Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter 14
Haku looked to the door, fright and awe criss-crossing his features. There in the doorway was…was the woman that he thought he had lost.
Chihiro stood propped up by Rin while Kioko stood holding Chihiro's hand. Chihiro herself barely had the energy to stand let alone stop Haku from killing Ki. But she had gathered up all of her strength and yelled for Haku to stop, at the time of entering the room that was all that she was capable of doing. Now she was huffing and puffing, the energy she had gained back gone already.
Chihiro had been semiconscious when she had heard Haku's cry. She had tried to focus all her energy into waking for him so that he would not feel such sadness, but in the end, failed. She was still as yet too weak. She could feel his spirit running through her veins as it burned and disposed of the poison. So when he had left his mind clearly focused on what he was intending on doing to Ki, she rested. There was no way that she was going to be able to stop him in the condition she was currently in. It had never occurred to her that she was feeling what Haku was feeling, just the fact that he was angered and she was the only one that could stop him.
Now she was before him and the look of fury etched on his face sent an ache throughout her heart. "Haku…" she whispered in fear that might she say something louder he would crack and finish what he had begun with Ki.
Haku stilled, his eyes riveted to Chihiro. He couldn't believe it; here she was, tired but alive. How was that possible? He swore he had heard her last heart beat before he had stalked off to deal with Ki. And yet here she was her eyes still bright and still full of life.
"Haku, don't. Let her down, what's done is done."
"But…but Chihiro…"
Chihiro smiled and moved away from Rin. She reached out her hands to Haku beckoning him with silent approval. "It's ok Haku come to me." He succumbed to her wishes and let Ki fall to the floor holding her abused neck. It felt as though time had stilled when Haku finally felt Chihiro's embrace. They stood there, their hearts beating as one. Haku would have cried but for the fact that his head was cradled in Chihiro's hair.
What she said next had him frightened and relived.
"She murdered the human Chihiro, who stands before you, is the spirit Chihiro. Ki aided in my rebirth. Do not hate her so."
Haku leaned back his eyes glassy from unshed tears. "But Chihiro…"
"Shhh…let it go. Let her go." Chihiro turned to Yu-Baaba, "I ask that Ki be removed from the bathhouse. That she never be allowed back here." Her eyes were steady and unemotional.
Yu-Baaba smirked and chuckled. "If that is what you wish then so be it. I think that is a far better punishment then death."
Haku looked from one to the other a question on his lips. He was about to ask when his lips found themselves otherwise occupied. Chihiro stopped him with a gentle kiss that echoed the all-consuming passion that she felt. Falling into her embrace Haku forgot the world and all the pain that he had faced in the few hours that he was home.
Rin and Kioko stood back and smiled as the two lovers reconnected with each other. Yu-Baaba smirked widely from her desk. Ki on the other hand, boiled over.
Once again that human upstart was showing her up. So she thought that she was better because she had been 'reborn'? There was no way that Chihiro was going to stop master Haku from finding a better mate. Screaming out she lunged at the couple, hell bent on stopping them.