Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of the characters in it.

IvoryStar – Thanks for the review! Here the next chapter, hope u like!

Sparkling-Ruby Gem – Thank u! here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

KatzEye – Thank u for reviewing! I've tried to adapt your idea of Arashi being Haku (sort of) into this chappie because I thought that it would make the chapter more interesting to read. Pls read and tell me what u think. Thankies!

BattleAngelKurumi – thank u for the review, heres the next update, hope u like it!

Depressed Pixie – thankies for the review! Yeah I agree, Chihiro rocks and so does Haku! Lol, oh and PLS DNT kill me in class wen I dnt update soon! Lol…u of all ppl shud no how stressed out I get over school work sumtimes. Lol

Ogino Chihiro – Thankies for the review! Here the next update! Enjoy!

A/N – I changed the rating to PG13 in the last chappie b cos im going to include some swearing in this chappie. Oh and just to anyone who is wondering: the story so far is still on the same day, i.e. the Friday. Lol. Anyways… enough of me babbling on about nothing, heres the next chappie! Enjoy! Hope u like! Pls review afterwards! I love to hear from u all, as always!

Chapter 3: Deceiving Appearances

Chihiro stared at herself in the wide mirror on her mother's dressing table, unbelievingly. She could barely recognise herself, after her mother so carefully applied make-up to her gentle face and styled her hair in such a neat fashion; allowing not one hair to fall out of place.

Looking down at her black, knee length dress, 'This is such a pretty dress; it looks very costly. Dad must have been reluctant in paying for this.' She thought for a moment to herself whilst her mother was hysterically searching for the newly purchased pair of shoes in her wardrobe.

'Found Them!' she exclaimed 'Here you go!'

'Thank You,' Chihiro replied simply.

Her mother watched her without blinking as Chihiro put on the shoes, very keen to see Chihiro wearing the complete outfit.

'Wow! You look great dear!' she called out, before Chihiro had even stood up fully. 'Hold on! Let me get the camera out before Arashi arrives!'

'Arashi…' she thought, as she gave her mother a sheepish smile in response, when she darted off, searching. 'him? He? But why would he…? What is he planning?' she questioned her mind, as she sat down in a slumped position, once again at the dressing table. 'What are his intentions?' Doubt of the evening filled her mind. She began to feel a great anxiety, growing in her heart. The feeling of worry was strengthened by each passing second.

-Ding Dong-

Turning sharply at the sound, she knocked most of her mother's belongings off the dressing table, onto the carpet.

'Chihiro. Calm down. Relax' Reassuring herself as she knelt down to pick up her mother's possessions. 'It will all be fine. Two hours. ONLY two hours, that's all. It's not a long time. And I look fine, so Arashi won't run away when he sees me,'

Panting heavily, her heart pounded and raced, rapidly.

'Chihiro' her mother returned to the room with the camera in her hand ' Arashi's here. Are you okay dear? You look slightly flushed…' she looked at her daughter with concern in her eyes.

'What? Who? Me? I'm fine. Terrific in fact' she answered in return, putting on a fake smile. It had been a very long time since Chihiro had seen her mother's face lit up with such excitement and delight, that she felt no need to inform her of her worries and doubts, to sadden her happy moment.

She took a deep breath and was able to calm herself, as she walked as steadily as she could down her steep staircase, and smiled at Arashi in a friendly manner.

'Hi Chihiro,' He said in a cool, firm voice, examining her from head to toe 'you look very pretty tonight'. He stood, gazing at her in awe. 'Woah! She's HOT! I've seen her around school and she looked pretty good looking then. But. Now. Woah. She is H.O.T.!' he thought to himself.

Feeling slightly confused by his gaze, she was taken back for a moment 'erm…hi Arashi,' She replied lamely 'you look very nice too.' Chihiro had never really looked at Arashi very carefully before; this was the very first time and she came to a rather strange realisation.

'Arashi. He looks a lot like Haku. Could it be him? –fulfilling his promise? But how?' she questioned her mind frantically 'It couldn't be him, he can't my neighbour's son .could he? Hmm…I've heard he is quite a player, around school. I'd best stay alert and on my guard.'

'Are you okay?' Arashi enquired 'you look confused about something'

'Oh. Erm, no, I'm fine thank you' she managed to utter.

'Well. Let's go then!' he announced with a broad grin.

'HOLD ON!' her mother screamed, running down the stairs, almost falling over 'I want a picture of the two of you before you leave.' She held the camera up 'Say CHEESE!'

The two arrived at the school entrance. Every single pair of eyes in the room seemed to fixate on the couple, as Arashi escorted Chihiro in. The atmosphere changed completely, as whispers began to replace the pounding music.

Chihiro began trembling. She was afraid. Afraid of what people would think of her. Beady eyes were staring at her. She felt extremely uncomfortable and incredibly self-conscious.

Arashi saw the worry in Chihiro's soft, brown eyes and turned to her, kissing her on the cheek, deliberately, for everyone to see. 'Hey, it's fine. You're with me, remember? The girls are jealous of you because you look great, don't worry. And as for the guys. Well they're jealous of me bringing such a pretty date. You're really good looking, you know.' He whispered gently into her ear.

Chihiro's eyes widened, she did not know what to say or how to reply 'He thinks that I'm good looking?' she thought 'He said that I was good looking. Nobody has ever complimented me like that before. Maybe I misjudged him. Maybe he's a nice guy after all.'

She just simply nodded in response.

After they found a place to sit down, the staring eyes and whispers faded and the loud music was restored.

'Are you thirsty?' Arashi asked thoughtfully

'Erm…Er…I…I' her voice was wavered and wobbly.

'I'll get some drinks for us,' saying this, he got up and headed for the punch bowl.

'Argh! Why can't I say anything! I feel so stupid! Saying 'Yes I am thirsty and would like a drink please' isn't that hard to say.' Chihiro pouted and slumped in her chair feeling thoroughly infuriated with herself.

'Arashi! Woah! Who's THAT babe?' Hikaru – a friend of Arashi, asked with excitement.

'That hot babe, over there is Ogino, you know the one from school,' he replied

'No way! That can't be her! The reject from school? That dorky geek that everyone makes fun of?' Hikaru shouted 'We ARE talking about the same girl, right?'

'Yep! Do I have an eye for girls or what! I swear the polite gentleman act works like a charm every time! She's going to be mine tonight! I'll show her a good time! And what better way to get back at Miwako for dumping me than bringing someone she hates to the dance'

'Haha! Arashi, you dog! You better save some for me!'

'Haha! What about your date, Hikaru?'

'She's not buying into the whole polite innocent thing. It sucks'

'Tough luck man. Anyway, I better get back to Chihiro now. Later'

The three girl's Chihiro came across earlier today, after school, were also at the dance. But, unfortunately for them, they came dateless.

'Akiko, look there!' Miwako nodded her head in the direction of Chihiro and Arashi. 'There's that bitch that slapped you! And what the HELL is she doing with my ex-boyfriend! That bastard! He's such a god-damn player!' she said in utter rage and disgust.

'That bitch. She's going to pay! She's going to regret the day she was born!'

Chihiro sat, sipping her punch slowly. She felt so embarrassed around him; all he did was stare at her

'I wonder what he's thinking. I'm probably boring him to death. I mean…he's kind, sweet and very interesting. He's so like Haku, so understanding, so thoughtful, so caring.'

'I'm sorry if I'm boring you, Arashi. Truth is…I've never dated anyone in my life…' She trailed off.

'No, its fine. If anyone should be apologizing, it ought to be me. After all, I'm your date and you should be enjoying yourself, not be worrying what other people are thinking and if I'm making you feel uncomfortable, I'm sorry. Trust me; you're not at all boring. In fact, you're the exact opposite; you're fascinating! Anyway, do you want to dance, its only a slow song, so people will be too caught up in dancing themselves than to take any notice of us,' He gave her a reassuring smile.

'Erm…sure'

'Maybe this is going to be my chance to be accepted by everyone! And I won't be the social outcast anymore' Chihiro felt a happy and hopeful sensation sweep over her. It was a pleasant feeling – like the feeling she would experience when Haku would come to help her during the sad times she had in the spirit world.

He held her close, wrapping his arms gently around her body.

'His aftershave: the smell is so inviting. I feel as though there is nobody else in world. Not even Haku can ruin this moment for me. It's been so long since I have felt this warmth inside me. I want this moment to last forever.' She closed her eyes, embracing in his arms.

Suddenly, Chihiro's body grew stiff all over, as every muscle in her body tensed. Realizing what he was doing, her eyes widened.

His hand was slowly sliding down her back, and as it reached the end of her outfit, he moved it under and began rising his hand up her silky dress, touching his way up the soft skin of her leg.

'GET AWAY FROM ME YOU PERV!' Chihiro screamed in his face, as she forcefully pushed him away, causing him to fall on the floor. 'WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING! TRYING TO FEEL ME UP LIKE THAT! I HARDLY EVEN KNOW YOU! SURE, I'VE SEEN YOU AROUND SCHOOL A COUPLE OF TIMES! BUT THAT DOESN'T COUNT!'

Her eyes blazed with fury and aggression.

Everyone in the room stopped dancing, instantly, as the shriek of Chihiro's voice pierced through the slow playing music, killing the romantic atmosphere. Shocked by the sudden outbreak, the audience stood staring in astonishment.

Arashi stood up; trying to salvage what was left of his pride and reputation.

'YOUR HAND! HOW DARE YOU!' Chihiro screeched at the top of her voice, in absolute disgust and frustration 'YOU JERK!'

'Chihiro, I'm warning you, calm down, otherwise you WILL regret it' he mumbled in a low voice, giving her a very intimidating look.

'NO! I WON'T CALM DOWN! YOU'RE REPULSIVE!' she spat 'IT'S SICKENING TO EVEN LOOK AT YOU!' finishing her sentence she marched to the female toilets and hid. She knew, had she stayed any longer she would have most definitely lost the confrontation.

Her privacy had been invaded. Her heart felt betrayed. She let her guard down. But, most of all, she trusted him. She felt irritated with herself for allowing him to take advantage of her like that.

What will she do now? This retaliation ofhumiliatingArashi in front of the entire student-body was a terrible mistake, that Chihiro will soon regret doing, as she will come to learn: actions always have consequences, be they good…or bad.

Hmm…I don't think that was very well written…Oh well…

Please review and tell me what you think! Thank u!