Gothic_farie: Whew! Well, IÕm sorry for the delay, folks. I really would have updated over the weekend if I could. But since I couldnÕt, IÕm sorry. Anyways, cue the drum rollÉ*pause* whereÕs the drummer? Where the HELL is my drummer?! *fades off while yelling to anyone who will listen*

Sen: Gomen for her, sheÕs a little cranky right now. She has a busy week schedule. Anyways, hereÕs the next chappie. And for all of you who DONÕT know, she doesnÕt own Spirited Away. Thank YOU Gibli Studio!

Waiting Ð Heartbreak

Haku watched from underneath his bangs as Rin (A. N: I know some people say Lin, but I say RinÉ.) slowly untied his chains. She glanced at him every now and then, wondering if he was truly broken from YubabaÕs torture. In the darkness, she couldnÕt tell for sure, but it seemed as if he was glaring at her. She swallowed slightly, feeling a rush of adrenaline rise up, and tried to calm herself. This was HakuÉ he wouldnÕt hurt her. He wouldnÕt hurt his own friendÉwould he? She shook her head, and tried to ignore the whispering voice in the back of her head. She carefully slid HakuÕs right hand out of his chain, and winced as she saw the raw skin and flesh where the metal had rubbed.

Haku bit his lip as Rin worked, trying to remain calm and focused. He wanted to thin of anything but the pain. As she worked, he thought again of Chihiro, and how she had grown so beautiful. Her eyes were wide, and grey as the sea after a storm. Her complexion was fair, and her lips were as pink as if painted after a rosebud. When her eyes watered, he would have done anything to take the pain away. Her hair was the color of dark brown velvet, and he would have loved to stroke it, and run his fingers through it.

After one half hour, Rin had finally freed Haku of his restraints. Now he lay in her lap, his head resting on her shoulder, quietly feeling freedom, and confusion, as he didnÕt know what to do now. His eyes slightly glazed over as a small spasm swept over him, and Rin held him close, as she rubbed sweet smelling herbs on his back and arms. He began to slowly relax, knowing that soon he would see the one he loved. He began to think of her, and thought of her name. It wasÉ.it wasÉ.He couldnÕt remember! He struggled harder to remember, mentally running every name he ever heard through his mind. But the name he was searching for wouldnÕt come. He tried to sit up, but RinÕs hands kept pushing him down, farther and farther, until he was pressed against her. She began to hum a song, slowly at first, then getting louder and louder, until he was consumed completely by the deep melody.

RinÕs eyes glittered in the dark, and she began to slowly smile. ÔNow, he will forget all about her, and soonÉvery soon he will become mine.* A small smile crossed her face, and she leaned down until her chin was resting on HakuÕs head. She sighed lovingly, and kept on humming and singing until she could feel that Haku had become limp. She smoothed his hair, then carefully held him close to her while picking him up, so that her hands were underneath his back and knees. She walked to the door; staggering slightly because of his weight, and opened the large wooden door that for so long had remained closed, and had sealed off the light.

She carried him up all the way to his old room, now dusty and tattered, and placed him underneath the covers. She vanished for a moment to fetch a washcloth, and soon returned with a new uniform as well. She saw him sleeping peacefully, taking deep regular breaths, but his face was different. His skin was whiter than before, his hair ragged and dark. She sighed, and saw his lips, chapped and dry twitch, and open, trying desperately to form a name that he had forgotten.

She sat down by his bed, and began to wait patiently for her arranged husband to awake. ÔYubaba set this marriage up, and told me that I could free him, and he could once again work as her assistant. But she needs insurance. She wants to make sure he completely forgets Sen, so that he will stay loyal. I donÕt remember when I began to love him, but I do now. I am also loyal to Yubaba, and will do anything in my power to help this bathhouse grow!* (A.N: I know she sounds out of character, but there are hints here that says somethingÕs going on! The first person that can figure it out wins a chance to direct how Chihiro and Haku meet!)

Haku felt someone wrap him in something soft, and put a cool cloth on his head. He assumed he was back before he met Chihiro, and that he had fallen sick. He knew Yubaba was going to yell at him for getting sick now, it was one of the busiest times of the year. He groaned, and some female shushed him, while stretching out his legs so he was in a comfortable position. He fell back asleep presently, and dreamed of a young girl, crying out his name. She had her hair in a ponytail, she was scrawny, and definitely not the prettiest girl ever, and she was running towards him. His eyebrows furrowed, and he reached out his hands. Somehow he knew this girl. But he didnÕt know how he knew. She just seemed familiar. He mumbled in his sleep, ÒIÕm waiting for you, IÕm here.Ó

Gothic_farie: WasnÕt that the worst chappie? I meanÉI HATE what I just wrote. But hopefully one person will like it! @_@ I just went to martial arts for the first time in a while, and it was so intense I wanted to give up and yet keep going! Yes yes, well, IÕll have next chapter out by Friday, because I have a performance on Thursday, and rehersal tomorrow. IÕll see what I can do! R&R! J