Hello again! I think my writer's block is finally starting to let up, ever so slightly. I have the next couple chapters planned out, and let's just say, things are going to get a lot more interesting!

One important thing I wanted to ask that I WANT IMPUT ON (cough cough comments/reviews) is, lets just say *hint hint hint* that a confession of love was coming up soon. Who do you think it would/should be from, Chihiro or Haku?

Again, I look forward to updating as soon as possible, but it all boils down to when I can, and how proud I am of what I write. Again... inexperience heh heh heh. As always, I love reviews, follows, and favorites, they inspire me to keep going! Let me know what you like and don't like about the story. Thanks everyone! 3

During their breakfast, Chihiro began to learn a lot about Yasu. She was surprised to find that she used to be Zeniba's assistant, back when Zeniba co-ran the bathhouse with Yubaba.

Apparently, when Zeniba decided to move to Swamp Bottom, Yasu was so attached to the sweet old woman that she had offered to move also, and would have, if Zeniba hadn't demanded that she stay in the bathhouse. The old witch knew that there would be nothing for the yuna in Swamp Bottom, and if there were any chance of her ever getting out of this place and doing something with her life, being here, in the city, was the best option. The way Yasuko spoke of Zeniba showed just how deeply they cared for one another.

Chihiro was moved by their close relationship, and made a point to bring it up with Zeniba next time she saw her.

That explains why Zeniba was alone when I first met her, she pieced together. I know how rough that can be, being separated from your best friend.

"But Yasu, what would you do if you ever got out of here?" Chihiro asked. It was a valid question; Chihiro wasn't sure what options there were for anyone else who didn't work in the bathhouse. What was even outside this area? The only parts of the Spirit World she had seen were all inside the bathhouse compound.

Yasu's eyes lit up like a child on her birthday.

"Well, I've wanted to be a seamstress since I was a little girl…" She said shyly. "But I don't think I'm good enough to ever make it anything other than a hobby," Yasu added, casting her eyes to the floor.

Rin, her mouth stuffed with rice, let out a grunt of disapproval. "Nuh-uhh! I've seen the gorgeous gowns you keep hidden from the other girls," She chided, chewing her food before continuing. "You have TALENT." The way Rin puffed out her cheeks as she spoke made Chihiro giggle.

"Oh, don't start that with me again," Yasu said with a smile, exaggerating her eye roll. "SPEAKING OF WHICH. Chihiro, tonight, meet me in the women's quarters. I'm going to fit you for your gown. I swore I would make you the prettiest girl there, didn't I?" She said with a wink.

Wait, you were serious about that?! Chihiro remembered what Yasuko had sworn earlier that morning, but for whatever reason, hadn't imagined that she would actually hold up to their agreement.

"Wait, b-but Yasu, the gala is tomorrow, are you sure you'll be able to get it finished in time? Should I even be going in the first place? And what about you, what are you going to wear?" Chihiro said, bashfully. Before she could continue to object, she was interrupted by Yasu.

"No, no, no! Too late to back out now, I know what you're trying to pull. You are going to the ball, and every jaw will hit the floor in the presence of your magnificence!" Yasuko said with an exaggerated bow. The power in her voice reminded Chihiro of her own mother, who used to command her to do things with a similarly comedic sense of authority. Rin and Chihiro cracked up at the show Yasu put on.

I wonder what mom would say in this situation, she thought. Chihiro didn't want to admit it, but the last 2 days she had hardly thought of her parents at all, with this Akane business. She hoped her parents were doing alright.

Before any of the girls could comment, the frog worker Aogeru stood at the front of the food hall and coughed loudly to get the attention of everyone in the room. The hundreds of workers surrounding them all paid no attention, and it took Rin standing on the table, telling everyone to shut up, to finally get everyone to quiet down.

Aogeru coughed to clear his throat once more, looking around awkwardly. "A-hem. Thank you, Rin." She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. The frog worker continued. "As all of you most likely know by now, we have all been graciously invited to attend a celebratory engagement gala tomorrow night." At this, people all around began to cheer. Raising his hands, he silenced them once more. "Yes, yes, thank you. Well, on behalf of the happy couple, I would like to invite the man-of-the-hour himself to come up and share a few words."

At the mere mention of the gala, all of the hard work Chihiro had done to keep it together had been severely impaired. But, seeing Haku take the stage, standing so strong and confidently, that is what really tore her up inside. She closed her eyes, too afraid to look, when she felt both girls each grabbing one of her hands. It's going to be ok, they're gesture seemed to say.

Slowly, she opened her eyes to see the slender dragon spirit standing in the middle the room, eyes pointed directly at her. His eyes said 'I'm sorry'. She quickly gave him a reassuring nod and a thumbs up. Please don't look at me like that, or I'll really start crying, she secretly begged of him. She hoped he couldn't see through her front. If he did, he certainly didn't give it away, for he started talking immediately after her signal.

"Hello, everyone. I know this announcement was certainly..." He looked around semi-bitterly, "sudden. But, I look forward to seeing every single one of you at the gala tomorrow." With this, his eyes returned to Chihiro's. The crowd of people gathered were only a blur as he continued speaking. "Because this gala," he stressed, "will certainly be a night to remember."

Why is he looking at me so intently? Chihiro searched his eyes from afar, trying to find some hidden meaning behind his words, but could find none. She lifted her eyebrows into a saddened, confused expression, which Haku saw immediately. He gave her a half-smile, the closest thing he could muster in attempting to assure Chihiro that everything would be ok. She couldn't see his expression from so far away.

Being so invested in his body language, Chihiro hadn't realized that Rin and Yasu were both already talking, not to her, but to each other.

"Look at him, Yasu, what in the world is he doing?"

"I don't know, he must be planning something. He obviously didn't agree to this."

"Are you sure? He keeps looking at Chi. WHY DOES HE KEEP LOOKING AT CHI?!" Rin's mama-bear persona was starting to break through again, and she looked ready to defend Chihiro at a moment's notice.

"I'm not entirely sure..." Yasu countered, but her eyes said differently. She saw how he looked at Chihiro. It takes a trained eye to pick up on a look of love.

The workers had resumed their meal, and Aogeru had already left, but Haku continued to stand strongly in place. Both Haku and Chihiro stayed firmly where they were, eyes unwavering.

Remember this image, Chihiro, she told herself. This may be one of the last times I get to see Haku before I lose him again. For the last time.

Haku began to walk towards her at a hastened pace. Every step closer to her was another shade of red poor Chihiro's face began to take on.

Before speaking, he turned to Rin and Yasu. "Hello, ladies. How are you both, on this fine morning?" he asked, putting on the most genuine smile he could manage. Yasuko was the first to respond, and she did so very nonchalantly.

"Why hello there, Haku. We're doi-"

"What kind of bullshit are you trying to pull here, Haku?!" Rin nearly hissed. She was so livid, she wasn't even able to come up with a nickname for him, which showed Chihiro she clearly meant business.

Oh no, Chihiro thought. PLEASE, Rin! Don't make a scene, she prayed.

Rin's serious tone turned several heads next to them, meaning Haku had to act quickly.

"HAHAHAHA, oh, Rin, such a kidder," This was the first time Chihiro had ever seen Haku laugh so clearly. He guffawed before leaning in so only the 3 girls could hear. "This is as much news to me as it is to you. Kindly refrain from making such outbursts in the future," he said, glaring daggers at Rin. Her cheeks immediately reddened, and she let out an audible 'huff' before opening her mouth once more.

"Whatever. Yasu, we need to go. These two need some time alone." Yasu agreed, and giving Chihiro's hand a squeeze before letting go, left the room with Rin.

"H-haku, congratulatio-" Before she could finish, he grabbed her hand, and began walking.

Oh my god, what's happening? Where are we going?!

"Haku, where are you taking me?!" Chihiro inquired, worriedly.

"Somewhere. Anywhere, as long as it's away from here. We need to talk, now." This put an end to her questions immediately. She followed him without objection until before she knew it, she was back outside in Haku's secret garden, where they had been just last night.

For the first time, Haku looked legitimately exasperated. "We should be ok now. I'm guessing Akane has spies everywhere in the bathhouse... except here. Only we know of this place."

Chihiro held her hands close to her body, afraid to look Haku in the eyes. She nodded meekly.

"Chihiro," He said calmly. "Look at me, please." She did so without objecting.

"Tell me what's going on," She said quietly. Chihiro, more than anything, was worried about Haku.

"I'm trying to," He said, eyes desperate. "You may want to take a seat for this," He said, gesturing to the rock in front of him. Chihiro sat down immediately.

"First thing's first. I had nothing to do with this gala, this engagement, or ANY of this." He said, tightening his fists at his side. He took steps back and forth, thinking intently on what to say next.

"Chihiro, I don't even know who this woman is," he said, looking straight into her eyes, sending shivers down her back. "I met her the same time you did. And I can tell you for sure, I do not love her."

Heart, this is a REALLY bad time to be getting jitters, Chihiro noted.

Haku sat down beside her, lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. "There is so much I don't know... but I'm trying my best to figure it out. All I know is... tomorrow night, at the gala, something may happen, and I'm not sure what it is." He said, turning to face her. Chihiro tried to read the look on his face, but couldn't.

"I need you to do something for me," he continued. "I need you to be there, at the gala. My intention was never to frighten you, but you need to know that Akane is planning something, something that could potentially hurt you." The tone of his voice was full of emotion, he looked pained at the very thought of anything happening to her. "I'm not sure how she plans to do it, but I swear on my life, I will do anything in my power to protect you. Just...please, promise me you'll be there, so if any danger should come to you, I can protect you." He would do anything, if need be, to make sure she was safe.

Wha... why? What on earth is going on?! Her head was spinning with this new information. I trust him with my life... but I don't want him to get hurt in the process of saving me!

"Haku, I won't pretend like I know what's going on, but whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it. " All timidity left her eyes. She stared at him in the eyes with so much intensity, it made even him do a double take. "But please, be careful."

He exhaled as if the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. But, Chihiro wasn't finished.

"But, in return, I want you to promise me one thing." The pleading look in her eyes made his heart swell. "Promise me, no matter what we go through in the next day, or the next week, or even the next lifetime, you'll always do what makes you happy. You are my best friend in this world and any other, and your wellbeing is all I could ever dream of. If that means marrying Akane... then I want you to do it."

Haku tensed at that final blow. He wanted to tell her the truth of how he felt. But, would that make it more complicated further on? What if he wasn't able to get out of the engagement in time? Would Chihiro, knowing the truth of who he really loved, be worse off?

There's no way she could love someone like me... I can't tell her. Not now.

"Haku... when did we grow up?" She asked rhetorically. "This is selfish of me, I know, but I wish sometimes it could just be the two of us, just like old times, forever." The saddest thing about Chihiro's commentary was how wise she came off as. She sounded like an old woman who had seen the ways of the world... someone so full of regret, so tired. Her words resonated deep within Haku's heart.

The world can be so cruel to people like you and me, he lamented. It was moments like these where he truly appreciated and marveled at how strong Chihiro was, how much she had endured in her lifetime. If anyone deserved happiness, it would be her.

Chihiro truly was a force to be reckoned with, somehow making even him speechless. They sat in silence for a moment until Chihiro leaned her head against his shoulder. "Promise me, Haku, that you'll be happy." He wrapped his arms around her, and secretly thanked whatever higher power there was for putting such a blessing in his life.

"I promise." He whispered.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please leave comments, reviews, favorites and follows! Thank you everyone, talk to you soon!