It was the strangest thing. Chihiro was floating above a city that didn't seem the least bit familiar to her. As she flew gently along, she found herself above a cemetary. Her parents, relatives, and friends were there, as the priest spoke of her spirit passing on. The faces that she saw were solemn, carefully guarded to conceal wave after wave of grief that Chihiro felt sweeping over her.
As the casket was lowered into the ground, Chihiro landed beside her father and watched. Looking up, she finally allowed tears to come down her face. It was obvious that her parents were fighting hard to disguise their emotion.
Before she could say a word to either of them, Chihiro awoke.
Kohaku was kneeling next to her, a hand on her shoulder. "It's time to get up," He murmured. "We have to get to work."
Despite the many points of entry into the spirit world, Michiyo City (also known as the City of Three Thousand Generations) was the most common port for the incoming dead. It had been built as a sort of lighthouse for those wandering spirits who were not sure where to go after death. As such, it hosted a great many opportunites for spirits old and new. Employment agencies were a dime a dozen throughout the city, and not one had any trouble placing their clients.
Chihiro was still in wonder of the city as she worked the register in Michiyo's most famous curio store. While Kohaku displayed some of the more pricy items, Chihiro noticed a certain tone in his voice that the customers seemed oblivious to, one that told how absolutely bored he was. It occured to her that, after all the excitement that he was used to at the bath house, Kohaku would not be as satisfied with a normal (if it could be called normal) job as she would be.
A plan had already begun to formulate in Chihiro's mind as she rang up the register yet another costumer.
"Are you sure?" Kohaku asked, looking solemnly at the girl by his side. Chihiro nodded once, glancing at the building before them.
"I've looked into it for the past week," She replied. "I think this may be just what you need." Kohaku smiled, nodding back.
"You're right. Thank you, Chihiro," Haku replied.
The building was a school, one where Haku could strength the abilities he had not been able to work much on under Yubaba's uncaring tutilage. Upon his graduation, as Chihiro had been told, he could possibly go to work in just about any place that he desired. It was a perfect opportunity for them both.
All that's left, Chihiro thought, is to wait for my parents. I can't wait to see them again.
fin
Sorry it took so long to update. I don't much care for the ending, but oh well.
