Edge of The Ocean
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.
A/N: Sorry I took so long to update… you'll start to notice from here that the real meat of the story begins… hopefully things will pick up and the real plot will begin to unfold! Luckily, I'm done with the outline of the story, including a summary for each chapter, so there shouldn't be such a delay between chapters now… though I lost a lot of the steam I once had for this story… I'll at LEAST post a new chapter once a months but I'll try to post them quicker… reviews will help encourage me! Well anyway, please enjoy!
AlmostExistentExistentialist: Thank you! Here's the update!
ShioriAyano: To tell you the truth, I'm not even trying to keep them in character lol their characters just seem so natural to write… or maybe I loved the movie so much that I have their characters programmed in my mind already? Your guess is as good as mine!
XxXSilverShadowXxX: Sorry I took so long!
snow-leopard-demon24: Yup a lot sure did happen! Aww Lin's not lousy, she's just curious lol
Bethany: I didn't put in their descriptions yet on purpose, see - Haku already knows what they look like… Chihiro doesn't though :D you'll get your descriptions soon!!
ShioriAyano: Thank you! I tried my best, I'm glad I got it right according to you :).
The first thing Haku did when he woke up - after he groomed himself, ate a quick breakfast, and bid his family that were present that morning farewell - was to shoot off into the sky toward the bathhouse once again. It took a little over three hours to get to the bathhouse from the castle but since Haku had left very early in the morning he had made it there before anyone else was even awake yet.
"Mm… money…" Yubaba muttered in her sleep and smiled, turning over. "Hm?" she felt a presence and opened her eyes sleepily. "WAH!" The old witch fell off her bed and reeled back up, rounding angry eyes at the intruder in her bedroom. "Haku! How dare you trespass!" the old witch snarled.
"Yubaba." Haku greeted and before said witch could snap at him again the dragon went on to explain the situation. After he had finished explaining the details of why Chihiro would be absent from the bathhouse for a while he left before Yubaba could complain or stop him. Moments later Haku stood near Chihiro's bed, watching her sleep and smiling at the serene expression in her beautiful face. He bent down and resisted the urge to run his fingers through her hair; instead, he placed his hand on her shoulder like he had done several years ago, and spoke. "Chihiro?" he said softly.
"Haku? What-" Chihiro opened her eyes and blushed when she saw Haku there with a pleasant smile on his tantalizing lips. 'Oh jeez… too early in the morning to be thinking that way…' Chihiro stopped herself from blushing further from the thought and averted her eyes from Haku's lips as he spoke.
"Come, get dressed, we're going to see my father – he has promised to help you!" Haku whispered, smiling almost slyly when he noticed her gaze moments before. If he had not been so excited about the prospect of his father so graciously offering to help Chihiro then perhaps he would be blushing as well... as it were however, for the moment he could not think of anything else but getting Chihiro to see his father straight away.
"That's wonderful! Just a moment!" Chihiro leapt out of her bed and grabbed her clothing, rushing to the closest bathroom while Haku waited patiently.
"Hm? What's going on… Chihiro?" Lin yawned as she sat up in her bed; what was all that commotion? "Haku? What are you doing here? Where's Chihiro?"
"My father has agreed to help Chihiro, he wants to see her – we are going there as soon as Chihiro is ready."
"Oh! That's great! You take good care of her alright!" Lin warned, "And make sure to come back and tell me how things went!"
"Yes." Haku nodded in agreement and as soon as Chihiro ran back, dressed and ready to leave, she and Haku leapt off the balcony and made their way to the large castle. Chihiro absent-mindedly stroked Haku's horns again and said dragon had to force himself to keep his eyes open and ignore the innocent ministrations. Chihiro was only a little surprised that they were headed to an enormous and pearly white castle in the middle of an ocean. "I'll give you a tour of it when we're done here…" Haku promised as they drew nearer to the castle.
Once the two had landed safely, after once again being escorted by two huge black dragons, Haku led Chihiro to the lavish and large throne room where King Ryujin awaited. 'Oh my God… it's really him!' Chihiro thought as they walked further into the enormous room and saw the great dragon seated upon his throne.
"Father…" Haku was cut off as Ryujin smiled and stood.
"Come here mortal, let me look at you." Ryujin drew his hand forward, beckoning Chihiro to step closer to him. Chihiro swallowed nervously but did as she was told, trying to walk in a straight line toward the dragon king without really looking him in the eyes. When Chihiro was close enough Ryujin placed a hand atop her head, both halting her steps and using his own powers to examine her mind. Ryujin smiled to himself when he found Haku's handiwork, he also noticed that Chihiro had not cleared her mind as she should have… instead - the only images he could pull up were memories of his son. "Hmm, I see…" he responded, not bothering to hide the amusement in his voice.
"I-Is there something wrong?" Chihiro asked, unsure if she should actually be speaking without being directly spoken to in the deity's presence; it didn't seem to bother him though.
"Why not at all!" The king of the water dragons answered. Ryujin glanced up at Haku who was staring at them, at her intently; he could see that his son's eyes were filled with concern and warmth… filled with emotions…. something they hadn't shown in a long, long time. Ryujin pulled his had away and smiled down at the human woman, realizing he had her to thank for this… perhaps there was a way to keep that gift the girl had given Haku forever? "Chihiro was it?"
"Y-Yes Sir." Chihiro answered, risking looking up at him; now she could see what he actually looked like. Ryujin stood taller than his son, though maybe it was because Haku still had some growing to do - being a dragon and all - and had the same, lean but powerful structure... however, while Ryujin also sported long hair that loosely fell over his shoulders, he also had a long neat mustache, like the whiskers on the muzzle of a dragon, and a long, combed beard that was bordered by graying hair. Ryujin's eyes were warm and wise and his posture and very facial construct, as aristocratic and handsome as his son, spoke of regal prowess.
"Chihiro… because you have returned the light into my son's eyes and healed his hardened heart I shall grant you a boon…" Ryujin declared, sitting once again in his large throne. Chihiro's jaw dropped and she tried to speak but she was too astonished to do so, however, Ryujin went on before Chihiro could find her voice again. "I will not take no for an answer my child… go on, ask of me." He ordered gently.
Chihiro glanced back at Haku who had an equally astounded look and then back at the dragon king. "Um…" she mumbled, unsure of what to say or how to say it; she thought for a moment and then blushed when a thought crossed her mind.
"A blush?" Ryujin grinned and leaned forward so that she could whisper it if she chose to. "What is it?" he asked curiously.
"W-Would you… bless mine and Haku's… um… friendship?" she asked, calling their relationship as such lamely. Ryujin smirked and titled his head to the side.
"You mean, bless your budding relationship?" he whispered back; it was intended to be for Chihiro's ears only but it seemed his son's senses had grown stronger in the time he had been away from home, for he blushed and found his boots fascinating.
"Ah – yes Sir…" Chihiro agreed. Ryujin leaned back in his chair and studied the woman who melted his son's defenses.
"I'll tell you what Chihiro… I'll do that but, how would you like to remain by Haku's side for as long as he will live? Live as long as a spirit?" He asked mysteriously. Chihiro's jaw dropped but she quickly shut it and blushed from embarrassment.
"I… I don't…"
"Hm?" Ryujin questioned, curious as to why she hadn't agreed immediately. Chihiro bit her lip, feeling a great uncertainty overwhelm her; she looked over at Haku again and saw his own confusion, mirroring his father's expression almost perfectly… like father like son eh?
"Well… um… can I think about it?" Chihiro asked and frowned to herself, why was she having such a hard time deciding? Sure she had a lot to gain but she would also loose some things if she said yes…
"Of course, you do not need to decide right now." Ryujin told her, signaling for his servants to come over. "They will show you to your room." He informed her with a smile and caught his son leaving – almost storming out – with anxious and, if he was not mistaken, angry look.
Haku was beside himself with anxiety as he paced in his own room after throwing the doors open and slamming them, glad that he was the only one of his large family either home or who had a room in that floor and that wing. Perhaps he was being childish, slamming the doors and all and storming out, but he could not understand why she would not want to be with him!
'Does she not care for me the way she did before? Had she changed her mind?' Haku thought, fixing the band that held his hair up that had become loose in his childish display moments before. 'Surely I would not hesitate as she did if I had to make that decision.' He finally stopped wearing down his plush rug and sat on his bed. 'Does she… does she love me the way I…" He frowned to himself and sighed, placing his face in his hands.
Haku knew he felt something for Chihiro, he had ever sense she stepped into his river but somehow, he had never actually given thought to what it truly was… and now that their "relationship" was in question he had to admit that the innocent feeling he felt for the girl Chihiro a long time again had since evolved since the woman Chihiro had showed up once again. Haku stood suddenly, a determined expression filtering in his eyes and resisted the urge to fly down the corridors as a dragon to get to her; he would have his answers!
"I…" Chihiro shook her head and turned from him. "I don't know." Haku had made his way to Chihiro's guest room with a purpose and confronted her out right, demanding to know why she did not just accept his father's offer right then and there.
"What do you mean you don't know? Don't you want to be with me?" The river spirit asked incredulously. Chihiro turned sharply and frowned.
"Of course I do!" She admitted, blushing at the admittance. She did want to be with him, oh how much she did…
The light returned to Haku's eyes, he was thrilled and relieved that she had not somehow, for some reason, rejected him but… "Then why won't you decide!" He asked, the hurt only being lessened a little.
"I don't know!" Chihiro shook her head; she had several reasons but none of them that truly justified her hesitation.
"Agh! That's not good enough an answer!" Haku exclaimed, he was getting impatient – which was very odd for him… it just proved, however, that Chihiro had changed him.
"I… There are many reasons why…" Chihiro trailed off.
"Then tell me!" Haku snapped, making Chihiro jump in shock.
"I didn't want to endanger you!" Chihiro admitted… though that was probably the lamest reason she could think of… Haku was more than capable of defending himself if danger were to come to him. Haku tilted his head to the side curious, his anger melting into confusion.
"How would you endanger me?" Haku blinked in bewilderment.
"If… if Boh's father discovers your link to me he could go after you… it would be better if we-" but Chihiro's explanation was cut off as Haku grabbed her by the arms, yanked her body against his and crushed his lips against hers. It was not meant to be a passionate kiss or really a way to shut her up - it was simply a statement. When he pulled her away Haku's angry expression had returned.
"I would never leave you. Do you understand me? Never again! No matter what!" He growled and stepped away from her; before Chihiro could find her voice again Haku turned on his heels and promptly left.
Ryujin had felt the uneasiness boil and expand and knew something had happened to his son and Chihiro. As he walked the halls he heard a faint sniffle in one of the castle gardens. He made his way toward the noise and found Chihiro there, sitting on one of the benches and gazing at the flowers before her as tears streamed down her cheeks. 'What has Kohaku done?' he wondered as he approached her.
Chihiro gasped at being discovered and hurriedly tried to dry her tears. Ryujin smiled warmly and sat next to her, stopping her from frantically rubbing her cheeks and pulling out a handkerchief to help her. Chihiro sat rigidly as the kind king gently wiped the tears away and smiled in a fatherly way she had not expected from a deity. "Please relax." He said softly and pulled the handkerchief away after her cheeks were dry once again. "Let me guess, Kohaku was upset that you could not decide and angry words were said?"
"Yes…" Chihiro confirmed and looked down at her hands folded in her lap.
"Let me tell you a bit about Kohaku then. When my son was a lot younger, at the time that he was…" he paused and smirked, "In the service of the witch Yubaba, yes I know about that, and even before then he had never been the one to show much or even care as much as he obviously does now… Kohaku was very different before you came along and it is obvious to me that… well, he loves you." Ryujin smiled at Chihiro's blushing face and at the fact that she could not stop herself from smiling. "Ah, a smile, that's what I wanted to see…" the aging dragon said, his eyes softening further as Chihiro laughed softly. "Give him a chance… he will come to his senses – but, don't hold anything back from him either alright?"
"I-I won't." Chihiro promised with a wide smile, nodding in agreement. Haku had kissed her… maybe it wasn't the kiss of her dreams, the proclamation of his feelings… but then again, it was …wasn't it? He did not say it but the very fact that he would want her to stay by his side forever, accepting Ryujin's offer, and then that he would kiss her like that… it proved to her, perhaps more that the dragon king's words, that Haku… 'He… he really is in love with me…'
End A/N: I love Ryujin :D he's such an awesome king :) Oooo Haku kissed her!! Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly that romantic… it sure proved his point though!