**DISCLAIMER** I DO NOT OWN SPIRITED AWAY! STUDIO GHILBI AND HAYAO MIYAZAKI DOES! ^_^ enjoy

**Authors Note**
I know it's been a while since I updated. I usually update a lot sooner so I'm soooooooo sorry 4 taking ages ^_^" please don't bite my head off. Actually you'd only do that if this was a great story which obviously it's not because I still ONLY HAVE THREE REVIEWS! Haha but I'm not complaining. Anyways I wanna give a big thanx to the 679 people who bothered to read my story! Thanx a bunch :) eventually I will refine my earlier chapters because I feel like I could've done waaay better with them. Anyways here is the next chapter. Enjoy! :D

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Everyone woke up feeling refreshed and well rested. They were all so tired that they weren't even woken when Komaji started the boiler and the soot balls went to work. Chihiro was the first to stir. She found it surprising that the humid steam in the air, the smell of burning coal and constant clink of the coal being thrown in to the boiler, felt almost as familiar as her own bedroom. She was startled though when she opened her eyes, to find herself staring straight at the face of a sleeping Haku, who had made his bed beside hers. She let out a short but loud, high pitched squeal, which stirred everyone else. Haku sat up sleepily and rubbed his eyes.

"Huh? Chihro? What's wrong?"

"Uh, n-nothing. Ahaha" she laughed sheepishly. She found it rather funny to see Haku sleepy at all. Everyone was to busy rubbing their eyes and stretching to notice. "Huh? Where's Lin?" she wondered out loud.

"Working of course" said Komaji, sitting in his little work station. "Although she should be down with some snack food soon. It's break time"

"Sweet!" said Oli. "I'm starving"

"You're always starving" retorted Heili. Last night's little chat by the moon light seemed to have been forgotten almost completely. Chihiro heard Oli retort something back, but wasn't really focused on what. She was worried about Lin. She seemed a lot thinner and paler to Chihiro. No doubt Yubaba had been working her especially to the bone, and this concerned Chihiro. What if Yubaba got whiff that they were there and that Lin knew they were there. There's no telling what she might do to poor Lin. Trouble must've been written clear on her face because Haku soon was staring at her with concern.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

"Lin" she stated abruptly. "She doesn't look so good you know? She looks worn down…WAY worn down. You saw how thin and pale she looked"

"There's no job that Yubaba can throw Lin's way that she can't handle" he said soothingly.

"It's not just that" said Chihiro. "What if she finds out we're here and that Lin knows? She might hurt Lin really bad. Maybe even worse" she shuddered at that thought and abruptly pushed it from her mind.

"Lin's not stupid. She knows what she's doing. Besides, there isn't a person in this bath house that wouldn't turn on Yubaba given the chance" Haku said comfortingly. "There on our side so they won't rat her out"

"I find that hard to believe" she said lowly.

"When you meet Yubaba she was harsh, very harsh, but fair. Now she's just a tyrant, working everyone to the bone while everyone has little to show for it. They would quit but they're scared of what might happen if they do" said Haku. "They won't rat her out. Yubaba's iron fist has brought everyone close together like family. She's safe Chihiro" he said comfortingly.

"Yea I guess" she relied half heartedly.

"You little soot-balls get back to work!" yelled Komaji. The soot-balls were jumping up and down in protest about something.

"Komaji, why won't they work?" Chihiro asked curiously.

"Lin's running late today with the food, so the soot-balls refuse to work until she arrives" he said calmly. "I said get back to work!"

"Lin's late? Is she usually late?" asked Chihiro slightly concerned.

"No. Not that often. She should be here anyti-" Komaji stopped mid-sentence when the small rectangular slide-door in the wall opened up, and Lin slowly started to crawl through. Everyone stared at Lin in shock and Chihiro even gasped when she saw her. While Lin was still climbing through, she lifted her head weakly.

"Hey everyone" she smiled, before she suddenly collapsed on the floor.

"Lin!" yelled Chihiro with worry. Haku and Chihiro rushed to her side first, followed by everyone else. Haku pulled her over to one of the many beds that still remained on the floor and lay her gently on top of it. Lin was bloody and bruised. Not as bad as Haku was when Chihiro found him, but it wasn't exactly a pretty sight either.

"Lin? Lin are you ok? What happened!" asked Chihiro very distressed. Lin opened her eyes slightly and turned her head towards Chihiro. She let out a slow moan of pain.

"Hey Kiddo" she smiled weakly. "I got a message for you from Yubaba" Chihiro's stomach twisted instantly and her face paled. "She wants you to go see her in her office, along with Haku and your two friends". Heili and Oli paled. There weren't looking forward to meeting the person who did this to Lin. Lin's eyes closed slowly.

"Be careful" she said weakly, before her body went limb.

"Lin…Lin! Wake up!" yelled Chihiro, trying to shake Lin awake.

"Stop it Chihiro!" commanded Haku softly. He wrapped his arms around her lightly to try and refrain her from shaking Lin awake. "It's ok. She's just asleep" He let go of Chihiro when she stopped struggling in his arms.

"It's ok!" she repeated angrily. "It's not ok! Lin is hurt and it's all my fault! Shes hurt because i wanted tocome here! You said she'd be ok Haku! You said she'd be fine!" Tears streaked slowly down her face as she stared at Haku angrily. The words 'it's all my fault' kept playing through her mind like a broken record. She didn't know why she was yelling at Haku, especially when it was entirely her fault and not his. She wondered if Lin could ever forgive her for endangering her.

"No one ratted her out. Yubaba found out on her own" muttered Haku. Oli rushed to Chihiro's side and put a comforting arm around her, and Chihiro half buried her head into his shoulder and wept lightly.

"It's ok Chihiro. It's not your fault. Yubaba is the one who did this. Not you" comforted Oli.

"It is my fault" she said meekly. "If I hadn't suggested that we come here, Lin wouldn't have gotten hurt"

"You know what I think?" he asked rhetorically. Chihiro gazed up at him questioningly. "I think that if she could choose whether to see you or not, she would've chosen to see you, even if she knew she'd get hurt"

"Yea right" replied Chihiro dis-heartedly. Heili stared at Chihiro in Oli's arms. It was at that moment that realized something. Oli had feelings for Chihiro, and the realization seemed to hit Heili like a brick. How had she not seen it before? There was no mistaking the soft look in his eyes that he had while he comforted her now. Heili thought that Chihiro belonged with Haku though, not Oli. She felt a soft pang of pain in her heart and didn't know why.

"He's right Chihiro. It's Yubaba's fault not yours" Haku agreed. He lowered his gaze to the ground ashamed. "And mine" he said quietly. If only he had been strong and wise enough to refuse her plea to come here. His heart felt like it was sitting in his stomach, dissolving into thousands of little pieces. Already he had managed to make Chihiro upset at him twice. He wished he was the one comforting her right now. He willed himself to push that thought out of his head. Thoughts like that were pointless considering what was going to happen to him soon. "Here" he said softly, handing her a plain white handkerchief. The tears had stopped and was no longer leaning on Oli. As she wiped her eyes, a strong resolve seemed to come over her.

"I won't cry any more" she stated firmly. To who she didn't know. "Crying wont make up for it. There's only one way to make up for Lin being hurt and that's to go see Yubaba" Everyone was a bit surprised to hear this. They knew Chihiro was brave but now they probably thought she was a bit foolish to. After seeing what Yubaba had done to Lin, everyone expected her to be wise and leave the bathhouse.

"Ch-Chihiro…I'm not so sure that's a good idea" stuttered Oli, who paled at the thought of meeting the person who hurt Lin. If she did that to Lin, who knows what she would do to a couple of humans she'd never, Chihiro being an exception.

"It's ok Oli. I don't intend to bring you along. I know how to get there. I'll go myself"

"No you wont" stated Haku with a firmness in his voice that was unfamiliar to Chihiro. "You're not going" he stated in a very matter-of-fact way.

"Haku…what's comes over you?" wondered Chihiro out loud. For a second she just stared at him oddly, like he had just said the most absurd thing in the world. "What's come over him, is that he want's to protect you" thought Heili. And she was exactly right.

"I have to go see Yubaba. If I don't then there's no telling what might happen to Lin if I just leave. Besides, it's the only way I can think to make up for Lin getting hurt. When she wakes up I'll think of another way to repay her to"

"You don't get it do you? You go up to her office and you might not leave alive" Haku stood at the tiny slide door, baring her exit.

"Then come with me! Lin said Yubaba wanted to see you and Oli and Heili as well! Safety in numbers right!" she protested. Haku showed no signs of moving. "I'm going Haku! With or without you! But with you would be a lot better!" Haku stayed where he was, but Chihiro could see the conflict written all over his face. He struggled with this choice a lot and it felt like one of the hardest he ever made.

"Fine" he said defeated. "Have it your way" He moved aside glumly. Chihiro was a bit stunned for a second. Never before had Haku even slightly raised his voice at her, yet alone tried to stop her from doing something. This Haku seemed more human, not like the other one who seemed so focused, calm and always level-headed.

"W-what about Lin? Is alright to just leave her here?" asked Heili.

"Don't worry young one. I'll take care of Lin and help her recover" said Komaji.

Chihiro turned to him and smiled. "I know you'll take good care of her" she said giving him a goodbye hug. Hopefully it wouldn't be the last.

"Be safe Chihiro"

"I will" she smiled reassuringly.

Haku stood near the small sliding door, resisting the urge to tap his foot impatiently "If we're going, we better go now. The longer Yubaba waits, the worse things will be"

"Right! Coming!" said Chihiro.

Haku crouched down by the sliding door. "Watch your head" he said before climbing through. Heili followed his lead, with Oli right behind her. Obviously Oli hadn't been listening when Haku said 'watch your head' because Oli hit his head hard whilst climbing through.

"OWW!" he yelled. He came out rubbing his head and Heili just stood giggling at him.

"It's not funny" he said in a very child like manner. When Chihiro emerged and slid the door shut, everyone climbed in to the elevator.

No one spoke a word as Haku led them through hallways and up various elevators.

"Since Yubaba already knows where here, there's no need to be discrete" he said. They felt high tension every where they went as the bath house workers ALL recognized Haku and Chihiro. There were looks and stares of astonishment at seeing the two again. Any one that didn't like them before, pitied them now. For the past two-three years, being the object of Yubaba's wrath has been lethal if not deadly. As the group of four walked through the bathhouse, the nervous stares and whispers unnerved them, particularly Heili and Oli.

"Haku, there all staring and whispering about us" stated Chihiro "It's as if they pity us"

"They do" he said bluntly. "And it's too late to change your mind now. This was your idea" he reminded her harshly.

"It's not like we had a choice" she muttered. By now Oli and Heili were about ten paces behind. They sensed a little argument heating up.

"We did have a choice Chihiro! We could've fled!"

"And then what? Be hunted down! Not mention how immorally wrong it would've been to leave when Lin got hurt because of us! I never thought you'd be the type to flee Haku" she said more venomously than she would've liked to. She knew that what she was saying was hurtful. But she couldn't stop herself. An anger had suddenly built up inside of her that she couldn't let go.

"Yubaba would never bother to hunt us down outside the bathhouse! And yes! I would flee if it meant I could live to fight another day! Not commit suicide!" Haku replied harshly. "I hope going for Lin's sake gives you a clear conscience just like you want! Because you dragged us along too!" Haku kept walking without realizing that what he just said stopped Chihiro in her tracks. Those words stung her worse than any he had said so far. Mostly because it was true. Its was her fault Lin was hurt, and that fact weighed on her conscience heavy, but she became so selfish in her desire to make her conscience clear that she dragged Haku and Oli and Heili along with her. If they died, it was because of her selfishness, and that thought ate at Chihiro like crazy.
Haku quickly realized she wasn't beside him arguing back and stopped for her to catch up.

"Hey!" he yelled. "Hurry up!" Chihiro did a little jog to catch up and walked beside Haku and in utter silence. Her face hung low and it was obvious that she was hurt. Haku looked over at Chihiro walking beside him and felt remorseful about what he said. "Damn it! Why did I have to say something like that!" he wondered in anguish. "What's wrong with me! I should've controlled my temper. Now Chihiro's upset" Haku opened his mouth to apologize, but said nothing as they were suddenly standing in front of an all too familiar door. It was a large, red and gold door with beautiful patterns and a bird crest at the top.

Oli and Heili stared in wonder at the massive door as they caught up. Heili examined the door handle with a big nose and out of place eyes.

The door handle spoke suddenly. "So Kohaku, I see you brought the other two humans and Sen just as I asked" Heili got such a fright that she fell backwards and scurried to Oli's side behind Haku.

The door handle just cackled an ugly laugh. "They look as scared as Sen did when she first arrived!"

"What did you mean by the other two humans and Sen?" asked Chihiro. "I'm human to" The doors eye's focused on Chihiro. "How nice to see you Sen. Look how much you've grown!" The door handle echoed Yubaba's fake flattery.

"My names Chihiro, not Sen!" she declared.

"I know that you impertinent girl! I owned your name once remember!" yelled the door handle projecting Yubaba's voice. Silence swayed over everyone.

"Well come in everyone" she said regaining composure in her voice. The doors swung open to reveal a massive seemingly endless hallway which seemed more like a labyrinth. Haku stepped into the hallway first and led everyone nervously past numerous door in the hallway and and turning left, before find the door to Yubaba's office. The door swung open and evreyone stood by the fireplace as Chihiro had done when she first arrived. The curtains were closed behind her blocking out the sun shine completely and the room was poorly lit. The fireplace behind the four created a good portion of the light. Expensive decorations and ornaments decorated the room along with fine and elegantly decorated furniture. She was defiantly a woman of wealth.

Heili and Oli gasped slightly when they saw Yubaba who was sitting behind her desk, filling out forms and papers. If they weren't in a life threatening situation then they might have laughed at her abnormally big head and beaky nose. But as the situation seemed a bit dire (that's putting it mildly) any compulsion to laugh died a while ago.
An awkward, tense silence swept across the room as no one spoke. They stood there for about five minutes in silence but the tension made those five minutes feel like an hour.

"Why did you call us?" asked Haku in the same proud manner that Chihiro remembered.

Yubaba didn't look up as she spoke. "Because I wanted a little chat" she smiled slyly.

"And for that you hurt Lin!" asked Chihiro clearly appalled. Yubaba looked up at her guests now.

"I asked Lin if you were here but she kept lying to me. So I found that a little force was necessary"

"If you knew we were here then why-"

"Chihiro" Haku hushed. "Let me handle this"

"Oh come now Haku I'm sure the girl is perfectly capable of speaking on her own" said Yubaba in fakest, sweet voice she had. He gaze turned toward Oli and Heili "Which is more than I can say for your quivering human friends"

"I don't understand. You say that as if their the only two humans in here" said Chihiro.

Yubaba suddenly smiled and chuckled wickedly. "You didn't tell her yet did you Haku?"

"Tell me what?" Chihiro asked hoping either one would answer.

Haku's gaze was still on Yubaba "No, I haven't" he answered coolly.

"And why ever not? It's a good gift you've given her!" declared Yubaba. Chihiro felt a little weird that they were speaking about her as if she wasn't there. "Or are you just worried she'll find out just how much that gift cost?" Her smile was cruel and wicked as she spoke.

"I haven't told her because I'm sure she'll discover it in her own time and when she does I'll tell her" stated Haku. There was a hint of aggression in his voice.

"Ohhh so it has to be triggered? I see" said Yubaba slyly.

"Will someone please tell me what's going on!" Chihiro yelled. "And stop talking about me as if I'm not here"

"Chihiro, I'm sure you know by now what Haku-Kohaku, had to do in order to enter the human world"

"Yes he…had to give up his position as the spirit of the Kohaku River"

"Yes and did you know that he had to give his title to someone else?"

"Yes but what does that-"

"Do you know who he gave his title to Chihiro?" she asked rhetorically. "He gave his title to you". Chihiro stumbled back a bit. Yubaba's words hit her like ton of bricks. A knot twisted in her stomach and she felt a little dizzy as she tried to comprehend what Yubaba had just said. "Haku gave me his title! What does that mean!" she wondered.

"I-I don't understand" she stuttered. "I-isn't there a r-rule about this or something? Something that forbids spirits giving humans there t-titles?"

"If a human receives a title they become half human half spirit" Yubaba looked up from her paper work again and smiled slyly. "You're a witch like me" Chihiro felt wee bit nauseas. The idea of being anything like Yubaba disturbed her. Yubaba was a tyrant and Chihiro wanted to be nothing like her.

"That can't be right. I mean-"

Yubaba suddenly slammed her fist on the desk and stood up "Enough!" she yelled suddenly. "I didn't call you here to talk about what you are! I called you here for the seal!" her eyes slanted menacingly and her gaze crossed over all four of them. "Now where is it?"

"It's lost at sea" Chihiro said without any falter in her voice. Oli suddenly became very aware of what was still in his pocket, and his stomach twisted into a knot.

"Liar!" Yubaba yelled. Oli became nauseas. He had brought with them the very object that got them in danger in the first place! If they lived through this, the others would tear him apart for not throwing it into the ocean like he was told.

"I can assure you that-" Chihiro began but was cut off.

"I can feel its presence" muttered Yubaba. Her gaze wandered from person to person menacingly.

"That's impossible" muttered Chihiro, suddenly becoming very nervous. There was just no way one of them could have it. She didn't want to believe it.
Haku's senses suddenly became heightened and alert as he felt this little chat was nearing its end. Yubaba could spring an attack on them anytime now.

"I'm surprised you don't sense it Kohaku" she said. She lifted her arm and pointed at Oli. "Especially when it resides in the pocket of your friend". Everyone turned to face Oli, unsure of what to expect next.
Oli had was suddenly under an enormous amount of pressure. He could deny he had the seal? There was no way he wanted to face his friends' wrath…or Yubaba's. But what good would denying it do? Yubaba was probably seconds away from personally pulling it out of his pocket for him! Or threatening him. With ALOT of reluctance, Oli put his hand in his right pocket and pulled out the golden monogram seal. Everyone's heart sank and there faces turned pale.
Oli's heart sank to as he looked around at the various expressions on his friends faces. Heili had her hand clamped over her mouth in shock and horror, Haku glared down at him barley able to contain his rage and anger and Chihiro…Chihiro stared at him blankly which Oli knew was the opposite of good. Eventually the blank expressionless face would crumble away into sheer anger and hostility towards him. Like a calm before the storm.

Yubaba's voice broke the stares. "T-The seal" she muttered as she stumbled forward ungracefully before catching herself. "Give it here" she said as she stood in front of her desk. The look in her eyes was terrifying. It was full of hunger and greed. Oli looked at everyone, not knowing what he should do next. There was a look in his eye that pleaded for someone to tell him what to do. Should he hand it to her or not? He didn't want to do anything the others didn't agree with.

"Give it here boy!" demanded Yubaba with her hand outstretched. Haku gave him a nod signaling to do as she said. Slowly and hesitantly Oli walked forward and handed Yubaba the seal. He shivered as her hand accidentally brushed his when he handed her the seal. They were cold like ice, no doubt a reflection of her heart.
Oli steeped back hastily to the sides of his friends. Everyone looked on wards in horror as Yubaba stared at the seal with astonish, sheer delight and a disturbing obsessive joy. There was no telling what Yubaba would do now she had the seal.
Chihiro thought the look was disgusting. To want power that much was disgusting. Suddenly Yubaba's face dropped and become deadly looking. She turned to face the group with the seal gripped tightly in her hand.

"Who put a new protective spell on this!" she asked infuriated. "The spell should be broken but it's still there!" She looked at the seal in dismay. "I don't understand. The love from you two should've broken it already!" she yelled pointing at Haku and Chihiro. If this situation wasn't dangerous, they might've blushed.

"Zeniba put a new spell on it before she sent it to Chihiro for safe keeping" stated Haku.

"Of course she would. I should've known my sister would make things even harder for me!" "Of course!" thought Chihiro. "Zeniba must've sent me the seal so it was absolutely out of Yubaba's reach! I always wondered why it turned up unexpectedly. Now I know"
A malicious smile suddenly crept across Yubaba's face. She suddenly threw the seal towards the group and Chihiro caught it with ease.

"You four will remain here under contract until that spell breaks" she said sitting smugly back down in her desk chair.

"What!" Chihiro burst out suddenly. If she thought she was gonna work for that slave driver again, she was wrong.

"I'm afraid you have no choice 'Sen'" Yubaba spat out her other name as a taunt for Chihiro. "If you work here then I can't harm you. You and Haku managed to break the seal before and you'll remain here until you do it again. And once you do I'll tear up your contracts"

"If we break the spell, you'll just keep us under contract anyway once you have it!" accused Chihiro.

"I'm a woman of my word Sen! Don't question my integrity!" Yubaba yelled. "I could kill your human friends right now but I'm willing to offer them safety under contract too!" she declared. "So don't you ever question my honor again or I really will kill them" she said with threatening expression. Sheets of paper slipped out from the pile on her desk and glided over to the group who caught them mid air. Four pens also glided across the office and to the four friends. "Now sign the papers" she said. Chihiro just stared at the form in her hands, feeling at a complete loss. There was no way she wanted to work for Yubaba again, but what other choice did she have? None, that was clear. She looked at Haku and he nodded saying that they should all sign the forms and do as Yubaba said.

"Haku" Yubaba said suddenly. "I hope you weren't hoping to get your old job as my apprentice back. Because I've found myself a much more capable and obedient apprentice" Suddenly a figure steeped out of the shadows. "Isn't that right Kira" Yubaba's new apprentice was the masked assassin. He just nodded without saying a word and stood by Yubaba like a guard dog. The sight of him made every catch their breath and Chihiro felt sick and disgusted just by looking at him. "So it's true" she thought to herself. "Yubaba's hired this mercenary, this, this, this killer!" Chihiro took a deep breath to try and calm herself other wise she might do something she would regret. She eyed Kira's sword which was held to his waist by a green belt made of strong cotton, instead of a sheath. As Kira shifted a little on the spot, Chihiro saw the blade illuminated red in some patches. To her horror she realized it was blood. Her stomach did flips and she felt nauseous and dizzy. The idea that the blood on his sword might belong to her parents ran though her mind and scared her. Haku noticed her slightly tremble and her face had become pale.

"Chihiro?" he whispered. "What's wrong?"

"B-blood" she stammered and pointed to Kira's sword. Haku followed her gaze to the sword and he immediately could tell she was worried who's that blood belonged to. He pitied her right now, to not know whether or not her parents were alive.

"T-tell me" said Chihiro with a surprising amount of volume and courage in her otherwise shaky voice. "Wh-who's blood is on your b-blade?"

"It does not belong to your parent's pest. You needn't worry" came a gruff and deep voice from behind the mask. If Chihiro hadn't been so relieved she would've felt insulted at being called a pest. But there was time to feel insulted later, not now.

"However, that could always change if you misbehave" added Yubaba. "Do as I say and they'll remain safe" she said smiling cruelly. Chihiro suddenly stopped signing the form and felt stunned. Yubaba had her parent's lives in her hands. It suddenly hit Chihiro how helpless she now was. And that feeling of helplessness already started to eat away at her. But she wouldn't let it show. She refused to let it show.

Everyone's forms and pens started lifting themselves of the ground and gliding through the air towards Yubaba who took all four forms in her hand. She waved her hand over the forms and some of the characters making up their names lifted of the sheet into her hand.

"Chihiro, Kohaku, you two will naturally go back to using your old names Sen and Haku. As for you two" she turned her gaze suddenly towards Heili and Oli. "You girl, will be called Rei, not Heili. And as for you dear boy who so kindly brought me the seal… you will go by the name of Lee. Is this understood!" Only Heili and Oli actually nodded.

"Good. Now get out of my sight! All of you!" No one bowed in respect, but just turned and left immediately with Haku leading the way. No one spoke until they were out of the maze like hallway. Chihiro opened her mouth to ask Haku what he thought about the idea of everyone sleeping in the boiler room again, but she quickly remembered the harsh words they said to each other earlier. And how she realized that everything that had just happened was her fault. She dragged everyone into this mess and now they were all stuck working for Yubaba. Haku might lash out at her possibly if she tried to talk to him and she didnt want that.

"Haku…do you think we'd be aloud to all sleep in the boiler room like we did last night?" Heili asked meekly. "I-don't really wanna be apart form everyone else. Chihiro wondered for a second if Heili could read her mind.

"Me neither" Chihiro added hesitantly. She guessed it was only a matter of time before they started blaming her for getting them into this mess. If they didnt blame her now they proabably would later.

"Staying in the boiler won't make Yubaba happy. Were permanently on her radar now and she's definitely not going to allow us to just sleep where ever we want. Sleeping together in the boiler room might make the situation worse. If that's even possible"

"Oh" said Heili and Chihiro in unison. The both looked crest fallen. Haku sighed. Everyone had been through a really rough time. Especially Chihiro. He knew she blamed herself for a lot of the things that's happened. She's always been like that; it's just the way she is.

"I guess this one night in the boiler room wouldn't hurt though. Just for tonight we'll all sleep in the boiler room again. But tomorrow we sleep in our proper quarters" Everyone's face brightened every so slightly as this news.

"We had better go get uniforms right?" asked Chihiro quietly.

"Yea. There's still hours till closing time so we'll be expected to work right away" No one noticed Oli hung back, looking ashamed and remorseful. He didn't expect anyone to notice. He wondered if maybe it was good they hadn't. They might start yelling at him for bringing the seal. It's his fault there all stuck in this mess.

Heili noticed Oli lagging behind and she slowed her step to match his.

"What's wrong?" she asked sweetly. Oli looked at her in surprise. He expected resentment and yelling. Not any attempt at comfort.

"You really can't guess?" he asked morbidly.

"No. Why? Tell me what's up" she urged.

"It's my fault" he said as if it were a fact. "It's my fault we're working for Yubaba. We could've escaped and she wouldn't have tried to follow us if I didn't take that stupid seal!" His expression turned even more sour looking. "It's my fault we're working for Yubaba now. My own stupid fault. So, I'm sorry"

"Oli, you don't really blame yourself do you?" Heili asked as if she found the idea ridiculous. "Do you seriously think-"

"It's Lee" he said interrupting.

"Fine. Lee, do you seriously think that Yubaba would've let us go anyway? Yes it was stupid of you to bring the seal, incredibly stupid, but you saw the look she had in her eyes. She was practically insane! With or without the seal, we'd still be in danger, possibly dead! The only reason we're all guaranteed safety under contract is because you brought the seal" Oli looked as if he seemed to be contemplating what she said. She hoped he was. "Oli if you hadn't have brought the seal, Yubaba would've had no reason to keep us alive. So in a sense, you saved us" Heili tried to sound as convincing as possible and from the look on Oli's face, she did.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" he asked. Heili just looked at him blankly. She wasnt to sure why herself. Normally she would love nothing more than to see Oli in pain but this...this was diffrent. He was truly hurt and concerned. He genuinly regretted what he did and felt sorry for himself. But his face brightened a bit and there was even a faint smile.

"We better catch up with others" he said before breaking into a slight jog. Heili followed his lead to catch up to Haku and Chihiro, and the four stepped into the red and gold colored, fancy elevator. It would take them to the second floor where they would find some work clothes and start their laborious job at the bathhouse.

**Authors Note**
I don't usually do these AFTER the chapter but I'm making an exception this time. Soooo, it seems that the gang has been forced to sign a contract and work at the bath house. But how will they get out? Will they ever find out how to break the new spell on the seal? Don't worry its not gonna be like the movie where they stay in the bathhouse, find a way to leave and then movie ends. A LOT more has to happen after that ;) And CHIHIRO is now technically the SPIRIT OF THE KOHAKU RIVER! Hehe perhaps we'll find out more about that in the next chapter?

Don't forget to review! ;)