Sunlight streamed through the window, tickling Chihiro's eyelids. She was sleeping a dreamless sleep, and was annoyed that the sun was trying to wake her up. "Go way," she mumbled into the covers and buried her face into fluffy pillows. Except that the pillows were not fluffy but made of bamboo strips. They were cold and hard and pressed into her face. So Japanese. Ugh. Good for looking at, fine. But sleeping? At least they block out the sunlight. She tried snuggling deeper into the dark and warm cocoon of blankets.
The rice paper doors opened with an ear-splitting slam. Chihiro instantly snapped up, feeling very sore and fatigued. She rubbed her sleep filled eyes as she tried to see the woman who was leaning against the door frame, a grin splashed on her face. She was tall and had long, dark brown hair that ended at her hips and was tied together with a salmon ribbon. She was wearing the most ridiculous clothes. Chihiro grimaced at the clashing of bright salmon baggy pants and a bright salmon tunic thing that she couldn't really put a name too. Bright salmon infiltrated her eyes. She moaned and slumped back under the covers, mentally willing the lady to go away and let her sleep. The soft patter of feet slipped across the room.
"Rise and shine kiddo!" The lady said a little too loudly while snapping up the bamboo curtains with a certain joy that irritated Chihiro. Sunlight was no longer held back and burst full into the room, making dust particles shine ad dance in the air. Lin looked at the curled up form of Chihiro under the covers. She tsk tsked.
"Aww, come on, girl, don't I get a better greeting than that? I mean, it HAS been 6 years, and awfully boring without you." When Chihiro showed no signs of rousing, Lin good-naturedly chirped, "Well, fine, suites me. I guess I'll just have to TACKLE YOU OUT OF BED!" Chihiro poked her head out in time to see the lady take off with a running start, fly through mid-air, and land heavily on the bed. She shrieked, trying to untangle herself from the un-ceremonial greeting. But she was pinned down.
"Ughh, get off me, you big lump." She was finally awake, and looked at the person sprawled out next to her in bed. "Lin?" She sad cautiously, not daring to believe her eyes.
"Gosh are you slow tod—" Lin was cut off by a rib crushing hug from Chihiro.
"LIN! Oh my god! Lin! I can't believe it's you! How's everyone? How's Kamagi? And Yubaba? And Boh? And H—"
Lin saw then teen falter and stop. Her eyes flashed with something that resembled determination. And then she continued blubbering like before.
"I've missed you so much! I've missed this whole place so much! I—"
"Hey kid, you know that you're kinda suffocating me."
"Oops. Sorry." Chihiro stopped hugging the 20 year old looking lady. They lay looking at each other in a moment of silence, and then broke into giggles with turned into gurgling laughter. There was nothing to laugh about. It was purely because the happiness of reunion was contagious. The bed shook under their bodies as they rolled around, laughing and laughing and laughing. Lin laughed until her cheeks started to hurt and her abdomen muscles were sore. Chihiro laughed until she was crying. Then she rolled right off the bed with a surprised oof!
Lin gave her a hand. Chihiro was still a little unsteady on her feet.
"Thanks, Lin."
"No problem. That's what friends are for." She smacked her forehead. "I'm supposed to be bringing you breakfast. Wait here." Lin got up and brought a basket of rice balls. She jumped back onto the bed that was now creaking with a certain air of abuse and sat next to Chihiro. She handed a rice ball to her.
"Here, eat this. It's a miracle you haven't disappeared. That dragon must have put something in your healing potion." Chihiro gratefully took the food and started eating. Lin took out another rice ball and sat munching her breakfast with Chihiro. There was a sisterly closeness between them. The silence was peaceful and was punctuated when soft sounds of chewing. Lin looked at Chihiro. Wow, has she changed. She really filled out. No more dopey, shrimpy kid with bony elbows and bulky knees. She actually looks like she could work here without collapsing. But she still looks like Chihiro, and I'm glad. Just much much prettier. Haku must be head over heels now. It's a shame that he carried through with that plan. She probably doesn't feel that same for him anymore.
Chihiro noticed that Lin was staring at her. "What's wrong?" she asked, concern making her face even more beautiful.
"You're so. Darn. GORGEOUS!" Lin put together her thumbs and forefingers so that they made a square frame. With a teasing air, she squinted through the frame as if preparing to take a picture of Chihiro. Chihiro laughed and gently pushed her hand away, shrugging off the compliment. "Hey thanks, Lin. I'm not really that pretty. But it really makes me feel better, considering that he called me ugly and fat." He voice turned bitter and cold by the end of the statement. Lin's jaw dropped open with shock.
"Who? Who the hell told you that?" Her fists clenched. "I'm going to murder that person, insulting you like that."
Chihiro shrugged again. "It doesn't matter. It's over now. There's no need to get violent."
"WHO?"
She sighed, her head starting to ache. "If you must know, Haku."
Lin, sat back, defeated. "Shucks. I guess my threat is empty. As much as I would like to hurt him, Yubaba won't let me." She stuck her tongue out at an imaginary Yubaba. Then she turned her face back to Chihiro. She saw a tear slide down her face. She has changed in ways I may not understand. The old Chihiro would probably be crying into the pillows. But this Chihiro even cries gracefully. "Chihiro, don't take it personally. Look now, I bet Haku didn't mean everything he said." Lin tried to smooth the subject over. "I told him not to use the word 'fat', but no, he goes on his merry way-" She stopped and froze. Crap. I can't believe I've let it slip.
Chihiro eyed her, confused. "What were you saying, Lin? About telling Haku not to use the word fat?"
"I—well—I'm so sorry Chihiro, but it's not my place to tell you." Lin squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm sure that Haku or Yubaba will explain." She leaned in close and whispered into the teen's ear. "Haku doesn't seem like what he seems on the outside. Don't be too hard on him. He's had it tough the past year."
All the build-up was too much for Chihiro. "Don't tell me he's had it tough," she snapped. "I've been searching for him all these years! And when I finally find him, this is how he treats me!" She sat quiet, breathing hard. Lin tentatively slipped her hand into Chihiro's. Chihiro sighed and rubbed her temples. "I'm sorry Lin. My temper just got the better of me. I'm just so….lost."
"It's ok, girl." Lin said with sympathy. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You of all people probably deserve an explanation. I promise Yubaba will explain."
Chihiro gazed into the weasel spirits eyes, gratitude surrounding her. She hugged the spirit, gently this time, and whispered into her ear behind the locks of ebony hair, "Thank you. You are like a sister to me."
Lin angrily brushed away a tear. You are such a dope. Chihiro is the one who needs comforting and you're crying like a soggy washrag. She returned the embrace and murmured back. "No matter what you think, Haku still cares for you." She pulled back and held Chihiro at arm's length, studying her face. "I mean, he made you a 3rd degree healing potion, didn't he? Didn't even major in alchemy. Look for yourself."
Chihiro faced the same mirror that she first saw yesterday. Her reflection dutifully stared back. Lank brown hair messy and uncombed. Eyes that looked too big with dark bluish rings underneath. Skin that was pale. And she gasped. Without noticing, she brought one hand to her cheek and brushed it.
Her wounds were gone, not even a scar or blemish. Even the deep one on her side.
Haku had healed her. Then why did her insides still hurt so?
