I woke up from the strange dream with the sun rising and resting on my face warmly.
For some reason I felt really warm even though the covers had been thrown off me during the night.
Chihiro was now on her back snoring slightly as she slept and then I turned to Haku my eyes widening slightly.
His body was inches away from mine and his body was facing mine as he slept. My right hand was extended under his covers where it was warm; pulling up the covers with my other hand I smiled. His hand was entwined with mine as he slept, his face still and calm and his chest rising slightly.
The light from the morning sun made him look angelic and so peaceful it was mesmerizing.
I leaned over and kissed his forehead before reluctantly slipping my hand out of his and getting up as quietly as I could.
He didn't stir, but his face seemed to wrinkle slightly as my hand moved farther away.
I suppressed as chuckle as I walked stealthily to the bathroom.
My hair was everywhere, falling like a lions mane about my face and down my back.
Turning on the bath, I flinched as it groaned throughout the small cottage.
Stripping my clothes off I unwound the bandage and sunk into the hot water to wash off the balm.
My back didn't hurt at all to my surprise and I didn't flinch when I ran my hand across the length of my back.
I gasped when instead of feeling an open gash I felt a long spidery raised mark running the length of my back.
Getting out quickly after washing I turned around to look at myself in the mirror.
The wound was gone, and all that was left in its wake was a long deep white scar. It was an ugly scar, but my back bore many scars. This one may take the cake but there wasn't much I could do about it.
I had known for a long time that my skin wouldn't be as perfect and beautiful as most, and even though I had been upset by that fact more time than I can count, today I didn't mind.
The pain was gone and now I could fully enjoy riding on Haku, and that was something to look forward to.
Pulling on my shirt and shorts again I rushed out of the bathroom to wake Chihiro.
Not bothering to be quiet any longer I ran across the wood floor and stopped just short of Chihiro's head.
I poked her evilly, gauging her reaction.
She whined slightly and rolled onto her side.
I poked her again and her groan increased in volume.
"Come on lazy bones, wake up." I said in a normal voice.
Her left eye opened sleepily as she glared up at me and stuck her tongue out.
I laughed and began tickling her sides in order to get her up.
"Stop, haha haha stop" She exclaimed as she rolled around and tried to get away.
I laughed and watched as she finally sat up before I moved to Haku who was still surprisingly asleep.
His face was still pristine and beautiful as he slept and I reached out to let my hand glide across his soft cheek.
I yelped when all of a sudden his hand shot out as he grabbed me and leapt out of bed pinning me to the ground as he did so.
His hands found my side and he began tickling me mercilessly.
Chihiro fell into a fit of laughter and hurried to his side to help him.
"Awww you both are evil you know that…ahahAHAhA stop, oh it tickles." I barely managed to get out between the nonstop attacks on my sides.
Finally Haku stopped to let me breath and Chihiro looked down at me with a knowing smile.
I glared at her; not wanting her to say anything about the current position of was in.
Haku was sitting on my legs, his hands on either side of me to keep me in place.
He smiled down at me before standing up and walking over to our beds to begin putting them away.
"My my, that was intriguing." Chihiro said, bending down to whisper in my ear.
"Shoosh, he might hear." I whispered back, my eyes darting between her and him.
She simply giggled and seemed to finally notice that his mat was pretty close to mine.
She looked down at me quickly pointing at the matt, her eyes full of excitement.
"Did he…?" She whispered, knowing I knew what she meant.
I nodded smiling sheepishly.
I jumped as she laughed and clapped her hands.
"Oh what a happy day!" She said in a singsong sort of voice.
I shoved her but couldn't help but laugh as well.
Haku seemed not to notice our exchange and we came over to help him with the blankets and mats.
We all readied ourselves and went to sit down at the table.
"Oh my gosh I almost forgot, look!" I said, excited as I moved in front of them and pulled up the back of my shirt to reveal my back.
"Wow, it's only a scar now. That is some powerful stuff." Chihiro said whistling and she came over to examine it.
She came around to hug me before moving off to make us some tea.
I smiled relishing my healed state.
Jumping slightly, I felt a hand rest on the heat of my back; it's cool texture making me swoon as it traced the scar with its soft fingers.
I heard Haku chuckle behind me, as my skin rose to meet his hand in chilled bumps.
"I'm glad you are feeling healthy again. You look radiant you know, your happiness is quite infectious actually."
Haku's voice said in an amused tone as he turned me around to face him.
Now he was just being plain cruel, I thought as I let my shirt fall.
His eyes looked down at me, a shadow passing behind them slightly as he frowned.
"I don't know how today will go but I know that it won't be easy. Are you sure you're ready?" he asked his eyes swimming with concern.
I smiled at him and pulled him into a hug.
"Don't worry, for the first time I feel like I'm doing something. I'm not running anymore, I am more than ready." I finished and letting go of Haku I moved to the table.
He still seemed worried as we ate but there were less shadows behind his eyes than before.
Breakfast went quickly, Yawnu found his tradition place in my lap and even he seemed a little off.
He seemed to realize where we were going and had pushed himself as close to my stomach as possible.
I stroked him as we planned out our trip, trying to calm him.
Before we knew it Granny, who had woken up just in time to bid us goodbye, was giving us big hugs by the door.
"My dear Chihiro, take care of yourself dear and come visit me as soon as you can." she said as she pulled Chihiro into a suffocating hug.
She even pulled Haku into her arms, wishing him to be safe.
I was the last and she looked at me with soft eyes.
"Just remember my dear you are part of this world, and remember those that can help you on this mission, you may need them before the end." she said as I reached my arms around her.
Yawnu as well had come to say goodbye, his sad eyes looking up at us as we each pet him goodbye.
I hunched down, smiling into his sad brown eyes as I picked him up hugging him to my chest.
"Thank you for making me feel welcome little hare, don't worry I'm sure I will see you again soon." I said and kissed his soft silver head.
He licked my face before I set him down.
Looking behind me, Haku was already transformed and Chihiro was waiting on him for me.
The relic glinted around my neck, resting on my chest in the sunlight, as I ran up to them.
Waving to Granny and Yawnu, I jumped onto his back, bracing myself with my legs.
He curled himself and shot into the sky as Chihiro and I waved goodbye one last time.