Gothic: Woot. Well, since I have nothing to do, IÕm doing this. IÕm feeling really lazy right now, but since I love you readers and reviewers so much IÕm writing. Well, I donÕt want to keep you here reading my blah blah blahÕs, so on with the story! Oh yeah, and IÕm SIXTEEN! WAHOO!

Must I always repeat myself? Me no own the wonderful anime Spirited Away. So I can keep my money, and you keep your suing ideas to yourself! J

WaitingÑChapter 15

Haku didnÕt understand what Nami was saying to him. His stomach was tensed, and he felt nauseous. The room was spinning, faster and faster, until the whole world seemed to be a hurricane of colors combining, and only Nami and himself were standing still. Her lips were parted, and he could hear the intake of her breath. He could even hear her heart beat, the sound filling the room, under his feet, up in the high corner of the ceiling, from the little holes of the soot balls, from the door, from KamajiiÕs work area (A.N: you know, where he sitsÉthat high thingy.). He began to tremble violently.

He grew very hot, until the perspiration ran down him, and then very cold, until his teeth chattered. He could hear his own heart frantically pumping blood, a drumming sound that was disturbing even in itself and seemed to start a new and unwelcome stage of torment. The drumming continued even as he calmed down, and then there was a series of people laughing. It was as if the walls, the ceiling, and all of the wooden objects were laughing at his predicament. Then, an extraordinary sense of vertigo seized him. Something was holding on tight to his waist, and he was on a tiny platform in space, and it was spinning faster and faster. All around him was nothing. Sick and helpless, he hid his face, but he could feel his platform tipping, tipping. . . .

He opened his eyes, turned around, and saw nothing but darkness. For some reason, he was terrified of this darkness. He could feel something watching him through the dusty velvet darkness. He knew it could see him, for as he struggled with whatever it was that bound him to where he was, he could hear the thing give a little snigger. His feet were skittering against something slick and wet. It was thicker than water, and his heart gave a little jump.

It was blood. . . . his blood. . . .

He could feel tatters of his uniform brush against his bare skin, creating goose bumps. He shivered slightly, the very motion making him queasy. There was a reason he was here. There was someone he was fighting for. There was something that he wanted to do. But what it was, he couldnÕt remember.

What ever it was that was watching him stepped closer. The sound of silk and lace sliding across the stone floor making him recoil. There was a hoarse laughter, and what ever it was clucked at him. ÒYou insolent fool. You will never leave here alive unless I will it. You have thousands of dollars to make up to me. You are a disgrace to the Spirit Realm!Ó

With that, a slicing sound cut through the air, and a slap was heard on his skin. The pain came quickly, as a feeling of familiarity. //I know this place. This seems so familiar. But how? Why does it seem like IÕve been here? And what in the world is she doing here? Why am I being punished?//

ÒYou stupid fool! You allowed her to escape! And with her parents, no less! That stupid Sen owes me thousands, as do you! You bent the rules for a stupid human! Do you have a reason? Are you in love with her?Ó Yubaba sneered as she stepped closer, holding up a small sphere of light, letting Haku see the evil smile that flickered across her face.

ÒSen. . .Ó He gasped. Images of a younger girl who looked almost identical to Nami flowed through his mind. She was standing on the railing of the bridge, looking at him in surprise, the sunlight highlighting her features. She was huddled in a corner, her body see-through, then looking up at him with mistrust, and finally hope and desperation. She cried, her hands covering her eyes as she wept for her parents, she flew with him through the night sky. She had given him back his name. She had asked for his promise that they would meet again. Her small hand had slipped out of his, and he had wished desperately that she wouldnÕt go. But she had, and his heart had broken.

She was Chihiro and she was Nami. He was with her again. His heart swelled, and he laughed. Even as the whip came down, that familiar sound and familiar pain that he had experienced for the past six years, he laughed. He gasped as he laughed, tears streaming down his cheeks. ÒHaku?Ó He looked, and Yubaba mouthed the name, but her voice wasnÕt harsh. It was that of a sweet girl by the name of Chihiro.

ÒHaku?Ó He opened his eyes to see Chihiro looking worriedly at him, her eyes furrowed with concern. He looked down, and the soot balls were all gathered, staring at him and swaying as they squeaked. He felt something beneath his head, and brushed his hand against it. He blushed as he realized that it was ChihiroÕs legs.

ÒChihiro,Ó he breathed. ÒIs it you? I mean, is it really you?Ó

ÒYes Haku, it is I.Ó She was smiling as she spoke, her voice tender and sweet. He sat up slowly, ChihiroÕs hands on his back, helping him. He turned, and saw her grey eyes shining with tears. He reached out a hand, and with his thumb stroked her cheek, and wiped away her tears.

ÒItÕs okay now, Chihiro. I remember. I remember everything. I even remember your little pink shoe.Ó He smiled, watching as she laughed. It felt so good to be with her. As they sat there, his hand remained on her cheek. His free hand clasped her left hand, and she squeezed it. He leaned closer to her, his heart pounding, the pleasure of what was happening surrounding him. All thoughts of Rin banished from his head, the girl before him his only concern. He knew he loved her. He knew he would never ever let her go.

Before he knew what was happening, he was leaning closer and closer, until their lips touched briefly, softly. Her lips were full, and she tasted like sweet sugar, something he could never get enough of. He moved his hand down from her cheek to her neck, and down past her arms to her slender waist. He gripped her and pulled her closer, wanting to make up for all the years he missed.

Her arms had the same idea (A.N: @_@) as they held him closer, and they became more involved in the kiss, any risk of being seen swept away in the passion of the moment. This is truly what he wanted. He wanted to be with her, he wanted to grow old with her, he wanted to have children with her, build his home with her, grow old with her.

He kept on kissing her, not wanting to stop. But his lungs, which by this time were burning for air forced him to stop. They both came up, gasping, and grinning sheepishly. Chihiro smiled as she looked down modestly, and Haku put his arm around her shoulders. They both were blushing furiously as she leaned into his embrace, her left hand entwining her fingers with his, as she spoke. ÒI missed you, and I was afraid you werenÕt coming. I thought you wouldnÕt keep your promise to me.Ó

Haku sighed. He knew this would come up, and he knew she was hurt. ÒIÕm sorry,Ó he whispered as he looked down, still holding on tight. ÒI tried. Please believe me. But Yubaba was furious with me. She locked me up in a dungeon, and. . .Ó He swallowed painfully, unable to continue with that description. He felt a tightening from Chihiro, and smiled as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, and held him close. ÒI tried to contact you, if it helps.Ó

Chihiro nodded. ÒI remember. You looked so pale. You looked lost, and scared. I was so worried about you. I couldnÕt think about anything else.Ó She felt tears come to her eyes, and she wiped them away. Haku stood suddenly, and helped her up. He surrounded her with his arms, and he held on tight.

ÒPromise me something, Haku?Ó He nodded, and rested his cheek against the top of her head. ÒPromise youÕll never forget again? And never leave?Ó She buried her face in his chest, feeling the strength, the confidence.

ÒIÕll never leave you, Chihiro. And there will never be a need to worry. Never again. IÕm with you now, always.Ó He put a hand underneath her chin, and tilted her face so he looked up at him. His heart burst as he saw the smile on her face, and the love in her eyes. He leaned down, and gave her a quick kiss, and felt her smile against him.

Just then, the door burst open, and the two looked up, Haku holding Chihiro close, as she clutched on to his shirt. When they saw who it was, Chihiro shut her eyes, and Haku stiffened. The person screamed suddenly, and leaped forwards.

ÒLiar! Liar! Betrayer! Whore!Ó

ÒRin?Ó

Gothic: @_@ Woot. Well. This is hard. I mean, IÕm trying to slow it down, and still keep the plot moving. Tomorrow is my birthday. Yay. Well, by the time this chapter shows up, it probably will be tomorrow. 6/29/87 I was born. Yup. The world had NO idea what it was up against! ^_^ Anyways, hereÕs the next chapter for all of you! And thank you to all the wonderful reviewers, and to all those who read my fic, even if you DONÕT review. IÕm hoping you like it so far? Anyways, in the next chappie, something bad is going to happen to one of the characters. Stay tuned to find out who!