I soon noticed who the voice had come from. Yubaba, the woman who once did all she could to try to take my life. Instead of running, a small part of my mind told me to stay and listen. As naive as I had been, I sat still as she approached me. She soon began to speak,
"Chihiro, something seems to be bothering you..."
I snickered and looked away, "Why would I tell you, of all people, anything?"
"There doesn't seem to be anyone else around?"
I sighed and decided to vent , "I just hoped when I came back, Haiku would finally notice me, love me, care for me..."
She nodded in a way, telling me she understood what I meant.
After a long silent pause, she spoke once more,
"I can solve all of your problems, dear."
I hesitantly answered, "H-how so?"
"Quite easily. You see, Although a spirit, Haku still has a permanent age as we all do. His permanent age is 16. You are quite younger. "
"And your point is?"
"How about we make a deal?"
"What kind of deal?"
"I can do just what makes you happy, I can sign a contract with you. I can make you the same age as Haku, PERMANENTLY. "
"Permanently?"
"Yes, isn't that what you want?"
"O-of course..."
"But, there is a catch, of course."
"What is it?"
"Well there are a few;
1. This decision will be final.
2. You can never leave the Spirit World
3. After a while you will lose all memory of your old life.
4. Finally, you have a week. If Haku does not say , "I love you Chihiro" and mean it, I will own your soul.
Do we have a deal?"
I was hesitant, and quite scared. This was a lot to consider.