Chihiro and her new mousy friend found themselves in the middle of what looked like living quarters. It was rundown and gray, but the sleeping mats and blankets were in closets with sliding doors. In another closet were pink work clothes.

She looked down at her own dirty clothes.

Right.

No one would miss a shirt, and pants. She certainly needed them more than whoever had been in the bathhouse before, especially since they just left everything.

Chihiro set down the newly named "Nezumi". She was never clever with names. He did not seem to mind.

She sifted through the clothes, looking for something that would fit. She pulled a pink workman's shirt, a white undershirt, and a pink pair of pants. She looked around shyly, Nezumi had turned to face the wall, and she was grateful.

She pulled her shirt over her head, and let it fall silently to the floor. She heard a soft sliding noise, and a soft gasp.

Chihiro turned her head quickly, and there standing in the doorway was Hajime.

She yelped, and he blushed, quickly covering his eyes, "I'M SORRY!" He turned around.

She froze.

Did he just speak?

o-o-o-o

After Chihiro shook off her shocked numbness, she quickly changed and stepped out into the hallway.

"Hello?"

Hajime turned to face her, his hand behind his head, showing his shame. "I'm terribly sorry… I didn't even… I heard movement and I… I apologize."

She bit her lip. "Do you know me?"

He looked at her, "I saw you earlier. On the bridge. I'm sorry for attacking you like that. People keep trying to destroy this place ever since it…" He trailed off, then started again, more happily. "My name is Haruto." {AN: Haruto means Cleared one; Reserved}

Chihiro's jaw hit the floor.

"Oh. Well, uhm. Hello."

None of this made sense. She felt her head swim dizzily.

Haruto smiled slightly. "Pleased to meet you, Miss…?"

She shakily extended a hand, "Sen."

She was not exactly sure why she had lied like that, but he continued to smile, but did not take her hand. "So tell me… what are you doing here?"

Chihiro let out a nervous laugh.

"I honestly don't know."

That wasn't a lie.