Yubaba was reluctant but with Zeniba's cooing, she allowed Marana to work side by side. Marana seemed intent on helping and it was a lot of help knowing what ingredients were in the potion that Chihiro had consumed.

After days and weeks of spells and stirring... finally. The counter-effect-potion was complete.

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Dreams Are Forever

Chapter 12 – The Finale

Disclaimer: o.O;; I'm tired of doing these.

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"You absolutely sure this will work?" Haku asked, his body tensing.

"Nothing is ever absolute, m'dear," Zeniba said then pulled Chihiro's body against her own. It felt like hugging a block of ice.

"I'm glad," Yubaba spoke softly, "that you had enough magic to keep her body from decaying."

Zeniba positioned Sen's head and opened her mouth. Then motioned to Yubaba who poured the potion into her mouth.

When they finished and both pulled away from her, Haku growled predatorily and cradled her body to himself.

"How long will this potion take?" Haku asked.

Zeniba and Yubaba exchanged glances that only Haku seemed to catch.

"A millenium," both replied sadness etching on their faces.

There was a moment of pregnant silence.

Haku smiled weakly and said, "If it is for you, I will wait forever."

Zeniba and Yubaba exchanged glances and smiled.

Marana impulsively hugged Haku and ran out. He smiled at her retreating back but did not pursue her.  

"Yubaba, I was wondering-"

"You'd like to sleep?" Yubaba interrupted. He smiled at her knowing look and nodded.

"I don't want to be alone. She will be reincarnated?"

A look of shock passed between them but they agreed.

"She won't change?"

"No."

"Then I will wait."

"We understand," they both said. He bent his head and kissed his lips to hers. He lied down next to her and closed his eyes.

Yubaba nodded at her sister and whispered, "If you will do the honors?"

Zeniba nodded back and muttered a few words. Then immediately, a look of calm passed over Haku's face.

Marana was back again and tears streamed down like a waterfall.

"I love you Haku. I love you enough to let you go. I hope you'll be happy. Dreams are forever. My only dream was for you to be happy! Oh, I love you! If you love her enough to die for her, I will give you my blessing. May you be with many descendants." She cried and clung to herself, falling down to the ground.

"Marana," Yubaba murmured. She crouched down beside the girl. "It'd do you good to go away for awhile. They won't be here forever. Their bodies will soon turn foggy and you won't be able to see him in a month or so. Now go and be back in one thousand years. But do not return if you will bother with their relationship again. I won't be very pleased if you do so."

She nodded.

"Now, go and explore. You have been clinging to Kohaku way too long. Now be free. Like the dragon you are."

She got up and wiped her tears.

"Give him my best wishes when he awakes."

Zeniba smiled.

"Of course, we'll do it."

"Then, I'll be off."

Yubaba sighed and leaned against a wall.

"Our job is done, I suppose?"

"It is."

"It wasn't easy."

"No, it wasn't."

"But it was worth it."

"It was."

"And the future will be safe?"

"I hope so."

"Good."

Then they both disappeared leaving two little paper cranes, one black and one white, in their places.