You have always been there, I just didn't know (part3)

Chihiro stirred awake from sleep, but she didn't open her eyes just yet. She had a dream…no, it was more like a nightmare. Yu-Baba was there, and she was chasing her and Haku. But she didn't know what happened next because she woke up.

Thank goodness it was just a dream, she thought. She smiled and let the gust of wind blowing on her face calm her. If it had been true, she wouldn't have known what to do. It was too frightening. But she was scared more for Haku than for herself. He was likely to do reckless things just to protect her…and she didn't want that.

Suddenly, her heart stopped as a certain realization began to sink in. How come the wind was blowing on her face? Her whole body? She never sleeps with the window open and she never sleeps without a blanket. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Fear washed over her as her eyes proved that she wasn't dreaming. It was true!

Wait, she thought to herself. Maybe I'm still in the dream! Yeah…maybe I am!

So, you're awake!

Chihiro's eyes widened. Haku was talking inside her head. Does that mean—?

Hey, what's wrong? Are you all right?

"I—it's—real?" she whispered, as she brushed a hand on Haku's back to check.

Hey, that tickles!

Chihiro drew back her hand. She was riding on Haku, who had transformed into a dragon!

In a flash, everything went back to her. The school dance…Yu-Baba…the sleep spell that didn't work on her…and Haku, who had managed to get her out of harm's way. All of them had really happened! Which meant…

They were still in danger. Yu-Baba was still after them!

Chihiro buried her face on Haku's back, trying to fight back the tears that were dying to flow out of her eyes, but to no avail. How do they escape? They can't stay in the air forever! It's impossible that there's no way!

Are you ok? Please answer me. I'm really getting worried.

I'm ok… Chihiro replied, using the Dragon charm to speak to Haku. She feared if she answered using her voice, Haku might notice that she was crying.

Good. Do you want to rest a little?

I should be the one asking you that. I'm sorry. You've been flying all the time I was asleep. It wasn't fair of me.

I should be the one asking for your forgiveness. I put a spell on you to make you fall asleep. You were tiring yourself out just crying.

You shouldn't have done that.

Chihiro tightened her hold on Haku as more tears raced down her cheeks.

Don't cry! Look, I'm going down, I can't stand this anymore.

Chihiro frantically wiped her eyes and cheeks as Haku landed under the shelter of some forest trees. He gently dropped Chihiro on the ground and then transformed back into human form. He was wearing a deep frown and he walked towards Chihiro.

"I'm sorry," Chihiro repeated. "But I just can't seem to stop." She buried her face into her hands and cried bitterly.

Slowly, she felt Haku's arms wrapping around her with a different kind of gentleness. Surprised at the sudden caress, she stopped crying, her heart pounding, as if it was trying to tell her something.

Haku pressed her head against his chest and held her tight. "Stop crying," he whispered tenderly. "It's hurting me so much just seeing you like this. Now, I promised I would find a way, and I will. But I need you by my side. I need you to be brave, Chihiro, like that time when you were stuck in the Spirit World under Yu-Baba's power. I need you right now…so please stop crying. Please…"

Chihiro was touched. This was the first time Haku was this tender towards her. Sure, he had shown sweet affection ever since that day he had revealed himself but never like this. She felt she was seeing a whole new side of him…the weaker side. He was breaking down…

"No!" Chihiro cried, hugging Haku tight. "I don't want to see you cry! Don't cry! I will be brave! I'll stay by your side and I'll never break down again!"

Haku gave a small smile and rested his head on Chihiro's. He sighed, feeling as if he had gotten the most precious gift he could ever wish for. He ran a hand through her hair but he stopped when his hand felt something that presented a magical aura. He opened his eyes and looked. His hand was resting on Chihiro's hair band.

It's just a hair band…why?

Then, it hit him.

"Chihiro!" he exclaimed.

Chihiro lifted her head up at him. "What?" she asked.

"Where did you get this hair band?"

"What? Oh! This one?" Chihiro took it off and held it up to Haku. "I got it from Zeniba. She said it would protect me from any danger that would—" Chihiro's eyes widened. "So that's why Yu-Baba's sleep spell didn't work on me! Zeniba's magic was protecting me all along!" she exclaimed.

Haku's face showed a trace of hope. "I've changed my mind," he said. Then, he transformed again into a dragon. He turned to Chihiro, the dragon charm glowing bright blue against his furry chest.

Hop on. We're going to the Spirit World!

"Fools!" Yu-Baba cried out in frustration. "So they think they can run away from me, eh? We'll just see!"

She angrily waved her hand in the air and smoke erupted from it. The smoke formed a ring in front of her. Yu-Baba gave a sinister smile. "Show me where they are!" she cried out to the ring of smoke. Instantly, an image appeared in the empty space surrounded by the ring. It was of a girl riding on the back of a white dragon.

Yu-Baba's smile widened as she observed where they were. "What's this?" she exclaimed in amusement. "You're in the Spirit World? Oh, Haku, you're making things too easy for me!"

She snapped her fingers and slowly, the people in the dance hall began to wake up. "The Spirit World then," she said to herself and in a wink, she was gone.

Hang on, we're almost there, Haku told Chihiro.

"Are you sure she'll be able to help us? That she'll agree?" Chihiro asked.

She helped you once. I'm sure she won't hesitate to help you again. Besides, she wanted to protect you by giving you that magical hair band. Well, here's another chance to do it. Don't worry so much.

Chihiro sighed as she looked down at the familiar railroad track she had traveled once before to visit Zeniba. She smiled weakly. Haku was right, Zeniba would be able to help them, if no one else can. Her powers were strong enough to repel Yu-Baba's and it seemed she was their only hope.

We're here.

Chihiro looked and indeed, they have arrived. She saw the familiar lamppost hanging on the arc that was adorning the entrance to Zeniba's front yard. It was waving at them and before they could even land, they saw light flooding out from Zeniba's open doorway and a shadow was marked on it. It was Zeniba, waiting to welcome them.

"Well, well, it has been a long time hasn't it, my dear?" she greeted, walking towards them with open arms. She gave Chihiro a warm embrace. "Why, you've grown already! You've become so beautiful," she said.

Chihiro closed her eyes and fell into the warmth of Zeniba's hug. When Zeniba let go of her, she faced her with a small smile. But instead of smiling back, Zeniba frowned. "Is something wrong? Your eyes are full of fright," she said.

"We're being chased," a voice answered from behind Chihiro. Both of them turned and saw Haku, who had transformed back into human form. He walked towards Zeniba and gave a low bow. When he had straightened, his face turned serious. "We need your help," he said.

Zeniba's expression turned to worry. "It depends," she said. "Who is chasing you and why?"

"Yu-Baba," Chihiro answered. "But we don't know why."

Zeniba turned her back on them. "I'm afraid I can't help you," she said.

Haku and Chihiro both exchanged looks of mingled fear and disappointment. Chihiro stepped forward. "But—you're our only hope!" she cried. "There's nobody else—nobody else who can rival Yu-Baba's magic!"

"She's right! There's no hope for us anymore if you don't help us."

Zeniba's head bent. "I want to help you…I do," she started. "But there is a reason why I can't help you with this one. I would've…if only it were someone else. But it's Yu-Baba and I can't help you there."

"Why not?"

Zeniba turned to them. "You may well remember that Yu-Baba and I are twin sisters," she said. "Our magic powers are equal, which means we can rival one another. As we grew, our parents noticed that Yu-Baba and I are very different after all. Yu-Baba was always seeking to become stronger than I am but no matter what she does, we remain equal. You see, Yu-Baba is very self-centered and she didn't like the idea of being equal with anyone. She wanted to be the best, the greatest. But she couldn't do that as long as I'm still alive.

"Our parents saw the upcoming threat on my life. They looked into our future and I wasn't there. So, to keep me safe and alive, they did the only thing that could be done. They put a spell on both of us…well, more like a curse, for Yu-Baba at least. They tied our lives together so that we can never resort to any fights…magical duels, in our case, which could end up with one's death, because if one of us dies in the other's hands, the other would die, too. But there's an exception. If, for example, I die because of natural causes or some accident, Yu-Baba won't die. But if I die because of something Yu-Baba plotted, even if she didn't do it herself, she would still die. So, you see, I can't help. I can't duel with her."

Haku and Chihiro both fell silent. They lost hope. They couldn't ask Zeniba to risk her own life for them. Besides, it was their battle not hers, after all. Haku glanced at Chihiro and saw that she was again close to tears though it was obvious she was fighting hard against it. He turned away. He just could stand seeing Chihiro like that. There must be another way, he thought. But if they duel, both of them would die! But Zeniba's our only hope! If they don't duel, Chihiro and I are dead. But of course, Yu-Baba would never—

Haku lifted his head in a sudden realization. That was it! Yu-Baba would never dream of dueling with Zeniba, so if she protects them, they'd be safe! Well, at least until they find a better solution.

"I've got it!" he cried. Both Chihiro and Zeniba looked at him with surprised, expectant faces. "I've got it!" Haku repeated. "You can still protect us because Yu-Baba would never duel with you. If you protect us, she won't be able to do anything because she'll have to go through you before she gets to us. During that time, I'm sure we'll be able to think of a better way to escape her. We just need your shelter for now."

Chihiro smiled, hope filling her up again at his words.

Zeniba sighed and nodded. "I guess I can do that. Yu-Baba would never attack me, anyway," she said.

Chihiro jumped with joy and pounced on Haku, giving him a big, big hug. They were safe! It was only for a while, but at least they were safe!

"Aha! So this is where you are!" a voice shouted behind them.

They all turned in shock. It was Yu-Baba!

Zeniba shielded Haku and Chihiro while Haku held Chihiro close.

Yu-Baba's eyes blazed. "Zeniba!" she cried out. "You're not a part of this! Get out of my way!"

But Zeniba stood firm. "No!" she cried back. "You'll have to go through me!"

Yu-Baba stepped back, an unexpected fear filling her heart. "W-What?" she blurted. But then, she regained her composure and snickered. "You're pretty brave, knowing I won't fight you because it would be risking my life as well," she said. "Step aside now, Zeniba. This young man has a price to pay!" Yu-Baba gestured towards Haku, who was glaring at her as his grip on Chihiro tightened.

Zeniba moved back closer to Haku and Chihiro, giving Yu-Baba a defiant gaze. "What did he ever to you?" she asked.

Yu-Baba growled in frustration. Zeniba was prolonging the conversation and it drove her nuts. She wanted to get her hands on Haku and Chihiro without further delay. "He's been sneaking off to the real word using my magic, my portals!" she screamed.

"I created those portals!" Haku protested.

"But you got the information from my private files! That's unforgivable! No one's allowed to open my drawers except me!"

"STOP IT!" Zeniba screamed and Yu-Baba and Haku stopped. "Maybe we can settle this in a more quiet manner," Zeniba continued, not really knowing what she was saying. She knew Yu-Baba would never agree to something like that. But she was quickly running out of ideas. To her surprise though, Yu-Baba calmed down.

"You're right, Zeniba," she said. "We can settle this, quietly."

Zeniba caught a glint of mischief in her twin sister's eyes and she began to feel that something unknown to her was brewing. Fear settled in her heart. Yu-Baba obviously had a plan.

"I guess I have been too reckless," Yu-Baba said. "Why don't we let our powers settle it for us?"

"We can't duel! Are you really going to risk your own life for a few illegal portals?" Zeniba cried in disbelief.

Yu-Baba laughed. "Oh, no, no, no! Not something like that. Don't be ridiculous, my dear sister," she replied. "We'll just play a little game. But first, we must bind ourselves so that there'll be no backing out."

Zeniba stepped back again. She was getting nervous. She didn't know what her sister was planning.

Yu-Baba gave her a sweet smile, which increased Zeniba's suspicions. "I promise that I'll never bother them again…if you win," she said. "What's this? You don't want to? I'm trying to settle this as harmlessly as possible!"

Zeniba looked at Haku and Chihiro with a worried expression. She wasn't sure what her sister's plans were but it was better than dueling and getting killed, or giving up Haku and Chihiro to her. She faced her again.

"All right," she said. "I'll do it."

"Good!" Yu-Baba exclaimed. "Now, to set aside other suspicions, I will let you put the binding spell on me first."

Zeniba hesitated. If only she could figure out what her sister's plan was. But Yu-Baba was blocking her mind out from entering hers. She took a deep breath and pointed her forefinger at Yu-Baba. "I bind you to a promise. May the spell keep you bound to it until it is finished," she said.

A light shot out from her forefinger and hit Yu-Baba for a few seconds. When the light disappeared, Yu-Baba held up her hand towards Zeniba. "I bind you to a promise. May the spell keep you bound to it until it is finished," she repeated. But it took a while before light had shot out from her forefinger. Zeniba became suspicious after the spell hit her.

"All done," Yu-Baba said. "Now, what game shall we play? Well, the first one to release red sparks will be the one to choose. Ready, dear sister?"

Zeniba nodded. Yu-Baba's smile increased. "One," she started. "Two…three!"

At once, red sparks erupted from Yu-Baba's hand. Zeniba's eyes widened. She couldn't move! Her brows joined in anger. "You cheated! You cast a body-binding spell on me along with it!" she cried.

"All is fair when you're using magic," Yu-Baba returned. "See, the spell is releasing you now. Hmm…now, what game shall we play?"

Zeniba clenched her fists as the body-binding spell released her. But she was still bound to the other spell.

"That's not fair, she cheated," Haku said behind her.

"It's no use playing a fair game with Yu-Baba. She always cheats."

"But still—!"

"Don't worry. I'll do my best on whatever game she picks."

"I've got it!" they heard Yu-Baba cry out. Zeniba turned to her and her eyes widened as she caught her sister's eye. There was certainly mischief. Someone was in terrible danger. But it couldn't be her, so it had to be Haku or Chihiro. This is bad, she thought.

"Why don't we play…" Yu-Baba started. "Soul-fishing?"

Haku felt as though an arrow hit his heart. Soul-fishing? They were in deep trouble. Yu-Baba seemed to have everything planned out and they didn't have anything. Oh no…he thought.

"What is it?" Chihiro whispered. "What's soul-fishing?"

Haku held her closer. "It's a Witch's game," he explained. "They set a large cauldron in the middle filled with human souls and they get a person to be their 'fish', as they fondly call it. But this person has to be someone they're fighting over with, like a lover or a servant or a prisoner. The players, the witches, will suck out the person's soul and mix it in with the other souls in the cauldron. Then, one-by-one, they will place a soul in the empty body. If it is not the right one, the soul simply disappears. If it is, the person will live again and the witch who had placed it will own the person. It's a game they invented to settle fights between witches over a certain person. But it's dangerous. If it exceeds an hour, the 'fish' will die."

Chihiro clutched harder on Haku. It was frightening beyond anything. And they call it a game?

"So," Yu-Baba's voice came floating through her ears. Chihiro looked up. There was already a huge cauldron between Yu-Baba and Zeniba, filled with some sort of white stuff that was incessantly moving. A chill went through Chihiro's spine. Those were human souls!

"Now that we have our game, it's time for me to pick our 'fish'," Yu-Baba continued.

Haku suddenly let go of Chihiro and walked to the side of Zeniba. Chihiro froze as she realized why. He was going to volunteer to be the 'fish'!

"No!" she cried. "Haku!"

"It's the only way to keep you safe," Haku told her with a soft smile. Chihiro's eyes brimmed with tears again but Haku held up his hand. "Chihiro, you promised me."

Chihiro tried hard to hold back the tears. She bent her head and nodded weakly. But inside, she was screaming, protesting against it, although she knew it was of no use.

"I'll be your 'fish', Yu-Baba," she heard Haku say and her legs buckled, as if they were no longer fit to support her. She dropped on her knees and sobbed, burying her face on her hands when she heard Yu-Baba's laughter. She's so cruel, she's so cruel!

"You're forgetting one thing about the 'fish', Haku," Yu-Baba said, snorting with laughter.

Haku clenched his fists and glared at her. "What?" he asked.

Yu-Baba stopped laughing and smiled sinisterly. She glanced at Zeniba, who was frowning deeply. Yu-Baba's smile widened. Zeniba knew who their 'fish' had to be.

"Ah, Haku, the 'fish'," she said. "Has to be a non-magical person."

Haku's eyes widened. He felt as if the arrow that had hit him earlier had dug deeper into his heart. He had forgotten about it. He felt faint. No…he thought, looking behind him.

Chihiro…