The dress fitted like a glove, her hair was perfect, her make-up flawless. Then why did she feel so nervous? She wrung her hands and plucked at the winking crystals on her exquisite gown.

"Stop it!" hissed Linca, "You look fantastic. Now hold your head high and show them what mortals are made of!"

The grand doors opened and a frog stepped forward to announce them.

"Linca you of all people should know that parties and I don't mix," whispered Chihiro.

"This one is different. Trust me Chi." Linca shimmered in her snow white dress, the colour brought out the blue tint in her skin. She really did look like a spirit and not Chihiro's friend from university. The change was slightly disturbing. The effect was ruined however when Linca gave Chihiro a huge comical wink.

"As I said before, this is a new chapter; Cinderella will not be dragged from the arms of prince charming tonight!"

"Linca," Chihiro sighed. "As I have told you before, there is nothing going on..." 

"The human Ogino Chihiro and Linca White Owl of Pripyat." Called the frog pompously. Linca took her arm.

"Head up and shoulders back. Now walk like you have a crown on your head." Chihiro did straighten up but refused to go so far as crowning herself.

They walked down the main staircase which descended into the great hall. The floor was polished to a mirror shine. There was an orchestra and a large balcony through some huge glass doors. People were gathered around the stairs and everyone was looking at the new arrivals. Chihiro studied the upturned faces nervously. She saw Yubaba first and then to her great surprise Zeniba at the opposite end of the hall. Other faces stood out, Bou, Kamaji, Rin and about a dozen others that she knew to look at.

"If you are looking for tall green and handsome he is not here yet," muttered Linca from the side of her mouth. Chihiro said nothing.

Once out on the floor, the fight for partners began. It was all very civilised, comparing of dance cards etc, but in the space of ten minutes, all of Chihiro's friends had their names down. To Chihiro's surprise partners could be the same sex as well as mixed, so Linca and Rin had their names on her card. Her card was full when she heard.

"Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi!" She was too far away to see him clearly but the person descending the stairs was definitely him. No one had that colour of hair, or moved in that confident, graceful way.

"Even his walk is arrogant!" she thought. He disappeared into the crowd. Soon the music started and Chihiro was claimed by Rin. The Music had a traditional feel to it and a syncopated rhythm. Chihiro could not identify half the instruments being played and some of the musicians seemed to be playing parts of themselves. She and Rin bowed and Rin talked her through a courtly, repetitive dance that was easy to master. After three or four of these dances, with various partners, she was claimed by Kamaji. The ancient looking spirit used all six arms to lead her through a wild, loose dance, more like a jig than anything else. She danced the Fujimusume with Linca. This was a dance she knew to her surprise, though by a different name and to different music. She had not attempted it since childhood. It was an elegant dance with fans. Linca seemed to take great delight in showing Chihiro how graceful she was compared to a human. Chihiro just laughed off her comparative clumsiness. She had always found dancing a bit of a trial.

She had not seen Haku, though she had thought she had caught fleeting glimpses of him. Once or twice she had felt the hairs rise on her arms and neck as if she was being closely watched; she never caught anyone looking at her. Bou grabbed her for the next waltz-like dance. She was starting to tire a little. All these graceful spirits sailing around her were making her feel like a lump of lead. Bou's dancing did much to improve her mood. The toddler ambled along and giggled maniacally. As she was completing a turn she saw him.

He was dancing with Rin, who seemed a little uncomfortable in her blue silk Kimono. He turned and saw her, he did not smile he just looked at her. Time seemed to slow for a moment as she was caught in his emerald gaze. Then Bou pulled her back towards him and she lost him among the throng of dancers. Her throat was tight and her heart seemed to be trying to claw out of her chest. If a male could ever be said to be so, he was beautiful. Dressed in dark blue loose trousers and a loose, high necked, lavishly embroidered jacket. He really did look every inch the river god. Suddenly dancing with him seemed a far more daunting prospect than it had been a moment ago.

Everyone stopped for a break. Rivers of snow-berry wine and other libations were placed in the staff's hands. Chihiro saw Haku across the room; she started making her way toward him.

"A nice friendly chat will soothe my nerves a bit. It's just Haku, why should I be afraid to dance with him?" She thought. While pushing through the crowd she heard.

"Chihiro darling!" She turned to see Zeniba bustling her considerable bulk through the crowd to catch up with her. She glanced back to Haku, he was gone.

"How do you like the festival so far?" Asked the witch.

"It's lovely," replied Chihiro then she put her head on one side. "Actually I'm surprised to see you here Granny." Zeniba laughed.

"Yes, I'm sure you are! Bou asked me to drop by. I'm not staying much longer my sister has ignored me so far, but soon she may explode!" Chihiro smiled, the witch took her arm with a gnarled, papery hand. She looked seriously into the young woman's face. "My dear, do you still have the charm I gave you?" Chihiro held up her right hand. The purple band winked at the witch. "Well, that is odd," Zeniba muttered and frowned to herself. Then she glanced back at Chihiro. "You may think this a strange question but... has anyone given you anything... you know, magical recently...I know it seems crazy but..." Zeniba was floundering and trailed off miserably as Chihiro's hazel eyes hardened.

"I took this charm in good faith Granny," she said icily. "And you used your magic on me through it." Zeniba winced, Chihiro continued despite the old witch's discomfort. "Two days ago I walked on air and a Lady talked to me in my mind. This Lady had awesome power and asked me to deliver a message to you, I'm not about to go against one such as she." Zeniba paled and seemed afraid. "She said to tell you that you should not meddle in her affairs anymore." Zeniba sighed and nodded she said nothing for some time, as if ordering her thoughts. Finally, she said in a small voice...

"To speak with the old ones is an honour bestowed on few. When I said that destiny has her hand on you I meant it literally. Your time here will not be easy Chihiro, not with our Gods deciding your fate." Chihiro was shaken; she had thought the woman's voice was that of a slightly mischievous but very powerful spirit. Haku must have stepped on plenty of toes in his time. She had thought the prank designed to rattle him and had little to do with her. If that was the case, however, why was she given the hair sticks she now wore?

"I'll deal with this later. It changes nothing at present." She thought furiously, she was angry at being manipulated at every turn.

"Well, they have made my life no more difficult than you have Granny." She spat, and then she stamped her foot childishly. "Why?" She whimpered. "Why make me think I had voices in my head? Why make me punch Scott? Why mess with my chance to be accepted in my own world?" Her lovely eyes were full of hurt, she had trusted Zeniba completely.

"I had my reasons." Chihiro's look could have roasted Zeniba. "I could not allow you to forget this place." Said the witch quickly. "I used the hair tie to give you gentle reminders and to..." she paused struggling "...to isolate you from your own people...who may connect you back...with...to your own world." Chihiro sighed, the witches distress was starting to get to her.

"Do you think, for one minute I would forget this place?" She said more gently.

"Yes, with all the pressure you were under you would have been broken, spirit crushed, you would have convinced yourself it was all a fiction."

"You still have not told me why." Grumbled Chihiro.

"I wish I could dear, really I do, but let's just say I needed you to find your way back one day. You belong here." Chihiro felt her indignation melt. The witch seemed so upset; she could not stay angry at her.

"I don't like being a pawn Granny." She mumbled, Zeniba smiled.

"Your not a pawn Chihiro, you a queen, the dragon, myself and the old ones know this. Luckily for you, my sister still sees you as a mildly annoying human." Zeniba moved back into the crowd. "Take care my dear!" she called.

The music started again and Chihiro was partnered by the frog foreman, (much to her dislike.) Then Bee-la grabbed her. The air spirit just hovered and Chihiro was forced to lead, but it was all fun. The second last dance came. Chihiro noticed that the sun had finally set and that the hall had emptied somewhat. Many staff seemed to have left with the setting sun. The music continued but there was no sign of Haku. She felt very let down. She had geared herself up for these dances with him and now she was left hanging. She saw Linca wrapped around a fire spirit and smiled. At least someone was enjoying themselves. The music stopped and everyone left the floor. Chihiro bit her lip. Had he gone? Had she done something to offend him? Couples were drifting back to the floor for the last dance.

"I'm sorry." A voice breathed in her ear. She turned and there he was, right behind her. She had not even heard him approach her. She went to say something, but he placed a finger to her lips and shook his head almost imperceptibly. He took her arm and led her to the dance floor.

The music was slow, almost mournful. He let go of her and stood a foot away from her and bowed. She looked at the other couples. They were dancing complex steps around each other. Seeing the confused look on her face Haku stepped forward. He placed his fingers lightly on her forehead.

"This dance is called the Manatsubi, it's traditional to finish the solstice." Said his voice softly in her head. All the information on how to perform the dance suddenly flooded her mind. He removed his hand and started to move. She followed him, the steps coming naturally, her heart hammered in her chest. The dance represented the victory of the sun at the high of its power, but also it's impending death with the coming of winter. It was like a battle set to music, partners circled each other, one sometimes advancing and the other retreating only for the situation to be reversed. They did not touch. It was a beautiful dance, but what was even more beautiful was watching Haku dance it. He did not say a word; his steps were precise and graceful. His exquisite eyes never left her face once and she did not look away from him, even though the intensity of his gaze was enough to make her blush. Her feet seemed to move without having to ask her brain. She skipped lightly through the intricate steps and felt the throb of the beat matching her racing pulse.

All of a sudden the music stopped and he was bowing to her again. She looked around, blinking as if waking from a wonderful dream. Everyone was watching them, they had been surrounded by onlookers; no one else seemed to have finished the dance. She saw Linca, still clinging to her fire spirit. Her white eyes were shining and her smile was sad, like she was going to cry. Haku closed the carefully preserved gap between them and took her hands. She shivered at the sudden contact.

"Come." He said soothingly, "let's leave our adoring public and get some fresh air."

(Art credit- Daishar) 

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