(A/N: One more chapter and I'm free from writing this second sequel. But don't worry I'll come up with a different sequel to write. Thank you, also, for giving me reviews about this story. "Changing Fate" is coming up after my story "Promise" so beware. To all my fans and readers out there reading my story... thank you for giving my reviews, now on with the story ^.^)
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING of Spirited Away!
"Promise"
By: Arlina'Harris
Chapter 14
"There's no water here. I can walk across now," I whispered, tightening my grip on Kohaku's hand.
"But I can't go any farther," Kohaku told me once again. He couldn't go with me because he wasn't human. I could go because of the magic Minori had placed on me. I could go because that magic hadn't wore off yet. "Just go back the way you came, and you'll be fine. But you have to promise not to look back, not until you've passed through the tunnel."
"Oh, not this again. Do you plan to wipe my memories this time as well?" I asked in a teasing voice, but part of me was still a little worried.
"Of course not. I'm not that stupid. You would come back, and I would be in trouble. But if you look back, you might not end up on the human side at all. It's just part of the magic."
"Do you promise?" I asked him.
"I promise," he told me with a smile. "Now go and don't look back."
Just then, I let go of his hand and lept from the steps into the grass. I ran as fast as I could to the plaster clock tower where I would re-enter the human world. I ran because I was afraid that I wouldn't go if I didn't do it fast. Leaving again scared me.
Fate reassured me that Kohaku's promise would yet again be kept. So the worry washed away as my footsteps echoed in the tunnel. Suddenly, I was back to where it all began in the first place. Now I walked slowly. The gate to the spirit world wouldn't be open again until that night at twilight. So now I could spend the day with my family before coming up with something to assure them that I'd be okay even if I was leaving. But first I needed an excuse for my absense.
Fate would help me out with all of that though. So I just smiled and walked slowly through the woods towards my parent's house.
It took quite a while to get there on foot. But when I reached the edge of the wood where the trees met the yard, I noticed all of the cars in my parents driveway and the black ribbon on the mailbox.
I ran to the front door and opened it quietly where I heard my father's voice saying, "She has been missing now for three months. It's time that we gave up and faced the truth that we'll never see our baby girl again. Chihiro, just know that your mother and I love you dearly."
Tears streamed down my face. They thought I was dead. But what else could they think? Three months was a long time to be gone without a trace or a word.
"Daddy," I said, causing the entire assembly to turn my way. "I'm so sorry. I love you, too. I really do."
I thought they would hate me, that they would yell and scream, and that they would never want to look at me again. But Mom and Dad ran into a hug. My cousins, aunts, and uncles all hugged me. Ami hugged me. They all cried and questioned. But I couldn't get much in. Instead, I spent the day with everyone, and we had one big family reunion.
When afternoon came around, I asked to be along with Mom, Dad, and Ami. They were the only three who needed an apology.
"What is it, baby?" Mom asked me, taking my hands in hers.
"I just thought that all of you deserved to know the truth. I wanted you to know because when I leave this time, I don't know if I'll be able to return again."
"You're leaving?" Ami screeched. "You're leaving again? Have you met some guy and secretly gotten married? Are you pregnant?"
"Ami, don't overreact. And, no to all of the above," I lied. They didn't need to know the marriage part. "I know you won't know what I'm talking about Ami, but Mom and Dad, do you remember when we first moved here?"
They both nodded, and utter confusion colored their faces. "Of course, we do."
"Do you remember Dad taking a shortcut and us getting lost?"
The two of them shook their heads and glanced at each other. Then I did something that I probably shouldn't have. I used some of my own magic, that I had only recently learned to control at all, and used it to bring forth their lost memories of that time. Their eyes grew wide as they looked at each other. "Yes, I remember now!"
"I do, too."
"Well, when you ate the food at that restaurant, you were eating the food of the spirits. We were in the spirit world. But the witch of the bathhouse thought you were greedy and turned you into pigs. I had to work for her in order to save you both. Then we came back and lost our memories."
"Stop playing around, Chihiro," Ami told me with a laugh, looking at me as if I were insane.
"Ami, she isn't making this up. I remember something like that," Dad told her. She looked at all of us like we were insane.
"Just listen, okay? When I ran after Sora and the girls, I ended up stumbling back there. I've been there this whole time, and now I have so many friends and people who need me there. I can come back sometimes, but I'm going to live there. I know you don't understand, but I belong there."
"Okay," Mom said to my surprise. "Honey, I believe you."
Dad nodded as well, but Ami shook her head in disbelief and ran out muttering about this being one crazy dream.
I was surprised that my parents had agreed so quickly, but in their hearts they probably knew it was true. I wasn't going to throw in the monarch thing or the meeting my real parents thing. Those seemed unneccessary. So with that, I spent the rest of my time talking to Mom and Dad about the good times that we had while I was growing up. Then I headed back for the gate.
Half way across the yard, Ami met me. "Hey," she said, out of breath from running. "I don't believe what you say or anything, but we're still friends. I just wanted to say that that will always be true. I'll miss you, and if you come back, you better come see me."
"I will, I swear. I wouldn't come back without seeing you, Ami. I'm going to miss you, too. I've been missing you."
She hugged my neck and waved as she turned back to her house. Everyone knew I was okay. Now I could go back to the spirit world, go back home, in peace. Kohaku was waiting for me. And one day wihtout him was as bad as three months.
Back in the spirit world, Kohaku was waiting for me exactly where I'd left him. I hopped up the steps and into his arms happily.
"I guess I can trust you after all," I whispered.
"You always could, Chihiro. But we should go before Yubaba returns. She's still angry."
I nodded happpily, and we flew back to the Imperial City in what seemed like only seconds compared to our first flight there.
As soon as we landed on the patio in the garden, the servants surrounded us, begging us to tell them that we were hungry or tired or bored. They all seemed so eager to do whatever we pleased. It was nice, but - and I admitted this at the risk of sounding like a stuck-up royal - it was rather annoying.
Except Ami, the hand maid who followed me everywhere. She was so bubbily and happy and ready to do anything like the others, but she was somehow different. Not because she shared my best friend's name. The two of them were entirely different. This Ami made me smile. She so small and adorable and at times clumsy.
Kohaku and I parted ways with a smile. We each had responsiblites now in our new roles that we had to fulfill.
I was starting to get used to the way my days went. Kohaku met with committee for the Games and other events, constantly planning the next amusement for the gods. I was more concerned with keeping the gods happy now, entertaining them until the next festival began or solving disputes between them. Sometimes it could be funny, and being Queen, I was allowed to laugh at them if I so please. They usually laughed with me.
After our second meal of the day, Kohaku and I would go for a walk in the everchanging garden. There were roses that changed colors one day and poppy flowers that danced the next. It was always interesting, always different.
I could live here. It was paradise. But Fate told me that I would grow tired of it all. I disagreed. With Kohaku here with me, I would never want to change a thing.
My life was perfect. I just hoped that it would stay that way for a long time, forever would work.
(A/N: Likie? Hope you enjoyed ^.^ I never thought anyone would read my fanfic. Okay so I'll be posting the next chapter... after, I'll be posting the next story. Enjoy the next one, and hope you enjoyed this one! Review!)