This my first fanfiction based on Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away". I can't say anything about this chapter without giving away spoilers, but I hope you, as the reader, can appreciate the direction I am going in! Rate and review fairly!

"Chihiro! Someone's at the door for you!"

Who could it be at this time of day? she wondered, standing up from her desk. She went out of her room, rubbing her eyes as she walked to the living room. She looked up and was shocked to see River standing there with a bouquet of pansies and a smile to greet her.

"Oh, uh, hi, River."

"Hi, Chihiro."

Chihiro turned to her mom, then River, then back to her mom. "Mom, do you think I can talk to River for a moment?"

"Sure. Take the time you need, honey," she assured, a gentle smile gracing her face. Chihiro took River by the shoulder and began to lead him to her room. "Hold on," her mom called, taking the bouquet from him, "I'm putting these in water."

"Thank you," River and Chihiro uttered in unison. They reached Chihiro's room and closed the door behind them. "What happened? What's this?" she finally asked.

"I wanted to come and surprise you," he said.

"But… Yuki… How can I explain this to her?"

"Don't worry, it was her idea."

Chihiro swore she felt her ears twitch. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Exactly as you heard," River assured. "It was her idea. She reached out to me, we met up for hot chocolate, we made amends, and she said if I still wanted to date you, I could."

Chihiro sat on her bed and processed for what felt like hours to River. He was sure she was getting ready to blow a fuse. "Are you okay?"

"So, what you're telling me is," she finally said, "you and Yuki went for hot chocolate and didn't invite me." Chihiro smiled, and River couldn't help but smile, too.

"Do you want to go out?" he asked. "Wi-with me?"

"Yes," Chihiro smiled. "When?"

"Now, if it's okay."

"Now?" Chihiro felt her heart shift into panic mode. "But I'm not dressed!" She pointed down at her baggy shorts and t-shirt. "And look at the time!"

"You're fine like that," he assured. "And I won't keep you long, I promise." River stood up and opened the bedroom door. "And bring your sketchbook."

"Mom, I'll be back!" Chihiro sang from the front door. "Sounds good, sweetie!"

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," River laughed. They walked down the hill to the woods the Ogino house overlooked.

"Um," she muttered, looking up at her house. He took her hand and led her into the woods down a path lined with little stone shrines. "Um," she muttered again, her voice shaking.

"It's okay, Chihiro," River assured. "Trust me." They walked along the path deeper in, and without thinking, she held his hand tightly, feeling a little cautious, but as she looked around at the canopy of branches and leaves, she couldn't help but feel like she'd been here before.

"What is this place?" Chihiro whispered, awestruck.

"Do you remember when we first met?" River asked, "What was the first thing you said?"

Chihiro blushed. "I thought you were a girl!" she squealed. "I said 'miss, do you need help?'"

River roared with laughter. "One of the first things you said," he stifled through laughs.

She thought about it for a second, and they reached a little stone statue guarding a tunnel in a mysterious building. As they walked together into the tunnel, Chihiro realized she was holding River's hand. It felt right.

"I said… 'it feels like we've met before'."

"And I said, 'I feel the same way'."

They neared the exit of the tunnel, and as they stepped outside, the sun was nearly set, coloring the sky with beautiful shades of orange, purple, and blue. A full moon was out, hanging low. I felt this before, Chihiro thought. She and River were still holding hands as he led her toward the bridge over a man-made river.

On the other side, there was even leveled ground, and a chain link fence around it. But just being there was enough for her. "I'm dreaming," Chihiro whispered. But she wasn't. It all came back to her, rushing like a cool, cleansing rain, bringing back every memory of the spirit world.

She felt the wind was murmuring something, calling to her, but Chihiro failed to listen before today. "Once you meet someone, you never really forget them."

That voice, she thought, I remember that voice.

Memories began to flood her mind as Chihiro excitedly looked this way and that. "There's where the bathhouse was!" she shouted, overcome with emotion. "And here was the bay! Spirits would come in on the steamboat across it!" Her heart fluttered at remembering all the names of the spirits she met.

No-face…

Boh…

Chichiyaku…

The Yuna…

Yubaba…

Zeneba… no, Granny…

Kamaji…

Lin…

Chihiro turned to River and held his face in her hands, taking in his features, remembering his true name. "Hello again, Haku," she cried, tears welling in her eyes.

"I promised we'd meet again, Sen," Haku whispered.