Written Rivers

Book 2: A Tie Amongst Rivers

Chapter 10: While Away

Chihiro was on cloud nine as she entered her room from the balcony. Was this what love felt like? She'd never really felt it until this moment. Even in school, she never really showed interest, though, no one really showed interest in her to begin with so it didn't really matter.

"Sooooo. How'd it go?"

The sound of Rumi's sing-song voice pulled her down from the clouds. "Hm?"

Rumi laid with Yuuka across Chihiro's elevated futon like gossiping school girls with their chins in their hands, eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Give us the details, friend!"

"Yeah! Spare no detail! What'd he say? How did he ask?" Yuuka chirped, practically elevating off the bed.

"What's to tell?" Chihiro said with mock indifference. "He only asked me to his river. No big deal."

"No big deal?!" Yuuka explained, falling off the futon. "Dragons don't just 'ask someone to their river!' You only go there to get eaten or to ma-"

"Yeah yeah yeah!" Rumi interrupted, waving her hand in a shooing motion. "How'd he ask? Did he finally say it? Was he as romantic or as unromantic as Makoto?"

Chihiro laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Was that an insult or a compliment to your dear mate?"

"Depends on the day." She shrugged. "Now c'mon! Tellus what happened!"

"It was just dinner like last time but we watched the sunset over the clock tower this time. I don't remember the last time I saw so many colors in one sunset. And he made dinner - which by the way, was amazing - and we enjoyed just talking, like old times in the dreams. It felt so surreal."

"Bleh!" Yuuka stuck out her tongue, mockingly. "Don't get all gushy on us now!"

Rumi laughed. "Oh, c'mon! She's never been in love before! She can be as sappy as she wants."

The sound of a slamming door caught all their attention and the turned to see Rin barge in the room. "I'm here! What'd I miss? She's not getting all gushy on us now, is she?"

"See?" Yuuka exasperated.

Chihiro felt her face heat up and she laughed. What a stupidly amazing feeling being gushy felt. She sat on the tatami mats with Rin as she told them about her evening and how everything had changed all in but one moment. How she really did love Haku and was mad that it took her so long to see. They spend the rest of the night gossiping and giggling about their new found loves and other secrets that kept them sane together.

Chihiro spent the next couple days stealing moments and glances with the dragon god. The simplest brush of the hand while passing each other in the halls during work hours was enough to send delightful chills up her spine. The way he'd steal a simple kiss to her forehead after a moment alone. He hadn't taken the moment to kiss her on the lips yet, it almost felt like something sacred that wasn't meant to be touch quite yet. But the feeling she got from hugs and whispered sweet nothings were enough to sedate any longings she had for him.

Chihiro went about her work as usual, cleaning the stalls, catering to the guests, leading small groups of yuna through their daily tasks, nothing in her schedule really changed other than the brighter pep in her step as she went about them. She felt a bit more free, if that's how it were to be put. She was even nice to the yuna who always seemed to cause her trouble despite all the time and efforts that had passed.

At the end of her shift, after dealing with said yuna, she was carrying a basket of laundry down to the lower levels to be cleaned when she felt her load get lighter and found her arms suddenly empty. She looked up and saw Haku's eyes regarding her with a smile.

"Well hello, stranger?" She giggled.

Haku looked around, mockingly confused. "Stranger? Who? I will make sure they do not bother or come near you."

This only caused her to giggle more as she tried to take the basket back. "C'mon, Haku, I'm almost done."

He spun around as she chased after the basket, circling around in an endless game of tag. "Now what would be the fun in that?" His eyes glistened with mischief. If they weren't alone in the hallway, he wouldn't be acting so playful.

"Hakuuuuu!" Chihiro whined, trying to mask her smile with a mad expression.

"Are you trying to be mad? Because if you are, I can rest assure you, it is not playing in your favor right now." Haku laughed, coyly.

"Oh, shut up!" She made another grab for the basket and successfully retrieved the basket from the dragon. She huffed defiantly. "Thank you."

"Mhm." Haku hummed as he walked alongside her down to the laundry room. "Do you have any plans after this?"

Chihiro laughed. "Other than sleep?"

"It is still early."

"True. Then, no, I don't." She replied. "Why?"

"Oh, nothing." He said absently. "Just wanted to take you for a stroll." He smiled down at her.

"Ok." She nodded.

After they passed the basket off to the laundry staff, Haku guided her out of the Bathhouse and into the garden. The night air was warm and refreshing as summer drew near. It was a subtle reminder that Chihiro had been in the Spirit World for well longer than expected. It was well into May and the flowers that bloomed around them were beautiful. Most of the flowers seemed to be sleeping in the presence of night but they were still beautiful to look at.

"Walk with me." Haku said as he walked leisurely through the garden entrance. He seemed so relaxed, it was almost like he was a different person. Was this the Haku only she would see?

They walked through the gardens in blissful silence, just their presence seemed to be enough. She felt no need to fill the silence of the night air between them, there wasn't much to talk about anyway. All felt right.

"I will be out of the Bathhouse for the next few days." He said after walking around for a bit.

"Oh?" Chihiro replied, slightly deflated. She always hated when he was away before, now it just felt like a piece of her was leaving. Nothing more than words had been said to establish their relationship and she felt this way, what would it be like when their relationship deepened to more intimate levels? She inwardly slapped herself at the images that decided to dance around her minds eyes for that brief moment.

"I have to go to the river and tend to it. I have not had the chance to visit it since I was poisoned." He explained, unaware of what was going on in her own head. "From what Makoto told me, it was not in the best shape when he went to check on it the day I was poisoned. I have had him return to it a few times since I was put on house arrest, but I need to tend to it personally to make sure everything is handled smoothly. Yuuka refused me the right to my river despite my advise, as a river god, to do so. It is never wise to leave a river unattended to for too long, especially after last time, when I was without my name."

"I understand." Chihiro nodded.

"And Makoto will be out as well, but I trust the securities of the Bathhouse will make up for the short time we are both away. Ame and Rin will be in charge and I trust their judgement. Ame is ample protection too." He was starting to ramble, which was very un-Haku. Was he starting to pick up her rambling habit?

"Haku." She grabbed his hand earnestly. "I understand. It'll be fine."

Haku stopped and turned to her. He used his free hand to tuck loose hair behind her ear. He stared at her with a gentle smile, his green eyes holding a glisten of adoration. She felt her legs start to wobble under her as she melted underneath his stare. His hand was still brushing through the rest of her loose hair. His touch sent her to places she didn't understand. This was what love was? This is what she was missing all this time? To hold and be held. It was beautiful and overwhelming all at once.

"Why did I wait so long?" Haku mumbled.

Chihiro hummed and leaned into his hand, closing her eyes. "We both had things to do first."

"That we did." He brought his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. She'd never felt to warm and comfortable in her life. This is what safety felt like. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed.

"Haku." She whispered, letting his name just roll off her tongue. It just felt right. "Haku." She squeezed gently with each mention.

"Say that and I will always come running to you." He said, gently squeezing her back. "I love you." He said rather airy.

"And I you, Anata."

They stood in silence for a moment, just letting time slip by before he released her and they continued down the path, once again continuing to enjoy each other's presence and small talk.

Rumi watched from a distance as Chihiro hugged Haku good bye by the Bathhouse entrance. It looked so innocent as they tentatively walked around their new found relationship as if it were fragile glass. She would admit, she felt the same with Makoto, but she wouldn't not say there seemed to be a bit more maturity with her and Makoto's relationship. Even if it were by one day. Maybe it was just her imagination.

Rumi turned to prepare for her shift and ran into Makoto. "Oh. Hey there." She smiled.

Makoto smiled back warmly. "Do you have time before you start your shift?"

"A little, why?"

"Come with me." He took her hand and led her to the small side garden outside one of the halls.

"What's up?" She asked.

"Rumi." Makoto started, looking a bit uneasy. "I want to take you someplace. It will be far, but if you want to continue this, before me make it official, I want to show you where I am from. Who I am. I want you to know all of me."

Rumi blushed. "Of course. Where- When do we leave?"

"I already asked Kohaku-Sama and he said we could leave anytime in the next few days. He placed some spells on the Bathhouse to alert him of any incidents. Chihiro-San and the Bathhouse will be fine." He assured her with a smile, flashing his blue-green eyes at her in a way that always made her cave. "It will just be you and me for the next few days."

"I'd like that." She said lacing her fingers into his so that their hands swayed between them.

"Thank you." Makoto murmured as he kissed her forehead.

"Anything for you." Rumi replied, tilting her head up to lean up to kiss him. "I love you."

She felt him smile against her lips. "And I you." He murmured once more.

They stayed in that moment for a little while longer before Makoto parted to help elsewhere in the Bathhouse. Rumi ran into Rin on the way up to the upper levels and was told to head to the foyer to assist Chihiro with a special guest. Halfway down, she found Chihiro and they walked the rest of the way down. She was briefly able to explain to her friend what Makoto has asked her before they reached the bottom floor of the working part of the Bathhouse. Chihiro's eyes glistened with excitement and said that she was happy for her. Their relationship was deepening and for the better.

When they reached the foyer the mood seemed to shift to a tense air, the foreman looking ridged and in shock. He shakily gestured to a frail old man that was waiting calmly in the foyer.

"This is our most honored of guests, the Great and Wise Eastern River and Seiryu to the Great Holy Beasts, Naoyuki-Sama."

Rumi gapped at the sight before her. What luck her friend had to have, or bad luck, depending on perspective. Standing before them was none other than Naoyuki, the great Seiryu. He wasn't exactly what she expected. Not that she knew what she was expecting but whatever she did imagine at the thought of him this wasn't it.

Naoyuki was a frail old man, hunched over a branch-like cane with as many knots in it as his knobby, crinkly old hands. His face was nothing but wrinkles, his wise, grey eyes hidden under said wrinkles and bushy brows. Long white hair cascaded down in back in a low ponytail, his hairline receding so far back that you could see the dark sunspots that adorned his head. He seemed so fragile and gentle, she couldn't believe that this was once the great Seiryu that everyone feared. He was definitely at the end of his life.

"Naoyuki-Sama…" Chihiro breathed and bowed lowly to the ground. Rumi paused, startled, and followed her example.

"Rise, child." An old, hollowed and crackled, voice came from the spirit. "To the one that helped me in my time of need, I ask not of you to bow so lowly. Rise."

Rumi and Chihiro hesitantly rose, she watched him with curious eyes.

"How may I be of assistance to you now?" Chihiro asked, her voice clear and unwavering before the old god as they guided him a small private room off to the side of the foyer.

"I come with a message for you and Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi." He said gruffly.

Rumi saw Chihiro grimace from the corner of her eye as they sat and she prepared tea.

"With all due respect, sir, Kohaku is not here at present. We can find you a room until his return-"

Naoyuki raised his hand. "That will not be necessary, for my words will not reach him. He still denies his birthright, despite signs and prophecies. He will not listen."

Chihiro bowed her head, as if agreeing on the matter, but her eyes were also firm, probably mad about the fact she and Haku were still being bothered about the prophecy. "He won't listen because he knows that it is not him who is meant to take your place." She finally said, sitting after she finished serving the tea.

"And who are you to say?" Naoyuki asked. "You are not even a quarter of a century old and you are wiser that our prophecy? Wiser than Genbu the Wise?"

This flustered Chihiro. "Well… no…"

"Fear not, child, I know that your intentions are good. You keep Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi's best interest at heart. But mind this, I do not have much time and the next Seiryu will rise whether they want to or not."

"But how can you be so sure it's him?" Rumi finally chimed in. "The prophecy is so vague as far descriptions go. How are we to know it's not someone else?"

Naoyuki's grey eyes shifted to her. "When you get to become as old as I, you tend to see things and know things. If you knew Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi as well as I do from observing him from birth, you would know that he has always been destined for this great honor."

"How can you be sure?" Chihiro finally asked. Her face was that of one that was faltering on resolve.

Naoyuki bowed his head slightly and shifted his hold on his cane. "My powers are weakening, child. Faster than I care to admit now that I have reached my end." He sighed. "As I grow weaker, my successor grows stronger. I feel that of young Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi."

A sudden thought seemed to cross Chihiro's mind. "You have control of the gates to and from the Spirit World, correct?"

Naoyuki tilted his head and replied, "The one of this region, yes."

"Do you have any control of the gates now?"

He nodded. "I do, but my control is weak and easily swayed by the new Seiryu, whether he is conscious of it or not."

"I see…"

"I will say this." He started. "As much as I believe it, I honestly do not know if Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi is the next Seiryu or not. But I am confident that you play a part in making the right decision when the next Seiryu does ascend." He smiled.

"Then why-"

"Instinct." Naoyuki interrupted. "And experience. But most importantly, I know Ryujin-San, and he does not invest in things he does not see potential or greatness in."

"But Ryujin-San cares for Haku." Chihiro protested, her brows knit together. "Like father or a brother."

"Yes, but where did that care stem from?" He mused. "Certainly Ryujin-San did not take interest in him because of a possible familial bond. No Ryujin-San only takes interest in those that will benefit him in the long term."

"But Ryujin-San isn't like that? Or at least hasn't made it known…" Chihiro picked at her nails.

"Like he'd show us his true colors like that." Rumi said, blatantly.

"Your friend it right." Naoyuki agreed. "Ryujin-San is a god from the beginning, if you are a woman of history - as I have been told - you should know tales of Ryujin-San. He is not a tame dragon and certainly not one that seeks out familial ties."

To that, Rumi had to disagree, especially since this whole Haku and Chihiro matchmaking game started. He'd been nothing but compliant and encouraging of Haku. If anything he was a complete softy at heart. Obviously the dragon before them only read the legends and never got to know Ryujin on a personal level. Weren't they in a similar age range or something?

"Well, with all due respect, sir, I don't wish to hear anymore about the prophecy or the slander you have toward our friend's name." Chihiro affirmed raising from her chair. Rumi gawked at her imprudence.

Naoyuki observed her and nodded. "You are right. I overstepped, my apologies." He rose with effort and bowed with even greater effort. "I will not bother you with the matter again. But do pass on my message and l will take me leave. Thank you for meeting with me." He rose and from his bow and started toward the exit where Chihiro guided him out of the foyer.

Rumi stayed behind and prepared a stronger substitute for the tea. Who were these guys thinking fate ruled the world or something? Her life was a complete denial of fate after she was saved by Yuuka as a child

Chihiro rejoined her in the room in silence and took the cup of warm sake offered to her as she sat. She swirled it for a moment the tipped it back. Rumi clinked her cup with an invisible cup in the air and tipped hers back too. Sake didn't have the same taste since the last time she got drunk and ran away. She figure it would take some time after that episode, but she'd learned her lesson the hard way.

"You good friend?" She asked Chihiro.

Chihiro grumbled incoherently. "Wonderful…"

Rumi shook her head with a slight chuckled. "It'll get better, Chi-Chan."

"I hope so." She offer her cup for more sake. "I just hope that really was the last time we hear from them."

"Hopefully." Rumi replied, filling her cup. "But only time will tell."

"Hah hah." Chihiro mocked, properly clinking her cup to Rumi's this time. "To defying fate."

"To defying fate."

They tipped back their cups and sat them down on the table, returned back to work for the rest of their shift.

A/N:

The Holy Beasts have made yet another appearance, what could this mean for our friends? This time it's Naoyuki, for the first time since the movie. Even he doesn't know who the real Seiryu will be.

The new couple's sappy love is gonna kill me. lol I keep having to tell myself "it's just a phase, it's just a phase." But then I don't want it to be cuz I always want it to be like the first time for them cuz that's what I want for my relationship whenever it comes. So yeah… love is gross. Lol

Anata is a pet name couples in Japan give their significant other. It's the equivalent of saying "you", which I don't quite understand but it's popular and cute.

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, lackadaises, coolchick87, CluelessPaige, AlexAngel14, MorbidVisionary, and Ai Star.
God bless! KawaChou