A/N: Ah, so it goes. The ants move out of the basement and the trolls move in. You get back from your aunts wedding and the grandparents are coming halfway across the country for a little visit. The season finales of Alias and CSI are within 4 days of each other and the boards flood.

Well, one thing leads to another and I haven't gotten around to posting this until now. I wrote it on the airplane to Atlanta (Yes, Georgia.) but that was in print in my notebook. So, finally, I've found time to type this between analyzing the last epi of Alias and promoting Sara/Grissom fanfiction.

And, no, you can't kill me after this chapter. Cause Rhiannon is planning an epilogue. Yep! So you all get to read my take on how things turn out. Fanfiction is funny like that.

My comp doesn't like the word fanfiction. Fanfiction. Fanfiction. Fanfiction. Heh. But it happens to like Grissom's name. Dumb machines...

Um, just read the chapter.

Double quote! ~Nothing says love like an ice pick in the leg~ ~I wish men came with instructions. Of course, they wish the same about us women~

Disclaimer: No matter how long I put off saying this, I don't own Kohaku, Chihiro, or Spirited Away. Nope. Not me.

Leaving Chapter 15 Gods

"Nigihayami Kohakunushi."

His eyes snapped open as he turned toward the voice. But all around him was darkness.

"You have come."

This second speaker was female, whereas the first had been masculine. Two people flickered into exsistence in front of Kohaku.

Both of

His eyes snapped open as he turned toward the voice. But all around him was darkness.

"You have come."

This second speaker was female, whereas the first had been masculine. Two people flickered into exsistence in front of Kohaku.

Both of them were dressed in the traditional Japanese style. The man was dressed in imperial orange, while the woman at his side was clothed in red robes decorated with delicate cherry blossoms.

Kohaku bowed low, though he knew what surface he was standing in, until motioned to him to rise. It was Izanagi, the man who spoke next. "Why do you come here?"

It was a second before Kohaku answered, as he was surprised. Why else would he come here, to this place? "I come to give my life up, that-"

He was cut off by the woman's mocking voice. "'-That the world's might be restored and the Prophecy of Ages fulfilled.' Why have you come here, Kohaku? That is what she calls you, is it not?"

Speechless, he nodded and Izanami continued speaking, while beginning to move towards him. "Have you come solely for that reason? Or is there yet another? Do you do this for power? Do you wish to be known throughout the worlds?"

Again, Kohaku simply shook his head, too stunned for speech.

"What about greed? Do you wish to be rewarded for your generosity? I can give you anything you wish, Kohaku. Is that why you come?"

She was very close to him now, and again he shook his head. Izanami darted a hand out from the cocoon of her robes to stroke his face. "Or," She whispered. "Do you come here out of love?"

Finally Kohaku seemed to find his voice. "I do come here out of love, not for any of the worlds. But for the love of one woman."

Izanami's hand fell from his face, and disappeared once more into her sleeve. "You could go back to her now. Be with her for a few more days, until there are no more."

After first hesitating, he slowly shook his head again. "I know, and I had considered that possibility. But even if I cannot be there, I want my beloved Chihiro to live a full and rich life. It sounds false, but I tell you that every word I speak now is true."

Izanami seemed satisfied with this answer, and stepped back to Izanagi's side. Then Izanagi spoke. "You have proven yourself and your intentions. The prophecy will be fulfilled.

~~

Chihiro sat on the rail of the bridge, feet over the edge, her bag lying on the ground behind her. She watched the water flowing underneath, mind not on what her eyes saw. Four days. It had been four whole days since Kohaku had left. And still there was no sign of him.

Looking up at the sky, she sighed and swung her legs back over the edge. It was getting late now, and she should go home. As she retrieved her bag and began to walk, she felt as if she was being watched. Not daring to believe, she turned slowly.

"You came back."

~~

He had come to the bridge. Somehow, Kohaku had known he would find her here, standing on the bridge, waiting. Maybe she had not meant to wait at first, but now she had stopped, not moving at all. She said something that human ears would never have heard, but he was no human, after all.

"You came back."

That was all she said, before turning and running into his arms.

~~