Edge of The Ocean
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.
A/N: The only reason I took as long as I did to update this time was because I wanted some reviews first… after all, they are my main source of drive, reviews encourage me to update faster! I'm a little upset that people seemingly forgot about this story *sniff* oh well... In this chapter you'll get to see Haku's family! Or, part of it at least… anyway, please do enjoy!
Bethany: XD Aww thank you, okay here's the next chapter. Just so you know, since I have yet to complete this story's outline I'm not sure if I can update it regularly like my other stories (which had complete outlines) I'll try to finish it so I can keep updating though!
As Haku made his way through the lavished entrance of the enormous castle he noted that not much had changed since his absence, some years ago. The walls were still coated in gold, the floors still sparkling brilliantly where the marble showed where there was no blush, white carpeting, and the ivory and pearl lined columns still strong and sturdy; everything about the castle spoke of wealth and power and yet, he never felt at home unless he was in his river… the waters that carried so many memories.
Haku stopped when he heard his name being called and turned to see a lithe, long-haired woman running toward him. "Toyotoma…" Haku caught the woman who all but ran into him by the arms gently.
"Kohaku! It's been so long… why have you stopped visiting, little brother?" Toyotoma asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. Haku let her hang onto him and hugged her back.
"For a time, I was… in the service of the witch Yubaba…"
"She took your name didn't she?" Toyotoma stated without pulling away.
"Well… yes." Haku answered and saw the amusement in his sister's eyes when she did pull away finally.
"I see."
"Toyotoma… how are you?" Haku asked suddenly. Toyotoma smiled and lifted her chin up in a show of pride.
"I am doing quite well." She answered with a brilliant smile. Haku narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly; he could see the façade she put on, he knew she was hiding tender wounds under a front of strength and pride; Haku could see right through Toyotoma's cheerfulness and knew the only way she'd return to normal would possibly be if she knew "the bastard" that raped her was dead.
"I see." He mimicked. Haku placed a hand on his sister's cheek; his eyes swam with unspoken emotions. Toyotoma took his hand in hers and shook her head, dismissing his worry.
"I promise, I am a lot better than I was before little brother." She answered his unspoken question and sighed. "Go now, father is waiting for you." She said turning from him, letting go of his hand in the last moment as she left his side. Haku watched her go forlornly but did not stop her; he knew she had her own inner demons to battle. With one final glance the river-spirit made his way to his father's throne.
Haku made his was down the path that led to the large throne sitting atop a stage-like platform, elevated above everyone else as was the image of a King or a god. Ryujin, the Lord of the water dragons sat on his throne and lifted his head up from where he had been sitting thinking to himself and smile brightly at the pleasant surprise. "Father." Haku greeted with a small bow.
"Kohaku?" Ryujin's eyes swam with happiness at the sight of his son but then frowned a little at how rigid he was being. "My son, why so formal? You do not need to be that way with me." Haku lifted his head up and met his father's eyes.
"Father… a-are you well?" Haku stalled, unsure of how to broach the subject; it had been far too long since he stood face to face with his father; he had become even scarcer at home since Chihiro had returned to her world.
Ryujin laughed good-naturedly. "Kohaku, are you still not at ease? Come, sit by me - tell me what troubles you." The great dragon coaxed. Haku let himself relax a bit and strode up to his father, standing directly under his elevated seat, right at the steps.
"I have… taken an interest in a mortal, a human woman." Haku had stopped himself from saying "girl" not that he needed to remember that she was very much adult now anyway. As he spoke seneschals entered carrying trays of delicacies and goods for their sovereigns but Haku would have none of it, too preoccupied with the pressing matter he came to discuss. Ryujin listened patiently, watching the swirl of emotions in his son's eyes.
When Haku had finished relating everything that had happened, including meeting Chihiro for the first time and then helping her in the spirit world, until now, Ryujin smiled and sent the servants and guards away, giving all of his attention to his son. "Ah, I see, and this troubles you? That you are taken by this… human?" Ryujin's eyes sparkled as he watched his son.
"Ah – no, the trouble is… she is being watched, watched by…" Haku bristled slightly, "…by the Evil Wizard…" Haku explained in a strained voice, the name of said wizard was never spoken. It was said that if you spoke his name that he would be alerted and would listen in… though that was just superstition spread around by those who had too much time in their hands. In truth, the name was never spoken because Haku would become violent with rage when he did, remember what had happened to his sister, and recently, his mother.
Ryujin's eyes widened and he sat straighter in his throne. "Are you certain?" the diety clutched the arm of his seat until his knuckles turned white, thankful that his throne was made of a substance that would not yield easily to his overpowering strength.
"Yes father." Haku answered right away; grim and solemn was his voice.
"I see." Ryujin sat and thought for a long while, Haku stood patiently. "Would you bring her to me?" The dragon King finally asked, "I would like to meet the woman who has gotten such a strong grip in my son's heart."
"How…"
"How did I know you were in love with her? It is because I am old and wise, I know when my son is… different… they way you speak of her and the look in your eyes in proof enough." Ryujin answered mysteriously and in an almost playful way as if trying to ease the sudden dark atmosphere that surrounded them at the mention of that fiend. "Besides, how am I to help if you are not both present?" his eyes sparkled again.
Haku stood there in astonishment, silent for a moment. "You mean – you will help her?" he asked softly.
"Of course. If she has claimed your heart then she must be something special… I trust in your heart, my son, I would like to meet her and then see if I can help."
Haku felt so much emotion from the enormous benevolence his father expressed easily that he fell before his father's feet and kissed his hands. "Thank you…" Haku whispered - his voice hoarse with emotions. Ryujin's eyes softened to the point of tears and gently lifted his son to his feet.
"What father would not try to please his child? I may be a king but I am your father first and the comfort and love of my children is my first priority." Ryujin answered. "I must ask something of you before you go first, my son. Please, would you pay a visit to your mother? She has been asking for you… she… has not changed from her bedridden state… that Wizard is a cruel and cunning one…" Ryujin asked, grimacing from the image of his ailing partner and best-friend sick in bed.
"Of course father, I will go immediately." Haku kissed his father's cheek, nodded in a half bow and made his way to his parent's chambers to do just as he said he would. Toyotoma was not the only one to be wronged by "The Evil Wizard", no, Haku's mother had been cursed with a sickness with no cure… though the death of the "bastard" as Haku preferred to call the monster, would probably be just the right cure… however, it was possibly something impossible to accomplish.
Not long after Haku departed from his father he stood at his parent's chamber door; he took in a deep breath and opened the door slowly, making sure not to make too much noise. He entered the dimly lit room, noticing someone had been in already to tend to the hearth that crackled quietly across the room as he made his way over to the grand four-poster bed. "Kohaku…" a voice spoke softly from the bed.
"Mother…" Haku went over quickly and took his mother's lifted hand in his; he held it to his cheek as he knelt beside her. "Mother how are you?" he asked, using his other hand to stroke his mother's cheek tenderly.
"I am… well…" The dragon Queen answered softly; she smiled at him as best she could and used the hand he held against his cheek to caress him lovingly. "I… missed you…" she whispered. Haku felt his eyes water and so he shut them tightly, leaning forward to kiss his mother's forehead.
"Forgive me mother… I will visit you more often, I promise." He whispered.
"Hm…" She mumbled in exhaust; even speaking a little or stroking her son's cheek cost her too much precious energy.
"I will get him mother, I will right all wrongs." Haku promised.
"Please… don't… take on… too many… things…"
"Shh, rest now mother, I will return soon." Haku said and kissed his mother once more before gently taking her hands in his and placing them upon her. Haku stood and left quietly, making sure to cover the drapings that hung over her bed once more. As Haku continued down the hall he was once again called, this time by his little brother who rushed at him but stopped before him, unlike their sister who didn't quite hold back.
"Kohaku, do you plan to leave so soon? You only just arrived!" The younger dragon whined. Haku smiled down at his little brother; though his brother was only three years younger in "mortal" years he still acted like a child at times – though one would have to be insane to get on his bad side, even by accident. Haku sighed and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"It seems more than one of you are trying to get me to stay longer… very well, I will stay for the night." Haku answered, returning his brother's delighted hug and following him back down the hall he had come from. Meanwhile, Chihiro lay on her bed, her hand upon the spot Haku had placed his lips on.
'Come back soon…' she thought hazily before she surrendered to sleep. Elsewhere, lightning flashed over a tall, dark, ominous tower that was surrounded by a moat of spikes. A tall, thin, bony man with long fingers and long silver hair sat upon a throne made of bones, gazing into what appeared to be a crystal ball. "Hm? What's this I see… the filthy human girl… she has feelings for that river spirit? Perhaps I can use this to my advantage…" he sneered into the image of the river spirit kissing the girl called Chihiro, or "Sen" on the cheek.
The next morning Lin trailed around Chihiro trying to get answers from her relating to Haku's out of character display of emotions the night before. "Oh come on Chihiro! What happened!" she whined, snatching herbal tokens from the foreman and following the human into the bath rooms. Chihiro had been awakened early in the morning by Lin with that same question and did not know then what she did not know now.
"I'm serious Lin; I really don't know what you're talking about!" Chihiro sighed, grabbing her sponge and bucket; Lin followed suit.
"Haku was obviously flustered when you two came in last night; I want to know why… what did you do to him?" She asked with a sneaky smile.
Chihiro blinked in confusion, "Huh? I didn't do anything to him… he was the one that… wait, never mind." She blushed and turned away from her friend. Lin's eyes bugged out, she couldn't believe what Chihiro was doing! The nerve!
"What… you're not just going to say something then take it back! Come on girl! Spill the beans!" Lin demanded, shaking Chihiro by her shirt. Said human pulled the older woman's hands off and blushed before answering.
"Well… I don't know why he was "flustered" when we got here but he kissed me, on the cheek before he left." Chihiro answered, clarifying where he kissed her when Lin grinned in a lewd way. During the work day no matter how much Lin tried she could not manage to grab a hold of Chihiro's attention for too long. 'I wonder if he'll return soon…' pondered the human as she scrubbed the floors.
"Um… Sen, I can see my face in that spot you're scrubbing… I think it's clean now…"
"What? Oh, sorry… yes… how silly of me." Chihiro smiled and stood with Lin; the rest of the day passed just as it had like this. What would tomorrow bring?
End A/N: Aww, now isn't Haku's Papa the best??? Yes they're separated again, I'm probably driving you sappy-hearted people nuts – you want to see waff between the two don't ya? MUAHAHA well, you'll have to wait!! :P if you spot any mistakes please tell me!