Prologue.

"…I can't go any farther. Just go back the way you came, you'll be fine, but you have to promise not to look back, not until you've passed through the tunnel."

"But what about you, what'll you do?"

"Don't worry, I'll go back and have a talk with Yubaba. I'll tell her I'm going to quit being her apprentice... I'm fine, I got my name back!"

"Will we meet again sometime?"

"Sure we will."

"Promise..."

"Promise, now go, and don't look back!"

Chapter One: Missing You.

Chihiro's POV:

My breaths came out in short gasps as I ran, my bare feet gently slapping against the soft dirt and, the cool wind biting at my cheeks. I ran with vigor, like a guilty child desperate to hide from the hand that was to punish them. When I felt a strain in my lungs and my legs I compelled myself to go faster. I slowed my pace when I heard the distinct sound of water churning and bubbling.

I slowed to a walk when I reached the rivers shore. Pushing of one of my running shoes off with my foot, I slipped my sock off the same way and dipped my foot in the water. Despite the cool wind it was warm and soothing and it flowed gracefully. An unnamed river, free and unbound, without someone to care for it. I grabbed the hem of my pale green tank top and in one swift movement I lifted it over my head. I ran my hands over my soft but muscled stomach, there were light scars running over the tan skin.

I had worked myself so hard the last six years, desperate to become a woman. Wanting so badly to be able to find the spirit world and be a girl the Haku could stand by. That beautiful boy whom I fell in love with all those years ago…

"Chihiro…" his sweet voice still seemed to swim in my head. I was sixteen now and in those six years I believed that he would keep his promise and come to see me one day. Finally shedding the rest of my clothes I waded carefully into the water then turned and began to swim against the current. My arms were strong and my body was stealthy. I had enough power and stamina to keep up with even a spirit of the river.

I had always felt closer to him when I was in some kind of natural flowing water. Lakes and rivers especially, but this river was different. It was undiscovered and unnamed I hoped that if I visited it frequently enough that Haku would sense my presence somewhere in the spirit world and claim it as his own. Haku had lost his river long ago and somehow wandered into the clutches of Yubaba the great witch of the bath house.

Finally tired from swimming so hard I sloshed my way back out of the river and collapsed on the towel that I had laied out. Exhausted I curled up into a small ball and wrapped myself in the blanket.

"Kohaku" I whispered hoping that he would come if his full name was called. "Please…"

Hakus POV:

"She's doing it again." Haku muttered to no one in particular clearly consumed with worry. He paced across Yubaba's study back and forth completely restless. It had been twelve years in spirit time since he last saw Chihiro. Her soft baby face and big brown doe eyes. So innocent yet so brave and strong. He missed his best friend dearly. He set down then beautifully carved in which he created to watch over Chihiro. It intimately carved by himself with a pearl white dragon slithering around the round jade base of the enchanted mirror. When he used it the dragon writhed and slithered its way around with the grace of a dragon.

"Haku! Enough with your pacing!" Yubaba yelled impatiently. "What did you expect! She's only human; they let their emotions cloud everything that they do. Go see her before she commits suicide. Stupid girl."

He continued to pace rolling Yubabas words around in his head. "Seeing Chihiro again…" It was truly a delicious thought. She was no longer small and childish. Haku had always checked up on her, even when she thought she was alone he had always been protecting her. He kept a close eye on her these last few years; he had noticed quite a few changes in the young girl he used to know. She was a beautiful young woman now lean and strong. Her chocolate hair caressed her cheeks and barely grazed her bottom. She had grown to at least 5"4' and her skin had tanned from running in the sunlight. She had shapely, womanly curves now. Her hips were a lovely sight and her breasts were plump and soft looking.

It was truly shameful the way he thought of her now but as Chihiro had grown he had been compelled to grow with her. He grew from a boy to a man, broad shouldered and tall. His hair was cut perfectly at his shoulder blades and he kept it in a loose ponytail now though he kept the simple style of his bangs cut straight across his forehead. His eyes were still sweet sea foam green but beneath them were dark circles that had begun to form from lack of sleep.

"HAKU! ENOUGH!" Yubaba screeched. "For the last twelve years since we began to share ownership of this bath house you threw yourself into your work and pushed yourself to forget her. OBVIOUSLY it's an impossible task. Even for a great dragon as yourself. Leave now!"

As he left the room Haku let his worried face fall, it smoothed and hardened till it became blank and unknowing. His eyes become steel and his mouth set into a deep frown. He was Co-owner of the bath house and as everyone's boss he made sure to keep a strict relationship with his employs. He never allowed them to see his true feelings. Those were only reserved for Chihiro.

"Master Haku!" some yelled from a distance and then more voices began to call for him slowly morphing into indistinct chatter.

"And so the day begins"