Gothic: Aha! I am now SIXTEEN! Yay! IÕm sorry to have tortured you! I didnÕt mean to! But really quickly, just to clear something up. ÔBout the whole weird symbol thing? I canÕt control that. I write the quotation marks, but when I post them, it turns into those. IÕm really sorry! So, without further adieu, CHAPTER SIXTEEN!!!!!!!!!

Me? Own Spirited Away? Well, just the movie! No, j/k. But really folks, if I owned it, wouldnÕt I be making a new movie to satisfy our curiosity?

Waiting Ð Chapter 16

Rin stared in horror at the two people standing before her. Her mouth opened and closed, the rage in her making all coherent thought impossible. She felt like snarling and screaming to the world about her betrayal. That alone consumed her. The man that she loved more than any and every single thing had betrayed her. The anger consumed her, and she pounded her fist against the wall while biting her lip.

There they stood, his strong lean arms Ð which had held and comforted her on so many occasions- were now wrapped around her. His slender fingers splayed across her back as if trying to press her into himself. His eyes, so usually loving and caring, opened in surprise, then a hard light shone through as he leaned his head over Nami. Green strands of his hair fell across his beautiful face, giving him an air of one not to be trifled with, and mingled with the silken threads that were hers. Rin wanted to rush over and pry the two apart. She wanted to slam her hands into Nami, stamp her feet with jealousy. All she could do was stand there taking in ragged breaths, and curl her hands into fists.

As RinÕs gaze switched from her beloved husband to the girl, a sense of hatred surrounded her. How dare this girl believe that she was good enough? This seemingly innocent girl! Her eyes were tearful, her mouth was quivering slightly, her hands were clutching HakuÕs shirt, and she was leaning towards him for protection. Rin wanted to drag her away, and throw her in the dungeon where her beloved had been for years, and make that girl into a hideous beast that no one could love. She wanted to use whips and spikes to mar that perfect face, use chains to make her unable to strike back, and use hot spears and leashes and more to make this child humiliated, and never want to cross her path again. She felt only partially satisfied with the thought, and wished she could truly do what she wanted.

A thought surfaced in RinÕs mind, despite the anguish and chaos that acted for her now. //I wonder what pitiful excuse they will come up with? Perhaps they were rehearsing for a play that they were directing? Perhaps there was a demon inside of him, and she was performing an exorcism? In any case, I will find a way to cause her pain. I swear this. And I will make sure he never ever leaves me.// Her thin form trembled with extraordinary rage, and the beginnings of insanity flashed in her eyes.

She stepped forward, taking a deep breath, and pointed at the couple, her eyes narrowing, and began her tirade. ÒHow could you? HowÉ.couldÉ.you? You are my husband! Yet, here you are whoring with her! Why are you doing this to me? To us? What if I had a baby? What if I was pregnant? What would you do then? I love you and youÕre going behind my back! I hate you! I hate you! You are mine! I am your wife, though I guess that doesnÕt mean anything to you.Ó She cocked her head, tears now streaming down her eyes. She formed a twisted smile, and walked forwards again.

ÒYou are a fool to think he will stay with you! HeÕll do to you what he did to me. DonÕt believe his words of love! Nami, you and I can stay friends, just you and me. DonÕt you want that? You shouldnÕt stay with him! We can go out, find new guys!Ó She edged closer to Chihiro, making Haku very nervous. He eyed Rin warily, not trusting what she was doing.

Rin felt like a hunter stalking after her prey. Her heart was pounding, and she tried to be silent, and stealthy. She edged her left foot closer to Chihiro, while opening her arms wide. ÒI understand. ItÕs only fair,Ó whispered she, Òthat I be left behind. I have tried to be a good wife; I try to be caring and loving. And I thought you loved me in return. But I was wrong. My love wasnÕt enough.Ó Her voice trembled as she spoke, and she hoped it convinced them. Certainly the girl seemed to be more susceptible than Haku, and if she could win the girl over, Haku would soon follow. But if not, then she would simply have to kill her. It was as easy as that.

After a few more banters and pleads, Rin grew tired of the conversation. Nothing was going to happen unless she made it happen. She sighed, making it seem as if she were finally giving in to the situation. She bowed her head, and made her shoulders slump, and clasped her hands together. Raising her eyes ever so slightly, she watched the couple through her bangs. //ItÕs despicable, the way theyÕre acting. He is my husband after all. Mine. I donÕt give up easily, and you should know that by now. Fools. . . .//

She laughed quietly, trying hard to hold it in. She knew what she was going to do. She had the knife ready, and held it out before her, and took a deep breath. Her body was on fire, the insanity beginning to flow faster and faster, mixed with her anger and grief. She felt it squeeze her heart, and she gasped with the thrill of it. She loved this feeling. It made her powerful, strong, and invincible. She was more powerful than either of those two fools, and they were going to find out just what it meant to cross her.

Her dark eyes narrowed to slits, and she felt something in the back of her mind tell her that it was time to take action. Time to show who was truly in charge. She clutched the knife hard in her right hand and collapsed to the ground. She wept tears that she felt, but also showed the others that she was weak and wasnÕt going to do anything else. She wept for Haku, she wept for NamiÕs life, and she wept for herself. She heard one pair of footsteps detach and walk slowly forward.

Nami had come forward, and was three steps away. Rin let out an even sadder moan, filled with remorse, anguish, heartbreak, loss. Nami stepped even closer, and Rin could hear her breath catch in her throat. ÒRin, IÕm sorry, IÕm so sorry. It just happened. I didnÕt mean for this. I never meant to hurt you, not ever. I mean, you helped me last time I was here.Ó

Rin saw a tear drop down from the girlÕs cheek and watched as it fell down towards the ground. She glanced back at Haku, who had his eyes closed, and was facing towards the boiler, his arms around his chest, and one leg crooked. He still looked so handsome, so noble, and like the man that she married. She felt an overwhelming sadness flow through her, a sapphire ribbon threading its way through her body, almost smothered by the anger that simmered inside, but still a distinct feeling.

She tensed her body, her muscles tightening as she waited for the girl to take that one. . . last . . . step. It was a wait that took forever. Nami was standing there, looking down at her, one hand clasped to her chest, and tears dripping down her smooth pale cheeks. Rin scowled slightly as she looked. Did the damn girl pity her? Did she pity her situation for being left? She didnÕt care if that final step didnÕt come, she would strike now, and drive the knife (A.N: vroom vroom?) right into her heart. The blood would come, and the girl would crumple to the floor, an empty shell. Rin would celebrate, and dance on the blood-stained floor, hold up the dead girlÕs heart, and laugh, and sing, stomping her feet on the ground, waving her body in time, and eat from it. Hopefully then Haku would find her again, and no longer be tempted by humans. Everything would be as it was. No threats, no secret lovers, and especially not -

ÒNami,Ó An elderly voice called out slowly, becoming clearer as it came closer, ÒYubaba-sama would like to see you soon. Not now, but soon. How has everything been down here? Quiet I presume?Ó The old boiler man came slowly into the room, trying to fit his six hands in the door at once. Chihiro let out a small laugh, and covered her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle the sound. Kamajii looked up, made a small noise of contempt, and kept trying to enter through the doorway. Even Haku had to snort at what the view presented, and Rin kept herself tense, hoping that she would be able to go through with what she had planned.

As soon as Kamajii had entered (with some reluctant assistance from Chihiro and Haku), he looked around. Everything seemed in order, but there was an ominous feeling in the air. He could feel pain, suffering, anger, and death. He shuffled forwards, and turned slightly at a thumping sound. His eyes widened as he saw Rin standing slowly, her hands covered with scabs and traces of dried blood, her hair messed and tear tracks down her cheeks.

ÒWhat happened here? I left everyone so peaceful, and when I come back, what happens?Ó Chihiro bowed her head, and Haku looked away. Rin sniffed haughtily, and made to leave. Before she shut the door behind her, she looked at Haku, and whispered, ÒIÕll see you later tonight then, my darling husband?Ó Two heads turned to look at Haku, who simply nodded and turned away. Rin shut the door, and all three could hear the sounds of her feet running farther and farther away.

Chihiro leaned against the wall, and slid down until she was sitting comfortably, and leaned her head against her knees. She shut her eyes, and tried valiantly not to cry. She knew it had to end between her and Haku. Even though she loved him with all her heart and soul, she couldnÕt destroy her friend like this. Rin had helped her when she had first come to the Spirit World, and how was she repaying her? By stealing her husband.

Haku knew how she felt, and wished desperately that he could help her. He was trapped, bound by law and love. He had to stay with Rin; she was his wife, his lover, and his confidante. . . But when he was with Chihiro, all of that vanished, He was lighter, happier, and more relaxed. He suddenly wished that he wasnÕt married, and that he was still a virgin. He would have loved to give her everything of him, and taken everything of her. He would have enjoyed lying with her in the meadows, pointing out birds, staring at the sky, tickling her with blades of grass, hearing her sweet laughter, and holding her in his arms. He ached to reminisce about the first time they met, sweeping her into his embrace, and locking the door while they found out about how much they really loved one another. He would have loved those sensations. He knew what it was like, of course. But it would have been a much sweeter feeling if he had truly loved Rin. He cared for her, yes. But Chihiro made him see what he could be like, besides an assistant.

He came and knelt down besides Chihiro, and yearned to hold her. Instead he reached out a tentative hand, and stroked her hair softly until she looked up. ÒIt has to end. I canÕt hurt her like this. ItÕs not fair to you, and itÕs not fair to her. You are a married couple. You should be together.Ó She sighed, and held his hand that still cupped her cheek with her left. ÒI just wish sometimes that it could have been me,Ó she whispered.

He felt his heart expand at that thought, and smiled. ÒYou would have made a beautiful bride, Chihiro. And I would have been the luckiest man in the world.Ó Those simple words made Chihiro cry even more, but this time with love for Haku. She felt like she was letting go of the one thing she wanted in the entire world.

Kamajii cleared his throat awkwardly, and both looked up in sad silence. ÒIf two people like you cannot be together, what is the world coming to? Look, Chihiro needs to go see Yubaba-sama in an hour. Rin isnÕt likely to come back until then, and I can stand outside and keep guard if you need some time to yourselves.Ó Haku looked at Chihiro questioningly, and she looked at him and then Kamajii, and nodded.

Kamajii slowly got himself out, earning a few laughs from the teens within, and he grumbled pleasantly to himself. When the door had shut completely, Chihiro turned to Haku, and smiled sadly. He looked back at her, and sighed. He leaned forwards, and clasped her with both arms, so she was completely surrounded. He kissed her temple, and rocked her back and forth while she cried, letting everything go.

Gothic: Oh boy, IÕm sorry for taking such a break. I know you wanted to see the next chapter, and here it is! I also said that someone was going to die in this chapter, but I decided to break it up so that you would have some time with Rin. I felt this chapter was a little light, but I hope you like it. This chapter is dedicated to Kagome Chick, whoÕs been having some trouble with her story and if itÕs a copy or not. I personally like it very much, and I donÕt believe she copied it. I may get flames for this, but it is my own opinion. Anyways, IÕm leaving for camp July 20, so IÕll give you at LEAST three more chapters. HowÕs that? Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!