-Hellos! um...i'd like to apologize again for the confusion 'bout the title...and for the mean cliffy at the end of the 2nd chapter! hehe...i promise this one's gonna bewaybetter...and for all of you H&C fans...you are gonna love me at the end...well, that's all i'm gonna say, for now...here's the 3rd, but not last, chapter to Ashyhoon! Enjoy:)
DISCLAIMER: (sighs)...again, squared...I don't own any of Miyazaki's work...Ashyhoon and any characters that don't belong to the movieSpiritedAwayare MINE! For ex, Mr. Tesber & Mr. Sochi...are mine, as well asothercharacters that i "make up"...hehe...
Dedicated to my dear fanfic friend...StitchWitch...you're an inspiration gurl! ;)
Ashyhoon-Haku's Horror
..." "...talking
...' '... thinking
Haku ran, with Chihiro securely tucked in his arms, to Chihiro's house. He had just reached the top of the hill near the tunnel-he already had passed through it to the Mortal World-when he saw that the house was completely dark with no lights on, inside or out...(Night had fallen in the Mortal World while Haku and Chihiro were gone...)
'No one's home yet?'
Haku swiftly walked to the front door, opened it-with much difficulty-and took Chihiro to the living room. He placed her on the couch and looked around. He then went to the kitchen and got a wet cloth, and then brought it to Chihiro, kneeling down and dabbing the cloth across her forehead.
"Chihiro?" Haku whispered in her ear.
Chihiro stirred at the sound of Haku's sweet voice and she managed to sit up.
"What?" she said, groggily. Chihiro looked around her, then, "How did I get here?"
"I carried you, of course!" Haku smiled at her
"Oh," Chihiro blushed
"Um...Chihiro? Where are your parents?" Haku replaced his smile with a frown, "They weren't here when I was looking for you..."
"They went shopping and then an early movie..."
"Oh...ok!" Haku's smile came back
Silence fell between them then until-
"Are you okay, Chihiro?" Haku asked with concern, "You fainted and nearly collapsed...almost hurting yourself..."
Chihiro looked at Haku after staring down at her legs...
"Yeah, I am...thank you for taking care of me, Haku" Chihiro blushed, "It was very sweet of you..."
Haku smiles and blushes, "No problem, Chihiro"
Chihiro begins to get up from the couch, but Haku stops her by putting out an arm
"Oh, no you don't!" he said sternly, "You're in no shape to move!"
"But, I was gonna get us something to eat, Haku" Chihiro protested, "We did face a big challenge today and we're both tired..."
"Then, I'll get them...you need to rest"
Chihiro smiles, "Thank you again, Haku"
Haku smiles wider, "It's my honor, Chihiro"
Haku gets up and goes to the kitchen. He was getting some juice from the fridge when, suddenly, the phone rang. He hears Chihiro, still on the couch, pick up the phone from the end table near it.
'I should have unplugged the phone while I was at it!' Haku thinks, 'Maybe we could have been undisturbed and then I could tell her how I feel...'
Chihiro on the phone, "Hello?...This is she. I'm sorry, who's this again?...Koji? From History? How are you?...That's good...oh...what is it? You what?...Sure I will! Okay...see you tomorrow, then! Arigato!"
Haku comes back to the living room, with a tray of crackers and two glasses of apple juice, as Chihiro puts the phone back on the receiver. He hands her a glass and then sets the tray on a coffee table in front of the couch, grabbing his glass and sitting next to Chihiro on the couch.
"Thank you, Haku!" Chihiro smiles and takes a sip
"No problem," Haku smiles back and also takes a sip
Silence passes between them as they finish their snack and take turn drinking their juice...then...
"I know its none of my business but...who's Koji? Haku asked, ashamed of himself for actually listening in on her conversation earlier
Strangely unsurprised Chihiro answers, "He's a friend in my history class. He was there for me when...while you weren't here"
"Oh..." Haku grew solemn, guilty that he had taken too long to keep his promise to Chihiro
Chihiro took Haku's hands in her own then, and looked into his eyes
"I'm not blaming you, Haku, just so you know" Chihiro smiled, "Anyway, Koji asked me to meet him at school before 1st period"
Haku looked down at Chihiro's hands on his and started to blush
"Uh...Chihiro...I need to tell you something-"
Suddenly, before Haku could finish, Chihiro's mom and dad walked through the front door.
"Chihiro, honey, we're home!" Chihiro's Mother called
Chihiro's Father walked into the living room to find Chihiro and Haku...still holding hands!
"She's in here!" Father calls to Mother. To Chihiro, "Chihiro, who is this fine young man?"
"Most importantly, why is he here?" Mother asks, walking into the living room.
Chihiro and Haku quickly let go of each other's hand without Chihiro's parents noticing.
"Um...he...uh..." Chihiro says nervously
Haku stands up though, hiding Chihiro's quickly blushing face.
"I was here to keep her company," Haku explained, "I go to her school and she needed someone to be with her while you were gone..."
"Oh...okay!" Mother said, surprised
"Are you staying for dinner...um...what was your name?" Father asked politely
"The name's Haku, sir" Haku answered, standing up a little more straighter, "I'm afraid I can't stay. I really need to get home"
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Haku!" Mother said, smiling
"Yes...come back anytime" Father agreed, smiling also
Haku started for the door, Chihiro closely behind him...
"I'll be sure to," Haku turned around to face Chihiro, " And I'll talk to to you tomorrow, Chihiro..."
Haku took one of Chihiro's hands, squeezed it, and then let go of it...and then turned around to face the-now open-door and left.
"That was a nice, young man" Mother relied, coming to shut the front door after Haku left.
"Are you hungry Chihiro?" Father asked Chihiro
"No," Chihiro relied, "I already ate. Good night." Chihiro started for her bedroom
"Good night, sweetheart" Mother said, sweetly
"And sleep tight!" Father called as she shut her bedroom door.
But Chihiro couldn't go to sleep. She kept thinking about what Haku had said to her parents.
'Why did he say that he goes to my school? And why did he lie like that?' (out loud) "I guess I'll find out tomorrow"...and she drifted off to sleep...
THE NEXT DAY
"Where is she? I thought she said she would meet him this morning..."
Haku had arrived to school very early so he could see who this "Koji" was. But he couldn't even find Chihiro! He was just about to give up when, suddenly, he heard Chihiro laughing. It sounded like she was around the corner from where he stood, which was next to some lockers in a hallway. When he looked he saw Koji tickling Chihiro. When he finally stopped, he...he hugged her! Haku had to turn away from the horrific sight of the two hugging...walking to his new locker...
'I lost her...she's with him now...I should have been quicker!'
Haku turned to face his locker and begin banging his head on it, over and over, ignoring all the stares and looks that people were giving him. Then...
"Haku? What are you doing here?"
Haku turned to face the all too familiar voice and face of Chihiro, who was looking at him with concern...and no sight of Koji...
'He must've split...' "Oh...didn't I tell you? I go to school here..." Haku replied, relieved and surprised at the same time
"Oh!" 'I thought he was lying!' Now she was embarrassed and ashamed to think worst of Haku! "Who's your 1st period?"
Haku looks at his class schedule that he was given yesterday, then "Ms. Matsue...Science"
"Great! She's my1st period also!" Chihiro exclaims, excited
"Really?" Haku asked, shocked...'Maybe I still have a chance...' "By the way, why is sciencea subject?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't know," Chihiro says, thoughtful, "Wanna walk there together anyway?"
"I would be honored to walk with you to Science!"
Haku and Chihiro burst into laughing and began to walk to their class as the first bell for class, rings...Silence floated between them until-
"So, when did you start going to Kyoto Middle School, Haku?" Chihiro asked curiously
"Oh...just yesterday. But I was unable to go to anyof my classes for the final bell rang..."
"Oh!" To herself, 'That'swhy I saw him in the hall after I left History!' To Haku, "Have you met any newfriends, yet?"
"Hmm..." Haku thought, "There's Mr. Tesber. He's actually the one who's giving me a place to stay so I don't end up...now what did he call it?...Oh! Foster care! So I don't end upthere..."
"Oh, he's nice! I have him for Japanese History"
"What period?" To himself, 'Please let it be 6th period...'
"Um...6th period...you?"
'Yes!'..."Same here!" Haku grinned widely
"Really? Great!" Chihiro smiled back
The two reach their class and the-open-door at the same time
Haku stepped back and bowed, "After you, m'lady"
Chihiro curtsies, "Why thank you!"
They both burst out laughing again and then enter class...Chihiro first of course!
They head for the back of the class to an empty lab table and sit down next to each other (there are no assigned seats!)...As class begins, they exchange each other's schedules to see if they have any other classes with each other...Here's the result:
1st period-Science (Haku & Chihiro)
2nd period-Literature (Haku), Art (Chihiro)
3rd period-PE (Haku), Choir (Chihiro)
4th period-LUNCH (Haku & Chihiro)
5th period-Mathematics 101 (Haku & Chihiro)
6th period-Japanese History (Haku & Chihiro)
After giving back each other's schedules, they paid close attention to Ms. Matsue's lecture...
(After 45 minutes and class lets out)
"Wow...I learned a lot," Haku joked, "How 'bout you?"
"Very funny, Haku!" Chihiro laughed
"I'm that funny?" Haku gleamed his perfect pearly whites
"Yea!" Chihiro stopped laughing and smiled, "That's why I like you...you can always make me smile!"
Haku blushes, 'Wow! Did she just say-'
"Hey, Chihiro!" came an unknown voice to Haku, "Wait up!"
Haku turned to see a sandy brown-haired boy, about same height to him, run towards them. He was the same guy who was tickling Chihiro that morning...
'Oh no! Not HIM!' Haku managed to quit blushing to, instead, glare at Koji
"Hi Koji!" Chihiro smiled wider, to Haku's horror
"I wanted to know if you'd like to walk together to 2nd period today..."
"Sure!...Koji, I'd like you to meet my friend, Haku..." Chihiro then turned to Haku, "Haku...this is Koji!"
Koji smiled and held out a hand, " Nice to meet you Haku"
Haku, reluctantly, shook Koji's hand "You too...Koji"
"I have an idea!" Chihiro exclaimed, "How 'bout we all go together?"
"I don't have 2nd period with you, Chihiro...remember?" Haku frowned
Koji, under his breath, "That's a shame..."
"Oh," Chihiro frowned as well, "I'll see you at lunch then, I guess"
"Come on Chihiro!" Koji took hold of Chihiro's hand and tugged it, "We'll be late!"
"Bye, Haku..." Chihiro said, still frowning
"Bye..."
And off went Koji and Chihiro, leaving Haku alone...(aww!)
To himself, "Guess I'm off to Literature then..." And, with that, Haku turns and heads the direction-opposite of Koji and Chihiro-towards class.
(After 45 minutes and 3rd period arrives)
Haku sits down onto the gym bleachers, waiting for PE to start. All of a sudden, Koji come in after a group of boys...with a huge grin on his face.
'Not HIM, again!' What luck Haku had!
Thankfully, though, Koji did not notice Haku...and the coach went right on talking about safety on the basketball courts...
(After 45 minutes and LUNCH arrives)
Haku quickly changed out of his gym clothes and headed towards the cafeteria...
'Whew! That was close! I don't know what I'd done if Koji saw me! And what was he grinning about earlier? Oh well! Now...should I go try and meet Chihiro?' Haku stopped thinking to himself, "No..."
Haku is forced to eat lunch by himself...not knowing that Chihiro is only a few tables away from him, watching him with tear-filled eyes! But lunch comes and goes and he heads off to his next class...Math 101. He reaches his class and enters...seating himself in the far back of the room. He never noticed that Chihiro never arrived for class 'til its over and he's in his History class...
(After 35 minutes, class still in session)
Haku looks around the room, wondering where Chihiro was, 'Where is she? I thought she had this class...wait! She does! And she also had math with me, too! And she wasn't there either...she must've ditched or something...no! Chihiro wouldn't ditch! Maybe she fell ill? I have to-'
Rrrrring!The bell rings for the end of class and the end of the school day...
Haku leapt out of his chair and headed out the door, ignoring Mr. Tesber's calling to 'wait'...
"Sorry Mr. Tesber!" 'But I HAVE to find Chihiro! She might be hurt or sick or...with Koji...'
Haku ran to Chihiro's locker (it's right next to his), but doesn't find her. Instead, though, a note attached to it and written on it was 'For Haku'
"What's this?" Haku asked, confused, "A note for me?" Haku took the note off the locker and read it...
Haku-
Sorry, I had to go home early...don't worry! I'm fine:) But, can you meet me there? I need to talk to you about something really important...
Love, Chihiro
"She needs to talk to me?"
With that, Haku sprinted-note firmly in hand-to Chihiro's house...surprised to see that her parent's "car" wasn't there, he jerked open the front door and bolted inside. He, then, ran to the family living room, finding Chihiro on the couch where he had laid her the night before...
"Chihiro?" Haku exclaimed, heaving for breath
Chihiro turned to Haku, tears in her eyes, "Haku..."
Chihiro suddenly leapt off the couch and into Haku's arms. Haku-surprised-hugged her tightly
"Chihiro? Are...are you okay? Did something happen at school?"
Chihiro cried and sobbed into Haku's shoulders, "No...nothing happened"
"Well, what's wrong?" Haku asked, very concerned
"It...it's you, Haku!" Chihiro cried even harder
"Me?" Haku blinked once, confused at what Chihiro had said
Chihiro stopped crying long enough, then, to push herself slightly off his chest and look into his eyes, with her tear-filled ones, and smiled
"Yes...you"
Haku looked at her carefully, "What...what did I do? Did I hurt you in any way? If so, I-"
Chihiro stopped Haku by placing her index finger on his lips and she smiled even wider
"No...you didn't hurt me...not at all"
Haku took her hands in his, "Then...what's wrong, Chihiro? What happened?"
"This happened..." She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips
'What...what is she doing? Is she...?"
Chihiro broke the kiss and looked back into his, now shocked, eyes
"I love you, Haku. I hoped you would feel the same way..." Chihiro started to turn away
Haku tightened his grip on her hands, "Wait, Chihiro..."
Chihiro, surprised, turns back towards him, "Yes?"
Haku leaned into Chihiro and kissed her
(After about 5 minutes, they part)
"I love you too, Chihiro," Haku smiled, "I've always have. I just thought you and Koji..."
Chihiro gave Haku a confused and smiling look, "Me and Koji what?"
Haku frowned, a little embarrassed, "That you two were together and-"
"Koji and I are just friends...that's all"
"But, it looked like..."
"Haku," Chihiro giggled, "Koji likes me...he's just a little jealous of you being around me. This morning I talked about you and how close we are..."
Haku smiled, "Really?"
Chihiro smiled back, "Really!"
Haku hugged Chihiro tightly, then, and whispered into her ear...
"I love you, Chihiro"
Chihiro in turn, whispered, "I love you, Haku"
Them the two kissed...not knowing that a familiar person stood outside Chihiro's living room window, watching...
"I will get you, Haku!"
-Aww! (tear) Ain't that just cute? They're together now! But, just who was watching them? I ain't gonna tell ya! hehe! Sorry if the chapter's long! I made up for my absence though! ;) Also, I researched Japanese education and that's where I got the class minutes! yay for me! Also, regular junior high students have about 11 classes, but, for this story, there will be only 6-counting LUNCH...okay? Please review nicely...and this won't be the last chapter of Ashyhoon...stay tuned!
Luv, friendwriter