Keetra - Sorry..I know the characters were quite out of character lol. but i was really tired when I wrote this : P sorry bout all the confusion. I hope this chappie is ok.

paju13 - Here it is ! hehehe..Enjoy this chappie

Star Fire Kagome - lol sorry bout that spelling error. Thanks for reviewing.

The Mystic Firefly - hehehe..I hope youenjoy this chapter.

White dragon lady - lol... :P . Hopefully Keitaro's okay with it. Find out in this chapter.

EarthAngel - hehehe..I know..the scenes that I wrote with Haku and Chihiro on it are just one of a kind..lol

IAMSOAP - :P Thanks for reviewing. Here's the update.

Ok I've almost finished writing the story..quite a couple more chapter before the end comes...enjoy.

Keitaro dodged a tree branch which Haku walked right into.

Keitaro chuckled, though he received a nasty glare from Haku.

"So this herb called Reise grows on a vine, and will be able to heal Chihiro fully?" Keitaro asked.

Haku nodded with a smile. "Yep."

"Exactly who stabbed Chihiro?" Keitaro asked.

"A hooded person." Haku answered.

"Oh." Keitaro said, looking around for the vine.

The two stayed silent for a while as they searched for the vine.

The forest was dark, but rays of sunlight shown through to some areas, giving it some light, enough to make out a path.

"Keitaro. Can I ask you something." Haku asked.

Keitaro nodded.

They stopped walking, Haku bent down to the level of Keitaro.

Placing his hands on either side of Keitaro's shoulders Haku started. "Keitaro, I know you love your sister dearly that is why I am asking permission from you, seeing as I cannot ask her father, you're the closest."

Keitaro raised a brow. "Say what?"

Haku chuckled. "What I meant is, see I've done some thinking. I actually even asked Chihiro about it. But I thought it would only be right if I got your permission first."

Keitaro looked some what confused. "Huh?"

"I want to marry Chihiro. Have a life with her here or the human world where ever she chooses. I want to have a family with her. She even suggested a son, our son." Haku smirked.

Keitaro chuckled. "As long as you promise to keep her happy for the rest of her life. You're a nice guy Haku, unlike others that have attempted to date her."

"Others?" Haku asked.

Keitaro nodded. "They were all those junkies, rebels. Though Chihiro did the smart thing, she turned them all down, told them all that she was already with someone."

"Who?" Haku asked.

Keitaro chuckled. "Who else?"

Haku raised a brow.

"Okay, he's a dragon slash man. Loves Chihiro dearly, gave part of himself to me in order to stop me from dying." Keitaro hinted.

Haku smirked. "I wonder."

Keitaro smiled. "Hey!" he exclaimed, pointing at the vine.

"That's the vine we're looking for." Haku said smiling.

Keitaro rushed over to the spot of the vine.

Haku plucked some off and placed it in his pocket.

He turned around expecting to see Keitaro but instead…

"Haku! I see you managed to save Chihiro. She was suppose to die you know. Did she pass my message to you?" the hooded man asked.

Haku shook his head. "Keitaro?" He looked around to find Keitaro standing behind him trembling. He placed a reassuring hand on Keitaro's shoulder.

"Why did you hurt Chihiro? Who are you?" Haku demanded.

"I am Kael." The hooded man answered. His voice husky and up to no good.

"What have I done to make you hurt Chihiro?" Haku asked.

The hooded man broke out in laughter. "Haku. Haku. Haku. Don't you know?"

"Know what?" Haku asked a hint of anger in his voice.

The hooded man stopped laughing. "I am the keeper of shadows in the realm of darkness, I rule the world of darkness. 12 years ago, you entered that darkness and shown light in it, several shadows passed. I suffer eternity of blindness because of that light. My people grew hate towards me for what you did they said that I didn't try hard enough to protect them so they abandon their only ruler. And here I am, seeking revenge for what you have done."

"I…." Haku was left speechless.

"I wanted you to feel that pain Haku, so I took away the one thing that you ever treasured." The hooded man said.

"Chihiro." Haku whispered.

"Yes." The hooded man hissed.

"You wouldn't?" Haku said as his eyes widen.

"I will make sure you hear her scream Haku, I will make sure she suffers. There will be no cure for her Haku, she will sleep forever." The hooded man said, laughing.

He disappeared.

"Chihiro." Haku gasped.

He transformed into his dragon form, scooping Keitaro in his hands he took off quickly.

'I have to protect her before it's too late.' Haku thought.

"Lin, she doesn't look too well." Akeno said, looking down at Chihiro's trembling form.

Chihiro laid in the bed, her face was pale and sweat was dripping from her forehead.

"What's taking Haku so long?" Lin whispered under her breath.

Chihiro suddenly flapped open her eyes. "The hooded man, he's coming." Chihiro said.

Her eyes searched the room. "Where's Haku?" she asked.

Lin rushed over to her side. "Chihiro. Haku went to get some herbs to help you get better."

"The shadow is coming Lin. He's coming to kill me." Chihiro said, grasping Lin's hand.

"What are you talking about? There's no shadow man here." Lin said.

Chihiro looked suddenly to the balcony. "He is here." She whispered.

Her shaking increased. "He's coming to kill me. You have to protect me Lin." She said looking deep into Lin's eyes.

"Chihiro." The hooded man laughed.

Lin's eyes widen as she looked up. "No. If you want Chihiro, you will have to go through me." Lin said.

"It's funny, how a human girl changes everyones perspective. Though you have no magical powers, or any strength in that body of yours. Still everyone would risk their lives for you." The man said.

"By orders of Master Haku, you are to leave this room at once." Akeno said, trembling and keeping away eye contact with the man.

The hooded man broke out in laughter. "Me. Leave? Why would I do that?"

The man walked towards the bed.

"No." Lin said, standing up shielding Chihiro from the monster.

"Oh get out of my way mere spirit." The hooded man said. His hand raised and Lin flew towards the door, which came crashing down.

Akeno stepped forward shielding Chihiro. "Please." He pleaded.

"I suggest you step out of the way frog." The hooded man gasped.

Akeno shook his head. "Orders of Haku. I am to protect Chihiro with my life."

Chihiro sat up slowly. "No. Akeno, this does not concern you. Step aside, if I am what he wants, then so be it." Chihiro said.

Akeno turned around his eyes widen. "Lady Chihiro?"

"Go." Chihiro yelled.

Akeno shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot miss. Orders from the dragon are such, they cannot be disobeyed. I am sorry."

Chihiro nodded at Akeno's wise remark.

"Then die." The hooded man shouted. He raised his hand and Akeno went flying towards Lin.

The hooded man whispered something under his breath, and raised his hand.

The ground that separated Chihiro and the door broke apart, leaving somewhat an island in the middle.

"Now, that no one can save you Chihiro. I shall send you to your grave." The hooded man said.

"Why?" Chihiro asked, standing up slowly.

"Why what?" The hooded man asked, stepping closer.

"Why hurt me?" Chihiro asked.

"Business." The hooded man answered.

Chihiro glared at him.

"Let the fun begin." The hooded man shouted, raising his hand to the sky.

Chihiro was shot towards the bed, her body slammed against the foot of the bed.

Chihiro winced, though she stayed alive, but only barely.

That sleep that she had, returned some of her energy.

"It's a shame to see that a half human half spirit like you Chihiro, does not have magically powers." The hooded man said, his evil glazing upon Chihiro.

'Half Spirit?' Chihiro thought.

Pain shot through her body, her hands went flying to her wound, she winced.

"Ah..feeling the pain already? About time. Now I want you to scream for your dragon boy." The hooded man whispered.

"And why should I do that?" Chihiro struggled to say.

Blood was everywhere, her hands were filled with blood.

Blood was seeping from cut wounds on her hands, legs and face.

"Your dragon is coming Chihiro. I want him to hear your scream." The hooded man explained.

Chihiro just glared at him.

"SCREAM OR I WILL MAKE YOU SCREAM." The hooded man Shouted.

Chihiro shook her head. "Never."

"Hahahaha…" The hooded man laughed evilly.

He smirked under his hood.

"this will make you scream." The hooded man said.

He slowly lifted his hood.

What Chihiro saw was terrifying.

His face was hugely disfigured, and plastered with a lot of blood. His eyes were red, filled with nothing but evil.

His mouth, was somewhat like a werewolf, it was sharp and hideous.

"Haku." Chihiro yelled.

"Look away Chihiro." Lin yelled.

Chihiro closed her eyes, she tried focusing on Haku, on Keitaro, Lin, Kamaji, Zeniba, Yubaba..trying to think away from what she had just seen.

"It is time for you to pass Chihiro." The hooded man laughed.

He drew his hands up; slowly it started to glow, until one massive dark ball appeared.

In slow motion, he threw the ball towards Chihiro.

"Chihiro." Haku gasped.

Quickly as he could, he flew down towards her.

IN only a matter of seconds, he transformed into his dragon form, placed Keitaro behind him and muttered a spell under his breath.

A force field appeared, around the three of them.

"Haku!" Kael said.

"What nice timing I was just about to kill her." Kael added with a smirk.

Haku looked away, he turned his gaze to Chihiro.

Her eyes were open, though she looked into his eyes with fear.

Her body was trembling.

"Chihiro?" Keitaro whispered, taking her hand in his.

Chihiro didn't make any effort to move her eyes from Haku's.

Sweat fell from Haku's face, as he used as much energy as he could to keep the three of them alive. Finally he gave up, the sheild vanished , moving as quickly as he could, he shielded Chihiro and Keitaro with his body.

His head centimeters away from Chihiro's, though the two still kept eye contact.

"Have my life Chihiro, you deserve one. I do not." Haku whispered to her.

Her mouthed opened, though nothing came out.

"I love you; I will be in your heart always." Haku whispered.

"Haku." Chihiro whispered.

"Haku! The dark ball!" Keitaro yelled.

Haku smiled as he leaned in and kissed Chihiro on the lips and closed his eyes, waiting for the pain to shoot through his body.

I hope this cliffie isn't evil..lol..hehehe