A couple of months had past since the garden incident, and with those months came big changes. With Yubaba back, many things had to return to the original schedule. However Haku had compromised with shorter hours and pay wages as long as Yubaba had gotten at least 40% of all the profits. It angered Haku and Chihiro to no end because they were suffering with all of the bills to pay including the staff's paychecks. Haku was still doing paper work, and Yubaba watched closely, Kuran on the other hand was no where to be found. Chihiro spent most of her nights with Zeniba who trained her in magic. By the time the summer had rolled around Chihiro was nearly fluent in magic. It impressed everyone, even Haku smiled when she had performed above expectation.
"Good form Sen, try make sure next time you execute more of the power from your palm, not so much fingers." Zeniba explained.
It was about midday on a hot summer day, Zeniba was sitting in the front with No Face holding an umbrella to shield her from the scorching sun. Chihiro was standing in the open field breathless and sweating to no end. Her hair splayed wildly around her face and her bangs stuck to her head. She wiped the sweat off of her eyebrow and focused again. Her mind was somewhere else though today, summer time was her favorite time. (I'm guessing here.) She loved spending her days in the hot sun and being able to hear the cicadas sing, and the sun warm her skin. But instead she was training, so that she would be able to protect herself. She shook her head and focused her energy as Zeniba taught her. Here goes, she thought to herself and a white light emanated from her hand. It was about to release when she felt like a rubber band snapped and she flew back. She landed about 5 feet away from where she was standing on her butt.
"What?" She questioned, rubbing her achey bum, standing up. Zeniba was giggling to herself, and so was No Face.
"Very good Sen, anymore power and you would be able to fly yourself back to the bathhouse. Come take a quick rest." Zeniba said smiling, "You're doing fine."
Chihiro huffed to herself, "Was that supposed to happen?" She said as she took a sip of lemonade.
"Well, flying back no; but you were able to generate the last spell impressively. I like your progress, you managed to cover nearly the entire book within a couple months of hard work." Zeniba smiled patting her on the back.
"Thank you, I had a lot of support." Chihiro explained, she really did though. Every guest and employee cheered her on and commented on her hard work. Though it confused Yubaba because she didn't know what was going on. Haku had been her greatest foundation. Telling her that she was doing perfectly fine when she wanted to give up, and always gave her that smile that she loved. No Face came over to her and offered her some apples which were nice and chilled, "Thank you No Face."
No Face nodded and offered to Zeniba, "You're a sweet heart," She said taking a few and popping them in her mouth. "It sure is peaceful out here isn't it?"
"Mhmm, I wish that everyday was like this at the bathhouse." Chihiro said nodding looking up at the clear blue sky. "It's so peaceful and quiet, you can hear the wind just sing to you."
"Well, it is a beautiful spot, which is why I picked to live here." Zeniba whispered and closed her eyes to relax in the gentle summer breeze. "Speaking of the bathhouse, where is that dragon of yours?"
"Dealing with Yubaba." Chihiro said, Zeniba only laughed.
"Where is Sen, why isn't she working?" Yubaba questioned Haku; her frustration heating up. Haku looked up from his desk, in which he was writing some documents to finalize some payments. "She's at Zeniba's." And looked back down to continue running, Yubaba slammed her hand on his desk sending some papers flying.
"Being a lazy human? Frolicking in the summer with my sister on such a busy day? She was a good for nothing in the first place, even more of a reason not to mate with her." Yubaba raged, her flames threatening to explode from her mouth.
"You don't know anything about Chihiro." Haku said simply, still writing.
"Listen to me dragon, you will regret not listening to me, There will consequences for what you're doing." Yubaba sneered at him, she had caught his attention as he put down his pen and looked at her.
"Regret it?" He challenged.
"Yubaba raged, she turned on her heel and began to leave the office that was once hers, "Yes you will dragon."
Downstairs with all of the hustle and bustle going on, the foreman was busily at work. He ordered all of the employees what to do and also had to be nice enough to put a smile on his face to be able please them.
"Hello, have a nice bath." He smiled and handed the yuna a bath token. With being the foreman, he aided Chihiro in work, so he knew her whereabouts and what is being planned secretly behind Yubaba's back. Aogeru came hopping up to the desk, "Foreman, Yubaba wants to speak with you."
"Now? I'm quite busy right now. She can wait." He hurried.
"She said it's important." The frog replied, looking a bit strangely blank. The foreman was warned that anyone looking or acting strange was to be reported to Haku. Since Haku had warned them, about how Yubaba can control people like how she did with him, everyone was extra careful and the foreman was no exception.
"Alright, I'll be there." He said, and the frog jumped away silently. After the foreman had handed out the bath tokens, he leaned over and dialed Haku's line in the phone upstairs. The foreman waited to press send when the activity died down, and then he looked around.
"Hello?" Haku answered nonchalantly.
"Aogeru is acting strange, just thought I'd report that to you." The foreman said, almost a whisper. He didn't want to get it out that they were spying on Yubaba and her where abouts.
"Thank you for letting me know, I'll send someone to fix that."
"Yubaba has called me in-" The foreman began, but Haku cut him off. "Don't mind her, just continue work as you please." And with that he hung up. The foreman sighed in relief knowing very well he didn't want to face the witch.
A couple hours later Chihiro was on her way alone back to the bathhouse. She waved goodbye to Zeniba and No Face and made her way to the station with the lamp following her to guide her way. When she finally made it back, she thanked the lamp as it hopped away. It was nearly evening and getting dark, she yawned; tired from a long day of training. She felt accomplished though, and happy that she was able to finally improve. She noticed a light in the distance, "Oh that must be the train." She muttered to herself, and she scrambled her pockets for her tickets. When she looked up as the light go closer she noticed that it wasn't the train. She looked at it questioningly, but before she could react; it burst into a magnificent light that blinded her.
Haku finished his final document, he grew worried and impatient, usually Chihiro made it back in time to eat dinner with him. Lin hadn't seen her nor had any of the employees. He had tried to contact Zeniba but she wasn't responding, he began to feel antsy about the whole situation.
"Calm down Haku, she'll be fine." Lin said leaning against the doorway, she was sewing something white, "If she was in danger I'm sure you would have sensed it by now."
Haku glared at her, Lin looked at him and smiled; "Like I said, she's probably just training, I wouldn't worry about her."
"I know, I'm just a little upset." He pressed, a little bit of hurt in his voice.
"I'm sure Zeniba is taking good care of her, I gotta run. Though watching you pace around the room for about half an hour was amusing." She chuckled leaving the room. Haku sighed and sat at his desk chair, he ran his fingers through his hair.
He looked for he mirror he used to contact Zeniba and waited for her to reply.
"Damn you witch, answer me!" He snarled into the mirror.
"Silence your harsh language dragon." An annoyed Zeniba answered, "What do you want?" It seemed that she was sleeping from a long day at work with Chihiro.
"Where is Chihiro?" He questioned.
"She left about 2 hours ago," Zeniba sighed, "Why has she not returned?"
"No!" Haku snapped, he dropped the mirror on his desk, he burst out of his office and jumped; transforming into his beautiful dragon form.
Chihiro woke up, in a dark room; though it was comfortable what she was lying on. Her eyes were still a bit fuzzy, and her eyes had to focus on her surroundings. It was about late at night, with some tatami room style doors that were slid half way open to let in the summer sea breeze. She noticed the balcony and the sea outside, she thought she was back at the bathhouse.
"I'm glad that you finally woke up," A gentle voice came from behind her. She realized she was on a bed and that a beautiful woman with long golden hair that literally glittered was watching her with her beautiful hazel eyes. Her creamy skin glowed and her soft pink lips had a warming smile on her face. She wore traditional Japanese clothing and her hands were placed on her lap where she sat sitting in mid air.
"What do you want with me?" Chihiro demanded.
"Please calm yourself, I do not wish to harm you."
"I don't know what I did, or why you brought me here but please let me go!" Chihiro said out of fear. The goddess looked at her, and then closed her eyes. A zipper formed on Chihiro's face silencing her, just as Yubaba did. She struggled and tried to rip in apart but it would not part. Sorian looked at her, and spoke gently. "Please let me speak and I will release you from the spell."
Chihiro nodded, and Sorian waved her hand and released Chihiro's mouth.
"Hello Chihiro, please excuse my small quarters; I'd like to introduce myself my name is Sorian, goddess of life." She said bowing her head lightly; Chihiro sat up straighter, "The p-pleasure is m-mine. Excuse my rudeness earlier." She stuttered. She had no idea that she had been in the presence of such a powerful being, or the fact that she had rudely interrupted her. The goddess smiled at her warmly, "I have been watching you for a long time, in fact since you were a little girl who came across to the spirit of the Kohaku river." Chihiro blushed, thinking of her beautiful dragon who must have been worried sick about her, she felt bad remembering that she had Haku back at home waiting for her.
Sorian noticed the change in her emotion and felt her emotional shift, "Do not worry, I can assure him later you will be fine and unharmed." Chihiro bowed, "Thankyou." She whispered.
"In fact, he's on his way here right now." Sorian said her eyes traveling up to the door noticing a shift in the air. She closed her eyes and focused on Haku who was flying this way. She caught sight of the dragon and she emanated her power towards him at a breakneck pace entering his body.
Haku flew as fast as he could, following his sensitive nose on Chihiro's scent. It was just about half way to Zeniba's house where her scent was strongest. His thoughts raced as he thought of all of the worst possibilities. Kuran could have her, or Yubaba's secret spies could have her. His panic fueled his speed to find her; as he knew that he couldn't lose her.
Just then he felt a strange sensation run through his body like electricity. It shocked him and he began to panic, unsure of what the feeling was. Calm yourself dragon. A sweet voice came from inside his head.
Who-who are you What are you doing to me? He pressed, pausing from his flying, too shocked to process anything. It had to be a powerful sorceress to contact him like this. The sensation wouldn't die, it was almost uncomfortable the feeling began to grow as if to shut him up.
Do not worry, I can assure you that Chihiro is safe at the moment. Rest at the witch Zeniba's house, she will return to you shortly. The voice rang.
Tell me at least who you are. He insisted, not making any effort to turn around.
I will reveal that shortly. And she rejected him from her mind, she had sent him flying in the other direction. His movements were compelled completely. He tried to fight it off, but grew tired as he knew that he couldn't beat her, the magic was much too strong. He sighed and headed straight to Zeniba's house like the voice told him. His heart was still racing and worried about Chihiro; the thought of her not being with him; scared him to death.
Sorian opened her eyes, as she glanced at a confused looking Chihiro; she smiled at the human. "Do not worry, I assured him that you will be returned soon." Chihiro remained silent, Sorian's smile fell slightly. "You're wondering why I brought you here right?" She asked, "I can read it all over your face." Chihiro nodded feeling uneasy, "I really want to know why I'm here."
Sorian sighed and looked out the door, "You are here because, you are a human." Her green eyes focused on Chihiro, "Kohaku is immortal while you probably don't have much time left here." She began to sound serious, and it was true. Those words hit Chihiro like a bus sending her flying and hitting the pavement, fear, guilt, and sadness washed over her. She knew that one day she'd leave Haku, and that she'd hurt him. She knew that there will be a time that she'll never get to see him again. The thought of not seeing him brought tears to her eyes, yet in the back of her head she knew this whole time that someone would bring out the reality.
Chihiro nodded slowly, "I do understand that."
"You're willing to hurt him that way?" Sorian asked.
"No! Never, I would never do that!" Chihiro exclaimed, Sorian taken aback by her sudden outburst. She pondered for a moment, and moved her long golden hair to the side.
"I understand young Chihiro, I really do." Sorian said, "I once too had a human lover. He died over 200 years ago however, he was a man like no other. Brave, strong, respectful and he loved like no other human. His heart was pure, he had his faults but he was perfect in my eyes. I had brought him here to live with me, though we both knew the fate of his life one day, I offered him something that would only upset the gods of life." Sorian said looking down at her hands, "I was born from the god of life, I give life, and I can take it away. I choose to take more than I gave, and when I went to my own father to offer to him to spare his life; he heard no end to it." Sorian said wiping a tear from her beautiful face, "He grew angry, and began plauges and disasters around the world. Causing fires, wars, illness, hunger, death. I was forced to take those people's lives to end their suffering, though it only hurt me more to ask for such a punishment. My lover, he saw my pain; and though I was willing to lie to my father and give him eternal life he refused." Sorian said looking at Chihiro who felt sorry for the goddess. How hard it must have been to have your own true love taken away from you, that feeling of empty sorrow; over taking you. Chihro thought, but remained silent.
"Anyways, I grew angry at my father and tried to rebel, I started to save people, which upset the balance of nature goddess, which was my mother. She had no tolerance for disrespect and caused natural disasters around the world. I was left with no choice, I waited 45 years, I watched my lover grow old, I watched him get sick and I watched him die. I ended his suffering myself, none the less I was angry in the end with my parents. I never understood why, why they took away something so precious to me. The pain I endured, watching him die in front of my eyes; I watched as he saw my sadness, yet never once seemed afraid of death; or mad that my parents wouldn't give him life with me." She said, "But then I realized something as well. In his short time on this planet, he was happy; he was happy that he was able to life with me. It took many years for me to realize that," She finished looking up at Chihiro. "I'm sure that you're thinking the same thing I thought of, how can you get eternal life for the one you love." Sorian smiled, Chihiro blushed. It was true, Chihiro did want eternal life with Haku; she never wanted to hurt him. Nor did she want to die knowing that he would be alone, "Please, I don't wish to have the same fate your lover did. I'm stubborn, and pretty much the opposite of him; I want to live with Haku forever. I want to be with him, to be able to hold him 1,000 years from now.. I-" She was cut off by her own choked up tears. "I-I-I lo-love-h-h-him-s-so much.." She stuttered, and began to break down, knowing that there probably wasn't a chance to save him from unhappiness.
"Don't worry, I have a solution." Sorian said.
PHEW! Longest chapter so far, sorry for the cliffhanger, please review ^-^ AND updates will come as soon as they can, sorry that finals are such bitches. Until next time~