Seventh crossing: Time of Partings
In the train, black, slightly transparent shaped were sitting, but Chidori could see them very clearly. She could see outlines and colours. Most were men in suit and wearing hats, dressed as people were not a few decades ago. She decided to sit down too, it was probably going to be a long journey. The little animals got off from her shoulders and to the window. No Face seemed a little lost and hesitating, looking around like a lost and whimpering little child. She had a motherly smile and told him to sit down beside her and behave himself, which he did. The little ones were jumping up and down. Of course it was their first time on a train, she could understand their excitement as they watched the scenery pass by at high speed. From time to time, the girl would have a look outside too, and then she would see sometimes lonely houses, sometimes small villages, like little islands. 'People' waiting either for the train to pass or for their relatives, 'people' boarding off. The day wore away, peach, pink and golden mixed with the darkening blue of the sky and sea, and the night slowly fell on the world. The little ones were asleep on her lap, she petted them absent-mindedly. But as her eyes gazed through the window, and during the whole journey, the only thing they would reflect was Haku.
Haku...
In Kamaji's room, Haku woke up, he was still a little sore, but alright. The old man was sleeping, sitting against his man-high wooden bed/seat. Chihiro was sleeping her head on her arms, leaning on the low table, her sister had ordered her to stay here for obvious safety reasons. Yubaba held Chidori responsible for the No Face incident so who knew what she would do if she was to see that girl's useless sister. But the one he wanted to see most wasn't there. Worry and fear gripped his heart as bits and pieces of memory came back to him. He went to Kamaji and shook him awake, a bit more roughly than intended, and called him. When it came to her, he could not stay calm.
"Oh, Haku, you're awake, what's wrong?"
"Where's Chou? What happened? Please, tell me." He could not hide the disquiet in his voice.
"Don't you remember anything?"
"Just little pieces, Chidori kept calling my name in the darkness. I followed her voice and woke up lying here." The boy had hung his head, he remembered her gentleness, in her calls, in the touch of her lips against his forehead, in her embrace, he remembered the need in her voice, she loved him and needed him as he loved her and needed her, and at this he would be filled with joy beyond all measure ; and he remembered the taste of blood in his mouth, her blood. He had hurt her, and he could not remember how much. He clenched his fists and teeth, an expression of pure pain passing over his delicate features. "Kamaji, Chidori, she's not hurt, she's alright, isn't she?" He asked suddenly looking up again. The old man studied him a little. To think that boy could care so much for someone... he had never seen him like this. Haku looked exactly the same as she did just a few hours before. Back then he could be kind but it was like his heart had been frozen solid, like he didn't really care about anything, would just do what he had to do without much consideration. And with her power, she had melted the ice and made him change so much in so little time. But now at least, his feelings for her were as clear at hers for him.
"Chidori? So her real name's Chidori. How nice, the power of love..."
"Kamaji?"
Higher up in the building while the 'baby' was helping itself with mountains of sweets, Yubaba was complaining about a certain girl.
"This gold hardly covers the damage. That fool, Chou! I thought she was the best but she just costs me a fortune!"
"But, Chou did save us, after all." The more frog-like tried to argue. The other agreed with him but the old sorceress wouldn't hear any of it.
"Silence! She started it all. And now she's run away. Even abandoned her own parents and sister! They must be fine fat pigs now, turn them into bacon or ham." The truth was, she, one of the greatest witches could not bear the thought of having been so humiliated and scared by a mere human girl, a child! And even now her threat was still like a white hot brand when she would remember her eyes and the frustration would be even greater. Don't harm my sister she'd said, but she didn't say anything about her parents... She must somehow get at her no matter what.
But then Haku entered, telling her to wait. So he was still alive.
"You still can't see you've lost something precious?" He asked.
"You've gotten pretty cheeky. Since when do you talk that way? Is is because of that girl?" Haku frowned ever so slightly. After a time, Yubaba examined her gold, there was a staring contest, then she frowned at her 'baby' and undid the spell. The one divided back into three and the three hoped and rolled away. Yubaba was horrified. The gold turned into mud and she was crestfallen. She ran to her baby's room and searched around frantically. The boy joined her, as composed as usual. She became furious, flames erupting from her mouth, she flew at Haku and stopped right before him, glaring at him and her grey hair wrapping around his torso and neck, ready to crush him or strangle him. But he was unfazed and when she ordered him to tell her where her baby was, he answered that he was at Zeniba's place. At this the fire died and smoke rose from her mouth. She understood, her cunning self coming back.
"So? What's your plan?" She smirked.
"I'll bring Boh back. But in exchange, return Chou and her family to the human world."
"And what becomes of you?! Let's say I tear you to pieces after sending them back!" The witch suggested spitefully. Haku looked as calm as ever, revealing absolutely nothing of his true emotions.
At length, the four finally arrived at Swamp Bottom and boarded off. They walked or flew down a relatively dry way. Then the fledgling was too tired to carry its heaven burden and the rat had to walk and carry it on its back.
"You can ride on my shoulder if you want." Chidori offered. But the rodent passed her by, its eyes closed and its head turned away. Surely it didn't want the girl to think it couldn't do anything by itself and always had to be carried around. Such pride, that was cute. The human smiled. Then all say noticed a light moving in the woods ahead them. They stopped and waited. What appeared was a lamppost, its highest part was bent, it had like a white gloved hand at its foot and it was jumping on its own. The fledgling carried back the mouse up the girl's shoulder. It was a long time ago that Chidori stopped to be surprised by everything little thing such as this. The lamppost stopped before them, everyone bowed slightly in greetings and left, the lamppost at the lead. Once at the gate, it jumped and hung itself on the crossbeam and retracted itself. Only its head was dangling above them now. The others walked on to the house, the human's resolve hardening with each step. The door opened.
"Come in."
Chidori took a deep breath and entered.
"Excuse us." She said, but No Face was still hesitating, it looked about, The young girl could tell he was nervous. The two females insisted, and as he entered Zeniba closed the door.
"So you all came." She commented.
"Uhm..." Chidori wanted to talk but the old women told her to sit down, she was going to make some tea. The young one wondered, was that woman really the same one who had threatened her back then? She now looked so compliant. Seeing her in such a good disposition, she didn't hesitate and went to her.
"Zeniba-san, Haku stole this from you, I brought it back." She said handing the seal.
"Do you know what this is?" The old one asked, taking the seal and showing it to the human.
"No, but I know it's very precious so I brought it back. Also, I must apologise for Haku. I'm very sorry." She bowed deeply.
"You felt fine while you held it?"
"Errr yeah." Chidori said, unsure of what Zeniba meant by that.
"What's this? The spell is gone."
"Ah! Sorry!" She bowed deeply again, "If it was that strange bug that was on the seal I stepped on it and squashed it."
"Squashed it?!" and the old sorceress burst out laughing. Chidori didn't hide her astonishment. "You know, my sister snuck that bug into the dragon so she could control her apprentice. Squashed it..." And she laughed again wholeheartedly. Then she made her and No Face sit down. But as the young girl talked about the spell under which those two on her should were, Zeniba replied that the spell was long broken, meaning they could return to their original form whenever they wanted, but they were content like this.
Then, while the two little ones were spinning the distaff, the three others were sitting at the table, sipping tea, eating cakes, and discussing. Zeniba explained that her sister and her had never gotten along, despite being two halved of a hole. Sorceress twins were just a recipe for trouble. The two came to take a few cakes for fuel before going back to spin the wheel.
"I'd like to help you dear, but there's nothing I can do. It's one of our rules here. You've got to take care of your parents, sister and that dragon boyfriend of yours on your own. But well, if it's you I'm sure you can do it."
"But can't you even give me a hint?" Strangely, Chidori didn't correct the boyfriend part, though it was not exactly like they were 'going out', "Zeniba-san, you must know something, right? Haku and I met, a long time ago, didn't we?" She looked right at the woman, her eyes searching for a confirmation, a reassurance she did not really need. She could feel it in her heart.
"Then it's easy. Nothing that happens is ever forgotten, even if you can't remember it. It's already this late, why don't you stay for the night?" The old sorceress said before asking the boys to give her a hand.
A long time later, the two were still spinning the wheel, No face was holding the thread, as she watched them, an idea rose from Chidori's instinct to her conscious mind, to protect Haku forever, even if she wasn't there, to always be with him no matter how far apart they were. After all, they were of different worlds. So as the three were knitting, No Face being unexpectedly good at it, she resolved herself to ask Zeniba.
"Zeniba-san, please let me do something too, I want to make something to protect Haku." She said, and peering into her steady shining blue eyes the witch knew her feelings. She smiled one of those kind and knowing smiles grandmothers have when they look upon the effects of love in their granddaughter. But she had something more than others humans, if her sent was not betraying her, one could almost mistake her for a heavenly being. She had their strength, power, and purity, she had their beauty and kindness of heart. The old one closed her eyes and sighed.
"Alright, would you give me some of your hair?" Everyone was surprised but Chidori accepted without a second thought, she trusted Zeniba. The sorceress cut the lustrous brown hair with a pair of silver scissors. Now it only reached down to the girl's mid back. That dragon boy had such incredible luck. "We'll make some nice bracelet with that, and... where are they?" She rummaged a little "Ah, here they are!" She found jade and malachite beads, prayer beads. "We'll make a nice protecting charm."
And the women interwove the strands and pearls with magic and love. But now she had to go back, she had done her best to keep her concern for her family and for the boy at bay but now she had to go.
"I understand, but wait just a little longer. Here, a gift from us, I made it from the thread they spun, it will protect you, just as what you did will protect him. Use it to tie your hair. It should grow back even more beautiful than before." Zeniba winked.
"It's so pretty, thank you." The girl replaced the old elastic hair band with the new one. It was of a lovely indigo. Then, the window shook.
"What good timing, we've got another guest, let him in." The old one said with a smile. Chidori did as instructed. And opening the door, she saw him, Haku. Her eyes widened, she cried his name and ran to him to hug his dragon face, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks, his love for him overflowing. He was completely healed. Zeniba came, still smiling, when she would see them, she could not help it, she was followed by No Face and the little ones. Haku bowed his head, apologizing.
"Haku, I no longer blame you for what you did. Just be sure you protect that girl."
"I don't really..." The human didn't finish. She was going to say that she did not need to be protected, but what was the point? That granny just would not listen, let alone believe her. The dragon nuzzled her neck lovingly.
"Come on boys, go back inside, you're too young for that. Here, I'll give you another piece of cake for the road." Zeniba ushered them back in to give the two some intimacy. The girl would leave soon. Chidori blushed and tried to stop them when she felt arms encircle her. She was surprised.
"Haku?"
He did not say anything, just hugged her tighter. He was so glad she was alright, his precious one, his little bird, his only treasure, his Chidori. She relaxed against him, no word was said to ruin the moment, so they could enjoy to the fullest the other's comforting embrace. They were alive, they were alright, they were together, that was all that mattered for now.
Then after a time, he pulled away and held her shoulders at arm length. As he gazed at her, taking in all her sweetness and loveliness, he remembered. Showing underneath her tee shirt, on her right shoulder, was the white strip of a bandage. He remembered the taste of her blood in his mouth. And seeing his pained expression, Chidori stroked his cheek. The boy looked back at her, into her smiling eyes, and the guilt went away. How much he loved her. His hand hovered over her shoulder and he healed her. She leant again against him and he gathered her in his arms. They could not let go, not just now, and they tightened their grip. And then they let go, they had to, and their fingers intertwined, they knocked on the door. Zeniba opened. The two females stared at each other for a time, when Chidori and hugged the old woman as tight as she could, thanking her profusely for everything she had done, she was going now. The witch hugged her back, she was sure she would manage. She sent the little ones back to the human, while No Face was to stay and help.
"Granny, my real name is Chidori." The young girl said, pulling away and stepping back toward Haku who instinctively wrapped his right arm around her waist.
"Chidori, such a nice name, take good care of it. Until you can fly away with your own wings, Haku will carry you. And even then, that guy is not likely to leave your side, if he does, I'll kill him, Right Haku?"
"I will NOT leave her."
Zeniba chuckled. "Now off you go." She said, gently pushing the couple back outside. The boy let go of her and turned again into a dragon. The mouse and fledging on her shoulder, the human sat on the dragon's long neck and took hold of its horns, and the dragon took to the air. Zeniba, the lamppost, Chidori and the mouse waved until they were out of sight.
As they were flying in the night got again this feeling of déjà vu. She had already ridden like that on him, a long, long time ago. And there was this impression of being underwater. A river. Chihiro screaming. The exhaustion. She remembered. Everything. Through the tears, the girl smiled and leant forward, almost lying down on him.
"Nee, Haku, you know? Once, a long time ago, my sister fell into a river. My parents had told me to watch over her but I didn't. Because of me, because I wasn't at her side, she nearly drowned. She nearly... died." She sobbed, and through her voice, he could hear all the guilt and fear she had kept bottled up until now. But then her tone changed. "I jumped after her. The current was strong but I could somehow take her back to the bank, I helped her up but then I was too tired and I was swept away. I thought I would die, that river was really strong, yet a few years later, it was drained to build things on top. But I remember, when I nearly died, you saved me. You carried me to swallow waters, saving my life. You were the god of this river, and your real name is Kohaku, the Kohaku River." She said softly.
The dragon's eyes widened, its scales loosened and fell with the clear ring of a thousand bells as the two were falling down through the clouds, Chidori on Haku's back. The wind tore them apart, she lost her grip on his shoulders and on his sleeve, but as she was sliding away, they grabbed each other's wrist. They reached out their other hand and their fingers intertwined again. Their clothes were flapping against them, the wind was whipping their limbs and blowing their hair, the two little ones were falling next to them. Haku was smiling, his eyes gleaming, such happiness from him. But it was strange. Even though she should be scared to death, she was not. Haku would never let her die.
"Chidori, thank you. You kept your promise, didn't you? I remember, my real name is Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi."
"Indeed, the name of a God." The young girl smiled.
"And I remember too, how you jumped into me as a child to save your sister, she had dropped her shoe."
"Yes, and then you were the one to save me... I'm so glad you remember, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi." And Chidori closed her eyes, the wind carrying her tears of joy back to the sky, the mouse trying to catch them. The boy pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes closed too, their hearts swelling with love. And then, before crashing into the sea, Haku used his powers and they flew back up above the clouds, the little ones taking back their place on the girl's shoulder.
When they arrived at the bath house, the sun was already high, Yubaba was pacing at the entrance with a dozen pigs behind her. The couple landed on the other side of the bridge, holding hands. The fledgling carried the mouse to the old owner before dropping it as it took back its huge baby form. Yubaba hugged him and fussed over him before noticing that he was standing all by himself.
"Yubaba-sama, you promised." Haku reminded her in a loud and strong voice. "Please return Chidori's family to the human world!" He demanded.
Promise? Chidori had never heard of that promise and she feared what Haku would have to suffer in exchange for that promise. And that made her remember, she still had to give him her gift. She held his hand tighter.
"Keh! Not so fast! This world has rules, you know." There were many "boos" from all the frogs and slugs who had gathered on the walls. "Shut up!" Yubaba scowled. They hid back behind the walls.
"Baba, you're being stingy, just stop it. Boh had such a good time." The baby said. The witch looked crestfallen.
"But, a rule's a rule, you see? Otherwise I can't break the spell." She stammered.
"If you make Chou cry, I will hate you, Baba."
"What's th..." The old lady looked as if she was going to cry. The human interrupted.
"Hey, granny? I'm coming now." She warned as she began to cross the bridge.
"Granny?" Right, she looked so much like the nice Zeniba, Chidori addressed her familiarly without thinking.
"Haku told me about the rule."
"You're still as gutsy as ever. I hope you're well prepared."
"Where's Chihiro?"
"If you pass the test I'll return your sister and your parents. Now see if you can guess which of them are your parents." Yubaba smirked. The human observed all the pigs. "You only get one guess. Get it right and you're all free." She explained. Everyone else watched the young girl anxiously, waiting for her answer.
"What does it mean, grand-ma, they're not here. Where are they? Where's my family?" Chidori said in a slightly demanding tone, frowning a little.
"Not here? That's your answer?" Yubaba asked with her threatening voice.
"Of course." There was not an ounce of doubt in her answer. The old woman's eyes widened, now almost as large as plates, her and her sister's contracts exploded, the pigs poofed back to frogs and slugs, the whole crowd of gods and workers erupted in cheers, congratulating the young human girl. She thanked them with all her heart.
"Go, you win, just get out of here!" Yubaba sounded and looked a little grumpy at having lost, much like a child, but that was all. She also had her own kindness. Chidori bowed respectfully, also thanking her, and quickly kissed her cheek before saying goodbye and going back to Haku's side, waving at everyone. The sorceress was going to scold her but changed her mind and smiled. That girl, she was really something, to think a "mere" human child would have touched her like this.
Haku took her hand again, and running, led her down the stairs and streets among the restaurants.
"Haku, what about my parents? And Chihiro?"
"They've gone on ahead." He explained. Then they stopped next to the frog statue. The blue sea had disappeared, replaced by the green sea of grass and flowers, with the woods and mountains ahead. The scenery was beautiful, yet it filled the couple with more sorrow than they could bear. "I can't go any further. Chidori, go back the way you came. But don't ever look back, not until you're out of the tunnel." He said, hoping he was not shaking, that his voice was not quivering, and desperately trying to hide the struggle that was tearing his heart. He wanted to be strong, to let her go, for her own sake. She did not belong here, and still how much he wanted her, to stay with her, he could barely keep it at bay, he didn't want to wait. And he was still tightly holding her hand.
"What about you, Haku?" The girl asked with concern.
"I'll speak with Yubaba, I'll quit my apprenticeship." The gentle breeze blew through his hair, he was smiling. "I'm fine now that I have my name back. I'll go back to my world too. And then, I'll come back to you. So wait for me."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Then I promise, I'll wait for you, always. And until we meet again..." From her pocket Chidori took out the bracelet and gave it to him. "A protective charm." She smiled to hide her tears as he was hiding his when he accepted it. She trusted him, they would meet again, but the pain... She had always thought that leaving this place was what she wanted the most, but looking into his eyes, she knew, she will do what is best, she will leave, no matter how crushing this parting was, because the one thing she wanted most was to remain forever with him.
"Now go, and don't look back." He smiled again, pushing her forward, her hand still in his. She turned and went down the steps, but as her hand slid away from his, his eyes widened before narrowing, he clenched his teeth. He could not let her go, not now, not like this, and for a second, his love was so overpowering, he suddenly grasped her hand again with force, turned the young girl around and pulled her against him into a fierce embrace. He kissed her. He needed her to know, with this deep, tender, desperate and passionate kiss, he needed her to know, all the extent of his love for her. And as their tongues met and intertwined, he was reassured. The kiss became more gentle, his left hand cupped her cheek, his right one still tightly wrapped around Chidori's waist. Haku slowly pulled away, stroking the girl's cheek, and without words he let her go and watched her retreating back as she went down the stairs and ran down the grassy hillocks. She did not look back.
Then Chidori heard familiar voices, her family was calling her. They were going back. She glanced at Chihiro, their gaze met for a few seconds. The parents were alright, they did not remember anything, but Chihiro did. And as the parents watched them, they noticed that something had changed, like they were more mature, they also felt that there was something between them, like a bond had been formed that could never be severed, like a secret only they could share. They looked closer than ever. Just what happened during these few minutes when they were away?
Chihiro ran to them. Chidori stopped after a step, she closed her eyes and clenched her fists, she breathed deeply, she had almost looked back. She wanted to see him again. Again, the little one was clinging to her mother's right arm, and again Chidori was lagging behind. She followed her family, slowly, she wanted to run, because she wanted to turn back, she wanted to go back, to him. And still she continued, forward, always forward, through the tunnel, to the other side, to the human world, her world. The vegetation had grown, branches and leaves had fallen on the car, which was all dusty inside, like they had been gone for months. Chidori looked back, imagining she could see beyond the black of the tunnel. Chihiro watched as her sister turned to look at the tunnel, her face the vivid image of longing. She thought she heard her whisper a "Goodbye." And she noticed something glittering purple in her hair, Chidori, where did she got this new elastic band?
The four drove back to civilisation. And with the memory of that kiss carved in their hearts, Chidori and Haku would suffer the almost unendurable pain of being away for the one they loved more than anyone else. Until they met again. Because they had promised. They had promised.
They had... promised...