Chihiro awoke with a heavy feeling on her chest and lower abdomen. Her entire body ached as if she ran a marathon and lifted weights while at it. She rolled over slightly, to find a sharp pain shoot through her stomach. She groaned and winced, and a pair of cold empty hands touched her arm. She looked over and it was No Face leaning over her with concern. She must have woken him up, "Oh good morning No Face; I'm sorry I woke you up."

He simply nodded, and gently helped Chihiro lean back onto her back and he sat back down on the chair next to the foot of the bed. Chihiro soon realized where she was, she looked at the yellow curtains of the room, and the soft downy sheets; it was Zeniba's house. The wooden windows shown through an early morning light that seemed to sing through and touch her face lovingly.

Right on cue, Zeniba walked in looking fresh and a bit concerned. She saw Chihiro up and smiled, "I'm glad you're awake." Chihiro smiled a little, "Granny, what happened and why am I here?" Chihiro asked, she was too tired to remember anything that had happened; or why she was in pain like this.

Zeniba sighed and gestured No Face to leave the room as she took his place on the chair. When she noticed Chihiro trying to sit up, she rushed to her side and aided her, so she was leaning against the bed frame; a pained expression rested on her face.

"Well dear I really think that you should rest a little more, the stress that your body went other is possibly life threatening; no matter how good you may feel at the moment." Zeniba began, as she sighed and looked at the frail girl. Chihiro felt weak, her arms and legs ached, and her stomach sent jabs of pain through her. She glimpsed at herself in the mirror across the room, her cheeks were swelled in and her skin pale; her eyes had deep purple circles underneath them. She looked terrible, and sick.

"No, I want to know." Chihiro said, still staring at herself.

"Let me say this first though; from now on you're only going to be eating food from my table let me say," Zeniba said in a frustrated tone; she looked up at Chihiro, "Kuran poisoned you with a tracking worm."

"A tracking worm?"

"Yes, it's a black worm that feeds off the eternal organs of it's host; with that connecting to the host's every thought, movement, and heartbeat to the master which created the worm. It's a dark magic method used in the old war days to any spies." Zeniba explained, as she watched Chihiro turn pale then suddenly fill with anger.

"How could he?" She croaked, "I nearly died!"

Zeniba nodded, "Yes dear I know, but remember to that Kuran had been quiet for quite sometime, in fact Haku was just about bracing for something to happen."

Chihiro nodded, "He had told me that he was preparing for something to happen too; but I don't think he expected this."

Zeniba smiled, "I guess this is a war now," And Chihiro shrugged indifferently; "It was bound to happen."

"Speaking of Haku, where is he?" Chihiro asked hoping that he would comfort her right now.

"He went to the bathhouse to get a few things done, but he'll be back soon." Zeniba explained, "Don't worry I'll keep you company upon his return." She murmured as she took out her knitting that looked like a baby's cap. It was light pink with white polka dots on them, Chihiro eyed them and looked at Zeniba questioningly. The witch pretended to ignore her gaze, as she continued to knit in silence.

Chihiro who was getting sleeping gave up on questioning Zeniba; as she slowly began to fall back into a deep sleep.

At around mid morning, Haku returned with some spare clothes for Chihiro and other things that she may possibly need. He wasn't sure, he just grabbed everything in their bathroom. He rushed into the house to find Zeniba knitting a cap he had never seen before, "How is she?" He breathed as he set down the things onto the table.

"Oh she's fine, she was up a couple hours ago until she fell asleep." Zeniba said simply without looking up from her work.

Haku sat down across from the witch, and gestured with his hand the kettle and a cup to bring over some tea for him. As it poured and he sent the kettle away; his curious nature took the better of him.

"What is that for?" Haku asked pointing to the cap.

Zeniba just simply looked up at him and set down the cap, she grabbed the book next to her elbow and stood up. With a quick flash she hit Haku's head with it with a smack.

"What the hell was that for?" Haku exclaimed holding his head checking for blood.

"So you couldn't tell yourself?" Zeniba questioned, "That Chihiro hadn't bled for about 2 months in a row?"

"No, I-" Then Haku stopped dead on his tracks.

Chihiro woke up by late afternoon, Haku was sitting on the chair next to her bedside; he was asleep leaning to the side. Chihiro smiled at him, as she tried to get herself up; however that shot more pain than her weak arms. "Oof." She made a sound that woke up Haku; "Oh, Chihiro!" He said as he tried helping her up so that she could sit up.

"I'm so glad you're okay," She breathed as she smiled up at him. He smiled and giggled as he shook his head, "I should be saying that to you silly." He said as he touched her face lovingly before kissing her hair.

"How do you feel?" He asked her, sitting on the bed next to her.

"I feel fine I guess, it's still a little sore but I think I'll be able to manage." She said as she sighed, "It's hard to believe that I could have almost died back there; I remember my heart racing so fast."

"I know, I was there, "Haku said as he touched her hair and moved it to the side. "Listen Chihiro," He began but then stopped as he heard Zeniba coming towards the room. There came 2 knocks before Zeniba walked in with a smile on her face.

"What do you think?" Zeniba said holding up the light pink cap; then a similar one instead of pink it was a lime green color.

"They're cute," Chihiro said, "But what are they for?"

"That's what-" Haku began but was quickly cut off by Zeniba.

"Dear, you don't know?"

Chihiro was really confused, she looked around the room for any changes, she was wondering if Haku was going to take her skating somewhere or something.

She shook her head, "No?"

Zeniba giggled, "Dear you're pregnant."