"Will we meet again someday?"

"Of course we will."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

A promise is never broken, no matter what.

I'm not entirely sure how I got here. It seemed like such a good idea to go for a walk, to clear my mind of... him, to just forget about everything five years ago. And look what that got me. I scuffled towards the huge tunnel, the red paint peeling and chipping, the wood rotting, the windows cracking and breaking, the blank iron sign rusting. The same two-faced statue- or Janus rather, as my English teacher would say- standing, protecting, watching over what my father had called 'a fake building.' I involuntarily shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. This place brings up so many bittersweet memories, from when my parents changed into swine to when I saved Haku. Only for Haku would I go back and do it all again. I would run through that tunnel, find him, hug him, and love him. I would do everything all over again. But I already tried this more than fifty times, all with the same outcome: an ever growing field of lush grass and wildflowers, along with a broken heart.

Haku had lied to me. He said – no, he promised that we would meet again someday, but he never came for me. I wiped my misty eyes with my hands clenched tight into fists, gritting my teeth together to prevent any sobs or tears.

Well.. maybe...No.

I could never do that. I promised him I wouldn't go back. But then again... he promised me we would meet.

No, I can't. Remember what happened last time?

But to see him again... I would risk anything for that. But what if I can't get through?

Then go home... What if you can't get back?

Why would I want to if he's with me?

But what if he isn't there?

Why wouldn't he be?

Just go already!

No!

Yes.

No.

Yes.

No.

I was arguing with myself until the sun behind me disappeared behind the horizon, and the moon took its place, and some stars could be seen faintly under the fading blue sky, and the breeze made my bones freeze and my fingers blue. I found myself resting against the small guarding statue, so I stood upright, letting a long shiver out of my bones. Lifting my crappy watch to my face, I saw that the thin red lines read 10:03. My father would be at the bar and drunk by now, and my mother would probably be in bed, assuming I'm over at a friend's house- Not that I had any friends. I glanced around nervously, the dark night air protecting the creatures in the world around me.

Well, I might as well try to go home, because there's no use in – I stopped myself, eyes growing wide. Did I hear... running water? ...And ...is that a ...train?

My heart picked up its pace, and I held in my breath, hoping that it was really what I hoped it would be. And like the hours of arguing were nothing, I stood alert and dropped anything I had said. Without a moment's more of hesitation, I let my legs take off from underneath me, carrying me into the dark tunnel, even more black than the night behind me. I reached the train station in mere seconds, the night sky filtering in through the stained glass windows- playing with the dust motes that hung over the rickety benches. I barely had time to look around, let alone breathe, before I took off again. Soon, my feet were landing on the soft grass, padding my way towards the rocks, which seemed to be- though its hard to tell in the pitch black- covered with water now. I splashed into the freezing water and it sent shockwaves through my body as it ran up my lanky legs. It took- Darwin knows how long- to get to the other side of the huge river- and once I did, my surroundings didn't help my hurried state of mind. I crouched down before a hill, where the bathhouse was now in sight.

Smoke was billowing out of tall towers that stood in the back of the building, water was crashing down from miniature waterfalls out front, the smells of salts, herbs, and sea water wafting emitting from the building.

I'm here. I'm back. I'm really back! I took a deep gasp of air and let small tears cascade down my face. But – again – I only had a small amount of time to rest before it began to dawn on me. How will I find Haku? Will anyone remember me? Is Lin still here? And Kamajii? Oh, how could I be so stupid! I came rushing in without a thought, and now I'm stuck! What about Zeniba and Yubaba? Involuntarily my hands ran along the length of my pale-green capris as I took another shaky breath.

Okay.

Inhale

I can do this.

Exhale

I begin my way up the hill, the sounds of the boats already drifting in behind me. I steer towards the bridge and slide my way in between a fairly large radish spirit and a tall woman who's chatting away with her friend, hoping that I'll be able to make my way inside unnoticed. Suddenly, I feel a calloused hand around mine, slightly bigger than my own, and I dart my eyes to my left. I feel my mouth forming a little 'o,' tears swelling in the corners of my eyes.

"Lin?" I whisper, squeezing her hand when she nods. Clearly she's just as shocked as I am.

"I knew you were a trouble maker," she finally mutters back. "Come- follow me! Come on!" She slips out of the crowd with me in tow, and she pulls open the gate, dragging me down the steep steps that don't seem as steep as I remember. Soon enough, she heaves open the door to the boiler room and takes swift and quiet steps through the short hallway.

"Lin," I hear him grumble, though I'm too caught up in the soot sprites- susuwatari lit as some Japanese call it carrying coal towards the fire. "And you have someone... Oh my, is that... Sen?" I look up when I hear my second name, Kamajii sitting lazily in his chair. His mustache now gray, glasses fogged.

"Kamajii," I grin sheepishly at his shocked expression, and for a moment there is nothing but complete silence, as I rest my hands on my bent knees, panting heavily after all of the running.

"I told you, Lin. I told you she would come back. I told you love is stronger than any spell and will find you, no matter what." He grins and turns back to his work, limber arms stretching up to the high boxes and pulling out herbs which smell of mint, sage, and some other exotic spices.

"Yea yea Kamajii, soak it up," Lin grins, and turns to me. "So, I thought you weren't coming back," Lin states, pulling me away from the soot-sprites that have gathered around the raised platform that I stood on.

"Well, Haku promised me that we would meet again, and after five years, I decided I would make his promise come true...but I never expected it to work..after trying so many times..." She turns to me and smiles lightly, which never quite meets her eyes.

"Follow me," she instructs. "And take off your shoes." I nod and sit down, slipping off my slightly worn baby-blue converse sneakers.

"Lets go," Lin pulls me up, and directs me towards the small trap door, forgetting to mention where we're going in the first place.

"Before you go, Sen-" Kamaji stops us. I turn to see him holding a small metal object in his outstretched hand."You might need this- for good luck. It always brought me luck." I smile and take the object – which turns out to be a small iron key – from one his wrinkled and soft hand.

"Thank you, Kamajii," I breathe, bowing before him. But when I look back up he's turned away, and working diligently, as If we never came, and Lin is pulling me away. As the heat from the room slowly fades from behind me, I slip the key into my pants pocket, and smile.

A/N: I hope you guys like it!! I have to make a HUGE shout out to the awesome-st beta reader I could have- The Rish. [: You really helped me make this the best I can!! THANK YOU!

Please review, and tell me if you like it!!

(and if you really like it, send a PM to The Rish to tell her how awesome she is!!!!)