Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away

Chapter five: The reward

I couldn't sleep at all that night. I tossed and turned in bed watching the moonlight come through a crack in my curtains. Just thinking about tomorrow made me nervous. Finally after what seemed to be forever I slept.

* * *

I woke the morning with the sun shining in my eyes. I looked at my watch. Ten o'clock. I got up, took a shower, dressed myself and watched the day pass. It was the first Monday of our summer holiday and mum and dad had gone to visit my aunt in the country. She had got cancer apparently and by the looks of it they were going to be gone all week.

   It felt as though I had entered a land where time stood still. The clock ticked on and the day slowly wore itself out. At five o'clock I decided to work on my datewear. I took out everything in my cupboard and laid it out on my bed, my table and the floor. I tried everything on one by one trying to match shirts with trousers, trousers with shoes, shoes with skirts and skirts with tops. Nothing suited .Everything suited. I ended up on the bed hugging my knees.

Then I saw it.

Amongst the sea of black, blue and red was a small shimmer of white. I picked it up. It was dress with a green shawl bought a few years back, when the Spirit World was still a memory. It reminded me of Haku in his dragon form. After putting on my dress I worked on my make-up and hair. fifteen minutes later I was on the street on my way to the park.

On my way I caught sight of myself in a shop window.

Oh god.

I looked a mess with my make-up over done and my hair sticking up in the wrong places. I rushed in to the nearest toilet and started to scrub my face clean. After all traces of mascara, eye-shadow, and lip gloss were gone, I took my hair out of its bun I had tied it in and started to comb it through with my fingers. There was nothing to about my dress and there was no time to go back and change. I just wish I had thought before I acted.

 The first thing I saw in the park was Haku looking handsome in jeans and a blue shirt

Meet me tomorrow in the park

He never meant a date. I felt like an idiot. Taking a deep breath I walked towards him

" Hi" I said hoarsely.

" Hey" he replied.

And that was about all we said to each other.

We walked in silence for like a twenty minutes but I seemed like forever.

 " H-how are everyone back in the bathhouse?"  I asked. Anything to break the silence.

" They're alright I suppose," he said. " They all miss you. Even Yubaba. She's retiring now, leaving the bathhouse to me since Bou's still too young."

I nodded. " Wont the be a big responsibility though? Being in charge of the bathhouse, I mean?"

He chuckled heartily. " Yeah it will, but if she can do it, then so can I."

" What made you come back here?" I whispered. I regretted it immediately after I said it. It made him feel as though he was unwelcome. He paused, sitting down on a bench and I sat next to him staring at my feet.

" It was Rin and Bou mostly. When Yubaba said that you had forgotten about us, I stubbornly disagreed. But then Zeniba said the same and even Kamajii agreed. I got the form in the end and Rin told me that if I didn't come back saying I've recovered your memory, I shouldn't come back at all. With that in mind I got really determined"

I stared at my feet. I don't think I ever felt so guilty in my life before.

" But it wasn't just Rin's threat that made me come." He continued "It was… something else."

"What?"

"Love" he murmured.

It was hardly audible but I heard it. I blushed violently and I think he did too. I sat stunned totally lost for words.

" I don't know what to say." I whispered quietly

" You don't have to say anything."

He placed his hand under my chin tilting my head towards him. He lowered his face close to mine and with a sudden feeling of panic I realized what was happening. Our lips met, and the feeling of a dream come true suddenly hit me. How long had I been waiting for this? Only then did I realize that love doesn't have to be a punishment. It can also be a reward.

A/N: Well??? I'm sorry for the delay but I've a lot on my hands right now, like exams and essays. According to me the story is getting worse every chapter 'cause I'm not really putting my best effort into it. Oh and there's also something I'd like you guys to vote. I don't if I want to end the story now or end it later, so it's up to you guys to decide( if the story ends later the ending will be very sad). Thnx and pls R&R.