Don't Look Back – Chapter 3

Return To The Bathhouse

I stood on the bridge of the bathhouse. I was now 15, and growing at a rapid rate. I… matured, and my hair grew a little bit, but Granny cut it before I left. I held my small suitcase in my right hand, and sighed as I looked at the bathhouse. "Well, at least I have a few friends here." I said to myself, and entered the bathhouse.

"Mistress Chihiro!" A Yuna cried, walking up to me. "Here, let me take your bag. If you would please follow me, I'll show you to your rooms."

'Prompt service.' I thought to myself as I followed the slim Yuna. We went up the elevator, and to my puzzlement, I was taken to an empty floor.

"This is where your rooms are located. You share this floor with any important guest that comes. There are two suites here, so it's pretty comfortable, mistress." The Yuna said, opening a screen door to my half of the floor. My suite contained a miniature kitchen, living area, study, bedroom, and mini bath. Not bad. I stopped my mind from wandering when I saw the Yuna beginning to unpack for me.

"Oh, that's not ness-" I began.

"Yubaba is waiting for you mistress. Don't worry, I won't take anything. If you find anything missing, just ask for me."

"And your name?"

"My name? I don't remember my true name like the rest of the spirits here. Just call me Sumi."

I nodded my head, "Sumi it is then." I walked over, and helped her unpack. "So, how old are you Kasumi?"

"Spirit or human?"

I smiled, "Human I guess."

"17."

"Really? I would be 15."

"Just 15? I was envisioning you to be in your twenties… oh! Mistress Chihiro! You really need to go see Yubaba! I've got it, really."

"Two things. Number one, my name is Chihiro, and that's what I want you to call me. Second, I'm not fit to go see Yubaba right now, I need to change."

Sumi stopped her unpacking to look at me. She hid her giggles as she took in my windblown hair, (I summoned a wind to get here) and worn clothes. "I see your point. Here, put these on." She dug around in my suitcase, pulling out a few articles of clothing. My eyes widened when I saw the burgundy, floor length skirt and the snug, sleeveless white shirt.

"Looks like Zeniba packed me some things…"

"They look beautiful. Now, put those on and I'll find you a coat to wear, and fix your hair."

I nodded, and then went into my bathroom to change. Once I was dressed, I marveled at how well the new clothes fit me. I silently thanked Granny for getting me new clothes that made me look fit to be Yubaba's secretary… or whatever I was. I came out of the bathroom, and Sumi helped me into a bright white coat. It wasn't your average coat. It almost covered my hands, and the hem of the coat reached my calves. On the right sleeve, a bright tendril of a flame weaved its way up the fabric. I smiled; it looked just like the first flame that wrapped around my arm. Sumi did up the buttons on the front of my coat. I looked at myself in the mirror. I didn't see some scrawny 15 year-old anymore. I saw a young woman who was sure of herself and what she believed in. I smiled. I liked what I saw. The buttons stopped at my waist, so the coat flashed my burgundy skirt nicely.

"There!" Sumi said happily, finishing my bun. She pulled out a box of chopsticks. I was wondering what she was going to do with them, but then I noticed that they were chopsticks made to be worn in your hair. They were black, with gold scroll work etched into them. 'Thank you Granny.'

"All right, Mis- I mean, Chihiro, you're all set. Now, you better go see Yubaba before she gets to mad."

I walked through the halls of the bathhouse, my skirt swishing, and my coat slightly billowing out behind me. My sandals barely made a noise against the polished hardwood floors. Whispers of the bathhouse workers followed me as I walked to Yubaba's office.

"It's Sen! She survived!"

"Her true name is Chihiro, not Sen."

"That's Mistress Chihiro to you! She's taken Master Haku's position."

"Can Yubaba control her like she did Master Haku?"

"No, Yubaba is forbidden to do so."

"Says who?"

"Master Haku. Yubaba doesn't dare cross him now that he found his river."

I listened, but I didn't let any of the comments affect me. I reached Yubaba's door, and I knocked.

"Come in." she said, and the door opened. I took long, slow, and calm strides to her office. When I entered I stood before the fireplace, and curtsied to the witch behind the desk.

"I'm here, Yubaba."

"I can see that. So, you're a spirit now?"

"Yes ma'am."

"And you have the elements of fire and air?"

"That would be correct."

"How strong are you?"

"I am strong enough to control myself, nothing more." I said with a straight face. That was a downright lie. Granny told me that I could beat Yubaba herself if I set my mind to it. I wouldn't be able to do it on the first try, but I could. Granny and I agreed that I would try to hide how powerful I was, until Haku gets back at least.

"That's good. Now, let me show you the account books. As my secretary, you need to learn about them, seeing as you'll be in control of them…"

Being Yubaba's assistant wasn't as bad I thought it would be. Then again, I wasn't under her direct control, so I bet that changed things a bit. To my surprise, Yubaba can actually be a pleasant person to talk to when she's in a good mood. You don't want to know how I know; it's this huge big story that I don't want to start telling. I made good progress with the account books, and I managed to save Yubaba a whole bunch of gold. Once she learned of this, she took the liberty of buying me a whole new wardrobe.

"I can't have you looking like some rat, I have a reputation to uphold." She told me sternly when I thanked her for the clothing. I didn't protest, but I really do think that she's taken a shine to me.

Today was no different than any other day… well, it started out that way. It turns out that some important and powerful spirit is coming to the bathhouse, and will be staying for a few months. So, the bathhouse is throwing a ball as a welcome celebration for him. So, I'm frantically preparing his rooms while Yubaba over sees the ball preparations.

"There Chihiro. If I may say so myself, you're going to knock all of the male spirits off their feet." Sumi said happily, looking over me to see if she needed to do any last minute fixes.

"You really think so?"

"I know so." Sumi said firmly, and I smiled. Over the past five years (Yes, I'm 20 now), Sumi has become an older sister to me, right along with Rin. After being back at the bathhouse for three years, I requested that Sumi become my personal maid. It took a while, but Yubaba finally agreed. Since Sumi was working for Yubaba, she had a contract, right? But since Sumi was handed over to me, she got her real name back. Now, everyone calls her by her real name, Kasumi, which means mist. It fits, because her eyes are so pale, they might as well be mist. I didn't ask about her past at first. I figured she would tell me when she was ready to.

"You're all set to go. The guest's rooms are ready, and everyone's waiting for you."

I stood up, and looked at myself in the mirror. Silently, I thanked Yubaba for keeping my wardrobe updated as the fashions changed, and I grew. I wore a strapless white dress that fanned out when it reached the floor. A silver coat was on top of that, and the hem barely brushed the floor. It was left open, displaying my dress for all to see. A belt of red and gold beads was wrapped around my waist, emphasizing my hourglass figure. Earrings that mirrored my belt hung from my ears, but were nearly hidden from my long hair. It reached the middle of my back now, but I had cut it a few times over the years to keep it healthy.

"Chihiro, are you done looking yet? We need to go!"

I looked at Kasumi, and smiled. "Sorry, I'm ready to go." I said, and looked at her attire. She was easily the most attractive Yuna at the bathhouse. Her rose pink kimono brought out her features, and her sleek black hair was back in a strict bun. Her face was a perfect oval, and her eyes were almost as pale as the mist she was named after.

"Finally!"

The room was packed. Musicians played, spirits talked, ate and drank, and danced. The workers relaxed in the background, enjoying their break. The spirits had come from all over the spirit world to honor this spirit, but I still had no idea WHO this spirit was. Yubaba went on stage, and gathered the crowd's attention.

"Good spirits, tonight we are gathered to welcome a powerful spirit back to the bathhouse. He has been absent for the past ten years, but today he returns to us for a time. Everyone, please, give a warm welcome to Haku!"

A/N: Enter Haku! Yay! Well, I have another chapter up as you can see, and I'm working on the next one this weekend! I was planning on updating on Saturday (4/1), but I decided, what the heck! Let's upate now! Next chapter we get into the plot, oh yeah!

DarkAngelPrincess15 - As you can tell, Haku is coming back next chapter! YAY! Glad you think that this story is cool. Hehe!

Wings of Tears - ((love your pen name! Sorry, just had to say that...)) This is good? Yes! That's what I was aiming for... just like every single other author on this site... anyway! Haku's coming back next chapter! Dang... I wonder why everyone misses Haku... ((lmao)) I have a 10/10? OH YEAH! Ahem... yes, thank you for that. I greatly appreciate that you think I'm that good of a writer, yes, ahem.

InuYasharulstheworld - I'm so sorry! I didn't give you your dues last chapter! Bad Angel, bad, bad, BAD! I'm sorry! Anyway... I'm glad that I blew you away, but can you come back and review again? Please! I watched the movie a week or so ago, and I thought about it, what WOULD happen? So, I got a pad and paper, and proceded to plotout this fic. Of course, I've lost those notes... oh well. Start from scratch!

Thank you all for reviewing, and I hope to see more reviews in my inbox! I love them so much!

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-

Disclaimer: I own nothing, whoopie.