Chihiro's POV
I sat by the front porch late at dawn the next morning. The autumn wind was chilly, and some of the sunlight touched my face. I still felt bummed about what happened yesterday. I wish they would understand how much I love Haku and how much I want to be with him.
I sat there staring at blank space, idly staring at people passing by the street in front of our yard. I was lost in my thoughts. I really don't want to hurt mom and dad. But, I already sacrificed everything thirteen years ago, just to be with them and to make sure they were safe. But now that I've found Haku, I.. I guess I just want to be happy being with him, and try to make up for all the years that we've spent apart.
I don't know what to do anymore. If I make one decision, it's either one will be happy and the other would be heartbroken. I don't want to hurt anyone, especially my parents and Haku. 'This is all so hard!' I thought inwardly. I have to make my decision. I have no choice, I'll have to take a risk sooner or later.
Meanwhile in the bathhouse
It was very early in the morning when everyone woke up to work. Nobody had the nerve to eat breakfast, if they took a break, Yubaba would go down and punish them. So out of fear, each and every staff struggled to work diligently. But for Ryu, who was new to everything, he couldn't help but make mistakes.
"You clumsy little rat! Look at what you did! That was the most precious tea set that I own and you broke it!" Yubaba screamed with seethe
"I-I, I'm so sorry ma'am. I didn't mean to—" Ryu said trying to apologize
"You're sorry couldn't replace this! Go to the ground floor and meet me there."
Obviously terrified, Ryu obeyed Yubaba's command. He immediately went to the ground floor and waited for her. Suddenly he heard a bell being rung and all the staffs running hastily to gather, half gathered on the right side of the lobby, and half on the left, leaving Ryu the only one standing in the center. Ryu could feel his body shaking with fear as he saw Yubaba moving towards him. She grabbed his arm tightly and looked at him with prominent anger on her face.
"This young man has done something terribly wrong. And now… he will be punished!" Yubaba said as she tried to enchant a spell on him.
Kamajii and Rin who was staring at each other, both felt pity for Ryu.
"Rin, let's help him, I don't want him to end up like this." Kamajii said
"But, what if Yubaba would turn us into pigs or coal?" Rin worriedly said
"We have to stand up to Yubaba, or else we'll be living the same miserable lives. You said you wanted to go out of here right? Well now's our chance."
Unable to reply to what Kamajii had just said, Rin immediately agreed. They both made their way through the crowd of workers and step forth to face Yubaba. Kamajii yanked Yubaba's hand away from Ryu, setting him free from her grasp.
"How dare you?!" Yubaba yelled
"We've been tolerating you for many years Yubaba. You treat us with fear and injustice. I suggest you step down from being the owner of the bathhouse. Everyone who agrees with me, now's your time to speak up!" Kamajii said with determination
Almost everyone of the bathhouse workers protested against Yubaba. Each saying 'Step down! Step down! Step down!'
"Shut up!" Yubaba ordered, but everyone still continued to protest "If you all don't shut up, I will turn you all into pigs!"
"We don't care!" the workers chorused
"You're all imbeciles!"
"And you're a hag." Rin said as she smirked, then everyone laughed
"You are all FIRED!"
"Fine, let's see what will become of this bathhouse without workers." Kamajii said
Everyone looked at each other, each had a 'let's get out of here' look. Soon everyone started going out of the bathhouse entrance.
"Wait, where are all of you going?" Yubaba asked
"Good luck working here alone." Aniyaku said as he grinned at Yubaba.
Soon enough, the lobby of the bathhouse was empty, no one was left except Yubaba. The building was so quiet that all you can hear is the rushing water of the falls outside. Feeling devastated about what would be the outcome of her business, Yubaba grabbed a large vase and threw it straight to the wall leaving the wall with a crack. The cracked seemed be growing bigger, it ran up to the ceiling making a big hole on the roof.
"This can't be happening!" Yubaba said, lost in her mental anguish. She hurriedly went back to her apartment, where she saw Boh playing with Yu bird.
"Here you are playing while I'm right here on the verge of losing my mind." Yubaba whispered to herself. She yanked Boh's arm making him stand up.
"You lazy bum, you don't do anything but play, eat and sleep!" Yubaba yelled
"Mama?" Boh said with worry in his voice
"Get to work!" Yubaba fervently pushed Boh making him fall on the floor
"Mama." Boh looked at her with tears in his eyes
Sort of snapping back to reality, Yubaba sat on the floor and hugged Boh.
"I'm so sorry sweetie, you're all I have left." Yubaba said.
Chihiro's POV
I stood up and went to my parent's room. I sat on the edge of their bed, watching them sleep. I crawled on the gap between them and lied down and slept with them. It's been a long time since I've slept with them. I remember when we first moved here, I was so afraid of my new room that for a year I slept with them in their room.
We would play together when I was young, we would play hide and seek, dad was always the one who counted and mom and I would hide in the walk in closet in my room. Dad would always find us and we'd hug each other and eat together toast and tea.
I missed the old times that I spent together with my parents. They're the best parents that I could ever ask for. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek as I thought about the times I've spent with them and the thought that I'd be leaving them forever. Soon enough I fell asleep.
Haku's POV
I woke up and found the space beside me empty. Chihiro must've woken up early, I thought. I stood up and went to the bathroom, as soon as I was done freshening up, I went downstairs and sat on the sofa set.
I wondered what was happening back at the bathhouse. 'Are they doing fine?' I thought. I reached for Zeniba's ring in my pocket (Chihiro left It to me for safe keeping). It glistened as the rays of sunshine touched it
Then I noticed something engraved on it, it was written in small fine letters that I never noticed before, it read: 'Kiyoto' I wondered who was he. Did Zeniba have a son? Or a husband? I'll just ask her when Chihiro and I get back.
Akio's POV
I stretched my arms up as I woke up. I saw Chihiro sleeping beside me and Yuko. I wanted to cry when I saw her. My one and only princess, all grown up. As much as I don't want to let her go, she's old enough to make her own decisions. I want her to be happy.
I patted her on the head and kissed her on the cheek and stood up to go outside to get some air. When I went down, I saw Haku sitting on the sofa, I decided to sit beside him.
"Good morning sir." Haku greeted politely
"Good morning, seems like you've woken up early. You got a lot on your mind?"I said
"Well." Haku seemed to be hesitant at first, but then said " I do have a lot on my mind sir, about the spirit world, about your daughter, about everything else."
"I say you should relax."
"Why sir?" he cocked an eyebrow
"Because, as much as it is hard for me to do this, I am allowing Chihiro to be with you."
Haku seems to be taking some time understanding what I was saying "R-really?"
"Yes really."
"Oh thank you sir!." He took and hand and shook it "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." I smiled as I took my hand from him
"I'm sorry sir I just got—"
"Excited?"
"Yes." He smiled
"Are you merely a spirit Haku?"
"No sir,"
"What are you then?"
"I'm a dragon."
"Whoa, that's kind of cool."
"Thank you."
"Can you do some magic?"
"You mean.. Right now?"
"Yes, if you don't mind."
Haku positioned his hand towards my hat that hung on the wall and when he lifted his fingers my hat flew in mid air and when he snapped his fingers my hat hung back on the wall. I was too astonished to say anything.
"Nice trick." I said as I grinned at him, he bowed and smiled "Haku… do you really love Chihiro?"
"Yes sir, more than anything or anyone in the whole world. I've never loved a single girl other than Chihiro for as long as I lived."
"How long have you lived exactly?"
"About a thousand years."
"Just promise me one thing?"
"What is that sir?"
"Take good care of my little girl and cherish her forever."
"I promise sir."
"Oh yeah, stop calling me sir. Call me dad."
"But Chihiro and I aren't married yet."
"Don't worry, soon you will be." I winked at him and he laughed.
Yuko's POV
I woke up with Chihiro sleeping beside me, she was sleeping soundly. I tucked some of her stray hair behind her ear, suddenly she woke up. I smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"Good morning sweetie." I said
"Good morning mom." Chihiro muffled on the pillow
"About what you said the other day i—"
"Mom I'm totally sorry about that."
"It's ok. I'm already allowing you to be with him, he seems like a nice enough guy, and whatever decision you make that will make you happy, will also make me happy."
Feeling overwhelmed Chihiro hugged me and said "Thank you."
We both went downstairs and saw Akio and Haku having a lively conversation together (seems like they've gotten close)
Chihiro'S POV
My sadness earlier turned into ecstasy. Dad and Haku seems to be getting along great and mom agreed to my decision. I couldn't be happier than I am now. As Haku said before… 'Everything has a right time'… he was right.
A/N: Hope you liked it.. Please comment
