Author's note:

Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy juggling my fun time and other life-involving stuff with fanfic writing so xD

Enjoy chapter three~

Finally, after three months of preparation, the dragon family's stay at Aburaya has come. The whole bathhouse was specially reserved for the dragons and their many servants, a special treat from the dragon palace for their loyalty and hard work. Yubaba was practically twiddling her thumbs as she waited for the day of their coming.

It is the day before their visit, and Haku saw off the last guest as the entire bathhouse was emptied of any customers that weren't part of the dragon family's entourage. He let out a huge sigh and leaned against the railings of the bridge that stretched over the train tracks. He looked off to the distance where the train could be seen chugging along the horizon, a small but long speck against the rising sun. This was the most relaxed he'd been all month, the first break and moment of peace before the dragon family's coming. All around him, the workers bustled here and there, rushing last minute checks and putting up some decorations for an extravagant welcome. A huge banner of rippling water and glowing seashells, which Haku had bewitched, hung underneath the sign that arched over the entrance to the bathhouse, and many streamers and bright-colored lanterns trailed along the walls and gates of the bathhouse. Yuna were running to and fro with buckets, mops, and brooms to hurry and clean the surroundings of the bathhouse and the many rooms that were prepped ahead of time to suit the dragons. Frog spirits hopped and leaped all over, carrying packages of food, herbs, fine china, and small authentic decorations for the rooms.

Chihiyaku, one of the two organizers of the bathhouse and a step below Haku's status, walked up and leaned against the rails with a cigarette. He blew out a puff of white smoke and closed his eyes. "Taking a break , eh, Master Haku?"

"Yes. Everyone is working hard to make everything perfect for my family's arrival and I needed a moment's peace," Haku murmured as he covered his face with one hand. He never cared for Chihiyaku's smokes, but he didn't like the smell of it. "How is everything going?"

"Running smoothly, just having one last check. Can't have a single mistake or Yubaba will kill us, ha!" Chihiyaku laughed, crushing the cigarette on the railings and blowing out the small sparks. "Everyone is excited to meet your family, Master Haku."

Haku made a small smile before standing up straight from the rails. "I'll retire to my room now. Make sure everyone rests properly for tomorrow."

"Good night, Master Haku," the frog spirit bowed his head as Haku walked away.

Haku climbed two flights of wooden stairs before he reached the elevator that would lead to his quarters. He waited for it to arrive, yawning, when Lin came up from behind him. "Hey, dragon. Going to sleep?"

"Yes, you should, too, if all of your work is done," he replied, rubbing his shoulder wearily.

"I will, but Kamaji and I were wondering..." Lin trailed off, staring at her feet nervously.

"What is it?"

"Can we see Chihiro?" She finally asked, a sheepish smile on her face as she peered up at the tall river spirit.

Haku blinked a couple times before nodding. "Of course, I've been meaning to check on Chihiro for a while now. Meet me in my office."

"Yes! I'll go get Kamaji! He'll be thrilled!" Lin grinned, jumping into the air once before running off to the boiler room just as the elevator arrived.

Haku smiled in amusement and got on the elevator. Within a few minutes, he was at his floor and he quickly headed for the room that he used as his office. Sliding open the wooden door, the large room was revealed. Somewhat. The moment you enter his office, there was a wall with a small rack built in filled with papers and notices that acted as Haku's mailbox. Three steps to the right, and the room is finally open, although there was a low, black sofa a few feet from the opening of the wall that blocked the room. Two large, ebony shelves filled with books, folders, and papers lined one wall, and the other was a large window that had a nice view of the town and the distant train station. A mahogany desk covered with heaping stacks of paper sat at the end of the room in front of a large black armchair. The small fountain sat in the corner of the window wall.

Haku walked over to the fountain and picked it up, setting it back down on his desk between the stacks of paper. He trailed a finger along the rim of the fountain, watching his reflection get interrupted by the curtain of water that fell from the top. There was a knock on the door and Lin and Kamaji came inside his office with looks of anticipation. Haku smiled at the two spirits, especially at Kamaji since he rarely left the boiler room. In fact, the last time the old spirit had left the steamy room was the day when Chihiro took Yubaba's test. Also the day Chihiro left the spirit world. The thought and memory of it left a bittersweet taste in his mouth so Haku shrugged it off and beckoned them to his desk as the two spirits fidgeted from the wall.

"Chihiro is probably getting ready for school back in the human world," he told the two and Lin gave him a confused look.

"School? What's that?" She asked curiously.

"I hear it's a place where humans come together to learn," Kamaji said while wisely stroking his bushy beard.

"Yes, that's what it is, thank you, Kamaji," Haku smiled. He turned back to the fountain and waved his hand over the flowing water. The surface rippled before showing Chihiro's empty room.

"Hey, where is she? You said you'll show us Chihiro, not a room, dragon," Lin retorted, leaning forward so her face was inches away from the image and squinting her eyes to see if the human girl was hiding anywhere.

"I don't know, maybe she is taking a shower?" Haku guessed. He had charmed the fountain so if Chihiro happened to be in the bathroom or out of the house, it would only show her empty bedroom, letting him know she was away. Of course it didn't help show if she was in trouble when she was out of the house, but either way, Haku wouldn't be able to do anything to help but feel frustrated.

Lin pouted, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away with a huff. "Hmph, then we'll stay here until she shows up."

Kamaji chuckled, sitting down on a guest seat in front of Haku's desk and adjusting his spectacles. "Well, while we are waiting, why don't you tell us more about Chihiro, Haku."

"Yeah, spill the beans. You've been keeping her to yourself this whole time, dragon," Lin agreed, flopping herself down into Haku's armchair behind his desk and resting her feet on top of a stack of papers. Haku sighed at her disrespect since he was her boss but he just let it slide for now.

"Well, Chihiro has a younger brother now, named Ryu," he said, sitting down on his desk beside the small fountain. "She still looks the same, just older and a little taller."

"Oh, so I have a grandson now?" Kamaji said in amusement, smiling to himself. "I'm sure he looks just like her."

"Do you think she still remembers us?" Lin suddenly asked.

Haku blinked in surprise and hesitated before saying anything. "Yes, somewhere deep in her heart, I know she remembers us." This he believed with all his might, even though he knew to was futile to hope.

"Mm," the weasel spirit murmured before glancing at the fountain. Lin jumped to her feet and brought her face close to it, an excited look on her face. "Sen! Chihiro! It's her! Look, Kamaji, it's Chihiro! Oh, she's really big now, but I can tell she's still a dope."

Kamaji scrambled up on his feet and leaned forward to examine his pretend granddaughter. "She's grown to be a fine young woman," he smiled warmly, watching the image of young Chihiro walk into her bedroom in uniform with a small boy clinging to her feet. She was laughing, and although they can't hear what she was saying it was obvious that she was amused by her brother.

"That's her brother right? Ryu, was it?" Lin asked Haku who nodded.

She gushed, leaning closer to the watery image. "Geez, the kid is cute! Look at that! He has Chihiro's pink cheeks and her hair!"

"That's my grandson," Kamaji laughed heartily as the two spirits enjoyed seeing their friend after a very long time. Haku let them keep watching but soon Chihiro left her room again with school bag slung over her shoulder. He snapped his fingers and the image disappeared, leaving Lin pouting.

"What was that for?" She grumbled.

"Chihiro is heading for school now, so we can stop," Haku replied, taking the fountain away and tucking it back into the corner of the room beside the large window. "Besides, you should rest now. Tomorrow is a big day."

"Haku has a point, Lin, we need to sleep now," Kamaji agreed and the woman sighed.

"Alright. Thanks for that, dragon. We'll see you tomorrow," Lin said as she and Kamaji left the room. Haku followed them out and waved bye as they disappeared through the elevator.

Once the elevator doors closed, Haku turned back and went to his room. He stripped off his shirt, leaving only his pants on, before heading to the balcony. The sun was shining brightly overhead now, and he squinted from the light. "It's late now," he murmured to himself as he leaned against the wooden rails. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth on the skin, breathing in the fresh air and relieving him of the stress from work. He stayed like this for a few minutes, soaking in the sun, before heading back inside where he lay on his large bed with thick covers of elegant embroidery and sea green silk. Haku stared up at the ceiling lost in thought.

He was daydreaming about Chihiro. How her day was, if she missed her dreams with him. It really has been a long time since he last visited her, and if he could, he would visit her right now if she weren't in school. Haku sighed, rolling over on his belly and burying his face in the fluffy white pillows. "I miss her," he said with a muffled voice. Whenever he visited her dreams, Chihiro always looked so happy, eager to tell him about her day and explore the world he produced for her. If she wasn't in school right at that moment, but instead napping somewhere, he wouldn't hesitate to magick his way into her dreams. If only he could use magic to be with her.

"Stop wishing, Haku, and go to sleep," he ordered himself in frustration and soon he was in a deep slumber.

When he awoke, it was still fairly early, with the sunset only a couple hours away. Haku rubbed his eyes sleepily, looking out the window as he sat up on his bed. Chihiro is probably at home by now, he thought to himself and a sudden urge to see her came upon him. Within moments, he was in his clothes and out of his bedroom, speeding away to his office on the other side of the floor. He burst through the door and headed straight to the fountain. Without a single blink of the eye, he waved his hand over the water and Chihiro's image appeared. She was lying down on her bed, a textbook open in front of her and the light on. She must've fallen asleep studying, Haku thought to himself as he observed her sleeping face. Wait, she's asleep!

Haku practically threw himself into his armchair and immediately closed his eyes, concentrating to focus in on her mind in the other world. Within moments, he entered the realm of her dreams.

They were standing in a small park with a small grove of young trees and beds of flowers along the perimeter. Chihiro was swinging on a tire swing that hung from a large oak, a content, but at the same time, sad look on her young face. Haku took on the form of twinkling wind and approached her. He caressed her hair softly, brushing it from her face, and Chihiro looked up at the sky in amazement. "The dreamer!" She exclaimed as Haku let out a breezy laughter that filled the whole park. The dreamer, it's what she called him since she knew it was the same voice, but always a changing dream. "I missed you!"

"I've missed you, too," Haku whispered, enveloping her in a warm hug, but to her, it was as if the wind danced around her spreading a tingling warmth throughout her body. "I'm sorry I haven't visited in such a long time."

"It's okay, you're visiting now," Chihiro smiled. "I was scared that I would never visit the meadow or the river again."

"Next time. I've been busy."

"Visiting other dreams?" She asked curiously and Haku laughed again.

"No. I'll leave it up to your imagination," he teased. He caressed her cheeks and looked into her warm brown eyes. "How have you been, Chihiro?"

"Fine. I have exams coming up soon so I have to study more than I want," she made a face, making him chuckle. "Dreamer, will you ever show yourself to me?" Haku opened his mouth to speak but shut it close. "They say in dreams I can make anything happen, but I can never conjure up an image of you. Why is that?"

"Do you want to see me, Chihiro?" Haku asked quietly, the air now still.

"Yes. I always wanted to meet you dreamer," she answered eagerly, making him smile.

"I'm sorry, maybe next time," he said after thinking for a while.

"Is it a promise?"

"Promise."

"I hope you would keep it, dreamer," Chihiro whispered quietly, looking down at her feet. " I made a promise with this boy once, years ago, to meet again, but he never came. I don't remember him much anymore, but I know that when I see him, I'll know it's him. It makes me sad, because the boy never came back to fulfill it. Please keep your promise, dreamer."

Haku was speechless and couldn't say anything back. Instead, he left Chihiro's dream in a strong gust of wind and now sat in his office again. What Chihiro had said shocked him. He didn't expect for her to remember a single memory at all. It scared him, finding out she remembers the promise he made, but at the same time, it made him happy. "She remembers me," Haku smiled to himself, looking at the fountain fondly where Chihiro's image still shone in the water. She just woke up as well, and a happy smile was on her face as she got up from her bed.

Maybe he still had a chance of keeping the promise. Someday. But that could wait, he had a welcome party to organize.

Author's note

Yeah, I know, short chapter, sorreh. I wanted this chapter to be purely on Haku's visit to Chihiro's dreams and for the dragon family's arrival to be in the next chapter, so until the next update, keep on the look out! Please drop a review~