(A/N 2/3/2016): Hello everyone! I am currently rewriting this story. I wasn't comfortable with how it was moving along, and I felt like I lost my touch in writing…So, I will be reworking the story in chapters to help it flow a little bit better. Thank you to everyone who has followed and liked the story thus far! Sorry that it has been so long!

Disclaimer: I do not own "Spirited Away."

Chapter 1: Even Now

It had been nearly four months since Chihiro had come home…or, more specifically, what her parents deemed as her "home." Chihiro looked out of her father's blue sedan wistfully. Every time she came back to this place, a warm sensation would come from her sparkling purple band on her wrist. It was the only proof that reminded the young woman that she was in fact, not crazy.

Since ten years ago, much of what she experienced would fade into the recess of her mind until the familiar warm temperature would bring the repressed memories forward. It seemed to Chihiro that without the band her friends had given her, she would have forgotten as soon as she stepped foot back into the human world.

It was at that point that her father drove past the beaten pathway that lead to the spirit world entrance. She stared after it longingly. 'Why does it matter anyway? It's closed.' Chihiro thought with a small choke. It was true. Until she left for college in Tokyo, she would visit the old train station every day to see if she would be let through. Even though she was able to walk through the train station, as soon as she entered the outside, the only thing she could see was grass for miles. The river did not exist. The spirit town did not exist. The bathhouse did not exist…Haku did not exist.

"Chihiro, honey, we're home." Her mother, Yuko, stated softly. Chihiro's honey eyes snapped from the window and she gave her mother a bashful smile.

The young woman jumped out of the car and pulled her bags out of the trunk with the help of her parents. As they carried the bags to the blue house, her parents started asking questions about her schooling.

"So Chihiro, how is Nursing school at the best university in Japan?" Her father, Akio, asked proudly. He loved asking his only daughter of her accomplishments. Ever since they moved to this new place, Chihiro immediately poured everything she had into her schooling. It was the only thing she had to keep her mind off of the world that she missed so, so much. She maintained valedictorian status throughout high school and even made it into one of Japan's most prestigious universities.

With a small smile, Chihiro answered her father. "It's great dad…Just a ton of work and clinicals." As she spoke, she dropped her book bag full of humongous medical books.

Her mother gave her a knowing smile. While Chihiro's father loved their daughter very much, he did not actually understand her. Yuko was sure she did not either. Chihiro had grown into a lovely, compassionate young woman. Despite many of her great attributes, Yuko noticed something her husband failed to acknowledge. Chihiro was painfully lonely. She always seemed to be staring off into space, as if remembering a time and place that she would rather be.

"Chihiro, what do you want for dinner?" Her mother asked kindly. Chihiro was doing exactly what she always did. She was staring through the window and into the blue sky.

Chihiro hummed before answering. "Octopus weenies would be great, mom." Chihiro said with a huge smile. They were here favorite, albeit childish. Yuko nodded happily and set to the kitchen.

"Mom, Dad, I'm going for a walk to see if anything's changed!" Chihiro yelled over her shoulder. She slipped on her shoes and exited the house.

On her way down the hill to the unpaved road that lead to the train station, her parents stared out the window after her.

"She always goes down there when she comes home. It's the first thing she does! She goes down there so often that she's worn a path into the grass!" Akio exclaimed with a slightly sad lilt to his deep voice. Instead of conversing with them, his daughter always wanted to go check out the old, creepy place down the hill.

Yuko was cutting the hotdogs and she smiled to her husband. "Just let her be, Akio. She's never gone long anyways." Yuko cooed to her fuming husband. Both sets of eyes returned to watching their daughter walk down the hill.

Chihiro wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. It was extremely hot, especially with the sun beating down on her unceremoniously. But, as soon as she entered the forest, the heavy canopy of trees blocked the hot sun from Chihiro. She immediately gave a happy sigh, relishing in the cooler temperature as she walked the path.

As the woman walked by, she carefully examined all of the tiny spirit houses that took residence on the side of the path. Eventually, she made it to the entrance of the train station. She missed this place, despite the fact that it never allowed her through after she came back from the spirit world. It served as a reminder that what she experienced was real…and that maybe one day, she would be allowed back to go to her rightful home.

The tunnel was damp and cold like it was every time she came to the train station. Even now, the purple band on her wrist continued to warm on her wrist. As she traversed through the abandoned train station, nervousness grew in her stomach. It happened every time she came here. She always hoped that maybe, just maybe, she could slip through and rejoin her friends on the other side. Up until now, she was disappointed every time.

This time was no different. As the sun once again beat down on her, she stared ruefully out at the never ending sea of tall, green grass. It was like every other time. The passageway was not open.

Chihiro sunk to her knees as she continued to stare at the grass that swayed in the breeze. "You promised." Chihiro choked out quietly.

Her closest friend promised 10 years ago that he would see her again. Why hadn't he come for her yet?! He must have known how distraught she was without her friends! An emotional sigh escaped from Chihiro's lips as tears slipped from her pained eyes.

"Why do I even try anymore?" She asked herself. If Haku actually was coming for her, he would have done so by now. Her eyes scanned the green grass for any inclination that the spirit world lay before her. She was greeted with nothing.

Chihiro slowly picked herself up and with slumped shoulders, returned to the train station. She did not turn back.

(A/N): I would like to thank both Bloophearts and a Guest Reviewer for leaving insightful reviews for this story! I would also like to thank Jazuchan2 for putting this story on both her favorites and alerts lists!

Below are all of you that responded, favorited, or followed to the story in the time that it was on hiatus. If you wrote a review or anything else, I love you! My responses will come a little later, as to not give any hints away just yet. ;)

Reviews: 909kk, K.I.T.T RIDER, ShimmersAndRipples, SAK00, Spirit09, jul, Pokegirl185, Wierdnfreaky, waistedyouth, guest, SpiritGirl

Follows: Mariumee, Pokegirl185, lemonygoodness1998, thatgirlnoonesees, Wierdnfreaky, Tessa the fandom queen, AlienJinx, Primeraa, 707cloud, BlooksRockGirl, waistedyouth, UzumakiNaruto1238, GeneralStargate, PurpleRoseBlueFire,ViolentlyAvoidsLife, BlackWolfBlood, lorenchilds, Canada4Usagi, ashrose92

Favorite: Pokegirl185, thatgirlnoonesees, Tesssa the fandom queen, Primeraa, 707cloud, waistedyouth, UzumakiNaruto1238, GeneralStargate, BlackWolfBlood, bailey136, lorenchilds, ashrose92