Last time:
Now I am 17 years old. My life ran as normal as could be until one fateful day when everything in my life would be changed. Forever.
This time:
Chihiro was walking home from school. She was late and did not want to be any later in fear of what her parents might do to her.
When she arrived home, her mom yelled at her.
"You pathetic girl! You are late! Can you ever be on time like your darling brother? Oh, Akemi is so perfect. He gets good grades and..." Yuuko rambled on about Akemi, but Chihiro tuned it out with her own thoughts.
'Yeah, except I have a lot more 'work' to do than Akemi does...' she thought bitterly.
"...Now go up to your room." Her mother concluded.
Chihiro hurried off. When she got to her bed, she noticed something that looked exactly like those things that attacked Haku seven years ago in the bathhouse.
'What is this? It looks like one of those paper birds that attacked Haku...'
She walked over to the paper and picked it up. The note had her old slave name on it. Inside it read: 'Chihiro, meet me at the tunnel entrance tonight at midnight. I want to talk to you. Haku.'
'Haku, he didn't forget his promise! He really came!'
"Chihiro...get down here!" Yuuko yelled, interrupting her thoughts.
Chihiro sighed silently as she went to the dining room.
"Go to the market. Get these items and be back by the time dinner is ready," Yuuko commanded as she handed the list to her.
Chihiro nodded and quickly ran from the room.
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As she was picking up items in the General Store, Chihiro's thoughts were far away.
'I wonder why Haku never came sooner. What kept him I wonder?'
She grabbed a bag of sugar and put it in the basket.
'He said he wants to talk...but about what? Is he here to take me away? Or really just talk?'
Chihiro picked up some eggs and added them with the sugar.
'I do not think I could part from him again. Once was bad enough. But, now? If I had to, it would be heartbreaking...I would never recover!'
Chihiro finished her shopping, paid, and left. When she arrived home, her dad came up to her.
"Where were you?"
Chihiro held up the bags.
"It does not take an hour to get there, buy the groceries, and get home. Dinner was ready 10 minutes ago!" He said as he slapped her.
"At least Akemi would've been home on time. You can not you do anything right can you, girl?"
Chihiro lowered her head as her cheek stung more.
"Now go away!" Akio yelled.
Chihiro nodded and went to her room. She left a note for her parents, saying she was not feeling good and would make up her chores tomorrow. Then she lay on her bed.
'It has been seven years and I finally get to see him once again. Tonight at midnight!'
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As it got closer to night, all Chihiro heard of her parents and brother was laughter as they watched a movie.
Around 11:00, her family finally went to sleep.
'About time they went to sleep...' Chihiro thought, as she got her coat and a small pack with clothing in it, out.
She crept down the stairs to the door and put on her shoes.
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Chihiro ran all the way to the tunnel entrance and noticed Haku wasn't there yet. She walked to the statue and sat down against it on the ground. About 30 seconds later, she felt a presence near by.
"I have been waiting," a voice said.
Chihiro turned toward the voice and gasped. There he was. Haku. He looked much the same only more mature looking. His hair was still a forest green, but was to his shoulders now. His clothes were white and dark green instead of white and blue; the green was where the blue once was. His eyes were the same green, but now had more sadness in them. He also wore the same style sandals as before
"I was waiting in the trees watching you arrive. I know you cannot talk. I also know how you've been treated. I have watched you suffer for seven years. Every time you were beaten, my heart was torn more. I am sorry I couldn't get you. Yubaba would not let me come. She told me I had to work 7 more years before I was free. But now I am here."
Chihiro looked at him as he began to explain.
-Flashback 7 years ago, Haku's POV -
Once I was sure Chihiro made it to her parents, I headed to Yubaba's office. Once I was there, she asked me what I wanted and I said...
"I quit being your apprentice."
"You can not. I still own your name," Yubaba countered.
"You mean the Kohaku River? My real name?" I said.
"Humph, very well then. You do seem to have forgotten though," She held up my contract, "It says right here (Points to spot): 'If I should remember my name before my contract expires, I will work an extra seven years.' You owe me seven years instead of the seven weeks you had left!! HAHAHAHA!!!"
I bowed politely as Yubaba continued with, "Now do your job or I will never release you."
I continued working, and Zeniba found a way for me to see into the human world. I saw how Chihiro was being treated, and my heart was breaking. I knew I would go right to her after my years were up, to get her and bring her home with me.
-End Flashback-
"And that is what happened."
Chihiro had a small 'oh' of understanding on her lips.
"Chihiro, you know I would not want you hurt. I want you to come back with me, please? Everyone misses you, especially Rin, Kamajii, and Bou."
Chihiro nodded smiling truly for the first time in seven years.
"Thank you. I know you cannot talk, so here. This will help communication." Haku said handing Chihiro a single earring. It was a white dragon wrapped around a small blue sphere and had shining blue eyes.
Chihiro nodded confused by his gift. She took it and set it in her right ear lobe.
"That earring will help me communicate with you through telepathy. Much easier than sign language, don't you agree?"
Chihiro grinned.
"Your voice will come back soon enough. You just need rest and time," Haku said and grabbed her in a hug.
"Let us go! Everyone will be happy to see you again!" Together hand in hand they headed through the tunnel toward the realm of spirits.
