This is long, because somehow I wrote two separate chapters at the same time, and decided I may as well stick 'em together. And yes, the freaky girl talks like some people at my school. It's scary, but true. All interactions written in this story are completely possible. You doubt it, come to North Dakota. We'll prove it.

Loads of love to

Mickie, Braxton, and Jara.

Tanner gets a little.

Thanks for the inspiration!


Oh. Crap.

"I can't believe you're here! You've been like, missing, for like, two days! Ohmigod!" The perky brunette squealed, dropping her book.

Perfect. Just perfect. Whatever god is doing this, you have a twisted sense of humor – making me see all the people I wish I never met in the course of an hour.

"I can't believe you're here! I was thinking about posting posters or something around town but then here you are! I was like, totally worried!" She sighed. "But never mind that! You're okay! I'm so happy! You really scared us! Don't you ever do that again!" She rushed over and sat down on the other side of Chihiro.

"Tell me everything! Were you kidnapped, or did you just run away? And when did you meet him?" She eyed Haku appreciatively. "And why didn't you tell me?! He's soo hot!"

I understand you missed me, but please, leave me alone! Chihiro exclaimed in her mind. "Um, well, he's an old friend of the family. And I just ran away for a bit, needed a break, ya know? But I really can't talk long – we have to go meet some of our friends in a minute or two so we better go-"

"Oh no you don't! You can't just leave me! I've missed you!"

Apparently. "No, we really do have to go-"

"Oh! I got it! I can come with! I'm sure your friends won't mind!"

"No, Arisu. They will."

"But, please, you have to tell me about those days that we didn't see each other! My life is like, so boring! I need something interesting!"

"Uhh… How about I call you, okay? I'll tell you everything." It's just a little white lie… I'll call her, but I won't be able to reach her because I don't know her number… And I don't think there are phones in the Spirit World. Chihiro started to ease herself out of the chair.

"Hey Chihiro!" A plump brunette called from outside the store.

Thank you thank you thank you! Chihiro chanted to whatever god would listen.

The brunette, known as Amaya, walked into the store, a bunch of guys following her.

"Where've ya been? We've wondered about ya. Thought maybe you were out on a rendezvous with some hottie. Guess I was right." She winked. Amaya was the only girl who had been able to understand Chihiro, and had seemed at least a little bit interested in her stories. But Amaya was popular, and had a way with guys, which quickly made Chihiro feel left out, no matter how hard she was pushed into the conversations.

"Amaya. Pleased to see you again." Arisu replied, her voice thick with sarcasm that really didn't fit her personality. It was no secret that to be in Amaya's "pack," you had to be different – not some stereotype – and yet still be cool. Otherwise she just ignored you. Arisu always had hated Amaya.

"Yeah, sure, whatever floats your boat." Amaya rolled her eyes. "So, C, you're supposed to be meeting me at the clock, not here." She sighed. "Jeeze, you idiot! Clock versus Yumi's… Big difference there. Ah well, I found you. You ready or not?"

"Uh yeah, sure, Haku, let's go." Chihiro said as she breezed out of the store, Haku and Amaya close behind. Suddenly they were surrounded by none other than hockey team that they had started on their own. Haku was only an inch or so taller than most of them, and it made it a little awkward.

"Guys, relax. We're taking her to the clock, and then we're on our own again. Got it?" Amaya instructed. She was dating the best player (and captain) on the team – no one was going to argue.

"So, you're Haku, right? The sea spirit or something?" Amaya asked as soon as the pack started walking.

"River spirit."

"Hey, I was close." She grinned. "So why are you here? I didn't know you could leave."

"We created a rift."

"Oh, right. I've read about those. Alrightie. There they are. Hope I'll see you sometime in the future…" Amaya said her goodbye as they reached the clock. "I told them you'd meet 'em here. After I saw Arisu corner you… Yeah, you get my drift. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" She winked, and then went off in the other direction.

"She seemed nice." Haku observed.

"Yeah, she is, but she's way above me." Was Chihiro's simply reply. They always are…

S…p…i…r…i…t…e…d……A…w…a…y

"Did you guys hear about the girl?" Ryu asked while simultaneously eating some more lo mein. It was lunchtime at the Ichiban Gakko. The four classmates were sitting comfortably around a circular table, enjoying their lunch break.

"'Course we did. She's the only thing anyone's talking about." Tala said, her blue eyes inspecting her black, freshly painted nails. It was Chinese food day, and Tala had long since finished her lo mein, General Tso's chicken, and sweet-and-sour chicken. She was the quickest eater there, but always stayed until everyone else was done.

"I want to meet her." Ryu replied, leaning forward. "What about you, Jiro? She's supposed to be real pretty." He winked.

"Don't care." Jiro, the quiet one, replied. He never really took part in the conversations.

"Well, I'm not sure if I do. She's probably one of those conceited little brats that always have to look down on us." Kei replied, rolling her blue eyes.

The Ichiban Gakko was a school for shape-shifters – beings that could look perfectly human or perfectly animal whenever they pleased – in the Spirit World. Kei was a rabbit, but always preferred her human form because, "frankly, rabbits aren't scary. I don't want to be stuck with the 'oh, look, a bunny! How cute!' all my life." Tala was a wolf, and her thick, almost-black hair and light blue eyes did make her look like one at times. She loved her animal form, but would often remain human to stay with Kei. Ryu was a fox, but would stay in human form because he didn't like scaring little kids. Jiro was a coyote, and spent at least half of his time in his animal form. Tala, Kei, Ryu, and Jiro were the misfits of the school. They didn't quite fit in with the rest of the school, but they could if they really wanted to. They got along well enough with the rest of the school, but not as well as most people would have liked. Tala was famous for giving answers away on tests if you sat next to her; Kei because she would often help out on assignments or keep you out of trouble; Ryu because of his ability to make anyone laugh; and Jiro was infamous for being a bit of a bully.

"I say we find her. I mean, with your brains," Ryu nodded at Tala, "your nose," he nodded at Jiro, "my stealth, and your plain out innocent cuteness," he nodded at Kei, "it shouldn't be that hard to get close to her." He grinned.

"Actually, we don't even have to do that." Tala said, producing a pamphlet out of thin air. "She's staying with Yubaba's sister, Zeniba." Her icy blue eyes surveyed the paper.

"How do you know that?" Jiro asked, finally speaking.

"I have connections." Tala shrugged it off.

"No one's supposed to know that stuff! The best reporters can't even find her!" Ryu exclaimed.

"Would you keep it down a little bit? Again, I have connections. If you wouldn't spend so much time making out with your girlfriend you might realize that more people in this school know where she is than you think."

"Hey!" Kei exclaimed.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to forget about you. Do you guys think you can cover for me?" Tala asked, falling into her dark and pensive mood.

"Cover for you?" Jiro responded.

"Yeah, you know, tell them why I'm not here? I've done it for you before."

"You mean, you're really going to fight with her?" Kei asked.

"No, I want to ask for hair advice." She rolled her eyes. "Of course I do."

"Well, we're coming with you!" Kei exclaimed.

"No you're not. It's too dangerous."

"So? If you're going then I'm coming!" Kei crossed her arms over her chest.

"No. You need to stay here. If it's safe enough, I'll send for you, alright?" Tala stated, already thinking of multiple ways to get her best friend off her back.

"Hey, I'm coming too!" Ryu exclaimed, hating to be left out of the conversation.

"No. You can't. I can't put anyone else in danger." Now, her trademark, she suddenly was a happy-go-lucky girl again. "Anyways, did you guys have fun on your date?" She grinned at Kei and Ryu.

"Yeah, we did." Kei blushed slightly.

"You kissed!" Tala exclaimed.

How the hell does she always know this stuff?! Kei thought, feeling her face redden that much more. "Maybe."

"A maybe is a yes when you're looking like that!" Tala grinned. "So, was it good? Too much tongue, not enough? I want to know almost everything! When did it happen? Who initiated it? Anyone see?" At that, both Ryu and Kei's faces turned a vibrant shade of what can only be called "Tala-practically-yelled-our-secret-to-the-whole-school."

"So it was good then."

"How the hell do you reason that?" Jiro asked.

"Hey, that's probably how I'd act, too."

"Just probably?" Jiro grinned. It wasn't a secret that Jiro liked Tala, but Tala was against dating. What's the point? All I'll find out is we're not made for each other. I could have found that out with a magic eight ball.

"Yeah, just probably. But hey, it's not like you'll find out anytime soon." She smirked. Kei and Ryu shared a smile, glad the pressure was off of them.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really." Tala smirked. She was well known for having guys think she liked them, when really she barely considered them friends. "But hey, don't think you two are off that easily! I need answers! Now!"

"Uhhmm… What was the question?" Ryu asked, hoping to fool her.

"Again, I want to know almost everything! I don't need to know how you played a little game of tonsil hockey, but I want to know everything that happened on the date besides that." She beamed.

"Well… Oh! Luke! Luke! LUKE!" Ryu was waving his hand over his head to signal one of the other guys that sometimes hung out with them.

"Oh no you don't! Ryu, shut up before I make Kei do it for me. And I can, and you know it." She glared at him as Luke walked over.

"Hey wolfie and crew." Luke grinned as he pulled up a chair.

"Would you stop with the wolfie already? It's been five years, I think you would outgrow it."

"Never, love. Sorry." He winked at Tala, who just rolled her eyes.

"Which reminds me." Ryu started, hoping this time he would really get the conversation away from him. "Tala says she's going to join the little 'army' or whatever you want to call it that the goddess chick is starting."

"I know." Luke replied, ignoring the glare from Jiro.

"You know?" Kei asked, looking between Tala and Luke.

"Yeah, I'm going too. And don't you dare follow us, or tell the teachers. They'll be soo pissed… We'll tell them when we come back – victorious." He smirked. "Oh, that reminds me, wolfie, the ride's here. You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Tala stood up and walked over to Kei. She bent down to give her best friend a hug. "Take care of the guys, will you? Be good, and don't do anything I wouldn't. I promise I'll write… somehow." She stood up. "Bye everyone… Don't have too much fun without me, okay?" She smiled, and it was the first time anyone at the school had ever seen Tala shed a tear.

"I'll be thinking of you…" She said as she walked away.

When she was out of earshot, Ryu angrily whispered: "You should stop her! She shouldn't be doing this!"

"I can't. She's too stubborn, and won't listen to reason. She's gotta prove to herself that she is a good fighter… That her family didn't die because she couldn't protect them…"

TBC… R&R please!