Gothic: OMG! I love you all SOOO much! I love your reviews and suggestions. And to those who said that I might be sick of their talking too much, or whatever, YOU ARE SO WRONG! I love hearing what ever you have to say, how ever long or short! And thanks for the support about the braces. IÕm feeling better, but IÕm just sad about the whole no gum thing. Oh well, hereÕs the story! Oh, and the whole thing with the weird symbolsÉmy computer wonÕt let me do quotation marks, apparently, so IÕm trying to change itÉ.I donÕt own Spirited Away. Damnit! Or I would distribute it to every fan around the world!

Waiting Ð Chapter 12

Rin had seen the damned girl leave, and had watched as Haku had followed. She stood by the doorway for some time afterwards, her nails burrowing their way deep into her hands. She didnÕt want to believe this was happening. She wouldnÕt believe it. She shook her head twice, hoping that this simple motion would clear away all of her doubts.

A deep pain began to spread throughout her whole body. It started with her heart, sending thoughts of neglect and abandonment. Flowing through her chest, it tightened her lungs with an iron band until she couldnÕt breathe; flashing pictures of what was to come. It sent jealousy through her whole body, whispering of men who will cheat, have affairs and leave their wives all alone.

Rin stood frozen to the spot, her heart beating frantically, and with each beat, a name appeared in her mind. //Nami Nami Nami// One hand clawed the air, imagining her nails ripping NamiÕs perfect skin, damaging her eyes, those grey eyes that seemed so sad, but never to see again. She imagined her nails going through the girlÕs parted lips and down to the chin, slashing at the slender neck so she could end the girlÕs pitiful existence.

The idea was so intoxicating that Rin began to laugh. She threw back her head, the dark strands of her hair flowing through the air, shining in the afternoon sun. Her arms were spread wide from her body, her palms and fingers reaching towards the sky. Still laughing, she opened the door, passing by two younger workers, who looked sideways at each other, one flicking her blonde hair behind her shoulder, peeking through the open doorway. No one was there. The room was dark and empty, only a few beams of sunlight piercing through the oppressing feeling of the room. The girls stared for a while in shocked silence. Suddenly, the shorter girl shrieked, and raised her hand. It was trembling slightly, the pale hand callused from hard work, and had smears of crimson blood. They looked at the doorknob, and saw more dripping off of the handle. The blonde girl looked back towards Rin, suddenly afraid. She shivered, and closed her eyes.

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Chihiro spent the rest of the day smiling. She couldnÕt help it. She knew she should be so happy, but it still swelled up inside her. She wanted to hum, sing, twirl, and laugh. Haku cared about her. The very memory brought a blush to her cheeks. She giggled slightly, and then ducked her head as Kamajii raised his eyebrows at her.

ÒMy dearÉ..Nami, what has gotten you so happy?Ó He had a feeling he already knew, and if the answer was that indeed, there were going to be some hard times headed this way. He grimaced; ready to explain everything he could, his hands coming slowly towards her, ready to hold her in his embrace. His heart couldnÕt take much more of her suffering. She was his adopted granddaughter, and had to protect her. Even the soot balls paused in their work, and gathered close. Kamajii didnÕt yell at them as he usually did. In fact, he didnÕt even notice, so worried was he over her.

Chihiro looked up at him, her eyes filled with joy. ÒHe remembers me! On some level deep inside, he actually cares for me. I know thereÕs a way we could be together. IsnÕt there?Ó Her voice was so hopeful, a soaring bird made of light flying high.

Kamajii couldnÕt bear to look her in the eyes. //She is so happy, like she always was. SheÕll believe there is a way, even if there is none.//A thought as quick as a butterflyÕs wing passed through his mind, and it was impossible to shake it away. //What if she was forced to see that there truly is no way for this to happen? What if she saw Haku and Rin in their element? Or what if I took her to see Yubaba? What if Yubaba did to her what she did to Haku? If she forgot her past with Haku, she wouldnÕt be so heartbroken.//

All that he had to do now was to figure a way for her to see Yubaba. He needed this to happen. He couldnÕt see her go through this. This way, all parties would be happy. Haku could live his life with Rin, and Chihiro could find someone who truly loved her. He sighed, and leaned his head against an elongated arm, his fingers tapping his cheek, trying to find an answer.

ÒNami? I need to go see Yubaba for a moment. Could you take care of any baths while IÕm away? Can I trust you to do this?Ó ChihiroÕs head snapped up, and her eyes widened. She took a breath, and thought, while Kamajii stared, and the soot balls jumped up and down, giving her their support. She laughed quietly, then nodded.

ÒIÕm your girl, Sir!Ó He rose and walked on his six hands to the door, and crouched, pushing one hand through, then another, and another, until finally the last hand was out, and he pushed himself through. Chihiro clapped a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle as she watched. When he was through, he turned back, and waved to her, shutting the door as he did so.

Haku walked along the hallway, sensing that he had been here before long ago. But his memory gave him the vision of himself running, and he had no idea why he would do that. Then he looked behind himself, and saw the girl. She was holding onto his hand, her ponytail flapping in the wind, her long legs trying not to trip. She stared at him, and he could see she was afraid. They were running, running, down to where he now stood, and went past him. ÒThe boiler room,Ó he whispered. So, he had taken the girl down to Kamajii. So then Kamajii knew who she was! And the girl he had seen, Nami, she was the girl in his visions.

He pounded his hand into a wall, and growled. Closing his eyes, he tried to calm himself, taking in deep breaths. He was calm for a few minutes, leaning against the wall, when he heard someone scuttle past him. He quickly opened his eyes, about to protest that spirits were not allowed, when he saw none other than Kamajii . ÒKamajii-san! What are you doing here? Why are you out of the boiler room? WhoÕs taking care of the bath water while youÕre out here?!Ó

Kamajii never turned around, just kept going, his voice getting fainter and fainter as he replied, ÒIÕm going to see Yubaba about something. DonÕt ask what, it doesnÕt concern you. NamiÕs taking care of everything while IÕm gone.Ó As Haku watched, the old man scuttled around, then went in the elevator. Haku sighed, then turned towards the way that Kamajii had come.

//SheÕs alone. I can talk to her now. I want to ask her everything! I want to hold her, entangle my hand in hers, press myself against her. I want to kiss her, proclaim my love. I would, and I could. But alas for my dear wife, Rin. She would be heart broken if I did such a thing.// He stepped forwards, finding his way to the door that would lead him to Nami.

He knocked, and slid open the door to see Nami laughing with the soot balls, with them trying to catch her, and her running around the room, until she turned, and saw Haku. ÒHaku! What in the world are you doing down here? I mean, K-my master is not here at this time.Ó He stepped towards her, his arms out.

ÒI didnÕt come here to see him. I came here to see you. I need to talk to you. I want to know why I keep seeing you in my dreams. I want to know why I think about you every day. I want to know why I canÕt remember my life before I fell in love with Rin. I need to know the answers. IÕve been waiting for you to come, so you can tell me.Ó

Gothic: Wow! Long chappie. But again, thank you so much for all the reviews! It means so much to me! Anyways. I have most of the plot figured out. This will be a long story, but IÕll either have to do many many updates until late July, and then there will be a pause for a month, and IÕll write a bit in French camp and there will be a massive update when I get backÉ.Or IÕll go at a leisurely pace, trying to make the story stay good, and there will be a pause and massive updates when I get back. Up to you! I LOVE YOU PPL! *hands out roses to all readers and reviewers*