Note: This is a slightly longer chapter. I'm not sure if it's too long winded. I hope not.
Chapter 3: The Heart Stirs
Rin was a hard worker. Although she fumbled a lot, she was trustworthy and that was exactly why Haku appointed her to be the Head of Operations. Sometimes, the work can be overwhelming but life in the bathhouse has improved tremendously ever since Haku took over. Yubaba was a terrible witch and slaving under her authority made life dreadful. She forgot her name, forgot her history, and lived as though the bathhouse was the only thing she had.
But then one day, a scrawny little girl turned up and flipped the table on the witch…Rin could still remember how Chihiro looked like the first day she was here - klutzy and scared to the bones. A small smile appeared on Rin's almond-shaped face as she recalled Chihiro's time with them 16 years ago.
"Mistress Rin, Lady Kaeda wishes to be served her tea now," a meek door mouse spirit whispered in Rin's ear.
Rin nodded and understood what that meant. The angelfish was here for a visit and that only meant two things: firstly, she's here to discuss business with Haku. Secondly, she's here for Haku.
"That wench came all the way from down South to sign a few papers again? Everyone knows that's just a silly excuse," Rin snorted, keeping her thoughts to herself. It was probably common knowledge that beautiful daughters of rich merchants in the spirit world are vying for Haku's favour. And why wouldn't they? The master of the bathhouse was a powerful dragon, 6 578 years old and in his prime.
Rin put the used dishes back into the shelf while waiting for the water to boil. Situated in the basement, the pantry had a narrow space and Rin's careless movements knocked down a whole jar of utensils. Spoons and chopsticks scattered onto the floor with a series of loud clangs.
"Shoot!" Rin muttered to herself and bent over to clear up the mess she's created.
"Drawing baths for stink spirits are the worst!" Rin overheard the shrill voices of a few passing Yunas.
"It's not like we get to choose who we bathe," replied one of them, "but if you could choose, who would you draw a bath for?"
"Well, I'd say the guardian spirit of Mount Fukuma," one of the Yunas giggled, "but honestly… I'd kill to draw Master Haku a bath."
"I can see why! He's got such a tight ass," The trio burst into laughter and their squealing voices faded into the busyness of the higher floors above.
Rolling her eyes, Rin emerged from behind the counter and put the utensils back in place, "you'll draw Master Haku a bath the day Hell freezes over." Clearly, Haku's power and position was not the only reason why females from high places have been flocking all the way to the East for a bath.
On her way up in the elevator, Rin checked the tea tray she was holding for the third time. Lady Kaeda isn't one to voice her displeasures but one could often sense her annoyance easily when her expectations are not met. Giving herself a quick sniff over, Rin made sure there was no trace of "human" on her. She tucked a stray strand of her chocolate hair behind her ear and knocked on the door.
Almost too quickly, the door slid open and Haku stood right in front of her.
"Oh, that must be my tea," Rin could hear Kaeda's mellow voice calling from inside. A voluptuous slim figure clad in nothing but a luxurious bathrobe appeared behind Haku's tall figure, "I like to have a little something to top off the most sensuous experience." She gave Haku a wink as she took the tray from Rin's hands.
The exchange of looks between Rin and Haku was not missed.
"Is something the matter?" Kaeda asked curiously.
Haku immediately turned his attention back to his guest, "It's nothing-"
"No, it's not nothing" Rin bit back.
"What's the matter Kohaku? You know you can tell me everything," she smiled sweetly at him, "we are, after all good friends and business partners."
"We just have some disagreements, that's all" Haku said as he shot Rin a hard look.
"About what?" Kaeda probed.
"You know, the usual," Rin sighed, "how the bathhouse should run. The way things… should be handled." She rolled her eyes at Haku. The dragon knew she was hinting at the sleeping human girl upstairs, in his bed.
"Thanks Rin, for the tea. We'll speak later when we have time," Haku responded coldly, his hand on the door, ready to leave the conversation as that. Rin took a deep bow and excused herself before Haku slid the door close.
"Come here, Kohaku, enjoy this tea with me. Why you run this business with someone you can't get along with is beyond me. If you ever need a new partner, you know you can look for me."
As their voice faded, Rin ran downstairs to the boiler room. If there was anyone in the bathhouse she could be completely open to, it was Kamaji.
"Can you believe this SHIT?" Rin shouted and the susuwatari scrambled back to their hiding places beneath the floorboards.
"Shh! do you want everyone to know?" Kamaji hushed. "And don't you slack off, it's not lunch until two hours later!" He turned around, scolding the retreating susuwatari.
Although Kamaji had a temper that matched the temperature of the boiler room, Rin enjoyed talking to him. The eight-limbed man doesn't gossip and when he spoke, he was always frank and honest. Rin knew she could count on him, and so did Haku.
"It's not easy running a bathhouse," Kamaji spoke up, after a moment of silence. "It's not like he chose to run this place anyway, you know that."
"Yea… I know," Rin admitted reluctantly. "That damn Yubaba was so mad when he told her he wanted to be free."
"I was so happy for Haku. God of the Kohaku river! Who would have known, eh?"Kamaji chuckled lightly.
"He couldn't outsmart that big headed witch, though. She freed him from her control but bound him to the bathhouse," Rin belched.
"He bargained for Chihiro's freedom with his own life," Kamaji sighed, "young silly lizard knows more about love than an old spirit like me, eh?"
Love… Rin furrowed her brows. What is love?
"Still, stupid lizard is playing a game of intrigue with the ladies of our land," Rin spat in disgust as images of female spirits throwing themselves at Haku came to her mind.
"He can be a stupid piece of shit, I agree, especially when it came to Chihiro," Kamaji replied, "but believe it or not, I think he's doing the best he can… in his own twisted way."
Rin sat down on the floor boards and closed her eyes. She hated to admit it, but she knew what Kamaji said was true.
The moonlight shone through the opened balcony doors and illuminated the small table in the middle of the room. With winter around the corner, nights were becoming a little too cold for open balconies but Kaeda loved to enjoy the view over a hot pot of Hojicha. Gathering her hair over her right shoulder, Kaeda poured the roasted tea for herself and Haku.
"I love this bathhouse, especially after the ownership was transferred to you," Kaeda took a sip of tea and glanced over at Haku, sitting across her.
"Thank you, I'm glad our services are up to your expectations," Haku nodded politely, taking a sip of tea as well. "I hope this means you're willing to renew our trading terms?"
"Of course! Don't you have faith in our relationship?" Kaeda smiled sweetly at Haku over her shoulder. Her loose bathrobe was slipping off but it didn't seem to bother her.
"You know I trust you, Kaeda," Haku gave a small smile as he tried to be polite to his guest. He knew Kaeda didn't just come to the bathhouse to reestablish business ties. In fact, she has been quite open about her inclinations towards him but he never held any feelings for her. It wasn't because Kaeda was unattractive — she was was a beautiful spirit. She had a curvaceous body, which Haku was quite familiar with, and exuded elegance. But, like many spirits in power, Haku found the airs she put on annoying and couldn't picture himself spending the rest of eternity with someone like her. Nodding and laughing at the appropriate moments, Haku wasn't really following the conversation at hand. It wasn't important anyway, nothing mattered more than the little human girl four floors above them. The human girl who gave him back his name.
"…The son of the Western merchant came to me again," Kaeda took a sideways glance at Haku. "He gave me a jade bangle but I told him I already have one from you."
"Well, that's very generous of him," Haku knew Kaeda was trying to draw a response from him, "let me see the one I gifted you the last matsuri won't you?"
Kaeda pulled up her sleeve and reached her hand over to Haku. With her head resting on her other hand, she took in Haku's sharp handsome features as his face leaned closer to examine the bangle. Shifting his position, Haku took her wrist in his hands and put up with pretences.
Just as Haku was about to make a comment on how the bangle matched her mossy green hair, he felt a slight tug in his chest. "It… looks lovely, really," Haku managed unconvincingly, feeling every fibre of his being telling him to go. It's Chihiro. GO. IMMEDIATELY. But he couldn't leave now, especially if he wanted to keep Chihiro a secret.
Kaeda frowned at Haku's half-hearted response and pouted, "well… if you say so."
Realising that he needed to keep up with his act in order to keep Chihiro safe, Haku tried his best to ignore that pressure building up in his chest. "Kaeda… if you want a new bangle, you need only ask and I'll gift you one as soon as I can." He charmed.
"Oh, Kohaku, you don't have to…"A tinge of pink appeared on Kaeda's fair porcelain complexion. At this point, the sensation in Haku's chest was getting increasingly painful. Beads of sweat were appearing at Haku's temples and the dragon was finding it difficult to keep calm.
"Haku…are you alright? You look deathly pale!" Kaeda held Haku's face in her hands. Haku smiled weakly at her while he gently removed her hands away and cradled them in his hands. He was in no mood to continue this game with Kaeda but he needed to get away from her without arousing any suspicion.
"You know, I think the witch Zeniba is here and I should probably go and talk to her about this," he was surprised he could still keep his tone low and calm when everything else in his being is screaming at him to go to Chihiro immediately.
"Alright, please take care of yourself Kohaku…" Kaeda whispered.
Haku nodded in response, took a deep bow and excused himself. The pain was unbearable and he was starting to feel emotions not his own. He knew what that meant.
Chihiro is awake.
Chihiro… I love you, Chihiro…
"Will you tell me where I am?" Chihiro asked the expanse of blue surrounding her.
I've waited so long to hold you…
Chihiro had lost all sense of time but she had a feeling she had been floating in the currents of this strange dimension for quite a while. "How do you know who I am?" She asked.
I know everything about you… I yearn for you… Please come back to me.
A wave of melancholy washed over Chihiro and she knew, somehow, that these emotions were not her own. Whatever this deep deep blue was, it was scared. It was anxious. And it… and it… it loved her.
"I'm here. Please don't cry," Chihiro let her fingers caress the currents as she reached her hands out, "I'm here"
"I'm here… I'm here…" Chihiro kept muttering, "I'm here." Slowly, the heavy sadness was lifted and she felt the blue fading away. It receded, gently, like lapping waves of a river. Gradually, the blue faded away and she felt as though she were washed ashore.
Drowsily, Chihiro turned her head to look around her but saw no one. My ears must be playing tricks on me… She warily sunk deeper in bed and covered the blanket over her face.
But she realised that those weren't her blankets. Nor was this her bed. With a rising sense of panic, she sat up straight and surveyed the traditional room she was in.
"My god. Is this another dream?"