Written Rivers

Book 2: A Tie Amongst Rivers

Chapter 1: With Lost Time

Rumi was more than a little thankful that she left her job before they left for the Spirit World, because gods knew that they would still be stuck there after a month. Her new routine consisted of waking up, brunch, socialize with her friends or with some of the staff, helping set up the Bathhouse, dinner, work the Bathhouse, socialize over after-work (super early) breakfast, sleep, repeat. She couldn't complain about the work and weird schedule. It was work and it kept her distracted.

At the moment, she was sitting out in the garden in the morning air, with the view of the water. She liked this spot because it was out of sight and gave her room to think. It was always a good feeling to get away from the noise of the Bathhouse and the gossiping of the yuna. She quickly learned the first time around the Bathhouse not to get involved in their gossip circles, it was more drama than it was worth.

Rumi wouldn't deny that she enjoyed her time in the Spirit World. There was a lot to explore and learn and she was making plenty new friends. Since they discovered that they were stuck in the Spirit World, it left her time to ponder on the idea of being stuck there for the rest of her life. The last year had been a hard pill to swallow, especially with all the knowledge she'd learned about her family. She had come to realize, she had nothing left in the Human World. What was the point? She had nothing to live for there. She could keep her dream career and start a family, but who would she be able to share it with? Her family was gone and despite the party personality she had back in college, she really didn't find any of the men she ever met attractive or by any means husband material.

Unlike Chihiro, she couldn't quite see herself optimistically living the rest of her life in the Human World. The Human World had become a dark place for Rumi. Did Chihiro even have optimistic outlook on her Human World future? When was the last time they really had a conversation together about their fate in the Human World?

If she were to be honest with herself, since getting spirited away a year ago, she hadn't been the best friend she should have been to Chihiro. She could take it even back further to her move to Tochinoki and when she was possessed by Yuuka. Yeah, honesty was something she dropped the ball on and always felt like she had to keep Chihiro at a distance. But even when the truth was thrown out onto the table, she still felt distant. She felt cold and fake. She didn't know if it were possible to fill that void that continued to spread in her mind.

Then there was Yuuka.

She was on speaking terms with the Yosuzume spirit. And when she found out her human form was that of a child, her actions almost seemed valid. Then again, she couldn't be sure if she put that appearance out of pity or a reflection of her state of mind. Isn't that what Haku mentioned when they first met? That his state of mind at the time was what caused him to take on the shape of a child? Maybe that was the way Yuuka saw herself. It would explain, not justify, her actions in trying to hold hers and Chihiro's lives together by false memories. Rumi didn't agree with it, but she could see the purpose in it.

What's the phrase? Time heals all wounds? Well, sometimes Rumi wished that some wounds healed faster than others. She wanted her friends back. She wanted the good ol' days back, when there were no cares except work and school and when she'd find time to see family. Or when she stressed over stupid things like fashion and boys. The days before… before when? Moving to Tochinoki? The car accident? Yuuka? The issues with Yubaba? The earthquake? Getting spirited away? The days before when? When would she go back and start over? Would she go as far back as to when she met Chihiro? Would that change everything? Would she have become wound up in all this?

No. She wouldn't deny her friendship with Chihiro. She needed Chihiro. Whether she expressed it or not, Rumi needed Chihiro as her friend. She was the last family she had. She had Yuuka and Makoto of course but Chihiro was all she had.

"Nice place to think, huh?"

As if on cue, Rumi spun around to find Chihiro coming out of the bushes. She was dressed in the pink uniform, having done some work around the Bathhouse after closing. She looked tired and distracted, a look that wasn't uncommon on the Ogino's face as of late, especially after getting stuck in the Spirit World.

Rumi chuckled as Chihiro sat beside her. "Yeah. And then after all those times I chastised you for thinking, here I am." She made jazz hands in a presenting motion.

"Hah. Yeah, funny how things turn out." Chihiro looked out over the waters. "You probably thought alone like this by yourself a lot…" She looked back at her. "I'm sorry… You had to face it alone…"

Rumi shook her head. "It wasn't your fault, you didn't know. You couldn't have." She wasn't really convincing herself but Chihiro seemed to take it. "Besides, I had Makoto and Yuuka." She smiled lightly.

Chihiro nodded apologetically yet understanding. Rumi didn't know how that work? "Speaking of, Makoto left this morning. Seems Haku sent him off to the river. Routine check that Haku didn't need to be there for, so Makoto went."

"Ah." Rumi replied, staring off to the horizon again.

Makoto.

She didn't know quite what to think of the okami-inu spirit. Something about him always made her feel safe. He was the only one she felt she could trust and confide in. Although he did withhold a lot of the truth from her, he never once lied to her and was always honest. He made her feel secure when her thoughts wandered to dark places. It'd be a bit lonely without him around to keep company.

"Well, I hope he returns safely and soon. I've noticed that Haku goes a little crazy if he doesn't have his three musketeers at his side." Rumi laughed.

Chihiro's brows knit together before she laughed, catching onto the joke late. "You're right! I've seen that too! He gets all serious and starts micromanaging everything! I find it funny!"

Rumi nodded as she tried to catch her breath from laughing. "That poor guy. When's the last time he got to sit back and just relax with no cares?"

Chihiro breathed and shrugged. "I wonder…" She drew her legs up and hugged her knees. "I wonder…" She mumbled again.

"He's not the only one that needs rest." Rumi said, eyeing her.

Her friend looked at her and Rumi smiled, softly. "What?" Chihiro asked, absently.

"When's the last time you got proper rest? C'mon! Up to!" She hooked her hand in the crook of Chihiro's elbow and hoisted her up as she stood. They wobbled as they stood, then laughed like there really were no cares for a blissful, fleeting moment as they headed back to the Bathhouse.

Makoto felt the wind blow through his fur as he ran north east towards the northern mountains of the eastern region. He dodged meticulously through the trees of the forests that surrounded him, finding his footing effortlessly as he followed the path he always took to the Kohaku River.

Haku had Makoto on constant errands since Chikako and Rumi's semi-permanent residency in the Spirit World. Now that his focus was not completely on Chihiro's safety twenty-four seven, he had time to take care of some Bathhouse errands and visits to Haku's river. The river had become his second home in the Spirit World, the first being the Bathhouse as of late. He could not honestly count his birthplace as home… It always left a poor taste in his mouth.

Haku would have him go to the river to check on the borders whenever he could not himself. Haku's river resided in the forests at the base of the northern mountains, running along the base and through an underground portion of the mountains. It was his job to check the borders Haku's territory. The land that surrounded the river was mostly forest and marshes. At the base of the mountain laid the dragon's den.

Makoto slowed to a trot as he approached the river. The forest was alive with the song of his resident spirits. Birds sang in the trees, the wind rustling through the branches of the tree spirits, the clicking of kodama filling the air. Makoto walked along the edge of the river that opened widely next to him. As his routine, he would find a clearing and wade into the waters of the river to let the river know of his presence, the river would then welcome him and let him know of anything that needed to be done around the territory. Now, the river never spoke literal words to him, per se he more got feelings and memories that were not his own placed in his mind.

As Makoto waded into the water, the river welcomed him with a fury of excited emotions. Makoto never understood how the river sucked all the optimism from his humanoid counterpart. After the energetic welcome, the river started to radiate an unsettling feeling of distress, images of a shadow lingering in the forest flashing in Makoto's mind.

A low growl rumbled from deep in his throat as his eyes scanned the forest's line. He had not noticed any signs of intrusion before, but suddenly it was very apparent. It almost felt as if he were simply paranoid, the instinctual feeling of alertness was so strong.

Makoto continued up the bank of river, his ears twitching around at every sound the forest had to offer. The river's flow continued downstream as he made his way upstream toward the mountain. The river flowed out from within the mountain, where a spring came up out of the ground. The resources of the mountain with a combination of rain and snowfall kept the river plentiful and healthy. Haku's river was not just named "amber" for no reason. The forests that surround the banks were, more often than not, covered in golden foliage, feeding off special mineral and energy within Haku's waters. His river was home to many spirits who petitioned to stay in his territory and, more often than not, Haku excepted them as long as they returned what they took to keep the land at balance. Many spirits that lived there with several generations old.

Makoto did not always agree with Haku's ways but who was he to judge a god who was a few millennia years old. He himself was a stranger whom Haku took into his land. Haku may have been too trusting sometimes, but it was what saved his life. It allowed Makoto to start over and meet Chihiro and Rumi and everyone at the Bathhouse. But he would never openly admit it, of course.

As he headed upstream, the wide river started to narrow and thin as the water started to ripple down rocks and cliffs, causing Makoto to detour out of the river waters and up the rock ledges. Though he was still on guard about the river's distress, he saw nor felt any signs of threats as he looked about the territory. A few curious animal spirits and water spirits would poke out every now and again but posed to viable threat, in fact he had come to know many of them in his time there. But the unease…

A draft of wind came through the gurgling river pass and Makoto caught the aroma of ashes and wildflowers. He knew that scent and he was not sure if he liked what it accompanied.

Looking towards a section of amber clad trees, they were not too far from Haku's home in the mountain, a place he was not to reveal to anyone. He sneered, glaring into the forest. "Come out!"

There was no immediate movement, but soon a large bird like shape started to make its way through the forest. The sound of flames filled his ears, but no flames were present. When he blinked, the figure was a woman and standing in the clearing with him.

"Well hello." She said, a slightly wanton look in her smile. "Is that a way to speak to a lady?"

"My lady!" Makoto yelped and bowed lowly.

The woman chuckled and shook her head, approaching him. "Oh Makoto-Kun, you know better." She knelt and touched his chin, pulling it up to look at her. Makoto looked into the rich gold eyes of the woman in front of him, her red clad lips curved in a kind smile. "How has my dear friend Kohaku been? I have missed him dearly."

"He has been well…" Makoto started. "He has been keeping himself busy with the Bathhouse and river."

"I see." She sat back on her heels and sat her chin in her palms, elbows on her knees. She was wearing a vibrant red kimono with deep blue trimming that seemed to fade into the red, a gold and silver embroidered obi tied around her waist. Her brown hair was pulled back in an elegant bun, adorned with a floral pin to hold it in place, her hair framing her oval-shaped face. The crouched pose she sat in completely counteracted the image she was portraying as a noble. "Well I do hope to see him soon. There's been a lot of rumors going around about him lately."

"I hope with the best of intentions." He replied.

The woman laughed, covering her mouth. "Of course, you, silly wolf."

Makoto grunted, sitting on his hind legs. "Is there a reason you are here?"

"Well, I was thinking that Kohaku-Kun would come here to visit when he found out a… intruder came upon his land." The woman touched her palm to her cheek in mock forlorn. "But alas, he is nowhere to be seen. He must trust you a great deal to send you instead of coming himself, Makoto-Kun."

He grunted again, choosing not to reply.

"You certainly haven't changed much." She tilted her head as she looked up at the large wolf towering above her.

"There is nothing to change."

"Hm. True." The woman looked to the water that streamed past them and smiled. Makoto instinctively placed a paw in the water, reading the river's emotions. The woman touched her hand to the water. "I do hope to see you again soon, Kohaku-Kun."

Makoto got a warm feeling bubbling up from the water and rolled his eyes when he realized the river was blushing. The river definitely made up for any sappiness that his humanoid form lacked. No wonder it liked Chihiro so much.

Her eyes shifted to Makoto as she rose from her crouched pose, dusting off her kimono. "Let your master know I'd like to see him in person soon. Make sure he sticks around the Bathhouse for a while. Okay?"

"I will be sure to relay the message." He replied.

The woman smiled and gave a wave before disappearing, leaving a pile of ash in her wake.

Makoto grimaced. "Kohaku-Sama is not going to like this." He turned and continued his border patrol.

Visits with her cousin were always interesting. It always left Yuuka wondering how she ended up with a giant for a cousin. Visits with Zeniba were always comforting though. She no longer tried to hide from her but instead learned from her. She'd spent her whole life running from her father's name. She felt it was time she learned more about her past and how she could benefit her friends in the future.

Her aunt was almost always in the kitchen, something that hadn't changed one bit since she was taken into the cottage. She had fond memories of helping Zeniba with the spells and cookies she'd always be working on. Yuuka was always a bit of a misfit and had a long, what humans would call, emo phase growing up. She looked back and would think of how ridiculous that time was, ignoring her aunt who was just trying to be the mother she never got to be.

Now, she was helping her cousin learn to read. Boh was over a century old but with the way Yubaba had coddled him, his mental and emotional development was stifled. He was a baby by appearance because he had the mentality of one half the time. Boh had the potential to be smart but they could thank his mother for his longing for instant gratification. He had of course gotten better over the years since he met Chihiro, but the effects still lingered.

Yuuka glanced about the kitchen area as she slid her finger under the words that Boh was reading. He was starting to get reading a lot more clearly now, but she still had to help him pronounce certain kanji characters. Her eyes wandered the room and fell on Zeniba, who was bustling about the kitchen pouring different color liquids into little flask tubes. She promptly corked them and placed them in bags inside a basket and made a beckoning motion towards the door. Moments later the gloved lamppost hopped through the door, taking the basket of bags and out the door again to wait for the postman to take them away. More important packages would be taken by shikigami.

"Taiyō ga…" Boh stuttered as he sounded out the different characters. "Yuuka-Neesan. What does this one say?"

Yuuka looked down briefly. "Umi, ocean. You can tell by the way the kanji makes a window here. And think of these as waves."

"Ooooh." He muses before continuing his reading aloud. "…umi ni… kagayaite iru…"

She went back to watching Zeniba moving from one counter to the next. Did she ever take a break? Yuuka wanted to be of use and ease the burden. She'd been helping with errands and simple spells she'd refused to learn when she was younger, since it would just further her connection with her father, but she wanted to do more. The last month back at the cottage was a breath of fresh air and though awkward at first, she'd gotten back into the routine of things from her childhood.

"Oba-San, how are you doing on ingredients?" Yuuka called over to the old witch.

"Hmmm." Zeniba hummed, looking about the kitchen, opening several cabinets. "Maybe a few more herbs, salts and river's kelp. Did you want to go with Kaonashi to the marketplace later? I was planning to send him with a list."

Yuuka nodded. "Sounds good to me." She glanced around and noticed the masked shadow wasn't around. "Speaking of, where is Kaonashi?"

"He should be out in the garden." Zeniba replied, coming to the table with snacks and a paper for her shopping list.

"Okay." Yuuka chirped in response, taking a snack from the tray. "I wonder how the others are doing?"

"I'm sure they're doing fine." Zeniba continued to pen down her list. "Haku probably has them helping around the Bathhouse to keep them busy while they figure out what's going on with the gate."

"Do you know why it's blocked?" The yosuzume questioned for the umpteenth time that month.

"I wonder." The old witch replied with a mischievous smile. The answer changed everytime, making it very unclear if she actually knew or not.

Yuuka huffed and rolled her eyes. "Never gonna give me an answer huh?"

Zeniba simply shrugged.

She nodded and started thinking about her friends back at the Bathhouse. She was planning to go back to the Bathhouse for a visit soon and see how things were. Then Rumi's face flashed in her mind. Her heart sank a little at the thought. I wonder if they'll ever forgive me… She thought.

"You dwell too much on the past dear." Zeniba said.

The yosuzume spirit yelped and covered her mouth, not realizing she said it aloud.

The old witch looked at her above her glasses. "If you continue to dwell on things of the past and on things you should have done, you'll never see what's in front of you now. You'll never see the possibilities of your future."

"But I screwed up. Worse than ever." She looked down. "Especially for Rumi…"

"Stop that." Zeniba chastised, causing both Yuuka and Boh to flinch. "I don't want that sort of attitude in my home. Both girls will come around. Life is too short for humans to live in the past. If they haven't forgiven you after a year, they're wasting their time." She smiled and held out the shopping list. "If you keep thinking like this, you obviously don't know your friends as well as you think you do."

Yuuka's lips tightened in a thin line and she nodded curtly. "Right." She then smiled and took the list with both hands. "I'll go get Kaonashi and head to the market then."

"Alright, be careful dear." Zeniba patted her head as Yuuka hopped off her chair and out into the garden to find Kaonashi.

A/N:

Sorry I'm a month late but we're back with book two, my friends! I guess it works though since there was a month time skip. lol

With some new perspectives in addition to Chihiro and Haku's, the story will begin to broaden over the course of this book. There will be more of Rumi, Makoto, and Yuuka as we hear the story from their perspectives as well! I hope you all enjoy the next installment of the Written Rivers trilogy!

This chapter was found more difficult to write than I thought. DX I had to keep working on it off and on over the last month so it was difficult to just sit down and write. Thank you for your patience though and sticking around!

Also the sentence Boh is reading roughly translates to "The sun is shining on the sea."

太陽が海に輝いている。(Taiyō ga umi ni kagayaite iru.)

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review! And for those that do review, I thank you a bunches!

If you haven't read Book 1: A Home Amongst Rivers, please stop now and check my profile to find the first of the Written Rivers trilogy!

God bless! KawaChou