Edge of The Ocean

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or any of its characters.

A/N: Yay! Chapter seven!!

Azure-x-Rose: You'll see Haku soon don't worry lol

snow-leopard-demon24: I know sorry lol she is smart isn't she? Now sorry you can recommend but I won't make Yubaba bleed or Boh hate his mum lol

lili-potter8907: I'm trying, I'm trying lol...

flower391169: I hope it stays interesting!

chronicleofcoincidence: Ah but you forget that Yubaba has something up her sleeve! Perhaps she's pretending to be so mellow... or... maybe she's just changed a bit or grew fond of Chihiro? Who knows... I mean, Yubaba's not evil... just mean, that's all!

Chihiro ignored the curious looks of all the staff of the large bathhouse as she made her was to the familiar room where she had stayed with Lin ten years ago. Before she could knock on the door it opened wide and suddenly; Lin stood there with an alarmed and happy smile on her face and before Chihiro knew it she was being embraced.

"Yubaba told us you were back; my gosh just look at you!" Lin said as she pulled away to study the new Chihiro. Said girl blushed bashfully at all the attention she was receiving. More and more whispered were heard around them as they stood there.

"It's Sen! She's back!!"

"Is it really? Wow she looks great!"

"It certainly smells like her…"

"Wow she looks so different!"

Those were only some of the whispers and praises Chihiro heard. Lin smiled and punched her shoulder affectionately. "You're all grown up now huh?" She said with a grin. "Finally I have someone to talk to… You are staying right?" she asked. Chihiro finally snapped out of her shock and grinned back, hugging the older woman.

"Of course!" She answered. Lin smiled again and pat her arm.

"It's great having you back! You know… when left, Yubaba had changed a lot – for the better! I think it had something to do with her son's influence on her though… tell me, where will you be staying?" She asked. Chihiro's grin widened.

"Oh! I'll be working here again! I already signed the contract!" She responded. Lin raised an eyebrow.

"Really now? Hmm… I'm not sure Haku will be too thrilled…" Said Lin as she crossed her arms and held a thoughtful expression on her face. Chihiro blinked in confusion.

"Why wouldn't he be?" She asked, refraining from blushing; her dream still evident in her mind. Luckily Lin missed her flustered expression and near crack in her voice.

"Well, he quit being Yubaba's apprentice more for you than himself… oh by the way, watch yourself with Yubaba; I think the only reason she didn't yell at you was because she didn't want to alert her son who's taking a liking to you for some reason…" Lin said with a suspicious narrowed eyes look. Chihiro had not told Lin every detail of her "adventure" with Yubaba's son so said older woman was still wondering about Boh's attachment to Chihiro.

"Chihiro did not hear her warning however. "He… did it for me?" She asked in wonder. Lin once again raised her eyebrow.

"Yeah…" She answered in amusement. "Did I miss something between you two? I mean I know Kamajii said something about lo-" Lin was interrupted.

"Ah- No! I mean… there was nothing between us… I was only ten right? Um… by the way, how did you know I wasn't yelled at by Yubaba?" She asked nervously, trying to deter the previous conversation as much as possible. Lin narrowed her eyes but let it drop for now.

"Hmm… well, anyway… I knew because we would have heard it if she had… she's still a little put off at you for loosing Haku as her apprentice. Okay, we need to get you your uniform and a place to sleep now; come on." Lin said and took her hand, pulling her along. Chihiro was relieved that she had let go of the embarrassing topic, even though she was not sure herself why it was so touchy-touchy.

Chihiro was also relieved to find that most of the people there recognized her and treated her in a very friendly manner, even if she still smelled like a human. As Lin reminded Chihiro of how things worked around the bathhouse Chihiro's mind wandered back to a certain dragon. 'How could I have forgotten him… or anyone else for that matter? That was more childish of me than deciding it was childish to begin with!' She thought.

Lin stopped them at the at the familiar common room for the maids they had shared ten years ago once more. "Alright – let's see if I can find you a uniform that will fit this time!" She said and had Chihiro follow her in. Chihiro smiled and greeted the other girls and then waited patiently as Lin tossed clothing about.

"Hey Lin? Where do you think Haku is?" She asked. Lin glanced at her after pulling a promising looking uniform out from the bottom of the pile.

"Ah! Here we go! This'll fit you; good thing you filled out – this was much easier than last time! Haku again huh? Why doesn't it surprise me you'd want to see him so bad?" She said with a teasing look. Chihiro blushed furiously.

"I-I don't want-" She was cut off by a laugh.

"Oh stop! Anyway, your dragon is probably on his way here…" Lin waited for Chihiro to protest but was disheartened that she didn't take the bait. Chihiro kept her mouth shut stubbornly; she would not give in to the teasing – she would not cave! Lin grinned and shook her head as she continued. "Knowing him he probably sensed your presence before any of us… well, maybe Yubaba or her sister knew before him but-" Suddenly the windows rattled and the sound of wind grew stronger. "Well! Speak of the devil!" Lin said with a knowing grin as Chihiro's eyes lit up.

End A/N: Did I mention I was going to delay their reunion? BWAHAHAHA!! No but seriously, it adds to the suspense and makes it a tad bit more realistic :D …please don't hurt me!! LOL