"And then we flew across the ocean," Chihiro smiled. After finishing most of her storytelling, she took a drink from her water bottle. "Here." The girl handed her brother the bottle. "Have some too." Remembering Haku's dragon form, she yearned for the warm smile Haku had once given her. As if feeling his soft dragon hair, she clung on to the grass. "Uh, sis? You know you're stroking the grass…" Akira blinked. She broke off from her daydream, realizing what he had told her was true. Blushing, she took her hand off of the grass. Akira laughed, saying, "You're so strange, sis." Chihiro stared at him, grumbling, "Says the one who's asking me about Haku all the time." Akira shrugged. "They're interesting stories-"
"They're not stories," Chihiro murmured. Realizing it had already turned dark, the full moon brightened the sky, just like the sun, giving off a mysterious feeling. The tiny stars decorating the dark sky sparkled like tiny diamonds floating in space. "Hold on," Chihiro said, reaching to her bag. "Let me grab my cellphone. There's not much light here…" As she rummaged through her bag, she heard rustles from behind. Turning around, she cautiously looked around. The shadows of trees only lurked, hiding whatever was hiding from the teenager's sight. "Get behind me Akira," she told her sibling, but heard nothing behind her. Turning around, she found a dark figure holding her brother in the air. Shining her cellphone on the creature, its red eyes gleamed right back at her. Black scales covered its long body, easily camouflaging it with the darkness. Is it like Haku? she thought, noticing how the spirit appeared from the water. Akira, who was held up by the creature's sharp teeth, could only stare at it with fright. "Akira!" she shouted, but the dragon swiftly dived into the river.
Before the dragon's image was lost before her sight, she jumped into the rushing waters of the river without hesitation. Catching the sight of the spirit's claw, she held on to it. Feeling her fingers wrap around its leg, the spirit attempted to kick her off. A rush of water struck at her face, but did not stop her from releasing her grip. She heard her brother cry for her, hoping the spirit had not harmed him. Be strong, Akira! she thought, opening her eyes in the dark water. She flinched when the dragon was staring at her, with its sharp red eyes. It finally kicked her off, scratching her arm. Wincing, she sunk into the abyss, her vision of her crying brother blurring.
What will happen to me? she pondered, relaxing in the silent water. Will I drown? The hopeless girl closed her eyes, allowing the current to pull her down, farther away from the surface. Take care of Akira, will you? Chihiro opened her eyes, remembering her parent's promise she had made with them. Attempting to swim back up, she did not know what to do but knew she had to do something. The police won't believe me, she shook her head at the suggestion. What if… What if I go back home, back to the bathhouse? She tried to imagine the surprised spirits, their human friend returned just so they could save her sibling. But the look of Haku, when he told her they would meet again. Her mind collided with the ideas, but she continued to swim up until she gasped for air. Cold air rushed towards her, chilling her wet body.
Without noticing her surroundings, she dragged herself onto the grass, coughing out the water. Rubbing her stinging eyes, she tried to look around. "It feels more brighter than earlier," she murmured, and opened her reviving sight. Recognizing where she was, she gasped. It was the open green field, slowly being filled up with rushing water. The water lapped against the grass, increasing as the night passed. "This is…" she said, looking around for more evidence to where she was. A bright boat was slowly coming to the shore, spirits forming to leave the water. Turning to the land, she found the small and unusual statues that stood guard at the steps, and in the flooding field. The town nearby had the same paper lanterns glowing red. Smoke rose to the sky, the aroma of food spreading around. Chihiro's eyes widened as she caught the sight of the largest building there was- the bathhouse. As she caught her breath, she panted, "I… can't believe…" Before she could jump for joy, she heard Akira's yelling behind her.
The spirit emerged from the water, flying towards the sky. Looking down, it found the determined look of the teenager. Relieved she had brought her katana along with her, she reached for it, unsheathing it. The silver blade shined in the moonlight, the blade heavier than Chihiro had remembered. Well, at least it's useful, she thought, waiting for the dragon to charge at her.