Chapter 2: Kept Promise
Chihiro's eyes widened. Fear surged through her like a tsunami as her body tensed up. She wanted to call out for help, but her lips were still zipped closed. So, instead of wishing for help, she took matters into her own hands.
With all the force she could muster, she jammed her elbow into the bastard's stomach. She heard the man gasp in pain, pulling back from her. Without letting up, she swung her arm around, making contact with his unseen face as hard as she could. A loud smack sounded throughout the forest followed by a thud. Chihiro's assailant had apparently fallen to the ground.
This was her chance! Chihiro started to run, when her legs reminded her that unknown forces planted them firmly to the ground. She wobbled back and forth, then crashed to the ground hard on her bottom. Oh Hell, I'm going to die! she thought, covering her face. If she was going to die, she didn't want to see it coming.
The attacker scuffled along the ground. Chihiro knew that he stood up and now moved toward her, slowly.
Just get it over with...
"You've learned a lot in eleven years, haven't you?"
She could hear the humor in the man's voice. It made her tremble more. Her heart pounded so hard, she could feel and hear thumping in her ears.
"I always knew you could do anything. You have the spirit of a warrior, sometimes." He said softly
She sensed the man kneel beside her. Chihiro still refused to look, keeping her arm firmly latched onto her eyes. The man's hand gently touched her arm, stroking it with rough, hard worked fingertips. Chihiro jerked away. As she made the movement, her face was no longer hidden. Her eyes opened. She stared directly into green eyes.
A sudden flash of the sketch came to her mind. The eyes were identical. Those caring, yet hard green eyes gazed directly into hers, twinkling in the moonlight.
He seemed like he was trying to stare into her soul for a moment. After the moment was spent, a sullen, but understanding look showed on his face.
"They told me you wouldn't remember...I hoped it wasn't true, but I knew it would be."
She made a muffled noise that sounded like a question. The man smiled weakly, lifting a hand in front of her. He moved his hand along the front of her face. Chihiro could feel her lips separate.
She thought to yell out, to scream for help, but those words didn't come out. Instead, she simply asked "Who are you?" The words trembled in her throat, tumbling out of her mouth nervously.
"Kohaku." He said while moving a stray hair from her face "But, once upon a time, you used to call me 'Haku'."
"You're kidding me, right?" she huffed, "Haku is a character from my story."
"I assure you, that's what you called me."
Chihiro shook noticeably. Could this man be an obsessed fan?
"Fine, maybe I did. I don't know. What do you want from me?"
Haku, as he called himself, rested a hand over Chihiro's, giving a small affectionate squeeze. A smile no longer crossed his lips. Instead, his face grew serious.
"You." Haku whispered
Chihiro could feel every ounce of emotion that came from that one word. It sounded like a secret yearning, distant hope, and deep sadness all combined into one. She felt breathless as she watched him. Those green eyes were so damn mesmerizing. They seemed so familiar, like a lost memory.
"Why?"
"Eleven years ago, I made a promise to you. I'm not in the habit of breaking them. Especially one as important as this one."
Chihiro swallowed hard. Her breathing became shallow, while her heart raced and her mind spun in circles trying to remember this beautiful man. When she found a sense of composure, she spoke again.
"What did you promise me? Who are you?"
"I told you, I am Haku. I'm your friend." He moved in close, placing his forehead on hers, "I promised to see you again."
All the fear melted away when his forehead touched hers. She found herself closing her eyes as a serene feeling replaced the trembling fright inside. Somewhere deep down, she knew that the stranger was not a threat.
"Thanks, I guess..."
He pulled away, the soft smile returning to his lips. Haku seemed like a nice man, but Chihiro still had doubt. He claimed to have known her since she was ten. Impossible, she thought, all the people I met that year are still in town. No one moved away and no one moved in until I was at least thirteen.
"I'm not from here, if that's what you're thinking."
Her eyes widened, again. "Yeah, actually, it was..." she sighed, "If I don't know you from here, then where do you know me from."
His gaze diverted toward the tunnel. After a couple of quick nods in that direction, he turned back to Chihiro.
"I know you from there."
"In there?"
"Yes."
"What's in there?"
"My home."
"You live in a tunnel?"
"No. That leads to home."
"Where's that then?"
"The Spirit World"
Did he just say 'Spirit World'? "Pardon?"
"The Spirit World."
Chihiro stared at the young man for a few minutes before laughing.
"Alright, you're completely crazy..." she said, feeling utterly stupid for even listening to this Haku guy
She tried to stand up, but still her feet refused to move. She reached down and tugged at her feet, trying to free them. Chihiro grunted annoyed that her own feet would somehow disobey. Haku placed a few finger tips on her leg.
"In the name of Wind and Water within thee, unbind her."
Her legs practically popped free from the ground. She wiggled her sock-covered toes staring at them in amazement, then to Haku. Even though her face clouded with doubt, his smile remained as it had.
Chihiro stood up, quickly. Her mind tried to rationalize everything she'd seen since running into this young man. Sadly, she could not. None of this made sense. Pieces just weren't falling into place for her. The puzzle didn't fit together and parts were missing.
Slowly, she backed away, her eyes never leaving his. He seemed confused about her actions. Haku moved closer to her. Her steps matched his in the opposite direction. For every step closer, she took one away.
"Chihiro..." he said confused.
"Look, it's nice that you wanted to keep your promise to me or whatever, but I really think you should keep your distance."
"But--."
"No, no 'buts'. Just stay away."
Chihiro turned her back and began walking the dark path toward home. She wasn't sure of the way, but she would eventually find it.
"Chihiro, I can't 'just stay away' as you ask. I've struggled too hard to get here, and now I only have five days!" Haku exclaimed
She stopped and turned back to him.
"What do you mean?"
He stepped up to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Chihiro tilted her head upward. He wasn't much taller than she, but it was enough to have to look up to see his face.
"Eleven years ago, you helped me find myself again. My name was stolen, but you came and helped me remember it. The one who stole it, the witch Yubaba, had to release me after that. However, I didn't know that since I no longer served a purpose, or had a home to go to, I would fade.
"I struggled for a few years in search of something, something to keep my spirit alive. I found nothing in the Spirit World for me. Then I remembered my promise to you. So from that point to now, I've been trying to find a way to venture into the human world. I came across a spirit known as the Spirit Eater, a powerful and terrifying being in my world. He granted me passage to the human world for five days, to see you."
"What will happen after the five days are over?"
"My spirit will fade and become part of the Spirit Eater."
"What?" She yelled
She wasn't sure which surprised her more, that he'd given up his spirit to be with her, or the fact that she was buying into this. She placed a hand on his chest, lightly. Haku's eyes looked down at the delicate hand in mild surprise briefly.
"Why would you do that!"
"I promised you. That gave me a reason to exist for a time. Now that my mission is done and I have five days to spend here, my purpose is over. So, how about showing me what the human world has to offer?"
"Wait..." she pushed away from him, "Can I trust you?"
He nodded.
"I'd never hurt you, Chihiro. You were dear to me eleven years ago, and you still are to this very day."
"Well, I guess that's good enough for me...Come on, I guess we'd better find the way back to my parents' house. They're going to kill me."
As well they should, her brain screamed, this guy could be psycho, I shouldn't trust him so easily.
But she couldn't help it. Something about him made her feel safe and secure, even though she was frightened out of her mind. He didn't seem the type to lie. He had a comforting presence, too. Besides, her damnably curious nature wanted to know what memories he had tucked away about her.
She'd entertain him for a bit. When the time was right, she'd pry the information from him. After that...
Hmm...after that...
That's the end of chapter two. It was a bit talky, I know, but I hope you guys liked it. Oh, someone asked how I came up with the idea of the story. You know, honestly, I don't even know. It just came to me. Sorry I don't have a big elaborate explanation . EDS
