Chapter 21: The War

D-day

There he was. Been sitting for hours, all night long. Holding the only love of his life, so tight. Never once loosened his arms, didn't mind about the stiff on them. All he cared about was her. That she needed a really nice sleep. And about him, he promised himself not to fall asleep. Not even a blink.

A funny thing about tomorrow, that everything was possibility and it would never promise you any certainty. Whatever would come, no one was ready for it. And so was him. If it was meant to be, then it would be. And this dragon wouldn't want to miss a blink of his precious, before any chances come and get them.

He smiled. He felt satisfied with what he was having right now. He really spent every second of the night admiring her. He watched her sleeping peacefully. The more he looked at her serene face, the more he found her endearing. He caressed her cheeks, they were meek and springy. Even when she's asleep, the blush was never washed off. Then suddenly she laughed in her sleep. Oh no, did he wake her? He caught a panic for a second, but gladly she gave him no other sign that she's awake. He sighed in relief. He thought she must be having a dream. He swore that the next time he couldn't help it, he would pinch her cheeks roguishly.

Then the air moved a little rapid and blew through his fingers, every time she breathed; he took it as a little wind that he would always want to feel.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Not that he failed and fell asleep, he only wanted to strengthen his senses other than his sight. He was used to only hear his own lonely heartbeat. But now, she was there in his arms. He could hear and feel her heart beating. Her beats and his were shouting to each other. What a perfect harmony. And he got a thing to realize that her heartbeat was the very sound of nature that could make him feel he was home, after the gurgling water sound of his river.

Now he ducked, placed his nose near her neck, but not to let it touch, and sniffed. Her scent. As soon as it got in and possessed all of his nerves, he got goose-bumps and his inner dragon moaned. Then he laughed to himself. This girl he loved the most, could do both invigorate and intoxicate him only by her scent.

The last, but not least. He couldn't decide how many times he had done it that night, but he just couldn't get enough to stroke her silky hair and never get bored to kiss her head.

As he looked up to the sky through the invisible ceiling above them, he realized it was getting bright and brighter. A slight white line on it told him that soon would be dawn. He sighed, the perfect night of keeping his precious for his own had come to an end.

He placed his hand on her forehead and closed his eyes. Then he reached the former sleeping spell he cast on her earlier and discarded it. Soon, the girl in his arms moved. She yawned and stretched her body, before finally opened her lovely brown eyes.

He welcomed her with his best smile. She replied him with a sweet smile. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he replied. "Got a good sleep?" he asked.

She nodded. "Rather than good. It was a very nice sleep," she said. "I even had a nice dream,"

So, he was true. He couldn't help to not stroking her hair, again. "Really? What was it?"

She laughed a little. "It was about you and I. We were playing in a theme park and bought some ice cream!" she explained excitedly.

Haku laughed to her excitement. She sat up and took a good look on her dragon. "You didn't sleep?" she asked.

Haku smiled and shook his head slowly.

"Why-"

"Because I didn't want to," he cut her off.

Chihiro sighed. Then she only shook her head and looked away because she didn't want to argue with him now. "Is it already in the morning?" she asked instead.

"It's almost dawn," he answered.

She nodded her head. Then she took the hairband on her wrist and tied her hair up. She took his white outer from her lap, swung it over above his head, and landed it on his shoulder. She leaned closer and kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she said.

Haku smiled. He simply nodded and put on his shirt. "Chihiro," he called her.

"Yeah?"

Haku grabbed her hand. "Let's get out and have a check on the others,"

Lin was being awaken to the warmth that covered her body and a bit uncomfortable on her back. Where was she? Then she opened her eyes and found herself laying in the couch on Yubaba's office. She snapped a little to a sudden snoring. That was Q, sat and asleep on the other couch across her. Now she remembered. Last night Yubaba asked them to stay there and have some rest, and she'd be with Boh. Great. But she didn't remember that she used a blanket to sleep. She looked at the thing on her lap and realized that it was Q's cloak.

Lin smiled a little. But, wait, what? No, she shouldn't think anything about it. Then she turned to look at the window. It's almost dawn! She hastily stood up.

"Q, wake up," she said while shaking his body.

Q snapped awake and almost jumped from his seat. "Lin!" he uttered surprised. "What's wrong?"

Lin put on a serious face. "It's almost dawn," she said. "They could be here anytime now,"

Then his eyes wide opened. "Damn! I got overslept!" Q sulked. He immediately stood up and rushed to go to the window, to check if Ji-In and his troops already there.

"Q," Lin called.

Q stopped his pace and turned to her. "What?"

Lin handed him his cloak. Her face was blushing. "Thanks," she said shortly. Then she turned away, headed to Boh's room. "I'll notify Yubaba," she said again.

Q only smiled a little and put on his cloak, then walked to the window. He would think about it later. Now he got to make a clear sight of the town. He opened the window. Lin was right, it's almost dawn. But looked like the sun wouldn't rise for that day. Then he looked at the view. From the bridge, clear. The town, clear. Then he reached the hills, there was a black mist. This was it.

"What you got, Q?"

Q turned around and Yubaba had already stood before him, with Lin.

He balled his fists. "They're here."

Yubaba put on a serious face. "The time has come," she said. "Q, Lin, go to the main floor and get everyone ready," she ordered. "I'll take care of the children and the elders first, then I'll catch you up there."

Q and Lin nodded. "Yes, Mam." They said together. Without needing any other instruction, they moved and left Yubaba's office.

Now, Yubaba took a deep breath. The time had come, for Boh too. She went back to her son's room. Softly, she woke him up.

"Mama…? Why are you not sleeping?" Boh asked in half awake while rubbing his eyes.

Yubaba smiled. "I'm sorry to wake you so early, Sweetheart," she said.

"What is wrong, Mama? Something happened?"

Yubaba caressed both of his cheeks. "Yes, Sweetheart, something happened," she replied. "Boh, soon there'll be some kids and elders that must join you here,"

Boh looked at her confused. "Why, Mama?"

Yubaba sighed and she put on a weak smile. "This bathhouse is going to face something dangerous that you and the other kids and elders are not allowed to be in,"

Boh frowned and was getting more confused. "What is it, Mama?" he asked. "Why is it going to happen? Will it be long? Will we be safe?" and he kept throwing all his questions.

Yubaba only hugged him. "I don't know, Sweetheart," she said. "But don't be worry. You won't be alone, and you'll be safe."

Boh frowned, he didn't satisfy with her answers. "Mama will be here too, right?"

Yubaba smiled again and shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said, and she kissed her baby. "I love you, Son."

Boh was going to ask her more questions but Yubaba had left him alone in that circular room.

There she was. Standing in front of that wooden door, she knocked it.

Once. No answer from the person inside.

Twice. She knocked it louder and faster. Result? Still, none.

She believed there's no likelihood that he'd open the door or at least answer her at the third time, so, she slid the door and barged in.

"Kamaji!" she called.

The six-arms boiler man was tightly asleep, in the middle of his snoring he snapped awake to the sudden call.

"Yubaba?" he asked, trying to make sure of his sleepy eyes. "Couldn't you at least knock at the door?"

"I did," she answered shortly. Then she walked sharp to him, bent down, and gave him a serious look on her face. "The time has come. The war is on our door,"

Kamaji fell silent. "I'm not ready," he said.

Yubaba shook her head. "Me either. Nobody is. But we got to face this,"

"No," Kamaji said and shook his head. "I mean, I'm not ready to meet Boh, to meet our son,"

Yubaba was silence for a second and then letting out a heavy breath. "You promised," she said.

"Yeah... But what am I gonna do? What am I gonna say? Do I supposed to be just showing up and say 'Hi, I'm your father and I'll be taking care of you'?" Kamaji threw it all.

Yubaba sighed. They both knew it's hard to do this. Even more for Boh, he had never seen his father before. But what's called as fate pushed them to, and now there was no time to doubt it. The bigger problem like the war should be the one they consider seriously.

"Kamaji," Yubaba said, she patted on his shoulders. "We got no time for this. And this is your chance," she encouraged him.

At first, Kamaji shook his head. But the look on Yubaba's face showed that she was counting on him. Then he sighed and nodded his head.

Yubaba smiled. "You'll be okay. He'll be okay. Everything will be okay,"

Boh was still confused with what was happening. He merely huffed and threw himself back to his bed. He laid there and staring at the fancy ceiling of his circular room. He imagined, how it would be to have another people, maybe strangers, joining him there?

Soon after, he heard footsteps, footsteps that seemed like dozens of people, heading to his room. Then the door opened and the witch with a blue dress showed up.

"Mama!" Boh called happily.

"Boh," she called while she walked towards him. "Boh, sweetie, I'm sorry that some kids, mothers, and elders will have to join you here,"

Then the people she mentioned began to come into the room one by one. Boh began to be scared, as he had never met any stranger.

Yubaba hugged him. "Don't be scared, Boh. They are not strangers, they're your family too like Chihiro and Haku, you just never met them before,"

Boh slowly nodded his head. "Will it be long?" he asked.

Yubaba smiled. "Hopefully it won't," she answered. "Don't worry, you'll like them, and you'll be safe here with them," she said again. Then she kissed her baby on his head and headed to the door.

As his mama walked out, a man with six arms, black suit, and spectacles came in. This man made Boh cocked his eyebrow and somehow there's a sudden tug on him that made him felt different.

"Uh... Hi?" the man started.

Boh blinked. "Hello," he greeted the man.

The man walked towards him. Somehow his steps seemed heavy and that he took a deep breath several times.

Boh couldn't help the urge to ask. "Who are you?" the question slipped out of his mouth innocently.

The man tried to be calm and he gave that giant baby his best smile. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm your guardian, and you'll be safe with me,"

Chihiro and Haku came at the right time. Everybody had gathered on the main floor. Lin, Q, and Yubaba stood on a table, so everybody got a clear view of them. Haku lead Chihiro made their way through the mass and get close next to where Lin, Q, and Yubaba stood.

"Listen to me, everyone," Lin started. Everyone put their attention on her, looking both so serious yet surrendering.

"We all know that the time has come, so I'm not gonna say a lot," Lin stopped for a second to gulp. "Here they come, in front of our door. Whatever it is, ready or not, we have to face it. Do your best for the good of this bathhouse, for the good of all of us. Do everything as how we planned it and remember that Q will lead us, so listen to him.

Last, we won't say that this gonna be the end, but we all know that nobody could ever promise us tomorrow. So…" she stopped, she thought she was out of words. And she sighed.

"I wish we have good luck." Lin ended his speech.

Reacting to her words, the mass chatted to each other, some of them shook hands, some of them hugged. They seemed more prepared right now.

Lin felt her pink salmon breeches were being gripped from her left side. Then she turned and found it was Chihiro who did it. "May I have a word?" she asked.

Lin nodded. "Sure, Chihiro. Come up here," Lin said and offered her hand.

Chihiro took her hand and Lin pulled her up. Now Lin gave her a chance to say what she thought she must say to them. "Everyone, may I have a word, please?" she started.

And everyone back to focus to the girl with brown hair up there. "From the very first I came here, I always gave you so much trouble. Like this one at my second presence here, Q found this war forecast on me, so all of this is because of me. But what I got from you is your merit and mettle to fight and help me out with these problems," she said confidently. "So, there's nothing I can say, except thank you for everything," she ended her words with a genuine smile on her lips.

Haku who stood still right where he was, at the moment he fell in love with her speaking confidently, couldn't tell how much he did fall for her and still do. And every time was better, and better.

Out of Chihiro's expectation, the foreman went in front of the others and spoke, "That's alright, Sen. You are part of us now, it's what family do to protect and fight for each other," he said. "Is that right, everyone!?" he shouted asking the others.

Some of the mass said yes, some of them nodded and smiled to her. Chihiro smiled happily and bowed to them. Yubaba smiled while taking steps forward. She patted Lin and Chihiro's shoulders, asking for a place.

"So, everybody has given their speech. I wonder what I can say," Yubaba said.

The mass laughed a little at her words. Yubaba herself too, laughed a little. "Well, I just want to confess that… I was never a good or kind owner of this bathhouse and moreover being a nice boss to you. But when it comes to a problem like this, all of you staying true to this place that probably never gave you the real happiness. I must say that, I, Yubaba, owe you a lot for this," Yubaba stopped for a moment. "As the finale I'd like to sorry for whatever it is I ever done to you, and… Thank you, for being a decent family,"

Somehow everyone felt both happy and sad to hear her words. The mass clapped to her speech and some of them shed a tear.

"Thank you, Yubaba," the foreman said, deputing the mass. "We owe you more," he said again then he bowed to her, followed by everyone in the room.

Now Yubaba shed a tear and sighed. She smiled widely. "Thank you," that's all she could say.

"For the bathhouse!" the foreman shouted with his fist up in the air.

"For the bathhouse!" the others followed him.

Q took a step forward. "Alright, everybody, listen up!" he said taking the command. "Now we're about to engage our enemy. Remember the strategies and follow my command. After I dismiss you, you'll have to be ready on your own position. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Q!" everybody answered together.

"Okay, now, the front squad moved first, then followed by the middle squad, and the last will be the rear squad," he continued. "Go!" he commanded.

The mass nodded and immediately moved as what he said. Yubaba, Lin, Chihiro, and Q himself got down from the table.

"Chihiro, come with me," Lin asked. Chihiro nodded, but she confused why Lin headed the wrong way. "But, Lin, the door is there. Where are we going?" she asked.

"Uhh…" Lin thought for a second. She received a glance of compulsion from the dragon. And so were Q and Yubaba, four of them switched glances. Thrifty, the girl whose being their subject didn't notice. "To my room, I left my weapon there," Lin continued, trying to give Chihiro a convince answer.

"Oh, okay," Chihiro said without any suspicion. As soon as they left, Haku sighed.

"Haku, where is the sword that I gave you?" Yubaba asked.

"In my room," Haku answered. "Why?"

"Why don't you bring it?" Yubaba asked again.

"Because I'm not good at using it," he answered simply.

"Take it, you might need to use it," she demanded.

Haku nodded. "Okay," then he left her, heading to his room without any mistrust.

Yubaba winced her eyes. "Q," she called.

"Yes, Mam?" he answered.

"You go and catch up Lin. I'll take care of Haku," Yubaba ordered.

Lin and Chihiro had arrived at their room. Meanwhile Lin came inside, Chihiro waited outside thinking that this was something odd. Lin was silence during their way going there, and usually Lin was never a clumsy lady to leave her weapon. Does she hide something from me?

"Chihiro," Lin called from inside the room.

"Yeah?"

"Come in," Lin asked.

Chihiro did so. She walked into the room. "Lin, what's wro-"

She had no chance to finish her question because Lin suddenly threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly. Chihiro felt confused. "Lin…" she said.

Lin let her go. "I'm sorry," she said.

Chihiro was getting more confused. "What?"

But Lin didn't answer. She pushed Chihiro further into the room, stepped out, and shut the door.

Chihiro was surprised. She immediately alight at the door and tried to open it, but she couldn't. "Lin!? What are you doing!?" she shouted.

Lin was still there to hold the door, thinking a way to seal it because it had no key to be locked.

Chihiro pounded the door. "Lin, I know you're still there! Please open up!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry, Chihiro. We don't want to lose you," Lin finally answered.

Chihiro shook her head and kept trying to open the door. "What do you mean? Why are you doing this? Let me out!" she shouted again.

Now Chihiro was no more a weak little girl, she's powerful enough to try to open the door. Lin thought she couldn't be able to handle her any longer.

"Lin!" someone called her.

Lin turn to her right and found Q was on his way to her. "Q, help me with this!" Lin said.

Chihiro heard them. What is this? Why is Q here too? "Q! Are you there!? PLEASE LET ME OUT!" she shouted even louder.

But nobody's outside answered. Then she heard Q's voice saying a spell. Soon, she heard their footsteps running away from there. Chihiro gritted her teeth, she should have noticed that they intended to coop her. Now she wasn't pounding the door anymore, she's kicking it. But it wouldn't break an inch. Then she moved backwards, took a run-up, and finally ran sharp and banged her body to the door.

The result, she was being bounced back off. She stood up while rubbing her sore arm. "Damn it! Someone please, get me out of here!" she screamed to herself.

Meanwhile Haku arrived at his room. Immediately opened the drawer of his cupboard. The sword was there. He took it and closed the drawer back, and also his cupboard. Then he moved fast heading to the door. Surprisingly, Yubaba was there.

"Yubaba!" he said surprised. "Sorry I took so long," he said.

Yubaba said nothing. She stepped out and closed his door instead.

Haku cocked his eyebrow. "Yubaba, what's wrong?" he asked.

Yubaba didn't answer and she locked his door. Haku's eyes widened. Now she tries to imprison me!? "Hey, Yubaba, what are you doing!?" he shouted, while trying to open the door.

"I'm sorry, Haku. We don't want to lose you too," Yubaba answered.

Haku winced his eyes and banged the door. "That's ridiculous! Let me out! I can turn into a dragon anytime now and if I bang the door you won't survive, come on open the door!" he shouted again.

Yubaba didn't answer. She said out loud a spell, which Haku knew very well it was a spell to cover a casemate. And he could feel the spell surrounded his room, this meant that he also couldn't use the window to escape.

"Damn it, Yubaba!" he cursed her.

Then Yubaba walked away from his room. She reached out a necklace with two-headed-witch pendant which was a simple communication device, like walkie-talkie. She recently tripled it and gave it to Lin and Q for secret long-distance coordination. "Q, Lin, can you hear me?" she started.

Q and Lin was already outside the bathhouse. They were now on the end of the bridge at the town side. "Yes, Mam," Q answered. He put the necklace on his belt.

"I heard you," Lin answered. She hided the necklace under her shirt.

"How about Chihiro?" Yubaba asked.

"Clear," Lin answered.

"How about Haku?" Q asked.

"Clear," Yubaba answered.

"Good," Lin said.

"I'm on position," Yubaba said.

"Okay," Q said then he turned to Lin. "Now it's time to split out," he said.

Lin nodded, then Q was about to left her, but she stopped him. "Q, wait," she said.

"What?"

Lin thought for a second. "Let's switch. I'll be with the front squad and you'll be here with the rear squad,"

Q shook his head. "No, we have to stick to the plan,"

"But-"

"Lin," he cut her off. "It's the right thing to put the weak ones on the first line of defense, and that'll make the strongest one be in the last line of defense," he explained.

That's right, Lin knew it very well. But she's just worried about him. "How about that?" he asked.

Lin nodded her head. "Okay," she said.

Then something Lin never expected to happen, happened. Q leaned closer and landed a quick kiss on her forehead. Meanwhile she froze, Q stepped backwards. "Wish me stay alive," he said and finally left her.

Sakura had just left her daughter for about ten minutes to pee. As she returned to her daughter's room, there was a shadow seen in her room, and now it's about to touch her daughter.

"HEY!" she shouted. The shadow looked surprised. Now it tried to run away. Sakura chased it; she threw her power to that wicked thing. But it moved fast, and she missed. She tried once again when that shadow reached the window, she hit it and then the shadow faded away and gone. With that wicked thing gone, she heard a voice of a man laughing evilly. She gasped, she hoped this wasn't something she's scared of this whole time.

Then suddenly her daughter coughed. She was surprised. That's the first time her daughter gave her a sign that she's alive. She hastily ran to her.

Her daughter was still there with her eyes closed. But this time she looked like she was trying to wake up from a nightmare. She was breathing heavily. She wasn't sure if it was okay, but she thought her daughter might need her help. So, she held her hand. "Mikayo," she called her.

The black-haired girl's body was lifted and stiffen. She gasped before finally opened her eyes.

*Loyluma - Thanks a lot! It's a pleasure to have a reader like you and I'm really happy that you liked my story. WOW! YOU DREW THEM!? I WISH I COULD SEE YOUR DRAWING! Oh and about Q: he's a bit shorter than Haku but still taller than Lin. Other details of him (that I haven't mentioned in the story) is he was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. There were no buttons but black ropes to tie on the shirt. He wore half finger gloves on his hands. His trousers was black. He also wearing a belt where he kept bringing his sword there. And almost forget about his look, mmm okay I decided his hair was like Liam's (Payne :*) and he had a bit and slight beard growing from his hair to his chin. Tadaaah! I hope you like it! And I apologize for taking so long to update this one. XOXO

*MarzDominator - Oh nooo! You tell me. /I apologize for taking so long to update this one.*Sherona849 - overprotect I guess... /I apologize for taking so long to update this one.

*Lauren248 - Thanks a lot! I'm really happy to know you enjoyed my story. And yes! I even think to make Lin and Q's own story. What do you say? /I apologize for taking so long to update this one.