Chapter 13: Lin

"Sen!" Lin cried, she ran to Chihiro and hugged her. "I'm so worried about you!"

Chihiro hugged her back before she unwinded their hug. "Lin, I-"

"You've been gone for long enough! Where were you? And... Look! Your body's full of wounds! What happened?" Lin said it all like in one sentence. Then she, with her eyes winced, turned to Haku who looked anxious standing beside her sister. "You hurt her!?"

"Woa, Lin! Calm down! We can't answer your questions all at once," Chihiro said while holding back Lin's shoulders. Meanwhile Haku didn't move because he felt guilty. Though he was controlled by that flower spirit, still he fell from grace.

"Yes, something happened and it's a long story. Yes, I'm hurt, but it's not his fault. Rather than that, me too, worried about you. I knew Kayo made a mess here, did she hurt you?" Chihiro continued.

Lin's expression softened. "Well, not a mess, but a CHAOS. She ran amuck, some of us hurt, but we're good,"

Then Yubaba cleared her throat. "Have you done, Ladies?"

The girls snapped a little as they realized they almost forgot that they were in the witch's office, then they turned to her.

"Lin," Yubaba called her.

Lin looked down. "Yes, Mam?"

"Come closer," Yubaba demanded. Lin walked towards her desk doubtedly. "Do you know why did I call you?"

"Uhm, no, Mam," Lin answered quietly.

"How many times have you been here in my office?"

"Uhh, from what I can remember, I'm almost never been here in your office, Mam," Lin answered honestly.

Yubaba made a weird smile on her lips. "Really? You used to often came here," she said before she turned around and reached a case behind her chair.

Lin looked confused. "I- I'm sorry, Mam, but I don't know what you're talking about,"

Yubaba took out a paper from the case, it looked so old and dusty, yet it still neat and uncrumpled. "I'm talking about this," she put it on her desk and shoved it to Lin. "I need you to read it," Yubaba ordered.

Lin had a bad feeling since Yubaba took out the paper. However, she took it and read it. While she read, she felt like her neck chocked and hard to breathe. She started to shaking as she reached the last sentence on the paper.

Chihiro came to her and held her shoulders. "Hey.. Lin, are you alright?"

The paper fell from her hands, off to the maroon carpet on their feet. She had done her reading, now it's getting worse as all of her memories came back into her head. Tears streamed down her face. "Yubaba... It's not true..." she said.

Yubaba stood up and out from her seat, came to Lin. "It is true, you wrote it by yourself, half milleniums ago," she said concerned.

Lin parried Chihiro's hands from her shoulders. "No! You're lying! This is not real!" she yelled.

For the first time in forever, Haku, Chihiro, and Q, watched Yubaba wiped her employee's tears as if her own daughter. This situation made them confused and curioused as well. What's with the paper? What's going on between Lin and Yubaba?

"I'm not lying and you know this is real," Yubaba said and she herself almost shed a tear.

"No..." Lin whispered. She turned arond her back to the witch. "Why are you doing this!?"

"Ai.. I'm sorry. I have no other cho-"

"YOU PROMISED ME YOU'LL NEVER DO THIS, BUT YOU JUST-"

"AI, LISTEN TO ME!" Yubaba shouted back. She wouldn't let Lin to finish her sentence.

"Please," she said again in a lower tone.

Lin took a deep breath. "Fine,"

Yubaba grabbed her arm. "Look at me,"

Lin turned back to her. "Listen, Ai. I'm sorry I have to do this to you, I have no other choice. Chihiro is in danger. Well, we all are in danger. We need the old you," Yubaba explained.

One thing the other three persons learned from the scene was Lin's real name's 'Ai'. The other thing like'the old you' or what's up with them were still a question mark.

"What is this all about?" Lin asked.

And Yubaba let Q to re-explain his forecast. He could explain it twice with exactly the same words he used before. Clear. Without any addition nor cutback.

"Okay... that sounds dreadful..." Lin commented.

"Therefore I want you to teach her," Yubaba said referring to Chihiro.

Lin's face was thoughtful. She looked at her sister. Then she imagined her in her little body nine years ago. So weak and fragile. "Well... I would teach her, but I don't think I could,"

"Why? You're the best at it," Yubaba said.

Lin shook her head. "I don't know... It's been a very long time, I don't think I still-"

"You can," Q said suddenly. "It's in your blood," he starred her.

Lin trailled off. "We believe you can, Ai," Yubaba convinced her. "I'll let you to lead, everything will be up to you,"

After a few seconds of thinking, the look of determination came up on Lin's face. "Okay. I will," she said finally.

"Good," Yubaba smiled. "Now you're all need to rest. We can start to prepare from tomorrow. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Mam," Haku, Chihiro, Q, and Lin answered at once.

"Okay, then, you're all dismissed," Yubaba said before turned back to her seat.

They all bowed to her before they left her office. Before Lin made herself walked out the door, Yubaba called her once again.

"Ai,"

Lin turned to her without answering. Yubaba looked at her deeply. "Please forgive me, Ai,"

Lin's expression didn't change. "Please just call me 'Lin'. I prefer that name," she said instead then left.

The four they're heading to the lift. No one spoke up. Everyone's still stuck in their own thoughts. Chihiro, as usual, she didn't like any kind of situation like this, she looked for some words that could break the silence.

"Hey, Lin. Would you like to have a cup of tea before bed?" Chihiro started. "You know... Maybe it could make you feel better,"

Lin looked at her. She knew Chihiro was twitchy, it's written all over her face. Lin made a thin smile. "Yeah, a cup of tea will do,"

Chihiro smiled back. She felt relieved that she didn't say something wrong.

"How about you, Boys? Are you coming with us?" Lin offered.

"Sure," Haku answered. And Q was only nodded his head.

"Alright then. Let's set up the lift to the main floor," Lin said after the doors opened and they came in.

The lift went down straight to the main floor. The came out and a different view of the bathhouse welcomed them. It made Haku and Chihiro surprised.

Everything looked wrecked. Furnitures were shattered. Holes were everywhere on the walls and the floor. The wooden stairs broken. Also the main bridge, it's broken off and only two thirds of it remained. On their way they met some who hadn't sleep, they're injured but not so bad. They looked happy to know the couple had back and safe.

Now the four sat face to face having their cup of tea on their hands. Lin sat next to Chihiro and Haku chose the seat across his lover. Q had no other choice except sat next to Haku, across to Lin. Everyone was mum. Since Lin chose the outlying table from the others, it's a perfect silence and a perfect time for them to 'share'.

"I know you guys are confused," Lin started. Then all eyes focused on her. "The scenery back there, at Yubaba's office, must be rare,"

"Absolutely rare," Haku corrected her.

Lin didn't respond him, she took a sip of her tea. "So... What's going on...?" asked Chihiro who sat on her left.

Lin thought for a second before she started. "I was the daughter of The God of War. Well, not biologicaly, he addopted me," she said. "And my real name is 'Ai',"

"'Ai' means love," Q said.

"Yes, 'Ai' means 'love'," she repeated. "So, my father was on a mission to singe and put a war on a region. The mission went expeditious and he won the war. Then before he was about to left, he heard a child crying. He searched and sought out until he found me, a crying three years old girl beneath debris wreckage of a building," Lin stopped and sipped her tea. "He told me the only thing he wanted to do when he saw me, was to love me and take care of me. So he took me and named me 'Ai', for the only love he found in the middle of land of war,"

The other three looked serious to listen to her, yet they had nothing to say. So Lin continued.

"He raised me as her own daughter. He taught me a lot of things, especially about fight and war. I came along with him during his wars. I watched him fighting, breaking, killing, burning, all of it... but never seen him falling. He was my best and my greatest idol at the time. Little did I learn that all the things he had done caused hatred and pain everywhere;

When I was thirteen, my father entrusted his troops to me. He also set me to some missions. I was doing my best, I've never failed. He proud of me, I'm proud of myself. Long ago was so victorious," Lin smiled a little to reminisce.

"Well then... How come you ended up here?" Haku asked.

Lin turned to him and she smiled bitterly. "Do you ever heard the word 'karma'?"

The other three nodded their head.

"One night, our residence was attacked. We weren't prepared, however we had to fight back. We fight against our enemy, giving all we could give. I say it was war to death. The enemy was so many, we were outnumbered. And there was one thing I realized, I didn't see my father.

Rather than that, I saw my troops were already overwhelmed. Then I led them to runaway to the forest, I was no longer care if the enemy managed to possess my region. My troops, my familly, was the only thing I concerned.

We ran and hid in the forest. Some of my troops got caught and they were being slaughtered. I was almost caught too, and I was hurt so bad at the time. With the rest of the strength I had, I told them to keep quiet and stay hiding. So we survived to stay at the forest for I don't know how long it was. And I don't really remember what was happened next.

What I believed was, I woke up with my body rested on a tree, with my wounds even worse. I looked around and my troops were still there, in same awful condition like me and their number were less then I could remember.

As a sixteen years old, I cried. I screamed. I sulked to myself. I was so angry with whoever my enemy was. I called my father, I called his name but he never came. I cried for him but he never showed up. At the time I couldn't move my body, and I almost hate my father.

Then the wealthy lady passed by and stopped when she spotted us. She came to me and offered me for a help. Well, I would do anything for the sake of my troops, I said yes. So the lady took us and brought us here. I don't have to tell her name, you must know already," Lin told them all.

The other three looked concerned to listen to her story. "Yubaba," they said together.

Lin nodded. "Yubaba. I could never tell how she had a heart on us, but she was willingly brought us here. Willingly save us and gave us place to live. She took care of us, gave us food. She herself took care of me in the room that now is Boh's room. Everyday, until I got better, and better, and perfectly healed.

It was then I told her I want to look for my father. I wanted to know who my enemy was. I wanted a revenge. Then she deplored my intention. She wouldn't let me. I wouldn't listen to her but still she held me back and say no. I was becoming angry to her and shouted to her.

Yubaba said, "Is this how you thank me for taking care of you and your troops?" then she left and locked me in the room.

It was the first time I had myself locked up by a stranger. Well, a nice stranger I thought. I spent my time thinking about what she said. I thought it's not right to shout on the people who helped you. But the pain I felt was still there, the lost was never returned.

Then the next day, Yubaba came back. I could tell from the look on her eyes, I knew she regretted that she locked me up. Before she could say her sorry, I knelt to her.

I beg her pardon and I beg her to make me forget. Yes, I wanted to forget, I thought it was the best way out.

So, that day, I wrote my own declaration and made Yubaba promised me that she will never freed me. She promised. She kept my writings, gave me a new name, and so then I forget all my memories before it. She did the same thing to my troops, employed them and made them forget," Lin told the final part of her story with tears on her cheeks.

"Yubaba had just disappoint me by breaking her promise," Lin added.

The boys didn't know what to say. Only Chihiro, she shed a tear and she held Lin's hand. "Lin... I'm so sorry..."

Lin turned to her and made a weak smile. "It's okay, Chihiro," she said. It was quite surprising Chihiro that her sister called her by her real name. "It's okay. It's already happened," she said again.

"All things happened has a good reason," Q said.

Haku nodded. "I agree with him. Honestly, I don't know what to say, but I feel you. You know, me too, had an unpleasant past. So, you're not alone, and you're great,"

"Yeah, you're right, Dragon. Thanks," Lin said. "And you too, Chihiro, and Q," she smiled.

Q, seen the woman in front of him who minutes ago was full of tears and now she's smilling, he blushed. "Okay. So, I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but I think I should go back and sleep," he said to cover his flutter.

Haku raised his eyebrow. "And where are you going to sleep?"

"Now you care about me?" Q teased him.

Haku snorted. "Well, in case I suddenly want to pounce on you, I can go to your place and do it while you're sleeping,"

Q chuckled. "Relax, I already have a room here, Dragon," and he stood up from his seat. "Good bye, Chihiro. Good night," he said it to tease the dragon even more.

"Hey!" Haku yelled at him and about to grab his clothes, but Q successfully slipped and left confidently.

Meanwhile Chihiro was only laughed to see them. And she had just realized that Haku looked so cute when he's jealous.

"Are they okay?" Lin asked.

"I hope so," Chihiro replied.

"Alright then, let's go to sleep," she said and then she stood up, followed by Chihiro. "Yubaba isn't going to like it if we get up late tomorrow," Lin said again while she pulled Chihiro's hand.

"Wait," Haku stopped them. He pulled Chihiro's other hand.

"What's wrong, Dragon?" Lin asked.

"Chihiro stays with me," he said.

"What?" Chihiro asked confused.

"I'm sorry?" Lin added.

Haku looked confused to speak. "I want Chihiro to stay with me," besides he couldn't say that he wanted her to sleep with him, it may caused them a misunderstanding.

"May I know why, Dragon?" Lin said.

Haku sighed. He couldn't find a word to explain what he's been thinking of. "I just want her to stay with me," he said it again.

"Well, I say, Chihiro stays with me. I know you guys love each other, but you don't have to be together all the time, right? I want my sister to stay with me too," Lin explained. Her tone sounded irritated.

"But-"

"Haku," Chihiro spoke to him in his head. Then Haku turned to her. "Haku, what's wrong?"

Haku frowned. "I don't know... It's not that I don't trust Lin... But since I heard the forecast, I feel like you will be safer if you stay with me,"

Chihiro sighed. "Calm down, Haku. We know who Lin really is. You still thinking that I'll be unsafe?"

Haku didn't answer but he looked give up and surrendered. Meanwhile Lin confused with the situation. "Uhh... Did you guys were just having a conversation that I couldn't hear?" she asked.

Chihiro smiled. "We did,"

Lin rolled her eyes. "So, how?"

"I'm staying with you," Chihiro answered. And then she kissed Haku on his cheek, much to Lin's surprise. "Good night, Dragon. Sleep tight," she said before she left him.

And Haku was frozen for a second before he shook his head and finally went back to his room.

"My goodness, Chihiro! If we're not into something important right now, sure I will make you tell all the details about what happened between you two when you're gone!" Lin said excitedly.

Chihiro chuckled. "Later, Lin," then the smile left her face. "Later, if we have that 'later',"

SO YEAAHH I'M BACK! I'm sorry if I took too long, and of course thanks for waiting patiently! And I'm sorry that I didn't make it to reply some reviews, so I want to answer them rn (though its too late :()

*dv36muskan (ch10) - I'd like to say thank you very very very much and I'm very very very sorry! And if you know I keep thinking about that Sanskrit. We have the same language origins (I guess, I don't know how to say it) Bahasa has so many words that adapted and adopted from Sanskrit. Anyway, I hope you keep enjoying the story! xoxo

*MorriganPhantom (ch10) - Thank you! I'm sorry if you have to wait, but I have updated 3 other chapters. Hope u like it :)

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*KawaiiAkumi (ch10&11) - Thank you sooo much! I always love to have your review, and I'm so sorry that I just make myself to reply now. I have finished all of my exams, now I'm waiting for the announcement. Pheeww. I hope you enjoy the other chapters more and more! xoxo

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Soooo, how was it? Do you think there's something odd? Tell me what's on your mind! :D