•Welcome to chapter two! In the original story their reunion was incredibly forced and completely unnatural! So. I'm fixing it!•

I would also like to apologize for the lack of uploads! I've been dealing with really poor mental health and just general stress. I'm working to get back on my feet again, but in the meantime, I'm trying to ease myself back into things I like!

So once again! Thank you for your kind words!

[DISCLAIMER]

Also, I don't own any characters unless stated at the end of the chapter! All rights belong to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli! this is purely made for entertainment purposes!

•With Chihiro•

It had been twelve years and Chihiro Ogino was no longer a child. The young woman was in college, going into school to be a preschool teacher. She realized that children loved her stories and drawings of the pretty dragon boy, so she decided to be an art teacher for pre-schoolers and encourage their young learning.

Chihiro still lived in the same small town, but she moved out of her parent's home only a year ago. Her part time job allowed her to move into some apartments not too far from the thicket of woods that held the opening to the Spirit World.

Today was one of her only off days from both work and college, so she planned on sitting beside the barrier of the Spirit World to wait for Haku. She didn't just wait for him there, she would bring her college homework and her sketch book and work. Chihiro's eyebrows furrowed as she packed her small pack full of necessities.

"I wonder if he moved on without me..." She mumbled quietly to herself, "What if he forgot about me?" She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "No! Haku would never lie to me or break a promise." She told herself determinedly, "He'll be back."

Chihiro packed a small bento with a light lunch and a canteen of water. She then began making her way to the Spirit gate.

She had started walking down the small gravel path when she heard footsteps walking her way. No one typically walks this path, and to Chihiro's knowledge, she was the only one who did. She stopped, yet the footsteps continued. Chihiro shifted her bag in front of herself and she waited.

Within a few moments a tall man with vibrant emerald eyes and long hair entered her view. Chihiro dropped her pack in shock and she leaped back. The man stopped and his eyes widen.

They stared at each other for a few moments before the man spoke. "I am so sorry it took me so long to get here." His voice was still the sweet calm that it always had been, however it sounded tired. He looked tired.

Chihiro's hands cupped her mouth and tears had risen in her eyes. Haku looked shocked and he took a few steps towards her. He opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off by Chihiro tackling him at full speed. Haku caught her and he hugged her tightly.

"Haku! It's really you! I've missed you so much! I've waited so long!" She stopped and removed her face from his chest, her bright brown eyes glittering with tears, "I've waited so long, Haku! Where have you been?"

Haku smiled faintly and he put his forehead to hers, taking a shaking breath. "It's a long story, Can we go somewhere more private? I promise I'll tell you everything." His voice had gotten softer, and he has wrapped his arms around her to hug her back tightly.

Chihiro nodded her head, "Alright, Haku. We'll go back to my apartment, okay?"

He smiled faintly and nodded his head. They let go after a moment and she grabbed her pack, and put it back over her shoulder.

Chihiro took Haku's hand and she held it tightly. They began making the short trip to her apartment. The entire way they were quiet, but it was as if a peacefulness had settled over them.

When they entered the apartment, Chihiro closed and locked the door behind them. In front of them was a kitchen and dining area, and Chihiro began preparing tea and lunch for the two of them.

The home was cozy and Haku could tell it was lived in. Warm sunlight flooded the room from the large windows. There were plants in the windowsill and some hung from the ceiling. Paintings and artwork covered the walls. Kohaku felt his heart swell at the sight. My, how she had grown! This space felt so comforting and wholly hers.

Haku began walking around the living room, gazing at all of the colorful artwork on the walls and he was amazed. Chihiro had drawn, in great detail, every bit of the spirit world that she had seen. Haku felt his heart pound harder at the sight of him and her in almost every painting. Easily half of them were just him and her flying or in the flower garden.

Chihiro had looked up from her tea and food making to see Haku staring deeply at the pictures. Her face flushed and she squeaked. "Oh! Uhm, I've been drawing you and the Spirit World since I got back. My parents never believed me when I talked to them about what happened, but my classmates have always loved the stories." her voice was soft as she made her way over to him.

"I...I was scared that if I stopped drawing you or talking about you I would forget. Or find out it was all some exaggerated dream." Chihiro bit her lip and Haku fixed his soft gaze upon her, "I was scared that maybe you had moved forgotten about me. Or something awful happened and I would never see you again."

Haku could tell that the young human was getting overwhelmed, so he pulled her into a hug and he rested his chin on top of her head. "I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you Chihiro." his voice rumbled against her ear, "A war broke out not long after you left. A fire spirit by the name of Yashi Tokayami gathered a group of other like-minded spirits and now they're hell-bent on destroying the Spirit World and trying to get here to the Human realm."

Chihiro pulled back and she stared up at him. "Then what are you doing here? Is there something here that will help with the war?" she asked almost frantically. Just what in the world is he doing here in the war is still raging? the squealing sound of the tea kettle broke her from her mild panic.

Haku let her go and sat at the table. He sat with his back flush against the wall so that he could observe the room as he spoke with her. "Well, you see, that's the thing. Currently we're at a lull in the war. Yes, there are still battles, but at the moment many of Yashi's soldiers are wounded or dead. However, there are still a decent number of them and they refuse surrender." Haku sounded calm, almost relaxed, like this was a normal over the table conversation, "We're at a mutual cease-fire, but that could change at any moment. We've lost our share of people and we need something to change. I believe that could be you."

Chihiro had been patiently listening as she poured hot water into large mugs. She almost burned herself when she heard him mention her. She quickly set the kettle down and turned to Haku. "What? You think that I can help?" She asked with wide eyes, "But I've only been to the Spirit World once! How can I save our worlds?"

Haku smiled brightly at her, his teeth gleaming. "I was thinking that I take you with me to the Spirit World, and we train you at the Bathhouse for combat! And then we try and have Yubaba or Zeniba teach you magic. They will never expect that we have a human on our side." He bit his lip and looked away, "I don't know if it will work, but I believe that you have the power to save us."

Chihiro was in completely shock. Haku had traveled so far, had been going through so much, and he wanted her help. She definitely didn't want to refuse, but at the same time, she was still finishing school and had her job.

How in the world would she explain to her family, job, school, and landlord that she needed to travel to a different realm and save both humanity and the spirits alike. She would likely be sent to a hospital immediately.

She was quiet as she made a quick lunch for the two of them. She made a couple of sandwiches and she plated them chips. Chihiro sat everything down before sitting in front of Haku.

The entire time, Haku had been watching her, dutifully awaiting her response. He understood that this was definitely a lot to take in, and he didn't want to pressure her. He knew that he just showed up and basically asked the world of her, but his world was in danger and he didn't know who else to turn to.

Chihiro bit her lip as she stirred in sugar into her tea. "Ah, well..." She paused, spoon clinking against ceramic, "Haku, I'm not sure I can just leave my life behind. I have school and a job and if I just disappear then I could lose my home too. I'm not sure how I can explain to them that I'm disappearing for an unknown amount of time. I want to help, Haku, I really do...But I'm just a human."

She looked away from his peering gaze and she moved to take a bite from her food. "You should eat too, so you don't disappear." She mumbled, looking upset. Chihiro felt mad that she couldn't help him after all of the help he had been to her.

Haku took a bite of his own food and then he stood. Startled, Chihiro looked up at him quickly, worry filling her eyes. He moved around the table, so he was next to her and he kneeled down. Haku sat on his knees facing her and he took her hands in his own.

"Chihiro, please. You are the only human who has successfully gone to the spirit world and returned safely. You are so strong. I know that you have magic of your own that's hidden and just waiting to be let out. I can feel it." Haku was determined. His voice was sweet and held a sense of pride for her. Chihiro felt tears welling up in her eyes and she squeezed his hands.

"If nothing else, I want you there so I know for a fact that you're safe." Haku murmured softly, reaching up and cupping her cheek, "Yashi could send his people to the human realm any minute. I want to make sure he can't get to you." Fear had seeped into Haku's voice. He was so damn scared of losing her.

Chihiro felt the tears spilling over her cheeks. She practically threw herself at Haku, knocking him over so that they laid on her cool tile flooring. She didn't know what had come over her. She just had the strongest urge hug him. Haku shifted her weight carefully as his arms moved to wrap themselves around her waist.

Haku felt tears seep into his shirt as he quietly comforted his friend. "Chihiro, I promise I won't let anything happen to you." He could hear her sniffling and he kissed her hair.

Chihiro felt like such a cry baby. This was the first time she had seen him in twelve years and she's sobbing like a child. After a few moments she sniffled, and she felt Kohaku's hand running up and down her back soothingly.

A heavy sigh heaved theough her chest. Haku moved to sit up, still holding Chihiro gently in his arms.

"C-can I think on it a little bit, Haku?" She asked, pulling her face back. her cheeks were rosy and her large brown eyes peered up at him worriedly.

Kohaku smiled down at her and he rested his forehead against hers gently.

"Yes, Chihiro. Don't worry. we can figure this all out soon. If you'd like to join me. Right now, Let's just spend some time together." Haku took a deep breath before continuing and he suddenly more tired than before, "It can all wait until tomorrow...I just, I've missed you so much!"

Chihiro smiled sweetly up at him, and Haku felt his heart melt. "Let's finish lunch, and then we can watch something on the TV," She suggested, moving to pull herself away from him.

Haku smiled back at her, hugging her close before pulling back as well. He didn't know what a TV was, but she seemed happy.

They both got up and sat back down. for the next half hour, they ate and talked, catching each other up on the things that have happened over the years.

Once their dishes were in the dishwasher the duo sat down on the couch together. Chihiro grabbed her remote and she put on some cartoons.

Immediately Haku was transfixed. Chihiro found it quite endearing that he liked the shows so much.

After some time Chihiro had moved closer to him. Haku looked like he may fall asleep at any moment, so Chihiro poked him gently in the arm.

The bleary-eyed dragon man looked over at her with a contented smile on his face. For now, she was here. For now, she was safe. For now, he could relax and be close to her.
"Haku," Chihiro murmured quietly, not wanting to bother him too much, "when was the last time that you got some rest?"

Haku rested his head on her should and he hummed. "It's been a while," he admitted, sheepishly.

She smiled and rested her chin on his head, nuzzling his soft hair. "Why don't you lay down in my bed? you can take a nap, and I can make dinner," Chihiro suggested, "Or you could nap here on the couch if you'd prefer."

Haku sat quietly in thought for a moment before he shook his head, "I just..want to stay near you." Even with his tiredness, Chihiro could see that he was protective of her.

It was really sweet to know that he cared for her, even after all those years. However, he couldn't protect anyone if he hadn't been getting enough sleep.

Chihiro hummed softly in thought, and Haku shifted so he could look up at her while still keeping his head on her chest.

"Haku, I know you want to make sure I'm safe, but you need some rest." She said softly, "And if I cook while you're napping, you'll be able to wake up to dinner!"

Haku sighed and after a moment he nodded his head. "Alright. If you think it would be best for me to take a nap, then I will." Almost as an afterthought he added, "But I'm still going to stay on the couch."

She just smiled and nodded her head. Chihiro stood and went to her closet in the hallway. She always kept extra bedding in case her family came to visit.

After helping him get situated, Haku lay looking in the direction of the kitchen. That way, he could fall asleep making sure she's safe.

Author's Note:

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been gone for a bit. I've had the majority of this chapter written, but I got hit with a bit of writer's block, so I took a bit of a break. I have the ability to use my dad's computer while he lives with us. Which luckily for you guys, means that you'll be receiving more frequent updates (hopefully!)! I will mention, my spouse, myself, and my dad are currently living in a motel. I'll be starting a new job soon, so I should be able to keep up with this and work!

I'll be starting on ch.3 after posting this, so hopefully it can be posted within the next couple of days!

Thank you for enjoying my story so far! I hope you guys like it! Feel free to Rate and Review!