The boy looked at her. He was disgusted and annoyed. Although she was displeasing, he knew he had to help her or else his plans would fall apart.

"Listen Chichi, I…" Chihiro cut him off abruptly and said,

"It's Chihiro, not Chichi! Don't have much of a good memory, do you?"

"Whatever. My name is Haku. Now don't you forget that name ok?

"I am a powerful river spirit responsible for your cycle of life. I help my master keep chaos out of the world. I am burdened with keeping your humans safe from evil spirits, unfortunately. Although I do a good job, some spirits make it out to the human world."

Haku, tired of looking at Chihiro's face, paced around the room as he explained.

"The less harmful ones make it usually. But now a big one has come." Haku turned to Chihiro.

"A witch named Yubaba was captured a while ago. She is an evil witch who cannot always be trusted and she threatens the human world. She's been tried with creating a horrible monster called Baba."

Chihiro soaked in all the information but said, "That's very nice but what does this have to do with me?"

"Chihiro, you don't realize it do you? That monster I saved you from the other night was Baba. I had captured the beast and sealed him in a white willow. You set him free by touching that willow!"

"You mean that cobra with wings! What did I do to deserve this?!" Chihiro said as she looked at the floor hopelessly.

Haku kept explaining, "I used my power to seal it in that willow. It was my duty to do so. I was going to destroy it but you came into the picture before I even had a chance to do anything. I put you to sleep so I could save you from the beast but he had already gotten your scent, and I was forced to fight him off…or at least paralyze him and make sure he was sent far away. He's still loose you know."

Haku paused for a moment, realizing she was still a bit confused and stunned at all he was saying.

He continued, "Knowing how retarded humans are, I had to make sure you didn't see us either. I had to put you unconscious or else you would discover us." Haku's voice then got deeper as he added more.

"Humans who find out about the spirit world are tried in court. The sentence is usually death."

Chihiro let out a whimper and complained in a small mumble. "I'm not retarded Haku…"she said, putting emphasis on his name.

"Yes you are. Now shut up and let me finish," he said as Chihiro rolled her eyes.

"The beast's nature is to attack the first person he comes in contact with. He won't come for anyone but you. As soon as you are killed, he'll yearn for more. He's harmless now but when he kills you, he will kill your mother, then your father, which will then escalate to the whole world.

"Do you understand me, Chihiro?" Haku said gravely.

"Yeah I think so. But…why did you say you were going to kill me?" Chihiro questioned.

"I thought that if I killed you he would eventually die because if he can't kill you himself, he'll go crazy. But I won't do that because he may still try to kill more. I don't understand Baba quite enough to take that kind of action. I could get fired from my position…or worse: my master, Zeniba, will not help me attain great power."

"Power?" Chihiro asked.

"Yes. Power is my greatest desire. I want you to know that." He said as he stared at the wall.

"Why is that so important for me to know?" Chihiro wondered.

"I just don't want you to stand in my way." Haku turned towards Chihiro in an angrier stare.

"Know this, I will not be stopped by the likes of you. Don't you dare to EVER stand in my way. I WILL kill you." He said without a shred of restrain.

Chihiro didn't like what he was saying. She covered her true feelings and started to blast out whatever words she could conjure in her mind.

"Well then…um……………..hear this! I am not going to be killed and you know why? Cause I'm a survivor! You aren't going to take my life! That cobra thing won't have me either! And I ain't going to no trial! How about that?" Chihiro said, as she was just getting warmed up.

Haku stayed stoic as ever and did not speak.

"So, if the court wants me, you can tell them that they can stick the case right up their butt!" Chihiro blasted some more words, just like a child would say things they didn't even know they were saying.

She felt sufficient at getting revenge for the slap but still felt as though she could take a smack at him. She decided not to since he did save her life and meant well from the start.

Chihiro started to walk out but Haku grabbed her arm. "Haku what are you doing? I'm leaving now."

"You will be in danger if you leave my house." He said looking concerned.

"Then just go kill the monster already, since you're so tough."

Haku shook his head. "You humans are still so simple. Why do I even bother?" Haku sighed.

"Chihiro, you are not going anywhere. And no, I still need to train some more before I can beat Baba."

Chihiro broke loose from his grip and said, "I have to go home Haku. I can't stay here. I have a life you know."

"A life? Ha! You lost that privilege when you did not heed my words to not look back. If that Baba or I do not kill you, the court surely will hang you. You don't have a life anymore!" Haku smirked and gave a slight laugh.

"No!" Chihiro screamed and started to run towards the door. Haku was naturally faster, stronger, and more agile so he caught up in a second.

He grabbed her arms and locked them behind her. She tried to break loose but she couldn't. She struggled with all her might so they both fell to the floor.

Then began a wrestling match.

Haku could easily have beaten her but was extremely cautious not to harm her for fear of loosing his position-or fear of having Zeniba think him heartless.

"Haku let go of me!"

"Don't waste your time, you little spec." Haku felt like he had the upper hand.

"Bum!"

"Retard."

Retard echoed in her ears and she became angry. She broke loose of Haku's grip and stood up. She surprised him when she leaped right on top of him. They continued to wrestle and before you know it, they were both too tired to even move.

Haku got the upper hand last but couldn't believe how much breath she took away from him. He couldn't move so he was stuck, lying right on top of her...belly-to-belly and face-to-face.

"Huff…huff…get off...you bum." Chihiro breathed deeper then added with a smirk,

"Hey...I thought...you didn't like humans." Chihiro snickered.

"I...don't…huff…huff…but…....…..you take my breath away…"Haku thought for a moment about what he just said. He clearly wasn't thinking straight. He had just flirted with a girl he said he wanted to kill.

That didn't come out right... He thought to himself.

Chihiro would have made a comment but was too tired to even make a face at him.

They stayed in the same spot for a few minutes (awe!). After recovering, Haku finally got up and told Chihiro what was what.

"Chihiro, you are not to go anywhere, you understand? You are to stay with me until the monster is destroyed. I will take you to court soon enough. The most you can do is pray for your life.

"Pray that Baba doesn't get you. Pray that the council won't decide to kill you...Pray that I won't kill you…" Haku smirked at her, knowing that she was somewhat terrified.

"Haku, please…"She pleaded, but Haku refused to listen.

"No. Chihiro I gave you a chance." He gave her a sympathetic look when he saw how scared she really was. Despite how hard she was trying not to look it, she was scared to death…and he knew it. She stood up slowly, and stared at the floor.

"Listen to me now because I am only going to say this once. Chihiro, you are my slave. You are to do exactly as I tell you no matter what. By doing this you may survive and live to see your family again. If you don't, you will most likely die." Chihiro looked at the floor again and started to hum as her eyes welled up with tears.

"You're mine, Chihiro. I OWN you. So," Haku placed his hand gently on her chin and made her look up at him, "get to work."

Chihiro looked at Haku's stoic face and feared for her future and wondered if she would ever see her family again. She wondered if she would ever see daylight at all. She wondered if this boy had a heart inside his body.