Author's Note: Ok, so this is my second fic, just a little idea I had that I wanted to get on paper to see how it plays out. Basically, this is an AU with characters from "Spirited Away." Chihiro and Haku live in a world that has been thrown into chaos by a war raging between the rival empresses, and twin sisters, Yubaba and Zeniba who are fighting for power and control. Haku and Chihiro work for a secret elite group, a group with the goal of keeping the peace and trying to restore order to their world. As the story opens, their group has not taken the side of either empress, their main concern being to stop some of the destruction caused by the war, not to participate in it. Gah, sorry if that doesn't make any sense yet. I promise it will later. Anyways, the story centers on their struggles (so their will be some action) and their relationship (so some romance too). Oh, and in my story, Chihiro is 16 and Haku is 17. I hope this turns out all right, enjoy! This first part is just a prologue, so be patient!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from "Spirited Away," but the story line is mine

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            She begged her ears to pick up the sound of his footsteps, his breathing, anything that would allow her to determine his position. Nothing. She tried a different tactic and squinted her eyes while turning around in a circle slowly. Unfortunately, her eyes refused to adjust to the inky darkness around her, so looking for him was really a frivolous endeavor, but it made her feel safer, more confident somehow. She held her silver blade out before her, mentally and physically preparing herself in case he attacked. The moments slinked by carelessly as she felt herself growing increasingly anxious. Her muscles tensed involuntarily. Sweat began to trickle from her forehead and into her eyes, causing her to blink furiously. Then she made a crucial mistake. She sighed.

            It didn't matter that the sigh would have been inaudible to nearly anyone else, his trained ears picked it up quickly, and like a flash of lightning, he was at her side. She still couldn't see him, but the shiver that ran up her side told her that he was inches from her, just behind her left shoulder. She whipped around and spun her blade quickly, just in time to make contact with his and saving her from what might have been a terrible wound. The clash of the two metal weapons produced a resounding clang, shattering the heavy, stifling silence.

Chihiro was thankful for the sudden noise. The silence had made her uncomfortable, afraid even, but this fresh burst of bright, beautiful sound reinvigorated her and gave her a new sense of confidence. In the silence, he was at ease, and he had the upper hand, but she was in her element now. Although the darkness still prevented her from seeing, now she could use her sense of hearing, and she was able to orient herself.

She met another of his powerful blows and blocked it, but with some difficulty. He was stronger than her, and the force of the impact pushed her back slightly. She caught herself quickly, though, and countered with a high swing that she believed should have been about even with his chest. Her blade flew through the air smoothly, but met nothing solid on its journey. She hesitated for a split second in her confusion, wondering how he could have moved quickly enough to avoid the path of her graceful sword. A single strand of her hair fell out of her ponytail and blew softly into her face, the result of a gentle breeze that had brushed by her on the right. She turned to her right quickly. Again, her blade met his, but this time she didn't stumble. She greeted him with a volley of attacks, swinging her sword elegantly while dodging his assaults and advances. The only time Chihiro ever felt graceful was when she had a sword held firmly in her hands. Their swords met each other time and time again in an intense, passionate dance. She was breathing heavily now, as she jumped out of the way of his sword. They continued that way for sometime, blocking and exchanging blows in the darkness of the room.

Chihiro was about to force her blade forwards and towards him when she heard him whisper "Stop." She did as he asked, and ended her attack immediately. What she couldn't see in the darkness was that her blade was a mere inch from his bare chest, and would undoubtedly have given him a mortal wound had she not halted the moment she heard his voice. She lowered her weapon and could hear him doing the same.

"Do you think that was enough for tonight?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, I think so. Let's call it a draw, all right?"

She nodded her head, but quickly realized he couldn't see this action in the darkness that surrounded them. She let out a small laugh at herself, and then replied, "Yes, it was a good match…besides, I'm tired."

He laughed lightly, an action that gave her shivers. The good kind of shivers, she thought to herself. He rarely laughed, and never for anyone but her. She reached out her arms and draped them around his neck in a hug. "Good night," she whispered into his ear. She began walking towards the door and to her bedroom, then hesitated and turned around instead. She bit her lip softly. "Haku…?"

"Yes, Chihiro?"

"I'm not really all that tired just yet. Come outside with me…Please?" she murmured quietly.

She stood for a while in the silence, not knowing whether or not he was coming. He was so quiet.  Moments later, she felt a hand glide down her arm softly, and she exhaled contentedly at the touch. She shook off the feeling quickly though, hoping he hadn't noticed her dreamy sigh, and opened the door.

Moonlight flooded the training room now that the door was open, and Chihiro looked up at his face. He returned the glance and smiled down at her, then turned to look up at the moon. Suddenly, his features grew serious, and she could see his brow crease in worry.

"You know, Chihiro, tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for us. The war between Yubaba and Zeniba is growing, building. I'm afraid that things have nearly reached a boiling point. I don't know how much longer we'll be able to keep this up. We can try to keep the peace, try to protect those we can, but I'm not sure how long it will last. I don't know if our forces are strong enough," he said, sitting down on the steps that lead down from the training room.

Chihiro joined him on stairs. She looked out at the landscape around her, the forest of tall trees that hid their base of operations, their home, from the outside world. She glanced over at him fleetingly and then replied hesitantly, "We do all that we can. We've been strong so far, as strong as it's possible to be in times like these. I still have hope that the war will end soon."

Haku put his head in his hands and sighed deeply, letting the warm night air fill his lungs. "I hope you're right, Chi. I don't know how many more families I can see torn apart by this war, how many more villages I can help rebuild, how many more lives I can end, all in the name of peace."

Chihiro wasn't sure how to respond. She could sympathize with him; their lifestyle was a difficult one. She put a hand on his back and rubbed slowly, trying to comfort him. Tomorrow, tomorrow this war will be over. There will be no more death, no more pain, no more cruelty, it will all stop, I t has to stop. Tomorrow, it will stop…she thought to herself, trying desperately to believe what she told herself. Please, let it stop…

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Author's Note: Well, there you have it folks, the prologue to what may become a bigger story, provided there's interest. (And now for the shameless plug) And if you'd like, you can check out my other story too, it's another "Spirited Away" fic. Man, I feel so dirty, advertising for myself and all. Oh well, I'll get over it. Bye for now! Remember, reviews are extremely appreciated, thanks!