People, sorry if any of you don't like this stuff, but I decided that swearing would work with this coz of the anger.

To whoever it was that asked (sorry, can't remember your name and can't be bothered checking) no, I haven't watched… er… whatever film you said, but it sounds good, so I'll look for it on YouTube. (BTW, if you don't know who Brian Regan is, search his shows there too. Man, he's a legend!)

But great news, LAST CHAPTER!

Hang on, is that good or bad?

Oh well, at least you'll finally find out how old I am… damn, spoilt my fun.

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"what decision?"

Masami glanced at Chihiro. "maybe I should tell you when she awakens. So, what are your plans for her? You know, if she gets bette-"

"when. When she gets better," he insisted.

"okay, when she gets better, what are your plans?"

he smiled to himself. "well, first we're going to return to the Spirit World. There, I shall… hang on." He waved a hand in front of Chihiro's still pale face to make sure she really was asleep. "there I shall ask for her hand in marriage."

Masami swallowed. "w-why do you wish to move to the Spirit World? Why not stay here?"

Haku grimaced into space. "because," he began, coldly. "I hate the Human World. I hate the fact that Chihiro had to live here her whole life."

A few groans lingered in the background. Chihiro's eyes slowly fluttered open to see a mother and her son beside her. They both looked really serious which depressed Chihiro as she wasn't feeling well to start with. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned timidly. She smiled at the two and turned to her beloved. "you better have had a good nights sleep," she warned.

"what was it you need to tell me?"

"huh?" Haku's abrupt question took her sleepy head a while to register. She shook her head and grinned, still a little puzzled. "good morning to you too…" she said, sarcastically.

"sorry. But what is it?"

Chihiro took a glimpse over at Masami as if asking her permission to speak. She sighed. "Haku… or Taro, even. Because of my condition… I… I need to stay here in the Human World for my treatment. But your mother is going to move to the Spirit World."

"that's what you have to decide," Masami stated. "to go back home, or stay here in the Human World with Chihiro."

Haku remained in the position he had been in as they started. He felt so numb. So numb that he wasn't sure if he was still breathing. He was paralysed. How can I make that decision? How can I choose between the love of my life and my own mother? I love Chihiro, and I'd do anything for her, but I hate the Human World. I also love my mother, who has only just come back into my life?

"er, Taro?" Chihiro asked. Now it was a little confusing as to what to call him but she decided he'd prefer his original name.

he finally looked up, his face seeping with anger. But it wasn't that it was directed at Chihiro or his mother, just that he was frustrated with life and they both understood. "how the fuck am I supposed to make a decision about that?!" he yelled, rising from his chair.

"Taro, mind your language!" Masami ordered, as if to a child.

He ignored his mother for the moment. "Chihiro, you know I want us to stay together!"

"Taro, I am not a child!" she screamed. "I'm almost a fully grown adult and I don't need someone to hold my hand forever!"

"I know!" he stopped to consider a while. "I know. I'm sorry. My life's been just so fucked up recently-"

"Taro!"

"mother, I can say what I like, I'm eighteen years old," he said, trying to calm down.

Chihiro sighed. "Taro, you can go with your mother, I really don't mind."

"but I do," he stated, firmly.

"Taro, you need time with your mom. I'll be right here when you return."

"I'm not about to take that risk." It pained him to say it but he knew it had to come out. "Chihiro, if you… if I lost you while I'm away I… I'd never be able to forgive myself."

Chihiro stopped a moment. "Taro, what's the real reason you're so protective?"

She's cracked it, he thought. She knows I wasn't telling the full truth last time. How did she know? For a minute, he stayed silent. Looking to his feet, Taro took a deep breath and slumped to his seat with his head in his hands. The two women gasped, realising that he had broken down in tears.

"Taro?" they said in unison.

"father," he sobbed, thinking of him and speaking as if he were there. "I didn't mean to lie to you. I didn't want you to worry about me, so I lied to you… I didn't realise it was the wrong thing to say, but I'm apologizing to you now.

"I always wanted you to think I was strong, but the truth is, I'm not. I'm a coward. Nothing but a coward. I tried to be what you wanted, but I failed. I tried to be brave but I wasn't. I'm sorry… I'm sorry that the last thing I said to you was nothing but a lie… I'm sorry I said I could take care of myself… because I can't…" he silently cried as Chihiro and Masami marvelled at his words.

"Taro," Chihiro said, tears filling up for him. "I… I didn't realise that…" she stopped as she was lost for what to say.

"no. there's no way anyone could have known." Masami said. She wrapped her arms around her son for comfort.

"listen, I know that you and I both love each other, Taro." Chihiro attempted to sit up without him noticing and pushing her back. "but you really do need time for your mother. After all these years, you have a lot to catch up on. So… go with her to the Spirit World… I promise I'll be here when you come back. I promise I'll wait."

He looked up. "but what if-"

"if I die, at least you will know my love for you. At least I will die knowing that I am loved equally as much. I'm not afraid of death, Taro. I was afraid I wouldn't see you again…" her eyes welled up a lot more than before as she struggled to keep from bursting out. "so just go!" she ended, making it clear that she was not about to change her mind.

Taro stared, not quite sure what he should say or do next. He glanced at his mother, hoping she would tell him what to do for once, then back to his dearest. "I can't."

Masami lay a hand on his shoulder. "honey, you have to learn not to be so stubborn."

"Taro, I said I'll be here when you return. You have to trust me." She reached to hold his hand in hers. "please… trust me."

He swallowed as his tears ceased. "I… I trust you." He wasn't happy about it but it was what Chihiro wanted, so he could live with her decisions.

She smiled. "thank you."

There came a knock from the door, which did not wait for an answer and just entered. Chihiro's doctor stood at the door with a clipboard in his arms. "may I have a word…?" he looked over at the mother and son. "in private," He concluded.

Taro looked at Chihiro in determination but she shook her head. "just go home." Taro reluctantly obeyed and left with his mother.

As they walked out of the hospital, Taro couldn't help but think what did that doctor want? And why did he want to speak with Chihiro in private? Was it good or bad news? Would she… die? He forced all thoughts of the matter out of his head, just hoping that she'd be okay.

They arrived at the bath house. Almost everyone gathered to meet Masami, excited because there had been rumours going around about him and his parents. He managed to sneak away to the boiler room, where he knew Zeniba and Kamajii would want to know all about what happened.

He pushed the door open in a depressed manner, with his upper body hanging. Kamajii sprang his head up from the herbs and fired his questions: "how is Sen? Is she alright? Where is she now?..." etc, etc.

Taro waved his hand, indicating that he should stop before his temper kicks in. "Chihiro is… fine for the moment. She'll be staying in the Human World until her condition improves-"

"condition? Haku-"

"don't call me Haku," he said grimly. "my name is Taro."

"huh?" said a confused Kamajii. "I can see I missed a lot in your absence, Ha… Taro. What exactly is Sen's condition?"

he swallowed, finding it hard to say. "she… she has leukaemia. It's a human disease. Cancer of the blood…"

"oh dear! Will she be okay?"

Taro flinched slightly. "I don't know. No-one can determine that. She could die at anytime."

"no," he breathed. "not Sen-"

"her name is Chihiro!" Taro shouted. "why can't any of you remember her by her real name and not the one Yubaba gave her?!"

"well, I'm sorry, Taro but I only knew her as Sen!" Kamajii retorted. "Taro, you will have to learn to control that temper of yours."

Taro said nothing more and left without a second thought on the matter. Control my temper my butt! He dragged himself to his quarters and slept. His mother had already made herself comfortable with al the other yunas, having all these womanly conversations. Taro was acting the same for the rest of the weak, moping in self-pity.

Life was just toying with him. What am I thinking? Self-pity? The world is not against me… I found my mother, after all. It should be Chihiro having these thoughts. But she never takes time to think of her own needs. She hides her feelings on what she wants, so it's hard to tell.

Oh shit, he thought, realising what he should have the week before. She wanted me to stay! I'm such an idiot for not realising it earlier!

He shoved past all in his way, shooting to the Human World. Once again he barged through the hospital doors and streamed through to Chihiro's room.

He flung the door open… to find bed covers neatly in place, pillows fluffed for someone to sleep on next and no-one's belongings. "are you the lunatic that kept pushing everyone aside to find that girl… Chihiro?"

He looked to his side to see a doctor that didn't seem much older than he was. "yes. did she get a room transfer? Where is she? Do you know?"

"well, she didn't get a room transfer, and I don't know where she is."

His heart dropped thinking of his next question. "is she… gone?"

"oh!" he said in surprise. "dear God, no! well, at least I hope that's doesn't mean what I think it means. She left just a few days ago, said it was urgent that she got out of here." He was about to walk off when Taro grabbed his arm.

"do you know if there's anywhere I can check to find her?"

"I'm sorry, but that information is classified-"

Taro grabbed the doctor and held him so close with anger, their noses almost touched. He was now fuming, breathing heavily and… what was he doing? Kamajii was right. He thought, dropping the doctor who coward away.

As his heart seemed to bleed, he whispered to himself: "but… how could she leave? she promised!"

He fell to the ground crying. "she promised…"

The end…

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aww! Poor Haku/Taro! If you want to find out why Chihiro left and if Taro ever sees her again, keep an eye out for my next story…

anyways, you were all so close! Well most of you anyway… I am in fact, 13.

Thank you to all of my wonderful readers and reviewers! (sniffles) don't worry Taro, at least I still love you!!

- Dr34mer