Chapter 6: Another Fateful Day

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I'm glad I could post another chapter this week! Maybe I could fit another one in. =] Anyways there are no Japanese vocab in this chapter [that's a first] I also decided to make Akiyo-chan an OC, but I'm not sure if she will make another appearance after this. Please comment in your review if you want her to show up again.

**Pocky-thin cracker mostly dipped in chocolate

**-chan-used for girls who you may consider friend (shows endearment)

Okay, I'll shut up now. Enjoy the story!

Chihiro's POV

I felt bad for leaving the note I really did. I just didn't know what else to do with the situation. The cold night air felt good on my skin. I was prepared and had an old dingy backpack on one shoulder. Akiyo-chan answered her door before I could even knock and pulled me into a hug.

"Are you feeling good enough to visit this early?" she asked excitedly noticing the time, which was 3am. "I'll get some Pocky out for you!" She rushed into the kitchen while I slipped off my shoes. I made myself at home and sat by the coffee table. HHHHow was I going to break the news to her? The door slid open and Akiyo-chan placed a plate of Pocky and some chocolate covered strawberries on the side. They were our favorite treat. Hopefully, I wouldn't make a ruckus and wake her parents.

"Akiyo..." I said nervously. "Um..I have to tell you something. Something very important and you can't tell anyone about it." Here it goes.

"Enlighten me Chihiro-chan," she said with a mocking tone. A nervous laugh escaped my lips.

"My aunt is moving to America and is supposed to take me along, but I don't want to leave you or Japan because…I've been through so much here." My thoughts wavered to the 3 days spent at the bathhouse and the accident. Tears welled up in both our eyes. "Wait, I still have to tell you something else."

"Mmhmm," she sniffled grabbing a tissue and dabbing her eyes slightly.

"And uh.. How do I say this. You know how I always walk to the old theme park?" Akiyo-chan nodded. "Well I made some friends there and they're willing to take me in, so I don't have to move." My best friend gasped slightly at the news.

"Why don't you live with us? We could take care of you. You're my best friend," she pleaded.

"I know that. It's just...well...I'm running away there and no one is supposed to know. Hopefully, Auntie will try not to find me. I put that in the note so...I have to go now. I don't want to leave you, but this is good bye for now and I will try to keep in touch with you." I was full out sobbing by the end of my explanation. "I don't want you to be involved so just tell my aunt if she asks you, that you don't know anything about where I am."

"Won't they find you at the theme park?" she started nibbling on a Pocky to calm her nerves.

"No because technically no one lives there. You didn't hear anything about my friends that live there got it?" Akiyo could only nod. It killed me to see her so upset. I pulled out a scrapbook of all of our pictures and handed it to her. "I'm sorry Akiyo. Don't worry at least I'm not in America. If my friends can't keep me there I'll come here. I promise." I gave her a huge hug and stood up.

"You're going right now?" she asked. I nodded and grabbed a Pocky stick and put it in my mouth. Akiyo-chan bit the other end and we snapped it in half. She took a strawberry and threw it high in the air. "For old time's sake," she whispered and I caught it clean in my mouth.

"I'll miss you," we whispered together and I stepped back into the night with Akiyo's tear streaked face burned into my mind. Maybe I should go back. I can't imagine the grief auntie would feel. I can't hurt anyone anymore. Then another thought flitted through my mind like a butterfly. It's either that or America. I knew it was selfish for me to do this and I cried silently while heading toward the bathhouse.

By the time I reached the entrance to the old theme park, it was 4:30am. I hurried through the tunnel feeling cold nostalgia. I realized I was on the other side of the big lake separating me from the bathhouse. It was still pitch black outside an I saw the faint glow of a ferry about to leave for the other side. I ran towards it and saw a familiar radish spirit. I bowed and asked if I could get on with him. He reached out a root-like finger and grabbed my bag out of my hands and slowly pushed me towards the water not saying a word. His crinkled face a sign letting me know that my human smell would have caused a problem.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the frigid water and waded as far as I could go. Then I began to swim as dark spirits surrounded me. The adrenaline flowing through me helped get me closer to the other side. I couldn't help shivering as I was quickly surrounded by nothing but darkness. I tried not to think about. Breathe, stroke, breathe, stroke. It started to rain and I looked up to see a white blob moving in the air. I ducked beneath the surface instinctively.

Something grabbed hold of my leg and I burst out of the water panicked and trying to breath. I tried swimming as hard as I could, but the thing wouldn't let me. It was dragging me to the bottom. I flailed and kicked under water. When it released, I swam to shore as fast as I could while screaming for help. I relaxed when I was finally able to wade to the stone steps. A shiver ran down my spine and I turned around to see a huge black wave coming for me. The black spirits were yelling my name and my mind went black with fear. Unknowingly, I slowly stepped towards it, my body unwilling to listen. A few tears collected in my eyes letting the image of the black wave blurring along with my emotions.

Don't move Chihiro. I heard a voice in my mind. Everything was all just a waste. I thought letting fear take me over. I closed my eyes in defeat waiting for the water to drown me. Suddenly, I heard a ferocious roar and I cringed away from it. Then something hit and grabbed me at the same time. I cried out with surprise and realized my arms were stuck to my sides. A spray of water hit my face. The voices stopped. I kept my eyes closed in fear. Time seemed to slow down and I faintly wondered if I would visit the teardrop place again. A soft purring made my eyes open.

The white dragon I've known to be my friend was carefully watching me. He was wrapped around me keeping me safe from the passing wave. His serpentine body loosened its protective hold on me; his emerald eyes never breaking contact from mine. When my arms were freed, I hesitantly wrapped them around his neck and he slowly lifted me out of the water and onto the stone steps. I hugged his face to mine just like before and sobbed. His soft ivory fur glistened with my tears. My heart was so full of emotions that I felt it would burst.

"Haku..."

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