.Chihiro woke up. She buried her head in the pillow, not wanting to come into the harsh reality we call life (A/N: sorry, that was very emo!).

She suddenly shot up. "Haku!" she scanned the room as fast as she could. Please don't be a dream! Then she realised that it was not her room she was in. she exhaled deeply, thanking the heavens that she had not yet lost her sanity.

Haku was asleep, leaning on the wall beside his bed. Chihiro heard a light snore. She knew it meant that he had not slept well. Being kidnapped seemed to be the best thing that's ever happened to her.

She swung herself off of the bed, grabbing a pillow along with her. She laid it on the floor, then a blanket. She slid Haku onto it, knowing that he did not want to disturb her the night before. I wonder if Kamajii hasn't turned the soot-balls back into soot yet?

Chihiro arose, questions roaming her mind. Where is Lin? How big is Boh now? Has NoFace gotten into anymore trouble?

She walked out the room, being sure to shut the door as quietly as possible. She knew her smell would attract a lot of attention from the other spirits but did not pay attention as she crossed through the gardens Haku had taken her to. She remembered the stairs that she fallen painfully down. She was careful not to make the same mistake again. She pushed the door open, like she did when he was ten.

Kamajii was too busy with his herbs to notice anything. He rang the bell with one of his many hands as the soot balls came flooding out, all carrying a piece of coal. They all suddenly dropped the coal to jump at Chihiro's feet as a welcome.

"hey, get back to work you lazy soot balls!" he gasped looking back at them. "Sen!"

she laughed. "hi, Kamajii!" she walked over to his side, the soot balls following. "how are you?"

"same old, same old…" he said vaguely. "anyway, enough about me, what about y – get back to work you lazy bums!"

they all scurried away, afraid of their master.

Chihiro giggled. "I'm great now, Kamajii. I arrived last night."

"hang on…" his head drew nearer, glaring into her eyes. "what exactly do you mean by 'now'?"

Chihiro bit her lip. Uh oh. I've said too much. She swallowed, not wanting to give away anymore information. "I… I just mean… that here is so much better than the human world." She smiled innocently.

Kamajii didn't quite believe her but didn't think much of it since she seemed happy now. "well, I'm glad to hear it, Sen." He said, a hint of suspicion in his voice. He returned to grinding the herbs whilst speaking to her.

"so where's Lin?" she asked, curious.

"probably arguing with the other yunas about the big tub again. Nothing's changed about her." He sighed, regrettably.

"watch it, Kamajii, I could say the same thing about you." She began to walk to the little door way Lin had taken her through once. "anyway, I'm gonna go find Lin. Bye!" she waved.

"good luck getting out of her hugs!" he called.

After about five minutes, Kamajii was still crushing his herbs when he heard someone shouting his name. it was not new to him.

"KAMAJII!!" the voice came closer, eventually barging through the door.

"what is it now, Haku?" he groaned, feeling over-worked.

He panted furiously. "haveyouseenchihiro?!" he rushed.

"what?"

"haveyouseenchihiro?"

"Haku, breath!" he insisted, shaking his shoulders.

Haku inhaled… then exhaled. "have you seen Chihiro?" he asked understandably.

"ah, she left just five minutes ago."

"LEFT?! WHERE T-?!"

"relax, young dragon!" he said, laying a long finger on Haku's lips. "she left to find Lin!" he removed his finger, allowing Haku to sigh.

"gods, when I find her, I'm gonna…" he saw Kamajii's expectant look. "…tell her how much I love her. Bye!" he hurried away.

Chihiro watched Lin from the door way of the big tub. She was cursing under her breath about everyone that teased her. Chihiro quietly crept up behind her. "you missed a spot." She smiled.

Lin, who had her back turned threw her sponge onto the floor, rolled her sleeves up and stood, slowly turning. "listen, buddy, you say anything else to me and I'll give you a piece of my – Sen!!" she gave her a huge bear hug.

Kamajii was right, she thought to herself, trying to breath. "hello to you too…" she struggled.

"sorry," she said, releasing her. "oh my gods, I can't believe it's you! You've grown!"

"yeah, that usually happens after six years," Chihiro laughed.

"Chihiro!" someone called her from the doorway. "why didn't you tell me where you were going?" Haku said, approaching her.

"you looked so cute while you were sleeping, I didn't want to wake you…" she grinned.

Lin broke out with laughter. "aww! How sweet!" she pinched his cheeks as if she didn't value her life. His eyes glazed over to a shade of gold, his temper looking like it was about to burst. Lin immediately stopped, wiping the smirk off of her face.

"Haku?" Chihiro said, worrying slightly.

Haku shook his head as if nothing happened. "huh?" his eyes returned to his usual emerald.

"are you alright?" she asked.

You will never be okay… something whispered. "what?"

Lin put her hand on his forehead. "his temperature is fine."

"I-I'm okay." He grabbed Chihiro by the wrist, dragging her away.

"I'll see you later, Sen!"

Haku was taking Chihiro into the starlit gardens, keeping her in a tight grip.

Chihiro moaned. "OW! Haku, you're hurting me!" she tried to slide his hand off but his grasp was firm. "Haku! Let go!" this made him hold on tighter.

He suddenly stopped to face her, causing Chihiro to bump into him.

"what's wrong wit-" she was cut off by Haku's lips kissing furiously. He pulled back for breath.

Chihiro gasped. His eyes had formed into a golden colour once more. But this time more raw and hungry.

"Haku, please." She begged, trying to back away but tripping.

Haku leant down on top of her, growling as if to say 'cooperate with me or else!'

"what's happened to you? You're not the Haku I once knew…" her eyes filled with tears.

Haku watched her for a moment. Just for a second, Chihiro thought she saw a flash of green in his eyes. He held his hands to his head, his eyes shut tight. He was shouting like he was in pain. "LEAVE HER ALONE!!" he bellowed to nowhere. It was like he was battling himself.

Chihiro watched, unsure of what to do. "Haku?" he immediately stopped, not facing her.

He pounced on top of her, his dragon teeth shining. His harsh kisses were frightening, Chihiro found herself unable to shift away. He had lost the battle…