OceanicGoddess: Thanks! And double thanks for reviewing again! I love consistency!

Pyramidgirl89: I knew you'd like the omake! Hehe. I'll make it a permanent part of my format.

Nefandus: Thanks! It's thrilling to know that maybe I can transmit the scene in my head into other people's just through words! Or at least a version of it. Haku is going to mature over the story, but he will still retain his childishness. Thanks for reviewing!

She who refuses to be named: lol Glad you approve. I knew you'd like Haku dangling by Kamaji's arm! Anyways, thanks for all the help with this chapter!

Presea Combatir: I love the movie too! Yes, this is going to be a C x H fic. I think this chapter may start to clear up what I have in mind…well, read on and thanks for reviewing!

Velf: (gasps in horror) Take attention away from Haku! I'm a criminal! lol I will try my best to keep that from happening again. Anyways thanks and please tell me if you notice anything (as usual.) Anyways, the first part of this chapter will be particularly funny for you.

Lost-and-Lonely-Phoenix: No worries! The H x C pair will happen. Think you know where I'm going, eh? Well uh…I don't! lol No really, the plot keeps changing every time I think about it . So you'll just have to keep reading to find out if you're right! lol

A/N: Ok! I had about four completely different versions of this chapter. Fun to write, but it was a little tricky. I'm going to be really busy next week, so its probably going to take me longer than a week to update. Sorry! But this one is loooong to make up for it. Well, on with the story…

The Charm Bracelet

Mayu felt the warmth of the sun bathing her face as her long eyelashes slowly fluttered open. Bright light reflected off her usually black cascade of hair and dyed it a deep mahogany. She squinted her eyes against the light and gave a small yawn, quietly tuning her head to look over at the next bed. Chihiro appeared to still be snoring away, half visible under the covers. Mayu smiled. Then a purple glint winked from Chihiro's wrist and the incredible story she had heard last night came flooding back to her. She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the white-washed ceiling. I want to believe it, but… A spirit world? Mayu bit her lip as she remembered how blissful and vibrant Chihiro had been as she told her tale. No…she couldn't have made that up. And that purple band…I've never seen anything like it. That can't be from this world… Mayu sighed. Why did you pretend you believed her in the first place then? she scolded herself. But honestly, who can believe it…

Chihiro heard a small yawn from the next bed and slowly peeked at Mayu from under barely opened eyes. Mayu seemed to be in a state of deep reflection. Chihiro clenched her jaw and felt butterflies in her stomach. "I don't think even you can make up a story in that much detail! Of course I believe you. I'm your friend now, Chihiro." Sure she had said so, but what person could honestly believe that 100 the first time they heard it? Not even dangerously gullible children would believe her! And I should know all about that! she thought ruefully. In the last desperate attempt to get her parent to believe her story, she had told it to Sandra, her best friend at the time. She was an extremely gullible girl and at the age of ten, still believed in the existence of Santa! She had told her the story. Chihiro sighed as she remembered the cruel laugh which signaled the end of her hope and the beginning of her masquerade of perfection. Each new burst of mirth had driven a dagger deeper into her heart. Hell a fat old guy in a red suit riding a flying sled is more believable! Now this eighteen year old who just met me was going to believe it on the first shot? Chihiro reflected for a moment and made a decision. There's no way I'm going to go through that shock again. She sighed. I guess I'll just tell her I was in a crazy mood and made up a story…She felt a pang of guilt and cowardice but ignored it. It was for the best.

"Mayu?" Chihiro's voice floated from across the room.

Mayu bolted up and turned to see Chihiro looking at her. "Oh you're up! Morning!" she said putting on her best smile

Chihiro felt awkward. "We have art first today, right?" she said.

"Yup! Come one, hurry up and get dressed." Mayu said, skipping over to hunt through a pile of clothes. Chihiro walked over to her closet and buried her head inside. Staring at the dark folds of clothes, she started.

"Um…Mayu?" she said. She heard her voice shake a bit. Coward she thought to herself.

"Yeah?" Mayu said, throwing pieces of clothing around the room. "Now where are those shorts? I thought they were here…" A jean skirt hit Chihiro in the back and she forced herself to turn around. Mayu giggled. "Oops! Sorry about that!" she said and went right back to terrorizing the room with flying objects.

Chihiro gave a tight lipped grin. "No problem… about yesterday…you know, that story…" she started again. Mayu gave a triumphant yell as she held up a pair of bright blue shorts.

"Found it!" she said happily, flouncing into the bathroom to change into it. The door slammed shut. "Now what were you saying?"

Chihiro clenched determined fists. She inhaled a deep breath and opened her mouth. Nothing. Come on Chihiro! Say it! Nothing. She just let her breath out with a sigh. Maybe it will just go away? She knew that was asking for too much, but Mayu had already started humming to herself again.

"Never mind." Chihiro said, hating herself. Ugh! What a wimp!

Mayu burst back through the door. "Sure?" she asked cocking her head. She felt herself nod. Mayu beamed. "Ok! Well come on, get dressed! We're gonna be late…" Chihiro scrambled into her clothes as Mayu urged her on. They ran down the dorm stairs and was soon out into the white hot sun. The girls groaned. Even if it was only early June, the air was stifling. Not even the hint of a breeze blessed their already sweaty bodies.

"It's burning out here!" Chihiro whined, "Was there air conditioner in that studio? I don't think I could take a full two hours cooped up in a non-air conditioned room!" She seemed to have eased up and was furiously fanning herself in a vain attempt at fighting the heat.

Mayu kept a steady watch of her out of the corner of her eyes. "Me neither." she said. Did I pull it off? she thought.

They swung open the old double doors to the studio. The air was hot and musty. Dust particles and paint fumes swirled through the air. The girls moaned. Great. Just what I need! Chihiro thought. She scanned the room, looking at each of the faces. Then she realized what she was doing and felt her heart give a guilty squeeze. I wasn't looking for him! So what if he's a spirit. It's not like I even know for sure…

"Only those easels are open. In that corner there." Mayu said pointing to a deserted area by the window. The girls saw the merciless sunlight beating down on the seats and winced. No wonder there was nobody there. "Maybe we'll get some breeze?" she added hopefully. They sighed submissively and walked over to the drying rack and retrieved their paintings before sitting down. The students got to work grumbling and attempting to devise some way of staying cool.

Chihiro looked at her painting of Haku and smiled. She thought she had finally started to capture the exact green of the plume running down his spine, the two whiskers trailing amongst a swirling body which seemed to whip the air around it. His two golden horns gleamed and almond eyes gazed fiercely, but not too violently. Maybe all that practice paid off…

"Coming along nicely there." A voice interrupted her daze. What! Chihiro heard a familiar chuckle and felt her stomach drop and heart fly into her throat. Slowly, she swung around. She was staring at two twinkling amber eyes, and chocolate feathered locks. Sei! Chihiro swallowed a scream.

"What! But there was…I mean…how did you…" Chihiro mentally slapped herself. Get a grip! she thought disgusted.She took a deep breath and managed to squeak, "Where did you come from? Nobody was there a second ago!" Chihiro couldn't help but gaze into those warm amber eyes.

Sei laughed. "Well you were too busy drooling over your painting." he said, raising an eyebrow at her and flashing her a teasing grin. Chihiro felt slightly queasy but only glared at him and went back to work.

Sei enjoyed the view. The tiny pink rose buds of her lips stood out in a pout. Girls are always better mad. Suddenly, he became aware of two burning points bearing into his temples and felt his body tense unwillingly. He laughed silently at himself. Scared of a little mortal chick? he thought. He dragged his eyes over to the beautiful caramel smooth skin and piercing catlike eyes he knew awaited him. Smile! Come on Sei! He felt his lips obey. "Hey there!"

Mayu laughed. "I was wondering when you'd notice! We haven't officially met yet. I'm Chihiro's friend, Mayu." she said over Chihiro's head.

"Nice to meet you Mayu." he gave her a wink. Mayu felt her cheeks flush a bit under his golden gaze. Pretty…

"Nice to meet you too." she said winking back.

"So Mayu!" Sei said, "Do you drool at your paintings?" he asked wickedly. Both of them saw Chihiro blush a darker shade of red and bit back snickers.

"I don't know Sei. Do you?" Mayu asked in a honey sweet tone.

Sei chuckled. "Well actually if the animal in my painting was served with some sage and onion, then maybe I would be drooling too." he finished, casting a glance Chihiro who was furiously swirling the already mixed paint on her pallet. He knew how nosy she was. Come on Sen! Look up! Mayu leaned over and peered at his painting and promptly burst out laughing.

"I think I would drool too!" Mayu said, still slapping her knee in glee. Chihiro clenched her jaw trying to fight curiosity. Her eyes burned with the effort of trying to refrain from looking up. She felt her resolve slowly crumble. Oh what the heck. She snapped her eyes up to the painting in one fluid motion.

And regretted it. She felt her stomach twist into sharp, painful knots. In the middle of the canvas there was a sty full of enormous pigs, blubbering over with fat. She remembered the shock her had felt that first day when Haku had taken her to the sty to see her parents who had been turned into pigs. It had been a shock to her, a painful moment of realizing that she was on her own now and that only she could save them. The wave of emotions that had seized her then came rushing back. How dare Yubaba do that to them…

"Who are they?" she blurted out. Then she widened her eyes in panic. Oh my god, oh my god…

Sei laughed. "Don't worry! Only pigs souls in there." he said.

Chihiro just gave him a nervous glance and kept looking at the canvas. She noticed that the sty was on the edge of a grassy cliff full of peach colored flowers. In the background was a shimmering blue sea and a single train running over the water. It was much too painfully familiar to her.

Chihiro attempted to smile. "Its…nice." she said. Two pieces of woody brown hair fell into her eyes and Chihiro flicked at them distractedly. She dared not face Sei now. Who knows what I'll gush to him? I can't admit anything. Then she scowled and stuck out her chin. Besides, its his fault I even got myself into that mess with Mayu! All I wanted was a normal college experience…

"Still stubborn as ever, eh?" Sei said. Chihiro clutched her sweaty palms together. Make him stop!

Sei gazed thoughtfully at Chihiro and grinned. It is a bit cruel, but here it goes…"Why are you so cranky today?" Sei asked casually.

Chihiro relaxed a little. Finally! Something I can answer…"Because its so hot! And there's no air conditioner here either." she said voice dripping with contempt.

Sei kept his face and tone casual. "Well why didn't you say so before! Let me give you some air. Open those windows please, Mayu?" he asked, pointing to the windows next to her. Mayu jumped up giving him a confused but curious look. He only smirked and nodded at the windows. What the heck is he doing? she thought. Then she shrugged and heaved them open wide. A huge gust of wonderfully cool wind came gushing through the room. Everyone sighed with contentment. Chihiro stared at Sei and she could hear Mayu clapping and laughing with delight behind her. He was staring right back, a serious look on his face now.

"Are you going to keep denying it?" he asked quietly, gauging her with his warm eyes.

"Denying what?" she said looking him straight in the eyes. "Can you stop bothering me? I don't know what you're talking about." She coldly turned away.

Sei bit his lip. "Sorry sweet…" he said under his breath. I thought you already knew… Chihiro whirled around in shock. The words had not been spoken aloud, but seemed to have rolled directly into her head.

"How did you..!" Chihiro said, startled.

Sei grinned. Ah. Finally some honesty…he thought. "You know why…" he whispered.

Chihiro stamped her foot. "No I don't!" She cringed inside her head. Yes, I do…

Suddenly a yell cut into their thoughts. "Hey, who opened the window?" the girl sitting in front of Mayu asked her neighbor.

"I did!" Mayu said. The girl didn't seem to hear her. Mayu frowned. She reached her arm to tap the girl on the shoulder.

Her finger were scant millimeters away from the girl's shoulder when Sei saw this and jumped out of his seat. "Mayu! Stop right there!" he yelled. Mayu froze and exploded on him.

"What? Why?" she sighed irritably as she saw Chihiro now staring a little frightened at her painting and at Sei's. Suddenly she was fed up. She marched right up to Sei and stared him right in the eye. "What the hell is going on!" she demanded.

Sei chuckled. "My, my! Isn't this little chick a feisty one!" he said, giving her his best smile. Mayu felt her knees melt and the scowl melted with it. She was drowning in an amber pool…

BRRRING! The bell rang, cutting through everyone's thoughts. Chihiro snapped out of her stupor and ran at a furious pace out the door. Sei edged away from Mayu as she worriedly looked at the blurry figure of Chihiro. Then with one quick dash he managed to get to the door. Two more feet… he thought as he reached for the door knob.

"Not so fast!" Mayu grimly gripped a handful of Sei's creamy white T-shirt. She gazed grinning with approval at his broad strong back. She felt him turning around and quickly replaced the grin with a glare. He chuckled ruefully and put hands up in the air.

"I am at your mercy!" he said. Mayu took a deep breath and gathered her courage. She made solid eye contact and made sure that he saw she was serious now. Here goes nothing…

"Ok Sei. Tell me if I'm right. The spirit world that Chihiro told me about yesterday night: she was trying this morning to cover it up. This leads me to believe that it does actually exist. And since you knew Chihiro's name, Sen, that only is used in that world, you are a spirit too. And probably a wind spirit since you called the wind in today to try make Chihiro stop denying that you exist, the spirit worlds exists and most importantly that she still does believe Haku will come get her."

Sei felt like he had been punched in the stomach. The words clung to the air and Mayu couldn't help but grin as Sei's eyes widened and mouth dropped open ever so slightly. Was mister-all-knowing capable of shock? she thought.

"Well?"

Sei managed to get his heart rate under control. Amazing. Smart. Pretty… "Smart cookie aren't you?" he said, regaining composure. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Hey! I got an idea! What if…" he leaned in and the two stood still for a few long moments. Finally, Sei stopped whispering and leaned back to look at her reaction.

"Well?" he asked. Mayu looked at him and sighed. He was the very picture of a mischievous puppy. Amber eyes glowed gold, hair tousled, cheeks flush. Then she shook her head and poised her hand. Prepare for another surprise! Sei blinked as a hand snapped his head to the side with a resounding smack. Pain shot through his cheek. Pain. Ouch…. His brain finally processed what just happened. She slapped me!

"No Sei! I thought you were more understanding than that! I can't do that to her." Then she saw what she had done. Punished puppy. she thought. The pretentiousness was all gone from Sei. His eyes had dimmed to a confused, foggy brown. He held his stinging cheek in amazement. Then he seemed to snap out of his shock. He took a deep breath, looked at Mayu and laughed. A warm, genuine laugh.

"You win. I lose. You totally caught me off guard, and yes, surprised me!" Mayu tossed her head in triumph. "But I do have one more surprise for you, sweet." he said, eyes twinkling.

Mayu's mask of arrogant triumph crumbled. Another surprise? "What?" she said a little too eagerly.

Suddenly Sei grabbed her hand. Mayu gasped in surprise and tried to shake him off. "Hey! Get off!"

"Mayu! Let me just show you something." Mayu slowly stopped struggling. "Hold out your hand." Mayu stuck out her bare golden brown arm. "Ok. Now close your eyes." Mayu gave him a suspicious look, but obeyed. She felt her wrist being bathed in a warm wave. It felt invigorating and…safe. What's going on?

Suddenly, the warmth was gone. "Ok. Open your eyes."

Mayu slowly opened her eyes and gasped. A thin band of ice blue beads lay on her wrist. It was identical to Chihiro's except that hers was blue. Fresh power seemed to radiate from it and Mayu stared in awe.

"A present for you. Keep it on at all times." Sei said simply.

"Where did it come from?" Mayu breathed. She was still entranced by the beautiful color of the lucid beads.

At last! Revenge! He chuckled. "What do you mean? It was on your wrist since this morning!" he said.

Mayu blinked and looked up. "No it wasn't!" she said.

"Yes it was!"

"No, it wasn't!"

Sei sighed. "Ok, I'll prove it. Watch." Mayu stared at the band. Sei took his hand and passed it over her wrist. Mayu blinked and rubbed her eyes. It had vanished.

"What!" she cried out. What the hell! Am I hallucinating? She reached out with her own fingers and trembling, touched the surface. She could feel the coolness of the stones on her fingertips. Sei chuckled again and passed his hand back over it. The band reappeared, glittering. Mayu reached out and still felt the coolness of the stones. It was the same. "They were invisible!" she exclaimed.

Sei watched her reaction. Her coal back eyes glittered with excitement and hair brushed her golden skin. Pretty. He reached out a hand and brushed a soft lock off her face and bent in. Mayu froze in horror as she felt the feather soft lips touch her skin. "Till tomorrow." A whisper ticked her ear. She looked up just in time to see him silently fade into the air. There was a gush of wind and the windows rattled as Mayu watched, still frozen in place. She felt the still tingling spot on her forehead. Amber. Amber eyes, so pretty… Then she realized something. It had been on since that morning? But I would have felt him put it on me if I was conscious. Conscious? What if I was sleeping. She gasped and ran over to the window.

"You creep! You snuck into our room!" she yelled into the breeze. She could have sworn she heard warm ringing laugh.

>>>>>>>

A/N: Phew! I told you that was long! Now onto pyramidgirl89's favorite part…

Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away!

Haku: Which means she doesn't own me! (turns to Velf and smiles) A metal railing has been installed on the staircase! I mean what would this fic be without me? (gives a killer smile) (author laughs)

Crazi: Anyways! That's all fol-

(Sei comes running up to author and bear hugs her): Yay! You wrote about me!

Crazi: mphh! Sei..can't breathe…

Sei: Oops! Well since I have damaged the brain of my author, the next chapter will be slightly belated. (turns to author) But did you really have to have me slapped?

Haku: And did I really have to be dangled in the air by Kamaji?

Chihiro and Mayu from backstage: YES!

Crazi: lol Well, that's all folks! Till next time…