The Wind Is Quiet , When You Are Gone .

Chapter 9

It's Not About Forcing Happiness

It's About Not Letting The Sadness Win

A horrific breeze filled the room and Haruko's wide shouldered shadow, that Chihiro recognised without thought, appeared in the window frame. "And who is this person you're talking about, my dear?" he said proudly. "None of your business. Now get out," the small yet authoritative woman ushered him back out. "Oh, come on Dahlia. Let me stay," Haruko pleaded childishly. The sight of the smaller woman obviously winning an argument with Haruko made Chihiro giggle.

"Can he stay for a while?" her voice came clearer than she expected. Dahlia turned to Chihiro with a confused expression dancing on her beautiful face. Eventually she solved her internal debate and nodded.

The three of them sat on the bed and chatted for hours. Until finally Chihiro asked Haruko "That wolf, the silver coated wolf you held in front of the gate, who was it?" Haruko looked confused "Celtic you mean? He... well let's just say he's my only way of communicating with the force that keeps the fragile peace." "Could you not speak in riddles?" Chihiro suggested. "It's not safe," Dahlia warned, concern filling her eyes as Haruko sank to the bed with an exhausted groan. "You should rest here for a while, I'll cover for you."

"It's fine," Haruko said stubbornly, "I have too much to do."

"You shouldn't wear yourself out. We need you," Dahlia continued as Chihiro watched on confusedly.

"Drop it," Haruko warned, giving Dahlia a stern look, "there's nothing to be worried about."

"She's right, Haruko, you should rest, you look exhausted" Chihiro objected. Then they heard a gentle pawing on the
door. "Celtic...!" Haruko rushed to the door frantically. He threw open the door to reveal a wounded silver coated Celtic. The wound was wide open. Deep within the wound something shimmered.

Haruko gently pressed his hands against the wound and grimaced, "We need to go to Zelilah." "But he was caught. You'll never escape," Dahlia warned.
"I'll do it," Chihiro burst, "I'll marry Goyo tomorrow and you can escape." "Chihiro, are you sure? I know very well this marriage is not what you wish for..." Haruko said worryingly. "This beauty, Celtic, deserves to live, he did no wrong."she answered back. "It could work. If we keep Celtic alive for tonight, Zelilah could heal him tomorrow," Dahlia whispered, " and the wedding needs to happen anyway."

"I can't let you do this if it's not what you want. I thought I could but i can't You're not just somebody who I can sacrifice to Goyo's hatred," Haruko burst. "I want to do it," Chihiro lied convincingly, earning a confused look from Dahlia," I'm sure I could learn to love him."

But her heart thought something different. And she was certain her love was dedicated to one person only...

"Dahlia, please go tell Goyo that the wedding is planned for tomorrow evening" Chihiro said surely.

Dahlia left without words. The three of them were left alone. Haruko stopped Celtic's bleeding and the wolf was now resting on the bed. Haruko took the shiny piece of crystal out of Celtic's wound and made it into a necklace that now hung from Celtic's neck.

"You look really pale, we should go for a walk," Haruko filled the empty silence. "I could do with some fresh air,"  Chihiro agreed dedicatedly, her shoulders sinking at the prospect of the weeks ahead.

Not really taking anything in properly, Haruko led her towards large glass doors that opened out onto the marble balcony that was glimmering in the moonlight. Chihiro sighed. This world was so beautiful. How could it be that there was so much trouble? She studied Haruko's distant face carefully as he watched over the forest.

"What's wrong?" she asked him genuinely concerned. "Nothing," he answered," It's just, I never thought that you would be like you are."                                                                                                                   "What stubborn and useless?" Chihiro joked. "No," Haruko stayed serious, " I never thought that I'd care about what happened to you but I do. I care about you and I want what's best for you. I know you don't know me and you probably hate me for bringing you here but..."                         

"I don't hate you," Chihiro interrupted stepping towards him and looking up to him, " I don't hate you," Then Haruko leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

In silence Haruko led her back inside, they left her room and walked down the hall. Haruko looked around them and whispered softly "Open the door," Chihiro looked confused but did as she was told. She entered the room. 

The room was burgundy and lit with candles. In the centre of the room was a wooden king size bed with tall bed posts and cream billowing draped curtains.

"Candles?" Chihiro said curiously. " Yea, I... I don't know where they came from..." Haruko explained nervously. Chihiro smiled , " It's okay, I'm not complaining"

Haruko followed her into the room and they sank into the bed together...