N:

'thoughts'

"talking"

It had been 6 years since Chihiro seen her friends in the spirit world. Though she had been gone she was never left alone. Kohaku was always with her. Once she left, Kohaku had created a telepathic connection with her. They had always been with each other and became closer than ever.

Kohaku could only hear her thoughts when she pushed them to him. At first it was hard and a few thoughts slipped or she would end up talking to herself but Chihiro eventually got used to it. She was glad that they could talk like this but sometimes embarrassing thoughts would slip.

There was this one time when she thought about another boy. Chihiro and Kohaku both loved each other but they could never get around saying it, fearing that one would reject the other. Chihiro was quite interested in a new transfer student. Kohaku isn't normally one to get jealous but to hear her think about another male was very uncomfortable. The strings of his heart would tug but he knew he couldn't say anything so he would just listen.

Chihiro was 16 now and grew into a fine young woman. She was no longer so little but now stood at 5'4. Her hair grew out and was still brown and silky. Her eyes got darker and looked like rich dark chocolate.

Life was normal for Chihiro. She had gotten into drawing and was accepted into a famous art high school but also took an interest in ancient folklore. In the first semester in high school she had won an art contest. She had painted the moment when she found out that Haku was alive and she had hugged his snout.

Most of her inspiration came from her adventure in the spirit world. Everyone loved her work and she even sold some of her paintings. Though it was hard not to tell people about her adventures, she had decided to keep it to herself and draw it all and tell people through her work.

Kohaku grew too. He was much taller and was well built. His hair was still a very dark shade of green which almost looked black. His eyes were the same. They sparkled like emeralds. Many women would fall in love within one glance. He was light on his feet and seemed to glide with every step.

A month after she had left Kohaku had found his river. The two learned that there was now going to be a new canal that changed the direction of the water to the ocean. Once it was completed Kohaku and Chihiro saw each other whenever they could. Though Chihiro couldn't go to the spirit she could go to the river. Once at the river, Haku could appear to her in a translucent form. They saw each other but could not truly be together.

Kohaku was now living in his own cottage near Zeniba's but often had to go back to the bathhouse. Though he was no longer under contract, like everybody else, he still needed a job. He wasn't as mean as before but he still was very professional about his work.

Lin was doing better too. She started to travel. Once her contract was ripped, she used her saved money to travel as much as she could. She often sent Kohaku a message and he told Chihiro everything on the letters. 'Wow she sounds like she's having a blast. I wish I could do the same as her.' Chihiro thought about it. 'Haku. Do you think we could travel in the spirit world someday? I want to see it with you.' She said.

She often dreamt about traveling with Kohaku but she knew that would be impossible. Once she left, the gate closed. No one understood why it opened or how it closed but she knew she couldn't go back.

Kamaji was that same as always. He worked hard and worked the soot even harder. Most days were normal for him but others were hard work and very tiring. Kamaji often thought about his 'granddaughter' and how she was doing. Every so often he would ask Kohaku how she was and Chihiro asked the same.

Everything was the usual. It wasn't until one day that everything… wasn't so normal.