lol, that's all right, I've updated. It's another really short chapter, but hopefully my reviewers will forgive me.
Zefie - Fluffy? Yeah, I guess it kinda is. Weird, I didn't even realize that until you said it.
Determindtowin - Glad you liked it! And I shall continue, as requested.
d - Apparently not! lol I suppose when I get three reviews asking me to continue, I have no choice.
Chihiro slept peacefully with her head on Kohaku's shoulder as the train hurtled along its set course. Kohaku looked down at his hands, laying palm up in his lap. Chihiro had looked back. She truly loved him, loved him enough to give up her own world sixty years early to be with him.
The train screeched slowly to a stop, and Chihiro's eyes fluttered open.
"We're here," Haku smiled gently. Helping Chihiro to her feet, Haku and Chihiro walked along the path to Zeneba's house.
"We could have flown here," Haku stated curiously, finally breaking the silence, "Why did you insist upon taking the train?"
"To me, everything in this world seems connected to that train, somehow," Chihiro said thoughtfully. Not trying to understand what she had meant exactly, Haku merely nodded and knocked on Zeneba's door.
"Why, Haku! What a pleasent surprise," Zeneba declared kindly. A look of surprise crossed her face uppon seeing the girl with him. "Chihiro? Why, I thought you were going home with your parents, dear."
"She decided to stay in the spirit world...with me," Kohaku stated, the last part put on a bit akwardly. He still couldn't believe that it was the truth.
"You're welcome to stay here, if you like," Zeneba offered, understanding immeadiately what they needed. "I could use a little extra help around the house."
"Thank you," Chihiro accepted, as she and Haku bowed. The couple followed Zeneba into her small house.
Chihiro helped Zeneba wash dishes as Kohaku went outside. There had been no explanation; immeadiately after dinner, he had risen, thanked Zeneba for her generosity, and stepped outside. The house was very silent as the old woman and girl began to clean up.
"He's upset with me, isn't he?" Chihiro stated, lowering her dish into the soapy water, and staring at the door absently.
"I think perhaps he had hoped you would be his connection to return to the human world."Zeneba replied calmly, still focused on the task at hand.
"He was going to come back?" Chihiro was obviously startled.
"I believe so," the older woman replied. "Though I don't see what good it would have done him. You see, my dear, you wouldn't have remembered him. And you would have been mortal while he is not, and never will be. Even if he did find you, and caused you to remember, then his time with you would have been very short, and he knows that."
"Then why is he so upset?" Chihiro wanted to know. "At least now we can be together forever."
"You did give up your life rather early, dear," Zeneba glanced at the girl sitting next to her out of the corner of her eye. "Even if you do love him."
"Oh," Chihiro murmured, and fell silent as she focused on her work one more.
"Chihiro? May I speak with you?" Kohaku's voice startled her, and she nearly dropped the plate she had been washing.
"Um...ok..." Chihiro nodded. Handing the plate to Zeneba, Chihiro stepped outside with Kohaku.
