The ornate door swung open just seconds later, and Chihiro found herself looking into those familiar green eyes. Both drew back for a moment, disbelieving, and Haku looked at Chihiro for a long time, as if he was bewildered by her presence.
"Haku?" Chihiro exclaimed. "Don't you know me?"
"Of course he knows you," a laughing Emeraude said, putting an arm around Chihiro. "Big brother, have you lost the power of speech?"
"Chihiro, I didn't want you to come," Haku said softly, and Emeraude tactfully drew away.
"I didn't mean it like that," he added hastily, seeing Chihiro's eyes widen in shock. "But you can't grow up between two worlds when growing up in your world is already hard enough."
"I can!" Chihiro insisted. "I have friends here, including you! I just want to stay for a little while. Just two more days, before I have to go to school on Monday."
Haku shook his head. "Shifting life between a world of spirits and a constantly changing human world—I don't want you to be confused and lost. Not until you've grown up."
"No!" Chihiro cried. She leapt forward and gave Haku a crushing hug. "I missed you. I've waited this long; I'm not turning back, now that I've found you. You're the best friend I ever had."
Haku smiled, but said gently:
"I know, but there are things in my"—he glanced at his sister—"In our world that can't be comprehended fully by humans, even you. I don't want you to start mixing up the two worlds, and end up dwelling on dreams and memories."
"Haku," Emeraude said sternly, standing next to Chihiro again, "she seems fine to me. Now, why don't you be polite and invite us into your house? I'm sure she's hungry, too."
Haku relented and led both girls into the house. Chihiro gasped at the sight that met her eyes. It was much larger than it appeared on the outside; so much, that it was obvious that magic had been used to achieve this effect.
The floor was tiled with mosaics of dizzying, intricate patterns; a large fountain splashed in the center, and , up above, the open rafters were entwined with glossy ivy and blue morning glory. There was no ceiling, no second story; the roof, which appeared to be made of glass, seemed almost invisible. One could look right up to the blue sky with its white clouds scudding over it.
Emeraude laughed at Chihiro's amazement in a friendly way and commanded her brother to lead them to the kitchen so that Chihiro could have something to eat. Emeraude called it 'the kitchen' in a humorous way. Chihiro wondered at this, but she soon got her answer—the 'kitchen' was a lush greenhouse. One could almost feel the plants growing.
There were rows of herbs and vegetables that were instantly recognizable to Chihiro, and there were even apple trees at the far end. In the middle, however, tall lattices were covered with beautiful vines whose leaves shone like silver, and what looked like small, golden stars hung thickly between the leaves.
"Go try the star berries, Chihiro," Haku encouraged her, smiling. He seemed much more relaxed now, like the Haku that Chihiro so fondly remembered.
Chihiro took his advice and plucked a few berries from the vines. They felt light and cool in her hands, but when she ate a berry for the first time, Chihiro thought that she'd never eaten anything so nice in her whole life. Even the finest fruit from the human world could not compare. It had a rich, sweet, flavor, and it tasted like chocolate and cherries and vanilla all mixed together. Emeraude laughed in a friendly way when she saw the wide-eyed look of delight on Chihiro's face.
"I thought you'd like it," Haku said. "Look around the garden and take whatever you might like—I'm sure you're hungry."
It certainly was an unusual luncheon. Chihiro had never had a meal consisting of only fruits and vegetables before, and had some misgivings. She did not voice these aloud, of course, but gave it a try. It turned out to be one of the best meals she'd ever had. Even the vegetables from her grandparents' organic farm had never tasted so fresh and delicious. Chihiro filled up on tomatoes, peppers, peas, green beans, grapes, apples, and of course, star berries.
"I've never had anything so wonderful," Chihiro said, smiling.
After the luncheon was over, Haku and Emeraude led Chihiro to a large flower garden behind the house. Chihiro wished that Haku would say more about why he hadn't thought it was a good idea for her to come back to the spirit world, but she didn't pressure him. Haku filled her in on happenings in the spirit world until they stepped out of the back door. Chihiro momentarily forgot what had been on her mind for so long.
A wide, grassy lawn spread before them. Rose bushes formed the borders, but they were not like the ordinary roses with which Chihiro was familiar. The blooms were lush and large, and they shimmered like pink water in the idle breeze. In the middle of the lawn was a long flower bed, with daisies the size of sunflowers standing up between golden poles, and beautiful, bright purple lilies crowding beneath them. Wildflowers in every color imaginable were scattered across the grass, and dragonflies that sparkled like jewels idly flew above the entire garden.
"It's amazing!" Chihiro said, awed, as the three walked the stone path that wrapped around the central flower bed.
When they came up to a stone bench at one end of the flower bed, Emeraude smiled and said to Chihiro and Haku:
"I'm going to leave you two alone for now. I need to return to my river—I'm sensing that the stink spirit may be trying to bathe in it without my permission." She rolled her eyes. "We have an entire bathhouse for that! Stupid, stinky spirit."
Emeraude shifted into her Pegasus form again and flew away on gently flitting wings. Chihiro watched her disappear over the mountains, and then turned to Haku, but he was looking away from her. It was an uncomfortable moment, for the silence seemed very loud, but at last Haku spoke.
"Sit down, Chihiro," he said gently. Chihiro obeyed, and Haku sat next to her.
"I never meant to hurt you, Chihiro," Haku said. "I have a limited understanding about humans, since I need to know some things when in my human form, but I don't understand everything. I didn't think you were strong enough, emotionally, to alternate between the human world and the spirit world. I know growing up as a human can be difficult, but when I saw you again, I remembered how strong you became when you were working in the bathhouse, and how helpful you were to me. I won't object if you want to stay here for a couple of days."
Haku grinned broadly at Chihiro before continuing. "Besides, Emeraude would not leave me in peace if I sent you back!"
Hi! I'm back! I promised I'd be back. :)
I will continue this fic, however it may not be updated often because my mom and I are moving across three states in March and there's a lot to do.
