The Other World

Epilogue - Waking

Epilogue – Waking

Guiding me... everyday you are my light...

- Reprise l.15

Wednesday, April 7th

Dear Diary,

It's hard to believe that after all that's happened, I'm leaving for University tomorrow. Classes start the day after that. I haven't heard anything about how Haku is doing, and it's almost been two weeks. Surely someone would've told me if he'd gotten worse. I wonder what's been happening. I've already finished packing. What if, after I leave, they aren't able to get in contact with me?

But there I go, worrying instead of trying to remember everything that's happened. You'd think that after everything my memory's gone through, I'd protect it better. We stayed with Risuni's family for most of the last couple of weeks. We only got back yesterday – it was so strange to have to drive to the airport and fly in a metal box; I guess I've gotten used to travelling through the mist – and we've been unpacking and cleaning and packing again. The earthquake made a mess, but most of our stuff is okay. We set up a bed for Mom downstairs, since she still needs crutches to get around, but she'll be alright. Risuni's family still isn't back, as she doesn't start school until next week. It'll be strange, going to school without her. I'm really going to miss her perfect sarcastic remarks and spending time at her house. I can't keep thinking about this, I'm going to cry...

It's been raining nonstop for the past few days. The rainy season isn't supposed to start for another couple of months. I

Later.

Dear Diary,

Sorry about the interrupted entry. I had stopped writing because someone had knocked on the door downstairs. Guess who it was? It was Haku!! My parents got to the door before me and I could see the shock on their faces when they saw such a well-dressed boy (A boy! At the door! For me! And he was completely dry, of course, even though it was pouring) outside. I almost laughed. I'd been so disinterested in boys that they were probably starting to worry. The whole thing was an impossible exercise in self-control. I was so relieved to see him I just wanted to run to him and hug him, but of course I couldn't do that in front of my parents. It would probably just freak them out even more. Haku bowed to them and I had to grab the nearest umbrella and drag him out the door by the arm to prevent them from letting him in. They were too polite to shoo us out and there was no way they would've let me take him into my bedroom. Parents. And can you imagine if we'd have had to talk in the living room?

So we walked out into the monsoon. The umbrella I'd taken was the blue silk one meant for sun, and so of course it did no good. Good thing Haku was there. We walked around toward the school and then around library and back. He told me so many things. Risuni had already told me what happened to Zeniba (I wonder if she'll remember me?) and Lin. Haku caught me up on what's been happening at court. I finally finished reading the Kojiki - the enchanted copy from the library - so I have some idea of the politics of the Spirit World and it didn't all go over my head.

I guess an exaggerated version of what had happened at Phantom Ship Island got out, and a lot of people want him to be the next Dragon King in a few months!! It doesn't help that Fujisan was the main candidate, and they see Fujisan as having helped Akuma. Haku has another brother, too – Tateyama – but he was never really even under consideration. (This makes sense. Mount Tate has been dormant since the 1800s.) There's a lot of training and rituals and other things to take care of before coronation day. Haku doesn't seem happy about this, but when I asked him he says he doesn't really have any choice in the matter. The reason I hadn't heard anything until now was that he wanted to come tell me in person, and he's been caught up in court functions. I'm not very happy about it either, but I don't think I really have a right to complain. I'm not the one stuck with all of the responsibility. It's just that walking around with him was so nice, and with him being a prince and all, will we ever have the time to be two normal people?

He didn't stay long, unfortunately. He'd escaped some sort of state dinner to come here. But he asked me where I was going for University, and he promised to visit. Suddenly, college seems a lot less lonely. At least I'll have a friend who understands.

I shouldn't say that. Yumi and her boyfriend will also be going to Daito Bunka. I need to stop underestimating her. For all that she's boy-obsessed, she's a good friend. And it's not like she'll be the only boy-obsessed one there. She'll definitely get a kick out of meeting Haku. (A real live prince! Not that I can tell her that. :) )

That's it for now, diary. I'm sure I'll be too busy to write for a while. Until next time, then.

Love,

Chihiro

A/N After three and a half years, this story is finally finished. There will be no more revisions (although you can still find old drafts on my fanfiction.net site). Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with me since then. Thank you for reading, for reviewing, for encouraging me through your messages, for catching typos and grammatical errors. You guys are all the best.

But I can hear you already. "Where is the kiss?" you ask. "Don't they get together?" And I ask you in return, if Chihiro and Haku are meant to be together, what harm comes of waiting? They have a lot of obstacles in their path. There are cultural differences between the Human and Spirit Worlds, differences that people in interracial relationships face every day. (Or even just those with different values from their parents - almost all of us.) They will deal with long distance. Chihiro will be in school and Haku has his own responsibilities - another situation that many of us have to learn to deal with. And then there's Akuma. He's not gone. To quote Lady Eboshi - "(S)He is a god. It will take more than that." And he still has Haku's scale, doesn't he? Their troubles aren't over, but that story is best saved for another time. (Sequel? We'll see!) For now though, it's time to say goodbye. I hope you enjoyed reading, and thank you all again!