Chapter Four
Yuko pulled to a stop in front of the multi-level industrial building. "We're here," she called to her fidgeting passenger in the backseat before she unlocked the doors and stepped out.
Chihiro looked at the large building, more than a little fear twisting knots in her gut.
'Don't worry Chihiro.' Haku added in only a slightly serious afterthought, 'It can't be worse than anything you faced in the Spirit Realm.'
Shewanted to tell him "no", that it could be worse. That this first impression would set the course for her whole school career, never mind that all the other children had likely known each other since diaperhood.
But as she calmed down and thought about it she realized he was also right. The people in that building could only shun her and bully her at worst. She could take that. Yubaba would have enslaved her and turned her into a pig.
Haku's voice interjected into that mental conclusion, 'I'll be with you, Chihiro. You will always have me and all your friends here.'
It helped. A lot more than she had thought possible. Thank you, she thought back to the dragon.
Haku had been coaching Chihiro on sending her thoughts to him silently. It was still pretty hit and miss, but she was getting better. Haku sent the mental equivalent of a smile.
Chihiro so wanted to be able to do that.
A knock on Chihiro's window signaled the end of their interlude. Yuko peered in at her daughter, concerned sympathy in her dark eyes.
After Chihiro stepped out onto the pavement her mother wrapped a comforting arm around her. "It'll be alright, Chi-chan." The childhood nickname comforted Chihiro. "I'm sure you will make lots of friends to help you here."
Nodding, Chihiro took a deep breath, looked up at her mother and said firmly, "Let's go."
Word Count: 308
That took longer than I expected. Sorry! The next update hopefully won't take as long.
Questions, Comments, Opinions, Concerns? All are welcome!
~Moonlight Through the Water
Prompt: Cross