Heheh, here comes another chappy in my fic, hope u all enjoy it, an pls RNR, thanks so much.

Disclaimer: ........... (has nothing to say)

A cup of steaming coffee in her gnarled hands, Zeniiba stared out of her window, feeling the wheels of destiny that were finally moving, anxious to correct the wrong that made thousands of years ago. Although he face betrayed no emotion, she was worried for the fate of the 2 young teenagers who had been entrusted with the grave task of protecting the spirit world. They are too young... But sometimes, the smallest things can accomplish the greatest of tasks... A voice reminded her from the back of her mind. She could not interfere directly in their destiny, but she could aid them, in subtle ways so that she would not break the laws of nature.

"No- face... open the door please, we have guests."

"uh huh eh..." the masked spirit replied as he obediently opened the door, where 2 lone figures stood on the porch.

" Welcome..." Zeniiba said as she took off her spectacles.

Lowering one hand which skimmed on the water, Chihiro relaxed as Haku sped towards Zeniiba's cottage. The cool sensation spread all over her hand as she dipped and withdrew it, savoring every moment with Haku, yet there was another reason for the silence between them: Kamaji's words. Before they had left, Kamaji had told them, "the gate of the Sapphire Mountains is called 'lies', so, search for the stone of truth which will enable you to seal the Mountain gate.

"truth..." Chihiro murmured subconsciously. I'm not too sure about it too, hopefully, Zeniiba-san can help us answer some of our questions. We're nearly there." Haku replied softly.

Looking up, Chihiro noticed the immense forest that lay below them, with only a small path illuminated by an enchanted lamp-post. Descending slowly, Haku landed with gusts of wind swirling around him. Transforming back, the pair walked forward boldly. When they were in front of the door, Chihiro raised her hand to knock on the door, but it opened first. The aroma of tea boiling on the stove wafted into their noses, as a translucent spirit stood in front of them.

"No-face!" Chihiro cried out with joy as she leapt at him, hugging him tightly as he responded with equal joy. Turning to the other person in the room, Chihiro exclaimed, "Zeniiba-san!"

"Welcome, Chihiro, Haku, or should I call you Kohaku now?"

"Haku will be fine, Zeniiba-san."

"Ok... lets sit down, I think you will have alot to ask me. No-face, tea please, thank you."

" No-face brought cups and soon 2 steaming cups of aromatic tea were in front of them."

"First..." Haku begin, "Where do we find the stones of power?"

"And what are they?" Chihiro interrupted.

"The artifacts of pwer are not found, but rather they find you,l it is rather difficult to explain, but Haku should understand.

Nodding, Haku said, "The Anemo Dominix enchantment."

"Yes... and to answer your question Chihiro, they are objects with immense sealing powers."

"We're looking for the stone of truth. Can you give us some hint or location to start with?"

"Coincidence, it is one which I have the location of." She said as she rose and opened a trunk behind her.

"I really should pack up this dump..." she muttered as she pulled out a torn and tattered map and laid it on the table.

"Wow..." Chihiro murmured, momentarily stunned. The ancient piece of parchment covered the entire length of the table, with animated names of places over them. Haku leaned forward and looked closely at the map.

"Here." Zeniiba said as she weaved a name and placed it over the spot.

"Are we leaving now?" Chihiro said as she moved towards the door.

"Stay awhile, at least for a night, flying is difficult, I'm sure the both of you are exhausted."

"Ok..." Chihiro replied uncertainly as Zeniiba conjured 2 mattresses and place them on the floor.

I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing... Chihiro, I don't want you to get hurt during the journey, or never go back to your family again.

"Haku..." Zeniiba's voice drifted out from the shadows.

"Eh?" Haku turned around from his spot by the window. "Zeniiba-san, what is it?"

"Troubled? I can read feelings, but only slightly."

"Its just that I'm worried Chihiro will be isolated from her family, and never see them again, because of us..." Haku blurted out, finally revealing what he had wanted to say.

"I can never understand the matters of love and of the heart, but I can tell you this, do what you think is right, do not hesitate to do what you need to do."

Haku's eyes opened to the sound of rain pattering loudly on the roof. Frowning at the intensity of the storm outside, Haku was thinking about how they were going to continue on their journey, when some knocked him on the back of his head.

"Sleepy-head! Wake up! Zeniiba-san says that the storm is going to get worse!" Chihiro said while eating some rice balls.

Grimacing from the sudden wake-up call, he asked as he rubbed the back of his head, "But... But you'll get wet."

"You don't have to worry about that, I've made a weather cloak which repels the bad elements." Zeniiba said as she entered the room holding a dull coloured cloak.

"Great!" Chihiro squealed as she took the coat and pulled Haku by the hand and rushed out.

10 minutes later, Chihiro was wishing they had stayed there longer. Huddling under the cloak, she read the map while Haku moved forward at a confident speed. "Haku... where are we going?" there was no response. Sighing, she put the map in her pocket and looked out from under the cloak. Fog and mist covered the sky, limiting vision to a few meters in front of them. The sparkling pacific blue ocean had been transformed into a ocean of ripples, as the raindrops thudded into it.

"Chihiro, get up, we've reached." Haku's voice drifted into her ears.

"Wha...have we arrived?"

"Yes."

Getting off Haku's back, Chihiro's shoes squelched in the mud as she took a few uncertain steps, praying that there were no pits of quicksand. Hearing a swooshing sound, she turned around to see Haku drenched to the skin. Resisting a giggle as she looked at his well built body, Chihiro quickly covered him with the cloak and they proceeded into the cave in front of them.

"There is magic here..." Haku said as they entered.

Runewords of the ancient language covered the walls of the cavern, accompanied by roughly drawn pictures. Chihiro gazed around in wonder, as these were sights she would never see again in the human world. Taking bold steps forward, Haku said in a loud voice, "Where does the stone of truth lie."

Hauntingly, an eerie voice echoed off the walls, "Before obtaining the stone of truth... search yourself, if you are worthy of using it, both of you."

Chihiro gasped at being pointed out, grabbing Haku's hand in fear, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. Replying in a loud voice, Haku said, "We seek it for the safety of both universes, to safeguard them."

After he had spoken, a shinning stone materialized in front of the duo. Reaching out, they took it from the energy source that held it suspended.

Exhaling loudly, Haku passed the stone to Chihiro after examining it closely. Smiling weakly, he said, "1 down, 3 to go." Chihiro nodded in agreement.

"They have found the first." Zeniiba said quietly.

" Eh uhuh uh..." No-face replied. (why didn't you tell them the location of the other 3...)

"The stones are interconnecting, once one is found, the rest will come quickly."