A/N: (sticks head above shield) Hellooo? (immediately ducks at angry projectiles) Sooo sorry about the long wait! School got in the way, but I'm DONE with finals! SUMMER!
Over 100 reviews! Thank you! (jumps up and down squealing)
Lady-Seoh-Phoenix: Uh…which one? lol Hope this chapter clears it up.
The NEZUMI: I feel ya! lol But please don't kill Shitto yet: his fate is still undecided. Mwahaha! Although your suggestions are veerry tempting. X)
LadyRainStarDragon: (Blinks) Is it periwinkle? May the periwinkle goblins spare me…ah the products of sleep deprivation…
Nefandus: 100 REVIEWER! The room sounds roomy? lol I think that's a good thing! Ps, my beta may be a tiny bit mad at you cuz she was aiming for the 100 spot!
Tai'sGirl345: Thank you! Here it is.
Sighhh…: Mwahaha! the room is neat now for a reason. You did miss the 100, aim for 200! lol Wishful thinking…
Pyramidgirl89: Thanks! Shitto should be nicely infuriating to most. Schools over…well finals are anyways. lol
Velf: Hmm, not a bump in but things are developing!
Aevum: Sorry for the wait! Here's the next chapter…
Jessica: Here it is! Enjoy.
A/N: A very fun chapter, I promise. Fluff, fluff, fluff! And a bit of a shocker. Or maybe most of you have figured it out by now?
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The Power of Love
"Psssst! Mayu, wake up!"
Mayu groaned and forced heavy eyelids open. "Rin…"
It had been almost a week in "hiding" for Mayu and Chihiro. By now the sound to Rin's wake up call was almost as irritating as the shrill alarm clock in their dorm room.
"Shhh!" Rin glanced at the sleeping Chihiro. "Come over here." She whispered and ushered Mayu to the farthest corner of the room.
Mayu frowned in confusion and morning grogginess but followed. "What is it?"
"Zeniba figured you're probably bored out of your mind." Mayu rolled her eyes No kidding… "So she was wondering if you wanted to visit her at her home for a day."
Mayu scratched her head. "Yeah…I guess."
"Go wait outside on the platform of the side door." Rin said pointing to the iron door. "And she'll come in a few minutes." Mayu nodded and obeyed. The early morning breeze blew pleasantly against her neck. Soon a little paper bird blossomed into the old witch she saw so often now.
"Dear, so glad you decided to come!" Mayu nodded shyly. "Now, how shall we transport you? The train is ever so tedious, and I would like you to experience flying…"
Mayu gasped. "F-flying?"
Zeniba chortled good naturedly. "Don't worry dear, I will put a little spell on you to make you forget your fear of heights which comes from being a terrestrial human. Now, what shall I turn you into? Something small so I can carry you if I must…I know! Stand still now…" Zeniba pointed at the fidgeting girl and she seemed to disappear. A hesitant flutter of color by the banister revealed a small blue butterfly dancing in the wind. A caramel, intricately patterned underside stood in deep contrast with the iridescent blue of its top wings. The white paper bird and delicate butterfly went fluttering into the calm azure sky.
Mayu was in pure bliss. The world was curving, bright and endless. There was an unexplainable sense of freedom and happiness of just the thin light air tickling her wings and the occasional coolness of flying through a low cloud. They really were nothing like the cotton balls they looked like from the ground. Gravity was almost nonexistent and she floated on the sweet air and its sweeping currents.
Much to her disappointment, Zeniba started to descend and they soon came to what looked like a homely cottage in a quiet swamp. After slipping through the window, witch and girl appeared in their normal forms with a pop.
Mayu sighed and jumped up and down a bit to get used to gravity while looking around. The room seemed cozy enough. Well except maybe for…
"Ahhh!" Mayu gave a small shriek as No Face glided over and pointed her courteously to a chair.
Zeniba chuckled. "It's quite alright dear! He's harmless." Mayu warily sat down taking in the mask-like face and shadowy body. No Face bowed and handed her a plate of fresh baked cookies. Mayu laughed and took a bite of one. It was buttery and delicious. Zeniba sat opposite her and let out a long deliberate sigh.
"Now my darling." She grinned wolfishly "Tell me alllll about yourself."
>>>>>>>
"WHAT! How come she gets to go to Granny's and I'm stuck here?" Chihiro whined. Kamaji groaned and rubbed his temples. A day I can take. But almost a week…
Rin rolled her eyes. "I don't know! Something about you being too vulnerable."
Chihiro snorted. "Vulnerable my-"
The door slammed open. "Morning!" Haku said cheerfully. His hair stuck up in unruly locks which nevertheless looked glorious in their greenish highlights. Chihiro blinked trying to process the imperfection of Haku's hair, truly a new sight. Messy…yet… Her brain failed and she burst into giggles. Rin soon joined her. Man, if there was a mirror near him now…
"What?" Haku asked obliviously, making them laugh more.
Kamaji rubbed his head again and slammed his kettle down. "That's it! I need quiet!"
The girls quieted down and looked sheepish. "Sorry Kamaji."
Kamaji sighed, but a smirk crept onto his lips. "Haku! Get this whiny runt out of my room!" He suddenly grabbed Chihiro by the back of her shirt and flung her into Haku's surprisingly steady arms. He blinked.
"Hey there…" Chihiro saw the disheveled hair up close and giggled again. "Now what are you laughing at?"
She giggled louder. "Nothing!"
Haku sighed and gave up…for the moment. "Where do I take her Kamaji? We can't be seen upstairs."
"Why don't you come up to your room?"
Everyone went slack jawed, Haku especially. Rin caught Kamaji's evil grin and joined the scheme.
"Yeah!" she added grinning wickedly, "A little alone time may do some good for you two!"
Haku awkwardly set Chihiro on her feet and mumbled something about sadistic senile humor as the schemers laughed. "But they're right. There is no other place to go and we should give Kamaji a break." he said resignedly. Besides, nothing wrong with a little alone time…He grabbed Chihiro's shoulders and propelled them towards the side door. Once outside, he turned to her and covered her still whining mouth.
"I need to fly you up." Chihiro turned slightly green. Haku saw this and laughed. "Don't worry, its just a quick flight. And my room will be protected so you'll be safe. Even Yubaba can't sense anything I do there." Chihiro grumbled.
Haku closed his eyes and shimmered a rainbow of colors before jumping off the platform and quickly changing into a shining white dragon. Emerald mane swirled in the wind and emphasized the brilliant green reptilian eyes, the dark oval pupils. Chihiro involuntarily shivered at the beauty and power which radiated from him.
The dragon twisted around and Chihiro grabbed the gold horns like so many years ago. She gave a startled yelp of joy as they sailed upwards. They kept going up and up past the roof of the bathhouse. Chihiro clutched the horns for dear life.
"HAKU! STOP IT!" she yelled in horror and delight as he turned a sudden loop. He relentlessly twisted and turned in ways that put roller coasters to shame. In the back of her mind she noticed that he never quite left her dangling. Always some coil of slinky muscle would be holding her onto his back.
Finally after many death threats from Chihiro, Haku flew over his balcony and through the frames of some paper screens. They landed quietly on a platform of bamboo mats. Chihiro was breathless and flushed, eyes glittering from the brisk wind and adrenaline. She threw herself down on the cream couch with a pout. Haku glowed back into his human form. Emerald eyes sparkled mischievously as Chihiro glared at him.
"What were you thinking?" she yelled. Haku snickered and sat on the couch by her feet.
"You said you were bored, so I thought I would give you some fun." he replied still smiling.
Chihiro rolled her eyes. "Fun? Yes if you think me being dead is!" Haku fell into a frown. Chihiro felt her traitor heart ache but continued. "I'm serious Haku! That was fun, but you could have killed me!"
Concern and some confusion came into his eyes. "I'm sorry. Really…" he ran a hand though his disheveled hair. "I guess I got a little carried away. I didn't… I'm sorry."
Chihiro sighed. Well I am alive after all… "Alright." She said grumpily. The smile that lit his face after those words made Chihiro's eyes very happy, but her mind refused to show it. "Just remember not to be so rough with me."
Haku consciously made his best poker face. "Even in bed?" Chihiro's jaw dropped and she turned a fiery magenta.
"HAKU!" she grabbed a cushion and swapped him hard over the head. Haku laughed a warm delicious laugh.
"I'm sorry that was not the right way to treat a guest I suppose." he drawled, winking and getting off the couch. "What would you like to drink?" he asked, moving towards the kitchen. "Tea?"
"Yeah, yeah." Chihiro grumbled. The trickling of water and a flash of reflected sun lead her to the manmade water fall. She got up and stuck a tentative finger into the clear water in the basin. It was refreshingly cool in the hot weather.
Haku came back bearing a tray of iced teas and thin sugar cookies. He found her bent over the water and grinned. He set down the tray and let his eyes admire the nice rear view. She was so absorbed in the water, so bend over, off balance… he crept slowly over. She didn't seem to notice at all. The dragon in him said one thing…pounce!
Chihiro tried not to shake with laughter as she saw Haku creeping silently towards her in the reflection on the water. This was too great an opportunity to mess up. Now he was inches behind her… one more step…now! She whipped around and grabbed two handfuls of tunic. Haku's eyes shot open as she slung him into the tub. A loud splash told her she was successful. Unfortunately, he had managed to grab her hands and hang on, so the two ended up laughing uncontrollably in chest high water. After a quick splash fight, Chihiro soon got control of herself and stood up, trying to wring her sopping clothes out.
"I can't go back in this!" she cried, flicking the navy blue halter top Rin had lent her. It stuck to every curve and graceful line of her body. Haku winced and tried to tear his eyes away but they didn't seem to listen to his brain. Little did he know that under thick lashes Chihiro was similarly drooling at the way his white tunic was fully showing off a toned broad chest and built shoulders, washboard abs…
Haku's reason much to his disappointment, kicked in. "Here." He impatiently waved a finger. Perfectly spherical droplets of water obediently floated back though the air into the basin. Chihiro stared fascinated by the strange sight.
"Wow…" was all she managed to get out.
>>>>>>>
"But Master! All mighty Daitengu, leader of our glorious people…"
"Quiet Shitto. I do not want to hear you sweet talk." The tensed figure sat on the platform, dangling geta clad, blood red feet. "I know everything that goes on within my peoples."
"I was just teaching him a lesson, master! He failed the mission that damn brat-" The dark green fat lips were silenced by a yellow glare felt even from under the Daitengu's brown hood.
"You will work in the mines everyday the same as the normal workers." Shitto stifled a groan. "As for your treatment of Kizuna…"
"Who?" Shitto shot off snickering. He grabbed a tin flask handing on his hip and took a quick swig. He froze and put it away as the master's wrath washed over him.
"Never mind then. No alcohol either, 15 hours in the mines everyday for 2 weeks. Dismissed."
"Master!" he whined.
"Dismissed." The Daitengu said in a clipped voice. He tapped a folded fan of peacock feathers in emphasis. A gust of wind pressed him to the door.
"But…!" Another glare was all it took. Shitto sighed and slunk out the door.
>>>>>>>
"There you are."
The smaller shadow looked down from his perch on the tree to see a smiling Kizuna. Out in the fresh air without fear in her blue eyes, she was truly beautiful.
He grinned. "Come on up." she was soon sitting next to him on the sturdy branch. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, looking at the brilliant sky.
"So why did you disobey orders?" she asked gently, glancing at his far off amber eyes.
"I know she's safe. I can still sense her…" he whispered to himself.
"What?" she said looking at his profile.
"A mortal girl had it," he said slowly, "and I couldn't kill her."
Kizuna turned away. "I think I'm going to meet her." Sei glanced at her sharply, wide eyed. She turned and met his gaze steadily, brushed off a stray chocolate hair from his face. He saw a fading yellow bruise on her cheek and winced. "Master's sending me on a mission."
'To kill her?"
She shook her head.
He sighed. "So we need the ring but we're not killing her. We can't risk letting her go tell the other side…"
"Master's waiting to give you orders inside." Kizuna said softly. Blue eyes swept concernedly over his chiseled features.
Suddenly he seemed to snap out of his brooding and a smile it his face, warmed his amber eyes. "You get to get away from the green jerk!"
Kizuna gave a surprised laugh. "Yes I do! He's getting mine work too!" He chuckled.
She pursed her full lips. "I wonder if I'll be able to pull it off the mission though. I mean its been a while since I've been away from this…"
"Hell?" he offered.
"No." she said firmly. "Master treats me well. We should be very grateful for his hospitality."
"I am. Always." he replied seriously and sighed. "You better get back. I'll come in in a bit." She nodded and slipped noiselessly down the tree trunk, but looked back. Eyes glowed golden in the yellow rays of the sun.
"Sei…" Amber eyes met her blue.
"It's never a hell where you are." she said softly. She received a melancholy smile.
"Thank you." The two gazed at each other for a moment longer before the slender figure turned and slipped out of sight.
Sei swung his legs in a slow rhythm and closed his eyes. He felt a warm spark in the distance, farther away than usual. He frowned. Where is she? Her presence seemed muted as well. Protection…Lets just hope its not that idiot Yubaba who master's recruited for his own twisted reasons…
He sighed and decided to acknowledge what was really bugging him. Mayu… Why did she bug him so much? Probably doesn't even remember me anymore… Disgusted at his pathetic weakness he briskly clambered down the tree.
>>>>>>
"…and then I woke up next to Chihiro in the boiler room." Mayu finished.
Zeniba sighed contentedly. "Thank you dear. So may I see the bracelet that your boyfriend gave you?"
Mayu scowled. "He's not my boyfriend!" A nostalgic look flashed for a moment onto her angelic face. "He probably doesn't even care anymore…"
"Nonsense! You never know until you ask darling!" Mayu made a face. "Now let me see the bracelet."
Mayu held out her arm. "It's invisible usually." Zeniba nodded and squinted, calling her magic into her eyes. She saw the faint glimmer or blue outlining crystals like the ones she once gave Chihiro. Powerful protection…
"Alright darling. He clearly gave this to you so he would be connected to you. You can call him."
"How?" Mayu asked, skeptically.
"Close your eyes." she obeyed. "Now clear you mind. Breath evenly." Mayu could feel herself fall into a state of half sleep. "Good. Now just picture him, and shout his name in you head. Now!"
Mayu let the lock inside her heart break loose. Precious images of him poured out. Sei! Sei…where are you? Seigi… She repeated it over and over.
>>>>>>>
As soon as Sei hit the ground off the tree trunk, a tidal wave seemed to crush him to the ground. His name rang in his ears mercilessly and his grabbed fistfuls of dirt, catching splinters in his palms. He breathed shallowly and tried to control his mind. Her sweet voice, her emotions, her smell swamped him all at once. She was in a cottage room, comfortable, safe, and beautiful. But there were other powerful sources of magic there with her. Sei let loose a dreadful scream as he fought the urge, the delicious temptation to give into her call. But there was no way he could just pop right into the enemy's arms. With a burst of will, he broke the connection. All the wonderful sensations went away and he was left hollow, with only his own tears to console him. He got up to his shaking feet, gritting his teeth. A small sniffle escaped him as he tread slowly down the path.
>>>>>>
Mayu felt the connection break and she swayed on her feet. Zeniba got a chair under her just in time to catch her as she blinked dizzily at the room.
"Are you alright dear?" Mayu nodded slowly. A few sips of tea brought her back.
"He's alive." she said slowly. A small smile crept onto her pale face. "That's enough for now."
Zeniba stared in amazement. There was something extraordinary in the strength that radiated from her always, but at that particular moment it was almost intimidating. Zeniba smiled.
Ah. The power of love.
>>>>>
A/N: Nice and long to make up for the lateness. Now wasn't that a fun chapter? I'm assuming most of you guys had figured Sei is the "small shadow"?
OMG! I'm seeing Howl's Moving Castle on Monday! I'm sooo excited!
Disclaimer: Me don't own! Miyazaki is wonderful.
Hey, guys click the…is it periwinkle? Blue? Purple? button and tell me what you think…heck why don't you review and tell me what color it is? Don't forget the chapter though…lol