A.N. - So this chapter took me a while to write, and I'm still not sure if I'm happy with the result but I feel this was the best I could do without the story carrying on too long. Hopefully those few of you who are following will enjoy it!

The Search

The night wore on, as Chihiro, Yubaba, and even Rin kept an eye out for any of the demons, but so far it was an ordinary, busy night. "I don't understand it," growled Yubaba, "they're usually causing trouble by now."

"What do they typically mess up the most?" Chihiro asked.

"It varies from day to day."

"I have to bring Kamaji his lunch," Rin said.

"Yes, we might as well go about our business until something happens," Yubaba commented.

"I'll go with you, Rin. I'd love to see Kamaji again," Chihiro told her friend.

"Come on then."

When the girls were on the elevator, Rin asked excitedly, "So, you're an apprentice to a Princess? That's so crazy but cool!"

"Haha, well it's a lot of work but she's very nice. What about you, you're the Foreman now, how great!"

"Hah! Yeah I thought so too at first but it's more difficult than I realized. Still, it's better than scrubbing tubs, and Yubaba isn't as mean as she used to be."

"How exactly did that come about?"

Rin glanced at Chihiro, a small smile on her face. "Honestly, I think you had a lot to do with that transformation."

"Me?!"

"You may not have realized it, but you changed everyone with your presence. You were a hard worker despite being human, you braved No-Face and saved several workers lives, and you stood up to Yubaba. Even the witch herself could respect that."

"Oh, well I just did what I thought was best. I'm glad it all worked out though." Chihiro thought for a moment, then asked, "So, where exactly is Haku?"

Rin laughed, replying, "You and Haku both, you really need to just hook up already, with the way you're both constantly asking about each other!"

"He-asks about me?" Chihiro said with a bright smile.

Rin snorted. "Every time he visits, it's like he forgets that I don't know any more than he does! Well, I didn't until now, I mean. Look, I'm sure you'll see him if you stick around long enough. Alright here we are. Kamaji's going to be so happy to see you!"

The women exited the service elevator. It was as Chihiro remembered it; soot sprites carrying coal to the furnace, and Kamaji working with the herbs, only there was someone else already down there. A very tall and large young boy stood there with a notebook in his hands. "So what other herbs would you like to stock up on?" He asked Kamaji.

"Hey Kamaji and Boh, did you both leave your bowls out for me or did you forget again?" Rin asked.

"You're the Foreman, Rin, I'm surprised you still have to bring lunch down here," Chihiro said.

"I enjoy it, it helps me escape the hectic pace of upstairs."

"Who's the woman, Rin?" Asked Boh.

"You'll never guess," she replied grinning.

"Stop teasing him, Rin," Chihiro said. "Hi Boh, it's been a while. You sure have grown! And I'm so happy to see you too, Kamaji! Remember your granddaughter?"

The old man scratched his head, asking, "Granddaughter? I don't have a- wait a minute... Sen, is that you?"

"Yes it's me."

"Sen! It is you!" Kamaji wrapped her up in his many arms and she giggled.

"Sen! You came back!" Boh laughed gleefully.

"Of course I came back, how could I stay gone for too long!" Chihiro hugged her friend. After small chat was exchanged for a little bit, she said, "We'd better go back up, Rin. Perhaps Yubaba has found something."

"You're right, let's go."

"Bye guys, I'll see you again soon!" Chihiro told Kamaji and Boh. They waved to her as she got back in the elevator.

Upstairs was a flurry of activity as guests were being accommodated and employees rushed about. A frog ran up to Rin, saying, "Thank goodness you're back! The girls are refusing to clean the dirty tubs again!"

"Ugh, why me?!" Rin cried out. "The girls have been doing their jobs well until recently!"

Chihiro placed a finger on her lips in thought, then asked, "Rin, is there one girl who acts out the most?"

"Yeah, actually. Her name is Itazura. She came here only a few weeks ago. She acts up and the rest of the girls follow, no matter their punishment! I'm at my wits' end!"

"Would you say that Yubaba's demon problem started around the same time that Itazura showed up?"

"I-. Hey, wait, are you suggesting that she's responsible for the demons?"

"I'm thinking she could be a suspect, yes."

"You'd better tell Yubaba then, who will want to confront the girl herself."

They located Yubaba in an empty bath room where she had a large, squirming sack. Upon seeing the two women, she grinned widely. "I've caught one of the buggers! It was trying to muddy up the tub."

"Great!" Chihiro exclaimed. "I have a suspect, so we'll see if the demon shows us whether I'm right. Kill it, Yubaba."

"With pleasure." The witch made a hard zipping motion with her hands. There was a squeal, then silence.

"Do you have a knife?" Yubaba pulled out a dagger from the folds of her dress and Chihiro wondered vaguely if the witch had conjured it. Chihiro then approached the bag and opened it. She caught the glimpse of something rather dog-like but more malformed. Not hesitating, she slit over the exposed skin, and a substance began to ooze. She reached into her pouches at her belt, sprinkling a sparkling dust with no discernible color to it over the wound, and said a few words under her breath. Suddenly, glitter began to trail out of the creature and loop in the air, heading for the hallway. "Come on, let's follow it."

The three followed the glittery substance to an empty bath room. A crowd of women employees were laughing, eating, and gossiping. Rin was red in the face, a frown gracing her features. These must be the girls who weren't doing their work, Chihiro thought. Yubaba's voice cut through the room, sharp, and even Chihiro winced. "Do I pay any of you to sit around and be lazy good for nothings?!" Silence descended upon the room, with the girls looking wide-eyed at having been caught. Then, the room went dark as the whole bathhouse became dark, the lights having mysteriously been snuffed out. Still, it wasn't enough to hide the glowing trail of glitter, which now led out of the room.

"Quickly, she's getting away!" Chihiro exclaimed, running after the trail.

"I'll deal with you lot later!" Yubaba snarled, as she followed. "Who is the traitor, Chihiro?"

"Itazura, I believe. Did you see her with the other girls just now?"

"No...that sniveling little... Just wait till I get a hold of her!"

"I don't think she's merely a spirit though."

"You think she's a demon as well?" Yubaba's surprise was evident.

"She must be, in order to have been able to let the others in."

"How did she escape my notice, though?"

"Perhaps an illusion spell, a strong one? Or perhaps she somehow weakened your barriers and slipped in unnoticed and everyone just assumed she worked here."

Yubaba grumbled but said nothing more. The glowing trail led to the entrance and beyond, and Chihiro just knew that the cause of Yubaba's trouble was gone. "She's fled," Chihiro said, as they scanned the darkness. The trail led on into the night but there was no sign of anyone except for the usual guests coming to enjoy a bath. The lights had turned back on, so at least business could resume as usual.

"You must go after her!" Yubaba cried out. "She could come back and I would be none the wiser and have my troubles start all over again."

"It is a possibility," Chihiro admitted, "though I highly doubt she would be foolish enough to come back when you would be on your guard."

"Please, Chihiro. If you do this for me, I will arrange for the wedding myself!"

"What wedding, what are you talking about?"

"Never mind. I just...please? Do I have to beg?"

Chihiro smiled in amusement, then said, "Very well, I'm fairly certain I can catch up to her. Jinsoku!" The white steed came prancing up and Chihiro hoisted herself into the saddle. "I'll return soon," she told Yubaba and raced off into the night.