I can find a good topic that goes with the chapter.

And please keep in mind that I am not Japanese.
The internet, anime, and manga can only tell me so much.
I'm pretty much winging it when I talk about the layout of the house and such.

-Anii


Chapter 9: "If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."
- George Bernard Shaw

Haku released me suddenly, wrapped his fingers around my wrist, and sped off away from the spirit who lunged at us. Haku flew faster than I had ever seen him fly in his human form before. My heart raced in my ears and I refused to look back, I could almost feel the spirit's breath on my neck. Then suddenly, Haku's dragon form exploded out from his human form and I was clutching onto the two horns sprouting from his head. I closed my eyes tightly as he raced through the sky at an impossible speed; anyone star-gazing tonight wouldn't even manage to spot this dragon. I nestled my face against the soft hair of Haku's mane as tears threatened to spill over. I felt Haku's body plummet towards Earth and I clung to him tighter.

His body transformed only two feet above the ground and he twisted my body so that we somersaulted to a halt once we hit the ground. I landed on my stomach, my face mere inches from the churning waters of the Kohaku River. I laid on the cold Earth for several minutes, listening to Haku panting and the noises of the water. I finally pushed myself off of the ground and looked over at Haku, who was flat on his back, his chest heaving up and down as he struggled to catch his breath.

I crawled over to Haku. Tears flowed freely as I recalled what had just happened, "Haku….Haku, What was that?" I sobbed.

He didn't speak for several moments, just inhaled and exhaled. "Do you who the Grim Reaper is?"

I swiped away my tears and nodded. Haku's moved his arm so that his eyes were covered by the crook of his elbow. "You just met him."

I gasped and Haku continued, "He's the harvester of souls. It would make sense that he would be behind this. He has the power but…I can't figure out why." Haku groaned softly, "This is getting worse with every passing moment. Death cannot be killed. How can we stop this?" He muttered.

After many minutes, Haku lifted his arm from his face and watched the stars up in the sky, "Chihiro, don't ever go near that boy again."

I closed my eyes, my cold body trembling inside and out. "Haku, you know we have to go back and talk to him." I whispered.

Haku murmured my name and shifted his body slightly, "Just be careful."

••••••••

"Chihiro are you still not up!? You're going to be late!"

My body jolted awake as my mother broke through my dreams. I released my pillow from my rib cracking hug I had it in and slid out of bed slowly. The events of last night had plagued my dreams and my body felt like a block of stone. I bent to pick up my shoes and collapsed to the floor as my body gave out. My foot hit my bed side table and my lamp crashed to the floor, the bulb shattering on my wooden floor. My body disobeyed my every order to move; I couldn't lift a finger. I heard my door slam open and my mother rush to my side, "Chihiro?! Are you okay!"

Dad charged in, half asleep and shook my shoulder roughly, "Chihiro!"

When I didn't answer he lifted me up, I hung limply in his arms. "S-should we take her to the hospital?" Mom asked nervously.

Dad shook his head as he gently placed me back on my bed. "I've seen that look before; she's exhausted. What time did she get home last night?"

"I-I don't know, I wasn't home." Mom's gaze lowered in shame. "But Chihiro knows better! She wouldn't stay out all night."

"She just needs sleep." Dad wrapped his arms around Mom. "You better call the school and let them know she can't make it today."

Mom nodded, "I'll stay home stay home today, your sister's in town anyways."

Dad released Mom and scrubbed his face with his hands, his rough stubble making a scraping sound, "I gotta get to bed, I leave for work in three hours. Hey, don't wake her up, not even to eat. She's not sick, she needs rest."

Mom nodded but Dad glared at her sternly, "Don't fret over her. She'll be fine."

Mom huffed quietly, "I know that. I'll clean up this glass and get out of her way."

Mom left my room with Dad. I didn't even stay up long enough to see her re-enter and clean up the glass. My mind graciously slipped into unconsciousness.

••••••••

I sat up slowly in bed, ignoring the low pulsing in my head. I looked at my clock as I slid my legs over the edge of my bed. I had been asleep for eleven hours straight. I stood on weak legs and wobbled over to my window. A gust of wind hit me as I pushed my window open and I stumbled back as my legs buckled. I felt my body fall backwards. A small gasp slipped from my lips. I crashed into a warm, soft body. I looked over my shoulder and up into Haku's face.

He gathered me into his arms and laid me back down in my bed. He sat on the edge of my bed and caressed my cheek, "I should have warned you."

"Of?" I croaked.

"To block our presence from the human boy and the Grim Reaper, I had to use magic. Magic affects humans, whose spirits are weaker. I forgot." Haku looked away quickly, anger in his eyes, "Forgive me."

I watched him with sleepy eyes without saying a word. Haku lifted my upper body from the bed and pressed something round and cold to my dry lips. "Eat this. It'll give you back your strength. Your body's been drained of a weeks worth of sleep. No human food can give that back to you. It's not a meat bun." He joked, "It's just fruit but it's sweet."

I parted my lips and bit down on his offering. My teeth sunk in easily and I managed to tear a piece free. The juice from the fruit dribbled down my chin from the corner of my mouth as I slowly chewed away at the incredibly sweet tasting Spirit Food. Haku went to use the edge of his fancy Kachie to dab away the juice but I shook my head violently as I weakly pushed away his hand. He smiled and made a 'tch' noise as he sighed, "You're hopeless."

He bent down slowly. I swallowed the fruit piece and was going for another bite when I noticed how close Haku was. His hair draped over his shoulder and lightly caressed against my temple. Haku's lips brushed against my forehead and my face grew hot. His subtle smell invaded my nostrils. He smelled of earth, grass, and leaves: the smells of autumn. I opened my mouth slightly in surprise as Haku dragged his tongue from just under my jawbone to the corner of my mouth, tracing the line the juice had made. My body temperature went through the roof and I was positive I would melt through my bed. Haku straightened, still cradling me in his arms. He moved the fruit back to my lips and I bit into it without hesitation.

"You must talk to that boy when you're ready. I'll talk to Yubaba and Zeniba immediately, they should know what to do about the Reaper."

"Take me to him now." I said through a mouthful of fruit.

"No. I refuse, you're too weak right now."

I swallowed the fruit quickly and sat up, "Take me to him now."

"Chihiro-"

"Please. There's no time to waste. The Grim Reaper knows about us now. Please, Haku." I insisted.

Haku's muscles tightened but he nodded firmly.

••••••••

I slid from Haku's back. When my feet connected with the solid Earth, I almost crashed to the ground. I took several shaky slow steps toward the Akiyama house. Haku's hands wrapped around me from behind. "Don't do this, once you're in there I can't sense you, Chihiro. He could run off with you and I wouldn't even know it. Chihiro, please-"

"Haku, if I don't go in there, more humans will have their souls stolen. Where's your confidence in me?" I smiled weakly.

Haku released me and his head bent forward. He looked like at any moment he was going to carry me off willingly or unwillingly. However, when I continued my trek to Takamichi's home, he didn't stop me. The fall air was frigid and I shuddered under my heavy jacket. A breeze whistled by me, making my loose hair and clothing flap in the wind. I closed my eyes tightly until the breeze died down. I turned to find Haku gone. I took a deep breath and picked up pace towards the temple.

Just as the temple came into view I felt my heart beat quicken. I swallowed hard and pressed on. My breath puffed out in small clouds as my vision blurred. The door to the temple swung open and I saw Takamichi run out, "Miss Ogino!?"

His arms snatched me out of the air as my legs gave out. I saw him open his mouth to call for his brother but I shook my head violently, "Takamichi, take me over there please." I pointed towards the wooded area behind his house.

His lips pursed together and I saw his expression darken but he did as I asked. He lifted me off of the ground effortlessly, strange considering how small he was. He carried me over to a tree stump and sat me down. The dark change in his face never left. I stared at him as he crouched down to my level, "So, you've been to the Spirit World."

I nodded but didn't reply. The dragon warmed my chest.

"What's it like?"

I jolted back, surprised at his question. "W-what?"

"The Spirit World. What's it like?" He asked again.

My eyes scanned him suspiciously, "I can't describe it with words." His eyes lit up with a sort of dreamy look and I forced the conversation back to the subject at hand, "Why is the Grim Reaper releasing No-Face?"

He stood and turned his back to me, "You should leave."

"I won't!" I bent forward slightly.

"You will." He hissed. "Or I'll kill you."

I chose my words carefully before speaking, "You already would have if you wanted to. Ayiyama, please tell me what's going on."

His head bent forward, "My mother's dying. Grandpa, as well. One night, Tatsunori and I were out walking and he was attacked by a black shadow, only a mask for a face."

"A No-Face." My eyes widened.

Takamichi nodded, "I pleaded with the creature to go away. Tatsunori barked at me to stop being polite and broke the being's mask with a heavy branch. That's when he appeared. The Grim Reaper, as you call him. Tatsunori's mind couldn't comprehend what he was seeing and it made him weak, the Reaper slashed at him several times; I thought that thing would kill him." Takamichi faced me, his eyes revealing a dangerous emotion. "I shouted and begged as much as I could but the Reaper ignored my cries. That is, until he noticed something about me. He says I have spirit in me, whatever that means. He offered me a deal. If I offered up souls to his 'pets' then he would protect my family and I from death."

He concluded his story but, still, I didn't speak. Frustrated by my silence he threw his hands into the air before grabbing my shoulders and shaking me, "Don't you understand? The demons where already here! They would have taken people's souls anyway! At least this way, I can protect my family!"

His eyes searched mine for acceptance and understanding. My eyes narrowed, "You selfishly led people to their demise and helped a destructive spirit. I won't pity you." His body reeled back with shock. "However, I want to help. End your contract with the Grim Reaper."

His face steeled over, "I won't."

I sighed, "Then help us."

"He'll know if I talk to you and then he'll end our contract."

My body strengthened as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I stood to my full height (which wasn't very intimidating) and slapped Takamichi's face. He fell backward with the force. My hand left a nice red welt and I inwardly gave myself a pat on the back. "You selfish idiot! At least figure out all your options before you side with the bad guy. For your mother and grandfather, there's nothing I can do. If death wants them, he will take them." I added more softly, "No one lives forever." I lined my voice with steel, "But as for Tatsunori and your own safety, I will do everything I can."

"I can't let them die." His voice cracked miserably.

"It's not your job to taint your soul so that they can live past their time, Takamichi." I whispered. "What you're doing is wrong."

"You don't think I know that?!" He shouted. "You don't think I cringe and die inside every time I hear their screams as those vile demons rip out their soul!? You don't think I have nightmares every single night!?" His eyes were wild.

I fell on my knees at his side and positioned my body so I could stare into his eyes, "Then let me take away those nightmares. Please, help us. Don't do this any-" I coughed hard and placed a hand to my chest.

Takamichi shifted and lifted me up onto my feet. "You must be freezing, Miss Ogino."

His hand slid under my elbow and he led me into the front doors of his home. He pushed me down gently on the step inside his house and removed my shoes gently. Takamichi held out his hand and I took it. My thoughts were twirling around in my head faster than I could process. Takamichi had just told me so much and yet it still wasn't enough. We heard a loud crash and we ran towards the sound.

I stumbled into the Ayiyama kitchen with Takamichi and found a beautiful woman standing in the center, looking lost. She tapped her full pink lip with her pure white index finger and looked about the room with bright blue eyes. Her blonde hair shocked me and I was hit with realization. My head jerked towards Takamichi and his facial expression lightened, "Mother, what are you doing out of bed."

The woman's face lit up and a bright, gorgeous smile took over her face "Taka mín!" She cried joyously.

She ran to her son with open arms and hugged him tightly. She looked so small compared to her child. Takamichi pushed her away gently and picked up the pot that was lying on the floor. "Mother, what were you doing?"

"I was going to make your father's favorite dish." She answered happily as she plucked the pot from Takamichi's fingers. "Maybe if I make it just right again he'll come home and-"

I winced as Takamichi's voice cut her off. "Papa isn't coming home, mother." he said rather harshly.

Her blue eyes widened and tears shone in them. "But he said he always would come home. No matter where he went….he promised me-" Her voice broke.

The delicate woman threw her head back, dropped the pot, and sobbed like a child, tears falling from eyes that were shut tight. I clutched the door frame tighter as the woman's child-like cries filled the house. Tatsunori flew past me and gathered his crying mother into his arms. Takamichi stood still, muscles tense. Tatsunori's face turned towards his brother's, "What did you say to her? Huh, answer me!"

Tatsunori released his mother and grabbed Takamichi by his shirt front. "Hey! What did you do to her?!"

"Tatsunori that's enough!" I jumped out of my skin as a voice rang out from behind me.

An elderly man hobbled into the kitchen and whapped Tatsunori with his cane. The old man went to his daughter-in-law and barked, "Elin, are you done weeping?"

The woman wiped her eyes dry with her hands and nodded at the old man. He placed his arms around her shoulder comfortingly and spoke more softly, "Why don't you go to Takeya's room and wait for him?"

Elin dashed away from the kitchen, a smile on her face as if events that had just transpired had escaped her mind. The old man's sharp eyes turned on me and I let out a soft squeak. However, his eyes softened, "Please, come sit with me and have some tea."


Two new minor characters :3 I don't know why but I love writing about the Akiyamas. -Anii