Choices

Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away or any of its characters.

Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait on the update. Happy Reading!

- Na

Chapter 11: The Last of the Three

Here they were Chihiro and Kohaku stood hesitantly and afraid in front of the bridge to Aburaya. The sun was low in the sky another couple hours before it sat. The workers already busy cleaning and preparing Aburaya for nightly guest. They had to do this! Zeniiba's words were forever imbedded in their memories, and they chose to heed them.

Chihiro and Kohaku sat quietly in Zeniiba's hut, they had just finished explaining what had happened, to Zeniiba. Zeniiba sat calmly and sipped her tea; both Chihiro and Kohaku picked at their cake neither hungry.

The uncomfortable silence spread throughout the cottage, waiting for Zeniiba's reaction, "You must leave here now. Of the three hopeless places you have given two, hope. To return home you must bring hope to Aburaya."

"But how Zeniiba?" asked Chihiro.

Zeniiba stopped mid sip of tea and shook her head placing her cup rather roughly on its saucer, "And why should I tell you? Even if I knew! Why should I tell you? I have tried to help the two of you from the beginning and what have you done? I try giving you choices and you refuse, I give you orders and you disobey. Chihiro's been coal, and you Kohaku are now mortal! You have chosen to change this world without my help and you will finish it!"

"Gomanasai Onegai Zeniiba," replied Kohaku.

"Hai Gomanasai Granny," apologized Chihiro.

Zeniiba smiled at the two mortals before her, "No I am sorry, it is simply that the two of you have started this alone and that is how you must finish it. I didn't mean to yell at you."

Kohaku and Chihiro both nodded she was correct it was a four-year-old Chihiro that chose to go to the Kawa no Kohaku alone, and it was the six-year-old Kohaku that chose to save her. Later it was the twelve-year-old Kohaku who chose to help the ten-year-old Chihiro escape Yu-Baaba, at the price of a name. Truly their lives have been full of choices that they chose with no one's help, but were chosen with the ultimate end of being together.

"Ready to go home Kohaku?" asked Chihiro as she gazed at the large red building before her.

Kohaku glanced at her, Chihiro, his love, "Home?"

"You thought I would leave you here?" Chihiro giggled.

"No," replied Kohaku as he turned a fearful gaze to Aburaya. Where had he gone recently for Chihiro? What had he done for her? And he was afraid of Aburaya? No this was different it effected people he knew directly. He was not afraid of Aburaya, but afraid for his friends.

Chihiro smiled, "Good."

That was it the end of their conversation, there would be no more hesitant moments. Kohaku took Chihiro's hand in his own and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Two mortals, they were, stepped onto the bridge that led to Aburaya.

Three steps onto the bridge a blur of color came screaming towards them out of the Aburaya doors. Yu-Baaba stopped mere centimeters from the mortals. Flames spat from her mouth, and her usual neat bun was a mess the hair whipping around her head from the heated air of the flame.

"What are you doing here alive?" screamed Yu-Baaba! There was now a crowd of Aburaya workers in the doorway.

"My name is Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, I'm mortal no longer any use to you, I quit," replied Kohaku in a monotone that showed no fear. There was a gasp of shock that ran throughout the crowd.

Yu-Baaba laughed, "So? Who says I'll still let you go?"

Kohaku hesitated, his eyes shifted to Chihiro, sadly she didn't know what to do or say either. Kohaku just drew a blank what could he do to free the workers but still keep the integrity there?

Yu-Baaba laughed, it brought Kohaku out of his reserve, "I thought not. Now what should I do with you two mortals? A lump of coal was not to successful last time, how about a buta? Yes? You tell me!" The flames were now quelled but replaced with bouts of laughter, broken coughing laughter.

The answer struck Kohaku it was simple, it gave the employees of Aburaya a choice, a smile drew upon his lips, "Rin!" Kohaku yelled, Rin's head looked up in recognition, "your name is…"

One by one Kohaku went through the workers who their real names he knew. Some upon remembering their own names remembered the names of other, which compensated for the names that Kohaku did not know. Yu-Baaba turned her attention from Kohaku and Chihiro to the chatter of the workers some saying they were leaving but the majority saying they needed money. When Kohaku had nothing more to say, it was made apparent that the sun would set in a mere fifteen minutes. They turned from the bridge and ran through the streets. Hand in hand they crossed the field before it became a lake once more.

Author's Note: Another evilly short chapter am I right? Well it is also a wonderfully perfect chapter, do you not agree? This Fic is not over I repeat I'm NOT finished!

- Na