Author's note: Here is the next chapter. Thank you again for your reviews, keep them coming!
Chihiro and Aya happily chatted in the train, on their way to Zeniiba's house. It was going to be quite a journey but they started off early. Time had seemed to past a lot more quicker with Aya on the train then it did before and they arrived at the house just as it was getting dark.
Of course zeniiba knew they would be coming and had prepared and little light supper as they arrived.
'It's nice to see you again Chihiro.' Zeniiba smiled giving her a big huge. 'And it is nice to meet a friend of Chihiro.'
Aya smiled and took a seat at the table which was heaving with food.
'You have certainly changed my dear. I can remember when you were this high.' Zeniiba said holding her hand low to the floor. Chihiro smiled and helped her with pouring the tea. No Face was happy to see Chihiro too and sat next to her smiling away.
'I'm guessing you know about the Judges.' Zeniiba declared her voice tone lowering.
'Yes I do Granny.'
'It is a shame, but I'm sure that it will be for the best decision.'
'Can you tell me anything that might help?'
'No one ever knows what the Judges will say and it's not the questions which are important, it's your answers and how you say them.'
Chihiro sighed and slowly bit on a cookie. She wasn't nervous about the Judges but then again she didn't know when she would be countering them so there was nothing to be nervous about.
'How is that young Haku doing? I heard that he is now in charge of the onsen.' Chihiro nodded and sipped at her tea, hoping that Zeniiba would get the hint that she didn't want to pursue the topic further. Obviously the hint wasn't strong enough.
'He has done a very good job on that place, much better then my sister. It must be the heart, it's that little thing inside which deciphers what happens to you.' Zeniiba carried on looking at Chihiro.
Aya seemed to get vibes from Chihiro that she didn't want to talk about him just now. 'Zeniiba, you have a lovely cottage here, did you decorate it yourself?'
Chihiro grinned at Aya to talk about such an inappropriate topic and one at such a cliché, but it seemed to work.
After their dinner with Zeniiba organised some transport back so they wouldn't have to wait for the train. Zeniiba took out a long feather and told them to sit on it. Chihiro and Aya were hesitant at first but realised that it seemed safe.
'Back to the onsen.' Zeniiba ordered the feather. It slowly rose above the ground and zoomed its way towards the bathhouse. '
I feel light as a feather.' Aya laughed kicking her legs high. Chihiro just smiled and enjoyed the experience as the wind swept through her hair.
At arrival to the onsen Aya was exhausted and went to bed straight today. After tonight's conversation with Zeniiba Chihiro was very much awake. She walked around the onsen observing the Gods enjoying their baths and busy workers making sure their customers were satisfied. Chihiro couldn't keep the Judges out of her head. She was desperate to know when they would be wanting to talk to her but she didn't want it anytime soon. She didn't even know herself if she wanted to stay or go. Before talking to Haku she might have considered staying. No one in her life at the moment would miss her much maybe apart from Aya. Her parents were always away, she was sure her work would be able to get another sectary. But what life would she have in the Spirit World? Haku didn't care about her anymore, the onsen had moved on and she wasn't even a spirit! She didn't belong anyway. She suddenly felt weak and collapsed onto the floor. She felt as if she was losing her identity, her name.