Last Time:

"We were talking Haku," Chihiro answered meekly.

Haku's glare softened before he let out a sigh.

"Aya, please fix us some dinner, then take the night off."

Aya bowed and left the room.

This Time:

Haku sat worriedly on the bed and grabbed one of Chihiro's hands.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel….different…."

He glanced down at her small hands. Nails that had once been bitten to the nub had been replaced by longer, cleaner fingernails. Her skin seemed paler too, almost translucent. His eyes drifted up her forearm….his gaze stopping when he noticed two symbols on her arm, one for fire and one for bird.

"It appears you have become a Phoenix spirit."

"A Phoenix? Wow…" Chihiro said astonished. She didn't know Phoenixes existed, even in the spirit world!

Haku smiled and nuzzled his face in to her neck. She froze, coming back to reality at the feel of his lips brushing past her collarbone, and blushed.

"H-Haku? What…what are you d-doing?"

"Chihiro….you don't understand how badly you scared me these past few days…..I don't ever want to feel like I'm losing you again. I love you too much to lose you ever again."

"L-love…you l-love me?" Chihiro's face burned red.

"Very much. I almost lost myself when you were just laying there , I don't want to do that again, especially without telling you how much you mean to me."

"I…love you too, Haku."

Haku's eyes grew bright and he gently kissed Chihiro's forehead.

Aya chose to walk in at that moment with a platter piled with an assortment of food, making Chihiro's mouth water at the smell.

"I'll be leaving then…Master….Mistress." Aya bowed and left swiftly before either could comment on her acknowledgment of Chihiro as Haku's mate.

Haku's mouth dropped, "Did…she just…?"

Chihiro was equally stunned, "I think she did…."

Smiling knowingly at each other, both spirits tucked into their food. Chihiro was eating a lot more than she had in years. She had already had three servings of everything! But instead of being disgusted, Haku was relieved that she was finally back to normal and eating again.

After their meal, Chihiro felt the need to take a long hot shower. She hadn't showered since before they left the bathhouse, and she was pretty sure she smelled horrid.

"Haku? Can I take a shower?"

"Of course you can. I'll be waiting outside for you." He stood and helped her to the bathroom, seeing as she was still slightly weak, before heading to sit on the shore of his river.

Chihiro smiled and headed to the bathing room where she showered and cleaned the days-old filth and grime from her body. Getting out of the shower, she felt fresh and clean for the first time after her 'illness.'

The new spirit suddenly spotted the earring Haku had given her when they met that fateful night that she had left her old life behind. Did he want it back? Well until then, she would wear it in memory of her growing love for him.

Haku meanwhile was sitting and staring at the landscape that was his home. That's what he liked most about this place. The entrance was in an underwater cave, but the back was an open air way that had the river run through and trees and bushes in sight everywhere. The spirits who lived in his river were loyal and trustworthy to him. They guarded his home while he was away.

Hearing the snapping of a twig behind him, Haku turned around. What he saw took his breath away. It was Chihiro, in a pure white, knee length, dress with sleeves that pooled around her shoulders . Her long brown hair was braided over her shoulder. And in one ear he saw the earring he had given her, sparkling seductively in the moonlight.

He smiled widely and stood, holding his hand out for her to take. She smiled in return and accepted the silent invite, moving closer to him, taking his hand tightly in her own.

He pulled her closer to him and moved them luxuriously towards the river. He kicked off his sandals and Chihiro , following his lead, slipped hers off as well. He led her till she was ankle deep in the water. Closing his eyes, Hake concentrated on his power. The water swirled 20 yards in front of them before spraying into the air and misting down. As it fell, the sun caught the drops of water in the air and made a radiant rainbow.

Chihiro pulled Haku into a tight hug.

"Thank you." 'For more than you will ever possibly know.'

Haku smiled in return and hugged her back.

"I love you, Chihiro."

Chihiro leaned up and kissed Haku gently on the mouth.

"I love you too."

-----------------------

TBC! ONE MORE CHAPTER!