Disclaimer: I don't own any part of spirited away. All credit goes to the genius hayao miyazaki!

Author's note: I am sooooo sorry i haven't updated for so long. i was on a holiday:) So as my apologies, i think i'll upload the next chapter very soon after this as well. Enjoy!


Chapter 3

"Say Chihiro, I thought you didn't take an interest in our boys?" Kana voiced out during lunch break.

Chihiro shrugged, "I don't."

"Then why were your eyes practically glued to the new guy-Kohaka or something-the entire lesson? I know he's all that but still, I never expected you to swoon over him like that!" Kana giggled as they sat down. "Springtime must be here for you, Chihiro-chan!"

Chihiro prodded her food lazily and sighed, "It's not that and you know it, Kana."

"Oh? Well then, please enlighten me with your wondrous reasoning, Chihiro-sama," her friend retorted dramatically, but was unable to keep a straight face and had to bite her lip to stifle her laughter.

Chihiro raised an eyebrow at Kana's scrunched up face and put down her fork. "He reminded me of someone I used to know, that's all," she said quietly.

And still knows, her inner mind added.

But it wasn't returned-not one word; not one smile; not one indication that he knew anything; absolutely nothing,Chihiro thought angrily as a salty tang prickled her eyes. She reached up a finger to wipe away the moisture and frowned. It was a long time since she had last cried and there was no reason for her to break that record now. However, what could someone do when the person they had wanted so badly to see forgets them?

Now, now, you don't know for sure yet, her inner said soothingly. Besides, Haku even remembered the time when you fell into his river, so there's no reason to believe that he wouldn't remember you now.

I hope you're right, was all Chihiro said.

~I decided not to add a line here :) ~

It was a few seconds before Chihiro realized what she was seeing. The 'something white' that was fluttering in front of her face was slapped onto the table with an impatient *smack*. Shocked, Chihiro touched her slightly wetter face and slowly turned to face Kana, who was peering worriedly into her eyes.

"Sono…arigato," Chihiro muttered, embarrassed, and dabbed at her tears with the piece of tissue.

"Some guy it must be to make you break down," Kana murmured.

"Not really," she mumbled and retuned to her cold fries.

Kana glanced at her friend anxiously. "Care to talk about it?" she asked hesitantly.

Chihiro did not reply, only dimly registering her friend's sad smile.


"Come on!" Kana said impatiently as Chihiro trudged slowly behind, still deep in thought. "We're gonna be seriously late this time! Who knows what Korana-sensei would do?!" Korana-sensei had always been a docile teacher, but since her unexpected outburst during the last lesson, all the students resolved to tread more carefully around this dormant volcano ever since.

And about that last lesson……Chihiro shook her head. Now's not the time to think about that.

She sighed and ran after Kana.


"Ne Chihiro-chan?" Kana nudged her friend.

Chihiro made a noncommittal noise in her throat.

"Can I copy your notes? I swear, Korana-sensei's gonna be the death of me from now on," Kana sighed dramatically.

Chihiro pushed her worksheet over and continued to observe her 'target'. Said target was gazing unblinkingly at his paper; his pupils barely moving as if in a trance and the pencil in his hand scribbling almost automatically.

A spell? Her inner whispered. Maybe that's where he got all those answers from.

Chihiro barely suppressed the tears that were threatening to fall again. She glanced quickly at Kana and thanked Korana-sensei silently. Their teacher was busying them with so much work that her friend didn't even have time to look up. Chihiro knew that her deskmate meant well, but she preferred to keep these problems personal. She sighed again and looked over at Haku. He appeared so cold and distant; though he was always the quiet type, Chihiro couldn't sense the same warmth from him as she did five years ago. There was just a barrier surrounding him that repelled anyone that wandered too close; an icy aura that froze people's hearts. He only spoke when necessary and when he did, his voice was so soft but chilly like the arctic winds. No one interacted with him and vice versa. The boy seemed to be in a league of his own; a league no human could ever reach. Haku was just too devoid of emotions-almost like the demeanor of a cold-blooded assassin.

Chihiro shivered. Was she being blinded by false kindness all those years ago? Because the Haku in front of her now couldn't be capable of such compassion, could he? But he had been so true in his actions then that all doubts seemed impossible, unless…Chihiro's eyes widened as a new thought occurred to her. Was this the nature of a free spirit? Had Haku discovered his true name just to become like this? This time, the tears really did fall. She couldn't stand it anymore; she had to find out the truth.


"All right. Books away," the teacher said dismissively and walked out of the classroom, which was immediately in an uproar.

But Chihiro wanted to be no part of all the noise and movement. "Sorry Kana-chan but I really need to go!" she said in a rush and disappeared through the door, leaving an extremely perplexed Kana behind.

Come on! Where are you? Chihiro thought in frustration as she sprinted down the corridor. Haku was always the first to leave the classroom-though with so much stealth that the occupants never notice it, with an exception of course. Today, Chihiro wanted her questions answered. She just hoped that Haku hadn't changed into his dragon form and taken to the skies yet; flying-scaly-reptile-hunting did not suit her well at all.

Ah ha! Found you! Chihiro finally skidded to a halt in relief when a flash of forest green hair entered her vision.

"Haku!"

No response.

"Haku!"

……

"Kohaku!"

When the passive boy continued to ignore her, she gritted her teeth and yelled, "Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, stop right there!"

This time he did stop. But by the time Chihiro realized her mistake, it was already too late. Her hands flew to her runaway mouth as Haku turned to face her slowly with an odd light in those unreadable emerald eyes.

"…What did you just call me?" he asked quietly and took a step nearer to Chihiro.

"Ano…sono…" she stuttered. To tell the truth, Chihiro was slightly unnerved by his frosty voice and the glint in those calm orbs. Yet it just showed how much Haku had changed; she was never afraid of this boy before. Chihiro knew she had to get the conversation over quickly for she didn't know how long she could hold on before the blasted tears came again.

"Do you remember me?" she asked, her voice stronger now.

Haku studied her for a moment. "You were in my previous classes." He said emotionlessly.

Chihiro felt like slapping her head, she really did. "Not that!" She sighed, "I mean like before that. A long time ago."

He raised a brow at this. "Should I?"

"Yes!" Chihiro all but snapped. Why was he playing all these mind games with her?

Haku was silent, his cold emerald orbs almost boring into hers; contemplating, calculating. Chihiro held on firmly to his gaze, though she felt her eyes water when Haku's soft voice reached her ears, "I don't remember."

Yet she forced herself to swallow her imminent tears and pressed on, "Then what about a little girl of ten with brown hair and eyes five years ago?" Perhaps…

He shook his head. "Was that you?" There went her hope.

The droplets were swimming in the rims of her eyes now, "A bathhouse?"

"No." Chihiro gasped. Was he lying? She couldn't sense any deceit from the way Haku was staring at her, a blank look in his handsome features. But she had learnt that this boy was a dangerously good actor from experience itself.

"A witch with a big dress and a horrible wart? Yubaba?"

"No."

"Kamajii? Lin? Zeniba?"

"Who are these people?" Haku asked calmly.

Chihiro's breath caught in her throat. So it wasn't just her that he forgot; practically everyone was banished from his memory.

"Are you sure you don't remember, Haku? Please stop playing games," she pleaded quietly to him.

He just continued to stare at her with that unreadable gaze. "You seem to know me," Haku said finally.

"Of course! And so should you!" Chihiro blurted out; the droplets were streaming freely down her cheekbones now.

However, he simply looked impassively at the crying girl one last time and walked away, letting the sudden breeze carry his quiet words, albeit with a certain sharp edge, "I don't know you."

This girl was a threat, one that needed to be eliminated soon, Haku decided. The fact that a mere human had claimed to know him and indeed knew so much about him was no doubt unsettling. Yet his curiosity required just as much quenching and he would find out more about this individual first-this being whom he was fairly certain was more than what met the eye.


Chihiro was in shock. No, shocked was an understatement for what the girl was feeling right now. She felt absolutely livid, not to mention extremely hurt, betrayed and most importantly, like she wanted to bash Haku's head into the ground right there and then. (Note: Chihiro has grown a lot more violent since ten O_O) How could he just walk away like that! Who does he think he is?!

Go girl! Her inner mind agreed furiously.

He was in for a lot of trouble the next time they met. But the gravity of the situation settled into her enraged mind just then; Haku had really forgotten her, and not just her-everyone she had met in the spirit world to be exact. She stared blankly at the spot Haku had been standing on just a moment ago, her mind in a total disastrous whirl.

Oh why did Kami hate her so? There was only one thing she could do now, and may luck be on her side this time.


Chihiro threw off her blanket and listened intently. The only sounds were the deep snores and occasional grunts coming from his father next door. The night was a peaceful one. That was good. She took a deep breath and slowly climbed out of her warm bed. Chihiro tiptoed out of her room, down the stairs, pausing every now and then to listen, and stopped at the front door. Though she could have easily taken the window route, she was still not certain of her ability to land very well. Thus, Chihiro removed a long metal pin from her jacket pocket and started working on the lock as the large house keys made a lot more noise. When the catch finally opened with a soft 'click', she allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk (she really needed to remind her parents to change the rusty locks), reached in to replace the latch, shut the door and took off into the silent night.

Chihiro was pretty sure she hated the foliage, which had only grown denser over the years. The various, criss-crossed twigs and branches scratched at her hands and legs as she pushed through the small woods. But despite that, it didn't seem like they were trying to keep her out. The trees lined on either side were swayed towards the front, almost as if urging her on. It was a strange feeling, but even odder when Chihiro had the sensation of someone, or something, watching and following her every move. Chihiro was not easily scared by the dark like she was as a child, but this…this was just creepy. Determined not to let anything get her down, she marched through the trees at a much brisker pace, shoving her arms in front of her to clear the path.

Finally, when Chihiro reached the familiar red brick building which loomed before her, she could not help but feel a bolt of anxiety and panic. What if it didn't let her in again? She had returned time and time after to this place the first few years after her little adventure, but time and time again she had been disappointed to the point that she almost felt like all of it had been a dream. But not anymore. If Haku could get to her world, then she should also be able to pass over to his. Taking a deep breath, Chihiro strode through the dark opening filled with promises.


Yay! Chihiro's finally going back to the spirit world! Look forward to next chap! Pleeeease r&r: Your opinions are very much needed!