Gothic: WowÉI am going to cry. You have given me so many great reviews. I feel so happy! I meanÉTHANK YOU! You donÕt know how it touched me. I will try really hard to update at LEAST twice a week, just to make up for the month that I will be gone for French camp. You know what sucks? I have to wake up at likeÉ..four in the morning to get ready for my flight that leaves at SIX IN THE MORNINGÉ..how lovely. And when I get there, I have to wait three hours for the camp to come pick us all up. I will miss you all so much when I go. But IÕll get good ideas! If you want me to email you when I get back so that you can all go look at my story, just leave a review with your email, and IÕll say goodbye and all, and then when I get back, IÕll give you all a big hello! Now, on with the story!

And we ALL know I donÕt own Spirited Away.

WaitingÑChapter 14

Kamajii sighed as he wandered down the endless maze of hallways. They all were so dark, and they all looked alike. There were the same workers, talking about who-knows-what gossip, laughing with their friends, running around helping Spirits, yelling at each other. It was all the same thing. Nothing ever changed here. The same monotonous tune was played, day after day, week after week. It was one endless motion. It had continued that way, until Chihiro had arrived. She was a bright light, a beacon for all of the dreary souls here. She presented them with emotions and actions that the Spirits had either never seen or had forgotten. She was truly happy, she showed loyalty, courage, love, a desire to help others. And now, here he was, her guardian, her ÒgrandfatherÓ going to the very person who had caused her initial unhappiness. He was going to the person who had hurt her parents, tortured the one she had loved. And why was he going to her?

//Because I donÕt want her to get hurt again. ThatÕs why IÕm going! If she remembers, she will just keep hoping. If she keeps hoping, then she will keep trying.// He repeated this over and over, trying to force himself to believe it. He stubbornly kept going, even though a small voice in his mind laughed, telling him he was doing a very ludicrous thing. He grunted, and wished very much that he could just turn back, that he could go to Chihiro, and tell her everything, and know that she would just continue with what she was doing, and not go to Yubaba, and cause her to get angry.

//If she knew that Haku was tortured, I can only imagine what she would do. It would cause a disaster. She would be beaten herself. I canÕt have this happen. I must continue on. This is the only way.// The only way. He scratched his head, and smiled softly, as he thought of Chihiro. This was the only thing he could do to prevent that beautiful smile that lit up the world around her turning to a frown that made the whole world seem grey and meaningless.

Finally, he reached YubabaÕs door. Taking a deep breath, he reached up to knock. As he did so, a chill ran over his entire body, a shadow stroking him with cold fingers, the knowledge that something was going to happen planting itself firmly in his brain. Somehow, there was a feeling of doom. Shaking himself, Kamajii reached up, and knocked.

ÒWhy are you out of the boiler room, old man? Well, come in. But make it quick!Ó The door opened, and Kamajii hesitantly took a small step inside. Fearing the worst, he began to walk, his limbs tense with fright, knowing that Yubaba might kill him for what he was asking. He braced himself for anything.

After a few minutes of walking, he stepped in front of her main door. She was just a few steps away. All he had to do was to ask her for this favor. //ItÕs just a simple thing. ThereÕs nothing to be afraid of. NOTHING.// He cleared his throat for the thousandth time.

ÒAre you going to come in, you old fool, or should I come out and drag you in?Ó Her voice was cross, which wasnÕt a good sign. He had to go through with this, even if she was upset. Curling two of his hands into fists, he opened the door with a third, gazing at the immense wood, colored red (not unlike blood, he noticed), and pushed his way in.

He blinked, adjusting his eyes to the darkened room. ÒWell? Come you old bat, tell me what you want. The sooner you talk the sooner you can leave, and then I will be happy. What these workers put me through. I wonder why.Ó Kamajii stood there, nearly paralyzed to the spot. His mouth felt dry, and he had to open and close his jaw a few times just to make sure he still had a mouth.

ÒYubaba-sama, I come to you on a plea concerningÉ.Nami. I donÕt believe you know the whole truth about her. She has been here before.Ó His rough voice rolled around the whole room, and as he spoke, YubabaÕs face whipped towards him, her eyes wide for a few seconds. Then recovering herself, she blinked, and snapped, ÒContinue you old oaf! Who is she?!Ó

Kamajii sighed, suddenly weary. ÒShe is Chihiro, Yubaba-sama. And before you sentence her, she has already signed a contract with me. She is legally my worker. I have come before you to ask that you erase her memory of Haku, as you have done to him. It would make this whole matter better. No more bickering, no more worrisome behavior from your assistant. DonÕt you believe this is so?Ó His voice had decreased in volume, and by the time he had asked the last question, his voice was a whisper.

Yubaba smiled, then broke into laughter. //This is great! I can erase her memory, and she will become a servant forever. This is great! Finally I will earn back the money she stole!// She coughed once, and smoothed her skirts before continuing with her speech. ÒI believe this will work. Bring her before me tonight, and I will have the potion ready. And I will have Haku there just to witness this. I will expect her here at 7:00 sharp. Now leave, and go back to the boiler room where you belong, you old coot!Ó

Kamajii bowed once, then retreated. As he slowly walked back, he suddenly felt older than before. He knew it was a horrible thing he was going to do. He bowed his head. //Chihiro, my grand-daughter. Please forgive me for what I have done.//

Chihiro felt her heart pound in her chest as she stared at Haku. He was so close to her, so very very close. His arms were still spread, his hands reaching towards her. She stepped closer, holding out her own hands to meet his. Their fingers entwined, and he pulled her closer to him. She slid forwards with an audible gasp, and tensed as he held her close.

ÒTell me, because I need to know. I need to know everything.Ó His eyes closed as he stroked her hair, relishing in the touch, dying in the smell. She placed her arms about his waist, feeling his strong heartbeat. ÒWho does it beat for?Ó She whispered.

ÒWhat?Ó He glanced down at her, curiosity in his emerald eyes. ÒWho does what beat for?Ó Chihiro looked up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. A strong urge to kiss her came over him, and he leaned just a small bit lower, feeling a spark of energy.

She came up on her tiptoes to meet his lips, hovering just an inch away from them. She could feel his breath on her cheek, and she felt tingly all over. This was so right, and so wrong at the same time. ÒYour heart. Who does your heart beat for?Ó

Haku drew his hands upwards, feeling her waist, her back, her arms, her neck, and her cheeks. ÒIt beats for a girl. Someone who wears all of the same color. She stays in the boiler room. I donÕt know why, but I think IÕm starting to truly care for her. Can you help me find her? I think she has answers for me.Ó

Chihiro felt her heart burst at those words. Tears formed in her eyes, and at that moment, she would have done anything for him. She pushed herself upwards, her hands on his shoulders, and kissed his cheek. His cheek was so soft, and she lingered there, her lips firmly against the flesh.

ÒNamiÉ..Ó He placed his forehead on hers, and closed his eyes. They stayed like that for a few minutes, each feeling like it was the best place, the only place that they should be. Then Chihiro knew that it was time. It was time to tell him who she really, truly was.

ÒChihiroÉ..Ó She spoke the name clearly, and confidently.

ÒWhat?Ó He opened his eyes, and looked down at her, puzzled.

ÒThatÕs my name. Chihiro Ogino. (A.N. Is that right???) Namiko isnÕt really who I am. My name is Chihiro. But you would probably know me better as Sen.Ó

ÒSen?Ó //But thatÕs the name of that humanÉ.the one whom the Spirits talk about. How can that be her?//

Gothic: Okay. This seems to be rushing a little, so IÕm trying really hard to slow it down. Flowers, anyone? *hands each reader and reviewer their favorite flower* I think this is going well, donÕt you? Well, if you have any suggestions, or comments, or flames, you know where to leave them. Thank you again, and may your own stories be wonderful. ^_^ giggles at how lovely the reviewers areÉ.