A/N: Sorry I've been neglecting reviews, but I'm really not up to it this time. And yes I do know who you are Uzumi. Since when have you been on Oh and it's Kana's POV. Basically it always starts with the POV of the character whose POV was used in the previous chapter.
Disclaimer: I own Kana. That's it. Though I wish I own everyone…oh, and I own Rin too. Hee hee hee.
Chapter Three
When we reached the elevator, he tried to make conversation. "So, Kana-" "Don't talk to me. And address me as Miss Kana." He blinked, then turned away as we made our way to the front desk.
Judging from Chichiyaku's muttering, I'd say Mikai just got assigned to Lin. "Miss Kana! How may I help you?" Chichiyaku asked. The Yuna and Frog Workmen started gathering as I introduced Toro and stated my business. "…And I'm sure you're going to get a hell-load of pissed off Yubaba if you don't take the guy." The said Yuna and Frogmen began muttering. "I don't care if Yubaba gets angry with us…" Chichiyaku started, "…We're not taking humans." Aniyaku finished. Bah. Not taking humans my ass. They've taken, what, twenty hundred million humans? Don't throw me this shit.
"He signed a friggin' contract. Just take him and get off my back."
"WHAT!" They gasped. Really, I think I can feel Toro glaring at them. "Don't stare at me." Aniyaku muttered something about strangeness and whispered to Chichiyaku. They watched me. "If he doesn't work hard, turn him into a newt and give him to Kamaji. Get it? Now get back to work. And get Rin's butt in here."
"Jeez, Kana, what's the fuss? I'm here." Lin's fraternal twin walked towards me, watching Toro amusedly. He brushed a strand of shoulder-length, loosely braided back hair behind his ear and watched Toro curiously with his brown-black eyes. Yes, yes, he was tall and handsome and smart and he liked me, but jeez, the guy's too saucy. "Just take the kid and go, ok?" Rin frowned. "Why're you dumping the kid on me?" I could tell Toro recognized him and knew how fast he could digest a roasted newt. "Because. Toro, go." "Er…yes, ma'am." He walked towards Rin, looked back at me, and then left. I grinned and did likewise- of course, to a different destination: The room used as a lounge for Haku and I, the one beside Yubaba's office.
Yubaba's P.O.V.
I knew they were trouble the second I saw them, that Sara-mika girl and her saucy brother. I'll bet anything they don't know the other is here-well, the saucy boy does, but the girlie don't. I read the letter on my desk and sighed. I shook my head and called for Kana and Haku. We have a really big problem here.
Haku's P.O.V.
As soon as Kana entered the room I knew something was wrong. "What?" I asked. "Er…it's Rin." She muttered. "Uh oh?" "Uh oh." I sat down next to her. "Elaborate." "You assigned Mikai to Lin, right?" I nodded. "You know how Rin likes me?" I nodded again. What is it with me and nodding? "Well, he seems to think I'm attached to Toro-which I am not-and I really don't think they'll do well together…especially the 'I was really worried' line." "Un-huh." I smiled. Rin had been on to Kana for a year now…interesting. "So," she continued, "I now have to keep them from killing each other. And, since you're going to be here and watching for quite a while, you'll have to watch them too." I blinked. I processed the information. And I said, quite bluntly, "I am not babysitting Rin or Sarai's brother." Kana glared at me, and opened her mouth to retort but suddenly-KANA! HAKU! GET YOUR LAZY BUTTS IN HERE!
"Good grief. And I though we'd get to rest awhile." I did too, Kana, I did too. "At least she could've left the lazy butts part alone. I mean, who're the ones working their butts off, and who's the one sitting in her chair enjoying the show?" Kana smiled. "C'mon. Let's go."
Arriving in Yubaba's office, I knew there was something wrong. Yubaba was slumped in her chair grumbling and Bou was out in the office. Kana looked at Yubaba. "What?" The old witch glared. "Mizu-kami and Kawa-kami cannot come tommorow. Mizu-kami is seeing the Lady and Kawai-kami is ill. Mizu-kami will be away for three days and Kawa-kami will remain sick for five. What will we do in the extra time?" Kana furrowed her brow. "Mikai's supposed to be cleaning the big tub…" she murmured, "And Toro's supposed to be fixing the boiler with Kamaji…" "Change the schedule," I said. "If Kawa-kami doesn't arrive for the big tub and Mizu-kami doesn't pop out of the boiler, we'd have to muck up the tub and break the boiler all over again." Yubaba growled. "Fine. But it'll mess up the timetable, you hear? Don't blame me if Tran jumps on you tomorrow when you're watching over Mikai!" I winced, and Kana grinned.
Minutes later, we were sitting around Yubaba's tea table drinking, well, tea, and having a semi-civilized conversation. Well, Bou wasn't really talking; he was just stuffing his face full of the cookies and sweets left on the table. Yubaba was grumbling and sipping her tea, and Kana and I were randomly gambling on how long it would take Rin to sweep the storeroom. But we were all waiting for two people to slip out of bed and come upstairs: Lin and Rin.
Yubaba cursed as the doors were knocked right off their hinges. Kana stood up, in a bored sort of way, and the doors were quite neatly and gently replaced with a rush of wind. Yubaba glared venomously at Rin. "What is it with you and doors? Every single time, you all but kill them!" Rin yawned. "Yeah, sure, whatever. What do you want?" Yubaba glared furiously, and looked about ready to explode. "DON'T TALK TO ME THAT WAY YOUNG MAN-" "What she was meaning to say," Kana cut in quite conveniently, "is that you two are assigned extra days because Mizu-kami and Kawa-kami called in absent." Rin flashed a smile at her. "And what are we supposed to do those days, my fair lady?" I stood up, slightly irritated. "Don't go 'London Bridge' on Kana, Rin. Kamaji's West A2 pipes are burning up, and the Third Room pipes are leaking. Go fix those." Rin glared. Lin rubbed her left eye. "And I suppose I'll be washing tubs." "Duh." Lin glared at Kana. "Who asked you?" Kana smiled innocently. "Well, off you go! Good night!" And they were forced out. I suspect Kana's little wind trick did that.
I sat down, watching Yu-bird flap around. Suddenly, Yubaba's teasing voice (which sounded like Kamaji with a bad cough mixed with the 'MEEP!' of one of those chick spirits) cut into my mind. "Now, now, a little defensive, are we?" I glared at her, and she unconsciously cringed. "Kana's like a little sister to me, Yubaba. And Rin's a serious pain in the neck. So, shut it." She smirked. Kana, however, yawned, covering her mouth. "I'm flattered," She mumbled, "And I am going to bed. Nighty-night, Haku."
After she left, I decided I fancied a little fly before I go wake Sarai. As I jumped out a window, I heard Yubaba screech: "USE A DAMNED DOOR!"
And I wondered why she needed a silencing spell around her office.
Kana's P.O.V.
I was, though it sounded sarcastic, flattered. I admit I do like Haku, I mean, when I crashed in the river when I first came here he immediately jumped in to save me. So, I being a sky spirit (that really doesn't know how to swim), he basically saved my life. And he's been my favorite person in the universe since that day.
I had half a mind to go sit on the roof and fall asleep there, but hey, it looks rainy outside. Sure I could change the weather, but it's six flights of stairs up. I decided to crash in Haku's room, closest one so far. Me, I had my room two floors up. Haku's was on this floor. I swear I fell asleep once my head got on the pillow.
Somewhere along the lines of about three in the afternoon, someone woke me up. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and turned to see Haku with that indifferent look on his face. "What are you doing here?" I blinked, and then remembered I was sleeping in his room, in his bed. I blushed. "Um, I was tired, and way too lazy to climb two flights of stairs. So I crashed here." He looked around. "Really? You couldn't've summoned that wind of yours to carry you up?" I glared. "Slipped my mind. Time?" He smirked. "Four-thirty, sleeping beauty." "Are you implying that I'm beautiful?" I teased. He rolled his eyes. "Come on. Get changed. Your clothes are all ruffled. And you sound like Yubaba." "DO NOT!" He chuckled. "Hurry up. You've got half an hour to fiddle with your hair as you like." I left quickly, but not before sticking my tongue at him. And it was his fault that my previously waist-length hair now trailed to my knees. Stupid experiments.
Ten minutes later I was once again in Haku's room, in my white haori-just like his, with longer, billowing sleeves-and long, pink, loose bottomed pants. I was sitting on his bed, cross-legged, as he peered into Yubaba's crystal ball, observing the pipes. I think he was breaking them down a bit more. I had just trimmed my hair and it was now waist-length again, but the look he had on his face showed me it wasn't going to stay that way for long. "Time?" "Four forty-five. Time to go." He stood up, opened the door, and smiled at me. "Come out in five." I nodded. Damn strategies. I watched as he closed the door and left, then fell back. This was going to be interesting…
Toro's P.O.V.
A small, slim, white hand rested on my shoulder. "Meet me at the bridge, we need to talk." I felt it draw away, but sat up and grabbed it, already dressed in the blue short-sleeved haori and short pant-thingy. I searched Kana's surprised face for a few seconds, and then stood up, careful not to wake Rin who was close beside me. "Let's go." She nodded, walking out carefully.
We ended up in a really nice flower garden, and I sat down beside a round, bunny-shaped bush. Kana stood, looking around. "Do you smell that?" I blinked, and then breathed in a sweet, fragrant smell. I then nodded. "It's really peaceful around here. I think I'll come visit every morning…" Her head snapped to look at me, her ruby eyes flashing. "You must never come here without me, understand?" I watched her serious expression, and then nodded. She smiled weakly. "If you're caught here, Yubaba will turn you into …something foul. If that happens, you'll never be able to find your little sister." She finally sat down beside me. "You said we needed to talk. What about?" I inquired. "About your sister. Do you remember anything about her?"
I looked at her as if she were crazy, and opened my mouth. Suddenly, I realized I didn't remember anything about my sister…what was her name? What was MY name? "Kana! I don't remember anything!" She smiled at me, reaching into her haori, bringing out a piece of paper. It was The Note my sister wrote. I read it over slowly. "Toro…I remember! My name…it's Torokito, isn't it?" She smiled and nodded. "And my sister…Sarai. I can't believe I forgot!" "That's how Yubaba controls you, by stealing your name. If you completely forget it, you'll never get out of this place. I've tried everything to remember mine…" I looked at her, horrified. "You can't remember your name!" She smiled weakly. "No…but for some reason I remember yours…" I blinked. Really? "So keep that note hidden. Let no one see it. And while you're here, I want you to call yourself 'Toro'. Understand?" I nodded.
We went our separate ways, me with a promise that she would be back soon. I turned to watch her leave, when a golden-red speck caught my eye. A phoenix. "Kana…is a phoenix?"
Normal P.O.V.
(Meanwhile on the other side of the garden…)
"Sarai…that's my name! I can't believe I forgot it! I'm so stupid!" It had taken Haku quite a while to comfort the sobbing girl. He spoke quickly the 'don't-tell-your-name-and-hide-the-note' process, and then they left. He was sure Kana had already left, so he talked to her a bit longer before he literally flew off, to make sure she didn't see her brother. As soon as she turned and ran, he transformed into a dragon and flew off. He made sure she saw him, too, and entered the bathhouse, before he headed for the lounge.
Seeing a dark-haired girl brushing her hair, he immediately addressed: "Kana." She turned to see him. "Oh! Hello, Haku, aren't we a bit tardy?" "She's hysterical…" Haku sighed and sat down beside Kana, who disposed of the brush and sat attentively like a child waiting for a story. "It's all, Chihiro this, Chihiro that, what I would give for Chihiro to be back." Kana smiled sympathetically. "It sounds like Chihiro was the best thing that ever happened to her." "Not quite." Haku muttered. "Chihiro trusted her and told her about this world, but not its people, thank Kami. Sarai feels like it's her fault Chihiro died, Kami knows why, and she wants to find the person Chihiro was waiting for if it's the last thing she does. Problem is, that person's most likely me." Kana smirked. "So, what's the dragon boy going to do about it? You have to make her feel better-"
Suddenly, a VERY loud bang was heard, and footsteps, and a banging on the door. "Come in!" Kana yelled. Aniyaku rushed in. "Miss Kana! Master Haku! Trouble!"
Both Haku and Kana narrowed their eyes in perfect synchronization. "Elaborate."
A/N: Double act! Anyone want to take a guess at what 'trouble' is? Anybody think they know? No? Aw, well. Shucks. Well, until next time, ta!
Asami Mizuki
P.S. If anybody is wondering about Kana, my sister Uzumi (penname Sakura Rider) is staring a fic about her. Check it out!
