Don't Look Back – Chapter 11
The Threat
((Chihiro's POV))
Haku, Perun, and Amaya had been talking about Kallisto's attack preferences for the rest of the night. I went to bed, seeing as I can't stand talking about things like that. Little did I know, that wasn't actually what they were talking about. I found out what was going on behind those doors the next morning from Haku.
"Chihiro, we have to leave."
I looked up at him from the book I was reading. "Huh? Why?"
"We've talked about it, and it would be better if you were out of the line of fire considering Kallisto wants you. I'm coming with you, which takes away the two people that she wants."
"What about Perun and Amaya?"
"I demanded that they went and I stayed, but they kept on shooting me down. They say they know her style and will be able to combat it faster than I can."
I smiled. "Aw, did we get beat?"
Haku fixed me with the look that I labeled his 'serious look'. I immediately went red and hung my head. "It doesn't matter, we need to start heading out."
"To where?" I asked, setting my book aside.
"Do you want to see my river?"
My head snapped up, my eyes aglow. "Are we really going to your river!"
He smiled. "We are. Most of it's underground because of the human apartment complex, so there's a house kind of built into the side of the cavern. We have to hurry though, I want to be of here before noon."
We left a few minutes later, a small backpack packed with things I may need and a few spare dresses. Haku transformed, and we flew off into the sun. I think I fell asleep, because I don't remember any of the ride.
When we landed, he lead me through the tunnels seeing as I had stuff on my back that I didn't want to get wet, otherwise he would have just jumped in the river. When we reached the main cavern, I stopped in awe.
It was huge! Haku's river was flowing by fast, crashing against the stone riverbed. All of the greenery was above us, leaving us with the cave formations and stone. The river gave off a dull roar. It was kind of barren, but beautiful at the same time.
"Watch this." He whispered with a smile, and stepped into his river. The river seemed to swell, and the surroundings changed. I starred in amazement as the stone beneath me turned to earth, followed my grass and flowers.
"How… how do you do this?" I gasped, watching everything spring to life… literally.
He laughed and stepped out. "The river is me you know, and a barren cavern isn't me."
I smiled. "Well, that makes a lot of sense. Where's the house?" I asked, and he pointed over my shoulder. I turned around, and my hands flew to my mouth.
This was the only thing that was still stone besides the walls of the cavern. The house seemed to be carved out of the side of the cavern, and was definitely not a house. It was way too big.
He walked up behind me and put an arm on my shoulder, "Well, let's go inside shall we?"
After he showed me the house and my room and I set my stuff down, I went back outside. I found Haku sitting on a rock, looking over his river. When I heard me coming, he looked up and smiled. "Need anything?"
"No." I said, sitting down next to his rock. "I do have a question though."
"You can't swim in it." He said, his eyes twinkling.
"How did you know-"
"I guessed. As to why you can't, I'm not really sure how it's going to take it."
"Huh? But isn't it a part of you."
"A part of me yes. My river is like an extension of myself. It doesn't really understand that other people need to breathe and such. It responds differently to every spirit, but I really don't want to play the testing game."
"Well, if I step in and something bad happens, you can always pull me out right?"
"I could…"
I jumped up. "Then what are you waiting for?"
Haku vaulted off his rock to stand in front of me. "Chihiro, did you not hear anything I just said?"
"Yes I did, but frankly, I still want to go in. I won't go any deeper than my knees, I swear!" I told him firmly, and stepped around him. He tried to grab my arm, but I avoided it. I jogged to the bank, and stopped just before I entered the river.
((Haku's POV))
Why can't she understand? Okay, there isn't really a reason why she can't go in… I just don't want her to. Some of my deepest secrets lie in that river, and one of them is her. I don't exactly want her to see those…
All thoughts were cut off when she stepped in. The river didn't try to drag her in like I thought it would, but it seemed to calm down. It flowed more gently now, not the raging currents it once was. And for the first time, I felt completely calm, the calmest I've felt since my river was first destroyed. I stood on the bank, and closed my eyes.
"Haku?" Chihiro softly asked. I slowly opened my eyes, and smiled at the sight.
There she was, standing in my river. Her shoes were on the bank, and the water was up to the middle of her shins. The water seemed to dance around her. She didn't seem to notice, or didn't mind that her dress was getting wet. Thank goodness she wasn't wearing a white dress today…
The tranquility was broken when something that I've never seen before jumped from my river, wrapping its scaly arms around Chihiro's neck. I took a step, but the creature snapped its fingers, freezing me to the ground. I growled, my eyes afire.
((Chihiro's POV))
I struggled to free the creature's hold until it began to speak to me. I stopped moving and saw Haku's furry. I shivered; I've never seen him this angry. The creature's raspy voice in my ear brought me back to the present.
"We know where you and your lover are, little girl. We will not rest until both of you are kneeling at our feet. Any resistance that you show little one will result in his death!" The creature whispered hurriedly.
I was petrified to say the least. But the thing that nearly drove me to hysterics was the fact that it sounded like… Kallisto. Like she was speaking to me through the creature.
With a cry of triumph, Haku broke free of the creature's holding spell. He spoke a few harsh words, pointing at the creature. The… thing writhed in pain, and let me go. I didn't move, and the creature disappeared into the river.
"Chihiro?" He asked softly. When I did not more or speak, he ran into the river. When he stepped in, I seemed to be filled to the brim with fire, but it didn't make me any happier or talkative. I was to freaked out and worried about what was said to me. "Chihrio!" He cried, coming to stop in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders. "What happened, are you okay?"
I looked up into his worried emerald eyes, and cried. He seemed a little startled, and I don't blame him. He rubbed my back and kept on of his hands on my shoulder. "Chihiro… little one, what's wrong?"
I know that he didn't mean harm by calling me 'little one', but it sent memories of the creature flashing through my mind. I cried harder. I think I said a few things, but I don't remember. I doubt Haku even understood.
"Hush Chihiro, it's going to be all right." He whispered in my ear. He picked me up bridal style, and carried me into the warm house.
A/N: I know, not a lot of action, but still neccessary. So, read and reivew pleaese! I have a character so, thank you for all of the people that sent me a character to use! You should see them in the next few chapters.
Goddess of Grammar
Wings of Tears
Tailz the Great
AnimeFreakKatie
BloodHeron
Giddyupgal
Priestess Kohana
angelofblades543 ((thanks for the character! ))
lone wolf
Will Parry
Addicted to Magna
Thank you so much for reviewing and reading! It means a lot!
-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-
Disclaimer: Just the Druids... lmao