Hello everyone! I've gotten so many reviews from all of you, supporting me in continuing this story, and I thank you so much for it!

I am so sorry for taking so long in between these chapters. I know it's no excuse, but sometimes writers' block really does last for a very long time haha. With the help of many friends, after getting feedback from them and suggestions, I was able to come up with the next move in this story, and SOME semblance of how I'm going to make the climax of this story. Trust me, there's still a lot coming. I'm sorry if these updates won't be as often as some of you would like... trust me, I haven't forgotten about you all! *teary eyes* I'm sowwy... I'm a failure as an author. I started this as an eager fan, and am still eager, but sadly lack experience... I'm only 15! T-T

I introduced another new OC into this story, let me know if you like them! I may give her some backstory, and I may not, depending on how you react to her. I already have some ideas cooking. Anyway, as usual, don't forget to review and favorite! Also, I really am one of those authors who loves the feedback and suggestions from their readers, so really, if you have any plot development points that you have in your head, leave them below! Otherwise, I'll continue down this path. Let me know what you like and don't like, and I'll see you guys hopefully soon! Love you all, don't forget it!

The sounds of giggling girls and the roar of attempted-hushed voices woke Chihiro the next morning. She kept her eyes shut, staying bundled in her sheets, focusing on the words that filled the room.

The sound of one soft-spoken yuna was all she heard first. "SHHH! You're all too loud, don't wake the girl!"

Too late for that, I'm afraid, she retorted in her mind. Chihiro focused all of her hearing.

"A gala! I can't believe it, we're holding an actual gala!"

"Maybe I'll finally find my prince charming," One yuna said with an exaggerated sigh.

"HA, fat chance of that! You're more likely to end up with a frog than a prince, with that body!" Another girl squealed before the group of bubbling girls erupted in laughter.

But something was wrong… they were trying too hard to keep quiet. Something in the air was off.

By now, it was too loud in the room for Chihiro to continue her sleeping façade.

Sitting up with a groan, she spotted the group of women all huddled around a new sign posted on their wall. Someone must have snuck in during the night and hung it up, she concluded.

No one seemed to notice as she stood and approached the silly girls, trying her best to see the newest addition to the room's interior design. Standing at the front of the herd was Rin, jaw dropped, with an obviously disapproving look on her face. Chihiro stood beside her and began to look. Rin caught her staring moments too late, for Chihiro had already seen all she needed to. Posted on the wall, in the finest calligraphy read:

"To all staff and guests currently residing in our humble bathhouse, we formally welcome you to celebrate the announcement of engagement for Nigahayami Kohaku Nushi, and Akane Saiko Yuwaku!

You are all asked to be present as we commemorate this eagerly anticipated announcement in the lives of two loved ones that we at the bathhouse hold very closely to our hearts! Break out your finest suits and your most elegant dresses, as this will be a night that will go down in history as one of the greatest unions in several millennia!"

Although this was an announcement directed towards everyone, Chihiro couldn't help but feel that it was holding a dagger to her heart alone. As much as she wanted to break down in a puddle of confusion and strife, she knew she had cried too much these past few days. She would be strong and would take it as it came. She could not break down, not now.

All Rin could do was attempt to get her away from the paper by any means possible, as if avoiding the plague. In the process of Chihiro reading the notice, all of the yunas silenced themselves, one by one, as she walked one step at a time until the paper was point blank, directly in front of her face.

"Chihiro, let's get some breakfast! Come on, lets get out of here!" She tried putting on her most excited face possible, but the human girl would not budge. Her eyes were blank as she read the words over and over in her head.

Rin thought that Chihiro would surely follow the pattern of the last few days and immediately burst into tears, but what she did next she would have never expected, and would confuse her for years to come.

She put on a mask, giggled, and flashed her winning smile.

Turning to face the kitsune spirit once more, she said without a hint of hesitation, "What'll it be this morning, miso soup or omurice?"

Chihiro tried not to notice as every yuna turned to face her, eyes widened, jaws to the floor. This was obviously not the reaction they were expecting.

One yuna even looked mildly upset. She stepped up immediately.

"Wait, you mean you came all the way back here and got your own job back, yet you're not even a LITTLE bit upset that the love of your life has just been snatched from you?"

Chihiro really wished the woman hadn't have said that.

This one outburst from the yuna started a swarm of babbling from the 20-something others. They sounded like a swarm of angry bees as they sent her mind swirling with their remarks.

Oh, don't hold back on me now… She thought with a sunken heart, finally beginning to let the situation dawn on her.

"You must not even love him."

"I really rooted for you all those years ago, too."

"You CAN'T let Akane do this!"

"What about Piscanem, they wanted YOU!"

Every one of the yunas had their own concern… and all of them were valid. But she had promised she wouldn't break down, and these floods of remarks certainly weren't helping.

She couldn't take it anymore.

"EVERYBODY, QUIET." She shouted with a voice full of power, washing out the sea of voices around her. All of the yunas silenced immediately, not sure how to respond.

"Do you honestly think I'm NOT upset by this?" Chihiro said, unashamed of the slight falter in her voice. "I know you all think I'm a stupid human. I've known that since I was a child," She didn't know how, but she found a new source of confidence, and the words were streaming out of her now as if they were a practiced speech.

"But, it took me years to realize something that has now become a very important life lesson." She took a huge breath,

"-and that is that I am in love with Haku, always have been, and always will be." Chihiro said. She was not going to keep secrets anymore. She had nothing left to lose.

"Obviously…" She said, thinking her words through as they came, "he does not feel the same about me." At this she got a couple objecting sighs and murmurs.

"I learned a lot after I made the choice to leave the Spirit World, but the most important thing I've learned is that when you love someone, you put their happiness before your own. If this is what will make Haku happy, then how could I ask for anything more?"

This was an obvious lie. Chihiro knew what she wanted... she wanted Haku. She wanted Haku to be happy… but she wanted him to be happy with her. With every lie that left her mouth she was more and more upset with herself and for the situation she was in.

"I am his friend first, and as such, will support him until the day I die." Her falters got more frequent and noticeable.

"Let's face it," Chihiro said, looking to the floor. She was no longer talking to the yunas, but to herself. "Haku deserves so much better than a human like me. My body is weak and will eventually die, but he will live on, always. Akane has far more beauty than I could ever have, and will be a companion that will never fade."

"Akane has power, wealth, everything. Haku will have everything he could possible want…" Chihiro let out a sigh of exasperation.

" -and I have nothing to give. I never had a chance to begin with." She couldn't take her eyes from the floor. Rin grabbed her arm. Realizing several yunas were tearing up in front of her, she gave them all a sad smile. "I'll be ok, really, I will," Another lie. "Thank you all for worrying."

Just as she was about to make her exit, they all crowded around her and hugged the human tightly. Some began to weep bitterly, others looked to the floor somberly. The same yuna that had spoken up first spoke once more.

"Tomorrow night, before the gala, would you please let us all help you get ready? We swear to make you the most beautiful woman within miles of this place. Akane will be the dirt under your feet…" Several girls gave hoots of agreement. "Please, let us do this for you."

The swarm of bees started up once more, this time with much kinder words.

"Haku won't be able to take his eyes off of you."

"You are so much more than she will ever be."

"Take any of my hairpins, ANYTHING! You deserve it."

At this, Chihiro found herself tearing up once more, not out of sadness but out of such unspeakable joy. These women all supported her. She may have lost all she'd ever needed, but she now knew that at the end of the day, she'd be ok.

She nodded quickly, putting her hand over her mouth, stifling a sob. But, the yuna wasn't finished.

"You are wise, you are intelligent, and you are brave." She spoke softly. "One thing that you have that Akane will never possess, is a heart of gold. I could not imagine anyone more worthy of someone like Haku."

With a couple more kind words from other yunas, each of them began to disperse, beginning their daily work routine. All that remained was Rin, Chihiro, and the one yuna.

Rin remained quiet during the entire episode, but now grabbed the other woman's hand, and turning to Chihiro, spoke with a proud smile.

"Chi, meet Yasuko! She's been working at the bathhouse longer than I have, but I don't think you two met when you were here last time."

The woman smiled. She seemed like the sort of woman who would make an excellent mother. "Nice to meet you, Chihiro, I've only heard stories of your amazing integrity and kindness from your last visit. You can call me Yasu, if you'd rather."

Chihiro still couldn't believe how unbelievably kind and understanding 'Yasu' was when she was at one of her lowest points, and grabbed her hands eagerly. "Even though we've just met, I already have a feeling I owe you so much! Thank you for your kind words…" She said almost apologetically. No one had ever said anything as kind as Yasuko had.

"Don't mention it," Yasuko said, waving her finger. "I meant every word of it."

They exchanged kind glances before Rin spoke up once more.

"Now, I heard mention of breakfast, and I'm kinda feeling a bowl of omurice." Rin said with a wink. "Would you ladies care to join me?"

Chihiro was so happy to know that others around her were trying to cheer her up. Although her heart was torn and frustrated, she followed the two girls, thinking it was best to keep her strife and anguish off her mind as much as possible.

Haku POV

Haku awoke in the men's quarters to find the same reaction as the women. All of them seemed to buzz with the idea of a gala coming the following night, and many of them were quite vocal about it. He received loads of slaps on the back and congratulations from his neighboring workers, but was so furious he couldn't keep the glare off his face.

Haku was sickened to the core. Just when he thought he and Chihiro had finally opened up to each other, Akane or whoever just had to pull the rug from under his feet once more. He could only imagine what Chihiro must be thinking.

He would endure the pain. His time was running out for finding a way out of this, but he would stay strong for Chihiro. No matter what, he would get out of this arrangement, or kill himself trying.

Before he could even break into Yubaba's office to object, there was a sign over her door. She seemed to be fully aware of the situation, as well. The sign read:

"Haku-

I am aware that circumstances are not ideal at the moment. Trust me, I had not planned this. I have already spoken with Akane… she is adamant in this gala taking place. She and I are out in the city making preparations for tomorrow night. Better get your dancing shoes ready, Pretty Boy.

Yubaba"

Haku growled as he snatched the paper, a blue flame shot from his hands, burning the parchment to ashes.

He closed his eyes, and in his mind searched the bathhouse until he found Chihiro. She was in the dining quarters with Rin and Yasuko. Both yunas on either side of her, they watched over her protectively. Chihiro looked down at her food disdainfully with heavy eyes, meaning that surely she must know about the gala.

Oh, what must she think of me right now… He thought in dismay.

His anger was boiling, and there was no controlling it.

Hold on Chihiro, I'm not going down without a fight, he swore in that moment.

Once again, I love your reviews and feedback and ideas! Hope you liked the chapter! I don't like updating if I'm not totally in love with the chapter I've made, which is why my updates take so long. Praying for no more writer's block XD. Anyway, love you all, and I'll update as soon as possible! Thanks everyone!