Cobra- You promise you won't kill me? *Calling down to Lightning.*
Lightning- *Sigh.* Yes, I promise I won't kill you. Now pull me up!
Cobra- Okay. *Walks forward and trips over vine that tangles around her foot.* AAAH! *Falls off cliff and stops right by Lightning.*
Lightning- Cobra, what are you doing down here? *Getting angry.*
Cobra- I, uh, wanted to join you?
Lightning- This is the worst rescue in the history of rescues…
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of it's assets.
…
Chapter 11- Giving Up
Chihiro's alarm clock rang all too soon in the morning. Grumbling and rubbing her eyes, Chihiro climbed out of bed. Oh. Last night was fun, but I stayed out way too late. She decided, trying to shake off her fatigue and the mounting headache.
Chihiro and Akito ignored each other all that day. Haku showed up after school to escort Chihiro back home.
"You look tired." Haku observed on the way. Chihiro smiled wearily. "I guess that's my fault." He admitted. She nodded, and then both of them started laughing.
"Oh! That reminds me, I have something for you." Haku said suddenly.
"Let it wait until we get to my house." Chihiro said. So he did. When they arrived, Haku produced a little pink shoe. He watched as her eyes widened. "My… little pink shoe." She whispered, touching it.
She's remembering! Haku thought, hoping this time it would actually be true.
It wasn't, however. Chihiro smiled and took the shoe, thanking him. "See you!" She called to him as she went back into her house.
Haku watched her go, feeling crushed by this latest disappointment. Desperate and trying to keep up his spirits, he pushed the feeling away.
Chihiro set aside her math book. She was finished with her homework. Then she yawned. It's time to go to bed. She decided. It was still broad daylight out, but she was exhausted. She closed her curtains, which made her room dark. She then made her way blind to her bed.
Sighing, Chihiro lowered her head to the pillow. THWAK! She shot up, rubbing her head and hearing paper crinkle. "Ow." She moaned silently. She looked at her pillow. All she could see was a little glimmer in the darkness. Frowning, she got up and opened her curtains, looking at her bed.
A piece of gold was on her pillow. A note was attached to it with string. Chihiro walked over and picked it up. "A present from No Face." Was what the note said. She stared. No Face? Huh?
Chihiro shook her head. She didn't remember the name. Oh well, she'd worry about it in the morning. She was too tired at the moment.
Chihiro's mom woke her up. It was still daylight outside. "What is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Akito's waiting downstairs for you." Her mom answered.
Chihiro bolted up. She beat her mom to the door. She heard her mom give an exasperated sigh as she ran down the stairs.
Chihiro and Akito stared at each other uncomfortably. The silence stretched between them until finally, Akito couldn't take it anymore.
"Look Chihiro, I don't like Haku. I'm sorry I ruined our date, but Haku… he has shifty eyes!" Akito burst.
Chihiro was stunned. "Shifty eyes? Akito, he wouldn't hurt me!" She replied quietly. She could understand how Akito felt. She sighed. "If it will make you feel better, he has no feelings for me. He's just a really good friend." She lied. Even she doubted Akito would believe her. Still, she didn't know how she felt about Haku. He loved her, as far as she could tell. But all she could tell when it came to her own feelings was that Haku was someone very important to her. That was it.
Akito was looking deep into Chihiro's eyes. Please let him believe me! She pleaded silently.
"Okay." He finally relented. Chihiro smiled at him, relieved. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow." He said awkwardly. She nodded and escorted him to the door, saying good bye.
Haku sat down on the bench beside Chihiro. He had taken her to the park. She had no idea why. It was rather early in the morning, so she should get going to school soon. But something about how Haku had asked her to come with him made her stay there. They sat together in heavy silence, each looking anywhere but at each other.
"Chihiro… do you remember anything?" Haku finally asked.
Chihiro glanced at him, saddened by the question. "No." She replied, feeling oddly shameful and guilty. It was like she was a little child who'd just been burned by the hot stove.
Haku looked at her, looking deeply into Chihiro's eyes. She could see the frustration he was having. He had obviously tried his hardest to help her remember. And nothing he'd done had helped at all.
Please don't give up on me. Chihiro begged silently. She waned to remember everything. But most importantly, she wanted to remember Haku.
Haku touched her cheek. Chihiro glanced up. And in that instant, he kissed her.
Chihiro stared at him in shock. She was blushing furiously. Oh great! I probably look like a great big ripe tomato! She thought.
"Do you remember anything?" Haku asked. Chihiro shook her head. He was silent for a moment. Then he stood up to leave.
"Haku, wait! Where are you going?" Chihiro asked, hoping he wasn't leaving.
Haku looked back at her, and Chihiro thought her heart would break from the look of disappointment on his face. "You are not my Chihiro. And you don't want to be. You can't remember. If I were to stay, it would only hurt both of us. You have a life here. Mine is in the spirit world." He was saying.
Chihiro couldn't believe her ears. He… he really is leaving! She thought, not really comprehending it all.
"Good bye, Chihiro." Haku said.
"Wait!" Chihiro said, standing up. She was battered back down by the wind as Haku changed into his dragon form. He then darted into the air. She was struggling to stay standing as he did so. Quickly, she looked up to the sky. All she could see of him was a white streak moving very quickly away from her.
"Haku… I… really did want to remember." Chihiro whispered. Her heart felt torn in two. She sank to her knees, crying her heart out.
