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

XI: Eastern and Western

"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead."

~ Oscar Wilde

There was water running in the bathroom off the main bedroom as Chihiro gathered Haku's robe off the floor and folded it on a dresser, save it get wrinkled for tomorrow.

"Chihiro?" Haku's voice echoed in the bathroom. "Are you coming in, or not?"

Chihiro grinned and made her way into the bathroom where her to-be-mate was sitting in the bath, steam filling the room. He was reclining back against the wall, watching her with those striking emerald eyes of his. Chihiro smirked and let her robe drop.

"Like what you see?" she grinned as he not so subtly meandered his eyes downward.

"You know I do," he replied, shifting in the bath a little. "Well, are you just going to stand there?" he asked, echoing her words from earlier.

Chihiro quirked an eyebrow and carefully stepped into the bath, submerging herself to the top of her breasts in the warm, herbal water. A small sigh escaped her lips as she scooted over to Haku's side, nuzzling his shoulder.

"We're finally together." he kissed the top of her head.

"I know," she replied. "I missed you terribly."

Haku shifted Chihiro into his lap then, parting her legs so they settled beside his thighs.

"I missed you as well." he replied.

Chihiro felt something a little strange brush against her in the stomach and she rolled her eyes.

"Again, Haku?" she sighed as if she was exasperated. "We only just finished!"

"I can't help how my body reacts, Chihiro – you've been gone for quite a few months, maybe it just wants to make up for lost time." He shrugged and tried to look innocent, but it wasn't working.

"If that was the case, we wouldn't be out of this room for a week," she kissed his neck gently; shifting herself so he was under her. Haku groaned.

"I don't have a problem with that," he replied huskily as Chihiro kissed his mouth, taking his lip between her teeth and dragging it out. His wet hand moved lightly up Chihiro's spine, making her arch her back until it buried itself into her damp hair.

Chihiro gently slid down onto him, one hand bracing herself on the bathtub lip and the other hand anchored on his shoulder as she used her knees to rock back and forth. Haku's hands were never still, roaming down her smooth stomach, then to her breasts, then down to her hips and rear. He loved the feel of her thigh's muscles, rippling under the skin as she used them to move over him.

Haku closed his eyes and let his head fall back, moaning as she gripped him. He'd never tried it in a bath and as a manager of a bathhouse, he probably should have thought of it sooner. The herbs and the warm water had relaxed his muscles and she was doing terrible things to him. She sped up suddenly and Haku knew he was going to come to an end very soon.

Chihiro suddenly let out a whimper and then a small cry, gripping Haku's shoulders and burying her head into the crook of his neck as she rode out her orgasm. Swiftly, Haku bucked his hips up as Chihiro began to slow, eliciting a startled cry from his lover. He grits his teeth and let out a snarl as the tell-tale feelings enveloped him. When Chihiro began to rock again, he lost it completely – the warm water and the feel of her tight body doubling him over in record time.

For a long time, they sat in each other's embrace. Haku was finger-combing the knots out of Chihiro's damp hair and Chihiro was contented resting against the chest of Haku, listening to his heartbeat slow and feeling his lungs rise and fall.

"Are you hungry?" he asked her tenderly. "Dinner would be served; we can go down a get a bite to eat.

Chihiro shook her head. "Maybe later. I just want to stay like this for a while."

"We'll both look like prune spirits if we stay in here any longer."

Chihiro smiled. "Are there any such things as prune spirits?"

"I don't know. Maybe we'll be the first."

Chihiro sighed and peeled herself away from Haku's shoulder to step out of the tub. There were cream towels hanging on the rack, and the cotton felt nice against her skin. Haku came up behind her and gently massaged her shoulders.

"I'm tired," she admitted gently as Haku kissed her.

"You're always tired."

"You would be too if you were a little human and had the afternoon – nee, day, I've had," she countered and Haku chuckled. "I'm tired… and hungry."

"Hungry now?" he chuckled, wrapping a towel around his waist. "Because I am such a good fiancé and fantastic lover," Haku clicked his fingers and lead Chihiro out to the small dining room where a small feast of food was resting. Chihiro's stomach growled in response. Haku chuckled.

The pair pulled on sleeping clothes before sitting down for the meal, though Haku should have worn a shirt since a scalding piece of marinated duck dropped on his chest and slid right down to his navel. Chihiro laughed as Haku picked off the piece of meat and threw it to the side and grabbed a handful of paper towels to dab at the sauce. It seemed Chihiro was still in the mood of being deliciously naughty because when she pushed the paper towels to the side and licked the sauce off her lover's chest it was both delicious and naughty and she felt fantastic.

"I'm warning you, Chihiro," growled Haku when she'd finished. "I have no qualms about locking the both of us in here for a week. It would certainly relieve a lot of stress on my behalf."

"Where's the fun in that?" Chihiro offered a cheeky smirk. "Half the fun is deceiving people and sneaking around."

Haku rolled his eyes and continued eating. "Vulgar humans," he muttered. Chihiro laughed.

There were hundreds of unanswered questions swirling in Chihiro's mind, but for the moment she was just happy to spend peaceful times with Haku. She knew in the back of her mind, the next few months there would be limited times like this and she forced herself not to say anything that would ruin the moment between them.

Chihiro looked around the Lord's chambers. It was larger and a lot more impressive than the room they'd shared at the bathhouse. There were three bathrooms, including the ensuite off the main bedroom – a large living area with a beautiful mosaic hearth. There were golden lounges with cream cushions, two of them facing directly opposite her and a beautiful, turquoise, gold and cream threaded Persian rug gracing the floor. There was also a study, with one wall dedicated to mahogany bookcases filled to the brim with books. The whole collection put Haku's to shame and Chihiro even noticed very old editions of human literature within the collection of tomes.

There were two guest rooms made up, looking neat and presentable with a double bed, a mirror and a small wardrobe – each with a small bathroom and each untouched and left behind closed doors.

"Perhaps you would like to have Chase or Rin stay over?" Haku replied, closing the door to the last guestroom. "That would be nice, wouldn't it?"

Chihiro nodded. There was one more room ahead, a large wooden door near their bedroom she'd missed when coming in. Suddenly, she was extremely curious.

"There's nothing in there?"

"Nothing?" Chihiro frowned, reaching for the doorknob. "All the other rooms were furnished. Why not this one?"

Haku reached to stop Chihiro opening the door, but she'd already taken a step into the room. True to his word, the room was bare. The walls were painted a soft yellow and the floorboards had been polished brilliantly.

"When they redecorated the chambers, I told them not to furnish this room."

"Why?" Chihiro asked.

Haku hesitated and gave a little shrug. "I didn't know what I wanted it to be."

The room was bare, and so close to their room and Chihiro knew what Haku was thinking – that maybe this would be a good room for a baby. That maybe they could make a home here. Maybe it would be alright and all their plans and hopes weren't lost.

Chihiro smiled.

"I think this room will be put to good use," she looked up to him and saw something swimming in his eyes. Hope, maybe? "One day."

He nodded and though his face was solemn, Chihiro knew her words had meant more to him than he was letting on.

"One day, then."


The situation here is getting worse, Haku's eyes scanned over the letter left on his desk over and over again. Most of the trade has stopped between our villages. My family is too scared to leave the village now. We see the soldiers from our houses; they seem to be getting closer and closer every day. I still smell the fires brought down with the southern wind. They must be getting closer – the embers have burnt holes through some of the village houses roofs.

Haku pushed the letter to the side. It had been a week since the carrier pigeon had returned, letter-less. He'd expected a prompt reply, and when it had not come back with the same pigeon, he'd expected one in the coming days. This was inexcusable.

Grabbing out stationary, Haku quickly penned a letter, signing and sealing it before heading out to the aviaries. The pigeon flew off, rising high in the sky before heading West. Haku sighed and headed back inside.

Senekular was nearby and approached Haku.

"Forces are growing over on the border," he admitted to his lilac-skinned advisor. "I'm worried why they would be at such a prosperous place…"

Senekular nodded. "Sending troops into the area is a risky option, but I believe it's the right one."

Haku shook his head. "No, it's too forward. I wish to speak to Jaikomaru before we do anything so rash."

"Speak to him?" Senekular frowned. "Visit the Western Lands?"

Haku nodded. "I have informed him of my visit. I will leave tomorrow morning."

Senekular's eyes grew wide. "So brash, my lord!" he cried. "Wouldn't it be more beneficial to visit the border?"

"I am going there first, it's on the way," corrected Haku. "This is what needs to be done – it was going to have to be done sooner or later, and it will be nice to know where we stand with the new Western Lord. What do you know of him, Senekular?"

Senekular shook his head." Very little, I am afraid. Sar'onga was arranging to meet him before his untimely death, I believe he wrote to him once but never received a reply."

"As am I? Is the Lord illiterate?"

"On the contrary, I have heard he is very intelligent," replied Senekular as they walked down the corridor. "Tea?"

"Yes," Haku nodded. The two men headed towards the mess hall.

"What I have heard of Jaikomaru is sparse. He's very young – a little younger than you, my lord. Very ambitious, I have heard, but also very courteous, but I have also heard he is very manipulative – this man always gets what he wants." Senekular shrugged a little then. They'd reached the tea stall within the mess hall and he got to work brewing himself a cup of tea. "Perhaps it is wise to visit him then, as I talk, I am convincing myself."

"And convincing me all the more," replied Haku.

Senekular smiled then and turned to his Lord. "And the lady, how is she settling in?"

"Well," Haku replied. "Thank you for asking. This palace is a lot different from the bathhouse, but we hope to settle in together." He regarded the lilac-skinned man seriously then. "I know you do not believe in the way I do things, Senekular, especially in regards to Chihiro… but I want to thank you for trying."

"Chihiro - is that her name?"

"Chihiro," he confirmed, sipping his tea. "Speaking of whom, I should inform the missus of my plans."

As Senekular watched Haku depart with a steaming cup of tea in his hand, he wondered how the Lord of the Eastern lands, one of the strongest individuals in the spirit world could be scared of the temper of one human woman.


Chihiro was walking with Ismene and Ayne in the Imperial gardens. The gardens were beautiful and extensive, and for a long time Chihiro and the ladies sat in the sun on sun chairs drinking tea and having cakes. Then they'd taken a walk to the rose garden, which were in beautiful bloom during the spring.

Along the south face of the Imperial Palace, blooming, leafy wisteria hung from the guttering and winded around the pillars. There were giant hydrangea bushes with leaves as big as Chihiro's head and flowers blooming in arrays of purple, pink and white.

There were small areas many workers of the palace were taking a break with a book, or a quick nap. A handful of tree and flora spirits were attending the gardens, pruning the hedges or mulching the soil under trees.

Ismene was much younger than Ayne and it showed as she ran forward and enjoyed the sunshine in her long white gown. Her wavy golden hair shone in the sunlight and even her skin, a beautiful olive hue, seemed kissed in the summer light.

"How did you and the Lord meet, my lady?" she asked Chihiro.

Ayne laughed. "Ismene is quite the romantic."

Chihiro smiled. "We met quite a long time ago when I was young – I was only ten and my parents had committed a crime by eating the food of the spirits and were turned into pigs. Anyway, he was very helpful in saving me and my parents from Yubaba – the witch that used to run the bathhouse near midnight town."

"I know that bathhouse," Ismene replied. "My sister always used to visit there. When are you getting mated? When is the ceremony?"

Chihiro couldn't answer that so she hesitated. With a small shrug, she admitted, "I don't know. When Haku became Lord, it put our plans on halt a little."

"Haku…," Ismene giggled to Ayne.

Ayne frowned. "Lord Kohaku," she corrected.

"That was his name before he remembered it," Chihiro explained. "His real name is Kohaku, but he doesn't mind some people calling him Haku… his friends."

"You'll address him properly, thank you, Ismene," clarified Ayne.

Ismene, however, was on the next topic. "So Haku is a dragon. I've never seen his transformation."

Chihiro laughed. Ayne rolled her eyes at the girl's inquisitive nature. "He only uses it usually for travelling."

Ayne looked over Chihiro's shoulder for a moment and motioned to Ismene, who looked up and promptly rose and bowed.

"My Lord," they both acknowledged the well dressed, graceful man that approached them.

"Ladies," he nodded. "Can you give me a moment with Chihiro?"

"Of course, my Lord," Ayne said and ushered Ismene away, who was happy just to peep on the couple. Haku took a seat beside Chihiro in the garden dining setting and exhaled contently.

"This is nice."

"It is, isn't it?" Chihiro laughed. "Ayne and Ismene took me out for morning tea."

Haku chuckled. "So you can do even less work than you did at the bathhouse."

Chihiro rolled her eyes. "You know I was the glue holding that all together."

Haku considered this for a moment before admitting, "You're going to hate me."

Chihiro suspiciously narrowed her eyes at Haku. "Why?"

He pulled a face. "Want to visit Zeniba?"

"Haku!" she cried. He seemed startled at her outburst and tried to make her lower her voice with a gesture of his hands. "I just got here and you already want me to be gallivanting around the lands?"

"I have to make a quick trip to the Western Lands tomorrow morning – I'd like you to be somewhere safe. I'm not ready to leave you alone at the Palace and you haven't visited Zeniba in months; you'd be due for a visit."

That was true, Chihiro considered. She did owe her granny a visit, but that didn't escape the fact that she was tired from travelling, from living up in the air and out of a suitcase. She wanted normalcy for a little while, but then soon realised that 'normalcy' may be something she never received. What was normal between them now, it was hard to discern.

"How long will you be gone?"

"A day," he replied. "I'll drop you at Zeniba's tomorrow morning, and pick you up the next day. I have some business acquisitions to attend to, and I have to check up on the East-West border also. I had an elderly man report that there have been some problems."

Chihiro nodded. "Well, be safe, won't you?"

"Of course I will," he replied with a small chuckle.

"Don't leave me at Zeniba's for another three months!" Chihiro warned. "I can promise you I'll return at least twice my size from all the food she'll force feed me."

"I don't doubt that for a second."


Sorry for the delay, but I'm finally moved in and back to University. The whole process took a little longer than I'd anticipated so thanks for not hounding me with angry PMs demanding where the update is, I do appreciate that. One reviewer stated they didn't mind the break in updating as long as I don't forget about the story, and I can safely say I will not forget about the story. For one, I'm quite invested in it, two, my editor would probably hound me for the chapters because she loves reading them and it's one of the perks of the job to know what happens before everyone else (despite editing work), and three, you guys who constantly review my work makes me motivated to churn out some more.

If you find any errors in this piece, it's my fault. My editor does do quite a good job. Also, please look out for regular weekly updates now everything has settled down here.

The lovely people who reviewed last chapter were:

Gearhead Fenton, raining-down-hearts, BlackMoonStar10, Sokka2Me, Avalons' Wish, LadyLunaTwilight, iluvmycorgi22, Silent-Mousie, ziggy zee, akira-chan101, ulquihime798, Watermelon23, Have a Nice Dream, Bluebird123, Carly, WhisperToTheWolves, KaMaNd114, michelle88222, WhiteTiger246, Randomsam123, DemonChild94, litugreen, LeeshyLoo and carebear969.

Thank you!

I'm trying to write a few different projects at the moment: one, finishing off this fanfiction, two: my own original novel and, three, a Thor fanfiction after watching that movie and getting totally hooked. I try not to give myself too many works in progress at a time that need to be updated frequently, but I just can't help it – I want to write it all! Please look out for the Thor fanfiction coming out in recent weeks if you're interested in that fandom!

Next time on the Path of Water: Chihiro visits her dear Granny Zeniba while Haku visits the Western Lands. What's Granny been up to and what news does she have for Chihiro?

Please review! I love them so!

~ Arlia'Devi