Finding You

By: Suma Susaki

Hey people! Thank you sooo much for the reviews! It's the most I've ever had! LOL! So yeah… I'm glad people are reading my story… even if its such a low number starting out. Thanks to:

K40-kyo-sohma: Thanks for the reviews so far! I'm so glad that you like my story!

Pinkwitch1: omg! Thank you sooo much for reviewing! You have no idea how much it means to me! XD Well… this chapter has a lot of important information… and so you can tell me what ya think! Again—thanks a ton! Hope you stay till the end!

sooooo…. Here is chapter 3 of Finding You:

-Chapter 3: The Letter-

Last time: 'Chihiro… go. I can't hold it open for much longer…' Chihiro's eyes grew wide as she realized what was going on. 'He's opening the portal for me to pass through…' she thought as she desperately got on her feet, this time the pain in her foot wasn't hurting her. Sprinting inside, she ran until she saw the exit into Aburaya.

Now:

Running out of the tunnel, she noticed the similarities to her dream. Her eyes grew large with worry. 'I'm scared…' she suddenly realized, but she knew that she had to continue. Determinedly, she ran through the tall, scratchy grass, and to the creek. The rocks were slick with dew and trickling water, but she hurriedly went over the rocks and ran up the short hill and finally saw the City.

Once she reached the restaurants and buildings, she ran hastily through the crowd of spirits occupying the streets. She then made a sharp right turn, and finally saw the Bath House. Sighing, she walked across the bridge without holding her breath. They still remembered her, didn't they?

As if reading her thoughts, she started hearing massive amount of shouts towards her from the workers on the balconies and also the ones wandering around. She smiled and waved and ran into the front entrance of the building. Yu-baaba was there to greet her. "Ahh… Sen. I see you have returned." She said, almost in a caring type of voice. Almost. "I need to speak with Master Haku, Yu-baaba. For some reason I believe he is in danger and has been trying to contact me." Chihiro said, bowing remembering her politeness.

People around her started to whisper to each other, Chihiro was not able to decipher what was being said. It was just way too loud. Yu-baaba eyed Chihiro with an almost apologetic look in her eyes. It made Chihiro's skin crawl to see the old witch have sincerity when 8 years ago she had none. What had she missed in the last 8 years?

"Chihiro… we must talk. Please follow me to my office immediately." Yu-baaba said, before disappearing. Chihiro gulped. This isn't exactly how she pictured her arrival back in Aburaya. Chihiro started to walk away, and the crowd that had surrounded her moved out of her way to let her pass, most with apologetic looks similar to Yu-baaba's. 'Did something possibly happen to Haku?' she thought worriedly, as she went up many elevators before finally making it to the top floor.

Upon reaching the door to Yu-baaba's quarters, she knocked twice, and heard a voice say "Come in" and the doors opened one by one, lights flickering on as they did so. Walking through all the rooms, she finally reached the one Yu-baaba lingers in, and bowed before the old woman than sat down on a chair that she remembered wasn't there the first time Chihiro was here.

"Chihiro… I have some bad news concerning Haku. First off… he gave me this letter to give to you if you came back before he did." Said Yu-baaba, handing over a worn looking envelope. 'Came back from where?' thought Chihiro, growing tense with worry. "I think you should read the letter. It'll explain more than what I could tell you. Haku made it to were only you and he can read it, so no… I haven't read it. But I know that it's important." She said as she smoked a few puffs on a long cigarette pipe. 'hasn't changed that much, has she?' thought Chihiro, as she opened the letter. It read:

My dearest Chihiro,

I am so sorry that I could not tell you this in person, but I have been called to a very dangerous mission that I couldn't refuse. It was for your own safety, even if you are in the human world. Its been 3 years since you left me and the rest of Yu-baaba's slaves. Yes… that means that she wouldn't allow me to take back my contract. But… I hold very closely my true name. Just as I wish I could hold you right now, safe and sound. I miss you so much. Believe me… If I had the chance right now, I would go find you.

Chihiro noticed that some words were smeared. It looked as if Haku had been crying as he wrote the letter. Chihiro teared up at the thought of him being so distressed as she continued reading the letter.

A new evil has been born since you have left. No one knows or understands what is going on, but the sky is constantly blackened, the Sun hasn't shined in over a year and a half. We constantly find people's bodies lying dead right after we turn our backs on them for seconds at a time. I believe that the evil has found a way to be invisible, and I volunteered to fight it. I know it is risky and I may not ever see you or anyone else again after I leave… but most of the evil's that have been in this world, are always seeking to take over both this world, and yours.

I did this for you Chihiro. And if I die doing this… protecting you… I need you to know something that I never told you the first time you were here. The one thing that has been killing me since you left.

Chihiro… I love you so much. More than you could even think. I love you so much… that I am saving you from the pain and suffering that this evil could afflict to your world. Again… I'm so sorry that I couldn't tell you this is person…but please… just know that I love you… and pray that everything will be all right.

Love forever and eternity,

HAKU

Chihiro broke down in tears and fell to the ground, clutching her shoulders and sobbing to her self. Haku… he truly did love her. Just as she did him. Why does fate have to be so hard… why do they have to be apart. Than… Chihiro noticed that at the bottom of the page, written very small was a note, dated only a day before this very day. Surprised, Chihiro whipped her tears away and squinted to read the small print.

Chihiro… I can feel you so close, yet your so far away from me. Its been at least 4 or 5 years since I wrote you the letter above… and its taking most of my remaining energy to write you this from so far away. I have been captured by the evil that was talked about above. I called for your mind today… I felt you respond, but for some reason I felt suddenly to weak to say anything but 'I need you'. I knew you were confused, but hopefully you understand now. I still love you more than anything… and I long to see your face and hear your laugh. To see your smile brighten the whole room, and to hear your calm voice. All I've known these past years since I left the Bath house have been spent in a dungeon about a 3 day trip North away from Zeniba's cottage by train. That and being severely beaten every day. I don't know if I will last much longer… things have just gotten worse. Please… I need help… get someone Chihiro. Even Yu-baaba. All you have to do for her to be able to read this, is say that she can with your permission. I know that you will insist on coming to me as well…. But please be careful. I don't know what I would do if I lost you. I love your forever and always. Stay safe.

Love forever,

HAKU

Chihiro than folded the letter and put it back in its envelope. 'I knew something was wrong. I could feel it.' She thought before looking up at Yu-baaba, still with tears in her eyes. "I'm leaving to find him. With my permission, you are allowed to read this letter." Chihiro said, handing the letter over to Yu-baaba. Yu-baaba took the letter and read over it. Once she was done, she handed the letter back over to Chihiro, who pocketed the letter. "Yes… I will have a few people help you with this quest Chihiro. But I must stay here and watch the Bath House. I'm sorry." Said Yu-baaba. Chihiro smiled. "It's all right. I understand." She said, before bowing. "May I take my leave? I am very tired and should get some sleep." "Yes of course, Chihiro." Said the old witch, as Chihiro left the room and quietly shut the door. 'Haku… I'm on my way.'

-End Chapter 3: The Letter-

WOOT! There ya have it! Do you now see why it's an important chapter? LOL

I'm soo sorry if it didn't make any sense. I started this chapter really late last night and I am sick today. So tell me if there is something wrong. Thanks a ton to all of my reviewers! Here are your promised cookies! ((holds out big plate of warm cookies)) yummm…. C ya next time on, Finding You.

Suma Susaki