"Hey!" Chihiro protested at the foaming surface of the bay, "Hey?!"

She sank to a seat on the bench, forced to watch as the yellow shape beneath the water slowly swam away, heading towards the orange buoys on the other side of the bay.

What the hell was Kiri's problem? Furthermore, what the heck was she going on about? Why the hell couldn't anyone give her a straight answer!? Anger boiled up in her stomach so strongly it sent her rocketing from the bench back into the galley where she yanked off her apron and headscarf, casting about for the swimsuit Kiri mentioned.

She found it lain out across a narrow bench table just inside the door. Luckily it was black. Chihiro was quickly learning to dislike yellow. Unluckily it was another sporty bikini. She'd never in her life worn a bikini! At least it wasn't a string bikini. Unfortunately, it could have been exactly that. Mortified she stared at the thin straps. At least she'd shaved recently. Although Chihiro was distracted from her bathing suit predicament as she realized this wasn't just the boat's galley.

It was also Hidé's room.

It smelled like him too: camphor and motor grease.

One room for everything, it was the same size as most studio apartments she'd seen in Nagoya. And in keeping with grand bachelor style things were strewn all over the place. Street clothes, dry and wet suits piled amongst all kind of dive gear. Behind the narrow table was the tiniest kitchen she'd ever seen, complete with two little black flies. They were currently buzzing a dirty skillet that was tipping its way into the bucket of a sink already jammed full of dishes. Directly below the hot plate was a refrigerator, which was wedged shut with a broken oar. And the porthole door beside it could only be the bathroom, because what was left was taken up by the bookshelves. They were probably the only thing holding up the narrow berth tucked right up under the roof. Hidé probably hit his head a lot.

Chihiro frowned as she picked out a familiar cover on top of the rumpled covers. Her book lay face down and open on his bed. He was almost done from the look of it.

To distract herself from the heat climbing into her cheeks Chihiro inspected the other titles. There were glass panes on the shelves, broken in several places and patched with duct tape. The insides were crammed full with cassette tapes and other ephemera. A lot of the books were in English so she couldn't read them. But she did notice pictures peeking between unusual shells and glass floats. There were two of them: one in black and white, faded but recognizable. Wearing a party hat all knocked askew was a round little boy caught in the act of balling his eyes out. Beside him, unmoved by his tears, stood a little girl in pigtails who was wearing a similar hat. She had hooked her arm through his and was posing for the camera as another shy boy hid in her shadow. Hidé's strikingly pale eyes stared out of the picture. There was a birthday balloon tied to his wrist and another party hat on his head. Behind him, beaming like the sun, for once looking like a giant stood Mrs. Nikkou. Chihiro couldn't help but smile. It was hard not to smile when Mrs. Nikkou was smiling.

Although the second picture made her smile fade. It was old, older than the black and white photo even though it was in color. There was a man in a captain's chair very similar to the one in the control room over her head. He was looking over his shoulder, obviously surprised and annoyed by whoever was taking the picture. He had a bit of a beard and his eyes were brown, but the kinship was undeniable. It had to be Hidé's father. But that wasn't what brought her to the case to peer so closely at the glass that her breath fogged the pane. There was a woman in the margin of the picture, tucked against the wall behind the man's chair. She was barely visible. Her face was hidden in the shadow of her long black hair.

Impossible as it was, Chihiro knew her.

All the same, she didn't understand.

Suddenly the galley became unbearable stuffy. Gladly shedding her clothes for the swimsuit, Chihiro fled back out onto the deck. It was just as hot outside. Perched on the railing she stared down at the deep blue if only for a moment before pushing off. Her stomach dipped giddily as water rushed up to meet her. The shock of the chill slapped against her skin as it closed over her head. The effervescent tingle of salt pushed against her lips and lashes as she broke back through the surface. Sputtering and blinking, she paddled, riding the gentle swells that rocked and lapped against the side of the boat. Only then she realized she hadn't brought fins or goggles, which was okay, because she didn't really feel like snorkeling.

Pivoting, she set her eyes on the white crescent of sand. With long strokes she swam towards shore, enjoying the silky rush of the water beneath her, reveling in the buoyant weightlessness. It was further than it looked. And by the time the water began pulling at her arms, tugging her towards the beach, she was close to exhausted. Chihiro's feet sank into the sand as she stood up in the shallows, momentarily disoriented by the sudden return of gravity. But the water filtered by, curling forward into petite little waves that lapped and ebbed at her waist and then her ankles. They chased her up the slope, weakly trying to pull her back, failing as she broke free onto dry land.

The sun returned in full force beyond the water and the hot sand burned beneath her feet as she clumsily hurried for the shade. Sand turned to powdery dirt as she paused just inside the veil of the nodding cypresses. But for once she didn't heed the hiss and hush of the bay. She was too busy looking at the long narrow path that cut its way between the tall grasses, suddenly fascinated by the oddly regular emptiness that grew like weeds between the trees. A lazy breeze blew off the water, making the dappled green light dance as the pines and maples overhead shuffle. And she shivered as a chill spidered its way across her skin. The sound of the leaves tickled her ears with eerily familiar sounds. Chihiro looked up, turning in a circle as muffled voices whispered beyond the shifting leaves.

And the bell in her chest started up.

Humming sonorously as shadows flitted beyond the greenery.

Fear crept over her like a cold shadow.

And then her stomach let out a ferocious growl as a wave of faintness hit her like a wall, outweighing even the eerie persistence of the bell in her chest. And she had to sit down.

Thunk.

She nearly jumped out of her skin as something hit the ground, sending her tipping over backwards into the tall grass as it bouncing forward. A perfect green apple rolled to a stop at her bare feet, making her mouth water as her insides melted with relief. Scrambling upright, she picked it up and wiped it off. It was small and rosy, crisp and sweet beneath her teeth. Chihiro ate it core and all, letting the juices dribbled down her chin.

Thunk. Thunk.

Standing, Chihiro turned towards the sound, coming further up the path until she saw the spreading apple tree. Its thick mossy trunk dipped low over a babbling stream that seeped straight out of the ferny hillside. Dragonflies buzzed in the shade of its nodding head, circling two fat green apples. Coming forward she snatched them up, ravenously consuming them both before realizing how greedy she was being. Apples would be a nice contribution to lunch. But as she circled beneath the tree Chihiro realized the fruit was too high to reach.

Chihiro froze, staring from the corner of her eyes.

Because it stood about her height.

Solid and black save for its feet which faded away into nothing.

And for a moment her heart leapt in her chest, because it could have been No-Face. But her heart sank just as swiftly because its mask was unfamiliar. The unpainted apple wood was perfectly smooth save for a few places where it was sprouting young leaves. Two spirals twined up from the corners of the eyeholes, giving it an amicable appearance in spite of the fact that it had no mouth. Trembling, she slowly turned towards it, just as it turned towards her. It bowed reverently. Not knowing what else to do, she bowed back. The shadow stiffened as if surprised, and then it sank onto its knees, dropping its head onto the shadow of its transparent hands. As it did the tree beside her creaked and rustled as it bowed as well, dropping a shower of apples around her feet.

With a shriek she ran.

Ran all the way back to the beach,

Ran across the hot sand and down into the waves until the water was around her knees. And her heart was hammering in her chest as she stared at the thin path that led between the trees. Sitting in the gentle waves, she let the water lap around her until her legs felt solid again. Back out onto the beach, hopping from rock to rock to save her toes from burning, Chihiro tried to gather wood for a fire. But there wasn't a stitch of driftwood on the shore! And her eyes drifted back towards the woods. Although she wasn't about to go back in there!

Once again she wilted as her stomach moaned petulantly, making her take a seat on the flat stone currently saving the bottom of her feet from scorching.

Thunk.

She started up as an apple rolled down the slope and bounced off the rock. Trembling again, she looked up the slope only to find a pile of branches stacked just beyond the treeline. Scanning the trunks to either side of the offering, she found no trace of shadows. Creeping up the hillside, she stared at the wood. Picking up a piece she found it perfectly dry. Beside it was a pile of shiny rosy apples.

"Chihiro?" A voice spoke up right behind her.

"Yeek!"

She screeched again, whirling as she took a swing with the branch. Haku caught it, blinking in surprise. His damp hair was pushed back from his face, which suddenly fixed with concern. Letting go of the branch Chihiro threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his middle in spite of the fact that it was like hugging an iceberg. She didn't care. She didn't even care that her bare stomach stood out in gooseflesh against his cold skin.

"You are shaking!" He tossed the branch aside, putting his hands on her shoulders as he drew back to look at her with sharp green eyes, "What has happened?"

"I… I…" She looked back at the woods, "I t-think I made a f-friend."

"Hey! Good job, Chihi-chan!"

Chihiro craned her neck around Haku at the call, watching Kiri walked out of the waves. In her wake came Hidé, who was carrying a basket full of scrabbling little red lobsters. The fisherman split a glance between her and Haku before a scowl clouded his face. Chihiro's insides tightened because it made him look just like his father. On her way up the temple maiden picked up the branch Haku'd tossed aside.

"Look, it's dryer than dry." Hidé scowl deepened as she handed it back to him, then noticed the fruit pile, "Whoa! You found apples too!?" Kiri snatched one up and bit into it. "Mmmm… I love apples."

As Kiri munched and crunched happily, Hidé turned troubled blue eyes to her, "Where'd you get these, Chihiro?"

"Um…" She pointed vaguely. "There's a nice apple tree up the path."

Alarm sharpened his tanned face, "You went into the woods?"

"Yeah. So?"

Ducking his head, Hidé went about making a ring of stones for the fire, "Just stay on the beach from now on, okay?"

"And why's that?" She shot back challengingly. "I told you I'm not afraid of ghosts."

"Do as he requests, Chihiro." She came up short as Haku passed her, slowly walking down the beach.

"Don't go too far Nigihayami-san!" Kiri called after him buoyantly, "Lunch is soon to be served."

Peering over the sea break, Chihiro watched the sky over Mount Fuji turn a brilliant crimson. It would be dark soon. She hadn't realized how late it had gotten until they headed back for town. And the once empty bay was suddenly full of boats. Several people waved to Hidé as they came around to port. Sitting on the bench by the prow, she sighed happily, absently rubbing her full stomach.

"I still can't get over how good those lobsters were! I don't believe you didn't put anything on them."

"Get used to it," Hidé chuckled as he tied off the boat to the moorings, dropping back into the prow, "Straight out of the water's the way we eat 'round here. Stuff you get in restaurants doesn't even come close."

"These little guys are getting harder and harder to find." Kiri peered into the coolers full of saltwater on the deck. They were brimming with spiny lobsters, "Hidé could get about $50 bucks a pound for these in Masuzaki Bay."

"Wow!" Chihiro gawked, "That much?"

"Here," Hidé pulled on a glove, fishing out a handful into a little red bucket, "Take some home with you."

"Oh no," She waved her hands about in dismay, "I couldn't!" Really, she couldn't. She couldn't imagine chopping off their heads let alone trying to cook them.

"I insist." Hidé pressed. And Chihiro didn't miss his glance to the back of the boat. Haku was still staring into the deep water where the anchor had disappeared. "Besides, Nigihayami-san really seemed to enjoy them."

"Are you sure?" She balked, "They're so expensive!"

"Please," He put the handle in her hands with such solemn earnestness she couldn't refuse again, "After all you've done for us it's the least I can do."

Not knowing what else to do, she bowed.

Only to find Haku beside her; he was bowing as well.

"Thank you for the generous gift."

Hidé looked a bit stymied by Haku's sudden politeness, and he dipped his own awkward bow, "You helped us with the catch so it's only fair."

"Well folks! Gotta get back to the temple." Kiri climbed up onto the dock taking with her the bag full of the remaining apples, "Keichi's probably pissed at me for taking off all day." She waved at Chihiro, "Come see me at the temple. Just us girls, kay Chihi-chan? I got lots of stuff to tell you about."

"Um… Sure."

Chihiro frowned sudden unsure of herself. Because half of her wanted to dislike the temple maiden for her brashness and veiled truths and the other half wanted to like Kiri for her refreshing exuberance. Kiri was just so… So weird! It was kinda hard not to like her.

"Yay!" Kiri threw up her hands as she cheered happily, "Tomorrow then! See yah!" She danced her way down the dock, disappearing into the long shadows of the bay.

"Sorry," Hidé bobbed another apologetic bow as soon as she was out of earshot, "She always like that."

"It is getting late, Chihiro." Serenely Haku passed between them, breaking the awkward silence as he deftly stepped up onto the dock.

"Oh… Right." She beemed at Hidé, "Thanks again for today. I had a fantastic time."

A bit of color went into his face as he put a hand behind his head, "Glad to be your tour guide anytime you want, boss."

"Will you stop that?!" Chihiro wilted with a sigh, "M'not your boss!"

Could he grin any wider? "Sure y'are, boss!"

Hidé helped her up into the prow. And Chihiro was very conscious of his hands on her waist as he steadied her footing. They were shockingly warm. A stark contrast to Haku's as he took her free hand and, helping her up onto the dock.

"Whoa!" Chihiro had to catch hold of his elbow, because the ground under her feet continued to dip and rise even after she left the water behind.

"It'll take a bit to get your land legs back," Hidé frowned at her from the prow before turning his attention to Haku, "Gotta give it to you, Nigihayami-san. I'm impressed. For an accountant you sure are ship savvy."

"As I said, Nikkou-san." He answered mildly, "I have a way with water."

"Right." Hidé's eyes sharpened before he waved off whatever was bothering him.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Chihiro called back to him, "Suzume asked me to ask you if you'd heard from your grandma. He wants to know when she's coming home."

Hidé's frown deepened, "Obasma's not back yet?"

"N-no?" A pinch of anxiety started up in Chihiro's chest, "Was she s'pposed to be?"

"I dunno." He rubbed the back of his head, eyes narrowing as chewed his lip, "No... Not yet. But I'll check into it and let you know, okay?"

"Kay… Thanks, Hidé."

"Sure thing. G'night, then."

"G'night, Hidé."

She waved, looking back over her shoulder from time to time as she followed behind Haku. Hidé was still standing up in the prow, looking after her with his pale blue eyes: hands on his hips, back in his usual indigo tank and dive trunks. She was struck by how lonely he looked as he finally turned away, disappearing into the bristling forest of masts. Rubbing her shoulder, Chihiro let out a gusty sigh. Her whole back felt like it was on fire. So did her legs. And she jumped as Haku dropped back beside her, spreading a frozen hand across her shoulder.

He frowned, "You have a sunburn."

"Hmph! And you don't!"

She didn't, however, shrug out from under his hand. It felt good against her singed skin. Her toe caught one of the boards of the dock, and she sloshed the bucket as she tripped. Deftly Haku took the bucket before she could spill the little lobsters all over her feet. Irritably wiping her hands on her shirt, she glared up at him. And he pointedly ignored her, staring off into the indigo twilight as it descended over the bowl of the harbor.

"You gonna tell me why I wasn't supposed to go into the woods?"

"No." He was just as unapologetic as Kiri.

"Damnnit, Haku!" She stomped her foot, indulging in a tantrum, "That's not fair! Tell me why or I'm not going to listen to you anymore!"

"I do not keeping things from you by choice," Again he calmly absorbed her outburst, continuing towards town, making her chase him, "I simply do not wish to scare you."

"I'm not scared!" She lied through her teeth, "Just tell me, okay?"

"The strangers seem to be interested in you."

"Me?" She fell still, "Why?"

"As I said," He looked back at her with that infuriatingly blank expression of his, "I do not know."

"W-where are they coming from?"

"From the north." He cast his eyes at the thin line of light along the distant horizon, "They are being displaced."

"By what?" She pressed.

"The resort development."

There was no missing the acid in his reply.

Unbidden she recalled the memory of the bleeding cuts in the hillside beside her parent's home. Haku's hands tightened until the handle of the bucket creaked. Chihiro took it back before he could crush the plastic, worming her hand into his, replacing him at the lead as they dropped off the dock onto the beach. She managed not to slosh too badly.

"If they need a safe place then let them come."

"Some will not be as you expect, Chihiro." His grim tone made her insides go cold. It was far too personal to be pure observation, "The hurt and angry are often want to share their suffering." His hand tightened on hers. "That is why I want you to stay away from the forest."

She processed that quietly as they climbed up the slope of sand onto the parking lot under the overpass. Although the anxious press inside her chest did anything but ease. If anything it began to tighten as they came up the street and around the corner into the grocery store parking lot.

There was a crowd gathering on the corner.

Chihiro stopped in her tracks as she saw the police cars. Officer lantern jaw stood at the nose, frowning grimly as he took notes on the ridiculously small pad with the pen he nicked from Doctor Sagi. Nani was still in her work apron. Red in the face from tears, the thin woman was pointing and gesturing at the white car beyond the cruisers.

It took Chihiro a second to recognize the Mira.

The windows were completely smashed out; tires slashed and deflated. Split in half amongst a midden of smashed jars and the spoilt contents of her grocery trip was the broken carcass of her laptop. Putting down the bucket, Chihiro let go of Haku's hand, going forward to pick up part of the keyboard. Not far from it laid the shattered remnants of her phone and iPod. Further still was what was left of the susuwatari plushie she'd gotten from the Studio Ghibli shop. In a daze she picked up the torn bit of fluff. Beside it was a shred of indigo fabric: Haku's curtains.

It was just stuff, she told herself numbly.

She could always get more stuff.

Only then did she see the words spray painted on the scratched and battered hood of her car.

Go home witch.

Straightening, Chihiro stared at the words.

Go home? But this was home. Wasn't it?

"Miss Ogina!" Nani shrilled, coming at her so swiftly she had to back peddle or be bowled over. She grabbed her hands, making her drop the bits of her life that lay scattered through the parking lot. And the cashier bowed again and again in apology, "Miss Ogina I'm so sorry! Minamiizu's a good town! I've lived here my whole life. This has never happened before, I swear it!"

"That's enough, Nani-chan. Give her some room." Officer Gedo urged the grocery clerk back towards her store.

"I got this, Gedo." Another officer came up beside the huge fellow.

Chihiro recognizing his voice.

But it took her a moment to see Suzume.

She gaped at the fox uncomprehending. He was dressed in uniform. His hair was short. His skin tanned. But his eyes were yellow as firefly light in spite of the fact that the name tag on his label read IKEADA. But Suzume was definitely not Ikeda. She'd met that officer earlier that morning.

"You sure?" Gedo looked just as rattled as Nani.

"Yeah." Companionably Suzume patted the big guy on the shoulder, "Go ahead and get the surveillance tapes back to the station. I'll wrap up here."

"Thanks Ikeda." Taking off his hat, the huge fellow bowed to her. "Don't you worry, Miss Ogina. We'll take care of this."

With a bow Gedo turned and climbed back into the second cruiser, making it look like a clown car if only for a moment. Chihiro started as the engine roared to life. The people crowding on the corners drew back to let him through. Suddenly she realized half the town was looking at her. Talking and pointing. Their faces were cast in sharp shadows from the yellowed lights overhead. Eyes and mouths nothing but blots of black. And it was incredibly hot again. The heat was dissolving her knees and there didn't seem to be enough air.

"Sit down."

Someone had her by the elbows, stewarding her to a seat on the backseat of the police cruiser. But it wasn't Haku. Chihiro spared a glance up at Suzume as he filled the doorway, blocking the glancing views as he glared back the crowds.

"I… I'm h-having a b-bad d-day…" She stammered, hugging her knees.

"That makes two of us." For once Suzume was not entirely unkind. His amber eyes slid over her almost pityingly. Although they went flinty as they shot over the hood, "Where do you think you're going!?"

"To find who did this!" A monster growled back.

Every hair on her arms suddenly stood up. And she was glad she couldn't see Haku. Hiding her face in her knees, Chihiro listened to the fox and the dragon argue.

"Stop and think for once, you fool!" Suzume's bristling hiss singed even her. "Had you not over-reacted in the first place she would not be in this predicament!"

"They were going to hurt her!" Haku snapped back, "They deserved what they received if not worse!"

"And you almost killed them!" Suzume pronounced harshly, "Be careful of your anger, child, lest it hollow you out into the very thing you hate most!" That seemed to give Haku pause, "Do not think for a moment that I will let this aberrant violence go unpunished. But you will do nothing, is that understood!?"

More silence.

And the fox filled it with commanding words.

"Make yourself useful. Take her home. Stay with her. I need to borrow this body a while longer and I cannot be spared."

Suzume drew back, letting another dark shadow fill the doorway.

Cold hands took hers, pulling her around the corner into the dark alley away from the horrible yellow lights so swiftly she wasn't sure her feet were on the ground. As soon as they were beyond eye shot the cold wind hit her from behind. Haku's arms closed around her waist. This time her feet did leave the ground.

Because she was flying.

Wind tore at her hair; making her eyes water and she lost her sandals as the unlucky boiling river surged by beneath her feet. The closeness of the buildings fell back like a stack of cards, folding into the bright white bowl of the sandy shore that yawned open on blue. And they shot over the bobbing boats and lights of the harbor.

Chihiro came awake as the cliffs fell back, letting the indigo depths unfold in rippling bolts of undulating velvet. And she remembered this feeling. She remembered it the same way she remembered the smell of rain that wrapped around her even through there wasn't a stitch of cloud in the sky. Chihiro loosened her grip on Haku's frozen hands, letting the gale pull her arms back. She lifted them out like bird wings, feeling the sky dividing around her, letting it surge over her skin.

"Faster!" She whispered.

Haku's arms tightened, pulling her closer until she could feel the frozen length of his body behind her. And she felt something built in his chest. Magic! She could feel the potential gather in him as a tingling shiver shot down her spine, spiraling out into her arms and legs. It ignited behind her feet like a thunderclap, sending them rocketing forward. Like the waves erode the shore, speed gnawed away at the terror in her gut, stripping away the hurt and the outrage. Leaving in its wake only awe and elation. Lifting her face into the wind, she looked up at the fat yellow moon.

"Higher!"

All at once her head jerked back against Haku's shoulder. And her stomach thrilled into her chest as they almost bounced off the water straight up into the sky. She let loose an elated whoop. She couldn't help it. Chihiro laughed and screamed as Haku pulled her through a tight corkscrew straight up into the endless above. It took her a moment to recognize the sound over the whistling wind. Another voice was mixing with hers.

And she realized Haku was laughing with her.

Just the sound of it made her heart soar.

They slowed almost unperceivably as he banked backwards until she was belly up facing the stars. The effervescent ribbon of the Milky Way stretched like a banner of impossibility across the heavens. All the same, she felt like she could reach out and touch them. So she tried. But they were still too far, no matter how close they seemed.

They rolled in a lazy arc until she was looking down at the distant earth. Chihiro marveled, because Izu was perfectly outlined by the lights of the villages and towns that ringed its shore. She picked out the biggest light, watching the tiny lights that were ferries crawl across the bay in straight lines from Matsuzaki. But she turned her eyes away to where the bright sky curved into the horizon, considering for a moment what lay in the distance there.

All she had to do was ask.

He would take her there. He would take her anywhere.

All she had to do was ask.

What was there really to go back to?

The hungry urge to chase that dark mysterious line flared in her heart like fire. For a moment she looked away from the earth and stared off into the forever of the sky. But before she could speak Chihiro felt the beginning of their descent. So she wasn't sure if it was her heart sinking in her chest or the loss of elevation. And the lights grew larger and larger until they overtook the sea. Izu lifted up out of the ocean, filling her eyes until trees replaced the limestone cliffs. The maples, pines, and cypress broke eventually, drawing back into a familiar stretch of field. Rearing at the last moment, they drifted down like bits of dandelion fluff. Gently Haku took her hands, lowering her until her feet touched the ground.

But gravity was a cruel kind of reality check. One her knees refused to acknowledge. They insisted she could still fly and stubbornly folded under the return of her weight. She sat down hard in the middle of a strawberry patch

"Are you alright?"

In a daze Chihiro looked up into the dragon's sober green eyes as he knelt before her. It was the first thing he'd said to her since the docks. Chihiro stared at her feet, wiggling her bare toes.

"I lost my shoes."

The corners of his mouth tugged momentarily as he offered his hands. They were still shockingly cold as he pulled her upright. Again her knees failed. Not for the first time today she tipped face first into his chest, grabbing hold of him as her insides turned brittle. Because the moment her feet touched the ground it all came rushing back. What was stopping whoever had smashed up her car from coming here and tearing up the Onsen? The horrifying thought sent her trembling with fear. His frozen arms folded around her even as bits of hot wet crept down her cheeks.

She could have been a little girl again: lost in a strange place; surrounded by monsters.

"S-sorry…" She snuffled in embarrassment, "Please don't make it rain."

"Don't be afraid, Chihiro." He murmured gently. "I won't allow anything to hurt you."

Chihiro stilled as his hand lifted her chin. She stared up at him as he smoothed away the tears on her cheeks as if it was the most important thing in the world. And when there were none left he eased his fingers over her wild hair. All while his face softened, gentling beneath the ebony fringe of his bangs, until it was calm with kindness. Lifting both his hands, he cupped her face as he had earlier, marveling at something she couldn't understand. Something moved deep inside his jade eyes. Whatever it was sent the blood rushing up into her cheeks.

"You're so very warm." He murmured.

Tipping his head towards hers until his hair tickled her cheeks.

And her heart swelled up into her throat.

Beating so fast she could hardly breathe.

Because all she could see was the sea of his green eyes.

And they were about to swallow her whole.

"Chihiro!"

They jolted apart as someone screamed her name in the distance. With every hair standing on end Cinna came bounding through the tall grass. The cat scrambled over a low wall and went hurtling right into her arms.

"There's ah strange guy in teh great room!" Distraught, the thin woman pulled her back towards the house, "He jus' let himself in! An' that stupid fox's gone missin' an' I'm too scared to give 'im the boot. Make 'im leave, Chihiro!" Cinna begged, tugging on her with her dirty claws, "Aye don' like the way 'e smells! Make 'im leave!"

A blast of arctic wind nearly knocked Chihiro from her feet. And it took her a moment to realize the gale marked the dragon's passing.

"Haku, no!" She shrieked; going tearing through the fields as fast at her legs could carry her.

Vaulting over the outer wall, she sank knee deep into the rice fields. Slogging through the mud she scrambled through the cutting blades, clambering on hands and knees up the bank before going tearing along the path. Her legs were screaming weights of lead and her lungs were full of fire by the time she pounded up the back porch. The kitchen door was wide open but the curtains were billowing. But she came up short in the hallway because Haku was standing in the middle of the passage. He was absolutely quaking with fury. Behind him his raging shadow was a riot of twisting knots and coils. The dragon was looking through the open doors of the great hall with undisguised hate. But somehow he managed to hold himself back. Creeping forward, Chihiro looked over Haku's shoulder.

Sitting in the place of honor at the head of the table.

Flipping through a men's fashion magazine.

Pausing from time to time to scoff.

Sat Karou.

And the bottom dropped out of Chihiro's world.

Because this truly was the worst day of her life.