Disclaimer: So many Oreos, so little time, yet no Spirited Away.

Chapter 4: Ponderings of a Dragon

It was murkier than usual under the sea, and as he waded out along the train tracks it was though he was in the eye of a hurricane. Winds blew behind him and around him, yet he had no difficulty approaching the center. He considered the situation as he pressed on. It was not terribly desperate; the girls could take care of themselves. Doubts flew about his mind: what if Chihiro didn't remember, what if she didn't care? It could happen. Many years had passed. Yes, he had grown, and she must have too. It could be that she thought of him as often as he did of her, or perhaps she was married. It made him want to scream. After all, maybe in her world 15 was the ideal age to get married.he frowned, as it was no pleasant thought.

There were other matters at hand now: he must get to her, that's was the important thing. If she chose not to care, he could live through a broken heart. It was odd, though, that he was having such concerns. He had spent 5 years pondering him and Chihiro's reunion: perhaps the moment at hand was making him jittery.

At the end of the "wind tunnel", there was something of a square room. The wind seemed to blow in corners, yet a five by five foot square was left clear and water danced through it serenely. Haku felt like there should be perhaps an eternal plain such as this. A song perhaps, a gentle voice on the wind. Chihiro it could be. She might be a good singer now, or perhaps she could carry no tune. He chuckled. No matter the case, she was his Chihiro and always would be.

He hadn't noticed that he was stepping closer to the crack in the air with every turn of his thoughts.he was so deep in thought that all events except those in his mind were not noticeable. Then he was in the hole, and at once was lying down on a rocky cliff by a storming ocean. A stray raindrop spattered upon his eye, and so Haku woke to find himself lost and alone in a strange land.

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A/N ~ Well, things are coming nicely now. I know this chapter is a major surprise to some of you, as it really takes a turn and introduces some new thoughts. I just want to make sure you know my version of Haku, because the developments of his personality play a major role later in the story. I hope you enjoy, and keep reading. Now that I am inspired, I'll update more often. I promise! Thanks again to all my reviewers. You know who you are.