Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter 11

Haku flew with all his might towards the bathhouse. Every moment away from Chihiro was pulling them farther apart. His life had always been Chihiro, even when she had left. He had decided to stay at the bathhouse as a partner so that if Chihiro ever had need of help he would be there to hold her in his arms and make everything go away. But now when it seemed that she needed him the most he wasn't there. He was off doing 'errands' for Yu-Baaba. 'Please Chihiro don't leave me… I love you.'

Yu-Baaba entered Chihiro's room finding Kioko asleep next to her sister and Rin nodding off against the wall. Yu-Baaba could sense Ki in the room and knowing what she now knew did not want the traitor to be in the room. "Ki would you please get some food for Kioko?" Yu-Baaba could feel her presence leaving and sighed. What would this do to Chihiro when she learned what Ki had done?

Rin awoke and sat up straight and looked at Yu-Baaba expectantly. "Ma'am?"

Kioko as well lifted herself off of the floor and sat quivering, wondering what Yu-Baaba had to say.

"The poison that is killing Sen is called 'fire seed'. It was banned a hundred years ago because of the terrible effects it had on the inflicted. It is deadly, and there is no known cure."

Both women gasped. Kioko swallowing hard asked, "do…do you know who poisoned her?"

Yu-Baaba sighed; it was the innocent child that had to be faced with such horrible news. "Yes. I believe that it was Ki. Ever since Haku came to live on this floor she has been following him. And not just doing her duty but other things, like fixing his clothing when I have a seamstress on staff. She would be there when ever Haku needed anything especially when it had nothing to do with her duties. I believe that she wanted Haku to choose her for his life partner, but when Sen returned that fell through the cracks."

Kioko's eyes went big, her lip trembling. She had thought Ki to be a friend. But here they were being told that she had poisoned Chihiro just to get Haku. "Where is she?" whispered Kioko, her anger seeping through her lips.

Yu-Baaba stiffened, Kioko's aura was spiking, her anger giving her strength that she had yet to acquire. "Do not fear child. Ki will be dealt with accordingly. When Haku returns all things will be looked after."

They sat or stood in silence until a frog came to the door. "Mistress Yu-Baaba. Master Haku has returned and is requesting to see Sen."

Chihiro was still once again. The blackness that surrounded her still as deep and depressing as before, but now she could feel warmth that she had not felt before. Haku was near by and she could feel his love and devotion. He was going to try to save her, whither it came in time or not, Chihiro was happy. Just knowing that Haku had in deed come home made her happy. 'Oh Haku, I wish I could wake to see you one last time. I love you so much.'

Kioko was up and out the door, when she reached it Haku was already there, his face stern and cold. Kioko stopped short fear rising in her yes. "H-Haku?"

Haku glanced down at Kioko, his look softening. "Hush Kioko everything will be alright." Haku passed Kioko, his mind focused on Chihiro. He stopped as his eyes fell on his beloved. "Yu-Baaba, tell me what happened?" he growled. He had trusted Chihiro's and Kioko's safety to Yu-Baaba and here Chihiro was, dieing.

"First you give me the things that I asked for and follow me. We should not discuss it here."

Haku stiffened, but looking down at Kioko nodded and followed Yu-Baaba out. They headed to Yu-Baaba's private kitchen, there on the fire was a pot already boiling. She took the items that Haku had gathered and began to crush them, most of them dried. "How well do you trust Ki, Haku?"

Haku's eyes widened, for the ten days that Ki had been by his side he trusted her well enough. She had always been around when he needed her but he felt nothing towards her like he did for Chihiro. He took his time answering, "I trust her well enough to allow her to get her job done. Why?"

"The poison that is killing Sen, Ki gave her. She fed it to her two days ago when she went to visit Kamajii. She will die if we can not find a way to save her."

"Is there a cure?" Haku asked desperation in his voice.

Yu-Baaba sighed, she had not wanted to tell Rin or Kioko of her thoughts just in case it didn't work but Haku needed to know. "There might be one, but you have to agree to the consequences."

"Of course, as long and Chihiro lives, I care not what happens to me."

"But it does concern you. If this spell works then Sen will be connected to you far more then you imagined."

Haku swallowed, what was Yu-Baaba getting at? What spell? Then looking at the ingredients that she was adding to the pot, he thought. The kitchen began to smell like a herbal shop…that was it! That was what Haku had been gathering, ingredients for a spell. A spirit married to a human would never work. They could never have children or live the rest of their lives together. The potion Yu-Baaba was creating was to give Chihiro the same long life that he had.

"What do you need of me?"

"Your spirit."