A/N: stay with me here please, the relationship between Chihiro & Takashi won't last. It's going to be very short lived (intentional pun). I promise!, but he is important for the rest of the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited away.

A week had passed, Chihiro's parents invited Takishi and his family over for dinner. It was to discuss wedding manners for Chihiro and Takashi. For the dinner Chihiro had to dress in her nicest outfit which included a long skirt and a button-up blouse with short sleeves. She had her mother do her makeup and she was simply dreading this dinner because she'd have to see the boy who pushed her into the sea when she was twelve and didn't know how to swim.

"Alright, Chihiro, open the door." Her father pushed her to the front door. With a deep breath she reached out for the door knob and twisted it open. A boy her age stood in front of her. He had dark hair and nearly black eyes. His complexion was a pale white, with a hint of a yellow tint to it. She recognized him as the boy in the picture frame she had sitting on her nightstand. Takashi Watanabe.

"Hi, Chihiro. It's been a long time since we last saw each other." Takashi bowed in front of her, showing his respects. Chihiro stared blankly at him, looking very confused.

"Only five years." She replied in a bitter snap before stepping aside to let him and his parents inside her house. She felt Takashi's eyes on her as she led him into their dining room. Once got to the table she reached for the chair to sit down.

"Allow me, Chihiro." Takashi smiled and pulled the chair out from under the table. This made her feel uneasy. With their history she expected him to yank the chair out from under her before she had a chance to sit down. She didn't really trust him. Chihiro hesitated before sitting down. Surprisingly enough, the chair stayed put on the ground until she sat down. She glanced up only to see that Takashi was smiling politely at her.

"Uhh thanks, Takashi." She faked a smile to show appreciation. He simply bowed back and took the seat beside her. Their parents were laughing at the door together. Takashi leaned forward on the table. He was closer than what Chihiro was used to of his presence. Yet, he smelled nice and the way he was smiling at her made her feel special.

"Look . . . I know I was a huge jerk to you when we were kids. I'm sorry for everything I did to you. And I just want you to know that I've really matured since we were twelve years old." Takashi informed in an apologetic whisper. Somehow, hearing this made Chihiro smile. At least she won't have to put up with any pranks.

"I certainly hope so, I don't want to die anytime soon and I guess I've matured too." She told him with a bit of a chuckle. Takashi reached out, grabbed ahold of her hand, and held it tightly while smiling at her. Their parents entered the room at that moment. Chihiro's father gave her a look of approval, so did her mother. All of the adults took their rightful seats. Once dinner got started everything seemed to go well. Takashi acted like a perfect gentleman. He was everything Chihiro thought he wouldn't be on this visit. Polite, handsome, and witty. Once dinner was over, they played old board games together.

"Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're my fiancée, Chihiro. You should know now that I'm a master at Shogi." Takashi winked as her as he set up the game. Chihiro couldn't help but feel comfortable with him. He had this oddly calming effect on her. One she couldn't remember feeling since she was ten.

"Is that so? Well, I guess you're going to be crying when you lose to me. Don't say I didn't warn you." Chihiro giggled under her hands. Takashi smiled at her with a handsome smile, one she realized was excruciatingly perfect in every way. Their parents were playing a different game across the room and were exchanging glances with their children.

"We'll just have to see which one of us comes out the winner." Takashi laughed at her comment. The two continued to play Shogi until Chihiro won.

"I won!" Chihiro laughed happily as Takashi started putting the game back in the box. He looked at his fiancée and smiled.

"Guess you did and all winners get a prize." He informed her.

"Oh, what prize?" Chihiro questioned him a little shocked. In the past few hours that Takashi had been there he completely surprised her by being the exact opposite of who he had been as a child. He'd changed so much and Chihiro actually enjoyed Takashi's company. He was a nice boy and she'd be marrying him in a few short months.

Takashi didn't answer her. Instead, he leaned close to her. Their faces were inches away. Chihiro was so nervous that she held her breath in. Her heart pounded wildly. Takashi's eyes were level with hers and she gulped in fear of what she knew was going to happen. Without waiting any longer, Takashi leaned even closer until she felt his lips on top of hers. He kissed her! For a moment, Chihiro forgot who she was and where she was. Total confusion overpowered her until he finally pulled away a few seconds later.

"Y-you kissed me." She stuttered then looked at him in the eyes. Takashi slowly smiled and nodded his head accordingly.

"Yes, I did." He agreed as his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Chihiro glanced across the room. Their parents were too wrapped up in their own game to pay attention to the teens who had just kissed each other on the lips. Did that mean that Takashi actually liked her? Or was it just an act? She had no idea what it meant.

Takashi and Chihiro played a few more games together. Night came quickly. Everybody got ready for bed. The Watanabe parents shared the guest room and Takashi was allowed to stay in Chihiro's room for the night. Surprisingly enough, their parents had no problem with them sleeping in the same room like most parents would. After all they were engaged to each other.

"Do you want one pillow or two?" Chihiro asked while she dug through her closet. Takashi examined her room closely before sitting down on her bed by her nightstand.

"One is fine." He answered before picking up a picture frame that held a picture of himself inside it. He stared at it for a moment or two, then smiled. Takashi turned around just as Chihiro did, she set a pillow on the bed for him.

"Here you go." She said before sitting down on the right side of the bed, next to him. He set the frame back on her nightstand then took the pillow from her.

"I have your picture, too. It's in my wallet." Takashi informed as Chihiro slid under her blankets. She glanced up at him a moment, unsure. He smiled back at her. In that instant she knew he was being truthful. What had changed to her being the last person on earth that he wanted to marry? Guess he changed his mind. Then again, she changed her mind too. Takashi wasn't horrible. Nothing like he was when they were little.

"Are you ready to be married?" She blurted out as she got situated. He fluffed his pillow then shut out her light.

"I suppose I am." He answered in a gentle voice. One she'd never heard from him before in her life. All her life she'd remembered his voice as being fierce and intimidating. Nothing like what she was hearing now. Chihiro felt his warm breath on her neck. She felt her heart start beating faster than it ever had in her life.

"I suppose I am, too." Chihiro told him in a low whisper. She saw the outline of him smiling in the moonlight that was coming from her window. Without thinking about it more she leaned forward and kissed him. It was so perfect. She felt butterflies flutter around in her stomach and she felt so happy that she could throw up. Takashi kissed her forehead slowly then pulled away.

"Goodnight, Chihiro. Sweet dreams." He whispered into her skin. Chihiro felt goose bumps raise on her arms and legs. her heartbeat raced and nerves shot through her body. Why was she nervous? This was Takashi. A boy she'd known since they were three years old. He used to push her down in the sand box while their parents shared tea in the house.

"Goodnight." She said back to him before he finally pulling away. After that they both lay in bed in silence. The only noise in the room was their breathing patterns that fell into sync after a few seconds. With Takashi, Chihiro felt so comfortable and safe. Yet. . . . She felt a strange sense of longing. For what? She wasn't quite sure of. Her mind then wandered off and she began to have another dream.