If You

It's been three weeks - Three long arduous weeks, since I last saw him. I've nearly lost hope if it wasn't for Haku's parting words. "If we don't meet again, if you don't see me ever, never forget. Our love is that of the eternal kind. It sees neither end nor beginning. It exists forever."

And I believe him. I know I always will.

I will hold onto his words, cling to them, embrace them and let them flow through me each time I lose hope. Because love's sustenance is, and always will be, hope.

Open the door

To a room

I've never been before

Grasping Haku's lock of hair to my heart, I opened my palm and looked adoringly at it. I could still recall our parting just before he disappeared into the pond.

He gazed deep into my eyes, probing and entering my soul, taking his rightful place in the deep recesses of my heart. Then, he pulled out a golden-hilted dagger and cut off a lock of his hair, offering it to me.

"A part of me, is always with you."

Taking his dagger, I mirrored his actions, placing a lock of my coal- colored hair onto his upturned palm. After which, I raised my hand, and cupped his cheek, whispering softly to him.

"Now I'm yours."

He smiled gently in reply, whispering back.

"As I am yours."

Choking back a sob at the tender memory, I clutched onto the lock as though it were a lifeline, desperately reminding myself of the hope I could not allow myself to forget.

"Oh Haku."

Counting all the books

I've read so long

Something is wrong where love has gone

There I sat, in the same spot I sit everyday during lessons, drinking in my favorite sights and sound. Stealing glances at the pond beyond the classroom window, I tried my best to keep my attention where it was supposed to be - at the teacher.

I sighed. How did everything seem to return to normal so quickly?

It seemed like hardly a day has passed since Haku came to the garden to visit me. Yet now, three weeks, fifteen days had gone by and still, I am by myself.

Smiling to myself, I remembered how my parents had panicked when I returned. The tears of relief in my mother's eyes and the bear hug I had received from my burly father would forever remain etched in my memory. It was only then that I confirmed my decision to return home. As much as I felt tied to the Spirit World, I knew my place would always be here, with my parents, with my roots.

Resting my chin on my palm, I thought back to the excuse I had given my parents for my absence. Apparently, telling them that I decided to go camping in the middle of the night was not as unreasonable an explanation as I had originally thought it to be. Perhaps relief was clouding their senses?

"Ogino san! Will you please pay attention??" My head shot up from the relaxed position I had fell into as I sat up straight, looking right into the glaring eyes of my History teacher, the very same on that had reprimanded me for my wandering attention weeks ago.

Groaning amidst the wave of giggles once more, I nodded my head and apologized to the teacher.

Satisfied with my apology, she turned back to the board continuing with her lesson, allowing my mind to wander back to the pond outside once more.

'Haku, are you out there?'

If I should cry

Thinking of the love I felt inside

Crouching at the edge of the pond, I peered into the depths of the crystal clear water, trying to look for signs of his presence - there was none. Taking the pieces of bread from the plastic bag I had packed this morning, I threw the crumbs into the pond, feeding the inhabitants there. Maybe if they were well fed, Haku would find it easier to inhabit the pond alongside them? I was rather unclear about the specifics, but I tried my best to help him.

"A pond?" Zeniba's eyebrows shot up quizzically. "You named a pond after Haku you say?"

Seeing my nod of assent, the wise Spirit paused for a moment before replying.

"Technically, there should be no problem. The pond being a water entity, and Haku a river spirit, there should be no complications for him to inhibit the pond as his new 'shell'. Especially since you've named it after him, the pond should accept him as its rightful Spirit master. But. it has never been tried before. I cannot say if it would definitely work. You must be prepared for the worst."

Wiping the tears of despair from my eyes, I tried my best to smile, holding onto the frail hope. The path of love was never smooth. I would not allow myself to give up now. While Haku is there, fighting to dominate and prevail, I would be up here, cheering him on, believing in the strength of our love.

Don't misunderstand nothing's the clue

I cry for you

Cause of love its true

"Ogina-san!" My classmate, Mika called out to me. Standing up from my vigil next to the pond, I turned to her and smiled questioningly.

Seeing that as an encouragement, she came up to me pleading. "Could you take over my duty to sweep the floor today? Please? It's Friday and I have a date with my boyfriend." She trailed off, uncertainty lacing her tone and it was no wonder. I had the reputation of being a rather aloof person, having my head in the clouds half of the time. No one dared to call me by my name or approach me willingly, and I could not really care less.

Deciding to be something different today, I nodded. "But only this once."

Mika's eyes widened. I am sure she was prepared to do more pleading and cajoling, thinking it was impossible for me to give in that easily. Stunned for a minute, she regained her senses and gave me a wide grin.

"Arigatou!"

Seeing her retreating form, I turned back to the pond, smiling gently at it.

"I guess it'll just be you and me, Haku."

When does love

Speak words above evolving pain

Picking up the broomstick, I proceeded to sweeping the floor. The rest of the students who were on duty had long finished their duty, scurrying off with their friends or with their significant other. I had long since resigned myself to my self-imposed lonely state.

When I had just entered the new school, I knew that I was different from the other students. It was not that I was from a city and they from a small town; it was the difference of experience - the difference spanning the length, depth and width of the Spirit World. As much as some of the students glared at me, claiming me to be arrogant, I was anything but. I just recognized our differences.

Still, I never felt lonely.

How could I? When I had the love of so many people filling my heart, warming it, giving me the strength to face each new day with a smile.

Like if these tears turn to rain

Endlessly calming the sea

For you and me

I took my time sweeping the floor, wanting to spend as much time in school as I could. Everyday, I would be one of the last students to leave the school, preferring to remain until the last minute possible. Haku was here, and it made it all the more right, to be where he was, to be close to him. I know that he would not turn up anytime soon, but just to be in the same place, to be breathing the same air made it all the better.

Smiling to myself, I started singing. I knew my voice was nothing spectacular, but I found it a wonderful way to express myself.

"If you're so cold / If world's just hold / If you want to lean / I'm here for you / So If you."

Stopping my sweeping for a moment, I wiped the sweat from my brow, giving myself a short break. Then, I noticed my phone vibrating. Who would call me at this hour?

"Chihiro-chan?" Mom's voice rang out from the other end of the phone line. "Your father and I are going out for his company dinner, so why don't you get some dinner on your way home? We'll be home late, so don't wait up for us ok?"

After giving her my assent, I hung up, placing the phone in the front pouch of my bag. It was only then that I realized something was amiss. I searched through my bag, emptying it of its contents. Yet I could not find it. Strange, I could have sworn I replaced back into my pocket earlier.

Frantically, I searched throughout the entire classroom, practically tearing it apart. Where had I been? Where could I have left it? By this time, I had turned desperate. It was my last reminder of Haku, I took it everywhere with me, how could I have misplaced it? Taking a deep breath, I thought back to the places that I have been before, going through the list of places where I might have left it. Still, I drew a blank.

The pond!

Sprinting out, I reached the pond, and started my search for the lock of Haku's hair. Not long after, I found it. How could I have missed it? There, lying on the grass, where it had always been.

Picking it up, I cradled it like the fragile precious treasure that it was. Giving a sob of relief, I held it close to me, simply grateful that I had not lost the last memory of my love.

Close the door

'Cause the room won't need us anymore

Thinking back about how close I was to losing it, to losing Haku once more, I shuddered involuntarily. Oh how I wished that he were here to comfort me, like he had done so long ago.

"Haku, why are you so far away?" I sobbed. "Why must we always fight so hard to be together?"

Holding our words

Just fill those books

"Why can't we just love like normal people? Just fall in love like it was an ordinary occurrence? Just be together like nothing can tear us apart?"

Sometimes love looks

Like if love has gone

Gazing blearily into the pond, I noticed a shadow that was not there before. Blinking until the tears in my eyes unclouded, I realized it was the reflection of a person.

It was a man with dark colored hair, and eyes, emerald eyes, filled with pain, anguish, trust, hope, and above all, love.

Staring wonderingly at it, I could not believe my eyes. Could it be.?

Turning around slowly so as not to alarm the person, and to give myself some time, I stood up.

He looked the same. He had the same smile, that gentle smile which always made me feel so at ease and at peace with myself. He wore the same clothes that he had worn from the Spirit World, but I knew that he no longer belonged there. He belonged here, with me.

Taking a few steps towards me, he stopped in front of me and raised his hand to wipe the tears from my eyes.

I smiled through my tears, reveling the feeling of his touch once more. Yes, it brought the same comfort that it always had before.

So I won't cry

Now I know our love will never die

Haku took the lock of his hair from me, and threw it into the pond. Startled at his actions, I looked questioningly at him. "You have me now" was his reply.

It was only then, that it finally dawned on me that Haku was truly here to stay. Flinging my arms around his neck, I held him tightly, whispering fiercely into his ear.

"And you have me. So don't you dare go running around anymore!"

All I got in reply was his lips on mine.

And that was enough.

If I understand the reasons why

When you... if I and you...

Know that love is true

Author's Note:

Yeah!!!! 6 pages in one morning! It's a record! ^_^

I'm sure some people are wondering why on earth is the POV Chihiro's and not Haku (considering that I normally alternate between the two) and the answer is simple: it's more fun from Chihiro's POV. Haku would just be in the pond; trying to conquer the pond itself, while Chihiro is living her life best she can, as normal as she can. I think it takes a lot of courage on her part to go on. I do realize that it's strange suddenly going on about her past. I.e. the part where she talks about being an outcast in school, but it's just brought in to show her strength and how much she depends on the love of the inhabitants of the Spirit world to sustain her. That's the main point I want to make - you don't need a lot of friends, all you need are some who are willing to go all out for you and be your strength. So here marks the official end of 'Name'. While I still have an Epilogue to write, this is the part where everyone can take a breather (me included) and no cliffhangers! Oh yeah, the wonderful song on this fic is 'If You' from Escaflowne.

To my reviewers: Queen of Hearts: Thanks ever so much for all your reviews! You cannot imagine how much they boosted my ego, and my confidence! Love ya! Don't kill me, cos this idea works! Chihiro is one smart gal ya? ^_^ I love FY too! Tried to put the song 'Wakatte Ita Hazu' but it didn't really feel as good as this song, tell me what you think of this song k? Once more, Thank you so much!

Cherryblossom419: Thank you for your appreciation of my style. I'm glad you like it. I was told that it was too dreary at some point; hope that you enjoyed it nonetheless!

Siren: That was always my interpretation. I've always believed that humans were made for this world, not the other way around. The world is always more powerful than any injury we can conjure up. It has it's own strength to carry on without us. Maybe one day we'll truly learn that. That is why I don't believe that without Haku protecting the river; it could so easily give in to us. ^_^ Great minds think alike ne?

Laeta: Does this answer your question? I tried to make it so people could understand what was going on, yet not make it so obvious. Please tell me if I've confused you! Thanks for the note on the names, but since Rin/Lin/Rheen does not make an appearance here, I could not put your suggestion to play. ^_^ btw, you're Korean? That's so cool!

Dark fire angel: thanks for the review, you've really given me a great deal of encouragement! Please tell me what you think of this chapter!

Catgirl Rahen: A rather interesting name, ne? Give me some suggestions for the Epilogue ok? Arigato!

Christina: I'm glad that my little fic has touched you. It's wonderful, knowing that it can touch you in some way. I think that my job as an author has been fulfilled somehow by that knowledge. Thank you so much!

Little Dragon: Thanks for your encouragement throughout my entire fic. It's simply wonderful to have someone push me and cheer me on - esp. when I was lost. There were times I really wanted to give up on this fic, but I'm certainly glad I didn't. This baby wouldn't have made it if it weren't for people like you. Thank you ever so much. M(_)M

Akiya Arimoto: This happens! ^_^ Hope this is what you've been hoping for! If not, look out for more mush in the Epilogue!

Amanda: Thanks for letting me know how much I've touched you. It's great knowing that I have the ability to do so. I'm certainly looking forward to your work, so please come up with something soon! Drop me a note if you need my help! ^_^

Steahl: Well, technically.. it's not really a fountain ^_^ but you're close enough! Although you won't be getting the prize.. heh thanks nonetheless for your review!!!!!!

Lotusneko: Lotus Neko? Errr... Lotus cat??? Anyway, I kinda knew that it was getting whiny, but I just wanted to get on with the story, so I didn't really bother to change. Bad BAAAAD Haruko!!! ^_^ Hope you find this fic a liiitle better ne? Thank you for that great review, it really made me sit down and think about what it was that I wanted to write. I doubt it would turn out this way if you hadn't review. Arigato. And yes, I had the chance to watch Princess Mononoke and one thing that stuck out the most is the way Ashitaka (is that the correct spelling?) managed to forge a future amidst the struggles surrounding the people. Everyone was stuck where they were; it was as though they had to choose - Mankind or nature. Yet he believed, and kept on believing that they could merge. Perhaps, one day we'll find that path too.

Chrissy: Don't worry about not knowing the answer, to be honest, it was only after I wrote the.. 3rd or 4th chapter that the ending kinda dawned on me. ^_^ Keep reviewing!!!!!

( : Hope your obsession doesn't end anytime soon! Keep reading, and keep reviewing! Thank you so much for it!

To the not-so-competition competition on the answer to Chihiro and Haku's problem, there's only one winner who would walk away with the plushie, unfortunately, but that winner is a reader who has been faithfully following 'Name' and is such an avid reader that he/she noted the little details and in doing so, caught the answer. That winner is.. -drum rolls- LITTLE DRAGON!!!!!!!!! -hands little dragon the plushie- Omedeto!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!

To everyone who reads and reviews, and even to those who don't; thank you so much for your encouragement and support. Without which, 'Name' would never have taken off so well. I still recall the days when few would read and review this fic, making me so upset =( but I'm glad that the situation has improved. ^_^ Chihiro and Haku never dies, and their story lives on in each of us. Never forget that. So to the readers: Keep reading and reviewing, it is only through you that their story is told, relished and admired. To the budding writers: Keep writing. If you have the intention of just simply telling a story, you can never go wrong.

'Til the Epilogue! Haru-chan