Gothic: Hello again! IÕm feeling inspired after a HUGE bought of writerÕs block. IÕm so sorry! But hereÕs the next chapter.

Gothic: Every day, you and I have the same conversation!

Haku: What conversation? The one where I donÕt like you?

No! I mean the one where I own you!

But you donÕt!

Um, yes I do!

No, I know that you donÕt! You own nothing!

Damn, he caught me. Actually, I had a question for every one. Do you want this to contain a lemon? I can go either way, really. So just tell me, ya?

WaitingÑChapter 17

Chihiro was afraid. She was deeply and terribly afraid. This situation had gotten more complicated than it needed to be. She sighed, and opened her eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light around her. The boiler room was exactly as it had been for the past six years. The soot balls were still working, a flowing tide of small black figures walking back and forth, carrying the heavy charcoal to and fro. She marveled at their work. They might be rebellious some times, but they kept going, doing the same routine every day, in and out. It was the same pattern, and one that they never seemed to grow tired of.

She glanced around the whole room, looking at KamajiiÕs perch, wondering what it would be like to sit up there, sleep there, eat there. Simply living life. What would it be like to stay in one place forever and ever? She felt gloomy, as if a grey blanket had been passed around her. It was a thick endless fog that made everything dull and uninteresting. It covered her eyes with a sheer film, blocking out everything exciting, everything important. It was as if she was turning into a statue. An ordinary statue. ThatÕs what she had been her whole life. Ordinary. No more. No less. //What would it have been like to be loved by everyone around you? What would it have been like to be a star? To be someone that people looked up to? IÕll never know the answer. I mean. . . we die in a matter of decades. So why should we try to succeed? WeÕll be forgotten one day, so whatÕs the point?//

She just wanted to sit there on the hard wooden floor forever, and watch life go on as it always had and always would. She would watch Haku and Rin fall back in love, she would watch their children race around the boiler room, screaming in excitement because their adopted grandfather was tickling them while still tending to the boilers like he always was. She would watch Rin and Haku die together, old and content. She would watch everyone grow old and die, and new life be reborn, while sitting in the same place, never moving. No one would notice her.

She sighed gloomily, and felt Haku put an arm around her shoulder. He always seemed to know what she was going through. She felt him pull her towards him, and hold her in his warm embrace. She pressed herself against him, and tried to hold off the current of gloomy thoughts. They wouldnÕt help her now. She had to enjoy the few moments left she had in life with Haku. Yubaba would probably tell her she was going to die, or that she was sending her to some remote place where no one could find her.

She looked up slowly at Haku, loving the rustling noise the fabric of his uniform made as her ear and cheek slid across his chest. She saw his beautiful and strong face look down at her with nothing but love in his eyes. His thin lips curved upwards in a smile, and he leaned down slowly, making her heart rush, and hot warmth spread through her body. She felt like her whole body was alive when she was with him. She wanted nothing but to touch him and be touched in return. She wanted to feel his fingers stroke her skin and make her body spasm with pleasure. She wanted him to whisper sweet words into her ear; she wanted everything that could be had with him.

Haku reached down with two fingers, and placed them on her right cheek, marveling at the soft smooth skin. It was so pale, and yet so rosy and youthful. He could see her blushing and the thought made him smile. Never in all his years did he think that he would be sitting in the boiler room with the girl he loved, while the woman he was married to was running around the bath house like a damn mad woman.

He leaned down for a quick kiss, but couldnÕt pull away. She was so sweet, so wonderful, so caring, and so kind. He wanted to hold onto her like this forever, their bodies entwined as one. Every time he felt her move or breathe, it gave him little thrills that shivered up and down his spine.

Before they could continue any further with their affections, they heard Kamajii knock on the door softly and begin to slide it open. Chihiro looked at Haku and sighed, leaning her head against his chest, and he placed his arms around her, murmuring soothing words that settled around them both like a comforting blanket.

Kamajii looked in sadly, and whispered hoarsely, ÒI hate to tell you this, but itÕs time for Chihiro to go see Yubaba-sama. Haku, you can come, or you can stay and wait. ItÕs your choice.Ó He looked away, his heart aching and throbbing in his chest. He knew this would tear them apart, and he tried to tell himself that this was all for the best. He knew that he was lying. He knew that he was doing the worst thing, but he couldnÕt stop now.

Haku looked fiercely at Kamajii, his emerald eyes staring squarely at the Spirit. He drew himself up haughtily and tightened his hold on Chihiro as he helped her up. //Nobody will ever blame me for leaving my beloved behind. When she needs me, I will be there. Not even Yubaba can take me away from her. I will stay by her side until eternity is over, until time ends. I love her with everything that I am.// ÒIÕm going with her, even if Yubaba doesnÕt approve. IÕm not leaving her now, and I never will.Ó

ÒHaku. . .Ó Chihiro looked at him with awe in her eyes. She never knew he truly loved her. SheÕd hoped so, and she prayed for it to happen, but inside, she had never believed that he would. Not since. . .Óyou married Rin,Ó she mouthed. She felt a twist of shame inside of her. It started small, but then grew larger and larger as she thought of all the times they must have copulated, or all the times they must have done equally satisfying things. It made her feel dirty, and evil, and a toy. She felt disgusted by those facts. She felt sickened, and horrified at what she had done.

Haku lead Chihiro up the stairs that kept turning ever so slightly, taking the back ways up to YubabaÕs office. He held her hand tight, wanting to assure her that there was someone who truly cared for her. He looked back slightly and saw her saddened and grieving face. Turning around, he placed both hands on her cheeks, cupping her face and lifting it up towards him.

ÒChihiro, IÕm here for you. No matter what happens afterwards, and no matter what she says, IÕll be here, always and forever.Ó

She looked up at him sadly, and whispered, ÒBut how can you be sure? How can you be sure that weÕll be together?Ó

ÒThis is true love. You think this happens every day? I love you, and IÕm not going to leave you ever.Ó He smiled down at her, and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. She gave a small and tentative grin in return, and they continued to walk forwards.

None noticed the eyes following every movement, and none noticed the foul look they gave off when Haku spoke to Chihiro. None noticed the dark shadow flitting from place to place behind them, drawing ever closer to their target. It was as if a breeze had come through, and had left its mark upon the happy couple.

As they neared YubabaÕs office, Kamajii slowed down, his bones creaking and snapping (A.N: You know. . .tendons and stuff) while he panted slightly. A layer of perspiration shined on his forehead, and his mouth was slightly agape. ÒI cannot go much further. You two go on ahead, and IÕll be here when you get out. Good luck Chihiro.Ó //My grand daughter, please forgive me, for what I have done is a thing that shall destroy you. I hope somehow you will conquer this spell, and strive forward, rising up to meet any challenge. I know you can do it.//

Chihiro waved to Kamajii and smiled at her adopted grandfather, not knowing that something was about to occur, something that would change life for the worst. Not even Haku could sense the tangible anger in the air. He couldnÕt feel the malice and the hatred that was sent his way, or the pounding heart that with every beat wished for his death, and wished desperately to cause him unimaginable amounts of pain.

As soon as Chihiro and Haku stepped through the first door, the shadow slipped away, and a low chuckle began to rise out from the twisted mouth. The dangers, the suspense, it all made the limbs feel stronger, faster, and more agile. There was a feeling of evil surrounding the body, of excitement, and of imminent risk. Something made the body move forward, something whispered into the ear of death, of blood, of life fading from glassy eyes. Something made the knife raise in the hand, shaking slightly as the fingers stroked the blade lovingly, whispering words of forgiveness and redemption.

A little scuffle of dust caught KamajiiÕs eye, and an instinct told him that someone was there with him. He turned slightly to the side to peer into the dusty sunlit room, but he could see no one. His pulse began to race slightly, and he felt his breath become a little quicker. Hair began to rise on his neck, and his eyes widened slightly as he saw someone come forward slowly out of the dark like a looming figure, a cat about to pounce on itÕs favorite mouse.

As he turned, it was at that time that the shadow-figure decided to strike. He had to die for he had seen who had been behind him, and he had seen the look in their eyes. They were narrow and hard, no glint of kindness within. The mouth was twisted in a scowl leering down at him, all teeth showing.

ÒHello, dear Kamajii. You have been doing such a wonderful job promoting those two to be together. You must really care for that whore. Well, if you care for her so much, would you be willing. . . to . . . die for her?Ó

ÒRin! What are you doing? Rin! Rin!Ó His breath became shorter and shorter as the knife slid in and out of his body, introducing the inside of his body to the fresh air. Soon there was nothing left of the former Kamajii that people would recognize. He was dead.

Gothic: IÕM SO SORRY ABOUT NOT WRITING. IÕm so sorry. IÕm really evil. I hate me. Shame on me. You can all yell at me. But itÕs updated, itÕs here. And IÕm going to go camping tomorrow. Shoot me. Oh well, IÕll just be going along my daily boring life and hoping you all tell me what you think. Tah tah!