Don't Look Back – Chapter 12

Calm of the River, Disturbance Of The Heart

Chihiro went to sleep after I laid her down on her bed. I sat in a chair and read a book, but like my thoughts were focused. The river… it liked her sure enough, but it didn't swallow her. That's mind boggling to the end. How, and why? My river like people, and has a tendency to… pull them in. Maybe my river didn't like her that much, or perhaps it didn't pull her in because it liked her too much?

At first I wouldn't have minded if she had gone in my river alone. If it means that I would feel that calm again, she could go swimming. I loved it… I was truly calm and at peace. You never get to feel like that anymore, not with the Druids back. But if I felt calm, what did she feel? Did she feel my emotions through the river? If she did, then no doubt she felt the love. That's… something I want to personally tell her, not the river. It's my job to tell her, and not some water's.

My thoughts were disrupted when Chihiro moved on the bed. I set my book aside and looked at her. She turned over and blinked. "Haku?"

"I'm right here Chihiro. Always." I said softly, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"So… I guess this means I'm not going into your river anymore?"

I smiled. As much as I wanted her back in there, I was concerned for her safety. She must have seen something in my eyes, for her face fell. "Maybe… but only if I'm in there with you at all times." I said hurriedly, hoping that would be the perfect remedy.

It was, and her face lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah… but why do you want to go back there so soon? You just got attacked…"

"I know. Haku, do you know what that creature was?"

I shook my head. "A variety of spirits and creatures take refugee in my river, but I've never seen that one before. I would have noticed if someone new came along, seeing as they have to ask my permission to live here."

"But can I go back in really quick?"

"Why?"

Chihiro looked away from me at the wall. "I… I just want to double check something."

I was suspicious, but I didn't say anything. I helped her off the bed, and led her outside to the banks of the Kohaku River.

((Chihiro's POV))

I had to know. I felt something odd and new when I stepped into his river. I had to know what it was, and it won't leave me alone. My hand slipped from Haku's as I stepped into the river.

There it was again. Like a gentle flame, it was warming my soul and me. What is this? I knew what Haku is feeling, because I'm feeling it too. It's amazing, being this calm. But something seems to be nagging at me… is Haku hiding something?

As if on cue, he slipped into the river next to me. Then I identified that unknown sensation that had been puzzling me to know end. Protection. I felt safe, safer than I've ever felt. I've never even felt this safe in my house when I was young. But, then I discovered that something else was hidden in the river's watery depths. I tried to figure out what it was, but Haku disrupted my concentration. He came up behind me, and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Want to go for a swim?" He asked softly.

I turned to look at him eagerly, "Really?"

In answer to my question, he transformed into his dragon, but he looked a little different than what he usually did. His mane seemed darker in the river, and his white scales seemed to pulse and ripple… just like the water. He looked at me with those deep emerald eyes of his, and my heart flipped. I climbed on his back, and remember when I had first swam in his river, well, fallen in really. I was startled to hear a voice in my head.

"It's all right Chihiro, it's just me."

"You… you can talk to me like this?"

"Only when I'm in my river sadly. Now, I need to you remember something. You can only breathe while you are holding on to my horns, so don't let go no matter how tempting it seems."

I nodded. "I got it, don't let go. As if I would want to anyway…"

He chuckled as we slipped under the surface.

((Haku's POV))

I showed her the full extent of my river, and I could feel that she was impressed and amazed. I felt like a love sick being showing off for his love. To tell you the truth, it didn't bother me much. When we surfaced, Chihiro gasped for air, her lungs relearning how to breathe. I waited patiently for her to climb off before transforming back into my human form. I smiled down at her, "Have fun?"

She beamed up at me. "Yeah!" she said brightly. I could tell something was nagging at her, but I didn't decide to dwell on it. She fidgeted around for a minute, and I was about to ask if something was wrong before she stood up on her toes, and gave me a swift kiss on my cheek. She turned red, and dashed back inside the house. I slowly raised my hand to the cheek she had kissed, and smiled. Sure, it wasn't what we shared on the bridge before she was taken away, but it was better than nothing. I looked at the house that she had rushed into for shelter, and for the first time, I felt like I was truly home. I walked back inside to make lunch for the both of us.

After lunch, I took her on a walk to… talk about things. I knew that Amaya's men had hurt her, and I can tell that it's eating away at her soul. I brought it up and she seemed to not want to talk about it, which makes sense. But, after a few minutes, she stopped walking. I stopped and leaned down to look at her face. I gave a slight start when I saw tears rolling down her face.

"Chihiro…" I whispered, holding her close. She broke then, and told me everything in a teary rush. I didn't understand half of it, but I didn't care. I just held her close and let her cry on my shoulder, rubbing her back and playing with her hair. I tried everything I could think of to get her to stop the heart wrenching sobs she was letting out, and somehow it worked.

"I'm-"

"Don't be sorry." I whispered. "It's all right."

((Chihiro's POV))

Haku walked me back to the house, and said that he needed to check up on his river. I nodded, and entered his vast library and submerged myself in the world of books. I felt so stupid for breaking down in front of Haku, but I feel better, I really do. Now, if I had done that in front of Rin or Kasumi, I would be downright humiliated.

Hours flew by, and I jerked my head up when I heard movement in the library. My thoughts flew to the creature that attacked me earlier that day, and I jumped up. My book slipped from my grasp, and I didn't even bother to pick it up.

"Who's there?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Chihiro, it's just me." Haku said, looking at me oddly. "I was looking for you but I couldn't find you anywhere… is something wrong?"

I shook my head hurriedly. "Oh no, you startled me, that's all."

He continued to look at me. I could tell that he knew I was lying, but he didn't press me for the truth. "Well, dinner's ready."

Dinner was a nice and peaceful affair, and we talked and laughed the entire way through. But afterwards was the best time of my life… except I ruined it.

Haku pulled me outside, and we sat down on the banks of the river, watching the water roar by peacefully. I noticed he was nervous, and with a smile, I stuck my foot into the river. He let out a long breath.

"Unfair." He said to me just above a whisper.

I just smiled.

Haku looked at the ceiling of the cavern, and took another deep breath. "Do you want to know why the real reason I didn't want you in my river was?"

"There was another reason?"

"Yes… you see, the river is a part of me, so my strongest emotions are hidden in the water, right? When you said you wanted to go in, I was afraid that you would feel them and be able to tell what they were before I was ready to explain."

"What… what didn't you want me to find out?"

Haku moved his gaze from the cavern ceiling to look at me with his emerald eyes. "I… I love you."

My eyes widened to the size of saucers. How badly I had wanted to hear that from someone, and Haku… but even though I wanted to scream and throw myself at him, I couldn't do it. I was frozen on the spot. I was happy, but I was in too much shock. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move.

When I saw his face fall, I knew then that whatever I would say now would change nothing. I reached out a hand to grab his, but he stood up. I watched him walk inside the house without a word to me. I hung my head, tears rolling down my face.

My father always teased that I would be a heart breaker.

He was right. I am.

I slipped inside, and went to bed. I wanted to talk to him, but I knew he wouldn't listen, or it wouldn't help my current situation any. So, I dressed for bed in silence, and climbed into bed. Now everything about this house seemed cold, even my bed. I shut my eyes, and sleep overcame me.

I was running, but from what I couldn't see. I just knew that I had to keep running. Then, whoever was chasing me caught up with me, and threw me down. I heard Kallisto's cackling laugh, and my world went black.

I woke up to find myself in some unknown room. But judging by the weapons that lined the walls, and the heap of a body in the middle, I assumed it was a torture room. I shuddered, 'Why am I here?' I thought. Then, I noticed people dressed in black come into the room, and chain the man to a post. Then I realized who it was.

Haku.

My heart broke, and I screamed as loud as I could, but nothing worked. Every strike from the whip that rained down on his back, I let out a tear. Then, someone spoke.

"Where is she?"

Haku glared up. "I'm not saying a word. No matter what you do to me, you won't hear what you want."

My vision faded to black, but I heard a body hit the floor.

"We know where you and your lover are, little girl. We will not rest until both of you are kneeling at our feet. Any resistance that you show little one will result in his death!" Kallisto whispered in my ear…

I awoke with a jolt, fear running through my veins. I scrambled out of bed, and ran outside toward Haku's room. Even if he didn't want to talk to me, he was going to face me. I needed to see him, and prove my dream wrong.

((Haku's POV))

I had resolved to do nothing about today. I would act a little distant; things can't just go back to normal immediately. I looked up from my book when I heard I thud outside of my room. I set it down, and poked my head outside.

"Chihiro!" I cried, coming to kneel beside her. "What's wrong?"

She jerked her head up and looked at me, relief etched into her face. With a sob, she threw herself at me and cried. I stiffened; completely unaware of what was wrong. But, when I heard her sobs, and felt her shaking against my chest… I couldn't ignore it. I sat down on the floor, and pulled in her into my lap.

"Chihiro… what is it?"

"They… they had you…"

"Who had me?"

"Kallisto… she had you, she was torturing you…" she gasped out, and I froze. I've had that dream before I think. I had it last night, but I saw them torturing her. 'Someone is trying to get to us,' I thought to myself, 'but it won't work.'

"It's all right Chihiro, I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you." I whispered. Slowly her sobs subsided.

"Please… Haku, I don't want to be alone."

"And you won't." I said, standing up. I led her into my room and put her into the bed. "Sleep Chihiro." I said softly. She nodded and closed her eyes as I went back to my book.

But I couldn't read. I set it down, turned off the lamp, and crawled into bed next to her. She unconsciously turned over and buried her head in my shoulder. My heart was hurting, but she needed support, and I gave it to her. I pulled her close, and soon I was asleep.

A/N: Yes! Next chapter coming! Plot starts picking up next chapter, so thanks for putting up with this one. Sorry if it's boring, I don't like it myself much either.

Thanks to the following people...

Priestess Kohana
steffy potter
StrugglingArtist
AnimeFreakKatie
Mushrambolover
Wings of Tears
Addicted to Magna
Giddyupgal
angelofblades543 ((According to the plan, your character shows up in the chapter after the next one I think. I never stick to my plans...))
Tailz the Great
wintersnowfall
Violet Hikari
annoying-little-girl

Thanks for reviewing you guys, and keep doing so! I love feedback!

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-

Disclaimer: Nothing... oh well.