Wow! Thank you for the reviews! I really appreciated 'em all! Here goes the third chapter. This third one is a bit long…and a wee bit fluffy…so for those who'll hate the fluff here, I'm sorry, but I enjoyed 'em…and well…

I'm a hopeless romantic sometimes.

So, please read and review!


Two Perspectives and a First Kiss

Haku weaved through his river, inspecting the underwater portal that separated his and Chihiro's world. It was blocked, he knew by pounds of earth and gravel. A sigh emanated from his lips though there were no bubbles and he shook his head; it was a hopeless case, unless the humans realize their misdeeds.

Six years ago, he had left the bath house. Yubaba was furious at first, but she eventually gave way, especially when Bou bawled childishly at her. By then, refusal was futile.

With a crooked smile, the witch gave him a side-long glance and cackled. "I know what you plan to do. You plan to cross the threshold and follow her."

His turning back went stiff and relaxed as quickly as it did. "And so what if I do, Yubaba?"

Her cackle became higher pitched. "You know how impossible it is for you to go there. You know it yourself. From what I've heard, those filthy humans destroyed your river there, and that will prevent you from physical manifestation in that world."

"There's no harm in trying," he said coldly.

"Do as you wish," she spat. "Just don't come back here crying like some lost chick, as you had done when you first arrived here. You can still come back, anyways. I might have some uses for you."

"If I hadn't known better, I'd have thought you were worried of me. Do not worry, I can well take care of myself," With this, Haku laughed mirthlessly and left, leaving the old crone to chuckle at his foolishness.

He hastily bid everyone good bye and flew to the portal that Chihiro had previously crossed. With a deep breath, he pushed his hand against the barrier and was not surprised when it was met with a cold transparent stone. From here, he could almost imagine the human world, with Chihiro playing and laughing. He could almost hear her childish voice, almost touch the small hand, and he laughed out loud, too, anticipating it all to become reality.

It was a pity it didn't.

His hysterical laughter paved way to muffled chokes and sobs as he knelt in front of the passageway.

Chihiro, I know I promised. I'm so sorry…but I'll find a way, I swear I'll find a way…

He had stayed there for some time, his insides cold and unfeeling. Then, with heart full of bitterness, he had flown to the source of his currents and found his river, intact though slightly damaged. It had become quite stagnant as it no longer flowed through its counterpart in the other world. To quell the desperation and hurt in his heart, he sought to renovate his river and made efforts to find some other pathway for it. In the process, he rediscovered his underwater palace, which was roughly made of ice and other elements. He was surprised to find that he had a handful of servants employed under his name. Taking care of his new abode was additional work which helped him lessen the pain, though not completely removing it.

Though no longer an employee in the bath house, he returned now and then to visit. Sometimes, he would even take baths there, himself. Yubaba resented it at first but finally gave her consent him there as customer. River gods were naturally "filthy rich" after all…


"What brings you here, Haku?" Zeniba already had an idea on his concerns, yet she asked nevertheless.

He was quiet as he sat down on the chair. The homey settlement of the old witch did nothing to lessen the gloom on the dragon boy's face.

"Oba-san," he murmured, addressing Yubaba's twin as Chihiro had done. Zeniba did not object to this, knowing that the god was doing its best to cling on the human child's little memories. "In five days, it will be Chihiro's birthday."

"How do you know that?" she enquired.

A small smile lit on his face as he remembered his last moments with her; they were riding from this place to the bath house. She reminded him of his name and as they flew hand-in-hand, he entered her mind and visited some of her memories. Somehow, he knew she would protest to his intrusion, so he thought it best not to tell her.

"I just know," he answered simply. Zeniba only nodded.

"You want to visit her? See her?" Haku's reply was the ghost of a nod. Zeniba sighed and shook her head. "You know it is impossible for you to go there. It would have been possible for you if your river had remained untouched. But now it has been destroyed, and there is nothing that you can do. You must accept things as they are."

"NO! I can't do that," he said angrily. His eyes were almost slits now, as though he was aching to transform and fly far away, to escape the horrible truth. The return of his memory and the reformation of his river were making him stronger, even more powerful than the twin witches combined. Of course, this also meant that he was having some difficulty controlling his new powers.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and bowed low to the witch. Chihiro would have been flabbergasted had she seen this outright disrespect for the good Oba-san. "I'm sorry for my outburst, Oba-san. I think I should leave."

"It's alright," she smiled sympathetically, waving a hand. "Well, I do know a way, but it won't make you cross to her world…still, you can communicate…"

It took some seconds for the witch's words to register in his head but when it did, his eyes widened and he straightened up so fast that his back hurt. He could care less. His sea-green eyes were almost watery with hope. "Oba-san, please, tell me, tell me!"

"Ahh, amazing, the power of love," she muttered under her breath.

"What?" He asked, not hearing her properly. Zeniba gave an indulgent smile and told him the enchantment.


Haku smiled. On Chihiro's birthday, he had gone to the bath house to relax and had rented a room for himself. He was very tired that day, and he needed his energy for it all to work. Also, he wanted Chihiro to have a part of him wherever she went. He also planned to place charms and some magic on it to protect her from harm. So, he had Kamaji and Rin pluck out the scale from his back. Kamaji had to tie him to the floor to prevent him from thrashing too much. It was Rin who did the actual plucking. He reckoned she had too much pleasure from doing it, too…that sadistic woman.

Haku grinned in the memory. He almost thought it wouldn't work; after all, it was a very tricky enchantment, requiring too much power. He was glad it did…He really missed her warmth. It almost broke his heart when she flung her arms around his neck, when he felt her tears on his shirt. As much as he wanted to prolong the contact back then, it was the first time that he had performed such a ritual, and it had cost much of his strength. He barely had enough magic to send the scale—and thank kami-sama he was able to send it!

It was a pity his communication with Chihiro during the next years was stunted. He needed to travel to the valley of the great kamis to make up for the time he had lost socializing when he lost his memory. Social life, for gods and spirits, were very important, as they were immortal; none of them wanted life-long grudges or arguments. Of course, he still tried once in a while but his efforts were futile. Sometimes, he yearned to just leave those halls and its occupants, but it was necessary to have ties and bonds with them…if he wanted to be with Chihiro again…

As he relished the coolness of his river, he suddenly felt a small tug in his mind. He immediately knew that Chihiro was worried and bothered…by something. He sighed. It has been quite a while since he managed to listen and see some of her situations. But then again, this was part of the enchantment that he had put on the silver scale. Closing his eyes, he scrunched up his nose at the vision before his eyes…


"Flowers for the lovely lady."

The sixteen year old Chihiro Ogino blushed. She had been walking and laughing with her friend Rei. The day was beautiful, the breeze fresh, everything was perfect until the moment when this man suddenly approached, armed with the sweetest scent of perfume and a dozen of flowers. And on top of that, he knows the language of flattery, by which she never knew how to respond to. How is a girl supposed to react when a bouquet of exceptionally beautiful roses are offered by someone tall, dark and handsome, anyways?

Her hand automatically went to the silver scale on her chest. It has always been there with her, lending her the much needed warmth and comfort. Haku…what do I do? What would you do?

A vision of Haku with a woman wearing tight leather suit which boasted her curves made Chihiro blush even harder. The thought of her dragon boy with someone else made her feel strange…and somewhat empty.

Now why in the world should I feel that way? Haku and I are just…well, friends.

Posh, Chihiro! Snapped a sneaky voice in her head. You're more than friends. You're just afraid to admit it to yourself.

She scrunched her brows and bit her lip. Yes, she did have feelings for him. When it started, Chihiro wasn't sure, but was it love?

Rei elbowed Chihiro. The brown haired Japanese girl gulped and muttered uncertainly. "A-arigato, Mr—Mr…"

"Ah Chihiro-kun," he said, waving his hand amorously. His lips were curved into the most affable smile possible. "No formalities on me. Just call me Okiya, as you always did when we were nine."

"Wha—NEH!" she exclaimed, her scrunched up brows giving way to genuine surprise. Her thoughts brushed aside, Chihiro gripped his arms and studied him with wide eyes. "Okiya? Is that really you? Oh my, I didn't recognize you!"

Chihiro thought she heard a distinct growl but she ignored it, thinking it was her imagination. Little did she know that it was a certain green-haired river god checking up on her just in time to see her gripping her childhood friend by the arms.

"You obviously didn't with that reaction," he laughed and pulled Chihiro into a brotherly hug. Haku flinched indefinitely at the sight and clenched his fists.

Get off of her, you filthy human! He thought angrily, quite forgetting that Chihiro herself was human.

As though hearing him, Okiya finally pulled away and muttered, "Really, you still haven't changed. Still skinny as bone."

You WILL be thinner than bone when I've finished with you.

"Maybe," she replied, laughing with him. "But you've changed a lot. I mean—look at you!"

Okiya sighed in mock loneliness. "I know. I must look like some handsome dog, huh?"

"Still as conceited as ever."

"Ehem."

Chihiro blushed and looked at Rei. With an apologetic look directed at her best friend, she said. "It seems that I quite forgot to introduce you. Okiya-chan, this is Rei Takio, my classmate and best friend. Rei, this Okiya Morioka. He was my sole childhood companion before I went to live here."

Haku strained his ears to hear through her thoughts.

when I was ten. Yes…the bouquet of flowers with the postcard note came from him. Was the mental note that she decided not to share.

The muscles in Haku's jaw tightened considerably.

Her two friends shook hands, mumbling "Pleased to meet you" and other pleasantries. In her head, that day replayed itself in the most vivid colors. Of course, she didn't know that some one was watching inside her head…


"Chihiro, flowers."

"A-arigato, Okiya-chan!" sniffed the ten-year old girl as she took the bouquet from him. She suddenly found herself hugged by Okiya, the flowers mercifully pushed aside before it could be crushed.

"I'll miss you so much," he said as Chihiro pulled away.

"A-ano…I'll miss you, too," and with that, Chihiro ran towards the car.

"Wait." She stopped in her tracks and looked back, eyes innocently looking at him.

"I—Chihiro…I LIKE YOU!" and with that, the little black-haired boy sped off.


"So, what are you doing here?" she asked, as Okiya's stare pulled her back to reality.

"Oh, I'm just looking around. It's actually by chance that I met you here."

"By chance?" ogled Rei. She was obviously impressed that Chihiro was acquainted with a masculine fatale. "Armed with flowers and by chance?"

Chihiro blushed at her friend's forwardness. But then again, Rei was Rei, and she's always been forward.

His grey eyes searched Chihiro's and held it for a moment before saying in a rather hoarse whisper. "Perhaps."

She blushed again. With a gulp, her hand went to fiddle her amulet once more. To her surprise, it was hot—hot and shaking. Chihiro gripped it. What was wrong with it? Suddenly, she felt a warm snaky sensation wound around her waist, ascending up to her shoulders, moving against her body. She didn't know what it was, or how to feel, or what to feel. This was the first time it has ever happened to her.

"I've got to go! I-I think I forgot something at home! Bye, Okiya, Rei!"

Unceremoniously, without a bow or a second look, Chihiro turned on her heels and ran off in the opposite direction. She heard them appealing and calling to her but she took no heed; she was overwhelmed by the sensation that was catching in her throat. The feeling never left her; if possible, it intensified.

Mine! You are MINE!

She heard the words as she ran. Her heart was beating in a drum-like mantra, threatening to jump out of her throat. Nevertheless, her feet continued moving, as though it had life of its own. Next thing she knew, she was in a forest.

Panting heavily, she fell on her knees and tugged uncertainly at the amulet. What was that?

She felt sleepy as she leaned back against a tree. The sensation moving across her body had lessened, but it was there. The voice was hissing continuously against her ear. Could it be Haku? But why is he saying strange things? Vaguely, Chihiro realised that Haku always met her in sleep. Was the sleepiness magic? And was this his way of beckoning her to him?

There was only one way to find out.

With a sigh, Chihiro plunged headlong into the valley of dreams.


She yelped. A snaky, silvery body wound around her, as a boa constrictor to its prey. She looked around and saw that they were in a lush green forest, the sun high up, and yet the wind was oddly chilly. They were beside a cool river which moved in fast torrents, as though there was an invisible storm. Chihiro looked bravely into the dragon's eyes and was met with a cold glare and she suddenly realized that the river, impossible as it may seem to her, was the Kohaku river, and it was mirroring the intense emotions he was having. For the first time in a long time, she felt a tinge of fear of Haku. He seemed to sense her fear as he made a low growl and moved away even before she could voice out her protest.

There was a bright flash and Haku stood in place of the dragon. His back was to her, his shoulders both tense and rigid. She tried to look at his face, but she couldn't see his expression.

"Who is he?" he asked in voice which gave her goose bumps.

"What are you talking about?" she countered, confused.

He growled and regarded her coolly. "Don't play me for a fool. You were openly flirting with that filthy human."

For a moment, his wordings didn't register on Chihiro's head. But when it did, she felt as though her heart had been wrenched by very icy fingers. For the very first time since they had met six years ago, she felt angry at him. Her confusion was pushed aside as she gasped in effort to keep her emotions checked.

She couldn't.

In two quick strides, she roughly made Haku face him; he was apparently too caught in surprise to resist her. Haku was forced to look into her eyes, burning with anger and unwanted tears, and he was suddenly very sorry for his choice of words.

"Okiya is my friend. Yes, he IS human. And guess what, I'm HUMAN, too! So you really want to rub it, huh? I AM human—so what? I don't know what the heck is going on here, Haku, but I won't be talked to in that manner, not by anyone, much less by someone like you."

"Someone like me!" The dying frustration in Haku was fuelled once more. He harshly removed her hands from him and glared. "You even defend that friend of yours! You were the one who erred, and yet you even dare speak to me in that manner—"

"I "erred"? Oh, so what did I do wrong, huh? I was not flirting with him! What's wrong if I associate with other people? He's my friend, and what is it to you if—if some one likes me?" she shouted.

"It is everything to me because you are MY human!" he declared heatedly, as his eyes flashed back at her once more.

"YOUR human? And what am I? A stupid toy?" she gasped again, tears spilling as she blinked her eyes repeatedly. She sighed; screaming was pointless, and she didn't want to spend the rest of the afternoon screaming at him. Turning her head to one side, she choked. "What did I do to—to deserve such vehemence? Why are you treating me like this, Haku? I—I know you wouldn't be like this unless—unless something bad really happened. What happened? What did I do?"

His heart softened and he bit his lips to put off the sharp retort. What did she do?

"You did many things, Chihiro," he whispered hoarsely as he made her look back into his face. The river god saw the anger ebb from her face as he allowed his green depths to mirror some of the emotions suppressed within him.

"You—you were—you were—" she stammered uncertainly.

"I was jealous," he murmured. It was comforting to let the words come freely out of his mouth. He plunged further; he had nothing to lose. "I didn't like the way he looked at you, much less how he held you in his arms. When I saw his eyes, I immediately detected his feelings for you, and I thought at that moment that I would go mad, and had he touched you again, I certainly would have. I suddenly thought that—that the only arms I want around you is—is mine."

"Haku…" she whispered, warmed and touched by his words. For some reason, Chihiro didn't know what to do. Since they had met roughly six years ago, their relationship was vague. Between them was an unspoken tie; a mutual understanding which required no words to exist. Still, she was not sure of her feelings, and she still was not sure how she felt even now…

As she dived into a vortex of emotions in Haku's eyes, she felt that she didn't need answers to questions…because the answer was there all along, just waiting to be discovered, like a wonderfully hidden treasure…

She was young, admittedly so. But love chooses no age, no definite time or season…

"Haku," she murmured once again. This time, she gently pulled his neck down and buried her nose on the hollow. Slowly, she felt him slack against her and she sighed. She heard a low growl rumble in his chest and Chihiro giggled amidst the tears that continued to fall from her face; it sounded oddly like a purr.

Sniffing softly, the young brunette looked up at Haku and smiled. As he looked at her, Haku gingerly wiped the remaining traces of tears from her face. "Gomen. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. You never deserved to be treated in that manner, Chihiro."

Chihiro shook her head and smiled at him. "It's partly my fault. We had quite a screaming match, too. It takes two to tango after all."

"But, I—"

To his surprise, she tiptoed and, as she lowered her eyelashes shyly, Haku felt her soft lips against his own. Time seemed to stop as he instinctively pushed his mouth against hers. Possessively, his arms wound around her back, clutching her to him desperately as though afraid that she would disappear any minute. Chihiro prayed for the moment never to end, that her physical body would never wake, so that she could stay with him.

"Chihiro," he groaned as he pulled away. A feeling of foreboding made his heart freeze, and he frantically showered her cheeks and her dishevelled hair with frantic kisses. "It's almost time…you'll have to…go soo—"

"I don't want to go!" Tears welled up in her eyes again. She buried her face against his neck again, desperately breathing and embedding his scent into her memory.

Brown met green as they stared at each other in one heart-stopping moment. "We'll find a way, right?"

"By the great gods we will, I promise you…" his lips came down once more to claim her. She could almost feel his warmth against her mouth—


"Chihiro, oi…Chihiro!"

The Japanese girl opened her eyes to see Rei worriedly kneeling beside her and waking her up. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going home."

"I—uh, I was just a bit tired," she replied, disoriented. Still, she knew she had to fabricate a story. "I was really planning to go home, but I saw this—this white rabbit, and I followed it and—and I got a bit lost. So I thought I'd just rest because I was tired out—what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I just happened to stroll along here. You know how I love forests."

"Oh…right," Chihiro said, not quite believing Rei.

"Come on, it's getting a bit dark." Chihiro took the stretched out hand of her silver-haired friend. In her head were mingled thoughts of euphoria and frustration. She wanted to be with him again, with Haku. Just when they have almost admitted their feelings for each other…

But then again, thought Chihiro with a wistful smile, that was our very first kiss…


We kissed. She kissed me and…I responded. My very first true kiss.

It was strange for him to think of it. She was, after all, the very first human that he kissed. He must admit, before he came to the bath house, he had some other affairs, but none of them amounted to much. After all, he didn't love any of those…but with Chihiro...it was different.

Wonderful. Haku smiled and dived into his river happily, feeling so much like a new dragon. Once I finish negotiating with the great gods, I will be able to take her as mine, wholly and entirely. My future mate…

"Soon…it will be soon…"


How was it? Tell me please! I think some parts are getting a bit confusing but I'll try to explain some details in a nutshell in the next few chappies…

Oh, I know Chihiro received a card along with the flowers...I'm actually not sure if the name of the giver/s were written on the said card--because I can't read Jap! haha...so...haha...whatever...I'm weird.

So…if it ain't too much of a hassle, please review! The button is just one click away….

click….click...click!

Hehe, thanks in advance if you do!