Disclaimers Notice: Yes...n-n-no...maybe?

Authors Beginning Note: The week after next week I may be too busy to type up any chapters, but I will try my best, if I do Yay! And if not, I did tell you a head of time. However, as soon as I get loads of time on my hands, I'm planning on writing a few chapters ahead, so that if futerly I do get in a jam and don't have time to write, I should at least have time to post! Sweet deal, ne? I suppose I should get to typing (te he)

Shout it outs!

Aharah Musici- Ah, my lone reviewer! ( That's cool.) Just to let you know, I do know Chihiro is alive and I know that you know Chihiro's alive, but hey, lets say I was bored and felt like clarifying the obvious. :D Thanx much for your review!

Chapter 14

Water Halflings

"Chihiro...Chihiro...please! Wake up! Chihiro..."

"I don't want to get up Mom. It's Saturday." I said and tried to roll over, but found there wasn't much room to roll over to. What is this? Are my sheets all wrapped up? Peeping one eye open and then another I groggily look out into my room...only...it's not my room.

"Chihiro! You're awake! Come one. Now we have to get you up." I looked up into the woman's eyes. Aw man! I knew it was too good. Here I was hoping to get some of Moms homemade waffles she loves to make, not to mention it's nearly the only thing she can make.

"Chihiro! Get up!" Enuresis said shaking me.

"I know. Give me a minute." I said groggily. With shaky feet and helping hands I slowly stood up. Dust and dirt practically slid off of me and back onto the ground.

"Ahh...ahhh...choo!" I sneezed.

"Bless you."

"Thanx Enuresis."

"Do you think you can walk?" I looked up at Rin. Slowly stretching me legs, as more dirt fell off, and examined myself for wear.

"Yup. Sure thing." I said happily. Enuresis gapped.

"You had a whole house fall on you! How can you be in one piece, unscratched, and act like you've just come from a short nap?!" I looked startled at her. Oh boy, this one is sure to be interesting to tell.

"I...uh...actually, nothing really fell on me. One beam fell a few feet up leaving a gap, so I was pretty much protected. I guess I must have fell asleep from there though." I said sheepishly. Rin, forgive me, but we have to hurry and my story takes time we don't have. It was now that I decided to fully look around and then looked back at the two.

"What happened?" I asked taking extra care at examining the cuts, bruises, singes, upturned dirt and the oily orange goo puddle.

"Aikia happened."

"So you believe me!"

"Well, its hard not to when the jerk was standing in front of ya with a kid at his beck and call and a dirty pig at his right hand." Enuresis said in a huff. I backed up, slightly unsure of her mental stability.

"Yah. We believe you. But I don't think too many others will. After all, he is supposed to be a myth from a long time ago, told to scare children." I nodded. I guess I figured that out the hard way.

"So, what exactly happened?"

"Aikia had a henchman called Cina'ed attack while he watched. I killed him, but Aikia will be back." I nodded and stood there awkwardly as the silence stretched on.

"So, does anyone have any idea where we are going next?" I looked almost expectantly at Rin. She nodded.

"I know someone...who might be able to help."

"Really? Who?"

"You'll know when we get there." She said walking. I gladly followed; finally, we have at least an idea of a place to start.

"Arelinita, who was it that gave you your sword?"

"It's not a sword, it's a Katana."

"Same diff."

"No, it isn't, a sword..." Oh boy, here we go.

-2 hours later

"So what, in the end they're just two pointy sticks!"

"No, Enuresis, they are not."

"Yes, they are!"

"No, they're not!"

-3 hours later (coming to a total of 5 hours)

"What were we arguing about?"

"I don't know. What were you arguing about? You started it." Oh, how mature Rin.

"I did not!"

"Did to!"

"So not!"

"SO yes!"

-1 hour later (6 hours total)

"Shut up!" I yelled finally, feeling fully nauseated and having a major migraine! Honestly, a stupid fight that all started over the difference between a sword and a katana!

"What's your problem."?

"Her problem is you."

"How do you know its not you?"

"Oh, hey! Look. Another Dimensional door." I shouted with glee, only making my head feel worse, but hey. In no time we'll be in an Inn and I'll be able to relax. They both stopped arguing and we traveled through it coming to a huge...aqua city!

"Oh! This is so cool! Kohaku never took me here before!" I squealed. We are in like a huge dome! Like at a zoo in the water area where you can look up and see the water creatures, but only this...this is a huge city! With clear rounded elevators propelled by steam, clear floors so you could look down for miles and see more buildings and busy streets.

The buildings were a wonder in them selves. They seemed to be made of shiny chrome that reflected everything perfectly and made the place sparkle and shine. Unlike most buildings though, these weren't square, oh no. They were like round balls that melded into the floor. Some single, some in strange layers that looked so outlandish as to seem natural, and plants grew everywhere; more specifically palm trees and willows. I was in awe as I stood there.

I looked through the dome bubble only to be more surprised. In the water outside, were mermaids!? They look so different though than in the stories. But they are beautiful, with their silver or purple, beautiful long hair, blue or green skins, , and most beautifully, their aqua eyes that seemed to reflect the water itself and show all of its secrets. Some had wings even, very light pink or green and some even clear wings, but not like an angels, more like a fairies. And just as spectacular is their long graceful dolphin like tales that propelled them all with ease and joy. Not all though had dolphin tails; a few rare ones had tails like an octopus, or a fish.

"I see you too, like many others are entranced by the water spirit folk." I looked at the speaker. A man a tad shorter than me, with only one brown eye, balding at the top, and two extra arms that protruded from the elbow. He looked to be a fisherman of sort. I looked around and soon realized, that I had lost Rin and Enuresis. Not seeing either, I turned my attention back to the one before me.

"Water Spirits, is that what they're called?"

"Well, they're usually just called the water halflings, but they get a tad near offended." I nodded and looked back at them.

One, a boy with blue skin and silver hair stopped to look at me. His shoulder length hair enchantingly flowed and his long dolphin tail barely quivered as he stayed in place in the water. Like half of the beings in the water of his kind, he had no wings. He had a somewhat boyish physic that was lean but strong. I gazed in his eyes wondering 'are they as deep as the ocean'.

"Come to me." I heard his hypnotic lilting voice, like waves, in my head. A strange feeling filled me, a numb feeling. I want to go! I do! I need to go! It's the right thing. I-I need to be with him. I want to be with him. I want to be like him. I need to see...to touch...to be. I need to go!

"Miss, do not look for too long!" I was pushed to the ground and forced to loose eye contact. In a rage I stood up and glared at the man.

"What did you do that for! I want to..."

"Go with him. Yes, I know. That is how they work. If yer not careful, you will go to him and become a water halfling yerself. That is how they work. They lure unsuspecting spirits, specially the ones easy on the eye, to them. You must not look!" He said sternly and urgently. I stood and gasped.

"I-I'm sorry. Thank you." I said feeling suddenly ashamed of myself. I think I know why Kohaku never brought me here, and I'm glad. For I would have been sick with guilt, not that I'm not now, and sad, for I'm sure, though he would have known it wasn't my fault, it would have hurt him none the less.

"None taken. You weren't in yer right of mind." I nodded.

"Chihiro!" I looked into the throng of spirits to see Enuresis jumping up and down to get my attention.

"I must be leaving." I nodded and bowed in respect.

"Thank you very much." I finished. He smiled an old mans smile that was kind and friendly.

"Go. And be careful young one." He said and was soon swept away. I nodded and began to make my way through the crowd until I was at Enuresis's and Rin's side.

"You had us worried. Don't wander off like that, who knows where Aikia will strike next." I nodded and stuck close to them.

"Oh, and make sure, what ever you do, do not look into the water spirits' eyes. They will mesmerize you and convince you to live with them." I nodded and neither of them seemed to notice my quiet state as we walked passed vendors selling shiny pearls, combs, and dresses. I quickly looked back over my shoulder to wear the boy halfling had been. He was not there, and I let out a sigh of relief, and let myself to continue to be entranced yet once again by the cities other wonders.

Authors Ending note: I worked really hard on this chapter for you people, I know the beginning sucked, but I had no better inspiration, but towards the ending, I was really into it! I can't wait to write my next chapter, because I have something really interesting in store! (Te he) I'll give you a hint-that isn't the last you've seen of that water halfling boy. Oh and Ahrima and Aikia have something nasty in plan!