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

Kitty2211 – I'm really glad you like my story! Thank u for review!

Kaggierain – Thanks for the review, I think you're the first person to call my story captivating, Thank you!

Sakurablossomskxk – Thank you for the super nice review!

Raining Blood Red Moon – Thanks for the review! But you may be slightly disappointed with this chapter, sorry. But they will be together again in a few more chapters.

Lady-Seoh-Phoenix – Hey, Thanks for reviewing! Sorry for the late update.

Iznil the Gothic Faery – Hey, thankies! I think your being too nice, lol. I don't mind getting criticism! Really I don't! lol

Jessica R – Thanks for the review! I hope you're still alive! Lol. Sorry for the late update!

Kammikazzi – hey! Thanks for reviewing my story! Nope, I'm not reading Carrie.

Shamanbabe – Hey! I spoke to you on MSN, lol. U probably think I'm really strange now, lol. But thankies for the review! Sorry for the late update.

Sparkling-Ruby Gem – Thanks for reviewing! Really sorry for the late update!

IvoryStar – Thank you for the review! It's always appreciated. I've always wanted to go to Japan too! Lol! I'm definitely going to go when I'm older!

Mamiluvbz – thanks! I'm glad you like it. This is a chapter all about Haku's life, I hope you'll enjoy it.

KatzEye – Hey, thanks for reviewing! Sorry for the late update!

Depressed Pixie - Thankies, but sorry, Chihiro doesn't get revenge.

LadyRainStarDragon – Thanks for reviewing! It's always appreciated! And yep, I will be elaborating on the idea of how her parents discovered the way she has been treated in the next chapter.

Crazianimegirl – Thanks! I just had to have that move somewhere in my story, so I thought to myself, why not this chapter. Lol.

A/N: I HAVE AT LONG LAST RETURNED FROM MY POLAR EXPEDITION – RESEARCHING THE AGRICULTURAL REGIONS OF THE FAR NORTH. Lol only joking! Hehe! But it would have been really cool if I had actually been on a polar expedition. Lol.Hi! I'm sorry I made everyone wait so long! Please feel free to throw rotten fruit and vegetables at me – I deserve it! Well, the reasons that it's been such a long time since my last update are because: 1. I had to revise for my exams, 2. I had to take the exams and also revise for other exams, 3. FAR TOO much coursework! 4. All the work from school kept me tied down, so I didn't have time to update! SORRY! But now that most of the coursework is dealt with and all exams are over, I have free time again! My updates will probably be around every 2-3 weeks because my chapters just seem to be getting longer and longer each time! Its crazy! Lol! Or if I write a short one, it will probably be up within a week (But that's highly unlikely though, lol) hmm…anything else I need to mention? Erm…I think that's all I have to say…Anyway, on with the story! Enjoy! Please review afterwards! It's always appreciated! Thank You! Please, it's ok to criticise what I have written – I really don't mind! Constructive criticism is good! Many thanks!

Vocabulary:

Tatami – reed mat that covers the floor of a traditional Japanese room.

Chapter 5: Unexpected Memories

The determined voices of focused pupils rang through the great training hall of a magnificent Japanese mansion. The clang of metallic weaponry reached the high ceilings and the thud of bodies being slammed to the ground in unarmed combat, shook the walls.

An elderly man dressed in a grand Kimono, a long tradition Japanese garment, arose from an almost throne-like chair. His deep calm voice, echoed through the hall and immediately everything came to a halt. His words flowed smoothly, yet maintained a level of seriousness.

"Students, you have worked hard and displayed a pleasing level of achievement. That will be all for today."

It was almost summer; all the flowers had bloomed with brilliant colours and fascinating shapes. The single Sakura tree, situated in the centre of the garden, had fully blossomed. The sweet smell of miscellaneous flowers filled the air. A refreshing breeze blew softly through, causing the various flowers to gently sway in synchrony.

Under the cool shade of the tall Sakura tree, a mature teenage boy lay relaxing comfortably from his day of work. Resting his head in the palms of his hands, Haku watched the glorious sun paint the cloudless sky into various shades of the rainbow, as it descended slowly behind the high misty mountains. Seeing such natural beauty only reminded him of the small gentle human girl, who saved him and reawakened his sense of love and compassion. He closed his eyes, remembering the poignant memories of her and how they shared the adventure that rescued his identity. A small Sakura blossom drifted waveringly in the air, as it leisurely fell down the tree and landed on Haku's chest.

'She's crying again, I can feel it…Chihiro, I'm sorry'

Haku could not explain it, but he could always sense when Chihiro was crying. It was almost like being connected to her in an unexplainable way. Whenever this would happen, Haku's body would be surged with an indescribable uneasy feeling. He did not particularly enjoy this sensation, because knowing that she was feeling such unhappiness only amplified his already saddened heart. He wished deeply that he could see her again or even just merely contact her, but there was nothing that he could do.

Motionless, Haku lay beside the old tree and sighed helplessly.

"Haku! Haku!" a fair-haired boy shouted as he ran in to the flowering garden, disrupting the peaceful tranquillity.

Haku sat up abruptly and turned immediately towards the boy. "What is it? What's wrong?" he replied with concern in his voice.

"Haku, I only just got the news, but congratulations!"

"For what?" Haku replied, completely bewildered with what the boy was talking about. "I don't know what you're talking about Hatori"

"You being given the Rite of Succession; you being named Master's Successor. That's what I'm talking about!"

"Oh. Thank you" Haku looked down to the ground, seeming almost disappointed.

"What's wrong?" Hatori asked, "You don't look too happy about it"

"I don't know, I guess I just feel that I'm not worthy enough"

Haku was lying; he was hiding the truth. It was not that he felt he was not worthy but that he did not want to become leader. To be named Successor was an honour like no other; it was to have authority and power over all the dragon clan, but Haku did not want it. He merely wanted to live a happy peaceful life, just like when he was younger, before he had been suppressed to become Yubaba's apprentice. The liberation from all his responsibilities and the freedom that he greatly desired had been stolen from him long ago on that ill-fated day when the humans filled in the Kohaku River.

'Why are humans so selfish? They show no respect for the natural environment, polluting and destroying it to satisfy their hunger for power and their obsession for wealth. But then, why would such a kind soul like Chihiro exist in such a cruel world?' Haku argued with himself 'how can I hold such hatred for the race that Chihiro belongs? It makes no sense; she is like a single blooming flower in a barren land. If it were not for Chihiro, I would still be at Yubaba's beckoned call.'

"Haku, don't say that. You're the most worthy out of us all! You're loyal and strong and wise!" said Hatori, assuring Haku "Oh, I forgot! I'm sorry, but I have to go; I'm needed at the house. Bye Haku!"

"Bye"

Haku now lived in a gigantic Japanese mansion, along with many other dragons. Over the previous five years, he had become taller and his face had grown more mature. His hairstyle had changed slightly. Instead of being orderly and very Egyptian-like, his green-black hair was now shaped with layers and slightly shorter, but was still lengthy enough to be considered as long. Also, his bangs were not trimmed to a straight edge; they were still neat but now choppy with irregular lengths of hair, both long and short. His shoulders had broadened and each muscle on his body was more defined. He was popular among the students, but was still very conservative of his heritage and feelings. Girls praised him for his handsome features and the boys admired his strength and wisdom. Many were actually very envious of him.

The mansion was built many thousands of centuries ago and is recognised as the main palace and the central meeting point for the dragon empire. It occupies much of the land in the Far East regions of the spirit world. A relatively substantial section of the mansion is used as a school to train the new generation of dragons. The Great Master appoints a few Elders to teach the young dragons new skills to fight and use magical spells. Also, to educate them with the knowledge of the history of the spirit world and about the different clans that exist within it. When the Great Master nears the end of his life and decides to reincarnate into his next life, he chooses a worthy subject to become his Successor to rule and guide the entire dragon clan. This occurs around every millennium.

After a wash, Haku retreated to his room and lit an old ceramic oil lamp. His room was a traditional and authentic Japanese bedroom; it was very plain and simple. The floor was covered with tatami mats and the walls were paper-made with a sliding wooden-framed door. The room consisted of a low table with a single oil lamp, and a folded up futon for regular use. The small flickering orange flame and glowed dimly, casting faint shadows onto the fragile walls. Drained after a day of training, Haku stretched and yawned, tiredly. He began to spread his futon over the tatami mats, when his attention was suddenly drawn a piece of crisp white paper lying neatly on the table, in the far corner of the room.

He picked it up, and by instinct scanned down the page for the sender. Registering the name, he froze with shock and felt his heart skip a beat. He stood still, eagerly reading the letter.

Dear Haku,

It's been a while. I guess the normal way to start the letter would be to ask, "How have you been?" and say, "I've missed you", but I have chosen not to follow this tradition. Yes, it is true that I have missed you dearly, but I am not sure that just simple questions and statements like those can convey the wealth of emotions that I feel.

Everyone is endowed by the capacity to feel emotions, and everyone's actions are influenced by their deepest feelings, including my own. I miss you Haku, more than I will ever be able to describe. Having experienced that unforgettable adventure with you, I do not feel that I will ever be able to fully adapt to life again here, in the human world. If my father had not taken that wrong turn off five years ago and then so carelessly wandered into your world, I would not be the person that I am today, instead I would have still been a spoiled rotten little horror. I'm glad that I'm not some kind of money-hungry monster. But, not that there is anything wrong with monsters, of course; the radish spirit and the various other beings were always so kind to me. Even though I had to work long hours for Yubaba, I miss working with all those pleasant people. I even miss Rin ordering me around, because she always looked out for me like an older sister. But out of all the spirits, the one who I especially miss is you, Haku. I always felt like I could be myself around you; you made me feel comfortable. In the spirit world, even though I am human, everyone still accepted me for who I was, but here in the human world, I'm exactly sure how to put this, but things are slightly different for me.

I went to look for the entrance to your world, many times. But for some odd reason, I could never find that trail again. Sometimes I wandered for hours, just looking for those little shrines, hoping that I would be led to the red clock tower again, but I never was. When you have no intention of finding something, it always seems to be there, but when you desperately want to find it, it can never be found. Funny how things like that work out, don't you think? Maybe that was your way of telling me that I should move on with my life.

Although, I feel that I do not truly belong, I am however content with the love of my mother and father. It is the promise, together with the wonderful memories of my spirit friends that give me the motivation that I need to keep going and continue my life. Haku, thank you for being a good friend to me and for saving my life twice. I will never forget all the things that you have done for me.

Thank you Haku, I will always treasure the heart-warming memories we shared. I promise.

I wish you the greatest happiness

Chihiro

The quietly crackling candle flame was all that was heard through the absolute silence of the bedroom. Haku stood unmoved in the same position that he had first picked up the letter and discovered that it was from Chihiro. He stroked the length of the paper gently with the back of his right hand. Nearing the bottom of the page, his hand stopped as he noticed a few slightly smudged words.

'She was crying,' Haku realised.

The feeling of desperation and desire burned through his veins. The very same blazing sensation that he had felt for five long years, created on that last memorable day he held her small tender hand for the final time, before she disappeared from his world and his life forever.

Chihiro was like his sun - the light that illuminated his entire life. Her kindness made her glow with warmth and her gentle smile seemed to make everything shine with vibrant colours. She was the sunlight that melted away the frozen ice that surrounded his heart, releasing him from his emotionless self.

But sadly, like each passing day the sun must set and the night that comes is bitter cold and dreary, just as Haku's heart was left in the gloom of loneliness. The warm sunlight that once filled his heart was now long gone.

Haku shifted restlessly in his bed, with the kind yet cruel words of the letter still lingering heavily on his mind. Each and every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was Chihiro; all his thoughts were consumed by her recurring image. He stared blankly into the pitch-black darkness of the room, as the long night dragged endlessly on.

"Chihiro, I want to see you again,"

During the extent of the night, he had decisively come to a conclusion for how he could reply to Chihiro. When the dawning sun at last shone through his window, he got up immediately and dressed. In these early hours of the day, he walked quietly and swiftly through the empty hallways, ensuring that he did not disturb or wake any of the resting inhabitants of the mansion. He arrived at the Great Ceremonial Hall within minutes and stood confidently before the mammoth-sized doors.

Creaking slowly open, the doors revealed an enormous, majestic hall. Long red drapes hung neatly from high spotless, arched windows. The granite stonewalls were carved into detailed, yet tasteful figures and patterns. A grand chandelier hung central off the masterful artwork of the painted ceiling. A relatively wide red carpet ran along the centre of the smooth, marbled floor and climbed up three steps to join a raised platform that was covered with the same red carpet. Nothing was out of place. In contrast to the other archaic and simple rooms of the mansion, the hall was contemporary and very luxurious.

In the centre of the raised platform, sat a poised man in an ostentatious throne. Haku neared the steps and knelt into a respectively low bow.

"Rise," The Great Master, gestured Haku to arise from his current position.

"Thank you Master, but I have come with a request," Haku replied

"It is about the human girl, Chihiro, is it not?"

"Yes Master"

"Young Dragon, do you know why you can sense her tears? It is fate's voice telling you not to forget your promise. I understand that you wish to see her, but now is not the time. You will one day meet again, I assure you of that, but until the day that destiny allows you to meet, I warn you not to attempt to cross the border again. The force that is radiated from the veil that separates our two worlds is far too great for your body to withstand another severe strain; you will not survive. When I found you, you were almost dead, but you still had the unparallel determination, driving you to stand up to make another attempt at crossing the grasslands. Your tremendous bravery and outstanding valour are truly admirable, but you must realise that your river no longer remains in her world and so you cannot justify your presence there. If you wish to see her again, heed my advice young dragon."

"Thank you Master, I will follow your guidance. But I recall reading in the ancient texts that if one were to offer their own immortal soul, they would be granted one wish, am I not correct?"

"Yes you are correct, but are you aware of the consequences that pursue this trade? Your soon eventual death will become inevitable and your life span will be much shorter than that of other dragons. Once you are deceased, you will not be able to reincarnate into a next life and will always remain painfully detained in the depths of the spirit realm for eternity."

"Master, I fully understand the results of my decision, but am I not already a prisoner to this world? If like you say, fate will one day bring us together again, then my existence as an immortal is insignificant and irrelevant. For the past five years, you were the only one who truly understood me; you have been like a father to me."

"Yes and you a son to me, that is why I have chosen you to succeed me. I understand that nothing that I will say or do will change your decision, but I must stress to you that once the ceremony has commenced, it cannot be stopped and once completed, you will not be able to regain possession of your immortal soul."

Haku lowered his head, bowing with respect to his Master.

"I, Dragon Spirit of theKohakuhushi Riverand descendent of theNighayami family, humbly offer my immortal soul in exchange for one wish to be granted."

The master gave a deep, regretful sigh. "Very well young dragon, what is thy desire?"

"I am aware that fate will guide us to be together again, but until that day, I wish for her, the mortal human girl Chihiro Ogino, to be happy."

"Very well, as you wish young dragon". Haku stood, unsure of what to expect. The Great Master arose from his magnificent throne and the ceremony began immediately.

Murmuring various incantations, he formed a ring of flames. Within the ring, what seemed to be like a fire-consumed dragon materialised from the centre. Seeing this, Haku's eyes widened, but he soon returned to his expressionless self and stood, confident with the decision that he had chosen. The scorching entity gave out a deafening screech and seconds later, Haku felt his entire body become immobile. Chanting his incantations louder, the Great Master pulled out an old talisman and threw it in the air above Haku's head. It emitted a blinding light and generated a pillar all around him. His heart was pounding. From inside, he could see nothing but white light.

The fire-blistering entity spiralled up and down the pillar, making it appear like a column engulfed by flames. Watching his surroundings suddenly turn from a pure light into a range of oranges, reds and blues, Haku's memories were triggered; a person sprung to mind. Unexpectedly, the face that he saw was not Chihiro's.

Forgotten memories of a familiar face played before his very eyes. These abandoned memories were of a girl who was much younger than he was. Her long wavy hair framed two large almond-shaped eyes. The bright sparkle in her eyes complimented her subtle hair colour, a delicate shade of lilac resembling that of lavenders. The pleasant colour of her eyes was similar to that of beautiful violets shining in the summer sun. She was familiar but her name escaped him. Watching her young presence in his mind and hearing her beautiful soft laugh, Haku felt a great sadness grow inside. Though he was unsure of who she was, he had a great desire to protect her. But for some unknown reason, he could not reach her. As her image became more and more distant, he felt the desperate need to discover her identity. Finding this task challenging, he cleared his thoughts and tried to concentrate.

But sadly, before he could focus on her again, the fire-blistering entity left the wall of the pillar and dove directly into Haku's heart. Immediately, he was overwhelmed with excruciating pain. Chocking, his muscles tensed even though he was paralysed. He felt as though his organs were being ripped apart. Keen, sharp agonies shot from his neck downwards, in short intervals. His blood boiled. His muscles burned. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. With its jagged diamond fangs, the entity tore away Haku's immortal soul, gouging it effortlessly from his heart. A thick shower of rich blood spurted from Haku's mouth and fell to the ground like heavy red rain. It slowly dripped down his enervated jaw like trickling red syrup. His consciousness wavered, as both the vividness of reality and the unsure pit of darkness seemed to merge together in one. His vision blurred and all he could see was the fading image of that familiar face, stained with the inimitable colour of blood.

Leaving his weakened body, the scorching entity flew up to the centre of the pillar with a sphere of pure white light locked in its jaw. Circling the talisman, it disappeared traceless. And with it, vanished the surrounding pillar and the immobilisation of Haku's body.

"Ayumi…" An unintentional whisper escaped his lips.

His eyes grew heavy, as the scenery around him slowly dissolved into the depths of oblivion. With a blunt thud, he collapsed in a heap on the cold, marbled floor, unconscious. An anomalous tear trickled down his pale face, as he lay motionless on the smooth, yet hard ground.

Oooooooo! Who is she? This girl who nobody knows about? Mystery lurks in the air! Hehe! Oh! And what did you think of Haku? Was the description ok?

So, as a whole, was the chapter any good? Please tell me if it didn't live up to your expectations! Thank you for reading my story! See you all next time in my next chapter! Thank You! Bye! Sorry again for the elongated updating of this chapter!