Disclaimer: Sorry 'bout that, but I do not own Spirited Away.

Fond Memories
by Uenki

Chapter Three – Misunderstandings

"Chihiro! Chihiro!" Haku cried, quickened his pace to catch up with the girl. Suddenly, she halted to a stop and turned back, the crystal-liked tears beads fell from her eyes. His eyes widened from the sudden flush of emotion, yet he find no voice in his words. He rose up a hand and reached out for her shoulder, but she took a step backwards.

"I… I came here to find you… But… But…" she chocked onto her words, more tears fell. She wipe the tears off her eyes using the sleeves of her long baggy shirt, and she went backwards, and leaned onto the wall, her legs going numb. She curled up into a ball, just like that eight years ago, and Haku gave a concerned expression. He knelt down beside her, and pulled her into a tight embrace. Then, he reached into his robes and pulled out a pill, "Chew it and eat it, Chihiro, surely you don't want to disappear?" he questioned softly, and she took the pill and put it into her mouth.

"What has happened, Chihiro?" he asked, gently, his jaded green eyes reflected warmth. Chihiro cried her heart out in his chest, letting all those suppressed emotions of her parents' death and other negative thoughts run free. Tears after tears were shed, but slowly, she regained her composure.

"I lost everything… I am so scared, so lonely… My parents are dead; my friends had left me… I don't want to lose you…!" she wailed, and opened her eyes to see a blurred version of Haku. It was now that she had a clear look of him. Her long was no longer shoulder length; instead, it was much longer and was tied up loosely behind his back. His robes were still snow white, but the stash has become a deeper shade of blue, navy.

His hands never left her back, he felt her warmth against him, those were the times that he missed so much of, and he felt contented, at least. "Hush, Chihiro… I am here, alive and kicking aren't I?" he coaxed her, a small smile plastered on his lips.

After a few moments, they finally left each other's embrace, though their hands were still latched together, squeezing each other's hand for comfort, persuading themselves that it was real. Chihiro was still trembling slightly, and Haku pulled her into another hug. Chihiro let out a small muffled gasp when she saw the girl that tagged along with Haku running towards them. "Haku, the girl…!" she said, warningly. Haku then turned back, the gentle smile still on his lips.

He went to Liruku and lead her to Chihiro. "Chihiro, this is Liruku, and Liruku, this is Chihiro." They both introduced themselves and Chihiro gave a small smile, and apologized for the over-reaction a few moments before. Oh, the sour jealously in Liruku's rose. Her eyes narrowed darkly.

"Did you not tell me that no humans were allowed in the Kamikakushi?" Liruku questioned her mentor, the defiance evident in her eyes, glinting. Haku gave a small smile, and this was the third time he smiled to her in eight years.

"It does not matters, it really doesn't, Liruku-san. I am here now that it matters. I shall go and find a job right now, don't I?" she asked the smaller girl in a gentle yet sisterly manner, and she smiled back when Haku's lips twitched up by a small angle.

Liruku's heart practically shattered at that moment when she saw that gentle and shy smile that was reserved her Chihiro-san. She does not mind his harsh words; she does not mind his cold and hardness… But she knew that she does not have any chance… Yet she was determined, no matter how, her mentor will be hers.

She trudged back with the lovebird behind them, "This is a battle, Chihiro-san." She spited her name in a barely audible whisper that none of them in the front had heard it well, only for some murmurings.

A/N: Chapter 3 up! Do you like it? Ohhh Liruku is getting darker and gloomier. Just who was she and why had she stumbled into the Kamikakushi? Is it by default or did she did it purposely? Next chapter is on Rin's, Kamaji's, Bou's and Yubabaa's reaction.

Love,
Uenki.

Thank you for reviewing, I really appreciate those little comments, I really do!