Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, everyone. Finals in the next two weeks, and I've been in sort of a writer's funk lately. And it didn't help at all that ff dot net wouldn't let me log on for about a week. But I've got one chapter now, and the promise of another not too far off. Can't say I'll get much more done in the next two weeks, but please look forward to a fruitful summer.

Thanks to all of you who have stuck with me this far. Sorry for the lack of action, but I've got plans, and I hope they don't disappoint.

See you at the next update!

—Koru

"How about this Sunday?"

I only half heard Nakashi. I was sitting on the grass on the school grounds, eyes wandering over the patterns the sun made on the ground through the leaves of the trees. There was something so familiar about the way they shone and flickered, like fire but harmless. Like water, but much more powerful.

"Chihiro?"

"Huh?"

"I said, 'how about this Sunday?'" she repeated patiently.

"This Sunday what?" I asked dumbly.

"My house," she said. "Aunt Miki bought me this big sewing kit when she came to visit over the weekend; said it was a late birthday present. Why don't you and Tome come over to my place this Sunday and we can try to make something with it?"

"That sounds like a lot of fun," Tome grinned, patting my shoulder. "You look like you could use a bit of fun, Chihiro."

"Yeah."

Neither of my friends sounded very convinced. I shook my head and tried again.

"I mean, yeah; that does sound like a lot of fun. What time should we come over?"

Nakashi gave me a brief look that told me she didn't buy this act, but was willing to play along if it meant my getting back to normal.

"How does 10:00 sound?"

"Sounds good to me!" I grinned again. This time it felt more real. Maybe they were right—maybe I just needed to have a little fun with my friends.

"Me too," Tome said. "I'll just ask my parents and call you tonight."

We spent the rest of recess trying to figure out what we wanted to make more—a plush toy in a nice dress, or a nice dress for ourselves. Nakashi made a joke of how not even Tome would be able to fit into a dress that small. We all collapsed into a fit of giggles.

The sadness I had felt that morning was quickly wearing off, and I had no desire to bring it back with questions about where it had come from. Maybe it really was best if I stopped paying so much attention to my dreams if it meant I couldn't be happy again.

After school, Nakashi and I took our swimming lessons, while Tome had her singing lessons. At the end of the day, we walked together until our paths separated, and I waved goodbye to them as I began my ascent home.

About halfway up the hill, I picked up on a strong scent coming from my house. Something smelled delicious.

"I'm home!" I called as I stepped inside, trading my sneakers for my slippers and stepping into the hall, following the smell towards the kitchen. "What's for—?"

"SURPRISE!"

There were two pops and confetti was flung into the air as my parents appeared from around the door to the kitchen. Both were glowing and wore pointed party hats on their heads. Above them, strung around the ceiling was a banner that said, 'Happy Anniversary.' The table was set for the three of us, and that delicious smell was getting stronger so near the source.

"Happy Anniversary, Chihiro!" Dad said, planting a party hat on my head.

"A-anniversary?" I repeated.

"It's been a whole year since we moved into our new house," Mom explained, taking my bag and setting it off to the side, then guiding me to a seat at the table. "We thought that called for a little celebration!"

"Wow," I said, eyeing the food before me. "This looks great, Mom!"

"Dig in!" Dad said, quickly following his own advice. Mom wasn't far behind.

I picked up my fork and was about to start, when I was struck with a sudden sense of déjà vu. I watched my parents help themselves to the meal they had prepared. There wasn't anything too weird about that—it's not like they were messy eaters or pigs….

Pigs in Mom and Dad's clothes, nosing about the wide counter, searching for scraps they might have left behind. The one in Dad's clothes squealing at me when I tried to get him to stop.

"We have to go!" I tried to tell him. "We have to get out of here!"

No—that wasn't my dad. Where was he? Where were my parents? Why couldn't I find them? Where were they? Where was I?

"Chihiro?"

I looked up. My fork was still in my hand. My food was untouched. Dad had his spoon halfway to his mouth. He set it down when Mom called my name.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

I looked at my fork, at my plate, then at my parents. I swallowed hard. I suddenly wasn't very hungry.

"I'm fine," I told them. "Just not very hungry."

"Are you sure?" Mom asked, putting her fork down to press the backs of her fingers to my forehead. "You don't feel sick or anything?"

"No, I'm okay. May I be excused?"

My parents exchanged looks. Mom seemed to look pleading. Dad only shrugged.

"Of course you can, Chihiro," Mom said when she turned back to me. "Would you at least like something to drink?"

"No, thank you." I got up from the table and took my plates to the kitchen, then went quickly upstairs. I knew their eyes followed me the whole time.