Spirited Away : Our New Life

14

Author's Space: Hello, everybody! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm so happy to read the reviews from everyone. It makes me very happy! Thanks too, Taemi Tamiko! I would like to thank everyone who read my fanfic, thank you! I hope everyone will like this chapter!

Chapter 14: The Dark Beginning

"Where am I? Did I fell asleep? I don't remember falling asleep." Chihiro thought as she began waking up from what seemed like a long sleep.

When Chihiro finally gathered enough energy to sit up and open her eyes, she realized she was back inside the room Lin arranged for her and Haku.

"You're finally awake."

Chihiro moved her head to the side and found Haku sitting on one of the chairs by the window.

"Since when are we back in the bathhouse?" Chihiro asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"You fell asleep when I'm flying us back to the bathhouse from Zeniba's cottage." Haku said as he drank from his cup of tea.

"And you carried me all the way here? Sorry about that." Chihiro said as she stood up from the bed. She walked to the window and looked out. "It's already so late. How long was I asleep?"

"About four hours. It's approximately 10.30 PM now." Haku said as he finished his tea. "Want some tea?"

"No, thanks." Chihiro said with a smile and sat on the chair next to Haku. "What did you do when I was asleep?"

"I went to talk to Yubaba about the Dark Dragon."

"What did Yubaba say?"

"She said she heard quite a lot of rumors about him. Zeniba already told her everything she knew too. But if anything were to happen or if the Dark Dragon will take action, Yubaba said she has some plans on how to protect everyone in the bathhouse and those nearby. But she said that might be the only thing she could do."

"What are Yubaba's plans?" Chihiro asked curiously.

"She had been practicing on defensive magic, such as casting strong barriers, hoping that it would be able to protect everyone."

"Hope so then."

"Is there anything you wish to do now?" Haku asked Chihiro.

"There's nothing in particular that I wish to do right now." The room's windows were closed but it was still quite cold and Chihiro couldn't help it but shivered.

"Are you feeling cold?" Haku asked with a concerned look on his face.

"A little bit. I'll go check if I brought my jacket along or not."

Chihiro checked the wardrobe where they had hanged some of their clothes. She couldn't find her jacket there so she began searching for her backpack. She saw her backpack on the left bedside table and sat down on the bed as she searched inside her bag.

She sighed and closed her bag, "I can't believe I forgot to bring my jacket along. It's getting even colder now." Chihiro hugged herself to keep herself warm.

Chihiro was so busy thinking about how to keep herself warm that she didn't realize Haku had stood up from his seat and was now sitting behind her.

He smiled softly as he saw how troubled Chihiro looked and decided to do what he had planned to do just a few moments ago. Although slightly nervous, he managed to hug her from behind, just like how he had wanted to do.

"I hope this keeps you warmer than what you tried doing earlier." Haku said softly as he laid his head on Chihiro's left shoulder.

Chihiro felt her cheeks burn and her whole body grew warmer. She wasn't sure if she was getting warmer due to embarrassment or because of Haku's hug. But whatever the reason was, the hug made her felt warmer and definitely more comfortable.