Don't Look Back – Chapter 28
Unexpected News
((Chihiro's POV))
The whole bathhouse is in celebration. Amaya and Perun decided to have their wedding soon while the peace was here. I was extremely happy for them, but I'll admit that I did feel kind of sad and envious. I wanted to marry Haku so badly… start a family…
Little did I know that I skipped the get marry part and went straight to being a mother.
Wait, I should start from the beginning.
It started when I wouldn't get a full night's sleep. I just assumed it was stress, and so did Haku. Eventually we got used to the fact that I got up earlier than usual. But of course it would make me more tired. We were at loss then, so I started taking a sleeping draught to get some sleep, and that helped only a little bit. I got a full night's sleep, but I was still tired when I woke up.
Then a few days ago, I started to not be able to keep any food down, even soup. I knew something was wrong with me, and I just didn't know what. I didn't feel sick, I felt completely fine! So, in desperation, I knew I had to go see someone. I didn't want to go to a doctor; they never helped seeing as spirits were rarely sick. I felt weird talking to Amaya about it, even though she was going to be my sister-in-law when Haku finally married me. I knew Rin would tell me what was wrong, but I was almost afraid to ask her. That left me one option.
Eve.
She'd been here for a week, and she'd found a way into all of our hearts instantly. I trusted her, but I was unsure if she would be of help. I soon threw that thought out of the window when I told myself she was Kentoku's sister, and probably the oldest female spirit besides Yubaba at the bathhouse. So, I reluctantly went to her room that she shared with Rin. I knocked, and she answered the door.
She smiled and leaned against the doorframe. "Chihiro! What a surprise! Is there something that you need?"
"I was actually wondering if I could ask you something."
"Oh, of course! Please, come in!" she said, ushering me in. "What do you need?"
"I've been… well, not sick, but not myself."
"Uh huh." She said, looking at me, her attention all on me. "What's wrong exactly?"
"I've been tired even though I've been getting a full night's sleep, and for the past few days, I can't even keep soup down very long."
"Huh. Well… have you made mad dashes to the bathroom in the morning?"
"No…"
"Oh you'll be making those soon." Eve said with a smile.
I furrowed my brow. "What are you talking about?"
"My dear…" she said, coming to stand in front of me. I felt her focus her energy, and place her hand on my stomach. A quiet but steady beat of a heart sounded out through the entire room. "You better tell Haku soon. He'll be thrilled, I'll tell you that much."
"What? I… I'm pregnant?"
Eve nodded, smiling. "Congratulations. I'd say about two months at the most."
I knew that Haku and I were in a squeeze with this new issue. This wouldn't be good for my honor, or his for that matter, but I found myself not caring. I was going to be a mother! "But… how do I tell him?"
"It doesn't matter. He's about to get the most unexpected news of his life. There isn't a way you can put it nicely or easily for him. You're just going to have to say or do something so he'll content the dots. But I would rather you tell him instead of having him guess."
"I'd rather tell him too." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Then you do that." Eve said with a smile.
"Do… do you think that I could talk to you for a while? You know, just know who you are?"
She nodded, "I don't see why not. Here, sit down. What do you want to know?"
"When did you become a spy?"
Eve smiled. "I've always been a spy. I was a spy for the League during the first war and I was caught eavesdropping on a conversation that I was told to listen into. Kallisto found me, and instead of killing me, she bound me. I think her philosophy is if they're of good use, use them. It's going to be her downfall."
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
She smirked, "Because I'm free thanks to you. I have all of my memory from being Kallisto's second in command. I know what she's doing, and she knows that. Now she's probably panicking back at her pathetic little hideout."
"You seemed really surprised when you saw Haku… haven't you seen him before?"
"I haven't. The night you freed me was the second time I've seen him. I saw him when the Druids first appeared again, but that was it. I was caught and "killed" before Lavanya had Haku and Perun. I never saw them. When Odin ravaged their home, he said that he killed one and brought back the other. I watched Perun grow up, knowing he was my nephew. But I couldn't say anything because he had no idea who Kentoku was."
"He didn't? But Kentoku was Phobos-"
"There are different levels of collars. A simple black one means that Kallisto controls you. A black collar with a silver ring around the middle means that you are bound to her, and you are not as you appear. A black collar with intricate designs means she controls you, changed your appearance, and wiped your memory. You haven't lost them, you just can't remember them while you wear her collar."
"That's why Kentoku remembered Haku and Perun!" I exclaimed, everything making perfect sense.
"Exactly. And Kentoku's collar worked the same way. His collar prevents him from remembering anything he did as a Druid."
"But he doesn't wear it, I burned it off."
Eve shook her head, "It doesn't matter. He still won't ever remember, even if someone tells him exactly what he did. You can tell him that he captured you and brought you back, but he won't remember a single detail."
"That's… almost sad." I whispered.
"I know. But I think that he doesn't mind much. He knows that they're dark memories anyway. Anything else?"
"You're weapons?" I asked, not once seeing her touch a blade or staff.
"I can use the staff, but I prefer not to attack with weapons." She said with a wink, and wouldn't answer a single thing about her attack style or weapons after that. We sat and I told her what had happened to me, and I managed to surprise her a few times. After a few hours of exchanging stories, Eve ushered me out of the room. "You have to tell Haku, remember?"
"But when should I do it?" I asked, my forgotten anxiety about the subject returning.
She smiled sadly at me. "You'll do just fine Chihiro. You'll tell him in the best possible way. And you'll do just fine as a mother. You have the perfect nature for it. Now, get out of here and tell him all ready!"
I nodded, and disappeared down the hall. I was about to go down to the practice rooms where I knew he was, but I didn't want to tell him in front of people. I detoured to our room and sat down on the bed, what was I going to do?
It was then that I heard the shower running. I smiled; Haku must have come back up for a shower before coming to find me. Well… he would find me sitting on the bed. I wasn't going to move, let alone leave, and neither was he.
Not until he knew.
((Haku's POV))
I dried off, put on my pants and noticed I forgot to grab a clean shirt. I rolled my eyes and dried my hair as I slowly left the bathroom. I hung the towel on my shoulder, opening the door to the bathroom and turning into our bedroom, my mission to find a shirt and then find Chihiro.
Except I skipped getting a shirt and found Chihiro first.
She was sitting on the edge of our bed, her hands folded in her lap. She had a look of utter seriousness on her face, and I instantly became alert. I had half a mind to about face and dash out the door, but I knew that it wouldn't help the situation… what ever it was.
Suddenly, Chihiro stood up and walked over to stand in front of me. "Focus," she ordered me softly, and I nodded. She grabbed my hand and placed it on her stomach. I was a little confused about what was going on, but I focused my energy like she asked. I waited for a moment, and a steady heartbeat filled the room. It wasn't mine, and it wasn't Chihiro's…
I knew that I wouldn't be seeing the owner of that heartbeat for another few months. I looked up at her with a hopeful look in my eyes. "How long…?" I asked her in a barely audible whisper.
"Eve said two months at the most." She responded just as softly, a lone tear slid down her cheek. My heart fell and I raised my hand to brush it away.
"Chi…" I whispered, using everyone's nickname for her. My hand on her stomach moved to her waist and then let it settle on her lower back. I pulled her closer to me and enveloped her in my arms. She flung her arms around my neck and buried her head in my shoulder, her long brown hair tickling my bare chest. I held her tightly and stroked her hair, thinking and looking at what my life had come to.
Ten years ago I though I would never see her again; but now I wake up next to her every morning. Ten years ago I never thought I would taste her lips; but now I get to every day whenever I want. Ten years ago I never thought I would hold her close to me; but now I do it at every possible moment.
So much had changed since I returned to the bathhouse, but she never did. I loved her for it, but now both of our lives were going to change forever.
When the Druids returned, I hid and cursed Fate for bringing this down upon us. Now I stood in the middle of the road, shouting for Fate to throw fatherhood at me.
I was ready.
((Eve's POV))
I had gone downstairs for lunch shortly after Chihiro left. I knew Haku would be thrilled no matter what was going on in the world.
And my assumption was one hundred percent correct.
He came charging down the stairs, his shirt half open with an idiotic grin on his face. Perun groaned and smirked at his older brother. "Oh no, he's grinning like a maniac… everybody run!"
Haku was too happy to shoot something back at his little brother. "Hey Dad, how old do you feel?"
Kentoku gave a slight start when he heard Haku call him 'Dad' instead of 'Father' like he usually did. Everyone in the room knew then that what ever was making Haku grin and call his father 'Dad' was VERY important. He looked at his son and shook his head. "I feel old enough." He replied.
Nice one.
Haku grinned even wider, "Do you feel enough to be a grandfather?"
Kentoku looked scandalized. "No I do not thank you!"
"Oh well that's to bad… because you are one."
Poor guy. He had been taking a sip of his water and when he heard Haku's reply it went all over the table. "What?" he choked out, coughing slightly. Guess he sprayed half it out and inhaled the rest. Today isn't his day.
"You. Are. A. Grandfather." Haku said clearly, grinning like a madman. Chihiro was standing in the doorway with a brilliant smile on her face, watching the father of her unborn child have fun tormenting his father. Heck, I'd enjoy torturing Kentoku just because I'm his sister. It's what siblings DO.
"I'm a… what?" He gasped, staring hard at Haku. "Oh no… Chihiro's-?"
"Pregnant." She said from the doorway with a hesitant smile on her face.
What Kentoku did stunned everyone in the room, including me. He jumped up from his chair, ran over to her and picked her up in a crushing hug, laughing all the while. She hugged him back, somewhat surprised, and we all laughed. He set her back down, and encouraged the soon to be parents to eat some lunch.
Once he sat back down in between me and Rin, I shook my head in dismay. "You know for a second there, I couldn't tell who was more nutty: You or Haku."
Everyone laughed and my older brother glared at me, "I'm not allowed to be happy?"
"You were l-a-u-g-h-I-n-g. Laughing! That's not normal!" I told him.
He just shook his head, "Don't make me hurt you."
"You hurt me? Isn't it the other way around?"
Kentoku chuckled nervously, "Ah, good point."
Perun held up a hand, "Wait a minute, did you just back down from your sister?"
"You face her with a weapon in your hands and lets see how you fair. Oh, and pray to anyone that'll listen that she doesn't leave you a melted puddle on the floor."
"She… melts people?" Amaya asked with her eyebrow raised.
I smiled, "It's an analogy. What he's trying to say is I'm not your average fighter. I don't use a weapon often."
"Then you can you fight?" Haku asked, puzzled.
"You can fight without weapons, contrary to what you believe." I told him, going back to my lunch. After a while, Kentoku had to bring up the war.
"So… what do you remember of Kallisto's plans?"
I rolled my eyes. "Can your male brain quit thinking about fighting and war and let me eat my lunch?"
"I was just asking-"
"Lemme eat dang it!" I cried; picking up an olive threw it at him without even looking. Everyone laughed when it bounced off of his forehead and he just put it back on his plate.
Perun laughed, "Aw, throw it back!"
He glanced up at his son, "Do you want to see me covered in some substance?"
"Yeah, frankly I do." He said with a big grin.
"Really?" I asked brightly, "OKAY!" And with that, I picked up a bowl of peaches and flung them at my brother, only he made a current of strong air whip them back at me. The crashed down all over my side and front and his eyes widened to an indescribable degree. I slowly tilted my head to glare at him out of the corner of my eye.
"Eheheh… how long do I have to run?" he asked nervously, getting up.
"Not long enough!" I cried, chasing him out of the room.
((Rin's POV))
I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. When Eve chased Kentoku out of the room, screaming revenge, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that they weren't related. When he came bursting back into the room a few minutes later, he slammed the door shut and leaned against it, completely breathless.
"She runs… very… very fast." He panted. I laughed right along with everyone else. He glared at us, sliding down the door to sit on the floor. "It's… not funny…"
"Yes it is!" Haku gasped out, holding his side.
Kentoku was about to retort when the door opened, and he fell back. He was greeted by Eve… and a bowl of unidentifiable substance. She tipped it over and he was covered in something that did NOT look appealing. He sat up with a disgusted look on his face, covered in sticky stuff.
"What was that?" he asked, trying to wipe it off of his face.
"You don't want to know!" she said with a smile, setting the bowl on the table. He slowly got up and walked out of the room.
"I'm going to go take a bath… oh this is disgusting…" he muttered to himself, heading up to his room.
Eve smiled apologetically. "Well, I think I'm going to follow his example. I'm going to change, and get something for all of you to see. We have to get serious sometime."
About ten minutes later Kentoku and Eve came back into the room, clean from all of the food. His hair was still wet, and dripping slightly. He had a towel in his hand, squeezing the lower half of his hair to get it to quit dripping. "You do realize that it took me forever to get that gunk out of my hair." He told his younger sister.
She just smiled, "Yup!" she said brightly, sitting down.
I grinned, "Well we all know where Perun got his happy personality."
He laughed, "And I must say she uses it much better!"
"Aw, you think that because I can dump guts on your father and get away with it."
"GUTS! YOU DUMPED GUTS ON ME?" Kentoku roared in disbelief. When she just giggled, and shook his head with a sigh and continued to wring out his hair. "You're unbelievable."
"You know you love me!" she said with a small smile, pulling something out of her pocket. "But now I'm getting serious. This is something very important, and something you may not be ready to believe."
Haku frowned, "What is it?"
"Someone in your midst is betraying you." Eve said seriously.
My eyes went wide. "Are they in this room?"
"No." Eve replied, looking at me. "But she is someone very close to you."
"So it's a woman." Amaya said, putting her elbow on the table and placing her chin in her hand. "A bathhouse worker?"
"I assume so," Eve said, "I do not know her status, only her name."
"And what would that be?" Kentoku asked.
"Kasumi." She said, looking at all of us. "Do you know who she is."
Chihiro starred at me like I had slapped her. "Kasumi has been my maid for the past five years. She is not Kallisto's spy, I refuse to believe it."
"Will you refuse to believe it even after I show you evidence?" Eve asked sharply, tossing her the bundle of letters. Chihiro picked them up with shaking hands and opened the first one. She scanned over it, and her face paled. Haku took it from her as she opened another, reading its contents quickly. His eyes flashed in anger when he spoke.
"Go get her Rin."
((Kentoku's POV))
Rin left the room quickly, and I looked over at my sister. She knew that this was hard for everyone to accept, and I could tell that she hated the fact that she had to be the one to tell them. When Rin came back with her, I took the liberty of speaking.
"Kasumi… have you seen these letters?" I asked, picking up a fairly large bundle.
"No." she replied calmly, "What do they say?"
"Why don't you tell us?" Haku said calmly… almost too calmly. "We know that these letters are from you to Kallisto." Kasumi knew that she had been caught. She didn't say anything because she knew nothing she said now would save her. Smart girl. "What on earth would posses you to betray the people that you've grown up with for all of your life? You do realize that this is treason?"
"I do."
"So you have nothing to say for yourself?" Haku cried, standing up. "You have no reason as to why you did this?"
"Haku… calm down." I said, sensing his anger rolling off of him in waves. This was going to get nasty very soon… and the mess wouldn't be food.
"Calm down? How do you expect me to take the fact that Kasumi has been betraying us from the beginning? She could have killed us all! I wouldn't put it past her that she led the motive to poison the water, and make sure that you got the strongest dose! She could have killed all of us! How can you just ignore that?" He roared.
"We're not ignoring that Haku." Chihiro said gently, standing up and putting a hand on his shoulder. Perun got up and moved to stand behind Haku to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. I moved to guard the door while Rin stood behind Kasumi.
"She's a traitor!" He yelled, starting forward. Perun grabbed his arms and pinned them together, forcing Haku to stop. "Get off of me!" he growled, trying to worm his way out of his brother's hold.
Chihiro looked disapprovingly at him, "Haku! Get a hold of yourself!"
"He's too mad." I said, looking at my enraged son. "You're going to have to sort him out yourself Chihiro."
"How?" she asked desperately, becoming somewhat frightened of her husband's rage. I didn't blame her for a second. He was starting unnerve me even.
"I don't know…" Perun grunted, "but think of something fast! It's getting hard to restrain him!"
I saw her concentrate, and her face fall. I wondered what she had thought of, but I found out soon enough. A resounding slap was heard all throughout the room, and everyone fell into a dead silence.
She had slapped him, and pretty hard too for it to make such a noise.
I don't think I've ever seen someone so stunned. Haku slowly turned his head back to look at her, hurt and shock written all over his face. "Chi-" he began, but she didn't let him finish.
"Get a hold of yourself Haku." She said harshly, and turned around to face Kasumi, no longer acknowledging his presence.
I never want to see a man that hurt again. Haku slumped against Perun, completely beat and hurt. He helped him sit back down, where Haku proceeded to put his elbows on his knees and bury his head from view. I knew that this was something huge. Haku's never lost his temper like that, and to have to resort to Chihiro slapping him may have been much too harsh. But what was has been done is done.
Chihiro looked at her maid… or should I say former maid. "Do you deny that you have betrayed us?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because nothing I say could fix what I have done, or caused you to do." Kasumi replied, gesturing to a stunned Haku.
Chihiro nodded stiffly and looked at me. "What does her crime rank as?"
"Treason." I said.
"And the punishment?"
Eve answered that one, "Death." She said quietly, looking at Kasumi with an almost pitying gaze.
Chihiro closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Then… let it be carried out."
Kasumi wasn't expecting this. "Chi!" she cried in desperation, "You don't mind that! Bind me, anything!"
Chihiro didn't open her eyes to respond. Instead, she turned away from her former maid and spoke. "I do not know you… for you are a traitor. Do not try to run, for nowhere you can hide can forget what you have done against me. I release you from my service so that the League may deal with you." I saw a tear roll down her face, and I knew that took every once of willpower she had to tell that to her best friend.
I walked over to her as Rin had two guards escort Kasumi out of the room. I put a hand on her shoulder and she spun around and clutched to my slightly damp shirt and cried. These just weren't tears; these were the heart wrenching sobs that men hate to hear. I hugged her close, hushing her in attempts to get her to stop. I knew that if Haku was paying attention, he would rather rip out his heart then to have her cry like this.
And I was right.
When he heard her he snapped to attention, and stood up. He didn't look at anyone else except her crying form and slowly reached a hand out to touch her shoulder lightly. She stopped crying long enough to look at him.
"Chi…" he whispered, his voice barely audible even to me.
She sniffed and left my embrace slowly, and stepped up to Haku. She gently laid a hand on the cheek that she had slapped and sniffed again. She stood on tiptoe to kiss it lightly. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
He shook his head, "Don't worry about it right now. Are you going to be okay?" he asked, hesitantly pulling her close to him.
Her sobs had died when she spoke, but they started up again when she buried her forehead in the crook of his neck. I motioned everyone to get out, and Amaya and Perun were the first to move. Eve went next, and Rin followed her out. I closed the door behind me, and I reached for Rin's hand. She let me take it as we both walked back down the hall in a somber silence.
A/N: Eep. Kasumi is sentenced to death... ouch. I know that I could have developed her more as a character before I killed her off, but oh well. A little late now... I also could have had Haku loose his temper a LOT more, but it just... didn't... ACK.
Well... lots of info in this chapter. Hope you got it all!
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-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-
