A/N: Ok, I finally got my laptop and I'm ready to bounce back! I want to thank all my readers for being patient with me. I deeply apologize for taking so damn long too! Well, here it is Chapter 7! (I promise it will be the shortest chapter of my entire story too). Ok, I'll shut up now and let you enjoy chapter 7!
Chapter 7! The visitor and the transformation
Haku slowly walked down the path leading to the main road. After what had just occurred he was unsure of what to think. So he decided to take the long way home to gain time to clear his mind. He let out a rather loud sigh.
Lin, who was trailing a few feet behind could hear the sigh, "Haku it wasn't your fault. Chihiro made that choice to switch with Ashuku. There was nothing you could do."
Ashucku who was half- asleep on her brother's back looked around, "Brother, where's Chio? She asked. Her voice was weak from the lack of air from before.
"She's going away for a while." Haku answered unsure of what else to say.
Ashuku , satisfied with the answer nuzzled her face in Haku's back before falling asleep.
Haku turned towards the road and made his way towards his street, "I know I'm going to regret this."
Lin glanced Haku, confused, "Regret what?"
Haku stopped and looked up at the stars. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, "It's time I told my parents the truth."
Lin knew what Haku was talking about. She walked over and slapped him across the face, "Have you gone crazy? No one is allowed to reveal the secrets of the spirit world. You know that as well as I do!"
Haku turned to face Lin. The expression on his face was emotionless, "I don't have any choice. Besides I know who to console if anything happens. He followed Lin up to her door, "Thank you for your help."
Lin pulled her key out and unlocked her door, "Well on the bright side at least we got to see each other again," she turned around, "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything else. But if you need anything you know where to find me."
Haku smiled weakly, "Thanks Lin, I appreciate it." He headed towards his house, "Good night!" he called back but Lin's door was already closed.
"Ashuku oh my poor baby!" Mrs. Natoyo came running out of the house, "Haku where have you been?"
Haku ignored his mom and walked straight into the house. He headed upstairs and placed Ashuku into her bed. Once he was sure she was fully asleep he headed back downstairs, "Don't go to Ashuku right now. She's exhausted and she needs rest." He walked outside and looked up, "Zeniba!"
Meanwhile
Chihiro looked around and knew exactly where she was. A faint rumble erupted from the room on the side.
"Oh sweetie pie calm down. I'll get you some food." Yubaba emerged from the curtain with a large shadow passing over her, "You remember Sen right?"
Bo emerged from his room and smiled, "Hello Sen!"
Chihiro winced at the mentioning of her old name. But nevertheless she returned the greeting with a weak smile and a simple nod. She had traded her freedom for Ashuku and felt she had nothing to be happy about except for the face that Ashuku and Haku were safe.
"Now Sen for you first task you must fetch my sister's amulet." Yubaba waved her hands around conjuring up an image. The image was of a dragon shaped pendant with a ruby and an emerald as the eyes.
"Aunti Zeniba? Bo had his thumb in his mouth and a smile on his face.
"Yes dear, Sen is going to see her soon." Yubaba twitched and faced Chihiro, "And if she doesn't return with the amulet she will be punished."
Chihiro didn't respond. Her mind had grown completely blank. She merely stood up from her kneeling position.
"But before you go you must undergo a transformation. Follow me!" Yubaba led Chihiro to a small dark room, "Whatever happens don't move a muscle." She closed the door and locked it.
Meanwhile
Haku was sitting on his bed focusing on the little gold whistle in his hand. He thought back to what had just occurred moments ago
FLASHBACK
"Zeniba!"
A small pale blue cloud appeared above Haku and started to evaporate. Seconds later Zeniba appeared, "Haku, long time no see."
Haku nodded, "True. Listen I need your help. Chihiro has been placed under Yubaba's control."
"What?" Zeniba yelled, "How did that happen?"
Haku explaced the whole situation before releasing a rather loud sigh, "I'm scared Zeniba. I know what Yubaba is capable of. Just a mere thought sends a chill down my spine."
Zeniba just shook her head, "You know why she did it don't you."
Haku nodded, "Yes, but even that shouldn't have been a reason to throw her life away." He winced, "Zeniba what can I do?"
"Well my dear Haku if you caere fo Chihiro as much as you claim then there might be a way." Zeniba reached up towards the stars and conjured up a small gold whistle, "Take this wistle and wait for one full night. When the sun sets tomorrow night blow on this whistle. Don't worry questions will be answered in due time, "She began to fade, "We will see each other again soon." With that she disappeared altogether.
END OF FLASHBACK
Haku returned back to the house and went straight to his room ignoring the quizzical looks his parents were shooting at him, "I'm going to bed." Was the only thing he allowed himself to say to them.
Meanwhile
Chihil was making his nightly rounds in the bathhouse when he heard a scraping noise, "Who's there?" A winged shadow cast over him. He turned around, took one look, and fainted.
Chihiro made her way outside the bathhouse. During her transformation the young woman had gorn a pait of midnight black wings. Her black hair now had streaks of burgundy flavored red. Chihiro stepped out onto the bridge and unsheathed her wings and took off running. It took her a few tries but she managed to become airborne. Chihiro could feel pain rip through her body with ever movement but she forced herself to ignore it.
Meanwhile
Zeniba stood outside her small home and focused on the sky. She jumped when she heard No face, "Oh my goodness you startled me."
No face just grunted and looked up towards the sky. The two of them knew Chihiro was coming and they would be ready for her.
A/N: Ok, I hope that is to your liking. I promise chapter 8 will be up sooner. But it all depends on how many reviews I get. Well, 3 reviews chapter 8!
