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: I unexpectadly went out of town for a week. I had no computer access. And work interfered. I absolutley knew I had to do this update now, cause I'm gone for the weekend too. (sigh)
The good news, this chapter is long, and I still have more to come (I know, when will this story END! No worries, as you know, my epilogues are quite extensive, but not unbearably so-so stick w/ it!)
This chapter is exceptionally long compared to most of my others. Just so you know.
La la thought
La la flashback
Shout it outs!
Keetra:Actually, Hvita means 'White' as does 'Haku', and in Iceland, there are many rivers called 'Hvita', so I figured a little realsism would be cool.
Geography class for me was OK, it was the History class I couldn't concentrate in to save my life. No matter how hard I tried or the notes I took. It would take something loud before I realized I had dozed or daydreamed. LOL.
Your ending was a happy ending, thats what I liked about it. Mine was more...philosophical so to speak. Especially when you ask, who was the real hero, and the true bad guy? And the actual victim(s)? It gets a persons head spinning after a while.
Shitza: LOL. Lack of reviews aren't the most devastating thing in the world. I understand how some ppl have actual lives beyond reading/reviewing my story.:) And, no prob. I review what I like or what I see the writer needs to learn/grow on. Its the same courtesy I want others to treat me with.
Chapter 50
Anna, the goddess, and the Flute
6 months later
Chihiro's POV
I sat patiently, waiting. I looked out of the window at the barely dusk sky. It was finally clear of all of the rain. The water had risen to high levels, covering the grassy planes yet once again. Transportation was affected only slightly, by those who walked. It made for good business though. Haku had no trouble traveling, especially since his job as ambassador to the bath house had been reinstated as soon as his health had.
The physicians thought it a miracle that he had been able to walk, let alone do anything else when they heard of him carrying me every where. Some shook their heads in disbelief, others stepped back in awe of his power.
Not many believe us when we tell of our adventures. I'm not sure I do sometimes. It seems like a bad dream. It hasn't been easy going back to normal. Kohaku and I visited Granny's cottage. What was left of it anyways. There was nothing we could really do, not even with magic. I had nightmares all that week. Kohaku didn't sleep well either.
"Chihiro. Your guests are here." I nodded greatfully at the kind worker. Her dimples showed as she smiled and left the door open.
A graceful figure stepped through the doors.
"Selena!" I jumped up.
She wore a soft blue dress and a golden sash which made her sapphire eyes stand out all the more. Her black silken strands were pulled back in thousands of tiny braids. Only a few wisps escaped.
"It is good to see you." She held my hands in front of her and smiled at me.
"It has been a while."
"I have brought a friend."
"Really?"
"Well, two actually, but I didn't think you would mind." As she spoke I felt something leathery wrap its way around my ankle and I jumped, falling back. It made a happy hum growl as it pulled its bulky way across my chest to lick my cheek.
"Beast!" I exclaimed and hugged him. He made his way off of me and let me stand, but didn't move far from my side.
"He had a close call. We weren't even sure if he was going to live. But you see he's made it through just fine. Sometimes he gets a little tired or achy, but nothing for the worse. He tends to disappear every once in a while too, though I dare say he will stick closely by your side. A powerful friend, a dragon is." I smiled.
"I guess I'm surrounded by dragons. Thank you Selena." I wiped away a few tears from my face. She put a stray hair behind my ear.
"I also brought you a few things from my home. I know you weren't comfortable wearing them, considering the situation, but perhaps you will find the occasion or appropriate time for them."
Two trunks were set by two of Selena's male escorts, who did their task and bowed politley, backign out of the door. The lids magically flung open andI gasped.
"Selena! But-but I" My mouth hung open. One trunk had elegant silk clothes, all folded neatly. The other trunk held trinkets and jewelry. The one trunk of items itself could have bought the whole bathhouse twice over. I shook my head.
"And a gift especially from me." She placed a delicate chain over my neck. A coin sized pendant of a crystal tear-drop on a feather.
"It's so beautiful, are you sure?" She nodded.
"It is magical. If ever you should need the help from me or my people, just drop a single tear on it and it will turn blue until the task you called for is fulfilled." I hugged her tightly. She is a strange, caring and gentle person.
"And now, I will leave you for a while as you talk to my other guest. What she has to say is of great importance. I believe you two can relate." She smiled and left before I could quite grasp her leaving.
A girl, no older than 17 stood. Her garments were simple, but respectable. Her light brown hair; which held a certain red color that shimmered every once in a while in the light; was held back by a simple hair tie at the nape of her neck. Her bangs made her look youthful and a few wisps of hair hung about her smooth face. Her nose was thin and delicate. Her skin was a soft pale color. She was intriguingly pleasant to look at in her plainness and she held an air about her of respect. Almost like royalty.
She curtsied politely.
"Hello. I am called Anna." I smiled, liking the girl already.
"I am Chihiro. Would you like to sit while I make some tea?" I offered.
"Yes please. That would be most delightful." She sat at the table and I left for a few moments, humming to myself. I filled the kettal and brought out a tray of rice balls that I had 'borrowed' from the kitchens.
"Here. You should try them. They are exceptionally good. Just made earlier this evening." The girl looked at them, picked one up, and took a polite bite. She cocked her head to the side, looking at the ceiling, concentrating on the taste. When she swallowed, she looked at me and smiled, her twinkling eyes lighting up.
"I really like these!" She took another bite. I let her eat in blissful content and brought out the tea and cups when it was ready. I took a tiny sip of the rosemary liquid and sighed happily.
"I don't know how long I have, so I suppose I will be direct and to the point." I set my cup down and looked at her evenly.
"Go on."
"You are a spirit." I choked and struggled to breath. Finally I was able inhale.
"Excuse me. I must have heard you wrong. Can you say that again?" My voice was squeaky and my eyes teared up from the choking.
"You, Chihiro, mate of the Hvita river or as some prefer to call him, the Haku River, are a spirit. To some extent at least. You may still be partially human. What exactly your capabilities are, may vary in time. Quite common among the touched."
I sat back to let it sink. I grabbed a rice ball and chewed if only to have something to do.
"How? What makes you think I am a spirit? What capabilities? Among the touched?" She seemed delighted at my confusion which confused me even more.
"When a human crosses into the Spirit Realm, or even comes in contact with it, they don't usually leave without being changed in some way, weather by accident or intention. You, Chihiro have been touched by the Spirit realm. River Haku, was your first sip, as well as all the others like the Witch sisters, adn spirits surrounding you. However, I think the tip of the ice berg came really when The Woodland Lady healed you. She didn't realize you were fully human, or else I belive she may have hesitated in using the herbal potion she did."
"Me, a spirit? I don't quite understand…" I trailed off as she nodded.
"Magic is infectious . I believe Selena and those of her kind were the first to truly know of your true nature. It's not an easy thing to find. Your nature laid dormant inside of you. It still does. Though it has been awakened on a few occasions. You're lucky. It took me years to discover mine exactly and harnessing it was a frightful mess. If it weren't for my mate, I do believe I wouldn't have made it." She talked as if this were a normal every day conversation.
"So going on this whole idea that I am a spirit, what magic do I possess? When did these 'awakenings' happen?" She stopped talking and looked at me surprised.
"I thought all of that was obvious. Naming is your talent. Chihiro meaning 'a thousand wisdoms'. It fits. You have the knowledge of a thousand names. I'm not sure that that is the full extent of your magic how ever." she stopped a moment to take another riceball and a polite bite.
"There have been a few instances when you have saved yourself from extreme harm or so I have heard. Then again, it could be the magic inside of you trying to find its true shape. Either way, there is no denying you are a spirit. One of the few touched humans of this world."
"How many others are there?"
"Not many. Some of the spirits who crossed from the human realm here brought with them a mate. Some have stumbled across borders and adapted."
"You said you were one. What can you do?" She smiled a tricksters smile.
"I can disappear."
"Disappear?"
"Anyway. What you need to know are a possible few…side effects. Like immortality. No, you are not immortal, but your life expectancy has probably been increased to about another few hundred years."
"Hundred years?" I jumped up.
This is all too much…
"It depends upon the human and the type and amount of exposure done. We are like unbound spirits. Very unpredictable and too many variables to conclude any evidence of anything. I myself am 105 years old. But usually, during periods of high hormone level, aging begins to increase or some other variable of the like. I know one woman who gave birth to three children. Each caused her to age like a normal human until the process slowed after the whole birthing process."
"Oh wow. This is a lot to swallow." She smiled. Though she looked only 17 she had the maturity and wisdom of her age. It was uncanny, but made me feel more curious than nervous.
She finished her rice ball and looked out of the window at the rising moon. The room was softly quiet as I sat too stunned to ask questions. Lights were on and contrasted the dark outside the windows. She smiled.
"It has been a long time." She looked out with a sad rememberance. I let her drift into her thoughts with out interuption. She looked like Rin did the first while back. She would sometimes loose herself to the past and relive events that are not wanted to be spoken of. Wounds unhealed and trying to form scabs.
As I watched her, syllables formed in my mind and I sat there in understanding.
I know her name…this Anna…so this is my power...the same thing happened to me with Haku...the real name sort of...slipped to me...
She seemed to be in so much pain as she gazed out across the endless waters, deep and contrasted. Waves lilting.
Anna..and now that I know…such a look on her face…is not poorly misplaced…I guess…some scars…never heal…and for some…they never will…
I thought back to everything I had been through. The regrets that had been fresh and the pain that had been unbearable were dulled with the many washings. I can look back and instead of hurting I can learn something new. Maybe Anna will have that one day.
"Chihiro, use your gift." She snapped into reality.
"Use the gift that you have. Do not let it waste. Let it grow into something beautiful. With that, I must leave." She stood up.
"But there's so much I …" She looked me in the eye and laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I know. I have told you much of what I know, the rest I believe are things that you can only learn on your own." I let out a huge sigh.
It's not like I can keep her prisoner here…and force her to tell me…
I went to the door.
"It was very kind of you for…" I stopped when I looked at the empty space before me.
"…coming." I finished with a smile as I noticed all of the rice balls that had been on the tray uneaten, had disappeared. I closed the door gently and went to get ready for work.
Katsu's POV
"Um-Master Aki. Are you sure this is a good idea?" He raised and eyebrow. I let out a deep sigh.
The stubborn git…worse than he was before he got his stupid memories…more trouble than he was before…I must say…the no killing anyone part has been an improvement…still a big crank at times…and his silent broodings…those are the worst…I must say though…all in all…with all of this traveling around…I can sometimes go weeks without a bath…
"I still don't understand how he managed to get this many spirits to come and act as a diversion. And the flooding was a dandy stroke of luck." I watched the outside door making sure no one came or left. Basically I was the measly look out. Wohoo. What a raise I got.
Chihiro's POV
"Miss Chihiro! Haku has returned." My head shot up and I dried my arms quickly. A buzz of excitement arose.
"Kyoko, you are in charge until I come back." The woman nodded and grinned evilly at her new underlings.
"Please come back soon Chihiro!" One girl whined. I smiled and raced through the excited bath house. A festival was being celebrated, mostly in the honor of Selena and her company, but now with Haku here, it was to become even wilder.
"Haku!" I jumped in his arms and he just barely caught me.
"Chihiro. What have I told you?"He began to chastise.I kissed his lips playfully and he instantly shut up in compliance. My tongue rolled teasingly across his mouth but I withdrew before anything too serious could be had and he didn't like it. He frowned ever so slightly and I giggled.
"Eh, hem. If I may, uh, disrupt you?" Rin's right hand manager shuffled his feet. Haku instantly snapped back to attention. He set me down and stood up more professionally. I held his hand and listened as he gave a briefing to the bird man.
He looked stern but not harshly so. His back was straight and his voice had an authoretive importance to it. It reminded me kind of what he used to be before he got his name back in the very beginning. Not unkind, but not offering any of himself. Somehow though, he was still himself. I smiled as I watched him speak. A slight blush covered his cheeks. They bowed to each other respectfully and the manager left.
Haku growled and brought me close to his face, his arms around my waist and mine around his neck.
"You shouldn't disrupt me when I am doing business like that." I pouted.
"Selena is here. She brought a couple of friends too. One had a lot of interesting things to say."
"Oh really? And what did this guest have to say?" He raised an eyebrow.
"We'll have to talk later. For now work is hectic and I have to get back." I went to leave but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
"It's not something bad I hope."
"Nope. Just something...new." He grabbed my waist this time.
"What is it?" He asked curiously and sternly. I smiled.
"Can't tell. Not now." He kissed me on the neck. I felt the heat begin to rise.
"You will tell me you know." I gulped.
"I really do have to go to work."
"To hell with that. You're not leaving…until…you tell me." He brought his lips to mine and instead of letting my tongue enter his mouth, I bit his and he stepped back.
"Now, you stay out of trouble." I disciplined. He looked to be in a bad temper for not getting his way and being teased, much like a child. To sooth his anger I stood on my tiptoes, whispered something kind in his ear and kissed his nose, before skipping away.
"Miss Chihiro! Finally your back. This place is getting hectic. Brawls have already broke out on occasion!"
"We're out of towels."
"The machine broke again! Enuresis and Kenta are working on it but…"
"A message from the boiler room. Kamajii doesn't think he has enough herbs! He's already down to his last reserves."
"The cooks are running low…"
"We can't clean fast enough…"
I looked over the railing at the chaos. Tonight being much similar to the Sano Saishe festival. Unlike then we had nothing to distract the customers while they waited. How could we? All of these spirits seemed to come out fo nowhere before we could hire any talents to come in. Every bath was occupied and had a mile high line.
"…it will be yours…"
"I don't know if I can do this." I whispered.
"What did you say Miss Chihiro?" I looked at the bloody nose of a frog worker.
No one else is able to do anything…maybe…just maybe…
"I have an idea. Hotaru, find Haku for me Immediately. Tell him I will be waiting in sector three by the door. He'll know where it is." I left them standing in a panicked mess.
I pushed through the crowds as politely as I possibly could and as fast as I could. I searched for an open elevator but they were all crowded. Nearly all the stairs were blocked, including the ones in the servants quarters.
"What to do, what to do. Think fast Chihiro." I looked around me and spotted a window.
"Well…" I cringed, thinking about the insane thing I was about to do. I made my way towards it and looked out.
"There is a foot hold. At least I'm some what close." I crawled out, no one paying any attention to the insane lunatic climbing out the window. I cringed and held on with dear might. Inching sideways.
It wasn't this scary when I was ten…what a scardy cat I've become…I ran crossed rusty pipes for goodness sakes…but then again…
"Do you need help?" Startled, I nearly let go. I looked over at Selena.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Trying to get to my room. You?"
"Getting away from the crowd. I needed to stretch my wings." She smiled and grabbed me under the arms.
"It's safe to let go now." I reluctantly did so and we flew up. I had my eyes closed, and refused to open them until my footing was firmly rooted on the balcony. I stood for a moment, wobbly thenrushed through the open doors and threw open the chest of clothes Selena had giving me. I changed uncaringly. Making only necessary adjustments.
"Aren't you going to do your hair?"
"No time." I said racing back and forth. She marched and stopped me from moving another inch and set me besides a chair.
"Sit down right now. If you have time to waste climbing up a wall, than you have time enough to have something done with this mess of yours."
"But…" She gave me a stern motherly look. I gave up and plopped in it. She straightened my slouching back. She moved to the second chest of trinkets and pulled out several things.
"Tonight, you shall look like a goddess." Pulling my hair tie out, my hair fell down and she gave me my purple elastic band before brushing my hair. I couldn't complain at the nice tingling feeling in my scalp.
Using every odd piece of something in my lap, including my hair band, she twisted and braided my hair with ease. Not stopping there, she took out a golden pair of scissors.
"What are you doing with those?"
"This." Before I could protest, I had two locks of hair framing my face.
"Stand up." She said and looked me over approvingly, making adjustments when she saw fit.
"Can I go now?" She pushed me towards the mirror.
"Look at what you are Chihiro. This is who you really are. Deep inside." I almost commented on her saying my name for the first time, but stopped short.
I saw a woman in the mirror, a reflection not my own. Her hair was done up like one of the Arielas in the Queen's hall. Braids and soft loose pieces coming undone in only the appropriate places. A silver head piece was worn on her head, weather it was a simple crown or truly a hair accessory made no difference, with a droplet in the middle of her forehead. A silk dress hung gorgeously off of her slim body and her pale skin seemed to be all the brighter. A crystal necklace fell just right from her neck. Most prominent was her softcocoa creameyes.
I stepped away from the mirror and smiled.
"I am no princess."
"Not by blood, but in your heart. Your friends love and adore you, like the commoners do their Queen. This is how people see you. You are beautiful, but you hide it so. You have taught me much Chihiro." She hugged me.
"Now let us go."
"One moment." I said, walking to the dresser in the room Haku and I shared.
A small rectangular blue case engraved with silver carvings sat there, unmoved. Not a speck of dust covered the treasure. I unlocked the box and gently opened the lid. The pearl flute sat in there, the moon shining off of it. I cupped it in my hands.
"Chihiro, what are you doing?" startled I looked at Haku in the doorway. I blushed.
"Trying to play Vai's flute." It had been a month since I had taken it out of the pillow case I had put it in. It was painful to look at it. At least I was able to control the tears.
"You need to blow air through it to make any sound." I gave him a dark look. He stepped forward and gently lifted it from my hands, knowing its value. He put it to his lips while standing confidently. A deep breath and he blew. No noise came out. He examined it carefully.
"Well?" He took a longer time to inspect it.
"It has something to do with the magic it was made out of. these spells are a bit more complicated thna what I'm used to. The Water Half-lings have a system of magic all of their own." I let out a deep depressed sigh. If that was the case there was no way I could possibly dream of playing it.
He handed it back to me and I twisted and turned it in the early evening light.
"Don't give up." He kissed me on the forehead and left me. I never did.
"Now I am ready."