Chapter One
I'll never forget the night she came into the Spirit World. That night Yubabba had been particularly cruel to some of the new workers, making them redo everything they were told to do. I,on the other hand, had been given a very important mission. I was scout for humans. Might not sound too important to you, but to me, this was a rare treat. Who am I,you ask? I'm Haku, Yubabba's former apprentice. Even though I no longer learn from her, I am still bound by contract to remain in this world.
Anyway, back to my mission. I was strolling the bridge,when I heard someone crying. Normally, I would've ignored this, but it sounded too familiar. I followed the sound just behind the bathhouse. There, huddled in a ball, sat a girl of about eleven. "What are you doing here?" I spoke softly, kneeling down to her level.
"I got lost…my older sister dared me to cross through the tunnel, and then I couldn't get back.." She was sobbing softly. "Please don't hurt me…"
This scene was all too familiar. I thought of Chihiro, who had been young too. "Get up. We have to go somewhere else. You are not safe here." I held out my hand to her.
She took it, and allowed me to lead her under the bridge. "What's your name?" She asked me finally.
"Haku. In the future, you might be forced to call me something else, if she finds you. What is your name?" I stared directly into her eyes, unblinking. I had to keep her in my control for her own good.
"Sen." Her voice wavered. "A-are you the Haku that helped my mommy escape?" Her eyes widened incredulously.
I dropped to my knees in front of her,in shock. "Who is your Mommy?"
"Chihiro. She came upon this place when she was a little girl. She told me all about you."
"You're Chihiro's daughter?" I had to admit, she definitely looked like Chihiro, the way I remembered her. "And she named you Sen…. That was her name in this world."
"I know. She told me that I was named in your honor. I never thought I would actually meet you. Mommy, Tiffy and I are visiting Grandma." Sen was shivering.
"Shhh. I'm sorry you got stuck here, but it's too late for you to go back right now. I'll have to put you to work. " Which means, I thought, that I would have to take her to Yubabba, unless….. "Follow me, and stay quiet."
I led her up the stairs towards the room that Chihiro and Lin had once shared. "You will work for me, not Yubabba. Adress me as Master Haku." I would have to take care of Yubabba myself, later. I knocked on the sliding door.
"Yes, Haku?" Lin appeared instantly.
I shoved Sen forward. "Put her to work. Her name is Sen." When her eyes widened, I gave her a stern look. "Don't ask questions, Lin. I'll explain everything later." I turned to look at Sen, and took her hand. "I will give you the same promise I gave to your mother, little Sen. I am your friend, no matter what happens. I will get you home." To Lin, I said, "If any harm comes to her, you'll get it from me, you hear me?"
I walked away, leaving Lin to handle Sen. My mind was tumbling with thoughts. Chihiro had two children? How long has it been since the Summer she'd come? Now her own daughter was trapped here. If Yubabba found her ,she would use her to get revenge on Chihiro. I knew that much. Which is why I would have to do some fast work.
I was still in awe as I reached the witch's office. Lucky for me, she was not there. I went and grabbed a blank contract. I signed Sen's name to it, then erased it, to make the woman think she owned her. Now Sen could keep her name, and she was all mine to control, and protect. It was the least I could do for Chihiro. I had made a promise to Sen, and I intended to keep it.
