Oops, it's been…like a month and I haven't updated! Okay, I'm really, really sorry! Y'see, I had exams, and then more stuff popping up everywhere… I assure you – I didn't get the dreaded writer's block. I've never got it, and I hope I never will. :D

I've finally finished writing the next chapter (YAY!) Hope everyone likes it!

"So did you find her, Haku? Or Kohaku? Which do you prefer?"

Kohaku swirled the tea around in his cup, staring into the depths of it. "It doesn't matter."

Zeniba and Kaonashi both exchanged looks, puzzled by his depression. This went a little too far for not being able to find Chihiro.

Wanting to knock a bit of sense back into him, she asked bluntly, "Was that for the first or second question?"

Still refusing to make eye contact, he mumbled into his tea, "Both."

"You're going to have to speak up, Haku," she said loudly.

"Both," he repeated, louder. Suddenly he felt very stupid – somehow when one said something like that louder, it didn't quite fit the way it should have when saying it softly.

Zeniba sat down across the table, looking straight at Kohaku. "Did you find her?" She repeated her initial question.

He nodded.

"And?" she pressed.

Barely audible, he said, "She doesn't remember me. Or you, or any of us."

Zeniba sat back. So that was why he was so distant. Comfortingly, she said, "It usually happens, you know."

His head jerked up. "What?"

"When humans go back to their world, they forget things. Even her parents don't remember being pigs."

"But why did she have to forget everything?"

Zeniba almost laughed. His question sounded so childish.

"Think, Haku. If she went back and started talking about spirits, the other humans will think she's crazy. It's for the better, really. But," she said quickly, seeing Kohaku about to protest, "that doesn't mean you can't help Chihiro to remember. It isn't the end of the world for you."

He said dejectedly, "She can't even hear me."

"True," she conceded. "But if you could go into her world and talk to her…"

His eyes lit up. "How?" he asked.

"The five Great spirits, remember? They can open portals to many different worlds. Kaonashi, would you get that map off the shelf, please? The big, old one."

Kaonashi handed her the map, and Zeniba unrolled it completely. Kohaku leaned over and his eyes narrowed as he saw the blank parchment. Seeing his expression, Zeniba explained, "It's a rare magical map. Very old, as I said."

She waved her hand over the paper, and slowly, then faster, the shape of the land rose up from the parchment like clay being moulded. The map glowed an eerie, flickering electric green, illuminating their faces.

Zeniba's gnarled finger traced the route. "You'll have to circle around Kaji Mountain. It still hasn't stopped belching lava." As if on cue the model of the volcano sprouted red fire that dissipated just as soon as it had appeared.

She continued, "The best way is to follow the Giniro River. It leads you straight to…here – the Five Pillars of the World." She lightly tapped the location with one long fingernail, making wispy blue lines of fire form the outline and diagonals of the pentagon shape.

"The Five Pillars?" Kohaku echoed.

"Yes. Where the Great spirits dwell. When you get there, ask them if they could open a portal to the human world. Explain about Chihiro and your feelings for her."

He looked up, startled. "What feelings?"

Zeniba chuckled, "Think I don't know? You may be good at hiding a lot of things, Haku, but not this one."

Kohaku refused to meet her gaze, instead took to staring at the three-dimensional map. Finally he said, "I better go. Thanks for your help, Zeniba-san." He headed for the door.

"Just 'Granny'," she corrected absently.

Just as he was about to leave, Zeniba said suddenly, "Oh, one other thing Haku."

He turned around to face her.

"Be very formal and polite to the Great spirits. Be very polite."

Kohaku gave her a long look before nodding. Then he went out to the front yard, changed into his dragon form, and flew off.

So, Kohaku meets up with those five spirits. Are they going to open a portal for him? That'll be answered in the next chapter!

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Reposted 22/11/05 to remove review responses