"Chihiro, will you go open the door for me? I am quite tired after our adventure to get here."
"Sure thing Granny!" Chihiro said lightheartedly.
Chihiro opened the door, and the light was so bright, she couldn't see who could possibly be at the door. As the light began to fade, a long moving shape began to form. Chihiro looked closer, and it looked like a dragon. Suddenly something clicked inside her head; "HAKU!" she screamed, as she held out her arms and ran to him. He put his head down so that she could hug him, and he nuzzled her, as if to say, "Chihiro. I missed you." Chihiro took his head in her hands, and looked into his big blue, glowing eyes. She started to notice him getting smaller, and she knew that he was transforming into his human form. She backed up a ways, and waited for the transformation to finish. When he became fully human, she stared at him, in wonder. He looked the same age as she did.
"Chihiro", he said softly. He walked over to her, and took her small hands in his. He looked at her in the eyes, and said, "I'm so sorry I couldn't come for you. You don't know how much it pained me, knowing I had made a promise to you, and not being able to fulfill it." He pulled her into a tight hug, and Chihiro hugged him back. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that it was here, she didn't know what to do. "You look so beautiful", he whispered in her ear. Chihiro smiled as warmth spread to her cheeks.
"I missed you so much Haku. I can't even begin to tell you how much I missed you." She pulled him in tighter, afraid that she would lose him again. Tears sprang in her eyes, and she pulled back. "Haku, have you really been searching for me for so many years?"
"Yes", he said smiling. "I was determined not to give up, and when I sensed you were closer than you had been in years, I had to look harder. Well, to be honest, Zeniba told me she found you, and wanted me to surprise you." He kissed her forehead and took her right hand in his. "Let's go say goodbye, and get back to the bathhouse." Chihiro nodded, and a smile began to spread across her face. Haku was here, with her, holding her hand, telling her he missed her. It was a dream come true, and she didn't want this moment to end.
Zeniba came out, beaming. She laughed heartily and said, "Oh child, I am sorry I kept it a secret from you, but I am glad I did. This reunion was the most precious thing I have seen in a long while. Now come give me a hug, so you two can be on your way." Chihiro ran to her and said,
"Thank you Granny; for everything. I am so glad I am back, and I will see you soon!"
Haku bowed to Zeniba, as a sign of gratitude and respect, and he looked at Chihiro smiling widely. "Ready?" he asked her.
She nodded, "Ready." She said excitedly. And with that, Haku jumped into the air, and started flying, all the while holding Chihiro's hand. Chihiro hadn't flown this way since she was with Haku the last time. "Haku?" Chihiro asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace that was about them.
"Yes Chihiro?"
"Haku, are spirits not allowed in my world? Is that why you never came, besides the fact that the portal wasn't able to open?"
Haku shook his head. "Only a select few, like myself, or tree spirits are allowed. It is our job to guard the sacred places of nature in the human world. I guess I did a pretty crappy job myself." He said sadly.
"Haku, that wasn't your fault. You couldn't have prevented it from happening." She squeezed his hand. "Since the Kohaku River was destroyed, you can't come back now, can you?"
"I don't think I can. I didn't want to admit it though Chihiro. I just wanted to find a way back, and even though I know my real name now, I can't leave, because my home in that world has been destroyed, it's like a part of my soul has been taken from me, and once it is gone, you can never get it back. So, my only option was to wait for the portal to open up again. It has never opened up except for you and your parents."
"I wonder why we are the only humans that have been able to come here." Chihiro pondered out loud.
"I don't know," he said. "So. Chihiro. What have you been up to the last couple years?" he paused for moment before continuing, as if to be thinking about what he was about to ask. "Do you…." he paused looking a bit awkward. "have a-a-a" he stuttered.
"A what?" Chihiro asked impatiently.
"A….ummm….boyfriend?"
Chihiro, tried not to laugh, but she just couldn't hold it in. She knew Haku was just curious, but it was so funny how shy he was.
"Chihiro, don't laugh at me. I was just asking a simple question. But I think I know the answer." He turned away looking hurt.
"Haku, don't get the wrong idea! I definitely do not have a boyfriend!"
Haku looked relieved and smiled again. "Why not?"
"Does it matter? No guy has ever grabbed my attention like that."
"Oh", Haku said, releasing his tight grip on her hand, but not completely.
"Oh no. He doesn't think I meant I don't like him does he? Ah I guess it would have sounded like that. Doesn't he know me better though? A lot can change in ten years though."
"Haku, please don't take that the wrong way. I have never liked anyone else since I met you." Just as she realized what she said, she blushed, and looked away. "UGH. How embarrassing!"
"Really?" He said happily. He tightened his grip on her hand again, and said, "I am so glad Chihiro."
Chihiro smiled, but started to wonder, if he really liked her, then wouldn't he have told her then? "What is he thinking?!" she thought angrily. "I have waited ten years for this moment, and he doesn't even tell me he likes me back. Calm down Chihiro. It's ok, maybe he is just shy about how he feels, beings I am human and all. Actions speak louder than words."
Chihiro saw the huge bathhouse approaching and excitement filled her. She felt giddy, and happy to be back, especially now that Haku was by her side, no matter how he felt.
They landed on the bridge outside the front gate, and Haku looked at her and asked, "Are you happy to be back Chihiro?"
Chihiro smiled and said, "Yes Haku. So happy."
