Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimers apply, see first chapter

Woot! I actually decided to keep up with this story, AND WRITE A SECOND CHAPTER! Actually, I've been working on this for a while, but I decided to suck it up and finish it. Now, the thank-you's to the devoted people who reviewed as of July 9th, 2005:

Scorpion29: worships Thank you so much for the great title idea for this fanfic, and for agreeing to create SOME of the Oc's for this (to get an idea of how great her Oc's are, read her fics…)

GreenEyedJo: Thank you for your review. Description is kindof a specialty, fills up space.

DnDGamergirl: does "DnD" stand for Dungeons and Dragons…? If so, AWSOME! Thank you as well for your review and in answer to your question…well…this chapter might have an answer.

And I'm sorry if the first chapter and prologue seemed a bit short, it was four pages on my computer! I may not be updating for a bit, as I will be out of town from the 16th of July to the 25th. But I will be a good girl and bring a notebook so I may write out the chapter and then type it when I get back. I do too much for you people….

Here's the line you requested

Chapter Two

(Haku)

"I need you to come back to the spirit world." As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. The look on Chihiro's face, a look of shock, and some fear, wrenched at my soul. "Chihiro, please listen...I really don't want to ask this of you, but we need you. The bath house has been put under new management, and he is just as bad, if not worse, than Yubaba. A small resistance group has been formed, but it's not enough. We found a prophetess, who said that one of the human race will help significantly in what will turn out to be a war. You are the only one I can turn to Chihiro." I deliberately left out the second part of the prophecy, the part that tore at my heart every time I thought about it.

"Sen, please…you don't know what he's doing…" Lin broke in, sounding desperate. "He's destroying everything we know. He cares nothing for his workers, just for how much he's earning. When anything goes wrong, he places the blame on a worker and they are never seen again, but screams can be heard at night. Please…."

I looked over at Chihiro again, noticing for the first time how much she had changed. Her beautiful brown hair was much longer and had been pulled back away from her face in a braid, and I noticed that she wore minimal makeup, nothing too noticeable at a first glance. Her expression showed that she was torn between what to do; help us, or stay here with the life she had known for seven years. There was no reason why she would help us really; this was a problem with our world, not hers…

I sighed, and pulled a thin silver chain out of my pocket. Hanging from it was a small, silver disk with runes engraved on it. "Take this then, maybe it will help in your decision. It will allow you to see what is happening in the spirit world, but only when you're asleep. We will come back in a week for your decision. If you wish to stay here, we will let you without any arguing." Lin began to protest at this, but I silenced her. "I will not force you Chihiro, your choice won't diminish my…impression…of you." I had been about to say "feelings", but it had been seven years, and she was an attractive young woman. Any number of guys, guys from her own world, could have caught her attention and her heart. It was best not to say anything. Placing the chain around her neck, I nodded to Lin and turned and walked back through the doorway.

"You idiot!" Lin exclaimed as we passed back into the spirit world, "You know as well as I how important she is to regaining our freedom!"

"You wouldn't understand my reasons Lin." I stated, walking at a fast pace. The spell Zeniiba had placed on us allowing us a temporary release from His power was fading fast, and we needed to be back at our rightful spots as soon as possible. When we reached the onsen1, Lin quickly darted off into a servant's entrance while I was forced to stroll through the main entrance. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I made for the nearest elevator, both customers and workers alike. When I made it to the elevator, I pulled the lever to go up and slumped back against the wall. What little of the spell was left, I manipulated to protect my memories of our resistance, and everything that had just happened, blocking myself from reaching it completely. In its place, I built a new memory, of a mission to make sure that everything was going in His favor.

The elevator dinged and I got out, making my way to the next one which was across the room. The floor was packed and noisy when the elevator doors opened, but as soon as people started to notice me, they shut up and moved to the edges of the room, creating a path for me. I kept my head bowed as I walked, as He expected of me, and entered the final elevator. It was occupied, but as soon as they saw me, they poured out and away. So once again I was alone, to contemplate my thoughts in peace.

Having reached the top floor, I walked over to the massive doors. Yubaba's door knocker had been replaced by a new one; a grotesque looking creature that bit the hand of anyone unwanted in His chambers. Gripping the handle firmly, I landed 3 sharp knocks on the door, and released it, feeling His cold presence creep up my arm like ice. The doors creaked open and I made my way down the endless hallways, trying not to look at the horrifying statues that lined the path. They were one of His "hobbies". He created these monsters, out of the bits and pieces of those who displeased Him no doubt, and then turned them to stone.

I reached the last door and hesitated, not wanting to face Him again.

"Haku, come in." His sleek voice slid through the door to my ears, in what seemed to be a kind, inviting way. I just stood there, trying to gather what courage one has left after hearing that voice. It took on a harsher, more annoyed tone.

"Nigihayami Kohakunushi2, I command you to ENTER AT ONCE!" As these words were spoken, my arms and legs moved of their own accord, as if on marionette strings, pushing the door open and walking inside. I kept my head bowed, eyes lowered, not wanting to see His evil form.

"Now…isn't that better?" He asked, as two snakes slithered across the room towards me, an involuntary shudder passed through my body as they moved over my feet, wrapping themselves around my ankles.

Looking around the room, I noticed that another person was there…a girl sat in a chair near a wall, looking like a puppet whose strings had been severed. She was limp, with long dark brown hair cascading over her shoulders…and pale eyes…it was Sakura…Lin would be distraught.

"Now Haku, you know better than that…look at Me while I'm talking to you!"

I swallowed and raised my head, slowly taking in His form. On the outside, He appeared human, with black hair slicked back and a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of His nose. He wore an American style business suit, black of course, with shiny black shoes. But to one who was under His control, He was the thing nightmares were made of. He could control one's body with a single sentence, and walked through one's dreams as if they were His own private garden, weeding out some thoughts and planting new ones. He knew everything, except what was blocked off by powerful magic, such as the spells Zeniiba had placed on Lin and I, and any others of our group that worked here. They weren't noticed by Him, yet, for all we had to do was replace the blocked memories and thoughts with others, ones that pleased Him.

"I'll ask nicely once, Haku…where were you today? I didn't see you or Lin as a matter of fact, at all today, nor did anyone else…and I know they aren't lying…" A grin crept over His features as He finished His sentence, as if remembering some sadistic memory.

Taking a deep breath, I mentally skimmed my story, it seemed alright…

"I was on a scouting mission, my Lord, making sure that all was going according to Your plan. There were a few brief uprisings, but they were quelled quickly, and efficiently. All else was going as You plan."

He sat there a moment, pondering my story, then stood up and walked around to the front of His desk, leaning against it. "Are you sure that you speak the truth?"

"Search my mind if You must, You will find it exactly as I told You."

He moved closer to me, reaching out a hand and placing the fingertips on my forehead. I closed my eyes and bit my lip at this, despising His cold, heartless touch. It felt as if those fingers were slipping through my skull to my mind, opening everything to Him. Firmly, I clamped down on the memories I had created for Him, stabilizing them, as He carelessly riffled through my thoughts like a book being skimmed through to the good parts. When He reached the one He was looking for, he seemed to scrutinize it, picking at it, noting every detail, trying to find something off…

Suddenly, my grip on it slipped, and an image of Chihiro popped into my mind. Quickly, I hid it, but it was too late…He had seen…

"Oh…now who is this?" His voice was questioning, with a hint of suspicion mixed in. "A lover perhaps? Should we….dispose of this distraction?"

"NO!" The word left my mouth, and I tore away from His grasp, wincing as He was torn from my mind. I turned to run, but the snakes tightened suddenly around my ankles, sending me sprawling over the floor. As I began to get back up, I was forced down again by a knee pressed into my back as He knelt beside me, His mouth almost touching my ear.

"I have a feeling that you have gone against My wishes…I don't know how, but I will soon find out…I have My ways…" He stood, and with a single, hissing word, two…creatures…ambled into the room and seized me. I tried to break free, but a hairy fist to the side of my head sent me into a daze. I felt as if I was floating. Somehow managing to turn my head, I saw once again Sakura, still sitting there, although now something was different…her eyes, if possible, held more sorrow then before.

I won't let you die, Haku…oh no…I still have uses for you…but believe Me, you'll wish you were dead… I heard His voice in my mind, and I knew it was all over…

LINE AGAIN

Well? What did you think? Just so ya know, Sakura is one of the many OC's that will be making their debut in this, and she now belongs to Scorpion29…sigh something else to add to my disclaimer…but she's gonna turn out great, along with the others I hope. Please review this, even if it's just to say that you read it. Well, see you in the next chapter…of there is one….reviews help the creative process just FYI

1 Onsenbath house

2 Haku's real name(Japanese)