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

Fond Memories
by Uenki

Chapter Three – Warm Welcome

As the trio stepped into the bathhouse, a sensation of familiarity floods through Chihiro, gently caressing her. The bathhouse did not change at all, not even a tad bit. The floor was still shiny and nicely polished, soft murmurs were still heard from the workers of a human girl, but the most welcoming factor of the day is Rin rushing out from the staff room, giving Chihiro a big bear hug.

"Sen! Oh my, welcome back!" she ranted on and on, and grumbled about why she left the bathhouse years ago, and went on with jokes. And she eyed Liruku for a few moments, before giving a low whisper to Chihiro, 'You wouldn't want to be near Liruku, Chihiro… Her jealously had reached its peak for Haku-sama.' Chihiro was confused, but she gave a small, soft nod. Though she was quite reluctant to believe that sweet, little Liruku was so fanciful of being jealous of her, and what does she have, to make her go sour with jealously?

The white dragon in his human form gave a small smile, "I am going to the floor of 'Tian', if you may bring Chihiro down to let Kamaji-jichan to have a look at her, and he would have missed her, right, Rin-san?" He requested to Liruku, while Liruku brightened up at her mentor's request, though it was to bring this 'slut' - human girl, to her favorite Kamaji-jichan.

Rin turned back onto her heels, but she turned her head again and smiled, "I'll be waiting… to escort you to Bou-sama, and for you to find a job and stay with me, never leave me again will you, Sen-chan, my little sister?" Chihiro gave a small nod, while Haku went up the lift, and dark clouds began to hover around Liruku once again.

She trudged down the steps, with Chihiro following closely behind. "Why do they love you so much…?" Liruku questioned softly to Chihiro, and Chihiro gave a small smile and gave a soft pat on Liruku's head.

"They love you as much as they do to me, Liruku-san." They opened the gate and stepped right in, only to be greeted by the usual scattering sounds of the Susuwatari and the random bang of the wooden hammer.

"Kamaji-jichan!" Liruku yelled, cheerfully, and she purposely ignored Chihiro's comments earlier on. Kamaji gave a grin seeing one of his many granddaughters, Liruku.

"Liruku-chan! Well, what have you got there with you, a new friend perhaps?" Chihiro stepped out from the shadows, and the Susuwatari bounced happily. Kamaji expression was well, indescribable; his mouth was opened wide agape. But soon, it broke into a smile.

"Chihiro! Okaeri-nasai!" Kamaji laughed, extending one of his many hands to Chihiro, and patted her on the back happily, just like those bouncing Susuwatari. "I am so happy to see you back here! What had happened? Did your parents stumbled on to this world again?" Kamaji questioned softly, though this was the only question about her parents that someone had asked her since she returned from the bathhouse.

A forlorn expression never left Chihiro's face, Liruku noticed. "They are dead, Kamaji-san…" Kamaji's face softened, but then, he still smiled.

"You should be happy for them, Chihiro…" Kamaji comforted, and the Susuwatari, knowing that the tension is unwelcome, became quiet suddenly. "When living things are dead, they will starting into another generation of life, called the Weilai. It means Future, they say… It is a world of peace, a world with no wars, no cruel thoughts and deeds done… That's a place where we, the spirits yearned to go so much, yet we can't. You hear me, Chihiro?" Kamaji asked, and the human girl gave a soft nod, while Liruku gave a small laugh.

"Oh! I should have known! Poor little Chihiro-san doesn't have her dear little human parents huh?" Liruku mocked, wanting to see the human girl suffer with hurt, she wanted her to know the bitterness she felt for snatching her darling mentor from her. But doesn't Liruku know that those hurtful words could really pierce one heart through, sinking deep in one's heart? "Oh! I didn't even know that you're disappearing again, Chihiro-san!" she added on, while Chihiro said nothing but to stare straight at her disappearing figure.

Till, the door slammed open, and stepped in Haku, much to Liruku's delight, and Bou-sama, much to Liruku's dismay. "Sen!" the little boy squeaked, rushing to embrace the teen. Chihiro said nothing, and Haku walked in, calmly, and produced a little red berry from his robes. He handed the little red berry to Chihiro, but she did not accept it.

She did nothing but to stare blankly at Haku's concerned face. "Are you alright, Chihiro?" he questioned with care and concern. Liruku gave a small victory smirk while Chihiro just strode out calmly out of the fireplace, leaving the little boy's, Bou's, embrace and the groups' questioning look. Kamaji glared daggers at Liruku.

"Liruku…" Kamaji started, but Haku seems to know everything, and he presented an icy cold glare to the girl and chased after Chihiro.

"Chihiro!" he cried, the lantern is lit up, and soon, she will disappear and blended in with the darkness… He have to act fast, no, she will not leave him again.

A/N: Yay! Finally, I have a BETA! =D I am lookin' desperately for one!

Wah! - If you would, would you please be my beta? =.= I am sleepy. Please e-mail me, [look at my profile, have e-mail addie in there] or just simply add me at woonchee [at] hotmail . com Thankee!

AngelicxDeath - Hadn't seen yer online, ye?

Dictionary

Weilai = Future
Okaeri-nasai = Welcome back
Tian = The top floor

Love,
Uenki.