My Beloved

Chapter 9

   Crickets chirp in the distance as I stand alone on the crest of the hill leading to the portal that I had created for Chihiro. The moon is high in the sky, casting rays of silver light across the Earthly plane. A deep sorrow is devouring me from the inside of my being. I had come all of this way for Chihiro and to love her, but it would seem that she had already made a battle plan for when I would come around. 

   She said that if I were to leave then I might as well make it permanent. I close my eyes and allow the cool breeze to remind me of the faint distance between me and the spirit world. The longer I remain here in silence the more attuned to the sweet symphony of magic that is bleeding through the portal from beyond. 

   This is the end. The end to everything that I had dreamed about for several years. Chihiro has made her decision on where we stand and what she desires to be done. I cannot reside in this world forever, and Chihiro told me that if I am to leave that I should never come back to torment her again. I am a slave to her will and her desires. Regardless of what her words have done to me, I am still in love with her. 

   My heart aches and shudders as the deep love I hold for her begins to kill me from the inside as I wave a hand, opening the portal before me. Chihiro. The wind swirls around me like a tempest and I use a little magic to form a beautiful flower made of the purest moonlight. Gentle petals caress the skin of my palm as it descends. This beautiful flower, as pure and white as freshly fallen snow is a farewell gift to the love of my life. To the love of my many centuries of existence. No matter how much time passes, she will always be in my heart and in my mind. This flower will stand as a testament for our love. 

   "Float little one to the holder of my heart." I whisper before casting it adrift into the night sky. The pristine white petals shining through the darkness like a beacon as it floats high above me. It shines like a mass of pure starlight before beginning to descend once more. I blink in surprise before turning around slowly, meeting the familiarly warm gaze of Chihiro as she stares at me with sad eyes and open hands. The flower slowly drifting down into her waiting palms, her eyes never leaving mine. 

   We both remain motionless and silent as we regard each other with a growing sense of uncertainty. Neither one knowing what to say to each other when so much has already been said. 

   "Are you leaving?" She asks after several heartbeats of painful silence.

   "That depends." I respond quietly.

   "On what?"

   "On you." She blinks in surprise at my forward answer. "My staying or going depends entirely on what you want from me. Though there is something that you must know. I have to return to my world for a short while regardless of your wishes because I cannot exist here for long periods of time." Her expression goes blank as she stares down at her hands. "I wasn't leaving because I wanted to, I was only leaving because it was necessary for my survival."

   "You lie to me." She whispers as she stares blankly down at the silver petals that rest against her soft palm. "You keep selfish secrets and you lie to me. When humans are lied to, we don't exactly appreciate it and tend to leave the ones who cause us so much pain."

   "Chihiro."

   "Do you love me?" She asks seriously,  her expression as serious as death. "Truly? Before I say anything else I need to know. Would you truly give up everything for me?"

   "If it were truly possible then I would absolutely do anything for you Chihiro." I smile sadly. "Do you know how much time has passed in my world since you left? It has been almost fifty years in my world. I have yearned for you for fifty years, so if you are to doubt me then the only request that I can make is that you do not doubt my love for you."

   She sniffles quietly and hurriedly wipes away the forming tears on her lashes. Chihiro walks over to me and grabs onto my hand. Her eyes flash as she stares into my eyes with a determination and devotion that shakes me to my very core. 

   "Take me with you."

   "Chihiro, you have a life here."

   "My life is with you. I don't want anything more than to be with you for the rest of my days." Her fingers squeeze mine tightly and she gives me a sweet smile as she cradles the flower between our chests. "If that means that I have to leave this world behind me then I will do it gladly. I have yearned for you as well my beloved river, please don't leave me behind ever again." My arms wrap around her body tightly, crushing her against me with such intensity that I worry that I am hurting her. I am so overcome by emotion that I can't seem to control myself.

   "Are you certain that this is what you want?"

   "I have wanted this ever since I left the spirit world." She whispers as she wraps her arms around me in return. I smile softly as I nuzzle my face into her soft, aromatic hair. This is everything that I had ever desired and more. The gate opens behind us and I slowly lean back, cradling Chihiro in my arms allowing the portal to swallow us whole. As we pass through the strains and stains of human life melt away from her face. We fall back into the cool grass of the bathhouse garden and the youthful and vibrant eyes of Chihiro stare back at me with so much love and adoration that I can almost feel my heart melting within my chest. I place a gentle hand on her cheek and draw her closer.

   "Welcome home." I whisper quietly. She places a gentle kiss on my lips and everything else begins to bleed away as the contract of our lives falls into place, I need nothing more than her in my arms. This kiss is the beginning of our eternity together, and I must say that I like how it is starting.