Chapter 18: Understands

Day 7

Chihiro woke up a bit late than usual. The sun had risen high and everybody was already awake except her. Nobody woke her since they knew she's during her period and consider her 'sick'. Now she got dressed and walked out her room.

A very nice view of blue sky and the town welcomed her. She took a second to take a deep breath and sighed. A flash of memory passed by her mind as her eyes went to the pig pen next to the flowers, where they parents were when Yubaba turned them into pigs, nine years ago. Chihiro smiled a little.

"I miss you, Mom, and Dad," she said with a little smile. And she closed her eyes for a while, letting her emotion to flow and went by.

Then Chihiro walked down the stairs and went to catch up the others.

"Good morning, Sen," said a spirit who served breakfast in the kitchen.

"Oh, good morning. Sorry I'm late," Chihiro answered.

The spirit laughed softly. "That's okay, Sen. Got a good rest?"

"Well, yeah. Not too bad,"

The spirit took her a plate. "So, what do you want to eat?"

"Umm…" she mumbled while looking at some cuisines in front of her. "I'll just eat the miso soup."

"Oh, are you sure?" the spirit asked while he prepared her soup. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just not really hungry,"

"Okay, then, here's your soup," and he handed her that red bowl.

"Thanks," Chihiro answered shortly.

"Oh, Sen, If I wasn't wrong, Lin is still here- if maybe you want to join her," he added.

"Sure. Thanks again!" she said happily before she left.

It's already the fifth day she's been on her period and she's getting worried because there's no sign it would get off soon. What if it gets longer and she didn't turn back into a spirit? She huffed to her thoughts. Then her eyes caught Lin waved her hand to her, invited her to sit with her.

"Hey, Lin. Sorry I'm late," she said once she got there.

"Nah. Nho phrobhem," Lin answered while chewing her breakfast. "You're still on your bleeding, you may take rest as much as you can." Lin added.

"Period, Lin." Chihiro corrected.

"Yeah, whatever it is."

Chihiro laughed a little then sipped her soup. "So, Lin. Actually… I'm feeling better now, and I think I can practice with you again. May I?"

Lin stopped chewing and thought for a second. She remembered the day Haku pressed her against the wall. It could be serious. "No." she said shortly and started to chew again.

Chihiro frowned. "Why?"

Lin gulped her drink before she talked. "Because, if your Dragon knows, he'll kill me."

Chihiro rolled her eyes reacting to Lin's explanation. "Dude, the threat is real. I'm pretty sure you're aware of that," Lin said again.

"Yeah," Chihiro said spiritless. This was all tiring and boring. Everyone took her as a weak and fragile human. She was just allowed to be with Q, Yubaba, and the others talking about some strategy. She knew it's also important, but it's boring! If only she was majoring martial arts like Lin, or-

"Chihiro," Lin snapped her from her thoughts. "I'm sorry I can't accompany you any longer. I got to be hurried. You just take your time and finish your breakfast, okay?" and she stood up with her tray on her hands.

"Oh, okay. No problem," Chihiro answered.

"Right. I'll see you soon," Lin said before she left. Meanwhile Chihiro merely waved her hand.

Now she's back to her thoughts while enjoying her soup. Was there anything else she could do instead of doing nothing, preparing nothing, and be useless? Then she looked around her. The spirit over there could make a fire with a single flick of the hand to cook, without needing a match or a stove button to be turned. Haku could do that too. Then across her, passed by a spirit that didn't bother to bring her tray because it floated in the air and followed her back to the kitchen. Chihiro was sure that Haku also could do that too…

An idea came up inside her head.

Then she eagerly finished her soup and rushed to find her dragon.

Haku walked down the stairs and about to go to the main floor, since the elevator was damaged from the chaos Kayo made. He wanted to meet his human because he knew she was upset after the talk at the bridge two days ago. Even, she didn't talk much yesterday and he was just let her be, maybe she needed a time so she could understand it. Now he promised himself that this day, he would do anything to make her smile.

Right when he almost arrived, the brown-haired short girl, which he's been begging for day and night, popped out from the aisle.

"Haku!" she said happily. And she ran to him.

Haku smiled widely. He hoped her smile didn't disappear soon that day. Haku himself too, rushed to come to her. "Chihiro," he called her back.

"Hey, I was just going to look for you," she said.

Haku embraced her. "Why bother looking for me? You could just call my name and I'll come to you in a blink,"

Chihiro laughed a little. "I don't know. I just love to be looking for you,"

Now Haku laughed and kissed her cheek. Chihiro replied it with a delicate smile. "Haku, I've been thinking,"

"What is it?" he asked while stroking her hair.

"Umm… You know… Since you won't let me to practice with Lin as long as I'm on my period, all I can do is nothing. Yeah, I joined Q and Yubaba working out some strategies, but it's just… boring," she explained. "I mean, I literally do nothing. I'm feeling useless."

Haku had already know where this was going, but he wouldn't ruin it. He would just let her finish her words. "And…?"

"Umm… if there is anything else that I can do, but I don't know if I could… maybe…" she stopped for a second. Why would she shy to say it? "Would you teach me some magic?" and she said it.

Haku laughed. This made Chihiro confused. And that made him laugh even harder. He really thought her face was so cute when she was confused. He brought his mouth closer to her ear. "I knew it," he whispered. "Therefore, I've prepared some magic to be taught, before you asked for it," he added with a smile.

"Really!?" she asked excitedly.

"Yup. Now come with me," and he pulled her hand.

Haku lead her through the bathhouse. It was like the first time she came to the bathhouse, Haku took the same route as when he took her to the boiler room.

"We're going to Kamaji?" Chihiro asked.

"No," Haku answered shortly and asked her to go through the door first. Now they're outside, specifically at the handhold-less wooden stairs she ever slipped and slid down then. "Then where are you taking me?" she said while recalling her memory of 'sliding' nine years ago.

"Step on my feet," he asked, and he offered her his hand.

"What?"

"Just do it," he said.

Then Chihiro held his hands and did so as he said.

"Are you ready?" Haku asked confidently.

"Ready to wh-" and she had just realized that now they're floating in the air. "Haku!" she squealed. Immediately she pulled her hands and grabbed his clothes at the collars.

Haku was startled to her sudden reaction and immediately grabbed her waist. "Hey, don't worry, I got you,"

Chihiro's expression was changed. She was surprised and scared, now she winced her eyes to him and pouting her lips. And Haku laughed to it.

"Where are you taking me, Dragon?" she asked once again, as they're kept going up.

"To the library," he answered simply.

"Seriously? We could just walk the stairs to go there," Chihiro mumbled.

Haku smiled. "No, this way is faster. And you don't have to be tired from climbing the stairs,"

Chihiro sighed and merely nodded her head. Soon they arrived at the library's balcony. Haku landed and let her go.

"Thank you," Chihiro said.

"You're welcome," Haku replied. Then he opened the door for her. "I thought you liked to fly with me," he teased her.

Chihiro walked in. "Well, THAT was different, and I wasn't prepared," she said with her arms folded.

Haku laughed a little. "Okay, okay. My bad," then he followed her in and closed the door behind him.

Then they walked to the table near the fireplace, where Haku was days ago.

"So, what do I do now, Master Haku?" Chihiro started.

"First, you may take a seat. Please," Haku pulled the chair for her and she sat. He himself too, took a seat next to her. Then he shoved her a book, the cover was dark blue with a silver dragon and silver simple ornaments painted on it.

"The Chronicles of Dragon Beings," Chihiro said.

"Oh, you know this?" Haku asked.

Chihiro nodded. "Granny showed it to me once, right after you gave me that visions with Kayo,"

"Well, then you must have known what it could tell you," Haku decided.

Chihiro took the book and opened it. She turned every page by page. "Maybe. But I'm not sure, I was only heeding on Granny because I cannot read these writings," she said. "Except that 'incantation to confirm'," she added.

Haku smiled to her. "Of course," he said. "Now you're about to be able to read more of them,"

Chihiro couldn't say a thing, only smiled widely in return.

"Now, before we go far to the spells and magics, there are rules that we have to pay attention," Haku started.

"That… I have to focus….?" Chihiro said abruptly.

"That's not a rule, Young Lady. To be focused is a must,"

Chihiro made a flat face. "Okay. Sorry,"

"If you really want to do magic you have to get a good control of two things," Haku explained and he flicked two of his fingers.

"And those are?"

Haku looked at her closely. "Strength and emotion,"

Chihiro blinked and nodded a little, gave him a sign that she's listening. So, he continued.

"Magic is inside of all of us, and to play it out we use our strength and emotion, combine into one as our energy. Since doing magic could give us some side effects, physically and mentally, therefore it could be very dangerous. If we want it to be a good magic, we must keep our strength and emotion in balance," he related. "When you got good strength and composed emotion, then everything will be fine. If you got good strength but your emotion rages, the magic you create could hurt and damages your surroundings. And if you got your emotion restrained, but you're strength-less, your body won't be able to handle the power of the magic you create, and that could hurt you." he explained very carefully.

Chihiro nodded her head several times while trying to process it. "And… what if couldn't get a good control of both of them?" she asked innocently.

Haku starred at her. "You could be wrecked." he said firmly.

Chihiro held her breath. "That's… intense,"

Hako looked her in the eyes. "Promise me, you will remember: balance, or no magic. Okay?"

Chihiro nodded her head. "Okay."

"Good." Haku replied. "Then, look at the book. There're some simple spells I've marked that I think it could be useful for you to know and learn. But first, you may want to look at the aksara list on the first page so you can read these writings,"

"Aksara?" Chihiro asked.

"Yeah, the characters of the script. There's a translate for every character," Haku explained.

Then Chihiro opened the first page. There plastered a list of twenty translated characters. "Wow, these are amazing," she said. "Your ancestors really wrote these?"

Haku shrugged. "I think so. Creative, weren't they?"

Chihiro nodded. "I get it. These characters are read as syllables," she said.

"That's right,"

"And also, there's some accessories to make vocal spellings," Chihiro said again.

Haku smiled. "You're a fast learner," and Chihiro replied it with a grin. "So, go to the spells, shall we?" Haku lead her.

Chihiro nodded eagerly then turn the pages back to where Haku put some marks. She started to read them carefully.

"Hmm… what is this… goonee?"

"Yes, goonee," Haku said. He flicked his finger and a flame sparked out from it. "Means fire," he added.

Chihiro's eyes widened. "Woa, that's cool!" she exclaimed.

Haku blew the fire off. "That's nothing, try the others," Haku said with a smile.

"Okay. Umm… bacoo?"

"Throw that pen up," Haku asked, pointing the pen in front of her.

Chihiro did so. The pen was thrown and reached its highest point at the air and about to fall back. "Bacoo!" Haku exclaimed with his hand aiming the pen. Then the pen stopped falling and it floated still in the air.

Chihiro applauded. "Bacoo means freeze," he explained.

Chihiro nodded her head. "How about loonga and doogee? It said here that they work complementary,"

Haku nodded. "Yes, complementary because they're against to each other,"

"How?" she asked.

"Hmmm…" Haku thought a second for a way to perform those spells. "Look at those books," and he pointed a pile of books on the other side of the table. "When you don't want them, you can do loonga!" And then as if there's a push against the books, they bounced off and fell to the floor. Meanwhile Chihiro paying attention in amaze. "And you're too lazy to take them back? Just do doogee!" and then those books suddenly moved in reverse, back to be piled on the table, even there's one moved like a bullet directly to Haku's hand. "How 'bout that?" Haku boasted.

Chihiro applauded cheerfully. "Oooh, soo nice!" she exclaimed.

Haku laughed and put down the book on the table. "The last, aboor and hoomus?" she asked.

"We've just used it," Haku answered.

"Uhh, when?"

Haku smiled. "When we flew up to get here,"

"Ooooh, so these are the usual spells you use to fly?" Chihiro asked again.

"Not only for me to fly. Watch this," Haku replied. Then he aimed his hand to the book in front of him.

"Aboor," he said. Then the book flew up in the air. Again, Chihiro watched in amazement. "And, hoomus," he said again. Then the book flew down and landed at the table slowly. Chihiro couldn't help herself to not giving any applause, so, she did it again.

"Because aboor means up and hoomus means down," he explained.

Chihiro nodded her head several times. "That was all amazing, Master Haku," she said. "And that means I have much to learn and I got to be work hard on them,"

Haku smiled. "The point is, to perform a spell you must be able to read it and understand the meanings," he said.

"You're saying that the spells won't work if I don't understand the meanings?"

Haku propped his chin with his hand and rested his elbow on the table. "Hmm, actually, the spells could work, but you won't be able to control it," he explained.

Chihiro nodded. "Okay, I understand. Now I want to try-"

"Oh, no, wait! I forgot to tell you a thing," Haku cut her. "Unfortunately, because this is the spirit world, then only spirits can do magic. Currently now you're a human, that means you-"

"I can't do magic," Chihiro said. Then she huffed and folded her arms.

Haku laughed softly. "That is not correct, Love. Soon, you'll turn back into a spirit, right?" he said. "When the time comes, you'll be able to do magic," he added, whispered to her ear.

Chihiro sighed. "Yeah," she replied shortly.

"I was going to say that now you're a human, that means you have time to learn balancing your strength and emotion," Haku said.

Now Chihiro grinned. "Now that's what I want to hear,"

Haku laughed again, he stood up from his seat. "Great. Now, stand up," he asked.

Chihiro stood up. "Prepare yourself, take some deep breath," Haku said.

Chihiro did so. "Okay."

Haku folded his arms. "Now, focus."

Chihiro nodded. "Hmm, try fire," Haku asked.

"Wait," she said.

"What's wrong?"

"How could I know that it's working when currently I can't perform any magic?" she asked.

"You can still feel the energy moving through your body," he answered.

"Oh, okay."

Haku nodded. "Fire!"

"Goonee!" Chihiro said while flicking her finger like Haku did before. And she felt the energy inside her body moving as if it all focused, from all over her body vining to her hand. When it reached each of her fingertips, it went back flowing to her body.

"Do you feel it?" Haku asked.

Chihiro, with a little amazed of something she never felt before, nodded. "Yeah. But it's like it's being detained,"

"It's true. The energy being detained and flowing back into your body, because currently it has no access to come out of you," Haku explained. "Now, try once again," he asked.

"Okay." She said. This time wasn't the first time, so she tried it harder, with more faith and volition innervating it. "Goonee!" she uttered. Then she felt a stronger energy moving inside her.

Haku smiled. "Any difference?"

"Yes!" Chihiro said eagerly.

"Which one is better? The first or the second?" Haku asked, trying to compare.

Chihiro smiled. "The second."

Haku nodded. "Good." He said. "Keep doing it like you did at the second time,"

Chihiro nodded. "Now aim at something," Haku asked. Then she aimed the book on her left side with her hand. "Freeze!" Haku dictated.

"Bacoo!" Chihiro uttered.

"Hmm… Go away?"

Chihiro thought for a second before she found a spell that fit to his phrase. "Loonga!"

Haku nodded. "Come!"

"Doogee!"

"Up!"

"Aboor," she said while she lifted her hand up.

"And, down," Haku said.

"Hoomus," she said while she turned over her palm and bring her hand down.

Haku applauded. "Bravo, Chihiro!"

Chihiro sighed and smiled. "You're right, Dragon. Doing some magic does consume a lot of energy,"

Haku laughed a little. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess,"

Haku pulled her hand and gestured her to take a seat. "Hold on for a second, there's still a thing I want to show you," he said.

"Of course," she said simply and had her seat.

Haku too, had a seat next to her. Then he took out a piece of paper, grabbed the pen in front of them, and started to write something.

"Hey, I didn't know that you're left handed," Chihiro said abruptly.

"Well, I was born with it," he said. "But I can use both of my hands," he said again. Then he moved the pen to his right hand and continued writing.

Chihiro made a silly smile. "You show off," she said, and she shoved him playfully with her fist.

Haku laughed. "This is a spell that I made it by myself," he said, then he handed her his writings.

"Woaaa, you could make your own spell? That's awesome!" she said excitedly.

Haku smiled. "Try to read it,"

Then Chihiro looked at the paper. "Hmmm… si- ra eksi gya… esa- atma am… ba?"

"Correct. Sira eksi gya esa atma amba," Haku said.

"What does it mean?"

Haku smiled mischievously. "I'll tell you when you're a spirit,"

Chihiro winced her eyes to him. "What is this, a surprise?" she said with annoying tone.

Haku laughed. "I hope so. Now try to perform it,"

"But I don't know what it means," she said.

"That's alright. This spell is safe," Haku said confidently. "All you need to do is close your eyes and perform it," he said again.

"Okay." Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Beyond her cognition, Haku closed his eyes too. "Sira eksi gya esa atma amba," she said.

The energy moved inside her. But this one felt different. It's very strong but strangely it's vined easily and mildly. Haku smiled. "It works," he said before he opened his eyes.

Now Chihiro opened her eyes. "How could you tell?" she asked.

"Because the spell is classified as Garwa Spell type," he said.

"And Garwa Spell is…. ?" she started.

"A connecting spell," he said. "Tune in the name 'garwa' that means 'mate'. When you perform that spell, I will automatically play it out too. The same way works on you when I perform it," he explained.

Chihiro was about to respond him, but suddenly there was a gruff sound came from her stomach. Haku laughed to it. "Turns out your stomach speaks louder than your mouth," he said.

Meanwhile Chihiro only replied him with a grin. "Have you eat?" he asked.

"I ate. A bowl of miso soup," she answered.

"Just that?" he asked again.

"I wasn't really hungry. But now, my belly can't lie," she said with a little laugh.

Haku smiled softly. "Okay, then, let's get something to eat."

Day 8

It's been three days since Mikayo went hysteric and blacked out, and she hadn't awoken. The father and mother were so confused and worried about her. How far did she go and what kind of spirits she met that could bring her the such of disaster? Now the man was in his room. Standing on his window side, staring at the mountains, when suddenly his apprentice came in.

"Sir," called the apprentice.

The man turned to him. "Oh. How's the result?" he asked.

"We got some results, Sir. And it's all here," the apprentice said, and he showed him a roll of paper.

The man nodded. "Good. Just put it on the desk," he said, and his apprentice did so. "Thanks. You may leave," he said again.

The apprentice nodded. "Yes, Sir." And he left.

The man took his seat. Then he took a deep breath before he opened that paper roll. He looked at it very carefully. Reading and analyzing every detail of those information. Until he reached a pinned place on the map. He winced his eyes.

Just then his wife came in. "Honey," she called him. But the man didn't turn to her. "Honey," she called once again, and she tapped his shoulder.

The man was snapped. "Oh… Sakura, My Love," he said. "Sorry, I was thinking,"

Then the lady hugged him from behind. "What's all of this?" she asked while skimming at the paper roll. "You know, our Mikayo hasn't awake," she said again sadly.

He turned to her and held her hands. "Don't you worry, Love. We already got a clue, in this paper," he said. "And I know what I have to do," he said again.

Then she looked back to the paper and her eyes widened. She went back to look at her husband, and she found a look on his eyes that she hadn't seen it in a long time and she really hated it.

"No way. Don't you dare to do that," she said. "Think another way,"

But his expression wasn't changed, and he looked away. That lady balled her hands and pulled them away. She turned her back on him and walked away heading to the door angrily.

"Sakura, wait-"

She looked back to him. "I said, think another way." She repeated. "I'm going to look after my daughter." And she left.

-Hariana ~ Hi, Haruka! Thank's a lot for the review and I'm really glad that you enjoy my story. Anyway, welcome to FanFiction! (haha it's too late tho). And here you go, the next chap. Sorry I took so long. XOXO

With all her respect, currently the author has nothing to say/to ask/whatever it is. Just enjoy. And she keeps waiting for your review/comments/question/protest/ANYTHING; but most of them- your supports will be the best thing she ever has. Hatur nuhun.

-moinami