Edge of The Ocean
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.
A/N: Like Oh Em Gee! I got a new computer!! Here's a celebratory update!! :P Even though I'm not getting enough reviews... -glares- I'll try to see past that lol
corbinbleulover1015: Was? I ain't done yet!! But thank you anyway!
Zeniba placed her tea cup down and smiled to herself when the wind suddenly picked up. "Come in Haku." She said and gave the door a look, forcing it to swing wide open. Haku stood there with a hazy look. Zeniba hid a knowing smile. "Why what's the matter Haku?" She asked with mild concern.
"She's back…" Was all the river spirit said; what puzzled Zeniba was the he said it in a sort of wistful way.
"And who might you be speaking of?" She asked sagely as he walked in. Zeniba sat him down and brought him his own cup of tea. Haku gave the warm-hearted witch a tolerant look.
"You know very well who." He answered in his usual calm and collected manner. Zeniba smiled and leaned back in her chair, taking a long drink of her tea, letting Haku simmer in silence as she took her time. When she finished there was a tiny crack in Haku's stone like expression.
"Yes, I know who, but do you?" She asked, giving him a look. Haku frowned and went to speak but Zeniba held a hand up, literally halting his speech. "I know you think you know but… you know who she was, not who she now is… but I can see something is troubling you, what's wrong?" She asked.
Zeniba withdrew her silence charm and let him speak. Haku frowned again, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that again." He said in a strained tone, keeping his temper in check. Zeniba knew that Haku had grown far more powerful than she or her sister but she also knew Haku would never retaliate and snap at her if she played around with him the way she did.
With an amused look Zeniba motioned him to continue. Haku bristled but carried on without letting his frustration get the better of him. "I realize she is not who she used to be; neither of us are children anymore…" He trailed off. Zeniba laughed as she studied him.
Haku was seated with both his hands on the table, nursing his cup of tea and shifting uncomfortably in the seat now and again. "You're blushing! What on earth happened?" Zeniba asked curiously; grinning like she was in her teens again. Haku stiffened slightly, his back straightening.
"I am not blushing." He stated almost defiantly. Zeniba grinned wider, showing the rows of her teeth. She laughed as she answered him, amused that he would deny what he knew she knew.
"Oh but you are! I can sense the blood rushing to your cheeks; you can't hide it from me my young dragon." She said. Haku scoffed and crossed his arms, leaning back against his seat. "Now, tell me what troubles you." Zeniba asked; settling down once more.
Haku sighed and began telling her what had transpired that day, ending with the so-called "innocent" kiss. Zeniba blinked and glanced at No-Face who had a knowing expression, if that were possible. "What should I do? I am unused to dealing with this sort of thing…" Haku expressed almost miserably, also not used to asking for help.
Zeniba laughed softly once more and pat his arm reassuringly. "How do you feel about her?" She asked. Haku frowned thoughtfully. Zeniba went on without waiting for a response. "Pursue her; make her recognize that you are no longer a child as well and that you feel the same way." She advised, finishing her tea.
Haku sighed and leaned back against his seat. "I wish I could but… I can't…" He said. Zeniba went to question him but Haku went on before she could speak. "That would lead to things neither of us can afford… it would not be fair to her… she is a mortal and I am not." He explained.
Zeniba raised an eyebrow and leaned forward with a mysterious smile. "You are more than you think. You are no ordinary dragon you know…" She said. When Haku opened his mouth to ask when she meant it suddenly dawned on him. Zeniba smiled satisfied and at his arm affectionately again. "Now go… Show her how you feel." She instructed. Even though Haku was unsure of the extent of his abilities he knew his "species" of river spirit dragons were gifted. He grinned and took off.
"Just don't be so forward or indecent!!" Zeniba called out and sighed. "I hope he doesn't do anything too stupid…" She said and poured herself yet another cup of tea.
"Ah…" No-Face agreed. Back at the bathhouse Lin eyed her young friend with growing concern.
"Chihiro, what's wrong?" You're acting very unlike yourself." She said worriedly. Chihiro stopped scrubbing and glanced at Lin, then around herself with apprehension.
"I'm not sure… at first I thought I was just anxious about seeing Haku after the uh… incident… but now… I don't know. I feel like I'm being watched…" She explained. Lin stopped her own work and turned to her, giving Chihiro her full attention. Chihiro went on. "It's not all the time but it's like someone, somewhere is spying on me somehow…"
Chihiro paused and wrung her hands nervously. "Should we inform Yubaba? She has been known to be stealthy… she could keep an eye out for anything suspicious." Lin suggested. Chihiro thought for a moment and then shook her head.
"Wouldn't she had sensed if there really was an intruder or something here already?" She asked. Lin frowned thoughtfully and nodded, setting her sponge down for a moment.
"I guess you're right…" Suddenly Lin's eyes widened. "Oh! It could be a malevolent spirit spying on your thoughts for a chance to strike you when you're at your weakest!" She said. Chihiro raised a skeptical eyebrow but Lin continued. "See, most of the spirit can't stand humans and would try anything to harm them… or just get rid of them; most would not know you're here though unless they were powerful… I'm not sure about Yubaba but I know Haku would be able to place a spell over you so whoever it is who is watching you would not be able to anymore… the question is, where is he?" Lin finished.
Chihiro thought for a moment. "Maybe he's at his river or… oh I know! What about Granny's house?" Chihiro suggested. Link blinked in confusion.
"…Who?" She asked, not knowing Chihiro began referring Yubaba's sister as "granny".
"Zeniba! Yubaba's sister; do you think Yubaba would let me go if she was made aware of the situation?" asked Chihiro. Lin thought for a moment then grinned.
"Well, I'm not sure about that but if Boh knew you were in danger I'm sure he could convince his mother…" She said. Chihiro grinned back and they dashed off toward Yubaba's office.
End A/N: What do you think so far? A bit quirky perhaps… but that's always good right?? Unless you're a fish… lol oh don't mind me, I'm just excited about my new PC!!