Fade Away – By Snowcloud

Chapter Two – Decisions and Reunions

Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away. Miyazaki does.

"NO!" Haku roared.

I've never seen him this angry before, and I admit I was a little scared. Ginger flipped her hair and gave me an icy look. I shivered under her gray eyes.

"Why should I?" She smirked. "After all, she'll only get in the way."

Haku's eyes burned.

"Don't even dare," He growled.

Ginger was not afraid.

"Well, too bad!" She purred as she jumped onto the roof.

I knew she was going to Yubaba. I watched as she changed forms and continued on her way. She was much more graceful then the regular feline. Haku tried to stop her, but he wasn't as agile as the slender cat. Ginger was halfway up now. Wow, she was fast. Haku shifted into a dragon and chased her, but she was already opening the window. The white dragon lashed a claw out, attempting to catch her tail. My hopes plummeted as I saw her slip into Yubaba's office. Minutes later, I heard a screech and a thud.

"WHAT?! CHIHIRO'S BACK? GET HER!"

I flinched as I heard that voice once again. Ginger leapt down and made her way back to the bridge. She became human once more and smiled triumphantly.

"Well that should teach you to stay away from Haku," She mewed. "Oh, and Yubaba wants you."

"You don't think I heard?" I replied sarcastically.

"Learn some manners human!" She hissed back. "Well, you're about to be pork anyways."

She led me through many elevators and rooms. I stared at everything, trying to make the most of my last few minutes. Ginger nudged me, annoyed.

"Move!"

I sighed and followed her to Yubaba's room. She pushed me towards the doors. They opened instantly and I was pulled through. I gasped as I tumbled to the regal carpeting. The three green heads hopped around me.

"Well Chihiro, it looks like you foolishly came back."

Yubaba looked the same, with a slightly bigger wart.

"No, I will not give you a job. You're going to join the pig pen." She spat.

"Please?" I pleaded.

"No! The last time you had a job here you let a monster in!" She growled.

She pointed a finger at me.

"Be prepared to become bacon!"

THUMP! CRASH!

"Sen!"

I recognized the voice of Bo, Yubaba's 10 foot baby.

"Be quiet dear, I'm killing somebody." Yubaba said sweetly.

"No Mommy! Sen's nice! If you make her cry I won't like you anymore!" Bo replied.

I smiled as I recognized those same words six years ago.

"Bu-But," Yubaba tried to explain.

"No!" The baby stomped his foot. "Don't hurt Sen!"

"Okay honey, just go back to bed." She said. "Mommy will play with you later."

"Can Sen play with me now?" He asked

"No, she'll play with you later."

Bo walked back to his room, on unsteady feet. Yubaba addressed me after her child was gone.

"You're lucky that spirit children age slower," She snapped. "Or else Bo will see what a nuisance you are!"

I stiffened, but kept my mouth shut. It wasn't very wise to argue with a powerful witch.

"I won't give you a job," Yubaba added. "But I won't turn you into an animal either. Just leave. And unless you have a friend in the bath house, you'll have to sleep on the streets. It's almost night time already and you can't go back."

The witch cackled.

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I stumbled out of her rooms, and saw Haku pacing anxiously in the corridor. He lifted his head and saw me.

"Chihiro! You're alive!" He gasped.

He ran towards me and hugged me tightly, obviously relieved.

"Surprised I'm not a lump of coal eh?" I chuckled.

Haku grabbed my hand and pulled me to the elevator. He pressed the lever and it lurched down. I recalled my memories with Lin.

"Stop looking, you dope. Want to lose your nose?"

I smiled. I was actually here, in the Spirit World!

"So, how'd you come out alive, without a contract?" He asked.

I told him everything that happened, and he ended up laughing.

"I knew that spoiling Bo would come in handy!" He chuckled

Ding! The elevator came to a stop. We walked out, and were almost trampled by another person.

"Right this way, Mr. Radish Spirit!" A familiar voice said.

"Lin!" I said happily.

She turned around. Her long brown hair was pulled in a pony tail, and of course, she was taller too. Lin towered above me. Her brown eyes widened.

"Sen?" She replied, amazed.

"It's really me," I laughed.

She reached out and poked me suspiciously. Haku looked slightly amused.

"Oh my god you're really here!" She exclaimed.

Then her eyes dropped to my right hand, which was still holding Haku's. I blushed shyly and slipped my hand away.

"Oops!" She suddenly said, realizing that she still had a customer with her. "I'm so sorry for the delay. Your bath is ready now."

The huge white spirit rumbled with laughter.

"It is okay young one," He rasped. "I've been here long enough to find it myself."

He walked to another elevator and went up.

"Master Haku! I'm so sorry!"

All three of us turned around to see a girl sprinting towards us.

"I am very sorry for what my sister did." She panted, out of breath.

She then bowed her head, her long, straight blonde hair falling over her face. Her words sunk into my brain, and it was then I realized she had yellow ears and tail. This must be Ginger's sister!

"It is alright, Felicity. Chihiro is still alive and well." Haku replied gently. "It is not your fault for your sister's foolishness."

Felicity finally noticed me. She looked at me with her pale blue eyes, and then bowed.

"I am sorry, Chihiro. Ginger was being very obnoxious."She meowed.

I smiled warmly at her.

"You see, Ginger is extremely jealous of you." Felicity explained. "She really likes Haku and everyone knows how he acted after you left."

I looked, at her, confused.

"He was moping and being all sad," Felicity mewled in amusement. "Everyone in the bath house knew how he felt about you. He really lo-"

"Okay Felicity, I think she understands." Haku interrupted. "Lin, take Chihiro to your room and get her cleaned up."

"Okay!" Lin replied, excited to spend some time with her old friend.

"Felicity, you should go find your sister." He added.

She nodded and dashed off.

"I'm sorry Chihiro, but Yubaba wants me." Haku groaned and started to walk away.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, pulling his arm. "Why'd you break your promise?"

Haku turned around and saw the hurt in my brown eyes.

"It's becau-"

"HURRY UP HAKU!" Yubaba rambled.

I wondered how anyone could be loud enough to actually get through another floor. Haku winced.

"I'll tell you later, okay? Yubaba will be furious if I don't get there on time." He said.

I sighed and let go. He hurried off. Lin looked at me curiously.

"What promise?" She asked.

"Nothing," I murmured.

"I'll get it out of you later," She joked.

"You can try!" I laughed, punching her arm.

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Lin got me some clothes, so I could "blend in". That was really all she did. She was excused from work by "Master Haku".

"So Sen," She said. "What's this 'promise'?"

"Well umm…." I replied.

"Come on girl, spit it out!" Lin exclaimed, smacking my head.

"Ouch! Okay, I'll tell you." I laughed.

I sat and thought for a moment.

"So? What is it?" Lin asked again, obviously excited for gossip.

"Give me a moment Lin!" I said, blushing. "Okay, it's not very long or important."

Then, I poured out everything.

Lin blinked.

"Wow, that's really romantic Sen." She said.

"Oh, just be quiet." I replied jokingly.

I punched her.

"What was that for?" She squealed.

"It's for revenge!" I giggled.

Lin picked up her staff and chased me around the room.

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After a long time, we sat down, exhausted. Lin handed me a red apple, and started eating one herself. I took it happily and crunched on the fruit.

"What was Felicity saying before?" I asked.

Lin swallowed her mouthful.

"Well, ask anyone else, because Haku would kill me if I told you!" She laughed.

"I'll ask Felicity later then," I decided.

"She wouldn't dare now either. Haku probably got to her for even mentioning it." Lin contradicted me.

I stopped eating and pondered the question in my mind. Was it bad?

"Does he hate me?" I asked sadly.

Lin erupted in laughter.

"Hate you? You are seriously funny, Sen." She gasped between breaths.

That just made me even more confused. I decided to stop asking though. Lin was extremely happy to not work for the entire night. I, on the other hand, was very sleepy. I wasn't used to this "nocturnal" time zone, where they slept in the morning and woke up at dark. The day passed by quickly, and finally it was time for bed.