Tick Tock
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away.
It only took a simple pat on the space beside her for No Face to sit next to her. It was afternoon and the train has just departed from the Bathhouse's station and was on its way to Swamp Bottom.
Constantly fidgeting and grunting softly, Chihiro found the creature's timidity quite amusing, a major contrast to his earlier chilling (murderous) behaviour. Yet surprisingly, she held no resentment towards him. In fact, his immediate change in persona has somewhat drawn her closer to him. He did seem sincere when he wanted to stay with her even after he was 'cured', hence free to roam the exterior of the bathhouse the way he always did. It was almost as if he was desperate that he might lose her just when he finally realised how pure and gracious a being Chihiro was.
Studying the shady passengers around her, Chihiro was entranced by the similarity between them and her own folks. There was no life, no emotion, nothing memorable, almost as if there was no soul in any of them. Very like her world where the typical travellers would just like to sit there sleeping, reading or generally lost in their thoughts. It almost felt sad and lonely... and true. But when she caught a glimpse of a lone girl in a simple blouse and pleated skirt, something tugged at her heart. She looked so fragile and helpless. Why wasn't anyone asking if she was alright? Although it was a fleeting moment, Chihiro felt an instant connection of a sort with her. Almost as if she had just witnessed an exact replica of herself.
She chanced a glance at No Face, who she realised was also sneaking some peeks at her. He still appeared guilty and uncomfortable.
"Are you alright?" she asked, aware that it must be the most ridiculous question to ask someone in his state. No Face, who was thankfully ignorant of that notion, fidgeted a bit more before hesitantly reaching out for her hand with one of his large ghostly ones.
Chihiro's heart swelled. "I'm not angry with you if you're still thinking about before," she reassured him, placing a small hand over his. He tilted his head slightly. "What happened before wasn't of your own doing; the aura of that place was corrupting you. You don't have to feel blamed for anything."
A warm sensation spread through her hand after she said this. No Face was staring at their joined hands before fixating his gaze upon her face again. Maybe he wasn't entirely convinced, but at least he seemed grateful for that moment.
The moment the first wave of stars appeared, Chihiro already had her head leant against her friend's side. He welcomed it openly. And as she rested as almost everyone has disembarked the train, she couldn't deny the faint feeling of a clock ticking mischievously somewhere in the background; almost as if they wouldn't be able to savour their newly blossomed friendship.
Chihiro felt a piece of her heart shatter.