Dinner was a boisterous affair, as we ate with the staff and Chihiro's old friends. They found out quickly that I was half spirit, but we kept who my father was a secret.
Things felt more normal, maybe because my mind was settled and in arrogance with what was happening, but being here didn't seem so strange anymore.
After dinner Haku disappeared and came back with a special bath soak Kumagi had created and one for Chihiro as well so that we could bathe in the same room and she wouldn't be bored.
We were shown to the private bathing rooms and in our room two small bathing areas stood side by side.
Lin helped us, filling the water and getting it ready for us. It was awkward when she saw my back as she helped me get my shirt off, and help me into the bath, but she was kind enough not to ask any questions.
We sat and talked for a while, Lin came in and out and Chihiro and I chatted about this world and our futures.
Remembering something I thought Chihiro would love to hear, I waited till Lin was gone for the third time before voicing it.
"Hey I found out from Telnu that my grandmother was a water spirit. Makes sense now doesn't it?" I said laughing at her expression.
She looked excited and dumbstruck all at once.
"That makes perfect sense, I could never understand why you loved the water so much, wow, so that is why. I hope you are happy that you came along; I mean I know a lot has happened but I am so glad you are here, this place fits you. Everything seems to make sense now, your personality, and your interest in my memories of here. I just hope you aren't unhappy with all this crazy new information. I just wanted you to be safe and happy." She said her eyes looking down at the water sadly.
I chuckled at her, making her look up and smile slightly.
"Of course I'm happy that I came. I always felt like I was someone who passed through the world unseen, and only you seemed to notice me. Now I feel like I have a purpose, a past and a future. Even if it were scary and confusing, I would never go back to where I was. Thank you for bringing me." I said heartily, and giving her a happy smile.
She nodded happily and we spent another couple minutes chatting before we came out of the baths.
My back didn't hurt anymore and to my surprise when I looked in the mirror, the angry red gash was turning quickly into a scar and pulling itself together to heal.
A smile seemed plastered on my face after that.
We got ready for bed and just before we got into bed a soft knock came at the door.
I opened it as Chihiro has already climbed in bed and was happy to see Haku standing there as handsome as ever.
He stepped into the room and smiled at us.
"So we will leave after breakfast tomorrow, either I or Lin will come in to wake you. We will fly, since it's the fastest way, and I already sent her a message so she is excepting us. How was the bath by the way, did it help?" Haku said turning to me with his last question.
I nodded and smiled, feeling emotions so powerful inside me I felt like I would be swept away by them, all the way out to sea.
"I am glad." He said simply smiling slightly and turned to walk out of the door.
"Wait Haku…" I said before he completely stepped out of the room.
He turned around looking at me expectantly.
Moving forward quickly I threw my arms around his neck and hugged his close to me.
At first it was just me standing there with my arms around him, waiting with each breath and racing heartbeat to see what he would do.
This was a different kind of hug; it was more compassionate and intimate than our three-way hugs with Chihiro.
My smile grew ten fold when I felt his strong milky arms wrap around my back not too tight so it wouldn't hurt my still mending back.
We stood there for what seemed like ages even though in all reality it must have been seconds. I could feel his heartbeat thumping on the opposite side of my chest.
It was powerful and strong, resonating with kindness with each vibration it sent through me.
Standing on tiptoe I put my mouth up near his ear feeling his fine silky hair that smelled of sleeping winds and calm winter nights, I bit my lip in though before coming across something that would encompass everything I was feeling.
"Thank you, you have no idea what your kindness means to me." I finally whispered in his ear, and holding onto my ballsy nature I quickly touched the side of his smooth cheek with my lips.
It only lasted a mili-second but the softness of his skin against my simple lips will be forever engraved in my memory.
I let my arms fall down to my side and looked into his eyes smiling slightly and trying to hide my blushing cheeks.
His eyes were shocked and…. something else. There was something deep inside those mysterious depths that was reflecting an emotion I couldn't quite put my finger on.
The emotion seemed happy and soon his mouth curved into a grin, and his eyes mirrored his happiness completely.
We stood there for a moment longer before I put my hand on the door to close it.
Before I knew it, he moved quickly so that his head lowered to my ear as he whispered something that made me smile and blush a deeper shade of red than I have in a long time.
"Of course…you blush quite easily don't you."? His words barely touched my ear before his figure was gone the balls of his feet landing lightly on the wood as he walked down the hall.
I couldn't help but smirk, that cheeky bastard, I thought as I smiled and closed the door.
Turning around I almost felt like sighing with exasperation, now Chihiro noticed what was going on and she was looking at me with a curious expression looking from my flaming cheeks to the door.
I waited for a moment to see if she came to the realization on her own but it seemed it was a lost cause.
But just as I was about to walk, I sighed with relief as a sudden realization dawned in her eyes and she smiled mischievously at me.
"Oh don't give me that look, it's embarrassing enough as it is." I said hoping to play a guilt card so she wouldn't make a huge deal out of it.
"You like Haku!" She said and I bolted toward her shooshing her and clamping my hand over her mouth.
"Quiet, he might hear you." I said in an urgent tone.
She began to giggle uncontrollably as she looked into my eyes and back at the door.
"What…what is so funny..."? I tried to get out but I had already started laughing as well.
She really had a contagious laugh.
After a couple minutes of letting our laughter out she sat up and looked at me trying to dawn a serious face but just slightly missing it, which made me crack up once more.
"Hey, stop, I'm trying to be serious now." She said giggling along with me.
"Ok, ok, go ahead." I said calming myself down.
"So…wow, I don't really know what to say I guess, Bravo!" She said smiling sheepishly at me.
"I don't know either, is it okay with you I mean he is like a brother with you and I don't want you to feel weird. I mean knowing that I like him or whatever, I mean I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me back, that is a preposterous idea." I said waving my hand about and shaking my head.
"What, no it isn't. And no I don't mind, but if you guys get together just don't be all smoochy smoochy around me ok?" She said which made me fall into a fit of giggles again.
"Okay, I promise, you know you are pretty dense sometimes, I have been waiting for you to notice since we entered the spirit world." I said climbing into bed and snickering as she screwed up her face in mock shock at my words.
"I am not dense, you just don't leave good hints. So there." She said sticking out her tongue stubbornly at me, shaking my head and giggling I reached over and turned off the light.
We both settled in and said our goodnights.
I fell asleep quickly and soon was dreaming about my father, his words and memories spinning about my head and in the midst was the box and relic hidden inside at all times in my dreams.