Chapter One:

Letters from and to the Heart—Part 1

CHIHIRO

Age 11

October, 17, 2003 :

Dear Haku,

A year had passed and I still remember everyone, everything that changed me. Who knew I could change, huh? I miss you, at first I was happy to have my parents back although I was sad to leave all of you behind, now it is almost impossible to keep me from running back into the Spirit World. But I will finish my schooling first, that way I can be with my parents a few more years.

I'm entering Middle School this fall, and I'm doing well, you'll proud. I have a lot of friends, my grades are great—I love art, I draw you and the others daily—and I try to be kind to anyone that needs it. The time I spent with you and everyone else opened my eyes to my true self; I hope one day I will get to thank you. You truly did changed me, Haku, I don't know how but I am grateful to you.

What you are doing right now? Are you missing me as much as I am? Are you free from Yubaba? Will your promise be fulfilled? Those are the questions that are making me mad. I want to know the answers so much it hurts. I want to hug you and never leave your arms again, I want to tell you that….that I have feelings I've never felt before for you, but I have to wait, do I? That'll be the hardest thing I'd have to yet. But I'll do it, it'll make our reunion that much sweeter.

Yours truly,

Ogino Chihiro

Age 12

October, 17, 2004:

Dear Haku,

Two years, two years since I left you behind. It is so hard, Haku, I see your eyes everywhere I look, I hear you whisper my name. Why is love so painful, so powerful? I love you, yes, I do. I know that I'm just a preteen, but these feelings are too strong to ignore, maybe I don't want to, you know I can be stubborn when I want to be.

The dreams are strong, almost moving memories, but last night's was different. It was like a vision of the future:

I was standing at the opening of the Sprit World, wearing the high schoolers' uniform, and there was a young man staring at me so intensely. To tell you that he was beautiful wouldn't even describe him. He was breathtaking. An older version of you: his dark blue long hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, his eyes were the same mossy green of yours but with such fierce emotions shining in them, and the smile I fell in love with set on his lips. It is you, I know it is, I've never forgot that smile. I can't wait to see you. Truly, that will be the best day of my life.

Yours truly,

Ogino Chihiro

Age 15

October, 17, 2007:

Dearest Haku,

I'm sorry I haven't write to you in so long. School has been inane lately. I entered high school since I last wrote you, it's funny; everyone calls me the kind, beauty of the school, but they find me odd. I might be just that. I mean, I'm smart, I'm popular, and I'm—as they say—beautiful, but my friends say I look like I'm longing to be somewhere far, I always look out of place there, maybe I do, I know the first part is true, I do long to be home, for the magical world is my home. For now, however, I have to smile for my friends and family, living in my drawings of the past and my dreams. Odd indeed. I have gotten used to it, I like being the odd duckling, makes life more interesting.

Only three more, no four more I'm getting ahead of myself, years 'til we'll meet, Haku, oh I'm giddy just thinking about it. I'll be in your arms once again, and this time I will stay. Maybe, I'll get to show you my artwork; I'm getting really good at it. Well, until next year, my darling dragon.

Forever yours,

Ogino Chihiro

Age 16

October, 17, 2008:

Dear Haku,

I'm sixteen, almost an adult, and still no sign of you. Are you going to keep your promise? Or am I going to have to fulfill it on my own? I don't mind that, but I wish you would fly back to me.

On a happier note; how's everybody there? Is granny alright? I hope so; Lin isn't giving you grief, is she? I swear I act more mature than she does. Yubaba still as bossy as ever? Oh, there's so much I want to know, but I can't write all it down. Only two more years, -sighs- hopefully they'll go quickly.

Yours truly,

Ogino Chihiro

Age 17

October, 17, 2009:

My Haku,

I am here, in bed, wondering what next year will be like; will you smile at me like in the dream? The thoughts are unbearable, I just want to be Sen again, I don't feel right as Chihiro anymore. The Human World isn't my home, I feel sad about leaving my family and friends behind, but I don't belong here. I look up at the moon and wish that time would just go by so I can go home.

What are you thinking about? Of me, I hope, because I can't stop thinking about you. My friends say I need a man, but they don't know that I already have one waiting for me. One year, my love, and I'll be home. Where I belong. I love you.

Forever yours,

Ogino Chihiro

Age 18

October, 17, 2010:

Dear my Kohaku,

This is the last letter I am writing you, because when the year ends, I'll be in the Spirit World, surrounded by my friends. Finally, I'll be where I can be my whole self. I hope Yubaba will give me my old job without too much trouble, but knowing her, I'd have to fight her. I can see Lin, Kamiji, Granny, No Face, and Boh again! Oh I can't wait; I wish I could go right now. But I'll be good and graduate high school, I know you would want that. Although, I don't know why I'm doing what you would want because you didn't keep your promise, no matter, I'm coming to you. And don't you dare think you're not in trouble with me, mister, you are going to get an ear full from me. Then, maybe a kiss. Yes, definitely a kiss, I have waited so long to give you my first kiss. I saved it for you, honey.

I'm counting down the days, Haku. Hopefully, this year will go fast, but time's cruel when you are waiting for something to come. See you very soon, my dragon boy—no, you're not a boy anymore, are you? You're a man. My man…..

Always and forever yours,

Ogino Sen Chihiro

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

The eighteen-year-old smiled as her eyes swept the last of the letters. It is the night after the graduate ceremony, and Chihiro was packing. She felt horrible about leaving her parents but she knew they understand in time, she was sure of it. They would want her happy, and this makes her happier than any kid on Christmas day. And her friends would miss her but people come and go, memories however don't, she hoped that she had left them with some good ones to look back on. Chihiro shifted her gaze to the window for a moment, thinking of the pass years, and then she went back to work.

When the bag was full, the young woman zipped it close and put it down by the door. Then she grabbed the purple tie her Granny gave her all those eight years ago, braiding her long brown hair, which reached just pass the small of her back; when that was done, Chihiro looked around her bedroom, taking in the last glimpse of her human life, and sighed. She hiked the backpack onto her back, walking towards the front door, passing pictures of the life that became so foreign to her. Before she disappeared into the night, she laid one last letter on the table by the door, this time, though, the letter was to her parents, her final goodbye. Then, she ran fast, leaving her old life behind forever.

She ran until the sun chased the moon from the sky, her legs felt like jello and her lungs was about to pop, but 'Sen' never stopped running, she was afraid that if she stopped her dad would find her and drag her back.

Suddenly, the tunnel appeared in her view, making her shout out in giddiness, I'm almost home, guys! She thought excitedly as she stood there in the mouth of the entrance of the Spirit World, panting hard with a silly grin placed on her lips. After catching her breath, she walked into the long tunnelway, brushing her fingertips along the wall as she went deeper in it. The train station looked the same it had eight years ago. Chihiro grinned again and ran out to the sunlight. And there it was, the Spirit World. The tears of joy filled her eyes.

"I'm home…."