Lyner:: I don't own anyone except Kana.

Kana:: which kinda sucks, but whatever.

Chihiro looked at the calendar and sighed. She would be 17 in a few days. This really sucked for her. It was almost seven years now since she returned to the human world. She could still remember the time in the spirit world vividly. She would never forget, because he was there.

Why am I still thinking about him? He broke his promise; he'll never make it back in time. She thought to herself.

The spirit world had rules. Horrible rules. The gate only opened every 7 years. And it only opened for one week. This year was the year it opened and it would close on her 17th birthday. If he didn't come soon then the portal would close and she would have to wait another 7 years. She wasn't sure she could wait that long.

Stupid Haku! I'll forget about you if you don't come back!

Chihiro picked up her car keys and ran out of the house. She would go wait for him, wait for him at the tunnel entrance just like she did everyday of the 7 years of their departure. She would rather be the first thing he saw outside of that tunnel.

HAKU'S POV…

Haku paced back and forth in Yubaba's office. She was being difficult. She was trying to stall him and he knew it. The portal would close in just a few days and there was nothing he could do about it. He cursed under his breath and looked out of the window. He longed to see Chihiro again.

"An exchange. Otherwise a deal." Yubaba said when she entered the room.

"Excuse me?" Haku asked icily.

"Give me the exchange of her soul when she dies and you are free."

"And the deal?"

"You return here with her every time the portal opens and do my bidding."

"Then why bring her?"

"A precaution against betrayal."

Haku made a low growling noise, but nodded in agreement to the deal. There was no other choice. He was willing to give anything except Chihiro's soul and life. He signed the contract with his real name and stalked angrily from the room.

"Wait. I need you to do something before you go though." Yubaba said.

Haku turned to face her with a sour look. She pointed to the contract and he growled again. She had tricked him. She was aloud to use him as much as she wanted as long as he was still in the spirit world.

CHIHIRO'S POV…

Chihiro paused in front of the statue that had frightened her so many years ago. There was something eerie about the tunnel again. As if it was telling her to go through again. Chihiro felt a shiver go down her spine. Haku had specifically told her never to return to the spirit world. She had promised him that she wouldn't. Then a pang of fury hit her. Why should she keep her promise when he didn't keep his?

She turned to the tunnel and took a slow step towards it. She gulped as the gust of wind that tried to pull her in grew in intensity. She took a deep breath and ran in she didn't care where she was headed as long as she knew Haku was going to be with her.

Not long after, she came out in a huge meadow. The meadow she remembered and still dreamed about. She slowed down and walked towards the river she remembered. She crossed it and looked back. Just like last time, the river was once again full of water. She couldn't turn back until the last minute. The last day of the portals opening is when the water would disappear if a spirit didn't take the ferry or got rid of it. Chihiro looked at the sky and found that it was getting dark. Almost time for the spirits to wake up and work again.

Time to go find Kamaji. He'll tell me where I can find Lin and Haku.

She started to run towards the bathhouse again. It was jus as she remembered it. She took the path down the flight of long stairs to the boiler room. She wasn't as afraid as last time but her hair still stood on end when she looked down. Once that part was over, she looked up at the snoring boiler man. He still looked the same.

"Hi Kamaji! How are you?" Chihiro asked loudly.

Kamaji startled awake and looked down at Chihiro. A look of pure confusion. He obviously didn't recognize her. She wasn't surprised. She was only ten when they had first met. Now she was a fine young woman though.

"It's me, Chihiro." Chihiro said, trying not to laugh

A look of surprise and pleasure crossed his face. He was very happy to see her again.

"Chihiro, my dear! What are you doing here? And how?" He asked while hugging her.

"I came back across the river. I came for Haku and a visit. Do you know where Lin and Haku are?"

"Lin should be cleaning now and I'm afraid I don't know where Haku is."

"Well thanks anyway. I'll go see Lin now. Take care!"

Chihiro took off her shoes and went through the little door without waiting for a reply. She remembered the way to where Lin worked so she didn't have a problem finding her. Lin was also confused when she saw Chihiro but was happy when Chihiro told her who she was. The others that remembered her were also happy to see her.

"Lin, I need to find Haku." Chihiro told her friend.

"Him again? Don't you think of anyone else besides him?"

Chihiro shook her head and look expectantly at her friend.

"You'll have to ask Yubaba. Sorry."

"It's okay. I'll see you later."

Chihiro made her way through the familiar bath house. Word of her return had spread fast. People where greeting her as she passed.

HAKU'S POV…

Haku rushed off. He had sensed a human within the spirit world and was very upset. Unfortunately he was unable to do anything about it. There was something he still had to do for Yubaba and then he would finally be able to leave this confined world.

He transformed and flew off. He towards Zeneba's house. What he'd been ordered to do was to escort Yubaba's darling son back to the bath house. A seemingly easy task but he knew that only Chihiro was able to get that child to listen. This was going to be an exhausting mission.

CHIHIRO'S POV…

Chihiro knocked on Yubaba's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

"Rude as usual, I see." Yubaba said with disdain.

She obviously didn't have any trouble recognizing her.

"Where's Haku?" Chihiro asked with distaste.

"Working. You can wait for his return if you like. It will be a while though."

"Didn't he break your contract?"

"Yes but he had to sign a new one. Don't worry. He'll be free to go as soon as he returns."

Chihiro sat on the floor and starred blankly at Yubaba. She didn't like the old hag and thought she was lying but there was nothing she could do about that.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Srry that it's boring but it should get better! R&R PLZ!!!