Disclaimer: Err… well you know the drill. The original characters don't belong to me bla bla bla… you know the rest. Thank you for those who have reviewed the last chapter, love you all…

Chapter 3: Fear and The Fallen

The summer festival in Aburaya was underway. The sounds of merriment and laughter filled the air. Haku sat on the banister, high above the Great Hall of Aburaya, watching the stage performance from the corner of his eyes.

Though he seemed to be alert and wary, Haku's mind was actually wandering away from Aburaya, to the Human World. He smiled as she thought how grown up Chihiro must be. His eyes narrowed when he saw the koto musician leaving the stage with a flourish.

"Airun's sixteen by human years," he thought as the hint of green appeared into his line of sight.

He grinned imagining how beautiful his beloved Chihiro will be. He had taken the trouble of growing in a human body, which had both its advantages and disadvantages, mesmerised by how the passing years changed it. He leaned back against the wooden pillar behind him, smiling.

"Having a good summer, brother," said a cheery voice.

Haku stiffened as a soft kiss was pressed upon his cheek. He blushed considerably as he stared at Airun who was leaning against the banister, her bony arms folded across the wooden structure. She wore her favourite green dress in favour of the festival, not to mention in favour of the evening's worker's performance.

"I've told you a thousand times. I'm not your brother," he snapped when he finally found his voice back.

"It's a night of merriment, brother. Surely, you won't dampen the mood by being disgruntled all night," she replied soothingly.

Haku glared at Airun, feeling utterly annoyed. Even her usual way of putting words in a very polite manner was annoying him thoroughly. Airun smiled softly, a dimple peeking from her right cheek. She turns her attention towards the orchestra below, on the stage. Raking her left hand through her bound hair, she released the bun revealing a streak of white running down the left part of her hair.

"I would if you keep getting on my nerves. Besides, you are talking to Master Haku," replied Haku harshly.

Airun grinned wider. She retied her hair in a more comfortable ponytail. Her eyes shone with anticipation, a hint of blankness graced the back of her eyes. She studied Haku's face, which grew darker with each passing second.

"Pray tell me brother, how long have I lived in this charming abode."

"Charming," sputtered Haku. "I'd rather call it suffocating."

"So, it is."

"Three," snapped Haku.

"Come again?"

"You keep asking me the same question every night," said Haku, exasperated. "Furthermore, you've been here for three – nearly full – years and not even once do you remember what happened the day before or even the hour before."

"Do I?" asked Airun quizzically.

"What?" barked Haku.

"Do I forget things as easily as you say I do?"

"You most certainly do," mumbled Haku under his breath.

Airun stared back blankly. She cocked her head to one side to another and continued to stare.

"Stop doing that," said Haku, bemused.

"What were we talking about, dear brother?"

Haku rolled his eyes and leaned back. She was driving him mad without her own knowledge. Yet, in the farthest reaches of his mind, he could still remember the stark white figure that had boldly struck him from under his chin, swift and painful. The same figure that was driving him mad now in green robes and expressionless, mismatched eyes.

"Go," quipped Haku.

Airun blinked once and turned on her heels. It was amazing to him that the very same girl could both obedient and stubborn at the same time. He watched her lithe form disappear from sight before drifting into his usual daydreams - of Chihiro.

The eerie stillness around Aburaya began to dissipate as a cloud of dust burst into the sky. Screams sounded just after the explosion. Series of energy balls flew out in random order.

Haku's sight was obscured by the alarming amount of dust. His robes caught fire as a stray energy ball grazed his shoulder. Lin suddenly came out of nowhere and poured warm, herbal scented water all over him.

"Master Haku," gasped Lin.

"Hold him down!" shrieked Yubaba over the din.

Following her voice, Haku plunged into the thick dust, ignoring Lin who was rooted to her spot, muttering apologies rapidly. Almost immediately, Haku encountered an octopus-like arm, lashing everything within its reach. The octopus spirit was out of control.

Haku jumped to the side. Instantly, he casts a freezing spell upon the arm.

"Haku!" cried Yubaba in anger.

Haku turned around, somewhat dazed, as Yubaba shoved a long, carved sword into his hands.

"Put that somewhere he," Yubaba jerked her head in the direction of the thrashing octopus spirit. "Won't be able to see. The tunnel would be a good idea. Damned drunk," she added.

Haku turned on his heels and transformed into a white dragon, the sword clenched between his teeth. The air was infinitely colder as he escaped the heady fumes in Aburaya as the storm clouds gathered above him.

Haku flew downwards as he neared the tunnel entrance. He dropped to the ground, in human form, and ran towards the dark opening. The gathering darkness made the entrance look even more intimidating. Haku laid the sword by the entrance. Suddenly, he was knocked down, forcefully, to the ground. Haku groaned as his head struck the ground, hard.

"Sorry!" shrieked a small voice.

Haku raised his head and encountered the most astonishing eyes he had ever seen. Mismatched and shining with unshed tears.

"Haku, wake up!"

Haku's mind jerked back into the present. He opened his eyes.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming," he whispered as he saw the same mismatched and shiny eyes he had dreamed of.

"Should I slap you or a nice, hard pinch," suggested Airun, her right arm raised in eagerness.

"All right, I'm awake," said Haku with a groan.

Haku looked around seeing the workers busy clearing up the debris of the night's festival. He slid off the banister onto the gallery and made his way towards the lift. Haku watched Airun glide across the corridor effortlessly, balancing a pile of used plates on her arms, when a sudden blast resounded outside Aburaya.

"Not again," thought Haku as he turned himself into a white dragon and flew out of an open window.

A roar of laughter echoed across the bridge. The pigs had burst out of their pens. A dark red magical wall surrounding them turned every one of the pigs back into humans as they passed through.

"Stop them!" screamed Yubaba as she casts a spell to counter the other one.

Haku flew across the grounds, rounding up the escapee. A flash of bright light flashed across his nose, barely missing him. Haku roared and shot a stream of fire from his mouth towards the attacker.

A patch eyed man stood at the bank of the dry riverbed. He dodged Haku's flame and shot another bright light. Haku dropped down to the ground  in human form  and ran towards the man, dodging the bright lights as he ran. Before Haku could reach him, the man staggered backwards with a ringing crack – Kamaji's web caught three escapees at once.

Haku shook his head and dodged another attack by the man. The man guffawed loudly as he swung a long knife straight towards Haku's neck when he saw Haku standing within reach. Haku blew a spell that struck true on the man's face as he bend backwards to avoid the knife. The man froze and keeled over, rigid as a board. A mob of Aburaya workers ran past Haku, straight into the dark forest.

Haku scanned the forest from the sky. His eyes trained to peer into the darkness. A flash of pink caught his attention, followed by a dark shade of brown with a patch of white. Grunting with impatience, Haku started to descend towards the ground. Dawn was slowly approaching; he knew it was hopeless to continue for the search for the rest of the escapees.

All of this started with a minor argument between Yubaba and a high court god, a year after Chihiro's visit. He wanted to know how could a mere human could come here and return without even single scratch. The kind River God tried to defend that the human child was innocent and would never remember anything. Haku, too, defended Chihiro but he was shunned because he was a dragon without a river – considered lowly by the gods.

That was when they began to send watchers out in the Human World forest that protected their domain. The watchers reported back saying that Chihiro kept coming to the forest and came dangerously close to the entrance. They became more and more vigilant. They tried to destroy Aburaya for some unknown plans of their own. First, by taking away the most valuable asset to Aburaya – the food.

But Haku knew a secret about another human girl who had come into the Spirit Realm and is now staying with Zeniba as her apprentice. A deal he struck with Zeniba in return for Chihiro to return to the Spirit World. She would be a very strong sorceress by now under the constant watch of Zeniba.

Haku stood on the highest ledge scanning the crowd of Aburaya workers assembled before him. He gave them a cold look before nodding curtly, signalling the end of their hopeless search. The crowd began to disband and trudge slowly up the small hill leading to Aburaya away from the dark forest, grumbling.

"He's getting even more bold by each day," muttered Haku to himself.

Haku watched them trek up the hill when a sudden realization struck him. There were only two spots green amidst the flowing sea of pink before him. His eyes narrowed sharply.

"Don't tell me she's lost again," he muttered under his breath.

Haku flew toward the highest floor of Aburaya. Yubaba was kissing her toddler son, Bou, goodbye and throwing her cloak around her, when Haku drifted in smoothly inside the room. Yubaba threw him a scathing look he had become used to over the years. Yet, today there was a hint of loathing and anxiousness in those eyes. Haku bowed deeply as she swept past him.

"When that girl came here I thought I've seen the worst days of running Aburaya in my life," said Yubaba in a concise manner. "I guess, no, I know I'm wrong."

Yubaba threw her cloak around her before continuing, "And find that useless companion of Bou's. If not for the fact that she's the only one that could put Bou to sleep in the morning, I would have sacked her a long time ago, contract or no contract."

Yubaba soared out the window at the last word, with the woman-faced bird fluttering after her. Haku looked up and closed the window silently. He turned round to see three green heads stacking on top of each other. Haku flashed a warning look and walked out of the room in grudging anger.

The lift opened suddenly just as Haku reached out to press the button. Haku raised an eyebrow as the doors slide open. Airun stepped out of the lift looking flustered and irritated. Her left cheek was surprisingly red. She pushed Haku to the side, muttering, and swept up the corridor towards the many doors, when the doors itself crashed open. Airun shrunk back reflexively. Bou came out slammed open the door into the corridor.

"Ka!" shrieked Bou.

Bou grabbed Airun by her shoulders and pulled her into a tight embrace. Haku couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud. He stopped short as he saw Airun's face flushed with a deeper shade of red. A cracking sound came from Airun as Bou hugged her closer like a rag doll; her hair all was over the place as it loosened from its bonds.

"Bou…enough…hugs…for…to…today," gasped Airun while trying to pry herself out of Bou's grasp.

"Ka, err, sorry," said Bou as he released Airun, literally dropping her to the ground.

"That was not amusing, Master Haku," said Airun, directing her sneer towards Haku.

Haku smirked and turned to press the lift button. To his surprise, the doors were still open and yet, suspiciously empty. Haku glanced at Airun apprehensively as he stepped into the lift. Airun was still on the floor, pressing the left side of her chest.

The lift doors closed silently. Haku pressed the button to his floor. He yawned hugely when a blue cloth caught his attention, drawing his eyes towards the lone figure at the far end of the lift. Haku choked in disbelief and surprise.

"Chihiro!" said Haku hoarsely.

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Hem… sorry if all of you have been waiting long. My exams lasted until the 14th of October and I was grounded (again) till Eid ul Fitr (Eid Mubarak) so… haven't got the chance to write until then… So, please forgive me… Those who had reviewed my last chapter, I thank you very much. I'll continue writing until I get to the end………… .:Jess:.