Author's note: Here's another update! I hope you enjoy this chapter =(^.^)=

Yashi Tokayami had been planning this war for years. He had spent over a decade convincing and recruiting other evil spirits to aid him in his endeavors. Yashi convinced many spirits to help him overtake the Spirit World. He told them that if they helped him get out the human world, then they could do whatever they wanted there. Regardless of consequence.

Many spirits agreed that they should reside in the Human world, and they decided to assist him.

Yashi is a loud, abrasive spirit. He uses his fire and conniving words to get his way. Even though their numbers were dwindling, and many spirits refused to recruit, Yashi would still not hesitate to hurt his own army if it got them to listen to him.

The delicious smell of food woke Haku. He was more tired than he had realized. Chihiro danced around the kitchen, humming along to her music. Haku couldn't help but sit up and watch her. This woman had been just a child when they had previously met. He still couldn't seem to get over how much she'd grown and changed.

She was so beautiful now. Haku couldn't help the way that his heart still skipped a beat as he watched her. After putting dinner on the dining table, Chihiro turned to wake Haku. When she saw him staring at her with a smile, she blushed and smiled back.

"I was just about to wake you." She said with a smaller, more sheepish smile, "Dinner's ready if you're hungry."

Haku stood, folded his bedding, and then went to her side. "This smells amazing, Chihiro. Thank you."

Haku's voice was soft and full of love. Chihiro felt her blush creeping up her neck. "Of course, Haku." She smiled and moved to her fridge so that she could grab them some drinks.

She returned to Haku's side, sitting in the chair in front of him. She had made shrimp tempura, white rice, and grilled veggies.

They began eating, quietly enjoying each other's company, even given the current circumstances. Chihiro couldn't help but be happy that Haku was here. Even though there's a war in his world, he still chose her. Even though she didn't truly believe that she was the one to end this war. She was getting too far in her head. She began to wonder if the war was the only reason Haku came to see her. Would he have waited longer if there were no war? Would he have come to see her sooner?

Haku could tell that Chihiro was in her own head. She had stopped eating and was just staring ahead worriedly.

"Chihiro?" Haku asked gently, reaching his hand over to hers, "Are you okay?"

Chihiro's eyes flicked up to his own and she look worried, scared. "Haku, was the war the only reason you came? Would...Would you have come to see me sooner if there weren't the war happening?" She sounded a bit panicked.

"Chihiro, I'm sorry I made you feel like this." He said gently, still holding her hand, "Yes. I absolutely would have been here sooner if not for the war. It hurt letting you leave and having no knowledge of if I'd ever see you again. I may have come here to ask for your help, but the biggest reason I came back is because I've missed you."

Chihiro nodded her head, taking a deep breath. It seemed that Haku had calmed her down.

"Thank you for telling me that, Haku. I really needed that." She said, squeezing his hand affectionately.

He smiled back at her, and then they continued to eat their dinner.

After they had eaten and done the dishes, they sat on her living room couch. "Alright, Haku. We need to come up with some kind of plan." Chihiro said, folding her legs under herself, "Should we even tell my family? I... I want to tell them, but they don't even believe in the Spirit World. They probably wouldn't believe this either..."

Haku sat in though for a moment as he contemplated this. She was right, if they don't remember visiting the spirit world, then they wouldn't really understand what they would be telling them. "Well, I think that you're right. I don't think that your family would understand either. However, they'll definitely be suspicious if you just suddenly disappear."

"What should we do then?" She asked, worrying her bottom lip in between her teeth.

They both sat in thought for a few minutes, trying to think of something. "I could kidnap you and leave a note, I guess?" Haku offered.

Chihiro laughed and shook her head. "I don't think that would work... I could mostly tell the truth, and write a note saying that the boy I always talked about came back and I decided to run away with him? But honestly, I'm not sure if they'd believe it."

They decided in the end that her solution would probably work the best. How time to figure out what they would do once they returned to the Spirit World.

"The only other people who know that I was coming to get you are Yubaba, Rin, and Kamaji. I think that we shouldn't tell anyone else that you're there until you're trained. I'm worried that since we have an undercover spirit that is working with Yashi's Revenge that they may have someone undercover working for us." Haku explained.

Chihiro agreed completely, it made the most sense that she trains and then meets up with everyone at the bath house. Haku tells her that they should pack some of the things she wants to bring, and then leave in the morning. Chihiro agreed with Haku, and they decided to watch some t.v. together before bed.

About an hour and a half had passed and Haku and Chihiro were curled up on the couch together watching some American cartoon. It was brightly colored and cute. Chihiro looked to her wall clock and saw that it was late, so she suggested they both get ready for bed.

Haku agreed to take his shower first and he retreated to the bathroom. While showering, his thoughts kept wandering back to Chihiro. He could tell that his crush from back then was still there. He cared for her.

He stood under the water, tilting his head back under the showerhead. He briefly wondered if she thought of him in the same way. He shook his head of the thoughts, and he brought his attention back to his shower.

Chihiro took a quick shower afterwards and then brushed her teeth. When she came out of the bathroom, she went back to the living room.

"Haku, would you like to sleep in my bed?" She asked, leaning against the doorway. As Haku opened his mouth to oppose, she added, "With me?"

Haku's mouth dropped open and then he closed it. "Uhm... I. Would you like me to sleep in your bed, with you?" He asked softly, emerald eyes wide with surprise.

She nodded her head. "I thought maybe you would want to sleep next to me. That way you knew I was safe." Chihiro sounded so sure. In all honest though, she just really wanted to be able to hold him close.

Haku felt his heart swell at the thought. He nodded his head and stood. "Okay, I would like to sleep next to you." He smiled and Chihiro could see the faintest hint of a pink blush tinging his ears and cheeks.

She grabbed his hand gently and lead him to her bedroom. The duo curled up in her bed and Haku instinctively pulled her closer to him. Chihiro smiled contently and wrapped her arms snugly around his middle. Their hearts pounded in their chests, and they hoped the other couldn't feel it.

"Goodnight, Haku." Chihiro murmured softly, lips pressed softly to his neck.

Haku smiled and pressed his lips to her hair. "Sleep well. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Just as Chihiro was drifting off she heard Haku mutter quietly, "Love you..."

Author's Note:

Once again, thank you for reading this story! After posting Ch.2 I went through and wrote a proper outline for the story. It should have around 22 Chapters (give or take.)

I am really excited, and I hope to be posting at least 2 to 3 chapters a week if I can manage!

Thank you for reading, I hope you stick around!