If Only…

(A/N: Ok I owe an apology to all my readers because of the lateness of the previous chapter. I had actually finished it on a Wednesday, but it refused to upload so yea…. Again sorry but I do sorta blame Fanfiction for that.)

Ok! It's time for the advertisements again and here to help me with this week's advertisement is none other than the multitalented Haku!!!

Audience: cheering

Haku: Uh…. Why am I doing this again??

Me: Because I managed to get you to sign loyalty to me in return for a love scene between you and 'someone'…

Haku: You said you'd keep quiet about that!

Me: Well you asked….

Haku: sigh Well is your story really that awful that you must buy time with these silly advertisements so no one will read it??

Me: crying Do you really think that my story is awful?

Haku: Uh…N-no no of course not!

Me: sobbing hysterically You're stammering you liar! You really DO think I'm a bad writer don't you?!

Haku: cursing under breath Ok fine! I'll do the stupid advertisement! Just please stop crying!

Me: sniffle Ok…

Haku: goes backstage and comes out dressed as Naruto Come check me out while I try to win over Hinata and watch as something forms between a Sand Village Kunoichi and a lazy but smart bum from Konoha in Persia Hime's story! Dattebayo!!!

Me: HAHAHAHA!!! Man that was good! I didn't know it would be this easy to get you to do it. And by the way, orange is so not your color…

Haku: Wait a minute…You were faking it the whole time?!?!

Me: Yup! One of my many talents!

Haku: Why you no good back-stabbing--!!

Me: Ok! That's all the time we have for now. I apologize for Haku taking up so much time…

Haku: HEY!!!

Me: …But at least that's done! Join us next time for more advertisements! Now, on to the story!!!!

Disclaimer:

Roses are Red

Lilies are Pink

I don't own SP

But I do own Diarsi…I think…

Unexpected Reunions

Eyes on her. Walking towards her.

Suddenly, the dark figure stopped; eyes lighting up in recognition.

"Chio-Chio?" A soft yet playful voice came. "Is it really you Chihiro- chan?"

Chihiro stopped; a confused expression on her face.

That was certainly not the voice she expected to hear. It wasn't the silky, cool voice she heard in her dreams, but a friendly one. One that she had grown accustomed to over the years. And even if that didn't spark her memory, one thing would.

Only one person ever called her 'Chio-Chio'…

A smile reached her face as she realized who it was.

"Diarsi?"

"Yea," Diarsi giggled in response, stepping out of the shadows. "I came back for your birthday Chio-Chio!"

Diarsi, Chihiro's best friend, had been gone this summer, just like every year, and wasn't expected back until the first day of school. Since Chihiro's birthday always happened in summer, Diarsi had always missed it.

"Oh Sari-chan I'm so happy you're here!" Chihiro embraced her friend.

"Well, I've missed too many of your birthdays so I figured I owed you at least one." She smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, this is so great! I can't believe you're actually here. I thought you'd miss it this time too."

"Well I gotta go back tomorrow, so we might as well enjoy today, right?"

After letting go of her friend, Chihiro looked up and realized something that she had not noticed before.

"Uh…hey Diarsi? What are you doing here at the shrine?"

"Oh! Well I was going over to your house, but it seemed to early and I figured you'd still be asleep, so I took a little detour on the way. Hehehe…"

'Diarsi….you've never lied to me before, so why now? What's so important that you must keep hidden from me? Whatever it is, it must be so important that u can't even trust me. But no matter. If it involves something from this shrine, then I must find out what it is. Forgive me my friend, but I must make you reveal your secret.'

Diarsi, who was about an inch or so shorter than Chihiro with a fair amount of curves, looked up at her friend, her sparkling emerald eyes wavering. With slightly trembling fingers caught in her dark brown hair that cascaded down to her shoulders, and Chihiro standing over her with speculating eyes, it gave Diarsi the appearance of a small child in trouble, awaiting punishment. To Diarsi's relief, Chihiro broke the thick tension with a smile, although her eyes kept their suspicious appearance.

"Alright Diarsi. Well let's get back to my house ok? It looks like you're freezing!" exclaimed Chihiro, misinterpreting her friends trembling. "I wouldn't want you getting sick on my account, especially since you came to see me."

"Thanks Chio-chan. Now come on! Today's your birthday and I vow to make it great so let's get going." Diarsi grabbed Chihiro's arm and began to drag her friend through the forest, nearly stumbling on the rocks in their path.

In her haste to leave, Diarsi had not noticed as Chihiro gave the shrine a last glance, promising to return. Suddenly, Chihiro felt the presence of another being nearby and looked up. There, on the hills overlooking the rest of the forest was a boy, staring at t he two friends leaving. Chihiro tried to get a better look, but Diarsi yanked her forward and when she looked back, the boy was gone.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mom, I'm home!" Chihiro announced from the doorway. "And guess who else is here!"

"Welcome home Chihiro. Oh, and hello Diarsi. It's so good to see you're back. So how did everything go on your vacation?" Chihiro's mom greeted the girls.

"Oh everything was pretty great. I just wanted to come back for Chihiro's birthday. My mother says hello and wishes Chihiro a happy birthday."

"Well I'm glad to hear it. Have fun with Chihiro today and tell your mother I said 'hello."

"Oh I will Mrs. Ogino. And thanks for having me over!" she managed before being pulled and dragged into a very impatient adolescent's room.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Ahh….man I love your bed! I can't believe you complain so much. It's so comfortable!" said Diarsi, falling back on Chihiro's bed.

"Well you can sleep on rocks and be comfortable," grumbled Chihiro, "but we normal people don't get comfortable as easily."

"Haha yea I guess you're right. Either ways I still love this bed."

They sat for a while in compete silence, Diarsi's lids beginning to close.

"Hey Sari-chan?"

"Hmm?" a half-asleep Diarsi replied.

"Will you please tell me what you were doing in the shrine?"

Diarsi's eyelids flew open. "Chio-chan I already told--"

"I mean the truth Diarsi."

"Chio," Diarsi sighed, "right now is not the right time for you to know. I'm sorry but no."

"What do you mean the right time?"

"I mean that I just don't know if it's the right time to tell you."

"Diarsi, I'm not a child!" Chihiro snapped, "Aren't I your friend? A person you can trust?"

"Chihiro please! This isn't about trust. I really do trust you but this is no mere thing. It's a family matter that I'm not allowed to talk about just yet. I promise I'll tell you when the time comes, but for right now you just have to trust me. Please do not be angry with me and please do not let your trust for me falter.", her soft voice pleaded.

There was a moment of silence as Diarsi fidgeted, hoping her friend would believe her and motive for not telling. Finally, Chihiro broke the silence.

"Sari-chan, please forgive me. I did not mean to be so cruel to you. I DO believe you and I hope that your trust for me will not falter. I truly am sorry."

"Oh Chio-chan I forgive you. Thank you for understanding."

There was a moment of awkward silence, the girls unknowing what to do next.

"Hey Diarsi," chihiro began,"let's go somewhere else. I'm starting to get bored here."

"Alright. But where to?"

"I really don't know..."

"OH! I just remembered something! Come on Chio-chio, we're going to the mall!" Diarsi gushed with a burst of enthusiasm.

"But... I'm broke right now."

"Don't worry about that! I got it covered!"

"What do you mean you got it--"

"Don't worry about details either! Just come on!"

"But Diarsi--" Chihiro began to protest, but Diarsi was already out the door, Chihiro's car keys in hand.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

20 Minutes later...

"Ok, ok Diarsi. We're finally here. Now will you tell me why you were so impatient to get here?" Chihiro questioned

"Well it's because it was getting late and i wanted you to enjoy your birthday present as much as you could!", Diarsi explained.

"What do you mean--"

"Surprise!", Diarsi yelled at the top of her lungs, "You, Chihiro Ogino, Have just received your birthday present from me, Diarsi Sohnai, your best friend! A shopping-spree with no budget! Congratulations!"

"Diarsi--"

"And don't begin with the whole 'you-know-im-not-comfortable-with receiving-all-these-things-for-free' speech. It's your birthday and my parents suggested this idea. They actually wanted to give you the money upfront, but I knew you wouldn't accept it, so this was the only other option."

'Great. There's no way she'll let me turn this down once she's got her mind made up. I just can't believe how lucky she is. She's pretty, nice, generous, and on top of all that, she's rich. How lucky am I to have her as a best friend? Either ways, this just doesn't feel right, but I already lost anyways. And this could be fun..'

"Come on Chio! I already know all your sizes. If, you don't help with this, I can pick out clothes that'll make you look like my mom!", Diarsi giggled at the idea,"So either cooperate or you're getting clothes that you might not like. Either ways, your getting a new wardrobe today and that's final young lady."

"Ha! You might make me look like your mom, but you're the one acting like her! But ok, I'll go willingly because of that threat."

"Ok then lets go!", and they both entered the brightly lit mall.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

5 Hours Later...

Diarsi and Chihiro exited the mall, both laughing uncontrollably and heavily laden with shopping bags.

"See Chio-chio?" Diarsi spoke when she finally got her breathing under control, "I told you it wasn't gonna be so bad. And look! You got some really cute outfits."

"Ok, you were right. Thanks a lot for talking me into going and for the whole shopping spree. It was so awesome!"

"They began to have a laughing fit once again, until something made chihiro stop."

It was a boy. Identical to the one she saw on the hill near the shrine before. There was no doubt about it. He was staring at the, Diarsi still walking towards the car. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. There was just something so familiar about him and he couldn't just be some random guy if he was looking at them. Suddenly, Diarsi realized Chihiro had stopped walking and went back for her.

"Chihiro what is it? Is something wrong?"

"Diarsi," Chihiro turned towards her friend, "look at that guy over there."

Diarsi started searching for the person that her friend was talking about.

"Chio, what guy are you talking about? There's nobody there."

"But--" Chihiro turned back and realized Diarsi was right. No one was there. Absolutely no one. Could she really have just imagined that?

"Come on Chihiro. It must've just been a shadow."

Chihiro went back to her friend.

'It wasn't though. I just know it wasn't.' Was all Chihiro could think about.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nothing. Chihiro could remember nothing. The ride back home. Her parents and friend singing to her over a birthday cake. Opening presents. Nothing. It had all been a huge blur to her. She couldn't focus on anything or anyone but that boy. That mysterious boy that wouldn't leave her thoughts today. The one that she kept on seeing, no matter where she went. She knew that if she was to find out what all this meant, she would have to bring up the forbidden topic up again. The one about Diarsi and the Shrine.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Chio-chan are you ok? You seem a little stressed right now. Kinda like how you looked in the parking lot.", a worried Diarsi asked her friend.

Chihiro sighed and began what she knew would surely end horribly if she didn't choose her words correctly.

"Diarsi I need you to listen to me. I think you're the only one who can help me right now so please try to hear me out."

"Ok Chio-chan. I want to help you. You know you can confide in me."

"Diarsi, there's something going on through that shrine that involves me. Something I can't really explain. It haunts me in my sleep every night and I know I must go back there. I know that you , also, have something to do with that shrine too. Please, I must know your connection to that place. I need to know why it's calling to you too. This information could really help me."

"Chio-chan, please, not this again."

"Diarsi please. Something happened to me there 7 years ago and, apparently, I'm not done with it yet. Please help me."

"Chihiro," Diarsi began reluctantly after a long silence," I'll try to help you. Tell me how you are related to that place, and I'll try to tell you as much as I can."

"Oh thank you Diarsi! I will tell you exactly what happened to me, if you promise to keep it between us and only us."

"Mm-hmm.", Diarsi nodded.

"Ok. 7 years ago, my parents and I saw the shrine when my dad decided to take a shortcut to our new home. We entered and it was amazing, though I was afraid at the time. When we got out, there was a gorgeous field, full of lush, green grass. I was still afraid though. We kept on walking, and it turned into a carnival and it seemed that all the stands were food-related. My parents started eating the food and I began exploring the place. When I got back, my parents had turned to pigs. I was so scared and in denial. I wouldn't accept what I saw. I refused to. Then it suddenly started turning into night and I ran away. I then saw a boy who told me to leave immediately and I tried to, but then little riverbank to the way out was flooded and i couldn't escape. Then these spirits began arriving and I ran away, but collapsed and began crying. The boy found me again and helped me out. He taught me about the place, kept me from disappearing, and kept me safe throughout my stay in the Spirit World. I worked with another girl in a spirit bathhouse who turned out to be a really great friend. I helped the boy remember his name and break an evil witch's hold on him with help from her sister who helped me realize I loved him. He helped save my parents and helped me get back to my world. But before I left, he promised that he'd see me again. 7 years have gone by and he has not kept his promise. I dream about him every night and I feel that it is a sign that the shrine does not want me to forget him or all that happened. To be quiet honest, I want to seem him and all my friends that i left behind. I don't want to forget them. Not ever."

Once Chihiro finished, she looked back up at her friend, and saw her eyes were wide with shock, yet somehow understanding.

"Diarsi, do you believe me? Please tell me you do."

All Diarsi could do, was nod.

"Thank you Diarsi. You really have no idea how much that really means to me. Now, could you please tell me what you have to do with the shrine?"

After a moments silence, Diarsi spoke.

"Ok Chihiro. But I really think it's best if i show you instead. Follow me and please keep quiet."

Diarsi reached out for Chihiro's hand and quietly stole through the night. Her footsteps made no sound, nor did she speak. After Chihiro's eyes adjusted to the dark, she realized they were in the forest, headed towards the shrine. Once there, Chihiro had a few scratches from the thick wood, but still said nothing. It was only when they reached the grassy field, that still looked gorgeous in the dark and didn't seem at all changed by time, that Diarsi broke the unbearable silence.

"Chihiro," Diarsi turned and faced her friend,"I believe every word you have told me about your encounter with the Spirit World. I believe it, because I know it is true. I, too, am connected to this place, but not in the same way that you are." She took a deep breath and continued. "Chihiro. I am not a mortal. I am a spirit who resides in this world. My parents have learned how to control the magic to be able to live in the Human World, but we must always come back every summer to keep it going. Please try to understand what I am trying to tell you."

Diarsi tried to give Chihiro a moment of silence to understand it all, but before it could really sink in, a voice came from behind Diarsi.

"Diarsi? What are you doing back so soon? Were you not planning on staying the night at your friend's house?"

Both girls turned around and faced the speaker who stepped forward and went over to Diarsi.

It was a male, probably about a year or so older than the girls and a few inches taller. His steel-gray eyes complimented his sharp, but kind face and aqua-blue hair. And the voice. The silky, cool voice that would make any woman's heart flutter.

It was the boy. The boy that had been following them throughout the day. The same boy that had never left Chihiro's thoughts, no matter where she was or what she was doing.

"Haku...", Chihiro whispered

Diarsi turned her attention back to Chihiro.

"Oh Chio-chan are you ok? Please believe me. I'm really not lying."

"I believe you Diarsi..." Chihiro responded, unable to take her eyes off of Haku.

All the years of waiting for him. The dreams that never allowed her to forget him. They had not done him justice. He was even more majestic than she remembered. He was so different, yet so alike his old self. All Chihiro knew in that instant was that her feelings for him had not changed. She still loved him. Nothing could change that. Nothing.

Diarsi noticed that Chihiro had taken account of Haku.

"Oh! Chihiro, I want you to meet someone," Diarsi began, oblivious to the fact that Haku would not look at Chihiro, but instead kept his eyes to the ground. " This is Haku, my boyfriend."

(A/N: DUM DUM DUM!!! Oh my gosh no way! I bet you weren't expecting that huh?? Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I made it longer cuz it took a while to post too. Oh I so LOVE this cliffie! Well review to find out what happens! The more reviews I get, the faster the next chapter will be posted! Thanks for reading:D)