Hi xD sorry for the wait! I have to warn you that since I'm really focusing on those two and since Haku doesn't visit Chihiro that often (it spaces between years) most chapters will have a time skip, which might be boring since it may look like I'm speeding up a lot but I really didn't think you'd want me to write about every single day of every single month of every single year they were apart xP so yeah, I warned you! I might do some one-shots on some of the events that might have occurred during these time skips but not until the story is done and put up. Well, enjoy anyway! (I don't own anything but for my own original characters! I apologize for any mistakes! Don't worry about pointing them out to me, I'll always be thankful!)

"Chi-chan! Over here!" a girl yelled.

Chihiro looked up from her book at the girl that was in front of her.

"Nana-chan, what are you doing here?" she said to the eager girl, closing the book and putting it back in her bag.

"Chi-chan, you know what? I saw your boyfriend a while ago in a flower shop! I think he's going to get you flowers for Valentine's Day!" the girl replied excitedly.

"Nanase! Suzuki wouldn't do that!" Chihiro blushed, looking slightly annoyed at her best friend.

"Yeah, sure, keep believing that! I know what I saw!" she pulled Chihiro up "come on, let's meet up with the others. I want some ice cream!"

"Nana-chan, I need to study, I have an exam tomorrow" Chihiro protested, trying to break free from the girl's grasp "and I still have duties at the temple as well"

"You must be a workaholic, I mean, isn't college life enough you still have to work at the temple?" Nanase sighed, knowing Chihiro wouldn't budge.

"Nana-chan! We're not sixteen anymore, I have responsibilities, and so have you, even if you don't take them seriously enough" she said, huffing in annoyance.

"Girl, you're only nineteen, take it easy!" Nanase laughed.

"Won't be for very long now, my birthday is coming up soon"

"What will Suzuki do then? I can't wait to find out!" she smiled gleefully.

"Nanase!" Chihiro meant to say it in a scolding tone but it came out as half a chuckle.

"Geez, you sound like my grandma sometimes you know? What are you, a hundred?" she joked.

"No, but I feel like I am sometimes, I swear my first white hair will be your fault" Chihiro playfully said.

"Well, won't that be an honor? The mighty Todoki Nanase gives Ogino Chihiro her first white hair! That should come first page on the newspaper, don't you think?"

"Nana-chan! It's not funny at all" despite what she said, Chihiro was giggling.

"From the looks of it, it must be, otherwise you wouldn't be laughing so" she smirked.

"Oh cut it out" Chihiro grinned as she swatted her friend's head, making the girl's short golden curls shake a bit.

Chihiro knew she was more mature than most girls her age, had always been since that incident when she was ten. Chihiro, true to her word, had moved on and got a boyfriend, a boy one year younger than herself that she met on one of her best friend's parties. He was Nanase's cousin from her mother's side.

Chihiro knew in her heart she didn't love Suzuki but she held affection for him and a certain physical attraction. She just hoped it was enough.

She never forgot Haku or his promise. She still waited patiently for his next visit but she had to live her own life. She couldn't be stuck on what she wished could be.

Her work at the temple had gained her a suitable tutor on the arts and her college work so far had made her feel complete. She even thought of getting a part-time job but her parents said that might be overdoing it. She still lived at her parents' house, even if she spent most of the time out of it. She had college in the mornings and temple duty at night, what time she had left she used for college or to hang out with her best friend or boyfriend. Not that her parents truly minded, they were always very busy.

Oh Haku, she thought as she saw Suzuki come right around the corner, when will I see you again?

"Chihiro, Nanase-nee, it's great to see you" Suzuki greeted, smiling adorably at his girlfriend, who smiled back with affection.

Suzuki often treated his cousin like she was his sister.

"Brat, I have three brothers at home, how many times do I have to tell you I have more than enough brothers as it is?" Nanase joked, pretending to be exasperated.

"Suzuki-kun, do you want to go for ice-cream?" Chihiro offered, giving him a light peck on the lips.

"Why aren't you two lovebirds adorable. Get a room, you two! I'm in it for an ice cream" Nanase said, making a beeline for the store.

"When will Nanase-nee truly grow up? She sure is lively today" Suzuki said, shaking his head in amusement.

"She's fine as she is, I sure hope she never loses that energy" Chihiro said, smiling.

"You know I love you right?"

She knew, but she had never been able to say it back herself. She didn't feel it so she couldn't say it.

"Yes" she answered, kissing him until they were both out of breath.

Holding hands, they slowly followed the other girl into the store.

oOo

Haku moved around Yubaba's office. Things had changed in the last few years. Lin had the most enjoyable year of her life, she always boasted. Kamaji had an assistant at the boiler room, Zeniba and kaonashi were visiting on a regular basis now to play with Boh and Yu-bird and he himself had a few bargains made throughout the years with Shironaku-sama. Right now he was patiently waiting for Yubaba to come back from a discussion with her sister. It seems Boh managed to get his mother to at least listen to some wise words his aunt might have to say. Not that they got along, no, it was all for the bathhouse and Boh's sake.

Kamaji's assistant, Setsu, was a young forest spirit that understood the work with various herbs and so was now the official bath herb mixer. Kamaji could handle work just fine but this new company helped along since he now could make small talk instead of continuously working until Lin came by.

Shironaku-sama had made a deal with Haku that he didn't know how to keep. He would be free of his servitude with Yubaba, she had assured that, and in exchange he would have to search for a legendary Ryuu no Kai stone. She said it was an old relic that once had been in the possession of the late dragon king but was lost upon his death. The exchange for his freedom was that Akaiku and Nazumi would take his place, which really appeased the old witch. Kaiko and Natsu, how they were now called, who hadn't lost their names because Haku had made sure it wouldn't happen, were happily working at the moment. They, contrary to Haku, enjoyed the work they did as they got to learn a lot of new magic, a boost to their troublemaking nature. It had been four years ago and still no sign of the relic. Shironaku was very temperamental just like her waters but her benevolence won others' hearts, what with her natural charm, so even if the deal hadn't truly pleased the old witch, her charms had surely done the trick. Besides, an angry Shironaku-sama was way scarier than Yubaba could ever be.

"Damn stupid foolish dragons, always asking for trouble" he heard Yubaba mutter "what are you doing here boy? I didn't expect to ever see you again"

"I'm here to deliver the artifact" he simple said, cold as ice.

"Delivery boy are we, even for the dragon lady" Yubaba taunted.

Haku knew better than to respond to her taunts, even more when they didn't truly bother him.

"So how's Sen? I assume you've been seeing the brat now that you're free"

That hit a nerve and Yubaba didn't have to see her former apprentice react to know it did.

"I assume she's fine, I haven't seen her" he simply said, nothing betrayed by his voice or posture.

Yubaba decided enough was enough and got down to business. She had way too many things to do.

Haku left her office a few minutes later and sighed. He made to go to the boiler room but made sure to pass by Lin on the way.

"Haku! What are you doing back here?" Lin exclaimed, surprised at seeing him, as she worked the floor.

"I'm just passing by. I hope you've been doing fine" Haku said, stoic as ever.

"Sure I have, same old same old though"

He gave her a half smile, which surprised her, and left.

"What's gotten into him?" Lin whispered to herself.

"Kamaji-san, there's someone here to see you" Setsu said, getting his curly head into the herbs immediately after.

"Haku! What are you doing around here?" Kamaji cheerfully asked, glad to see him.

"Just some business with the old woman" he asked, still on guard since he wasn't entirely alone.

"Setsu could you leave for a while, go get us something to eat if you don't mind"

The boy with black curls and huge purple eyes stood and left silently.

"Haku, Chihiro is fine, she has grown into a bright young woman. Still hasn't given up on the whole spirit thing and she likes to find out where my soot balls are hiding while spying for her. Such a young lady full of energy she is"

"I'm glad everything's fine" Haku smiled, a true smile, but still one full of sorrow.

Kamaji also knew Chihiro had a boyfriend but wasn't about to tell him since he knew it would only break the river spirit's heart and probably kill him in the process. Yes, Kamaji never doubted for a moment that Haku loved the girl.

"I'm thinking of paying her a visit soon" Haku admitted, his eyes shining suddenly with the idea.

For a moment Kamaji thought if it wasn't better if he prevented Haku from going and suffering but if Chihiro had moved on, Haku would be best to know it directly from her.

"Why, that's a splendid idea! Tell the young girl we all miss her" Kamaji enthusiastically said.

Haku nodded and left.

Kamaji just hoped everything would be alright.

oOo

Shironaku knew Kohaku wouldn't be able to give up the girl he loved so she sent the poor boy in search of an artifact that most likely either didn't exist or perished long ago in hopes that if he did find it, she would be able to turn the girl into an immortal, granting the boy his biggest wish. That was, if the artifact could be found and the girl felt the same. She often saw the girl on her yearly escapades and had sent some spies herself to see how she fared. So far, she didn't know whether or not to believe in their happiness together since the girl had gotten herself a boyfriend but from what she gathered, the girl didn't love her boyfriend, at least not yet, which meant there was hope. Kohaku would be mad at her if he knew, but it was for his own good that she meddled a bit.

"Shironaku, Kohaku has asked me to warn he isn't coming back today" a man with long black hair said, his black eyes boring into her white ones with the intensity of opposing forces.

"Ah, Kuroki, I didn't know you acted messenger boy nowadays" she teased.

"Quit that, young lady, I have more to do than to sit around listening to your gibberish. Don't fill that boy's heart with false hopes, Shironaku. She's just a simple human after all, it's not worth the loss of his life"

Shironaku narrowed her eyes.

"You wouldn't understand the boy's heart" she bit back.

"I do and that's why I'm opposed to it. It will only end in tears" he said firmly in such a cold tone it felt like it could make someone freeze "I've seen it before and I've seen how it ends. Humans were made to be with humans and that's how it should remain"

"Get out of my sight, I have no patience to deal with you at the moment" she sighed in annoyance. The man sure was a handful.

Kuroki bowed and left.

"What to do, what to do" she mused to herself as she looked her appearance over in the mirror.

oOo

Chihiro made her way to the most peaceful place on earth to her. She was leaning against the tunnel's entrance wall and thinking over her life. Was she happy?

She had been late to arrive since she spent half the day with Nanase and Suzuki but it was most peaceful in the evening. She still had to get back to the temple for her duties but she cherished the feeling of the wind on her face as she thought back to everything that bothered her thus far. She couldn't say she was truly happy, but she was coping. And to anyone who'd look at her, even those who thought they knew her like Nanase and Suzuki, she looked happy, but she was in fact a bit sad. Would it be too much to ask the heavens to grant her a wish such as to be able to see Haku on that day?

She suddenly felt the wind picking up and changing direction. How odd, she thought and looked up into the sky. It was clear, no clouds around.

She looked back down and then felt a strong presence. Soon after she was thanking whatever deity had heard her prayer.

"Haku!" she breathlessly exclaimed, feeling like running towards him, afraid she was dreaming.

His hair was longer and was tied back with a black ribbon and he looked older. Different yet still the same. He smiled as he approached her.

"Chihiro, it's good to see you" he whispered into her ear, embracing her tightly.

"You're not just a dream are you?" she whispered back.

"Silly girl, no I'm not" he laughed.

It was such a joyful sound to hear him laugh she swore she'd be more than happy to spend a whole day just hearing it.

Haku stood back and took in her appearance. She was a woman now, all grown and beautiful in his eyes. The girl wasn't a true beauty but she was the loveliest creature in the river spirit's eyes, and he really only had eyes for her.

Chihiro felt herself blush under her dearest friend's scrutiny. Had the river spirit no idea of what he did to her?

"You've gotten older" he said.

"Well it has been four years you know, I'd be scared myself if I hadn't" she joked, smiling "so has Yubaba released you?"

"She has, since the day I saw you again" he said, nodding slowly.

"That long? But then, why didn't you visit again?" she was shocked to hear it. Sure she knew Haku didn't love her but was she really that unimportant?

Scratch that, she knew Haku wouldn't have done that without a good reason.

"I made a deal to get my freedom. I had to find an artifact for the lady who freed me, the dragon lady Shironaku. Still haven't found it but I had to visit, I needed to see you. Sorry it took so long" he honestly answered, his eyes sparkling with an eagerness she'd never seen on him before.

She felt her heart skip a beat. She hadn't moved on at all if one look like that from him could make her feel butterflies in her stomach and heat come up to her face.

Haku smiled when he saw the cute flush of her cheeks. He had waited so long, surely Chihiro was grown enough to love him now, he tried to convince himself.

"Chihiro, I…" he stopped as he saw a commitment ring on her finger, his whole body freezing over "…I'm happy to see you've found someone that can make you happy" he finished quietly, not really succeeding to keep a happy tone.

Chihiro looked from Haku to her hand and understood.

"Oh this, it's not really that important, I mean, yes I do have a boyfriend but I'm not in love with him, I mean, my heart has already been taken by someone else, even if he doesn't feel the same. I'm blabbering. Why am I telling you this anyway?" she said, laughing nervously. She was messing things up.

Haku's hope flared at those words. Could he possibly be the one she thought didn't love her back? Oh damn him and his uncharacteristic wishful thinking, he thought, figures love would have this sort of effect even on him. At least he knew he was masking his inner fight well enough for Chihiro not to notice.

"But I am to wed him in two years from now, I wish you could be there to see me" she admitted, a false smile rising to her lips; she felt more like she wanted to cry "even if I don't love him now, I hope I will eventually fall in love for him, he's such a sweet boy"

Haku felt like he had just been stabbed deep with a knife right through his heart.

"You're giving up on the one you truly love? What if he loves you back?" he forcefully said, feeling hurt beyond reason.

Chihiro was surprised at his tone. Why would Haku be so angry over this? Oh, she thought, he's so sweet, he's probably just being a good friend and suffering for me because he believes I have a chance with whoever I truly love. The thing is, it's you, Haku, who I love so there is no need for you to be angry, I wouldn't be able to burden you with my feelings, she thought with sadness.

"Oh Haku, I'm fine, I know for a fact he doesn't love me back so don't worry, I'll get over it soon" she tried to smile reassuringly and hoped she was succeeding.

Haku didn't know what to believe anymore so he decided he'd hide his feelings and make the girl happy, it was his prime concern after all.

He hugged her close.

"I have to go" he solemnly said.

"Already? But you just got back!" she was surprised.

"I have to" he said and smiled, giving her cheek a feather like kiss and turning away, moving fast as he transformed and disappeared into the sky, wanting to get away from the girl at the moment and the faster the better. He'd come around to it, but not while it was still fresh.

Chihiro was left dumbfounded and without a clue as to what happened. Did she drive him away at any point in the conversation? Not that she knew. Or so she thought as she made her way to the temple, still confused. She put her hand on her face where the kiss had been given, wondering to herself about it.

oOo

Haku wanted to cry, cry until he fell asleep and then wake up knowing it had just been a dream. Reality was still reality however. Whatever could he give Chihiro? Her human life was short and she needed to live out her life to the fullest, could he really give her such a life? Would she even be happy by his side? Would she even be able to love him that much? To link her soul to him…he wanted nothing else…but he still had to believe there was hope, he refused to let the girl go yet, no matter if it hurt. Or could it be, he mistook her friendship for love?

Shironaku found Haku looking into a river, tears streaming down his beautiful pale face, falling down to the water and rippling its surface.

"Kohaku, whatever is wrong?" she asked softly, her tone laced with worry.

Haku quickly tried to hide himself. No one had ever seen him in such a state, he didn't want to show such weakness.

"Don't hide from me!" she bellowed, falling down on her knees as she embraced the troubled river spirit.

"Shironaku-sama…"

"Have faith, young dragon. I shall not ask what troubles you, you need not tell me, just promise me you'll have faith, Kohaku" she softly whispered, caressing his smooth cheek like a mother would do to her troubled child.

And so for the first time in all of his centuries of life, Haku cried. And it was not when his river was dried up, not when he was all alone and lost, not when his name was stolen, no. He cried when his heart was broken by the girl who held it in her delicate hands.

So that was chapter 2 xD (please don't kill me for making Haku cry! I'm feeling for him as well!) Next chapter will be up around same time it took this one to put up. Now, reviews! *gives piece of chocolate cake with icing on top to whoever reviews* xD