Chapter 2 is now up :) I'm glad I got this going. Thank you for the reviews so far! It really motivates me to write more. Enjoy!

She was walking towards the bathhouse approaching the bridge. Everything looked as it had seven years ago. Beautiful, yet she could not shake this feeling of dread as she proceeded. She could see all the spirits she remembered going inside. She gulped in as much air as she could as she ran across the bridge. She wasn't sure why she'd done it. Maybe it was nostalgia? Instead of going through the front doors she took the path she was familiar with. Maybe she could see Kamaji on her little journey. As she reached for the small door, her arm went right through it. She pulled back, unsure of what to do. She decided to go through the front gate instead.

She smiled, ready to see the familiar bustle of spirits working. Going through the cloth curtains she paused. The bathhouse was completely different. Her smile faded. Instead of the happy chatter of workers there was a deadening silence. They still worked hard and the spirits were being pampered but it was as if everyone was afraid to speak or do something out of place. She didn't even hear Lin's usual comments about the work load during the day. Chihiro clenched her eyes shut. Something was not right.

She opened them again to see herself in an office. She was sure it was Yubaba's but…the décor was completely off. It wasn't her style any more. It was…sharp and orderly. Everything neatly had a place. There were swords along the walls each with a different blade edge or design. The color scheme was dark. It was either a smoked gray or a deep blue-green color, the fireplace didn't help her see much. She noticed then there were voices.

"As you can see, the bathhouse is under control and disciplined. Your services are hardly needed," a voice that was clearly Yubaba spoke.

"I've been informed that he is unstable again. You should know the dangers of having too much power, Yubaba," a deeper voice boomed against the witch.

Chihiro scrambled to the open doorway where the voices were loudest. She peered around to get a better view.

"He may be arrogant but he has good intentions I assure you. You may take your leave," the witch wrinkled her nose in effort not to yell at the man.

"You may think you have evaded me, boy, but this is not over. I will return to check upon your progress."

Chihiro observed the unfamiliar spirit. Strange to be dreaming about things she didn't remember. He was tall and thin, his limbs were lanky and they hung with a curve. His skin was sleek and shiny like plastic with dark sludge colored hair that was slicked down to perfection. To her he looked dirty. Like he didn't belong with these spirits…especially not the woman she had seen the night before.

"Come as you please, I have nothing to hide from your council," Chihiro felt her heart stop. She knew that voice anywhere. It had deepened over the years and had obtained a silvery rasp. Chihiro leaned into the door to see him more closely. The dark man grunted, blocking her view.

"I will be the judge of that," he began striding towards the door where she hid. Chihiro stumbled a few steps back and bumped into a large wooden desk. It was just a dream, he couldn't see her.

As the man stormed out he slammed the door shut. His frown grew into a fierce grin, showing off his crooked sharp teeth.

"We'll soon be clearing out this office of yours," he traced a long nail over the surface of an end table chuckling to himself. Chihiro clasped a hand to her mouth to keep herself from whimpering. He was an awful sight. He turned away from the doors to proceed out.

Suddenly, with a click of his neck, he was staring at her. Chihiro went bug eyed. She could feel her limbs growing heavy.

"We can't have little birds eavesdropping now can we," his voice grated around the room. Chihiro tried to scream bloody murder but he brought a bony finger to his lips silencing her, "Until next time then…Chihiro."

She was being pulled out of the scene by some unseen power. The air was forced out of her lungs and she struggled to get a breath. The fatigue set in and she let herself be dragged away from the office.

"We need you more than ever, Chihiro," the beautiful voice whispered in her ear, "Help us."

Chirhiro thrashed about in her bed and sat up in a cold sweat. She panted lightly.

"What was that all about…," she gazed out her window to the moon. She really wanted some answers…and a decent night of sleep. She collapsed back onto the mattress with a groan. She wouldn't be sleeping tonight.

Chihiro practically ran out of her house that morning for school. She never knew she would be so delighted to drain her brain of everything spirit related. She wanted time to herself.

They need help, but why is this just happening now? What if they've been in danger for years? What if…wait. Was it even real? These dreams may just be her mind creating scenarios she longed to be in. Chihiro shook her head. Fine…She would go to the tunnel tonight and straighten this out. It had long been closed off. She would prove it.

Chihiro glanced at the plain clock on the wall. Lunch period was half over and she was still waiting for at least one of her friends to show up. Maybe they all ditched or something? It made her feel more alone than before. She was so obsessed with the spirits that she had neglected her own kind. She ran her fingers through her ponytail. Balancing the two was impossible.

"Sorry I'm so late…I think the girls skipped," she caught his dashing smile as he sat across from her.

"Oh, that's too bad…," she glanced around the cafeteria. Sitting alone with Heiwa made her uncomfortable at times. He seemed to have a small crush on her and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that.

"You know I was wondering," he began sheepishly.

'Oh no'…Chihiro looked up to the sky. 'Why my friend? I can't hurt him.'

"Do you want to go out together after school? You know get something to eat…take a walk or something," he looked at her with hopeful eyes, "I totally understand if you don't want to. You won't hurt my feelings by saying no."

Chihiro shifted in the metal seat nervously.

"Actually, I'd love to. Can I drop my books off at my house first," she twisted her finger around in her lap. She swore this felt like a betrayal. He looked shocked.

"Really? Sure you can. Didn't you have a boyfriend or something," his voice was lighter now that he got that off his chest. Chihiro's neck flared red. It threatened to spread to her cheeks.

"Wha- no, no, I was telling you guys about an old friend of mine. He was more of a brother to me than anything," she waved her hand at him rapidly, "So, after school then. I'll meet you by the front entrance."

She got up and left the cafeteria quickly ignoring the questioning looks she got.

Chihiro sat around the fountain in front of the school looking up at the clouds. She was trying to find pictures in the various shapes. One looked like a great oak tree and another looked almost like a cat if you titled your head at an angle and squinted your eyes.

'And that one looks like the head of a dragon….'

Her eyes welled with tears. It was like the world knew she was guilty and wanted to torment her. 'I'm sorry…I can't wait around for you. I will never see you again. We're not supposed to be. I should have never met you.'

Her head was yanked to the side facing the doors to the school. She grabbed at her ponytail, flustered and saw Heiwa running out to her. She dabbed at her eyes quickly and jumped up from her perch to greet him.

"All set," he questioned as he slung his pack over a shoulder. His smile was contagious and she found herself grinning back. Liking him would make her life so much easier. She nodded to him and they started back to her house.

It was getting dark by the time they finished eating.

"Don't worry, I'll pay," he said picking through his wallet. Chihiro smiled slightly at his attempts.

"Look, this isn't a date. You don't have to pay for me too," she gave him what she owed. He sighed but took it anyway.

"Maybe next time you'll let me pay. Ladies aren't supposed to pay, date or not," he closed the check and they stood in unison.

"You wanted to go for a walk, right," she couldn't deny going a walk in the evening, even if it was another hour of Heiwa clinging onto her.

"Yeah, and I have the perfect place in mind. I found it a while back," he slipped on his light jacket, "the weathers been acting up lately. It's like it can't make up what it wants to do."

"I know. It looks like rain now," she gazed up at the grey clouds rolling in. They continued to walk in a comfortable silence occasionally smiling at each other.

Chihiro looked up at the tall trees they had wondered towards. She knew this looked familiar. She looked along the side of the road to confirm her suspicions. There they were. The little shrines she thought had looked like miniature houses. She'd been half right as a child.

"It's pretty dark already. I think I should be getting home. I had a really good time tonight, Hei," she was eager to get to the end of the trail but she wanted to be there alone. It was personal to her and she wanted to inspect the area with anyone speculating.

"Of course, so did I. Good night," he pulled her into a tight hug. It was sweet but it lasted longer than she would have liked. Unsure, she patted his back mumbling another thank you. He still hadn't let go. In fact, his grip was tightening.

"Heiwa, I have to go. Let me go now," she pushed herself away from him slightly. She looked up into his blank face. She was starting to panic.

"Hei, you're scaring me. Let go," she yanked herself back hard, getting out his arms. He snatched her arm roughly making her gasp in alarm. He was not himself.

"Let me go," she yelled. She felt her head being tugged away from him. Whatever it was, it was telling her to get away.

"You want to go back, don't you," his voice was eerily calm.

"What are you talking about? I want you to let go of me," she protested. The hair tie was pulling harder causing her head to bob backwards.

"The spirit world…I can bring you back. Just come away with me, I promise you won't be hurt," his voice was gentle but his grip was starting burn.

She felt her arm going numb from the pressure. She leaned back with her body weight and yanked her arm away. It worked but not to her advantage. Heiwa stumbled back cursing as she landed hard on her back, knocking the air from her lungs.

'Damn my luck!'

She struggled to get to her feet as he lunged for her again. She slapped at him and stumbled into a run.

"You leave me no choice. I know you miss it. Why can't you just comply with me," he crouched to the ground and placed his hands over the earth. It spilt and formed beneath his control. Two distorted clay figures stood before him.

"After her," he signaled to them and they sprinted at her full force. Chihiro moved her legs faster to no avail. He meant to harm her! He was going to drag her away, maybe kill her in the forest. She chanced a look back and tripped over her feet. They were things chasing her. They were…inhuman. Heiwa was not human.

'This has to be a nightmare! Wake up!'

"Wake up," she screamed hitting her fists against her head.

They were on top of her now. She was going to die and no one would know what had become of her! They raised their monstrous arms and aimed to crush her. She curled into a defensive ball awaiting the pain. It didn't come.

'Haku…'

"You traitorous little bastard," yelled a fiery female voice, "How dare you, after swearing to protect her!"

Chihiro opened her eyes. It was Kazan, shielding her against the rock creatures with a wall of fire. Fire! She felt herself being pulled up and away by gentle hands.

"It's alright now. We're here to help you Chi," Koku's voice was like air, calm and reassuring. Chihiro felt dizzy. Everything was happening so fast.

Meanwhile, fire flared around the clay figures, beginning to melt them. Kazan was barely moving, bidding the fire to do her command. It was flawless and the fire flowed like lava. The ash haired girl threw one rock stature into the other bringing them down in one loud heap.

"Kazan, listen you don't understand-," he just barely dodged the fire thrown his way. His face was strained but it shifted into nothing, "Fine then, have it your way."

The earth revealed a dozen more rock figures, six behind them and six in front. They formed two protective lines getting ready to squish the trio into the center. Kazan glared in both directions shifting her weight. Koku held Chihiro under the arms, supporting her. She looked to the other girl and nodded sharply. The figures ran towards each other in a wall of death.

Before Chihiro had time to panic, she was lifted into the air as the rock collided with rock. She exhaled a shaky breath. She desperately wanted to wake up now. This was just crazy. Rock monsters, fire balls, and flying through the air? What was next? Her feet touched the ground again.

"Quick, guide her back! I'll distract him for now," Kazan shouted as she fought off the impeding army.

"But Kaz-," Koku began to protest. The grip under her arms clenched gently once.

"Just run! I have a lot to settle with the boy," she tossed her arm over her shoulder bidding them to continue. Koku paused but seemed to honor who had authority over the group. The rocks were beginning to acknowledge her standing around.

"Be careful…," she whispered fluently before sprinting away with Chihiro in tow,"Faster! We need to pick up speed if we're to take off."

Chihiro moved her legs faster. Athletics was definitely not her strong point. She could tell where they were headed, even in the dark. The forgotten red building was approaching. Her heart was hammering out of her chest.

Koku began lifting them both off the ground, taking off into flight like a great plane. Her ascent was foiled by two earthy hands latching around her dainty ankles. They skidded to a stop in the dirt. Koku struggled to get free.

"Chihiro, you have to run. Continue through the tunnel, I know you can do it. I know you are confused but you must trust me! I'm your friend," she was halfway up when the hands threatened their way up her entire legs, "Once you get through you must find Zeniba. The gift she gave you will guide you there."

Koku was strapped to the ground in one painful snap of the earth. The girl let out a yelp of pain and looked up at her.

"Please, go. Trust me," she begged her. Chihiro shook her head lightly. This was all crazy, probably the most lucid dream she had ever had but she would listen. By kami if this was even the slightest bit real, she would listen.

"Will you be safe," she had found her voice. She turned herself into a running position.

"Don't worry about us Chi, we can handle ourselves. Stay hidden," she gave her a small smile and struggled against her restraints. Chihiro sprung into a sprint towards the chipping red tunnel. She ran through it without looking back. If she remembered, the water would have begun to pour out from the stone frog statue. She didn't have much time then, did she?

When she approached the river, it was already filling. The thought of turning back entered mind briefly.

'No, not after all this…They need me here.'

She gave one determined nod before she dove into the chilling water. The surface had looked calm and rippling but the underlying current was twice as strong as her. Swimming against the strength was proving to be more difficult then she had intended. She couldn't even reach the surface to gulp in precious oxygen. She flailed her limbs around, treading water in an effort to find any kind of footing or edge to grab onto.

Relief rushed through her as her foot touched the sandy bottom. She thrust herself forward toward shallow water. Her lungs were burning, begging her to breathe. She just popped her head above the water as she was caught in a small wave that sent her toppling onto the wet shore. She coughed and choked over a mixture of water, air, and sand. She sat back on her heels, breathing heavily as she gazed upon the diming world.

She had two thoughts on her mind as she watched the lanterns lighting themselves, one section at a time…One, she needed a small piece of anything to eat before she vanished into nothingness and two…how the hell was she going to get to Zeniba's house without a train ticket?

AHH, okay finished, tell me how it was please. I'll keep writing when I have the time to. Thanks for reading.