A/N: Okay, this is the last chapter of this story. Sorry guys! I know its short, but I was expecting it to be longer than this. A slight warning: Chihiro says a very rude word, and it may not be suitable for a young child's ear. But oh well! This is a PG-13 fic, after all! Hope you enjoy the last chapter!
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Another rainy day, I thought dismally. I was at school, and we had been getting heavy rain for days now. When will it end? The brightness I had, the only happiness in this world of grey, was the light shinning within me. Now that Haku had returned, I had nothing to be sad about. I sighed, and continued with my work.
After school let out, I was forced to run with my school bag over my head to get home. Finally, driping wet and not in the best of moods, I got home. Haku was sitting on the couch, waiting patiently. I allowed him to be around the house at these times; my parents were at work.
"Hello," I said gloomily, trying in vein to dry myself off. "Uh, when is this rain going to stop?" I asked, more to myself.
Haku smiled at me. Obviously he found it funny for me to be unhappy at something as little as some rain. "Rain is fine. It is actually very helpful to the world. Be thankful you have an abundance of it."
I growled to myself. "Easy for you to say," I shot back, getting fairly angry now. Why is being so blunt? He would usually at least ackololedge my anger. He's acting more like an annoying younger sibling than a river spirit. "Easy for you to say.You're a river spirit. You live in water."
I turned to leave; I had a lot of homework to do. But something made me turn around. Haku was glaring at me with burning eyes. The look in them… I could barely recognize him. They bore a look of pure, deep-seated hatered. I have never seen Haku look like that before. Could all his anger be because of mine? No, I thought, he wouldn't get all blown off over this. He has more control than that. He is kind, compassinate. He would never get this look of pure hate from one statement. I knew he wouldn't. The look in his eyes scared me. I'll admit that. They burned with vengeful flame, very much unlike the usual sweet glow that I knew so well.
"Time to get what you deserve."
His tone of voice, I thought fearfully. That…that's not really Haku. That imposter isn't Haku!
Finally, the message that my dreams have been sending finally got through. My heart was telling the truth. That wasn't Haku!
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Should've thought about this first, Haku thought dismally. He had been in the human world for days now, but had heard nor seen any sign of Chihiro. What if that imposter got to her… No, he thought, I will not think about that. But still, Haku couldn't be very positive. Three days straight of searching, and he hadn't found hide nor hair of her. He felt crushed. He hated to think of what that fake Haku could be doing. He shivered. Can't think of that, got to stay focused…
But just as he thought that, the harder it become to do. In his dragon-form, he was able to muster the power to control the water of earth. For cover as he searched for Chihiro, he called forth rain to shield himself from human eyes as he flew. But the rain itself made it harder to see, and, even though Haku lived underwater most of his life, he couldn't see very well in the rain.
Haku had no idea how he was going to find her home. Maybe he expected her to be waiting outside for him, ready to show him the human world. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been!
But as Haku passed over a neighborhood, he got a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He got a sense that Chihiro lived somewhere in that neighborhood, in one of those houses. He didn't know what this feeling was, or how he could recognize it as to tell where Chihiro was. But it was the best lead he had, and he was willing to use it to the fullest.
But then he got another feeling. A feeling of confusion, saddness and, fear. He didn't know where these emotions had come from; as they certainly weren't Haku's. Then, Haku figured, it must be….. Chihiro! Now Haku got a feeling of dread, his own emtion. He was too late! He had to save Chihiro, no matter what.
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I stared. "H-Haku?" I studdered. I was scared beyond belief. The Haku that had been at my house for weeks and weeks was a fake. I didn't want to belive it. My mind was still convinced this was the real Haku. But my heart knew. It had always known. Because you can't imitate true love. That Haku, my heart knew was a fake, and had always beeen a fake. But I still couldn't imagine I was tricked. He tricked me! That bastard had tricked me!
Now, beneath all the fear and confusion, I was angry. If this Haku wasn't the one I know, then where was the real one I love? Could he still be in the spirit world, completely unaware of this? Or was he trapped somewhere, unable to come back? Or did he just forget about me, to leave me here alone forever? My heart sank at this. But, I thought, even if he's forgotten, I will find him!
"Where's Haku?" I demanded. I was beyond angry. This guy had messed with love. Nobody messes with love.
The fake laughed. It was a cruel, evil laugh. "He's locked up at Yubaba's bathhouse!" It cackled manically. "He won't be able to come and save you!" Another laugh. Then that's when I knew that this thing was crazy.
It was then it transformed it Haku's dragon-form. But it looked different. Instead of the white dragon fur, it was jet black. Instead of shinning, leaf green eyes, they were a deep, blood red. It was like Haku had an evil twin.
"Yubaba wanted me to bring you back to the spirit world," it hissed in a voice no longer at all like Haku's. "But I never liked beingYubaba's lap dog. I'd much rather kill you instead!"
Then the dragon flew toward me, eyes wide, foam flying from his mouth. I cried out, closed my eyes, and braced myself for the impact. There was no escape. He had won. Now I'll never seen Haku again. That fact hit me like a hammer. I'll never see him again, I'll never see him again…
Haku, I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't like me surrenduring like this. But what can I do? He has me cornered. I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me. I'm such a coward. You're probably so disappointed in me right now, huh? I can't help it. Well, I guess this is it. And now, I say my farewell. And don't forget this: I love you.
I love you, Haku. Never forget how much I love you, my dear Haku. How nothing can stand against us. Remember our love, our love that cannot be taken away…
Remember…
I waited several seconds, but I felt nothing, I slowly opened one eye, then both of them in shock. A small little shield was around me. The false dragon was batering it mercilessly, but nothing happened.
"What is this?!" he snarled. The shield was slightly pinkish in color, and glowed brightly. Unconsiously, it seemed, I removed the hair band that I have worn every day since Zeniba had given it to me. It was glowing, too, the same color as the shield. Suddenly, Zeniba's words came back to me.
Here, take this hair tie. It will protect you…
"But, how did this happen?" I thought aloud to myself. "Was it because… because I was thinking of Haku? Is this… is this what they call the 'the power of love'?"
Then I heard the dragon screech. But, it didn't sound like him at all. It sounded more familiar, more gental…
"Haku!"
The white dragon was glaring at his conterpart, and the black dragon didn't even seem to care. Haku's eyes were peircing with an angry glint in them. Then, Haku surprised me when he spoke:
"Get out. Leave Chihiro alone, or I shall kill you."
In his voice I could hear his barely controlled rage, his absolute lothing of his conterpart. It seemed the black dragon didn't want to tempt him; he look mad enough to carry out his threat. Slowly, walking backward, he began to leave.
"You have won. I shall leave you at peace. But heed this warning: Yubaba shall know of this act of treachery. All of the spirit world will know of this. Be warned: You will never be able to return to your home again!"
Then he left.
I ran to Haku, thereby shattering the shield. But I didn't need it. Tears filled up in my eyes. My heart was about to burst. He was back! I knew, now for a fact, my loved one had returned. Haku began human again, and we held each other tight.
"Haku, I missed you so much." I said quietly
"As did I, Chihiro. As did I." Haku whispered back.
"Haku, please don't ever leave me again."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
Haku smiled. This was just like the time when we were separated. "Promise."
For a moment, we just stood there, holding each other as though our lives depended on it. But then I asked, "Haku?"
He looked at me curiously. "Yes?"
"I love you."
Haku looked down at my face and smiled. I smiled back. I felt his grip around me tighten as he responded, "I love you too."
And all I could do was cry. All I could do was cry tears of joy. Haku, my one and only love, was back. And didn't need anything else. The only thing I ever needed was in my arms. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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WG: Cool! My very first story that I actually finished!
WZ: Yeah, be happy. Her attention span is so short she hasn't been able to finish a story yet.
WG: *stares in another direction*
WZ: *eyes WG warily* Anyway… I like to thank on the behalf of WG, here, as appearently she has lost her focus again…
WG: *stares at a bug* OoOoOoh… Pretty bug…
WZ: As I was saying…. We hope you have enjoyed this fic, as it is probably the only one WG here, *kicks WG* has the coherncy to finish!
WG: *focuses again* And please, PLEASE remember to review. I'd hate to think that I've written this stry for the air. I hope you enjoyed it and liked the mushy parts at the end! Hehehe!
