I'm a devil in disguise… hehe

why is it that I seem to be all preppy when I'm writing? No offence to any preps out there! Anyway…

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Lin sat in the waiting room nervously with the driver. Her face had paled over after hearing about Chihiro's condition.

"I'm Naoki, by the way," he greeted Lin, holding a hand out to her.

She remained staring at the doors Chihiro had been taken through, not noticing Naoki's gesture.

He waited a little longer. "… and you are…?" he finally said.

"huh?" a confused Lin replied. "oh, Lin. I'm Lin. Sorry, I'm just a little worried."

He took his hand away and looked at her a moment longer, wondering. "you're not from around here are you?" he asked. "where are you from?"

Lin hesitated slightly. The Spirit World! The hell of a lot that'll do. Out of town! No, never works. "it's not local, you wouldn't know it." She turned to face him. She'd only just realized how good looking he was; nice toned body, dark eyes, dark hair. Nah! She thought.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Haku fell to his knees, thinking of his beloved. Emotional pain took over as a tear fought it's way out. How could this happen? First she gets assaulted by Katsu, now she is being rushed to a hospital? Why her? (A/N: coz that's how the author wants it!)

Haku now had to make a choice; forget revenge and get rid of Katsu, or have revenge and risk never seeing Chihiro ever again.

"life's tough," Katsu snickered. " I guess you'll just have to deal with it, won't you?"

Haku's head raised up at him coldly. The hate glistened in his eyes, glazing over the tiniest bits of happiness he had ever had in his life. And, boy, if looks could kill!

He started. "I will." Haku stood up straight.

Katsu waited, puzzled. Haku raised his right palm to him. "tu est servus…"

Katsu began to yell. "what are you doing? stop it. Stop it this instant!"

But he didn't dare stop, so Katsu swung a fist in his direction. Haku evaporated and returned as Katsu ran through. He turned to face him. "ego sum liberavit…!" his lips twisted into a wry grin as his hand lowered.

"what are you smiling at?!" Katsu demanded.

Haku's smile grew more. Katsu glared at him a little longer before looking down at himself. His legs were slowly disappearing out of sight, being banished from Haku's mind. He held his hands up in view, but there was no view… they were vanishing before his very eyes. They were so full of fear and worry it almost made Haku feel sorry for the rat. "no…" he breathed. "this can't be…!"

"oh, but it is… you killed my childhood, I kill you." Haku crossed his arms, laughing.

With what he could, Katsu managed what he hoped were not to be the last thing he ever says. "mark my words, Haku," he gasped. "I will be back. And I will have my vengeance!"

So I did get my revenge, after all. He can't live without another's body and soul to feed upon! And it would be difficult for him to weasel himself into someone else. Of course! He had managed to get into my father and only got into me because we're family!

The last of Katsu had disintegrated into oblivion. Haku was left alone again. But he did not want to awaken yet, there was something he had to see first…

Isamu ran staggering towards the Kohaku River clutching his son to his chest tightly. He got there and set the infant down to sit on a small rock by the water.

"father, where are we?" the boy asked, lost in a mist of confusion. "I want to go home!" said the cutest little voice ever.

"son, listen to me," his father began, grunting as sweat beads dripping for his head. "I have to leave you here. You cannot follow me, you cannot go in search of me." He grabbed him gently by the shoulders. "do you understand?"

"why? Why do you have to go? Why do you have to leave me?" he tried his best no to cry but his voice quivered. "I love you, father!"

Isamu snatched his boy into a hug, holding back emotion. Suddenly, a huge prang of pain shot through out his body, causing him to throw himself back, holding his chest in agony. "Son," he managed. "I want you to change your name, find a new home…" he held a gasp of distress. "and I want you to say goodbye to me-"

"no!" the boy screamed.

"just do it, damn you!" he shouted, feeling guilty about frightening his son. He sighed. "I just don't want you to get hurt…"

tears streamed down the child's cheeks. "I don't want to say goodbye. Then I'll never see you again!" he sobbed into his father's shoulder. "just like I never saw mother again!"

Isamu held his child at arms length, staring at him firmly. "son, you know I would never leave you if I had the choice, but I don't. I must leave to protect you…"

"will you come back for me?"

he hesitated. "I... I'll do my best…" he assured, knowing how much his lie would hurt his son as he grew. But it is better to tell a lie that can set a smile, than to shatter dreams with the truth.

"promise?" the boy said, hopefully.

"promise." They ended with an embrace.

"don't worry, father," the child began. "I can take care of myself!"

how sweet, came a mocking voice from Isamu's head which was not his own. Isamu fell to the floor, his head locked in his arms screaming…

Haku fought the tears that had burned to come out fro the past fourteen long years. He decided he would not torture himself any longer with his memories and awakened…

Kamajii and Zeniba watched and waited for the sleeping Haku. His emerald eyes fluttered open, searching around him.

"Haku!" the two oldies exclaimed rushing toward him.

Haku rubbed his head, grunting. "where's Chihiro?" he rasped. "is she alright?"

"she'll be fine, Lin has taken her to a human hospital-"

"NO!" he yelled, rising to his feet and rushing out.

Kamajii and Zeniba called after him but Haku would not listen. he just ran… well, flew after he'd gathered enough speed but you get the picture. He had to see his loved one, he had to make sure she was alright…

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yes, I know… we still don't know what's wrong with Chihiro but that I promise will be in the next chapter.

Hurry, small people, I need to know: typical happy ending (which will make this story a few chapters longer or an exciting sad ending (which comes with a really good sequel and I'm itching to write!!)

Please say you want the sad ending! (partly because I haven't thought up a happy ending you… c'est la vie! – which is French for 'oh well!'

Read and review please… I'm almost done with this story!