A/N: Chapter 3, it's pathetic that I'm able to update this fast isn't it? Anyways, for some strange reason, I think Athrun and Haku look alike. Don't ask me why, I just think they do. Okay.
Disclaimer: Forgot this in chapter 1 and 2. I DO NOT own Spirited Away, it is owned by the wonderful Miyazaki-dono, and I am only borrowing his characters. I DO OWN Teran, Dia, Yuki, and Aiso, and any other characters that do not appear in the movie. Ari gato!
Chapter 3: Discovery
Everyone looked at each other before looking at Chihiro, "What? Why are you all staring at me for?"
"Chihiro-san…" Aiso spoke hesitantly. "You said the name Haku before you passed out, did you know him?"
"Ha-hai," Chihiro stumbled over her words, afraid. "Why?"
"Aku-dono, the new owner of this bathhouse has taken him, and we all believe is torturing him," Aiso spoke quietly, her voice trembling. "We haven't seen him for about two months."
"WHAT?" Chihiro shouted. Anger surged through her veins and she immiedatly stood up, and tripped over a trash bag, landing on her butt when she landed, "OW!"
They laughed at her, Aiso's face practically looked like a tenshi, she looked so innocent and cute when she smiled or laughed happily.
Chihiro stood up and dusted herself off, glaring at them all, her gaze bringing them back to the seriousness of the situation.
They all sobered up immiedatly, and Aiso led them back to the bathhouse, slipping in around the side of it and coming to a set of stairs, "We have to be careful. Follow me, and step where I step."
The small group proceeded down the stairs, Chihiro feeling as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders, though she knew not why.
Teran accidently stepped in the middle of the plank, and it snapped and she flung her arms around the plank in front of her, which thankfully held, "Mind helping me up?"
Dia and Yuki, who were right in front of her stopped to pull her out of the slat hole and place her back on the steps.
Finally they reached a door, which led into the boiler room, Aiso whispered, "Please be there Lin-san."
Aiso then flung the door open and they all rushed inside. Teran and Dia were shivering, but Yuki and Aiso were perfectly fine, Chihiro just seemed to be ignoring it.
Aiso stepped into the light, Yuki beside her, while Dia, Teran, and Chihiro stood behind them.
Aiso spoke up, "These four girls would like jobs Lin-san."
Lin looked up, she eyed the frames of the three girls behind them, "I'll take them to Aku-dono then." Lin was now a few years older Chihiro, and looked a little more responsible. "Even though we haven't had a good history with humans."
Chihiro grimanced, obviously this sentence was meant for her, but she ignored it and stepped out with Teran and Dia.
Yuki hugged her sister before the four of them followed Lin out of the boiler room. "Can't you even manage a thank you?" she asked, Chihiro joining in.
Lin stopped and looked at her, then spoke with trembling lips, "Sen? Is it really you?"
Chihiro nodded her head shakily. She was nervous being back here. Although nothing had changed, everything had. (A/N: I contradicted myself there, but WTF I could care less.)
Lin hugged her, before leading them through the bathhouse to the elevator. She then took them to the top floor. "Okay, you four good luck!"
The four walked though the door into the immense hall of mirrors, each mirror revealing to them their darkest fears.
"What is it that you want?" came a chilling male voice. It was completely devoid of emotion.
Teran stepped forward, "Sir, we would like jobs here if it would not trouble you greatly." She'd figured that she should seem humble and revere him so as not to anger him.
"Very well, cause any trouble though and I will certainly administer your punishment myself."
"Yes sir."
The four bowed out of the room where they joined Lin, "Well?"
"He said it's okay," Dia replied. "But we must behave."
As Lin was congratulating them, Yuki turned to Chihiro, who seemed very depressed. "Chihiro what is wrong?"
Chihiro sobbed lightly and murmured something that none of them could hear. Something had distressed her. Then Aiso came hurrying up muttering about something Aku-dono wanted her to do. She hurried through the door.
"Come, it is late and you all need rest as you'll be waking up early tomorrow for your work," Lin explained. Leading the girls back down into the elevator and into the women's dormitories where they changed into white yukatas before crawling into a futon and falling asleep.
Chihiro was awakened in the middle of the night by Aiso poking her in the side. "Wake up!"
Kill me if you hate the cliffie but you'll never find out what Aiso wants to say to Chihiro. NAH! Plus the fact that I'm still recovering from all the stab wounds that you guys gave me from last chapter. So take some pity on me and review the damn story!