Edge of The Ocean

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.

A/N: I'm a little upset about the apparent lack of interest in the story… if you really cared about it you'd let me know so then I'd have a reason to keep up with it! I took my time writing this chapter so that I would give you readers a chance to review…

Jengablockk: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!

Avidlydreaming: Thank you! Yes I wanted to add a bit of drama XD Isn't Ryujin awesome? Lol you'll see a bit more of Haku's temper before… well, that would be spoiling things ;)

It had been afternoon when she and Haku had arrived at the castle and Chihiro decided that maybe it was best to apologize first… though she felt that Haku should apologize for yelling at her as well, before the ceremony was to be decided by night. As Chihiro made her way back into the castle, following the path Ryujin had taken, she realized that when she had fled from the spot where and she Haku had the argument she had run off aimlessly… she had just wanted to escape at the time, but now she was lost and she did not remember to ask Ryujin for directions.

'Well damn… hmm, I wonder which direction my room was…' She pondered, looking left and right in the large hall, lit by hundreds of torches that thankfully illuminated the halls brightly and clearly. 'Oh! There's someone.' Chihiro thought as she walked further down the hall and spotted a woman wearing fine and colorful silk in between two others. "Excuse me?" she asked politely as she neared them.

The woman turned to her and smiled as if recognizing her; she dismissed the servants, who they apparently were, and walked toward her. "Ah, you must be Chihiro." The woman said.

Yes, but how did you know?" Said human asked. The stranger smiled and turned her head to the side in a curious and amused manner that seemed so common in Haku's family. 'Ah! She must be Haku's sister!' Chihiro realized.

"I know because one, you just answered me, and two because my father has not stopped talking about the woman that "healed" my little brother's heart… as cheesy as that sounds…" The woman replied with a smirk, sounding far from displeased.

"As you… Toyotoma by any chance?" Chihiro asked. The woman smiled and nodded; she, like Haku, was tall – though shorter than him – had long black hair – though hers was longer – and aristocratic features – though hers was more delicate.

"I see you know about me hm? Since we're dealing with the same person that… did what he did… I assume you know what happened?" Toyotoma stated, though she did not sound upset.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Chihiro was cut off by a good-natured laugh and she flushed in embarrassment.

"For what? Don't apologize! You've done nothing wrong – it's my little brother that can't keep his trap shut… though I suppose he had his reasons." Toyotoma smiled again. "It's really quite alright, yes… I was… raped… but that is in the past and we must look toward the future hm? You and Kohaku will find a way to… stop him I'm sure so it's fine." The older woman reasoned.

"I see…" Chihiro felt a little uncomfortable with the topic and didn't exactly know how to respond.

"I'm sorry, can I help you?" Toyotoma asked, realizing that she had placed the poor girl in an awkward position.

"Well, I'm sort of lost…"

"Lost? Where is Kohaku? Wasn't he with you?"

"We sort of… had a misunderstanding…" Chihiro admitted with a blush.

"Hmm, I see… well, in that case I can take you back… or …I could show you a bit of the castle first, how does that sound?" Toyotoma asked with a smile.

"Oh! I'd love to see more of the castle!" Chihiro replied eagerly.

"It's settled then! Come with me then." Toyotoma smiled wider and led Chihiro further down the hall. Haku's older sister pointed to paintings, portraits, statues, she explained the history, showed her what certain rooms were used for. Chihiro discovered they had over fifty guest rooms, four kitchens, three music rooms, and five libraries.

Unfortunately, as they were about to leave only one little piece of the castle they had been able to tour Toyotoma was called away. "I'm sorry Chihiro, I must go, I'll try to show you a bit more before you have to leave though… that is, if you don't make up with my brother." The older woman winked at Chihiro and followed some people that came looking for her down the hall, fortunately they had made it back to Chihiro's room before they were about to explore some more and she was called away.

As Chihiro made her way inside, trying to decide whether or not to find Haku and risk becoming lost again, she stopped to really admire the room she was placed in for the first time. "Wow…" Chihiro muttered as she stood in the middle of the enormous and lavished room. "It's even more beautiful than Yubaba's room…" Chihiro said as she admired the plush, dark-teal colored carpets, white marble columns, and gold plated walls. She walked up to one wall and she noticed designs and patterns etched within the gold in silver. 'They certainly have a lot of income…' she thought with a smirk as she ran her finger along the wall, tracing the pattern of a dragon.

After Chihiro had admired as much as she could from the room she sat on one of the large couches near the fireplace and thought. 'I guess I really do want to live as long as Haku…' The thought of loosing him again hurt her so bad that it made sense to come to that conclusion. She leaned forward and laced her fingers together, feeling anxiety creep up to her. 'I… would loose everyone I know if I did… I know I could not return to that place if I did… I would stay young while everyone else would grow old.' She thought and sighed deeply. "That place" was Chihiro's way of saying the mortal realm, which she no longer felt a connection or even desire to stay in.

"I would never leave you. Do you understand me? Never again! No matter what!"

'Maybe he'll forgive me now…' Chihiro thought hopefully; she had never heard Haku sound so agitated and forceful before… Chihiro smiled sadly at his words, he had promised to stay with her with such passion… why could she not have been so? Her hand fell upon her lips and she blushed at the memory of what had happened before he said those words. 'He did that to prove his feelings… but… can I really trust an action that came about by the strong emotions he was feeling at the time?' she wondered.

'Maybe… maybe he wants me to stay with him… I would… I would never leave him either, I will never leave him.' She thought with a renewed sense of determination. 'It's settled then!' Chihiro stood from her seat and all but threw her doors open gasping, blushing and jumping with surprise when she came face to face with the object of her thoughts.

Haku stood at her door with an unreadable expression, an expression that would have been common with him ten years ago when she first met him. "Have you had enough time to think over your decision?" He asked her in a monotone.

"I… Haku…" Chihiro paused and shook her head, "Yes, I have." She answered back just as clipped. Haku eyed her for a moment before turning and giving her a side-long glance.

"Then come, you are to inform my father of your decision." He said in an achingly formal way.

'He's still angry…' Chihiro realized woefully as she followed him. 'What I don't get is why he so angry about this… it was a big step!' she thought with a frown. 'He's over exaggerating.' She nodded to herself slightly; aware that she would look silly on the outside nodding away as she walked... she doubted any of them used MP3 players where it would be justified…

When they arrived Haku stepped aside and let Chihiro into the grand hall first. When Chihiro met his eyes as she passed she saw that even though he was upset he still hand a twinkle in his emerald eyes, though it was quickly replaced with indifference when he noticed her gaze. 'Ugh… he really needs to chill out…' she thought sadly as she turned away.

"Ah, Chihiro…" The great dragon motioned for the human to approach him; when she did he smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have a great many troubles in your mind…" he whispered knowingly. "Let things be how they are for now, it is not too late to change them when the time is right." He informed her cryptically. Chihiro took in a deep breath to calm her nerves and nodded in agreement.

"I have decided." She informed him, Ryujin nodded for her to go on. "I will stay here." It was all Ryujin needed to hear; the fact that she said that she would stay meant that she accepted his proposal for it would have been impossible to stay in the spirit realm with them for too much longer as a mortal.

"I'm glad you have come to that conclusion." Ryujin said warmly. "Stay still, this will take some time." Ryujin advised as he placed both his hands upon Chihiro's head and closed his eyes. Chihiro felt an inner tug that seemed to will her to close her own eyes as well, as if a part of her was preparing automatically. In almost an instant Chihiro felt a surge of energy shot through her, cascading over her like a waterfall; even though it felt hot it did not feel uncomfortable.

When Chihiro opened her eyes she found that Ryujin had removed his hands and Haku was there, holding his father up who clung to his son's shoulders. "What happened?" she asked in alarm.

"It is done." Ryujin answered hoarsely.

"But… you said it would take some time, not even a minute has passed?" Chihiro replied in confusion. Ryujin straightened slightly and smiled at her, shaking his head before he spoke.

"No dear child, for you it felt as if a minute passed but in reality much more time passed… more than three hours. You do not perceive it in the way that you have before because you are now like one of us - you are an immortal spirit." The dragon king answered.

"Okay, but I'm still confused." Chihiro all of a sudden felt dizzy. "What – what's happening…" Haku placed his father in his throne and quickly leapt over to catch Chihiro before she fell backwards down the steps from the throne's elevated platform, catching her in his arms and wrapping them securely around her much smaller frame. Chihiro closed her eyes, not really aware at what was happening and shook her head, trying to clear it but regretting it when needles of pain shot behind her eyes when she did so.

"Easy, don't move too much, your body is getting accustomed to your new state." Haku answered softly, contrasting to his cold and indifferent tone he had earlier. Chihiro whimpered in pain as her head pounded as quickly and strongly as her rapid heart. Haku took her in his arms and kept her against his chest, keeping her as still and comfortable as he could and not missing the opportunity to enjoy it… even though he was probably the only one enjoying the feeling at the moment.

"Take her to her room won't you Kohaku? She needs her rest." Ryujin said gently and smiled tiredly at the couple; the ceremony had taken more out of the aging dragon than he had expected it would. Ryujin watched his son carry Chihiro, holding her to him as if she were made of the finest porcelain; he smiled at the affection expression on his son's face as he left before relaxing into his chair.

When Chihiro had woken four hours later her head had stopped hurting and she could think clearly again… unfortunately, even though she remembered going to the ceremony and being told by Ryujin that it was about to begin when she gave her answer, she could remember nothing after she closed her eyes the first time. 'Haku… is he still upset with me?' she wondered, not remembering that he had carried her to her room and watched her sleep for a few moments before retreating to his own chambers. 'Maybe if I gave him space, maybe he would have calmed down by the morning…' Chihiro yawned, feeling warn, and lay on the bed, not really caring at the moment how she got there.

The hearth crackled nearby as Chihiro found her covers under mountains of pillows and lay in it delicately, afraid she would crush the fine silks and fabrics. She smiled indulgently and closed her eyes. The night was cool but not uncomfortably so as the full-length window was left open; she could hear the crashing of the ocean upon the rocks the castle sat on and the fresh smell of the sea permeated into the room; it lulled her body into a state of peace. Unfortunately, Chihiro's mind would not shut up… she lay in bed, the day's events running through her mind; she suddenly remembered her dream…

It surrounded her; all around her she saw water. She stood waist deep in a large river; the waters seemed to coil and encircle her. She closed her eyes and felt the water cool and rise around her but she was not afraid.

Suddenly she felt something pull her down into a lying position. A shadow descended from the skies it seemed; it loomed over her but she was still not afraid; how could she be if the shadow was so familiar to her?

The shadow loomed over her bare form that floated calmly over the body of water. It drew nearer still and surrounded her in a lover's embrace. Suddenly she felt an acute feeling of pleasure course through her veins.

She moaned; the strange feeling of bliss and ecstasy overtaking her as she felt the shadow push against her body, making her eyes roll to the back of her head and her toes curl. The shadow seemed to seep into her and then she heard a voice, a low and sensual voice and so familiar.

"Chihiro…" it said softly, the voice caressing her ears as she felt fingers caress her flesh, pulling her deeper into the waters and deeper into the embrace...

"The shadow…" Chihiro sat up and her eyes widened… the shadow, the shadow that gave her pleasure… it was him. Perhaps it was time to confront him about her dreams… but where would that lead?

End A/N: Oooo… where would that lead??? *-Evil Grin-* I'm not gunna say anything… just know that this story is rated R for a reason lol but there I said too much. Sorry I made Haku SOOO moody but keep in mind he's dealing with a lot of stuff right now – Chihiro is back, she's a woman, he's discovered new feelings and new emotions, he's felt what repressed tension felt like, learned that Chihiro might not be too certain about staying with him, and gotten irrationally upset about it with no idea how to calm down because he's never been irrationally upset before… it's a lot! Give him a break lol :P