Desperation and Deception

She was back in the black cave. The dark water below her was lazily lapping the black beach she stood on. She found the green, twilight-dim glow that emanated from whatever was growing on the cave walls was quite relaxing on her eyes. The harsh desert sun, dry air and sand gave her headaches and itching eyes. Here, the air was cool and saturated with moisture. She breathed it in gratefully, imagining it slipping into her lungs like some sort of soothing balm. She sighed; it was nice here, if a little odd. She wanted to step into the dark lake and feel the cool, clean water eddy around her toes, but she was stuck on the beach and could not seem to move. She was not alarmed by this. Part of her knew it was safe in this strange cave.

Bubbles began to break the surface of the water, not far offshore, just where the water started to get deeper. Chihiro squinted, not sure if she should wait to see what was going to rise out of the water. It might not like the fact she was intruding on its territory, but try as she might, she still could not move.

Something broke the surface of the water; it was dark green. She mistook it for a plant at first, but as more of it rose out of the water she realised it was the back of someone's head! The green haired head was followed swiftly by pale, strong shoulders and a well muscled back. Chihiro could not tear her eyes away. She almost squealed when the water moved on past the angular hips. He was naked! She cleared her throat so he would know he was not alone, but he did not react. The water stopped at his knees. She could not help admiring what she saw. Her eyes followed droplets of water as they fell from his hair onto the skin of his shoulders and ran down the hollow of his back. She could not see his arms. He seemed to be preoccupied with something he was holding. The green haired head was tilted forwards; he was looking at something.

A tiny hand with sharp nails slipped over the man's shoulder. He was holding a child? Another hand reached up and yanked at a ribbon of green hair near his ear. The man's shoulders shook as if he was laughing. Chihiro continued to watch in fascination as the bald head of a baby peered over the shoulder of the man who held it. Chihiro gasped. The child had the greenest eyes she had ever seen! The eyes locked onto her with the intensity only an infant could muster. It was the gaze of one who was seeing everything for the first time. Chihiro looked back and smiled. The baby was adorably cute. She wondered if the man in the lake was its father. The child blinked and gave a wide mouthed smile in return, dribbling a little on the shoulder its chin rested on. Chihiro's heart lifted. It was such a sweet child. The man began to move forward, stepping confidently into deeper water.

Something tugged at Chihiro's mind. She realised she did not want them to go; she was lonely. Her grandfather did his best, as did her servant and Yubaba... But she still felt the ache of loneliness in her chest. She had grown so used to it she did not even acknowledge it now. She did not want to be on her own any more! She was frightened and lost. The man and his beautiful baby were nearly under the water again.

"Wait for me!" she cried out. "Please!" She stretched an arm out towards them. "Don't leave me!" She was sobbing, her voice cracking with emotion. They could not leave her! She might never see them again! She wanted the man to turn so she could see his face; she wanted to hold his baby, even if it drooled all over her... Her heart seemed to swell painfully within her as the pair were swallowed once more by the water. She fell on her knees in the black sand and cried with abandon...

Someone was shaking her, patting her hair and her face, trying to soothe her. She heard her grandfather's voice, telling her to open her eyes. She was just having a bad dream. It was not a bad dream! It was something wonderful that she wanted. It was hers but it had been ripped from her. She never wanted to wake up again. What was the point of living in a world where she felt like she was mourning departed loved ones every day and yet no one had died..? She heard Yubaba's voice.

"She has partially relapsed; she's trapped in her subconscious again. There may be something the bond preserved despite the waterbull. If there is any trace of his memory left in her she will cling to it. There is no other form of contact with him available to her. I told you this would happen; the bond is not affected by amnesia."

Her grandfather mumbled something.

"Yes," replied the witch. "I can force her back, but this will keep happening if she is unable to see him. Eventually she will withdraw into her mind entirely and enter a permanent unconscious state."

"What would you have me do, Yubaba?" sighed Kenshin.

"She must see him!" snapped the witch. "You brought her here and say you wish for her safety. This is the only way you can keep her healthy. If you were not prepared to go that far then you should never have brought her here. Now, for her sake, you must be willing to commit."

Chihiro could hardly believe Yubaba actually had the courage to speak to Kenshin that way. She was normally very respectful and deferential towards him.

"Your anger betrays you. You care for the human," sneered Kenshin

"I do not!" snapped Yubaba.

"I can tell that you lie," said Kenshin quietly. Yubaba fell silent. "Give her what she needs," he said at last. "You will supervise the meeting. Make it brief and make it clear to him before she arrives that this contact could be regular if he behaves himself and does not cause her distress. He cannot mention anything about their relationship; it will cause a conflict that she cannot resolve within herself." A cool hand fell on her forehead. "I will hold to my word, witch. In the future I will give them both freedom, but for now things will remain as they are. When the spell is done I will begin negotiations with our troublesome guest."

"If you are still alive," muttered Yubaba.

"In the event of my death, I am sure you will act honourably in my stead." He chuckled bitterly at his own words. Yubaba said nothing. Chihiro did not have time to puzzle over the conversation she had heard as something sweet was placed on her tongue and slipped down her throat. She rapidly moved into true unconsciousness. She welcomed it; she would not be sad in its embrace.

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Haku could smell the cigarette smoke in the air before Yubaba even opened the door to his cell. He was mildly surprised; he had not seen the witch since the day he had broken his teeth. His behaviour had evidently distressed her and she had not been his caretaker from that moment on.

He opened his eyes and regarded her dispassionately. If he didn't know better he would have said the witch was uneasy. His nose would normally confirm such suspicions, but it was not as sensitive without his power to enhance his physical senses. The witch hovered in the doorway looking from where he sat against the wall, crossed legged and apparently relaxed, to his tiny window then back again. He could guess what she was here for. She had news and he was not going to like it. His heart sank; she was here about Chihiro.

Feeling Chihiro's presence so near had been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because he knew she was safe and unharmed; he would be able to feel if it were otherwise. As his power crept back to him he became aware that she was distressed. Hopeless confusion washed over her periodically. At those times he had caught himself reaching towards the ceiling of his cell, as if he was trying to touch her. It had been like the time before he found her all over again. He knew she suffered in the human world and his dreams of her weeping and calling for him had turned him into a tyrant during the day. The staff of the bathhouse had dared not even breathe in a way he disliked.

Now he felt the same powerlessness. He wanted to comfort her, to make it all better for her. She was pregnant and should not be so distressed! He should be there to ease her burdens. He would be with her soon, he had attacked the barrier viciously over the last few weeks and it now had a hole the width of his little finger in it.

Perhaps Yubaba could sense his returning power; she clearly did not want to come closer to him. He decided to cut through any banality she may try to open with.

"Is she well?" he asked softly.

The witch started, as if surprised he was being so direct.

"Physically," the witch said at last, looking at the ground. "Mentally...well, I am sure you know..."

He closed his eyes and tried to resistbeingdragged under by the tide of despair that tugged at his heart. Yes, he knew... He knew she would be suffering separation symptoms, just as he was, but not know the cause of her ailment. His mate did not know she was mated.

"You should tell her what it is she suffers from," he said gravely.

"Do you think we will risk her turning against us?" Yubaba squeaked.

"I'm sure you could manage the rejection, somehow," scoffed Haku.

"Kenshin will not risk that," said the witch with a growl. "He enjoys her company too much. She is his little lap dog. She hangs on his every word and he likes the attention." Haku felt his own growl rumble through his chest. His eyes hardened. His mate was no one's lap dog!

"They are related," continued the witch in a bitter tone. "She calls him "Grandfather" and he gets to pretend she is family; though her connection to him is so weak it's almost nonexistent."

Haku's eyes widened. Now that was a shock! He knew his mate had a small amount of spirit blood in her lineage but he never would have guessed it originated from such a pedigree. Even a distant claim to blood ties with the Old Ones could propel his mate into the top echelons of spirit society. She would not be interested in that, of course, or at least the Chihiro he knew would not... He stamped on the feeling of despair that rose in him again, but the harsh truth was that his mate would be whatever her "grandfather" had told her to be. She could be completely different from the woman he fell in love with... His eyes narrowed at the witch. There was only one way to find out if his suspicions were correct. Half of him did not want to see her at all; to look into those soulful brown eyes and see not even the slightest recognition could break him. Perhaps that was what the Night Wind was counting on... The rest of him yearned to see her, even just a glimpse of her; perhaps hear her voice. That would be better than freedom to him! He needed to be near her.

"When do I see her?" he asked abruptly. The witch's winkled lips thinned.

"Today, if you can abide by our conditions," she replied.

His heart leapt! He again tried to temper his emotions.

"What conditions?" he asked blandly, knowing full well if they said he had to, he would stand on his head for the entire visit. Still, showing desperation to the enemy was never a good thing.

"You must not mention that you are mates," said the witch sternly. "Not only is such information a risk Kenshin but it puts her at great risk too. We have no idea how she will react to information that runs counter to what she has been told to believe. The mating bond made the effect of the waterbull's blood on her unclear."

Haku clung to the witch's words. The bond could have preserved some of his mate's memories! Then he frowned, realising that might not be as good as it first appeared. If she was told to believe something by Kenshin and that belief was contradicted by a repressed memory, then Chihiro would suffer a total mental breakdown and might never recover.

"I see you have guessed how serious this is," sighed the witch, evidently reading his expression. "Keeping her stable has been difficult. We hope that contact with you may settle her. It really is better for now if she remains ignorant of who you are to her."

His mate had tried living in ignorance before; it had nearly destroyed her mind. He doubted his little human would be content to be kept in the dark, even if she believed everything Kenshin said. Humans were, by their nature, inquisitive.

"You must not correct her on anything she says to you," warned Yubaba. "Exchange a few words with her, then let her leave. You will see her again in a week, if all goes well."

Haku nodded. He would do as they ordered, but his mind was already trying to come up with a way to plant a seed of doubt within her. Something small, to get her thinking. Nothing that would conflict with Kenshin's lies, of course; it had to be something even he must be truthful about.

Haku knew he would not get free in time to undo Kenshin's spell. He was going to need help to escape. His mate did not know him, but she might have retained enough of her original personality to be persuaded to help him.

If the spell could not be stopped, Haku knew he would survive and he would ensure his mate and child's survival, but how would he bring his daughter up in a world of chaos and carnage without it tainting her? Even if Chihiro did not remember her quest she would be altered by the joining of the worlds. She would see death everywhere and either withdraw herself from the world or harden her heart. Either way, with her short human lifespan she would not live to see the utopia Kenshin eulogised about. It would take centuries for the new world to recover from its birth. She deserved so much better than that sad fate.

Haku sighed. Even with her memory loss she was still a tool of the gods. She was still the best hope for the worlds. As much as Haku wanted to protect her, she still had a role to fulfil. If she could not complete her quest then her own future was one of pain and suffering. For her sake he had to try to gain her trust.

Resolved, Haku nodded to Yubaba, indicating his agreement to her terms. Yubaba left with the promise he would see Chihiro that afternoon. Haku briefly abandoned his work on the barrier. He only had a few hours to plan what he was going to do and was going to give the task his full attention. The future could hinge on his actions.

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Chihiro hummed to herself as she followed the witch through the fort. Yubaba had come to see her mid morning and Chihiro had first thought the old woman was there to check on her health. She had had bad dreams again, not that she remembered most of them. Something to do with a the black cave again. She had been upset, she remembered that much. She would have thought she would be used to bad dreams by now.

Yubaba had shown little sympathy, however, and told her to get out of bed and be ready to meet someone. She did not say who, only that her grandfather wanted her to meet this person. That was enough to motivate Chihiro to ignore her aching head and trot happily after the witch. Her servant had chosen some rather fancy clothes for her to wear. She felt much more comfortable in slacks and tunic but she was now dressed in a cotton slip dress that was a sunny yellow colour. Chihiro was not sure it suited her at all, but it kept her cool and she needed to make an effort to look nice. This person was an acquaintance of her grandfather; she should try to make a good impression. Well, as good an impression as she could with a thumping head and bags under her eyes from lack of restful sleep.

She had never been in this part of the fort before. The corridors were narrower and the stonework was rough. There were also lots of twisting flights of stairs. The lower down they descended, the cooler the corridors became. Chihiro was not cold exactly, but there was enough of a change in temperature for the hair to rise on her arms.

They stopped in the middle of another featureless corridor, except it seemed no one could be bothered to clear this one of sand; her feet were sinking into it and the grains were working their way into her shoes. Yubaba pulled a key from her pocket.

"Step inside when the door opens," instructed the witch. "Don't get too close to him, just talk to him for a few moments." The old woman gave her a serious look. "If you feel uncomfortable or don't like something he says then leave. You are only here as a favour to your grandfather. I'm going to be right behind you so don't feel intimidated."

Chihiro blinked, a little confused. She looked at the key in Yubaba's hand. This person she was visiting was locked in? Her mind stepped up a gear. Could this person be the former friend she and Grandfather had discussed? Suddenly she was nervous. She had been told this person was dangerous. She tweaked at the shoulder straps of her dress absently in an attempt to distract herself. Yubaba awkwardly patted her on the shoulder, apparently trying to reassure the human in her own gruff way.

"He won't harm you, child," she said with a sigh. "He'd rather die first. You will understand when you meet him."

Chihiro nodded but still felt uneasy. The door creaked open as it swung inwards. The floor of the room was covered in sand. The room was gloomy; only one tiny window set high up the wall provided light. There was a stool and a table, both made of rough, aged wood. Apart from that, the only feature of the small room - no, cell - was its occupant. Chihiro brushed past Yubaba's voluminous skirts to get a clear view of the person she had been sent to meet.

When she saw him, she had to clench her jaw to prevent herself from gasping. She had seen many strange things over the last few weeks. She had thought she was beyond surprise.

He was sitting with his back against the rough hewn wall, legs crossed, hands resting on his knees. He appeared to be relaxed, but Chihiro was sure she could feel nervous tension radiating from him. How she knew this she was unsure. His clothes were drab and threadbare in places, but clean. The pale, long fingered hands on his knees had longer than average nails that came to sharp points, like claws. The hands appeared to be almost uniform in the colour of their skin. There was no variation in tone, not even a faint freckle marred them. No... there was something. It was hard to see in the low light but there was a scar on one of his hands, a golden one. She quickly glanced at her own scarred hand; they were a perfect match.

She frowned. Why would they have the same injury? Her eyes flicked up to his face. Her heart quite literally skipped a beat. He had a face that was composed of hard angles; there was no roundness or softness. His skin was the same as his hands, almost flawless. His high cheek bones and his sharp jaw line complimented each other perfectly. His face was not overly masculine, but neither was it feminine. It was hard to categorise it at all really, but it did have an eerie beauty.

His hair was long and loose, falling to just below his shoulders. She first thought his hair was black, but realised as she looked at the strands that fell over his face and eyes that it was actually dark green. What held her attention most, however, were his eyes. They were large, almond shaped and an intense jade green. She thought for a moment he had the wrong sort of pupil in his eyes. She would expect such vividly coloured eyes to have vertical pupil in them, like a cat's or lizard's eyes. He blinked slowly, as if to prove to her that his eyes were indeed human-like and had no hidden inner lids. His long green eyelashes touched together briefly, casting dark shadows on his creamy skin. She wanted to touch them...

She realised she had been staring at him and she had no idea how long she had been standing there in total silence. She felt heat rush to her cheeks in embarrassment. She was ashamed of herself... but she could not seem to get her vocal chords to operate. How on earth could she start a conversation with someone so beautiful? Suddenly her embarrassment turned to self consciousness. She smoothed a hand down the front of her dress, plucking at possible creases. She was aware he was dressed practically in rags but she could not help feeling completely outclassed. She swallowed hard and looked back at him, silently begging him to rescue her from the vortex in her head that seemed to have stripped her of both manners and speech.

She heard Yubaba shift behind her, but she ignored the witch. Yubaba may as well been one of the blocks in the wall for all the attention she warranted. The person who sat before her consumed almost all of her senses. He cocked his head to one side and his eyebrows rose fractionally. A small, pleased smile slowly tipped his lips upwards, causing her heart to pound as his sharp features softened somewhat.

"Hello," he greeted her. Chihiro almost shuddered. His voice suited him too; low but not rough. No, if she had to describe it she would say it was the auditory equivalent of velvet. His greeting broke the spell she was under somewhat. She tugged at her hair apprehensively and smiled weakly in return.

"Hi," she replied, almost in a whisper. "I'm Chihiro."

There was a brief flash of something within those expressive green eyes and it almost looked like pain. She was hurting him? How? She had only introduced herself, had she offended him somehow? The emotion was gone in a heartbeat, however, and his unwavering gaze focused back on her face.

"I know who you are," he said in a reassuring tone. Chihiro tugged harder on her hair and winced as her scalp paid her back for her rough treatment. The sting stopped her from doing what her every instinct told her to do, which was to step closer. She could not do that. This person was dangerous and she would heed the warnings she had been given.

"Are you going to stand in my doorway all afternoon?" he suddenly asked. "There is a stool; use it." His eyes suddenly narrowed, as if assessing her. "You should not be straining yourself, you are..." Yubaba coughed loudly, cutting off what he was going to say. Chihiro wanted to slap her; she had no business interrupting him! He glanced at the witch momentarily and inclined his head. He turned back to her. "You have been unwell," he said at last, obviously editing what he had intended to say. She hesitated. It seemed a reasonable request, but she did not like the atmosphere between the witch and the man. When those green eyes had looked at Yubaba they had been filled with naked loathing. She glanced at the witch but Yubaba shrugged. She could sit if she wished...

"I am unable to reach you if that is what you are concerned about," said the green eyed man, bringing her attention back to him. He pulled up his tunic slightly and hidden under the folds of fabric was a metal band fastened securely around his waist. The band was attached to a thick chain that was bolted to the wall. Chihiro estimated he could only get half way across the room. She also noted the collar around his throat. It was black and thick and she was sure it was heavy. She moved to the offered stool and sat as gracefully as she could, feeling awkward and clumsy under his stare. Did he have to keep looking at her all the time?

"What is your name?" she asked, willing her voice to be steady. Again she saw something akin to hurt in his eyes. She flinched; it was almost like she could feel it herself. She fingered the pendant at her neck and waited for his response.

"My name is long and complicated and I've had a few of them over the years." He smiled up at her warmly. "To you I am simply 'Haku'," he said in a genial tone. "We know each other well."

Chihiro brightened at his words. She felt much more at ease now. Grandfather had said she knew this person. She had not doubted him of course, but she had been unsure how friendly she had been with someone who looked like he did... She had hardly been able to speak when she first saw him!

"So we are friends!" she burst out enthusiastically. "I'm sorry if I offended you by not remembering but I've been very ill and it's affected my..."

"I am not offended," he said softly, cutting through her babble. "I am relieved to see you in good health." His eyes flicked to Yubaba briefly and she saw his gaze turn chilly.

"Oh, I am feeling better!" Chihiro exclaimed. "Grandfather takes really good care of me, so does Yubaba." She beamed at the witch behind her. Yubaba glanced at her nails, not looking back. Chihiro frowned and turned back to Haku, to be met with angry jade eyes and a clenched jaw. She could feel his displeasure in her own chest, making her catch her breath. She was briefly afraid, but the she remembered the metal around his middle and felt reassured.

"A-are you angry at me?" she stammered. "I am sorry you are in here alone and I know it was my grandfather who put you here... b-but I am sure there is a good reason!" Her eyes dropped to her knees.

"Did you two have a fight? Did you try to steal something? I can't understand why someone who is my friend is imprisoned by my grandfather!"

"Chihiro!" snapped Yubaba, it was clearly a warning. Chihiro looked back at her, confused.

"Did I say something bad?" she asked, her mood plummeting. She hated being so puzzled and confused all the time. She felt tired all of a sudden and her head felt worse.

"Your grandfather and I had a disagreement," said Haku carefully. His eyes flicked to Yubaba. The witch's lips thinned but she said nothing. "He wanted something that was mine and I refused to give it to him." His eyes moved back to her and he smiled. "This thing was precious to me. Your grandfather insisted on trying to take what was mine but I unwittingly upset his plans. I ended up here rather than what he wanted." Chihiro frowned. Grandfather was a thief? That did not fit with what she knew at all.

"It must have been something he needed badly," she murmured.

"Oh, it was," said Haku with a bitter chuckle. "He took it from me eventually but it was far from easily won over." Chihiro's frown deepened and her heart fluttered.

"Haku!" hissed Yubaba. "Watch what you say!"

"I am sure this will all be resolved soon," said Haku quickly. "What is mine will eventually be returned to me; your grandfather has given me his word." Chihiro felt the pressure on her heart lift and her headache receded slightly. She could see concern written all over Haku's features. He was worried about her?

"It will be returned when he has finished with it?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Haku nodded and Chihiro sighed with relief. It was as she thought, her grandfather was a good person. Haku would not be in this cell for long she was sure and her grandfather must have had a desperate need for the object Haku spoke of to do this to him. Indeed, it must have been a life or death situation.

"It could be something to do with my illness!" she thought suddenly. "That would make him desperate enough to steal."

"Time's up," announced Yubaba. Haku actually shuddered at the witch's words. There was no mistaking the look of pain in his eyes now. Chihiro gave a little cry and was on her feet before she knew what she was doing. She could not bear to see that hopeless look on his face! A gnarled, papery hand clamped over her wrist, preventing her from moving any further forward.

"We leave now," snapped the witch.

"But..." Chihiro pulled against the old woman's grip, but Yubaba was surprisingly strong. "I... I...I need to..." Chihiro could not explain what she felt. How could she put into words her need to reassure this person she had completely forgotten? It was not rational, she knew that, but her heart wailed for her to go to him all the same.

"Another time," the witch said sternly. "You can come again to see him another time."

Chihiro stared longingly at Haku. He had not moved, but his hands were gripping the material that covered his knees so hard that his knuckles were white. It looked like it was taking a great effort on his part for him to remain seated. She silently begged him for an explanation. What was wrong with her? Why did she feel so sad? Yubaba pulled her towards the door and Haku closed his eyes. Chihiro gave a dejected whimper and gave up her struggling. She sighed and made to follow the witch without a fuss.

Haku's eyes snapped back open and he called to her.

"Chihiro." She paused and Yubaba did not pull at her, as if affected by the note of command in his voice as much as Chihiro was. The strangely beautiful man fixed her with a penetrating look.

"I think you should ask your grandfather why he has not told you that you carry a child."

Chihiro almost did not believe the quietly spoken words, but Haku's eyes held no hint of a lie. Somehow she knew he told the truth. She was pregnant; they must have known and chosen not to tell her. Why? It was not as if they could have hidden it from her for long. She was mortified she had forgotten. How could she forget she was going to have a baby? Immediately after that thought came...

"Who is the father?" She was allowed no more time to ponder that however as Yubaba screamed a curse.

"You'll regret this, lizard!" she snarled. Haku sat calmly and simply smiled. It was if she could hear the thoughts behind that smug smirk.

"Not as much as you will, hag; explain this to her, if you dare."

Chihiro was dragged from the cell. She did not even get a chance to say goodbye to the enigmatic prisoner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Haku passed a shaking hand over his face. He tried to calm himself; he had seen her. After all the months he had languished in this cell worrying about her... She was fine, healthy even. In that respect his heart felt a million times lighter. She had been so close to him, he could still smell her scent in the room. It wasn't enough. He clenched his teeth in an effort to ignore the growing tightness in his chest.

She had greeted him as she would a stranger and it had taken every shred of willpower he had not to howl in anger and frustration. She did not know him. Every memory of him and their life together had been washed from her mind, as if he had been nothing but a stain on her consciousness.

His hand remained over his eyes. He did not want to move it and show even the empty cell the agony within them that he could no longer conceal. His lips trembled. He sat completely motionless for some time, battling against the overwhelming? Emotions that seemed to assault his soul, threatening to tear it apart. He had hoped the mating bond would preserve at least some memories of him. He had been wrong and now he was feeling the devastating consequences of clinging to such a foolish notion. There had not been the slightest sign of recognition in those beautiful mahogany eyes. She had been surprised, curious about him and nervous, but there had been no warmth in her gaze. She had become distressed when she had been told to leave him but this was not what it seemed. These were instincts because of the bond, nothing more. Her body knew that being near him was good for her but there was no thought behind the emotion, like a child knows it's best to be close to its parents.

She did not know him.

What of his daughter? Had the waterbull's blood affected her too? Would she know him?

He had anticipated that Kenshin would not have told Chihiro of her child yet. The spell was almost complete so it was more convenient for her to remain ignorant. Losing her memories would not stop her asking awkward questions, questions her grandfather would find difficult to answer. He would have to answer them truthfully if he had any regard for her mental wellbeing. Either that or refuse to answer. This was where Haku hoped small doubts would creep in and begin to weaken Chihiro's blind faith in her grandfather.

Now he wondered if he had not just risked her health for nothing and confused her further. After all, she might be disappointed about being lied to, but she was unlikely to turn against the man she thought of as her saviour. She was loyal if nothing else and he doubted a waterbull could change that. Haku thought that perhaps he had just wanted Kenshin to feel some of the frustration he felt. He had no other way to attack the spirit but through Chihiro.

Was he really that selfish? Had his need for vengeance coloured his judgement to the extent that he was willing to harm what was most precious to him?

He sucked in a large gulp of air.

Her scent tickled the back of his nose again, heady, spicy. It threatened to ensnare his conscious mind and drown it in his most basic emotions. His mate, she should be here with him, he should be caring for her. She smelt slightly differently than he remembered. She smelt like a pregnant human woman. Such a scent was normally pleasant? to a male, calming even. His mate was in the care of another male however, and this increased his anger and feelings of helplessness a million times over. His scent was even mixed with hers.

Did she hug him? Did she touch the evil bastard's cheek with the backs of her fingers, as she had his own when she was concerned for him? Was the warmth in her gaze and her bright smile now directed at another?

He felt cold suddenly and shivered. He had thought himself stronger than this; he had been wrong about that too. The proof was dripping into the sand at his feet, where it sank quickly, leaving virtually no trace on the arid ground.

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A sound echoed through the corridors of the fortress in the glass desert. The thick walls concealed it from most of the inhabitants, but a few possessed hearing sharp enough to detect it.

It was a long, low howl of despair.

In his shining hall, Kenshin heard the lament of his dragon captive and smiled.

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There you go, 18 pages and Haku was in it too! Let it not be said that I don't listen to my reviewers. Massive thank you to Dimac for looking over this and curbing my comma addiction. Right, Next update will be for Indebted and the chap is already written! I just need to tweak it a bit. Many thanks to all my lovely reviewers and the folk on the forum. Sorry I could not get back to you all personally. Also a big apology to Guardian of the Dragon Heir- who got the wrong review reply. I really should not write replies when tired ;-)