Chihiro snuggled closer to Haku, she felt secured in his embrace as if nothing in the world could harm her as long as she's in his arms where it's warm and secure. If only it could last forever. There was a brief silence before Chihiro said, "Haku, isn't it 2 years since you quit as Yubaba's apprentice, the Sea God have not done anything yet did he, about your absence there?" Haku loosened his embrace and replied, "The Sea God gave me two years to decide… My time is almost up." Chihiro sighed sadly, and whispered to Haku, "Promise me that you'll make me yours, Nigihayami Kohaku, no matter what happens. Promise?" Haku smiled at her softly as he leaned his forehead against hers and said, "Promise."
[I sorta drew a fanart for this 'promise part' tell me if you want it and I'll give you the URL for the pic ok?]
Early next day, Chihiro carried
a bag containing clothes and food out to the front of Zeniba's house.
Haku was already waiting there, studying the shines of dawn lighting up the
darkness of night. Chihiro crept up slowly towards Haku and gave him a peck
on his left cheek. Haku took a step backwards in surprise as he rubbed his cheek.
"Chihiro, you gave me a fright." Chihiro smiled and said, "I'm
just doing it before it's too late." Haku smile back and said, "Ready?"
Chihiro's smile faded into a worried expression..
"Haku, do you think it's safe for me to sneak in there? Won't
they eat me if they find out? The Sea God's favourite dish is made of
human, isn't it?" Haku's expression frozen at the thought
of a 'Chihiro Dish'. Maybe it wasn't a good idea after all
for Chihiro to follow to witness his wedding with Princess Aqua. It is true
that the Sea God and other dragons in the castle liked eating human, especially
young girls or children but as long as it was Chihiro's request, he'll
fulfill it. "You'll be safe as long as you're with me."
Haku's expression was serious as he said let's go. Chihiro stared
at him for a couple of seconds then said, "Aren't
you, gonna turn into your dragon form?" Haku held Chihiro's hand
and smiled, "There's no need for that, as long as I have my true
identity, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. Come…"
As soon as Haku touched Chihiro, Chihiro felt light all of a sudden, lighter than a feather, as if gravity doesn't exist. Even her hair started floating without the presence of gravity. Chihiro looked down to find herself floating, going against the law of gravity. Haku tugged her hand from above. Chihiro looked up to find Haku in a serene smile as he said, "I wanted to hold your hand in mine. As long as you stay in touch with me, you can fly easily as walking." Chihiro willed herself to go higher but she went too fast and almost knocked Haku's head, head on. "With a little practice, of course," Haku added with a sense of humour. Chihiro blushed and said, "Guide me then, the way you did last time." Haku pulled Chihiro further from the ground effortlessly. Chihiro's eyes widened with delight as she did six years ago. Haku smiled sadly as he studied Chihiro's face and expression, trying to capture every moment. The face he would have to dream of in the future.
"Haku, where exactly is the castle?" Haku looked around and pointed towards the sea, immediately, he flew towards the sea. "We need to go deep into the sea to the center of all seas" Chihiro hesitated, "But I can't breathe underwater…" Haku paused, he had forgotten that human couldn't breathe underwater. Haku held Chihiro close to him and gave her another passionate kiss in the air. They parted after awhile, this time, Haku had a pleased smile on his face, "You can breath underwater now, Chihiro." With that, Haku pulled Chihiro with him deep into the sea with an audible splash that can be heard even when she's already deep in the sea. At first, Chihiro struggled to breathe, holding her breath till pressure pushed the air out of her fragile body. Chihiro swallowed the salty water of the sea as Haku pulled her further into the sea. Chihiro tugged Haku's hand panicly, Haku turned around to see Chihiro, Haku stopped at once and said, "Breathe as if this was once the air that you had breathed in above the waters." Chihiro breathed properly this time as the pain in her ears eased, the water pressure softened their force against her and water rushed through her nose. Seeing that Chihiro isn't in pain anymore, Haku continued. Chihiro shut her eyes tightly as the salt is stinging her eyes while they went deeper.
Not long later, Haku paused. "Chihiro, open your eyes… We've reached the Castle's entrance." Chihiro opened her eyes to find herself standing in front of a castle, lit by dim lights. The castle's wall, made of shells, arranged in a unique way. Chihiro stood in awe as she studied the castle from top to bottom. The door swung open all of the sudden which made Chihiro jumped a little. Haku whispered urgently, "Chihiro, be silent and speak only when spoken to, understand." Chihiro nodded. Haku walked in with Chihiro tagging along into the luxurious castle. A beautiful young lady greeted them. She was richly dressed in a blue theme. Haku bowed formerly to her which Chihiro hurriedly followed and said, "Greetings, Princess Aqua."
Haku rised, followed by Chihiro. Princess Aqua smiled and said, "I believe, that this human girl is my gift?" Haku stepped in front of Chihiro, plastered a smile on his face and said, "My apologies, Princess Aqua. This is my disciple." Princess Aqua seemed upset about it and said, "Then where is my gift-" Haku interrupted before she could demand even more, "Perhaps Princess, you will show me around your magnificent castle of the most beautiful Princess ever lived?" Princess Aqua smiled at the sound of praise, forgetting about the gift, she showed Haku his room which is a very spacious room filled with odd instruments then pointed a rugged piece of mat on the floor for Chihiro and left.
[I'm drawing Princess Aqua as well… review if you wanna see…]
Haku sighed a sigh of relief as soon as the Princess left. Chihiro drooped her head thinking, "I'm losing Haku to that spoilt Princess? No way!" Haku fingered one of the instruments, immediately, he had new clothes on. Haku's eyes were sad; marrying a spoilt princess wasn't something one would do willingly. Chihiro kept quiet, sitting on her rug. "Chihiro," Haku began, "I will be expected to propose to the Princess during dinner…" Chihiro did not reply or even budge. Haku continued, "Chihiro, I'll try to get a seat for you at the table." Then, Haku left Chihiro alone. Chihiro got her bag and dug into it. She took out a ring, it was a gorgeous ring that no word could describe it. The gift, to propose the wedding… Chihiro sighed as she stared at the ring. The very item that will cost her, Haku. There was a knock on the door which Chihiro answered, a girl her age said, "Dinner is ready, everyone will be expected to be there by 5 minutes," then left. Five minutes… Chihiro clutched the ring tightly as she was supposed to hand it to Haku when he proposes. Chihiro went out of the room, following the directions that the Princess had given before leaving.
At the dinner table, the Sea God could be seen laughing loudly with Haku. Haku had failed to get a seat for Chihiro therefore, she has to eat on the floor all because of the 'GOD/DESS only' table that doesn't allow humans on it. Chihiro looked forlornly at her food. 7 miserable small fried anchovies, bones of fish and empty shells of oysters. If this is what it's gonna be like, Chihiro wasn't even sure if she's gonna survive at this rate… "Ha ha ha, Nigihayami, so glad you made it, my child." The Sea God said merrily. He was a very tall, jolly fellow with long white wavy hair that reached his back. He had a long moustache and beard which made him look more ancient then the stars that never get to shine unto the sea floor. The beautiful Princess Aqua looked… alienish? Her hair was a mixture of light aqua blue and light moss green with eyes as blue as the view of the sky from the floor of the sea. Her skin was a pale white colour and around her wrist were semi-transparent golden bangle. Behind each of her ears were seven white feathers. Around her neck was a choker with a blue crystal as its stone. Princess Aqua flirted with Haku all dinner using every flirting style that she could think of but not that noticeable for the Sea God to realize. Haku tried hard to ignore the Princess' eyes as they were suddenly bright and clear, almost hypnotizing. Haku concentrated on his food, slicing whatever was on his plate slowly, trying to waste time away. The Sea God then began, "Nigihayami, would you like to have my daughter's hand in marriage? That was what you came for, is it not?" Haku paused eating and sat up, looking straight into Princess Aqua's hypnotizing eyes.
"Chihiro!" Haku said from the table, still looking at Princess Aqua. Chihiro stood up immediately and went to stand beside Haku, Chihiro clutched the ring tightly not wanting to give it to Haku. Haku showed Haku his palm for the ring which Chihiro reluctantly gave. Still gazing at Princess Aqua, he said, "Someone had been in my thoughts and dreams for several years," Haku dropped his gaze and fingered the ring as he smiled at it. Chihiro felt tears welling up, she shouldn't have come, she just couldn't take it. Haku must have been hypnotized by the Princess. She wiped her tears away, trying to show as if her eyes hurt as not to have any suspicion between her and Haku. Haku turned towards the Sea God and said, "Your daughter is indeed beautiful and charming, your majesty. I am not worthy to have her hand." The Sea God laughed aloud and said, "My daughter is the one who wishes you to be her husband, Nigihayami. She says she's seen you around here before and fell for you. Ha ha ha, not worthy, hah! You have my blessing to marry my daughter." Princess Aqua blushed scarlet which made her look even more odd on her pale skin. Princess Aqua giggled and said, "Pa pa… don't." Haku smiled to himself, still fingering the ring. "Your majesty, grant me this wish." The Sea God roared with laughter, "Of course, of course!" Haku smiled in satisfaction, and continued, "I wish that the wedding that ties me and your daughter is aborted."
Chihiro's spirit was lifted the moment Haku said that. The Sea God stopped laughing. "Whatever the reason for? Hadn't you dreamt about my sweet daughter for several years?" "Alas your majesty, it wasn't." Princess Aqua took out her trident and pointed it towards Haku. It was made of the same semi-transparent gold, like her bangles. "Who's beauty that has surpasses mine and stolen you heart from me, Nigihayami?" Haku still smiling said, "My heart wasn't stolen from you, Princess Aqua, it never was. Her beauty, more beautiful internally than yours." Princess Aqua touched Haku's throat with her trident and yelled, "I demand to know who?" Haku took Chihiro's hand and slipped the ring unto her ring man finger. Chihiro gasped as a sudden odd feeling enveloped her. Haku turned towards the Sea God and said, "I love this girl, Chihiro. I will do anything to make her mine, your highness. Please grant my wish as you had agreed before. The Sea God was speechless as he stared at Chihiro, head to toe then toe to head, finding for words but no word came out.
[ Ahh… I know I'm being such a cliff hanger, I'm not that bad but I'm trying hard to continue at your request ^-^ wait for the nxt chapter ya? Reviews! Reviews!]