The next day Chihiro was reading in her sitting room when Linca burst in.

"What are you doing here? You are late!"

"No, I'm not!" Protested Chihiro, "I've still got an hour till my lesson."

"Then why are Haku and Rin waiting for you in hall three?" Chihiro put down her book.

"Okay, I'll go, but he told me after lunch." 

She wandered down the corridors and only had to ask for directions once. The door to the hall was shut; she thought nothing of this, just opened it and walked in. She stopped dead in her tracks.

There were red teak pillars surrounding the highly ornate room. She hid behind the nearest one on her left. It was an intrusion, she knew it was, but somehow she could not help but watch. Haku was practising. The sword he was using was a strange matt grey colour. It seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. It whirled around him as he tried different guard positions and practised footwork.

Chihiro knew nothing about fencing and swordplay but what he was doing looked good to her. In truth, it was not the expert demonstration that fascinated her. She was ashamed of herself but she was watching his body.

He had taken his tunic and shirt off and he was sweating. His greenish hair was slick with it and strands stuck to his face. His torso was lean but muscled, his shoulders were broad. His skin was the same pale colour as his face; it was disturbing in its perfection, not a scar or blemish anywhere. Lithe was the word that popped into her head.

She was so absorbed in her spying that she did not notice the slight smile cross his face or the knowing look in his eyes. All of a sudden he whipped around towards her and in a movement too quick for her to see the sword flew at her and embedded itself in the pillar she hid behind. She squeaked and jumped into the open.

"You're early," he hissed, He was still breathing hard, green eyes narrowed at her.

"Linca told me you were waiting for me." She blurted out; her voice was high and unsteady. She was going to kill that sprite.

"Calm down," she told herself. "Get back in control of yourself. Anybody would think you had never seen a bare chest before, no matter how masculine...and muscled this one is...NO STOP IT!" she straightened up and folded her arms.

"I'm sorry I spied, but I did not wish to disturb you." She arched her eyebrows "I trust I get to keep my clothes on when I practice."

He laughed good-naturedly.

"I don't know, maybe it would aid your fencing, besides I want a turn to stare." Chihiro blushed lightly.

"Sorry about that." She mumbled and tried not to show how embarrassed she was, "But staring is a ladies prerogative." Haku grinned and threw a wooden staff at her which she caught.

"Ladies don't learn to hit people." He twirled his heavy staff. "We start with the staff to build on your reflexes before you handle a more dangerous weapon." He yanked his sword out of the pillar with such ease it may as well have been stuck in butter.

"This is a ShinSakuto." He held the sword out for her inspection. The grey metal winked at her menacingly, it looked like a standard Japanese sword to her. Long, curved and sharp down one side. "It has an itame with mokume forging pattern." Haku continued excitedly. "The tempering pattern is midare in nie style, the blade is 29 inches long the nakago is 8 inches. The mountings are shirasays style. It took me 2 years to forge." It sounded like nonsense to Chihiro, but she knew from her father's obsession with classic motorcycles that males glorified in pointless details, and over complex terms. However, she had no wish to offend him.

"It's fantastic," she said. He smiled down at her seeing through her subterfuge.

"It may not seem like much now, just a pointy bit of metal. As you progress you will appreciate such things." He sheathed the sword and pulled his tunic back on with a crooked grin. "Never touch it, this sword is designed for me, the magic in it will turn on anyone else trying to handle it."

She nodded not doubting him.

"Now," he said all business. "Let's see if we can apply our minds to some stances." He showed her the stances and she had to copy. When she stumbled or held the staff incorrectly he would tap the end of her staff with his, making the wood vibrate painfully in her hands. She persevered however and did not lose her temper, mainly because his criticism was gentle and he gave her much encouragement. He stopped her when Rin came in. She was sweating profusely and was red in the face.

"Well," said Rin strolling over to them, "I see you've started without me."

"She's been doing very well," said Haku.

"We will see, you never pushed me hard enough when you taught me." Chihiro was a little put out by that.

"Why?" She thought "he can teach anyone he likes and Rin's my friend." She expected the voice to chime in but it did not, all was quiet. In a funny kind of way she missed arguing with it, Haku smiled.

"Well, I shall leave you two to it. I have to get everything ready for tonight." He turned his beautiful eyes on Chihiro. "Do you have everything you need?" He asked.

"Of course she does," Snapped Rin. "You've spent a fortune on her and if there is anything else she wants, Linca and I can sort it. Now get out!" Rin practically shoved Haku out of the hall.

"Now," she said rubbing her hands. "Let's get some REAL work done."

After an hour of Rin's relentless shouting and snapping Chihiro realised just how easy Haku had been on her. Rin eventually called a halt. Chihiro felt so wobbly that she nearly fell over.

"You are passable for a new start." Said Rin thoughtfully, "I may be able to teach you something." She passed a towel and some water to Chihiro. "If you want fancy sword tricks, train with the dragon. If you want to drop someone so they don't get up, train with me." She was giving Chihiro a difficult choice.

"Why can't I train with both of you?" she asked.

"It's more productive for you to have one teacher. People have different styles of fighting; Haku and I agree that two teachers would just confuse you." Rin saw the indecision on the human's face and said. "You don't have to decide now, think about it when you come back. Personally, I don't think you have the physique for the sword, you need a stealthier weapon, like knives."

"What if the person I'm fighting has a sword?" asked Chihiro.

"I'll teach you a few tricks that would drop any swordsman." She winked at Chihiro. "And they are dirty too." Chihiro rolled her eyes, she expected nothing less. "Seriously," said Rin, "You are light on your feet, you could dance rings around any axe or sword fighter. If they can't hit you they can't hurt you." Chihiro chuckled.

"Are you trying to bias my decision?"

"When I'm up against that dragon, certainly I am! He's one of the best sword fighters you'll ever meet."

"I think I should just let you fight and then decide," Said Chihiro jokingly.

"Oh yes!" Said Rin, eyes shining, "he has not accepted one of my challenges yet, he really is no fun."

"I'll make you a promise Rin. When I'm good enough I'll fight you."

"Deal!" Rin shook her hand. "Now let's go, Linca's got the whole afternoon planned, and if you are not there to help me through it, I may kill myself."

They wandered from the room. Chihiro wiped her for head again. Rin was unusually quiet.

"What's the matter?" asked Chihiro.

"Nothing... I... Linca told me about you becoming family."

"That's right." Replied Chihiro, "I've known her for over a year, we get on really well, she is lonely, and I love her."

"Well that's very noble of you, but are you sure you're not feeling guilty because you are leaving your own family?" Chihiro stopped; she was a little insulted but considered the question.

"I don't think so; I never had any siblings, so I'm not leaving any behind. I'm sure I can get messages to my parents on occasion. Haku said he could do that. I just won't see them again unless they came to me."

"I doubt they would do that Sen." Said Rin. "They don't believe and so won't come." Chihiro nodded.

"I know but I'll tell them about it anyway." Rin was silent for a moment and then blurted out.

"I can't believe you chose her as a sister and not me! I'm more sensible, not as much fun perhaps but I love you as much as she does." Chihiro stammered.

"I... well... I did not think you wanted anything like that." Rin pouted.

"I may be rough around the edges but I can still feel." She walked with Chihiro to the elevator and pulled the lever.

"You remember that day when Zeniba nearly killed Haku, because he stole something from her for Yubaba?"

Chihiro winced at the memory, there had been so much blood. Haku was acting like a hurt animal, snapping and growling at her efforts to help him. Instead of worrying about lost fingers she had been terrified of losing him. All for a tiny gold seal.

"I remember," she said quietly.

"Well, Kamaji said something to me that day. He said I would not recognise love when I saw it."

Chihiro immediately wanted to deny everything and tell Rin that she and Haku were just friends, but remembering Lincas words about an innocent bond of love between child and spirit, she bit her tongue.

"Well, I realised he was right." Continued Rin, "I cared for nothing and nobody. I could not afford to, that would mean remembering what I'd lost." Chihiro said nothing, this all sounded very familiar. "Then you went away and Haku left, I was so lonely..." to Chihiro's astonishment Rin was crying. She gave the woman a big hug and let her cry.

She led Rin into the lift that had just arrived, it was empty of other passengers. Rin's sobs died down.

"Anyway," she sniffed, "Haku came back and I kind of got to know him better. He scares me, but we are friends I think." She smiled, "it was nice to talk to someone who might understand what I had lost."

"What had you lost?" Chihiro asked gently.

"My name, my past. I can't even remember why I came here. I look back and all I see are black holes of nothingness. I know I was once more than just Rin. I think once I had a child."

Chihiro closed her eyes feeling Rin's pain.

"I don't know how I know, but I just do. Why would I do that? Why would I abandon my child? Or did it die, is that why I came here?" Rin shook her head. "I have no way of terminating my contract. Haku has tried but it's all perfectly legal. I signed it of my own free will." Chihiro finally found her voice.

"Rin, if I could help..." she trailed off.

"I know" she smiled sadly, "you would if you could. But you're only human, even if you are a nice one that does not smell too much." Rin sighed and shook her head. "I did not mean to burden you with this; all I was trying to say is that I do feel. I do know what love and friendship is, even if I don't show it. I'm afraid of getting hurt, that's all." Chihiro smiled and then said.

"Who says I can't have two new sisters?" Rin's sad brown eyes lit up. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as if trying to say something but the words were failing her. In the end, she said very quietly.

"That would be wonderful."

"There is one snag, it means you'll be related to Linca." Rin laughed.

"I'll cope." They hugged again and then a voice said.

"Is this a private hug, or can anyone join?" The lift had stopped and opened, neither Rin or Chihiro had noticed. Linca stood there, white eyes fixed on them both, hands on hips looking contrary.

"Since we are all going to be happy families once the smelly human is bonded then I think we need to practice." Chihiro and Rin both held out an arm and Linca snuggled among them. None of them said anything for a moment, then Linca wriggled free wiping her eyes.

"Enough of this nonsense." She croaked, "We have a ball to get ready for ladies. The bath water is getting cold, let's get a move on." She clapped her hands and Yuna bath attendants appeared from Chihiro's room holding fluffy white bathrobes. Rin backed into the elevator and made a dash for the lever but Chihiro grabbed her hands.

"If I have to suffer then you do to, that's what family is all about." Rin pulled a face and Linca pouted unattractively. Chihiro took a robe and gave a big sigh.

"Well let's get this over with." And marched into her room with her two sisters to be trailing behind her.