You have given me so much.

Don't even think you need to repay me. What I did was done out of love. There is no way to repay those kinds of actions, nor any reason to.

That's not what I was going to say. The gentle, reprimanding tone in his thoughts made Chihiro blink. He wasn't accusing her, but he was asking her to listen to him.

For once.

"Hey!" she smacked him lightly on the arm as the river dragon tilted his head, his eyes glittering with mirth as his smile broadened to grin, watching her playfully sulking, her mouth pulled down into a pout. Haku decided to humor her.

"Don't cry, dear heart. I mean it only in jest." She continued to eye him suspiciously, but he could see the corners of her mouth were twitching. He knew she was fighting the urge to laugh, trying to keep her façade of anger. She turned her body half-around in a huff, crossing her arms and hunching her shoulders. Her brown eyes flashed as she glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, before jerking her head back to facing forward.

Haku debated with the option of melting her resistance by the use of tactics he'd long refused to use on any other. Not bad means, just … more personal ones.

If you even try…

What, ME?! You would accuse ME of such things …even as he formulated the thought, Haku slid his hand over the blanket still covering Chihiro's lap. In the years he'd traveled far, his nails had grown, mimicking his dragon form. Now, they were almost claws; strong and sharply pointed. Formidable weapons in close quarters, Haku's grin shifted to a deviously seductive look as he ran his claw up the exposed portion of Chihiro's back, following her spine. A shiver rippled over her body as the girl spun around, eyes blazing, mouth opened in surprise as the dragon pulled his hand up, caressing her face with his fingers.

I would, actually. Both grinned when the dragon heard the woman's thought, as his claws whispered over her velvety skin. She did not fall into his ploy, but he could see she was enjoying his touch. He bent his head, leaning down to brush his lips across hers when Chihiro gently placed a finger against his mouth. Her eyes were clear and bright as he looked at her in question.

"Not now, my love. I promise, but not now." I only came here to find you. Now that I have …her voice was soft as the thought faded away. Haku nodded against her touch, intertwining her fingers in his.

"Yes, of course. We can to speak to her now, if you wish." The consideration in his voice left her without the use of her's, so Chihiro only nodded as Haku rose from sitting. He held out his other hand, and pulled her up to stand next to him when she gave him her own. He pressed a quick kiss into her hair before they broke apart, Chihiro straightening the room while Haku pulled his black cape on once more.

"No one knows it is I who was given this room. I prefer to keep it this way." He explained in answer to the confused sound emitted by Chihiro. She nodded understanding as he walked to the door, pulling the prop bolt up, allowing the door to slid open at a sharp glance from his eyes. He watched her as she backed up slowly, eyes scanning the room, making sure everything was in its rightful place. At last she turned, nodding to him as she stepped out into the hall. She hastened to the corner, glancing behind to watch Haku pull the door closed and walk to where she stood. Chihiro peered around the corner; it was still early in the morning, and very few of the staff were up, not to mention any guests. She felt Haku lay a hand on her back, below her shoulders, and she turned to listen to him.

"Gather what you need from your apartments. I'll go to the elevator and meet you there." She nodded, and slipped quietly around the corner. Quite though he was, Chihiro still smiled as she heard Haku's soft footsteps go the opposite direction. Then she shook her head clear and set her mind on the task ahead: get in and out of her rooms without too many people waking up and asking annoying, delaying questions.


The only sound was the gentle breathing of many bodies hidden beneath the warm covers of their bedding. Chihiro smiled, tiptoeing gently between one body and the wall, making for the wall cabinets where her things were stored. Since she'd risen in status, Chihiro had been given many choices of room location; she didn't have to stay with the other workers. But Chihiro knew it was because of them that she was in her position at all, and she'd opted to stay with them. Beside, if she changed rooms, she wouldn't have Lin with her to talk to, help out, whatever.

So I might as well stay here. Besides, it's more fun!

Sliding the cabinet doors back as quietly as the old warped doors would allow, Chihiro grabbed a cloth pack, quickly stuffing all the outfits she owned in there, a surprisingly small amount. As the bathhouse clothes disappeared into the canvas sack, Chihiro's eyes fell upon the green kimono top and black pants she'd come here in; her human clothes. The woman smiled as she grabbed these things as well, knowing she'd need them when or if she was required to return to the human world.

Soon all the things that actually belonged to her were stuffed into Chihiro's pack, and she did a quick sweep of the cabinet before closing the door, wincing at every protesting creak or squeal. She turned around, slowly beginning to make her way back to the door leading into the corridor. As she passed by the body closest to the wall, a hand darted out, latching onto her ankle. Chihiro clamped her mouth shut against the scream that welled from her throat. Gulping back the unused air, she looked down into the open eyes of a woman not much older than her. The snarky grin on the other woman's face left little doubt in Chihiro's mind that Lin had been watching her since she disturbed the other woman's sleep trying to get to her things. Holding a finger to her lips to indicate silence, Chihiro motioned Lin to follow as she darted out into the corridor.

"I see you've got all your clothes. What on earth are you planning, Sen?" Lin's voice was sharp as Chihiro turned around a ways away from the room. Chihiro winced, hissing and motioning for Lin to lower her voice.

"Remember the guest that arrived last night?"

"The one in the black cloak?" Chihiro nodded.

"The very one. I didn't know 'till I heard him and Komaji talking, and then he turned –"

"You took him to Komaji? What?!" Chihiro winced again.

"He said he needed to say hello to an old friend. It was his idea, not mine!" Lin raised an eyebrow in skeptical confusing, but kept her mouth shut so Chihiro could finish.

"It was Haku."

"Haku?! But I thought –" Chihiro shook her head, slapping her hand over Lin's mouth to stop the woman from talking at all.

"I saw him when he turned in the light, with his hood down. That's how he knew Komaji. That's how he got into Yubaba's office without going past me first!" Lin nodded, assuring Chihiro she'd keep her voice down if she let her speak.

"You mentioned that last night, trying to think of whom it might be that could do that." Chihiro nodded, and they both were silent for a moment, wrapped up in their own thoughts. Until Lin thought of something that made a friendly smirk slide over her lips.

"So that's where you've been all night!" Chihiro looked at her blankly. The older woman's smirk deepened.

"Keeping him company through the lonely hours of this rainy night?" Chihiro guessed at her friend's meaning, and a crimson blush colored her cheeks. It was still a virgin blush, and Lin could tell the difference after so long in a bathhouse. The smirky quality of her smile evaporated as she placed a loving hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I'm joking. I suppose you two are off to find him a way back to his river and you back to the human world?" Chihiro's blush faded as she realized her friend was teasing her, but she still shook her head.

"I don't know what Haku has in mind we do. I just know that we have to leave the bathhouse." Lin's eyes softened as brief memories between her and the younger girl flittered through her mind a moment. She squeezed her grip on Chihiro's shoulder, a gesture of friendship always.

"I'll miss you, Sen."

"And I'll miss you, Lin. Good times, eh?" the pair smiled, Lin's smile a little sadder.

"Good times, good times. Now go." The two women embraced, and Chihiro could feel the pent-up emotion in Lin's body; her shoulders were shaking as she clung to the girl for a moment. Chihiro looked into the other's eyes, and Lin nodded, a sad smile transforming her mouth.

"Go, I'll make sure the right people know." Chihiro smiled, a strain of sadness also dripping into her face. She hugged Lin again.

"I'm going to ask Yubaba to make you Overseer in my place." Horror appeared on Lin's face. She hated the old witch with a passion. Chihiro laughed softly at her friend's look.

"Or at least Head Foreman. There has to be someone on the floor to keep all the other idiots in line!" the pair had to smother their laughter with hands pressed to their mouths.

My love, we must hurry. Chihiro sighed as Haku's request echoed in her mind. She turned back to Lin for the last time.

"Make sure Komaji gets the best food possible from the kitchens. I think I've spoiled him."

"Ya think?!" they laughed again as Chihiro turned away. She began walking down the hall; she could sense Lin standing behind her, waiting until she disappeared to return to the room. She reached the corner, looking both ways for any persons to avoid. The way was clear, and she'd just stepped forward when Lin's voice stopped her.

"Good luck, Chihiro!" the surprise on Chihiro's face was beyond measure as she spun around to look at Lin, mouth opened as the other laughed softly behind her hand. It was the first time the other woman had ever used Chihiro's real name; strange considering Chihiro thought she'd never heard it to know it.

"Thank you Lin. One day, you'll have your chance too. I guarantee it!" the younger girl waved farewell, slipping out into the wider hall and vanishing from sight.

Lin sighed, hugging her shoulders as she looked after the girl.

"Maybe, one day, Chihiro. One day …" the words lingered in the air as the woman turned, slowly thumping back to her room, looking longingly at the spot where the girl's bedding once lay beside her. She sighed again, kneeling on the wood.

"Maybe I'll follow you one day."


SHE'SSSSSSSSSSS BAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And she's 17 today (30/6/2007)

SRRY it took so long! after i got back from World Changers every thing caved in on me all at once. the bog got me!!!!!
And my faithful reveiwers will have to have patience a little longer. i have summer school work 2 do (NOT SUMMER SCHOOL). the stupid reading lists and whatnot. and birthdays and 4th of July, and all the jazz of summer. So bear with me, I will do my best.

My eternal thanks!
Mirsa