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Yuko and Chihiro gasped, while Haku went stiff. 'I-I'm dying?' He thought to himself. Kaonashi was silent as always, but not surprised. In fact, he had been the one to figure out what was wrong with Haku in the first place. Though, no one would know that.

Haku wasn't as surprised as he would have thought. What with all the pain he had been feeling, it was hard to think he wasn't dying. "Is there... " He paused, his voice was shakier than he liked, "anyway to fix it?" Zeni-ba looked grave and shook her head.

"I'm sorry Haku, there is only one way that you can be saved." While Zeni-ba paused to sip her tea, silence reined among them. Yuko fidgeted with a loose thread on her kimono, and Chihiro just stared at Haku, feeling deep pity. 'Wow, I can't believe I'm the reason he's dying. It's very depressing.'

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Zeni-ba continued. "Chihiro must remember you. For you see, since your souls are bound together, with Chihiro not really knowing who she is, her half of the soul is incomplete." Zeni-ba shifted her gaze to Chihiro. "Chihiro, you do know what this means, right?" Chihiro shook her head.

Zeni-ba sighed. She hated sharing bad news. "If Haku dies, you die as well." Yuko busted out crying, muttering something about 'her poor baby.'

Chihiro didn't respond. She just sat there, staring at the wall. 'But I haven't had any signs like this Haku guy has.'

Zeni-ba smiled sadly. "Well, you can stay here until you remember your true past, or until you need to go back." She looked hopeful, "But I'm sure you can do it!"

Chihiro frowned. "Go back where?" Zeni-ba tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowing. "Go back to the real world. You can't stay here too long. My spells can only keep you here for a certain amount of time, dear." The reaction she received wasn't the one she expected.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'I HAVE TO GO BACK?'" Chihiro stood, chest heaving, eyes blazing, hands curled into fists. Taking a deep breath, she lowered her voice. A little. "I just found my mother! I'm not going back without her!" Yuko placed a hand on Chihiro's shoulder, "Honey, let's think about this resonalbly- "

"No!" Chihiro jerked out of her mother's grasp, "I'm not going home to dad alone," Tears splattered on the hardwood floor. "Don't you care how hard we've had it without you?"

Yuko stood also, and pulled Chihiro into a hug as she started to sob. Haku and Kaonashi slipped out the front door unnoticed.

By now, tea was long forgotten.

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Haku sat in his spot by the lake. It was peaceful enough, just like his own river had once been. The same river Chihiro had fallen into. 'Damn, I can't get her out of my head.' Yes, the brown-eyed vixen had again raptured the thoughts of our favorite water spirit. And by now, Haku was about ready to pull his own hair out.

Speak of the devil, said vixen was sitting down next to him at this very moment. Silence ruled between them, and Chihiro grew restless. "I'm sorry!" She blurted out. Haku just turned his head, every so slowly to the object of his thoughts, and gave a blank look. This just made Chihiro even more uncomfortable.

"You know, for the whole soul bonding thing." Haku blinked as he replied. "It's not your fault." He forced his gaze back to the mirror like water and glared at his refection. Somehow, he knew this was all his fault. I mean, a human can't initiate a soul bonding. This was just a big messed up accident.

There must be some way to fix it right? 'If we can just get Chihiro's memories back, then everything will be fine!' But, Chihiro's memories were being blocked somehow, by herself or by magic. If it was herself, it might take some time, which they didn't have. If it was by magic, there might be a chance. Some spirits believed that if something is suppressed by magic, and has to be released by magic. Now, which was it?

Chihiro shook him. "Hey, are you listening?" Haku snapped his head up. "Um, no?" She sighed, "I said, Zeni-ba sent me out here to talk to you," She shrugged. "She said it might help me regain my memories." Chihiro pulled her knees to her chest and leaned her head on her arms.

Haku made a decision. "Chihiro," She glanced in his direction. "Sit up." She looked confused, but complied. Haku got on his knees, facing Chihiro, and motioned for her to do the same. Haku took a deep breath as he lifted his hands to both sides of her face, but not touching. (AN: Think of Jean, from X-men.)

"Chihiro, do you trust me?" Chihiro just nodded her head. "All right then," Haku closed his eyes and concentrated. 'Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out... ' Haku repeated his chant for a minute, then felt a firmillar tug. 'Yes! It's working!'

Haku opened his eyes to see a large gold door. Gathering up his courage, he pushed it open and entered Chihiro's mind.

---Inside the door---

Inside the door was a very long, white hallway. Many different color doors on either side. All of them had a sign to the right of each door. The first door on the left was yellow, and the sign said '13th Birthday.' The door on the right was dark blue and said 'First day of high school.'

Haku just passed by these doors, and many more. A few caught his attention, a red door with the sign that said "Hated,' a olive green door with a big red X on it, a orange door that was open but had nothing inside, and many more, but he just kept walking. Only one door was he intent on going in.

Finally. After a twenty minute walk, the end of the hallway. A black door with a sign that read, 'Nothing.' But Haku knew otherwise. A large padlock hung over the doorknob, and he noticed the hinges had been rusted shut with lack of use. 'How to get in... '

Haku molded his powers into his hand, and held it over the padlock. Magic lashed out at him, as he withdrew his hand, hissing in pain. Though he would not be able to get in the door, he had his answer. He smirked.

Turning back around, Haku headed back toward the entrance. About halfway there, he noticed a door that he hadn't seen before. It was gray, it's sign read, 'Do Not Open,' in big read letters. Unable to resist, Haku allowed his feet the travel toward the forbidden door. What could be behind it?

His hand reached for the knob...

---Back in the spirit world---

"Haku!" Chihiro was crying, her eyes wide with fear. Haku let his hands drop to his sides as he leaned back on his heels. Guilt consumed him. "I'm sorr-"

"No," he was interrupted. "You don't understand. Whatever you were doing in there was bad." More tears fell. "You made me remember things... bad things." He felt the guilt crash down ten times harder. Without thinking, he pulled her in for a hug, crushing her to his form.

"I'm sorry." She just sniffled. "What did you find?" She mummbled into his shoulder. He smiled. "The answer." She pulled away from him.

"Really?" She looked so hopeful. "Well, somewhat." Haku turned his gaze back to the pond. "Whatever is surpressing your memories is magic."

"Can Zeni-ba help us then?" Haku shook his head. "We must find the one who placed this on you." Chihiro's eyebrows furrowed. "Who is it?"

Haku gave her an emotionless glance. "Yu-baba... "

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Mind door color meanings: (I hope you guys understood what I was trying to portray with the doors. If you are confused, just say so and I'll explain in a reply.)

Yellow-joy, happiness.

Dark Blue- knowledge, seriousness, understanding.

Red-rage, anger, wrath, passion, longing, leadership.

Olive green-peace.

Orange-enthusiasm, fascination.

Black-power, elegance, death, evil, and mystery.

Gray-confusion, insecurity, pain.

Author notes: I got my new ipod! And for my happiness, you get a new chapter! -Rereads chapter- Omg! This didn't turn out quite how I wanted it too. Oh well.

I know what your thinking. "It's summer! No school! Now she'll update more!" Not going to happen. For an almost 15 year old home scholar who is going to college this semester, free time is a joke. Sorry. Blame my grandma. Seriously.

Thanks to all who reviewed:

kaliawai512- Happy Birthday (agian ) even though it was a long time ago by now. You can draw? You are so lucky! Unfortunately my talent lies with mathematics, and singing... barely.

Raine- Writers block is a basic thing with me. Unless I have amazing inspiration. Don't worry, there will be a happy ending. Maybe. Muhahaha. -cough-

Yami Hime Hikari- Yes, Yuko is dead in the real world. She didn't show because she was wandering. Did Chihiro suppress her memories? Maybe. Your other question is answered in the chappie above. Have fun with the baby? I'll try, my poor mom and sister. They haven't slept in three days. Thanks for reviewing!

StrugglingArtist- I know! I was going to get this really, really, nice mp3, but my dad said that since almost everyone else in my family had an ipod, I should just get one. Me being as stupid as normal said ok. I blame myself. -sigh-

Makie Sasuke- You got two e-mail's because one was spell checked, and the other wasn't. Me being forgetful, and lacking brain cells forgot to spell check the chapter before I posted. And I'm supposed to be going to college.

Rose of Death- -Author is tied to a chair with eyes taped open being forced to watch Barney- MAKE IT STOP! It burns usssss precioussssss! I updated! See?

Nightwind- Here is more!

CharizardRulz-Cyborg009Wolf- I'm evil! wipes away tear My life long goal is complete! Oh wait, I have to finish the story first. I love Haku too! -hugs Haku plushie-

Starjadenight- I'm sorry I took so long. I try! I really do! YY

deadly reviewer- The rest is in my head... just waiting to come out in some form. Unfortunately I was dropped on my head at birth and it takes me a long time to think of anything to write. I'm sorry.

Priestess Kohana- Well, I'm glad you like it! Sorry it took so long. -sigh- My life just really sucks right now.

You guys... -blows nose- are the best reviewers an author could ever hope for! I love you all!

Love,

blackXheart