Chapter 13:
The figure at the entrance smiled broadly. "Of course! I wouldn't miss this for anything!"
Seeing the figure at the door, Haku's eyes widened. Quickly, he fell onto one knee and bowed deeply, refusing to look up.
"Now then… Chihiro, I would like to introduce you to Ryujin, god of the dragons," Ninigi chuckled. Well, that explains Haku's behavior…
"Nice to meet you," Chihiro bowed respectfully. Ryujin wore a set of magnificent robes that shimmered as he moved. His mostly gray hair was tied back in a neat ponytail. His two long strands on his face looked like the antennas on a dragon's snout.
"Likewise," he laughed heartily. "How are you feeling, oh great Emperor," he asked teasingly, walking over to the sick god.
"I've had better days," The Emperor grimaced. "Having this many old friends come visit in one day has certainly improved my mood."
Ryujin's lips twitched up to a small smile. "Well," the dragon god chuckled, "don't tire yourself out too much. Kekkai just came crying to me about how sick you are."
"That child worries too much," Ninigi replied good-naturedly. "I'll be fine."
"If you say so," Ryujin laughed. "Unfortunately, that's my time," he sighed. "I need to strengthen the security around my home. After Suijin fell…"
"I understand," The Emperor said sympathetically. "Be careful, old friend."
"Same to you," the dragon god sighed wistfully. Turning, he smiled lightly at Haku (who was still on the floor in a bow) and Chihiro. "Watch after this dragon, would ya?" Ryujin said to Chihiro happily, laughing as he ruffled Haku's hair cheerfully. "Keep him on track."
"I-I'll try my best, sir," Chihiro stuttered, standing as straight as she could.
Ryujin smiled and turned to Haku. He kept his hand on Haku's head and said, "You're one of the few dragon's left these days… please be careful."
"I will, my Lord," Haku replied seriously. "I must relay the same message to you, Ryuijin-sama."
"It'll take a million years before anyone can take me down," Ryujin snorted playfully. "But yes, I'll be sure to watch my back from now on."
"Wow," Chihiro remarked shortly after Ruijin left. "I wasn't expecting him to be so… so…"
"Relaxed?" Haku offered, sighing. "He's always been like that… it worries me, to some degree."
"Understandable," she said, patting Haku lightly on the back. "I'm sure he's very strong if he can be so calm at such a troubling time."
"That's what we must hope is the case," the Emperor sighed. "He has always been too carefree. I just hope he will remain safe for the time being." The sick god suddenly smiled and clapped his hands together. "Now," she started, "in the meantime, let's get you two set up, shall we?"
Chihiro and Haku looked at each other. "Umm…" Chihiro mumbled in confusion, "set up for what?"
"This is a stupid idea," Chihiro huffed, arms crossed in annoyance.
Haku smiled at her sheepishly. "It's the best idea we've got."
"No," Chihiro replied stubbornly. "It's stupid and it's dangerous. I mean, what if you get hurt? Or if the supply runs out? Or if anyone sees-"
Haku rolled his eyes and quickly pressed his hand over Chihiro's mouth, muffling her complaints. She glared at him angrily as he explained, "If I go into the human world with you, we can both keep an eye out for the Four and keep an eye out for any misbehaving spirits."
"It's stupid," was her muffled complaint, but she knew nothing she said would make him change his mind. Haku grinned at his victory.
Kisshoten giggled and looped an amulet around Haku's neck. "This is from all of us," she said as she gestured to the rest of the Lucky God. "It contains yoki. As long as you have this on you, you should be fine in the human world. Just don't forget to refill it every now and then. It should last you two days at most."
Haku nodded and bowed in gratitude. Kisshoten giggled again and gave Chihiro a big hug. "Goodbye, Chihiro!" she squealed. "I wish we could've met in better circumstances, but everything will be better soon. You'll see."
Chihiro couldn't help smiling. She returned the hug and whispered. "Thank you. Keep the Emperor safe, please."
The goddess smiled kindly and gave Chihiro's hand a gentle squeeze. "Take care of that dragon. Keep him safe in the human world."
Chihiro blushed furiously but nodded. "I will."
Haku waited patiently as Chihiro said goodbye to each of her new friends. As the two walked away from the gazebo, Kisshoten leaned over the rails and waved enthusiastically until they were out of sight. She smiled, then turned back to care for the Emperor. It's in your hands now, children…
"You go back to the human world first," Haku commanded. After the dragon flew them back to the bathhouse, all their friends gathered in front of the cave to bid Chihiro farewell. The Emperor had allowed Chihiro to take the bakeneko with her. For now it was dubbed Kuro, until she could think of a better name. It was sleeping contently in her arm as she said goodbye to her friends.
Rin wrapped her arms around her old friend and cried, "You better come back soon!"
"I will, Rin, don't worry," Chihiro laughed, moving her arms so her friend didn't crush her new pet.
Boh also joined the group hug and started bawling. "Don't leave yet, Sen! Stay and play with Boh!"
"I'll be back soon, big guy!" Chihiro said reassuringly, desperate to get out from under the giant baby. She wasn't scared for her pet as much as she was scared for herself now.
"Take care of yourself, kiddo," Kamaji said, moving away from the dog pile. "Keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Will do, gramps," Chihiro laughed, finally crawling out from under her friends. "I'll be safe don't worry!"
"Oh! How could I forget!" the old man exclaimed. He dug through his many pockets, muttering, "Oh, where is it…" until, "AHA!" He pulled out a necklace with a large purple diamond. The surface of the diamond was polished and smooth like a mirror, seeming to glow in the light. "This is for you," Kamaji said, holding out the string.
"Oh, wow," Chihiro breathed, taking the jewel carefully. It was cool to the touch and glowed in her palm. "It's beautiful…"
"It's also a two way mirror," Kamaji explained. "Just say the name of the person you want to speak to, and if they have a jewel, you can speak with them."
"Who else has one?" Chihiro asked, wrapping the necklace around her neck.
To her surprise, all her friends help up a similar jewel, each a different color. She turned to look at Haku, who tugged out a light blue jewel, wrapped under the amulet the Lucky Gods had given him. A small smile lit her face. She could see her friends any time now. No more saying goodbye forever.
"So, I guess that means we'll be seeing each other a lot now," Chihiro said casually, awkwardly trying to start conversation. She kicked a few pebbles through the cave, listening to it echo off the walls.
"I suppose," Haku chuckled, holding his hand out to hold the floating fireball that lit the dim cave. According to Kekkai, her pet wouldn't bug them anymore, but Haku still wanted to walk her to the door back home just in case.
"When are you coming over?" Chihiro asked, turning to face the dragon.
He shrugged. "I need to take care of some business here before I go over, but who knows how long that will take."
"So, it could be ages until we see each other again," she said sourly, crossing her arms angrily.
"There's the door," Haku said hurriedly, pointing at the wall in front of them. It was pretty comical seeing a door just standing there without anything by it but the wall. Chihiro just sighed and walked toward it, kitten in hand.
"I guess I'll see you around then," she mumbled, not bothering to hide the gloom and disappointment from her voice.
Haku hesitated, then grabbed Chihiro's hand before she could walk through the door. "Hey," he smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear (she blushed furiously.) "I'll be there before you know it. Don't worry," he laughed, looking her in the eyes. "I won't leave you again."
Chihiro stared into his grey-green eyes, then childishly stuttered, "Promise?"
He pushed back her bangs and softly kissed her forehead and smiled. "Promise."
She smiled, holding his hand tightly, before walking out the door, slowly letting their fingers drift apart. Haku promised, she chanted to herself.
She would believe in him.
After all, she believed for 11 years.
Sorry for that extremely long hiatus! hehe
I kinda lost where I was going with this, but just found it xD
I'll be sure to update more often! Thank you for still sticking around!