Happy New Years Day everyone! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has read up to this point. I only have two more scraps of pre-written material and they are events much later in the story, so the updates will come much slower from now on as I write new material. Feel free to write me a message or leave a review if you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas for the story.
Sherona849- Thanks for your reviews! I'm sorry that there is not more romance yet (it is coming, I promise), but I have a few things I wanted to set up first. Hopefully when it all comes together in a few chapters, you will like the results. :)
Chapter 4:
A sense of nostalgia swept through Chihiro as Haku led her through the bathhouse. There was something magical and familiar about the place that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Truly the magic had nothing to do with the spirits of all shapes and sizes walking about, it seemed to radiate from the building itself. However despite all of its beauty and charming atmosphere, Chihiro could still feel the underlying tension as staff members moved quickly to accomplish their tasks. Many of them stared at her as they went past and bowed deeply before returning to work. The murmuring of "Lady Sen has returned to us" could be heard like a quiet wave sweeping through the bathhouse. Listening intently to Haku's detailed tour, Chihiro tried to note where the most important places were. The foreman stopped them as they passed by the entrance. Bowing deeply, he greeted them, "Good morning Master Haku. We missed you down at breakfast this morning. Ah, Lady Sen, I heard you arrived last night. Welcome home."
Returning a stiff bow, Chihiro felt her brow knit in confusion, but was beat to the punch by a fast approaching Lin. "Chihiro remembers nothing of her time here as Sen, ya dope. Move along now before I consider turning you into coal."
Taking a fast retreat, the Foreman scurried back to his post and Lin took a good look over Chihiro.
"Well what's the verdict? Are you working for the dragon or playing nice for the meantime? Cause if you're workin' we need to get you into a uniform." Haku rolled his eyes at Lin's frank speech as Chihiro smiled. There was something about her straightforward nature that Chihiro instantly liked.
"I will be staying here for a few days as Haku's guest, but I don't mind helping you out. Might as well earn my keep while I'm stuck here," Chihiro replied. Without second thought, Lin grasped her under the arm and with a large smirk began dragging her away, leaving Haku behind.
"You're going to regret that," Haku called after them, but they had already been sucked into the maze of hallways. Finding himself now alone at the entrance, Haku made his way down to the bowels of the bathhouse where the boiler man worked tirelessly. Even though he was master of the bathhouse, he often came downstairs to talk with Kamaji and give him news of the world above. Bringing him news of his claimed granddaughter would be reason enough for a visit, but today he needed something else…
Lin crammed Chihiro into an elevator with what appeared to be a large Radish spirit. Reminding her not to make eye contact, they all went up the elevator to one of the upper floors of the bathhouse. Excusing themselves, she continued to drag Chihiro through the maze of rooms until they reached a door at the end of a hall. Sliding open the door, Lin pulled Chihiro in and slammed it shut behind them. The room was large and cozy with a fair sized bed, wardrobe, nightstand, and desk. Paper screens were slightly open to reveal a short balcony that appeared to connect to other balconies of nearby rooms. Lin threw open the wardrobe and began searching for a uniform that would match her own. Chihiro had grown generously since her visit eleven years ago and now even the bland uniform would show traces of her curves. Lin reminded herself to warn the yunas against recruiting Chihiro for their services. Finally finding a uniform that would fit Chihiro, Lin shoved it into Chihiro's arms before she set to the task of tidying up around the room.
"What will you have me doing today?"
"From now on, you will be my assistant again. Though I manage the staff for the most part I still pick up the odd task here and there. We will start with rounding on all of the departments and see where we are needed." Chihiro dropped her yukata and slipped into the uniform. Lin quickly folded the yukata and set it on her desk before motioning for Chihiro to follow her.
"You said again. Was I your assistant before?" Lin looked back over her shoulder at Chihiro with hooded eyes.
"Yes, but we were more like sisters."
"Could you tell me more about my time here before…? I don't remember any of it…" Lin stopped short and Chihiro ran into her back before catching herself. Lin thought hard for a moment before giving Chihiro a smirk.
"I don't know that much, but I can tell you what little I do know. The rest you will have to find out from others." Nodding her head eagerly, Chihiro waited for her to speak again. Ruffling Chihiro's hair, Lin rolled her eyes before setting pace again towards the elevator. "Once a dope, always a dope…should've known you would still trust so easily. Come on, I'll tell you after we finish working. Maybe doing some of the same chores again could help spark a memory or two. Besides I got a feelin' nobody has cleaned the big tub in a while," she said with a mischievous smile.
Chihiro quickly learned that Lin's smirks were signs of impending mischief and hard work. By the end of the day, she was more exhausted and sore than she had ever been in her lifetime. Lin hadn't been kidding about working hard. They had helped wipe down the floors, cleaned the big tub, and distributed supplies from the inventory in just the morning alone! However, they had had fun as well, as reflected from their mutually wet tops. Chihiro had accidentally splashed Lin with water and without hesitation a water war began leaving both of them sopping in water giggling. Ignoring the inquisitive stares from passing yunas, they cleaned the mess up quickly afterwards. With the bathhouse shut down for the night now, Chihiro had shucked her filthy uniform top happily. She sat in her tank top and slacks dangling her feet off of the edge of Lin's balcony. Returning with bowls of rice and yakitori, Lin offered her a set before sitting down beside her. Digging into the meal happily, Chihiro admired the gorgeous view of the city below. Lin smiled at her before looking out over the river as well.
"We first met in the boiler room some eleven years ago…back when Yubaba ran the bathhouse with an iron fist," Lin began with a distant expression on her face. "I had come downstairs to bring Kamaji his meal and found you among the Susuwatari hauling coal to the furnace. He begged me to bring you to see Yubaba, even bribed me with a roasted newt for it. I took you part of the way up, but had to distract the foreman so you could continue. You returned to the main staff lounge later that evening with Haku. I will never forget it. You were so adamant that you would work hard and no one wanted you in their department. Haku even told the staff that they could roast you for all that he cared, but you were under contract same as everyone else. He made you my assistant and that is when I learned that your new name was Sen. Everyone had to give up their names when they made a contract with Yubaba, and if you couldn't remember your real name when you tried to dissolve the contract then you would be hers forever. Haku and I were among the many spirits who had long since forgotten our true names at the time when you arrived."
Lin stopped for a moment and seemed to think hard for a few moments. Her brow knit together and she looked down at their dangling feet. Chihiro gave her the time to collect herself.
"You were such a klutzy worker, but your heart was in the right place. We got assigned the big tub on your first night working. I went to go fetch us breakfast and when I got back I saw you assisting a giant Stink spirit into the big tub. Our food disintegrated from the stench, but you kept a straight face. I was so proud of you. As I went to grab a broom, you fell into the tub while trying to pull the string to restart the water. You were the one who figured out that there was a thorn in the spirit's side. We tied rope around it and as a staff, we yanked it out. Turns out the spirit was actually an old powerful river spirit who had been polluted by the humans. He was concerned that he would become a Tainted given his level of impurity, so he transformed himself into a Stink spirit to keep everyone away while he hurried to the nearest bathhouse. You helped him return to his natural form and clear the impurities. The next night we had a No Face spirit here and you led it out of the bathhouse when it went on a rampage. I was so worried about you…but right after sunrise you returned with Haku at your side. Apparently he had made a deal with Yubaba that if he returned her missing child she had to dissolve your contract, on the condition that you pass one final challenge. All of the staff and many of the guests came out to watch the test. There were a group of pigs in a pen set up in the main entrance and Yubaba said if you could figure out which pigs were your parents then she would let you all go. You replied that none of the pigs were your parents and you were correct. Your contract dissolved and you and Haku ran away without looking back. We cheered for long after you had left. Haku returned without you and said you had passed through the void back to your world successfully."
"So how did Haku become master of the bathhouse then?" Lin sighed and set aside her empty tray beside Chihiro's.
"Haku had always been Yubaba's second-in-command, but she treated him more like a henchman. Back then, he was indifferent to the suffering of the staff and completed her dirty work without mercy. It was as if his sole purpose in life was to serve Yubaba. When you arrived, I warned you to stay away from Haku, but you always seemed to be asking after him. As far as I could see, he treated you the same as he would any other employee, but there must have been something more between you for him to make that deal with Yubaba on your behalf. As soon as you were safe in the human world, Haku challenged Yubaba to a duel for partial ownership of the bathhouse and won. It seems that somehow you gave him his name back and freed him from whatever magic had been binding him. As co-owner of the bathhouse, he focused on improving the internal bathhouse affairs and renovating parts of the bathhouse structure. Two years ago, Yubaba went to the border to make an important delivery of sorts to the general of the Eastern forces and was killed in a surprise attack by the Tainted. Haku took over full ownership of the bathhouse at that point and freed us all of our previous contracts, but that didn't return names to those of us who had lost them. Everyone you see on staff now has signed new employment terms that gives us proper pay and vacation time. Things are much better now, but if you hadn't come along back then, who knows what might have happened to all of us. That's enough of that kind of talk though. Your eyelids are drooping already, are you sure you don't want to move in with me? I can have another bed brought in."
"No I told Haku I would stay with him for now, but if he gets on my nerves I promise you this will be the first place I run," Chihiro replied as she got up slowly and stretched with a yawn.
"Alright, well take this set of uniforms with you. I expect you to meet me ready to go for a full day's work in the kitchen tomorrow morning. Don't think hiding in the dragon's lair would keep me from finding you." Taking the small bundle of uniforms, Chihiro thanked her and set out for Haku's room. Watching the floors blur by as she went up the elevator, she thought over all that she had learned. Getting off on the top floor, Chihiro absentmindedly headed towards her room and set the uniforms on her bed. She noted the filth on the remainder of her uniform and decided that a bath would be the only way of truly getting clean. Grabbing a nightgown, Chihiro walked towards the bathroom.
Noting the closed door to Haku's room, Chihiro thought about her strange reptile roommate. If they had been close enough for him to willingly stick his neck out for her with Yubaba, then why would he not want her to remember their previous time together? It wasn't as if he was preventing her from asking others about it either, he was just withholding his part, however large, in her past. Maybe if she asked for him to talk to her about it, not show her with magic, he would be more willing to disclose the information. If he really didn't want to talk about it, then why have her stay in his flat instead of letting her move in with Lin? It would have been much easier to avoid her if she wasn't living with him. Why did he want to keep her close? If they were friends before, then why does he not want her to remember their friendship?
Caught up in her thoughts, Chihiro pushed open the bathroom door without knocking. Chihiro jumped squealing at the sight before her, nearly dropping her nightgown in the process. Uncoiled in the hot bath, the white and teal dragon was relaxing. Haku's head rested on the floor at the bath's edge as the rest of his body lay in comfortable loops throughout the tub. No wonder he needed such a large bath tub! Lazily opening his green eyes at her entrance, Haku gave her a wolfish grin displaying his impressive set of sharp teeth. Bowing and apologizing, Chihiro stepped out and slammed the bathroom door shut.
Taking a seat at the table while she waited for the bathroom, Chihiro tried to calm her red cheeks. She had just walked in on a man in the bathtub! Yet at the same time, he was in his dragon form so it wasn't like she had seen anything, but still. Shaking her head to try and dispel any thoughts of Haku in the bath tub, Chihiro missed the sound of the bathroom door opening. The click of claw on wood however snapped her to attention. Getting up out of her seat and turning to bow to Haku in apology, her jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the sopping wet dragon flopping down before the fire with a huff. Giving her a grumble and motion with his tail for her to use the bathroom, Chihiro muttered her thanks and made her speedy escape.
Brushing out the last strands of her wet hair, Chihiro put her dirty uniform in the clothes hamper and slipped into the night gown. She had seen the hints of sunrise wanting to peek in the window and knew it had to be fairly late. How odd that she had already began to think of sunrise as sunset for her day. It had only been a night and yet it felt like she had been here for much longer. Coming out of the bathroom Chihiro was surprised to see Haku still lying out before the fire. This time however, he had a small comb clamped in his teeth and he was miserably trying to undo some of the knots in his fur. Sighing he stared at her for a few moments before continuing.
"Wouldn't it be much easier to use magic to do that," Chihiro asked as she watched him struggle for the brief moment that her eyes left the floor. She was trying to not stare at him, unsure if it was appropriate to look since she didn't know if he was wearing clothes or not. Did it really matter when he was in his dragon form anyways? Dropping the comb, he grumbled at her and rolled his eyes. Letting a giggle escape, Chihiro couldn't deny how cute he looked. Here he was, the ferocious dragon, laying in a wet heap like a drowned cat trying to use a small comb to pull tangles out of his fur.
"I could help you with that if you would like," Chihiro said as she walked closer uncertainly. Lifting her eyes to meet his, he seemed to stare straight into her soul. Picking up the abandoned comb, he tossed it gently at her feet and watched her pick it up. Kneeling beside him, she ran the comb gently through his fur. He smelled of early morning dew and fresh rain water, despite the scented oils in the bath. Working quickly and thoroughly, Chihiro untangled and straightened the fur and mane from his tail to his neck. Somewhere along the way, he had begun to coil up around her and rested his head by her shoulder. His white fur was short and soft and seemed to blend seamlessly into the scales that lined his belly. Sharp talons glistened in the firelight and his horns stood proudly atop his head. Haku's mane felt like soft silk, but the teal color reminded Chihiro of underwater moss. Beginning to work on the tangles on his head, he gave her a short growl as the comb caught on a knot.
"No complaining, Haku. You should be grateful that I'm taking the time to do this," Chihiro chided as she gently whacked his forehead with the comb. Rolling his eyes and grumbling deep his throat, he pushed his head down so she wouldn't have to reach as far. As his mane began to untangle, Chihiro threaded her fingers through it to check it for additional knots. Purring loudly, Haku nudged her side with his head and pushed into her hand.
"Oh well I guess you like that huh." Finishing the last of the knots, she continued running her fingers through the silk-like mane as he purred. Haku closed his eyes in contentment and began to sleep as Chihiro realized how late it was. A weak early morning sun began to rise as she rubbed his head gently. Giving a long yawn, Chihiro made to get up from her seat amongst the coils, but was gently pushed back in place by Haku's tail. Peering back at his face, he gave her a sleepy grin and curled around her tenderly as he tried to go back to sleep.
"Haku, I need to go to bed. Let me out," she said as he grumbled at her and again tucked her into his coils with his tail as if to say that she should just sleep there. Ignoring the soft comfortable warmth that threatened to envelop her, she sat up off the coils. Pushing his tail away, Chihiro managed to stand and put the comb on the mantle.
"Haku, I am serious. If you don't let me out I will make knots in that mane of yours that would take centuries to get out." Getting up slowly, he unwrapped from around her and slowly slunk towards his bedroom grumbling.
"Goodnight," she called after him as he shut his bedroom door with a swish of his tail. Walking back to her room, Chihiro felt the cold breeze upon her warmed skin. She had been comfortable within his coils and probably could have slept there happily, but something about it didn't rest right with her gut. One minute he is eager to send her back to her world and the next he is trying to get her to sleep in his coils. Surely his actions tonight were driven by a sleep deprived state, Chihiro reasoned, but what are his true intentions? As if he wasn't confusing enough, she muttered aloud as she closed her own door. Confident that she had made the right decision, Chihiro climbed into her cold bed and let sleep take her away.