Disclaimers Notice: You would think after how many chapters of saying it,
that it would get really old, and you would all just give up, but no, Ah
well. I..DO.not (you can ignore that last word).own Spirited Away and Co.
Authors Beginning Note: At last, the chapter you peoples have been waiting for has arrived.
Chapter 26
Pleasant Conversations
I brushed aside a few loose strands in his face.
"I knew you'd come Kohaku. I've missed you." I whispered setting my hand by my side. It's already been a week, he still hasn't woken up. After the first two days, I've taken charge of changing his bandages, and feeding him. Why was he hurt so badly? He looked as I he'd been slashed with a sword on his chest many times, which caused the deep wounds. At least most of the bleeding stopped yesterday. His leg was broken as well, and was set in place. Oh, it sounded so gross when the healers put it back, properly.
Looking over to the window, I can see shafts of light trying to come in and warm the room. Smiling I go to stand, but feel a light, warm hand holding my wrist, keeping me from getting up.
"Chihiro." Kohaku said softly. He swallowed hard and his eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Kohaku, your awake." I say smiling.
"Chihiro, I was so worried, when I couldn't find you and." He said wildly and began to it up.
"Shh, Kohaku. It's o.k. I'm here." I said putting a finger to his lips. He began to calm down and layed back into bed.
"Chihiro.why are you still here? Why aren't you in the human world?"
"Because I don't belong in the human world any more.and.because I chose to wait here for you." I whispered. Seeing the light trying that still trying to get through I tried to walk over to it once more, but Kohaku still had a firm but gentle grasp on my hand.
"Please, don't leave me." He said almost boyishly. Blushing, I smiled and nodded.
"I promise, I won't leave you." I said settling back down on the chair by his bedside. Soon his eyes fluttered closed and his breathing became more rhythmic.
"Excuse me miss Chihiro."
"Yes?" I said turning to look at the woman worker in the door way.
"Your food is ready and is sitting in your room." She said.
"Thank you Narua." She smiled and bowed.
"Um, Narua, do you think you could open the shutters please." I said as she was about to leave. She came back in and let the bright warm sun shine through.
"Thank you, and one more thing Narua, if it isn't to much."
"Not at all Miss Chihiro."
"Would you please tell Mistress Arelinita, that Kohaku awoke a few moment ago, but that he has fallen back asleep."
"Yes Miss Chihiro, it shall be done." She bowed to me once more and left. I turned once again turned my face towards the strange, and yet oh so familiar boy before me.
"I was worried too, but I knew you were coming. I knew, deep inside." I whispered before feeling a great weight lift itself and my eyelids droop.
"Chihiro.Chihiro.wake up." Came a voice. Slowly, forcing my eyelids open, the image of Arelinita's face came into view.
"Arelinita.what's up?" I asked.
"Shhh, Kohaku is still sleeping." I gazed over at his sleeping carefree face.
"Come, you should eat."
"But I can't leave Kohaku."
"Don't worry, I'll have one of the workers watch him. You can at least leave a few moments to eat." I nodded as I slowly got up. Taking one last glance at him, I followed Arelinita through the hallways that had now become busy with all of the hustle and bustle of the night. We made our way through the crowd of customers and busy workers.
"Hey, Jiniro, four of your hottest dumplings."
"Please." I added. Arelinita playfully stuck her tongue out at me.
"Yes Mistress Arelinita, yes Miss Chihiro. Coming right up." He said quickly getting to work. Jiniro is a funny Spirit of sorts. He's always reminded me of a student at school, always diligent and only too ready to help. He looks like a bunny too. It suits him to look that way and be who he is.
"Here you go, four hot dumplings as you requested." Jiniro said bowing while holding a plate of dumplings before us. Arelinita quickly took the plate.
"Thank you Jiniro. Wonderful as always." I said smiling at him. I could se him blushing.
"It is my pleasure." And as soon as he appeared, he disappeared into the busy confines of the kitchen, vanishing among the pleasurable aromas of the deliciouse delicacies made there.
"Ooo! Hot!" I said burning my finger.
"Chihiro, you are such a dope. Of course it's hot. You're always so impatient." I looked up at Arelinita and grinned. Though she sounded serious, I could see her eyes glittering with mischief.
Soon we came to a balcony outside.
"It's really quiet, and peaceful out here at nights." I said looking up to admire the moon and the stars. One dumpling in my hand, I leaned on my elbows and looked out at the far-as-the-eye-can-see. Arelinita sat the plate down at the top of the rain while she leaned her back on it, her arms halfway crossed as she too ate her dumpling. The moon almost as bright as the sun in her glory, shining down upon us and alighting our features as clearly as if we were standing out in the day. We felt the rumble of a train and watched it go by.
"You know Arelinita.you never did go on that train." I said softly. She looked at me and swallowed.
"Your right. I never did." She inhaled deeply and then exhaled.
"But you know. Now that I have my name, my memories, and my freedom, this place seems more like home to me than ever before. Over the last couple of months, I guess my desire to travel burned out as I found my home."
"Aren't you the least bit sorry?" I looked over at her and she shrugged. I looked back at the swaying grass, that danced with the wind, so that the two may impress the moon.
"Sometimes, but then who would take care of you?" I turned and gasped.
"You're not staying here just for me are you?" I said feeling guilty. She laughed a deep laugh that rang through the air.
"No. If I wanted to leave so bad, I would have just dragged you along with me." I sighed a sigh of relief.
"Good." I said, taking my other dumpling.
"No.if I were to leave and never return, I would die inside. This is my home now."
"You know, I feel the same way. That is one of the reasons why I stayed." I said smiling. We stood there for what seemed a peaceful eternity in near silence.
"You love him don't you." Arelinita said.
"What?!" I said surprised. It's a good thing I finished my dumpling a long while ago, or else I would have choked on it.
"I said you love him, don't you." Arelinita repeated as she too leaned on her elbows right besides him. I stared at her in disbelief.
"Who?"
"Kohaku, who else?" She said.
"Oh." I said and looked at the stars.
"Don't try denying it either Chihiro. You're like my sister, and I can tell these things about you. I can see it in your eyes when you look at him. I can feel it when you talk about him."
"But we're just friends." I said defensively.
"Right now, but don't try to deny it. You feel something more than that for him, don't you." I stared at one twinkling blue star above for a long time before replying.
"I guess so, but.it seems weird, and at the same time, like it's supposed to be." I said quietly.
"He loves you too." Arelinita said, I looked up at her with a questioning gaze.
"I can tell. Even before, when you first came. It was you who taught him how to feel again. I could see his coldness being melted away as he began to love you. And before the blue gem was used on him, I could see it from the way he talked all the way to the way he seemed to act when you were mentioned. He loves you, and he always has. Why else would he come back?" I looked at Arelinita and then my attention turned back to the twinkling dancers above.
"Miss Chihiro, Kohaku has awoken and requests your presence." A young worker said. I nodded.
"I'll be there in a moment." The Spirit bowed and left.
"Are you going to come see him with me?" I asked.
"No, not right now, but later. I have work I need to tend too." She said smiling I nodded.
"I'll see you later than." I said bounding up and skipping through the hallways.
"Kohaku, you really shouldn't be sitting up." I said reprimandingly. He smiled.
"Don't worry I feel.ow!" He said as I lightly poked him.
"There! You see? I barely touched you and you flinched."
"But I've been lieing down for nearly a week sleeping!"
"Well then, what's a night more?" I asked, hands on hips. He looked at me defiantly.
"Oh, ok., while you're up, I might as well change your bandages. You'll need some food as well, I'll have Ginara bring in some dumplings and rice." I said I walkd to the door and rang a bell, within moments a women worker was in our presences.
"Yes miss Chihiro, you rang?" She said politely bowing.
"Yes, Ginara, please have one of the other workers bring in a bowl of warm water and bandages immediately. I would like you to bring up one bowl of rice and two dumplings for our patient here."
"Yes Miss Chihiro, right away." She said bowing and leaving behind the door.
"So, Miss Chihiro is it? You've gone from being just a small human worker, to one of the people in charge." I smiled at Kohaku.
"Once Arelinita became Head Mistress, she appointed me one of the head workers. I tried to decline, but she wouldn't here nothing of it."
"Who is Arelinita?"
"Arelinita is Rin. Close to before the battle, she discovered her true name and remembered her past. She later became Head Mistress when Granny wouldn't take up the position."
"My, I knew Rin was going to do something big, but Head Mistress, I didn't see that coming." I nodded.
"Amazing, huh?" I opened the door as soon as I heard a knock.
"Here's the bandages you requested." A young girl said.
"And the warm water." Said another girl, who looked almost just like the other.
"Thank you Irah, thank you Riah. Irah, you can go ahead and set that piture on the small table over there, I'll go ahead and take the bandages Riah." I said letting Irah pass. She looked up at Kohaku and blushed. Riah giggled as Irah bowed to Kohaku, then me and joined her sister. They both began down the hallway, running and Giggling at the same time.
"Woodland Spirits? Many usually don't venture this far."
"Only half, their mother was an elf, and you're right, they usually don't venture this far, but last year their mother came and said that she could no longer care for them, so we put them to work here." I said undoing the bandages that were wound across Kohaku's back and chest with light fingers to show that I have done this more than once occasionally brushing against his warm flesh and blushing.
"So how can you tell the two apart? And how do you know the workers so well?"
"How do I tell them apart? That's easy, Riah is definatley more girlish than Irah. Riah is more outspoken and taller. Irah is shy, and her eyes have a hint of amber close to the pupil, while Riah's is completely brown and green. Other than that there really is no difference betwen the two, and most can't even tell them apart to begin with. As for knowing the workers so well, after the battle, there were many infirmaries set up. After seeing my parents and telling them good bye, I helped out as much as I could here, and well most of the Spirits that are here know were either there recovering or helping." I looked at the deep cuts that were now mostly healed.
"Hmmm. You know, you really should take better care of yourself. These cuts were infected, and are healing awfully slowly. These were easy to take care of, your leg though was growing the wrong way, so we had to re- brake it and set it properly so it could heal right." I said cringing at the memory. I gave him my serious face but I could tell he knew I was joking.
"So has all you been doing is working?" He asked.
"Perty much. Not much else to do, but it's not so bad. I get my own room, there's a plus, and the work doesn't seem as I hard compared to a long time ago." I said now wetting the cloth and then wringing it.
"Here, sit up farther while I wash the cuts on your back." I said and he complied. He breathed in harshly as I dabbed away the dried blood. A scab had started to grow over the guts now. That's good, now they can begin to heal right.
"O.k. now you can lean back more. I said and re-wet the cloth, wrung it and washed away the dried blood on his chest.
"Chihiro."
"Hmmm?"
"Are you still human?" Looking up in surprise, I saw the seriousness in his eyes. I stopped for a moment at my work.
"Y-yes. Why do you ask?" I watered the cloth with more luke warm water and began cleaning the last slash on his chest.
"B-because, Chihiro, I needed to know if you were or not." Stopping again I looked at him in the face but he was looking out the window.
"What's wrong Kohaku?" I whispered. He turned and looked at me.
"Chihiro, I-I-I'm human now."
"Human? How.but."
"I know, I was shocked too. At first, I just thought it was because I was tired, but I had some other wounds that wouldn't heal right away, and then, even when I was feeling fine, I.it.nothing would happen. So that's how I found out I was human." He lowered his gaze and turned and looked out the window.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Hmmmhm." He replied.
"How do you think it happened?"
"When we were fighting, I used too much of my powers, and then, in the end, I guess in order for me to regain my body back, I had to fill the demon with my powers and I used to much. Too much to regain anyways."
"Well, being human isn't all that bad is it? I mean it could be worse. You could have turned into a slug." I said teasingly. And here I though the was going to tell me something life threatening. He looked at me in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you were afraid of what I would think littler of you just because you became human?" I looked at him as he averted my gaze. I took his chin and had him look at me.
"Kohaku, I never card if you were a River Spirit or not, it was just you and who you were that made you special. That is why you are my friend." I said softly and kissed him on the cheek briefly.
"You mean it?" I smiled.
"Of course. That's how it has been and that's how it always will be. The same goes for Arelinita, and Granny."
"What about Kamajii?"
"The same for him too. You should go see him as soon as you're able to walk properly, He'll be glad. He's missed you. We all have." I said and finished washing all of the dried blood.
"There. We'll have to watch that one in particular, it could still become infected, but otherwise, most of your cuts will be healed in a matter of a couple of days. I said finishing up all of the rest of the bandages.
"Well thank you. I feel much better." He said smiling.
"Excuse me Miss Chihiro, but I brought you the food."
"Thank you Ginara." I said. She smiled brightly and brought in the food. Kohkau sat up even more and brightened up at the sight up food. Ginara disappeared while Kohaku began downing the food with such speed I began to laugh.
"Kohaku, slow down! You'll choke." I said. He looked up.
"But I'm hungry!"
"Yes, but if you choke and die on me now, than what was the use of healing you?" He smiled and did slow down, but not much.
"Kohaku, how did you get hurt so badly?" I asked curiously as soona s he was done eating.
"Believe it or not, an old Hermit caused most of it."
"A hermit?" I said in disbelief. It sounds like a good story.
"Yes, a hermit. You see, I couldn't fly, and I didn't have any train tickets, so I had to walk here mostly by foot. That's what took so long. Well, a train stop from here, there was a nice good cave that I was going to sleep in. I was almost asleep when this old hermit of a spirit began wacking me with a stick and apperntly thought I was trying to steal his home."
"Oh my!" I gasped in astonishment. I could see the merriment in his green eyes as his tale began to unfold.
"Yes, and apparently, he had a pet Spirit with a tale that had whips and spikes. Unfortunately, it took quite a while before I could explain to him my business. He then called his pet to back off, and then handed me my walking stick and told me to leave."
"In the condition you were in!?"
"Well, I can't say that I blame him, he thought I was trying to steal his home." We both began to laugh at that.
"Well, I'm getting tire now." Kohaku said. I nodded.
"I'll be here early in the morning." I said and turned the light off.
"Oh, Chihiro?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks.for everything."
"Your welcome Kohaku. Now get some sleep." I said and left the room. Not long after, finding myself in my own bed, the sun began to rise and my last thought before sleeping was.I can't believe we talked that long.
Authors Ending Note: okay, so this isn't the last chapter.theirs is MORE! Well, you see it started out that this was going to be the last chapter.but like usual, I begin writing and I become 'in sync' with the story and loose myself.and well lets just say the story seems to write itself and has it's own idea about a thing or two.not that you people mind (wink). Well, until l8terz!
Authors Beginning Note: At last, the chapter you peoples have been waiting for has arrived.
Chapter 26
Pleasant Conversations
I brushed aside a few loose strands in his face.
"I knew you'd come Kohaku. I've missed you." I whispered setting my hand by my side. It's already been a week, he still hasn't woken up. After the first two days, I've taken charge of changing his bandages, and feeding him. Why was he hurt so badly? He looked as I he'd been slashed with a sword on his chest many times, which caused the deep wounds. At least most of the bleeding stopped yesterday. His leg was broken as well, and was set in place. Oh, it sounded so gross when the healers put it back, properly.
Looking over to the window, I can see shafts of light trying to come in and warm the room. Smiling I go to stand, but feel a light, warm hand holding my wrist, keeping me from getting up.
"Chihiro." Kohaku said softly. He swallowed hard and his eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Kohaku, your awake." I say smiling.
"Chihiro, I was so worried, when I couldn't find you and." He said wildly and began to it up.
"Shh, Kohaku. It's o.k. I'm here." I said putting a finger to his lips. He began to calm down and layed back into bed.
"Chihiro.why are you still here? Why aren't you in the human world?"
"Because I don't belong in the human world any more.and.because I chose to wait here for you." I whispered. Seeing the light trying that still trying to get through I tried to walk over to it once more, but Kohaku still had a firm but gentle grasp on my hand.
"Please, don't leave me." He said almost boyishly. Blushing, I smiled and nodded.
"I promise, I won't leave you." I said settling back down on the chair by his bedside. Soon his eyes fluttered closed and his breathing became more rhythmic.
"Excuse me miss Chihiro."
"Yes?" I said turning to look at the woman worker in the door way.
"Your food is ready and is sitting in your room." She said.
"Thank you Narua." She smiled and bowed.
"Um, Narua, do you think you could open the shutters please." I said as she was about to leave. She came back in and let the bright warm sun shine through.
"Thank you, and one more thing Narua, if it isn't to much."
"Not at all Miss Chihiro."
"Would you please tell Mistress Arelinita, that Kohaku awoke a few moment ago, but that he has fallen back asleep."
"Yes Miss Chihiro, it shall be done." She bowed to me once more and left. I turned once again turned my face towards the strange, and yet oh so familiar boy before me.
"I was worried too, but I knew you were coming. I knew, deep inside." I whispered before feeling a great weight lift itself and my eyelids droop.
"Chihiro.Chihiro.wake up." Came a voice. Slowly, forcing my eyelids open, the image of Arelinita's face came into view.
"Arelinita.what's up?" I asked.
"Shhh, Kohaku is still sleeping." I gazed over at his sleeping carefree face.
"Come, you should eat."
"But I can't leave Kohaku."
"Don't worry, I'll have one of the workers watch him. You can at least leave a few moments to eat." I nodded as I slowly got up. Taking one last glance at him, I followed Arelinita through the hallways that had now become busy with all of the hustle and bustle of the night. We made our way through the crowd of customers and busy workers.
"Hey, Jiniro, four of your hottest dumplings."
"Please." I added. Arelinita playfully stuck her tongue out at me.
"Yes Mistress Arelinita, yes Miss Chihiro. Coming right up." He said quickly getting to work. Jiniro is a funny Spirit of sorts. He's always reminded me of a student at school, always diligent and only too ready to help. He looks like a bunny too. It suits him to look that way and be who he is.
"Here you go, four hot dumplings as you requested." Jiniro said bowing while holding a plate of dumplings before us. Arelinita quickly took the plate.
"Thank you Jiniro. Wonderful as always." I said smiling at him. I could se him blushing.
"It is my pleasure." And as soon as he appeared, he disappeared into the busy confines of the kitchen, vanishing among the pleasurable aromas of the deliciouse delicacies made there.
"Ooo! Hot!" I said burning my finger.
"Chihiro, you are such a dope. Of course it's hot. You're always so impatient." I looked up at Arelinita and grinned. Though she sounded serious, I could see her eyes glittering with mischief.
Soon we came to a balcony outside.
"It's really quiet, and peaceful out here at nights." I said looking up to admire the moon and the stars. One dumpling in my hand, I leaned on my elbows and looked out at the far-as-the-eye-can-see. Arelinita sat the plate down at the top of the rain while she leaned her back on it, her arms halfway crossed as she too ate her dumpling. The moon almost as bright as the sun in her glory, shining down upon us and alighting our features as clearly as if we were standing out in the day. We felt the rumble of a train and watched it go by.
"You know Arelinita.you never did go on that train." I said softly. She looked at me and swallowed.
"Your right. I never did." She inhaled deeply and then exhaled.
"But you know. Now that I have my name, my memories, and my freedom, this place seems more like home to me than ever before. Over the last couple of months, I guess my desire to travel burned out as I found my home."
"Aren't you the least bit sorry?" I looked over at her and she shrugged. I looked back at the swaying grass, that danced with the wind, so that the two may impress the moon.
"Sometimes, but then who would take care of you?" I turned and gasped.
"You're not staying here just for me are you?" I said feeling guilty. She laughed a deep laugh that rang through the air.
"No. If I wanted to leave so bad, I would have just dragged you along with me." I sighed a sigh of relief.
"Good." I said, taking my other dumpling.
"No.if I were to leave and never return, I would die inside. This is my home now."
"You know, I feel the same way. That is one of the reasons why I stayed." I said smiling. We stood there for what seemed a peaceful eternity in near silence.
"You love him don't you." Arelinita said.
"What?!" I said surprised. It's a good thing I finished my dumpling a long while ago, or else I would have choked on it.
"I said you love him, don't you." Arelinita repeated as she too leaned on her elbows right besides him. I stared at her in disbelief.
"Who?"
"Kohaku, who else?" She said.
"Oh." I said and looked at the stars.
"Don't try denying it either Chihiro. You're like my sister, and I can tell these things about you. I can see it in your eyes when you look at him. I can feel it when you talk about him."
"But we're just friends." I said defensively.
"Right now, but don't try to deny it. You feel something more than that for him, don't you." I stared at one twinkling blue star above for a long time before replying.
"I guess so, but.it seems weird, and at the same time, like it's supposed to be." I said quietly.
"He loves you too." Arelinita said, I looked up at her with a questioning gaze.
"I can tell. Even before, when you first came. It was you who taught him how to feel again. I could see his coldness being melted away as he began to love you. And before the blue gem was used on him, I could see it from the way he talked all the way to the way he seemed to act when you were mentioned. He loves you, and he always has. Why else would he come back?" I looked at Arelinita and then my attention turned back to the twinkling dancers above.
"Miss Chihiro, Kohaku has awoken and requests your presence." A young worker said. I nodded.
"I'll be there in a moment." The Spirit bowed and left.
"Are you going to come see him with me?" I asked.
"No, not right now, but later. I have work I need to tend too." She said smiling I nodded.
"I'll see you later than." I said bounding up and skipping through the hallways.
"Kohaku, you really shouldn't be sitting up." I said reprimandingly. He smiled.
"Don't worry I feel.ow!" He said as I lightly poked him.
"There! You see? I barely touched you and you flinched."
"But I've been lieing down for nearly a week sleeping!"
"Well then, what's a night more?" I asked, hands on hips. He looked at me defiantly.
"Oh, ok., while you're up, I might as well change your bandages. You'll need some food as well, I'll have Ginara bring in some dumplings and rice." I said I walkd to the door and rang a bell, within moments a women worker was in our presences.
"Yes miss Chihiro, you rang?" She said politely bowing.
"Yes, Ginara, please have one of the other workers bring in a bowl of warm water and bandages immediately. I would like you to bring up one bowl of rice and two dumplings for our patient here."
"Yes Miss Chihiro, right away." She said bowing and leaving behind the door.
"So, Miss Chihiro is it? You've gone from being just a small human worker, to one of the people in charge." I smiled at Kohaku.
"Once Arelinita became Head Mistress, she appointed me one of the head workers. I tried to decline, but she wouldn't here nothing of it."
"Who is Arelinita?"
"Arelinita is Rin. Close to before the battle, she discovered her true name and remembered her past. She later became Head Mistress when Granny wouldn't take up the position."
"My, I knew Rin was going to do something big, but Head Mistress, I didn't see that coming." I nodded.
"Amazing, huh?" I opened the door as soon as I heard a knock.
"Here's the bandages you requested." A young girl said.
"And the warm water." Said another girl, who looked almost just like the other.
"Thank you Irah, thank you Riah. Irah, you can go ahead and set that piture on the small table over there, I'll go ahead and take the bandages Riah." I said letting Irah pass. She looked up at Kohaku and blushed. Riah giggled as Irah bowed to Kohaku, then me and joined her sister. They both began down the hallway, running and Giggling at the same time.
"Woodland Spirits? Many usually don't venture this far."
"Only half, their mother was an elf, and you're right, they usually don't venture this far, but last year their mother came and said that she could no longer care for them, so we put them to work here." I said undoing the bandages that were wound across Kohaku's back and chest with light fingers to show that I have done this more than once occasionally brushing against his warm flesh and blushing.
"So how can you tell the two apart? And how do you know the workers so well?"
"How do I tell them apart? That's easy, Riah is definatley more girlish than Irah. Riah is more outspoken and taller. Irah is shy, and her eyes have a hint of amber close to the pupil, while Riah's is completely brown and green. Other than that there really is no difference betwen the two, and most can't even tell them apart to begin with. As for knowing the workers so well, after the battle, there were many infirmaries set up. After seeing my parents and telling them good bye, I helped out as much as I could here, and well most of the Spirits that are here know were either there recovering or helping." I looked at the deep cuts that were now mostly healed.
"Hmmm. You know, you really should take better care of yourself. These cuts were infected, and are healing awfully slowly. These were easy to take care of, your leg though was growing the wrong way, so we had to re- brake it and set it properly so it could heal right." I said cringing at the memory. I gave him my serious face but I could tell he knew I was joking.
"So has all you been doing is working?" He asked.
"Perty much. Not much else to do, but it's not so bad. I get my own room, there's a plus, and the work doesn't seem as I hard compared to a long time ago." I said now wetting the cloth and then wringing it.
"Here, sit up farther while I wash the cuts on your back." I said and he complied. He breathed in harshly as I dabbed away the dried blood. A scab had started to grow over the guts now. That's good, now they can begin to heal right.
"O.k. now you can lean back more. I said and re-wet the cloth, wrung it and washed away the dried blood on his chest.
"Chihiro."
"Hmmm?"
"Are you still human?" Looking up in surprise, I saw the seriousness in his eyes. I stopped for a moment at my work.
"Y-yes. Why do you ask?" I watered the cloth with more luke warm water and began cleaning the last slash on his chest.
"B-because, Chihiro, I needed to know if you were or not." Stopping again I looked at him in the face but he was looking out the window.
"What's wrong Kohaku?" I whispered. He turned and looked at me.
"Chihiro, I-I-I'm human now."
"Human? How.but."
"I know, I was shocked too. At first, I just thought it was because I was tired, but I had some other wounds that wouldn't heal right away, and then, even when I was feeling fine, I.it.nothing would happen. So that's how I found out I was human." He lowered his gaze and turned and looked out the window.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Hmmmhm." He replied.
"How do you think it happened?"
"When we were fighting, I used too much of my powers, and then, in the end, I guess in order for me to regain my body back, I had to fill the demon with my powers and I used to much. Too much to regain anyways."
"Well, being human isn't all that bad is it? I mean it could be worse. You could have turned into a slug." I said teasingly. And here I though the was going to tell me something life threatening. He looked at me in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you were afraid of what I would think littler of you just because you became human?" I looked at him as he averted my gaze. I took his chin and had him look at me.
"Kohaku, I never card if you were a River Spirit or not, it was just you and who you were that made you special. That is why you are my friend." I said softly and kissed him on the cheek briefly.
"You mean it?" I smiled.
"Of course. That's how it has been and that's how it always will be. The same goes for Arelinita, and Granny."
"What about Kamajii?"
"The same for him too. You should go see him as soon as you're able to walk properly, He'll be glad. He's missed you. We all have." I said and finished washing all of the dried blood.
"There. We'll have to watch that one in particular, it could still become infected, but otherwise, most of your cuts will be healed in a matter of a couple of days. I said finishing up all of the rest of the bandages.
"Well thank you. I feel much better." He said smiling.
"Excuse me Miss Chihiro, but I brought you the food."
"Thank you Ginara." I said. She smiled brightly and brought in the food. Kohkau sat up even more and brightened up at the sight up food. Ginara disappeared while Kohaku began downing the food with such speed I began to laugh.
"Kohaku, slow down! You'll choke." I said. He looked up.
"But I'm hungry!"
"Yes, but if you choke and die on me now, than what was the use of healing you?" He smiled and did slow down, but not much.
"Kohaku, how did you get hurt so badly?" I asked curiously as soona s he was done eating.
"Believe it or not, an old Hermit caused most of it."
"A hermit?" I said in disbelief. It sounds like a good story.
"Yes, a hermit. You see, I couldn't fly, and I didn't have any train tickets, so I had to walk here mostly by foot. That's what took so long. Well, a train stop from here, there was a nice good cave that I was going to sleep in. I was almost asleep when this old hermit of a spirit began wacking me with a stick and apperntly thought I was trying to steal his home."
"Oh my!" I gasped in astonishment. I could see the merriment in his green eyes as his tale began to unfold.
"Yes, and apparently, he had a pet Spirit with a tale that had whips and spikes. Unfortunately, it took quite a while before I could explain to him my business. He then called his pet to back off, and then handed me my walking stick and told me to leave."
"In the condition you were in!?"
"Well, I can't say that I blame him, he thought I was trying to steal his home." We both began to laugh at that.
"Well, I'm getting tire now." Kohaku said. I nodded.
"I'll be here early in the morning." I said and turned the light off.
"Oh, Chihiro?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks.for everything."
"Your welcome Kohaku. Now get some sleep." I said and left the room. Not long after, finding myself in my own bed, the sun began to rise and my last thought before sleeping was.I can't believe we talked that long.
Authors Ending Note: okay, so this isn't the last chapter.theirs is MORE! Well, you see it started out that this was going to be the last chapter.but like usual, I begin writing and I become 'in sync' with the story and loose myself.and well lets just say the story seems to write itself and has it's own idea about a thing or two.not that you people mind (wink). Well, until l8terz!