Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters, sometimes the setting, and a few of my own creations.

Authors Beginning Note: Well…just read. I know you'll like it.

Title sux, but plase don't hate me. I couldn't come up with much of anything better.

I hope you enjoy!

Shout it outs!

Velf: I'm glad I wrote that last chapter, it helps explain a lot. I'm delighted that you think so too. Well...we get a little insight of his past. Nothing huge (i don't think) but who knows. Something might occur. -Oh, and no problem about the reviewing, I was just glad to read it!

Chelsea: Smile :)

Aharah Musici: I will tell nothing. Please don't hurt me.

Chapter 32

Stranger

Chihiro's P.O.V.

"Chihiro." I felt his breath against my neck. So close as to… Oh no…please…not again…

My stomach twisted in a knot as I found myself in the same dream as I had earlier.

"Kohaku?" I breathed sharply, tears threatening to spill over. I looked over my shoulder at the glass doors that stood ajar and held nothing.

It's the same as my dream…

I felt like I had done this already, but at the same time, another part of me felt like this was something just recent.

I know what words I'm going to say next…I don't have any control…why…why do I have to…

"It seems like so long ago. If only…If only I could have." They began to fall again. Shuddering as I sobbed, I didn't hear her enter my room, but wasn't nearly as startled by her comforting arms around my shoulders, since a part of me knew her to be coming.

"Rin." I spun around to look into her pain filled eyes.

It hurts…I have to relive this nightmare…it isn't real…but if something doesn't change…will it be…I have to stop this…I have to get control…

"Shhh. If you want to cry you can." I sharply brushed away the little bit of water on my face and shook my head.

"No. I have to go to work. I heard it's starting to get especially busy." I stood up and began to change into some clothes as Rin stepped out of the doors onto the deck. I walked over to her when I had finished placing my ponytail in.

"Five years is a long time." The air seeped through my pores and chilled me. I didn't bother to nod this time.

"Chihiro, you can't keep clinging to him like this. Kohaku is dead. There is nothing you can do anymore. It's over." I sharply drew my breath expecting the painful wave, but it made little difference as to how it affected me.

"How can you say that Rin! He was…"She looked sharply at me, but her eyes softened.

I've gotten some control...but how can I change it…I have to…I don't know why…but there is more to this…I can feel it…and I have to change it…

"Chihiro, I don't think you are fit to work today. Tomorrow, maybe, but tonight I want you to rest"

"But."

"Listen. I will have someone bring you some tea, but as one friend to another, not as a boss or Head Mistress, or anything, just as a friend, I'm asking you to stay here and get some rest." I found my control slip as I nodded.

Rin left and I stood there alone.

The tea came quickly and the worker girl didn't even look at me as she bowed and left.

"Chihiro."

"Kohaku." I breathed, my body livid. I stood in control again, but not completely secured in the position.

"Chihiro."

"What? What is it Kohaku? Where are you? I-I'm trying to find you, but I can't, Kohaku…" The wind whipped the doors off of the hinges and I felt the water slap my face. I could feel the pain in the water and emotions in it. It was wild, out of control, lost, alone.

"Kohaku, is that-is that you?" The more the rain touched me, the more my skin tingled.

"Chihiro…"

"Where are you!" I screamed into the wind only to have it pitched back into my face.

End of Dream Sequence
Chihiro's P.O.V.
I sat up again, shivering. The sweat on my body made me feel clammy in the night. I stood up, taking caution of Beast, unmade my tent, and packed everything. Hearing a strange noise I looked at Beast and saw him awake with the night and just as ready as me to leave.

"Well, I suppose you can come along. You haven't eaten me yet, and its not like I can stop you." I looked up at the stars. The night as bright to me as a morning, the stars like white lights in a yellow room. The moon shone brightest, like a diamond in the light. Beautiful, but annoying.

"I wish I could see the night like it should be. It is better than being blind though." We trudged through the sand, Beast walking right next to me the whole time. Every once in a while he opened his wings to their full extent and I couldn't help but look in awe of his unique ugly beauty.

Then he started acting strangly. He stopped and hissed, his eyes blazed with a new orange color.

"Beast?" I felt a jolt in my gut and stood right next to him, searching for the object of his fury.

"Why hello there young Miss." The soft voice seemed to hold the essence of moonlight. I looked at the handsome figure that had appeared from nowhere. He stood tall and lean. His muscles tight. He wore a simple garment of pants, held up by rope making him look wild, and at home in the desert. His skin a light bronze and hair a sun blond. His eyes a piercing blue and his smile had a charming quirk that only a player could have. Any other girl would have fallen hopelessly in love with him.

"Um. Where did you?" I asked confused.

How did he just appear out of thin air…that…doesn't usually happen…not even here…

"Does it matter?" I raised and eyebrow, suspiciously. I glanced back at Beast as he stepped in front of me and growled.

"Oh my, it appears your friend here doesn't like me all that much."

"Gee, I wonder why." I said rudely.

There's something about him…he seems tricky…sly…I don't trust him…

"Can I ask you your name?"

"You can, but that doesn't mean you'll get an answer." His smile dropped and he feigned a look of hurt.

"Oh dear. I hope I haven't offended you in anyway. It seems like we haven't gotten off on the right foot somehow. I guess I'll just have to make it up." I took a step back.

"If you want, I live in a village just over the crest of this dune. There is a celebration going on tonight. You look as if you've been traveling a while. Surely you could use a good nights rest, food, and a hearty meal?" I felt tempted. Food and water were enough to make me come close to salivate, but the idea of a bed is what nearly drove me insane.

Hesitantly, I stepped forward. Beast stayed close to my legs, not letting the man get close to me.

"May I ask your name?"

"You can, but that doesn't mean you'll get an answer." He smiled teasingly.

"Hmm." I followed him over the dune. He had not been lying. There a huge village looked to be in the middle of a festival.

"Well, let's go and join in." He said happily, reaching to grab my wrist only to have it be clawed at by Beast. He jerked his hand back and looked at the blood.

Well…weather I trust him or not…I can't just let him bleed like that…

I took out some of the bandages from my pack, set it down and grabbed his arm. He looked surprised.

"Here, hold these." I handed him the bandages while I poured the last of my water onto a clean cloth and wiped away the blood.

Beast sat at my feet and growled, but didn't try anything.

I dropped my empty container to the ground, and took the bandages back, winding them around his wrist. Just tightly enough to stop the bleeding. I repacked my stuff, my back to him, then stood up. He still looked surprised.

"What?"

"You do nice work on bandaging." He replied lamely and turned.

"Why do you seem so surprised?" He jovially turned his head over his shoulder to answer.

"It's not everyday a lady as beautiful as you is willing to help out." I stopped and blushed. Beast gently nipped my toe and I looked down at him.

"Oh don't worry. I don't think I could fall for him in a million years. I love Kohaku too much." He purred and we followed down to the noisy festival.

Aikia's P.O.V.
Katsu was in awe. I can't say much for myself. The same as ever, only shinier and busier. Just as smelly and disgusting as the last time I'd seen the human world. Human's are the most filthy creatures I can think of.

"What is this place?"

"This is earth. And that, I'm assuming is Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. I stared at the grand river before me. The waters gleamed like diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. A treasure in itself. The bottom however was dark and mysterious.

"It looks just like him, or…" I nodded.

"This is the true essence of the boy. In his true form." Katsu nodded and admired him and everything around him.

"Look at that little girl!" He jumped. I glanced down there and was struck by her familiarity.

"Lets go have a look, shall we?" We flew down, Katsu very afraid of the heights. I hardly noticed it.

"Won't she see us if we get too close?"

"No. We are in the ghost of the past. Real time travel is not attainable. All for the better, for one may end up killing himself before he was born because of a stupid mistake he made." Katsu scratched his head, confused and shrugged.

"Mommy! Mommy!" The girl squeeled as she dug her feet in the sand.

"Chihiro. Put your socks and shoes on right now." Said a woman, though not harshly.

"But ma…"

"Now Chihiro, do as your mother says…" The chisled man beside the woman addressed as the girls mother.

"Okay." She pouted. I watched intrigued. The two human parents continued their discussion with another pair of humans. I went back to watch the girl. She sloppily tugged on both stockings, and one shoe before a wave came in and pulled the other shoe into the water.

She quickly looked back at her parents and then at the drifting shoe.

"Oh oh. Mommy's going to get mad if I don't get it back." She scanned the beach and found a wooden dock. Quickly she slipped to it, keeping her eyes on her pink shoe. She leaned over the edge as it came her direction and reached for it.

She stretched her tiny arm and fingers as far as they would go and almost had it. In one last attempt she pushed herself a little farther and lost her balance. She fell in with a surprised splash, coming up only once more before being pulled back under.

"Is that?"

"Yes. It appears they were past aquaintances as well. Intriguing I must say, but it tells me nothing. We are too far in his past." I began to turn my arms and recast my spell.

"But what about the girl."

"Obviously she lives." He scanned the swelling waters but no form was seen.

"Chihiro, Chihiro!" Yelled the parents on the shoreline. I sniggered.

"So irresponsible. Can't even care for their own children." I felt a power surge and I turned to the water.

"There she is!" Katsu yelled. The waves seemed to cradle her like a precious cargo. She floated to shore, her shoe right besides her. Her parents found her and after spitting up water, she began to breath.

"Can we move on now?"

"He saved her." Katsu said as a statement.

"Why does this surprise you?" I asked only half interested. The words I wanted to say were in my head. He shook his head. Loud noises from vehicles came closer and I waved my hand.

Images began to blur and the past began to fast forward. I stopped, noticing a difference and gazed upon the silent beach. Not a single human form or any other was there.

"What does this say?" I felt the water touch my feet. It was crying. I spat in disgust and read the stupid sign the humans had made.

"Hmm. It seems our boy here is about to be destroyed in three days time. A long project I should think."

"What? But how?"

"Watch." I slowly fast forwarded the past. Nearly a year went by and we saw how the river was quenched. At first it was rerouted, then what was left was filled in with dirt, cement, and other human supplies.

I can't say the boy made it easy on them. He threw storm after storm at them and destroyed there work as much as possible, but I'll say one thing for humans. They may be stupid, but they are a determined specimen.

"But part of his river was rerouted." I nodded.

"Then part of him may exist in the human world." We went back again and watched more closely this time to where the rerouting had taken place.

"What if part of him does exist in the human world?"

"Than, we have our answers to many questions."

"Like to which ones."

"I'll tell you if I know they are getting answered." He nodded and we watched the destruction over again.