"How am I supposed to stay here for 25 more years!" Chinatsu repeated for the millionth time later that night. Rin, Haku, and Chinatsu were leaning on the railing of the bridge enjoying the cool air. "I can't do it… I just want to go home…" tears welled up in her eyes, and Haku was terrified of telling her that the tunnel had just closed up moments before.

Rin put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be all right Chinatsu. You'll enjoy it here. And when you can go back, you'll be able to see your parents again."

"I'll be 35 years old when I go back! My parents will have assumed me dead long before then!"

That's right… Haku started to himself. Humans are mortal. They grow old, and they die quickly.

"So, how can my fate be changed? By just staying here for 25 years? I don't have to do anything?"

Rin and Haku looked at each other. "Well…" they both started.

Haku took the initiative. "You need to meet the leader of the spirit world."

"I do?" the girl squeaked.

He nodded. "He needs to approve that you are no threat to this world."

"How could I be a threat?"

Haku shrugged. "He could probably think of something."

"That's bad though…"

"We'll just have to see what happens."

"So when do I have to do this?"

"Yubaba has already contacted Lord Mimato. He should arrive in a few days."

"A few days… all right…" she was nervous. Of what, she didn't know. How bad could it be? She was no threat to this world. She would be careful staying here so she could safely return home in 25 years.

"Chinatsu, don't worry about a thing," Rin said, patting the girl on the back. "Everything will be just fine. And when Lord Mimato decides you can stay here until the tunnel opens next, we'll have the most fun ever!"

Chinatsu giggled, the older girl cheering her up slightly. "All right, that sounds okay."

Haku smiled. He could see Chihiro's eyes in Chinatsu's. They were bright, just like Chihiro's were when he had promised they'd see each other again. But they had grown dull with age and false hope. He didn't want to see that happen to Chinatsu's as well. He would do anything to prevent that from happening. Chihiro's spirit was in with Chinatsu's, looking at him, looking at everything that was happening. He didn't want her to see another broken promise. She had one failed life, and she didn't want another. Haku wouldn't let that happen. He smiled a sad smile at Chinatsu just as she looked his way.

"Is something wrong Haku?" she asked.

The spirit took a deep breath and shook his head. "No. Nothing. Just reminiscing about the past," he replied quietly.

Chinatsu felt she should say something, since it obviously wasn't nothing, but couldn't find the right words.

Rin broke the awkward silence by announcing that it was getting late, and that they should head back to the bathhouse.

"You two go on ahead. I'm going to stay out here a while longer."

Rin nodded. "All right Haku, see you later."

"See you in the morning," Chinatsu waved as she headed back inside with Rin.

Chinatsu turned around to wave once more to Haku, but he was no where near the bridge. She looked up into the sky and saw a streak of white darting back and forth.

"Haku?" she whispered, thoughtful.

Rin turned to face her. "Hm?"

She motioned to the sky. "A dragon?

"Yes. That's Haku."

"Wow…" she whispered.

"He's a powerful dragon. I have a feeling you will experience that power sometime firsthand."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't really know. I'm sure you'll find out."

"All right…" she replied slowly, confused.

Rin laughed. "Just come on you. Haku needs to go mope about over Chihiro's lost life some more."

"Lost life? What do you mean?"

"She had a miserable life and he was the cause. He believes it's his fault that she was so miserable, because she was waiting for him the whole time. He blames himself and is still not over it."

"Oh… I see. That's sad."

"It is, but it's about time he just got over it already. But he's a dragon and it's in his nature to be stubborn."

The two girls giggled before heading upstairs.

Haku… I wish I could somehow let you talk to Chihiro. Chinatsu thought to herself. In just the couple of days she's been here, she has come to depend on Haku and she cared for him. That was one thing she wanted to do for him: let him talk to his beloved Chihiro once more.