Chihiro managed to get her trembling under control as they entered the main hall of the temple. The vaulted ceiling of red stained teak beams was a good fifteen feet above her. The floor was dolomite, a black rock that sparkled with quartz crystals; it was a bit like the stone Haku's home was built with. People where seating themselves on the numerous low wooden benches set parallel to an altar. The altar at the end of the huge hall was a living cherry tree, squashed down and parted in the middle so there was a flat surface, the branches grew from the sides of the squat trunk, they were covered in white blossom and the floral aroma filled the hall. 

"It looks like someone has trained a full grown tree as a bizarre bonsai." Whispered Linca.

"It's beautiful," Chihiro murmured.

The interested parties moved to the altar. They all knelt before it, on rush mats provided for that purpose.

"Bow your head." Hissed Haku to Chihiro out the side of his mouth.

"Why?" She replied frowning, "These are not my Gods." Chihiro, who had been raised with no religion, felt stupid abasing herself.

"True," he replied, "but they are deities and they will decide your fate. I think showing respect is wise."

"Good point." Mumbled Chihiro and dropped her chin so fast she made her neck joints crack in protest. The room turned dark for a moment and Chihiro felt the magic crackle around her, to her surprise she could actually see it. It looked like a bluish haze around her knees. She smiled at this discovery, despite her fear. The Tac'Tal felt warm against her skin.

Chihiro nearly fainted when a pair of small, delicate blue hands took hers and pulled her to her feet. She looked up into a blue-skinned, heart-shaped face, with curious violet eyes, framed by black wavy hair. The unofficial Goddess of all the spirits smiled at Chihiro.

"No need to kneel dear, it must be unnatural for you, we are not your gods." Chimed the Ladies bell-like voice. Chihiro could not speak; the Lady was the most beautiful thing she had ever beheld. She was human looking, apart from her sapphire skin. Her hair trailed to the floor and fanned out behind her like a black waterfall. Her violet eyes were wide and almond shaped, her lips were dark and full. Her white dress showed her figure to advantage, it was cut very low and slashed up the sides to show as much blue thigh as possible. It also stretched tightly over her heavily pregnant stomach. It had never occurred to Chihiro that spirits could actually carry children in a human way. A dazzling smile spread across the ladies face. "You would think that after my gift to you, you would have something to say to me." Chihiro paled.

"I think she is teasing me!" Her shocked brain could not comprehend that.

"Stop that! You know the poor mortal must be terrified." Chihiro turned to see a tall muscular man standing by the altar. He was bare-chested and wearing a pair of loose trousers made of a white material that shimmered. His feet were bare like the Ladies but his skin was a terracotta colour. His eyes that watched Chihiro closely were completely black. His hair was white, short and spiky, his face was chiselled and masculine, but quite beautiful. The two were technicolour negatives of each other. The Lady pulled a face at the stern Lord.

"Pay him no mind child, he's a pussycat." She said as Chihiro stiffened on seeing the God of the spirits. They were both intimidating but for some reason she found him to be more so.

The Lady placed her hands on her hips, looking a little disgruntled.

"Well say something! You were quite chatty on our last meeting." Chihiro felt the pressure to speak... to say anything.

"When are you due?" Was out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Haku, who was still kneeling, head bowed, seemed to be having trouble breathing as he was making snorting noises. Linca's shoulders were shaking. The Lady treated Chihiro to a quizzical stare for a moment. She then flung her head back and laughed. The laugh reverberated around the hall making Chihiro want to cover her ears; the lovely sound was almost too much for her.

"Oh, child," chuckled the Lady. "I really have frazzled your brain." She placed a hand on her distended stomach. "I've been pregnant for at least ten years; the child will know when he is ready." Chihiro frowned.

"Rather you than me, I would not want to suffer morning sickness for that long." Chihiro clapped a hand over her mouth.

"What's wrong with me?" She thought furiously. "I'm saying the first thing that comes into my thick head!" The Lord gave her a small smile.

"Don't distress yourself. For the purposes of this meeting, no one will be able to tell even a half-truth, even what you think you will tell us." Chihiro gulped, the Lady beamed at her.

"Did you find my hair sticks useful?" She asked.

"Yes," replied Chihiro, trying desperately to control the urge to spill her brains. "Though I think you scared Haku when you gave them to me." The Ladies gaze fixed on Haku and then swept across the other kneelers.

"Will all of you please stand up; displays of supplication make me sick." Chihiro had never seen so many people move so quickly.

The Lady waddled over to Haku. Her pregnancy preventing any attempt at grace.

"Nice to see you again friend dragon. My spy's tell me you've turned that troublesome bathhouse around and actually improved custom. Sorry, I frightened you with that illusion, but your human was in no danger. I had to demonstrate to you how easily a mortal could be fooled. I was afraid that you would become complacent about her safety after she had bullied you into letting her stay.

"That's something you can't accuse him of," murmured Chihiro ruefully. She blushed at her runaway mouth.

"I'm sorry if I inconvenienced you, I was concerned." Snapped Haku sarcastically, his eyes widened as he felt the effect of the true speaking spell. Chihiro did not want to start an argument in front of the two deities, but the words seemed to want to force their way from her throat. In desperation, she bit her lip and clamped both hands over her mouth.

"Oh how sweet!" simpered the Lady. "She does not want to insult you." She smiled at the now scarlet dragon. "You must have made an impression on her my young friend, then again you can be quite charming when you wish. I can see how you may appeal to her."

"Mate!" snapped the Lord. "Stop teasing them, can we please get on with this?" The Lady pouted comically and then stood before the altar. She tried to leaver herself onto the smooth surface, but was prevented by her huge stomach. Her mate rolled his eyes and casually lifted the Goddess up, as if she weighed nothing at all. He placed her gently down on the altar. She got herself into a comfortable sitting position and beamed at the assembly, she started swinging her feet.

"Well, I suppose we should start." The Lady grumbled, "I'm sorry my love, but you know how much I like talking to mortals," she simpered. Her hand trailed across her mate's muscular shoulders for a moment and she treated him to a look of pure heat. The Lord shuffled his feet he seemed pleased but uncomfortable.

"Now there's a woman who can control her man." Whispered Linca, looking horrified as she did so. The Lords face darkened with vexation but the Lady clapped her hands in amusement and grinned.

"I'm glad you like my methods little sprite." She drawled. Linca's face was as blue as Chihiro had ever seen it. The Lady whispered into her mate's ear and he seemed to relax.

Chihiro gave up her fight against the spell.

"If they want plain speaking they shall get it!" she thought. "You're not what I expected."

"What did you imagine? Bolts of lightning? Pillars of fire? Great powerful voices from above?" The Lady chuckled. "Sorry if we disappoint you."

"We don't have time for you to indulge your hobbies my love, let's get on with this." Growled the Lord, his low musical voice was beautiful even in his annoyance.

"Oh alright!" The Lady sighed. She turned to the assembly. "Is there anyone present who has an objection to these proceedings?"

Silence reigned, much to Chihiro's relief.

"This is like a mating ceremony," piped up Linca. Chihiro gave her a sharp look. "You know, a marriage." Linca explained.

"It's close to it actually," said the Lord. "We hope to tie the human's soul to this place instead of to another person."

"What if I want to get married, I mean mated?" Asked Chihiro, flushing again. She deliberately avoided looking to her right, she could feel Haku's eyes on her.

"Then the bond is merely transferred," said the God. "But I don't think you will find any eligible human men here," he smiled at her patronisingly.

"What if she wanted to take a spirit as her mate my Lord?" Asked Rin respectfully.

"Why would she want to do that?" He frowned, the possibility had obviously never occurred to him. The Lady smiled a knowing smile.

"Let's continue," she said sweetly. "Chihiro, you may approach the altar."Chihiro bit her lip and then climbed the three steps up to the twisted tree. "Now tell us child, why do you want to dwell here?" Chihiro took a deep calming breath; she knew her future rested on this. She looked behind her and saw that all eyes were watching her.

Zeniba gave her a huge wink. Rin looked worried and nervous. Linca was shuffling her feet. Kamaji had all the fingers on all six of his hands crossed. Bee-la's wings were still for once, his faceted eyes as always, were emotionless. No-Face's mask was turned towards her; she could have sworn there was a frown on his fixed features. Haku looked calm, his hands were resting easily by his sides and his posture seemed relaxed, but his gaze hammered into her, demanding acknowledgement. She nodded to him, almost imperceptibly, letting him know in that small gesture that she would be all right. He cast his eyes down, as if unable to watch the rest of the proceedings.

"I'm on my own!" She thought. However, frightened as she was she started to speak in a loud and clear voice.

"I came here ten years ago, by accident and in the three days that I spent here, I saved my parents and a dragon from slavery. More importantly, however, I made friends and I was touched by the magic of this world. I returned to my own world and my life fell apart." These were not the words she had planned to say, the spell that they were all under made her speak from the heart with only a passing nod to her brain. "I was branded insane for trusting my family with the truth and I had to deny this world existed to be accepted and live normally in my own. I did not live through, I existed. Every day was a struggle to find a meaning to even get out of bed. When Linca arrived things improved. For the first time I had a close friend in my own world, but her efforts to help me ended in failure..."

"It's true!" Interrupted Linca, "She was miserable all the time, and very good at hiding it. But I could see how much she was hurting."

"Quiet!" Snapped the Lord making Linca cower back a little. The Lady took her mates arm and he relaxed against her. "Continue please child." He mumbled to Chihiro. Chihiro swallowed and then started to speak again.

"Well, Linca decided that I needed to return. When I did I found my life and my happiness again. It was like I'd been born anew. Haku was afraid for me; I'm human and not supposed to exist here. But I do belong here, this is my home. I love this place; I love the people in it. I even found two sisters and a grandmother." The Lady raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing. "I know I'm just a human and I have no special power or skills but I am not useless. Yubaba has employed me, without contract, to manage the bathhouse accounts. I have a quick mind and a fresh perspective. I feel I can only be an asset to the establishment." Chihiro stopped talking, her mouth was dry and she had run out of things to say. After an agonising silence that seemed to last an eternity the Lady spoke.

"Well you have spoken convincingly and eloquently my child, but this bond is for life, what of your family? What happens in twenty years when you begin to feel your age but all around you remain the same? Will you be as content then do you think?" Chihiro swallowed, she could not lie.

"I don't know," she murmured, whispers echoed through the hall but were silenced by a grave look from the Lord. "I think I would still be content but I would be sad that I was on a path that my friends could not follow or understand. It will be heartbreaking to leave them, as I must someday, but that is the nature of mortality and I accept that. As for my parents, they think I am mad. I will miss them, especially my mother but ever since my first visit here there has been a distance between us that has never been bridged. They never understood me. I would like to see them again but don't expect to." Again there was a long silence.

"Well, it does seem that you have thought about this," intoned the Lord. He turned to his mate who was still swinging her feet. "Satisfied?" he asked.

"Always," she purred and then laughed making her mate smile. "I think she has acquitted herself well and we can move on to the declarations."

She looked at the line of spirits on the bottom step. "Who speaks for this mortal?" She asked.

"I speak for her." Zeniba stepped forward. "Chihiro is a kind, sweet, compassionate girl who has taught us all something about empathy and loyalty. If she stays we will continue to learn from her. I also consider her to be my grandchild and I love her dearly. She is also, I believe, the one to fulfil a certain prophecy, which I'm sure you are aware of." Again the whispering started, Haku looked surprised and narrowed his eyes at the witch. But then he stepped forward and his clear beautiful voice silenced the crowd.

"I also speak for Chihiro; she is the one who returned my name and my life to me. I also saved her life when she was a child which means I have a responsibility for her." His eyes flicked towards her for a moment and his lips quirked up in a half smile. "She can be stubborn and insolent at times but she has my complete trust and respect." Chihiro's heart fluttered in her breast. She would have to give both him and Granny a big hug and a kiss after this, especially him he needed at least two kisses, maybe three... Her thoughts then turned to Yubaba, what would the witch say? To her surprise the witch did not move, her eyes were cast down and her arms were folded. Seconds ticked by, Chihiro fidgeted.

"Will no one else speak?" Enquired the Lady. Yubaba did not move.

"Sister please!" Cried Zeniba.

"You promised!" Growled Haku his jade eyes hard and angry.

"I did no such thing! All I said was I thought I could find her useful." Yubaba snapped. Haku bared his teeth in an ugly snarl. Chihiro really thought he was going to attack Yubaba. "I'm not sentimental like my dear sister," Continued the witch. "Nor do I allow feelings to cloud my judgement like the dragon does. The girl has guts and guile but I want remuneration if I have to keep her around."

"Such as?" enquired the Lord.

"I want my bathhouse back." Haku did make a move towards Yubaba then, but was restrained by Rin and No-face, Linca skipped between Yubaba and himself, shaking her head and talking to him in that patient, reasonable, mothering tone that Chihiro was usually on the receiving end of. The place was in an uproar; people were standing up and shouting all over the hall.

"It's my bathhouse!" shouted Yubaba. "I've run it for six hundred years with no help, I don't need him telling me how to do my job!" Bou was crying and Zeniba shouted at her sister.

"You dare use these sacred proceedings to blackmail Haku? This is a new low for you sister." Yubaba sneered and was about to answer when a high keening sound rang around the hall and would not stop. The sound burned the ears and caused everyone to cringe. After a few moments of this torture, the Lady stopped screaming.

"Much better!" she boomed, looking fierce and angry. "I will have none of this!" she turned on Yubaba. "The dragon's presence in the bathhouse is non-negotiable; we put him there to counteract your increasing greed and avarice. He will continue in his post until we say otherwise. Is that understood?" Yubaba nodded. "Now will you speak for the mortal?" Chihiro looked at the witch with all the pleading she could possibly muster. Yubaba's face remained rigid; her huge eyes gave Chihiro a cold look.

"No, I will not speak for her," she replied. Before the place could dissolve into anarchy again the Lady spoke.

"Only two have made declarations the third speaker has refused." She turned to Chihiro who was looking lost and alone before the two Gods. She knew what this meant but she could not quite grasp it. "I'm sorry my child," said the Lady sadly, "There must be three." She sighed as if not relishing what she had to do. "Perhaps the time is not right yet," she muttered enigmatically. She then looked up at the assembled spirits and said. "I must, therefore, rule that..."

"I speak for her." Interrupted a rasping voice. At the back of the hall, a huge mountain of white flesh moved out of the crowd. "She is very nice." Rumbled the radish spirit in a dry, harsh voice. His voice put Chihiro's teeth on edge, it was awful and that probably explained the spirits silence until now.

"With respect spirit, you are not blessed with great power," said the Lord.

"I speak for her!" said Linca, "If you add our power together my Lord we are not insignificant."

"I speak for her!" cried Rin, "She is the only sane person in the bathhouse."

"I speak" croaked Kamaji, "She listens to my ramblings and helps myself and Bee-la when she can."

"BUZZ" said Bee-la

"I speak!" she treats me with every kindness even though I am her bondservant," cried Meeka fiercely.

"Uh, Uh," said No-face, waving his arms wildly.

Tears of gratitude ran down Chihiro's face. The Lady was watching her.

"If you combine all these speakers power they can almost match Haku," said Zeniba hopefully. The two Gods looked at each other for a moment, Chihiro was sure they were talking to each other.

"The terms of the bonding must be fulfilled," said the Lord. "As touching as your support for the human is we must have three powerful beings to speak for her."

Chihiro decided the time for respectful silence was over, if she had to beg she would, this was no time for pride. She clasped her hands before her and said.

"Please! Great Lord and Lady, I must stay! Please grant me this and I will do whatever you would wish of me." The Ladies violate eyes were sympathetic.

"I'm sorry but this is what must be, we cannot bond you, you must return to your own world." Two purple-clad guards took Chihiro's arms.

"Take the human to the border and ensure she crosses over, the way will be opened for you." Commanded the Lord, Chihiro struggled half-heartedly as the guard started to pull her down the altar steps, but did not really have any strength left. Her heart felt like it was tearing apart; pain wrenched at her chest and made her dizzy and confused. Her feet refused to move and sobs started to wrack her body.

"But I've come so far!" she wailed, "Endured so much for this!" She looked at the witch who had betrayed her. "Do you think anyone will forgive you this time Yubaba? Now everyone can see you for the vindictive cold-hearted hag that you are!" She yelled. Bou had started to scream hysterically. Yubaba looked around her, she saw the state her son was in and then looked at the desolation on her sister's face. She could not look at Haku, the dragons eyes burned with a hatred that was terrible to see. Rin and Linca were clutching each other and staring at the witch in horror. Yubaba looked worried for a moment and then she mumbled a few words and vanished, leaving her son behind. The hall was in turmoil voices were raised and angry.

Hearing the response to her treatment gave Chihiro back some hope. She collapsed, her legs and tried to dig her heels into the stone floor. She was not going without a fight. The guards simply dragged her. Her eyes found Haku and her heart stood still. Desperation and pain filled his countenance. He could do nothing, she knew that but it did not stop her calling his name in anguish. He made to move towards her but was restrained by more purple-clad temple guards.

"No!" screamed Linca, finally getting over her shock. "At least let us say goodbye!" Rin turned angrily on Haku who now had three guards holding him back from Chihiro.

"Do something dragon!" She shouted.

"I can't!" He cried his voice catching.

"You are just going to let them take her away?" Shrieked Rin shrilly.

"What else can I do Rin? Use my power on our Gods?" he shouted struggling against the silent guards. "Don't think I have not considered it but it would be suicide and not just for me. Don't make the mistake of thinking you're the only one who cares!" He growled harshly. Rin threw her hands up in frustration and roared.

"She's my sister!" More guards appeared and caught her as she tried to run to Chihiro. "I'm going to become an atheist!" Screamed the enraged spirit woman at the two watching Gods, who seemed quite bemused by the chaos. "Then you will be sorry!" Linca had collapsed to her knees and was weeping gently, her hands covering her face.

"I'm sorry Chihiro I'm so sorry," she whimpered.

Chihiro's eyes were so blurred with tears she could not see clearly. The guards had nearly dragged her to a side door of the hall. Haku's green eyes had never left her. She felt the Tac'Tal burn painfully against her skin.

"I'm never going to see him again!" The thought hit her like a punch to the stomach. She needed to say something, something that may lift the misery a little from his beautiful face. At least then the last memory she had of him would not be distorted with his pain. It was all she had left to offer him.

"I'll never forget you," she sobbed, "I don't care if I'm shut away for the rest of my life... I... I can never deny you, you are my wonderful white dragon, and you will be till the day I die... m...mylife is yours... it... it has been since the moment I fell into your river." Haku's emerald eyes widened and for half a heartbeat he was completely still. Suddenly all the guards around him collapsed unconscious.

"WAIT!" He roared, his voice threatening to bring the roof down around them. The huge supporting beams shifted and shuddered, fine dust floated down covering everyone below. The hall was deafeningly silent. The dragon tore up the steps to stand before the two Gods.

"How dare you use magic on our loyal servants!" Shouted the Lord. "I could kill you for such impudence!"

"Then kill me." Haku replied calmly, "But I can't let you send Chihiro back." The two guards holding Chihiro disappeared and she fell to the ground. She tried desperately to get her sobs under control; she was terrified for Haku who had obviously lost his mind. The Lady slid from the altar and stood before him.

"You presume to tell us what to do dragon! How dare you! You are nothing compared to us and yet you act against us?"

"I can't let you take her away." He repeated simply. "Punish me in any way you see fit but I will do all in my power to stop you taking her."

"Why?" the Lord snapped, "Why risk your life by going against our will?"

Haku hesitated for a moment; the whole hall seemed to be waiting with baited breath for what he was about to say. Chihiro was still where she had been dropped, barely sitting upright. Her arms were holding her up, braced against the floor, just about keeping her from collapsing in a boneless heap. She managed to dash the tears from her eyes with a trembling hand. She saw that Haku was watching her now; his eyes were warm and tender. He smiled at her gently and then turned back to the furious deities.

"My mate asked you a question dragon." Hissed the Lady, her violet eyes were livid and her hair tresses seemed to be moving like a mass of angry black snakes. "ANSWER HIM!" She shrieked causing the roof beams to shower more dust on the halls occupants. Nearly everyone cowered before her anger except Haku, who just stood there.

"I do this..." He said loudly, "...Because I love her." The crowd gasped in unison, the two Gods seemed surprised. Haku turned back to look at Chihiro. She had given up all semblance of control. Tears leaked freely from her eyes and her whole body shook. It was all too much for her to take in; her overstretched brain rebelled against everything it was being asked to cope with. All she could do was try and stop herself blacking out. The effort almost made her vomit. Haku's eyes were fearful, gauging her reaction. He had not meant to tell her yet, if ever, but fate had forced his hand.

The shocked silence in the hall was shattered by a cry of.

"I KNEW IT! I BLOODY KNEW IT!" Chihiro smiled through her confusion at Linca. There would be no living with her now. Maybe being banished had an advantage.

"Love her?" said the Lord obviously sceptical. "How? You are one of the most powerful spirits in this world, perhaps the most powerful to live on the plain. She is a mortal, such a thing should not happen."

"But it has," Haku replied flatly. Chihiro was starting to feel numb. "I have loved her since she was a child, now she is a woman and I think I've waited long enough. I want her as mine and mine alone." Chihiro concentrated on her breathing; as long as she kept the air going in and out of her lungs she knew she would be okay.

The Lord was clearly at a loss to understand but the Lady smiled at Haku.

"Prophecies!" she sighed. "They always get in the way." Then she shook her head and frowned. "Whether you love her or not dragon, it does not change the fact we still need three speakers." Haku gave another quick glance at Chihiro, as if apologising for what was to come next.

"With respect my Lady, it does change things, it completely invalidates these proceedings." The hall gave another collective gasp at the dragon's audacity. One wood spirit fainted. The Lord folded his arms,

"Explain, quickly," he snapped. Chihiro recognised the small triumphant smile on Haku's face.

"Please don't make them any angrier. Please don't be so arrogant that you don't see that you are in deep trouble."

"I gave the human a Tac'tal, which she accepted. This makes her my property, but also according to the ancient laws it also makes her my disciple. She must serve me as her God. So it is I that should decide her fate, not you my Lord and Lady."

"You arrogant lizard!" roared Rin. "You tricked her into accepting that thing! She no more belongs to you than....oww!" Linca had hit Rin on the top of the head with the flat of her hand.

"Shut up!" she hissed, clapping her other hand around Rin's mouth.

"Is this true?" asked the Lady. "Did the mortal not know what she was being offered?" Haku did not appear at all uncomfortable about the subject.

"No, she did not," he replied, a hubbub broke out in the hall again but quietened when Haku continued. "It matters not, she is mine now and I want her to stay." The Lord's black eyes narrowed.

"You forget yourself, only we can bond her to this world. Even if she is yours, without a bonding she cannot survive here."

"I was aware of that." Said Haku coolly. "But as you seem to know, there is a prophecy attached to Chihiro; while I do not know what it states I'm willing to guess that she must be here to fulfil it." He turned his attention from the still angry Lord to the Lady. "Great Lady," He said respectfully, "I ask you to bond Chihiro, not for my sake or anyone else's but your own." A sly smile touched his lips. "Seeing as you have chosen to bear your child in a mortal way, maybe having a mortal around would be beneficial?" The Lady put her hands on her hips and held her head on one side.

"You are deeply convincing dragon, but then again your kind always are stubborn and cunning," she then grinned. "But you are also kind and generous. I abhor bowing and scraping and as you say it may be useful to have someone around who does not worship me." Her hand fell to her swollen belly. "And I wish my son to have human contact. Chihiro could teach him about humanity and compassion so he does not grow up to be an almighty fool." She looked at Chihiro. "You may stay child, your master is right, you will be an asset to this world."

The Lord's mouth hung open.

"Do I get a say in this at all?" he spluttered.

"Not really, I'm having a beneficent century; I must be for you to persuade me to get with child! Besides loves a funny thing, if we separate these two we could get our fingers burnt." The Lord's mouth snapped shut. The Lady waved her hand in Chihiro's general direction. She felt magic flow through her, a stinging and cold feeling filled her and then her perspective shifted. She looked around her, sounds were louder and the colours were more vibrant. She shuddered as her senses adjusted to their new sensitivity. It was like she had had one eye closed since she arrived in the spirit world and now just opened it, everything had more depth and detail.

The entire hall was watching her. She did not trust herself to move yet but she looked up at the supreme immortal in wonder. The Lady was at that moment chuckling to herself.

"Thank you." Chihiro breathed.

"Thank your white dragon for giving me a reason to bend the rules. What I've done is not strictly legal but I really could not care less. What's the point of having almost limitless power and not using it to break a few ancient rules?" She laughed at herself. "I look forward to getting to know you better child." She turned to those still standing at the altar steps. "As for your new family, I see that the formalities are not necessary. You are already closer than most who are blood-related, and I believe you will continue to love and support one another." Rin was hugging Linca tightly, both women were weeping uncontrollably. Chihiro could not even thank the Lady this time, her throat seemed to have swollen shut, making even breathing difficult. She had completely forgotten about declaring her sisters to the God's for their approval. How the Lady had known about their intentions she could not guess.

The Lord sighed a long-suffering sigh.

"We will discuss this later," he mumbled and vanished.

"I do hope so!" Replied the Lady mockingly. She then frowned and turned on Haku. "Fine master you are dragon, leaving the love of your life in a heap! She has just had the hardest day of her life and you are just standing there watching her. For my sake take her home!" Haku did not need to be told twice. He ran towards Chihiro but was stopped a few feet from her when the Lord reappeared between them.

"Have the mortal if you must dragon, but she is not for you." He gave Haku a stern look. "As it is said, a bird may love a fish but where will they live? Such things are not meant to endure; you will tire of her and leave her desolate." Haku looked angry for a moment and then said.

"You are wrong my Lord, and as Chihiro is a perfectly capable swimmer I really don't see the problem." The Lord shook his head and vanished once more. Haku took Chihiro's hands and helped her gently to her feet. He enfolded her in his arms and simply held her for a long moment. Chihiro sobbed into his chest, she was oblivious to everything around her; all she wanted to do was curl up in a dark corner and sleep for a week.

"Do you want me to take you home?" He asked, stroking in her hair soothingly. She nodded and the hall dissolved around them.

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