Edge of The Ocean
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.
A/N: Well, here we go again! Here's chapter five!! In this chapter we finally get to see Haku! Enjoy!!
flower391169: Okay, okay I'll try lol
chronicleofcoincidence: Yay! Thank you for another review :) yes I thought having her work as a maid would be appropriate... after all, she had fond memories from working at a bathhouse when she was little :D
The river had not lied to Yubaba; Haku was indeed in Zeniba, Yubaba's sister's house. Haku sat at Zeniba's table, staring at his cup or tea without seeing it, his eyes swirling with unspoken emotions. Zeniba gave him a sympathetic look and pat his arm soothingly.
"You really should try not to dwell, Haku… it's not healthy…" She said softly. Haku lifted his head slowly, glanced at the kind witch and "Hmph'd" just as softly; leaning back on his chair and crossing his arms over his broad chest, once again staring off into the distance.
"I promised her Zeniba… It has been ten years… too long…" He said in a voice so quiet, so soft that Zeniba almost had to lean over to hear him. She could have sworn he had sighed forlornly as well.
"Well, you know you can't cross the spirit river into the human realm… not without the proper permission…" She reminded him, muttering the last part to herself. Haku nodded solemnly; he closed his eyes momentarily and then peered back into the kind eyes of the grandmother like woman. Zeniba had long ago forgiven Haku for doing Yubaba's dirty work and it was something Haku was greatly thankful for; she was after all a great ally and an excellent listener.
"Yes… I know… though, she's probably going to hate me and never forgive me if I ever do get a chance to see her again…" He said, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. Zeniba frowned thoughtfully; it was very unlike Haku to sulk… he had always been so… emotionless… then again, after he had been freed from Yubaba and had his name back he had been different. He smiled more and laughed more; though lately he had been getting more and more depressed as the years went by – at every failed attempt to get to the human world.
Yubaba studied the young man before her. Haku had changed a lot over the years – one could almost call him the epitome of male beauty; he had grown taller and his shoulders broader - though he still kept his nimble and agile structure – not that he had a need to buff up or anything but he was not by any means scrawny. Haku had let his silky, black hair grow, ending just above his waist and it now flowed like the river he was bonded to; he usually kept it tied so it would not get it in the way.
His face did not change too much; it did indeed mature, making his face angled and almost aristocratic, but he had anyway always possessed an older-than-he-was look so the difference was not huge unless you hadn't seen him in a long time; the little his face did change made him look refined and chiseled. He had definitely become much more handsome; the years had been very gracious to him.
Suddenly Haku straightened and looked out the window. "What is it child?" Zeniba asked, her brows furrowing in concern; it wasn't every day something caught Haku's attention so strongly.
"My river is calling me…" He said shortly and stood from his seat, heading over to the door. "Thank you for the tea." He said as he opened the door and stepped out. Zeniba smiled and nodded at him.
"Take care Haku." She told him as he morphed into his sleek and powerful dragon form. She watched him shoot off into the air in the direction of the Kohaku river and smiled, sensing something he did not in the air.
"She's back." She said to herself. No-Face walked over from the fireplace and tilted his head to the side in confusion.
"Ah?" He asked. Zeniba smiled and pat his "shoulder" affectionately. No-Face had stayed by "Granny's" side for a long, long time and had become quite good at sewing and making clothing.
"Yes No-Face – Chihiro is back." She said with a sparkle in her eyes. "This should brighten that dragon's day." She grinned. 'I wonder how the girl would react to seeing her dragon again? My, my… I wish I could be there to see the shock on their faces!' Zeniba thought and laughed to herself.
"Ah, Ah." No-Face agreed, knowing the love Haku still felt for the girl was as strong as ever and that he would be ecstatic to see her again.
Haku made his way swiftly to his river and dived right into it, receiving the message instantly. He shot up from the river and jerked his attention toward the great bathhouse in the distance. "Precious Human?? What in the spirit world is she talking about?" He asked himself with a frown.
The river had told him that Yubaba had found a woman floating on the river – Haku could tell his river was hiding something from him but was to concerned with the shocking news to pay it any heed.
He peered over at the distance; his dragon body was now much bigger and longer than it had been. The great river dragon seemed to radiate power as he coiled his long, reptilian body and propelled himself straight toward the bathhouse, parting clouds as he went.
Haku's thoughts whirled around in his head. Could this human be - Chihiro? This… this woman? Haku frowned thoughtfully. 'Could it? Could it be?' Haku sped up, feeling his heart speed up right along with him as the almost unfamiliar feeling of excitement surged through him once again. 'I wonder… what she looks like now…' He thought suddenly. He knew he cared for the girl more than anything but was he really in love with her? Or did he simply just love her?
He had sworn to himself that he would protect the girl with his life and he felt anger swell in him whenever she had been in danger or someone threatened her but he was yet to feel any other feelings besides the need to protect her. The dragon in him growled and spoke to him through his blood but he ignored it – he knew what it told him could be true but he refused to think of her in that way.
For now, Haku concentrated in reaching Yubaba and this… human woman his river spoke to him about. Even if she wasn't Chihiro, Haku simply could not allow Yubaba to just enslave every human who makes his or her way into the spirit realm.
Haku!
Haku stopped flying and back-peddled in surprise; jerking his head around looking for the source of the voice. He frowned at the familiarity of the voice; he could remember that sweet little voice anywhere but… how could it be?
She should be at least 20 years old by now… she should not still sound like a child… and why did he hear her all of a sudden? Was she here?! Was she in danger? And then he figured out that it was his conscience but still... he felt drawn... if this human woman was her, he would find her!
"I'm coming Chihiro!!" He said aloud and once again sprang into the air; his deep green eyes, like shining emeralds set directly on the bathhouse – the place he had not been to in years.
End A/N: He sounds good eh? :D Please tell me what you think so far!! Sorry it's short but I'm going to update soon, don't worry :) I think I'm writing myself into a box though so if you don't get another chapter soon just drop a review to encourage me!! It only means I'm having a hard time getting inspired...