I hope y'all are enjoying my story so far I've been trying to keep up and everything! And just a bit of explanation, the italicized words are either the character's' thoughts, who's POV, or a past event. It will be clear which one it is in the passage. Sometimes the character's thoughts are more my own, but I leave it up to y'all's judgment.
Kamajii's POV
I awoke to the footfalls of two beings walking across my basement. I opened my eyes and reached out one of my six arms to a lamp. As I lit it I extended another arm to pull off the covers I was entrapped under. Once my eyes adjusted to the gloominess, I gazed upon Master Haku and a young maiden.
What is Master Haku doing down in this hell? He woke me up! The young lady was pretty with long, brown hair and large hazel eyes. Her expression was that of pure joy as if she recognized me. "Grandpa!"
As soon as she said this I knew who she was: my little Chihiro who had left us six years ago. "My dear! What are you doing here? Ah, it's good to see you little girl." I craned me body towards her and using two of my arms as I lifted her into a hug. She was giggling all the way, one of the happiest sounds my old ears had heard in a long while.
"She wished to see you, Kamajii. We are sorry for waking you." Haku was still the gentleman he normally was, but he seemed happier and better slept than usual. I could see he only had eyes for Chihiro, but who was I to say?
Young love, such a powerful thing.
"I missed you so much, Kamajii! How is everything? Are the soot balls doing fine? Have you remembered to put your bowls out for Lin to clean? Has Haku been good to you? Has work been great? How is-" Chihiro was speaking so fast and saying so much I had to interrupt her.
"Child, calm yourself! I am but an old spirit and need time to process everything you have said. Yes, yes. Everything is just dandy over here. Young Master Haku is a splendid boss and has given us no complaints. Except maybe the other young spirit girls, they all want a part of him but he won't give in. But alas, I want to hear more about you."
Master Haku had a pained look on his face as I talked about the young spirit girls who were always going after him. It was widely known that he was sought after by all ages; women, girls and even some brave men.
After the young girl had taken in my explanations, she drawled "Everything has been quite boring since I left here last time. I have been taking advanced classes in school. Ugh, including physics which is such a pain. I row on the crew team and I also dance with a squad." She looked mildly happy when talking about her home life, but she kept glancing at Haku like he was more important.
I doubt they even realized that when they were together the scarcely looked at anyone or anything else.
"Why'd you come back? Not that we don't wantcha, it's just been a long while since your last visit."
I could see Chihiro's face contort into a mask of grief as she opened her mouth to speak, but Haku rushed to talk over her explaining "I channeled myself through one of my rivers and found her. We decided she should come and visit with everyone for a while." Chihiro was frowning at her friend, but she did not contradict him.
"In the middle of the school year? Hard to believe Chihiro would now…" I knew they were lying and wondered what this was all about.
Chihiro spoke up and said, "I was bored with life on the other side, so I came for some fun. And I found it!" She hugged me once more, evidently hiding the tears hat streaked down her face from Haku, but I could see them. Discreetly I handed her a tissue with another hand so Haku could not see the shame on her face.
Why was she hiding her concerns from Haku? Is it that she is embarrassed that she is emotional? She stepped away from and wiped at her cheeks. She had really grown up into a beautiful woman.
With that, she exclaimed "I missed you grandpa," and walked towards the opening for the elevator.
Chihiro's POV
I had to get away.
The pain from my attack was too much and I didn't know how to face the others, not even Haku. I had tried to hide my tears from the owner of the bath house because I had cried so much lately I was afraid he would think I was a cry baby.
As I walked past the little doors for the soot balls, a mass of black dirt came spiraling out. They started chirping their incomprehensible language and running around my feet, leaving little soot kisses along my Oxford's. I was glad to see someone recognized me right away! These little guys were always happy and always welcoming.
Haku's POV
I was baffled at Chihiro's swift leave. What happened? She wanted to visit her friends.
I had noticed that as she was leaving, she was trying to cover up tear tracks that had formed on her face while hugging her old friend. I thought back to what I myself had said and remembered how I had barreled right over her explanation as to why she was in the spirit world. Maybe she didn't like my talking over her? Sometimes I feel like an old married couple with her. Woah. Had I just thought that? My emotions are clouding my judgment…
"Treat her well, Master Haku. She is still a fragile little girl in some ways. She will need guidance from everyone especially you, because she loves you." What had Kamajii just said?!
"What are you talking about? Did she say this herself or are you just assuming? I know I have to take care of her, I always have and always will."
"I am an old spirit, older than yourself who knows love when I see it. Go after her because I know you have cared for her for quite a long time, even though she doesn't know it."
Without another word I chased after Chihiro, because really what else could I say to the old man? He was probably right, at least when it came to my feelings. I felt tongue tied and didn't know how to respond to his accusations.
I found Chihiro waiting for the elevator. Her eyes were red brimmed and she looked sad again. I thought that seeing Kamajii would cheer her up, but I guess I was wrong. "Chihiro, what's wrong?" I took her hand because I liked the way it felt in mine and I knew she needed comfort. I started to massage her hand, marveling at how soft it was. Actually, now I recall that all of her body was soft and pure, the complete opposite of mine. I liked that on her; soft like a lady and innocent like a child. Focus on the problem on hand, stupid. Not your lust for Chihiro. Later.
"I-I'm fine. I guess I just got choked up when I was thinking about last night." She hung her head as she stepped into the elevator.
I walked in after, still not over my sudden lust for her body. I didn't know what to say, probably because even at the body of a 20 year old man I was still confused about women's emotions. But aren't we all?
So instead of speaking, as the door to the cage close and we slowly started to rise, I grabbed her by the fleshy part of the arm and strode so that I was in front of her. Her back was against the wood wall of the elevator and her face was tilted up towards mine. I wanted to make those iridescent tears of hers go away.
I bent down far enough to reach her pouting lips and brushed mine against hers, eliciting a response from her mouth. She wrapped her arms behind my neck and pushed her body against mine. I've been waiting for this for six years.
