Disclaimer: I only own Miedo at the moment, everyone else is owned by Hayao Miyazaki.

Notes: I can't believe how long it's been since I updated. I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!! I've been a little distracted with my other stories, so that's why I haven't updated. Anyways, I'd REALLY like to change the title, so if you have ideas, feel free to share them with me!

LAST TIME...

Kamaji stroked the bushy whiskers on his face. "Well... You do look like a tough little girl, and you are Chihiro's friend... I guess I could see what there is for you."

Miedo lit up. "Thank you, Kamaji! You're the best!!"

"Well," Lin said to Chihiro, "You might as well show Miedo around the place. Yubaba's gone, so Kamaji has to speak with Haku about getting her a job first."

"Um... Kamaji?" asked Chihiro.

"Hm?"

"Can you not tell him I'm back? I want to see the look on his face when I see him,"

"Sure, don't worry about it. My lips are sealed." He made a zipping motion across his face where his mouth should be.

"I didn't even know you had lips," Chihiro laughed, "Or a mouth for that matter!"

Kamaji chuckled as the two left in giggles. Miedo ran to the bridge where spirits were arriving. "Wow... Chihiro, who are they?"

"They're the spirits that come here to relax." she pointed to a big, white (for lack of a better word,) thing. "See that? That's the radish spirit."

Miedo smiled and waved as he squeaked across the bridge. The radish spirit slowly stopped and ambled over to them, leaning down to get a better look. His tiny eyes widened and he straightened, walking away after bowing to the two, who returned the favor. "I think he remembered you!" Miedo exclaimed.

Chihiro smiled. A lot of spirits would be remembering her once Haku knew she was here. She could only hope that she got the reaction that she wanted, though.

After a few more hours of introducing Miedo to people around the bathhouse, Chihiro took her back towards the bridge to rest. They leaned on the railing and looked at the glow on the horizon so faint that it was almost non-existent. "Chihiro, I'm glad that I came with you,"

"So am I, it feels good to be here with my best friend."

"But what about Lin?" Miedo asked sort of sadly.

Chihiro paused for a short moment before replying, "Lin is my best spirit-friend. That's a girl. you're my best human friend."

"Yeah..." Miedo said slyly, "And I bet Haku is your spirit boyfriend! Is he? Is he, Chihiro?"

"Miedo, I-" Chihiro began, her face turning a light shade of pink that slightly darkened at the thought.

"Miedo! Chihiro!" Lin called while running towards them, "Haku wants to see you alone, Miedo. Just remember, don't let on that you came here with Chihiro, or he'll run off looking for her."

"Alright!" Miedo said, walking away towards the boiler room.

"You don't have to go back there, I'll show you where he is,"

"No thanks, Kamaji will point me in the right direction, and if I get lost, I'll just ask some of the other people- er... spirits- which way to go. Chihiro introduced me to most of them today."

"Oh..." Lin said. "Okay."

Her and Chihiro stood in silence for about half an hour before she stretched and said, "I guess I better go help everyone work. You coming?"

"No," Chihiro replied distantly, looking out across the endless ocean that now covered what used to be a field. "I'll stay here and wait for Miedo."

Lin shrugged and walked off, leaving her to ponder what Haku will think when he sees her. 'I was such a big baby the first time I saw him,' Chihiro thought, 'He probably thinks I'm some sort of coward...'

But she wasn't. Not anymore, at least. And she wasn't afraid to try knew things, now, like she was before. Back then, she would have given anything to leave this hellish place, but once she left, she immediately wanted to go back. Chihiro automatically reached for her right wrist, where she wore the hairband that Zeniba, No-Face, the little mouse, and the tiny bird had made for her when she was ten. She smiled, knowing that she wanted to visit them soon.

It wasn't long before Chihiro had closed her eyes and slid down to the floor of the bridge, reliving fond memories. The times that Haku had spoken so gently with her, how he would always comfort her when she was on the verge of cracking... She had only just realied how much she missed him... And how much she had wanted to look back after she left. Knowing what the consequence would be, she resisted the urge to see him standing there one last time, and instead swallowed her sadness and moved on.

Soon she felt herself drifting to sleep, and let it take her away until the morning.

Eh... Not as long as I would like it to be... But longer than the last chapter, ne? Once again, I'm sorry for not updating, but hopefully I will be getting updates out sooner, now. Please review! That is, if you don't hate me for not updating... :(