Gothic: WhoaÉI had NO idea this much time had passed. Shows how much I know!

Haku: Which, I might add, is NOT a lot!

Gothic *makes a face*: You know what, be happy I DONÕT own you (not that I want toÉ.oh waitÉ.)

Sen: What the? Do the story already!

Gothic: OhÉright!

Waiting Ð Chapter eight

Haku felt increasingly pensive as the days wore on. For some reason, people were looking at him strangely. They whispered and stared at him when they thought he wasnÕt looking. He was now sitting in his room, trying to find some peace from the ever-gossiping crowd.

As he sat there, he began to think of that girl again. The girl in his dreams. ÔWho is she? Why is she in my dreams? Where the HELL do I know her from?!Õ His fist slammed down into his hand, and he frowned. Even though he had been married to Rin for a month, he couldnÕt get this other girl out of his mind. He sighed, and flopped gracefully down onto his back, and closed his eyes. The bed that he shared with Rin was comfortable, but something was missing in his life, some unexplainable thing that kept him guessing.

He smiled slightly, and let out a small gust of breath. The world seemed to be pressing down on him, and the stress was very slowly affecting his work. Yubaba had seemed distant, and then smug as he and Rin said their vows.

~Flash-back~

Rin stood in front of Haku, and she smiled at him, her brown eyes wide and soft. Her mouth parted slightly, and she began, her voice settling over Haku like a favorite blanket. She took a breath, and then started. ÒHaku, for all the years IÕve known you, IÕve never thought of anyone else. YouÕve always been there for me, good times and bad, and I always want to be there for you, when you need me. I love you with all my heart, and hope that weÕll be together for the rest of our days.Ó She smiled at him, and squeezed his hand, and he felt proud and happy, with a little guilt mixed in. He didnÕt know where it came from, but he suddenly had a thought that he shouldnÕt be there. He shook his head slightly, and calmed himself. This was his wedding day; there was nothing to be worried or guilty about. He smiled back at her, his hair tied behind him (A.N: Just go with meÉ.Haku: Â_ÂÉI donÕt like where this is going! Gothic: Hah hah!) and he brushed a few wisps of hair back. ÒRin, there is no one else for me but you. You are the reason IÕm here, you are the reason IÕm alive. I love you, and I promise to take care of you forever and more.Ó As his rich voice spoke, he had had a vision of a girl around the same age, sitting up in bed, her dark hair tumbling down her back in black waves, her grey eyes wide, tears streaming down her cheeks. Then it had vanished, and all that was left was Rin.

When they had retired to his room, Haku and Rin had stared at each other for a long period of time. He felt lost, torn as if there was something else he should have been doing. He took RinÕs hands in his, and kissed them as she led him down to the bed. She kissed him passionately, and he felt the familiar lust arise, and spread down his body like fire. He reached behind her and began to undo her sash, as she pulled his shirt over his head, and ripped the silk ribbon off of his hair. His fingers stroked her soft skin, and she quivered at his touch. She grinned at him, and whispered, ÒI thank Yubaba for bringing us together.Ó He nodded, ÒSo do I, love, so do I.Ó She kissed him again, and for the rest of that night, there had been no other words, just two people expressing how much they loved each other.

~Present~

Haku sighed, and his hand curled again into a fist, tightening around the blanket. It wasnÕt fair. He loved Rin, he really did, but this girlÉShe wouldnÕt leave him alone. She was in his thoughts, her sweet voice spoke to him of love, and trust, and her fingers untangled his hair as he flew in the sky. His breathing slowed, and soon he was back in the dream, with the nameless girl holding onto him as he talked to her, her eyes pleading, telling him not to go.

****

At the same time, Chihiro was standing at the river, her heart pounding. She didnÕt even know if this would work. Her eyes were wide, and she pulled her hair back into a braid, not wanting it to get in the way. She absentmindedly tied it with the purple threads (A.N: No idea if itÕs a scrunchie or not, so go with me) and pulled out some strands of hair in front of her face, as was the style. She squared her shoulders, and began to walk across the

Riverbed, taking one rock at a time. She then walked slowly up the stairs, smelling the familiar smells of food that her father had so long ago. She smiled widely. It had worked! She was back in the Spirit World! She laughed suddenly, and stood there for a few minutes, simply hugging herself, letting the wind caress her and the sun warm her. Then, after taking a few breaths, she began to walk again, and quietly sung a tune she remembered from choir.

I will remember you,

Will you remember me?

DonÕt let your life

Pass you by,

Waiting out for

The memories.

She hoped Haku remembered her. She felt a rise of panic, and wild thoughts occurred in her head. ÔWhat if he forgot me? What if heÕs moved on? Has he found someone else?Õ She grimaced, holding on to the hope he hadnÕt done any of those things. She caught her first glimpse of the restaurants, and she forgot her worry and ran up the rest of the stairs.

As she walked among the buildings, she held her nose as not to be tempted by the food. She noticed the lights were beginning to fade slowly to grey, so she ran forward, hoping to see Kamajii and the soot balls before the sun went completely down. She had no idea what she was doing, but she held on the faith that something good would happen. Maybe she would even see Haku, and Rin! Her happiness and excitement overwhelmed her, and she ran even faster, until she got to the bridge. There she stopped, hoping to see Haku, but he wasnÕt there. She sighed, and looked around, and leaned on the bridge railing, catching her breath, and delaying going in, hoping that Haku would come out and see her. But after a few moments, she knew she shouldnÕt stay any more, so she walked slowly across the bridge, remembering everyone. She couldnÕt wait to see them.

Gothic: erÉ.umÉheeey there! Oh, and before I forget, thank you very much for all of you who replied! Very sweet and very nice! IÕm glad you all like it! J An-

Haku: I donÕt! I feel very dirty now! Ewwww!

Rin: Watch it! I donÕt want to either! UgÉNow I feel sick!

Sen: God Haku, whatÕs up with this?

Haku: IÕm sorry! IÕm not the one doing this, I swear!

Gothic: And so, for the day, I bid you all farewell!

Haku: Stupid author, making Chihiro get mad at me!

Gothic: WHATÕS THAT?

*fade of everyone bickering, and Kamajii pulling the curtains down so no one can see the embarrassing display. Bo sticks his head out and says ÒTh-Th-ThatÕs all folks!Ó*