Written Rivers
Book 2: A Tie Amongst Rivers
Chapter 4: Red
Needless to say, Makoto hated going to get tickets for the train. It consisted of a lot of haggling and threatening that he was no particular fan of. The ticket sellers were often hard to find and stingy beyond belief. He absolutely despised the overall experience. However, he loved the human girls he did it for, so despite how frustrating it was to get them, he did not mind making a few threats to see the smile on their faces when he returned with tickets.
Makoto ran up the hill across from the Bathhouse and felt the wind blow through his patched fur. He loved this time of year, though admittedly he loved the warmer months of fall but something about mid-spring always appealed to him. Maybe it was the end of mating season. He shuddered at the thought. He dreaded that time of year, even during his time in the Human World, it left him hating existence itself.
He let out a sigh and padded down the side of the hill toward the small town that surrounded the Bathhouse. It was late afternoon and he had spent the good part of the last two days hunting down the ticket sellers and purchasing the tickets for none too cheap. It had been three days since Ayame had come to the Bathhouse and every time he had been around Chihiro since, had been less than pleasant. She was sullen and irritable and at the simple whisper of the Suzaku spirit, she would snap. Rumi was not much better, but for different reasons. Chihiro, on the other hand, had told him and Haku of her encounter with Ayame shortly after. It was a rather humorous and scary interaction with the human girl, especially since Makoto had still been bitter for the way Haku had let Ayame cling to him at her introduction.
Shortly after Chihiro had her said encounter with Ayame, she had stalked straight up to Haku's office where Haku and himself had been discussing where train ticket vendors would be at this time of year, with Rumi not far behind. Makoto could smell her emotions from a mile away and it felt like a rock dropped at the pit of his stomach at the sudden realization of the circumstances.
"Chihiro?" Haku looked a bit alarmed. "Is there something wrong?" Makoto watched his nose twitch.
"Haku." She huffed, her cheeks flushed from the exertion up to the office and anger. "We need to talk."
Where Makoto was familiar, Haku was not. After spending the good portion of over six years with two human females, he had learned more than he had bargained for when he took on the position Haku had assigned him. Inwardly, he could not help but laugh at the outright expression of concern that crossed his master's face.
"Um…" Haku stuttered, causing the okami spirit's lips to twitch. "Of course. But first, are you injured? I smell blood?"
As if on cue, Rumi had rushed in after just as realization dawned Chihiro's face, causing her face to turn an unnatural shade of red as Rumi whispered something in her ear. With her ears a new shade of red now, she sputtered an incomprehensible reply and waved her hands in front of her.
"D-do-don't worry about it! I'm fine!"
"Since when was it fine if someone was bleeding?" Haku questioned, taking a step toward the human girls. This only caused Chihiro to wave her hands more frantically.
"Since I was born a human!" She exasperated. "I promise you, I'm completely fine!" Makoto did not think the girl's face could get any redder.
A quizzical look crossed Haku's face as he glanced between the two girls then to Makoto, who was quite enjoying the confusion that dawned his master's face. He was still quite upset about him letting Ayame flaunt herself all over him upon her arrival, especially in front of Chihiro.
"That does not make any sense."
Rumi waved her hand dismissively. "It's a human thing. It lets us know that we can still bear children."
"By bleeding?" He replied, appalled.
Completely embarrassed, Chihiro simply covered her face and nodded.
Rumi rolled her eyes, slinging her arm across Chihiro's shoulders, who just wanted to shrink away from existence. "Since we're stuck here for who knows how long, we might as well warn you so you don't keep freaking out every month-"
"Every month?" Haku emphasized.
She nodded and continued. "Human females go through a thing once a month that prepares us to bear a child. If we don't get the male necessities, our body ejects what was prepared and the cycle starts over. It pretty much lets us know we're still able to have kids. It's also a pain because we get emotional. Some more than others." Her head leaned on Chihiro's, who was still as embarrassed as before, if not, more so.
Her explanation was so blunt and nonchalant, Makoto almost lost it.
"Can we please refocus on the original topic?" Chihiro bit out.
Haku blinked and nodded, still shaken. "Of course… What was it you wanted to discuss?"
Chihiro suddenly straightened and crossed her arms. "I wanted to discuss your friend who visited today. I have the right mind to turn her to ashes myself."
Haku's eyes widened in interest, glancing toward Makoto then back at her. "I would mind my words, Chihiro, you might make a permanent residency here in a way you would not like."
"Oh don't give me your sass now, Kohaku Nushi." Chihiro snapped back. "She comes over here all high and mighty trying to tell me my only role and purpose here to convince you that you're the next Seiryu. Who does she think she is?"
Haku seemed to doubletake at her words. "I beg your pardon?"
"My role, she thinks it's to convince you of your role. Who does she think I am? Her maid? Delivery girl? What's the point of Seiryu, anyway? Why are they all so headstrong on this notion of you being part of the Holy Beast? Will someone just explain their purse to me?"
"Slow down, Chi-Chan, one question at a time," Rumi muttered, getting a side glare from Chihiro.
Chihiro recounted what happened with her conversation with Ayame and continued. "All I want is a straight answer. No more beating around the bush. No more 'you don't need to worry about it.' I need a straight answer about this whole Four Holy Beast thing and why it's so important that you be a part of it?"
"Very well," Haku replied, tapping his pen to the desk. He cleared his throat and sat up in his chair. "To start…" He began. "The Four Holy Beasts are the council of advisors in the Capital who protect and oversee the Spirit World, advising the Emperor where needed. They keep the balance of the Spirit World with their gifts and experience, each unique to their incarnate and specialties. I just happen to fit their prophecy and they refuse to accept the fact that they have the wrong candidate."
Chihiro seemed to be caught off guard as if she did not expect such a straightforward answer. "That's all? Ayame-San made it sound much more drastic."
"She tends to exaggerate things." Makoto deadpanned.
"Yes, but she is not wrong," Haku replied. "If there were to be an imbalance in the Beasts, there would be a disturbance in the lands. Each Beast rules over specific regions of the Spirit World and if one were to fall without a replacement, there could be an upset in the balance and the regions could become misguided, no matter how self-sufficient they are by themselves."
"So, it really is a fragile system," Chihiro grumbled, distastefully.
"When you put it that way in the worst-case scenario, yes, it is." Haku agreed. "But it rarely has ever gotten to that point. And the fact that they have been tracking me down tells me they have either stretched their resources or are just not broadening their search well enough. I have qualifications they desire, and many have gotten to know me personally. I never asked for so much attention, but I earned it one way or another."
"I see…" Chihiro mumbled. "So, the prophecies are meant to prevent this rupture between switching of Beasts?"
He nodded. "Precisely. It normally happens within a century or two of the Beast's death, so preparations can be made for the new Beast. The former Beast's death is never specified but it has always been expected that it would happen within at least a century. They technically still have a while until the century is up, so the reason for their fretting is null."
"…" Chihiro did not say anything and hummed to herself. "Well… I'll always be on team Haku whether you take it or leave it. Whatever you choose I support, I don't care what fate or Ayame say. It's none of their business and I won't make it my job or role, to change your mind from whatever you chose." She smiled genuinely and gave a slight bow.
"Thank you, Chihiro…" Haku replied. "I appreciate it."
"Of course."
Rumi took this an opportunity to jump in. "Well, I'm glad all that is sorted out. Chi-chan and I have to take care of something, so we'll be taking our leave."
As if on cue, Chihiro's face paled at the recollection of the prior topic and promptly turned on her heels to leave the office space. "See you later." She said curtly and out the door she disappeared.
"I'm glad we're going to Obaa-San's this week… I'd hate to be around the guests like this…" Makoto heard Chihiro mutter to Rumi as they left the room.
The okami spirit looked to Haku, who slouched defeated in his chair then gave Makoto an exasperated expression.
"Monthly bleeding?"
Makoto smirked at the memory of his master's confusion. It was not often one saw the flustered side of Haku. Chihiro and Rumi had remained in hiding in their room for the last several days from his understanding. Something about not wanting to cause a scene with the guests. Rin had gone in to ask twenty questions galore and apparently still was from what Makoto could tell as he walked past their room upon his return to the Bathhouse.
He had gotten in the habit of shifting to his human form upon entering the Bathhouse to keep guests comfortable and to save the hassle getting in the way. He could not say it was favorite form, it felt like a denial of his true nature. The same for his Shikoku form. Though he was part Shikoku, it was not the pride of his existence. The godliness that did run through his veins was what he took pride in, no matter how little it did, he would own it.
Makoto sighed as he entered his room, brushing the thoughts to the back of his mind. His room was not much different from the girls', if anything it was just bland. It did not have much décor or color, it simply held the necessities and some scrolls and books that he deemed necessary to keep on hand.
He still was not used to having his own space in a permanent residence. He spent most of his life migrant, never needing to make any one place feel like home. The Bathhouse, Haku's river, and Chihiro's home were places he had stayed the longest in. Or at least, long enough to call them home. Long enough to allow himself to become attached to it. He had traveled alone most of his life, taking the term "lone wolf" quite literally. If there was one thing he learned during his time as a lone wolf, just how difficult it was for wolves not to be in packs. He had not had a pack in years until Haku picked him up, half dead…
"Makoto!"
The muffled sound behind his door was followed by a slam of his door swinging open, which he could have sworn he had locked. Rin came barging into the main living space where he had barely been able to start heating up tea.
"Makoto! I thought you'd never get back! Maybe you can confirm some of this monthly business these girls keep talking about?!" Rin exasperated.
"Hmmm…" Makoto looked behind her to see Chihiro and Rumi running after the weasel spirit. Chihiro almost instantly shook her head and he could tell she had already answered every question under the sun. "Hm. Rin-san, I can neither confirm nor deny any information that I may or may not know about whatever it is that you may or may not be talking about."
"I taught him that one!" Rumi exclaimed with pride, in which was replied with an arched eyebrow from both spirits.
"Riiiiight." Rin drawled.
"Can we just drop it?" Chihiro grumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Gladly." Makoto and Rumi replied in unison, causing them to both blink at each other.
"Fine." Rin huffed. "Well, I have work to do. Don't play hook for too long ladies!"
"Kaay!" The girls chimed as they watched her leave the room. As soon as they saw the door close, they let go of a breath that may have been holding since the beginning of their conversation with the weasel spirit. Three days ago.
"Finally…" Rumi fanned her face. "I thought that'd never end."
"She wouldn't stop…" Chihiro said, presumably traumatized from the vacant look in her eyes.
"I am glad to be of service," Makoto said, suppressing a chuckle. "Tea, anyone?"
"Please." The girls said in earnest.
They all sat at the table and talked, catching up on the events of the last few days and the days to come as they prepared for their trip to Zeniba's. The girls seemed eager to see their friends once again. He would agree that it was odd not having the spirited yosuzume spirit around, but it was also peaceful at the same time. Something that he liked and did not get enough of. But they would see Yuuka soon enough, the trip to Swamp Bottom would be a long and quiet journey as always. A reunion of friends.
Yuuka bounced on her heels as she waited anxiously for her friends to arrive. She really did feel like a child despite her years. Maybe it was from being around Boh that caused her to actually act her age… well… her physical age? Mental age? Whatever it was, being around Boh was definitely bringing out her inner child. Currently, she was pacing the kitchen on her heels with Boh at the table coloring and munching at snacks while Zeniba and Kaonashi were sitting at the table knitting, not baking for once.
Zeniba's eyes flitted between the two and she lowered her needles and yarn. "Oh, would you two stop? You're giving me anxiety."
Yuuka paused in her pacing and came to the table. "I'm sorry, Oba-San, but I'm just, I don't know, excited. I'm not exactly joined at the hip with them as I used to be, it's still weird being apart."
Zeniba chortled. "After a month?"
"Well, of course!" Yuuka said excitedly, sitting at the table across from her aunt. "They haven't exactly had a chance to really come and visit since they got stuck. Although they've had plenty of time and opportunities to come. Then again, Makoto would have to go find tickets and everyone knows how much he dislike getting the tickets. The only reason I really know this much alone is thanks to Ame-kun, since he comes and visits and gives the letters the girls send."
"You and Ame-Nii talk too much." Boh suddenly interrupted, earning a glare from Yuuka.
Zeniba chortled again. "Now, now, Boh, don't be mean. As she said, she's excited. I'm surprised you're not jumping around."
"Well, I have other things to be worried about." He replied quite matter-a-fact like.
"What? Coloring?" Yuuka scoffed, placing her chin in her palm.
Boh turned red with anger. "Sh-shut up!"
"I beg your pardon. Not in this house." Zeniba chided sternly.
"Sorry." They said in unison.
The sound of a squeaky hop distracted them from the argument and without hesitation, Yuuka practically flew to the door and swung it open.
"Chihiro! Rumi!" She ran straight at them and wrapped her arms around their waists. "I missed you guys!" Suddenly her mind filled with any doubts she had about their friendships and she let go. "S-sorry. I was just excited…" She brushed her hair out her face and mildly avoided eye contact.
"What are you talking about?" Chihiro laughed.
Rumi came down to her eye level and smiled kindly. "We missed you too." At that she pet her hair down affectionately before bringing her into a hug. "I missed you, Yuuka…. And I… I forgive you."
The words caused a weight to lift off her shoulders. She'd been holding it for so long that she forgot what it felt like to have such a freedom in her being. Yuuka melted into the hug and held Rumi ever tighter, a tear slipping down her cheek.
They stood there like that for who knew how long, Rumi petting her hair as she felt her body rake with tears. It felt otherworldly as if she had been watching herself in that moment from outside her body. Every worry she had about this moment, every regret leading up to this moment, almost felt worth it.
Her tears began to subside, and she slowly released herself from Rumi's arms. She sniffed and looked up at Rumi with a smile. Rumi returned it affectionately.
"Ready to go inside?" Rumi winked.
"Yeah." Yuuka wiped the tears from her cheeks and led the way inside where they greeted the Swamp Bottom residents. They all say around the table and caught up excitedly about what had happened in the last month that hadn't been talked about in letters.
Apparently, the Holy Beasts and the fate of Haku's future had been a consistent hot topic at the Bathhouse because it was somehow brought back to the little cottage miles away from it. It also seemed to cause Chihiro a lot of tempered moments at any mention of Ayame or her supposed role in both prophecies she'd been told. She'd be even more so tempered when the names Ayame and Haku were used in the same sentence, regardless of context.
Zeniba seemed to be on the same wavelength and asked what was on her mind as well as probably everyone else's. "You seem to have a lot to talk about regarding this matter. Do you have insight on things that some of us don't?"
Chihiro was caught off guard by the question. "Excuse me?"
"I think her emotions are merely clouding her judgment," Rumi replied matter-of-factly.
"What are you talking about?" Chihiro exasperated.
"She has been a bit more dazed lately." Makoto decided to chime in.
A blush started to creep onto Chihiro's face. Whether from anger or embarrassment was still up in the air. "Are you just going to talk around me?"
"Chihiro, dear." Zeniba started. "Have you fallen in love before?"
The blush crept further and brighter. "What's that got to do with anything?" She started to fidget with anything and everything.
"It has everything to do with anything." Yuuka chimed with a smirk.
"Not really…" Chihiro muttered. She looked like a cornered animal under the pressure of the implication.
"Chi-Chan…" Rumi smiled. "I've taken notice lately but hadn't said anything but…" She paused. "Are you in love with Haku?"
A/N:
Sorry guys, time and motivation have not been on my side recently. My personal life has been really hectic lately. I was also trying to figure out this POV thing, since I didn't know if I wanted to stick with a particular order or if I wanted to go free for all. It's been rough but reading your feedback on the story always cheers me up and gives me a boost of motivation. So, I know I say this at the end of every chapter but thank you so much for every comment. I read them all and I treasure them! So, for now, I'll post when I can until things settle into a good rhythm. I haven't forgotten about you guys and will finish this fic no matter what.
I also had to add the whole girl thing for attempted humor purposes. It's been tense for a minute and I've seen it done before in a few other fics and found it hilarious how they implemented it. I was also in a rut and remembered that this was a scene I wanted to do.
(someone noted about the three green heads and Yubird…. I HONESTLY COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THEM. Let's just say that Yubird is somehow with Boh and the green heads are… I literally don't know what purpose to give them in the story… help Haku bookkeep? Honestly, don't know…)
Thanks for reading and don't forget to review! And for those that do review, I thank you a bunches!
Thank you for the reviews from: picklesisadeadcat, RSBCS, Rosettaxfantasy, Kra, Turniptree, Sypherpol, chimera-writes, and Ai Star.
Okay, let's end this too long author's note.
God bless! KawaChou