"Uh...Have we met before?" said Chihiro out loud questionably. She swear she heard a voice, but it didn't sound like anyone she knew. She looked at the others to them looking at her in confusion. Chihiro turned away from them and walked into the house trying to see if there was someone in there. As her eyes searched the room she found Mizutohi getting up from the table. Chihiro's eyes glazed over the body of the water and fire spirit.
'What's she doing in here?' Chihiro thought.
'Child,' the voice called again. 'We haven't had a proper meeting have we? Sorry for confusing you. I know it's weird to have a random voice pop into your head and start asking you questions. I have heard of you for quite a long time and you're exactly as I pictured. A strong, beautiful, willing spirit.'
Chihiro looked around the room again then back at Mizutohi who was now standing a few feet away from her. She couldn't pick out where the voice was coming from. She thought she might be starting to go crazy.
"Mizutohi do you he-"
"Do you mind not talking anymore? I can clearly hear you through my head and the girl can hear you as well. Just introduce yourself for the God's sake. No one is going to magically appear out of nowhere and kidnap you." Mizutohi suddenly lashed out those words cutting Chihiro off in the process. Chihiro stared in confusion.
"Umm...Are you okay, Mizutohi?"
Mizutohi ran a hand through her and and made eye contact with Chihiro.
"Sorry Rapi- I mean Chihiro. The Winds of Memories apparently is breaking my mind apart!" Mizutohi let out a sigh, but before she could speak again her hand lit up. "Finally it's going to actually introduce itself."
"I'm confused. The Winds of Memories? Isn't it an object or something?"
'First of all,' a voice boomed. 'There's no need to be so rude young one. I'm not breaking your mind apart and you should be proud that I chose you to dwell in. It's not like I just trust anyone with myself! Second, Chihiro I am not an object nor an it. I'm a spirit, a very weak one rather in physical speculation because of something that happened long ago, but certainly not an it. And finally I can introduce myself.'
Mizutohi's hand continued to glow and she let out a growl, but forced herself to remain calm.
"I was not trying to be rude. I just find it a little annoying when a spirit is constantly asking questions in my head."
'Questions are the key to understanding the universe," said the Winds of Memories. As the spirit said that Mizutohi's hand showed even brighter and an essence seemed to flow out of it. After a few moments, a ball of bright light floated in front of the two. 'I, child, and the Winds of Memories. Pleasure to meet you.'
"Oh," Chihiro replied nervously. "Nice to meet you too."
"Oh look! cried a voice. "It's a shiny floating ball! Can I touch it!" Mizutohi, Chihiro, and the spirit turned to see Kokatsuna dash into the room with glee.
'You lay a finger on me you ancient bird and I'll pluck your feathers from you.'
Kokatsuna suddenly stopped right in front of the Winds of Memories and stared. He then looked down at himself and shrugged.
"First of all I'm not in my spirit form and the floating ball can talk?" asked Kokatsuna with a goofy grin.
"It's the Winds of Memories you idiot," said a voice that was followed by a hand smacking Kokatsuna in the back of the head.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Kokatsuna turned around to see Okami standing there along with Haku, Zeniba, Chirashi, Hana, and No Face.
"For being stupid." said Okami.
"Stop disrespecting other spirits" called Chirashi.
Kokatsuna sighed and apologized to the Winds of Memories and backed away. After that Chihiro was informed about the Winds of Memories and how the spirit could help her regain all her memories. That her past would finally be revealed to her, good and bad. The other watched as Zeniba conversed between the Winds of Memories and Chihiro, although Haku stood at Chihiro's side with a hand on her shoulder.
"So you'll be able to help unlock all of my memories?"
'Yes, child but I must ask a favor of you in return.'
Zeniba, Haku and Chihiro eyed the Winds of Memories in confusion. Chihiro didn't understand how she could possibly help the Winds of Memories with anything. The powers she had were still unknown to her, most of them at least, but maybe her memories could help her. At this Haku removed his hand from Chihiro's shoulder and wrapped it around her waist. He wanted her close to him no matter what and Chihiro didn't seem to pull away when he did this. He knew she didn't want to be treated like a baby, but her safety was his concern. He was also curious about what favor the Winds of Memories could possibly want.
"I'll shall help you if I can, but what kind of favor are you asking?" Chihiro asked nervously.
"Does this favor include her using her power because she's not so fluent in those at the moment?" Haku asked from beside Chihiro.
"Be careful of what favors you accept Chihiro. I know we can trust the Winds of Memories, but accepting favors in the Spirit World is not a simple thing to do," voiced Zeniba.
'I shall not entitle the girl to a damned eternity if she fails to complete my favor. I just ask a simple request of her powers, and she will be able to use this power once I restore her memories. She'll remember how it feels, how it flows within her, but it seems she has an idea of the power I'm asking of her. Child have you heard of the internal fire you have within you?'
"I know of the internal fire. Supposedly it's the strongest power in the Spirit World? When Kaze captured me he started speaking of it and said something like it can unite spirits and anything together. Like their souls with another object or soul." said Chihiro.
'Yes. Yes that power within you is stronger, and about the strongest power, but not because of it's strength, but what it can do. You child are still a floating soul of human and spirit. You have free will others want, and the closest us spirits can get to that is being connected with the one this that holds us down to this world. I still have some purpose and am remembered by a few to have my spirit thrive; however, I wish to be reunited with the one thing I lost. I haven't given someone this memories back in more then a good 5,000 years. I'm slowing fading, and I ask of you, that when I give you back your memories that you use your power to simply bind me and the thing I lost back together. So that when the years continue to pass I won't slowly fade and die. I wish to be apart of a world once more where I can thrive and be of use. You are the only one with the power to bind others together and I ask of you that you do that favor for me.'
The spirit's voice echoed throughout every single head in that room. Chirashi, No Face, Mizutohi, Haku, Kokatsuna, Hana, Okami, Zeniba, and Chihiro all heard the voice and stared at the ball of light with curious eyes. Every single spirit in that room knew what Chihiro's power was capable of, except Chihiro of course, but this was a sort of heavenly power that just seemed not to be real.
"Wait she can unite spirits to the thing that binds them to the Spirit World. Like it can bind a spirit to a river or another spirit? Or unite a spirit with a human, so they can thrive and have the free will all of us crave?" asked Okami with a slightly curious and nervous voice.
"She can do that? I thought the internal fire was a special power, but nothing like that." said Chirashi.
"That's awesome!" screamed Kokatsuna, but he quickly quieted himself since he gained odd staes from certain people in he room.
"She can keep spirits from dying? That's impossible. I knew the internal fire had great power, but that kind of power the God's wouldn't dare to give out to just anyone." said Hana with a tinge of anger in her voice. "How could the God's just give a power like that to any spirit, even if it is one of us. A power like that can be extremely dangerous. Chihiro for goodness sake doesn't even know how to use any of her powers!"
Hana's voice echoed through the room and everyone turned to stare at her. Her jealously towards Chihiro was just growing by the moment, and she had trouble holding it in anymore. From hold that girl holding the heart of the man she loved to having powers that were beyond any of their grasps. It just wasn't right to Hana at all. She quickly shut her mouth and her face turn a bit red realizing what she has just done. Thinking and holding grudges was one thing, but voicing them right at the person was another.
Hana interrupted Haku with that outburst and he and Chihiro just stared at her. Everyone in the room, matter of fact, was confused all the sudden and just looked at her with glaring eyes. The only one who truly knew what she was going through was Okami, and he even stood there stunned. He knew Hana felt jealously towards Chihiro, but exploding out like this, with everyone around, wasn't something she would normally do. Okami guessed Hana just couldn't bottle it up anymore. As he looked at Hana he saw her face slowly turn red and back away as the eyes in the room looked at her. He felt a pull within him to get her out of there so she wouldn't get herself involved anymore then she already was.
"What Hana meant is that it's quite surprising that Chihiro can do that. Yeah...Umm...I have to show Hana that thing. You know what we discussed earlier, right Hana? Come on." Okami quickly grabbed her hand and yanked her out from the crowd she was surrounded by. Hana looked up at Okami with a surprised face.
"What are y-" Hana started to say, but Okami quickly delivered her a harsh glare. The glare was one Hana instantly read and kept her mouth shut as Okami dragged her out the door.
Chihiro just stared at the door as it closed behind Hana and Okami. That sudden outburst set her into a trance of silence, and the grip around her waist from Haku tightened. Chihiro could clearly see the anger in Hana's eyes, but she couldn't pinpoint why. That girl had been giving her troubles ever since she had arrived more then a week ago. The harsh feeling that Hana had in her head, was visible to Chihiro for some reason through her body language. The thought of the anger Hana had towards her didn't quite click in her mind.
"That girl is getting on my nerves," hissed Haku next to Chihiro's ears; however, all Chihiro could do was continue to stare at the door.
Everyone else was in a trance as well, like Chihiro, but Zeniba broke the silence.
"Excuse that, but Chihiro do you agree to unite the Winds of Memories with the thing it lost?"
Chihiro slowly fixed her attention to her 'grandmother' on the other side of the room, then spared a glance at the Winds of Memories just floating there. Her brain slowly fixated itself on the witches words and she diligently gave a nod.
"I'll aid the Winds of Memories and-" she said as she faced the Winds of Memories. "I accept your favor."
'Good child. Now shall we get you ready to relieve you of that ugly barrier you have holding back your memories?'
Okami dragged Hana across Zeniba's yard to out in front of the overhanging entryway. Hana stumbled as she was pulled along and looked at Okami with total confusion. She barley noticed Okami let go of her hand and look her in the eyes.
"What was with that whole episode back there?" he spit out. "You just willingly ramble on, while screaming right in front of everyone. I know it's hard to believe what she can do, and the anger you have towards her for various reasons, but really was that even ne-" he stopped speaking just as he notcied Hana looking glancing off into the distance. Her eyes didn't dare look at him. They didn't even meet his the whole two minutes he had her outside.
"Do you hear me Hana?" asked Okami.
Still she didn't answer.
"Hana...look at me."
Silence continued to shroud both of them.
"Hana, answer me for the God's sake!"
No reply came.
"Hana!" he screamed.
"It's not fair," she whispered.
"What are you talking about. Are you talking about Chihiro and Haku being together? I know how it feels having the one you love taken away. I loved Chihiro ever since we came into being. I just had a sudden surge towards her, but you don't see me yelling at like that. It wasn't meant for me to be with Chihiro and it wasn't meant for you to be with Haku. I know you know that, but why, just why, do you keep doing this. I hate seeing this constant yelling. You locking yourself up in a room not talking to anyone. You're starting to worry me, Hana." As Okami said that Hana's eyes slowly trailed up into his.
When Okami met Hana's eyes, the look in them is what startled him the most. There was no anger, sorrow, or regret. There was nothing. No trace of emotion within them at all. Her eyes were just dull. He looked into them and searched for some emotion to be contained in there. After a few seconds he finally found an emotion in her eyes.
Defeat...
He continued to search her eyes, and couldn't believe what he was seeing. He could sense it in her aura around her as well. Hana feeling defeated? That was something that rarely ever happened. No matter the situation, Okami had always seen Hana pull through even through the worse times.
"Will you quit looking into my eyes," she muttered.
"Oh...Uh sorry." Okami replied quickly and looked away, but turned back. He wasn't going to just leave it at that. "Do you feel defeated? I can see and sense it around you."
"You noticed," she replied sarcastically.
"Of course I noticed. Why?"
"Why what?" Hana looked at him with a confused face.
"Why are you giving up? There's others out there for you Hana. I know it's hard to let go, but those two are clearly not going to let go of each other anytime soon."
"I know. I know what you said is true. It's just hard to see them like that and why does she get all the powers? Why does she get to be all strong and have every single power imaginable. It's not fair."
Okami just sighed and grabbed Hana's shoulders, steering her body to face him. The strong sudden grip caused Hana's body to tense up. She hadn't ever had this kind of conversation with Okami, let alone any contact. Although, this suddenly touch of his was making her feel odd. It sent a slight, just a slight wave through her. It was something she knew, but pushed it away.
"Hana you want to know why she has all of that? It's because she's Chihiro and you are Hana. You two are totally different spirits. Would it make sense if both of you were exactly the same?"
"No...but-"
"There's no but's. You are Hana; spirit of nature and light. You are special in your own way, as well as powerful. Stop doubting yourself and feeling jealous towards others. Please Hana, just accept yourself the way you are. There wouldn't be any fun in life if you were any different." As he finished saying this he put on a soft smile and dropped his hands down to hers and grasped them. He then raised them in front of her face. "These hands are powerful. They are powerful in ways Chihiro can't comprehend. Accept yourself Hana...Please."
All the spirit of nature could do was stare at Okami with large eyes, that started to reflect a different type of emotion. Hana slowly glanced down at Okami holding her hands then looked at his face. He was supporting her. The stubborn, joking, good natured spirit was supporting the stubborn nature spirit. She still couldn't get it through her mind. Okami was supporting and encouraging her. That continued odd feeling was still lurking in her, but all of Hana's attention went into just giving Okami a nod.
As he saw this a smile drew across his face, and he could feel her aura change. At this he wrapped his arms around her and pulled Hana in an awkward hug.
"Then don't change."
"I'll try not to and you know this is kind of awkward right?" said Hana with a laugh.
"You know you are ruining a rare moment, Hana. Don't expect this to happen again."
"Oh I won't." said Hana pulling away from Okami.
"Hey you're not getting away yet." he said as he pulled her back in. "Stop ruining the moment like I said."
"Wha!" screamed Hana as she slammed into Okami's chest. "What was that for?!" she cried.
Except instead of replying to her, all Okami did was smirk and look up at the sky. He liked teasing and seeing Hana smile. Even though Hana was stubborn as moments and annoying at others, Okami was glad to have her as a friend. Though others would look down on her, Okami would always make her smile. That was his purpose at this moment and he was going to let it go to waste.
Okay, I know I said I would update on Saturday, but my stupid computer made my other chapters magically disappear -_- I hate technology. I'm busy typing the chapters that got lost for this story and I promise that I'll have another chapter up by tomorrow night at least. Some reviews would be nice :) I know I have been getting a good amount of people favoriting and alerting this story. Just leave some feedback, and anonymous reviews are allowed. Doesn't take that long and the lovely review button is waiting for you at the bottom. Pllllllllleeeeeeeaaaasssssss seeeee rrrreeeeeevvvvvviiiiiiiieeee eeew! Want to know how I'm doing! But truly thank you for everyone that has supported this story. Well see ya tomorrow, since I'm tired. Well hopping off to bed now because of my crutches. See ya soon! BYE!