The Path of Water

By Arlia'Devi

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away in any respect; all rights go to Hayao Miyazaki and associates. I make no money from this.

The Path of Water

X: We'll Be Coming Back

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
Anatole France.

If there was one thing Haku had come to hate, it was the lengthy and dull business acquisitions he was forced to attend and sit through with other members of parliament. He would sit at the head of the long, stone table and listen to the bickering of other members across the table. No work would often get done, and he would sit there bored, with his head in his hands watching the clock tick by.

"What I am saying is we should send forces into the Eastern border, lest they attack us before we them!" Senekular announced, rising up from his chair. He was met with the fiery gaze of Ayne, directly opposite them.

"A pre-emitted attack?" she screeched. "Or an outright war? Those are our best trade routes interstate; it would be stupidity to attack them when we have heard nothing from the Western Lands."

"The Western Lands are rising up, have no doubt about that!" retorted Yaug. "It's only a matter of time. We are like pigs waiting for the slaughter sitting here, unarmed. Where is General Dal?" Yaug looked to a seat down the table that was strangely empty, and then he looked to his Lord for an explanation.

"Dal?" Haku snapped to attention. "I sent him to make sure the deliverance of a very special parcel went smoothly."

Yaug said very little, but Senekular's look said everything. He said back down and shook his head.

"Our best general and he's off waiting at a train station?"

"I could have gone if you prefer it so," Haku replied with a grin. He'd found that torturing Senekular was a lot more satisfying than Kivo back at the bathhouse.

"Sometimes I wonder where your loyalties lay, my Lord," Senekular replied.

"I should reply the same to you," retorted Haku. "To send armies into the border, especially along the trade routes would not only cause stress on the Eastern merchants and farmers, but provoke more hostile attack from the Western Lands. I already have it covered -,"

"You call the occasional letter from some old fool having the situation 'covered'?" Senekular interrupted. "I cover a bug under my boot better than you rule these lands, Lord Kohaku," the words dripped from his lips and Haku felt his anger spike, but forced himself to bite his tongue as Senekular stalked out of the parliament room and disappeared between a large door.

"Well," Haku said calmly, gathering his papers and standing up. "I believe this meeting is over. Good work everyone, the same thing tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord." Ayne bowed and scurried off. Yaug, the large red-skinned obese spirit left without a word to his Lord, the same way Senekular had exited.

Haku left the throne room quickly then, in one state of mind happy that such a boring event was over, but on the other hand, worried about the reactions he'd encountered from many members of the parliament. He'd always known Senekular to dislike him, which he had taken in stride – no one could possibly like everyone, Haku knew that, but to send troops to an area that possibly was not under siege was not a smart idea. The presence of soldiers in the area unnerved him, and he wondered why they were in such a peaceful and flourishing trade region.

Haku frowned as he entered his office. He closed the door behind him.

Frankly, he had not had much contact with the new Lord of the Western Lands and that worried him considerably. This new Lord, Jairomaku, was a spirit born of the fire. He had not heard much of him, only the rumors of his exterior appearance he had little interest for. The East and the West never had the best relationship, not since their split to become two different nations had come about, and the Westerners attempting to overthrow the Easterners fifty thousand years later.

Haku sighed and pulled out a blank sheet of paper from the drawer. Dabbing a quill into a pot of ink, he began to pen a letter.

Jairomaku,

You already may know me, but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kohaku Nigahamyi Nushi and I am the Lord of the Eastern Lands. I hope your transition into your new role was pleasant and hope we can look forward to peaceful years of co-operation between our two nations…

… It has come to my attention that the villages on the Eastern side of the border notice Western soldiers patrolling the border. As we both know, this area is peaceful and possesses flourishing trade routes that benefit both our nations. I would like an explanation as of why these forces are present in such an area.

I hope to meet in the future on good terms.

Regards,

Lord Kohaku Nigahamyi Nushi.

Haku folded the letter and sealed it with wax before heading out to the aviaries on the patio and selecting a small grey pigeon. He gently tied the letter to the pigeon before releasing it. The pigeon took to the air, happy to be out of the confined space and headed directly west, soaring above the city in the cool mid-morning breeze.

Haku sighed and headed back inside. He made his way to the extensive kitchen area within the palace, which was conveniently open all hours of the day and night. On the kitchen bench was a platter of small cakes and confectionary for morning tea. There was a large pot full of boiling water and a selection of expensive teas. Haku brewed a cup of tea and sat down at the end of a table and rubbed his temples.

He wished he'd known about all these inner-palace problems before he'd started on the job. The relationship tension between members of parliament was insane – there were two very different mind-sets represented and they clashed almost constantly. First there was Ayne and other ladies such as Ismene who were willing to try new things and embrace new ideas.

Including my relationship status, and the fact that my intended mate is a human…

Then there was Senekular and Yaug, and a few other members of parliament who desired the old, traditional ways of running office. Haku could have lovers, like Sar'onga, as long as they were unemotionally attached and from a harem or brothel. Prostitutes were good at what they did – there was no emotional attachment needed. Senekular believed in the 'attack before you get attacked' philosophy, and that was a problem all in its own.

Haku took a large sip of his tea and tried to think of something more desirable. Something happier.

Chihiro…

Chihiro wore the beautiful kimono on the platform of the train station. In the kimono pocket were her train tickets and a small note on the directions to the second train she needed to catch to arrive at the High City. Chase was standing beside her, but the bakeneko said very little. Aeala was being minded by Hotaru back at the bathhouse. Rin had been too busy but had said a hurried goodbye to Chihiro that morning.

"Rin's always busy, isn't she?" Chihiro broke the early morning silence.

"Yes." Chase replied.

Chihiro looked down to the bathhouse, trying to spy the large fog light of the train approaching. She couldn't see it.

"I thought so," Chihiro replied. She checked her watch. 7:19am. "What time is this train supposed to come through."

"7:29am," Chase replied.

"Precisely?" Chihiro scoffed.

Chase nodded.

They stood in silence for a little longer. The space between them seemed heavy and neither of the girls wished to speak. The tension was unbearable for Chihiro.

"I'll be safe," she said quietly to Chase. "I promise I will be."

"I hope so," Chase replied honestly, looking to her friend. "I'm so worried for you, Chihiro. Everyone is."

"I know they are," she admitted with a sharp breath. "But there's no other way. I love Haku."

"But would he do this for you?" Chase retorted. "Would he give up everything in the spirit world to travel to the human world if it meant you'd be together?"

Chihiro shook her head. "I don't know what you're trying to say Chase, but I think so. He had no choice to become Lord; if I went back to the human world, it would be a choice for me. I can leave Haku any moment I like, Chase, I can go back to the human world but I won't."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Chihiro," Chase began to cry. Her blue eyes became red around the edges and all watery. She batted away a few tears with a stray hand.

"I'll be alright, Chase." Chihiro murmured, pulling the woman into a tight embrace. Chase cried onto Chihiro's shoulder and over the bakeneko's head, Chihiro saw the light of the train approaching under the bridge to the bathhouse.

"T-the train is coming," Chase peeled herself away from Chihiro and laughed. "Geez," she said, trying to rub the stains of her tears from the shoulder of Chihiro's kimono. "Look at the mess I made."

"It's alright." Chihiro smiled. "You'll come and visit me, right?"

"And miss out on all that great inner-city shopping? Of course I will," she smiled.

The train was almost there. Chihiro straightened out her hair and mentally did a last minute check-off on her list. In a final parting, she looked to the bathhouse. The train pulled up and the doors opened on the platform.

"Do you think you'll be back here?" Chase asked as Chihiro stepped on.

"One day," she returned a small, sad smile to one of her best friends. "We'll be coming back here, one day."

Chase nodded. "Goodbye, Chihiro!"

The doors shut with a small squeak. Chase watched as someone approached Chihiro for her tickets, and as the new Lady of the Eastern lands delved into her pockets, the train left the station. Chase watched the train chug down the tracks until both it, and her friend, were out of sight.

Chihiro entered the train cabin directed to her and sat down, watching the bathhouse disappear into the distance as the train chugged away. Chihiro sighed and got herself comfortable. The cabin was small, smaller than the one she and Haku had travelled from the High City on, but Chihiro could put her feet up on the seats and it was comfortable so it would be alright for a few stops.

There was suddenly a shadow over the small window within the cabin door and Chihiro recognized someone was standing by the side of the door. Gingerly she rose to unlock the cabin door and peer out the side.

Beside the door stood a large, strongly built man dressed in a beautiful turquoise and gold tunic. The tunic sleeves did little to hide the muscles in his arms, and his skin was beautifully dark.

"Hello, mister?"

The man looked down to Chihiro. His head was shaven shiny bald, and his eyes were a beautiful chocolate brown.

"M'lady," he bowed.

"What's your name?"

"Dal," he replied simply. "We must leave on the second stop. I'll let you know when it's time to leave."

"Thank you," Chihiro smiled, but Dal's face remained emotionless. "How long will it be until we get to the High City."

"I anticipate our arrival at 2pm, my lady," Dal replied. "Tell me if you need anything."

Chihiro nodded and offered her thanks before closing the door gently and sitting down.

As the hours passed, Chihiro and Dal switched trains at the underground train station off the second stop. The second train's cabin was much more luxurious and Chihiro offered if Dal wanted to sit within the cabin with her. The guard had politely declined and Chihiro came to realize very quickly Dal was the 'strong and silent' type.

He wasn't the most interesting of company, but it was better than being alone.

After what seemed like ages, Chihiro's stomach was rumbling and she was about to ask for food when Dal announced they were arriving in the High City. Soon, the outskirts of one of the most glamorous spirit cities came into view as the train stopped at Supreme Central Station located in the middle of the city. Not too far away from where the train was stationed, Chihiro could see high spires and she knew they belonged to the Imperial Palace.

"We stay off the streets." Dal instructed when Chihiro exited the train station at the rear of the cart to avoid the populace. She was then directed into a small cabin powered by a large spirit working a bicycle. Dal also climbed into the small cabin, but kept to the corner away from Chihiro and did not say a word.

"Do you know Haku very well?"

"I know Lord Kohaku." he replied.

"Lord Kohaku… sorry." she corrected, realizing that unlike the bathhouse spirits would address him properly.

Well, address him without sarcasm… Chihiro grinned remembering the memories when she, Rin or Chase had gotten annoyed at Haku and used his full name.

"I am general of the Eastern army."

"General?" Chihiro replied. "Why are you escorting me –you must have other work to be doing! Who sent you?"

"Lord Kohaku." replied Dal.

"I'm sorry," Chihiro shook her head. "I didn't mean to be such a pain."

"You won't last long in the palace with that attitude, my lady." Dal replied quickly then, something sparking in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" Chihiro choked.

"You belittle your importance as to think I have better things than to deal with than you," Dal spoke. "You are the lady and the only one we have had. Period. Show a little backbone. There are many people who don't want you in such a position, you don't need to be agreeing with them."

Chihiro nodded and frowned. "You're right."

I have to stick up for myself here… it's never been a problem for me before, but …

Her nerves were frazzled and she was exhausted mentally and physically. Maybe when she met up with Haku again, it would all go away and she would start to feel normal again. Somehow, Chihiro didn't think that was going to happen either.

"We're here." Dal said all too suddenly.

Chihiro hesitated. They were here. There was no turning back and ignoring the problem now. She wasn't ready for this.

"My lady." Dal cleared his throat. He was standing outside, the sunlight glittering off the gold threat embroidered into his shirt.

"Sorry." Chihiro muttered as she took Dal's large hand and stepped outside of the cabin and into the sunlight.

The day was blinding and the sun reflected off every shining surface within the city district. It seemed everything was made out of some expensive material and Chihiro shielded her eyes as she looked up to the great Imperial Palace looming over her.

I guess this is it…

Ayne hurried down the hallways, picking up her skirts so they would not be kicked and scuffed around. When she reached the foyer, her lady was already there by Dal's side, looking around the palace foyer and more or less hiding in the shadow of her security guard. Ayne instantly approached her.

"You're wearing the kimono, my lady" she smiled and touched Chihiro's shoulder. "Good, I wasn't sure it was going to fit you." Ayne looked up to Dal. "Thank you, I'll take it from here."

"Where is Haku?" Chihiro asked Ayne. They were the first words that tumbled from her lips, though she had one hundred other questions lined up after it.

"He's in a meeting at the moment, acknowledging public appointments in the throne room," Ayne replied. "Come, we have to get you out of the public for a while."

Chihiro looked around the room then and was startled to see that many spirits attentions had turned on her, and were watching both her and Ayne's every movement. Suddenly more self-conscious than ever, Chihiro was more than happy to leave.

Chihiro was lead through a labyrinth of hallways and rooms before they finally came to a lovely white complex and entered the large bedroom there. There was a double bed beside a vanity cabinet, and through a small foyer was a long wall of clothes cupboards. There was also a small garden, which was accessible through a beautiful French door in the middle of the room.

"This is lovely." Chihiro smiled, looking at the all-too-comfortable bed. It looked simply divine and she was exhausted.

"I'm glad," Ayne replied. "This is your room, my lady."

"My room?" Chihiro frowned, looking at the woman over her shoulder in the mirror. Ayne had taken her hair out of the fallen clip and was gently rubbing oils into the ends.

"And the Lords, of course," Ayne replied, sensing Chihiro's confusion. "You would not believe the stress I endured convincing the decorators not to decorate two separate rooms."

Chihiro laughed. "For that, I am thankful."

"Allow me to freshen you up, my lady, and then we can visit the Lord," she smiled. "He has been very busy today, but seeing you will perk up his spirits, I'm sure."

Chihiro nodded enthusiastically. Ayne gently began working through Chihiro's hair with a comb before rolling it around her fingers and fixing it into place at the base of Chihiro's skull with a small clip and comb. There was a small tub of light powder on the dresser and Ayne dusted that across the bridge of Chihiro's nose. She then added colour to her cheeks and lips. Chihiro stifled a yawn.

"Was it a good trip, my lady?"

"Rather." Chihiro replied.

Ayne smiled and made her way to the doorway. Silently, Chihiro was guided through the hallways, the directions of things she knew she'd have to imprint into her mind if she had any hope of surviving in this place. All too soon, it seemed, Chihiro was standing on the other side of the throne room, looking at her to-be-mate speaking with a bird spirit. He was reclining comfortably, yet eloquently, in the throne and looked every bit distinguished. The bird spirit left, Haku leant over to write something on a note pad and then got up from the throne to crack his back.

"Well," Ayne's voice hit the shell of Chihiro's ear as she nudged her forward. "What are you waiting for?"

Chihiro stumbled through the door quite inelegantly and caught Haku's attention almost instantly. He jumped, like he had been on edge and Chihiro gave him a sheepish smile as she managed to steady herself. Ayne chuckled from behind.

"Thank kami you're alright," Haku gushed, rushing to Chihiro to pull her into a tight embrace. "I was so worried."

Chihiro sighed against Haku's shoulder, relishing the way her body melted into his and the scent of his skin and clothing.

"I missed you so much." she whispered, angling her mouth against his for a kiss.

Haku allowed one, a tender yet passionate kiss before pulling away. Chihiro suppressed a whimper.

"When I heard what had happened, I was so worried," he pushed back a small strain of hair from Chihiro's face and tucked it behind her ear. "You look beautiful."

She smiled. Chihiro had gained a little weight as if it had been for the past two weeks she'd actually been staying at Zeniba's and been force-fed pastries, and that had been the first thing Haku noticed. Her face was fuller and her hips a little wider – better than the last time he'd seen her and she'd felt thinner between his fingers and he knew it was his fault.

"You look so handsome," Chihiro said and nestled into her lover's chest, cherishing the heat of his body and the sound of his heart beating beside her ear. With a small smile, Haku encircled her body and smiled against the top of her head.

"You should rest – you're tired."

Chihiro shook her head. "I'm fine."

"I don't finish these meetings for at least an hour. Let Ayne take you back to our quarters and I'll meet you back there."

Chihiro didn't mistake the lower tones his voice took, nor could she stop her insides melting and her skin tingle from the anticipation of his suggestions.

"Alright," she smiled lazily and managed to steal one more kiss. "Don't be late."

Haku let Chihiro go and offered her a smoldering look.

"I won't be," he promised darkly.

The bed had been as comfortable as she'd imagined it to be, and Chihiro slept for an hour. When she awoke, Haku was not there, but Chihiro knew, or more or less, hoped, he wouldn't be too far off.

In that time, Chihiro decided to snoop around the apartment. In the sunroom across the bedroom, where the dressers lie were boxes packed up against the wall. When she discovered this was all of her possessions, untouched, she decided to unpack and while she was unpacking found came across something so decadently naughty.

When she'd first begun sleeping with Haku, she'd travelled back to the human world to visit and purchase a wedding dress. Along with the wedding dress, she'd bought a few risqué undergarments; including a beautiful bra and pantie set she was saving for her wedding night. This little number, however, a black and crimson set with scalloped lace edges, was for special occasions – and wasn't this a special occasion? Chihiro grinned and stripped down.

She heard voices down the hall so quickly pulled out her hair. From being pinned up all day, the ends of her hair curled and bounced around her shoulders. Quickly, Chihiro ran over to the bed, made it back up and positioned herself upon it. She wriggled around; trying to figure out the best position he could walk in on her, and Chihiro then spied a capsule of red lipstick.

The door creaked open. She heard Haku say his goodbyes to someone as Chihiro rubbed her lips together and threw the lipstick into the bathroom, hurrying to make sure she looked a million dollars as he walked in. She brushed her hair down over her shoulders, hoping she looked as pin-up as she thought she did.

Haku was scratching his head as he came in, while the other hand was causally pulling at the frog clasps of his robe. He looked up to Chihiro lying on the bed, and then looked down again, a little distracted. Finally registering what he'd seen, Haku snapped his head back up then to take in the saucy smile of the vixen he was soon to call his wife.

"Well, hello there." he purred. Chihiro relished the feeling of his hot eyes scanning up and down her frame.

Chihiro didn't break eye contact when his eyes met hers again. Haku was still undressing, but maybe wasn't aware of it. He seemed entranced.

"Hello yourself."

Haku grinned. "Are those new?"

"Maybe." Chihiro grinned, shifting her hips a little. "Well, are you just going to stand there?"

"Not at all," he replied and stalked towards the side of the bed, his golden robe falling to the floor. Chihiro got to her knees and pulled off the cotton tunic under it, feeling the smooth skin of his chest under her fingers before running hot, open mouthed kisses down the side of his neck.

Haku groaned and tilted Chihiro's head back for a mind-numbing kiss, his tongue easily slipping through to play with Chihiro's. The dragon groaned into the kiss, one hand slipping around Chihiro's back to push her against his body. Chihiro eagerly reciprocated, burying her hand into his hair as she kissed him passionately and stringing her legs around Haku's waist as she felt herself get pushed against the bed.

Chihiro broke the kiss roughly. Haku panted against her neck as Chihiro's hands worked the pants off his hips. Haku shimmied a little and they were gone, kicked off with his slippers and joining his clothes on the floor.

"I have no more work to do," he muttered against the skin of Chihiro's neck, dragging his lips, teeth and tongue lower. From between her breasts, he looked up at her from under his lashes. "I'm all yours tonight."

Chihiro grinned. "What could we possibly do?" she panted.

"Hmm…," Haku hummed against her naval. "I have a few ideas."

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! We're almost to 200 reviews! Can we make it? I hope so!

Those people who reviewed the last chapter were:

Watermelon23, WhisperToTheWolves, ChHku, WhiteTiger246, Natalie, Heartz4Jesus, Avalons' Wish, LaurenvBelladonna, MeggyMoo, LeeshyLoo, Sokka2Me, Miranda, Lovely, Have a Nice Dream, akira-chan101, carebear969, iluvmycorgi22, DemonChild94, Carly and Bluebird123.

One reviewer asked last week if I could update any quicker. Unfortunately, I cannot. I update this fanfiction once a week and it is by far my most frequently updated fanfiction I have published. I've written chapters well in advanced, but I just can't commit to twice weekly updates because, let's face it, we all have lives and jobs and assignments. This is a writing hobby and I can commit to updating this fanfiction once a week. I know a few fanfictions that do get updated twice weekly or even faster in some cases, but please also be aware my chapters are around 4000-6000 words. I hope you all understand.

On that note, I may not be able to update next week. I'm moving interstate and have no internet until I set it up myself. I may get to update, or I may not. If there's no update next Sunday Australian time, don't stress. I haven't forgotten about you. I will be updating as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience.

In the next chapter of The Path of Water: Chihiro starts her life in the Imperial Palace, including spending much needed time with Haku and getting to know the locals.

Please take the time to leave a review before you go!

~ Arlia'Devi