Authors Notes: I will like to thank those who had reviewed, SAK00, Ariella Poon, Luna, MXiong, Darkninetales55. Also to those who had put me into your fav and follow list. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Thank you so much. xoxo :)

Fandomnerd12: I did watched the live action of Nodame Cantabile and just read a first few chapters of the manga :) It was quite good. Thanks again for reviewing :)

Roshini: Distant Dream is in my profile page if you can't find it. About the school holidays, we have a few types like long semester breaks and short holidays. I am not so sure because I am no longer in school :) but if I am not mistaken the short one week holidays are in end of March and end of September. Then the long semester break are end of May to July and end of November to January. Its about one and half months. Our school semester starts in first week of January. I will try to update this story every weekend but I can't promise you that I could make it every weekend though. Thanks for your support and encouragement. Glad to know you like the story.

Disclaimer: Don't Own Spirited Away

Chapter 3: The Days of The Past

Chihiro wandered down the familiar street towards her high school. The trees at both side of the lane gave her a nice shade from the sun.

She remembered it filled with students every morning whenever she walked to school. Now it was empty during the late morning. Eiji would always meet up with her half way towards school. After he started dating Kokoro, both of them would meet up with her.

Was it only the two of them always? Chihiro frowned slightly touching her forehead slightly. Somehow she felt there was someone else.

A gust of wind blew while Chihiro stood in the middle of the lane pondering. It brought a familiar scent towards her. She looked up in surprise and looked around. However, there was no one. The path was empty.

Even she couldn't see anyone she still felt a presence that comes with that familiar scent. She touched her heart with one hand and closed her eyes. She inhaled the wind deeply, the scent of fresh pine and sandalwood.

"It is a nice scent…" Chihiro whispered softly to herself. "Where did I smell it before?"

"What are you talking about?"

Chihiro jumped slightly and turned towards the voice. It was Kenshin looking rather agitated behind her. He looked liked he just woke up with a bed head. Chihiro wanted to laugh but then again, Kenshin's hair was always messy.

"I woke up and Toshihiro-san said you went out." Kenshin yawned and stretched slightly. "You should at least wake me up!"

"Hah?" Chihiro raised an eyebrow at him. "And risk getting punch in the face. Please spare me. You know how grumpy you are in the morning."

"I don't hit girls." Kenshin scratched the back of his head rather lazily.

"How did you find me?" Chihiro tilted her head slightly.

"Toshihiro-san said you went for a walk and he thought you may be visiting old places you used to go. So he told me how to get here."

"Right." Chihiro smiled and started walking again. "This is the lane that lead to school. I wanted to see if there are any changes but everything is still the same."

"It is such a small town and the first impression I got was it is a dead place." Kenshin said looking up the clear blue sky nonchalantly. "But it has a refreshing atmosphere."

"It does, doesn't it?" Chihiro turned to him with a bright smile. "When I first came here, I hated it too and then my father got lost. So we…"

Chihiro stopped then. So what did they do? Why did her mind suddenly gone blank?

"Chi-chan?" Kenshin raised his eyebrows at her expression.

Chihiro was wide eyed and had gone pale.

"Oi, oi!" Kenshin's usual expressionless feature was mask with worry. "Are you ok?

"Hm?" Chihiro looked at him with a smile. Her colour had returned. It was like her feelings were completely altered suddenly.

"You were talking about your father getting lost when he first came here. Then suddenly you stopped and went all pale. Are you ok?"

"My father got lost when we first came?" Chihiro looked at him with surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"Hah?" Kenshin looked at her incredulously. "You were just saying that a minute ago."

" I did?" Chihiro frowned slightly.

"Jeez, whatever!" Kenshin looked irritated again and pushed his hands into the pockets of his pants. "Honestly you really have some sort of memory lapse Chi-chan."

Chihiro looked confused but she didn't dwell on the matter for long.

"Hey, do you want to see my school?" Chihiro grinned and hopped in front of him. "There are really beautiful cherry blossoms in the yard! I am sure they are still blooming."

"I don't really care since we don't really have much to do."

"You still don't have any idea for your project?" Chihiro asked slightly hesitantly.

"Our project Chi-chan." Kenshin corrected. "It will come as an advantage to you in your senior year."

"I really don't get it why you decided to do something so different from your style though."

Kenshin kept quiet.

"Ken?" Chihiro looked over at him.

She felt like even though Kenshin was his usual emotionless self, there was something different since they started being partners for the project.

It was his final year project. Chihiro thought maybe he was anxious about it since this project was the stepping-stone to his future.

But somehow, she felt like there was something more.

"You didn't read the latest Art Magazine did you?" Kenshin asked as they continued down the lane slowly.

"I never bothered about all those gossips." Chihiro said heatedly. "They try to ruin people's beautiful intentions and make a scandal out of it."

"But I felt what they said about me this time is true."

"Ken?" Chihiro was getting really worried then. "Please don't tell me that you are taking whatever they say seriously? It never bothered you before."

"My painting always lacks emotions." Kenshin told her. "I knew that even from the beginning that magazine didn't need to tell me that. They had gossip worst things about me and it doesn't matter because people still love my art. That was until I saw your painting."

"Wow…" Chihiro didn't know how to react to that. "Honestly I don't know how to help you."

"You just have to be my inspiration." Kenshin told her.

"Ooooh," Another voice behind them made them both jumped.

It was Kokoro and Eiji.

Kokoro leaped onto Chihiro and hugged her from the back with her arms around her neck. Chihiro bent over slightly by the impact. She smiled at her friend slightly. She remembered Eiji used to do that as a greeting in the morning before school. But since he started dating Kokoro they had switch places.

Chihiro almost laughed at the thought. They were so cute together always.

"I heard that!" Kokoro said gleefully. "Are you both dating?"

"Hah? Are you kidding me? With that selfish brat!" Chihiro retorted.

"Hah? Are you kidding me? With that rambo onna!" Kenshin retorted at the same time.

"You both are very sync." Eiji said with raised eyebrows.

Kokoro giggled. "Yup, yup!"

"We can never get along without tearing each other's head off." Chihiro said. "What makes you think we can date?"

"I can't agree more on that one." Kenshin replied irritated.

"But the atmosphere when you both were together earlier made people around unable to break in." Kokoro said. "It is like you both are compatible."

"Masaka…" Chihiro sighed in defeat. (Masaka [まさか]: You can't be serious/ No way)

"By the way, I met Fukui earlier." Eiji said. "He told me about a class gathering they planned this weekend. It's a camping trip near the Jinsoku River near the edge of town. Do you want to go?"

"Ah Fukui Soujirou." Chihiro smiled. "He was really helpful when we were back in school. I remember he gave me his English notes because I am really bad at it. I think I don't mind going for the trip. It will be nice to see everyone again. Do you want to come Ken?"

"Anything is fine." Kenshin started to look bored again. "There isn't anything else here anyways. Might as well explore the wilderness."

"I will make arrangements with Fukui then." Eiji took out his cell.

The four of them made their way down the path together unaware of the hidden presence standing on the highest branch of a nearby tree, watching them leave.

Haku was following Chihiro the moment she stepped out of the shrine. He watched her silently in the shadows, feeling his heart weighing down heavily. He remembered the times when he was the one walking with Chihiro down this lane.

The Jinsoku River was a public camping site for local people. It was located in a small forest at the edge of town and it was commonly used for school excursions and holiday sites. There were small wooden cabins and outdoor kitchen with a barbeque place. It was a perfect outdoor place for people who love camping.

The group arrived shortly before noon and the girls were preparing food in the kitchen when the boys were setting up tents for there were not enough cabins. So they decided the girls would sleep in the cabins when the boys camp outside in the tents.

"Chihiro pass me the salt." Kokoro called.

"What are you making?" Chihiro went over to her with the saltshaker.

"Curry." Kokoro stirred the ladle in the huge pot shaking the salt into it.

"Does it even go well with barbeque?" Chihiro looked into the bubbling ingredients in the pot.

"Curry goes well with anything." Kokoro grinned. "Why don't you get the utensils ready since you can't cook."

"Hai, hai…" Chihiro sighed. How she wished she could help with the cooking.

She walked over to the sink area where all the utensils were placed when she heard voices.

Humans had been coming here so often.

It can't be help since the forest had become a public area.

Kawa no Kami must be so tired.

At least these humans are well mannered. They brought bags to throw their garbage away.

Humans are still humans. They destroy more than they protect.

Chihiro stopped on her tracks and put her hands over her ears. She had been hearing things since she entered the forest. There were voices that she couldn't understand. She shut her eyes tight. She could feel her head bursting with this unknown voices.

"Chihiro watch out!" she heard Kokoro cried.

Chihiro snapped her eyes opened immediately but before she could turn around, she was knocked over so quickly she didn't know what hit her. She landed on the ground on her back painfully and shut her eyes tight, wincing softly. Her body felt so heavy.

"Ouch that hurts!" She heard someone above spoke.

She slowly opened her eyes to see Kenshin lying on top of her, grabbing his head and his eyes shut. Their faces were only inches away. She could hear some girls squealing in a distance. Any girl would blush in this kind of situation but Chihiro only stared up at him rather blankly.

"Are you both alright?" Kokoro rushed up towards them.

"Ken you are heavy." Chihiro said monotone.

"Is that the way to thank your savior?" Kenshin groaned backing away from her still holding his head.

Chihiro looked around and saw the Kenshin had pushed her away from a falling ladder that was resting on back wall near the sink.

"Oh…" Chihiro's eyes widened. "Sorry… I mean thank you."

Kokoro helped Chihiro up on her feet with a small sly smile. Kenshin went off helping the boys with tents again and the girls who were squealing rushed up towards him.

"What?" Chihiro turned to her and looked rather indifferently.

"You both looked like you were kissing." Kokoro snickered. "So you sure you don't feel anything for Kenshin?"

"What are you talking about?" Chihiro was rather wide eyed and confused.

"Chihiro didn't you even notice as soon as we came, Kenshin is swarmed by girls!" Kokoro said exasperatedly. "You were so nonchalant about it. I hope you don't regret when some girls snatch him away from under your nose."

"So what if that happened?" Chihiro was still looking oblivious. "Girls always fall for Ken anyways."

"Chihiro, please don't tell me even when Kenshin was on top of you, you didn't feel a thing?"

"What am I suppose to feel?"

"Like your heart is thumping, heat rushes up your face, your hands become sweaty."

"Why would anyone feel that?"

"When you love someone you will feel all that!" Kokoro said exasperatedly. "It's like your heart will burst if you don't see him and your heart thumps so hard when he is near."

Chihiro blinked and still looked dense.

That was when something dawn upon Kokoro as she stared at Chihiro quietly.

"Chihiro can you help me carry this over to the tables!" One of the girls shouted from the kitchen then.

"I'm coming." Chihiro called back and turned back to Kokoro. "Come on, you are the cook today. People are starving."

Kokoro was still speechless while she watched Chihiro ran back towards the open kitchen until Eiji came towards her.

"What's wrong Kokoro?"

"I don't know, whenever I talked to Chihiro about love. She doesn't seem to know what it is."

They both stood there in silence watching Chihiro laughing with the girls. She looked like how she normally was but somehow there was something missing in those vacant eyes.

There was laughter from the group while Chihiro sat by the riverbank staring into the rushing water. It was after lunch and everyone was chatting and catching up with each other but Chihiro was tired. Not because of the trip but because of the weird voices that kept popping up in her head.

She felt like she was going crazy and her head hurts. She couldn't shut them out.

The breeze brought the familiar scent towards Chihiro again and she closed her eyes. Why did it seemed so nostalgic? Even she loved the smell so much, she couldn't remember where she smell that before.

Eh? Love? Chihiro opened her eyes.

What was love exactly? Chihiro wondered looking into the river. She could see her own reflection in the swiftness of the water.

The water…

She's eyes were becoming hazy as she continued to stare into the river. Very slowly, Chihiro raised her hand and reached towards the water. The river seemed like it was calling to her. She leaned forward slowly like in a trance.

"Chihiro you are going to fall in!" Kokoro shouted.

Her call came a second to late for Chihiro tumbled into the river with a huge splash. She was sinking fast and the current was swift, Chihiro couldn't swim to the surface. She could feel the current dragging her under. She was losing breath. She got to think of something or she was going to drown.

It had been many years…

Chihiro heard the raspy old voice and felt herself being cocoon into a bubble. Suddenly breathing wasn't as hard anymore.

Years must be hard on you but you did your best.

Chihiro blinked, why does this sensation felt so familiar.

A picture of a wooden wrinkly face with broken teeth came into view and melted away within seconds. She then felt herself being pushed up towards the surface.

Chihiro broke out from the water and took a deep breath quickly. She could see her friends standing at the bank anxiously. None of them dared to jump into the river for this river was well known for its strong under currents. Though she noticed Kenshin among the group looked liked he would jump into the river anytime, was held back by some boys from her school.

If she weren't in such a dire situation, she would have laughed at his horrified expression. Kenshin was never good in showing emotions were looking scared. That was something she might give him a medal for.

Kenshin immediately rushed towards the bank of the river and stretched out his hand towards her.

"Your hand!" Kenshin shouted.

Chihiro reached over and grabbed it tightly. Kenshin pulled her up towards the bank quickly and she collapsed on his lap taking deep breaths and choking slightly.

Everyone immediately crowd around them when she was pulled out safely from the river.

"Chihiro are you alright!"

"This river is well known for strong under currents! You are lucky you managed to swim back up again!"

"You gave us a shock!"

Chihiro couldn't answer. What was that face she saw earlier? Why didn't it freak her out? Why did she had a feeling she saw it before?

"Shut up and move back!" Kenshin yelled breaking Chihiro's train of thoughts. "Give her some air!"

Everyone fell silent.

Chihiro was still silent from the ordeal. It was such a déjà vu experience. She couldn't understand why. Every time she felt something familiar or even remotely recall something from her memory lapse it all just disappear in an instance and filled her with a void she couldn't comprehend.

Why did she always felt like she forgot something important?

"I will bring her back to the cabin." Kenshin finally said when Chihiro had no intentions to speak at the moment. "Can you stand Chi-chan?"

Chihiro nodded slightly and sat up. She immediately felt a sharp pain on her left foot and she winced. She clutched her ankle slightly. When did she even sprain that leg?

"I'll carry you back." Kenshin told her quietly. "Come on."

He didn't want to remain there any longer with all eyes on them. He also felt that Chihiro wanted some space to herself even though she wasn't saying anything but her silence told him that she wanted to be alone.

Chihiro couldn't argue. She was tired and her foot hurts. She allowed Kenshin to give her a piggyback ride to the cabin and ignore the glares she received from other girls. She didn't want to care anymore. She just wanted to rest.

"Thank you Kawa no Kami." Haku said silently to the river. (Unname River Spirit: 川の神 kawa no kami.)

Haku would have jumped in to save Chihiro but the laws of the spirit world weren't so simple. This river didn't belong to him and it would be a great disrespect for the guardian who stood guard on this river for another spirit to invade their territory. If only he remained as her Guardian then he may be able to step out of that boundary.

"You don't have to be so formal Kohaku-ouji." The River God replied. "I know Sen from the bathhouse. She was a kind girl. I wouldn't want someone like that to drown in my river."

Haku remained silent.

"In spite the horrendous smell and dirt I was drenched in when I visited the bathhouse, Sen didn't flinched or hesitant to help. Even though she was definitely disgusted by the smell. She tried her best not to show."

The River God chuckled.

"She was so small then. She had grown to be a fine woman."

"She has." Haku said softly.

"However, there is something rather disturbing I felt when I brought Sen back to the surface. I could feel she lost something very important."

"There was an accident almost a year ago that caused her to lose all memories of the spirit world and her abilities." Haku explained. "I am trying my best to help her gain those memories."

"Ah yes, I heard of that incident. That was most unfortunate." The River God said severely. "But it wasn't that. I felt something else entirely different, something more precious than her memories."

"What is it?" Haku asked anxiously. What else could Chihiro lost? She had already sacrificed so much. "I was only told that her memories and abilities were taken away."

"Well, it could be caused of the most important memories stripped from her that may initiated this side effect."

Haku stared at the River God in horror…

"Ken-chan?" Chihiro mumbled.

Kenshin was carrying Chihiro on his back as they walked towards the cabins. Chihiro had head resting on one of his shoulder had her eyes closed and both her arms wrapped loosely around his neck.

"Don't call me chan." Kenshin snapped softly.

Chihiro smiled gently her eyes still closed.

"How is it like to love someone?"

"What the heck?" Kenshin almost tripped on his feet. "What is with such question suddenly?"

"Kokoro said your heart would beat really fast but I wonder how is it really like." Chihiro continued with her eyes closed. "To have your heart beating so fast for someone."

"You chose the worst person to ask." Kenshin grumbled. "How the hell would I know?"

"I guess you are right." Chihiro chuckled softly and soon fell into a slumber.

Kenshin took a deep breath and shook his head softly. She must have hit her head hard during the accident. He thought to himself as they continued towards the cabin in silence.

Haku watched them in a distance with dread enveloping his entire being. The voice of the River God still echoed in his head clearly as he watch Chihiro sadly.

"She lost her heart and I think Sen doesn't know how to love anymore."

Back at the Jade Palace the courtesan female dragons were unsettled. They hadn't seen Haku for a few days and they were getting impatient.

"I heard he went to the human world."

"Yes I think I heard rumours about his lake by the shrine."

"He doesn't need to guard any lake or river anymore now that he is the ruler of Jade Palace!"

"I heard about the human female."

When one of them uttered that everyone fell silent for a couple of seconds.

"I thought it was just a rumour." Finally one of them spoke uncertainly, breaking the ice.

"Well, I am not sure."

"If it is true, we can take her down any time."

"Yeah, Kohaku-ouji doesn't need a meddling human ruining his life."

Masaki walked by the group in silence. Whatever they were going to do was none of her business. She was done meddling in Haku's life and it brought more pain to him than good. This time she would not interfere.

to be continued...

Authors Note: Thank you for reading, I did browse through the chapter before I posted it up but I didn't really do a thorough check through. I hope it went well :)

Please do drop a review :)

The name of the river was just made up. In Spirited Away the Spirit God wasn't name nor mentioned about his river. So I just gave it a name.

Jinsoku 迅速 (-na inflection, hiragana じんそく, romaji jinsoku) swift, rapid, quick, prompt.