Chapter 1.
The Unforgotten Promise

It's been 6 years now since Chihiro left the Spirit World, though she heard nothing from Haku or any of the other spirits just yet, Chihiro still had hopes that she would one day get to see them all again. She frequently returned to the tunnel just down the road from her house. She walked home from school every day and took a shortcut home, which took her past the tunnel that she very often visited. She memorized every step, every rock, and every single marking on the walls. Constantly being let down. 'What was so different that I got through the first time?'

Chihiro didn't mind school, she had friends, got good grades and she was really quite popular. Because of that, you'd think that she was the happiest girl alive. She lived what seemed to be a normal life for a 16 year old girl. She had family and friends that loved her and most of all, Chihiro was extremely beautiful. She had grown more so into her features, she had long legs and shining long brown hair to match. Her eyes were as big as the sun and glistened like the moon. She always had guys from her school asking her out on dates, but Chihiro's reply was "I'm in love with somebody else, I'm so sorry." Unable to tell anyone who it was that she was in love with, Chihiro perpetually found herself writing in her diary about Haku and her adventure in the Spirit World.

As a matter of fact, Chihiro enjoyed writing and being alone opposed to going to parties and get-togethers with her friends. Ever since her time at the bath house, she felt alone and isolated, as if she didn't connect with anybody in the Human World. She constantly found herself sitting in her candle-lit room, listening to soft music and writing in one of her many diaries. She wrote so often that she's used up 5 books in only 6 years. Sometimes she liked to write letters to her friends back in the Spirit World, as if somehow they could read them. She hoped that they could, because she had so much to say. Especially to Haku.

"Did you forget about our promise? Was what you said just something to make me leave? Was I just some pathetic human whom you crossed paths with by chance? Do you not love me like I love you?" A small tear drop fell onto the page as Chihiro furiously erased the last sentence from her book. Chihiro didn't like to admit it to herself, but she did indeed love Haku. With all of her heart, she spilled her feelings out on paper that was viewed by her eyes only. Almost every night she dreamt of meeting him for a second time, but at this point, it seemed like in her dreams were as close to Haku as she was ever getting.

Back at the Bath House, things were running smoothly. Yubaba wasn't quite so harsh on her workers. As soon as Sen left, she acknowledged the other employees and all of the constant hard labour that they'd been doing. Lin was promised never to clean the Big bath again, after being pushed to do it so many times. Kamaji and his enchanted soot balls remained humble and loyal to their work with no complaints. Boh was given a train pass and visited his aunt Zeniba every month, with the company of Yu-Bird. Everyone was happy at the Bath House, everyone but Haku.

Haku quit being Yubaba's apprentice but still was Assistant Manager of the Bath House. He often did rounds and checked on the employees and their customers, making sure everything was going well and that the spirits were happy and relaxed. The odd time there were some miscommunications and unhappy customers, but Haku quickly resolved all problems and everything was back to as it should be.

He found himself thinking of Chihiro more often than he had thought possible, she was in his dreams and he saw her face every time he closed his eyes. Haku had never been in love or really paid any attention to girls, even though he was a teenage boy. In reality, Haku was really thousands of years old. All of the spirits in the bath house were, even Boh. Spirits are immortal and have the ability to choose which age they physically appear. Haku's physical form was that of a 19 year old boy, 2 years older than Chihiro. But since having met Chihiro, Haku decided that he was going to age along with her.

Haku, too felt alone and isolated, much like Chihiro. He wondered how things were going for her. Sometimes he even asked himself, "Does she even remember me?" Little did he know, she did. She remembered everything about Haku. His scent, what it felt like riding on his back while in dragon form, the feel of his scales, and even his first words to her. Though they weren't exactly what you'd call kind words, he was looking out for her and trying to protect her. He always was. 'You shouldn't be here, Get out of here. NOW!' He too remembered.

Haku hated himself because he wasn't there to protect Chihiro anymore. Though she was much safer in her own world with her family and friends, he always wished that one day he would be walking across the bridge and find her there, looking off into the distance. During the day time, he often walked to the tunnel. He'd even try walking through it, but at the end, staring back at him was just a large stone wall. One day he'd see her again. He knew he would, he had to. He promised.

-Just go back the way you came, you'll be fine. But you have to promise not to look back. Not until you've passed through the tunnel.
-What about you? What will you do?
-Don't worry, I'll go back and have a talk with Yubaba. I'll tell her I'm going to quit being her apprentice. I'm fine, I got my name back.
-Will we meet again some time?
-I'm sure we will.
-Promise?
-I Promise. Now go, and don't look back.

And she didn't. Haku knew that it was best for the both of them if Chihiro didn't look behind her, but a small part of him wishes she had. He just wanted to see her face again, just for one last time.