The adventure continues! I think Haku and Chihiro are glad they're going to the bath-house and not dealing with fan-girls, don't you? (And yes, UnMauvaisReve, I stole that from you…please forgive me!).

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A Second Chance

Chapter 7: Return

Chihiro woke to the sound of Haku's voice and his hands on her shoulders gently rocking her awake. "Chihiro, Chihiro, wake up" he urged quietly.

When she finally opened her eyes, she saw the sky had darkened tremendously. "What happened?" she asked wearily.

"We slept longer than we intended to" he said, helping her off the ground, "We have to get moving."

Once again, they started across the meadow, desperately trying to cross the bridge before the bath-house came to life.

"There!" Haku exclaimed, pointing toward the bridge. They were only meters away when the lights slowly started turning on, illuminating the empty buildings, bringing the bath-house to life. Haku and Chihiro froze where they stood.

We're too late, Chihiro thought, but said, "What do we do now?"

"Both of us are going to have to cross the bridge while holding our breath" he replied, "Do you think you can handle it?"

Her mind screamed, NO! You remember what happened last time! But her head nodded "yes."

He took her hand in his as they approached the bridge and both stopped before crossing the threshold, each thinking how easy it would be to turn back and forget they ever returned. But it wasn't that simple.

Our friends are in trouble, she reminded herself. And as if they were one, Chihiro and Haku each took a big breath and there was no turning back.

Unlike before where Haku had to keep up the appearance of normalcy, this time they could move quickly and took full advantage of that knowledge. They didn't run, for they were sure to exhale, they merely picked up a quicker walking pace. It was enough, though, and they crossed the bridge without being noticed.

After they inhaled deeply and were ready to continue, Haku motioned in the direction they were to take next. They remained quiet, not certain what kind of noise would attract unwanted attention. Haku led the way to the small door that Chihiro had taken to get to the stairs to the boiler room. He went in first, so he could make sure no one was on the other side, waiting to discover them. Luckily, the entrance to the stairs was deserted and they could now make their way to the safety of the boiler room and the companionship of Komaji. They just needed to get down the stairs.

Surprisingly, Chihiro found that the rickety stairs no longer frightened her compared to the danger that lay ahead, and she could descend them without difficulty and the assistance of Haku's guiding hand.

They descended the stairs and arrived at the entrance to the boiler room. Cautiously, they opened the door, expecting Ubaba to have had Komaji replaced. They were relieved to find it wasn't so and entered, letting the door fall closed behind them. Komaji was so wrapped up in his work and mumbling to himself that he failed to notice their arrival. The soot balls, however, were so excited to see that Chihiro had returned that they quit working to rejoice at her feet.

"You imbeciles! Do you want to turn back into dust? Get to work!" Komaji shouted, the lack of work getting his attention. He looked almost embarrassed when he realized the cause of the soot balls stopping. "Chihiro! Haku! I didn't hear you come in!"

"Hello, Komaji" Haku said while Chihiro also greeted him.

Komaji looked Chihiro over and said, "You've grown. You've become quite the young lady since I last saw you."

"Thanks" she replied, "You look the same. The whole place does."

"Yes, time seems to stand still around here" he paused, "It's great to see you again. Both of you. We'll be needing your help."

"Komaji, is it possible for you to send for Lin? Chihiro needs work clothes to have any chance of blending in. Even if it's only for a little time" Haku said and Chihiro nodded in agreement at his side.

"I guess I could get her a message. What should I tell her?" he asked.

"Only that it's urgent and she could come right away" Haku replied, "If the message were to be intercepted, we don't want anyone else to know what's going on."

Again, Chihiro was amazed at all the details Haku had thought through. How is he so prepared? she thought, He only found out a little before me. He couldn't have plotted out everything before coming to me…could he?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lin angrily burst through the door. "What's going on? What's the big emergency, old man?"

Komaji merely gestured in Chihiro's way. Following the gesture, Lin turned, saw Chihiro, and her face suddenly softened. "Chihiro! Hey kid, what are you doing here? Oh my God, you're so big!"

She sounds like an old relative, Chihiro thought. "We're here to help" she said instead.

Lin turned to Haku with a stone glare and said gravely, "You brought her here? Why would you do that? You know what it's like-"

Before Lin could rip his head off, Chihiro interjected, "I asked to come. I wanted to help."

Lin switched her gaze back to Chihiro, looked her up and down, scrutinizing, and then said, "I guess it can't be helped. I'm glad you're here kid" and wrapped her in a hug. As they parted, Lin asked, "So what do you need? Food? A place to sleep?"

"Actually, I need work clothes. I'm afraid I stick out like a sore thumb" Chihiro replied, looking down at her outfit.

"Of course, I didn't even notice you weren't wearing the uniform! Cute clothes, by the way. I'll be right back with your clothes and some food." And with that, she was gone.

Well, I guess we made it. I just wish I knew what I was getting myself into.

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As I was writing Lin's entrance to the story, she reminded me of Chessie (the nanny) from "The Parent Trap" with Lindsay Lohan. You know, where she first finds out that Hallie's not really Hallie. So they're finally at the bath-house. Now what? You'll just have to keep reading to find out. Please review!!!