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dark chocolate princess - thx 4 the review and I will continue to write the story. I hope you'll like this chapter!

Chapter 4: Starting From the Beginning . . . Again

"Where are we going?" Chihiro asked him a while after they had got on the highway. Haku glanced at her, and then set his eyes back on the road. "I don't know," he answered her. "I just thought that if we drove around, we could lose the reporters and the fans." She raised an eyebrow. "You really think that they would just give up following you?" He shrugged his shoulders as an answer. Chihiro was silent a few moments before saying, "I guess we might as well go back to the studio." Haku smiled. "I was hoping you'll say that."

DHM Music Studio 1 hour and a half later, Time: 5:28 p.m.

"You ready?" Haku asked her. Chihiro was looking a little pale at the moment. She nodded anyway and licked her lips in a nervous gesture. "Let's go," she said. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and got out, slamming the door after her. A small smile flickered on his face before disappearing completely, leaving not a single trace behind. When he got out of the car, Haku found Chihiro pacing in front of building. He shook his head and walked up to her, grabbing her elbow to stop her furious pacing. "Calm down, Chihiro," he said to her calmly. "All you have to do is walk through those doors and go into Ryan's office. That's it. And I'll be with you all the way." Chihiro looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "You will?" Haku broke down and smiled as an answer. A smile graced her face and she hugged him. "Thank you," Chihiro whispered. She let go and walked through the doors with her head held high. Haku walked in after her, the smile wiped off of his face.

Walking through the doors, he first saw Chihiro standing there with her hands on her hips staring intently at someone. Following her gaze, he found that she was staring at Ryan. "Haku?" Ryan said surprised. "Where were you all day?" Haku stopped beside Chihiro. "I was with her." Ryan slanted his eyes but didn't press the issue. Instead he looked at Chihiro. "Are you back to start the new song?" Chihiro hesitated before nodding. She glanced at Haku then back at Ryan. "I'll do it, but . . . without Haku in the song." Haku pondered over what she had just said. 'Why doesn't she want me in the song? I could really boost her up . . . maybe she just wants to rise up on her own. Either way, her life is going to be interesting.'

Ryan's gaze flickered to Chihiro, to Haku, and back. "Why?" Chihiro crossed her arms at her chest. "Because I want to." Ryan stood there for a moment, thinking over the decision. "I have to talk to the people upstairs," he said finally. And with that said, he turned around and headed toward the elevators, leaving the two together in the lobby.

"HAKU!"

The two looked up, startled by the voice. Chihiro scanned the room and found that a blond-haired woman was running toward them. Chihiro noticed that the woman was wearing a very short skirt, a tight halter top, and 3 inch heels. She was astounded by how anyone could run in those heels. She watched as the other woman run up to Haku, threw her arms around him, and gave him a very deep kiss on the lips. Chihiro felt something crawl under her skin and was tempted to tear that woman into treads. Instead, she turned away at the sight and followed the way Ryan had left, leaving Haku and the woman alone, in the bustling lobby. As Chihiro got closer, she saw that Ryan was still at the elevators, pushing the up button . . . hard.

Chihiro shook her head and tapped Ryan on the shoulder. "If you push any harder," she said playfully, "the button's going to malfunction." Ryan turned around and smiled ruefully. "Rin always did say that I was a bit impatient," he said back. Chihiro was about to say something else when an elevator ding! was heard and a second later the elevator doors opened with people moving off. After the elevator emptied, Chihiro got on, but Ryan held back. "Hey, you two!" Ryan yelled at the kissing couple. "You coming with us or what?" It took another moment for the couple to break free and rush toward Ryan. "Sorry about that," Haku said panting lightly. He had his arm around the other woman who was flushed. Ryan shook his head. "Just get on," he said to them wearily. Haku smirked and got on the elevator, seeing Chihiro eyeing the woman in his arms. "Chihiro, this is my girlfriend, Holly Keller," he introduced, "And Holly, this is Chihiro Tuskino, an uprising singer and one of my closest friends." Chihiro smiled at his little announcement as his close friends and held out her hand at Holly. "Hi," she said. Holly looked at her hand for a moment with disgust, but didn't take it. "Hello," she said back coldly. Chihiro withdrew her hand and settled it back to her side. Ryan had seen the whole exchange and shook his head while pressing the button for the 17th floor. Haku, however, was oblivious of his girlfriend's attitude.

The ride up was uncomfortable and stuffy in Chihiro opinion. She was grateful when the elevator doors open once again to allow them to get off. She restrained herself from sighing in relief as she got off. Ryan, who had seen her emotional battle, chuckled slightly, making Chihiro glare. He backed off, raising both hands in the air in retreat as he stepped away. "I have to go upstairs and talk to those people about your . . . decision," Ryan said cheerfully. "I'll see you guys later." This time, a sigh escaped her before she could stop herself. Haku looked at her with something indescribable and made her look away. She took a step back and stumbled into someone. Haku moved forward to catch her, but felt as though he was held back. Looking down, he found that Holly was holding onto him tightly.

Meanwhile, the person who Chihiro had fallen against caught her. "I'm so sorry," she apologized. "No," the person answered, "it was all my fault. I wasn't looking." Chihiro looked up when she heard the voice and managed to squeak out, "Michael!" The guy looked at her curiously for a moment before his face broke out in a smile as he recognized her. "Chihiro!" He helped her up and Chihiro hugged him. 'Michael' laughed, but hugged her back. Haku watched from aside and Holly smirked. "Michael, what are you doing here?" Chihiro asked him once she had let go. "I work here now," he answered back with a big smile. Haku cleared his throat loudly making, Chihiro, Michael, and Holly look at him. "Can you introduce him to us?" Chihiro blushed. 'Umm . . . Michael, this is Haku Kinomoto and his girlfriend Holly Keller. Haku, Holly, this is Michael Li, my old neighbor and my childhood friend." He shook Haku's hand and nodded at Holly. Leaning down, Michael whispered to Chihiro, "She's really giving you the eye isn't she?" Chihiro coughed, trying to hide her smile, but nodded.

Haku was analyzing the man from head to toe. This 'Michael' was an inch or two shorter then his own 6'4. The guy had sandy blond hair and brown eyes. Presently, he was wearing white sneakers, jeans, black short-sleeves button down shirt that was open to reveal a white undershirt. Haku's eyes slanted as he saw (and heard) Chihiro laugh as Michael said something. "So what are you doing here?" Michael asked her. Chihiro smiled and said happily. "I'm on contract!" Michael whooped and hugged her hard. Chihiro squealed as she felt him lift her a few inches off the floor. The woman at the front desk looked at Michael, admiring the muscles she saw bunch up as he lifted Chihiro. "I knew you could do it!" Michael said loudly. Chihiro giggled as he set her down on her feet. "We should celebrate," Michael announced confidently. Leaning in close he whispered to her, "Is Poison still open for business?" Chihiro smirked and nodded. "I was wondering when you'll ask me that." She saw Michael's eyes flicker to Haku and Holly. Chihiro hesitated, then nodded slowly.

Michael turned and faced the couple, "You guys ready to party?"

A/N: Another chapter down and out. grins I have a little notice to put out. The story is longer than I thought so bare with me. Thank for the people who reviewed and for those who read the story and haven't review . . . PEASE REVIEW! I need everyone's pov as how this story should go. I'm running out of ideas. PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP ME GO ON WITH THIS STORY:)