Thankyou so much for your reviews and I apologise once again about the delay. I've got the about:blank virus and had to switch to firefox. On with the show !

Chapter 4: Explanation

The boy tried sitting up, but couldn't. With a groan he fell back onto the futon.

"Hey, you ok?" Rin asked, putting a hand on his forehead.

"I don't think so…where am I, who are you?" he asked, looking at Rin and Kamiji.

Kamiji came closer pouring some water out of his kettle. He helped the boy to sit up and gave him the cup.

"Well, young man, you are in Abuyara. The most luxurious and renowned bathhouse in Japan. We cater for over 3,000 gods and numerous other spirits. I am Kamiji, 'slave' to the boilers that heat the baths. This is Rin, a worker in the bathhouse. Does that answer your questions?" Kamiji said with a smile.

"Well, you know who we are, who are you?" Rin said, shifting into a more comfortable position on the floor.

"My name is Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, I am the spirit of the Kohaku river, or…" he broke off "…was. My river was destroyed, filled in by humans. They ringed the area in red tape and filled in my home. I panicked and flew off, and…and"

"You came here…" Kamiji finished for him.

There was silence in the room for a long while. A sootball came over with a one of the multicoloured stars that sootballs ate, It offered it to Haku with a squeak.

"Thankyou, but I can't eat this. It's your food, keep it" Haku said smiling weakly. The sootball dropped its food onto Haku's futon, and went off, not taking no for an answer.

"It's right you know, you should eat something, but not that, you wouldn't be able to digest it." Rin said moving over to the tray of food, she passed him a bowl of rice "Try eating some of this". She said.

Haku picked up the chopsticks and politley began to eat tiny mouthfulls.

"Don't bother with formalities, you're probably starving."

Haku nodded and gratefully took bigger bites.

"You should leave after you're well enough, we wouldn't want Yubaba to find out about you, she doesn't believe in giving things unless there's something in it for her…" Rin said.

"Who is Yubaba, Rin?" Haku asked, putting down his bowl.

"Yubaba is the owner, a sorceress. She turns people into animals if she catches anyone who doesn't work for her or isn't a customer in the bathhouse."

Haku stared thoughtfully at the flames, finally he spoke.

"I want to be her apprentice" He said

"Who's?" Kamiji asked, looking up from his food.

"Yubaba's. If she can teach me enough magic, I might be able to save my river."

Rin and Kamiji looked at each other.

"I mean, why not?" Haku said "I haven't got anywhere to go, and it might just work. Please, can you help me find a way to be her apprentice?"

Kamiji looked at him sadly, it would be a pity to see someone so young fall into Yubaba's trap. The boy was right though, there wasn't much else he could do.

"Alright, I'll help you, But it's to late to think about that now. We'll do something about it in the morning.

End chapter 4

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