Chihiro greeted friends and relatives, welcoming each with a toothy smile and a hug.

"You have grown so beautifully," Chihiro's grandma exclaimed, pinching her rosey cheeks. Chihiro was now about 5'2" and gained more of a womanly figure through the years. As she grown older, she had also grown in beauty. Her long chestnut hair flowed to her lower back and her eyes were a rich earthy brown and radiated with warmth, although held a longing for adventure. The group sat down on the hard wooden chairs and began to sing "happy birthday". Chihiro blushed and hid her face behind her hands as she felt everyone's eyes on her. The song ended, Chihiro closed her and closed the distance from her face to the candles. 'What do I wish for?' She thought to herself. A tear ran down Chihiro's face as she blew a gust of wind to her candles, leaving nothing left, but a stream of smoke filling the scent of the air. 'I wish I knew what my heart longed for' she thought to herself as she stared at the bright frosting of her cake. Letting out a reassuring smile, the group dug into the cake.

"I hear that they should be done taking down the forest by next month" Chihiro's dad stated as he took a enormous bite of cake, not bothering to finish chewing. Chihiro played with her food as she realized the trail was going to be gone sooner than she thought.

"Is everything alright?" Yumiko pondered. Chihiro smiled and nodded, trying to not seem glum.

"I think I'm just not feeling well" Chihiro insisted, biting her tongue. "I think I'm going to go to bed. Sorry to cut the party short, but I'm just really not feeling well" Chihiro continued as she put her dish in the sink. Chihiro hugged her relatived and thanked them for the party. She made her way up the stairs to her room and turned the light on. She carefully laid herself into her bed and pulled the covers over her body, not even bothering to change into pajamas. Slowly Chihiro closed her eyes and fell asleep, trying to not let her mind wander to the thought of the trail being demolished.

oOo

Haku sat up from his bed. He threw the covers off him and rushed to the sliding frame door. Slamming them open, he flew into the night sky. With the brisk wind rushing against his face, he ended at his intended destination; the tunnel. Day after day, Haku has met with many failed attempts to enter the human world to once again see Chihiro. With his river filled up, he could not have enough strength to enter into the human world while a barrier stood before him. Although he may not be strong enough to get himself through, with the help of Zeniba, he was able to pass the golden seal through in hopes that Chihiro may find it. 'Please.. Allow the seal to help Chihiro remember me and get through the tunnel' Haku thought to himself as he slammed his fist against the concrete wall the humans created.

"No one can get past that wall. Slamming your fists won't help, Haku" Zeniba informed as she watched the angered spirit. Haku gave a glare towards the witch and sat down on the cold earth floor.

"Why are humans so cruel?" Haku said out loud, trying to hold back the anger and tears forming in his eye. Zeniba let out a sigh and put her hand on Haku's shoulder in a comforting manner.

"Not all humans are cruel. Take a look at Chihiro. She didn't choose to forget you. If it was her choice, she would have came back the next day. Have faith. I believe the golden seal will help Chihiro find a way to pass through once again. After all, you guys promised to see each other once again and neither of you are the type to break a promise, right?" Zeniba smiled down at Haku. Haku, feeling a little more at ease, smiled back.

"I hope I can see her soon. 7 years is far too long to wait." Haku mumbled. He stood from the ground, transformed into his dragon form and flew back to the bathhouse. Haku laid down and closed his eyes, trying to not let his mind wonder to the thought of Chihiro. 'I hope she someday remembers what awaits her at the end of the path.'

I decided to upload another chapter because I had nothing to do today .-. It gives more of an idea where my story is heading anyways since my first chapter fell a little short. Oh well :) please comment and favorite because that really gives me inspiration! Thank you :)