Disclaimer: I don't own it, I can't be bothered to write this anymore... D

Velf- haha, quite true, Chihiro does has a hard time in all stories, but she'll live happily ever after almost always! So its not that bad...

Kurenoharu- hihi!! Thanks for the encouragement!

A/N: lots of mysteries in this chappie, with Chihiro and Haku realizing how much they need each other, enjoy!!

Magic and Mystery

"For the last time Chihiro, I'm sure Haku's alright.... He's stronger than most people think he is."

"But... Zeniiba-san!" Chihiro wined as she glued her face back again onto the window of the cottage, attempting to peer through the mysterious fog that surrounded Swamp bottom.

"Zeniiba-san, is this fog and mist usual in Swamp bottom? I thought it was usually quite clear most of the time?"

"Hmm... that's true, my dear... Something big must have happened, like an explosive release of large magical..." that's when Zeniiba realized what had happened. "Energy..." she completed. Haku... actually did it, he convinced that old sulky god of knowledge to let him into the Lamba core!

"Is something wrong? Granny?" Chihiro asked with concern as Zeniiba's face had turned pale.

"No... Chihiro, Haku will be fine and back soon, so just relax." She replied as she sat back and heaved a sigh of relief, letting loose all the anxiety within her.

Coincidence was very common in the Spirit world because as soon as Zeniiba spoke, a gust of wind rattled the panes and shook the roof of her cottage. The mist cleared and the trees shook away any loose leaves in their branches.

"Welcome back... Haku." Zeniiba said quietly without looking up from her knitting.

Jumping up from her position by the window, Chihiro leapt at the limping figure at the doorway, pulling him to the ground.

"Argh! Chi, what are you doing?" Haku spluttered as he fought to regain his breath.

"Why did you go off without telling me anything?!? I was so worried that something had happened to you..." Chihiro cried as she helped him up to his feet.

"It was for... it was very important..." Haku said absentmindedly as he reminded himself not to talk about his encounter with the god of knowledge, he was still puzzled about what the god had said about Chihiro, something like, "she is not meant to die yet, not in this world..."

I'll ask Zeniiba-san about it later... Pulling out a chair, Haku sat down weary from his intensive flying. Chihiro moved over to the stove and made 2 cups of herbal tea for Haku and herself.

"Haku, care to tell us about..." Zeniiba begin as she pulled off her glasses, but stopped herself hurriedly. "Um... my dear, you just recovered and should not be walking around, maybe it would be better if you went to your room and lay down."

"But..." Chihiro began, theres something strange going on, something they don't want me to listen to, they're hiding something! Sighing loudly, Chihiro went to her room and shut the door, but, instead of lying on the bed, she lay against the door and attempted to listen to they're conversation...

(A/N: now its from Chihiro's point of view, for the moment...so things may not always be heard right when you eavesdrop)

"Haku, how was your journey, and why did that old devil of a god let you into the Lamba core? Its not his character to do that without you giving him something of equal value."

Lamba Core? What's that? I've never heard of granny or Haku speak about that before...

"I'm puzzled too by why he let me in... however, he said something I think you ought to hear..."

"What did he say?" Zeniiba's curiosity came.

"He said..." Haku paused for a moment and drew in a loud breath, "He said that Chihiro was not meant to die yet..." placing emphasis on the 'yet', Haku continued, "at least not in this world... what do you make of this sentence?"

" I don't know..." Zeniiba said uncertainly.

"Zeniiba-san... I'm... afraid, worried that she might die after this is over, everytime I think about it... I shiver, I don't want to lose her! Zeniiba-san."

" I know... I also love her like a grand mother... I'll check up on this, with my... sources, meanwhile you better seal off the 3rd gate as soon as possible, I've found its location... the 3rd gate is at ..., the City, a word of caution from an old traveler: Be careful of what you do in there, one offence to anyone there, you can never know what they'll do to you, bad temper those inhabitants there have, exactly like my sister."

Realizing that they were not talking anymore about her, Chihiro retreated to her bed and slumped across it, smiling at No-face.

"Thank you Zeniiba-san... I think we'll leave tomorrow, I need the rest."

"I can see that, by the way Haku..." Stopping at the door to the guest room, Haku turned around, "You absorbed the magical energy from the Lamba Core?"

"A little... I think, why?"

"Because... even if you don't feel it, your magic has improved greatly, the magic there is sacred, and not easily obtained, your water elemental skills should have increased to a higher level."

Clenching his fists, Haku frowned at Zeniiba, "Why are you telling me all this? Duels with magic are not permitted anymore."

"Because, you will soon be facing a strong opponent, one with magic... already I have said too much, go and rest, you will need your strength to get to the greed gate."

Bewildered, Haku bowed and entered the room, slumping immediately onto his bed and falling asleep instantly.

Glancing at his rising and falling chest, Chihiro felt her feelings growing stronger, smiling, she closed her eyes and slept.

Seeing that they were both asleep, No-face exited the room and sat at the table across Zeniiba.

"Uh-uh..." he said softly.

"I know, I am worried too, their destiny has been chosen, but, destiny is there for you to change... I hope they can do that much, for their future together..."

A/N: hows this chapter? Please RNR, anyone who reads this fic, please, you'll be doing urself a favor anywaes. I initially wanted to get them to seal the 3rd gate in this chapter, but I thought I might as well extend it a little. D cheeky me! Sorry to all who I'm keeping in suspense.