Disclaimer: Err… well you know the drill. The original characters don't belong to me bla bla bla… you know the rest. Thank you for those who have reviewed the last chapter, love you all…

Chapter 5: Seen and Unseen

Haku stood stock-still facing Chihiro. Chihiro stared in return. Her blue garb swayed slightly as the lift shuddered in its descent. Haku tried to speak. His mouth opened and closed several times, unable to make a sound.

"Mm…Hello, Haku," said Chihiro timidly.

She blushed slightly. The lift shuddered once again – this time to a halt. Haku shook his head and pulled Chihiro into a sudden embrace. Chihiro gasped slightly as she felt Haku's arms circling her.

Time stopped for both of them. After six years of parting, Haku and Chihiro felt once again the same feeling they had for each other. Haku closed his eyes and breathed in Chihiro's scent. Chihiro rested her head onto Haku's chest. They stood together like that until they eventually broke apart.

"Chihiro…you remembered," said Haku in astonishment.

"I…I didn't," replied Chihiro. "Ai…Kyoko reminded me. She seemed like a very strict person."

"Kyoko…" Haku paused for a moment. He knew that by passing the gates a normal human being like Chihiro would forget everything that happened on the other side. Everything would seem like a dream. He continued with a smile.

"Come. Lets go to my room. Tea? Or maybe chocolate?"

Chihiro smiled.

"Yes, please."

The lift doors opened slowly, permitting Haku and Chihiro through its portal. Haku felt that he needed a long talk with Chihiro. He wanted to know much. What happened after she passed through the gates between the two worlds? Did she remember anything? Importantly, how did she come here again? A glint of the light caught his eye. The band that was Zeniba's gift was encircling Chihiro's wrist. So, Chihiro did remember something. He pulled Chihiro's wrist gently towards an intricately carved door.

"Welcome to my humble abode," said Haku as he pushed open the heavy doors.

Chihiro gasped in delight. The moning sun was streaming through the open windows. The breeze ruffled her hair slightly. She wanted to dance and laugh in joy. She had never felt this way since – forever.

A small movement alerted Haku. He turned around. Coming face to face with the one an only, Inquisitor.

The Inquisitor would have stood a head and a half taller than Haku when he stood. Yet now, as he sat on the high backed chair, he looked just the same height as Haku. He had cold grey eyes that seemed to bore straight into one's soul. His almond brown eyebrows were sharply shaped. His pale mouth curled into a grin. His pointy nose pointed menacingly towards Haku. His long black, professionally tied hair hung over his broad shoulders in a cool manner. He had his left hand closed upon a black silk fan under his chin while his right hand stirred a steaming cup of tea. The Inquisitor's robes were made out of black silk trimmed with white and ivory lining. He sat lazily in his seat.

"Good evening…I'm sorry…good morning, Master Haku," his cool, clear voice whispered to Haku.

"Morning," quipped Haku.

"Now…now…there's no need to get angry with me," he paused. "Unless of course you have some reason to do so."

The Inquisitor's eyes narrowed down and his lips wavered – his expression stern and grave almost bored.

"Unless you have something that isn't supposed to be here. For instance," – he pointed at Chihiro with his fan – "That."

Haku glanced at Chihiro. She was looking curiously at the Inquisitor, oblivious for the fact that she could be in danger if she had faced him alone. A sudden movement caught Haku's attention. He whirled around to see the end of the Inquisitor's robes flapping out of sight. Chihiro's muffled voice rang in his ear as he turned to see that she had disappeared. The lift sang as Haku ran towards the doors.

"I don't believe this."

He turned himself into a white dragon and flew through an open window. He slipped through an airshaft stopped in front of Yubaba's fireplace. The lift sang once again just as Yubaba crashed through the French windows.

Airun lifted the curtains leading to Bou's nursery anxiously. Bou had just fallen asleep and she did not want anything to disturb him. Her eyes widened as the main doors flattened at the next second. The Inquisitor swept towards the middle of the room with Chihiro behind him. She craned her neck trying her best to hear their conversation.

"Good morning, Yubaba. I trust that you are up to this conversation?" said the Inquisitor in polished tones.

"I don't remember inviting you to disturb me," replied Yubaba as she threw her cloak off her shoulders.

Yubaba's eyes were smouldering pair of fire. Her stance was cautious and wary. She didn't like the Inquisitor and she showed it, literally.

"Lets get straight to the point, shall we," – he shoved Chihiro in front of him – " This is the human girl that we have been keeping a close watch for years. How did she get here and how did she managed to kill one of our people single handed?"

The Inquisitor forced Chihiro to face him.

"Looking into these eyes I do not believe I'm looking into a killer's eyes. You know, little one, the penalty for death of another is…" – Chihiro squirmed in his grasp – "Death."

"You cannot kill her. She's just a human child. Force her back towards the other side and she'll forget everything," said Yubaba in an angry tone. "I know a human child who went back to he world with her mother and father. They never returned. Not now, not ever."

"Are you blind woman," – the Inquisitor forced Chihiro to turn around once again – "This is the child that defied you six years ago."

Yubaba's mouth fell open. Chihiro tried to pry the Inquisito's hands off her shoulder and avoiding Yubaba's gaze at the same time. Haku kept his silence but he was eyeing the Inquisitor carefully just in case he tried to kill Chihiro without so much as a warning.

"Well, then, this is Chihiro I presume," said Yubaba softly.

"Y…Yes, I am," replied Chihiro.

Yubaba felt her pride and security fall away like the leaves in autumn. Chihiro had returned and currently standing in front of her. Yet, she looked very different to Yubaba. The Inquisitor smiled menacingly. His right hand crept towards Chihiro's neck

"And, as promised by yourself and the high Council, I presume she will be turned into a pig. Yet, it seems that she's still," – he paused dramatically – "Human,"

"What's more she was the one who disturbed the security of the gate by returning to her world six years ago. As you know, Yubaba, that we found you guilty for that but now, the trespasser has returned willingly. I'll forget the fact that you killed…"

"I didn't," Chihiro bit out.

"My colleague. I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I didn't kill your colleague. Someone else did it," said Chihiro.

Chihiro's initial fear towards the Inquisitor melted away. She felt more and moe annoyed with him everytime.

"Who is this little murderer, Chihiro?" asked the Inquisitor in an oily tone.

"I…I…I don't know her name," stammered Chihiro.

"Her?" said the Inquisitor questioningly.

"Look! Let go of me and I'll keep my mouth quiet about the Spirit World," said Chihiro trying her best to change the subject.

"Oh, no…no…no…no…little one. First, we'll banish you straight towards the centre of the Spirit World or even better, kill you. Then, as you are connected with Aburaya, Aburaya will be left to be dust. Last of all, we'll close the gate between the worlds. By burning Aburaya to cinders, the demand on constant supplies for pigs should cease," explained the Inquisitor in one breath.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" spluttered Chihiro in shock.

"High Council's orders," said the Inquisitor simply.

"Couldn't you…make up a truce between Aburaya and this High Council?" asked Chihiro slowly.

"Well," said the Inquisitor thoughtfully. "If there is anything to agree upon…"

"Aburaya…"said Chihiro suddenly. "You can agree upon Aburaya. Aburaya will be the prize for a tournament."

"Tournament?" said the Inquisitor.

"A tournament in the name of Aburaya's honour and the High Council's decision to destroy Aburaya. If the High Council wins, you can do whatever you want with Aburaya but if Aburaya win, they will keep Aburaya."

"In addition to yourself, Chihiro," said Yubaba suddenly.

"Wh…What!" exclaimed Chihiro

"It seems that you were the one that started this feud and you should be the one to end it. By giving you up as a prize, you can redeem yourself from the wrong you committed six years ago and I can return an old hand to Aburaya."

Chihiro fell silent. She looked at Haku, trying to find the courage and the solace she needed. Haku smiled encouragingly but his eyes glinted with tears. He didn't want to lose Chihiro. Not again after six years. Chihiro closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She opened her eyes and said.

"Fine, it's a deal."

The Inquisitor grinned and turned away. He was satisfied the way things had turned up. Sabotaging Aburaya had been a waste of time and money. This way, things will do easier. He turned facing the group once again.

"I will set the terms and conditions of this tournament. Await my letter in two days."

He swept passed the door and disappeared. Chihiro fell to the ground. Haku caught her by the arms just before she fell.

"I made a promise to return you to your home six years ago and I mean to keep it," said Yubaba as she gathered her cloak.

"I don't remember you doing that, Yubaba," said Haku.

"I never break a contract easily, boy."

Haku watched Yubaba fly out of the window. He pulled Chihiro close to him as he tried to comfort her.

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((Two days later))

The hubbub in the main hall grew louder and louder. The workers were assembled there to hear the terms and conditions of the upcoming tournament between Aburaya and the High Council. A large figure in blue took to the centre stage. The hubbub began to die down and eventually silence ruled the hall. Yubaba swept towards the centre and began to address her workers.

"Workers of Aburaya," she began. "As you know there will be a tournament held here in ground of Aburaya in a fortnight. The tournament is a five on each side magical fight. As you know, I gathered all of you here to find whom amongst all of you would fight for Aburaya's side."

A great silence commanded the hall. No one stirred let alone speak. Everyone was scared out of their wits in facing the High Council's five. They would be the greatest and strongest deities and gods. When all of a sudden a tall figure crept up the stage.

"I will do it."

It was Haku. His face was set in determined lines and his left hand held a long sword – a dragon carved on its hilt and sheath. Everyone began to whisper. One by one, three more workers climbed on stage. Kamaji was one. A tall and broad alongside a skinny and wiry man was the others. Everyone began to whisper even louder. No one wanted to be the last on stage.

"Well, I can do it if no one else would."

The feminine voice at the back of the hall floated over the din. Every single pair of eyes stared straight towards her. Airun stared blankly back at the onlookers. She smiled and moved forwards. The crowd melted away to the sides leaving a path for her. Yubaba nodded as Airun stepped on stage.

"I still expect you to put Bou to sleep every morning," she hissed under her breath.

Airun grinned as she took her place next to Kamaji. Yubaba continued her speech, providing everyone with the rules and regulations, the prize and the shape of the tournament. All the time, Chihiro watched silently from the balcony above.

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Thank you, thank you, and thank you for those who reviewed the last chapter. Okay, I'm glad I could upload this chapter and this story is currently drawing to an end. A few more chapters and its finished. Well, here is a preview for the next chapter…and be warned…the next chapter will be the longest one yet.

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Chapter 6: Frozen Time

Aburaya lost twice and only won once. The tension was high…

The spear rotated inside her chest. Blood gushed through the wound…

Haku finally managed to pull out his sword but it was too late…