Chapter Three: We Meet at Last Part II
Hah. I made this a part two because A: I don't know what else to call it. And B: They really didn't meet in the last chapter. But… I don't know how to make them meet in this chapter… Darn
Disclaimer: Refer to pervious chapters. I'm not saying it again.
Haku gaped. His thoughts were along the lines of 'She's beautiful' and 'What the heck?'
The mysterious girl's eyes were wide, if not wider than Haku's. She seemed surprised and scared. While the battle raged on around them, the two seemed lost in their own thoughts.
Haku was very confused. What was a girl doing on the battlefield? Why had she dressed up as a man? Were the other soldiers woman as well? Was this some kind of trick to get him to call his men back and admit defeat?
He tried to grab the girl's arm, but suddenly, she was swooped up out of his reach. She now sat atop a horse with a soldier. He urged the animal to gallop away before Haku could stop him.
Oh no! I got caught! But, that boy… He was so… Beautiful. No! I mustn't think like that! His armor and décor on his horse… they showed that he was royalty! And from the opposing family! But, he was very handsome…
Chihiro's thoughts swirled in her head as she rode in front of the soldier. He was no doubt taking her back to the palace. Oh, Chihiro was in so much trouble.
What would her father do? Would he strip her of her title as princess? No, he wasn't that drastic…usually…
Maybe he would understand! How she longed to fight! Maybe he would let her become a soldier? She could be a hero!
Chihiro mentally shook her head¹ as if to clear her thoughts. There was no way she was getting by with this.
The soldier was silent as they rode on. The battle was not as thick as they rode toward the palace. She knew it would be soon, and the man evidently did as well, because Chihiro noticed the horse speeding up.
Soon, the palace came into view. They had covered a lot of ground, and Chihiro wondered how she could have walked this far when she was following the soldiers into battle. She guessed that she had been too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice
Wait a minute… This is not our palace!
She quickly looked down at where her family crest was supposed to be on the horse's saddle, with the rose bouquet surrounded loosely by a long, glittering, maroon band. Instead, she saw a white dragon against a blue sky, with green petals dancing around it².
She gasped unknowingly. She had been picked up by an enemy soldier. Oh no.
Haku's arm stung. His leg felt as if it was on fire. Although they were minor wounds, they still hurt.
He couldn't keep his mind off that girl. Sure, he was careful and paid attention to the battle, but once in a while his mind would wonder. That was how he had gotten hurt.
The fight was soon to be over, he could tell. But, the winning side was not distinguished yet.
He slashed here and there, stabbing, and performing complicated moves with his sword when he had time. He was the most skilled with a sword in his kingdom. He had been second best, until his father died.
The thought of his strong father almost brought tears to his eyes, but he stopped himself. The man he was facing now appeared very strong and Haku had no room for mistakes.
The battle wore on, and like Haku predicted, was over soon. Soon for a battle that is, a few hours passed before Haku was able to lead the remaining men home. A good many had died, but not more than half.
The other side had suffered much more damage and their retreat was the reason Haku's army had won.
When they reached the palace, cheers erupted from the crowd that lined the dirt streets leading to the palace. After all, they had won.
But other things were on Haku's mind. He planned to ask his mother if she knew who the mystery girl was. Of course, she was from the enemy's family, but maybe she was important and his mother knew where he could find her.
Haku was getting ahead of himself; he could never even peacefully meet with anyone who was not on his family's side.
Chihiro was scared. The soldier had taken her to someone, who had identified her as a princess. Of course, she was being held captive. She was locked in a cell with an old cot and a small rotting wooden table. The guard was sitting a few feet away with is back facing her.
Chihiro sighed. What would happen to her now? They would probably hold her for ransom. Her father would pay it…right?
She held her head in her hands. Chihiro didn't know how long she had been like that when she heard a door close somewhere.
"Wake up! We're going to see the queen and her son." She heard.
The queen? And her son? Ironically, Chihiro felt proud that she was worth meeting the royal family, even if it was to most likely decide her fate. Realizing this, she just about smacked herself.
"Hurry up." The guard ordered.
Chihiro followed the man through many corridors, and all were decorated simply but elegantly. It was different than her family's. Hers was much plainer, because her father had been much too interested in buying supplies and armor for the war her had sold most of their nicer things.
The man must have been sure that Chihiro would not try to escape, because it was only him leading the girl to the meeting room.
'Wait… That boy! He had been royalty! What if he had been the prince?' She thought, after remembering what had happened before she had been captured. I would get to see him again!
Chihiro was somewhat exited for a moment before she realized something.
He's the leader of the enemy.
What should I do when I see him? Maybe he'll recognize me? Well anyways, I can act like I've never seen him before unless he says he's seen me. That way, I won't make a fool of myself, and I won't get myself into trouble. After all, these people have power over me now.
They came to a halt in front of a grand looking door. It was red with carvings etched into it. She saw a dragon the same as the one on the soldier who had captured her had on his saddle. This one was not colored, but you could make out a faint design of a sky behind the figure of the dragon.
The man pushed it open and lightly shoved Chihiro in the doorway. She stumbled for a moment and then stepped forward. The room she was in was plain, but had a nice sized round table, surrounded by three chairs. Two looked nice and comfortable, but one looked less welcoming, but it did not look too bad.
From the other side of the room, two people entered from a much grander door than which Chihiro had entered. She noticed there was a guard only on her side of the room.
The older woman, whom Chihiro guessed must have been the Queen, and the boy sat down across from the chair which Chihiro was standing by. She realized that she was looking at the same boy who she had seen on the battlefield, but he had was wearing much more extravagant garments, and had a small crown placed on top of her graying hair.
The boy looked equally surprised to see her, but must have thought better of it, because he closed his mouth just before he was about to say something. The Queen, or the boy's mother, motioned for Chihiro to sit.
At least I don't have to stand.
Oh gods. That girl! She's the prisoner we captured? She's the princess? Oh, no. What am I supposed to say? Surely she recognizes me, she looks like she's seen a ghost.
She does look very beautiful when she's not in that bulky armor. Maybe when Mother leaves I can ask her why she was on the battlefield. If she ever leaves. Haku rolled his eyes, and then saw the girl look seen more surprised than se did when he entered the door. She must recognize me then!
Haku smiled at the girl, and tried to look reassuring. She must be terrified! I hope Mother doesn't scare her too bad. He glanced over at the woman beside him and almost groaned. She had that look in her eyes. She was going to use her normal plan. Threatening, threatening, and threatening. That girl was in for some trouble. Maybe he could get his mother to show some mercy.
Haku really didn't support this war and didn't really want to harm the girl. She looked nice. Maybe she didn't like this war either? Maybe he could get her to let him go to her kingdom and negotiate with the king, whom Haku supposed must be her father.
Well, right now I just have to get her past Mother. Then I can speak to her.
"Now, your name is Chihiro, right?" he heard his mother say. Chihiro…that's a pretty name.
"Yes, ma'am," she answered, obviously having to remember to add the "ma'am"
His mother smiled, not noticing the hesitation. "Well, my son Haku and I are here to discuss something with you. As you know, you are our prisoner. We do not want to harm you, but if you resist or cause a problem, we will consider. We simply want to ask you some questions."
"Alright, ma'am," she answered, and Haku was surprised she was unfazed by his mother's threat. Most people would have been cowering. He almost smiled. His mother would gain respect for her now. If she continued like this, she would have it so much easier.
"Now, you are the princess of our enemy, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am. My father is the king."
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" His mother asked accusingly.
"No! I mean, no, ma'am. I just thought you were going to ask that next. Sorry, ma'am." Chihiro answered calmly.
"Well, you were right. Anyways, we will be asking for a ransom. We do not wish to cause more blood to be shed, so we will let you father know that you are being treated nicely, and you will not be staying in that cell. My family is not one to punish a woman because of her ancestors." At this, she stood and exited the room, and motioned for the guard to leave as well. "Haku, arrange for her to have a room."
Haku was very surprised at this. His mother must like the girl more than he thought. Usually, these interrogations lasted for hours. Maybe she has an appointment or something.
Anyways, now he could speak with her.
That woman was very scary… But I guess she does not hate me! At least I can get out of that stupid cell…
So, his name is Haku. Why hasn't he left yet? He's just staring at me.
"Um… Hello!" She asked as cheerfully as she could.
"Hi…" he said, taken by surprise.
"Your name is Haku, right?"
"Yeah… Chihiro?"
"Yep. Did I see you on the battlefield, just before that man picked me up?" Oh no! She didn't wait for him to ask. Stupid Chihiro!
"Yes. I was hoping you'd recognize me." He answered.
"Really? Me too, she said. "Um… So, what should I do?"
"I think you just stay in your room until someone comes for you, but I'd like to talk to you for a little while, if that's okay?" he asked.
"Well, I don't really have anywhere to go." She said, smiling.
"Yeah, uh, sorry about that. I don't really like this stupid war. If my mother wasn't here, I'd be sure you were treated like you should be- like a princess. Sorry for the pun."
"Don't be. But, um, what did you want to talk about?" she said, obviously getting curious.
"First of all, why were you on the battlefield? Does your country allow woman to be in the army?" he asked, leaning forward.
"Um, no. But they should. I snuck into the lines of soldiers. I had this strange idea I could help stop this war. My father thinks of absolutely nothing else!" She started to blush.
"Oh. I was very confused when I saw you." He said.
"Sorry. Is that all you wanted to talk about?" Chihiro asked.
"Well, for right now. I'll talk to you tomorrow maybe?" he wondered.
"Sure."
"Great. Just follow me, I'll show you a room you can have while you're here."
Just before Chihiro was about to turn to leave, Haku did something that surprised both of them greatly.
He spun her around and planted a kiss on her lips.
Ahem! Yes, I am leaving this chapter here. I apologize that it's so short. Sorry for the switching POV's again.
1)Mentally shaking your head… That's just something I do… Heh.
2)Remember those things Haku blew in the movie? I can never decide if they're scales or petals. Anyways, the maroon bad is the hair band Chihiro got, and the bouquet is the one she got in the beginning of the movie. Of course, Haku is the dragon. I know this isn't very original.
