Yanking off her robe, pulling on whatever clothes were on top of her suitcase, Chihiro threw open the slider to her room only to find that Haku was gone. His room was also empty. Back down into the entryway, Chihiro ran back and forth across the bridge, getting pelted by the little ice crystals as they emptied the last of the gifts from the motorcycle's side car.
"Goddamnit!" Kiri sputtered from beneath the eaves as she squeezed the rain from her braids, "I hate wet jeans!"
"C'mon," Chihiro tugged on her arm, "Let's get you dry."
They left the presents in the entryway. And Chihiro popped open one of the hidden storage compartments, pulling out a couple of towels, which she held to Kiri. Silently the temple maiden followed her upstairs, standing in a growing puddle as she peered uncomfortably over her shoulder.
"No offense," She shivered, "But this place gives me the creeps."
"You get used to it," Chihiro murmured, digging through her suitcase, holding up a shirt and shorts, "Will these fit?"
"They gotta," Kiri grinned shamelessly as she pulled off her clothes.
Spinning around as her cheeks lit on fire, Chihiro made for the door. "I… I'll make us some tea."
"You're such a prude, Chihi-chan!" Kiri called back gleefully.
After struggling for ages to get the stupid stove to light, she went back into the entryway, heaving up the grocery box, tottering back into the kitchen bent in half under its weight. Leaving a tin of tomato sardines on the cat's cushion, Chihiro stared out the back door at the buckets of rain dumping over the porch roof. She hopped Cinna had found someplace dry to hole up. Snagging a package of andango, she poured a third cup of tea and quickly prettied up a second tray, which she carried into the great room. Thankfully it was empty. She left Suzume's offering in the place of honor. Going back for the second tray Chihiro went back upstairs.
She came up short in the doorway to her room.
Kiri was bent over her box of Spirited Away memorabilia. Brazen as ever, she uttered a short laugh, "Is this stuff for real!?"
Because the contents of the box were spread out all over her futon.
"This is awesome!" Absolutely delighted, Kiri was scrutinizing a drawing she'd made of the radish spirit, "Did you make all of these?"
Mortified, Chihiro hastily set down the tray, snatching the picture out of Kiri's hand. Grabbing the rest of the drawings, she stuffed them back into the box.
"Hey!? Kiri flopped over on the futon reaching after the box, "Aww, don't put 'em away, m'not done looking!"
"It's just kids stuff," Chihiro murmured in embarrassment as she tipped a pile of clothes over onto the box, trying to hide it. Now Kiri was staring at her, but the burn in her cheeks cooled. Because she'd never seen the temple maiden look so sad.
"What?" Chihiro went stock still. "What!?"
Kiri's miss-matched eyes went past her to the mural. "This was the last thing he painted."
"R-really?"
"Yeah," She snagged a stick of andango and a cup of tea from the tray, "He stopped drawing and painting after this one."
"T-that's awful! He's so talented…" Chihiro frowned at the painting, "Why'd he stop!?"
"Said he was done with kids stuff... But I think it was 'cause he didn't want to see them anymore." Kiri shrugged out from under her melancholy, chewing on the red bean coated mochi. "He's the one that covered it up. Mrs. Nikkou wouldn't let him paint over it. She probably pulled away the paper after he moved out."
Coming over to sit on the edge of her futon, Chihiro listened to the rain on the roof. And the questions built up inside her until the one on top quiet literally burst from her, making her entire face catch on fire.
"Do you love him?"
"Hidé?" The temple maiden snorted as if she'd said something supremely stupid. "Of course I love him. He's my best friend."
"That's not what I meant."
Kiri's face went blank as she ceased chewing on the andango stick. That sad look was back in her eyes. She resisted it, trying to float on top as if it were water and she was oil. But Chihiro could see it seeping into her all the same.
"I know..."
"W-what happened?"
Kiri sighed, "It wasn't a good idea."
"Why not?"
Chihiro hunkered down next to her, drinking her tea. It had been such a long time since she'd had some girl time. IMing Michio wasn't quite the same. Kiri was rude and erratic, but she was friendly. She didn't want to admit it, but Chihiro was actually kind of lonely. And Chihiro supposed she and Kiri were friends now. It was nice to have a friend. It was nice to talk.
"I already told you why." Kiri muttered reluctantly.
"No you didn't." It was her turn to snort, "What you did say didn't make a bit of sense."
"Look, can't really talk about it, okay!? M'doin' my best!
Kiri jerked her chin at the mural. Uncomprehending, Chihiro stared. Finally the temple maiden pointed in exasperation at Hidé's self portrait. But she wasn't pointing at Hidé.
She was pointing at the woman in white holding his hand.
"I'm not allowed to say anything else. Truth's a powerful possession and this one's not mine to tell."
The bell inside Chihiro's chest hummed. Premonition was a warning not to push her luck. So she kept her mouth shut.
"Gimmie that…" Kiri took her tea now empty cup, turning it round and round as she looked at the leaves in the bottom, "Huh… You're gonna have a lot of visitors."
"Yeah?" Chihiro muttered darkly, "Well, they came an went."
The temple maiden was frowning nosily, "Who came and went?"
"My ex." She folded in on herself sourly.
"Really?!" Kiri all but climbed into her lap, "What happened? Tell me everything!"
Gods, she was bad as Michio! Chihiro shrank from her rapt attention.
"I… I threw him out."
"Good! Hidé'll be glad to hear that."
"W-what!?"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm his spy!" Kiri grinned mischievously, "He sent me to collect intelligence. By the way, he's dying to find out what's going on with you and Nigihayami-san."
"W-why's Hidé asking about me and Haku!?"
Kiri snorted, rolling her miss-matched eyes, "Are you kidding me!?
"N-no…?"
Gone was temple maiden's playful banter. She went totally serious. "You're honestly tellin' me y'haven't noticed Hidé's head over heels for you!"
Lightning flashed like gunpowder, making them both jump
"Wooo!" Kiri shrank nervously, "He didn't like that at all… I think he's jealous," She whispered as she pointed at the rafters.
Baffled, Chihiro peering at the ceiling. "Who're you talking about?"
Kiri eyed her askance, "You don't have a clue, do you!?" She slapped her knee with anything but amusement, "Gods, you're thick as a brick!" With a sober frown, Kiri beckoned her closer, "Pay attention and see if you can figure it out yourself."
Taking in a deep breath, Kiri called her words at the rafters.
"Hidé's been in love with you since we were kids!"
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
"He fell in love with you the moment he read your book!"
On perfect cue lightening fizzled and flashed.
"He never shut up about you! You're drawings are what got him started!"
It took a moment, but understanding hit Chihiro like a wall. But the epiphany was double edged and both sides cut into her until she began bleeding comprehension.
"Stop it, Kiri." Chihiro choked. And it didn't really matter because the temple maiden didn't seem to hear her anyway.
"He always said one day he'd meet you. You should'a seen his face when he found out you'd bought Mrs. Nikkou's Onsen. You of all people!" Kiri laughed as she went cold, "It was like a goddamn fairy tale!"
She could feel it in the intensifying rain.
Chihiro could feel Haku's pain.
But just as strong was Kiri's.
It reverberated in every one of her harsh words.
"Hidé even said he wanted to marry you!"
Thunder cracked directly overhead, booming so loudly it rattled the walls and floor. Wind punched the side of the building, clawing at the roof. A cloud of dust fell down on them as the ceiling creaked and shifted.
"That's enough!" Chihiro grabbed hold of Kiri just as the lights flickered.
Suddenly the bell in her chest rang with alarm as the edges of the world seemed to thin. Eerie shadows bleed free from the corners of the room, writhed and seeking in the punctuated gloom. She and the temple maiden gasped, because as lights cut out the thing's lidless cinder eyes fixed on them with singular hate.
Chihiro pushed Kiri behind her as it snaked forward.
The floor boards burned under its passing.
And only as it reared up over the futon did she realize it was not Haku.
Light flooded her room, surging around the slider as it ripped aside, sent flying against the far wall. Suzume stood on the threshold. The kami wore a crackling with a nimbus of platinum foxfire that matched the argent threads of his radiant garment. The archway scorched beneath the heat of his presence. Chihiro could feel the heat of it biting at her face.
The shadow reared defiantly. But the fox's eyes crackled up with sable flames. And a thin flute of glowing silver was at his lips. The shrill piercing note swelled inside her chest making her breath catch high in her throat. The power of it seemed to stretch the room. Chihiro slapped hands over her ears, cringing in terror. But she watched all the same.
Watch the shadow seize and writhe with the sound.
Watched as the room seemed to shatter.
Watched the daemon immolate mid air.
Watched with frozen terror as it dissolved into ash.
As if he had become an open door, a cold wind wafted through Suzume, riding his keening song. Chihiro's skin prickled with the memory of the chilly air that went wafting down the clock tower tunnel. Kiri tried to pull her back as she struggled upright, but Chihiro tore free, standing on shaky legs. She watched the trailing lines of ash blew across the floor, fading into nothing, chased back into the other world by the kami's music.
And the foxfire extinguished as his song ended.
Plunging the room into murky gloom.
All at once she could breathe again! Chihiro gasped for air, staring wildly at the empty corners of the dark room. Putting a hand to her blistered lips, she marveled at the lingering taste of the fire on her lips.
"W-what was that?"
The grim fox glanced at her, "Hate." His lips tightened into a furious line, "It would have killed you both."
Scowling wrathfully, Suzume threw his hard golden eyes to the rafters. "Do you hear that, dragon!? Or are you still so addled with your selfish emotions that you cannot think of their consequences!?"
Kiri shrieked; knocking into Chihiro as dislodged blue tiles went skittering past the window, pried loose by whatever was perched on the spine of the roof. And they clung to one another as a hollow moan vibrated through the ceiling, sending a mournful tremor through the walls and floor. The howl faded into another powerful gust of wind, sending eddying drafts spiraling through the dim room. But it faded up into the sky, taking the wind with it.
And she felt him go. Felt him disappear.
"No! Wait!?" Scrambling to the window Chihiro threw it open, trying to climb outside. "Haku!? Haku, come back!"
Chihiro would have climbed outside had cold fingers not closed around her shoulder. Starting sideways into the window frame, she gaped back at Suzume. Kneeling beside her, still wearing his argent robes, the fox's delicate brows drew up as he turned a despairing look up at the sky.
"Let him go." The fox urged gently. "He shouldn't be here."
"N-no!"
"You cannot go where he has gone!" Standing, he pulled her away from the window. Was that sympathy in his tight gold eyes? She couldn't tell, his words were harsh as always. "The best you could manage would be to fall from the eves and break your brittle little legs!"
Chihiro blinked, suddenly terrified, "B-but will he come back!?"
"Of course he will, you stupid girl! You are here! Now get her out of my house!" Suzume stabbed a finger at the temple maiden.
Chihiro started to her feet.
Grabbing Kiri, she pulled her from the room.
She wasn't sure how they got to the other side of the front bridge. They stopped there still gasping for air. The brook was no longer laughing. It had transformed into a rushing torrent and the angry water ripped by beneath the bridge, drowning them in its churning protests. Chihiro ignored the stream, staring at the sky. Fear tightened her chest as she watched bits of blue poke their way through the broken storm.
"S-sorry… I'm so sorry…" Kiri choked, slapping at the tears streaking down her cheeks. She hid her face in her hands, "I'm so stupid sometimes! I didn't realize he was right there! I didn't mean to make him upset!"
Chihiro let the stream swallow the temple maiden's apologies, trying to summon the will to get up and leave. But she was trapped: stuck somewhere between hating the temple maiden and wanting to comfort her. Because Kiri was pale and shaking; she looked utterly lost and afraid. And Chihiro couldn't leave her here like this, not after what had just happened.
"Happy… Sad… It doesn't matter… They'll crush you all the same!" Kiri choked, not making any sense at all. "D-don't you see?"
"No." Chihiro muttered frostily. "I don't see at all."
After a long moment of listening to her cry, she let out a gusty sigh.
"Its okay, Kiri." Chihiro pulled the temple maiden to her feet, hugging her, letting her soak the shoulder of her shirt. And after her sobs dwindled to sniffled, she led her around the puddles in the parking lot to the waterlogged motorcycle. "Let's just go get Hidé out of jail."
Officer Gedo frowned at her through the plate glass window.
Then he frowned down at the check she'd just written.
Her checkbook was right where it should've been: in her wallet, which was in her purse, which Officer Gedo had just given back to her a second prior.
"Both of them?" He looked utterly confused.
"Both of them." She repeated firmly.
Gedo craned his neck to look at Kiri, who was still hiding in her shadow.
"You heard her!" Kiri muttered, "Both of them!"
The huge fellow scratched his head, sitting back in the ridiculously small swivel chair, which creaked and twanged dangerously.
"Hey, Ikeda!" He yelled at the ceiling, "Both of them!"
The jail was so small she could hear the keys jingling before the grating of metal rails slamming open over the open rafter of the ceiling. After a moment she watched through the plate glass window as Hidé and Amano came filing forward to the door beside Gedo.
Charisma's nose was patched with a bit of hard white tape. And in addition to his indigo tank, shorts, and flip flops, Hidé was sporting a beautiful blue raspberry black eye. Gedo uncuffed them before slipping trays of their belongings across the table.
"You two steer clear of one another now, y'hear!?"
Ikeda flipped the brim of his hat up as he held open the door, pulling it closed behind him with a tinny clang. Chihiro tried not to look at him. It was too weird. Because now he looked nothing like Suzume! Her insides crawled uncomfortably as she remembered a bit of lore from her mythology class. Fox spirits were known to possess people. Although she forgot all about folklore as Hidé strode out of the waiting room. Without so much as a backward glance, he went out the front door into the noon light.
"Ogina-san?" She came up short, turning to face Amano.
He wouldn't look at her: whether from shame or fear Chihiro wasn't sure.
Fear. Definitely fear.
Half of her was glad he was afraid.
The other half was sad and ashamed.
Oh Gods… Did the people in town really think she was a witch?
"F-for what it's worth? T-thank you." He continued resolutely, bobbing a rigid bow, "Thank you for Kai's sake."
"Y-you're welcome, Amano-san."
She didn't know what else to say.
He started and almost looked up. Instead Amano bowed lower.
Chihiro caught Officer Gedo watching her with a cryptic smile. Ikeda's head poked around the window frame to peer at them with a frown. But Gedo planted his palm on top of his partner's head, shoving him back out of eyeshot.
Awkwardly, Amano glanced up at Kiri, "Where's Kai?"
She crossed her arms and looked away, "With Kei-kun at the temple."
"T-thanks for looking after him."
"S'alright," she shrugged dismissively, turning for the door.
Chihiro followed out into the parking lot where Hidé was waiting. Although she came up short as she took in the ruined bulk of the Mira. At least it was covered by a tarp. Thankfully you couldn't see the words. And Chihiro's insides went heavy with apprehension as she recalled what Officer Ikeda said. The Dasai brothers had been sent to the district prison in Matzutaki Bay earlier in the day. Charges and sentences would be passed down by the regional court. And Chihiro hope to never see either of them ever again.
"Hey, Hidé!" Someone shouted from a balcony overhead, "They let you our early, huh?"
Mrs. Nikkou's grandson was leaning up against the low cement wall at the curb, trying to keep a low profile, which was impossible because three old ladies across the street were pointing and whispering.
Pushing past her, Kiri nearly tackled her best friend.
"Ah!" He threw up his hands, "What the hell, Kiri!?"
But his expression fell from annoyance to concern a she began to shake. And a flash of what could only be intuition went through his pale eyes. The bell in Chihiro's chest started up with a sympathetic hum. He was rubbing her shoulders, hugging her gently.
"Kiri, what's wrong!?"
Just as abruptly she pushed him away and socked him in the shoulder.
"Ow!" He cringed, putting his hands up to ward off any further attack as she stabbed a finger at his face.
"That's for getting' a shiner you can't hide from Obasama! You know he hates it when you fight!" Kiri stuffed the motorcycle keys into his hand, "Take Chihiro home, got it?!" Without further explanation, she stalked off around the corner as swiftly as her long legs could carry her.
Looking between her and the keys, Hidé blinked in abject confusion.
"W-what happened?"
Before she could answer Amano pushed through the front door.
He looked like something straight out of 'Rebel without a Cause.' Slinging his leather jacket over his shoulder he sparked up the unlit cigarette hanging from his lip. Hidé went completely still, glaring at his former friend. Knowing what she did now, his animosity made sense, even if Chihiro didn't agree with it. And her heart sank as the broken nosed man glared back.
"I had nothing to do with it." Amano gritted between his teeth.
"I don't believe you." Hidé's pale blue eyes went icy.
"That doesn't change the fact that it's true." Taking a long drag off his cigarette, Amano leaned against the opposite side of the wall. Hidé bristled at the increase in proximity.
"Tell them t'stay the hell away from her." He spat frostily, talking about the Dasai brothers, "If I see them ever again m'gonna start breakin' more than noses!"
"Tell 'em yourself, kid." Amano blew smoke in Hidé's direction, "We're not on speaking terms no more, remember?"
What the hell!? Amano was provoking him! What's worse, it was working. As Hidé's hands balled up into fists she grabbed his arm, pulling him back. Gods, was she ever gonna get a break!?
"Neh?" She coaxed, winning at least a backward look, "Common Hidé, let's just get out of here?"
"You stay, Ogina-san. I was goin' anyway," Amano tossed his cigarette, not even bothering to put it out. The broken nose man hooked around a corner, loping out of sight.
"Asshole…" Hidé growled beneath his breath. After a moment he hung his head, starting up in all his stubborn male glory.
"So… What do I owe you?"
"Hidé," Chihiro sighed, letting go of his arm, "Just leave it, okay?"
She was so sick of money she couldn't stand it.
Suddenly exhausted, she sat down on the edge of the wall, realizing she couldn't tell him what happened last night. Couldn't tell him what happened earlier that morning. Or maybe she could? He'd either decided she was absolutely nuts and stop talking to her or finally fess up to the fact that he wasn't a strange to the kami that seemed to run rampant in the village hills.
"Are you an angel or something?"
"Huh?" Her cheek lit up as she found him looking at her.
"You have t'be. 'Cause you keep saving my butt."
She snorted, smiling in spite of herself.
It was a cute line.
"At least treat you to lunch before I take you home." He pressed.
"I've got so much work I need to do at the Onsen." She cast around for excused, "I really should get back"
"Please?" He put a hand behind his head, bobbing that little bow of his, "Let me save a little face here, Chihiro?"
Saying no to Hidé was still near impossible.
It reminded her just how much she liked him: a lot.
Apparently the feeling was mutual. But a cold wind went through her as she remembered Haku's reaction to the revelation. And a strange prick of heat kindled up in her stomach as she recalled the dragon's swallowing green eyes.
Her omikuji had been right.
She'd been blessed with romance. Too much romance!
Gah! She didn't need this right now! She had a business to take care of and ravenous kami to feed and a melancholy dragon to look after… and… and? She tried to think of more excuses to toss into the churning morass of uncertainty slowly hollowing out her insides. Maybe if she fed it enough it would go away?
Because she didn't know!
She just didn't know!
"C'mon, boss!" Hidé had her hand and was pulling her towards the motorcycle. "I insist."
Chihiro was so turned around she couldn't object. Climbing into the slightly sodden side car, she buckled on the helmet as Hidé kicked the motorcycle to life.
"Where are we going!?" She called over the sputtering motor, seriously doubting they would be driving around the block just to go to the Yamada's.
"You'll see!" He laughed back. "It's a surprise!"
Her curiosity peeked as he let up on the clutch and ticked the bike into gear. They turned onto the main avenue, ducking under the overpass as they buzzed through town. Several people waved as they went, and Hidé honked the raspy horn several times by way of greeting. It actually went Ah-WOO-gah! The kids especially loved that. They had a crowd of children trailing behind them by the time they were halfway through town.
But they fell back as they took a sharp left, abruptly climbing a series of switch-backs up the north-east side of the valley. And the motorcycle's engine groaned wearily as they climbed out of the tangled mess of wires into bare sky. Looking over the blue tiled roofs, Chihiro caught glimpses of the stairs to the temple at the top of the opposite hill. They peeked through breaks in the green. She flinched, sitting back as a burm lined stream suddenly went rushing down the road beside them, more a waterfall than stream. Finally, when it seemed there was no way the hill could get any steeper, they hooked left again, onto a bridge that actually went behind the stream! The impatient water threw itself off a dripping lip of wet mossy rock that jutted out above them, arcing over them in a perfect tunnel of foamy effervescence as it cascaded down onto the rounded rocks below.
Chihiro laughed, half standing in the side car to look back at it, making the motorcycle wobble. Although she came up short, gaping again as they pitched out onto the edge of the hill. The sky had cleared and harbor opened below them: beyond it the twin rocks, then the wide rolling ocean. And further still loomed the perfect cone of Mt. Fuji.
Chihiro's heart filled as the salty wind gusted by.
She'd never get sick of this sight.
"This is the old Edo road!" Hidé called, making her turn to address the loping ribbon of cracked and pothole infested cement that bounded up and down over hillside, squeezed narrow between trees and sliding off into marshy gullies. It was a wonder that it managed to stay on the mountain at all.
"And that's where we're going for lunch!"
He was pointing at a stout old house that sat directly beside the road. The enormous shop beside it was all hard edges and puckered chrome. The whole thing screamed war era and did not fit the area at all! Pulling off into a puddle that was probably the parking lot, she stared up at the rusted red neon sign bolted to the point of the front gable. It buzzed loudly as soon as the motorcycle engine shut off. But she couldn't read the words, they were in English.
"What does it say?" She pointed.
"Burger Hut: malts, fries, and pies." Hidé waved a hand down the road, "During the occupation there was an American military base not far from here. Convoys used to run through here all the time and this place sprang up to feed them."
"What's a mah-ru-tō?" She stumbled over the word.
Hidé laughed. "Malt. It's like a milkshake but better."
The screen door on the front of the shop slammed rickitily as an elderly American man in khaki's with a weathered face and silvered hair came limping out onto the porch. He had sharp gray eyes in spite of his easy smile and Chihiro blanched, because he looked just like Clint Eastwood!
"Hidé!" The foreigner spoke rapidly in English as the fisherman climbed off his bike, coming forward to shake his hand. Chihiro hung back awkwardly as they shot back and forth so fast she couldn't pick up a single word. Not that her English was any good.
"Ed," Hidé stepped back, speaking in Japanese again, "I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Ogina Chihiro. Chihiro, this is Sergeant Edward Smith."
"Ex-Sergeant!" But still, he had the military bite in his timber, "But you can call me Ed, little lady."
It was funny. Gedo liked to call her that too.
He spoke perfect Japanese and the hard edge in his eyes softened as he flashed a lopsided smile. His hand shot out for hers and his grip was like a vice! He nearly shook her arm off!
"So you're the author, eh? Nice to finally meet you! Reika and I go way back. I was good pals with her late husband, God rest his soul. I'm glad to hear a nice lady like you finally bought the place. Whole town's been buzzing 'bout you. I heard about the trouble you had last night. Just a shame! I'm glad Gedo and Ikeda got those thugs in the slammer. Let'em rot, I say! Oh," Ed spared a glance back at Hidé, "That's gonna be a nice shiner by my count." Ducking his head, the fisherman's cheeks went bright red as the old man looked back at her, "So what do you think of this weather? Hailed this morning!"
"Yeah, weird huh?" She stammered, bowing as she shied from his eagle eyes. "N-nice to meet you, Mr. Ed,"
"Ha!" For some reason she didn't understand Ed busted up laughing at that until there were tears in his eyes, "I like her, Hidé. But there's no need for honorifics, little lady. Just call me Ed."
"I brought Chihiro by for some lunch. Are you open for business?"
"I'm always open, kids. Come on in!" Stumping back up the steps he went inside. Taking her hand, Hidé pulled her after him.
"Is everything you do an adventure?" She whispered at him.
"No…" He frowned considering as he held the screen door open for her; although there was a playful glint in his blue eyes, "Laundry's still pretty boring."
Still wearing a white apron and paper hat, Ed leaned over the chrome bar to pick up the beige ceramic plate that held the remnants of her burger and fries. The inside of his shop was straight out of a movie. It reminded her of the Johnny Rocket restaurant she'd been to one time in Tokyo, but better. There were framed war era posters everywhere along with assorted 40s and 50s kitsch. Her favorite was the cat clock on the wall. The eyes swung side to side, keeping time with its curved tail. She'd have to get one for Cinna.
"How was it?"
"Amazing!" She patted her full stomach, "Thank you so much! I've never had such a delicious hamburger. Nothing in Nagoya even comes close! And this?" She pulled again on the dregs of the milk-shake, making the straw jump in the glass cup, "What's it called? A malt? I've never had one!"
"Ha! If you liked that, little lady, get Hidé to bring you back for some chili cheese fries."
His gray brows shot up into the close crop of his flat top as he carried away their dishes, all the while shaking a finger back at her. The push door to the kitchen kicked back and forth in the ghost of his passing, leaving her and Hidé in the happy afterglow of their meal. Once again she shot her eyes around the place, still marveling at the red and white tiled floor.
"This place is amazing."
"Glad you like it." Hidé leaned back in the swivel seat, swirling his coke, "Ed's great. We're lucky t'have him. I wish folks in town could be nicer."
"Really?" She was shocked.
He sighed and his blue eyes went weary. "Small town."
Chihiro looked at him for a long moment, trying to understand.
"Have you ever thought of leaving?
"Leave Minamiizu?" He went distant, considering it seriously. But the spark there faded as he shook his head, "No. I'll never leave."
"Why not?" She cupped her chin in her palm. "It's not like you'd never come back."
"I can't." Hidé shook his head resolutely. He didn't elaborate. And a bit shyly, his blue eyes lifted to her, "Although now I'm kinda glad I stayed." All the blood came rushing up into her cheeks, making her go light headed as he reached out and put his hand on hers.
She'd been having such a good time up until now.
Somehow the fascinating side-trip had charmed her into forgetting.
But now as his hand curled around hers, it all came rushing back.
"Chihiro?"
She stared at the counter top, close to panicking.
Because she didn't know what to do!
At that exact moment Ed came stomping out of the kitchen, drying his hands on a dish rag. Abruptly Hidé took back his hands.
"Alright, little lady! Give my regards to Reika."
"S-sure!" Chihiro chirped back, forcing a smile that hurt her face.
"What do I owe you, Ed?" Hidé had his wallet in hand.
"Eh?" Ed feigned deafness, "Whatcha say?"
"Oh, c'mon, Ed." He wilted in exasperation. "You never let me pay!"
"And I never will!" The old military man waved them off as he began sweeping behind the counter, "Scram, kids! Your money's no good here."
With a sigh Hidé stood and strode for the door, "See you, old timer."
"T-thank you, Ed." Chihiro bobbed a quick bow.
"Come back soon!" He called back, "And don't forget, little lady: chilly cheese fries!"
As the screen door slammed shut behind her, she found Hidé already astride the bike. He looked up at her as he kicked the engine to life. And there was such an expression of hope in his eyes she had to look away, staring at the puddles as she came across the lot and climbed into the side car.
The scenery blurred by.
In what seemed like seconds they left the village behind, climbing up the steep hill onto the main highway. The beleaguered old beast gained speed as they headed towards the Onsen. All the while Chihiro's chest tightened anxiously. She didn't know why, but premonition was knocking against the inside of her chest, matching the quickened pace her heart. Far too soon they buzzed by the ancient wooden sign, dropping off the highway, leaving behind the sun and the salt scented breeze as the tall trees of the older forest made vibrant emerald arches over the winding gravel road. The cold shadows peeled back as they arced out into the parking lot. And she stared at the Onsen as Hidé cut the engine.
There were big swatches of tile missing from the roof.
"Chihiro?"
She jumped, finding Hidé standing beside the side car. She'd been so lost in thought she hadn't noticed him there. Wordlessly offering his maple bark hands, he helped her out. But he didn't step aside; didn't make room for her to pass; didn't let go of her hands either. Instead he laced his fingers through hers.
Oh, Gods!
Her heart thundered up into her throat.
And she stared blankly at the narrow strip of ground between them until he took a step towards her. His chest brushed hers, and she could feel the heat radiating off of his skin, just like she had in the forest that day. Leaning towards her until his forehead was resting on hers; he turned his face into her hair. She felt his lips curl into a smile.
"You smell like wood smoke…"
The husky timber of his voice stirred something in the deep in pit of her stomach, making her heart squeeze with dizzy anticipation. Because this wasn't a bad thing. A part of her had been waiting for this since the moment she'd met him. And she lifted her face to look at him, but he was already waiting there.
He kissed her!
Kissed her before she knew he was kissing her!
Shock went eddying through Chihiro as his burning arms tightened around her waist, crushing her against him. Something raw and wild bloomed in her stomach, jolting her insides as it by an electric shock. And she gripped his biceps, feeling the thunder of his heart beating against her chest.
Oh, Gods…
Because he was kissing her! Maybe now she was kissing him? She could taste the sea salt on his lips. It was amazing! It was hungry and sloppy and not at all what she'd expected!
She didn't know why.
It just happened.
Suddenly all she could think about were Haku's sad endless green eyes.
Instantly her insides cooled. And Chihiro broke free of the kiss, hiding her face in his chest as they gasped for air.
"Would y'believe that I've dreamed about this ever since I was a kid?" He sounded so very sad it was close to breaking her heart. "I dreamed about you. About us. But I'm beginning to think this is all just a dream. Am I dreaming, Chihiro? Please tell me I'm not dreaming?"
Taking a long shuddering breath she gathered up handfuls of his shirt, because half of her didn't want to let go.
"I don't know…"
For a long moment Hidé was perfectly still. Then his arms tightened around her stubbornly. His voice hardened ever so slightly.
"Is that because of Nigihayami?"
She winced at the name.
"I don't know…"
"It is," And Hidé hushed uncertainly, "What is he?"
"I don't know what he is." She whispered on the verge of tears, "I don't know what either of you are."
"What d'you mean?" She felt his shoulders bunch with tension, "I'm right here, Chihiro."
Once again he rested his forehead on the crown of her head. And Chihiro breathed in the smell of him, letting his warmth soak into her skin. She couldn't help it! Oh, but she wanted to kiss him again. But she couldn't! She couldn't!
"No… You're as much a mystery as Haku is."
"How am I a mystery?" He murmured earnestly, holding her as if afraid someone was going to tear her away, "You're getting to know the worst of me better than anyone in this backward town."
All at once the bell started up in her chest, driving her forward to something even she didn't understand. Driving her towards the secret Kiri'd been warning her about.
"Hidé? The lady in the white kimono in your mural? Who is she?"
He stilled again, drawing back to look at her for the first time since they'd kissed. And she could tell her question had rattled him. There was a hint of fear in his blue eyes.
Blue.
Just like her eyes.
"Why d'you wanna know that?"
Words spill out of her. She wouldn't have chosen to do this now. But something else was making the choice for her.
"Because I've seen her."
Hidé's face went completely blank, "That's impossible."
"I saw her." She insisted, "I swear I did!"
"No, Chihiro," He shook his head, "Look… She disappeared right after I was born."
"B-but you have a picture of her!"
"What picture?" His brow furrowed.
"On your boat. In your book case. There's a pictures of your dad. She's standing right behind him in the margin."
She watched Hidé harden before her very eyes, could feel the distance opening between them.
"I took that picture, Chihiro. There was no there but me an' dad."
Chihiro cast about for something to explain, "But she has your eyes."
"Chihiro, just stop!"
She flinched from his harsh tone.
Hidé must have scared himself too, because he had gone pale.
"Sorry…" He rubbed the back of his neck, "Dunno why this is important to you, but you gotta know it's a raw subject for me… Can we not talk about this right now?"
"S-sure… I'm s-sorry. Y-you're right. I shouldn't've brought it up," Chihiro dropped her chin, staring at the puddle beneath their feet, listening to the creek. It had gone back to chuckling. Laughing at her. Because she didn't understand at all what was happening to her. "I… I was just trying to find a way to talk to you about them."
A line pinched between his brows, "Who?"
"The Kami."
"Oh," He was quiet for a moment, "Is that what this is really about?"
Peeking up at him, she saw it.
The same look he'd given her at the camphor tree shrine.
Disbelief: it was branded across his face in spite of everything.
"Never mind," She mumbled, turning away as she folded up on herself, "It doesn't matter. You won't believe me anyway."
His hands were on her shoulders, "It does matter! It obviously matters to you, so it matters to me," He turned her back toward him, "I never said I didn't believe you, Chihiro."
"We're not talking about me." She sighed in exasperation, "There's no in between, Hidé. Either you believe or don't!"
"Look," He started up, growing more and more agitated as he continued, "D'you really wanna know why I don't want believe in all that stuff, Chihiro? Because it scares me, alright!? It scares me."
"It scares me that every omikuji I have ever pulled says I'm going leave home and never come back! Kiri gets the same result every time she's ever told my fortune! And it scares me! It scares that I can see shadows that don't belong to anything or anyone! And it scares me more than anything that I can hold my breath longer than anyone I've ever met! Longer than anyone should!"
"It scares me that everyone in this tiny backward town thinks Obasama's a witch. And now they think you're one too! But you know what scares me the most? Some idiots out there actually believe that and will try to hurt you because of it! I cannot give power to that kind of thinking," He shook her gently for emphasis, "Now do you see why I can't believe the way you do?"
She stared at him stupidly.
Because she forgotten about the power of denial.
It had kept her blind for nearly 10 years.
She hadn't realized it was a choice.
In spite of everything, Hidé had made his choice. What right did she have to go knocking down that door? None. Absolutely none.
"Chihiro?"
She looked up sharply as his calloused palms cupped her cheek. And she was staring into his eyes, staring at the eerie hint of brightness that hung inside them like the moon reflecting off the sea.
"Chihiro, what's wrong?" He was frowning, "You went miles away."
Suddenly Chihiro understood.
The realization was a punch to the gut.
Now she finally understood what Kiri said earlier: about not getting too attached, about falling in love with him being a bad idea. She didn't have the luxury of denial anymore. Chihiro'd lost that chance a long time ago. And she couldn't rob him of that chance, not if this was his choice. Because the more time he spent with her, the more likely he was to loose the ability to refuse what was there.
And she cringed.
Because there was a part of her that had fallen in love with Hidé.
Oh, Gods…
This was going to hurt.
This was going to hurt them both.
Dropping her face, shrugging out from under his hands, she tried to push by. But Hidé caught one of her hands, pulling her to a stop.
"Chihiro, wait!? Where're you going?"
"Let me go, Hidé."
"I… I'm sorry!" He tried to draw her back to him, sounding absolutely lost, "W-what did I do wrong? Tell me, please!?"
"You didn't do anything!" She choked on the words, leaning away from him. Because if he kissed her again she wasn't going to be able to stop. "It's me. It's my fault."
"Chihiro…"
He was pleading now and she couldn't take it.
"Let me go, Hidé!"
She stumbled forward as his burning grip suddenly dissolved.
She didn't look back.
Chihiro bolted across the bridge but not into the house. Running along the fence, she ducked through a missing board, spilling out into the humid marshy grass behind the tall rock wall that held up the common pool. Misery had all but hollowed her out, so it was no wonder she fit through the space. That's probably how she ran as far as she did. She was utterly empty by the time she fell down in the tall grass on the edge of the back fields, staring up at the tall pines.
Digging her fingers down into the loose earth, she clung to the grass.
And breeze went through the tall weeds.
Making the husks whisper soothingly.
But she would have none of their solace.
Throwing back her head, she screamed at the wooded hills.
"Why did you bring me here!?
No one answered.
"You must have a reason!?"
Still nothing.
"Tell me! Tell me, please!?"
She waited for what felt like ages. But still. Nothing.
Standing, Chihiro numbly picked her way back towards the Onsen. Until she found a rake leaning against one of the low walls behind the kitchen garden. Looking around at all the blue tiles laying in the yard, she picked up the tool and began to rake the grass.