Spirited Away: The Wait [ORIGINAL]

Discoveries

     “Glad that’s over,” Chihiro muttered in relief.

     Haku chuckled. “That wasn’t so bad.”

     “Mom took it out on me, not you; of course it wasn’t bad for you,” she retorted indignantly with a small frown.

     “She was worried about you. I understand where she’s coming from.”

     “Yeah, but still, it’s just three days. Nothing’s going to happen.”

     “Perhaps, but you never know,” he said. “But at least we’re here now.”

     She hummed happily in response. At least, they were there now.

     The pair was currently standing in front of entrance to the Spirit Realm. The entrance was covered in dense greenery, with thick vines hanging from surrounding trees and protruding roots threatening to trip trespassers over. The moss-covered wall was dirty as ever, and the dome-shaped entrance looked rather chillingly mysterious with the shadows within not revealing any light.

     “Is it nighttime over there? Chihiro wondered, gazing up at the morning sun lazily hanging at a corner in the sky. Its gentle rays were so soothing, she was tempted to lie down on a patch of grass and enjoy the weather. She had done that before in the park and she always came out feeling energized and happy.

     Haku shook his head. “No. The time in the Spirit Realm is similar to the time here. Come. Take my hand.”

     Chihiro complied, placing her hand in his and then followed him into the dark entrance.

     Their footsteps echoed all around the enclosed area. She knew that the both of them were the only ones in the entrance, but she couldn’t shake off the creepy feeling crawling up and down her spine telling her something was off. It was similar to that time when she had first entered the Spirit Realm, that paranoia never leaving her mind and always making her so uptight about every little thing.

     “Don’t be scared, I’m right here,” Haku said, almost as if in response to her thoughts. Then she realized she had been pressing closer to him almost unconsciously, and squeezing his hand tightly.

     “I know. I just don’t like dark places very much…” she replied.

     “We’re reaching soon. Just a little longer,” Haku said encouragingly. He boldly placed his hand on her waist to pull her closer to him. And of course, he effectively managed to induce a very bashful reaction from the woman.

     “Is it me, or does your face look slightly red?” he teased.

     Chihiro looked away. She had just been thankful a moment ago for the lack of light, but obviously that didn’t work. “I-It’s just you.”

     He chuckled and held her closer to him. She hit him lightly on the back in response.

     The momentary distraction from the darkness managed to help the woman go through the last few meters, and soon, just as Haku had promised, they saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

     “We’re here!” Chihiro exclaimed loudly, her voice bouncing off the walls with considerable excitement. The entrance opened into the old, empty train station. They walked further into the open field that was just as windy and sunny as it had been when she left. The place seemed timeless; it never seemed to change no matter how long it had been since she visited the place. 

     “It feels like forever since I’ve been here…” she breathed in wonder.

     “It’s only been approximately 3 months,” Haku pointed out, but he hummed in agreement. This had been his home, after all.