By: jaded image
AN: Another update! This time it's Happy Chinese New Year. Anyway, with much urging, I finally bring you the tenth chapter. Ahhh, procrastination sucks butt…
Elvin Kagome- Whahaha! I can totally imagine that, Geico insurance and all. :)
Silver Magiccraft- Aww, you're making me blush…and it's not pretty when I blush…
LadyRainStarDragon- When is Chihiro not in trouble? This girl defines trouble, that she does.
Haku-chan14- I made it onto your fav stories? I'm deeply honored.
Baka-onna2003- Updated. Not as soon as I can…I'm just lazy that way…
Manuca- "Hot, perfect, 100 drooling…" agreed
Sesshy-lover- I bow to your persistency. And I take no offense to being called slow :)
Arashi Akata-chan- Kaisuke's the kinda guy who would totally take advantage of a girl after she faints in his tub…heh. Not that I'm saying he would…
Disclaimer: Pshaw.
:Haku:
…The key to their destruction…the human girl Chihiro…not a day ago…
Haku was beyond confused, at this point, comprehension was not one of his foremost abilities. Zeniba's misty form stood silently next to him, allowing him to soak up the information.
She was not sure what was so hard to understand. After all, there was only one human currently in the spirit realm, and unless she had been hiding human companions on her person…
You said…her name is Chihiro? Haku questioned, carefully keeping other thoughts from invading his mind.
"Ah yes, Chihiro Ogino, daughter of Akio Ogino and Yuuko Ogino," Zeniba replied.
As hard as he tried to hide it, it was easy to see his other confused jumble of thoughts, most of which the old sorceress did not understand.
Chihiro Ogino…Ogino? As in princess of the Ogino Kingdom? Zeniba smiled. This boy was quick, he was injured everywhere, but at least nothing had damaged his brain.
DAMNIT!
The force with which that one message was thought made the old witch twitch. "I sense there's something wrong with this discovery of her identity?" She commented dryly.
Haku was starting to brood. His slender dragon tail whipped from side to side, dangerously close to knocking the wall of the hut flat. He did not know why he was so upset over such a silly thing. After all, it was just a name. But somehow the human girl's little deception hurt the great river god more than he cared to admit. As if caring about her actual name signaled his subtle attachment to her. And he had sworn never to let himself get attached again. Not after the last time.
A hollow sigh was heard. Women were such a pain.
:Chihiro:
Chihiro stirred from her state of dormancy. A thick layer of silk blankets was wrapped around her small frame and she could feel the softness of the mattress beneath her.
Sighing with contentment, she snuggled deeper into her cocoon of warmth without ever opening her eyes.
I must be home, she thought drowsily. Kasumi's gonna yell at me for sleeping in late again… Frowning at the thought, Chihiro was startled by a low chuckle coming from beside her.
"Bad dream?" asked a smooth voice.
Chihiro shot up from her previous position. Blinking rapidly, she tried to clear the sleep from her eyes and glanced around the room, half expecting her best friend to rush in and scold her for her bad sleeping habits.
But as her vision cleared and the dimly lit room focused into view, the contented expression slipped from her pale face and a look of panic creeped into her large brown eyes. This was not her room, nor was this layered futon her bed. And the handsome figure currently beside her with an amused expression clearly on his face was most definitely not Kasumi.
Shinrin Kaisuke watched the little human with a lopsided grin on his handsome face. She was cute when she was flustered, which was most of the time.
"You've been asleep for quite a while. I hope that plunge in the tub didn't hurt you in any way." He remarked casually, watching with interest as his companion flushed a pretty shade of pink and glanced down at her hands. He was never tired of the reaction he had on women.
Chihiro didn't know how she arrived in such a nice room, in such a nice bed, alone with such a ni—well, with a customer watching her sleep.
The thought that he may have been observing her while she slept made Chihiro blush even more. She had seen Kasumi re-enact specific scenes where she would be sleep-talking or sprawled on her bed in an unladylike manner. Chihiro fervently hoped nothing of the sort happened.
"Ah! Lord Kaisuke, forgive me! I-I don't know what happened, one minute I was in the tub and and—"
That's right, Chihiro thought. Under uncomfortable circumstances, babble like an idiot to hide the fact that you really are an idiot and obviously embarrassed by it.
"—and I'm horribly sorry to be intruding on you like this!"
The forest god listened to her rant calmly and sat comfortably at the foot of the futon while waiting for her to finish. Still feeling extremely uncomfortable over her present predicament, the princess decided rambling was the way to go.
"I apologize if I offended you, Lord Kaisuke. Please don't tell Yubaba that I ended…ended up in your r-room. I promise I'll try harder." She slowly slipped out from beneath the silk blankets and inched her way towards the curtains hanging in the doorway of what she guessed was the bedroom.
When the god remained seated near the futon with his placid expression, Chihiro decided he wasn't going to do anything to prevent her from leaving. Bowing deeply she started to pull the cloths aside.
"I have already had a little chat with Yubaba. She has agreed for you to become my personal attendant." Kaisuke stated in a tone normally used to chat about the weather.
Chihiro froze near the door, her hand trembling where it rested on the wooden frame. "S-sir?" she asked, more to fill up the silence than asking him to repeat himself.
"My personal attendant." He repeated to her stiff back.
Chihiro slowly turned around and cast anxious eyes on this strange young man. This handsome stranger seemed to have developed a sort of…liking towards her. She blushed as memories of his requests specifically directed at her, his appraising glances and suave remarks resurfaced in her muddled mind.
"I'm honored." She said hesitantly. "But wouldn't you want a more experienced worker to serve you?" Somebody like…
"You mean Tae? Ah, my dear, I'd think you of all people should know that girls like her are all looks and no brains." He slowly got to his feet, standing a head taller than Chihiro. Gliding over to her, he gently grasped her arm and tugged her through the doorway into a more open and airy room.
Chihiro felt anxiety speed her already fluttering heart. She had no experience whatsoever on how to be a personal maid to someone. She had always been the one being served and took for granted all the services that Kasumi performed for her.
Running a bath had been trying enough, but to wait on Lord Kaisuke and constantly be by his side?
Kaisuke glanced over at her and smiled gently. "Relax, Sen. It'll be fun. Now, I'm a bit hungry."
:Haku:
He was so bored. Hours had passed and his dark thoughts had settled into a dull stream running continuously through his mind. The issue with Sen, or Chihiro, or whatever she called herself, had been worn through with his intense thinking. He felt a slight headache start, adding to the rest of his injuries.
Zeniba had left a while ago, leaving him alone in the dark ad musty cottage. He had questioned her decision to depart and tried to sound like he could care less. The old woman had smiled.
"I grow weaker the longer I project myself out of that jewel. I have to go back and renew my strength, then I shall return with a plan to help you change back into your human shape."
Indeed, by then her image was flickering as if in uncertainty. She looked like it was taking all she had to just hold herself together; and if she let go, her body would slowly disintegrate into small pieces and dissolve into the air. He watched her drift out the window, left with only his annoying thoughts.
Now he lies in his rumpled makeshift bed, waiting impatiently for the old woman to return. His wounds were taking forever to heal, longer than it should have for a god. They were starting to itch in certain areas where a build-up of dried blood and grime layered his beautiful scales.
If only Sen could see him now.
No. He reprimanded himself. There is no Sen. Her name is Chihro. Chihiro the human princess. Chihiro the clumsy little human that smells like peaches. Chihiro who deceived him about her identity…
A gentle breeze wafted through the half-opened window. Haku looked up his jade eyes relaying his expectations. He wasn't disappointed.
Zeniba returned, her form looking sharper around the edges and more solid overall.
Glancing him over, her aged face wrinkled in a frown. "Odd, you're still not healed yet."
His stare told her she was just wasting breath by stating the obvious. "Patience, young one, it'll do you good."
The irony was not lost on him as he growled softly, the sound reverberating through his chest. Even as a young god, he was most likely centuries older than her.
Kneeling next to his battered form, her shadowy hand flitted over his wounds. A bright green glow lighted his coiled form and she could not get any nearer than an inch or two. Haku twitched uncomfortably.
Zeniba sighed and stood up again. "As I thought, the reason you are unable to change back is because of an enchantment that the little sprite placed on you. A very strong enchantment too, mind you."
Ignoring his flinch of discomfort at the mention of Riku, she looked him over. "I'm assuming that's probably why you can't heal yourself either. The spell acts as a suppressant. All your powers are blocked until the spell is broken, and that may take awhile."
A spell. No wonder I feel so weak. But Riku shouldn't have the power to—"Oh, but she does. Or…at least she thinks she does." Zeniba interrupted shamelessly. "The dragon's Eye grants immeasurable power, but only if there is a key to unlock all that magic first. Therefore, her powers are temporary and only effective when she has the stone. That's also why I haven't been discovered yet and why the spirit world isn't in complete shambles."
Words were not needed to describe Haku's perplexity as the sorceress prattled on.
"You didn't think she knew I was coming here, did you? Of course not. The little sprite is too smitten with that self centered ball of arrogance to notice anyway." She sniffed disdainfully.
A strangled sounding gargle erupted through his jaws and Zeniba arched an eyebrow. "You're not dying are you? Just lie still while I break through this damnable spell with my immense reservoir of power." She ordered in a superior tone.
Haku could see right through her façade of arrogance. She was drawing, or at least trying to, his attention away from Riku. He had no problem with that and spared a half threatening half grateful glare in her direction. She wasn't bad for the twin sister of Yubaba.
"Why, I'm honored, great god of the Kohaku River." She had a wide smile stretched across her face.
Damn your ability to read my thoughts.
Laughing companionably, she settled herself comfortably for the long hours ahead.
:Chihiro:
This wasn't right. She shouldn't be here. This was just so wrong.
Chihiro's face was a constant shade of pink as she tried not to look at the spectacle in front of her. Lord Kaisuke had said he was hungry, so he had asked her to order some food. "Some food" had turned into a small feast when Chihiro opened the paper door to see a line of giggling women standing outside, each carrying trays full of delicacies.
Apparently Lord Kaisuke was quite the charmer at the bathhouse. Many of these women knew him on a first name bases and vice versa. She shied away from thoughts on just how well he knew them.
Hands shaking, Chihiro carefully lifted the loaded plate off the tray to set on the low table. The plate was still hot and warmed her cool hands as she shifted uncomfortably at a chorus of giggles.
The women had come……and never left.
A part of her felt immensely relieved not to be left alone with the handsome god. Another part thought perhaps sitting in uncomfortable silence would be much better than watching these women in revealing kimonos cling to Lord Kaisuke like leeches.
And yet, a puny part of her conscience felt slightly disappointed that the forest god was so gracious with compliments to every female that existed. She hated to admit it, but she had felt a small twinge of satisfaction when he chose her over Tae. She had thought perhaps she wasn't as plain as she thought of herself. Perhaps he had seen the beauty she had to offer.
Apparently, he saw the beauty every girl in the bathhouse had come to offer him, and was now happily accepting them all.
Her disappointed sigh was lost in the clamor in the room and she surveyed the room again.
It was considerably large room split into three sections. The bedroom, where she had woke up in was directly facing the sliding door. A silky layer of fabric hung in the doorway and blocked the futon that still lay on a rise from view. Inside the bedroom, there was another cloth-covered doorway leading to another room. A private bathroom for the customers who would rather not travel all the way down to the tubs. It was complete with marble tiles and gold faucets in the shape of mystical dragons.
The thought of dragons had brought forth an image of the beautiful creature back in the deserted cabin. Chihiro felt a wave of guilt wash over her, threatening to suffocate her. How could she have forgotten him?
Her beautiful dragon.
She gave herself a mental smack. Not yours, you loser.
But her traitorous mind would not let go of that childish sentiment, and so she claimed the wonderful beast for herself.
Her beautiful dragon. The one who reminded her so much of Haku. Same jade green eyes and superior attitude. She'd have to go check up on him.
A giggle of her own escaped before she could stop it. Not that it mattered. Nobody noticed anyway.
Or so she thought.
Shifting blue eyes widened slightly at the pleasant sound, one of pure happiness. The forest god glanced over at the human girl and saw remnants of a smile on her lips. She had isolated herself away from all the loud geishas surrounding him and sat primly, seemingly in her own little world.
Starting to lose interest in the group of women all clamoring for his attention, his gaze never left the human girl as he waved them off.
"I'm feeling a bit tired, ladies. If you don't mind, I think I'm going to rest now."
The ditz that they were, the geishas blinked at him in confusion. Then a woman stepped forward and smiled coyly. "I could keep you company, Kai-sama. I heard a warm body in bed is good for the health." She winked and bent over him, revealing a sufficient amount of cleavage in the parting of her kimono.
Kaisuke didn't even blink under her attempted seducing. "Ah, no thanks. I really am tired. So if you don't mind, there's the door." He ushered them out, ignoring their simpering complaints and slid the door shut in their faces.
Chihiro was too caught up thinking about home and noticed too late that she was once again alone with the charming god. Thoughts about Kasumi's rice balls were cut short as the sudden silence enveloped her.
"Sen?"
She blinked and a furious shade of red graced her features as she found herself uncomfortably close to Lord Kaisuke. "Ahh?"
Kaisuke grinned at her bewildered face. She was awfully cute when she was embarrassed. That may be why he teased her so much with his presence.
"Are you hungry?" he asked softly.
Chihiro could feel his breath lifting her bangs and that just served to increase her blush. She felt like a damn heater! She was sure he could probably feel the heat her face was giving off.
"A-ah, no not really. Thank you, Lord Kaisuke." With that said, she was relieved to see him back away a bit.
"So what were you thinking about? You looked pretty happy a while ago." His tone was one of childish curiosity and Chihiro could not help but smile again.
"…I was…just thinking about home, Lord Kaisuke. And about the rice balls my best friend would make for me whenever I was hungry for a snack. She would shape them into cute little animals and I'd always end up trying to save them rather than eat them like I was suppose to."
That was probably the most normal string of sentences she had ever uttered to him. Memories of home brought out a warmer side of Chihiro and she couldn't stop her animated gyrations as she spoke.
Suddenly a small grumble was heard and Chihiro flushed as her stomach betrayed her hunger. Kaisuke burst into a string of chuckles and grabbed her hand.
"Seems you are hungry, little human. Come. Share the rest of the food with me." He hauled her to her feet and let go of her hand. Walking over and settling down at the low table, he gestured to all the food. "Come on, Sen. I can't eat this all by myself."
Chihiro decided there was no harm done in eating a bit of food with him, and so she took a hesitant step forward. But hours of sitting with her legs folded underneath her were not good for walking.
Her legs gave out and she felt the rush of air as she tumbled forward.
Fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, Kaisuke's reflexes were quick. Chihiro felt another darn blush drifting over her cheeks as her face was nestled in the crook of his neck and his strong arms wound around her waist.
Clumsiness suck.
And that's when the door slid open.
:Haku:
This was much better. His wounds were fast healing and he was back in his human form. It took hours, but Zeniba had finally managed to unblock the flow of power within him. Things were easy from there.
As his magic flowed through his body, a soft jade green glow enveloped his body and he slipped back into his human form, accompanied by a few bruises and scratches.
It felt good.
Zeniba was still on the floor, her large head bent over and her shoulders slumped. That disenchantment took a lot out of an aged sorceress such as herself, and Haku was thankful for what she did.
"I am in your debt, Zeniba. Thank you." And he bowed, his whole being exuding grace.
Zeniba waved off his gratitude but allowed a tired smile to grace her features. Her misty form was wavering again. She would have to return to the gem and rest for a while.
"It's nothing, river god. Just make sure you get the Dragon's Eye away from Riku and her master. They are a dangerous pair." Haku nodded solemnly.
She continued, "I suggest you go find that little human girl. She might be in grave danger and need all the help you can give her." Again, Haku nodded, although a bit more hesitantly.
Zeniba studied him, a knowing look in her eyes. "She did not mean to deceive you, Haku. She did it out of self-preservation, whether she realizes it or not. Not bad for a human, eh?"
When he didn't say anything, she struggled to her feet and prepared to leave. "I shall visit you again, god of the Kohaku River. I hope you fair well." And she drifted out the window.
"And I you, old sorceress."
He went outside and breathed in the fresh scent of nature. Letting himself relax, he rose into the air and flew for the bathhouse.
A long flight later, he landed on the bridge and strode across. Walking through the cloth hanging across the doorway, he was greeted by the same hustle and bustle of the bathhouse.
Nothing had changed since he left. Except…an odd source of power.
Following this faint trail, he ignored the servants vying for his attention and rode the lift until he reached the floor where he could sense the power source.
This guy isn't even trying to hide his power…he thought as he continued down the dim hallway.
Laughter could be heard from a few of the rooms that customers occupied. Haku stopped at a room near the end of the hall. There seemed to be a quiet conversation going on inside. And that's when he smelled it. The unmistakable scent of peaches drifting through the thin paper door.
He heard a gasp and a soft thump and knew right away that the girl he was looking for was in that room. Although why she would be in a customer's room, he could not guess.
His heart racing, he quickly reached and slid the door open. Sudden silence…
…Yes…she definitely looks like she's in danger…
-
Whaa. Long chapter, but I think you all deserved it. I wasn't sure where I was going, but this is the general direction... So, Kai and Haku finally meet. It's gonna be like the apocalypse evil grin Or, so I'd like you to think. For all I know, they may become best buds. Deranged people's minds work in odd ways...
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jaded image