Hey everyone! Here's a new update, sorry about the long wait!
**REALLY IMPORTANT, DON'T READ THIS CHAPTER UNLESS YOU'VE READ THIS BOLDED PART**.Later in this chapter, some song lyrics are quoted. These lyrics come from the song "Always With Me", which the is the credit music for Spirited Away, and also the namesake of this fanfiction. Of course, it's the translated song, not the original since it's in japanese... anyway, it might be cool if you listen to the song one time (pull it up on youtube) before reading this chapter. I feel like it makes it a lot more special. But, don't worry, it's not required or anything. Just promise me all of you will look into your hearts when you read the lyrics. Needless to say, I DON'T OWN THOSE LYRICS.
Also, we're almost at 3000 views! Thanks to everyone who's viewed the story! And of course, always leave comments! They really are my inspiration to keep writing. Anyways, onward with the story :3 Enjoy!
After Chihiro had run out of his sight, he had no other choice but to go to Yubaba. Quickly, he sent Rin to find Chihiro and calm her down immediately. He swore to her that once he found out what was going on… he would put it to an end.
Haku had known for years that Yubaba had eyes in every room and hall of the bathhouse for security purposes, and now was the perfect time to utilize that very resource.
After nearly ramming down her door, he expected the witch to send him out immediately from his rude entry. But, his prediction was entirely wrong.
Apparently, the old woman had thought ahead of him, and was already viewing the footage of what had just taken place in the halls, moments before.
There Haku and Yubaba stood, horrified at the scene that unfolded in front of them.
After observing Akane's account of everything that he had attempted to conceal from Chihiro, he could hardly find the words to speak. What was he feeling? Anger? Yes, certainly. Sadness, that he couldn't deliver the news himself? Of course, that's a given. But, no… there was something else buried deep inside his chest. A dull ache, yet an ache that filled him to the brim with adrenaline. This was an entirely new emotion for the dragon spirit.
Embarrassment. Yes, that was it. He should have been the one to tell Chihiro about the legacy she left behind; he should have been the one to tell her everything.
But what would that change? He thought, sulkily. Either way, they would have to part ways once he was wed to that animal. Both of them would once again be put through that excruciating goodbye.
Akane. The mere thought of her name was enough to make his blood boil with fury.
He was repulsed to have such a vile, disgusting woman betrothed to him. Someone who had put on such a façade, mere moments beforehand, only to attack Chihiro, like a lion to its prey, once he turned his back.
Chihiro was the only thing in the world that he cared for… he couldn't forgive himself for letting her out of his sight. This was all his fault.
And now… she's probably crying somewhere in the bathhouse, he lamented. All because of something I could have stopped from happening.
He hadn't realized he was still in Yubaba's office, gaping at the sphere in the center of the room. He couldn't find the words to say to the witch. The only thing he was capable of doing was making brief eye contact with her. But, in that moment, the witch understood everything she needed to.
She sighed and pointed to the door. "Well," she raised her voice, "you'd better go find her! Get out!" Waving her massive hand, the sphere with the footage dissipated into nothingness. Haku curtly nodded and ran out of the room, replaying Akane's words and Chihiro's responses in his head.
Having said goodbye to Rin after their emotional confessions, and promising to have dinner with her later, Chihiro went to the gardens. Rin had told her that Haku was seeing Yubaba about some important business, so she knew that this would be the only place she wouldn't run into him.
Exiting the bathhouse, she thought about seeing those bright, exotic flowers only just the night before, when talking to Haku about her parents. But, at that moment, the atmosphere had changed so drastically; it was as if she were discovering this place for the first time in her life.
The sky was a pitch black void, dusted heavily with brilliant, shining diamonds. Not only were the stars out that night, but also they seemed to be swirled with deep, royal-purple waves of light.
Are those… constellations?! She thought excitedly. Chihiro had loved astronomy ever since she was a little girl, this made her heart leap in joy.
Surely, her guess must have been correct. Nothing in her world could have ever shone so bright. Just by looking at it, the weight in her heart lightened immediately.
The human girl took her time walking further and further into the thick plants around her. She paid no mind to the direction she was going, and followed only the path her heart chose to take.
Soon, she found that she was no longer just 'wandering' in the gardens. It was as if her feet knew a destination that she herself didn't know.
Chihiro at last looked back and saw just how far she had wandered. The bathhouse was small, in comparison to its usual grand appearance.
But, she didn't worry. Something inside her told her to keep going.
Eventually, she happened upon a massive wall of foliage in front of her. Was this the end of the gardens? Perhaps, but something felt strange. As she looked closer into the leaves, she saw a glowing crack in the middle that reached all the way to the top of the wall.
Chihiro didn't know what she was doing, but some voice inside her seemed to be calling her; begging her to reach out her hand and touch the crevasse. She did it without question.
Just as her fingers found the shining light, she was flung to the floor.
The ground beneath her began to sway. Chihiro thought this might have been due to her impact on the floor…that is, until she saw the trees around her, quaking to their roots.
She did as she was always taught in Japan, whenever someone is caught in an earthquake, and without a moment to lose, she curled into a ball, placing her hands over her neck and head area.
Just as she finished preparing herself for what may come, every movement and tremor in the earth ceased. After waiting a moment, she opened her eyes, and found herself in an unfamiliar area. The only similarity was the sky. Those same brilliant stars stood there, staring back at her.
She knew that she had never seen this place before…yet… it was as if the air around her was filled with something so familiar. The flowers grew to the sides of a narrow, cobblestone path that continued throughout the garden.
The stones of this road were marbled with a milky, pearlescent substance that most would identify as Mother of Pearl.
As her eyes (and soon her feet) traveled down this wondrous path, Chihiro found herself taken to the largest waterfall she had ever seen. The water that glistened against the rocks was crystal clear, reflecting the night sky that surrounded her.
Chihiro sat on a rock nearby, hypnotized by the scenery and all of its grandeur.
Just what is this place? She thought. It's so beautiful… why on earth is it so hidden?
Not only were the visuals beautiful, but the entire situation. The last few ours were utter turmoil for the girl, but somehow, this place wiped every trace of sadness away from her mind.
The flowers swayed in the breeze, seeming to welcome Chihiro to this brilliant hideaway. The flowing waters seemed to sing in her ears.
Wait a minute, she thought. These waters… are they actually singing?
Her mind wasn't playing tricks on her, either. The song was soft like a lullaby, yet melodic and lively. She listened closely, trying to decipher the words that rang through her head.
"You call out to me from somewhere within my fragile soul
Your voice like fantasy, telling me to keep on dreaming
Why speak of sorrow, or life's oh so painful woes?
Instead let those same lips, sing a gentle song of love.
Never forget these memories so they may forever guide you
Heed their murmur, the current of life streaming through
Even if your dreams break, nostalgia will always remain
To remind you that those same dreams glimpsed at all that is precious, dear, and true."
The voice belonged to a man; yet it was projected from the waters. Chihiro was overcome with awe… she knew this voice. She knew it so well that it killed her that she couldn't place its owner. It was the same voice she could sometimes hear singing in her dreams… in her head…
"I see you've found my hideaway," a voice behind her called.
Whirling behind her, she saw Haku standing there with a curious expression on his face.
"Haku… Th-this is yours?" She asked, gesturing around her.
He smiled. "Yes, I built this about right after you went back to the human world," He said, masking his sadness. "How do you like it?" Haku noted how her eyes shone as she continued to stare at the waterfall in silence. Her expression was answer enough.
"I told you how my mother was a singer, right, Chihiro?" He said calmly, sitting beside her on the rock. She nodded, looking at the water as it flowed seamlessly into the pebbles on the waterbed.
"She taught me to sing, just like her." He added, also looking into the water. "And these waters," he continued, "They mimic any song they hear."
At this, Chihiro turned sharply in his direction, her eyes aflame. "You… you wrote this? This is you singing?"
Her expression made Haku want to erupt with laughter. "What… is it that bad?" He said with a smirk.
"NO!" She nearly shouted, grabbing his arm. "Haku… it's so beautiful. No, beautiful can't even describe it. I…I don't know what to say."
It was as if she were complementing the deepest, most secretive part of his soul.
The intensity in her eyes tore away any mask Haku had been wearing. Only she had the power to do this to him, he thought. Without taking a moment to consider his actions, the next words flowed as smoothly as the water in front of them.
"I certainly hope so, because I wrote it for you."
Chihiro's heart began to melt. Don't misunderstand his words, Chihiro, remember all that Akane said.
"Haku—"
"No, Chihiro, I need to speak," He said, his eyes locked on hers. "I know all that Akane said to you, and yes, we are engaged." He tried to avoid her watery gaze.
Who's going to break down tonight first, he bitterly mocked himself. Her, or me?
He spoke to her, confirming everything that Akane had said, trying to phrase it more delicately, for both her sake and his. Haku avoided the part where Akane threatened to kill Chihiro if he didn't follow through; he knew it would make things a lot more difficult.
Chihiro stared blankly at the waterfall, recalling its lyrics. It's singing had ceased, as if it were trying to listen to their conversation.
"What about Piscanem?" She asked. "Is it true, what they think of me?"
Haku could feel his heart being torn to shreds. But now was not the time to turn back.
"Yes… it's all true. After you discovered who I was, and word spread of your bravery and compassion… they wanted us to be married."
At this, Chihiro flinched, as if in great pain. But, as suddenly as she had flinched, she had wiped it away and put on the bravest face she could manage. Only Haku could see the way her lower lip quivered.
She hid it with a smile. "Well, something like that could never happen, could it?" She forced out with a laugh, squinting her eyes and face into a grin that attempted to hide the way her tears welled as she spoke.
"No… it can't." He returned, only he forgot to laugh. Not even Haku could make a joke out of something so equally heartbreaking for the both of them. They were both on their feet now. Slowly, Chihiro turned to face him, and was horrified yet touched by the intensity of his expression.
There they stood, eye to eye, soul to soul. Each so nervous they could hardly breathe, but none of them showing it.
"H-haku…" Chihiro stammered, as nervous as she had ever been. "I've been thinking a lot lately, and when I heard the news about you and Akane…I…I realized s-something."
Haku coughed to clear his throat, his mouth suddenly dry as a desert.
Why… why am I so nervous? He questioned himself.
The petrified girl took a shaky breath.
"I-I think I'm in lo—"
Just then, a loud bell resounded from the bathhouse. However far away it was, it still pierced the air in the gardens where they stood. The shift was officially over. Chihiro wanted to finish what she said, but the moment was gone.
Thinking quickly, she retracted what she previously brought up.
"I think we should head back." She said with a smile, her eyes barely giving away what she truly meant to say.