CHAPTER NINE: THE HILL
Haku had a restless night. He kept seeing Chihiro, the beauty on her face, how little she understood.
He was not a religous person, although now he was praying for her. He'd never been so scared.
His eyes stung, his heart raced and his mind wandered. The words of Ashikaga ran through his mind "For her." Would it really work?
The sun rose up like a blinding headache to Haku. He had not slept. Wanting to be at her side, he rose from bed. He dressed and began eating a breakfast of leftover terriyaki noodles from the night before. They were cold and congealed and he had no intention of eating but he had to.
Haku travelled the weary long walk back to Murky Village longing to be able to soar though the sky once more. The beautiful blue blanket beneath his wings. He missed it so much.
Ashikaga answered the door with a fatigued expression. Haku guessed he hadn't slept either.
"How is she?" Haku burst in.
"Did you go to the hill?"
"Do I look like I went to the hill?"
Haku was almost at breaking point with this imp, he had half the mind to body bind him just for the hell of it. He knelt down beside her, she was still out. Her beautiful face so peaceful, he just wanted to kiss her again. A tear fell down his face and he gripped her hand in his.
He had to go to Murasaki Hill. There was no other way. The hill was large and lush covered in long waving grass and by the time Haku had climbed to the top he was so worn out already. He sat atop the hill. Almost in the clouds. It was almost...reminiscent. The sun sparkled down on him, filling him with hope. His heart ached for Chihiro.
He thought of the concept of this "spell". Crying and rolling down a hill seemed, farfetched, to say the least, and if Ashikaga was so powerful, how come he couldn't heal her fist time? He laid on his side and remembered all the pain Chihiro must be in. He though, although it killed him, what if she never woke up. The warm sting of tears fell down his cheek and he rolled down through the grass.
The surrounding locals all gathered around to see this bizzarre boy who was determinedly running up and rolling down the great hill.
"I have to save her." he thought, once again running til' his heart hurt, his lungs burnt and his breath stung inside his mouth.
