Chapter Four

Late the next day, I called Sen to Yubabba's office. My plan was to be put into action. When she appeared meekly in the doorway, I spoke sharply. "Close the door, and come here."

"Yes Sir." She closed the door, and walked over to me. She was quivering, which,even though it was natural, was a nice touch in our act.

"Sen, Haku has asked me to grant permission for you to go on a mission with him. It appears you've found favor with him. " Yubabba eyed her.

"Yes,Ma'm." She stood perfectly straight,shaking.

"Sit down, for heaven's sake!" A chair scooped Sen up. Yubabba turned her gaze to me now. "I don't think she has it in her to go where you are going, Haku."

"Oh she does. She's very strong, Yubabba." I cleared my throat. "Sit up,Sen."

"Yes,Master Haku." She sat straighter, keeping her eyes lowered.

"Sen, the mission is perilous. Understand that I do not approve of you're going, but I will allow it this once, as Haku needs help."

"Yes Ma'm." She looked over at me now,curiously.

I pretended not to notice the look, keeping the act up. "You may return to work, Sen. I will send for you at daybreak. Be ready." I gave her knowing look.

"Yes, Master Haku." She left, closing the door behind her.

"Haku, this better not be some trick to get her home. I'm warning you." Yubabba glared at me suspiciously. "She looks like she never thinned at all."

"Relax, Yubabba. She's not going anywhere." I left the witch's office, and smirked, walking to my own. Yubabba won't know anything until it's too late. I still needed one more insurance. I walked down to the washtubs, to seek out Lin. When I found her, she was helping Sen scrub her tub. I cleared my throat. "What do you think you're doing, Lin?"

"She hurt her leg. I was just offering a little help." Lin looked directly into my eyes, unafraid.

"I see. Sen, be careful. Lin, I need to talk to you, in my office. Meet me there in ten minutes." I walked off to make the last of my rounds. I had to continue my routine, otherwise Yubabba would get suspicious. There would be plenty of time for mission planning before daybreak.

Lin looked at Sen, arching an eyebrow. "What's up with him? He never needs to talk to me."

"I don't know, Lin." She looked away, and became very interested in her work.

"Lin, when I leave at daybreak, I will not be returning. "

"What? What are you talking about? The mission can't be that bad, or Yubabba wouldn't have allowed Sen to come with you." Lin was sitting across from me, her eyes widening.

" I'm not going on her mission, Lin. I'm taking Sen home to Chihiro. Then I'm going to stay with them." I watched her carefully.

"You're leaving?! Forever?!" Lin stared at me in shock.

"It is the only way I can fulfill my promise to Sen." I looked down at my desk. "I will miss you, Lin. Even though you always gave me a hard time, I will miss you."

"What can I do to help, Haku?"

I detected a hint of tears in her voice, but I didn't dare look to find out. "Before I leave, I'm going to give you previously written letter. Hide it. In about four months, give it to Yubabba. "

"What will it say, Haku?"

"That we've been taken captive in another world and will not be returning."

She nodded solemnly. "I hope whoever she gets to replace you is just as great a Work Master as you, Haku. It's' been an honor, working for you." She stood up, and bowed before leaving my office.

I sat back in my chair, working out the rest of my plan mentally. Sen's safety was my primary concern. If anything went wrong, I would need somewhere to keep her until it was safe to continue. Suddenly, an idea hit me. Zeniba, Yubabba's twin sister, who was kind. She'd helped Chihiro too. I wrote a letter to the woman, and sent it with a dove to her house. Hopefully, I would get a response before daybreak.

At daybreak, I summoned Sen out on to her favorite terrace.

"What's going on, Haku?"

"Be quiet, come on." I led her down the ladder, and to the bridge. She didn't say anything until we reached the water's edge.

"Where are you taking me, Haku?"

"Home. Where are your clothes, Sen?"

She held up a bundle. "Right here. Are you really taking me home? I don't believe it!"

"I made you a promise,Sen. I never break a promise. I told you that the night we met. Go behind the bathhouse and discard that uniform. I won't let Chihiro see you in that." When she left to change, I concentrated hard, and transformed into my dragon form. I

"Haku, I….." She gasped, when she saw me. "What happened?!"

I looked at her,and nudged her with my nose, to imply that she should get on my back.

She climbed up, holding on to my horns gently. "Okay, I'm ready, Haku."

Sen held on tightly, taking in the beautiful scenery as we flew over the river. "It's so pretty, Haku…."

I snorted in a response, as I went lower so she could touch the water. I was no longer her master. I was her friend once more.

She put out a hand to play in the cold water,and giggled.

It was the first time I'd ever heard her giggle since she'd come. I flew high again, letting the wind glide me for a time. I was pleased with myself for coming up with this plan. Sen would be home before nightfall, and I would be free of Yubabba once and for all.

"Look, Haku! The tunnel! Oh we're almost home!"

I tossed my head in agreement, but there was something off. I banked sharply, plummeting into the water, returning to my human form.

Sen was drowning. "H-haku!" She choked on the river water.

I grabbed her pulling her up, and holding her close. "Shh….we've been followed, Sen." I looked around, sharply.

"Who is it, Haku?" Her eyes widened in fear.

"I don't know. Hold your nose, and breath. We're going under." When she was ready, I pulled us both under, silently praying that we wouldn't have to stay like that long. When I couldn't hold it anymore, I pulled us up, and looked around. "Okay, I think we're safe for now. Are you okay?" I put her on my back and breast stroked the rest of the way to the other side.

I th-think so." She clung to me fearfully. "Who was it, Haku?"

"One of Yubabba's guards. We're safe now though." I let her down on the other side. "She can't hurt us any longer." I took her hand, and we walked up the steps towards the tunnel. "Are you ready to go home now, Sen?"

"Yes, I am ready." She seemed to hesitate though.

"What is it?" I looked at her, concerned.

"What's going to happen to you, Haku? Are you going to be okay?" She had tears in her eyes.

I took a hand, and wiped them away. "I'm going to be fine. I'll be with you, Sen. Always."

"Really? You mean that?" She threw her arms around me. "Oh Haku! This is great! Mommy will be so happy!"

I embraced her back, awkwardly. It felt strange, when I thought about living among humans. I had never done that. "Come on, let's get you home." We walked into the tunnel together.

When we reached the other side of the tunnel, Sen looked around. "It feels like I never left, Haku."

"Our time in the Spirit World is different, yes. Which way do we go?"

"This way." She led me down the dirt road. "We came here by bicycle, so it's going to take a little longer on foot." She smiled at me.

"Not if I carry you on my back." I transformed back into my dragon form.

She climbed back up, and pointed out a more direct path to her Grandmother's. "It shouldn't take to much longer. I can see the house from here!" She clung to my mane excitedly.

I nodded my head, and started hovering near the blue house. Slowly, I landed, and let her slide off of my back.

"I can't believe it. I'm home!"

"I promised you, didn't I?" I watched her run into the house, leaving me outside.

"Mommy, Tiffy! I'm home!" Sen ran into the guest room ,where they stayed.

"Sen!" Chihiro scooped her daughter up,hugging her fiercely. "My baby. I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Mommy! I met Haku and I had to work for him for a whole year! He's really nice, and he brought me home. Can he stay with us so Yubabba doesn't kill him? Please?!" She looked up at her mother, pleadingly.

"H-he's here?" Chihiro walked downstairs, still carrying Sen,and opened the door.

I was sitting on the porch,transformed back into my human form. "Chihiro." I stood up, and looked at the young woman. "You grew up so nicely."

"Haku!" She ran out of the door,and hugged me tightly. "Thank you so much for everything you did for Sen. Of course you can stay with us." She let go of me, and looked down at her daughter. "Welcome home, both of you."