Hello my faithful followers. I know it has been a very, very long time and for that I apologize. I have no excuse except for the fact that I lost inspiration for my own story. That, thankfully, has changed. As my writing skills have come a long ways from when I first posted this story, I have taken all my original work and rewritten it all, making for a new direction in the story. I tried to keep as much of the original idea as possible, but I did make some changes that will make way for later chapters.

I know not how often I will be able to update this story due to my very busy lifestyle, but I am going to try to make an effort to try to keep up with this one. So be my guest and explore my story once again with, hopefully, much better writing and inspiration!

"Will we meet again sometime?"

"Sure we will."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now go and don't look back."

I let go of his hand reluctantly and turn away. With a determined breath, I begin the gradual decline. I feel tears try to whelm up, but I push them away. I run a little faster.

Keep going. Don't look back. Don't look back.

"Chihiro! Where have you been? Hurry up!"

I look up to see the silhouettes of my parents on the hill above. "Mom! Dad!"

I take off running in their direction. At least I try. My foot gets stuck and I am promptly face planted to the ground. I groan, spitting out dirt. Curse my clumsiness. I open my eyes and try to pull myself up. Yet, I find that I can't. My eyes widen as I look down. My hands are trapped in the ground. I panic, trying to yank myself free. It's like quicksand; the more I fight it the more it pulls me down. Darkness begins to close in around me as a wispy, cold fog appears, curling around my struggling form. I am almost buried up to my elbows. Frantically, I call out towards my parents, "Mom! Dad! Help me!"

A voice, thick with humorless laughter whispers in my ear, "You shouldn't run off like that honey." A cold shiver runs down my spine. Another whispers, "You could get in big trouble." I cough at their foul smell; they reek of death. Their cold essence surrounds me. Helpless, I look back where I know I should not. I meet his emerald eyes. He stares back at me, his eyes almost sad. He remains frozen, watching me. He is the last thing I see as the darkness closes in. His thoughts echo through my head.

"I told you not to look back."

I squeeze my eyes shut, the feeling of freefall washing over me. I brace myself, waiting for the inevitable. A tear slips down my cheek.

Haku.


My eyes fly open. I take in the sight of the mural painted on my ceiling, my mind racing at a million miles an hour. I lay there, panting and in a cold sweat as relief washes over me. It was just a dream. Mentally exhausted, I close my eyes, taking in the scents of my home trying to reestablish myself in my surroundings. I exhale, imagining all the memories of the past twelve hours leaving with it. I sit up and rub my eyes, trying to adjust to the light of dawn streaming in my partially open curtains. Kicking off my blankets, I make my way to the bathroom.

I throw handful after handful of cold water in my face, rubbing vigorously. I haven't had a dream like that in months. I was hoping that they were over. Turning off the water, I look up and take in my reflection. Slightly slanted, almond brown eyes. Olive skin. Heart shaped face framed by my untamed brown hair. I blink the droplets off my thick lashes. I sigh. I see the nights of restless sleep are starting to show as I examine the growing bags under my eyes. Oh well, nothing a run can't fix. As I throw on a sweatshirt and running shoes, I glance at the clock. 6 a.m. I groan inwardly. This is the least amount of sleep I've had all week.

Locking my door, I begin a light jog down the street. As much as I hate waking up early, this really is my favorite time of the day. I consider it nature's art show. I glance up at the sky, just showing its pale strokes of pink and orange. I steadily increase my pace. I take in the smell of freshly cut grass and listen to the songs of the birds, just beginning to awaken for the day. My feet pounding the pavement match the beating of my own heart. It all falls into a calm rhythm. I feel awake and alert. As much as I truly despise working out, I find this is the only time I can truly think. With just the sounds of the awakening neighborhood about me, it is easy to fall into my own thoughts.

The dream puzzles me. It is not the first time I have had it. It always starts out the same: with my leaving the Spirit World. Yet, something always goes wrong. I never make it to my parents. It is exhausting, going through the same day over and over, yet having it always end differently. They have come and gone within the past 8 years, always leaving me confused and startled. There was something about this one in particular that disturbed me though. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I just feel uneasy.

Before I know it I've circled back around to my house. Panting, I manage to make my way up the worn steps to my door. After much coaxing, my door decides to open and I gratefully stumble in. Kicking off my shoes, I make my way to the kitchen, mouth already watering at the idea of food. Five minutes later, an omelet and chopped fruit is ready for my indulgence. I take my first bite and decide then and there that if I could have a love affair with food I would in a heart beat. I love food; this is also the reason why I must run almost daily to maintain my fairly slim figure.

After tossing my sweaty clothes into the hamper, I make my way into the shower. Hot water cascades down my face, steam so thick I can barely see within minutes; it's just how I like it. The water envelopes my body, slowly bringing relief to my sore muscles. At long last, I being to truly relax. Selecting a simple dress off the hook, I grab a towel and proceed to dry my hair as I make my way to the living room. Propping my feet up, I turn on the tv for some background noise and proceed to read my latest art magazine.


I am falling.

I am falling down through an endless mist. My body paralyzed with fear. I open my mouth to scream but the sound gets lost in my throat. I close my eyes in anticipation of the sickening thud of my body against the ground. The seconds that I am left breathing feel like hours.

Then, I become still. I feel myself sinking into something soft and sweet. I open my eyes hesitantly. Yellow daffodils fill my vision. My heart stops. I pull myself up, looking around me in shock. I am on cliff, blanketed with wild flowers. Far below is a city on the shoreline, decorated with a large, red bathhouse on its bank. I stare in awe. Then I blink. Can this be real?

I lean forward, holding my breath. I am scared to breathe for fear the image with vanish. A long gaze brings back memories upon memories. A lone tear streaks down my cheek. It's the bathhouse, I'm sure of it. Everything from the worn shingles down the frog doorman is the same. So drawn in by the sight before me, I lose my balance and gracelessly fall onto my back, hair raining down around me. I am too stunned to move. I stare at the blue sky as birds fly overhead.

It's too good to be true.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply, attempting to bring my heart to a normal pace. I open my eyes only to be staring back into deep emerald ones. So much for my heart slowing down. The face of a young man, aged far beyond that of the boy I met years ago, stares intently at me, taking in my ever expression. Moments pass, not a word uttered, both just staring at the other as if they are afraid they will disappear. Hesitantly, I reach a shaking hand up to brush a jade strand out of his eyes. He leans into the brief touch.

"Haku?"

His lips part as he draws in a breath, but he doesn't respond. Slowly, he leans over and brings his face inches away from mine. My heart rate is so high right now I am sure it can't be healthy. I close my eyes, willingly leaving myself at his mercy. I feel his breath on my ear. He whispers softly.

"Come back..."

Tears spill over. His name forms on my lips.

"Haku..."

I want to cry out to him. To tell him how long I have wanted to come back, of all my endless attempts to go back through the tunnel. All of my longing to return to him. My lips part to respond, but I cannot form words. Darkness fills my vision as I am torn away from him, falling into an enveloping darkness.

"Haku!"

I hope you enjoyed it!

~EmeraldCrazy100