Look! A new chapter! So soon? I must be crazy!

Nah—just had a good night. Hope to have more soon, but I kind of doubt it. Thanks to all of you that have stuck with me so far! A special shout-out goes to green fairy. Thanks, dear!

Hope you all like the next chapter. I assure you; things will start coming together soon.

—Koru

I heard my Mom's footsteps in the hall before I heard her knock at my door.

"Come in."

"Chihiro, honey?" Mom peeked cautiously in, as if she was disturbing me. I was in bed, a textbook propped in my lap. "Are you doing all right?"

"Yeah, Mom," I gave her a small smile. "I'm just a little tired."

She came in and sat down at the foot of my bed.

"Sorry I ruined your party," I said.

"Oh, no, not at all," she said, taking my hand. I gave her a look. "Okay, well, maybe just a little."

We both laughed.

"Mom?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Do you remember the drive we took from our old house to here?"

"You mean that horrible job your father did of navigating?" she said. "Who could forget? He drove us right out into the woods, remember?"

"You remember that?"

"Of course I remember that," she said. "Why wouldn't I?"

I hesitated. Did I really want to know?

Dumb question.

"What else do you remember?"

Mom frowned at me, but didn't ask.

"Well, I remember trying very hard to get your father to pay attention to the road while I tried to figure out where we were on the map—I suppose that's part of the reason we got lost. Your father is very good at distractions."

"What about me?" I asked. "Did I…er…fall asleep at all during the car ride?"

"You? Fall asleep?" Mom laughed. "You were too busy worrying about that bouquet your friend had given you as a goodbye present to even think about sleep! Now really, Chihiro, what's this about?"

I didn't answer her. So, I didn't fall asleep? Does that mean I didn't have that dream on the way over? But I was so sure I'd had it. And I know it was then—I remember waking up in the car. But no—when did I wake up? I don't remember laying down or getting back up—not falling asleep or waking. And Mom said I didn't fall asleep. So where did my dream come from?

"Well, I'm sure you'll tell me someday, right?"

I looked up. Mom was giving me that motherly look again.

"I promise." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. Mom kissed my forehead and got up to leave.

"Goodnight, Chihiro."

"Goodnight, Mom."

She closed the door and I lay back on my pillow.

Promise….

Why did I keep hearing that word? It meant something. Something important. Something to do with this dream.

"Dream?"

I turned over and gazed sleepily at my dim lamp. I remembered the tiny sparkles of the hair tie I had between my fingers the night before, and suddenly I wasn't sleepy anymore.

I shot from beneath my comforter and jumped out of bed.

"Where is it!"

I picked up my pillow and patted through my blankets, but it wasn't there. I dropped to my knees and searched frantically under my bed, but it wasn't there, either.

Maybe I put it back?

A quick search of my drawers squashed that theory. I went over my desk top and through all of my other drawers, even going through my bedding again before I slid to the floor in despair.

It was gone. The hair tie was gone.