Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter 6

Chihiro and Kioko worked as assistances to Haku, Kioko brought tea when needed and Chihiro looked after any paper work that needed to be handed into Yu-Baaba. They had what appeared to be a normal life. But Chihiro continued to hide the real reason as to why they had fled the human world, and no amount of pressure that Haku put on Kioko, would get her to tell him.

Haku had them placed in the room directly across from his room; he knew when one of them left but kept special attention to Chihiro. The day after their arrival they had been dressed in Haku's old clothing having nothing else for them to wear, but by the end of the day they each had a set of fine kimonos.

Everyone outside of their odd family called her Sen as she had once been. Many especially, Rin, questioned her as to her abrupt departure from the human world, and she would answer with a diplomatic 'things had changed in a way that it was no longer appropriate for them to stay.'

Chihiro also in her spare time danced for the privileged guests only, her skill at the art making her a sought after attraction. Haku being her 'master' was there for every performance and was dazzled every night that she danced. At night when it was late and the sun was peering through the clouds he would ask if she would one day dance especially for him. Chihiro would smile softly and say 'one day', and brush her fingertips against his cheek, wishing him a pleasant sleep.

Haku changed noticeably as well. He was not gruff with his clients as he was before. He now was in partnership with Yu-Baaba and he shared the trouble with disgruntled guests. But now he dealt with them in a kindly manner and made sure that they left happy, which happened more often then not. He began spending more time with Kioko learning about human school and what had happened when they returned to the human world. Haku felt immediate regret for not helping but was stopped by Kioko's smile, bright as always, she told him that Chihiro was so adult about that their father would speak of it often. This brought on other questions but he knew that Kioko would not speak of it, so he bided his time until he and Chihiro were together to speak of it.

The girls were told of Ki the woman who looked after the floor that Haku lived on. He had only seen glimpses of her but she was always near by. The girls not wanting to over burden Ki only asked that she look after the food, since neither of the girls were fit enough to deal with the size of the pots in the bathhouse. They didn't even know where the kitchens were on that floor neither did Haku.

Chihiro and Haku had spent every evening together in the bath trying to heal the visible wounds, but still unable to even touch the ones that lay below the surface. One night after they had tucked Kioko in for the night Haku faced Chihiro with the question that had been running through his mind ever since she had come back to him.

They sat at the table tea set for two already there. "Chihiro," Haku began, "did someone you love hurt you?"

Chihiro stiffened noticeably but did not pause in pouring the tea. "Yes…" she said slowly her tone even, "I guess it is time I told you the whole story." Her eyes reached Haku's and she began her and Kioko's story. She told him of the tests, of which he already knew a little but not all. Of the happy times before they lost their father, then the terrible times when their mother began her beatings. When Chihiro, her eyes still vacant of tears began to tell of the night that brought them back to the spirit world Haku moved to her side, his tea long forgotten, and held her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm so sorry Chihiro." his voice muffled by Chihiro's hair, which had been left to grow.

Chihiro shook her head in his hold and said, "no Haku you could do nothing to stop it. I had to keep up the appearance that we were all right, if not then they would have taken Kioko away from me. Things just happen."

"No! It's not all right! Chihiro please don't worry so much, the people that love you will stand by you. You don't have to fear that they wont know what to do without you." He pushed away from her seeing the tears threatening to burst forth but Chihiro forced them back. Haku shook his head, "no, no more hiding." And leaning forward placed his lips on hers. They had kissed, a soft and innocent one at night when they went off to bed, but this kiss was all the emotions that they had been hiding pouring through their lips, scorching as it was.

They pulled back and Haku looked at Chihiro seeing if he had finally broken her down into letting her feel what she had been hiding for years, and there they were. Tears, not as big and innocent as they once were but needed all the same. She made no sound as to her distress but her shoulders shook with the effort that it took to finally let go. Haku held her close and set her on his lap. Soothing sounds issuing from his lips, his hand rubbing her back the other buried in her hair. Chihiro in turn clutched on to him like he was life itself, and that if she even thought of letting got he would disappear. They sat together holding each other until Chihiro's cries subsided.

They were both exhausted but when Haku went to remove Chihiro form his lap she held on to him, her fingers white with the effort, she had fallen asleep, her body still griping to him for safety. Haku smiled softly, so this was where it began. Tonight she would sleep in his room, with him. If this was what she needed so be it. He struggled to his room and set them down to sleep. Chihiro cuddled into the cave of Haku's arms and fell into a restful slumber, while Haku contemplated what his next move was.

He had spoken to Yu-Baaba about taking a wife and he had been hinting that he wished Chihiro to be that woman but Yu-Baaba knowing far more about human/spirit marriages had some tasks that had to be fulfilled before he was even allowed to tell Chihiro of his plans. These tasks could be anything from the mundane to the extravagant. He just had to finish them, and then Chihiro would be his for now until eternity.

Unknown to the two as Haku fell into sleep the set of grey eyes watched from the shadows. Ki watched master Haku as he wasted his life and love on such a worthless creature. Though the two siblings had never seen Ki they knew she was there and they gave her the normal orders for the day but the siblings had taken the things that she had done for master Haku and they were now doing them. She was no longer a part of master Haku's life and she resented the siblings for that. Especially Chihiro, master Haku spent all of his time making sure Chihiro was well and happy, even those moments in the bath together he had looked after her before he ever looked after himself. Ki knew that when Chihiro left master Haku would have to 'relax' before presenting himself to the younger one. Ki was resolved that she would do anything to make master Haku see the error in his ways. She would remove the obstacle from her path, an obstacle named Chihiro.