Toyotama-hime paced in her private room restlessly and glanced through the open shoji door for any signs of her youngest children. Lord Ryujin sat on a small, round cushion (enza) while taking a long sip of steaming chai tea. "Toyotama, my dear, please don't be restless. I'm sure they'll return with no harm done," Ryujin said to his daughter as the dragon woman put her hand to her lips and checked out the shoji door again.

"My lord, you know how risky it is nowadays, I cannot help but be worried." Toyotama-hime turned to face the dragon king. "They left early evening while everyone was still asleep. How am I to be sure they were not ambushed, kidnapped, or-"

"Toyotama," Ryujin raised his voice and she became silent. "These are my grandchildren, royalty of the Dragon Palace. I am sure they can fend themselves easily. We are dragons, Toyotoma."

"Yes, my lord," she agreed quietly. Toyotoma looked at the king with scrutining eyes. "You're strangely calm, my lord," she noticed and the king only took a sip of tea.

"I suppose that's so," he said just as three small specks of color came into the range of the bathhouse lights. The three dragons transformed into their human form midair before floating gently down onto the bridge. Boh whispered in Haku's ears as he sat on his shoulders while Yachiru childishly pushed their older brother as he landed.

"Don't push me, Yachiru," Yanagi complained as he caught himself before falling onto the railings. His twin sister giggled before skipping towards the foyer of the bathhouse.

"Of course, brother, dear," she grinned as they walked inside. The four were immediately greeted by a group of yuna and frogs that were walking by. Haku let Boh down to the floor and the young spirit bowed to the dragon spirits.

"Thank you for taking me to auntie Zeniba!" Boh said in his squeaky voice. "I have to go see mama now, bye bye, your highnesses! Bye, Haku!"

"I'll see you later, Boh," Haku smiled before the boy went running off the next hall to see Yubaba. Haku brushed a hand through his dark hair and turned to face his older siblings. "Well, I have some work to finish up in the office. I trust I can leave you two alone?"

"We're not young spirits, Kohaku, we can handle ourselves," Yachiru said sarcastically.

Yanagi only chuckled before waving him off. "Go finish your business. Yachiru and I will hide a bit more before the wrath of mother-"

"Kohaku! Yanagi, Yachiru! You're safe!" Toyotama-hime cried out as she stepped out of the elevator. She rushed to her children and examined all three of them. "Good, you weren't attacked. But what were you three thinking? Leaving the bathhouse while everyone was still asleep? You didn't even inform anyone!"

"Mother, you were awake," Yachiru said exasperatedly. "Everyone in Aburaya was awake at the time. And," she added as she held her mother's hands, "we were only accompanying Kohaku and Boh as they went to visit the witch Zeniba. We had permission from Yubaba."

"That does not mean you and Yanagi should have left the safety of the protection barriers around the bathhouse," Toyotama-hime scolded and Yanagi was about to speak just as the lord Ryujin calmly walked up to them.

"Yanagi, Yachiru, I see you have returned safely," their grandfather noted and they bowed respectfully. "However, your mother is correct. It is risky to leave the bathhouse unaccompanied by guards or at least informing either one of us."

"We apologize, my lord," the twins bowed deeply as Haku stood there stiffly.

"Kohaku, I did not know you were acquainted with the witch Zeniba," Ryujin said curiously. "Many things have indeed changed these past years."

"Yes, sir," Haku agreed, keeping a blank look on his face. "I must go to my office and finish some work. If you would excuse me." Haku bowed quickly and started walking away when Ryujin stopped him.

"I'm not finished talking to you, Kohaku."

Haku stopped in his tracks but he didn't turn around. "Is there more to talk about, my lord?"

Yanagi and Yachiru glanced at each other with confused expressions as Ryujin observed his youngest grandson. "Do you know about the current situation within our kingdom?"

'Yes, sir, Yanagi informed me during our travel."

"Then you understand the cause of the rumors, correct?"

The young dragon spirit hesitated before answering. "Yes."

"I've talked to Yubaba quite often during our meals and I heard plenty of what happened a few years ago. I was told you were acquainted with the human who managed to stumble their way into our world, am I correct?" The dragon king's dark eyes watched him closely.

"I only wished for them to return to the human world quickly, my lord. I did not try to befriend them in any way nor contact them these past few years," Kohaku lied smoothly, turning to face the king.

Ryujin was silent for a few seconds before speaking again. "I'm glad to hear that. If our people knew about the truth about the connection between you and that human, riots would appear throughout the kingdom." Kohaku kept quiet so he continued. "Your father created such a mess back then. I hope you understand that your actions are scaringly similar to his back then, Kohaku."

Kohaku felt a cold feeling twist his insides. "I know, sir."

"Then act more carefully. This visit isn't only a vacation, it's a reminder that you're still part of the Dragon Palace." Ryujin took a deep breath before walking away. "Go do your work now, Kohaku. I'll be in my room, everyone. Good day." Everyone waited for the elevator doors to close before speaking again.

"I really am sorry about that," Haku said to his mother as the woman cupped her face with her hands. "Boh warned me about his conversations with Yubaba; I didn't think he would approach me about it now of all times."

Toyotama-hime only shook her head as she inhaled deeply. "It's alright. What my lord said was true. We don't want something similar to recur."

"Mother...would you like me to accompany you to your room?" Yachiru asked timidly and the woman shook her head again.

"No...I would like some privacy for the rest of the night. If you would excuse me." Toyotama-hime quickly left them in the foyer and the three siblings stood there awkwardly.

Yanagi sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Things really are a mess right now. Not the highlight of our vacation, right, Yachiru?"

His sister nervously fiddled with the goldenbell flower that was still in her long hair. "No, I suppose not." She turned to face her younger brother. "Kohaku, shouldn't you go to work now?"

Haku gazed at the elevator down the hall for a few moments before answering. "You're right. Well, I'll be in my office." He quickly walked away, going down a few halls and up some stairs before finding another elevator that would lead to his level. He walked with clenched fists but for once, only one thought was in his mind and it wasn't about Chihiro. He thought about his father.

Haku slammed the door closed behind him once he reached his office. He marched over to his desk where a small pile of papers waited to be reviewed and signed. He ignored all of these and immediately sank into his chair, resting his head in his hand. Haku sighed deeply with closed eyes. In all honesty, he barely remembered his father, he didn't even know his name. Everyone refused to speak of him. All he remembered was being a very young spirit at the time of the incident. Haku didn't know much of the details but long before he was assigned his river, before everyone in the family became distant, his oldest brother had told him what happened.

A very young Haku gazed out the large crystal window that showed the underwater world of the Dragon Palace just as a boy with striking silver hair ran up to him. "Kohaku!" the boy called out as Haku turned to face him.

"What is it, Ichirou?" Haku asked his older brother as he tried to brush out the white hair in his face.

"It's about Father," Ichirou said. "He's come back."

"When did he come home?" Haku asked excitedly, his emerald eyes shining brightly.

"He just returned an hour ago, Kimiko heard one of the servants talking about it." Ichirou bit his lip as he looked away. "Apparently, Father came back from the human world."

Haku gasped as he looked up at his brother. "That's where he's been this whole time?"

"I don't know," Ichirou admitted. He fidgeted with his hands. "We heard...that he's connected to the reason why many of the spirits began to weaken or disappear."

"I don't believe that," Haku said, crossing his arms and his brother smiled weakly before tousling his dark hair.

"I don't want to either."

"Your Highnesses!" the shark-man, Samebito, approached them and bowed deeply. "Toyotama-hime has ordered for all of you to remain in your private quarters until she says otherwise."

"Would you care to explain what's happening, Samebito?" Ichirou asked, narrowing his blue eyes at him.

"I don't know anything except that your father has returned," was all he said. Haku and his siblings stayed in their private quarters for many days, only being allowed outside to dine in the second dining hall of the palace. He didn't see or talk to any of his siblings because they all dined at different times. Haku was very young but he still understood that something was very wrong when after almost three weeks of isolation, they were all summoned to the throne room. It wasn't Samebito who had come to escort him to the throne room but instead, another servant. Haku immediately knew something was wrong and the heavy atmosphere of the throne room did not help ease his worries.

When Haku arrived, he noticed that Ichirou stood beside the dragon king's throne, and on the other side sat his mother. He was ushered before the throne, standing in a line with his other siblings. Haku tried to look at them, to figure out what was going on, but all of his older siblings looked straight ahead at Ryujin who sat there with a grave expression. They stood there nervously before him until Kimiko knelt down on the ground on one knee and they followed suit. Ryujin cleared his throat before speaking.

"My grandchildren," he began in a solemn voice. "It is with deep regrets that I tell you this." Haku glanced at Ichirou who stood there with a detached expression. "Three weeks ago, your father had returned after many years on a journey. His whereabouts were unknown as well as his purpose. We discovered on his return that he had been wandering through the human realm." Haku clenched his fists as Ryujin continued. "Recently, there have been rumors of a breach and some humans were able to come to our world. These humans happened to be soldiers under their emperor and destroyed many dwellings of spirits."

"My lord, if I may ask," Kimiko spoke up, raising her head to look at him, "how were these humans able to come to our world?"

Ryujin stroked his beard, glancing at Toyotama-hime who sat in her throne with cloudy eyes. "Your father was manipulated by a human woman in opening a tunnel between our worlds. He returned to the palace to announce his loyalty with the humans." Ryujin pinched the bridge of his and closed his eyes. "The human world is a very dangerous place; the atmosphere had weakened him and the humans used his weakness to control his mind. It was a terrible sight."

Yachiru gripped the sleeves of Yanagi's robes as Kimiko brought her hands to her mouth to stifle her gasp. Haku stood there in shock as he let the news sneak in. His father...was controlled by humans and betrayed the spirit world for them. All of the weakening and disappearing spirits made sense. He watched his mother who sat there, a single tear rolling down her cheek, and his oldest brother stood there with a look of contempt. "What will happen to our father?" Haku had dared ask and Ryujin heaved a deep sigh.

"He has been banished from the Dragon Palace and the spirit world. The leaders of our world and other powerful spirits had gathered here to discuss his punishment. We all decided to take away his powers so he's only….a mere human." The last three words had echoed throughout the throne room with such disgust and finality. On that same day, Ichirou was announced as the crown prince throughout the entire kingdom and a huge void had been created between the siblings. Haku had also closed himself off from his siblings and like Ichirou, became a stoic person and relied on no one. He never saw his father again, and didn't try to look for him when he was assigned his river in the human world. Everything was emotionless until…

"I met Chihiro," Haku murmured to himself as he woke up from his dream. He stared blankly at the ceiling as he thought about his dream. He doesn't remember falling asleep. When did I even go to my room? he wondered to himself as he rolled over in his bed. He quickly sat up in his bed. "How did I get here?" he asked out loud just as someone slid open the shoji door. Yachiru's head popped out from behind it and a relieved look washed over her face.

"Kohaku! You're awake!" She gasped, rushing to his side and hugging him.

"Yachiru..?"

"Kohaku! You're finally awake!" Yanagi exclaimed as he came in carrying a tray of food.

"Why are you two in here? How did I get here?" Haku asked, scrunching his eyebrows together and the twins glanced at each other nervously.

"Well, we came by your office to find you asleep," Yachiru began.

"So we brought you to your room," Yanagi continued. "We tried to wake you up once it was meal time but…"

"You wouldn't wake up and you've been asleep with a fever for over a week," the two said at the same time.

"I've been asleep for a week?" Haku cried out and the two nodded. He slapped his forehead and fell back into bed. "How is that even possible?" he groaned to himself. He glanced at the small end table beside his bed and noticed a white towel and a bowl of water resting on top. "You two really aren't lying."

"Why would we?" Yanagi scoffed as Yachiru sniffed.

"Mother's been very worried about you, Kohaku," she said and Haku sighed.

"You can tell her I'm fine. It must've been the stress and fatigue of the job that has finally caught up to me," he said as he finally sat up again. Yanagi placed the tray of food on the end table and Haku reached for the onigiri gratefully. He took a big bite and quickly swallowed it, relishing the taste. "Thank you. Did I miss anything while I was out?"

"Onii-sama and Onee-sama is arriving here tomorrow morning," Yachiru said and Haku grimaced. "What's wrong, Kohaku?"

"It's just that...I had a dream while I was asleep," he said hesitantly and the twins sat down on his bed, ready to listen. "It was about...what happened with Father."

"Oh," was all that came out of their mouths.

"Yes, well, it reminded me of how much Ichirou dislikes me and," Haku sighed, cupping his face, "that he'll probably hate me even more once our grandfather tells him of my past."

Yanagi rubbed his chin thoughtfully at this and finally just shrugged. "Well, I can understand why you wouldn't be excited about Ichirou's visit. He is rather a stiff-necked dragon."

"Let's just pray to Amaterasu that he'll ignore you the entire visit," Yachiru said, placing her hands over his. Haku smiled weakly and nodded.

"Yeah…"

A small carriage rested on top of the small hill of the meadow as the pegasi grazed on the delicious grass and goldenbells that grew there. Kimiko stood at the crest of the hill overlooking the entire meadow and gazed at the tall clock tower that rose on the other side of a dried-up riverbank. It was early morning with the sun just above the highest point of the clock tower. Kimiko had her dark hair in a loose bun while wearing casual, red sundress that stopped halfway below her knees. She had sent the coach driver ahead to the bathhouse since the pegasi were the weaker ones the Dragon Palace had and couldn't take long journeys. She didn't feel like transforming into a dragon and flying to the bathhouse either because her mother would find out that she had traveled ahead of Ichirou who insisted on taking a separate carriage to Aburaya.

Kimiko shook her head and sighed at her brother's stubbornness. "That man can be such a brat sometimes," she muttered to herself and one of the pegasi whinnied as if in agreement. She let out an airy laugh before tousling the pegasus's mane. "You think so, too, hm? Ahh, if only I could actually talk to someone like this." The pegasus, a white one with a sleek coat, nuzzled its head against her neck and she smiled.

Kimiko gazed at the clock tower again and her eyes became cloudy as memories resurfaced. "The one and only breach...the tunnel to the human world," she murmured to herself. "I wonder if our father's still alive, but probably not, humans don't live for too long. Such tiny existences that create such big disasters, right?" The pegasus whinnied again and Kimiko scratched the back of its ear while still looking at the tower. "A few years ago, some humans were able to find their way here. It's a good thing they left before they caused any trouble. I wonder...if the tunnel is still open." Kimiko began walking towards the clock tower and the pegasus whinnied nervously.

"Oh come on, Silver, I'm sure it won't be dangerous," Kimiko urged the pegasus and she started to quicken the pace. I have an hour before Ichirou's carriage arrives at the bathhouse so a quick peek of the human world won't hurt. She didn't understand why she was so attracted to the tunnel but she was always curious of what the human world looked like. Even with her lake being her only connection to the human world, she was never able to actually see the place. Her magic wasn't adept to scouting, only manipulation. And here she was, at the only breach, with no one around to find out that she tried going through the tunnel. Kimiko took a giant leap over the dried up riverbank and gracefully landed right in front of the clock tower. She gazed up at the old, moss-covered building and a smile stretched across the face. "Kohaku is not the only one who's like Father, Ichirou," Kimiko said to herself as she walked in the building and down the long dark tunnel.

She couldn't see a thing. It was complete darkness in the tunnel and it made her wonder how none of the humans ever tripped. Her heeled steps echoed around her eerily. "Why am I doing this?" she asked herself just as she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The woman took a deep breath before quickening her pace. "It's not like I'll stay here for decades like Father," Kimiko said to herself. On the last twenty steps, she burst into a sprint and found herself in a forest with the ground covered in leaves. a small stature sat in front of the mouth of the tunnel covered in dust and moss. Kimiko craned her neck and saw a blue sky through the leaves. She glanced to her right and saw more trees, and the same was everywhere. "It doesn't look too bad," she said to herself before taking a deep breath through her nose. She immediately covered her nose and began to gag. "But the air here is still so foul! No wonder Kohaku had such a hard time protecting his river."

Kimiko narrowed her eyebrows, breathing through her hand as she stood there at the clearing of the forest around the tunnel. "I have no idea what I was expecting when I came here. An ambush? A dead landscape with a blackened sky? Although I wouldn't be surprised if the sky is no longer blue within the next few decades with this air," Kimiko muttered to herself as she turned around. She began walking towards the tunnel when a voice called out to her.

"Is anyone there?"

Kimiko froze. A human.

"Please, if anyone's out there, help me. I hurt my foot, my sister's sick, and my brother's been asleep for two days. I-I don't know what's wrong with him," the voice cried out weakly. Kimiko bit her lip and resisted the urge to turn back around. She began taking another step when the voice began to sob. "Please, I'm begging you, Haku, if you're there, help me."

Kimiko's eyes widened and she whirled around, through the forest for the source of the voice. She followed the direction of the sobbing and found a young human girl at the bottom of a small cliff with a young boy and a baby curled up against her. The girl had a bruised face and her hair was slashed off so it fell in jagged ends above her shoulder. She was thin and pale, and her clothes were all ragged and dirty with the only thing seemingly new was a purple hair tie around her wrist. The girl looked up at Kimiko with tears in her swollen eyes. "Please help us."

Kimiko gazed at the humans with a blank expression. What should she do? She can't leave them there to die, and it's dangerous to bring them to the spirit world like that. But she was extremely curious of this girl. She had called out for Haku. Kimiko remembered that a human girl had appeared at Aburaya a few years ago. Kohaku was there at the time. There was a possibility… that this "Haku" is actually Kohaku. "How do you know Haku?" Kimiko decided to ask. She might help the human depending on what it said.

"I met...him...many years ago," the girl answered, more tears running down her face. She weakly raised a hand to wipe her face. "He saved me from drowning...he saved me from Yubaba five years ago."

Kimiko pursed her lips. She was right, this was the human that came to Aburaya. She was tempted to leave her there now, to not be involved. Just as she considered this, the human spoke up again. "He promised he would come visit me but he never did...even though I gave him back his name. I thought we were friends," the girl cried and Kimiko inhaled deeply.

The human gave Kohaku back his name. She's the reason why he was able to return to them to the Dragon Palace. Although she didn't really know the details of their relationship, Kimiko decided it would be very interesting if these two ever saw each other. But she had to make sure that no one would find out, the riots in the kingdom was already troublesome. And she didn't want something like Father to happen again. "Human, give me your name," Kimiko ordered, finally making up her mind.

The girl smiled weakly at this and asked, "You won't take my name, right?"

The dragon woman arched her brows at the question. "No, but I'm giving you a new one instead."

"Well, then, before you change my name, I'd like to let you know it's Chihiro," the girl said.

"Chihiro," Kimiko repeated. "What a lovely name."

"I was told that once," the girl said before she began to cough.

"Then Chihiro, you understand that you will have to change yourself if you want me to help you," Kimiko warned. The girl smiled again.

"That's always the case in the spirit world, isn't it?"

Kimiko chuckled to herself. This girl was indeed amusing. "Yes. Yes it is."

Author's note

So long time no update BUT

I seriously love this chapter

like

legit

and I made sure it was woah woah woah just for you guys! haha!