Chapter 4: Re-

As fast as the wind blow, Haku ran into the bathhouse, heading straight to the boiler room, with the fainted Chihiro on his arms. He barged in, causing the spider-like oldman to snapped awake from his sleep. Kamaji sat up and saw Haku was comming.

"Haku! What on earth you think you-" Kamaji was about to angry but he trailed off as he saw Haku was carrying a girl.

"Kamaji!" he cried. Kamaji moved fast, he got up from his bed. He shifted it closer to Haku, and then helped him to laid down the girl. Once he took a good look, his eyes widened.

"Haku! It's Chihiro!" he cried.

Haku bent down. "Yes, it's her," he gently took off her shoes and put them beside the shelves.

"What happen to her? She looks so terrible... like you were yesterday," Kamaji asked. He looked concerned to his so called granddaughter. He put the blanket on her.

"That is what I am going to ask you. I'm not really sure, but she came from the hills with that awful condition," he caress her hair. "And when she got in front of me, she trembled and then fainted. She was holding this knife," he took out a knife from his pocket and put it beside her. "So, Kamaji, will you check her or something?" he asked.

Kamaji nodded understood. He checked her pulse and her body temperature. Chihiro sighed a heavy breath. Haku looked at her carefully and took a deep breath. He couldn't believe it. She had grown into a lovely girl. Her skin, he was sure it would be perfect if she was in a good condition. Her brown hair was so smooth that he wanted to caress it everytime he wants to, if she let him. Her chocolate brown eyes when they opened, they would be very dreamy without the dark bags beneath. Her red lips, even they were dried and paled, they would be the only place he wanted to leaned his. The sad things, she was a little skinny and he hoped the blush would get back to her cheeks when she gets better.

"She's fine, Haku," Kamaji brought him back from his thought.

"Are you sure, Kamaji?"

"Yes. I don't know what caused her fainted, but maybe she was exhausted and need some rest?" Kamaji scratched his head. "And from what you have said, I think something must have happened to her when she was still in the human world," he continued.

Haku frowned. So he was right. The dream, his heart, all the feelings these three days, were right.

"But, she's okay, Haku. Now she's here, don't be sad," Kamaji patted his back.

Haku smiled slightly. "Thanks, Kamaji."

"Anytime, Haku," he yawned. "Now, I'mma go back to sleep,"

Haku nodded. Kamaji sat, leaned his body against the wall and much to Haku's surprise, gone to sleep immediately.

He turned back to her. He stared her. He was grateful to meet her again, but he didn't expect to see her like this. He felt so guilty because he couldn't help her, but indeed he couldn't. He brought himself closer to her. He caress her hair.

"I'm sorry, Chihiro," he whispered. He leaned his head closer, and kissed her forehead.

He laid beside her, facing her. He folded his left arms, put it under his head as a pillow. For the first time in three days, he finally could calm himself. Now that she's right here with him, he knew she'll be okay and nothing's gonna hurt her, he'll protect her. He eventually gone to sleep with smile upon his lips.

She was standing at a meadow alone. She was alone but she felt peace and joy. She inhaled the cool air deeply. She threw her sight around as far as she could.

"Chihiro," a man called her.

She turned and found her dad was standing behind her. She smiled. "Daddy!"

"Chihiro, my dear," said a woman.

She turned left and her mom was there beside her. She felt so happy. "Mommy!"

She embraced them tightly. For a moment she felt they're returned her embrace, but then it's gone. Later she found out that she can't move. She looked at her parents, they frowned.

"Chihiro, I'm sorry," Akio said. "We're sorry," Yuuko said. Slowly they began to moved away from her.

"No! Mom! Dad! Don't leave me!" she cried. They were getting further and started to fade away.

"No! Please don't leave me alone!" she tried to move but suddenly she fell into a dark cliff. And again she was alone there, in the darkness.

"No!" she cried.

Haku's eyes flipped open to her sudden cried. He sat up and saw his beloved one was cying in her sleep. She sweated a lot. She gasped for air and she shook her head.

Haku grasped her hands. "Chihiro, wake up," he said.

She sobbed. He leaned closer and cupped her face. "Chihiro,"

"Haku," she said. But her eyes were still closed.

"Chihiro, you're having bad dreams. Wake up,"

"Haku!" she cried. She wrinkled her eyebrows and sobbed even more. "Please help me..."

He blinked his eyes. He thought he was having déjà vu. "I am right here, Chihiro. Just wake up," he wiped her tears.

"Please... Come to me," she said weakly. Haku froze. It's just like his bad dreams three days ago.

"Chihiro, wake up!" he shook her body lightly.

"No!" she snapped awake and immediately sat up.

"Chihiro," he said. She turned to him, surprised. "Calm down, calm down... It's me," he held her hands. She gasped for air. "I am right here."

She stared him. Emerald eyes looked concerned in return.

"Will we meet again sometime?"

"Sure we will,"

"Promise?"

"Promise."

She's still trying to register the reality. It happened! "Haku..." she said. Tears overflowed from her eyelids. He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer to his chest.

"Shhh... It's okay, it's okay. You're okay," he said. "I'm right here, you'll be fine," he patted her back.

Chihiro was overjoyed. His warmth and his comfy embrace fit her. For the first time in three days, she finally could calm herself. His scent, smells like fresh water. It felt so right. Her cry slowly began to subside. He felt his embrace become loose. He looked at her and found he was holding a mid-transparent human.

"Chihiro, you're see through!" he cried.

She lifted her head up and looked at her hands. She gasped.

"Wait here. I'll be right back in a minute," he stood up. And before she could say a word, he left.

She stunned for a moment before she looked around. It was dark and the light from the window wasn't that bright, so she assumed now must be twilight. She was in the boiler room. It's obvious with shelves around, the boiler, and the old boiler man who leaned against the wall in front of her, sleeping. Nothing's changed, everything was just the same like she remembered when she was there nine years ago. Some sootballs jumped out their nest and greeted her. A little smile crept on her face.

Then the wooden door slid open. Haku came in, he brought a bowl of rice and a glass of water. He sat beside her.

"Here, you should eat something. It's not warm but you can eat this," he said. He put them in front of her.

She said nothing and hung her head. She was getting more transpatent.

"Look, I know you don't want to, but you have to. Or you'll disappeared. And l won't let it happen," he glared her deeply. "Here," he took a bit of rice with the chopsticks and held it up in front of her mouth.

She sighed and finally ate it. Out of her expectation, the rice wasn't savorless. That was great.

"It tasted sweet," she said. She looked at her hands. They're not see through anymore.

"See, you're okay now," Haku smiled. "Do you want some more?" he asked.

Chihiro smiled. "Maybe later."

"Alright then," he put the bowl down.

She took a sip of water. "So... Is it twilight?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, it is. Why?"

"Is everyone awake?"

"Well, I met some who had already awake upstairs. It is early in the evening, though."

She nodded. She sighed a relief. "I can't believe it, I am really here," she said. "I missed you. A lot," she looked down.

He stared her. He held out his hand to held hers. She turned to face him.

"I missed you too," he stared her deeply. "Desperately," he added.

She heard him, but it seemed like too good to be true. "Really?"

He nodded. "Every single day since you left, I could never stop thinking about you," he slightly flushed.

Now Chihiro blushed. She looked down, ran away from his gaze. She felt blood was running up to her head as she realized they were still holding each other's hand.

"Chihiro, are you okay?"

"What?"

"Sorry, I mean, what happened to you? What happened when you were in the human world?" Haku's expression became serious.

She held her breath as he held her hand tighter. Where should I start? she thought. She sighed. "I..." she stopped. She gulped. She couldn't find a word.

All of sudden, Kamaji yawned noisily. Both Haku and Chihiro snapped, hastily broke their hands away. They blushed and turned away each other. Kamaji stretched himself and lifted up the sagging black spectacles on his nose.

"So, you guys are awake," he mumbled half awake.

Chihiro grinned. "Good evening, Grandpa," she said.

"Grandpa... huh? Who is so brave to call me thaaaaat?" he yawned again.

Both Haku and Chihiro chuckled. "Hey, Grandpa, just wake up. You don't want to upset your granddaughter, do you?" Haku said.

"Granddaughter...?" Kamaji lifted up his head. "Chihiro!" he cried, finally wide awake. He threw his six arms around her.

She returned the embrace happily. "It's nice to see you again, Kamaji. I missed you," she said.

"And I you," he replied. He let her off his embrace. "My, my! Look at you! You've grown into a lovely young lady!" he exclaimed.

She grinned and blushed a little. "Thank you, Kamaji. No offense, but you haven't changed," she said.

"Yeah, I am too old for that, unlike you and Haku," he shrugged.

She turned to Haku, had just realized he did grown up too. He smiled. She grinned. Kamaji turned on the fire and the boiler. The room became warm and bright. This was almost perfect. Only one person was missing.

"Hey, is Lin still here?" she asked.

"Yes, she is still here," Haku answered them.

"Really!? I wanna see her! I've missed her so much as if she's my own sister!" she cried excitedly.

Haku laughed. "Let's just wait for her. She'll come here to bring your grandfather's breakfast. Right, Kamaji?" Haku said.

Kamaji nodded. "Yeah. Lin must be delighted to see you," he said.

Just then they heard someone's running towards from behind the door. Then the door slides open. They turned and Lin was standing there with anxiousness on her face.

"Speak of the devil," Haku mumbled.

"Kamaji!" she cried, unnoticed the other two persons in the room.

"What is it Lin? You look screwed," said Kamaji.

"I was just woke up and my nose catched a human scent. And I thought it's..." she trailed off as the human scent was stronger and insisted her to looked at the other side of the room.

"Hello, Lin," said the human.

Lin's eyes widened. "SEN!" she ran to her and threw her arms around her. The human returned the embrace tightly. "Sen, you're here! I can't believe it! I missed you so much!" she cried. She hugged her so tight that making her muscle sounds craked. Haku's eyes winced at the sound.

"Woaa, Lin!" Chihiro squealed.

"Let go of her, Lin! You'll break her bones!" Haku cried.

Lin gasped. Kamaji laughed. She let the human off her embrace. "Oops! No, I am sorry, Sen! I don't mean to hurt you," she said feeling guilty.

Chihiro rubbed her back. She nodded. "It's okay, Lin. I'm fine," she smiled.

Lin sighed a relief. She shook her head. Then she looked at her carefully.

"My goodness, Sen, you've grown up! It's been nine years, right?" she said. Chihiro nodded. "How did you get back here?"

Chihiro's expression changed. She threw her eyes away. Sadness appeared on her face. Haku and Kamaji looked concerned. Lin cocked her eyebrow.

"Hey, what's with the faces..? What happened?" she asked confused.

"Chihiro, would you tell us what happened?" Haku asked.

Chihiro sighed then finally spoke up. "Well, you asked me how did I get back here. The answer is I get back here from that damn spirit gate. The same tunnel I came and left," she explained. "Maybe you won't believe me, in these nine years I've tried to get through the tunnel for thousand times. But when I arrived at the end of the tunnel, there would only an empty meadow. I walked over, down the hills, only to be dissapointed 'cause there's no town to be seen," she stopped, took a breath. "So, it's a big surprise I make it here today."

Lin looked surprised. Kamaji sighed. But Haku, he looked down. Chihiro made a bittersweet smile.

"Since the day I left nine years ago, I regreted my decision. Not that I regret about saving my parents. I regreted that I left. I wanted to get back here, desperately. But how do I tell my parents? They don't even remember being turned into pigs by Yubaba," she continued.

Their eyes looked confused. She knew what was on their mind.

"And now..." she looked at the knife beside her leg. She grabbed it and eyed the the blade with empty look. "I cannot live there anymore."

They looked at her in vigilance. "Why?" Lin asked.

"I have no life there," she said firmly.

"But Chihiro," Haku looked confused. "You are a human. You're supposed to live in the human world," he said.

She stared him. There was sorrow, and also anger in her eyes. "I am, Haku! But I am living without purpose!" she cried.

Haku and Lin trailed off. Kamaji hung his head, his hands propped his chin.

"I feel like an outcast. Yes, I tried to socialize but people took me as a weirdo! I slacked at school. My mind was always about this world! I am useless, living only as an empty shell with my parents..." she lowered her voice. She looked down. "Only because of them..." she lifted up her head. "... And now they're dead," her eyes burst to tears.

They're all aghast. "A car crash..." she whispered. Memories of the past three days were raging on her head. They gathered closer around her. Kamaji was in front of her, holding her hands. Lin was on her left and Haku was on her right, they're holding her back and shoulders.

"Sen..., I am so sorry," Lin said. She was shocked to heard her so called sister's story, only that words came out from her mouth.

"We're so sorry about what happened to you and your parents..." Kamaji said, he wiped her tears.

Haku said nothing. He felt devastated. His beloved one had lost everything in her life, it hurted him. He felt guilty, but also angry at himself. He was close to tears but he held it back. He leaned closer and held her tighter.

"And this knife..." she held it up. "When I thought there's no hope, I took this and went to the tunnel."

They listened at her carefully.

"I take this world, this place, and you guys as my last hope. So if I don't make it here, I would end my life." she said coldly.

Haku moved fast. He grabbed her hands and threw the knife away. "No." he gripped her hands. "Don't." he said firmly. He locked his eyes on hers.

She saw emerald pools that full of guilt, fear, and sadness. Her expression softened. "Haku, I make it here. I wouldn't end my life," she smiled softly.

Haku's expression softened. He sighed and slowly let go of her hands.

"Now, I can stay here, can't I?" she asked them.

Kamaji, Lin, and Haku glanced each other. But most referred to the river spirit. He blinked and sighed. Lin nodded.

"Of course, Sen! We could be roommates again," she gave her a playful smack on her upper arm.

"Really!?" Chihiro cried excitedly.

"Uhum," she smiled. "Just don't be sad. You're not alone. We're here for you," she said.

Kamaji and Haku nodded. "You have your grandpa here," Kamaji said.

"And we won't let bad things happen to you again, " Haku added. I won't let it happen, he added mentaly.

They smiled. The oldman, the dragon, and her sister hugged her.

I'm not alone, she smiled happily. "Thank you, guys," she said.

They broke away. Chihiro wiped her tears.

"Now, I believe everyone is awake, and soon there will be works to do," Kamaji said changing the subject.

Lin huffed and rolled her eyes. "Great. Nice topic, Kamaji," Lin said in boring tone.

Kamaji and Chihiro laughed. Haku smiled.

"And I'm sure Yubaba will soon demanded to see you, Chihiro," Kamaji said again.

Chihiro shrugged. "I guess so."

"Then Haku will take you to her," he said, more to Haku than Chihiro.

Haku sighed. Last time he met Yubaba, she ruined his mood. "You're right," he stood up. "Let's go, Chihiro," he held out his hand to asked hers.

She took his hand and stood up. "Alright then, thanks, guys. I'll see you later," she smiled and waved her hand.

Kamaji and Lin replied her. Haku led her walked out the room.

"Poor Sen," Lin muttered once they had gone. Kamaji merely nodded.

They were now on the elevator. He kept holding her hand, never let go. She neither wanted to broke their hands away. No one spoke. They both remain in silence. As the elevator lifted up, Chihiro looked outside from the gaps of the wooden wall. The view wasn't clear as the elevator moved fast. But she looked excited and he smiled with relief.

Ding.

The doors opened. Haku pulled her hand and they walked out to the main floor. A fascinating view of a busy bathhouse welcomed them. She followed behind him while looking around in awe. The busy workers, the waitresses, the foreman, the customers. Doing this, doing that. Moved here and there. Chatter. The smells of delicious foods and refreshing herbs of the bathwater. Warmth. Happiness. Friendliness. Oh how she really missed this place.

Now they were in the middle of the crowd. Haku turned to see the human and he found her in amazement. She looked so happy. He grinned. "My Lady," he called her.

Chihiro snapped. She thought she heard him called her My Lady. "Huh?"

He stopped. He let go of her hand and then bowed to her. "Welcome home," he smiled.

She stunned. Home? Home! He said it! I'm home! She gasped. She covered her mouth with her hands.

Some spirits caught their eyes on them. They looked at the human. They started to whispers.

"The girl looks familiar,"

"I thought I've seen her long time ago,"

"Is that the human girl nine years ago?"

"Sen?" the foreman asked her directly.

Chihiro smiled nervously. "Hello everyone, nice to see you again. It's me, Sen," she said.

For a moment they became silent. Then they exploded.

"My goodness, it's Sen!"

"Sen's back!"

"Welcome back!"

"Sen, we missed you so much!"

"My, you've grown up!"

They gathered closer around her. They greeted her so well. This was what she haven't felt in nine years; being accepted. She was so glad that they're not angry with her about Kaonashi's insident. Haku let them for a while. Unpredicted, the customers looked happy too instead of annoyed because feeling bothered. They being carried by the atmosphere of emotions.

"Thanks, everyone. I missed all of you too," she said cheerly.

"Very well, Sen. Now everybody get back to work! We can catch up with her again later," the foreman dismissed. The spirits dispersed with disappointment.

"Thank you, Mr. Foreman," Haku said.

He nodded. "Very well, Master Haku. You are going to see Master Yubaba, aren't you?" he asked. Haku and Chihiro nodded. "Then, you may continue your way," he bowed.

"Thanks, Mr. Foreman!" she said. Then she turned away. Haku pulled her hand again and she returned it happily.

"Wow, that was great," she exclaimed as they walked into the next elevator. "I thought they would be angry with me, about Kaonashi's insident," she continued.

Haku laughed. "No, Chihiro. You have made memorable moments here. You have touched us. You left us good memories," he smiled.

Chihiro grinned. The blush appeared on her cheeks. The girl had just lost her parents three days ago, and now she was smiling cheerly. It warmed his heart. Oh how he hoped that smile would never left her face.

"Haku, what is it? Are you okay?" she asked.

"What?" he confused.

"You're criying," she said concerned.

He surprised. He didn't realize that he were close to tears.

"Huh? No, no, no. No. I'm not crying," he said. He turned away from her and wiped his tears.

Chihiro eyed him suspicously. "Really?"

He turned back to her. "Yeah," he smiled.

Wow, he changed a lot, she thought. "Anyway, umm, I thought you quit being Yubaba's apprentice?" she changed the subject.

"I did. But I still work here," he said. "I can't leave the only place that holds the portal you came and left," he added. He gave her a meaningful look.

She glared him. She nodded and smiled. "I see."

The elevator dinged. They arrived at the top floor. They stepped on the cold floor. The atmosphere was still the same as she remembered nine years ago. Dark and creepy.

"Haku, do you think Yubaba would be mad at me? Because I think she never expected that I would come back here," she said quietly. She grasped his arms and hid behind his back, like what she did nine years ago.

"Let's just hope she wouldn't. But don't worry, I'll protect you," he said.

They reached the mahogany door that held the enchanted door knocker.

"What a surprise! Look who's back; the careless grown up little human girl," it spoke.

"Just let us in," Haku said coldly.

"Hmph, the river spirit doesn't like chit chat, does he?" it muttered. Then it opened itself.

"Thank you," Chihiro said politely.

They walked in. Chihiro's heart beated faster. She prayed in her heart, hoping for luck.

Kayo was sweeping the floor when suddenly a frog spirit ran past behind her, excitedly jumped to meet the other spirit, causing the dust and dirts she had collected scattered back.

"Hey!" she protested.

But seemed like the frog didn't listening. He ignored her and talked to other spirit. Kayo huffed and shook her head.

"Hey, did you hear the whoop-de-do upstairs?" the frog spirit said.

"Uhuh, what is it? I can't go there yet, not before I finished this job," the other said in boring tone.

"Well, you must be delighted to know that..." the frog spirit stopped to attract his curriousnes.

"What?" the other asked curriously.

"SEN IS BACK!" the frog spirit shouted excitedly.

Kayo's eyes winced at the name. Sen? Where do I heard that name?

"Really!? I wanna see her!" the other said happily.

"Yes! Let's see her later, right now she have to meet Yubaba first," the frog said.

The other nodded. "You're right,"

Yubaba... she thought. Anxiousness filled her. That's right. She heard that name before, Boh mentioned it when Yubaba talked to Haku about something, comparing the person called Sen to herself. Oh no, Haku. Hastily she cleaned the dirts. She put the broom back and rushed to find the river spirit she admired.

They arrived at the witch's office. The door opened itself. Chihiro took a deep breath once more and they stepped in. The first thing she looked at was the fireplace at the left side. She hasitated to looked on her right, because as she remembered Yubaba's desk would be there. But she had to and so she did. As expected, the old witch was there. Sitting on her desk, working with some papers, smoking. Jewelries plastered on her hands, some were scattered on her desk. The witch hadn't changed at all. Even Chihiro thought do spirits know about fashion on their world, because Yubaba was still in her blue dress like she was nine years ago; also Haku and Kamaji with their clothes.

They stood by the fireplace. None of them spoke, just waiting for the witch to notice them. It's not like she didn't notice their presence, only to rise up their nerves.

"Oy! Oy oy! Oy! Oy!"

Three green bouncing heads jumped and plowed around them. Haku felt annoyed, he flicked his index finger. As if they're being dismissed, they jumped away back to Yubaba.

Yubaba lifted up her head. "Well, well. I guess I got a big surprise," she said.

Chihiro smiled nervously. "Hello, Granny. It's me, Chihiro. Nice to see you again,"

"Hmm, Chihiro?" Yubaba stood up. "Never heard that," she rubbed her chin. She glared the girl, then to Haku. He glared back coldly in return. She turned to the girl.

Chihiro could tell that Yubaba was joking. "Hmm, then maybe you remembered you've turned a couple of husband and wife into pigs, and their daughter had to work under your stealing name contract,"

"Ha! You mean that spoiled and careless little human that let Kaonashi made great damage and losses in my bathhouse!?"

See, I knew it. "Oh, come on, Granny. I took him out the bathhouse then. And I remember you hugged me that night I took care of a mistaken stink god, said that I did great and everyone should learn from me," she smiled smugly.

Yubaba's face looked ashamed. She hated it's true. "THAT wasn't enough! You turned back the golden seal my ex-apprentice had stole to that old witch! I wanted that thing so much, you human!" she yelled. That was funny she said 'that old witch' while she was an old witch too. "Thanks to you, I lost my apprentice because you gave his name back," she added in mocking tone.

Haku winced his eyes. He pulled her hand and hid her behind his back. Chihiro sighed. "It's okay, Haku," she whispered to him. She stepped forward.

"I am very sorry. But please let me make it clear," she said. She stood there steady and fearless. "First, stealing things that wasn't ours is not a right thing to do. Second, your ex-apprentice was dying. There was nothing I can do except turned the golden seal back to whom it belongs to and asked apologizes for him, to save his life. And the last, everyone in this whole world deserves freedom. So it means whether you, or him, or me, or anybody, has no right to owns person. Thus we have no right to steal names," she explained.

Haku surprised. Yubaba surprised. Even the human herself surprised. Where did she get those words? My, she really had grown up. And wiser, he thought. He smiled.

The look on Yubaba's face was like she had been slapped. She snorted. "How dare you..." she was about to gave her an outburst, but something held her back. She felt a spell was being cast on her but she couldn't find out who did that. Haku? No, it wasn't his spell. Chihiro? No, it can't be, she is a human. Then who?

Despite from that, she changed the subject. "Hmph, never mind. Why do you come back here?" she asked.

"I come back here to stay,"

"And why would you stay here?"

Chihiro thought for a second. "Because I wanna live here,"

"That's not what I mean," she walked towards her.

Haku stepped forward, blocking the human.

"Relax, dragon. I know you're trying to protect your little girl friend, but I mean no harm," Yubaba said.

Chihiro blushed. Haku was still stood steady in front of her. She held his shoulder, he stepped aside.

"Now, what's wrong with you and your world that you wanted to stay here?" Yubaba asked.

She sighed. "I have no life there, Granny,"

Yubaba laughed. "Sounds like you're screwed,"

"Yubaba," Haku said coldly. It threatened her a little.

"Hmph! How come you have no life in the human world while you are a human?"

"I have no one there. I have nothing," the human said.

"Huh? You forgot about your parents?" Yubaba was trying to tease her.

"They're dead," she said flatly but still there's sadness in her voice.

Yubaba's expression didn't change, but her heart did. She knew how was Chihiro's feeling. She knew it very well, she had felt the same, thousand years ago when her parents died. She said nothing but she kept staring her. The human looked down.

"Okay, that's enough," Haku spoke up. He didn't want to see her crying, not again.

"Well, I am sorry about your parents. It must be very hard for you," Yubaba said. She looked concerned.

It was much to Haku and Chihiro's surprise. They had never seen the old witch in such concerns.

"Thank you, Granny," she smiled. "So, may I stay here?"

"No." Yubaba said.

"Why?" Chihiro frowned.

"I don't like anyone staying in my bathhouse only to goofing around. Except customers,"

"Of course I wouldn't. I don't want to take advantages from anybody, so I'll work for you, Granny," she smiled.

Yubaba smiled smugly. "Good. Then you may stay here," she flew a contract paper to her.

Before Chihiro's hand could reach it, Haku did it first. He gripped the paper and slowly it burnt to ashes.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT, DRAGON!?" Yubaba snapped.

"Chihiro will be working for you, without any contract," Haku said firmly. "I won't let you steal her name again," he turned to the human. "I don't want you to loose yourself twice," he added.

That's right. Freedom. She was almost willing to gave up her freedom. The look on Yubaba's face was full of anger.

"I'll be working for you, without any contract, and you don't have to pay me," Chihiro corrected. "How?"

Yubaba was considering when she accidentally caught her eyes to the shimmering purple hairband on the human's wrist. It blinked. Her expression changed. She tried to find words but something blocked her. It was like a spell was being cast on her again, the only word that slipped out her mouth was "Deal."

Chihiro smiled widely. She excitedly threw her arms around the witch. "Oh, thank you, Granny!" she cried.

Yubaba was still confused. What had just happened? She tried to let go of herself. "Yeah, but don't call me that! I'm not your so called Granny," she yelled.

Haku was confused, but also happy. He merely shrugged it off. He smiled in relief.

"Mama, why is it so loud? You wake me up,"

They all turned to the speaker and they found a giant baby was sitting behind the red curtain, popped out his head. He rubbed his eyes.

"Oohh, I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to wake you up," Yubaba said.

"Boh! It's nice to see you again!" the human cried happily.

The giant baby's eyes wide opened to her voice. "SEN!? IS THAT YOU?"

"It's Chihiro, Boh," she smiled.

"Oh, yes, I mean Chihiro! You're back! I missed you so much!" the baby shouted. He crawled to her and then hugged her tightly. Just like what Lin did before, his embrace making her muscle scounds cracked. "Oops, sorry!" he let go of her.

Chihiro gasped for air. Lin's embrace was tight, but Boh's was tighter. Of course he was a giant baby. "It's okay, Boh. You're not the first," she smiled. She couldn't resist, she cupped the baby's face and playfully pinched his chubby cheeks. "I missed you too, Boh."

Yubaba shook her head and laughed a little. "Well, sweetie, you may go back to sleep if you want to,"

"Would you play with me next time, Chihiro?" he asked.

The human nodded. "Of course, I'd love to! Only if your mama let me," she looked at Yubaba.

"Anytime you want to, sweetie," the witch said. As usual she spoiled him.

"Yeaaay!" he exclaimed. "Alright then, I'll go back to sleep. Good night, everyone!"

"Good night, sweetie,"

"Good night, Boh!." the human said.

The baby nodded and then crawled back to his room.

"Now, Chihiro," Yubaba turned to her. "Welcome back," she smiled.

Chihiro grinned, she felt so happy. She bowed to the witch.

Haku smiled and finally spoke up. "Now, Miss Chihiro, shall I take you to Lin?" he asked.

Chihiro nodded happily.

She had already searched for him around the bathhouse, yet she hadn't find him. She decided to went outside, to the hills where the last time she met him. The blanket she brought for him was still there, but he wasn't there. Felt irritated, she went back inside and continued to search for Haku. She had asked every spirit she met "Did you see Haku?" and their answers was "No." She searched for him on the main floor for the umpteenth times. She moved here and there. Looked around. And just then finally she spotted him among the crowd. She made her way through the crowd. Her heart was beating faster as she found out a girl was with him. Now she got a clear view of fhem.

"Ha..!" ...ku. She trailed off. She used her hand to covered her nose. A human? What is a human doing here? What is a human doing with Haku!?

Hooraayy I updated! It feels like forever. This is my last year of school, so soon there will be so many exams. ugh. I'm sorry that you have to wait, but I will keep trying to update soon or later.

To the reviewers:

Amidstsnow ~ Terima Kasih :D (It means "thank you" in Bahasa)

Sherona849 ~ I'm glad you like it :D

Quincieevee ~ Thanks a lot, your review was really made my day! 3

Anyway, do you have any idea who cast the spells to Yubaba? And also how would you like Kayo to react when she meet Chihiro? Let me knoooww :3