I'll be updating slower from now on, because the holidays are over and school's started. And we have our yearly exams soon, so I'm pretty much forced to study. :P

Can you believe it? I got 13 reviews all together for two chapters! That is way better than anything I've got for my stuff in fictionpress, and I thought I was really bad at writing fanfics! Thank you so much everyone!

Disclaimer: again, just in case you've forgotten. And since I felt like putting it. You know what goes here.

Oh yeah, this is a longer chapter. Just in case you didn't notice. Heh.

The white dragon flew lower than usual – just under the thick clouds heavy with rain. Below him was the train line.

Apart from being a little scorched and completely exhausted – so much that it took an effort to fly – Kohaku was fine.

Just then he unintentionally dropped another few metres, being tired as he was. He bit back the urge to growl in frustration at his weakness. I'm fine, I'm fine, he kept repeating to himself, to keep on going, to get to his destination. Just a bit further…

But Swamp Bottom was still some way off, the rain clouds were hovering menacingly, and he knew his energy was draining away.

But he was really quite lucky, though. That blinding spell Yubaba used had quickly been followed by a powerful energy-draining spell. Since he couldn't see for those few moments, he instinctively put up the shield again. Or maybe he dodged…he couldn't remember. Whatever it was, only part of the spell hit him, which was the reason why he was still flying and not somewhere on the ground…or worse, in a tight spot with Yubaba.

He noted that the temperature had dropped and he glanced upwards. The clouds were steadily getting darker, and the air smelt of rain. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the water came down in thick, blanket-like sheets. Kohaku was instantly soaked through. The world blurred around him, water droplets flying everywhere. He tried shaking the water out of him, but as soon as he did, more came pouring down. And he couldn't fly above the clouds – it was already hard enough to fly steadily.

Trying to keep the optimism in him, he thought, At least it's not a thunderstorm.

Far off to his left, a lightning flash lit the dark sky.

At long last, Zeniba's cottage came into view. By now, he was flying very low, barely making it above the tree tops. The rain was still going as heavy as ever, or perhaps heavier. Coming to the wide open space in the yard, he let himself fall, not bothering with a graceful descent.

He landed heavily outside the front door, the mud splattering on his scales and fur. The dragon lay there for a moment, relieved. Then he changed back and pulled himself to his feet, just as Kaonashi opened the front door.

Kohaku staggered inside, nodding his thanks to him. Seeing Zeniba by the fireplace, he bowed respectfully, while trying to indiscreetly wipe off all the mud and squeeze the water out of his clothes and hair.

Zeniba smiled kindly and said, "No need for formality, Haku. Sit here."

Kohaku went over and collapsed into the chair she indicated.

"So you flew all the way? Without stopping?" she asked while spooning out a liquid mixture into a cup from the pot over the fire.

Kohaku nodded, letting the warmth of the fire wash over him.

She asked with a trace of exasperation, "Is there a good reason for that? You could have killed yourself, you know."

Kohaku opened his mouth to explain when Zeniba interjected, "You can tell me later. Right now, you have to drink this."

She handed him the cup, and he took it dubiously, staring at the strange reddish liquid inside it.

Watching him, she joked, "It's not poison!"

A little embarrassed now, Kohaku did as she said, not enjoying the strange taste in his mouth. But almost immediately he felt less tired. He could almost feel the energy inside him expanding and spreading everywhere.

When he had finished, he handed her back the cup and said, "Thank you, Zeniba-san."

"I told you, Haku, there's no need for formality. Just call me Granny."

He nodded, still uncertain.

"Now then," she continued, "you can rest here tonight. Kaonashi, will you get that mattress and put it in that corner?"

"It's okay, Zeniba," Kohaku interrupted, "I'm not staying the night. I'm going to Chihiro now."

She looked at him, saying, "Haku, that herbal drink I gave you doesn't give you energy. What it's really doing is expanding whatever you have left."

"Then why did you give me that?"

"Because there isn't a herbal drink that gives you energy. All they do is just expand what you have. So if you push yourself, you'd only get even more tired than before. That's why you need rest. You should know that."

Kohaku nodded shortly. He did know about it, but he decided to ignore that.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He stood up and walked to the door.

"You stubborn dragon!" Zeniba snapped. "You aren't going to last the trip back to the tunnel. Not even halfway."

Kohaku glared at her, annoyed that she was right. Zeniba met his gaze unflinchingly. Kaonashi looked on a little way off, frozen in the act of laying down the mattress.

Then she said more soothingly, "Chihiro can wait. She'll still be there tomorrow."

Kohaku was still a little unsure.

Zeniba added, "Knowing her, she wouldn't be very happy to see you half-dead at her doorstep, hmm? Come along now."

She herded him in the direction of the mattress, and Kohaku decided to give in.

He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

- - -

Kohaku had awoken almost a whole day later, according to Zeniba. He had stayed around long enough to have something to eat and tell Zeniba the latest news concerning Yubaba, Chihiro and the like, and then he was off.

The sun was rising in the east, bathing the world in its orange glow. The sun rays reflected off his silver scales, giving a vivid, sparkling, golden effect. The storm clouds from yesterday were moving on, no more than a little patch of dark grey, and soon that too disappeared. All that was left were little cloud streaks, tinged with red from the rising sun. The sky was truly beautiful, and Kohaku carefully placed the scene in his memory.

It was late morning when he landed outside the tunnel and changed back to his boy form. He looked up the hill to the 'amusement park', and wondered idly what would happen to him if the old witch realised he was standing right near her bathhouse. Then his attention turned back to the tunnel.

He took a few steps closer and stopped. His gaze was riveted to the seemingly depthless black. Then he thought, annoyed at himself, It's just a tunnel.

He pushed down his discomfort and walked straight in.

Guess who's coming up next? Hehe.

I hope the description parts were okay. Tell me if they weren't. Also tell me if they were. ;)

Well, go on. Review. Make me happy! Tell me what you think! So that I get a distraction from stupid studying and school! Be nice… :D

Constructive criticism welcome. Flames not so welcome, but if you want to, go ahead.

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Reposted 22/11/05 to remove review responses