Chapter 8: Fireflies
From Swamp Bottom heading to Kohaku River, it was a pretty long way. Zeniba's house was on the south meanwhile Haku's river was on the north east. Though Chihiro was used to visit his river for hundred times in the human world, well this time was different. No more wasting money, no more needed to be lonely. It's an honor to be directly accompanied- no, carried; by its spirit himself. Flew in the blue sky, passing through the fluffy clouds. The view beneath the horizon was so vivid, capturing the great things of God's creations.
It's no different to fly in the nighttime or in the daylight. Both were satisfying. The human thought it would be delightful if she was a dragon, she could fly to anywhere at any time she wanted to. But she was born a human and she should be grateful.
The time passed along their long way as now the sky had turned into orange and pink. She watched the sunset, it looked astonishing since she had never seen it in a clear view. Then her vision became blurred, she rubbed her eyes.
"Haku, is our way still long?" Chihiro asked.
The dragon grunted. She frowned, it's useless. She hoped she could understand what did he say. She yawned, a sudden pain hit on her head. She wobbled and lost her grip, almost falling off his back. She squealed and immediately grabbed his horns. The dragon grumbled.
She breathed a relief. "Sorry, my bad," she said. He grunted again. "I'm okay," she rested her head. As much as she wanted to stay awake, the pain on her head forced her to shut her eyes and gone to sleep.
The dragon was flying with anxiousness clouded his mind. The human on his back was sleeping and he felt her body heat increasing more and more, she began to catch a fever again. He burst up his speed.
When the sky had fully turned dark, The Kohaku River came up into view. They almost arrived, but the human was still asleep. A normal landing would snap her awake and the dragon wouldn't do that. So he cast a spell and for a second the human floated in the air. He shifted back to his human form and caught her onto his arms. She sighed and gradually opened her eyes.
"Haku?" she realized she was on his arms. "What happened?"
"Chihiro. I'm sorry to wake you. We have arrived," he smiled.
"Really?"
"Yup,"
He landed slowly and smoothly on his feet. He put her down.
Chihiro looked around. The first thing she noticed was the river, of course. The moonlight reflected on the water, as if the water was glowing, and the condition around became quiet bright. She forgot how big his river was, since the other one at the human world had gone. The surrounding environment was exactly the same as it once used to be at his river in her old hometown. She remembered that. Grassland on their side, the small forest across the water. Big rocks in the river, the water flowing calmly against them. Something tugged her memories. She searched for the biggest rock near the river bank, which there was the one and only panama berry tree at the place. Surprisingly, it's still there. She ran to the spot, he followed her.
"Haku, I really missed this place," she said. "Your river, it's so beautiful,"
Haku smiled. "You remember this spot?"
"I never once forget this spot," she grinned. "You saved me and brought me here when I drowned because I tried to catch my stupid shoe,"
Haku chuckled. He picked some fruits from the tree. "Berries?" he offered.
"Panama berries," she smiled and took some. "Thank you,"
Haku nodded. They sat there while enjoying their berries. Chihiro was going to soak her feet into the water but she hesitated, the spirit of the river was right next to her.
"Umm, Haku, may I?" she asked, gesturing her feet to the water.
"Yeah, of course. Why not?" he soaked his own feet.
Chihiro grinned and did so. This reminded her to the past bad days when she visited the small stream amongst the apartements back there.
"You know what, I used to visit a small stream that once was part of your river in the human world, often," she started.
Haku didn't answer. "Every time I missed you and everyone, I went there alone. I talked to the water, hoping that maybe you would answer. That was stupid I guess," she made a forced laugh.
Guiltiness haunted him. "Chihiro, I knew it all along," he said quietly.
"You knew?" she asked surprised. "All these nine years!?" she asked again getting irritated.
Though he knew it would upset her, he nodded and prepared himself for what would coming next from her.
"Then why did you never, at least once, answer me!?" she cried angrily.
Haku looked screwed. It's complicated. Where should I start? He gulped.
"I want explanations," she folded her arms. "Go ahead and explain, I'm not gonna interrupt you," she looked very angry.
He sighed. He tried to phrase his words. "I know you're upset, Chihiro. But please forgive me, I'm terribly sorry," he begged, his eyes straight to hers. "You know the reason I left my river in the human world it's because there was no space for me to breathe, they built those buildings above me. I was so sad but I had to leave and I couldn't come back. And I knew it all what you told me because the connection between my rivers was still there. My river called me... every time you came. Strange and unlucky, every time I rushed to came here, I arrived when you were leaving. I was always late. If I wasn't, there could be a chance I could give you a sign that I was listening. So...," he's running out of words. "Please forgive me,"
Chihiro was speechless. She looked into his eyes, she knew he really mean it. She sighed.
"I understand," her expression softened. "I'm sorry that I was close to lose my faith in you,"
Haku smiled bitterly. He thought maybe he deserved that. They sat there in silence. Chihiro caught her eyes on the sudden lights that came out from the bushes.
Her eyes widened. "Haku... these lights...,"
"Fireflies," he smiled.
She gaped in awe. "Wow, I have never seen them directly before," she exclaimed. The lightning bugs flew towards them. "They're beautiful!" she said.
He looked at her. "No. You are," he smiled.
She grinned. She took out her hand and tried to touch them. Some of them perched on her hand. She laughed a little.
"These guys reminds me to a song," she said.
"What song?" he asked.
"A song, back in the human world, the title was 'Fireflies'. The song was in English, tho,"
"Really? What was the song about?"
"Fireflies, of course," she answered simply.
Haku felt stupid, of course the song would tell about the fireflies. Only from the title everyone should have known about it.
"And it contains a lesson, my favorite, that everything is never as it seems," she explained. "I like to listen to the song when I'm feeling lonely and couldn't get to sleep,"
"I see," he nodded. "So, how does the song sounds like? Would you sing it for me?" he asked.
She blushed. "Umm, no. I'm not good in English,"
He chuckled. "Oh, come on. I wanna hear you singing,"
She smiled nervously. "Alright..." she rolled her eyes. "But just a little, okay?"
He nodded eagerly. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath before she started. "You would not believe your eyes if ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep,"
Haku surprised. He held his breath, as if his breath would interrupt the moment. It's the first time he ever heard her singing, her voice was... melodious and sounded dreamy.
The lightning bugs were shining brighter, flew here and there around them, as if they knew the girl was singing about them.
"Cause they fill the open air and leave teardrops everywhere, you'd think me rude but I would just stand and," she turned to him. "...stare,"
Haku turned red. The breeze blew slightly to her hair making her face looked shady. The lights of the bugs reflected on her eyes, but actually, her eyes were shining brighter than them.
She looked away to the fireflies. "I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly,"
He thought he understood. Long ago Yubaba had sent him to a mission overseas, to met a wizard in Northern Ireland. So he could a little speak in English.
"It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep," she stopped and sighed. She looked to the water. "Cause everything is never as it seems."
Haku didn't realize his mouth gaped. He blinked and closed it. I can't believe it, I could be lost in her singing forever. He rubbed the back of his neck. She turned to him. His face was beet red.
"My goodness, Haku! I must have sounded horrible!" she cried.
He turned even darker. "N-no, I'm sorry," he shook his head. "You're amazing, that was... the most beautiful singing I've ever heard," he said.
Now Chihiro turned red. "R-really?" she smiled nervously. "Thank you,"
He smiled and nodded. As he looked into her eyes once again, which he saw her pupils were shrinking, he realized he almost forgot the main reason he took her to his river. He was going to do it to save her, which he could only done it at his river.
"Chihiro, I'm going to do something. Would you mind waiting for a second?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes, please. Of course,"
He smiled. "Thank you,"
Haku took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He began a conversation inside his mind.
"Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi,"
I am Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi.
"Are you sure about this?"
Yes, I am.
"Have you convinced your heart?"
I have conviced my heart.
"Are you ready to take the risks?"
I'm ready.
"Do you love her?"
He held his breath. More than anything.
"You would do anything for her,"
Yes I would do anything for her.
"Even if that means you're going to lose her?"
He wrinkled his eyebrows. I don't wanna lose her.
"You must be ready. Because I'm going to make my choice,"
Chihiro thought Haku must be praying, because now he clasped his hands together and bowed down his head. He looked so calm and concentrating, she didn't want to interrupt. She turned to the water. The atmosphere suddenly became very quiet; no wind blew, the river's stream stopped and became still, even the fireflies dimmed out their lights.
Haku twisted his palms and locked them. He opened his eyes. "Chihiro,"
She turned to him. "Have a look," he said.
A green light arose inside his grip. Slowly he opened his hands and her eyes widened. A dragon. On Haku's hands was a dragon. It was just the same as Haku in his white dragon form, only it was small sized as big as his palm and it glowed. All over its body were made of green lights. Chihiro watched in amazement.
It flew from his hand to the air; the fireflies were shining again. The tiny dragon flew amongst them, swirling here and there. For once it flew low and touched the river's surface, the water glowed. Now it was heading towards the human, she took out her hand if maybe it would land itself. But the dragon used her hand to jump onto her head. It was strolling around on her head, she giggled. She had been so caught up with the tiny dragon that she didn't notice Haku's face was so nervous as if he was being determined between life and death.
The dragon flew again. Now it was flying in front of her face, it brought itself closer and caress her cheek then heading to her right ear. It stopped and floated in the air, right next to her ear.
Haku took a deep breath. Chihiro winced his eyes and tried to be focused on her hearing. She thought the dragon whispered something to her. Something she had never heard before, and she couldn't comprehend what it was.
"Chihiro," he called her. She turned to him confused. "Give me your hand," he asked.
She just did so and gave him her right hand, he held it with his hands. She didn't know why but this time, the way he held her hands felt so different and making her nervous.
The dragon flew higher, then flew sharply down and landed on the back of her right hand. It walked gracefully towards her ring finger. Both they watched it carefully.
Now it's on her ring finger. It walked around her dainty finger, over and over.
"Haku, what is it doing?" she whispered.
Haku didn't answer, his eyes kept focusing on the dragon. He gripped her hand. The dragon was shrinking and finally stopped walking around. It circled and wrapped its body on her finger, making a blinding light, and then it was gone. There was a ring-like dragon tattoo left on her finger. The wind blew blustery to them, and then everything's back to normal. The river streamed again. Haku breathed a relief.
"He has made his choice," he said inaudible.
Chihiro felt something came in and filled her. It was powerful and felt so right. Her headache was now gone, her vision became clear again. Her pupils were back into their normal sizes. She looked at the tattoo on her finger, pictures from the first time she met the river spirit were running in her head. She turned to him.
"Haku... What was that?" she asked.
"That was... My dragon's very soul," he said without looking at her.
"Your dragon's... very soul?" she repeated confused.
"The dragon, he put his soul into you," he turned to her. "Or in other words, I put my soul into you,"
Her expression changed. "Haku... But why?"
"I'm keeping my promises to save you," he said firmly. "You were actually dying, Chihiro. But maybe you didn't feel it,"
Chihiro trailed off. "I told you before if you stay here bad things would happen, and the worst is that could kill you. You caught a fever at night, nosebleed, and your pupils were getting smaller. That means your soul was fading away. The only way I know to save a fading soul is to fix it with another soul. So, I brought you here and tried to fix your soul with mine," he explained. "And I hope that would really works..."
She confused. "But, the last time I came to this world I stayed for about four days, I was fine. So why did this happen this time?"
"You were not, Chihiro. Remember the first night you were employed? You were sick," he answered. She blinked and nodded slowly. "That's because your soul is not meant to be in this world. A human soul is like a feeding to the spirit world. And the spirit world will attract the human's soul just like a magnet. Usually the human itself wouldn't feel it, so it goes unnoticed. But you were involved to a contract with Yubaba, that restrained your soul from being magnetized, creating a kind of barrier that caged your soul. That night your soul was fighting against the barrier, and in the next day I gave you those enchanted onigiris to dispel your pain. Now is different, you are staying freely. You have no idea how I was having a great dilemma," he sighed.
Chihiro couldn't find a word to say, that was too much to comprehend. She looked down. "You... saved me," she said quietly. "You're always been my savior," she smiled. "Thank you, Kohaku,"
"No, Chihiro. Thank you," he said.
"What?" she cocked her eyebrow.
"Thank you for accepting my soul. It wouldn't enter your body if you weren't accepting," he said. "And that also means you let the dragon chose you,"
She held her breath. "Chose me... to what?"
Haku's expression didn't change but he blushed. "To be its mate,"
His words didn't register. She was still confused. "I am your dragon's mate?"
"Yes, and you should know that a dragon would never harm its mate," he said, or more like swearing.
Chihiro thought for a second. Wait. Haku is the dragon itself, that means..., Her face became crimson. Haku chose me!? To be his mate? Really? She felt nervousness filled her.
"W-wait... You mean... Y-your mate?" she asked disbelief.
Haku knew what was on her mind. He chuckled and turned to the water. Now that the dragon had chosen her, there's no way to hide it.
"That's right, Chihiro. I love you," he said but wasn't looking at her. He was too shy to confess his feelings. "Since you gave my name back, I know that you're the one I love,"
She felt her blood running to her head. "You... mean it...?" she asked wavering.
He turned to her and smiled. "Of course. Do I look like I'm joking?" he asked softly.
This was too good to be true, but Chihiro wasn't dreaming. She couldn't be happier. Turns out he had the same feelings for her. Turns out he requited her love. If she was a firework, she would have exploded at the time.
He held her hand. "Now part of me is inside you, that would guarantee there's nothing could hurt y-" his words was never meant to be finished, because
She kissed him. Haku wasn't ready, he shut his eyes. It took a moment for him to register what's happening. Once he did, he never wanted to let go. But she did.
That was their first kiss. It felt sweet and so right. Thrilling and growing addiction. Their heartbeat sounded aloud in tune.
She was panting, and so was him. Her face was beet red, and so was him. She smiled. "That's enough. I love you too," she said.
Haku burst into smile. He leaned his forehead against hers. They closed their eyes. He wanted more. He cupped her face and with no doubts, gently lined his lips to her lips.
She ran through the forest in agitated. She felt the black power inside was trying to take control. She just kept running, struggled to keep up her common sense. She was almost out of breath but she didn't stop. Not, until she's out the forest, at least until she gets out from those black territories. She was coming closer to the cherry blossoms forest, she sped up. Once she stepped her feet to its lush land, she dropped herself on her knees.
She put her hands on the ground to propped her body. She managed her breath. This wasn't good, she needed a help. Hana. Right, her. She knew about this. She stood up.
"Hana!" she called her little sister. "Hana, where are you!?"
No answers. No sign of her existence. "Hana, please, I need your help!" she begged.
The wind blew blustery to her. She knew it was Hana. "Look, Hana, I'm so sorry. I know you're mad at me, I should have listened to you," she said. "But right now I need your help, Hana,"
"Go away," said a voice of a little girl. "I don't wanna talk to my Sister,"
"No, please, Hana! What should I do?" she looked around searching for the little girl. "I don't wanna be ended up to him. His black powers are trying to take over me. I'm scared, Hana!" she cried.
The red haired little girl showed up running and hugged her sister. Kayo was surprised, her sister hugged her so tight and then let her go. Hana was crying, Kayo crouched down facing her.
"I can't help you, Sister," Hana said. She caressed her cheek.
"Hana..." she wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry, but you have to leave, Sister," Hana said. She was only a little girl, an upset little girl.
"But-"
"I said, LEAVE!" she yelled.
Kayo taken aback. She stood up and took a step backwards. She smiled bitterly. "I understand," she turned away. "Good bye, Hana. I'm so sorry," she walked away.
Hana sobbed. "Good bye. Good luck and take care, Sister," she said.
Kayo turned her head back to Hana and gave her a weak smile. "Thank you, Sister," and finally she made her way leaving the little girl, heading back to where all the problems came from.
She used the powers to fly back to the bathhouse. She had make up her mind. Not bothering to get into the bathhouse, she directly landed at Yubaba's office balcony. She came in from the glass doors.
"Kayo! You're back! How was your trip?" said Yubaba.
"It was fine, Mam. Thank you," she lied.
"Hmm. Have you delivered the box to him?"
Kayo nodded. "Yes, Mam. I have delivered the box to Hakuro,"
"Good. Now you may take a rest for a while and then go back to work," Yubaba turned to her papers.
Kayo took a step forward. "Mam, I wanna quit," she said.
Yubaba turned to her. "You wanna quit?" she repeated. "Why? You're a good apprentice. Is anything wrong?" she asked.
Kayo shook her head. "No, Mam. I just don't want to hurt anybody here," she said. If Yubaba wasn't wrong, for a second Kayo's eyes were turned black and then turned back into dark purple. Wait, dark purple? Yubaba's expression was changed. "Please let me quit, Mam," Kayo begged.
Yubaba didn't want to believe what she had seen. She merely shrugged it off. "No," she said simply.
The black powers were trying to take over her. She began to panic. "Mam, please, I don't wanna hurt you," she cried.
Yubaba laughed. "Of course you don't. Why would you hurt me, tho?"
"Because you don't let me to quit!" she shouted.
Yubaba sighed. She opened the drawer of her desk, looking for Kayo's contract paper. "The problem is to get out from my contract, you will have to know your-"
"Name. I know my name," she cut her off.
Yubaba's eyes widened, Kayo's contract paper disappeared from her drawer. She turned to her. "YOU…!"
The black powers took over her. Her eyes turned to a total black. "My name is Mikayo, and I quit," she said firmly.
Unnoticed what was happening to Kayo, Yubaba let out an outburst. "HEY YOU CANNOT J-"
She trailed off as Kayo walked towards her. She began to be scared. Minutes ago, the girl in front of her was Kayo, but now she was someone else. Kayo turned into a scary girl with black eyes and black powers surrounded her.
"I've warned you, Old Hag," she said. "But you weren't listening," she turned away and stormed out the room from the door.
Yubaba froze. Soon she heard screaming and chaos from downstairs. This is bad. I've made a wrong choice. She gritted her teeth. Hastily she contacted her foreman with the enchanted skull on her desk.
"STATE OF EMERGENCY! TELL THE CUSTOMERS TO GET OUT OF HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! ALL THE WORKERS PREPARE YOURSELF! WE'RE CLOSING THE BATHHOUSE FOR A WHILE!" she demanded. "There's something we need to take care of first,"
Haku and Chihiro were on their way back to the bathhouse. They're almost arrived, from a distance they could saw chaos was happening. Haku landed at the garden, it was safer for the moment. All the customers were running out the bathhouse, the workers were guiding them. Looked like they were running away from something inside the bathhouse.
"Haku, what's going on here?" Chihiro aksed.
"I don't know. I'll go there and check it," he said. "You wait here,"
"No," she grabbed his hand. "I'm coming with you,"
"No, Chihiro. We don't know what's going on, it could be dangerous for you,"
"It could be more dangerous for me to wait here alone," she said defended herself.
Haku sighed. "You're right. Okay, let's go," he pulled her hand.
They went through the bridge carefully after the customers left. Black clouds with some spread of purple emerged from the front door. Haku got a bad feeling about this, he gripped her hand. A woman figure walked out from the black clouds. Haku cocked his eyebrow.
"Kayo?" he asked. But he was unsure it was her. Kayo's eyes were purple and what he saw right now her eyes were black.
"Oh, hello Haku, My Dear!" she said. "And your puny human girlfriend," she added.
Haku pulled Chihiro closer and hid her behind his back. "What happened? You did this?" he asked again.
Kayo didn't answer. Instead, she threw the black powers to them to see how would they react. Haku moved fast, Chihiro's safety was the most important thing to him. He pushed her away and put a barrier spell around her to protect her. The black powers didn't get to her, but it caught him. He wasn't ready, Kayo walked towards him. He couldn't move.
"Chihiro! RUN!" he cried.
"No, Haku!" she was about to ran to him, but suddenly, Zeniba popped out of thin air and held her back. She carried her and then flew away from the bridge.
"Granny!" She cried. "Let me go! We have to help him!"
"Yes, Chihiro. But not right now," Zeniba answered. "You have to come with me,"
"No…!" she began to cry. As they flew further from the bathhouse, she watched the black powers fully surrounded him. His body froze and could do nothing. He dropped to the ground. Kayo took him and with the black clouds they gone disappeared.
Woah, this is already the 8th chapter! It took me long enough to write this one because, uhh you know I kinda nervous and caught up in the 'fireflies scene' *blush*
So, I wanna share a little. I guess we all know the song Fireflies by Owl City, it's great song. I love that song. I love Spirited Away. And I love to mix the things I love. And here it is! I hope you like it :D
(by the way, I imagined Chihiro sang the song in a slower tempo, so it might fit the atmosphere)
And of course, this story couldn't get this far without your supports; readers and reviewers. Thanks a lot! I'm looking forward from you, always!~
* squirtlepokemon215 - what's with the 'AHHHHHH' :/
* KawaiiAkumi - Thank you so much! I got nervous too when I received your review, I'm glad that you enjoy! :D