Entwined Spirits

A/N: Thanks to ScarletBoudica, I decided to re-create this fic into a collection of one-shots between No-Face and Chihiro. :) Thank you Scarlet!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"I just wanted to be with you"

After another long day of hard work in the Spirit world, Chihiro sat on the balcony and admired the vast sea of never-ending blue that glowed a deeper shade in the dawn's wondrous light.

She sighed. What was Haku up to anyway? It was strange because only a minute ago he had wanted to help her but then the next thing she knew, he had turned cold and quite sour towards her. Whatever the case, if she was willing to make it out of this place in one piece, she'd have to go along with his plans.

The unexpected sounds of planks creaking softly made Chihiro turn her head around - and there she saw him. Like the ghost/ wraith he had always been, No-Face stood stoically near the entrance of the girl's 'bedroom'.

"I didn't realise that you were here." Chihiro said meekly and she managed a small smile to welcome the timid creature. Though she didn't know him as much as she did with most of the folks here, Chihiro had always taken a liking to him. He was such a mysterious yet kind being – well to her of course for she will never forget that much wanted help he had given her when she was faced with the heavily polluted river spirit that the other workers avoided only a few days ago.

No-Face responded simply with the usual 'Uh uh' which made Chihiro smile, and then she said, "You could join me if you want to."

She waited and seeing that the masked creature remained impassive, Chihiro returned her attention back to the view ahead. But moments later, a slight chill was felt in the air and No-Face took his place besides her. Returning her attention back to him, Chihiro smiled; a silent 'thank you' for his company.

No-Face made another series of grunts in response; a silent, 'I am grateful that you didn't ignore me.'

"Aren't you tired No-Face?" Chihiro said. "I mean, folks here sleep during the day but you're not."

No-Face pointed a shady finger to himself and then Chihiro; "I just wanted to be with you."

Chihiro - getting the message - smiled again. "Well, I'm grateful for the company."

No-Face let his gaze drop onto his lap. Of course he would keep her company. Chihiro was such an odd being. To him, she was the most beautiful thing ever. Ah he still remembered that little act of kindness when she offered him 'refuge' inside the bathhouse on that day. It was from that very moment when he became 'obsessed' with the girl. Oh the gifts, the gold, the bath tokens he would shower upon her. He simply adored her.

No-Face suddenly felt a gentle weight press upon his right arm. In that simple touch, he felt everything; tenderness, apprehension, affection.

"Are you alright?" he heard Chihiro's soft voice – addressed only to him. No-Face could see it – clear as crystal in her dark glossy eyes; the utmost serenity and honesty that were held just for him. Oh by the gods, what he'd give to voice his thoughts to her at this moment; express how much she made him feel.

"Hey." Chihiro said and No-Face nodded his head slightly; "I'm fine. Thank you for being with me Chihiro."

Chihiro's face brightened and No-Face felt his insides warm up. "You know," she said. "It's strange, but I feel like as though I've lived here my entire life. I don't know, maybe it's because of the nice people here – well most of them anyway," she added with a light giggle. "And after spending a few weeks here, I feel that I've grown a lot – in a mature sense that is. And because of that, I feel quite thankful really, to be here," she lowered her tone slightly. "But I do want to see my family again."

No-Face didn't know how to react. He just knew that he was surprised - very surprised by the girl's soft little outburst. He couldn't imagine how she was like before but all he could say now, was that he loved this very Chihiro from the bottom of his heart.

Chihiro looked at him again. "Thank you very much for listening. I didn't tell anyone else about this."

"No. Thank you for confiding in me Chihiro."

"Are you sure that you're not tired?"

Kaonashi pointed a questioning finger at her.

"Um… yes I am, a bit," she said.

No-Face grunted and pointed at the room behind her.

"Yes. I think that's what I'll do," Chihiro said and yawned. "Sleep the day away. How strange does that sound."

"Uh uh."

"What is it?"

Chihiro giggled then at what the wraith was holding out to her. A bath token – how sweet was that. But instead of taking the little object, Chihiro reached out to hold No-Face's surprisingly warm hand that held it.

"Thank you," she said in the soft soothing tone that No-Face loved so dearly. Smiling her sweet final smile then, Chihiro got up and made her way back into the building for her well deserved rest, leaving a very astounded Kaonashi to stare tenderly at the place where the girl had so lovingly touched.

A/N: I've made a lot of corrections in this chapter so hopefully it's a little more pleasant to read. =/ Oh well. Thank you for reading and have a lovely day. :)