Chihiro camped by the Kohaku River that night, and although Haku had urged her to sleep, promising to let her know if there was bad news, she had lain awake for hours. Being so close to Haku - and worrying about her father - had sent her brain into overdrive. She had passed out sometime around 4am, only to wake up three hours later when a car rolled into the carpark. Chihiro stuck her bleary face outside of the tent in time to see a jogger disappear into the forest.
She squinted into the dawning sun: the rain from yesterday had disappeared completely. While she desperately wanted to slip back into sleep, her worries resurfaced and she knew it was time to go home. As Chihiro dressed she realised that Lin had not returned. She worried about her friend, but she could trust Haku to tell her if there were any problems.
When she finally emerged from her tent, she found Haku the dragon reclining in his stream. He murmured a soft greeting and stood up.
"Morning, Haku," Chihiro said, unable to suppress a yawn. "Everything alright with my dad?"
He changed into his human form, wearing his favourite white kimono and green hakama trousers. He looked radiant in the light of the morning sun.
"Yes, your parents slept through the night. Are you leaving now? Let me help you pack up your tent."
They worked in silence, as Chihiro was too tired to talk. She did not want to leave Haku so soon, but what else could she do? Her restlessness would remain until she checked on her father.
Haku held her again before she left his river, smoothing her hair and whispering reassurances in her ear. He did make her feel a little better, but she could only manage a half-hearted thank you. Her rucksack felt incredibly heavy today, and as she stumped downhill to Kawaguchi she left an uncharacteristically anxious Haku behind.
Her mother's voice crackled through the phone line.
"Is everything alright, sweetie?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to see you and dad again. It will be good to take a break from travelling."
"Alright honey, I'll pick you up at Gifu station at twelve thirty."
"Thanks mum, see you then."
After boarding the local train Chihiro closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
She woke again at the sound of a rough voice.
"Miss? Miss, this is the end of the line." She jumped in fright, staring wildly at her surroundings. The passenger who had spoken to her was making his way out already. They were at the shinkansen station!
She dashed off the train, just in time to avoid the closing doors. She raced to her connection, just making it in time.
"Chihiro! Wake up!"
She stirred and stretched, struggling to surface from a deep sleep. She looked outside at the station name.
"Gifu station," said a pleasant female voice in a pre-recorded announcement.
Almost tripping over her feet in her haste to leave the train car, she managed to dodge the closing doors. Another close call! She looked up and noticed her mother walking towards her from the other end of the platform. They met halfway.
"Hi sweetie, it's so nice to see you again," said Yuuko, planting a kiss on her daughter's cheek.
"Hi mum! Thanks for calling out to me, I almost missed the stop."
In response, she was met with a puzzled look.
Chihiro flushed in embarrassment. "I swear someone called my name…"
"Well, whoever it was had impeccable timing," Yuuko quipped.
When they walked to a nearby carpark, a white blur streaked along the footpath to Chihiro.
"Lin!"
Chihiro knelt down, swaying from the weight of her backpack. Lin leapt into her outstretched arms and licked her face in greeting.
"Wait, do you know this dog…?" asked her mother, bewildered.
Chihiro giggled after another kiss from Lin, and stood up. "Yes! She's been travelling with me. I left her with a friend but it looks like she escaped."
Yuuko eyed the kitsune with disapproval. She hated the idea of an animal in her clean car and clean house.
"Mum, she's a really good dog. Very well behaved," Chihiro said, anticipating a lecture. "Please, can she stay inside with me? If there's any trouble she can go in the backyard."
Her mother sighed. "Alright. Fine. I must be going soft in my old age."
"Don't say things like that, mum! You're not old."
But on the walk back to her parents' silver Audi, Lin's claws clicking cheerfully on the cement, Chihiro looked at her mother properly. She noticed the new grey hairs, the deepening wrinkles, the slower gait. She had never thought of her parents ageing, but perhaps they really were getting old. They were both just a few years away from retirement.
On the drive back to Tochinoki, Lin curled up on Chihiro's lap and dozed. Yuuko took the opportunity to ask her captive audience if walking across the country was really such a good idea.
"Everything's fine, mum," said Chihiro, a little harshly. "Lin is looking out for me, and everyone I've met so far has been very helpful."
The corners of Yuuko's mouth pulled her lips in a firm line.
"Lin is a cute, fluffy little dog. If someone corners you do you really think she can fend them off?"
Lin's ears twitched, with such a tiny movement that only Chihiro could have seen it.
"She's a lot tougher than she looks, I promise!" she replied, trying to lighten the mood. Now it was Chihiro's opportunity to take advantage of their confinement to ask about her father's health. Her mother shrugged.
"He's fine, darling. He's just stressed at work, you know how it is. His blood pressure is a little high but it's nothing to worry about."
It was mid-afternoon when they finally made it home to the blue house at the end of the street.
"Honey, I've got some work to do at the computer but make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks mum, I might have a shower first and get started on dinner."
While Chihiro washed away the exhaustion and hours of travel, Lin explored the house and garden. If there were any curses or evil spirits she would sniff them out. Chihiro also snuck a glance in the family medicine cabinet - nothing in there was cause for concern.
Lin joined her in the kitchen as she chopped vegetables for dinner.
"I spoke to Haku before I met you at the station," the kitsune said, softly so that Chihiro's mother wouldn't hear.
"How on earth did you do that and still meet me at Gifu?"
"I'm a messenger. I have shortcuts everywhere, I just don't use them when I'm with you. Anyway, the dragon told me about your father, and that you were going home to see him."
"Yeah. Did you find anything suspicious around the house?" Chihiro asked.
"Not much. There's a spirit living at the other end of the road that you should avoid, but they won't bother you or your parents."
"That's a relief," said Chihiro. "When my dad comes home from work let's see how he's going."
Akio arrived home later than usual, just after eight o'clock, with dark circles under his eyes. He blinked very hard when he saw Chihiro, and seemed to recover a little energy when she hugged him. She served up generous bowls of stir-fried chicken and vegetables for dinner, which Akio fell upon like a starving animal.
While they were eating she questioned him, searching for answers. He finally admitted that he had been sleeping poorly, sometimes worrying about work. Haku had told her that his father had slept through the night, but maybe it was not the deep rest that he needed. Chihiro said politely, but firmly, that they would be walking to work the following morning. Akio immediately complained about the cold weather, only for Chihiro to insist that he would wear a jacket. Though he was obviously glad to see his daughter, Akio could barely keep his eyes open and he excused himself after dinner to go to bed.
Chihiro called on Haku that night in her dreams, and he appeared in her House with a Million Rooms. She told him what she had learnt that day, and all the while Haku listened attentively.
"Your father sounds exhausted. Poor man," he said after she had finished talking. "If you can get into his office tomorrow maybe you can find some things that can be changed for the better?"
Chihiro agreed, and they spoke at length about what she could to do help him. Her father's work situation reminded her so much of what she went through, but he probably wouldn't take her advice. He was just too stubborn sometimes. She felt like the same helpless little kid alone in the spirit world after her parents were turned into pigs.
She woke up before her parents and cooked them all breakfast. Her father slouched downstairs, grunting a 'good morning' and sinking into a chair at the table.
"We're walking today, remember?"
He grunted an affirmative, as Chihiro passed him an omelette rice which he ate with gusto. At least his appetite was healthy.
Yuuko appeared in the kitchen not long after, looking a good deal better than Akio. "Oh, sweetie, you've spoiled us!" she said on seeing her cooked breakfast, and Chihiro received the compliment with a smile.
Mother and daughter washed up, allowing Akio to get ready in his own time. He reappeared just as they finished, dressed warmly with his suit in a carry bag. Chihiro's heart sank at the sight: he looked so unhappy, and unhealthy.
When she emerged from her room, ready to go, she found him on his phone already, discussing something that needed to be addressed urgently. She sighed, and opened the door. Her father followed her, still on the phone, and it continued for most of the walk. No wonder he looked so haggard. So much for a relaxing life in the countryside.
The walk to the town centre took them about half an hour downhill. Lin followed them at a distance. Chihiro hardly felt the walk, but her father was huffing and puffing when he reached his office building.
"Are you alright, dad?"
"Don't… worry… about… me… Chihiro."
She did not pursue the matter, and once they stepped inside the warm building her father disappeared into the men's bathroom to change. Chihiro struck up a conversation with the secretary, who she recognised from elementary school. After a few minutes, Miku led her upstairs to her father's floor. It was a normal-enough office, maybe a little less depressing than the one she had worked in, but still full of overworked people.
Her father had a desk and cubicle with a view out across the town centre. Miku returned to the front desk, leaving Chihiro to gaze longingly at the distant mountains.
"What are your plans today, sweetie?" asked Akio, after finding Chihiro at his desk. He mopped at his forehead with a handkerchief, his skin pale and clammy.
"I just wanted to have a look around. I know you're busy, so how about I pick up some coffees and snacks for morning tea?"
Akio's colleagues sat up in their chairs at her offer, and Chihiro memorised everyone's preferences. She refused to take any money; she could afford it.
Her father was already at his computer answering emails when Chihiro stepped out. Miku let her out of the building, and Chihiro walked along the main street in town. She was familiar with most of the shops, which had not changed for years, but she didn't feel like buying anything.
Lin joined her, trotting at her side or waiting outside the shop fronts. After ten minutes in a bookstore, Chihiro emerged to find Lin shivering in the snow. She scooped up her friend and walked to the Tochinoki bakery.
"Are you going to be alright carrying all that, Chi?" asked Mako from behind the counter. Six takeaway coffees and a bag of pastries sat between them.
"If only Lin had a little vest that we could put the drinks in, then I'd be alright."
She turned and found Lin glaring at them through the glass shop front. Chihiro and Mako laughed.
"Your dog is hilarious," he said. "Tell you what, I'll help you take them back to your dad's office. My boss won't mind."
Mako lived for gossip, and was eager to hear about Chihiro's life after high school. She told him about Satoshi, travelling with Lin, visiting beautiful places, and meeting interesting people. Chihiro did not mention Haku or her father's poor health, but at least she had Lin to confide in. She hugged the fox a little closer as they walked.
Mako placed the pastries and takeaway coffees onto the empty reception desk - Miku wasn't there. Chihiro put Lin down and the fox shook herself.
"It was great to see you again, Chi," Mako said. "Feel free to drop by any time. See you soon."
The front door closed behind them as he left, and Chihiro's skin prickled. There were urgent voices upstairs.
"Something's wrong," Lin whispered.
Chihiro left the coffee and pastries on the front desk and bolted to her father's office. The hairs on the back of her neck were on end when she burst through the door. A crowd had gathered around someone lying on the floor. A few staff were shouting frantically into their phones while a woman performed CPR.
Chihiro recognised the shoes of the unconscious man. Her knees buckled as her world came crashing down.
#
Uh, so this is a little embarrassing! Seven months. Time flies, doesn't it?
A lot has happened. I bought my first apartment, moved house and started a new job! But my car got ruined in a freak hailstorm, and summer in Australia - well, I don't need to tell you what it was like. I'm sure you all saw it on the news.
I also heard the siren's call of other other writing projects. I've been working on other fics, but I haven't forgotten this one. It's important to me that I finish what I start. It might take a little longer than what I had originally anticipated, but I owe it to you all to continue. There aren't too many chapters left - I just need to focus.
Thank you for sticking with me and I hope the last seven months have been kind to you.
