A/N: And now for something a little romantic. This portion is almost immediately following the end of A Scribe's Tale.

SoulMate

She wondered if he knew that his eyes glowed in the soft candle light. Like two sparkling orbs, shimmering as the candle light played against the soft breeze of the open window. Chihiro couldn't tear herself away from those eyes.

They'd been like this for at least an hour. Once they reached the apartment from the café, she led him to her bedroom. Without a single word, he stretched out in her bed, lying partially on her body on an elbow. His fingers played with her hair as he just . . . watched her. The entire time her cheeks stained with pink.

Haku's long fingers moved from her hair to her cheeks, tracing the curves of it. His touch was cool against her skin, but that might have been from the heat of her body. She was so flush and hot that it was nearly unbearable.

Her hand traveled his arm draped over her body. The slow movement trailed up his neck, then traced the line of his jaw. A small smile caressed his lips as the tips of fingers moved along his face, barely missing his lips.

His face turned as Chihiro's hand found its way to his cheek. Closing his eyes, his lips pressed her skin. Something shot through her arm . . . like a wave of pleasure. It felt like the water of her body sang with that touch and was trying to burst through her skin to him, then settled once his lips left her.

"What was that?" she asked breathlessly.

He slowly opened his eyes to look at her. Suddenly they were endlessly deep pools, shimmering in the soft light of the room. It stole the little breath she'd managed to reclaim from his kiss.

"You are my river now, Chihiro." He whispered as he shifted his body, "My soul is yours." He made his way over her, lips in danger of meeting he was so close, "I belong to you. Forever." Haku took his place between her slightly opened legs, "And I can give you everything I have to offer."

He was over her now, face hovering above hers less than a breath away. His arms slid under her shoulders so that his body propped without crushing the beauty beneath him. His hips lie between hers, cradled against the welcoming heat of her.

Silently, Chihiro cursed the clothing that separated their bodies. Her hands roamed his back, brushing against the cotton material hiding his flesh. A soft, anxious groan escaped her lips.

Haku moved closer to her. The softness of lips tenderly grazed her cheek, kissing her soul more than her skin. Chihiro sighed while her eyes fluttered closed. She smiled as she took in the scent of pure open waters. The feel of it flowed through her soul.

His fingers cupped the sides of her head. Thumbs traced her ears causing her to shiver beneath him. The feeling spread from her ears down her spine. Another soft sigh parted from her thanks to it.

She felt his lips move from her skin. Slowly, she opened her eyes. His face suspended above hers again and she drowned in the pool of eyes. His lips slightly parted, trembling, but barely. Hers did the same, just as nervously.

"Keep me . . . " he whispered

It seemed like such an odd statement. Inside of her, though, it plucked a cord of her being. She nodded to him.

"Forever, Haku. Forever."

He gasped, somewhere between desperate and full of untamed desire. His lips trembled into a smile that quickly became sure. And pleased.

"Then may our hearts beat as one."

His mouth crashed on hers. He pressed into her lips with enough force to bruise. It was a hungry feeling, like the man above her was about to devour her . . . consume her. She would have let him. The taste of him swept her away. His tongue dancing with hers made her lost. And he just delved deeper and deeper into the depths of her. Not just her mouth, but her essence.

The water of her soul crashed against her chest, causing her to ache, but in a wonderful way. He called to her, tugging at her, dragging what lies beneath closer to the surface, making it touchable. At least, touchable by him.

Eyes still closed, he pulled his mouth away. That rising feeling stayed where it was, holding. Waiting . . . He breathed against her mouth with a voice that ached as much as Chihiro did.

"May our souls dance." Haku's lips pressed on her softly, "I am yours. I am yours." He kissed her smiling lips.

His essence pulled at hers again. She felt it brushing her spirit like the river rolling over smooth rock. It bowed her back and ripped a loud moan from her. He echoed that sound into her mouth. What made him wrapped around what made her, protecting her and loving her. She felt so safe. So warm. So alive.

He danced with her, twirling higher and higher. They played, chasing and catching each other over and over. Each time overwhelming pleasure pulsed through both of them. Their bodies rocked in unison with trembles from head to toe.

Their souls tangled as one like two hands clasped together. Chihiro screamed into Haku's mouth as her body responded to the soul mating. Waves of heat spread over every inch of her from her very center, outward. Her body pulsed and quivered as the sensation continued to well within.

His soul held hers firmly. As it squeezed hers, the sensation rose again. Her body threw back, her lips separating from his. The feeling tore another groan from her, right from the center of her being. Haku's lips pressed against the exposed length of neck. His teeth nipped at her, bringing her slightly back to her body. She could feel her physical readiness, as well as his. The feel of his heart beat on her chest. It throbbed in time with hers, in perfect sync just as their souls were.

Another squeeze of his soul had her calling out once more. But this time, she was lost in the beauty of him. He was like some shining thing, glowing for a single purpose: Her. That light and that warmth held her, kept her, sang to what she was. And for that time, there was no Haku or Chihiro; there was "Them." This wonderful perfection of what was "Them." Nothing else had form or meaning.

The last one came, sending them both off the edge together. She felt her pleasure coupled with his. Distantly, he heard her calling out his name, moaning it as though it were a prayer or promise. Her arms squeezed around him with want of pulling his body in as close as his spirit. He flowed over her and she swam through him, crashing together almost violently.

And then there was calm. The sensations began to fade as their spirits finally let go, though reluctantly. Hazily, she came back to herself fully as he found himself again. There were tears in both of their eyes as well as smiles.

"I've never felt anything so beautiful." He whispered hoarsely

She nodded in agreement. Her voice hadn't quite found her again. All she could manage was to mouth that feeling she knew held them so firmly. He laughed. The joy in his voice was almost touchable or breathable.

"I love you as well, Chihiro."

He shifted so that he could wrap his arms around her more. It made her very aware that their soul mating had no effect on their physical readiness. She moaned quietly and withered as his hips pressed against hers. Again, she cursed their clothing. He smiled down at her. Something about the look was very male and very hungry.

The look on Haku's face forced another tremble through her. Her cheeks filled with red as her eyes filled with desire.

"Body and soul?" she asked quietly after finding her voice again.

He shifted until his hand reached the buttons of her shirt. His eyes followed the movement of hand, but as the first one came undone, they rolled up to meet her face. With that hungry smile and want in his eyes, he whispered back to her.

"Body and soul."