Hey guys, new chapter! Just read and review okay?

Gothictomboy: Glad your back. I know I keep changing the genre but that's cause I'm making this up as I go along. The chapter you are about to read was not even in my plans! I never saw it coming! I had intended it to be something else but for some reason, I just wrote something different.

Fatlazicat: Sorry I took so long. I know how harsh three days can be, lol…

Shutsumon: Thank you. I was waiting for someone to tell me what AU meant, and thanx for the compliment. And yeah, I've noticed my writing sucks, too. I looked back at it and couldn't believe how bad it was. But yeah, beginners are beginners…I guess I should take longer time for my stories. I had like done a story every day for a few days. It didn't turn out so well…but anywayz, let ME stop rambling now, lol, thanks for giving me some good advice, rather than saying that it "rocked" and "please update." I appreciate it. R&R! Let me know what you think of the whole thing (if I ever get it done).

As for everybody else, thanx for reviewing, it makes me feel special.

Kuja flew through the forest in desperation. He searched vigorously for something. He looked harder and harder but could not find his destination. He was beginning to think he'd never find it when he suddenly saw a small shrine with a white roof.

"Finally! Haku, it won't be long now!" The bird swooned down and flapped its wings rapidly as it hovered closely over the ground.

Chihiro, at this point, was outside in the garden, pulling stubborn weeds that could be easily taken out by Haku's magic. Haku barked orders at her as sweat ran down her face. She definitely had lost her cheerfulness. She really wanted to sock him.

The dove waddled over to the garden, carrying a note in its mouth.

As soon as Haku noticed that somebody was watching, he walked over and said, "Kuja? Is that you?" The bird offered him the note and Haku took it. "This is from Zeniba…but…what is this?"

The bird then transformed into a man.

He was tall, thin, had short blonde hair, tied back into a little ponytail, and had bright sapphire eyes. He was a bit taller then Haku, and he had a scar on his cheek.

"Kuja!" Haku exclaimed, as the two friends embraced like brothers who haven't seen each other in a long time.

"Haku, where have you been? I've been looking for you for so long! I was beginning to think I'd never find you!"

"I have been wondering what happened to you for so long! How's Rio? Where is he?" Haku asked.

"Glad you mentioned him. He should be here momentarily. Anyway, I was searching for you and found Zeniba. I thought she could help me out, being a witch with that sort of power, but I had no clue you knew her! I didn't even know that she trained you!" said Kuja.

"Yes! I was quite anxious to be trained by her. It wasn't easy though, I got to say…"

"I'll bet!" Kuja then noticed the girl working in the garden. He turned his gaze towards her and their eyes met.

What he saw was a beautiful young woman. She had long light brown hair, dark, hypnotizing eyes, and a great body. She was attractive…but a human.

"Hey Haku, who's the spec? Is she your girlfriend?" Kuja chuckled.

"Hell no! She's my slave. Can't you see her working? A woman just isn't my thing. They're too bothersome. What can you do with them besides put them to work?"

"Haku you haven't changed a bit! You're still the same old insensitive dragon. Have you mastered morphing, by the way?"

"I was able to a couple of times but too much of my power was taken away and I went back to my normal form before I was fully transformed. Becoming a dragon just isn't the same as a dove or a Cerberus. I still haven't regained all my energy which I have lost." Haku said.

"How long has it been since you transformed?" Kuja asked.

"At least a week…maybe a little more than that." Haku said.

"WHAT! Are you telling me that the great Haku cannot become a dragon? This is new…"

"Kuja, you and I both know that a dragon is not the same as becoming anything else. You shouldn't even be talking; all you turn into is a dove."

"Hey, at least I can morph!" Kuja said. "Now, are you sure you don't like that girl?"

Chihiro raised her head and stopped working. She knew something was going on so she stood up and walked towards them.

"I have no attachment whatsoever." Haku lied.

"Well then…" Kuja confidently walked up to the young, attractive, 15-year-old human. "Hi." He said. "And what would your name be?" He smiled at her.

"Uh…My name's Chihiro." She bowed. "Who might you be? A friend of Haku's? Or maybe a brother?" Chihiro asked, a bit shy because of his suggestiveness.

"Brothers? No, no. We're just old friends. Me and Haku, we go along ways back. Rio is our partner, too. He should be here soon. Oh, Haku, I almost forgot. Zeniba wants you to read that note. She said it was really important." Said Kuja.

Haku opened the note. "Hmm…" He studied the note. "This is information on how to defeat Baba." He rolled up the note and turned his face towards the woods. "Thank you, Kuja. This will surely help me with defeating that horrid monster." Haku stopped to look at him but he was flirting with Chihiro by then.

She was giggling at his jokes, too.

"Um, excuse me!" Haku yelled, getting a little jealous. "Kuja, are you forgetting something?"

Kuja frowned. She was hot, but humans and spirits can't mix. Although it wasn't written down, it was practically a law. It was just one of those things that you could do, but there would always be a consequence.

Kuja walked away from her. I know she's a human, but that doesn't mean I can't have some fun. Kuja thought, getting a big smirk across his face.

Suddenly, a man appeared from out of the wood. He had long black hair, and dark purple eyes. He was just as tall as Kuja, and had the same build as Haku. He was a bit calmer than the other two, and more peaceful looking. He carried a staff with him.

"Hey Rio! Come join the party!" Kuja hollered out.

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The three companions sat around the dining room table, served with tea, courtesy of Chihiro. Haku informed his old friends on what had been happening-especially with Baba. He told them of Yubaba's treachery and he told them of his meeting with Chihiro.

He also informed Chihiro about his connection with the two spirits.

He told her stories about how they use to fight side-by-side-by-side in their younger years.

They had met after Haku was taken into a village when he was six years old. They had always been together since then…they were a semi-famous trio (in their village), working hard to become strong warriors. They were known as 'The D-squad.' They hardly used the name though.

Haku was the one who cared most about this of course. Infact, he got his friends into the whole thing. They had beaten up local bullies, they've fought in tournaments, and they even saved their village once (of course, they put the village in danger in the first place).

They also received training-from a very good trainer I might add.

They had done everything they could to be known as worthy opponents. As young kids, all they wanted was to be known. They had learned all they could from their master to become stronger. They learned techniques, martial arts, and magic.

Morphing was one of the things the trio learned how to do.

Morphing was a technique used to tap into your "inner power" and reach your full potential as a spirit. It mattered not what spirit you were exactly. You could become anything. Of course, there is only one true form for each individual spirit, and it was the easiest to reach or "tap into" as they say.

It was very common but not an easy feat to master. There were different ways to do it. You could train, meditate, and take special medication or drugs. Some people didn't even need training for it. Some people could tap into their "inner self" by a simple snap of the finger.

However, there is only a handful of spirits in the entire spirit world that can do this.

Anyway, the three amigos each went their separate ways to become stronger and soon meet up again. It had been four years since they left each other. Now they had some catching up and planning to do!

"Haku," said Rio in a soft voice. "Would you like us to help you defeat Baba? I know it seems like a childish dream, but would you let us team up again, for old time's sake? I mean we have come this far haven't we? We should keep on and do what we planned on doing."

"Rio, we were just kids." Kuja pointed out. "Times have changed. I need some freedom you know. We could still hang out and stuff, but bring back the Dynamic Trio?" Kuja asked.

"I really don't care anymore." Haku said.

They all looked at him as if he had done something totally out of character.

"Dang…Haku, you really have changed. You use to be all excited about our team. It was all you invested your time into. Now it doesn't even matter to you?" Kuja said, surprised by Haku.

Haku stared at the tea Chihiro made. "Um, Haku…" Chihiro started. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Haku said. He thought about all the good times he use to have with his friends. His friends were all that kept him going back then. Those four years alone, without a single comrade, gave him bitterness. He still was the same Haku as before, he was just affected by the pain of separation (for the second time).

It hurt. It really hurt him. He was full of too much pride to show his weakness, so he just continued on with his life. He was so set on strength, he thought that being emotional would hold him back or slow him down.

"Alright. This is how it's going to be. I read Zeniba's note and it told me of an old temple where Baba was created. The thing is is that Yubaba did not create it; she merely woke it from its long slumber. Right now we don't know where it is.

What we can do though is search the Ruins of Bane. There we should find information on Baba. I don't know what we'll find but that's our best bet.

We need to be careful, thought, because Baba isn't an easy enemy. And, I had to find that out the hard way.

Fighting him was impossible. I don't even know how I survived! But anyway, we can search the ruins and come back here to strategize a plan against Baba." Haku said.

"So, does this mean the D-squad is back in action?" Kuja joked.

"Of course not." Haku said. "We'll just happen to fight together once in a while. There's nothing wrong with a few rounds of fun is there?" Haku winked.

"Well then lets get started!" Kuja proclaimed.

"Hold on Kuja," Rio murmured. "We need to settle first. I don't know about you but I would sure like to stop wandering."

Kuja stared at Rio confused. "So stay at Haku's. He's got plenty of room."

"I don't want to impose."

"He's got like a hundred rooms! It's not even a shrine! It's more like a mansion."

Haku broke into their conversation. "If you're looking for a home, I can help you get your own. Martial Arts aren't the only things Zeniba taught me."

After that day, Haku managed to get them both a place to stay around the area. They lived fairly close to each other and could keep contact.

They also planned to leave for the Ruins of Bane the very next day. It would be a tough new experience, but Chihiro could handle it.

Chihiro had been trained by Zeniba and knew how to fight. She wasn't an expert in combat but she knew the basics, with some extra stuff on the side.

She knew that going to the ruins wouldn't be an easy task but anything was better than being ordered around by Haku.

By this time, Chihiro noticed that Haku had a sad past behind him. She couldn't ask him, though. She was too scared to bring it up. She knew he was hurting, and she didn't want to make it worse, so she just tried her best to stay positive and helpful.

Sure, being ordered around was no fun, but Chihiro understood what really mattered, and she didn't let her usual laziness at home get in the way. She endured all she could.

The two new characters were not originally part of my plan for the story. I just started writing and thought I could use some more action, so I just added it. My story is going to twist around now!

Well, anyway, PLZ R&R!