The Wait: It's My Turn Now
(28/10/14) A/N: This is an updated chapter there are just some slight edits (: Feel free to read again, it would help to make more sense of the next chapter (the one I am about to start writing) but it's okay if you don't, because there's no major change to the plot, so the setting is still the same. ;) Thank you!
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart… I'll always be with you."
–A.A. Milne
Haku followed Tadashi, the best tracker in his old team as the lime green-haired man ventured deep into the forest. Shou had taken one of Rei's tunics and given it to Tadashi to try tracking, and Tadashi seemed like he was on good progress, confidently walking down the path where his nose led him.
That was, until he came to a stop in the middle of nowhere. "The scent just stops here," Tadashi frowned. The two looked around, but there was no decent hiding spot around the area. "Are you sure there's nothing left to follow?" Haku asked.
Tadashi shook his head, sighing. "Sorry man, I wish I could do more, but this is a dead end. He must have cleaned up really well around here. I'd guess they were taking shelter here and he went through a lot of pains just to clear it up."
"You don't think Chihiro could be anywhere in the vicinity?"
"I highly doubt it. Humans have a real strong smell, so I'd know even if she was standing at the other end of the forest."
Haku swallowed thickly, as Tadashi rested a hand on his shoulder. "You'll definitely find her, don't worry. I wish I could stay and help, but Makoto will have my head if I don't return soon."
"You have my thanks. Go back, I wouldn't want you to get into trouble because of me," Haku nodded with a small smile. His friend flashed him a similar smile, and then changed into his wolf form, speedily sprinting back towards Shugorei headquarters.
Haku pinched his nose in frustration, furrowing his brows together. It was the second day of Chihiro's disappearance, where could she be? Furthermore, if they didn't return soon, he didn't know how he would explain it to Chihiro's mother. "Chihiro… where are you?" he murmured, carefully scanning his surroundings, for any clue; even a small one would do. He needed to know that she was safe and alive after taking that hit from him.
Her shoulder… The injury that he had inflicted.
The look of pain on her face was still vivid in his mind, and every time he closed his eyes he could still see it, clear as day, as if the scene were happening right before his very eyes once again. "Are you happy that she nearly got killed because of you?"
The dream he had the night before still haunted him. He'd heard Chihiro's voice, yet it was distorted in a way, and when he laid his eyes on her his heart had leapt into his throat; he could not speak. The woman had been lying in a pool of crimson blood, reaching a bloody hand out to him and whispering over and over, "You did this to me… Haku… why..?"
The dragon growled and opened his eyes. Enough was enough, brooding on nightmares and morbid thoughts was not going to be of any help. So he forced himself up and began exploring the vicinity, looking for possible hiding places, but no matter how hard he looked, there was no way of finding something decently big enough for two grown adults to take shelter in. There wasn't even a trace of Chihiro's blood on the dirt beneath his feet.
As he was inspecting every inch of ground, suddenly the appearance of a voice startled him. "Haku."
He froze where he was, too shocked to move. There was no doubt about it. That voice…
"Haku," it called again, this time sounding closer. Haku felt the burden on his chest fade away and then tears collected in his eyes. "You were safe… Chihiro…" He turned around, ready to take her in his arms, apologize to her profusely and check her for wounds, but when he did, all he saw was a smirking Rei standing there with his arms folded across his chest. There was a small purple ball levitating in mid-air in front of him, and that was where the source of the voice was.
"Kurou," his eyes darkened, narrowing at the spirit before him.
"So you've dug into my background already." It was not a question. Rei cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head sideways, scrutinizing the dragon mockingly. "Looks like you're not as dumb as Father said you were."
Haku brushed the insult away. "I will only ask once. What have you done with Chihiro?"
Kurou only shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "The human? Don't worry, she's alive."
"Release her at once."
"Or what? You'll call reinforcements on me? Oh right, you're not in the Shugorei anymore, so no one is there to back you up." he smirked. "Quite the foolish move you made there, when you quit the Shugorei all because of a human. Oh well. It made my job so much easier. I'm the one who calls the shots now, so you do what I say, or the human loses her life."
"You," Haku growled, killer intent flashing in his dark green pupils. Without thinking, he dashed forward, changing into his dragon form as he did so, and opened his mouth, ready to plunge a large ball of fused wind and water in Kurou's face, but the bat spirit only stood there unfazed. In fact, he was smiling quite delightedly.
With a quick snap of his fingers, suddenly ghostly hands appeared from the ground, pulling on the dragon's limbs and body down and trapping him. The dragon struggled, but try as he might, there was no getting free.
They wrapped themselves around his body, suffocating the dragon and causing him to let out a strangled gasp before turning back into his human form. Even then, the grip the hands had on him did not slacken. If anything they only tightened around him three-fold. "You…" he gasped, eyes never leaving Kurou who was standing there, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes.
"Black magic, pretty powerful huh? Combined with my dark magic, there's no one who can defeat me, not even you, Kohaku. But don't worry, I'm not going to let you die like this; it'd be too easy for you. I want you to die a slow, painful death, just like what Father would have wanted."
Haku tried desperately to keep his eyes open, but his throat was scorching and screaming for air, and he could feel himself fading away into unconsciousness.
Chihiro awoke to find herself in a musty, dark room. She could not see anything, even though her eyes were wide open. Her shoulder burned terribly, she couldn't feel anything in her hands. They were held above her head and tied together by some coarse rope from above, and her feet were left dangling in mid-air. The rope was digging into her skin, and with every movement she could feel the friction even more. "R-Rei? Is anyone there?" she called frightfully. Where was this place?
The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Rei's arms after running away from Haku. Had they been attacked? Were they taken captive by Haku or something?
Nonsense, Haku wouldn't do this sort of thing. He was much too gentle, too kind to ever do something like that.
And yet he did that to you, a voice muttered in her head.
"It wasn't his fault, something must have happened to him," she argued aloud. "I know Haku, he wouldn't do such a thing intentionally."
Stop covering up for him. He didn't stop even though you were yelling for him to.
"That… That wasn't Haku. I don't believe it. I won't believe it."
Believe whatever you want then, stubborn girl.
"Great, now I'm talking to myself and getting annoyed," the woman huffed.
Just then she heard the sound of footsteps come closer and closer, before stopping just a short distance away from her. "W-Who's there?"
"I see you're finally awake."
"Rei?" Her eyes widened, though she still couldn't see anything. "Why is it so dark in here? What happened? Where are we? Did we get attacked?"
He suddenly let out a bark of laughter, which made Chihiro frown. That was mocking laughter. "W-What is it?"
"Humans, such gullible creatures… Perhaps I should have cast a lighter spell, since you went out for three whole days. It amazes me how weak you creatures are."
"Spell? What did you do to me?"
He blatantly ignored her question. "You lot should have died long ago, in fact, that was what Father and I were working to do, destroy your world and wipe out your entire species permanently. That was until that stupid dragon general of yours came and ruined everything," he added in a venomous tone.
Chihiro's felt a chill run down her spine. Who was this person? This was definitely not Rei. Rei was the fun-loving, outgoing and kind friend of hers, not this callous, cold person with malicious intent standing before her. "You're not Rei…" she murmured with quivering, cracked lips.
"Indeed, I'm not. I forgot to formally introduce myself. My name is Kashikyo Kurou, I only pretended to be "Rei" in order to get closer to you. Quite convincing, wasn't I? You thought I actually cared for a disgusting human like you, perhaps even loved you. It amazes me how stupid you bunch are. Or perhaps it's just you," he spat.
"Why?" she asked, with quivering lips. Why was everyone around her suddenly changing? Fear gripped her heart. Exactly who could she trust anymore?
Suddenly, a dim light appeared in the middle of the room, and Chihiro could identify the vague outline of the man standing before her. His face was hidden in the shadows, however. The room seemed to be empty; she could not scan the room with the limited light available, but it appeared she was being held captive in a warehouse of some sort.
Kurou took a step towards her, leaving the shadows and allowing the dim light to illuminate his face. He had the same facial features as Rei, except that instead of warmth and kindness, there was only malice and coldness. "This all began with you humans. I despise your kind, who stole resources originally belonging to spirits and assuming your rights on our land. Spirits and humans were supposed to live together, but because of the greedy nature of you humans, the spirits were forced to leave and take shelter in this world and abandon their homes, and then out of spite you people destroy our homes, and even our loved ones. Do you know, Mother was killed because of one of your kind? Do you?" he yelled.
"I-I'm sorry… for your loss…" Chihiro stuttered, not sure what she should be saying to this man who clearly bore murderous intent towards her. When Zeniba told her about the knife of betrayal wasn't there only one knife? Why were there two people betraying her now?
No, Haku wouldn't betray her. He didn't. Why then, would he have reacted in such a way when she rejected his proposal?
A small ache grew in her chest. Haku… Where was he? Was he safe? Was he looking for her right then? Did he… hate… her?
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked. "I-If you wanted to kill me you could have done it anytime. Why bring me here?"
A sinister smile played on Kurou's lips. "You're right. Killing you is as easy as crushing a bug. Of course my actual target isn't you. It's Kohaku, that dragon general. A year ago, he foiled Father's and my plans to stage a war against the human world and reclaim our homes and exact revenge against your species, and during the arrest he murdered Father just because he killed one of his pathetic men. I have been waiting for this chance ever since, to see the look of suffering on your faces. Don't worry, your death will not be as painful as his, though it will still hurt a lot."
"Where's Haku?" Chihiro demanded fiercely. "What have you done with him?"
She was answered with a resounding smack in the room and a hot, stinging pain on her left cheek, leaving a trail of blood out of the corner of her lip. "Know your place, human. This isn't a place for you. But very well, overlooking your rudeness, I shall allow you to see your dragon."
He opened his mouth, long, sharp fangs appeared and then he let out a high-pitched shriek, causing Chihiro to cringe and put her head down. Her ears felt like they were about to explode from that high-frequency scream he just did. When he finally stopped, the door opened, but light did not flood in as Chihiro had expected, and then two bald men dressed in rags dragged an unconscious man into the room.
"Haku!" Chihiro shouted. A mere glance at the scarlet-coated forehead of his made her panic instantly. She tried to wriggle them off, but the ropes only tightened around her wrist, making her hiss in pain. "Don't even try struggling. The ropes only tighten each time you move, so hold still now," Kurou smirked.
The two spirits kicked Haku over, causing him to land on his belly sprawled out on the floor, and then they brought large metal chains over, binding Haku's arms and legs to the wall. The light then grew brighter, so that now Chihiro could see Haku clearly.
"What did you do to him?!"
"Nothing much, I was expecting more of a fight from him, but from the looks of it, becoming a lover has made him more effeminate; he's no longer the general he used to be. No matter, it makes my job easier," Kurou answered. "Wake him up," he ordered, and obediently, one of the spirits opened his mouth and a gush of water came out, drenching Haku with it.
The dragon quickly woke up, spluttering and coughing before noticing where he was and locking eyes with Chihiro. "Chihiro…" he muttered, dropping his gaze. "I'm… I'm sorry…"
"This isn't the time," she bit out in a shaky voice. "What did he do to you? Are you alright?" What was she talking about? Of course he wasn't! His face was covered in bruises, and it appeared the angry purple things were extended to the rest of his body as well, except his tattered clothes were covering them up. His left eye was half-closed as a result of an injury stamped right over it, and he had cuts all over his cheeks and chin. There were visible bloodstains on his jaw as well.
"I'm not dead yet, don't worry," he said, sending a sharp glare in Kurou's direction. "What are you planning?"
And then quite suddenly, the crackle of a whip was heard, sending blood splattering on the floor.
"Haku!"
"It would be in your interest to speak more politely to me, then maybe I'll consider letting you die a quicker death."
The dragon groaned, biting down on his lip as he stood to his feet. "Do what you want with me, but please, let Chihiro go. She has no part in this."
"Wrong. She was involved in this the second she became your lover. After all, she is your only weakness." Kurou walked towards her, bringing up a finger and running it down her cheek. Her wide eyes were filled with fear as she stared into the emotionless eyes of Kurou who was but an inch away from her face. "Quite the unfortunate one you are, to have fallen for this dragon, and because of that you will pay the price."
"No! She has nothing to do with this, you already have me, that's all you want!"
"Wrong again, dragon," Kurou clicked his tongue, "I want you to die the most painful death, in order to avenge Father." With a gesture at his henchmen, they began bringing down their whips on Haku's back. The ends of the whips had hooks connected to them, and each time they connected with his bare skin, pieces of his flesh was yanked out as well. The screams of Chihiro, Haku and the whips all melted into one and became an unbearable moan in the confines of the room.
Blood was splattering against the walls and on the clothes of the two ogre-resembling spirits, which only seemed to delight them more. Kurou watched all this in silent admiration while Chihiro repeatedly shouted Haku's name and begged Kurou to stop.
"Enough." With one word, the two spirits stopped their actions, and Haku fell to his knees, panting heavily as blood continued to trickle out of the new lengthy wounds he had upon his back.
Kurou then made his way towards Haku, and drew his foot back, landing a hard kick in Haku's chest. That sent him flying back against the wall, where his back collided with a lard thud. A small groan left his lips as his fists clenched into tight balls, trying his best to bear the pain and to not scare the woman who was witnessing this terrifying scene.
"Haku…" Chihiro was crying by now, tears cascading down her cheeks as she watched her dragon suffer with every blow he had to take.
"Don't cry… Chihiro… This is… nothing…" he managed, with a slight curl of the lips as he gazed at her gently.
"Stop this, Rei- Kurou… Please, I'm begging you, I'll do anything," she pleaded.
Kurou appeared to be deaf at the moment, thoroughly enjoying landing punches and kicks on the dragon before him who could not return any of his blows. It seemed like an eternity before Rei finally stopped because his fists were starting to get sore. Haku fell to his knees once more, coughing up blood this time.
"So, how does it feel to not be able to do anything?" Kurou grinned cruelly. "You killed my father when he was unable to return anymore blows, and now I pay you back doubly."
"Stop it! Enough of this! Please!" Chihiro shouted.
"Or what? Rei grabbed Haku by the collar, throwing him back against the wall. "You're a powerless human, you cannot do anything to help him. Quite frustrating, isn't it?"
"Your father killed one of Haku's friends, so he was just as much as at fault as Haku is! Why are you still holding a grudge-"
Rei's hand wrapped itself around her neck, choking her. "Don't you dare smear Father's name," he said threateningly.
"Get… your hands off of her!" Haku yelled, lunging forward thoughtlessly, as the chains that bound him pulled him back and caused him to stumble and fall down. The two spirits took the liberty of kicking him for attempting to attack their master.
"Stop," Kurou commanded. They stepped away, revealing Haku trying to get up again.
"I suppose I will give you a chance, Chihiro, on account that you stopped Kohaku from killing me before." He turned towards the woman.
"I'll do anything," she quickly said.
"Don't touch her," Haku growled.
Ignoring the protests of the dragon, Kurou folded his arms across his chest. "Your life for his, there's no other way."
A jolt went through Chihiro's heart. "No, stop it, Chihiro! He's not going to keep his word!"
"Oh yes, I assure you, I will keep my word. I will even swear on the honor of my family name, that I will release Haku if you agree to trade your life for his."
"Don't do it, Chihiro!" Kurou lifted a hand, two dark purple streaks appearing and landing against Haku's chest, knocking him backwards. Haku landed against the wall for the umpteenth time, letting out a groan as he did so.
"So, what's your choice?" Kurou asked. "Of course, you have the choice of saying no, and I'll let you go immediately. No conditions."
"Say 'no'! Just say it, damn it!" Haku yelled.
"I'm not leaving you," Chihiro muttered, as a tear fell down her cheek. She gazed at Haku, eyes filled with apology. "I'm sorry…"
His eyes widened. "I'm just a human," she said with a pained smile, "I don't have long to live compared to you, besides, I'm sick, if I don't recover I only have two or three years at the most. But you, Haku, you have hundreds, thousands of years left to live, and I don't want to ruin it for you. I want you to live happily, even without me."
Moisture glistened on the man's cheeks. "There's no reason for living all those years if I have to lose you now. Please, don't do this, Chihiro."
"If you were me, I know you'd do the same," Chihiro smiled, and then she turned to Kurou. "I want you to promise that you will let Haku go if I stay here."
"Of course," he bowed his head. "But he can only leave after I'm done with you."
"Fine. But, can you knock him out so he doesn't have to see?"
"There's only so much you can bargain for, human."
"Kurou! Take my life for hers! Just don't lay a finger on her! I'm begging you!" Haku shouted.
"I only opened the bargain to her, you're in no position to choose, dragon."
"Chihiro, please… I'm begging you…"
"I'm sorry… I owe you this, for hurting you and doubting you earlier," Chihiro murmured. "If we get to see each other again in another life, I promise, I'll definitely wear that ring, okay?"
"Chihiro… I love you… so please, don't make me suffer like this," Haku begged.
Then the woman smiled. "You've been saving me all this time, so this time, it's my turn to save you. I love you, Kohaku River."
A single teardrop fell to the cold, dark ground.
A/N: My heart is breaking right now… Ahh this heaviness won't go away. Anyways I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible since this is a pretty big cliffhanger sigh.
Here's a big hug to my reviewees:
Pureblooded1998, Ialiceiamagodness, MONKEYSMURFROX, Denise530, SAK00, JiffyFrose, Crazygeekweirdo, Princess Hephzi of Arendale, captainjelsa, Louie and diety!
Now I'm just going to sulk in a corner, don't mind me. Goodbye…
