Chapter 11: Rain

All the pictures of memories were gone and they were standing on their own, all alone in a shady and warm dimension.

Chihiro was standing alone, Haku wasn't with her. She looked around but nothing or no one was there. "Helloooo?" she called.

All that she got was her echoed voice.

Haku was standing alone too, Chihiro wasn't with him. He looked around but nothing or no one was there. Then a light appeared, he walked to it.

A light appeared in front of her, she wondered what it was. It didn't look dangerous, so she touched it.

The light moved in the air and turned into a mirror.

Chihiro froze as she looked into it. She had no idea what happened, but what she saw there was a reflection of herself in nine years ago.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her hand traveled to touch the mirror.

From the other side, Haku tried to touch the reflection of himself in nine years ago on the mirror.

As if they were touching water surface, their reflection blurred. And then Chihiro saw his reflection, the little Haku; and Haku saw her reflection, the little Chihiro.

Little Chihiro grinned. "Haku!" she called.

Little Haku smiled widely. "Chihiro!"

Their hands went through the mirror and touched each other's. The mirror cracked and broke into pieces.

Little Haku met little Chihiro. Little Haku and little Chihiro hugged each other.

Chihiro opened her eyes as she felt her hair unraveled. She let go of their kiss. Something was wrong. Haku opened his eyes. They immediately went to the sight behind his lover's back, and what he saw was the black haired flower spirit stabbing his grandmother.

"ZENIBA!" he cried.

"Granny?" she turned around and she gasped.

Kayo's eyes turned back purple, she gasped and pulled back the dagger.

"GRANNY, NO!" she cried and caught her grandmother to her arms before she touched the ground.

The dagger dropped from Kayo's hand. "No..., no...! I... I- I'm sorry..." she stammered. She took a step backward.

"KAYO WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?" Haku shouted angrily. He stood up and walked to her.

Kayo snapped. She trembled, fear and guilt were haunting on her even more and more. She didn't mean to do that, she was being controlled right? She shook her head, turned away and took a flight ranaway from them.

"HEY!" Haku shouted. He immediately took his dragon form and chased her.

Meanwhile Chihiro was still shocked and confused about what to do with Zeniba.

"Granny! Granny, are you okay? Please hang on," she used her hands to press the wound, tried to stop the bleeding on her grandmother's body.

Zeniba laughed weakly. "Are you kidding me, sweetheart? I'm feeling great,"

Chihiro shook her head, her eyes looked glassy. "Granny, why did you do this?" she held Zeniba's hand.

However, Kayo stabbed her deep enough and the bleeding wouldn't stop. Zeniba made a thin smile on her pale face. "A sacrifice has to be made,"

Chihiro sobbed. "But... Granny, you shouldn't have done it this way," she hugged her. "I don't wanna lose you too!" she cried.

Zeniba's face was getting paler. She caressed her granddaughter's head. "That's okay. I'm glad I did this, for you, for Haku. You guys deserve this,"

Chihiro lifted her head up and smiled doubtfully.

The flower spirit was still on the run from the dragon. He was swift, he's catching up quickly behind her. His claws tried to catch her, but she moved away. He tried again and he missed. He tried once again and he caught her leg, he pulled her. Kayo tried to slip away but he gripped her tight, so she kicked his head with the other leg. He groaned and she slipped out his grip.

The dragon got wrath, then in a blink he dived sharply and tangled her body with his tail. He brought her to the eye level.

Kayo was pressed, she could hardly move. The dragon's green eyes looked furious. Kayo couldn't take it any longer. "Hey, Haku! I said I'm sorry!" she shouted.

He brought her closer.

"You heard me? I'm sorry, okay? Now let me go!" she shouted again.

Haku hissed, his eyes winced. Kayo realized it didn't work, now she was like his prey and he was about to pounce on her.

The dragon opened his mouth, revealing his sharp teeth. Kayo shut her eyes and forced herself to be under Hakuro's power. A second later her body were smoky and she pulled out a black mist. Haku tried to hold out but his tail felt burnt to twist the girl. He howled and let her go, pulled himself away from the mist. He groused, because the next thing he knew the girl's gone with the mist.

Then he heard Chihiro's voice in his head. "Haku, come back here,"

Haku sighed. "Chihiro, I'm sorry I lost her,"

He could feel she sighed. "Nevermind her. Just come back here. Granny needs you," she said again.

"On my way. Be there in a second," he truned around and put on a bullet speed flew back to the beach.

"Haku...? Where... where is... Haku?" Zeniba asked her.

"Hold on, Granny. He's almost here," she tried not to cry.

Then the dragon landed at the seashore. He shifted to his human form before running towards them.

"Granny!" he crouched down to her.

Zeniba grasped his hand. "Haku?"

"Yes, Granny. I'm here," he held her hand in his hands.

Zeniba took a deep breath. Her mouth opened and looked like trying hard to let out a word. "...You," she looked into his eyes.

Truth to be told, Haku didn't like to look into a dying person's eyes. But it's Granny, he wouldn't dare to look away. Now he was close to tears.

"You should know that you are the most reckless dragon I've ever met," she said finally.

Haku cracked a weak smile. "Promise me you'll protect her, and you must take care of each other," she said again.

Haku nodded. "I will,"

"We will, Granny," Chihiro said.

Zeniba turned to her. She held up her hand to caress her granddaughter's cheek. "And you, Chihiro. You have to be strong," she said. Chihiro burst out her cry at Zeniba's sentence, which was exactly the same like her late mother had said. "Sshh, no, don't cry," Zeniba wiped her tears. "Remember, you're not alone." Chihiro nodded.

Zeniba took a deep breath and blinked her eyes. It was almost as if she was preparing herself, as her body now was seethrough.

Chihiro gasped. "Granny! You're..."

"I'm fading." she said.

Haku couldn't help it. Tears had wet on his cheeks. He shook his head. "Granny, tell us! Is there anything we can do to save you?" he cried.

Zeniba sighed. "Even if there is, I don't want to be saved. I want to go home, to meet my father,"

Haku and Chihiro looked at each other, they didn't know what to say.

"You guys don't be sad. Because I'll die a happy grandmother, with my beloved grandchildren on my side," she smiled.

They wiped their tears and hugged their grandmother. They had to let her go with a smile, even if it's a fake smile.

"Father, Zeniba's comming home," she whispered.

The old witch's body was almost a total transparent before it glowed and shined. Haku pulled Chihiro back, and they watched it as the blinding light gradually disappeared until it's gone. All that left in front of them was the empty ground, with some blood's trace on it. Zeniba's body was gone.

Chihiro opened her hand and found the purple hairband was there. She burst out her cry again. Haku hugged her. They just let themselves sink in the grief for a while.

It was the first time Haku felt how it feels to lost a family. "I'm sorry, Chihiro... I'm sorry..," that's the only words that came out from his mouth.

There were no sounds they heard except her weeping, the wind, and the sea waves that almost sounded like mourning.

Haku looked to the water, and the sea whispered to him: My condolonces to you.

Kai. Haku knew it's him. He made a thin smile to the water. "Thank you, Kai," he whispered back.

Chihiro's cry began to subside, she pulled herself back from his arms.

"Are you okay?" Haku asked. Chihiro nodded. "Feeling better?" he asked again.

"Yeah," she answered shortly.

He wiped her tears. "Okay, then. Let's go home," and she nodded.

Haku stood up, he took the dagger from the ground and gave it to her. There was a little guilt and horror when he held it. "Your dagger. Be careful," he said.

Chihiro took it and sighed. As she looked at it she remembered something. "Wait, Haku. We have to go to Granny's house first,"

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I promised her, no matter what happened I have to come back there first,"

"Alright." then he took his dragon form.

All along the way Chihiro rested her head on his back. She felt so tired. So tired but she couldn't sleep. Her mind kept racing. She sighed and shut her eyes.

"You okay?" he spoke in her head.

"I'm okay. I'm just... tired," she answered.

"Then get some sleep. I'll wake you when we arrived,"

"I can't,"

It was then the petrichor scent getting stronger. Chihiro lifted her head up. It's not from him. She looked up to the sky. A single drop of hydrometeor particle fell off and touched her nose. She smiled.

Somehow the drizzling could pacify her rumbling mind. She enjoyed every raindrops that fell and started to wet her body. It felt good. But she felt something strange as the drizzling turned to rain, her body and clothes were dried up instead of wet through and through.

Chihiro looked down, her dragon wasn't wet too. It was like there was a shade above them. Then she realized it was his doing.

She sighed. "Haku, it's okay. I want to feel the rain," she said.

"No. You could get sic-"

"Haku," she cut him off. "Please," she pleaded.

The dragon growled. And then slowly the shade disappeared and the rain began to wet them. She rested her head again and hugged him. "Thank you,"

Soon afterwards, they reached Zeniba's house at The Swamp Bottom. The surrounding was dark, even the enchanted lantern on the alley wasn't turned on. It didn't greet them as usual too. Chihiro braced herself to open the door. And… as expected, darkness and cold welcomed them. No lights. No warmth. They came in, Haku led her.

"Hellooooo?" she started.

"Kaonashiiii! Are you here?" Haku called.

No answers. No such 'ah ah' thing or even any sign of the faceless monster's existence.

"He's not here," Haku decided.

"… Ooh… O-okay,…" Chihiro responded. She was shivering because of her wet clothes.

Haku turned to her, he looked a little angry. "Don't blame me for that. I'll make the fire," then he went to the fireplace. All he did was only touched the fire place and in a blink the fire flamed.

Chihiro smiled nervously in guilt. "Thank you, Haku," she said.

He sighed and shook his head. "Alright. Now sit, and wait here. I'll get you a towel and some clothes," he demanded.

"Yes, Sir," and she took a seat.

As she waited him by the fireplace she pondered why did Granny asked her to come back there first no matter what happened. She had never thought that it would be like this. Granny died. Kaonashi's gone. Did she miss something? A clue? Or a message? And then her eyes caught a thing warped with some fabric and there was a letter on it.

"OPEN THE PARCEL FIRST BEFORE YOU READ THIS LETTER." That sentence was written at the envelope.

Chihiro wasn't sure to whom does the letter addressed to, but her instinct told her to open the parcel. And so she did. As she found what's inside, she gasped and hurried to open the letter.

Chihiro. This is why I asked you to promise me to come back here, and I knew you will keep your promise.

Don't be surprised with the parcel. I promised you, and I never broke my promises.

I am so sorry. I knew this would happen, I will have no chance to see your happy future days with Haku. So, all I could do was make the parcel.

For your wedding, Chihiro.

Love, Granny.

Chihiro froze. And then Haku came with a towel in his hands.

He raised his eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

Chihiro turned to him. Her mouth opened but she couldn't find a word to say. He went to her, warped the towel around her body, and hugged her from behind.

"Haku…" she whispered. She couldn't say anything. What's on her mind now was about what he's doing right now. He hugged her. Tight. No doubts. Warmth. Shooting. Why, his body and clothes weren't wet? She took a deep breath.

Haku knew what's on her mind, of course. He was only smiled. "Why didn't you answer me? Are you okay?" he asked again.

Chihiro gulped. "Oh, that… Yes… Uh, No…" she shook her head. "I don't know," she said finally.

"Is anything wrong?" he whispered in her ear.

Chihiro sighed. "I found this letter, from Granny," she held up the paper.

Haku let her go and took the paper. As he read it, Chihiro turned away. She wasn't ready to see his spontaneous reaction to that letter.

Haku put the letter back at the table. He didn't know how to react. He turned to her and he blushed. Gladfully, he was saved by her sudden exclamation.

"Look! I found another letter next to the spinning wheel," she exclaimed.

"Another letter?" Haku repeated.

"Uhum. But this one… erh, I can barely read it," she gave it to him.

Haku winced his eyes to see the letter. "Kaonashi?" he asked.

"What? Kaonashi?" she repeated.

Haku nodded. "Yeah, I think he wrote this one,"

Chihiro was surprised. "Kaonashi could write?"

Haku thought for a moment. "Granny must have taught him,"

Chihiro nodded. "So, what did he say?"

Haku winced his eyes again to read the letter. "To Chihiro and Kohaku. I have to write this for you because there is no other way to tell you. After Chihiro jumped to the hole and disappeared, Zeniba told me that her time has come. She gave the golden seal to me, so I can go to any places I want. I'm so sad and confused. I cried but there's no tears because I had no eyes. I'm so sad. And then the time came, Zeniba said her goodbye to me, said that she had to do the sacrifice for both of you. And then she disappeared. I was so confused. I called her name for many times but she didn't answer. She's really gone. I don't wanna be alone. So after I write this I will leave this house. I'm so sad. Goodbye Chihiro. Goodbye Kohaku. Goodbye, you are my family. I hope someday I could meet you again…" he read it out loud.

They looked at each other. They trailed off. No words needed. Haku sighed. He took his white kariginu from the chair and put it on.

"Haku, tell me," Chihiro said suddenly.

"Yes?"

"The last time you were chasing Kayo, do you know where she goes?"

Haku's face looked guilty. He shook his head. "I don't know. She pulled out a black mist and then she's just disappeared with it,"

"Disappeared…" Chihiro repeated. She thought for a moment and then her eyes widened. "What if she went back to the bathhouse and make another chaos!?"

Haku snapped. She's right, why haven't thought of this before? "That won't be good. If that so, then we should hurry back to the bathhouse,"

Chihiro nodded. "Come on, let's go,"

Yubaba emerged out from Boh's room after shooting him to go to sleep. She went to her windows and she spotted the white dragon coming towards the bathhouse. She ran out to her balcony.

"HAKU! OVER HERE!" she shouted.

The dragon turned to her and then he landed on her balcony. Chihiro slid down from his back and he shifted back to his human form. Chihiro ran to her.

"Granny!" Chihiro hugged her.

"Chihiro! Haku! We are so worried about you!" Yubaba said.

"What happened?" Haku asked.

"Come inside, I'll tell you," and they followed her into her office.

Yubaba sat on her desk. Chihiro decided to speak up first.

"Granny, before you tell us, we have something to tell you first," Chihiro started.

"Sure. What is it?" Zeniba asked.

"It's about your twin sister, Zeniba. She… has died," Chihiro looked down.

Yubaba laughed. "Zeniba? She's dead? Why though? She's bored to live in this world?"

Haku stepped forward. "This is not a joke, Yubaba. Your sister is dead."

Yubaba trailed off. "I want a proof," she demanded.

Chihiro took out the dagger. "We're not lying, Granny. This-"

"THE DAGGER!" Yubaba snapped. "HOW DID YOU GET THAT!?"

"She gave it to me before… she's stabbed…" Chihiro said carefully.

"STABBED!?" Yubaba stood up from her seat. "YOU ARE SAYING THAT MY SISTER WAS KILLED!?" with her last sentence came out from her mouth, she exploded. She breathed a fire and her eyes glowed. Her hair fluttered.

Haku grasped Chihiro's hand, about to pulled her back.

"No, Haku. It's okay," she said.

Yubaba was then subsided herself and went back seated. She burst out into crying. "Who did that? Who dared to kill my sister!?"

"Kayo did," Haku said.

Yubaba lifted her head up. "KAYO!?"

Chihiro shook her head. "Not Kayo. Hakuro,"

"Hakuro!?" Now Haku was surprised.

"Yes. I believe he did that by controlling Kayo. She was supposed to stab me… But Zeniba protected me," Chihiro said.

Haku winced his eyes. "Why does Hakuro is involved in these problems?"

Yubaba cleared her throat. "I think it's my mistake. Hakuro was my business partner,"

"He what!? How could you get along in business with that kind of spirit!?" Haku yelled.

"I said he was, Haku," she underlined. "So, few days ago, I sent Kayo to where he's living to deliver my termination letter of business contract to him. I guess he didn't like it, so maybe he kind of trying to take revenge. He gave Kayo her real name and tricked her. Kayo came back here in different condition and she made a chaos… Oh, I'm so stupid!" Yubaba exclaimed.

Haku and Chihiro sighed.

Suddenly, someone knocked the door.

"Who is it?" Yubaba asked.

"Yubaba, it's me, Q," said the knocker.

"Q? What are you doing here?" Yubaba asked again.

"I got something important to tell you,"

"Alright. Come in," Yubaba waved her hand and the doors opened.

As Q stepped into the room, Haku got goosebumps. The late twenties man coming towards them. He had azure eyes and grey hair. With his pale skin, he was wearing brown hooded cloak. He went straight to Yubaba.

"What is it, Q?" Yubaba asked.

"It's all about her, Ma'am," he pointed Chihiro.

Chihiro was surprised. "Me?"

Q turned to her. "Yes, you, Miss Brown Hair. You have no idea how would your life really change. Something wretched is after you."

Hello readers. I'm going to say that this ch is special, because after this, probably I won't update the next chapters for few months. Yeah I'm sad, actually. But this is for good reason. Soon I will have my final exams for high school, and then I have to prepare myself for tests to college. Woa, I have to focus! Please don't be mad at me and I would like you to be patience because I WILL finish this story.

Sooo. I'd like to thank to you guys for all your supports, I can't do it without you!

See you again in few months guys~

Tuesday, January 2nd 2018 - 5 hours before school

ps: I cannot sleep if my mind's racing about this story.

-moinami