Hello, again. Sorry for the wait, but I'm quite busy right now. Anyway, thankyou very, very much for your kind reviews and help, Its greatly appreciated. (6/5/05 Ok, this isn't really an update. Just a minor adjustment. This is really an excuse to say that I've been revising the for end of year exams and I haven't been able to update recently, but fear not ! New instalments will be back soon! Ps. Special thankyou to KatzEye, you've been really kind!)

Chapter 9

Haku walked through the corridor leading to the main room of the bathhouse. Kitchen staff bustled to and from the banquet room, while cleaners scurried around, trying to make every surface gleam for tonight.

He was completely fed up with talk about 'tonight' New year had always been an important time, but in Abuyara Bathhouse, it was one of the biggest events on the calendar. Spirits came from miles around to use this luxurious bathhouse, and many important guests bathed here.

Invitations to the huge party had gone out moths in advance, and now the big day had arrived, everyone was in a mess.

"Mater Haku ! Master Haku !" shouted a harried looking worker running over to him, "There's been a huge problem with the water system, one of the pipes has burst, what should we do?"

Haku sighed and rubbed his temples, with Yubaba out, he had been left in charge.

"That's the third one this month. Very well I'll see what I can do" He said and strode off in the direction of the boiler room.

"Kamiji, another pipe has burst. Could I see the plans again?" Haku asked, sliding open the little door. Rin was inside, talking to Kamiji.

"Yo, god-boy, what's-up?" she said, raising a hand.

Haku walked over to them, Kamiji already had the plans of the bathhouse laid out.

"Is there any way to repair the pipe in time for the party?" asked Haku, glancing at Kamiji.

The boiler man sighed and reached one of his arms up to scratch his head, another reaching for the teapot that he drank from. He took a swig and set it back down.

"There won't be anytime to repair it tonight, besides, everyone's busy. We'll cut off the supply of water to that pipe and do a minor re-route of the system, It can be repaired tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll leave you in charge of that." Haku said wearily. "You should examine the rest of the network to see weather any other pipes could burst"

"That's the third one this month" Rin said matter of factly.

"Don't you think I know that, already?" Haku snapped "I've had to deal with them all, haven't I?"

Haku turned to leave "Kamiji, let me know if any other pipes look like they might be unstable"

After he had gone, Rin and Kamiji looked at one another. Haku was unusually bad tempered tonight.

"Do you think it could just be stress?" She asked

Kamiji sighed, he didn't think so. Haku had been like this more and more recently.

"No, I think Yubaba's attitude is rubbing off on him" he answered.

Rin looked sad. "I hope your wrong, Kamiji. I hope your wrong…"

(end chapter 9)

There you are. Again, sorry for the wait and the short chapter. Please, please R&R I'd really like to know what you think about this one. Thanks for reading anyway.