I have been accepted to medical school so I hope to finish at least the first major arc of the story before the end of the summer. I have planned 3 arcs in total, but I will probably take a hiatus between each arc. When I was writing this chapter, I tried to think deeply on how people in relationships handle/react to a disagreement with their significant other and how fear of the uncertain future affects relationships. I tried to capture these feelings in some of the writing. I have a much lighter chapter planned for next time, but I think after that it's time to start down the rabbit hole.
Your comments/messages/reviews/favs are like tinder upon the fire of my heart. Thanks for your continued support.
Chapter 13:
Kamaji was just handing Lin his finished dinner bowl when Chihiro came slamming into the room like a hurricane. Instantly sensing the waves of frustration rolling off of her, both spirits quickly set aside their task at hand to listen to her as she paced the room retelling the earlier disagreement.
"He would rather sacrifice others to protect me than teach me how to fight alongside you," Chihiro finished with a huff before plopping down on a cushion beside Lin. Thinking it over, Lin could see Haku's logic in the matter. By having others protect Chihiro then there would be less of a likelihood that she could find trouble. However, Chihiro had a valid point that she could be of help if something did arise, even if it was through the role of a noncombatant. Lin already knew that if there was a fight, she would happily sacrifice almost anyone to protect the girl she considered her sister, but Chihiro didn't need to know that. Perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned how Haku was the most skilled warrior in the bathhouse to begin with… she was just trying to subtly mention some of Haku's strengths in hopes of showing how appealing he was.
"Dragons are known to be possessive creatures. You are something he values and protects. His behavior shouldn't surprise you," Lin commented with a shrug. Maybe if she played it off as reasonable then Chihiro wouldn't be as upset with Haku. Lin was more concerned with Haku's abuse of magic to straighten out Chihiro's advance than their actual disagreement.
"I think there might be a misunderstanding here. You asked him to teach you how to fight, but what you really meant was self-defense. Haku probably interpreted your request as a desire to be on the frontlines and was arguing against your participation in any skirmishes that occur during your stay, which is understandable given your natural fragility," Kamaji said thoughtfully as he stroked his mustache. Teaching her how to fight was a different argument than teaching her self-defense or strategies of action in case of emergencies.
"He didn't even consider teaching me and there was no need to use magic to prove his point. It's like he doesn't even cherish you all," Chihiro argued back with a scowl as she thought of all of her friends here at the bathhouse suffering. Part of her wanted to be childish and complain that he had not been completely unreasonable, but the more logical side of her could see Kamaji's point. Haku probably didn't have time to teach her anyways, but that still didn't warrant his puppeteering of her body. Surely freezing her should have been enough of a point, there was no need to make her touch him in such a manner. The worst part of all was the lingering warmth that still lingered within her from their short moment together. Chihiro wrote it off as residual anger at his behavior.
"I see the value in you learning self-defense and agree you need to learn, but I think you need to also look at the situation from his view. He is harboring you here in the bathhouse without a contract or permission, meaning if you are involved in anything that leaks back to the Capital, he will be severely punished. Yet he continues to keep you here despite the risk. Since he is willing to go so far for you, it isn't a big leap to think he would be willing to put others at risk to keep you safe. We spirits are hearty creatures that live for centuries, but humans…you only live a meager hundred years and have a frail disposition."
"That doesn't mean I need to be put in a glass case on the sidelines."
"No, but that means that everyone who cares about you will try their best to shelter you. You are loved, Chihiro." Lin's statement rang like a bell through Chihiro's mind, dampening her anger. It had been a long time since she had had anyone to fuss over her. Her parents had been her everything when they were alive and when they were gone, she had immersed herself in work to relieve her grief. Lin's firm statement knocked the fight right out of her and Chihiro had to look away at her feet. The silence dragged on as she tried to find the right words to say. She cared for the spirits here at the bathhouse, and it was obvious they held her in high regards, but love? Could someone fall in love in such a short time? Confusion filled her emptied mind as it reviewed her feelings.
"I'm going to go head to bed," Chihiro started as she got up from the cushion and started from the door.
"I'll walk you upstairs then," Lin said as she started to get up as well.
"No. Thanks, but I need some time alone." Lin frowned as Chihiro left silently out of the room and sound of the door shutting rang loudly in the silence. Kamaji sighed and poured a cup of tea before motioning for Lin to sit back down. Settling back onto the cushion, Lin took the tea cup from his hand and drank from it with a sigh.
"Don't worry yourself Lin. Chihiro will be fine after a good night's rest."
"I'm more worried that Haku is going to send her back. I can't tell if he is trying to push her away or keep her here."
"Haku is walking a fine line between his duties and desires right now. He has to make up his mind soon or else the war will be at our doorstep and there won't be any decision left to make."
Chihiro wandered the empty hallways letting her mind simmer. She was still angry at Haku, but Lin had struck a chord. It wasn't until she felt warm incensed steam upon her face that she realized that she had entered into the hospice ward. Stark white beds stood empty in the fading moonlight. With the exception of Hikaru, all of the previous residents had passed away quickly upon entering. The fire crackled quietly in wait of the next batch of herbs and water, leaving the room nowhere near as humid and steamy as it normally was. Sitting on a bed, Chihiro ran her fingers over the sheets. Empty beds, empty chairs, empty tables… all were included in the price of war. Her thoughts fell silent as she felt the emptiness of the room fill her. How many of her friends would lie here in the future? Would she cause their pain and suffering because she couldn't be of help? The thought made bile rise in her throat. Maybe if she had someone else to turn to, she could learn. She could learn to be strong and defend them, even if it was unlikely for her ever to use it. Haku was probably going to send her home any day now. Did she really want to return to a life of ignorance where all she cared about was her work and knew nothing of the spirit world? What were the chances that she would fall back through a portal and remember them again? It was a miracle that she was getting small flashbacks now. Even without the flashbacks, she liked it here. She liked working at the bathhouse and helping the spirits that came in injured. There was no denying that it was more fulfilling than sitting behind a desk all day pushing papers and overseeing her team. She had already been gone so long, had they written her off and found someone to replace her? Did she have anything to really go back to? Curling up on the bed, Chihiro felt a single tear creep down as her fingers continued draw patterns on the sheets. Empty beds, empty chairs, empty tables…only the living mourn.
Haku sprawled out on the sandy bank of his river and let the water lap over his feet. He had been here before. He knew this dream so well, yet he had no way of knowing what variation of it he would have tonight. Ever since he made this place, his sanctuary, he dreamed of bringing her here. The gentle sound of flowing water and the distant roar of waterfalls whispered their secrets to him as he waited for her to arrive. She always arrived dressed beautifully in a yukata or kimono, as one would expect of a sacrifice to a river god. The elemental part of his being waited anxiously, swirling torrents of current around his calves. Anticipating her arrival, Haku looked towards the sound of footsteps with a smile. Wearing the same yukata as his dream before, Chihiro slowly walked forward as she observantly looked around them. Her long hair lay unbound, weaving gently about her shoulders as she walked forward. A smile crossed her lips as she focused in on him. Scrambling to his feet, he gently took her proffered hand and bowed over it to place a kiss. She was always so beautiful. His water bubbled excitedly behind him and tried to move up the bank some to get closer to her.
"It's beautiful here, Haku. Did you make all of this yourself," she asked quietly. A sense of déjà vu hit him, but he ignored it to answer her.
"Yes, I made it all for you." Chihiro blushed at his comment and Haku moved to grasp her hand in his. Her slender fingers fit so comfortably within his own.
"Will you introduce me to your river? It seems eager to meet me." Haku looked back at the bubbling water as it waited happily for her. It wanted nothing more than to surround her. It was even warming the water temperature near them considerably so she might be more comfortable in its cool depths. Ignoring the voice in his head warning him against haste, he bent down to gently remove her tabi and zeta. Leading her into the water, she gasped as the water reached up to her knees. Watching her expression carefully, he saw the way her smile grew in delight as his water "spoke" to her. His water couldn't speak to her directly, but it could happily push images and feelings into her mind as to what it felt and saw. Suddenly a wall of water splashed over him. Sputtering, he barely had time to dodge before another attack of water followed. Splashing back, he laughed as they sprayed each other like children. However, it didn't take long for Haku to overpower her and tackle her into the water. Blushing at her soft form against his, he released her body but held her hand beneath the rippling surface.
Pulling her out into deeper water, he felt the currents shift as the water adjusted to the drag from her yukata. With half closed eyes, Chihiro followed Haku out until the water was at her chest level. His water was thinking a million miles a minute, throwing images at him and her as if tried to show him what it wanted. Pushing them together, he felt Chihiro wrap her arms around him and he pulled them both out into the deep water well above either of their heads. The sensations and feelings running through him were overloading his brain. It was too perfect. How could he want anything more than her? It had always been her, from the moment she first stumbled across his river. All he wanted was for her to stay in his arms forever. As firm lips pressed against his own, his eyes opened and he saw her pull slightly away to look at him.
"I love you, Haku," she whispered before kissing him again. He kissed her back with all of the love in his heart and knew it was right. He would propose to her and ask her to be his wife, his soul mate, his everything. When she said yes, he would bring her back here and complete what he started the day her little pink shoe fell into his river. They would become one and she would be his until the end of time. Pushing away from him, Chihiro laughed as she swam a few steps away and floated peacefully. Haku couldn't help the smile of content as he watched her and matched her floating position in the water. Staring up at the cavern ceiling, he felt a deep happiness growing in his chest as he thought about the ring he would make her and the wedding they would have. His water seemed to bubble in happiness that matched his own and he closed his eyes in contentment. She didn't know it yet, but he had quite a few ideas on the matter.
Feeling a disturbance in the water beneath him, he wondered if she was trying to sneak up on him and continue their water fight. Sneak up on a dragon in his element, he snorted in laughter, as if. Turning, he looked to towards where she had previously been floating only to find the water glass still. Suddenly the deep sense of contentment in his water and body made sense in a sickening way. Diving down, he saw her deep in his river's clutches as it gently played with her hair. Her eyes looked out unseeing in their glazed over state and her head loll back unsupported with the current. There was no thump of life in her chest. Panicking he felt the sense of déjà vu as he clutched her to his chest and brought her to the surface. His water didn't understand that she needed to breathe as a human, that she wasn't part of them yet. It hadn't meant to harm her, just show her how deeply it loved her and never wanted her to leave. As they broke the surface, he cried out her name and pulled the water out of her lungs. Haku couldn't breathe over the panic grasping at his chest. Rushing to shore, he put her body down on the sand and pushed hard on her chest. The sound of ribs breaking did nothing to stop him as he tried to push life back into her. Forcing his magic into her, he tried to repeat what he had done years ago, but her body remained empty beneath him. Crying out her name, he kept pushing as he prayed for one more miracle. He would do it right if Fate would give him just one more chance! As his magic ran out and his arms protested any further movement, he clutched her body to him and cried. Magic cannot bring back the dead.
Haku startled awake covered in a cold sweat. Looking around he saw the late afternoon sun peaking in his window and took a shaky breath in relief. It was all just a dream. Wiping a hand across his forehead, he used his other to remove the tangled sheet from around his bare legs. Ignoring his half-dressed state, Haku moved quickly from the bed. He needed to see that she was alright. Stopping outside her door, he froze and wondered if she would be angry at him for disturbing her. Not any more angry than she was last night he thought darkly as he opened the door a crack to peek inside. The empty bed made his heart drop and he pushed the door further open. She didn't return last night… probably sleeping in Lin's room. Guilt swept through him as he walked towards her neatly made bed. The flowers he had been sending her daily sat in vases around the room. Clothes stuck out of the wardrobe and a pair of socks were left abandoned on the floor by the window. It was clear that the space was lived in and he could almost feel her residual energy there. Sitting at the foot of the bed, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He needed to apologize for last night the next time he saw her. Haku knew he was right, but he didn't have to force her with magic to prove his point. There was no good excuse for that.
He sat there for a long while thinking about her and what he should do with her. It was too dangerous to send her back now, but it was only a matter of time until the bathhouse attacked. Haku didn't want her in the fight, and there was no way that he could stay back to protect her. As master of the bathhouse, he would be expected to go out and defend the town. Lin and Yui were both reasonable warriors, but they were needed on the bathhouse defenses. Groaning in annoyance, Haku rubbed his eyes and stalked back to his bedroom to face plant into his bed. It was too early to try and solve the world's problems.
Chihiro successfully avoided Haku throughout the day as she completed her tasks. Much to Lin's surprise, Chihiro excused herself early in the evening. Swiping some snacks from the kitchen, she headed down to the infirmary. Her arrival was greeted with a cheer as she passed the treats out among the patients. Okita was learning how to use crutches from Yui as she sat down to work on Hikaru's dressing change.
"Could you keep an eye on him while I run upstairs real quick? I got something I need to do," Yui asked. Nodding her head yes, Chihiro was left alone in the infirmary. Okita hobbled on by moving from his bed to the fireplace and back. Keeping an eye on him, she smiled as she saw him trying to figure out the easiest way to turn.
"He looks quite happy," Hikaru said peering over her head at Okita.
"Yes, he has been waiting for this for quite some time. The staff better prepare themselves for all sorts of trouble," she replied quietly. Okita stopped in front of a neighboring monkey spirit and made a big show of offering him a small piece of candy. As the monkey thanked him and unfolded the green and red wrapping, the candy exploded into confetti all over him. Laughing Okita scrambled back to his bed as the monkey shook his head with a sigh. Covering her laugh up with a cough, Chihiro smirked down as the white dressings in her hand. "He should have seen that one coming."
"Only a fool would trust a Tanuki of his caliber. I can only imagine what he does when he is scouting and placing false trails with traps for the enemy," Hikaru commented with a small smirk, "You should have seen the trick he played on the Yuna Kyoko yesterday morning. He slicked down a patch of the floor with jellyfish gel and she slipped in it sliding like a seal across the floor. Her yukata was up around her hips and everyone got a good view of her white panties." Chihiro muffled her laughter as the mental image of the stern stoic Kyoko sliding across the floor like that. Stunts like that were the reason the nurses weren't fond of Okita, but he never tried anything like that on her. Exploding confetti candy, yes once, but for the most part he treated her as if she were a side kick to his mischievous endeavors. "It is good to hear your laughter. You were very tense when you came in today."
"I had a lot on my mind from yesterday," Chihiro replied vaguely as she finished cleaning the wounds and started putting the clean dressings into place.
"Don't think much of what we did. We are hard like stone," he said showing her a hardened fist in emphasis.
"Yeah, stone alright," Chihiro teased as she poked a soft spot and he growled reflexively. Okita laughed at them and smirked.
"He's got a point, Chihiro. By our standards, you are a delicate flower."
"Call me a flower again and I'll come over there and burn your crutches," she threateningly joked. Mocking a fake stab wound to the chest, Okita fell backwards with a groan.
"Oh no! Not the crutches, oh kami-sama save me!" All three of them laughed at his display before being interrupted by the salamander coughing by the fireplace. Dropping his smirk, Hikaru looked over towards the salamander with a worried expression. Excusing herself, Chihiro walked over to investigate. The salamander was sitting up, holding a handkerchief to his mouth as he coughed into it.
"Excuse me sir, would you like a glass of water," Chihiro asked as she neared the end of his bed.
"Yes, please," he rasped before coughing harshly into his square of fabric. Hurrying past the staring Okita and Hikaru, Chihiro retrieved a cold glass of water and brought it back to him. Bowing and muttering his thanks, he scrunched up the handkerchief in his hand and took small sips from the glass.
"Can I get you anything else for the pain or the cough," Chihiro asked hesitantly. She wasn't sure what she could give him that the nurses or Yui hadn't already given him, but if it would help she would try. Shaking his head no, he waved her away. Frowning slightly, Chihiro walked back to Hikaru and Okita and took a seat at the end of Hikaru's cot. Starting into a tale of the one time he fooled a group of archers into shooting their own cavalry, Okita distracted most of the infirmary with his dramatic story telling. All except the salamander who was staring at his crumbled handkerchief speckled with black chunks.
"If you have a moment, I would like to discuss the upcoming matsuri." Haku looked up from his accounts to examine the infirmary warden. He was surprised to see her so far from the infirmary during a sunny day.
"Of course, Watari-san I always have time for you. The matsuri is in a month, yes? Are the committees working efficiently?" Yui sat down in one of the big chairs across from Haku's desk before folding her legs daintily.
"Yes, everything is on schedule and coming together quite nicely. I would like to propose a small change in the program." Haku nodded to show he was listening when Yui hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she continued on confidently. "The original plan was for me to perform the summoning dance and then we would conduct the cleansing ceremony together. However, I would like to train Chihiro to take my place instead. Using an actual human for the ceremony should improve the effectiveness of the purification and her identity would be concealed with the masked headdress." Haku thought it over for a few moments in silence. If Chihiro agreed to stay for the matsuri, then it would give him a little more time to figure out how to break the news to her. There was little risk to her in the ceremony as long as he was the one she summoned. Haku had not received any notice that anyone from the Capital was going to attend the matsuri so that shouldn't be a problem. If anything came up, it would be easy to revert to having Yui perform the ceremony as originally planned.
"You must ask her permission and Lin's permission. Lin will be the one to miss her the most," Haku replied as he looked back to his papers.
"As you wish, Master Haku." With a bow, Yui turned her back and left the room. If Haku had seen the smirk on her face, he might have reconsidered his decision.