Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter 15

Chihiro heard the scream and allowed her knees to collapse, dropping her and Haku to the floor. She didn't know what happened next but she could feel an immense power build up inside her as she focused it on Ki's body. The white-hot light surged from her fingertips burning Ki's kimono. As the stunned silence echoed through the room Chihiro felt Haku hold her tighter.

Yu-Baaba was the first to speak, looking down on the charged remains of Ki. "Well it seems that there were side effects to adding your spirit to Chihiro's, Haku. It seems our little dancer has a new found power."

Rin opened her mouth then closed it, then opened it again. Never had she suspected that Sen would have such awesome power. Kioko as well, was startled by her sister's ability. If Chihiro had been strong before and now with this new power given to her by Haku, Chihiro would never had to been beaten to badly by their mother.

Chihiro on the other hand sat numbly staring at the corpse. 'Did…did I do that?' to say she was stunned would be an understatement. She looked up at Haku, a small smile gracing his lips.

"It seems that you are more powerful then you thought."

"I…I didn't want her to die, but I didn't know what else to do? She was going to kill us."

"No need for apology, Sen." Cut in Yu-Baaba. "She was mad and she would have continued to cause problems. At least now we know that the potion works and now I have my dancer back."

Chihiro pulled a strained smile across her lips. She felt pain at Ki's death but she could not have helped it. The power that surged from her was not in her control. At least Ki was at peace; in her death she would no longer pine for a man who would not have her.

Haku stood and held Chihiro close, while Chihiro reached out for Kioko. They stood in the fading light a family silhouetted on the wall.

Chihiro looked from Kioko to Haku, "where do we go from here?"

Haku smiled brightly his heart finally at peace. "Anywhere you want to."

"Well how about you start with a bath and call someone to clean up this mess." Cut in Yu-Baaba. Her voice was stern but her eyes sparkled with merriment.

They made there way back to Haku's rooms where they might bathe and begin explaining their story. The couple de-robed separately and once Haku was in the bath waiting for Chihiro he felt a sudden urge to pop Rin over the head. Haku stared at the wall, a questioned look on his face. Then her heard Chihiro enter, a growl on her lips. Haku smiled softly as she entered the bath and swam up to him and firmly embedded herself into his embrace.

"Something the matter my love?" he asked.

Chihiro snuffled her nose but kept quiet, her annoyance still bothering her.

"Did Rin bother you?"

Chihiro sat up a look of disbelieve on her face.

Haku chuckled, "I could sense it even all the way in here."

"But how is that possible?"

Haku shrugged, and replacing Chihiro in his lap said, "Does it really matter?"

Chihiro grinned, "not really."

"Chihiro?"

"Mmm…"

"Will you marry me?"

Chihiro once again pushed herself up and stared at Haku. A moment passed and Haku's dread grew, he had never really considered that she might not want to marry him. But his fear was washed away when Chihiro smiled brightly. "Of course. Why wouldn't I want to marry you?"

Haku was more then relieved and gave Chihiro a kiss that held the promise of more to come.