Elongated shadows danced against the walls as the breeze blew in through the open window and teased the candle flame. The sweet smell of pastries and cakes wafted from the brick oven as a kettle whistled its shrill noise while it sat over the rickety stove. A rustling sound the straw broom made added to the quiet, cozy atmosphere as No Face swept the floor of any dust spirits and dust bunnies crawling around. Zeniba sat at the loom tapping the pedal, making the wheel and spindle spin as her deft fingers wove the hem of an elegant dress that had just begun. The old witch hummed to herself a happy tune while No Face softly swayed while sweeping. A typical calm evening in the ominous Swamp Bottom. A loud rap at the door immediately broke the silence and No Face quickly stowed the broom away before answering the door.
"No Face, good evening," Haku smiled when he saw the silent spirit.
"Ah...ah!" No Face said, stepping to the side to let him in.
"Haku? Is that you?" Zeniba called out from where she sat. "What am I saying? Of course it is! I could easily recognize your presence anywhere. It has been awhile, indeed. Who are your guests?"
"It"s me, auntie Zeniba!" Boh grinned, running up to the old witch to give her a huge hug.
"Boh! I know it's you, dear" she smiled, pinching his round nose like any other grandmother (or in her case, aunt). She gestured to Yachiru and Yanagi who stood warily behind Haku at the entrance. "But I meant to ask about those two besides Haku."
"Oh! Makes sense," the little spirit boy nodded.
"Well, these two are my older brother and sister, Zeniba," Haku said, introducing his siblings. Yachiru and Yanagi made a small bow with their heads in greeting.
"Oh yes! My sister sent me a message just the other week about your family staying at Aburaya," she laughed before getting up from the loom. "Come in, sit down, your highnesses. Dessert is just about ready to be eaten!" She said before busying herself at the stove.
"Thank you, Zeniba," Yanagi said politely before sitting down at the end of a long wooden table already prepped for a meal. Yachiru sat beside him with Boh to her left and Haku across from her. No Face came to the table with a tray filled with sweets and cakes and placed it at both end. The spirit took a seat beside Haku just as bowls of ikameshi (rice-stuffed squid), sweet potatoes still roasting on hot stones, and trays of sushi flew in and landed themselves accordingly around the table. Zeniba placed one last dish full of anman (steamed bun filled red bean paste) on the table before taking her own seat at the end.
"Eat up! I'm sure it's not as elegant as the meals you would eat at the Dragon Palace but these are fine delicacies indeed," the old witch cackled before taking some sushi with her chopsticks.
Boh began reaching for the castella (a sponge cake) when Haku slapped his hand away. "Lunch before dessert, Boh," he scolded before serving him some of the squid and sweet potatoes. Boh pouted but obediently began eating away at his plate.
Yachiru giggled at the sight and nudged her twin brother. "It's as if Kohaku is his father."
Yanagi played along and rubbed his chin with a thoughtful look. "Well, I was wondering how Kohaku was able to become a co-owner of Aburaya. I think I see now, do you, Yachiru?"
"Yanagi! I see exactly what you mean!" She laughed and Zeniba chuckled to herself as she sipped her tea. Kohaku glared at the two from across the table and resisted the urge to kick them.
Yanagi smirked and he leaned over the table, resting his chin on the back of his hands. "And here I was under the impression that Kohaku fell for a little human when his taste is actually in older spirits. So scandalous." He said the last part while dramatically raising his hands and stretching out the words.
"No no, I'm definite that Kohaku fell for the human. Yubaba must be her replacement."
"Oh, I see what you're getting at. Well, Aburaya is a bathhouse. Back in the Edo period, the yuna also sold sex as part of their service. I guess it's still going on today. Kohaku must've bought Yubaba and the huma-"
"I did NOT do ANYTHING with that old witch!" Haku yelled, jumping to his feet angrily. Everyone became silent, shocked at his outburst. Zeniba merely raised her brows. "Aburaya isn't like that! And don't you dare talk about Chihiro like that or I'll kill you, Yanagi! I mean it."
Yanagi couldn't believe his ears. Haku had actually become angry and even yelled at him. He was shocked, he had never, not once in his lifespan, seen his younger brother raise his voice. Even when they were young spirits, Haku had never lost his composure. To see Haku standing in the room, fists clenched, shoulders tense, and a face full of anger, Yanagi could honestly say it was a first. For everyone. He only meant to tease the river spirit a little but something in him made Yanagi want to push Haku to his limits, to see his reaction. This was the first time Haku showed his anger, and the first time Yanagi said such horrible things.
"I-I didn't mean to offend you," he was finally able to say, his shock obvious in his hesitant voice.
"Offend me? No, you didn't offend me, Yanagi. You dirtied Chihiro's name and that's unacceptable," Haku said in a low voice.
"We were only fooling around, I didn't know I would go that far."
"Fooling aro-"
"That's enough, Haku. Why don't you go outside and cool your head before you destroy our lunches. Although my appetite has been ruined after that little talk, I still think you should take a few moments to yourself," Zeniba interrupted with a calm look. She looked at the angry river spirit meaningfully and after a few moments of glaring, he finally left the room. Letting out a relieved sigh, she patted No Face's hands. "Have you also calmed down as well, No Face?"
Yanagi, Yachiru, and Boh all glanced at the spirit who was quietly trembling, his mood greatly affected by Haku's anger. No Face shook his head and said, "Ah...Ah…"
"Ah, I see. Why don't you walk outside for a bit as well? We don't want you rampaging on us either," Zeniba said and No Face also left.
"We...we apologize for our behaviour," Yachiru said after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Yes, I am being very truthful when I say this but I did not mean to go that far," Yanagi said in a voice full of remorse. He brushed his hand through his dark hair and clenched his jaw. "I don't even understand why I said all of those. Something in me just-"
"It's alright, your highness. May I call you by your name? It's troublesome keeping up with all of these honorifics," Zeniba said and the twins nodded. "It happens sometimes, Yanagi. Everyone has a moment or two when they can't seem to stop fooling around until they go too far. Although I am also angered that you included Chihiro in your insults."
Yachiru observed the old witch closely and was surprised to find herself asking: "Is this human...Chihiro...is she really that important to our brother?" She was intrigued. Ever since she found out that Haku was fond of a human girl, she was always wondering what had happened during the years he was missing. She wanted to find out what caused him to change so much that he was actually becoming angry for the sake of a friend when he never became angry for family. She wanted to know so badly what she had missed from her younger brother's life.
"Yes...Chihiro was an important girl to all of us," Zeniba answered quietly, gazing at her tea.
"Sen was the one who took me to auntie Zeniba," Boh agreed while he wiped away at his teary eyes. "She showed me that germs aren't that bad."
"Sen? I thought her name was Chihiro."
"Well, you see, your highness, I mean, Yachiru, Chihiro's arrival to the Spirit World a few years was an accident. Haven't you ever wondered how she survived?"
"Why...yes. But we never knew that Kohaku was involved with her so we never asked him," Yachiru said in surprise.
"Well, it's a long story, and it all began when Chihiro's parents ate some of the spirit food…"
Haku stood at the edge of the swamp, gazing at the moon just barely reflected in the murky water. He had finally calmed down and thought about what had happened. He was shocked. He never would have thought he would lose his composure like that. And he bets his siblings had thought the same as well. He had only just arrived at Zeniba's only to ruin the atmosphere of such a calm, quiet place. He sighed angrily before hurling a stone over the water. Despite the force he used, the stone was still able to skip a couple times before sinking into the depths of the swamp with a loud splash.
"What is wrong with me?" Haku asked himself for the fifth time. I didn't need to throw a fit at Yanagi but… "When he mentioned Chihiro like that...I really couldn't help myself," he whispered in a broken voice, squeezing his eyes shut as he held his forehead in his hand. Haku knelt on the ground as thoughts of Chihiro took over his mind again. It's been too long since he had last seen her and worry ate away at him. That was one reason why he was so agitated. He needed to see Chihiro, even if it's only through the fountain, just to see if she was alright. The look on her face when he last saw her scared him. If only…
His thoughts were interrupted when someone tapped his shoulder. Haku looked up to see No Face standing over him and he gave the spirit a weary smile. "Hello, No Face. Did they send you?"
"Ah...ah," No Face shook his head, gesturing with his hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to affect your mood like that."
"Ah ah," he shrugged as if saying "No big deal."
"Well, I've calmed down now, so we don't have to worry about that anymore, don't we?" The river spirit let out a small laugh before returning his gaze to the moon's reflection. "Do you miss her, No Face?"
"Ah…," he said sadly, hanging his head.
"Me, too…"
The two spirits remained at the edge of the swamp's waters for a very long time before the old lamp hopped over to get them. The three returned to the old cottage where Haku's siblings stood outside waiting for them with looks of understanding.
"Kohaku...I'm sorry, I understand now. I'm sorry for speaking badly of Chihiro," Yanagi immediately apologized as Haku approached them.
"We didn't know she was the reason why you were able to come back to us. We're sorry," Yachiru added before moving to hug the river spirit.
"It's okay now...I'm fine," Haku said as he awkwardly received her hug. He glanced at Zeniba who was watching him. "I also have to apologize for my behaviour. I shouldn't have lost my composure in the middle of a meal."
"It's all fine and dandy now, don't worry, Haku," the old witch smiled before gesturing them to come inside. "We might as well finish eating before you four return to Aburaya."
"Thank you, Zeniba. For everything," Haku said and she only smiled once more before going inside.
Haku was about to follow her inside when Boh tugged at his sleeve. "Haku…"
"Yes, Boh?"
The spirit boy gave him a hug, burying his face in Haku's shirt. "I wish Sen would come back. So you can be happy, too."
"...Thank you, Boh," Haku whispered before embracing the spirit.
Author's Note:
Hallo! Look gais, I updated in less than two months! Be proud! :D
It's winter break at the moment, although I only have a week left *cries* buuuuut, I was able to update this fanfic because I like this one more than Always here so hahaha, here ya go!
Anyways, thanks for reading this far and see you in the next chapter! Happy New Year's! 3