Each step we took led us deeper into the tunnel and soon enough we came out into the same run down train station that Chihiro had described to me from her memories.
Still something seemed different, she had described a dusty place where no one went, but this place was in tatters as if it's very nature was peeling away.
Haku seemed to notice my interest in the peeling paint that was slowly pulling itself down the walls.
"It's coming undone, because the relic has been gone too long. I warn you Chihiro that the bathhouse is the same." He said simply, and I felt Chihiro sigh slightly next to me.
Reaching an archway w stepped out into an incredible sight.
A field of green stretched all around us, where rundown houses lay in ruins and scattered about and there ahead of us far in the distance stood the destination we were looking for.
Walking forward I felt myself and my mind quieted by the simple beauty of the green around us, even my back, which had begun to really hurt again after landing, was quieting.
We made it to the small creek in no time and Chihiro rushed in front of me.
I couldn't help but smile; she is so excited to come back. Chuckling as I went I moved and began climbing over the large rocks that created the small creek.
This must be the creek that turns into the seas at nighttime, I thought.
The stupid boulders were so large, and with my back I felt like the old one who couldn't get across.
Slipping across one of the rocks I gasped when I felt strong thin arm wrap around my waist lifting me up quickly and suddenly hoisting me bridal style above.
Looking up I couldn't help but smile, Haku's deep green eyes looked down at me for a moment, the helpless one in his arms, before he skipped effortlessly across the rocks.
"Sorry, I thought you could use a little help. Is your back bothering you much at the moment?" He asked warmly before putting me down on the steps.
"Ummm, yes…you know not a huge amount its just making things a little difficult." I said blushing furiously.
That really wasn't fair, I thought, as my mouth couldn't seem to erase the fool's smile that was plastered on my fair.
He nodded his head, his soft hair moving forward in a fluid motion.
"Well once we reach the bathhouse I'm sure Kumagi can find something to help speed up the healing for you." He said smiling as we moved to catch up with Chihiro.
The small rundown fair grounds seemed like the ones she had described, even though they still had their own paint peeling much like the train station.
Reaching the top of the town I let out a gasp as the fabled bathhouse came into view.
It had some signs of disrepair coming into view, but the brilliant reds and greens and stunning architecture was truly a sight to behold.
We began our trek across the bridge and I couldn't help but move to the edges to get a look at the train bellow. The small sea that stretched before me was beautiful, every fiber of my being wanted so desperately to plunge into its crystal depths.
Swimming was my passion, it always seemed to clear my head and make me happy. It helped too that I had always been able to hold my breath much longer than most kids or even adults out there.
Oh how I wish I could go and let everything sink in right now with a nice swim, I thought smiling a little sadly.
Moved back to catch up with the other two and soon we had reached the gates, before we even reached it the doors were thrust open and it seemed a whole welcoming crew had been waiting for Chihiro's return.
Large frog like people and human looking people rushed out engulfing Chihiro with their bodies and questions.
I stood back and smiled, she looked so happy amidst her old friends.
A woman in the front I recognized from her description as Lin, the woman who had helped her and befriended her.
Even Kumagi has come out from his boiler room to welcome her.
It was truly a sight to behold for someone like me who hadn't seen a strange thing in her life until these past two days.
Haku stood beside me as we watched most of the bathhouse welcome Chihiro.
She was bombarded with every question imaginable and seemed to be trying to answer everyone at once.
Haku leaned over slightly to me his hair just brushing my shoulder as he whispered so only we could hear.
"I have to go and help Yubaba now for a while. You are safe here the shadows can't come anywhere near the bathhouse. Lin will show you your room and I will see you guys later tonight."
Before I could even answer he was gone moving so quickly I could barely keep up with his quick form.
I watched as the quests dragged Chihiro inside and I simply followed happy that no one was really noticing me.
That didn't last ling though before we went inside Chihiro popped out of the mob and pulled me over to her grabbing everyone's attention.
"Everyone this is my friend and practically my sister from the human world, so be nice."
She smiled at everyone as all eyes turned to me I could feel my face heating up from the attention.
Everyone seemed to be talking all at once asking me why I didn't smell as bad and why I was here and whom I was.
Thankfully Lin stepped in and pulled us into the bathhouse even more.
"Alright let them breath we don't want to suffocate them before they even get to relax. Come you two I will show you to your room, this time Chihiro you are here as a guest so you get to watch the crazy instead of having to join in."
I smiled thankful for her help. Everyone grumbled but finally dispersed as Lin led us to our rooms.
I hugged the relic box to my chest, the last familiar thing I owned in this strange and intriguing world.
We walked slowly taking our time and soon enough she led us to a large room with two single beds and red as green draping interior. It was really beautiful and breathtaking.
Lin informed asked if we wanted to come with her to see Kumagi and talk for a bit and Chihiro smiled with delight.
Once Lin left I searched the room and found a safe nook to hide my box.
"Hey Chihiro would you mind if I just stay behind while you make your rounds?"
I said looking up hopefully.
"Umm... Sure but what will you do?"
She asked curiously.
"I was thinking of going down to the water actually and taking a quick swim you know how I am with water."
I said smiling and she laughed and nodded.
"Hmmm sounds fine to me, I mean I've never seem anyone go swimming but I'm sure your thinking why not. Just be careful ok?"
She finished coming up and giving me a big hug.
I nodded and smiled and she quickly set her things down and waved and she ran out of the door eager to see Kumagi no doubt and the soot balls.
Relishing the quiet I pulled off my shirt ad unwound the gauze I didn't want it to get destroyed in the water.
Slipping on a tank top and shorts Chihiro had brought I let myself out of the room and made my way through the bathhouse. It wasn't too hard to navigate from the descriptions Chihiro had constantly told me each night I saw her.
The walls were peeling away just like the outside and thankfully I didn't run into anyone.
The garden was green and full of flowers and I followed the path to the stairs that wound around the outside of the bathhouse down to the single dock.
The water was blue and clear from where I stood it looked pretty deep yet I could still see the bottom clearly as if I was looking through glass.
Taking a deep breath I lifted my arms above my head and dove in flinching slightly at the change in temperature.