Spirited Away 2: The Return of Chihiro | ✓

HAKU

I know he just got here, but I wanted to rip him into shreds right now. I watched him hug Chihiro tighter and closer, her chest probably pressed up against him. It's like I didn't even exist right now, as if Chihiro never loved me. 

I crept up behind them and tapped her on the shoulder. Immediately, she pushed away and stepped back into my grasp. I held her waist, wrapping her so close to me that nothing could tear her away from me. It still didn't change the fact that Chihiro- my Chihiro!- was just in the arms of No-Face, or whatever the hell he was called now. 

"Oh, Haku," she gasped, peering back at me, "this is Kao from now on." She turned to him. "Kao, you remember Haku."

Neither of us moved. I just gave him a glare that could burn through the strongest piece of steel. This was not off to a good start at all!

"Let's go inside, Chihiro," I said, beginning to turn toward the bathhouse, pulling her with me. 

Halfway across the bridge- where Kao couldn't hear us, I stopped in my tracks, making Chihiro jerk mid step. She turned to look at me and opened to mouth to say something. But, I stepped in.

"What WAS that!?" I whispered to her, anger in my voice. My grip tightened on her wrist. 

"Haku, you're hurting me," she winced, trying to break free. 

Coming to my senses, I let go, leaving a slight red mark. Seeing that I hurt the love of my life made all of my anger leave me, and instead was guilt and remorse. 

What have I done?  I thought, grazing the wound with my fingertips. Chihiro jerked away and turned, no longer facing me.

"I'm sorry," I confessed, tears forming in my eyes. "I.. I didn't mean to hurt you. You know I care about you." I sighed and rested my hands on her small shoulders. "I just want to know why you hugged him like that."

She turned back around, her arms crossed over her chest and a sense of curiosity written on her face. 

"And no," I added, "I'm not jealous."

Chihiro took a deep breath. "Haku, it's No-Face. He's my friend. He'd never do anything to hurt either one of us. He's changed. He's.. Kao now. Can't you see that?"

I looked over her shoulder at Kao. He was picking up his cloak and wrapping it back around his broad shoulders, grabbing his mask from the ground then pulling the hood back over his head. For the first time since his arrival, we made eye contact. I could see, deep inside, that Chihiro was right. He had changed. He was no longer the dangerous, manipulating No-Face. He was a new and improved Kao. I looked back at Chihiro, who was staring at me with pleading eyes, begging for me to trust her. How could I say no?

"Kao!" I called out. "You're welcome to stay, if you like."

Chihiro hugged me instantly, and I hugged her back. I peered at Kao, who was headed this way, a smile on his face. I nodded in his direction, and he did the same to me. 

If Chihiro can see the good in him, then I could tolerate him. Just so long as he doesn't do anything to get on my bad side. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll start to trust him. 

But, I have to be honest with myself: I am jealous of this new No-Face. 

Kao.