Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the movie!

A/N: cries I am so sorry. sniffles I had a huge major writer's block and I couldn't think of any ideas. I already know who said what but you guys don't and I'm sorry. tries to smile So, in return, I'm updating two long chapters! The second will be updated in about 3 days so probably on Wed. or Thursday. tries to look happy with tears still falling Is that a good apology or not?

Thank you those who reviewed and pushed me to update:

dark chocolate princess: it is getting ho, so I toned it down a liitle in this chapter, hope you like it!

Princess of the Wind: thx 4 the review!

44thDreamMaster: I can't give you the answer, but it's in this chapter

phantome101 can't give you the answer and I did use spell check on this chapter . . . I think . . .hmmm

Priestess Kohana: thx 4 the review!

Recap of last chapter:

"I know you for too long for you to be lying to me, Chihiro," he said sternly. He held up a tabloid that read as: Kinomoto with Hazel Eyed Club Owner. Chihiro smiled and plucked it out of his hands. "They actually got a good picture of us," she said while passing it to Haku. He looked down to find him and Chihiro laughing in front of the café. "The question is," Ryan said looking at the two of them intently, "are you two in a relationship or not?" A quiet moment passed between the group. The silence was broken as a voice answered the question.

"Yes."

Chapter VIII: Talent and Skill are Two Different Things

"Yes."

Three pairs of eyes landed on Chihiro. (a/n: ha! I bet you guys didn't see that coming crackles evilly) She, in turn, looked at everyone of them, lingering on Haku for a second more than necessary. He caught the look and gave a barely noticeable nod.

"We wanted to keep this under wraps, but the media kinda got a little crazy," Haku lied. The two managers turned to look at him briefly before turning their eyes back to Chihiro.

"How long have you been dating?" Ryan asked finally. Chihiro smiled. At least the worst part is over, she thought.

"Our first date is right on that cover," Chihiro said, pointing to the tabloid in Haku's hand. He handed the tabloid to her and she gave it back to Michael. Michael was about to say something when they heard a throat clearing loudly. The four turned to see a woman dressed in jeans and a white blouse looking at them angrily, tapping her foot on the carpet.

"You're late," the woman said flatly. The woman had black hair with dark red streaks going through her hair. Her voice was a beautiful soprano, totally opposite from her appearance. Ryan smiled apologetically at the woman and turned toward Chihiro.

"Veronica, this is Chihiro Tuskino," Ryan introduced, "Chihiro, this is Veronica Valdez, V. for short. She's going to be your voice trainer."

Veronica stepped forward and reached out for a handshake. "Nice to meet you," Veronica said. Chihiro did the same and returned the handshake. "Same here," Chihiro answered.

"Follow me," Veronica said. "We have a lot of work to do." Chihiro nodded and followed her down a hall, with a quick glance thrown at Haku. As soon as the two disappeared into a room at the far end of the hall, Michael opened his mouth.

"You're manager's looking for you," he said. Haku nodded and turned toward the opposite hallway of where Chihiro had disappeared. He walked down the hall and turned a corner, leaving the two managers at the front desk.

With Chihiro a few hours later

"Okay," Veronica said patiently. "Try the lines again." Chihiro nodded, softly pressing the headphone to her head with both hands. A microphone was in front of her with a screen covering the front. A soft piano melody began again in her headphone and she counted the notes before starting.

Ninety miles outside Chicago

Can't stop driving, I don't know why

So many questions that need an answer

Two years later, you still on my mind

"Stop," Veronica commanded. The music cut off abruptly and Chihiro stopped instantly. The two were currently in a small studio room with Chihiro inside of a soundproof room with a window that was soundproof but able to see into the other part of the room. A small speaker was set on a wall that allowed Veronica's voice to travel in the room. A door was on the other side of the room.

Outside of the soundproof room, Veronica and a man was sitting on chairs. The man was taking car of the many buttons that controlled the sound, how her voice sounded, the music, and all the other things Chihiro didn't know.

"Come out here," Veronica said. Chihiro took off the headphone and set it in front of her on the stand that held lyrics to the song. She opened the door and closed it behind her as soon as she got out.

"Here," Veronica said and pulled a rolling chair next to her. "Sit down and listen to this." Chihiro sat down cautiously, thinking that she was going to be yelled at.

"You have a great voice, Chihiro," her voice trainer said with a small smile on her face. "Your voice is your talent, but it's how you use your voice is a skill. Listen to this." Veronica nodded to the man next to her and he adjusted some stuff on the big controls in front of him before he pressed a button, letting soft piano music flow in the room. The melody went on for a few more short moments before Chihiro heard her voice pour through.

Her eyes widened as she heard her voice for the first time with music. Chihiro never knew that her voice was soft, yet something behind it was relentless, hitting every note with determination. The person singing was singing loud, but just enough so it didn't seem like the person was overpowering the music behind it.

The music stopped, leaving Veronica smiling.

"That is what I call gifted," she said pointedly, with a hint of delight. "Since you did good today," Veronica added, "and since I found out that I don't have to teach you that much, you can have the rest of the day off. However, I'll see you early tomorrow mourning for some more practice and maybe we can start recording a song that I have in mind."

Chihiro felt a smile growing and before she could help herself, Chihiro hugged Veronica. The woman chuckled, but hugged back.

"Now go," V. said, "have some fun before tomorrow."

Chihiro quickly got up and bounced out the door. In the end, Chihiro bounded straight into a hard chest, knocking her backwards. She closed her eyes tightly, thinking that she'll hit the floor hard. However, an arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her close to the other person. Chihiro carefully opened one eye, followed by the other. She heard someone chuckle deeply, feeling the sound reverberate in the person. Chihiro looked up to find Haku smirking at her.

"I know the meaning of 'falling in love', but I never thought that it meant falling literally," he said teasingly. The feeling of gratitude that was spreading inside of her disappeared like water on a flame the moment he uttered the sentence. Chihiro glared at him as he set her down on her feet steadily. She turned away from him quickly and started to stroll down the hall, not caring where she went as long as she got away from his smirking face.

His handsome, hot, beautiful smirking fac—Stop it Chihiro! Don't think of him that way. The only reason you told Michael and Ryan that you were dating him was because . . . God! You can't even think of a good reason for that! Maybe it just slipped out of your mouth? Yeah! That's a good reason! It just slipped out of your—

Chihiro's thoughts were cut short as she felt a large hand gently grab her elbow.

"Slow down," she heard his smooth voice say, "besides, you're going down the wrong way. The elevators are the other way." Chihiro stopped abruptly, making Haku stumble into her a bit. She was once again heading for the ground, face first. Once again, Haku steadied himself in time to wrap his arms and pull her to the safety of his chest.

Chihiro was tiny compared to him, a full ten inches shorter. His warmth burned her skin and she struggled to get out of his grip.

"Is it really that bad to be in my arms, girlfriend?" Haku asked her. Chihiro stopped struggling and took a deep breath, trying to not hit or scream at him.

"Let go of me," Chihiro said as calmly as she could. She felt his arms slacken and took the opportunity to slide out of his arms. As soon as she did, Chihiro went the way Haku told her where the elevators were. She heard Haku chuckle behind and suddenly felt an arm warp around her waist. A short moment later, Chihiro felt Haku's lips brush lightly against her ear.

"The reporters are still waiting downstairs and in the parking lot," he murmured. She stiffened in his arms. "No, if you want to do the whole 'boyfriend/girlfriend' thing, you have to cooperate with me, alright?" Chihiro hesitated before nodding. "Good," Haku added.

The next few minutes were spent in silence as the two walked through the halls, looking like a couple. The two got on the elevators and were riding to the parking lots upstairs while Chihiro got tenser.

"Relax," Haku told her in his smooth voice. "It won't be that bad." Mentally in her head, Chihiro was counting down the seconds. Five . . . Four . . . Three . . . She took a deep breath and relaxed in his arms as much as she could. The elevator dinged and the door opened to reveal many reporters hanging around the elevator.

The moment they heard the elevator doors opening, the reporters turned their faces expectedly to find the couple they were looking for. Cameras started flashing and microphones were shoved in their face as Chihiro and Haku got off the elevator together. Haku held her close as they got out and started to wander toward the car.

The walk was slow because of the people blocking the way. Chihiro felt his arms around her stiffen as a reporter almost pushed her backwards. She stumbled against him and heard him mutter, "This is stupid."

The next thing she knew, Chihiro was swept off her feet and found herself cradled in Haku's arms, bridal style. Haku found an opening in the crowd and ran for it. In no time at all, they arrived at his car. A faint beep was heard and flashing lights were seen from the car.

Haku set her right next to her door and shielded her until she slipped in. He then proceeded to push his way through the crowd to get to the driver's door. When he got in, Haku glanced at Chihiro who had an amused look on her face.

"Is this your definition of 'not bad'?" Chihiro laughed. Haku couldn't help but smile at her joke and glanced out through the windshield again. He shook his head and placed his keys into the ignition. The engine of the car purred to life, barely audible with all the reporters yelling at them. Haku shifted the car into reverse and carefully backed out the car, making sure not to hit anyone.

When the car was out of the parking spot, the reporters crowded themselves in front of the car, not letting the car move another inch. Haku sighed and looked out the window in a hopeless gesture. Chihiro giggled and placed a hand on his broad shoulders. He looked at her with such an old expression that she laughed again.

"I'll get us out of this," Chihiro promised him. She opened her purse and started looking inside of it. A second later, she pulled out a small black phone and flipped it open. Pressing a number, Chihiro speed dialed one of her friends from her neighborhood. Next to her, Haku could only make out a few words exchanged between her and her caller.

"Hi, it's me, Chihiro . . . I'm a little stuck in the parking lot above DHM . . . Can you call them? . . . Thank you sooo much! What do you want in return . . . But I haven't played . . . Do you really want me to . . . I'll do, just help me get out of here!" Chihiro snapped her phone shut with an uneasy face. Haku turned to her with a curious expression.

"What did you just agree to?" he asked curiously. Haku visibly see that she was trying to pull herself together and gave him a false smile.

"Nothing important that you have to worry about," she answered him with false cheer. "All you have to do is drive me back home." Chihiro chewed on those words a minute before looking at him carefully.

"You play the piano, right?" she asked him carefully and slowly. Haku nodded just as slowly as her words came out.

"Yeah . . .?" he motioned with his hands for her to continue with the thought. The two were still waiting for the people that Chihiro had called to show up. Meanwhile, the reporters were still shooting questions out of their mouths like bullets.

"You drop me off at my house and come in," she said confidently. "I'll explain it to you then. Besides," she gave him a sly look, "you are my boyfriend after all, it shouldn't be uncomfortable, right?"

Haku glanced at her suspiciously before saying yes. The uneasy face came back and Chihiro fell silent, looking out the window at the reporters. A minute later, they heard police sirens above all the yelling and tried to look out the blocked window shield. A moment later, some police officers got in between the car and the reporters and held them back.

One of the police men looked back and gave Chihiro a smile and a small nod. She waved back at him and gave him a delighted smile. Haku looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"My neighbor," she answered his unasked question. He nodded and started driving away, heading toward her house.

About 30 minutes later, Haku pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine. Chihiro got out of the car and headed toward the door, dragging her feet in a wary walk. She left the door open for him and Haku closed and locked it as soon as he was inside. Chihiro was standing in the hallway, changing her shoes to house slippers.

"You can use those," she said, pointing to a pair of comfortable-looking baby blue slippers. He slipped off his shoes and shoved his feet in them. Chihiro motioned with her hands for him to follow her.

She led them to a small door and opened it to reveal a staircase leading upstairs. Chihiro went up with Haku right behind her. The stair led to the attic, where a large baby grand piano stood. He froze at the top of the stairs. 'She plays the piano and the guitar?' Haku looked around the room. The hardwood floor underneath his feet were a light mahogany, polished perfectly. Candles holders were spread around the room, some short, some tall. All of them held new candles. The top of the piano was dusty, as if no one had touched it in a long time and a small match box sat on top. A black couch was set against the northern wall, it's wide space welcoming and facing the piano bench.

Haku heard a loud nosie and turned to find Chihiro opening several windows with an undescribable look pasted on her face. She turned to look at him and he forced himself not to look away. Chihiro walked toward the piano and took the matches off. She opened the box and struck a match on the side. She lit one candle and blew out the match. She took the candle and started going around the room, lighting each and every candle. When she was done, Chihiro set the first candle back into the candle holder.

"You can sit on the couch," she said in a toneless voice. Haku obeyed her without a second thought. Chihiro opened the top of the piano and propped it up. She sat down on the bench and pushed the casing over the keys off. Chihiro sat there for a full minute, just looking at the keys. Her hands lifted and her finger came down on the first key, loud and clear.

Haku watched her as she slowly played thorough a piece he had never heard her play before. The piece was light and soft, sounding so new and so loved. The emotion was so heavy and thick in the piece, he felt like she was pouring out her soul in the piece. She somehow played it so well that with each note carried her emotion through it.

He watched as she silently struggled with the piece.

He watched her as tears slowly fell down her face as she came to middle.

He watched her as her eyes slowly stopped raining tears and as her piece slowed down to a soft, haunting melody.

He watched her as her tears dried up with the final notes.

He didn't know when or how, but he watched her as he held her close and let her cry freely on his shoulder.

TBC

A/N; So how do you guys think? Is it good? Did you like the ending? Please REVIEW!