Chapter Seven: Granny!
Chihiro sunk down into the hot water as she lay in the bath. It felt so good. She had gotten used jumping into a bathtub full of cold water, as her parents spent all their money on food, instead of the gas bill. She leaned her head back sank even further, allowing the water to rise to her neck. She sighed.
A door sliding open caught her attention and she looked out of the bath, only to quickly return to the water with a small squeal.
"Haku!"
"Sorry," said Haku, hanging back. "I just came to check on you."
"That's okay," said Chihiro, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around herself.
Haku stepped forward to the bath. He climbed onto the deck around the rim of the bath and gazed down at Chihiro. She blushed profusely.
"You still have blood on your face," said Haku, touching her cheek.
"Oh," was all she could get out.
"Let me get it for you," said Haku, reaching down and grabbing a washcloth. He dipped it in the water, rang it out a bit, and gently wiped her face. He stared down into her eyes, and she did the same, both feeling free, feeling relieved that the other was there.
Chihiro slowly rose from the bath, the soaked towel still held firmly in place around her chest. Haku held out his hand and she took it, stepping out of the tub. He held out the white yukata, and she took it. Haku turned around as she slipped the towel off and pulled on the robe.
An hour later, Chihiro was dressed in a white skirt that came to her knees and an emerald green half-sleeved shirt. She had been back to the broiler room, with Haku's help, to see Kamajii and Lin again. Now they were both back in their room, and Chihiro voiced an idea.
"Why don't we go see Granny and No Face?"
"Are you sure you're up to it?" asked Haku, glancing over from the paperwork that he had to fill out to run the bathhouse (yes, there's paperwork, even in the spirit world).
"Yeah, so can we go?" asked Chihiro, flashing puppy eyes.
"Alright," said Haku, signing one last document.
They had bought their tickets and caught the train. They got off at Granny's stop, and the foot-lantern met them, guiding them into the forest. After they had walked for five minutes, Chihiro started to get tired again, so Haku picked her up and carried her, bridal-style, to Zeniba's house.
No Face was outside, feeding the birds. When he saw Haku and Chihiro approach, he ran to front door to welcome them.
"NoFace!" Chihiro shouted, waving in Haku's arms.
Zeniba opened the front door and a smile spread across her wrinkled face.
"Chihiro?" she called.
"Granny!" cried Chihiro, jumping out of Haku's arms and running to hug Zeniba.
"Come inside," said Zenibe, "I want to hear what you've been up to for the last six years."