Standing in front of her destination, Yuri didn't bother for the bell situated next to the wall and rapped the wooden door briskly. It was opened halfway a few seconds later and she slipped inside the dark room.

Shazi's room was always dark. Moth-eaten curtains that looked hundreds of years old blocked the sun from shinning in, and the old woman herself was pale and skinny, the skin over her face drawn tightly, cheekbones protruding sharply.

The old woman waited expectantly, and she drew out a bundle of Japanese notes, counting them before handing it to Shazi. Smirking, the old woman's gnarled hands stuffed it into one of her deep pockets.

"I don't have enough money." Yuri announced, and the old woman froze in her actions. Her hand slowly came out of her pocket, and she hissed quietly, "…What?"

Yuri swallowed, a little nervous. She had never heard that tone before. "I couldn't get more from my father. He's getting suspicious." Shazi's mouth opened to speak, but she cut her off.

"I have an offer. I have something that is equal value to the half money I'm paying."

"What the fuck? Celaka!" she cursed furiously in her own tongue.

Yuri huffed, impatient and frustrated.

"Look, I told you I have an offer. Do you want to listen to it, or not??" she said sharply.

She took the silence as an agreement.

"There's a girl, at school. Chihiro, a 1st year student. She's just so fucking annoying and troublesome for her own good, and I want her out of my sight. So in return for the other half of pay, I'm offering her."

Shazi snickered.

"…and what use might I find in her?"

"I heard that unborn foetus makes a good toyol. In this case however, I'm sure a human spirit would do even better." She said. And this one doesn't even need to feed on the owner's blood every fortnight." She stepped forward, her pupils dilating as the old woman felt a cold aura emitting from the girl.

"Take her, and I guarantee that you will find it more satisfying than my share of pay." She whispered.

The last statement hung in the air, tempting. Finally, the corners of her lips curved up, displaying a devilish grin and the beady eyes shone in the dark.

"Hehehehehe…" a chuckle escaped her lips, and the old woman threw back her head and laughed crazily.

"…I think we have a deal." Yuri said, and her eyes flashed inhumanly with delight.

Shazi continued laughing.

"Jaa, that's what you get for messing with my things, you little bitch…" Yuri said softly, a small smile playing on her lips.

The first thought that came into her mind when Chihiro woke up that morning, was concerning the purple dragon by the lake.

Suddenly filled with energy, she jumped out of bed and went to her window. Sun filled the streets with its warm rays, and she could see a few people already walking briskly.

Better get prepared for school. She bounded into the bathroom, the door closing with a snap behind her.

Throughout the day, Chihiro was restless and agitated. She couldn't sit still in her seat. And she couldn't pay attention to class, all the while wondering about the past few day's turns of events.

When school bell finally rung, she leapt out of the classroom and rushed onto the bus. She was one of the first few students there. The journey home was spent with a nostalgic feeling, recalling the short times at the Spirit World and Haku. The sorrowful song played on the bus evoked more memories, and she felt like crying.

It was raining that afternoon. Chihiro was still determined to visit the dragon. With an umbrella, she walked to the park, her shoes already soaked through upon arrival. The lake was deserted, the rain falling down heavily and hitting the surface of the lake. She called and called, but the dragon was either not present or didn't want to see her. After a few tries, she went home dejectedly.

Night fell, and still the rain showed no sign of subsiding or stopping. Lying down in her bed, she fingered the bracelet absentmindedly, musing.

Here she was again. All around her tall trees surrounded her, rising tall into the sky. It was light, and looked like morning here.

She walked straight ahead, trying to find an escape out of the dense woods.

Tall scrubs and bushes blocked her way. She ran to the right, to the left, and it stretched on both sides. She plunged head-first into the thicket.

Miscellaneous twigs and leaves brushed past her; it itched.

What am I looking for? For Haku? How did I get here without going through Yuri's spell?

Something caught her eye. A flash of blue. Yes! She saw blue shimmering between the numerous branches and leaves.

Coming face to face with the same lake, adrenaline coursed through her, and she shouted Haku's name.

This time…it will work! It must!!

After a while, receiving no reply, a dull sense of disappointment filled her. She felt like everything was mocking her.

She sat down on the bank, and played with water. She didn't know if it was because of the heat, or she just wasn't used to the humidity of woods, but she felt a prickling sensation on her neck. She scratched it, thinking it was an insect.

The sensation continued, and gradually manifested. Now it wasn't just the prickling at her neck, but it felt like someone was watching her. She looked up so fast her head swam.

A small boy watched her from the opposite side of the lake. The hairs on her neck stood up. Chihiro could make out that the boy had dark hair, and deep set eyes peered at her from the small face.

She blinked; and the boy was gone.

Standing up quickly, she ran to the site where the small boy stood. Her heart thumped wildly, trying to absorb the shock. She bend down and touched the ground and realized that her hands were wet and sweating. She looked around her; there was no sign of the boy. It was like he had never been there at all.

A sudden jolt; Chihiro felt herself return to reality. It was yet another day, but still early. Her breath quick and short, she covered her eyes with one arm and sighed.

She saw Yuri at school today, at the canteen. Yuri saw her too, and they locked gazes. Chihiro could almost feel the coldness from the other girl. Then Yuri broke contact and walked off. Chihiro ran after her, wanting to ask her about the dream. Yuri disappeared into the crowds before she could catch her.

That afternoon, after school, it was raining again. Even more heavily than yesterday. Chihiro wondered sourly if the weather was purposely pulling her leg. Of course she wanted to see the purple dragon. So right after she got off the bus, instead of turning into her street as she usually did, she walked into the park.

The result was the same as yesterday. No matter how much she called or yelled, the purple dragon refused to see her. She assumed that the dragon was angry with her. Her mood dropped a notch.

Before leaving, however, she noticed something about the lake. Usually, the water was clear, so clear that you could see right into the depths. Today, however, it looked muddy and contaminated. Chihiro reasoned that the rain had probably stirred up the mud beneath, but she just couldn't explain the feeling of wrongness about the lake. It's surface wasn't as smooth, even with the rain pattering down on it, it looked as if there was some underlying dirt just beneath the surface.

Chihiro shrugged, and turned around.

That night, she was immediately transported to the lake. She sat there patiently, banishing the need of calling anymore and instead adopting to just sit and wait.

Bored, she let herself play with the water, twirling her fingers and making odd circles and ripples. She was so immersed in it, she swatted at the familiar prickling feeling on her neck, until she realized what it meant and looked up.

The dark haired boy stood once as before, but now beside him, a taller figure stood. Completely cloaked in shadows with only a mask as a face…No-Face seemed very happy to see her.

Chihiro stared at them, surprised. When she almost recovered and stepped forward, the wind carried over the small boy's soft whisper.

"Haku-san is looking for you, Chihiro-san…"

Chihiro's hair bristled up as she suddenly froze in her tracks.

"Haku-san is looking everywhere for you…" The boy whispered again, and No-Face nodded vigorously.

Then, they disappeared into the thin air and when Chihiro opened her eyes, it was morning.

Haku-san is looking everywhere for you…"

Her excitement showed in her steps as she ran as fast as she could into the park.

Maybe…just maybe…Haku is a river spirit, isn't he? So if the boy at the lake is correct, then he would be somewhere near his own element, water! And since his river and Murasaki's lake was once connected, he might even be there now! Oh, why didn't I notice that before!?

She sprinted down the path and down the lake. The weather was sunny today; no more gloomy clouds and heavy downpour. Just like her now.

Just a little bit more…I'm going to meet Haku, finally…

Shimmering lake. The bright sun shone on the surface of the lake, making it sparkling diamond-like. The breeze blew at the hanging willows above.

My first mission today. Oddly, I'm not nervous at all. In fact, quite the contrary, a deep sense of forbidding is welling inside of me. I had a feeling that something was about to happen…

Nevertheless, I must obey my mistress's commands.

I turned around when a girl skids to a stop around the corner and faces me.

Green mane bristling gently in the wind, as the dragon's tail curled in the air. Scales adorned in pure white, glinting off the sunlight, fellers flying behind him.

Emerald green eyes fixed a gaze at me. My heart stops. A dull buzzing sounds inside my ear, blocking everything else away.

There was no mistake this time. I almost laughed with joy as I stared at Haku.

Then quite suddenly, out of no where, a hard impact connects to the back of my head, and the ground rushes up to meet me.

I watch my mistress came up quietly behind the girl, and hit her with the baseball bat. The girl collapses, and I saw something caught the light near her hand.

A sense of déjà vu overwhelmed me. Somewhere and somehow, it seems that I have seen this before, or at least the girl, anyway.

Mistress's orders are to be obeyed. Why does this all seem so familiar? Chihiro…where did that name sprang up from?? Who is she?

"Nice work, Haku. You're not bad for your first mission." My mistress smiled and dropped the bat.

I padded forward and inspected the unconscious girl. There was some dark liquid at the back of her head, slowly trickling down in steady rivulets. The déjà vu feeling intensified; and I was completely at loss. Who is she??

Quite suddenly, without any thought, I lowered my head and nuzzled at the locks of brown hair.

"What are you doing?" Shazi barked, and I raised my head, confused.

"…Scan the area for me. I want to make sure nobody is here while I move her body. If there is anyone, distract them until I'm finished." She instructed, and stepped forward.

Reluctantly, without knowing why, I started off to do her bidding.

Celaka: damn in Malay tougue

Toyol: A bomoh's pet spirit; usually an unborn/aborted

dead fetus kept in a jar, and has to be fed of the

owner's own blood through the toes. Toyols carry out

their master's wishes, or clients so to say, such as

stealing, diving and helping out in menial tasks. In

Haku's case however, since Haku is a nature spirit

(halus, elves that dwell in trees and rivers) he will

be considered as Shazi's pet spirit then. Normally he

is represented by a woodcarving of a figure aka dragon

and immersed in fragrant oil and kept in a bottle.

They will be given a name and usually kept in a hidden

place. Pet spirits are kept to boost the owner's

business, and to battle evil spirits by bomohs.