"Sen, is that you?"
I gasped, the knuckles on my hand turning white. My breath was loud and forced. I hadn't been called that in years… not since…
The voice I heard sounded shaky, uncertain, and a bit arrogant. It was a familiar voice, but I couldn't quite place it. I turned around slowly, my eyes growing wide with disbelief.
"Rin? Is that really you?" I asked, staring, stupefied, at the older woman. She nodded her head, and tears filled my eyes. Rin dropped her fruit basket and ran to me, swinging me around in a tight hug, laughing with joy.
"Where have you been, Sen?" She asked, grasping my hand in earnest, "it's been so different without you. Boring, you know?" Rin laughed, and pulled me into another bear hug. I returned it graciously, and looked up, eyes questioning.
"How is everyone?" I asked. Rin grinned, brushing back the brown bangs from her forehead.
"Kamaji's fine. He still can't seem to pick up after himself," she gave a little sigh, "When I'm not there anymore to help him, what's he going to do then, huh? Well, if you're wondering, that boiler man was asking about you the other day. Fond of you, he is. He thinks of you as the granddaughter he never had."
I smiled, thinking of Kamaji, the kind multiple-limbed man who had helped me when I needed it most. At first, he scared me, but now, I realize that there's more to him than meets the eye. I couldn't wait to see him and all my other friends.
Suddenly, Rin grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bathhouse, hoisting her basket onto her shoulder. She ignored the spilled fruit that fell out of the basket and kept going, grinning in happiness.
"C'mon Sen!" She called, running at full speed, nearly pulling my arm out of its socket, "everybody will be so happy to see you!"
I had no choice but to follow.
When we reached the bridge to the bathhouse, Rin stopped, waiting for me to catch my breath. I clutched my side, heart pounding in my ears.
I was so close. He was bound to be here – oh, how I needed him. His comforting arm around my shoulder, his kind, sweet smile…
My heart ached. But, I waited four years. I could wait a while longer. No amount of time would keep me from him. The tallest mountain, the widest river – each was worth the perils of getting across, as long as he would be waiting for me at the other side.
Grinning from ear to ear, Rin dragged me across the bridge, waving at everyone who passed.
"The stench! The stench!"
"A little too happy, aren't we, Rin? Got the big tub?"
"Rin! Hello – what's that smell?"
I saw a group of yuna that were whispering and giggling. When I passed them, they crinkled up their noses and glared at Rin, "what are you bringing into the bathhouse this time, Rin?" They laughed again and plugged their noses in distaste. Rin just stopped and smiled.
"Oh, you like the new fragrant bath soap? They're using it in the big tub – better go stop them!" As soon as Rin pulled me across the bridge, the yuna gasped in surprise as I became visible to them. They lifted up their skirts and walked away, muttering together. I stifled a laugh. They looked like a group of multi-colored, overprotective mother hens.
Rin led me down to the boiler room, ignoring all the jeers of the spirits that passed us. Nothing could ruin her mood.
"Here you go," Rin said, sliding open the wooden panel to get into the boiler room, "Kamaji's in here." Excited, I scrambled through. Kamaji was working quickly; grabbing, stirring, and eating with his many arms and hands. I could hardly breathe. I hadn't seen him in four years. Tentatively, I stepped forward. Upon hearing me, Kamaji stopped drinking from a jug of water.
"Rin, could you get me another water jug? This one's all out." He tipped it upside down to show it was empty. I looked at Rin, and she rolled her eyes.
"Kamaji… this is Chi – I mean, Sen." I said, grinning from ear to ear. Kamaji turned around, a bright smile on his old and wizened face. He got down from his working platform and opened his arms, smiling.
"Sen! I see you've got yourself another adventure." I smiled and hugged him.
"Yeah, I guess so." I said. Kamaji looked me over and sighed.
"You've sure grown up, my little Sen." I smiled, my eyes bright. I heard squeaking and peeping, and I looked down, laughing as I saw the little, round soot creatures that had befriended me the last time I was here. Kamaji puffed up a bit, his voice growing stern.
"Back to work, you little rascals! You don't want me to turn you into soot again, do you?" He said, yelling over the noise of their chatter. I chuckled as the little creatures sulked away, expressing resentful looks in their beady black eyes. Kamaji waved a hand at them, "be gone with you, you tiny troublemakers! And I don't want you near my food again. It's my food, not yours!"
Rin and I laughed, while Kamaji relaxed a bit. Finally, he joined in with deep laughter, clapping his hands together.
Oh, how I'd missed them! Rin took a rice roll from Kamaji's plate and held it up, grinning.
"Hungry?" She asked, waving it in front of my face. I snatched it out her hand and stuffed it in my face.
"Mmmm…" I mumbled. I swallowed and took another roll. Rin and Kamaji laughed at my eagerness. Their voices rang through the whole boiler room, echoing off the wooden walls. Suddenly, the sliding wooden door opened. A boy stepped inside, looking at Rin.
"Rin, you need to clean the big tub – Yubaba's orders." He said. Rin grumbled and muttered something about the yuna setting her up, and rolled her eyes, "make someone else do it. I've already done enough for today."
"Rin…" the boy said threateningly, green eyes burning a hole in her, "Yubaba can't wait. Another Stink Spirit is coming."
I stared hard at the boy, hardly believing. It couldn't be… I choked, tears coming to my eyes. I had waited so long for this moment. Kamaji looked at me, smiling underneath his moustache. I stood up and set down my food. The boy looked at me quickly. He opened his mouth to speak to Rin, but he glanced at me again.
"Haku?" I said, eyes locked onto his. Haku opened his mouth in amazement, taking no notice of Rin and Kamaji. He walked towards me.
"Chihiro…" he muttered, swallowing. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst. Here he was, the boy I loved. Tears came to my eyes, and I ran to him, flinging myself into his arms. I wrapped my arms tight around him, sobbing onto his shoulder. Haku gently rocked me back and forth, his strong arms holding me close to him.
Rin and Kamaji shared a small smile.
I felt dizzy with happiness. My head, burrowed deep onto Haku's shoulder, was spinning and churning. I felt Haku lay his head on top of mine. I felt so good with him right here with me. I felt so… loved.
Finally, we lifted our heads and looked into each other's eyes. Haku smiled, tracing his finger over my cheek. I grabbed his hand and held it between my own, tears cascading down my face.
"I missed you so much, Haku…" I said, squeezing his hand. I didn't plan to let him go any time soon. Haku bowed his head.
"Chihiro, I'm so sorry. I wanted to come sooner, it's just…" I raised his chin with a trembling finger, looking deep into his emerald eyes.
"I don't care. We're here now together. Just like it should be." I said, smiling in joy. Haku's eyes lit up and he grinned.
"Just like it should be…" he whispered, bringing his face closer to mine. A smile danced across my lips.
"Perfect." I brought my hands up and cupped his face in my warm palms. Our faces were so close, they were almost touching. Summoning up all my courage, I pressed my lips softly against his, closing my eyes. Haku kissed me back, wrapping his arms around me gently. We deepened the kiss as I leaned onto him. My heart was fluttering, and I felt faint. It was perfect.
When we pulled away, we smiled at each other. I reached for Haku's hand and found it, sliding my hand into his. Suddenly, from behind us, we heard Kamaji and Rin clapping and cheering. My face turned red. Haku looked at me.
"I love you." He said to me, a blush rising up his neck to his cheek. I placed my forehead against his, once again looking into his eyes.
"I love you too."
Yes, everything was just right.
- THE END -
Omg. I actually finished a story. *looks at three other stories* I just can't stop writing. Ah. Help me.
Awww… Haku and Chihiro forever…
*hehe* I wrote this chapter during homeroom… *coughs* What?! I was allowed too… *looks around*
*grabs her pet guinea pig and squeezes it* So fluffy and cute! *drops guinea pig* - she's all right –
Oh sorry.
I loved this story. I made me feel all warm and fuzzled inside (fuzzled?). It was really fun to write, and lots of people liked it! *hugs everyone who reviews*
Too much love…
Sorry, I'm rambling. Please review! It makes me write faster – like when Popeye eats spinach, and he gets more muscles… yeah, that's like me and reviews. Uh-huh.
Thank ya'll!
Toodles! *_*
Tic-Tac ^_~