Chapter 8: Free Fall

So yes I'm finally updating. Thank you for sticking with me up until this point. It was killing me that I didn't have time to publish this until now. School and life..blah blah blah…anyways I hope you enjoy this new chapter and sorry if it seems too short or choppy.

**Disclaimer: I only own the plot of the fanfic. The characters and setting belong to Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki.

**Hakama=work clothes

**Hai=yes

**Bento=lunch box [or in this case their meal]

**Oi=Hey

I woke up lying on cushions and sat up suddenly. My stuffed animal, family photo, and sketchbook were neatly arranged next to me. The previous day's events dawned on me. I laughed silently to myself seeing Haku sleeping on cushions as well, but on the other side of the room. He didn't have a blanket and I slowly stalked over placing mine on top of him. He stirred slightly. Is it rude to do that here? Does he really need a blanket? I mean he is a spirit, but...Chihiro keep calm, you're friends, and it's just a blanket.

I slid the rice paper doors open and wandered around the bathhouse refamiliarizing myself with the halls. It was nighttime already and the workers were bustling around preparing for the guests. The room I stayed in was being remodeled, so I was able to sneak out without being seen. I aimlessly wandered around the bathhouse. I took a bento for both of us and headed back towards the room.

"Why do I have to remodel this section?" I heard a familiar voice ask. "Stop switching my jobs around you stupid frog!" she muttered irritably. I chuckled to myself and the spirit suddenly gasped. "A human?" I somehow had the courage to open the rice door and face the spirit.

"Hi Rin," I said. She whirled around and nearly knocked the food from my hand hugging me.

"Sen! Oh my goodness I missed you! Wow, you're tall. How long has it been?" she said all in one breath and let go of me.

"It's been five years Rin. How ar-" I asked. She eyed the two bentos in my hand slyly and burst out laughing. "What?"

"You and that dragon boy are obviously getting along nicely. Unless you're eating all that for yourself? Anyways I'm going to start remodeling before that old frog complains again."

"Can I work with you?" I asked. Rin gave me a strange look. "I have nothing to do and I want to get on Yubaba's good side when I go to talk to her." Rin raised a delicate eye brow.

"Suuuuuuuure, but make sure you eat to dull your human smell and get a hakama upstairs."

"Okay!" I replied and did as I was told. After getting my hakama, the door to the balcony was slid open and my drawing pad was fluttering with the wind. Haku was nowhere to be found and I started to eat my bento. I didn't realize how hungry I was until then. I leaned against the railing, which started to sway. I jumped back surprised and the whole balcony shook. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sign saying, "Danger stay off railing." I didn't need to be told twice. I stepped back into the room eating and looking out at the ocean that was here since I left. I dropped my chopsticks and they rolled onto the balcony. I hesitantly stepped towards it and grabbed them, but at that moment, it collapsed underneath me and I fell. I stared at the open door where rin was staring at me horrified. Then she darted across the room and reached for my hand.

"RIN!" I screamed grabbing her hand. I heard the bowl quietly plop into the water below. My hands were getting sweaty. "Rin, can you pull me up?" I saw her eyes burn with determination.

"I'll try...ever the klutz aren't you?" she joked. I smiled and she slowly pulled me up. I was almost on the balcony when a frog worker interrupted us.

"Rin what are you doing? Don't you know they are taking down that rotten old balcony? Get away from there!" he exclaimed. Rin snarled under her breath.

"Oi you, yes you, froggy come here and help me pull her up. Right. Now. Otherwise I'm telling Yubaba." she threatened.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble," I said guiltily. I swear that I would fight against the klutz in me to help everyone else around me.

"Say that after you're safe," said Rin. I heard the frog come over.

"Eeeek! A human! Why are you helping a stinking human rin! Let go! Let go!" squealed the frog.

"Help me first and I'll explain everything later." Her grip was loosening and we both felt it. My other hand was gripping the edge of some piece of wood. The floor?

"No, I won't. Yubaba, even worse Haku, will come for me if they find out I helped a human."

"If you waste a human life Yubaba will be furious and Haku wouldn't be too pleased either since he knows this human in particular." Rin was still holding on and my arm hurt under her grip. My hand clinging to the edge hit a splinter and I let go sucking on the wound to prevent infection. Then rin lost her grip on me and we fell into the water. My hand slipped out of Rin's who was screaming hysterically at the frog. Luckily, she was hanging on the edge and didn't fall completely. I felt peaceful when gravity caused my body to twist forcing me to fall head-first. A sudden, fleeting thought passed through my mind. I will not die. I relaxed and held my breath as I hit the water.

The impact stung, but the swarm of bubbles let me float back to the surface where I tread water patiently. I swam to a shallower area and waved to Rin to let her know I was okay. Suddenly, I got hit with something wet on my face and I wiped it off. I realized it was rain and it started to pour.

"Sen! Try swimming back to the little dock from before and I'll meet you there with the boat!" screamed Rin.

"Hai!" I screamed back hoping the rain wouldn't drown me out. Slowly, I dove beneath the waves and swam towards the general direction of the dock. Hopefully, I remembered right. I hit the train tracks and started walking. I was cold and tired. My clothes stuck to my skin. There was a train station. That's strange, I'm pretty sure I wasn't that far out. Is this a new station? I heard the eerie creaking of wood reminding of the little boat Rin took me in years ago. I ran towards it eagerly thinking it was her.

Instead, I saw a white figure. The rain clinging to my eyelashes blurred my vision.

"Rin told me what happened. It's my fault for choosing that room. I'm sorry. I came as fast as I could because Rin was called to care for a guest," said Haku. I stared in disbelief.

"You….you…you came for me?" I asked. Realizing what I just said, my cheeks flushed in the rain with embarrassment. "Sorry that was a stupid question." I hopped on. He looked at me strangely then burst out laughing. I couldn't help laughing along with him.

"I will always come for you Chihiro."

Please review! I hope you liked it! [Please tell me if you think some parts were corny thanks!]

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