Gothic: Mwah ha ha ha! I am done with school for the week! I am SOOOO happy! Hee hee.

Haku: SAY IT ALREADY!

Gothic: NO!

Haku: SAY IT! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SAY IT!

Gothic: noÉ.

Haku: IÕll bat my eyes at you and be sexy!

Gothic: YOU GOT IT! Okay. I donÕt own spirited awayÉ.

Waiting --- Chapter 10

Haku paced back and forth in his room. Rin was supposed to meet him fifteen minutes ago, and now he had a strange message from a runner (A.N. Basically a messenger) who said that she was helping KamajiiÕs new assistant! He glared at the mirror, where an uptight 17 year old stared back. His skin was pale for some reason, and his back hurt on some occasions. He was confused by all this, and by the girl in his dreams. He knew something was happening, but he didnÕt know what it was. He walked over to the window, and leaned an elbow there, his chin resting in his cupped hand. The window was open, so a slight breeze came in and stirred his hair. He sighed, and closed his eyes. ÔI need to just go with whatÕs happening. What ever happens will happen for a reason.Õ

He looked up as he heard feet coming towards him. They made a shake every time they stepped, so he knew it had to be Bo. The now five-year old child was still the same height, but fortunately for all he had lost some weight. Haku sighed, and opened the door as Bo walked in. He stared down at the older man, and didnÕt blink. Haku stared back, confused, not knowing what was going on.

The younger child spoke, his voice high, but still filled up the entire room. ÒHaku, why do you lie to yourself? ItÕs not going to last!Ó Haku gave Bo a look of irritation, and waved his hand. ÒBo, donÕt ask questions you donÕt need to know the answers to. IÕve given up playing your silly games.Ó Bo flinched, and his eyes began to water. Haku rolled his eyes slightly, and reached out his arms. ÒBo, I didnÕt mean it. IÕm just frustrated. IÕm wondering about my wife, have you seen her?Ó BoÕs face brightened, and he nodded.

Clearing his throat, he began, twisting his fingers in his sleeve, and dragging his right shoe along the ground. ÒRin said for me to tell you that sheÕll be up as soon as she could with the new assistant of KamajiiÕs. She said that you are going to have to look after her, cos Mamma said so, and sheÕs not to be treated unf-unÉÓ

Haku tapped his hand on his other arm, and huffed slightly. ÒYou mean unfairly?Ó Bo nodded, and he groaned. This was an assignment he could do without! But orders were orders, and he could hear his wifeÕs loud voice now. She was saying something to a new girl apparently, because a higher, softer voice could be heard every now and then, laughing at something Rin said.

Haku moved away from Bo as the door opened, and the two women came through. One was his own Rin, wearing her usual uniform, and another, as he expected, wearing the exact uniform, but black, with black arm guards and a head cover that masked everything but her eyes. He stared, trying to unnerve the girl, but she merely looked away towards Bo, who knew her before anyone else.

****************

Chihiro still felt the shock of what Rin said. ÔHeÕs a good man, my HakuÉÕ She was shocked, hurt, betrayed. She couldnÕt deny it, she had to believe it. There was the ring on RinÕs finger. As they walked towards HakuÕs room, it was all she could do to stop her heart from flying out of her chest, and crying right then and there. She hoped it wasnÕt the truth, but Rin hadnÕt lied.

The door to HakuÕs room was blue, and she stared at it, remembering the combination of the blue of the midnight sky, and the blue of HakuÕs hair as they flew towards the bathhouse. But that was all over now. As the door swung forwards, she saw him standing there, his face scowling as it did the first time she talked to him in front of Yubaba. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, and he was leaning against the window. She felt a lump in her throat, and it was hard to swallow. All she wanted to do was run up and hug him, laughing, but she couldnÕt. He was married. She turned, and saw Bo. ÔHeÕs so much older than before. I hope HE remembers me!Õ She bowed to him, and before he could talk, she spoke quietly, not removing the mask from her face. ÒI am pleased to be able to work here. I promise to work hard, and to be dedicated in my duties. My name is Nami. Pleased to meet you both.Ó

She took a quick glance at Haku, whoÕs beautiful green eyes seemed to have widened slightly, and his fingers were more tightly wrapped around himself. Bo bowed in return, and introduced himself. Chihiro bowed in return, and took another glance at the dragon-boy who had betrayed her. His hair was a bit longer, his face was pale, he was skinnier, as if he hadnÕt enough to eat. She wished she could help. She wishedÉso much to kiss him. But she couldnÕt do any of it.

ÒRemoveÉremove your mask.Ó She looked up at Haku, and then at Rin, who moved towards her husband. She kissed him quickly on the lips, and he seemed responsive, but Chihiro noticed a stiffness in his posture. Then Rin put her arm around his waist and smiled. ÒComon, Nami, he doesnÕt biteÉ.hard!Ó She laughed, and Chihiro clenched her fist. She felt angry, and stupid. ÔHaku never said he loved me, and we didnÕt exactly have a relationship. So why do I feel so jealous?Õ She backed away from HakuÕs staring emerald eyes, shaking her head, and cleared her throat.

ÒIÕm afraid my Master will want me to return. I was pleased to meet you both.Ó Taking one last glance at Haku, she bowed again, and hastily retreated. All the way down the stairs she cried, thankful that no one could see her tears. She could hear shouting from above, and people running after her, but she didnÕt stop. She couldnÕt. She had to get away, back to the boilers. She would be dedicated, alright. She wouldnÕt even come out. She couldnÕt face Haku again. It hurt too much.

When she finally came to the boiler room, she threw open the door, and ran to Kamajii. She sobbed there, kneeling on the floor, Kamajii beside her, stroking her back, her hair, and her arms, hoping to calm her down. She stayed that way for a long time, thinking about Haku, and how he had betrayed her trust.

Gothic: Lousy lousy chapter. But IÕm glad you all have liked it so far. Anyways, I would really like suggestions on how this ends, because so far I have two ideas. One: They get in a huge fight and she does something, and then he comes after her, and they fall in love again and go against Yubaba, or, Two: She ignores him until he comes down himself, demanding she talk to him, and she refuses, he persuades her, they talk, fall in love, and then he regains his memory and they have a happy ending. Ya? No? You decide! *points at readers*