Don't Look Back – Chapter 33
What We Cannot See
A Month Later
Chihiro's
Pregnancy – 7 months
Amaya's Pregnancy – 2 months
((A/N:
I keep track of these so you know, and so I remember and don't have
their children born in three months. XD))
((Basir's POV))
Haku has been a basket case, running around and making sure everything's ready for his child. The sad thing is that he has to wait another month or two, and he's all ready becoming as bad as Kentoku was when Lavanya was pregnant.
And that's saying something.
Kentoku would make sure that every little thing she wanted was given to her, no matter how outrages the request. Sadly… he'd do them. Chihiro was determined that she wasn't going to succumb to asking for pain relievers at the delivery, but Rin just laughed and told her she'd get them anyway.
Speaking of Rin, I haven't seen Kentoku so relaxed around anyone, not even Felix and me. I don't know what's going on between them, but it's not normal, that's for sure. But whatever it is, I hope it stays. I like to see him smiling; makes me feel like nothing's wrong.
But while Haku was pacing nervously, Felix felt the urge to train. So, whom does he drag along with him? Right: me.
Felix plucked my book from my hands with a grin. "Hey Basir…"
I rolled my eyes; I knew that tone. "What do you want?" I asked, trying to snatch my book back.
He pulled it away before my fingers could graze the pages, "Oh no you don't," he taunted, "You're going to come train with me!"
I groaned, trying to snatch my book back again. "Felix! Give me my book back all ready damn it!"
But my brother just laughed, "Oh I love to push your buttons. It's the best way to pass the time!" When I muttered some choice words under my breath, he laughed even harder. "You'll get your book back after you train with me."
"Whatever."
Swords clanged, and I spun around on my right foot to meet Felix's saber with another crash. We were managed to hold casual conversation while "training", and the conversation slowly began to irritate me.
"So… do you think I might get Eve to warm up to me?" Felix asked, aiming his sword to slash my chest.
I parried it easily and put him on the defensive. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I think I'm going to actually focusing on getting her."
"You speak of her as if she's a prize."
Felix grinned as we exchanged a few blows. "But she is! She's Kentoku's prize that he refuses to share!"
I frowned; what he said was true. "But even if you win his approval, you still have to win hers."
He snorted, "That'll be the easy part."
A little bubbled of anger began to form in my chest. "You can't just assume you can snap your fingers and get any woman you want!"
He laughed as he put me back on the defensive. "I know that! But I also know that she loves me."
With every word he said the ball of anger grew and grew, but it popped in a heartbeat when I heard 'me'. She couldn't love him… she just couldn't… the anger filled me, and I struck Felix's blade harder than necessary. The anger and pain raced through my veins, and I soon had my brother blocking for his life. In a matter of seconds, his saber was across the room and mine was at his throat.
Felix's eyes were wide, "Wow… you all right Basir? You just went all berserk on me."
I lowered my saber and sheathed it without looking up at him again. He would have seen my eyes burning. "Where's my book?"
"On the bench-"
If he was ready to say something else, I didn't hear it. I spun on my heel and strode over to the benches, picking it up. I sat myself down on the bench and began to read, my eyes boring a hole into the pages. My actions clearly told Felix that I was staying right where I was, and he left the practice room, utterly confused. Once I heard his footsteps fade away down the hall, I set my book down off to the side and buried my face in my hands.
What was wrong with me? Was it that Felix was being so cocky, or was it that Eve was his latest goal… again? I knew it was both of them, but mostly the latter. I didn't want him to have her; he didn't deserve her at all. I don't want him to hold her, flatter her, kiss her… I want to do that.
I let out something between a groan and a cry. The problem was still there. I wasn't Felix. I couldn't do anything. It was still there. I knew it wouldn't go away, but… I don't know. I guess I'd hoped it would just vanish over time. I kept on starring at the wood floor. I didn't want to… no, I refused to take a woman my brother liked. But I would rather die than see Eve happy in his arms. It'd kill me.
But what do I do?
Unfortunately and thankfully, someone interrupted my thoughts. "No one likes to see you depressed, especially me."
At first I thought it was Izumi, but then I realized that it couldn't be – she was dead. The female kneeled before me and placed her hands on my knees. I looked up a bit, peaking through my fingers to see whom it was. "Eve." I said softly, the name brightening my mood for an instant before it darkened. "What are you doing down here?"
"I would ask the same of you, but you've obviously been practicing." She said, waving her hand at my weapon and slightly damp shirt. I blushed in embarrassment, causing her to smile. "Well, if you're not exhausted… could you teach me?"
My brow furrowed as I dropped my hands in between my knees, my brain processing her request. "You want me to teach you how to use a weapon? Eve, you all ready know how to fight."
She waved her hand, "I want to learn how to use a real weapon." She replied.
"A… 'real weapon'… since when was a staff not a weapon?"
"I'm not saying it's a weapon – I just want to learn how to use a sword."
I laughed. "A sword? Ask your brother; I don't know how to use a sword like his."
"But-"
I laughed again, shaking my head. "I use a saber; that's different than a sword. The main difference is a saber has a curved blade, which forces you to hold and handle it differently."
She nodded slowly, "Good to know. But I still want to learn."
I smiled sadly, "Still as stubborn as ever I see."
"So, are you going to teach me?"
"If you wish."
Eve jumped up with a giggle of delight and I couldn't help but smile. It was a miracle how this woman could cheer me up in less than a minute. She seemed to hope to the center of the room while I followed at a more dignified pace. She smiled eagerly at me, and I drew my saber out of its sheath. I instantly discovered a problem: I had only one saber.
"Well, it looks like I'll be showing you how to do this differently than I had planned…"
((Kentoku's POV))
I hadn't spoken to Yubaba in a while, so I made a point to seek her out. As I expected, we talked about the war and Kallisto. But what surprised me was when she brought up Rin's name; I did something that caused her to further pursue the subject. Now if it was a smile or a nervous shift I do not know, but it was something.
We came upon the practice rooms when she demanded that I tell her what there was between Rin and I. Somehow I was saved, but I was surprised as to how…
"Well, it looks like I'll be showing you how to do this differently than I had planned…"
Yubaba and I looked at each other quizzically and I walked toward the open door to peer inside. My blue and violet eyes widened, and Yubaba soon joined me.
Basir stood behind Eve with his arms around her body to place his hands on top of hers, which held the hilt of his saber. He nudged her foot with one of his, moving it to the right position. She wore a huge grin on her face, but it was soon replaced with a look of concentration. He took a step, showing her a basic move. She was a second behind him and he continued to put her through the same steps.
When he was satisfied, he had her perform it by herself. She did a few and he shook his head.
"What?" She asked, lowering the saber.
He reached a hand out to poke Eve's stomach gently, "These muscles shouldn't be relaxed; you know that." When she blushed he stepped behind her and walked her through it once again.
I was in complete shock. Not only was Eve learning how to use a real weapon, it was a saber of all things!
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Yubaba asked me quietly, her voice excited.
I nodded, "I do! It's a saber!"
The witch looked at me like I had gone mad, "Are you blind? Look who's teaching her!" She hissed.
"I know its Basir," I replied, rolling my eyes, "I'm happy, not shocked. But I am shocked that it's a saber she's learning!"
"That's it! Great job!" Basir cried, clapping his hands. "Now for something else…"
"Huh?" Eve exclaimed; her shoulders slumped as she looked at him his disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"I'm very serious." He told her, taking his stance behind her, hands over hers on the saber hilt. Eve sighed and sagged a bit, causing her to lean back into Basir's chest. The air seemed to become electrically charged and they both tensed. I held my breath, praying that he'd take a chance. To my delight, he took the blade out of her hand and moved one arm to rest around her waist.
"Do you want to take a break?" He asked softly, his question barely reaching my own ears.
She turned to look up at him, their noses just a few inches apart. The faces flushed and Eve managed a smile through her embarrassment. "Sounds good," She replied, her voice only a hair louder than his had been.
Basir smiled down at her, but his smile faded as her eyes stayed locked on his. He blinked and leaned down a bit, and she began to rise up on her tip toes, tilting her head to the side as her eyes fluttered closed. A slow grin spread across my face and I could feel my excitement rushing through my veins. After all of this time, something was finally going to happen!
But something flashed through Basir's eyes at the last second, and he turned his head away with a nervous chuckle.
I felt myself deflate: I was going to kill him. You just DON'T come that close and do that. I force myself to calm down and watch and wait – maybe he'd make up for it…
Eve's eyes seemed to dim as she put her feet flat back on the ground, but she flashed him a small smile, even though he could see right through it. Basir seemed to frown, and I almost felt his pain – almost. He seemed to be genuinely confused, but about what I haven't the slightest idea. I mean, what was so confusing about kissing the girl you like?
Okay, well, she is my sister, but I don't mind if it's him… somehow I didn't think that was it. Maybe it was rejection? Oh, but that didn't look like rejection on Eve's part. Maybe he's…
"Afraid?" Yubaba suggested in a whisper.
I turned to look at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Maybe he's afraid of what kissing her will do to them? Or maybe it's Felix?" At my shocked face, she shook her head in disappointment. "Kentoku, surely you've seen that Felix is completely smitten by your sister? There's nothing that either she, you, or Basir can do about it – he just is."
"But I know that he likes her…" I muttered, looking at the couple in the room. Basir had led Eve back to a bench and they were currently making pleasant conversation as if the almost kiss on the floor had never taken place. I leaned my forehead against the cold wood. What was so confusing about this? When two people like each other, they normally confess and are happy. Then I couldn't help a sad smile come across my face.
We're not exactly normal.
I sighed, knowing that this was one of those things that I was going to have to watch and see how things fell… I hated that. But a few of my thoughts slipped out, "He doesn't like her… he's head over heels for her but he still won't do anything!"
Yubaba held back a full-blown laugh. "Do not accuse them of what they cannot see when you cannot even see it yourself." I watched her go back up the hall, her words imbedding themselves into my memory.
This was never going to be easy… but I knew that from the start. Women never were. I could see it, I could see that it would make me happy… but I just couldn't take that first step. Maybe it's the fear of doing something completely out of the norm, something new. Then again maybe I was just like Basir – afraid of what other people would think and what she would do if I said those three words. I sighed; the problem wasn't going to leave, nor did I want it to.
"Do not accuse them of what they cannot see when you cannot even see it yourself…"
((End POV))
Chihiro was sitting on the couch, her eyes scanning the pages of an old novel. Her legs were curled up beside her, her feet screaming from the extra weight of her child. Instead of her usual kimono, she wore a simple nightgown. It clung to her pregnant form, accenting her new but temporary figure. Her breasts were larger, as expected, and her stomach was a perfectly round hill on her abdomen. Her face shone with the prospect of motherhood and her hands were ever so gentle as she turned the pages without a sound.
Haku thought that there could never be a more beautiful sight than the one he saw now. He leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets with a smile upon he face as he watched her. Chihiro tucked a lock of her hair behind an ear and Haku smiled even wider. All this beauty and life was his. What male wouldn't have a bigger ego?
She looked up briefly and saw him, surprise coming across her young face. Haku's grin was replaced by a gentle smile. He stepped forward as he spoke, "Do you know what day it is?" He asked softly.
Her chocolate eyes became thoughtful. "No… I don't." She answered, "What is today?"
"They day you came here for the first time." He replied softly, taking the book out of her hands and helping her to her feet. "Do you remember?"
She smiled, squeezing his hand. "Of course I do."
Haku smiled back, walking her over to the window. "It's been eleven years you know."
She giggled, "I'll be 21 in a few weeks…"
"So you will." He replied, placing his hands on her round stomach. Chihiro smiled and rested back against him, ignoring her sore feet.
The couple watched the rain fall in sheets, filling the evaporating sea to its full capacity. Chihiro reached out to open the window, but Haku grabbed her hand gently and placed it where his hand had previously been. The occupant kicked, causing them both to laugh. She moved to place her hand atop of his other one and he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"You look beautiful… you know that right?" He murmured.
Chihiro rolled her eyes, "You tell me every now and then." She said sarcastically.
Haku chuckled, kissing her temple. "But it's true." He told her. A comfortable silence fell over them before he closed his eyes and began to hum. She was about to ask what it was, but before she could do so, his voice came through, singing just above a whisper.
Look
into my eyes, you will see
What you mean to me
Search your
heart, search your soul
When you find me there
You'll search
no more
She smiled at the familiar words, a sense of peace washing over her. She leaned back into him fully, and he shifted to accommodate the added weight. As Haku's soft, whispered song continued, Chihiro looked down at her stomach. It wouldn't be much longer now.
Don't
tell me it's not worth trying for
Can't tell me it's not
worth dying for
You know it's true, everything I do
I do it
for you
Look
into your heart
You will find there's nothing there to hide
Take
me as I am, take my life
I would give it all
I would sacrifice
Chihiro smiled sadly, knowing the truth of these words. She hoped that nothing would happen to fulfill these words, but nothing was certain now, not since the war started. She began to hum along with him as she felt one of his hand trace nonsense patterns on her belly. Her skin tingled wherever his fingers had gone, still tingling seconds later. She smiled when she saw him draw a heart on her belly, and laughed when their child kicked. He smiled at her happiness, continuing his whisper song.
Don't
tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it, there's
nothing I want more
You know it's true, everything I do
I do
it for you
There's
no love like you're love
And no other could give more
love
There's not where unless you're there
All the time,
all the way
Haku kissed her cheek, pausing long enough to take a quick breath. He was about to continue, but stopped halfway when she looked up at him. Tears were shinning in her eyes, a few slipping down her cheeks. Haku was nose used to her mood swings triggered b the hormones. He wiped them away and took one of her hands.
"Time for some sleep Chihiro." He said softly.
She sniffed, nodding her head as Haku helped her under the covers of their bed. "Are you coming soon?" She asked.
He smiled after he kissed her forehead. "I'm coming right now. Just let me get ready." She nodded and closed her eyes and he undressed, getting into something he could sleep in. Donning a pair of pants, he climbed into bed next to her. She snuggled into his bare chest and he hugged her close with a smile. Then he began again
Oh
you can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it,
there's nothing I want more
Yeah
I would fight for you
I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for
you
Yeah I'd die for you
You
know it's true…
Haku whispered, kissing her temple and
resting his head back on the pillow…
Everything I do
A
faint smile spread across Chihiro's lips as they moved:
I do
it for you
A/N: Just please... don't kill me. I know that this is a pretty crappy chapter for not updating in over than a month. I'm not going to give you any excuses and pleas to forgive me, because you shouldn't. I'm lazy, therefore I shouldn't get any "It's okay, this was a great chapter" in forgiveness. I really don't deserve it ya'll.
And this chapter if for all ya'll that wanted to see a bit more HakuxChihiro. Sorry, that's the best I can do when she's pregnant...
Well, the song isn't something new, but it's "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams.
mistress
of mist
Lillix
Vail
StrugglingArtist
Kataan
XxLil-AngelxX
Priestess
Kohana
annoying-little-girl
Dying of Reality
Princess of the
Wind
Mushrambolover
-LiddaL-MushRo0m-
White Dragon
01
Yuki9283
Sailor-Kagome
redfirerose
Punkin Pie
I love you all, and I really hope that I didn't loose some of you... I swear I'll try to be better about this!
-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-
P.S. I'll go back and edit these chapters for errors and grammar later... maybe when I'm done writing this...