Lying in bed Chihiro fumed over her mothers' words, it wasn't that Chihiro didn't want to meet boys and enjoy her life; she just couldn't imagine herself with any of the men who chased her. For some reason choosing a man to experience love with wasn't something she wanted to do. For now she has happy as herself anyway, who cared what anyone else thought? Turning over she threw her head into the pillow and tried to sleep. Pulling the covers over her she curled up and closed her eyes. Sleep had almost taken her when she heard the door creak open, little footprints came toward the bed and she felt her sister dive up beside her.
'Ikuko' She scolded, 'Why aren't you in your own bed?'
'I got scared, wanted to see you.' Ikuko whined, trying to climb into the bed. Chihiro smiled, 'One more night' she laughed, cuddling her sister close, she stroked her hair until the little child was soon breathing heavy beside her. Settling back down, Chihiro turned slightly and looked at the moon through the window. To her amazement, her window creaked and opened, a strange whistling sound whirred around her room, bringing leaves and bits of paper with it. Jumping out of bed, Chihiro slammed the window shut; Ikuko woke suddenly and cried out, covering her ears to escape the noise. Chihiro looked out the window to the floor; she could see a trail of leaves floating in the air. The ones in her room were circling her, pushing her toward the door. Lifting her hand she felt one, it floated through her skin and made her tingle. 'Chihiro' a voice whispered in the room. 'Come to me'.
Chihiro stared at her little sister and smiled, pulling open her wardrobe she found a dress and some shoes, pulling them on, she turned and kissed the child.
'Good bye Ikuko'
'Chihiro stay' the little girl shouted.
'Shush, you will wake mother' Chihiro whispered sharply, 'Lie back down and go to sleep.'
'No' the child cried, jumping down and holding Chihiro. 'Let me come, don't leave me here, mother has no time for me, if you leave I will have no one to play with.'
Chihiro summed everything up; taking the child would be easier, besides she would be back in a few days. Mother probably wouldn't even notice. 'Go fetch your shoes then' Chihiro whispered to the excited child. Ikuko was back within seconds, clutching her shoes and her favourite doll.
'Where are we going?' the child asked as Chihiro lifted her in her arms, wrapping a blanket around the child she put her finger to her lips, asking for silence until they left the house.

Once outside the cold wind hit her, she could still see the colours leading them, 'See those colours in the sky?' Chihiro asked, trying to amuse Ikuko, 'they are our breadcrumbs, like hansel and gretal remember? We have to follow this'
'to where?'
'To a magical place I once visited before you were born. You will see lots of strange things, you will meet Haku'
'Haku is the man who was in my room, I don't want to see him again'
'So it was Haku? He told you his name?'
The child nodded, and looked back up at the sky, pointing at the different colours that danced around them.

Chihiro dropped Ikuko to the floor as they stood by the tunnel.
'This isn't magic' Ikuko whined, 'we were here ages ago, nothing happened'
Chihiro closed her eyes; she could feel that the world was there, she could sense him close by. Taking Ikuko hand she raised her head and walked into the tunnel, turning once only to glace at the night sky as they left. Ikuko plodded along, and suddenly clung to Chihiro, Chihiro smiled, she could feel it to. Lifting the child to her once more, she felt waves riding up her, the room was spinning, everything was distorted, then nothing.
Stepping out of the tunnel she breathed a sigh or relief as she stared over the city. Its lights glimmering in the darkness, she heard Ikukos intake of breath.
'Wow' she whispered, 'Where did all the pretty things come from?'
'Ikuko you stay close to me, you don't want to get lost here' Chihiro let go of the child's hand to allow her to explore, over the river she could see the houses and building she had explored and worked in, until something caught her eye.
in the sky, it was coming toward them quickly, she stared at it. HE was much bigger than she recalled, this dragon couldn't be the same she had left? Was it he?

Haku raced toward the riverside, she was here. Gliding gracefully through the air, he felt his fur bristle as he spotted her, she was staring at him. Snarling he noticed she had that child with her, but shot on nevertheless. Circling he found a place to land and lowered himself to the ground.

Ikuko screamed and dived at Chihiro, who reassured her it was ok. Cuddling the frightened child she walked toward the great dragon and ran her fingers along its fur, 'See Ikuko, its fine' the small child reached out timidly and touched him, then allowed her self to be dropped so she could continue walking around.
'Haku' Chihiro breathed, leaning against him and running her fingers along his torso, 'My you have grown'
Haku, trembled, and began changing, his body morphed and crushed itself back to his human appearance. Chihiro opened her eyes and found herself hugging Haku, her arms wrapped around his torso, she looked at his eyes. 'Haku?' she smiled, taking him in. 'Look at you' she laughed, 'your all grown up, and so strong'
'Look at you' he smiled, taking her in. 'Little Chihiro, I welcome you back. Who is this little stowaway then?' he asked indicating to Ikuko.

'This is my little sister. She will behave. Don't worry about her. God I have so much..'
'Hush' he smiled. 'Lets get you both in the warm. Then we may talk' he smiled, stepping backwards; he changed back into his dragon form and lowered himself.
'Come on' he teased, 'surely you haven't forgotten?'
Chihiro smiled, 'Ikuko, come' she cried, holding out her hand. The child held her hand tightly as Chihiro lifted her up onto the dragon, then pulled herself up and held her close. 'Here Chihiro, hold on to his fur, don't be afraid, I will not let you fall.'
Chihiro didn't get Ikukos reaction to this, as Haku shot off into the night, rising higher and higher, they had a perfect view of the world. Chihiro smiled as Haku showed off, twirling and floating, he plummeted down toward the houses and shot through them. Rising up he let out one magnificent roar, waking everyone up, as they came to their windows grumbling they waved at Chihiro. Ikukos eyes stared at the many different forms of magical creatures. Frogs that walked and talked, huge caterpillars, witches, wizards, dragons. 'Where are the peoples?' Ikuko whispered to Chihiro.
'We are they, this world has no sympathy for humans, nor are they too fond of us, so watch your mouth here, and stick close to me. So long as we are with Haku we are safe'
'Haku is human?'
'No, Haku is a Wizard, and is part dragon as you can see. But he helped me long ago, and we are good friends' Chihiro looked closer, and spotted the bathhouse coming into view, but Haku didn't stop there, instead he flew way past it, to a large house on a hill. Landing roughly he snorted and lowered himself to allow his passengers to climb off. Ikuko stared as he changed back into human, then jumped as creatures ran from the house, to take their coats and offer them food.
Chihiro noticed Haku walking away, 'Haku?' she called, 'Are you not staying?'
'Not yet, I need to rest, please eat make yourselves at home, get young ears to bed. I will meet you at midnight Chihiro, I will send word of where.' Nodding he walked backwards from them and left the room. Ikuko burst into tears immediately. 'Ikuko' Chihiro scolded, grabbing the child close to her, 'whatever's the matter? Calm down you are quite safe'
'I don't like it here, everything odd' she wept, 'I want to go home'
'You followed me of your own accord' Chihiro scolded sharply, 'It was your choice, and you are here now. I didn't invite you' a few hurt feelings of resentment toward her sister rose up, but she immediately swallowed them. Softening she wiped the tears from her sister, 'I am sorry Ikuko, I am just tired, lets us go to sleep now? This world will seem more exciting in the morning? And if you don't like it I will take you home how about that?'
Ikuko stared about the vast bedroom the servants had shown them to, and climbed upon the bed, jumping into its huge pillows, 'I could like it here' she smiled reaching out to her older sister. Chihiro shook her head and grabbed a pillow throwing it at her sister, they continued to play fight upon the bed until Ikuko grew tired, holding her close Chihiro sang her to sleep and tucked her into her bed. Walking to the window she stared out over a world that has seemed to terrifying to her when she was eleven, she couldn't imagine the confusion in Ikuko's mind. Maybe it was a mistake to bring her here, a selfish mistake, but she couldn't avoid his call or the feelings he stirred. Even now she felt a pull, something in her heart was being called upon, sure enough she was soon engulfed with wind and a warm feeling of security. 'Chihiro, come to me' it whispered, so warm and soft against her skin, she felt herself being lifted from the floor. Turning around to steal one last glance at her sister, she was happy with her safety and allowed him to carry her.