A/N: Sorry it took a while to post the next chapter. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I love writing it :)

I do not own many of the characters sadly. And I think everyone knows which characters arent mine

****Dream****

Talking

Thoughts

She laid down in her bed and fell asleep to the soothing wind blowing through her open window.

****Dream****

Her eyes slowly focused in to her surroundings. She was in a small field with trees lining it. They appeared to be like the ones she had seen at Swamp Bottom. Only, these trees seemed to be more living than any others she had seen before. And there, in the center of the field stood the largest tree Chihiro had ever seen. It stood above all the others and had an unnatural glow surrounding it.

Glancing around for any sort of life, Chihiro walked towards the gigantic tree. She was truly small in comparison to it. Placing her hand on the trunk, she felt a slow pulse come from the tree like that of a heartbeat. She put her ear to the tree to hear the soothing beat better. It sounded like an ancient drum being played in a calming rhythm.

A deep laugh echoed through the field, startling Chihiro. She looked around to find the source but she was all alone. She sighed. It must have been in her imagination. The huge tree suddenly began to glow brightly, blinding Chihiro. From within the tree came the largest eagle she had ever seen, its gigantic wings stretching out and covering its body from view. Wind was blasted from the bird, pushing Chihiro farther away. When she opened her eyes to look again, the bird was gone. All that was left in its place was an old man with flowing silvery-white hair leaning on a walking stick.

"I knew I had chosen the right one," The old man laughed, his pale blue eyes sparkling. "Your courage and curiosity are great. You are perfect for the task you have been assigned to."

"Pardon me, sir. But I don't understand," Chihiro replied.

"You were chosen for something great. As you have notice, this is not the human world. Nor is it the spirit world. But first let me introduce myself. My name is Azumakaze, wind god of the east. But you can just call me Grandfather. My child, I have been watching you for some time now. Since you came to Yubaba's bath house, in fact. I first heard about you through my friend, the water god. Do you recall him? He was quite astounded by your bravery. A poor little human, lost within the spirit world. He was very grateful for helping him, child. I then had the radish spirit watch you to see what would become of you." He smiled at her.

"Now, time for the reason as to why you are here. You felt the tree's pulse, did you not?"

"Yes, si-…I mean Grandfather," Chihiro replied.

"This tree is my own. To each water god, an ocean or river is given, to each earth god, a area of land, and to each air god, a tree. This tree is my own. My life depends on this tree as does the tree's life depend upon me. You felt the slow, beating pulse. It is this way because soon I will no longer be of this world. You have been chosen as my replacement. My life will last only until you are ready to take my place." He paused for a second. "My child, as you might have guessed, you are no longer human. You have not been since your return to the human world. This fact brought about your feelings of seclusion as well as your ability to see the spirits. My raven friends have watched after you when you left the spirit world and saw all you went through. For that, I am truly sorry. But it truly up to you whether or not you take this new path before you. If you choose to remain human, this will all be but a forgotten dream and you will cease to see spirits."

"Thank you Grandfather. You have given me a reason to live again. The spirit world is the only home I have left. I would be honored to take your place."

"My child, you have made this old spirit very happy to know that I leave all I love to someone worthy. There are many things I need to teach you. First, I would like to show you your tree." Grandfather led her around tree.

There behind the overgrown tree was a much younger looking tree, growing within the larger tree's shadow.

"When you were chosen, a seed from my own tree fell into the soil and bloomed into the one you see before you. It will grow as you do until it becomes like my own tree. Go ahead, feel it. It will be your home whenever you need it."

Chihiro walked around the tree, examining its every branch and leaf. It was not very big. Only a little bit taller than the other trees around it. She placed it her hand on it, so as to hear its pulse. A jolt of energy flew from tree into her hand when she touched it. A warm and comforting feeling flowed into her as everything became peaceful within her mind and heart as if her tree was welcoming her home. The world around her disappeared, leaving only Chihiro and her tree. She could feel the healthy and fast pulse from the tree. Placing her other hand on her heart, she realized that her heartbeat and the tree's pulse were one in the same. Taking her hand off, the outline of her own hand became etched onto the tree.

"Now onto other matters, we don't have much time left. As you may remember, you saw my eagle form. Each god has an animal that they can transform into. Their other half in other word. If I remember correctly you already know of one. A river god named Kohaku."

She had almost forgotten about Haku. He was one of the more important reasons she was planning on return into the spirit world.

"Air gods have bird forms they become. Each bird relates to who they are and not many have the bird form. There is a hawk, dove, falcon, raven, humming bird, swan, vulture, sparrow, bluebird, mocking bird, and many others. It is time that you found your other half." He whistled loudly as birds of all shapes and sizes flew to them. Each perching on the trees around them. The air god's tree held only the eagle on it. Chihiro turned to see what had landed on her own, but it was barren.

"My dear, you must go to the bird to find who your other half is. Do not worry, you will know." Grandfather replied to her unspoken question.

Chihiro stood before the crowd of birds, looking at all the colors. It was like a sea full of rainbows. She first noticed the beautiful blue jay. She slowly walked towards it, one arm raised, but it flapped its wings and flew to the next tree. Sighing, she walked over to the elegant falcon. The same thing happened. She tried the beautiful owl but she got the same results. It was then that she noticed the gorgeous red bird that seemed out of place. She watched it with wonder as it seemed to watch her as well. Walking up slowly, she lifter up her arm. It flew off its perch onto her arm. As soon as its claws were wrapped around her arm, Chihiro felt a rush of warmth go through her body. Her hands and arms became long, elegant wings, her legs bird-like with razor sharp claws, her neck growing and curving as feathers covered her body.

"My, my, my….I have only heard rarely does this happen." The old man mumbled to himself as he examined Chihiro.

Everything was sharper in her vision. She could see every blade of grass as well as every tiny bug on the leaves of the trees. It was a new and unusual perspective.

"My dear, you have been chosen by a mighty bird. It only proves that you will do great things."

"What bird" Chihiro questioned.

"Why my child, it is one of the oldest and noblest of birds, the exotic phoenix." He replied as a mirror appeared before them.

Chihiro was in shock at the beauty that was reflected in the mirror. A graceful glowing red bird with light chocolate eyes and long wings. There are many things I need to teach you. First, I would like to show you your tree." The air god led her around his tree.

There behind the overgrown tree was a much younger looking tree, growing within the larger tree's shadow, each feather glowing on its own. It almost looked like the tips were on fire. She could not believe that she was looking at herself. She had also grown larger. And she felt something she had been missing for a long time. Completeness.

"Now my dear, we are running out of time for me to explain things. First, to change back into your humanoid form, all you have to do is think about running. To change into your bird form, just think of flight." He said as Chihiro changed back. "There isn't much time to tell you much. Only promise me this child, that you will not tell a soul of who you are. Young gods are very vulnerable and greatly sought after."

"I promise, but how will I find you again?"

"Just follow the wind, and it will bring you home. Now you must hurry. You must come home before they find you. Wake!" Grandfather said urgently as everything became blurry again.

****Dream ends****

Chihiro woke up in her bed with a jolt as the wind blew in her face. Getting up quickly, she changed as fast as she could into sweats and a t-shirt and bolted out of her house. The wind was blowing fiercely now. It pushed her forwards as her legs burned from running. She trusted the wind to guide her.

The wind calmed as she reached a red-faced building with one hallway. She could feel the wind leading her in. Chihiro tied her hair back into a ponytail with the purple hair band. She was no longer the fearful ten year old child clinging to her mother's side. She had grown up and now it was time to go back. Time to face her past.