A/N: Hey guys, ok, this is just my second fanfic, so I may have some grammatical errors or misspellings. I'm begging you to please go easy on me? =3 …. I'm already warning you, there will be lemons in some of the upcoming chapters … just skip it if you're not comfortable with it. And I created an alternate ending (hope all of you are ok with it) Well here goes… Hope you will like it.
By the way:
'this is for thoughts'
"This is for the normal talking."
This is for emphasis of certain words
Flashback: (Chihiro's POV)
I ran hand in hand with Haku far away from the bathhouse and stopped at the edge of the stairs leading to the vast green plains.
"There's no water!" I exclaimed
"I can't go any further. Go back the way you came Chihiro . But don't ever look back not until you're out of the tunnel." Haku said as he looked at me with grief-stricken eyes
"What about you Haku?" I worriedly asked
"I'll speak to Yubaba and quit my apprenticeship. I'm fine now that I have my name back." He spoke in a confident tone. " I'll go back to my world too."
"Can we meet again?" I asked with too much hope
"I'm sure." He said reassuringly
"Promise?" I asked, I just wanted to make sure
"Promise." He forced a smile "Now go and don't look back." He ushered me to go down the stairs
I let go of his hand and turned around to face him.
"Before I go.. Can I give you something?" I said
"What is it?" he curiously asked
"Just close your eyes." I told him and he did as he was told "This will only belong to you." I whispered and leaned in closer to him. I felt my face getting hot when my lips touched his, it was soft and welcoming, it felt so magical. I wanted to be with Haku forever, but.. I have to do what's right for my parents.
I moved back as I ended the kiss.
I carefully ran down the steps of the stairs when he let go of my hand. I ran as quickly as I can past the lush green plains and when I reached the other side, I saw my parents waiting for me. I walked through the tunnel with my parents and I didn't look back until we reached the end of it, though I was tempted to look back along the way. Haku told me everything about the rule of the Spirit World, and in a short while after we get out, we would utterly forget about everything that happened. But even if my memories will be erased, Haku and everyone else will remain in my heart forever, even that wretched hag,Yubaba.
End of flashback
*Kring! Kring! Kring!* the school bell rang loudly. It indicated the end of our afternoon classes, all of us are now able to go home (finally!). Today's such a special day, or at least, that's what it is for some people. But for me it's just another typical day. It's Febuary 14, as we all know, Valentine's day.
I slumped back on my seat and tried to force a smile on my face as a number of boys from our class made their way to my seat and each placing flowers on my desk. I tried to smile as sweetly as I can trying not to insult them. Hana, my friend, on the other hand seems to be enjoying the attention given to her by the boys. I stood up, gathered all the flowers in my hand, thus creating a bouquet.
"Thank you guys for all your efforts. But I really have no plans to go on dates and I have to prepare for the exams." I said, trying my best to break it to them gently
"Why do you have to go so soon Chihiro? C'mon enjoy yourself! It's Valentine's day!" Dai said as he moved closer to me and wrapped his arm around me. He's tall, dark and handsome, the kind of guy any other girl would want.
"I really have to go." I said as I shoved his arm off my shoulder. I picked up my bag from my chair and slung it on my shoulder.
"Chihiro why don't you give us a chance?" Keiji begged as he pushed past Dai to get near me. Keiji's a nice guy. He's not really that good looking, but he's very charismatic. But… I just don't like him.
"Yes Chihiro, please?" A bunch of other guys said in unison at the back of Dai and Keiji, each looking at me with puppy dog eyes. If I was Hana, I would've said yes to all of them, but oddly, I can hardly have that much affection towards a boy.
I shook my head and walked past the crowd of guys in front of me. Each having a look of dismay as I walked past them. I walked towards Hana and stole her from a bunch of boys that she was flirting with.
"Sorry boys.. But we.. really… have to go.. NOW." I panted as I dragged Hana out of our classroom. 'Oh man she's heavy!'.
"Hey! What as that for?" Hana said as she playfully punched my left arm.
"I'm just trying to save you from another heart aching situation. Remember the last time you broke up with you recent boyfriend? You woke me up in the middle of the night and kept me awake 'till dawn while you were ranting about your asshole boyfriend?" I smirked at her
"Oh whatever. You're such a stick in the mud sometimes." Hana quietly murmured
"I heard that." I said. She nudged me on the arm and we both laughed.
"Hana! Chihiro!" A voice from behind us suddenly called out.
Hana and I turned around and saw a skinny, pale, black haired guy carrying a pile of books in his arms running towards us.
It was Ken. By the way, my name's Chihiro Ogino. Hana, Ken and I have been best friends ever since high school. And now that we're already in college, the three of us are still together. I transferred here in Tokyo along with my friends to study Fine arts at the University of Tokyo. It's still a month before we finish our last semester and then jump into another year before we graduate.
"Ken!" Hana said
"Where are the two of you going?" Ken asked
"To our favorite restaurant. Want to come with us?" I smiled at him
"Sure!" Ken said with much anticipation, he does have a liking for the rice balls that our favorite restaurant made.
We walked together to the restaurant near our apartment. The wind was Chilly and the sun was starting to go down. I pulled up the zipper of my pink jacket and tied my hair with my purple elastic. There was something peculiar about this scrunchie. It never wore out and the color never faded. When I was ten I asked my mom where I got this ponytail, she told me that I've had it way before we moved to our recent house. Being my mother, I believed her.
When we reached the restaurant, the waiter ushered us to the nearest table that's good for three people. We sat down and started to order. Ken ordered chicken rice balls, Hana ordered ramen and I ordered gyoza. We waited for a short while for our orders, but soon enough it was served.
"Mmm.. This ramen smells good don't you think?" Hana said as she took a whiff of her food
"Wait 'till you get to taste this rice ball!" Ken exclaimed as he gobbled up his rice balls
I chuckled "You guys are such pigs." I broke open the chopsticks that was beside my plate and took the piece of dumpling inside my
mouth. I swear this is the most mouth-watering gyoza I have ever tasted!
"School is such a pain.. We haven't finished most of our projects yet and now their giving us exams next week!" Hana ranted while slurping the noodles
"I know right? I swear, I am so stressed right now." Ken sighed
"C'mon you guys, it's not so bad. Look at the bright side, at least after the exams we get to enjoy ourselves right" I said reassuringly
"Yeah, sure, I guess." Ken and Hana said in unison
"Guys, I have to go now. I'm running late for my date!" Ken swallowed down the last of his rice balls before standing up
"Chihiro can you beiieve it? Our friend Ken here has a date!" Hana faced me and giggled
"I guess he's also capable of having a girlfriend." I grinned a Ken
"I swear you guys are so mean." Ken fake- frowned at us
"Goodluck with your date Ken!" Hana said
"I will. Sayonara!" Ken called out at us before he left the restaurant.
"We have to hurry too Chihiro." Hana turned to face me
"Why?" I asked, obviously puzzled
"We have a date!"
"What?!" my eyes widened, appalled by her statement
"C'mon!" Hana stood up and grabbed my hand trying to get me to stand
"No! I'd rather eat here all night than go on a date!" I stubbornly said as I crossed my arms
Hana vigorously grasped my arm forcing me to stand up and dragged me out of the restaurant.
"Oyasuminasai!" the waitress greeted us goodnight as she opened the door for us. I almost tripped trying to catch up with Hana's pace in running. Soon enough she stopped at the park located in the heart of the city(which was just a few blocks away from the restaurant). There were bright, colorful lanterns floating in the sky. Each stringed with a letter hanging on it. There were heart shaped balloons and candies being sold at every corner of the park. And, of course, a lot of lovers sitting on benches enjoying each other's company.
Hana lead me to one corner of the park where two guys are waiting for us. One was tall and pale with black hair that seems to have too much gel on it. The other was tan, sort of brawny with a chiseled face.
"Hey guys! I'd like you to meet my friend Chihiro." Hana said as she pushed me forward and ushered me to shake hands with both of the guys.
"Nice to meet you." I awkwardly smiled as I shook their hands (I'm so not good at dealing with boys)
"Chihiro, this is Itsuki." Hana said as he introduced the pale guy "He'll be your date tonight. And this Is Jiro." She said as she held the tan guy's hand. "He's my date."
"Uhh… Hi Itsuki." I said as I looked at him
"Hi." He said with a straight face
"You two should walk together. We'll just meet up here again later at 9:00 sharp!" Hana interjected as he waved goodbye to both Itsuki and I.
She left us awkwardly standing there beside each other. 'She is so gonna pay for this.'
"So.. wanna walk?" I spoke to break the silence between us
"Yeah." He bleakly said
I quietly admired the lanterns floating all around us. The park really looked beautiful this night.
"Hey, you wanna make a lantern fly?" I eagerly said and nudged him on the arm
He gazed at me "Yeah, sure, ok."
I straight-facedly looked at him 'He's really annoying me now. What is up with him? It's not like I want to be in a date right now any more than he did!."
I took two lanterns, strings, pieces of paper and pens from a nearby stall (it's free during Valentine's day). I handed one of each to Itsuki as we sat down on a bench.
I stared at him while he was writing on the paper that I gave him. I just noticed that he had green eyes, and they were sparkling, similar to that of the guy that I always saw in my dreams, except his eyes are much smaller. It's so weird, every night ever since my parents and I moved to our new house, I've always had strange dreams. About a magical place, with surreal creatures. A man with six arms that seems to resemble a spider, a horrifying witch with a head that's too big for her body, a large baby, frog-like and human-like creatures.. And a dragon boy.
I've been having dreams about getting lost in such a place. And this boy, with tantalizing emerald eyes, would always be there to help me. One time I dreamt that we were falling from the sky, he was thanking me, for helping him remember his name and freeing him from being owned by a witch. Almost all of my sketchbooks are filled with sketches of these creatures and this enchanting place, but I never let anyone see those sketches of mine. Sometimes I wonder if they really existed. But I never told anyone about this, not even Hana or Ken. They might think I'm crazy. I recoiled when Itsuki snapped his finger in front of my eyes.
"You ok?"he asked
"Yeah.. I.. I just remembered someone." I shyly said, realizing that I've been daydreaming for quite some time
"Is it your ex boyfriend?" Itsuki looked at me with curiosity
"What? No." I chuckled "Someone that I think I know. And you.. sort of remind me of him."
"Wait, you don't know this guy?" he cocked an eyebrow as he faced me
"Well… I think I've seen him somewhere. But I'm not so sure." I saw him gawking at me "Is there something on my face?" I consciously asked as I touched my face
"No. I'm sorry." He said apologetically "It's just that. I haven't noticed how pretty you are."
I smiled at him "Thank you." I placed the piece of paper on the bench and began writing my wish.
What I wrote was:
'I wish, that one of these days.. I can be able to meet the guy in my dreams. I want to know if all that I dreamt is true and doesn't just exist in my mind.. I wish this wish will come true'
Then I tied the string attached on one end of the paper on the lantern. Itsuki and I both stood up.
"Ready to let it go?" Itsuki asked
"Ready." I said
"On one… two… three."
And on the count of three we set the lanterns off to float in the sky. I gazed at all of the lanterns that floated and all the wishes.. that won't come true. Each year, I've been wishing for the exact same thing.. but nothing ever happens. Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up this year.
"What did you wish for?" Itsuki asked
"Why? What did you wish for?" I asked in return
"I asked you first."
"Fine... I wished that someday I'll see the guy that I've been dreaming about."
"Wait." Jiro looked at me "You only saw him in your dreams?" he bemusedly looked at me
"Yes... But deep in my heart I know that he exists. Sounds weird huh?" I timidly asked him
"I think it's cute." he smiled "I know you'll find him."
"Thank you Itsuki." I beamed
I've had a number of boyfriends before, but none of my relationships with them ever worked out. For some reason, I've fallen in love with that charmed place I keep dreaming about, and that boy with enticing green eyes. Sometimes I think that maybe the reason why I don't last long with a guy is because I'm already destined for someone else, someone like, that guy in my dreams.. But It's such a ridiculous thought.
I sighed "C'mon let's go back. Hana and Jiro are probably waiting for us already." I said
It only took us a few minutes to get back to the place where we all agreed to meet up. And there we saw Hana and Jiro waiting for us.
"I guess we have to say goodbye." Hana downheartedly said
"Oh baby, don't be sad. We can always meet up some other time." Jiro said as he pulled Hana in for a kiss
'That's sweet and gross at the same time.' "So I .. I guess we have to go now. It was nice to meet you Itsuki." I said as I smiled at him
"It was nice meeting you too Chihiro." Itsuki courteously replied
After we said our goodbyes we immediately went back to our apartment, we saw Ken sleeping soundly on his bed
'His date must've gone well.'
I quickly changed my clothes and jumped in my bed. I'm really excited for tomorrow, I'm finally going to see my parents again. I'm going to take the 4:00 pm train going there. I already bought a ticket so that I wouldn't waste any more time It's been five months since I haven't seen them. Mom promised she'll bake me my favorite peach castella, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. I closed my eyes and slowly fell into a deep sleep.
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW :D
Oyasuminasai: goodnight
Sayonara: goodbye