Feathers of Love

Chapitre Twenty-three: The Birth-names


When Haku went into Zeniba's house for lunch, he was already in human form and had on some clothes, Sen and Zeniba were helping themselves with the food. Especially Sen, who was very hungry, was enjoying herself very much, though she was eating slowly, as if savoring the taste of food in her mouth. Haku sat down on the empty seat next to Sen and took a bowl, filling it with food. The trio munched silently, occasionally broken by the sound of drinking and the sound of chopsticks clinking on their bowls.

After everyone has finished their food, Zeniba stood up and went outside of the house. Haku and Sen followed Zeniba, wondering what she was doing. However, when they were outside, they saw that she was just sitting on a chair that was under the shade of a tree, and was looking at them.

"I guess it is time to introduce yourselves and please do not tarry." Zeniba started. "I still have some business to deal with my sister, who may be coming to join us soon. Perhaps she may not be here but she would probably send something to attack us…"

"I understand. Since that is the case, let me introduce us on the behalf of Sen." Haku said. "Well, my name is Haku and I am an assistant for Yubaba. Well, I am really sorry that I have stolen your seal, but I was working under Yubaba's orders and I cannot refuse them, even if I do not want to do them. My partner is Sen and she is a worker at the bathhouse. The two of us have come here in the hope of leaving the bathhouse and therefore, Yubaba and also return you the seal. But as you have said, Yubaba may be coming after us, so I guess we should not tarry, since she may harm you just to get that seal."

Zeniba kept silent for moments, before Sen broke it. "How can we leave the bathhouse officially if we have already given our names to Yubaba? What should we do then?" Zeniba considered the question as she stared at the two of them.

"You should know the answer. Besides, I am sure that your families are very powerful, don't you bother hide that bracelet from me, Sen, and as for Haku, Yubaba only kidnaps princes to work for her."

"We have to know our birth-names then?" Sen asked quietly. "Do we have to speak them in front of Yubaba so that we can be released from the contract?"

"Yes," Zeniba answered. "You will have to do that. Besides the sensing of that bracelet, I also know that the two of you have something of importance hidden in your bodies. Thus, I urge the both of you to leave Yubaba's service as soon as possible and go back to your homes."

"I know. Well, I should reintroduce myself, since my name is not Sen at all." Sen started to say. "My name is Sakura Kinomoto and I used to work for Debonair, but have escaped with my mother from that place. Now that I remember my name, I also remember that I have to go to the country of Clow, which used to be my home…"

"But how do you know your name? I thought that you had forgotten yours." Haku asked. "I do remember, for the River God told me this and I was glad the I remembered my name. I was told by Rin that the River God does not lie and also the fact that Princess Nova tells me that my name is Sakura, and since both names match, then it is definitely my name! What about you then? Do you remember yours?" Sakura answered.

"No, I do not remember at all."

"You will! I will help you find if I can! I will do the best I can, since you are the one who has helped me escape from Yubaba! Believe in yourself! Have confidence!"

"Sakura…"

"Come to think of it," Sakura thought as she turned to look at Haku. "I think that I remember something already! You turned into a wolf yesterday, right? Think about it. Is it possible that someone is named after the creature one turns into once a month?"

"It is possible…"

"So there you are! I thought that you have already left this place, but it is always good to have a visit to my sister…" something above her shouted. It was Yubaba and she had arrived at Zeniba's house already. (She was still a bird.) "Come back to the bathhouse and work for me! I am your master!'

"Oh no you don't! You do not have me as a worker anymore! I am free from your contract!" Sakura shouted at Yubaba.

"Then what is your name, Sen? Your birth-name?"

"Sakura Kinomoto!" Sakura shouted back. "The Rive God told me this! You can't deny it, am I right?" Yubaba paled. She knew that whatever the River God said was right. There have been workers who have left the bathhouse after the River God told them their names.

"What about you, Haku? Do you remember yours?" Yubaba taunted. "If not, you are to come back to the bathhouse with me!"

Haku closed his eyes and blocked out the sounds of his surroundings. He looked into himself and searched for his name. His birth-name. That would be the thing that would allow him to leave Yubaba's bathhouse. He would find it.

Sakura cast a shield spell around Zeniba, Haku and herself in case Yubaba decided to attack them and closed her eyes too. She was helping Haku think of his name, and she would find it, no matter what.

"Haku, if you remember your name, you should have a feeling of happiness, there is no doubt about it." Zeniba said as she went over to the two youngsters. "Though there are some cases of people who were told their names by some God, and that would be different. But I am sure that you will be able to find your name."

"Haku, please do be quick. I can't hold the spell for a very long time. Yubaba is attacking the shield now. But still, I will help you find your name. Think about wolf. I think that that is our best bet."

"Wolf?"

"Yes. Think about it. I cannot help you discover your name, but I can help you in other ways. Please do be quick…"

"Wolf…big wolf, small wolf…no, that does not sound like a name. Think about mother. Mother. Yes, she is likely to give Chinese names. What about Da Lang, Xiao Lang?"

At that moment, Haku felt something. A small feeling of happiness. He knew what his name was now. He opened his eyes and stared at Yubaba.

"It is too late, Yubaba! Leave this place! My birth-name is Syaoran! Am I right?" At that moment, Sakura's shield cracked under Yubaba's assault. She dropped to her knees and Yubaba chose this moment to attack her, now that the two were not her servants…


Disclaimer: I do not own anything except this fanfiction's storyline.

Well, I did say that I feel like typing a lot yesterday. So how was it? A chapitre on Nova, Nadeshiko, Yelen and also Debonair should be up next! Stay tuned!