-Hello! All my lovely fans and reviewers! :) I can't tell you how much it means to me that I still keep getting reviews and notices in my inbox of new story/author followers! Makes me proud and eager to post more updates sooner! Heehee! At the end of my little story, once its all finished, I mean, I will be giving a very warm shout out to all you who have reviewed :) So, I hope to continue seeing those all-so-sweet reviews! Now, on to the story!

Ashyhoon – Awkwardness

…" "…talking

…' '…thinking

Chihiro couldn't believe what was happening. How could this happen? Also, how could Haku look so calm in the face of danger itself? Sure, they had their share of adventures, Haku probably more so. But, surely this would be the worst of them all, as Chihiro's father stared at him blankly across from him.

Just then, Chihiro's mother, ever the cheerful one at times like these, came in with a tray of snacks and juice, setting it on the table between the two guys.

"Go on, dig in." She said, her tone also merry.

Chihiro, trying to get the tense atmosphere to disperse, leaned forward and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie off the tray, cradling her juice near her. Then, sensing her effort, her mother also helped herself to one of her freshly made cookies.

"Akio, dear? Don't you think you should say something?"

Her father suddenly stood up, glaring at her mother. "How could you be so nonchalant about this, Yuko? Did you not hear what this young man had to say about our only daughter?" He finished by pointing a finger at Haku, who didn't flinch. Again, he was dead calm.

(QUICK A/N! Akio and Yuko are really the names of Chihiro's parents from Spirited Away)

Chihiro's mother shook her head. "Honestly I don't see the big deal, hon. He simply said, and in quite a gentleman-ly manner, asked to court our lovely daughter. She's almost into high school, dear. She's quite old enough to have a boyfriend, right? And they look so cute together!" She ended with a huge smile on her face.

Both Chihiro and Haku cracked a smile. But, Chihiro's father…well…he stared at his wife like he couldn't believe what she had just said.

"Are you serious? This is our 13 year old daughter, for kami's sake! Our beautiful daughter, who shouldn't be worrying about boys and dating. And, courting? Who says that anymore?"

"Sir?" Haku finally spoke, composed as he addressed him. "Mr. Ogino, I was raised to respect my elders and, if I ever were to find someone, in this case it's Chihiro, then I should politely ask to court her. I understand if you don't really like me or the idea of me, as I and Mrs. Ogino said, courting Chihiro, but I really would like your approval."

(ANOTHER QUICK A/N! Ogino is also from Spirited Away ^.^)

Her father blinked a couple times, almost as if he was shocked in what Haku had said. "And exactly who are you again? And how old?"

Haku smiled, at least he was getting somewhere with the older man. "My real name is Kohaku, but I prefer to be called Haku, for short. And, I'm almost 16."

Chihiro's father's eyes widened. "But, I thought you were in the same grade as Chihiro?"

Haku nodded. "I am. I haven't had much of a chance to attend school. I've been busy taking care of some paperwork in order to attend school here in this town."

"So, you don't mind being in the 8th grade, older than all your other classmates, while 'courting' my 13 year old daughter?" Akio spat out.

Haku shook his head. "I don't care much for what others think of me. Besides, I blend in."

All the while, Yuko Ogino was nodding her head, looking at Haku. She smiled at her husband. "He's got a point, dear. I mean, look at Haku; he looks like a 13-year-old middle school student. And I can tell he truly loves Chihiro." She then smiled at Haku and, then, Chihiro. "I approve. Most certainly."

Chihiro responded by being at shock, then hugged her mother tightly. "Thank you, mom! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Yuko hugged her daughter back warmly. "Of course, dear."

Chihiro sat back down, and looked to her father. "Dad?"

Akio looked to his only daughter, then back at Haku. After a few minutes, and a long silence, he sighed heavily.

"Since my wife approves of you, and its already apparent that Chihiro cares for you, too, then I guess I have no other choice but to accept you as well." He slowly smiled. "Just know that if you ever, and I do mean ever hurt my baby girl, I will come after you."

"Dad!" Chihiro blushed in embarrassment.

Haku smiled at her. "It's quite alright, Chihiro. He's just being protective of you." He then turned his attention to her father. "I swear to you Mr. Ogino that I will protect Chihiro with my life, and I will never, ever hurt her, in any form." To emphasize his seriousness, he fisted a hand over his heart and bowed in direction of Chihiro's father.

Akio was taken aback at first, but then chuckled. Everyone else at that moment smiled and laughed.

Akio and Yuko after a few more minutes of talking with Haku and Chihiro, looked over to each other, and smiled, standing up and excusing themselves so the young couple could be alone. Once alone, Chihiro also stood up to go sit next to Haku, who responded by pulling her close to him, wrapping an arm across her shoulders. Chihiro nestled closer to him, smiling up at him.

"You were pretty brave back there, Haku."

He smiled back down at her. "How's that?"

"You stood up to my father, asking to 'court' me and all. You didn't even flinch when he yelled at you."

Haku shook his head, still smiling. "I've been in more sticky situations than that, Chihiro. Though, I will admit he was pretty scary. Probably just as scary as Yubaba had been."

Chihiro giggled. "I'm thinking he was scarier."

Haku laughed with her. "Okay, you have a point. But," with his free hand he brushed away a straying piece of hair from her eyes and smiled wider, "it was all worth it."

Chihiro blushed. "Why do I have a feeling you're not just talking about the sitch with my dad?"

"Because you're absolutely right. Chihiro, meeting you 3 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me. You helped me figure out who I really was. And, going up against Yubaba, not just once but on multiple occasions, gave me the courage I needed to get out of the Spirit World, and keep my promise to find you again. Falling in love with you is a bonus that I take pleasure in." He winked at her, causing her to blush and smile more.

"Are you really 16?" She asked him.

He laughed. "Yep."

She laughed, too. "Mom was right. You do look like a 13 year old middle school student. So, that means when we met, you were 13 then?"

He nodded, still smiling at her.

"And you don't mind being stuck in the same grade as me, surrounded by classmates who are younger than you?"

He shook his head. "Why should I mind that? Grade doesn't matter to me, just as long as I can be near you, always. I let you go before Chihiro…never will I let that happen again. Not for as long as I live."

Chihiro smiled at him. "And how long is that, exactly?"

Haku looked up, as if he was counting, then looked back down at the girl in his arms, grinning. "Well, I don't think I have my immortality anymore. Ever since I've left the Spirit World, I don't have the powers I once had. Can't really use them here, nor do I mind. To tell you the truth, I like the chance to live like a normal human teenager. Just means we," he tapped her nose lightly then his own, "will live for about the same amount of time. Never will I outlive you by several years, nor do I want to. Being a human is quite convenient for me." He laughed.

She grinned at him, snuggling closer to him so her head was resting on his chest. "Does that mean you also want to go to the same high school and college as me, as well?"

Haku had adjusted himself so she was more comfortable, resting his hand gently on her head, which he now was stroking her hair. When she asked him that, he smiled.

"Most definitely. Of course, I will give you your freedom to do whatever you want. If you wanted us to have different jobs, I'm more than happy to oblige."

"What would you want to do?" She asked him.

"What would you want to do?" He countered with his own question, to which she giggled at.

"I was thinking of going to college to be a teacher. Now, you…"

He laughed. "Well I did a lot of paperwork back in the Spirit World. What kind of jobs here do paperwork?"

Chihiro thought for a moment. "Hmmm…there's some in law and I know there's a lot in business."

"Law, huh?" Haku smiled. "I think I would like to work in law."

She giggled. "You would look cute in a suit as a lawyer. Can't see you wear a heavy robe all day as a judge."

He laughed. "Being a lawyer could be educating."

Chihiro looked up at him, gazing. She sighed. "Any other future plans?"

Haku smiled. "Actually, I do."

"Oh? Like what?"

He stared off in space, thinking out loud. "Well, I saw how happy your folks are. I never really knew my parents, if I had any that is. I only assume that they're gone. But, one day, I would like something like your parents have…a family. And, you?" He smiled back at her.

She blushed, looking quickly away. "I was thinking the same. I look at my mom and dad and how in love they are. I would like something like that, too. Maybe a kid or two…" Chihiro blushed harder.

Haku smiled wider at her adorableness, kissing her head gently. "One day you will. I promise you that."

She finally looked back at him, smiling. "And you will, too, Haku." Then they kissed each other, on the lips, ever so gently.

-Awww! I felt like crying right there at the end! :') I sure do hope you guys liked this chapter just as much as I loved writing it. To tell you the truth, as I was writing this one, I was thinking of my boyfriend and I. Lol he's even asked me what I would say if he asked me to marry him and I told him "hmm…I would probably, most likely, say yes." Lol I love teasing him! Anyhow, this story is not quite over. ;) I got one more chapter in me before I'm totally done. Please stay tuned until the end!

Much love to all my readers, reviewers, followers, and subscribers!

friendwriter