A/N: oy, I forgot to post chapter five the other time when I finished it!
*sweatdrop* lol sorry about that.
Disclaimer: no own.
Chapter Finished: 5/12/03
The Next Day, Breakfast
Third Person POV
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Despite the fact that Haku had no doubt he would win, he still felt sick to his stomach and had no will to eat anything. One hit to the stomach and he would throw it all up.
Now, let's not mistake him; Our Hero has absolutely no fears whatsoever of his coming confrontation with his so-called "brother" No, not in the least bit. He doesn't seem bothered that he's about to either be killed or kill Kawago himself. His "Brother" in a sense, and that was family.
Haku's not being bothered by this bothered Rin and Kamajii.
Currently, he was sitting in the boiler room, waiting almost anxiously for The Fight that would determine Chihiro's future. He couldn't lose. He *wouldn't* lose.
All eight rules flashed before his mind's eye. The four he had set each had a catch that he intended on using - and Kawago's had catches as well, that he would use as well. Rules, rules, rules...
With a light shake of his head, he stood up. There would be plenty of witnesses, this being day, and the fight would most likely carry on into the night. Would they stop then? Would they be following any of the rules then at all? most likely not. All eight rules that they had set would be broken and the fight would become dirty, probably stretching from ten minutes to weeks, months, even.
With a sigh, he stood up and stretched, deciding to go check out every place they would probably be squabbling.
As he got up and left, both Kamajii and Rin, who was there, heads snapped up and they watched him silently. As Haku walked up the stairs, he stepped through the small door, then chuckled. He looked up at the top of the bathhouse roof, where a green and black dragon stood/sat. he looked just like Haku did when in dragon form, except the different colors, the same size and everything. Haku smirked up at him.
"Good morning, Kawago. Feeling like a proper Yajuu today?"
his response was a growl and Kawago bared his teeth. As Haku watched him, he was suddenly hit with how young both he and Kawago were, and especially how their dragon forms were just out of infancy, late childhood, to any other full grown dragon. Their scales were smooth, soft, almost feathery.
Shaking his head, Haku transformed and took off, stretching his muscles. He examined Kawago from above while Kawago examined him from below. After a bit, he finally lost the will to be staring at what he planned to kill, and instead flew into the water with a splash, becoming the water as he used to when he was the River God.
When he was in a considerably better mood, he settled in the garden, easily hiding among the more whiter flowers. He ended up snoozing, but when a shadow passed overhead, and he knew it was Kawago, he knew it was time. Yawning, he stood and looked up.
"I hope you're ready," Kawago informed him, baring his teeth in a grin.
"More ready then you'll ever be," Haku replied, baring his own teeth in the exact same smirk. He flew up lazily, then up higher and higher, Kawago following.
For a moment they just looked at each other, both mentally steeling themselves.
Kawago made the first move.
With the speed only a dragon could have, he shot towards Haku, locking his jaws around the white dragon's neck. Haku snarled and twisted, bringing his tail around to give Kawago a blow to the head that would originally render anything/body unconscious, or worse.
Kawago let go, and both stared fixedly at each other again. Due to naturally tough scales at his throat, Haku had only a small, thin stream of blood coming forth. Kawago was slightly dizzy from the blow to his head.
"Not bad," Haku remarked. "How early did you get up to think of that opening attack? Or did you stay up all night?"
"No more idle chatter!" came the snarled reply, interlaced with a roar. Seeing a sudden opening, Haku quickly dodged the next attack, again aimed for his neck. He realized (gleefully in the back of his mind, which he ignored) that he was somewhat faster then Kawago! They spent the next five minutes playing cat-and-mouse until Haku finally whipped around and snapped at Kawago's snout. Kawago snapped right back, and they snarled at each other jaws locked, flailing, until they finally parted again.
"We are getting nowhere," Kawago reported, spitting out blood that did not belong to him. "Are you so naïve? Or did you set that five minute break rule because you knew what would happen?"
"I know and knew very well, "Haku retorted, also shaking off blood that was not his own.
When fighting in dragon form - or anything else that took an impressive amount of passion - for a while, lust would take over. Haku had never let the dragon within him surface. If, during this fight, their dragons inside them took over, they could end up killing everything in sight, all parts of them forgotten. The only things that would be fighting would be the dragons, and Haku had heard plenty of stories of how the dragon had permanently taken over river spirits, and they had had to be killed which was something very hard to do. Supposedly a type of contact from somebody they either truly hated or truly loved would bring them back, but Haku wasn't willing to test that theory. All of that was called the Dragon Dance, and because dragons were such special spirits, it only happened to them.
"What's wrong? Afraid of becoming a true dragon?"
For a moment, Haku didn't answer, then he shot towards Kawago with his own lightning speed. Unlike his brother, though, Haku aimed for the softer part of his stomach, successfully closing his teeth around it. Kawago gave a mix of a howl and a snarl, and brought his tail up as a weapon while locking his jaws into Haku's tail at the same time, growling in anger and slight pain.
Haku could taste Kawago's blood, and bit harder, counting to himself when he would let go. Abruptly, though, Kawago's tail hit him in the back, knocking his head forward slightly, and he choked, releasing Kawago's stomach as the blood pooled in his mouth was swallowed.
They parted again, panting heavily. Haku's mouth (snout/muzzle/nose/whatever) was covered with Kawago's blood, and he was only slightly aware of the wound at his tail or the blood also caking Kawago's mouth. They both growled, showing teeth now red and dripping with blood and saliva.
What happened next came in a blur; both roared, and started snapping at each other, jaws coming in so close it wasn't funny, dodging at the same time as well. They twisted together, claws locking, jaws choosing a place and locking as well, and they plummeted, Haku's teeth sinking farther into Kawago's left shoulder, and Kawago's in his back, though he felt no pain.
No, what he felt as they hit the water was a complete feeling of bliss; this was what?; this was what he was meant for, and he loved it, he wanted more. Ignoring the fact that they were still under water, they continued scratching, clawing, biting, nipping, snarling, roaring, dancing their dance that caused the water to boil and froth in rage to match their own, blood spreading out like a thick mist in the water.
While in this dance, all of Haku's senses were straight forward; more intense, more intensely... romantic, in a way; he could hear his and Kawago's heartbeats, as well as those of the water, the blood, the fish all around, he could see the other side of the universe, he could smell the humans on Earth, and he could taste blood; his vision went red; he enjoyed this dance. He hated to have to end it so soon.
Then why end it? Ever?
They somehow found themselves out of the water, then in it, and out again; right at the barrier between both air and water, they thrashed, snarled, roared, laughed, taunted, ate, they would never stop this dance, this feeling of pure ecstasy that swept through him each time he swallowed the blood of his "brother" he felt nothing more, wanted more, needed more.
He didn't know how long he was lost in the fervor of their dance, all he knew was the intense, simmering lusciousness that spread throughout his body, every joint, everything; always wanting more, needing more.
They had somehow found their way to the ground; dry land. He dismissed it.
They were in the air again. Who cared?
The water.
The air.
The ground. dry land was the last coherent thought that crossed Haku's mind of where he was before he fell backwards, letting his physical dragon body do whatever as he floated in an ocean of jubilance, drinking in everything gleefully.
Then it happened; pain shot through every crevice of his body, an he yelled, suddenly Haku again, in his dragon form, and he snarled, jerking away from Kawago, whose eyes were still a deep, blank gray-blue. He backed away slowly. Kawago followed. He continued to back away. Kawago paused, as though confused. During this momentary break, Haku tried to figure out what had happened.
The pain was coming from his chest cavity, but he didn't waste the energy needed to look down. They were on dry land, that was for sure, and both were bleeding heavily. Now he was well aware of the pain, all over his body, and the taste in his mouth..... blood... what had just happened? No. the sun was maybe a few hours from setting. A little while after noon.
Haku was jerked out of his thoughts as Kawago leapt at him, jaws closing around his shoulder. Haku couldn't find the strength to fight him back. Instead, he relaxed, then collapsed completely. Kawago let him fall, and looked down at him bemusedly.
There was a moment of nothing, and he waited patiently to see if he would be killed or not. He looked around, eyes searching, and he brought in damage everywhere. It looked like a hurricane had hit - and even blood littered the ground and water and the walls of the bathhouse. The bridge was broken halfway through and there were many watching, all in a mixture of awe and fear. They were watching from inside, or from a safe distance. Kawago nudged him with his nose, once more interrupting his thoughts, and Haku snarled, snapping forcefully at his snout, locking it in his jaws. He threw Kawago down and pushed himself up, suddenly realizing that he needed to end this. Holding the thrashing green dragon down, he closed off all of his chances to breath by locking his jaws shut in his own and covering his nose in his mouth as well. Taking a deep breath, Haku held it.
Kawago thrashed wildly, destroying more and more by the second, growling, trying desperately to breathe, but Haku kept him down, sustaining more wounds himself in the process. His eyes began to water as the lack of breath began to make him feel light headed.
A while in this manner passed, and Haku was soon feeling very dizzy, barely keeping himself up and Kawago down.
More time, and Kawago was frantic, thrashing more strongly and wildly than before. Kawago had returned - the just like Haku had. And he knew what kind of danger he was in. Haku was now shaking audibly, fighting blackness, fighting the need to take a breath.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Kawago collapsed, unconscious from the lack of air. Haku let him drop, took a few deep breaths himself, and it took him a moment to realize that he had also fallen as well. Still very dizzy and rather sick, he pushed himself up and looked down disdainfully at Kawago, waiting.
Somebody shouted, "Finish it, Haku!"
Finally, Kawago shifted into his human-like form, and Haku inwardly sighed at what he was about to do. First nosing his already cut up neck, he took a deep breath and opened his jaws a little bit, gingerly lifting Kawago up by his neck. He wouldn't know if he broke or not.
A feeling of pity came over him, almost brotherly, and he decided to give Kawago once last chance at happiness. Still being careful to not break his neck until it was time, Haku moved over a little bit and snapped his jaws shut, throwing a quick spell at Kawago as he fell. He never hit the water, but water that was once Haku's brother did, and mixed with it, separated.
He heard sounds, but they were too loud, and he flicked his ears, collapsing again. He thought he felt something on him, hands, voices, and he groaned, closing his eyes.
He fell into darkness.
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A/N: Okay, that was corny. I'm sorry for that. This last part is Chihiro's POV on the battle, so you can go ahead and skip over it, I don't think I'll be introducing any more new information. Okay.
Chihiro's POV
A little bit after the fight has started
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When I woke up again, I was laying on a rather lumpy couch, still sore all over, but somewhat refreshed. I didn't bother to open my eyes, I was comfortable enough. I could hear a pen scratching against paper, but that was it. finally I was too awake to do anything else, so I opened my eyes and sat up gingerly. I froze.
Yubaba's office.
With Yubaba herself at her desk, writing something and smoking some sort of cigarette. She looked up at me and frowned.
"You're awake," she said simply, then paused. "you are not allowed to leave this room."
"Why not?" I demanded, that question more important than the others. "what am I doing here?" the was next important. "Where is Haku?"
"In this and around this room is a spell that'll hide you from only Kawago and whoever else with his intent. You're here because Haku begged me to hide you until he killed Kawago. Or until the fight started - but he didn't want you watching, I'm sure. Haku should be getting ready to confront Kawago about now, the entire bathhouse is looking forward to it. apparently Kawago spread word that he was going to kill my assistant." Yubaba shook her head. "stupid girl." Didn't she know all of that.
"I want to see Haku!" I demanded, jumping fully to my feet.
Just then, there was a hard knocking at the door, and Rin burst in.
"Haku and Kawago are fighting!" she cried, breathing heavily. Obviously, she had run.
"I want to see!" I cried.
"Oh no you don't!" Yubaba threatened, but her eyes slid to the window and back again. She was curious.
"Haku told me to let Sen do what she wanted when she was feeling better," Rin insisted. "and if she wants to watch, she can; one of the eight rules they set up including having witnesses."
Just then, the shadow man, Hitogajeta was it? walked in behind Rin, making her jump.
"Madame Yubaba," he said, voice glinting in malicious joy. "It turns out that a couple of dragon children are fighting. It seems to be turning out rather... nicely, in mine's direction."
Yubaba huffed. "Oh, Haku'll win alright; he's got a good head on his shoulders, if he can't come out on top through strength, he'll use brains."
"Hmm, either way, I have brought you a formal invitation to come watch. What say you to a little bet, hmm?"
"I'll take it!" Yubaba cried immediately.
"Alright!" Rin announced. We all went towards the door, and as we exited, Mr. Shadow-Man looked at me as though seeing me for the first time. I stayed behind with Rin as we made their way out to where a rather large crowd had gathered. For a moment, it looked as though Yubaba was worried about how many customers she would lose over this, but somebody gasped and pointed, which was echoed all around.
I held Rin's arm tightly as I looked up, squinting slightly in the sun's light. Though they seemed just lines of white and green in the sky, it was obvious who they were and what they were doing.
I felt my jaw drop slightly, lifting a hand to shield my eyes as they locked together, jaws and claws, and fell rapidly towards the water, almost as though they were shooting right towards it purposefully, the speed was so great.
The water thrashed around and I could make out blood billowing out around it, even though I could not see Haku and Yajuu fighting.
"Who's winning?" one shrill voice demanded.
"Shush!" Yubaba countered, just as they erupted out of the water again.
"Haku..." I whispered, feeling tears push at the corners of my eyes. They twisted and turned, always locked together; from what I could see, their eyes were one pair of deep green everywhere, no other color, and deep grey- blue, no other color, not even the shine of the sun's reflection or the whiteness. They stayed locked together, snarling, roaring, biting, clawing, almost as though they were locked in a dance... a dance of death.
But what truly scared me what that it was so obvious... they were enjoying it. Haku... this wasn't like Haku at all! how had he gotten so violent in such a short time? Had Yubaba done something to him again? Ka - Yajuu?
They thrashed, in and out of the water, nearer and nearer to the bridge, farther away again. For a while they were under water, deeply under water because the surface tried to calm down, and I held my breath with everybody else, then gave a soft scream (others weren't so soft in expressing their shock) when a blur ripped out right to the side of the bridge, breaking part of it just like that. A second later, Kawago - Yajuu - had Haku pinned down partly against the bridge and the ground, making everybody run screaming for cover. I screamed fully now as Yajuu's teeth bit forcefully into Haku's neck, but Haku twisted with amazing agility, sending blood everywhere, and locked his teeth into Kawago's back, making a sort of staccato growling sound, as though he were laughing... Rin dragged me back, shouting something. I went numb, and my vision burned, and so did my hearing. All that made it to my brain to be processed correctly were the sounds of snarling, and the sight of Haku and Yajuu as they fought.
Nobody can explain the fight, seeing two dragons twist and sink teeth dripping with blood and saliva into each other, eyes blank, shining, enjoying ever moment of it. as though that's what they had been doing all their lives, and loved even the very thought of it.
She realized she was watching from partly inside as they thrashed back into the water, the air, and shot up into the sky again, turning into little black dots, then slamming head first into the water again, land, everything they got within twenty feet of was instantly destroyed.
"This isn't like him," I whispered, throat scratchy. "why is he so violent?" I tore my eyes away and looked up at Rin, who was gripping my shoulder tightly.
"The dragons must have taken over," Mr. I'm-a-shadow-man's voice said. "Haku and Kawago are probably unconscious, to lose control of the beasts like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Inside of them," Yubaba put in, as though explaining to a very stupid child (ignoring the rest of the bathhouse that was listening) "are dragons. Wild beasts, whose only lot in life is to kill, to destroy, and the dragons love it. Haku and Kawago may not, but they must have lost control. We're watching two dragons while their eyes are like that, but when their eyes seem normal, they're back to Haku and Kawago."
"So, those are just dragons?"
"Empty shells."
CRASH-THWACK! There were more screams as another part of the bridge was ripped out.
As I watched them, and saw Haku growl low in his throat as Kawago's teeth ripped into his stomach, I felt a burning anger erupt inside of me. so these were dragons? Monsters? No. Haku was still there, I could feel it. maybe Yajuu wasn't, but Haku HAD to be, he just had to. He wouldn't leave me like that.
'Come back,' I thought, wishing I could send all of my strength and energy out to him. I closed my eyes, clenching my fingers into fists. 'Kill him, Haku, don't let your Shiraha down. He deserves to die.'
It erupted completely, boiling out of my stomach and through my mouth.
"YOU CAN DO IT!" I screamed, startling a few around me. I ran out a ways, throwing my head back to look at the again-specks in the sky, blood falling like rain. Some of it his my face, little droplets of bright red, almost pink, on my face. "COME ON, YOU CAN WIN, HAKU, COME ON!"
others ventured out, provoked by my braveness (and bluntness) choosing either the green dragon or the white dragon, shouting encouragement or obscenities. I added my own, inwardly praying that Haku come back. 'Don't let the dragon take over,' I prayed.
It seemed to last forever, though I knew it was only a few hours. A few lost interest (maybe three or four in all) and went inside to eat lunch an hour or two ago. I was hungry, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. I felt weak, shaky, hollow inside. Never before had I seen so much blood. By now almost all of everything was destroyed, the bathhouse mostly untouched, the bridge looking as though a giant had taken a bite out of it, then kicked it a few times. It was littered with the thick, red-pink blood, that seemed different than from what ran through my own veins. Dragon blood.
Dragon's Blood.
I prayed with all of my heart. 'Don't you feel anything, Haku?' I thought, directing my thoughts toward the white dragon writhing on the ground, snapping at the green dragon above him. 'Pain? Anger? Fear? Hatred? Love? Anything? Why don't you feel?'
He couldn't feel. He had no feeling, I figured as much.
'Fell, Haku,' I thought. 'Feel...' I gasped as the white dragon struggled up, blinked twice, and took a shaky step back. Quickly, I examined his eyes.
Blurry. Haku's. Haku was back! He panted heavily, and backed away again as the dragon that was once Kawago snapped after him. Yajuu stopped, looking confused as to why Haku had stopped and was backing away. everybody was in the entrance now, and all watched with baited breath.
Yajuu leapt, ripping into Haku's already blood-covered shoulder. Haku didn't do anything - literally. Other than glance down at Yajuu, and his tense muscles relaxed as he fell. Yajuu let him drop, staring down over him.
Was Haku giving up? Don't give up! 'Don't give up, Haku, come on!' I thought desperately.
Kawago nosed Haku forcefully, and he snarled, growling low in his throat as he locked his jaws around Yajuu's snout, twisting so that he threw Yajuu down and stood over him. Never releasing his jaws, he pushed his front legs firmly over Kawago, his intention to hold him down clear. he shifted his teeth's position, took a deep breath, and held it. everybody realized what he was doing at the same time.
Haku intended to suffocate Yajuu!
Again, the anger ruptured inside of me. die, Kawago, I thought as Yajuu's eyes shifted back to normal and he thrashed wildly.
Everybody watched in silence for what seemed like forever until Kawago finally went limp. Haku dropped him a moment later and took a few deep breaths. He looked down at Kawago's now breathing-capable body, seemingly unsure what to do.
"Finish it, Haku!" I shouted, anxious to have Kawago out of my life forever.
Yajuu turned back into the more human-like form, Kawago, and lay there in a bloody heap. Gingerly (why so gently?? I thought angrily) Haku picked him up by his neck, twisted so that he was over the bridge, and snapped his jaws shut, however, he must have cast some sort of spell, because Kawago's body (parts) did not hit the water, but a sparkling liquid did.
Haku took another breath, then collapsed.
The majority of the bathhouse erupted into cheers, and I darted out as fast as I could, running to Haku's still form. He was almost covered from head to toe in blood, Dragon Blood, and many others (including Yubaba) joined me. his wounds were still gushing, and I helplessly pushed my palms to his snout, ignoring the blood that dripped out. I didn't want to think of that.
"Out of the way, out of the way!" Yubaba's voice snapped. "look at this mess!" it was still a little obvious Yubaba was pleased that Haku had won.
Suddenly, everything took its toll on me. with a strangled yelp, and jumped up, turned, and bolted, into the bathhouse, taking halls that I vaguely recognized until I reached a sort of bathroom. I collapsed and threw up.
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A/N: yup, that stunk. *pinches nose and waves hand around* sorry 'bout that.
Disclaimer: no own.
Chapter Finished: 5/12/03
The Next Day, Breakfast
Third Person POV
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Despite the fact that Haku had no doubt he would win, he still felt sick to his stomach and had no will to eat anything. One hit to the stomach and he would throw it all up.
Now, let's not mistake him; Our Hero has absolutely no fears whatsoever of his coming confrontation with his so-called "brother" No, not in the least bit. He doesn't seem bothered that he's about to either be killed or kill Kawago himself. His "Brother" in a sense, and that was family.
Haku's not being bothered by this bothered Rin and Kamajii.
Currently, he was sitting in the boiler room, waiting almost anxiously for The Fight that would determine Chihiro's future. He couldn't lose. He *wouldn't* lose.
All eight rules flashed before his mind's eye. The four he had set each had a catch that he intended on using - and Kawago's had catches as well, that he would use as well. Rules, rules, rules...
With a light shake of his head, he stood up. There would be plenty of witnesses, this being day, and the fight would most likely carry on into the night. Would they stop then? Would they be following any of the rules then at all? most likely not. All eight rules that they had set would be broken and the fight would become dirty, probably stretching from ten minutes to weeks, months, even.
With a sigh, he stood up and stretched, deciding to go check out every place they would probably be squabbling.
As he got up and left, both Kamajii and Rin, who was there, heads snapped up and they watched him silently. As Haku walked up the stairs, he stepped through the small door, then chuckled. He looked up at the top of the bathhouse roof, where a green and black dragon stood/sat. he looked just like Haku did when in dragon form, except the different colors, the same size and everything. Haku smirked up at him.
"Good morning, Kawago. Feeling like a proper Yajuu today?"
his response was a growl and Kawago bared his teeth. As Haku watched him, he was suddenly hit with how young both he and Kawago were, and especially how their dragon forms were just out of infancy, late childhood, to any other full grown dragon. Their scales were smooth, soft, almost feathery.
Shaking his head, Haku transformed and took off, stretching his muscles. He examined Kawago from above while Kawago examined him from below. After a bit, he finally lost the will to be staring at what he planned to kill, and instead flew into the water with a splash, becoming the water as he used to when he was the River God.
When he was in a considerably better mood, he settled in the garden, easily hiding among the more whiter flowers. He ended up snoozing, but when a shadow passed overhead, and he knew it was Kawago, he knew it was time. Yawning, he stood and looked up.
"I hope you're ready," Kawago informed him, baring his teeth in a grin.
"More ready then you'll ever be," Haku replied, baring his own teeth in the exact same smirk. He flew up lazily, then up higher and higher, Kawago following.
For a moment they just looked at each other, both mentally steeling themselves.
Kawago made the first move.
With the speed only a dragon could have, he shot towards Haku, locking his jaws around the white dragon's neck. Haku snarled and twisted, bringing his tail around to give Kawago a blow to the head that would originally render anything/body unconscious, or worse.
Kawago let go, and both stared fixedly at each other again. Due to naturally tough scales at his throat, Haku had only a small, thin stream of blood coming forth. Kawago was slightly dizzy from the blow to his head.
"Not bad," Haku remarked. "How early did you get up to think of that opening attack? Or did you stay up all night?"
"No more idle chatter!" came the snarled reply, interlaced with a roar. Seeing a sudden opening, Haku quickly dodged the next attack, again aimed for his neck. He realized (gleefully in the back of his mind, which he ignored) that he was somewhat faster then Kawago! They spent the next five minutes playing cat-and-mouse until Haku finally whipped around and snapped at Kawago's snout. Kawago snapped right back, and they snarled at each other jaws locked, flailing, until they finally parted again.
"We are getting nowhere," Kawago reported, spitting out blood that did not belong to him. "Are you so naïve? Or did you set that five minute break rule because you knew what would happen?"
"I know and knew very well, "Haku retorted, also shaking off blood that was not his own.
When fighting in dragon form - or anything else that took an impressive amount of passion - for a while, lust would take over. Haku had never let the dragon within him surface. If, during this fight, their dragons inside them took over, they could end up killing everything in sight, all parts of them forgotten. The only things that would be fighting would be the dragons, and Haku had heard plenty of stories of how the dragon had permanently taken over river spirits, and they had had to be killed which was something very hard to do. Supposedly a type of contact from somebody they either truly hated or truly loved would bring them back, but Haku wasn't willing to test that theory. All of that was called the Dragon Dance, and because dragons were such special spirits, it only happened to them.
"What's wrong? Afraid of becoming a true dragon?"
For a moment, Haku didn't answer, then he shot towards Kawago with his own lightning speed. Unlike his brother, though, Haku aimed for the softer part of his stomach, successfully closing his teeth around it. Kawago gave a mix of a howl and a snarl, and brought his tail up as a weapon while locking his jaws into Haku's tail at the same time, growling in anger and slight pain.
Haku could taste Kawago's blood, and bit harder, counting to himself when he would let go. Abruptly, though, Kawago's tail hit him in the back, knocking his head forward slightly, and he choked, releasing Kawago's stomach as the blood pooled in his mouth was swallowed.
They parted again, panting heavily. Haku's mouth (snout/muzzle/nose/whatever) was covered with Kawago's blood, and he was only slightly aware of the wound at his tail or the blood also caking Kawago's mouth. They both growled, showing teeth now red and dripping with blood and saliva.
What happened next came in a blur; both roared, and started snapping at each other, jaws coming in so close it wasn't funny, dodging at the same time as well. They twisted together, claws locking, jaws choosing a place and locking as well, and they plummeted, Haku's teeth sinking farther into Kawago's left shoulder, and Kawago's in his back, though he felt no pain.
No, what he felt as they hit the water was a complete feeling of bliss; this was what?; this was what he was meant for, and he loved it, he wanted more. Ignoring the fact that they were still under water, they continued scratching, clawing, biting, nipping, snarling, roaring, dancing their dance that caused the water to boil and froth in rage to match their own, blood spreading out like a thick mist in the water.
While in this dance, all of Haku's senses were straight forward; more intense, more intensely... romantic, in a way; he could hear his and Kawago's heartbeats, as well as those of the water, the blood, the fish all around, he could see the other side of the universe, he could smell the humans on Earth, and he could taste blood; his vision went red; he enjoyed this dance. He hated to have to end it so soon.
Then why end it? Ever?
They somehow found themselves out of the water, then in it, and out again; right at the barrier between both air and water, they thrashed, snarled, roared, laughed, taunted, ate, they would never stop this dance, this feeling of pure ecstasy that swept through him each time he swallowed the blood of his "brother" he felt nothing more, wanted more, needed more.
He didn't know how long he was lost in the fervor of their dance, all he knew was the intense, simmering lusciousness that spread throughout his body, every joint, everything; always wanting more, needing more.
They had somehow found their way to the ground; dry land. He dismissed it.
They were in the air again. Who cared?
The water.
The air.
The ground. dry land was the last coherent thought that crossed Haku's mind of where he was before he fell backwards, letting his physical dragon body do whatever as he floated in an ocean of jubilance, drinking in everything gleefully.
Then it happened; pain shot through every crevice of his body, an he yelled, suddenly Haku again, in his dragon form, and he snarled, jerking away from Kawago, whose eyes were still a deep, blank gray-blue. He backed away slowly. Kawago followed. He continued to back away. Kawago paused, as though confused. During this momentary break, Haku tried to figure out what had happened.
The pain was coming from his chest cavity, but he didn't waste the energy needed to look down. They were on dry land, that was for sure, and both were bleeding heavily. Now he was well aware of the pain, all over his body, and the taste in his mouth..... blood... what had just happened? No. the sun was maybe a few hours from setting. A little while after noon.
Haku was jerked out of his thoughts as Kawago leapt at him, jaws closing around his shoulder. Haku couldn't find the strength to fight him back. Instead, he relaxed, then collapsed completely. Kawago let him fall, and looked down at him bemusedly.
There was a moment of nothing, and he waited patiently to see if he would be killed or not. He looked around, eyes searching, and he brought in damage everywhere. It looked like a hurricane had hit - and even blood littered the ground and water and the walls of the bathhouse. The bridge was broken halfway through and there were many watching, all in a mixture of awe and fear. They were watching from inside, or from a safe distance. Kawago nudged him with his nose, once more interrupting his thoughts, and Haku snarled, snapping forcefully at his snout, locking it in his jaws. He threw Kawago down and pushed himself up, suddenly realizing that he needed to end this. Holding the thrashing green dragon down, he closed off all of his chances to breath by locking his jaws shut in his own and covering his nose in his mouth as well. Taking a deep breath, Haku held it.
Kawago thrashed wildly, destroying more and more by the second, growling, trying desperately to breathe, but Haku kept him down, sustaining more wounds himself in the process. His eyes began to water as the lack of breath began to make him feel light headed.
A while in this manner passed, and Haku was soon feeling very dizzy, barely keeping himself up and Kawago down.
More time, and Kawago was frantic, thrashing more strongly and wildly than before. Kawago had returned - the just like Haku had. And he knew what kind of danger he was in. Haku was now shaking audibly, fighting blackness, fighting the need to take a breath.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Kawago collapsed, unconscious from the lack of air. Haku let him drop, took a few deep breaths himself, and it took him a moment to realize that he had also fallen as well. Still very dizzy and rather sick, he pushed himself up and looked down disdainfully at Kawago, waiting.
Somebody shouted, "Finish it, Haku!"
Finally, Kawago shifted into his human-like form, and Haku inwardly sighed at what he was about to do. First nosing his already cut up neck, he took a deep breath and opened his jaws a little bit, gingerly lifting Kawago up by his neck. He wouldn't know if he broke or not.
A feeling of pity came over him, almost brotherly, and he decided to give Kawago once last chance at happiness. Still being careful to not break his neck until it was time, Haku moved over a little bit and snapped his jaws shut, throwing a quick spell at Kawago as he fell. He never hit the water, but water that was once Haku's brother did, and mixed with it, separated.
He heard sounds, but they were too loud, and he flicked his ears, collapsing again. He thought he felt something on him, hands, voices, and he groaned, closing his eyes.
He fell into darkness.
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A/N: Okay, that was corny. I'm sorry for that. This last part is Chihiro's POV on the battle, so you can go ahead and skip over it, I don't think I'll be introducing any more new information. Okay.
Chihiro's POV
A little bit after the fight has started
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When I woke up again, I was laying on a rather lumpy couch, still sore all over, but somewhat refreshed. I didn't bother to open my eyes, I was comfortable enough. I could hear a pen scratching against paper, but that was it. finally I was too awake to do anything else, so I opened my eyes and sat up gingerly. I froze.
Yubaba's office.
With Yubaba herself at her desk, writing something and smoking some sort of cigarette. She looked up at me and frowned.
"You're awake," she said simply, then paused. "you are not allowed to leave this room."
"Why not?" I demanded, that question more important than the others. "what am I doing here?" the was next important. "Where is Haku?"
"In this and around this room is a spell that'll hide you from only Kawago and whoever else with his intent. You're here because Haku begged me to hide you until he killed Kawago. Or until the fight started - but he didn't want you watching, I'm sure. Haku should be getting ready to confront Kawago about now, the entire bathhouse is looking forward to it. apparently Kawago spread word that he was going to kill my assistant." Yubaba shook her head. "stupid girl." Didn't she know all of that.
"I want to see Haku!" I demanded, jumping fully to my feet.
Just then, there was a hard knocking at the door, and Rin burst in.
"Haku and Kawago are fighting!" she cried, breathing heavily. Obviously, she had run.
"I want to see!" I cried.
"Oh no you don't!" Yubaba threatened, but her eyes slid to the window and back again. She was curious.
"Haku told me to let Sen do what she wanted when she was feeling better," Rin insisted. "and if she wants to watch, she can; one of the eight rules they set up including having witnesses."
Just then, the shadow man, Hitogajeta was it? walked in behind Rin, making her jump.
"Madame Yubaba," he said, voice glinting in malicious joy. "It turns out that a couple of dragon children are fighting. It seems to be turning out rather... nicely, in mine's direction."
Yubaba huffed. "Oh, Haku'll win alright; he's got a good head on his shoulders, if he can't come out on top through strength, he'll use brains."
"Hmm, either way, I have brought you a formal invitation to come watch. What say you to a little bet, hmm?"
"I'll take it!" Yubaba cried immediately.
"Alright!" Rin announced. We all went towards the door, and as we exited, Mr. Shadow-Man looked at me as though seeing me for the first time. I stayed behind with Rin as we made their way out to where a rather large crowd had gathered. For a moment, it looked as though Yubaba was worried about how many customers she would lose over this, but somebody gasped and pointed, which was echoed all around.
I held Rin's arm tightly as I looked up, squinting slightly in the sun's light. Though they seemed just lines of white and green in the sky, it was obvious who they were and what they were doing.
I felt my jaw drop slightly, lifting a hand to shield my eyes as they locked together, jaws and claws, and fell rapidly towards the water, almost as though they were shooting right towards it purposefully, the speed was so great.
The water thrashed around and I could make out blood billowing out around it, even though I could not see Haku and Yajuu fighting.
"Who's winning?" one shrill voice demanded.
"Shush!" Yubaba countered, just as they erupted out of the water again.
"Haku..." I whispered, feeling tears push at the corners of my eyes. They twisted and turned, always locked together; from what I could see, their eyes were one pair of deep green everywhere, no other color, and deep grey- blue, no other color, not even the shine of the sun's reflection or the whiteness. They stayed locked together, snarling, roaring, biting, clawing, almost as though they were locked in a dance... a dance of death.
But what truly scared me what that it was so obvious... they were enjoying it. Haku... this wasn't like Haku at all! how had he gotten so violent in such a short time? Had Yubaba done something to him again? Ka - Yajuu?
They thrashed, in and out of the water, nearer and nearer to the bridge, farther away again. For a while they were under water, deeply under water because the surface tried to calm down, and I held my breath with everybody else, then gave a soft scream (others weren't so soft in expressing their shock) when a blur ripped out right to the side of the bridge, breaking part of it just like that. A second later, Kawago - Yajuu - had Haku pinned down partly against the bridge and the ground, making everybody run screaming for cover. I screamed fully now as Yajuu's teeth bit forcefully into Haku's neck, but Haku twisted with amazing agility, sending blood everywhere, and locked his teeth into Kawago's back, making a sort of staccato growling sound, as though he were laughing... Rin dragged me back, shouting something. I went numb, and my vision burned, and so did my hearing. All that made it to my brain to be processed correctly were the sounds of snarling, and the sight of Haku and Yajuu as they fought.
Nobody can explain the fight, seeing two dragons twist and sink teeth dripping with blood and saliva into each other, eyes blank, shining, enjoying ever moment of it. as though that's what they had been doing all their lives, and loved even the very thought of it.
She realized she was watching from partly inside as they thrashed back into the water, the air, and shot up into the sky again, turning into little black dots, then slamming head first into the water again, land, everything they got within twenty feet of was instantly destroyed.
"This isn't like him," I whispered, throat scratchy. "why is he so violent?" I tore my eyes away and looked up at Rin, who was gripping my shoulder tightly.
"The dragons must have taken over," Mr. I'm-a-shadow-man's voice said. "Haku and Kawago are probably unconscious, to lose control of the beasts like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Inside of them," Yubaba put in, as though explaining to a very stupid child (ignoring the rest of the bathhouse that was listening) "are dragons. Wild beasts, whose only lot in life is to kill, to destroy, and the dragons love it. Haku and Kawago may not, but they must have lost control. We're watching two dragons while their eyes are like that, but when their eyes seem normal, they're back to Haku and Kawago."
"So, those are just dragons?"
"Empty shells."
CRASH-THWACK! There were more screams as another part of the bridge was ripped out.
As I watched them, and saw Haku growl low in his throat as Kawago's teeth ripped into his stomach, I felt a burning anger erupt inside of me. so these were dragons? Monsters? No. Haku was still there, I could feel it. maybe Yajuu wasn't, but Haku HAD to be, he just had to. He wouldn't leave me like that.
'Come back,' I thought, wishing I could send all of my strength and energy out to him. I closed my eyes, clenching my fingers into fists. 'Kill him, Haku, don't let your Shiraha down. He deserves to die.'
It erupted completely, boiling out of my stomach and through my mouth.
"YOU CAN DO IT!" I screamed, startling a few around me. I ran out a ways, throwing my head back to look at the again-specks in the sky, blood falling like rain. Some of it his my face, little droplets of bright red, almost pink, on my face. "COME ON, YOU CAN WIN, HAKU, COME ON!"
others ventured out, provoked by my braveness (and bluntness) choosing either the green dragon or the white dragon, shouting encouragement or obscenities. I added my own, inwardly praying that Haku come back. 'Don't let the dragon take over,' I prayed.
It seemed to last forever, though I knew it was only a few hours. A few lost interest (maybe three or four in all) and went inside to eat lunch an hour or two ago. I was hungry, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. I felt weak, shaky, hollow inside. Never before had I seen so much blood. By now almost all of everything was destroyed, the bathhouse mostly untouched, the bridge looking as though a giant had taken a bite out of it, then kicked it a few times. It was littered with the thick, red-pink blood, that seemed different than from what ran through my own veins. Dragon blood.
Dragon's Blood.
I prayed with all of my heart. 'Don't you feel anything, Haku?' I thought, directing my thoughts toward the white dragon writhing on the ground, snapping at the green dragon above him. 'Pain? Anger? Fear? Hatred? Love? Anything? Why don't you feel?'
He couldn't feel. He had no feeling, I figured as much.
'Fell, Haku,' I thought. 'Feel...' I gasped as the white dragon struggled up, blinked twice, and took a shaky step back. Quickly, I examined his eyes.
Blurry. Haku's. Haku was back! He panted heavily, and backed away again as the dragon that was once Kawago snapped after him. Yajuu stopped, looking confused as to why Haku had stopped and was backing away. everybody was in the entrance now, and all watched with baited breath.
Yajuu leapt, ripping into Haku's already blood-covered shoulder. Haku didn't do anything - literally. Other than glance down at Yajuu, and his tense muscles relaxed as he fell. Yajuu let him drop, staring down over him.
Was Haku giving up? Don't give up! 'Don't give up, Haku, come on!' I thought desperately.
Kawago nosed Haku forcefully, and he snarled, growling low in his throat as he locked his jaws around Yajuu's snout, twisting so that he threw Yajuu down and stood over him. Never releasing his jaws, he pushed his front legs firmly over Kawago, his intention to hold him down clear. he shifted his teeth's position, took a deep breath, and held it. everybody realized what he was doing at the same time.
Haku intended to suffocate Yajuu!
Again, the anger ruptured inside of me. die, Kawago, I thought as Yajuu's eyes shifted back to normal and he thrashed wildly.
Everybody watched in silence for what seemed like forever until Kawago finally went limp. Haku dropped him a moment later and took a few deep breaths. He looked down at Kawago's now breathing-capable body, seemingly unsure what to do.
"Finish it, Haku!" I shouted, anxious to have Kawago out of my life forever.
Yajuu turned back into the more human-like form, Kawago, and lay there in a bloody heap. Gingerly (why so gently?? I thought angrily) Haku picked him up by his neck, twisted so that he was over the bridge, and snapped his jaws shut, however, he must have cast some sort of spell, because Kawago's body (parts) did not hit the water, but a sparkling liquid did.
Haku took another breath, then collapsed.
The majority of the bathhouse erupted into cheers, and I darted out as fast as I could, running to Haku's still form. He was almost covered from head to toe in blood, Dragon Blood, and many others (including Yubaba) joined me. his wounds were still gushing, and I helplessly pushed my palms to his snout, ignoring the blood that dripped out. I didn't want to think of that.
"Out of the way, out of the way!" Yubaba's voice snapped. "look at this mess!" it was still a little obvious Yubaba was pleased that Haku had won.
Suddenly, everything took its toll on me. with a strangled yelp, and jumped up, turned, and bolted, into the bathhouse, taking halls that I vaguely recognized until I reached a sort of bathroom. I collapsed and threw up.
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A/N: yup, that stunk. *pinches nose and waves hand around* sorry 'bout that.