Written Rivers

Book 2: A Tie Amongst Rivers

Chapter 13: Acceptance

She was out of line and she knew it. Haku only meant to comfort her but the fear and pent up frustration of the whole issue made her snap. He protected her and she totally threw it in his face. She messed up bad. It wasn't Haku's fault, he was only playing with the cards he was dealt, no matter how bad they were.

But she also wasn't wrong about the whole thing… was she? Maybe her views were too modern for the life she was entering. But just because it was tradition didn't mean it was right… Was she in the wrong? Maybe it was her fault. She asked for it…

It was at this point she could really use Rumi's opinion or presence in general. But she wouldn't be back for another day or two and she wanted to resolve this before then. She didn't need Rumi anyway, she had to make her own decisions. She'd spent most of her life leaning on her friend that it was time she learned to stand on her own opinion.

But she also just needed her best friend right now. She was still shaken from what happened and needed Rumi to be there. Even just in her mere presence she'd be able to find some solace.

In her fit of rage, she had found herself in the boiler room, where Kamaji was slaving away at his post. When he glanced up at the intrusion, his deep frown disappeared and his expression brightened.

"Aw! Sen! What brings you down here?" The old spider spirit gruffed.

Chihiro blinked, her mind in a haze of fear and confusion. "I think I just messed up…"

Kamaji raised a brow. "Hm? How so?"

"Well, I-"

"I heard what happened!" Rin exclaimed busting into the boiler room. She rushed over to Chihiro and took her face into her hands and examined her every this way and that. "Are you okay? He didn't do anything to hurt you right, Sen? Who did it? Who do I have to hurt?"

Chihiro gently pushed Rin's hands away, trying not to alert Rin to the fact that her sudden barrage of questions and touching did in fact startle her beyond belief. "I'm fine now, Rin, thanks."

"What exactly happened?" Kamaji asked, one of his grey bushy eyebrows raising suspiciously.

Chihiro heaved another sigh and proceeded to tell of the events that happened prior to her descent to the boiler room. She cringed and touched at her neck as she recounted what happened in the private room, her palms becoming clammy and shaky. She went on to explain how she completely blew up in Haku's face even though he'd just saved her from an unsightly act. When she was done, Rin's face was red with anger, while an old sadness filled Kamaji's eyes.

"I'm sorry that happened to you Sen." Kamaji started.

"I'm gonna kill that bastard!" Rin exclaimed, punching the palm of her hand.

"No, Rin." Chihiro shook her head.

"And why not?" Rin bit.

"Because she knows, to a degree, that she's in the wrong," Kamaji answered.

Chihiro glanced up to retort but bit back her tongue and nodded. He was right to that degree and it made her feel sick in her stomach.

Rin assessed both of them and sighed. "He's got a point. Haku that is."

"I know. But does it make it right? Do I have too modern of thought? Have I been westernized in thought especially to such things?" Why was Rin agreeing? Was Rin supposed to be for or against this? Kamaji too? Were they ashamed of her?

"No… but you did take on a position that is predominated by those looking for a regular fling," Rin said. Stop agreeing!

"But…" Chihiro was going to retort once again but had to face some sort of truth that she did ask for it… it was her fault…

"As much as that is true," Kamaji said as he came down from his post to Chihiro's level, taking her away from her thoughts. "You also laid down your boundaries early, your regulars all know this, even Kuraokami-Sama. You are not at fault for what happened to you." He caressed her cheek affectionately as a grandparent would. "I'm just glad you're safe. Don't let this hold you back."

Chihiro took a shaky breath and nodded. Unease seemed to fade under his touch and she fell into his embrace. "Thank you." She mumbled, holding back tears.

He softly patted her back, all six of his lengthy arms making a safe cocoon around her. The familiar smell of soot and herbs was comforting and she felt safe again.

The sound of Rin clearing her throat brought the embrace to an end. Chihiro emerged from the hug and turned to Rin.

"I'm glad you're safe. And you aren't at fault. You were clear and I wouldn't have wished what happened upon any of the yuna, let alone you." She said encouragingly. "Now… about Haku…"

Chihiro felt her cheeks heat up. But not out of a state of romantic feels but of embarrassment and guilt. "I can't exactly agree with all the ways he's chosen to run the Bathhouse… but I also said I'd support him…" The feeling of conflict heightened her sense of embarrassment.

"Sen, there's something you need to realize with Haku." Rin started. "He does his best with what he's got. I don't compliment the dragon often but he plays a good game with the cards he's been given, no matter how crappy they are."

"Haku…" Kamaji gruffed. "Haku isn't like most spirits his age. He's developed a more modern view of the world over the last century. He's had quite a lot to think about. Especially since you entered his life."

"Don't give me credit for that."

"But it's true," Kamaji said. "I've known him for some time and he has changed. He was once so indifferent. So apathetic to everything that didn't affect him and his way of life."

"You saw the knucklehead when you first came here." Rin scoffed. "He was such a tyrant and demanding. It was like he was a mini Yubaba sometimes."

"But he was under her curse. Those darn slugs she used to control some of the staff." Kamaji frowned sadly. "Even little Ame at one point."

"Ame? Why him?" Chihiro asked.

Rin shrugged. "No one knows what's so special about Ame for her to have had him under control. I mean, he's a pretty good kid and he has the potential to be pretty powerful but no one knows why or how he ended up in the care of the Bathhouse."

"It doesn't help that his name is still hidden too." The old spider spirit added.

"Which leads us back to Haku and the Bathhouse. He's turned it around for the better. He's given spirits their identities back. He's given them the choice they didn't have before." Rin paused. "Sen… he's made the Bathhouse… better. For lack of a better term that is. He's given everyone their names back, he's actually given those who chose to stay a wage! That's well above what we got before. He's earned the respect of the whole staff, not just out of fear but actual respect that he earned." She explained. "The Bathhouse is still a brothel but at least the yuna are treated well and protected here. We all know that Haku hates it, but it's been the expectation of Yubaba's infamous Bathhouse and there are far worse places many of our yuna could be working at. There is a limit and they are protected."

Chihiro grimaced. "But does that make it right?"

"No one said it was right. No one said it was fair." Kamaji said. "But I'd rather be here to work than anywhere else if it meant supporting Haku and the yuna of this place."

"But can't we find a way to rid of the services that allow sexual relationships?"

Rin shook her head. "Many of the yuna would do it anyway, especially if it meant an extra tip." She rolled her eyes. "They're all greedy that way. At least if it's allowed, Haku can regulate it and protect them if he needs to."

Chihiro looked down with an exasperated frown. Maybe they were right… She didn't like it but Haku was only playing his best game with the cards he got. She thought about all the times she said she would support him and his decisions. This was one of them.

She heaved a sigh and nodded. "There's no other choice really is there?"

"Not really." Rin shrugged. "Unless you decided to leave."

"Hah," Chihiro replied dryly, settling into her choice. "I'll go talk to him then."

"You'll be fine." The old spider gruffest with a smile. "Just communicate. That's how this all works."

She nodded and gave him her best smile in reply, given the situation. "Thank you."

Despite his age, Haku had a relatively modern view of the world, especially in the area that their whole argument was based on. He was finding it rather hard not to agree with her. But in the heat of the moment, old habits jumped up and he spat rather harsh words. He regretted his choices and knew that Chihiro needed her space at the moment. But at the same time, he felt he was supposed to be comforting her, especially after what happened to her.

He was so angry. Infuriated, even, that another dragon would dare to come in on his territory and have the audacity to try to claim what was his. It made him sick, he was so angry…

His… She was not his yet.

"I already have a mate!"

"That is your mate?"

Chihiro had claimed him her mate. Whether they were official or not. This made a smile play at his lips. Maybe it was time he took this another step further.

"You have no claim on her!"

Haku bit his lip, pacing his office space. The poor excuse for a dragon was right. He had not placed a claim on her yet. The most that marked Chihiro as remotely close to a mate was his scent, which was not enough to ward off other dragons. If he really wanted her safe, he would have to let the world know one way or another that Chihiro was not to be bothered.

The sound of familiar footsteps stopped his train of thought. The scent of a calming bouquet of floral lingered in the air as the steps drew closer. It was Chihiro. Her floral scent was something he had come to long for over the last few weeks.

He straightened himself out and brushed out his kimono. They would talk this out. He would show her that he was not truly angry. He would show her that he loved her no matter what.

He heard her stop in front of the door and then silence. She seemed to be mumbling to herself as she always did when contemplating something or nervous. He then heard her heave a deep breath and knock on the door.

Haku made his way to the door and tried not to open it too hastily, trying not to make it look like he had been sitting around just waiting for her to come to the door.

When he opened it, he found Chihiro, who looked meeker than he had ever seen her. She looked vulnerable and nervous. It was almost out of character. He promised himself he never wanted to see her like this again. It broke him to see her like this.

"Haku, I…" She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have yelled at you like that… I was scared and frustrated and… and I took it out on you… I'm sorry…"

Haku slowly approached her as she talked.

"I need to work on that but my anger isn't an excuse. I shouldn't be yelling at you whenever I'm, I'm frustrated or or-"

Haku wrapped his arms around her, silencing her stammering. "Shhh. It will be okay. I am just glad you are safe." He hugged her tighter. "I am sorry too. I also spoke out of turn at the time too… We have a lot to talk about. But I am just glad you are safe. That is what is most important here."

Chihiro nodded into his kimono and gripped the folds in her fingers. The tension in her seemed to subside the longer he held her. He never wanted her to feel this way ever again. He would do more. He would be stronger so she would never experience anything of the nature ever again.

"You know you are not at fault, right?" He asked.

Chihiro's grip on his kimono tightened as she hesitated to answer before she nodded again.

"You know I will never let you get hurt or go through this again."

She nodded again.

"You know that I love you, right? And that nothing could change to make me love you less."

Chihiro leaned away and he brushed away the tear that was rolling down her cheek. "Really?"

He shook his head and smiled. "Nothing at all."

She gave a half-smile and she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I love you too. No matter what."

"Hm." Haku brought her closer and kissed her forehead. "Can I be honest with you, Chihiro?"

"I would not expect anything less." She replied.

He suppressed a smirk at her reflected reply. "I have no honest intentions of allowing this habit of the yuna or guests to go on forever." He backed out of the hug, holding her hands as he closed the door with his foot behind her. "But as long as I am in charge and in ownership of this Bathhouse, I will protect every employee here. I will remove the services with time, especially since I do not know when Yubaba will attempt to return. But until then, I will do everything in my power to start putting these services into perspective and out of the Bathhouse."

Chihiro nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "I understand…" She reaffirmed herself with another nod. "I support your decision."

He smiled earnestly and cupped her cheek. "What did I do to have the gods and fate gift me with such a flower?"

Her cheeks turned beet red and she played with the hem of her shirt. "You are the gift here…" she mumbled lowly.

Haku smirked, leaning in. "What did you say? I do not think I heard you."

Knowing full well of the capacity of his hearing, she pouted her lip in a huff. "Don't even bother with that, Kohaku Nushi!"

He chuckled and touched his forehead to hers. He could feel her calm and lean into him. He felt the urge to pull her close and show her just how much she ran his world. Mating season was coming and he fought every urge his instincts told him to do to the human girl before him. But he had far more respect and control than that.

Chihiro slipped her arms around his neck and breathed shakily. He could taste her sweet breath just inches from his lips. He slowly leaned in and their lips touched. Her lips tasted of fresh mint and something sweet.

He brought his free arm down to wrap around her waist and pulled her closer. The kiss deepened and his instincts started to pulsate through his mind. How could such a simple touch bring him to his knees like this?

Before he could bring himself to stop, Chihiro broke away, heaving for a breath.

"No…" She gasped, leaning her head against his chest. "Don't… Nothing more…"

Haku blinked as he took the moment to catch his own breath. "Nothing more?" Was it too soon after what happened? Was it too much for her?

She shook her head. "Nothing more than this… Not for now." She looked up at him, her eyes glimmering with passion and determination. "I don't want our relationship to be founded on physical needs. If we truly love each other, we can hold off until we are official."

"Official, you say?" Haku pegged, quirking a brow.

"Y'know… like later when we wed or mate and all that…" She buried her face back into his kimono.

"I understand."

She blinked and looked him in the eye once more. "I love you."

Haku grinned and nuzzled her nose. "And I love you." He kissed her nose and pulled her into a hug. It was all coming together. Their first fight as a real couple ended with grace.

"Would you go to my river with me? I think it is time you met the rest of me."

Chihiro grinned, squeezing him tighter. "I thought you'd never ask."

They stayed in that moment for a while, just letting everything settle. It felt right just loving being loved.

Chihiro sighed and squirmed a little.

"Hm?" Haku hummed, chuckling.

"Now maybe a good and bad time to tell you about our visitor this week."

He paused and let out a sigh of his own, releasing her and regretting the end of such a perfect moment. He knew this would come up sooner or later, he knew there was a powerful being that came to the Bathhouse when he felt a spike in power through the spell that he had on the building. He just did not know who it was, he did have his suspicions.

"Who?"

She looked down distastefully and mumbled, "Naoyuki-Sama…"

Haku's suspicions were not without merit. He turned and ran his hand through his hair, contemplating. "What did he have to say?"

"He just wanted to send a personal reminder that you are the next Seiryu." She explained, annoyance very apparent in her tone. "Not that he knew either. He even admitted to it…"

"Hn." He was tired of this. He did not need these constant reminders of the many prophecies that he was or was not involved in.

"But he mentioned Ryujin-San…" She said.

"What about him?" He turned back to her to find her vexed expression.

"He said that Ryujin-San was one of the reasons he thought you'd be Seiryu… that Ryujin-San only took interest in those that benefit him in the long run… Is that true?" She asked, sinking into the couch that sat next to his desk.

Haku paused and nodded. "Yes. And I knew that when he took me under his wing. Ryujin is one of the most renowned dragons next to the creation gods here, one of the oldest. There are many dragons, many of great power, but he is in a league few are able to achieve. If he took a dragon of little caliber under his wing it was never out of mere fondness or curiosity. He somehow sees the potential of any dragon he meets and decides if they are worthy of his apprenticeship…" He sighed. "He also knows the birth prophecies in most cases. That also changes his opinion, like they will be destined for greatness."

"Birth prophecies?"

"Yes… every dragon is born with a prophecy over their life and destiny. Every spirit related to the Holy Beasts gets a prophecy. The Phoenix, the dragon, the tiger. They all get one."

"You all need to ease back on your prophecy run lives thing out here." Chihiro crossed her arms. "If humans followed prophecies this religiously we'd never get anything done."

Haku deadpanned her. "You do. Yours are just called fortune telling every time you go to a shrine or festival. It is no different."

"Oh, right." She blushed and the tension in him faded a bit. What an interesting human.

"So were you given a prophecy too?"

Haku stared for a moment. He clenched his fist, a deep dark fear that he had not confronted in a long time started to bubble up. "I am not ready to confront that yet."

Chihiro stared at him for a moment then touched his arm. "It's okay. One step at a time. Is it why you deny the Seiryu prophecy so much? Does your prophecy say something about it?"

He shook his head, taking her hand, suppressing any of those dark thoughts down. "Not directly, but it has potential depending on interpretation."

She nodded. "It's okay. We'll make it through this. Together."

He smiled, kneeling by her side and touched her cheek, which she did not shy away from. She felt safe again. "Yes. Together." He leaned in and nuzzled her nose and tilted her head to kiss her. "I love you." He murmured against her lips.

"And I you, Haku…"

To say the least, Rumi missed out on a lot of the going ons of the Bathhouse. Apparently she leaves for a week and her best friend becomes a dictator to the staff, is almost taken advantage of, gets in a fight with Haku, makes up with Haku, and gets invited to the river…

What.

Her week was amazing until all that info was thrown at her. She got to have a wonderful and enlightening week with her mate as they explored Makoto's old home. It was the honeymoon she never knew she wanted. It wasn't what she dreamed about as a child but it was definitely more than she ever would have thought up.

Rumi sighed as she towel-dried her hair and walked out of the bathroom into the main living space of her and Chihiro's apartment. It had been two days since they got back and technically four since the two other lover birds made up. It seemed like everything was starting to come around for everyone. Hopefully it wasn't short-lived. She and Chihiro had seen enough and were at this point rather exhausted from it all.

Chihiro sat at the table drinking late morning tea. She had promptly taken out any alcohol that was in their apartment after Rumi's episode until further notice. She appreciated the sentiment, she didn't know if she could drink casually after what happened for a while.

She watched her friend for a moment. Chihiro seemed happier. She seemed lighter as she let go of all her worries, despite recent events. She was almost free. Maybe they both were.

Chihiro glanced up to her from the table and smiled. "What are you staring at? C'mon, your tea is gonna get cold."

Rumi laughed and sat with her friend. "Thanks." She accepted the cup offered to her and sipped at it gingerly. "So what are the plans today? Are you going to work tonight?"

Chihiro stiffened slightly but kept drinking her tea. "I won't be going back for another day or so…"

She nodded. "I understand."

"What about you?" Chihiro asked, setting down her cup.

"Hm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, I work tonight so I thought I'd hang out with my two favorite people today," Rumi smirked.

Chihiro's smile beamed. "Why thank you."

"Who said I was talking about you?"

Chihiro faltered and her mouth gaped like a fish. "Wait, um, wha-"

"I'm kidding, Chi-Chan." Rumi covered Chihiro's hand with her own.

The brown haired girl mocked a frown. "Whatever." Then her face twisted in an attempt to keep from laughing.

Rumi jabbed her gently in the side and Chihiro keeled over laughing. "I missed you, you dork."

Chihiro glared at her through her laughter. "You're awful."

"So when do you go to the river?"

"Next week." She answered. "Haku said he needed to make preparations first before we went. Y'know, with the staff and all, he was just gone for a week and didn't want to leave too soon after returning."

"Makes sense, he wants to hold up his reputation with the staff."

Chihiro nodded. "Mhm."

"How are you doing?"

Chihiro stopped and looked at her, then down at her cup. "If I stop for too long and actually think about what happened, I can still feel his breath on my neck." She covered the right side of her neck, unconsciously. "But then I remember Haku's overwhelmingly loving touch that overpowers those memories." She smiled.

Rumi nodded. "I understand."

Chihiro gave her a side glance. "What about you? You're little honeymoon?" She asked coyly.

She laughed with a blush. "It was wonderful, just as I said before. I can't wait till you experience it for yourself."

Her friend smiled. "It may be sooner than we think."

They sat and giggled together over tea, talking about everything and nothing in particular. They snacked on a simple breakfast that they order from downstairs. Something about it didn't sit right with her so she stuck with the simpler parts of the meal and her tea. It felt good just relaxing with Chihiro, it felt like old times. Except for the sick feeling in her stomach, which wasn't reminiscent at all.

"Are you okay, Rumi-Chan?" Chihiro asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Just not that hungry and the food just seems a bit strong right now." She smiled and sipped at her tea again to soothe her upsetting stomach.

Chihiro looked at her suspiciously and then her own plate. "Okay."

They finished their breakfast and continued their morning, as usual, just enjoying the company and returning to any usual Bathhouse chores they had to take care of before opening later that night.

Later that afternoon, Makoto found her and they spent their time getting lost in the garden maze. Makoto seemed to be on edge about something but it didn't seem out of character for the wolf, he was always a little overprotective. After wandering for a bit he stopped and she looked at him curiously.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked tilting her head.

"You smell different?" He started, his nose scrunching slightly.

Rumi laughed hesitantly, resisting the urge to smell herself. "Is that a bad thing?"

Makoto shook his head in confusion. "No… not in a bad way…" He studied her. "Are you… are you with child?"

She stared at him, her mind completely blank. Pregnant? Her? Was that possib- yeah it was definitely possible.

"Rumi?"

"Me?" She finally squeaked.

Makoto's eyes began to twinkle with a childlike wonder. He squeezed her hand.

"How can you tell?"

"Something about you just seems different. Something I was familiar with seeing in my old pack."

"But…" Rumi couldn't think. Was she excited? Was she scared? Was she ready? She touched her still very flat stomach and tears pricked at her eyes. "Makoto… I… I…" She knelt into a squat, trying to form a coherent thought.

Makoto knelt next to her, holding her hands tight. "Are you alright?"

"Hm?" She replied dazed. "Um, yes. Just not sure how I feel."

"I understand…" He nodded. "Let's walk through it one step at a time then. Ready?"

She nodded, taking a deep breath.

"How do you feel at the idea?"

"…Happy? Excited? Scared? Unworthy?"

"And that is okay." He said. "I feel the same."

She finally looked him in the eye. "Really?"

Makoto reached up and brushed away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. "Of course. This is my first time too. I have my doubts and insecurities too. But…" He cupped his hand over the one on her stomach. "It does not take away from my love and excitement for you and what our bond has produced."

"But what if it's too soon? What if I mess up? What if something happens and I can't be there for them when they need it most?"

"Shhh… nothing will happen. And if something does, we will handle it, together. We will love them and care for them to the best of our abilities. We know what we like done to us and what we do not. We will use that to help us learn to care for them properly." He cupped her face with both his hands. "I love you and want nothing more than to start my pack with you."

Tears slipped down her cheeks in streams. Rumi closed her eyes and nodded. "Okay… Yes, I will. I love you Makoto. I love you, I love you, I love you." She placed her hands affectionately on his arms.

He smirked and brought her close. "I love you too. More than you can possibly know." He kissed her softly. "I love you." He kissed her again. "I love you." Kiss. "I love you."

A/N:

Sorry, y'all, full-time school, full-time work, and poor health all kicked me in the butt at the same time. Last time I'm ever living this full-time everything life again. I don't recommend it.

So. First fight. Well. Real fight as a couple. And as Haku said, it ended with grace. They're learning to communicate (especially Chihiro).

So I personally have a very Western and Christian perspective when it comes to things about sex, so I did have to study up on what is actually going on in Japan and how the Shinto morals actually correlate with modern Japanese belief on the subject. Can't say it was fun but it was informative.

Oh hey look, Rumi and Makoto… whaaaaa?

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, Zoey, NotLongatall4189, and Ai Star.
God bless! KawaChou