"Yo, Kid."

"Yeah, Lin." Chihiro poked her head out from one of the stalls.

"You've been working nonstop and it's almost morning."

"So?" She went back to cleaning the scum off the floor.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not really."

"It's a wonder you're alive with how much work Ubaba gives you. How do you do it?"

"I just keep my spirits up by thinking that something good might happen in the future."

"Sure, but how soon."

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. It could be tomorrow or next year. What will be will be."

Lin shook her head, confused, and left. "You're a wonder to us all. Lights out in ten minutes. I better see you then."

"I'll be there as soon as I'm done here."

Chihiro stood at the rail outside her room and breathed in the morning air. Life was good. She looked down and had the urge to fling herself over the rail. Someone grabbed her around the waist and held onto her before she knew that she was already halfway over.

"What are you thinking?"

She turned to see Haku. "I don't know. I had an urge to . . . fly." The last word was murmured.

"Fly? You're human. How can you fly?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling that I can. I don't know what's wrong." She buried her face against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her protectively.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I feel like I have to help you, but I don't know how."

"Take my flying. I need to feel the wind on my face." She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Just do this one thing for me."

Their faces were so close. Haku was tempted. Her lips were calling to him. He restrained for as long as he could.

Chihiro's eyes went wide. Haku's lips feathered across hers. The winds around them picked up and threatened to become a storm. Neither seemed to notice nor cared.

Haku held her against him and pleaded to her to let him deepen the kiss. She gave in and poured everything she had in her into the kiss. She tried to show him how much she had missed him. He matched her kiss for kiss and pulled them over the rail. The winds picked them up and carried them high into the sky.

Haku pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Chihiro . . . I love you." He pulled her close again and closed his eyes. "No matter what happens I'll always love you."

"Haku . . . let go."

"What?"

She struggled in his arms. "Let go of me! Now!"