Curiosity got the best of Chihiro, and so she began to walk along the wooden path. She was surrounded by trees so tall that their tops seemed to vanish into the sky. The sky and sun itself were obscured by these trees. She had a feeling that the sun was already beginning to set, based on the shadows that the trees cast and the muted color of everything around her. High in the tree tops, she noticed small, twinkling lights that reminded her of nocturnal animal eyes.

She eventually shifted her attention back to the scene before her. She noticed that she was already walking halfway across a bridge. As she got closer to the other end, she noticed a clearing ahead with buildings on either side and street lanterns.

To her left, at the end of the bridge, stood a small, white sign that was chipping away, with the faded black letters "Jiufen".

She paused for a moment to take in her surroundings and gather her bearings. To her left and right were short, colorful buildings crammed together along the street. The street itself was two cars wide and seemed to stretch endlessly. Red paper lanterns with yellow tassels hung from open bar ceilings and on invisible strings that hung across the street between buildings. Faded, worn out signs advertised ramen bars, candy shops, bars, open restaurants, all-you-can-eat buffets, motels and hotels. Open carts that sold masks, candy, and decorations. Food carts selling octopus-on-a-stick and fried ice cream.

Suddenly, she wasn't in control of her body anymore. Well, she could still lift her hand, and stop in her tracks if she wanted to. But if she wanted to turn back around and run back home, she couldn't. Some deep innate desire seemed to well up in her body and pull her forward.

She did not resist this urge, and followed it with great curiosity. She felt herself being pulled down the main street. The colorful buildings seemed to keep repeating, and she eventually began passing the same types of stores and restaurants and motels. On every intersection and sandwiched between buildings were cherry blossom trees. They were in full bloom, their pink petals already starting to fall from the branches.

Everything was barren, and yet showed some sign of life. It was as if people had stepped inside for a quick nap, intending to come back out later. In between straight curtains that hung from the ceilings of open restaurants, she saw empty bowls and utensils sitting on bar tops. The force began tugging her towards a small, discreet street on the right. She obediently followed its direction, glancing to her left and right to keep track of her surroundings. A comic book store. A tourist shop.

It wasn't long before she stumbled upon another intersection. But she was no longer being pulled in any direction.

There. Across the street on the side of a building was a small, faded sign with the words "Bathhouse" and an arrow pointing to the left. She stopped in her tracks and followed the direction of the arrow with her eyes. It pointed down another small, discreet cobblestone street. She followed it. This time, the street was crammed with tiny, dark apartments that seemed to be abandoned as well.

She couldn't help but wonder if Haku had led her here. She shook her head, and inner Chihiro mentally slapped herself. Don't be childish.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts and daydreaming that she failed to notice the sky darkening until it was too late. As soon as she came back to reality, all of the red paper lanterns hanging in front of the apartments began to glow.

She broke into a sprint, fear and excitement welling up in her all at once. The sound of rushing water and familiar commotion of spirits became louder. At the end of the street, as she expected, stood a grand bathhouse teeming with life and activity.

This bathhouse was much more breathtaking and grand than Yubaba's. It was smaller, but the architecture was much more ornate and complex. It stood right in front of a mountain, which she had also failed to notice looming above the town until now. The bathhouse seemed to emerge from the rocks, as if it were built right into the mountainside.

Chihiro was too busy admiring the bathhouse to notice the large frog hopping towards her from the entrance.

"Welcome to Edo Bathhouse!" He cried.

She gasped and nearly fell over backwards.

The frog regarded her with a bemused expression. "You must be the human Zeniba sent out for."

She was too stunned to respond. All she could do was blink stupidly at him and wait for him to say something else.

He frowned, displeased with her lack of manners. Humans will be humans. Uncultured swine. "What are you waiting for? Follow me!" He turned around and began hopping back to the entrance. Around her, spirits began to float and walk and skip and hop and fly towards the bathhouse, leaving her shivering in their wake. Without wasting another moment, she ran after the frog, filled with a strange mixture of nerves and joy at the idea of reuniting with the woman who saved her life.

What did you guys think of this chapter?

Don't be afraid to leave reviews! (I'll probably end up editing this chapter and re-posting it. I'm just so damn excited about having finally finished this and posting something after 3 years.)

Next chapter is already in the works. ;)