Written Rivers

A Home Amongst Rivers

Chapter 11: Compromise

"No."

Haku continued his walk through the halls of the Bathhouse, a pen and register in hand, bound towards the bath stalls to take note of inventory… again. To think Rin would have the audacity to make such an offer to Chihiro. Rin knew his answer and was disappointed in the fact that she would allow Chihiro's hope to be boosted.

"But Haku. From what I understand, you could use the help around here. And I could learn so much here!" Chihiro's arms exasperated as she swung them around in broad gestures, stopping in front of him. He could feel the eyes of the staff that were on floor staring at them as they entered the bathing area, whispering and gawking at the return of the human girl.

He stopped in his step and looked her in the eye with a stern look. "And my answer stands firm, Chihiro. No. You must return to your world."

"At least give me a legitimate reason, Haku." Her eyes were pleading and almost convincing. "At least allow me to interview other spirits to have testimonies for my book. I want to write a book that could help the people in the Human World realize how their interactions are not harming the environment, but the spirits as well! We could shift the balance back to the way it once was."

"Chihiro." Haku stated. "I do not believe I can give you a more legitimate reason. The Spirit World is not for humans. It is far too dangerous and unpredictable. Yubaba just stormed out of the Bathhouse barely a few days ago. Your cause is honorable, Chihiro, but I do not want to take that risk."

Chihiro considered her words. "Haku… Whether I'm in the Spirit World or Human World, life will be dangerous and unpredictable. I may not know the dangers of the Spirit World, but I know the dangers of the Human World." She paused and took a breath. "Just earlier this month, the country was hit by a huge natural disaster in the northeast. A huge earthquake, Haku, that caused a tsunami and it cost the lives of many humans. Life can't get anymore unpredictable than that, Haku. Rumi even lost her family to that tsunami. So please, don't tell me that the Spirit World is too dangerous and unpredictable, it's not an excuse."

Haku blinked at her, astonished. "What?" A tsunami in the northeast? He knew there had been an earthquake lately, but a tsunami? He had yet to talk with Makoto and Yuuka about everything that had gone on in their adventure to the Spirit World, but if what he heard about the recent tension in the north was true, it meant it was affecting the Human World, like it always did. He gave a low curse under his breath. "All the more reason for you to return."

Chihiro frowned. "Excuse me?" She shifted her weight on to one leg and crossed her arms. She was wearing her modern clothes, a simple light blue shirt and black shorts that met her mid-thigh, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Modern clothes were so revealing. "Did you not just hear what I said?"

He raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "Chihiro, do you know what it means when natural disasters happen in the Human World?"

Her body untensed and she put her arms down, her brows knit in uncertainty, like saying 'is this a trick question,' and averting her eyes. "Aah… The spirits are at war usually, no?"

"Yes. And when spirits start wars and unrest it will affect the Human World. Now imagine what it would be like if you were stuck here when all war broke out. Things seem to be bad on the Human side, but it is much more catastrophic on this side. There has been tension in the north, Chihiro. The Spirit World could go to war if things go wrong." He looked at her sympathetically.

If someone asked Haku, he would probably deny that he wanted Chihiro to stay in the Spirit World. He would deny that he did not want to hold his friend's hand and tell her that he was happy that she was there. He would deny that the last eleven years had been the longest in his existence as he waited for the right opportunity to see her again. He had made a promise and he had intended to uphold it. But now that she was here, he was scared out of his years that something would go completely wrong, especially with so much tension in the Spirit World. He wanted her to stay so they could have a proper reunion, but she was meant to be in the Human World.

He watched her nose wrinkle and shoulders give a small sag of dejection. She was promptly making it harder to say no.

"Haku…" Chihiro started. "I've been through a lot since I left. It's not war or Yubaba, but it's my war and Yubaba. My problems in the Human World probably seem like a grain of sand compared to all you've been through, but it matters to me." She looked him in the eyes and something pricked his heart at the sight of the hurt and betrayal in her eyes. "Haku, I waited to the point I told myself to forget it all. You say I don't belong here, but God, I don't belong there either. I was put down there, I was told I don't belong. And to hear that from you…" She took a deep breath and blinked back tears that misted her eyes, her eyes becoming hard when they opened again. "It's the last thing I wanted."

Haku had to force himself not to react. He remembered those tears. They were the same tears of feeling lost to her belonging as she did the first time she came. She had just moved to her new home and she did not feel like she belonged, especially since she was spirited away shortly after. He did not know what she had gone through the last eleven years. He had let himself become consumed by his new roles and the restoration of his river. Time did not flow the same to gods. They lived for generations and time seemed to merge. While those years away felt long, they also went by quick, to the point he did not even realize that he had never regarded her after the promise. He never intended it to be that way, it just happened.

He did not want her to feel this way anymore. As her friend, Haku felt compelled to protect her and make all those feelings disappear so she would feel a sense of belonging again. To hold her and tell everything would be fine. But he could not do that. He had waited too long and there was far too much risk, he was beginning to think there would never be a right time. He wanted her safe and away from harm, even if it cost him her trust in him. Yes, there would be repercussions in the Human World if the Spirit World did go to war at some point, but she would be safe there rather than here. But maybe… maybe he could compromise for both their sakes. Despite his better judgement, he seemed to recall an oath Yubaba had made to hire anyone that asked for employment at the Bathhouse. He could only assume he was now under the same oath.

He let out a sigh after a long pause. "Chihiro. I will apologize for my poor choice of words before, but I only say it because humans are truly incompatible with the Spirit World. You have almost disappeared twice, your friend almost disappearing as well." Chihiro looked to resist an eye roll and was about to protest when he held his hand up to let him talk. "However, your presence changed the Bathhouse last time and left an impression on many of the staff. And, against my better judgement, you are right about risk. No matter where you go there will always be some risk. Though I must say the stakes are a bit higher here." He could see the gears moving in her eyes. He continued. "Makoto needs to rest before he goes back with you and your friend back to the Human World, so, as a compromise, I will allow you to stay here for a week and then you and your friend must return to the Human World. While I am not comfortable with it, Makoto will rejoin you when the new moon returns, Yuuka can watch over you until then." Chihiro's eyes were lit as she lightly bounced on her heels like a child. "A week should be long enough to get the information you need and see Zeniba if you so desire."

Chihiro looked like she was holding herself back from exploding like a firework. Suddenly her arms flung around his neck, causing him to tense a bit. "Thank you Haku. I promise, I'll leave after a week." Her voice was excited, but he could slightly hear pain in her words. It was not what she wanted, but she seemed to settle for now. He had a feeling she would try to convince him to stay longer again, but he let her have her moment. The feeling of unease still unsettled him. He still had the Bathhouse to worry about, having Chihiro's immediate safety in the back of his head was not something he originally wanted to have on his list of priorities. Fortunately, he could trust Makoto with that task as well. He was suddenly grateful that he had learned the art of delegation.

A couple of voices brought him back to reality and Chihiro let go of his neck, somewhat embarrassed, looking to the source of the voices. Several yuna were gasping and squealing to themselves as they took in the scene before them. They were saying things along the lines of, "did you hear? Haku-San is letting her stay!" "Did you see the way she just hugged him? How could a human do such a thing!" Haku inwardly groaned, he would have to do something about the gossip train that ran through the Bathhouse.

Haku cleared his throat, dispelling the clusters of staff that had hidden themselves in the bath stalls and regaining the flustered Chihiro's attention. "Please be mindful and stay out of trouble."

"Haku, my friend, I don't think I've ever gone out searching for trouble. Trouble has always found me." She gave him a crooked smirk, not settling his worries in the least.

"That is what I am afraid of…" He replied, lowly.

Chihiro put up a serious expression. "I'm serious, Haku, I'll keep my promise." He felt a slight sting in her words. "I'll find my place though… at least I'll try." She smiled wistfully.

Haku smiled gently in reply. "I am here if you need anything, do not be afraid to ask for anything. Rin will help you and Rumi around with your jobs and your room. The jobs have not changed."

Chihiro saluted at the dragon and smiled. "Yes, boss." She chuckled and turned to leave. "I'll take my leave then. I have to go find Rumi and Rin, and pray that Yuuka and Makoto aren't fighting." She grimaced distastefully, and jogged off.

He watched her go down the hall before turning to his register where he had been taking inventory, praying that he had not just made a big mistake.


Chihiro's first matter of business would be to go find some more of her old friends. She'd already reunited with Kamaji, Rin and Haku. Zeniba would have to wait but for now she would take the mission of finding the witch's nephew, Boh.

Rumi tagged along with her as Chihiro gave her a mini tour of what she remembered of the Bathhouse. They went up the main elevator to get to the top floor where Yubaba's penthouse had been. That was where it got a little tricky, as Chihiro didn't quite know the way to Yubaba's office through the series of halls and doors, having been dragged by the collar of her shirt the last time she'd been there and climbing windows the time after that to get to the office. Oddly enough, Yuuka took over the tour and led them effortlessly through the maze of doors to the office, causing Chihiro to gape like a koi fish.

When they got to the office, it didn't look at all organized like it once was. Papers and supplies were strewn recklessly throughout the room, lamps and books scattered across the floor, scorch marks in different areas of the room. The décor that hung on the walls and the curtains were tattered and burned. At close inspection, Chihiro saw pieces of gold sprinkled around the room.

"This isn't right." She said, shaking her head. "This isn't like Yubaba."

"No kidding." Yuuka said, her purple eyes flitting around the room. "Her poor kid."

Chihiro let out a gasp. "Boh." She rushed over to the room Boh stayed in. Pillows and white feathers scattered the room, toys piled dejectedly in the corner. The lights were off and only the light from the doorway lit the room. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness as she looked around until she heard a barely audible sniffing sound coming from a pile of quivering pillows. "Boh?"

She approached the mound of pillows, carefully. "Boh? It's me, Sen." The name felt foreign on her lips, but she knew that was the name he knew her by. She moved several pillows out of the way. "Hey, it's all going to be okay." She moved the last pillow out of the way and met the face of Boh.

Boh wasn't as large as he had been eleven years ago, maybe he'd finally lost his baby fat. Instead of looking like an oversized toddler, he now looked like an oversized five-year-old. He still didn't have any hair from what Chihiro could see but he appeared to have shrunk in size since she saw him last.

Boh sniffed. "S-Sen?" He ran his hand under his nose.

"Hi Boh." She smiled gingerly. "It's been a while. How about you come out and we can play?"

Boh blinked and sniffled again before his eyes welled in tears and he came tumbling out of the pillows, tackling Chihiro into a bear hug on the floor. The hug was a bit weird because he was the same height as her five-foot three body, but he looked five… How that made logical sense, she wasn't sure. Dinosaur tears, because crocodile tears wouldn't suffice, rolled down Boh's face, his eyes puffy and red from crying. He had lost a lot of his baby fat, Chihiro assumed that maybe it was because he was no longer just restricted to his room and he was growing into his body, so he looked a bit slimmer, he was still a little chubby, but not as much as before. He wore a pale red plaid jinbei outfit with the kanji Boh written on the back in white, like his old bib read.

"It's okay, Boh. Sssh." Chihiro cooed, trying to calm the child with gentle words, but under the surface, she was mad. No, livid. Yubaba had abandoned her child in her fit of rage and madness. She didn't want to think about what Boh had been through the last several months, watching his mother go mad.

Chihiro's cold brown eyes met Rumi's mahogany eyes and a silent conversation passed between the two. They were not going to let Yubaba get away with this. She could tell that Rumi wasn't happy about the situation either, even though she hardly knew the child. Despite her usual demeanor, she had a heart for children and recent events left her empathetic.

"Boh-Kun…" Rumi said, gently as she scooted towards the two on the floor.

Chihiro gently patted Boh's arm for his attention. "Hey. Boh, there's someone I want you to meet." Boh shook his head, eyes shut tight. "C'mon, she's really nice. I think you'll like her."

The boy hesitated and pushed away from Chihiro, sniffling as he did, tears still falling down his cheeks. He observed Rumi warily, as if gauging how much he could trust her. Was she a germ for his life? Was she a friend like Chihiro? Or would she abandon him like his mother?

"Hello Boh-Kun." Rumi said. "I'm Rumi. I'm a very close friend of Chihiro's, she's told me a lot about you." Her voice and smile were so soothing, it even thawed some of Chihiro's pent up bitterness.

Boh blinked and rubbing tears out of his eyes with balled fists. "Sh-sh-she did?"

She let out a soft goodhearted chuckle. "Of course. She told me all about her adventure here and how you were so very helpful." Boh blushed despite his already reddened face. "She told me that you were very kind and that she always wanted to come and see you again and introduce me."

The boy glanced to Chihiro, his eyes asking with bewilderment, 'Really?'

Chihiro nodded. "I missed you, Boh. I never forgot you when I left." She reached up and pinched his cheek. "How could I forget such a handsome face?" Boh giggled in response.

She wasn't lying. She never truly forgot any of them. They were all precious to her and she never wanted to push them away. But situations forced her to build a pillow castle high around herself to protect her from the words of the world. That included shrouding her memories in lies and piling the pillow fort higher to keep them at bay.

"I hope we can be friends as well, Boh-Kun?" Rumi asked.

"Friends…" Boh breathed, considering the word. He finally asked cautiously, "will you play with me?"

The girls smiled and giggled. "Of course." Rumi replied.

The rest of the afternoon was spent entertaining the large child with games, toys and stories of their recent adventures in the Human World and Spirit World. Boh seemed to like it more when Rumi told the stories, his eyes shining when she made broad gestures and changed voices while she recounted stories, leaving the Ogino slightly appalled. Chihiro wondered why her friend was trying to convince her to write and not just do it herself. Now that she thought about, why didn't she pick a major that allowed her to work with children, she was obviously good with them? But Rumi had chosen literature and language, always claiming she wasn't cut out for children.

The girls played with Boh until he grew tired and they would have to start getting ready for work. Chihiro promised Boh that she would take him with them when they went to visit Zeniba, and that maybe he could stay there until his mother returned. He seemed to like the idea, but he was still unhappy about the whole issue. The girls tucked him in for nap and reassured him they'd be back later.

As Chihiro closed the door after she switched the light to night mode, she turned to Rumi and grimaced. "I think we have some talking to do before work."


A/N: Hello. We welcome Boh and a compromise! And there's a war brewing in the north? What is causing so much worry in Haku? ... oh you think I know? Sorry I'm just the writer... wait...

Alternate text to when Chihiro told him about not belonging:

She took a deep breath and blinked back tears that misted her eyes. "It's the last thing I wanted."

Haku inwardly groaned. She just HAD to pull the tears trick. Now he would never be able to convince her to leave! Heck, he would not be able to convince HIMSELF to get her to leave! He took a deep breath to keep it together, so he could deliver the news of her stay as professionally as possible.

Legit wanted to type that and had to put it SOMEWHERE to get it out of my system. XD

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review! And for those that do review, I thank you a bunches!

Thank you for the reviews from: Amidstsnow, Firetail Finch, Prismae, RSBCS, Sofrick16, Spirited-PKMN Ranger, Luin-fanel, Rosettaxfantasy and Picklesisadeadcat!

God bless! KawaChou

Oh! A reminder to check my profile to see the character designs for Runi/Yuuka, Makoto and Ame! Ok.. I'm done!