* Just a little thank you to all who reviewed. They are greatly appreciated. Sorry 'bout the wait on this chapter. *

When Chihiro got back to the Boiler Room, she felt completely drained. Lin took pity on her and suggested a bath to soothe Chihiro's soul. No one would ever have to know. It was late and Yubaba had already left for the night. Chihiro was quick to agree. A bath would be perfect. Kamaji had already begun to grind herb that would relax her body and spirit. Apparently the two had already discussed their plan.



Lin and Chihiro crept upstairs to where the baths were. Lin pulled out the spout. Hot, scented filled the large tub and steam clouded the room. Lin pulled the rope when it was full. Then she walked out leaving Chihiro to herself. Chihiro stripped off her school uniform and sank into the warm water. It was sheer bliss.

Yubaba summoned Haku, who had gone back to his quarters. He was given guard duty for the night. Haku gave a great sigh and set off to start his rounds. He wandered the floors deep in thought. Up ahead he saw a room with its lantern still lit. -Lazy workers- he thought. Then he heard a small splash and a sigh, it sounded female. Maybe it was a worker taking their liberty with the bath water. Haku simply could not allow this. He tiptoed up to the door and took a peak inside. There was indeed a girl in the bathtub, and from the smell of the steam she had used an expensive relaxation token. Her back was turned to him. Haku took a few steps in. The girl heard his footsteps and turned around. Haku blushed a vibrant red when he saw who it was. There, in all her glory, was his beloved Sen. Her eyes went wide as she sank in up to her chin. Haku shut his eyes tight and spun around, apologizing profusely.



"I should really get going," Haku fought to get the words out.

Now it was Chihiro's turn to catch him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the tub. When he surfaced he was standing face to face with Chihiro. She gave him an evil smile. Then her expression grew serious. She pulled him into a tight embrace.



"Don't leave me here all alone," she whispered into his ear.

Haku's spirits soared. Here he was in a tub with the girl, no, woman he loved. This had only ever happened in his dreams. Then he remembered that she wasn't wearing any clothes and turned several shades of red. Chihiro giggled at Haku's response.



Slowly his arms wrapped are her waist and he pulled her closer. Chihiro placed a hand on Haku's cheek and gave him a soft kiss. She could hardly believe she was acting this way. Never in her wildest dreams would she have had the courage to do what she did, but this just felt right. This was where she belonged, in Haku's arms. Within seconds she forgot all about Keiji and Naomi and how much it hurt. They didn't matter anymore.



The kiss Haku and Chihiro shared began to grow more and more passionate. Then Haku pulled away leaving the two breathless. Chihiro gave him an inquisitive look.



"Sen, I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do. When I looked into your eyes earlier this evening you were crying. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I love you too much to do that."

Chihiro sighed, "Haku...I wasn't crying because you hurt me...I was crying because I was confused about how you made me feel. I've never loved someone as mush as I love you. But now I see that you're all I'll ever need in my life. I honestly and truly love you Haku, and please call me Chihiro. I'm not Sen anymore."

Haku smiled and pulled her to him once more. Their lips met again and fire ran through their veins. Haku kissed his way down to her neck. She ran her fingers through his soft hair. He whispered her name into her soft skin. He inhaled deeply enjoying the smell of her. This was Chihiro, his Chihiro and no one else's. He felt her hands move down his chest to the belt holding his shirt closed. Her nimble fingers undoing the knot. Haku shrugged it off with ease. Underneath his torso was lean and strong. Chihiro moved her hands up and down his chest. She heard him gasp softly. She smiled and continued her caresses.



Haku moved down to Chihiro's collarbone and gently nibbled her flesh. He wanted to remain like this forever. She squirmed and giggled. She'd never felt like this before. His hands held her firmly around the waist and he brought her even closer. His lips placed tender kisses all over Chihiro's silken skin. She squirmed even more but Haku held her close. His caresses brought forth moans from his beloved. The heat between them grew. Finally Chihiro's hand moved further down stopping at the waistband of Haku's pants.



"Are you sure about this?" Haku asked.

"I don't think I've ever been this sure in my life."

Chihiro gave Haku a reassuring smile and hooked her thumbs in the waistband. She pulled them down causing Haku's breath to catch in his throat. Then held her hands, reluctantly pulling them away from his skin.

"Chihiro," he said softly, " I...I can't do this." Chihiro looked hurt.

"Don't get me wrong love, I want this more than anything," he said taking her face in his hands. He looked deep into her eyes, "But if we do this that means we have to be together forever and the spirit world is no place for you. You belong in the human world. We will do this one day soon, but not until I have a ring on that beautiful hand of yours."

Tears of joy welled up in Chihiro's eyes. She nodded and embraced the man she loved. Haku kissed her forehead and picked her up carrying her out of the tub. Then they helped dress each other and kissed one last time before leaving the bath. Haku told her to make sure to meet him at the bridge the next morning so he could take her back.



Chihiro walked back to the Boiler Room with an extra bounce in her step. SHe knew that Haku wouldn't forget her this time. That they'd be together forever and nothing or no one could stop them. SHe opened the door to find Kamaji and Lin talking quietly. They gave her a knowing smile. They could see that everything had worked out for the better, although they didn't know all the details. They didn't need to know them either; just the fact that Chihiro looked so elated was good enough for them. That night Chihiro went to sleep dreaming dream after wonderful dream of her future with Haku.

The next morning she got dressed quickly and went down to the bridge. There stood Haku with a soft smile on his lips. She ran up and gave him a brief kiss before they set off through the town. Hand in hand the walk down the street in silence. This was one of the hardest things they had ever had to do. Neither wanted to leave the other, even if it was for a short time. When they reached the vast, green meadow the two stopped. Haku picked a blade of grass and fashioned a ring for his soon to be mate.

"You remember what to do right?" Haku asked taking both Chihiro's hands slipping the ring on her finger. She nodded slowly.



"Promise you'll be quick in leaving. I can't bear to be without out you for very long," Chihiro said in a voice hardly louder than a whisper.

"I promise," said with a sad look and pulled her close. He tasted her lips to remind him of what he was missing and sent Chihiro on her way.

She ran through the tall grass willing her self to not look back. Haku was right. She didn't belong in this world, but would he be able to leave the Spirit World? Then a voice in the back of her mind reminded her that love could conquer anything. She would see Haku again. The tunnel was visible in the distance. When she reached it she stopped. It took all her power to not look back, but she knew what had to be done. She forced her feet to carry her through the tunnel to the outside world she knew so well. When she reached the end she looked back into the darkness. If only she could see his face again, but she couldn't go back through.

Chihiro slowly made her way back home. When she opened the door her mother ran to her crying tears of joy, her baby was safely home. Her father swept her into a great hug. There she stood on her parent's embrace allowing them to cry. She knew how it felt to lose someone you loved. When the emotions died down Chihiro went to her room and lay down on her bed. She stared at the makeshift ring Haku had made her.

-Hurry back Haku- she thought. A few tears ran down her cheeks. Soon, she said to herself, soon he'll be here. Chihiro cried a few more tears and fell asleep, exhausted from everything that had happened.