A/N: I had the idea while looking Spirited Away and couldn't help but write it. I'll try my best not to stuck to much at Spirited Away's story, but there wouldn't be a lot of difference, I think...Yet, I hope you'll enjoy it no matter what.

It's part of Richass week, by the way (extra day).

I put it on "crossover" as I took Spirited Away story. But there are not characters from the movie.

Disclaimer: Tales of Graces and Spirited Away don't belongs to me.

Thanks to Fjerilhaiva who fixed my mistake.

Prologue

Lost

The story that I will tell you is something that my brother told me a lot of time. At first I thought it was a fantasy of his until I had the proof in front of my eyes. Of course, you don't have to believe me; after all, it's something rather strange and, to tell the truth, unbelievable. I want you to remember that even if you don't believe in it, don't destroy the magic of the story.

Now, open big your ears and close your eyes and fall in this big dream.

XXX

It was a beautiful sunny day. Summer just began and, of course every children of Lhant – a town near of a forest – wanted to play outside. Asbel Lhant, eleven years old, son of the mayor, wanted to do so too. Unfortunately for him, he was forbidden of going outside because of the prank he had played to his father; and everybody knew that even if Aston Lhant was a good man, you couldn't play pranks on him, son or not.

But Asbel was a brat and, as always, he disobeyed to his father and left his room through the window. Strangely, it was something he was accustomed with. When his foot touched the grass of the garden, he grinned and, the more discreetly possible, he left the garden and then the town, heading for the forest.

It was something that he often did. The forest was like his second house and he liked played here. He imagined that he was a hunter, hunting a big monster, or a proud knight passing through a dungeon to rescue his beloved princess. It was always funny – a lot funnier than doing his homework or playing with the other children. Asbel didn't have a lot of friends; even his little brother, Hubert, had more than him, but he didn't care. He wanted a best friend, someone to who he could rely on, and share secrets with. Someone who would like him as he was. He hadn't found him yet.

As he was playing in the forest – this time, he was a merchant looking for his daughter – the sun began to set. He stopped, cursing because he had lost track of the time and hurried up to get back before everyone noticed his absence. So, he turned back and headed for the town, but after ten minutes of walking, he was still in the forest. He frowned. He hadn't gone that far in the forest, had he? He always stayed in the same part. He looked around; searching for the marks he had done on the tree the first times he came. And then, he realized: he didn't know this part of the forest. He went pale and, scared, he began to run, hoping to find back his road; but all he could do was arriving in front of a big door, leading to a dark place.

"Mom, Dad…" He whispered, more afraid than ever.

He should have stayed in his room, waiting for his father to let him go out. He should have taken care of what he was doing in the forest. Now, he was lost. He barely thought that that a big wind blew. Trees' leaves moved towards the big red door and Asbel tilted his head. Maybe if I enter, I'll find someone? He thought. If a door was there, perhaps it was because someone lived near there.

Taking a big breath, he entered. He sank deeper in the dark place, looking around, hoping that there wasn't something hiding inside. Then he stopped when he heard a noise. Scared, he held back his breath, waiting, until he noticed that the noise was a train. And if there was a train, it meant that people lived around and would be able to help him.

Smiling, he began to run and he exited the dark place to stand in a plain. He tilted his head, looking the shadows of buildings in front of him. It wasn't a city, he realized; he didn't know what it was, but it was very very very old. Curious and forgetting about his lost path, he went near the old and strange buildings. They were big and red, and in bad shape. They had notices with "Restaurant" or "Shop" written on it. This place is strange…, the young boy thought but still, he couldn't help but continue his way.

Eventually, he arrived in front of a bridge. He began to cross it, but when he heard the train, he went to the railing and leaned, looking at the train that went until the horizon, emitting black smoke from his chimney.

"I wonder from and to where this train goes." He said.

He looked at the rails, trying to figure out the destination; it wasn't Lhant, there wasn't any train station. In the horizon, the sun declined more and more and the young boy sighed. It wasn't like this that he was going to come back at home. Then, he noticed that someone – or something – was looking at him and, a little bit scared, he turned his head.

And their eyes met for the very first time.