Spirited Away 2: Chihiro's Return

Chapter One: Dreams or Nightmares

"A Hearts A Heavy Burden.."

I ran through the red tunnel, its ruby red paint had chipped and peeled over the last few years. Baby blue sky flushed with the tint of purple and red complimented the dusking sky welcomed me into the spirit world. The wind blew through the soft blades of grass, it looked like a painting that belonged in a museum. I smiled and ran across the rocks, soon to be filled with gallons of crystal clear water. I could see the restaurants lights begin to glow in the dark, but soon faded into the night.

A dark cloud circled above me, the sound of thunder crashing above me as it started to pour. The sky no longer a painting that looked like it belonged in a museum, but a painting of the beginnings of hell itself.  Lightning flashed and I was back at the beginning of the tunnel, the luscious green grass no longer a soft green color but a dead brown that would crunch under your every step. I stood on a boulder, overlooking the riverbed filled with murky black colored water that turned and flowed in a sinister way.

Lightning flashed once more and there stood Haku, bruises and scratches covered his face and arms, his body shook with a sense of death. His eyes widened when he saw me on the boulder. “Haku!” I screamed and tried to jump off the boulder to help him, but I couldn’t move. I pulled and yanked and jumped, but my feet were glued down to the cold stone. I looked back up at Haku, his mouth moved and his eyes looked concerned, but I couldn’t hear him over the roaring river that seperated us.

I reached out to him, tears running down my face. I couldn’t stand to see him to hurt, so bloodied up. Just looking at him you could tell something bad had happened, but what? Another flash and behind Haku stood what looked like a tall, fat, white thing. Its eyes glowed a dark black purple, resembling the color of the flowing water. Its body was round, but tall. His hand, or what looked like a paw, held Haku’s head back as it held a claw to his throat, a smile covering his face as he stared at me.

“The red tunnel is open Chihiro, why not come in, to save your dearly beloved?” A voice whisprered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. The wind and lightning grew stronger and stronger, and I slowly nodded to the voice with no mouth, no body to accompany it. The thing behind Haku smiled and threw him to the ground, making its way towards me. I continuously watched it make its way over, flashing closer and closer every second. “You made a stupid choice, Chihiro Ogino” the voice whispered as he held a claw down on my throat. “Haku!” I screamed.

My heart pounded in my chest as I turned my alarm clock off and knocked it off the side table it had rested on. It was just a dream, or maybe a nightmare i told myself. I wiped away the tears that slid down my cheeks and shook my head as I mumbled "the tunnel will never open." I used to go to that tunnel everyday and try to get through, but it would only spit me back out. I sighed and pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and a tight green tanktop. I pulled my hair up in my favorite purple hair tie and made my way to the kitchen.

DearChihiro,
HappyBirthday! We're sorry wecouldn't be here when you woke up but your father's clients from China flew in this morning and the company needed us both. We won't be back until late, theres a cake in the fridge and $20 fordinner.
Mom.

I scoffed at the note and threw it down the garbage disposal just to seem dramatic, which as I had guessed did not make me feel any better. I left the $20 on the counter and ran the cake over to the next door neighbor, I didn't want anything they gave me. My parents went right to work when we finished moving in, and they pushed me out of their life. They missed all my plays throughout school, my sweet16, and now my 18th birthday. At least now I'm a legal adult and can move out.

I glanced at the clock and made a choking noise as i scarfed down the rest of my breakfast. I quickly brushed my teeth and ran out the door to meet up with Howl, I was so late. I ran down the green hill that my house sat on and jogged past the spirit worlds gate to the bus stop I took everyday to the coffee shop before I headed to work.

~~~~~

As I burst through the shops door I caught a glimps of Howl putting his apron back on, I missed his break. I shyly walked to the counter and smiled a girly smile as he turned around. "Am I too late?" I laughed and he smirked. "Oh no, you're right on time. If you count 30 minutes late on time" I rolled my eyes and stared at him. His blond hair complimented his bright blue eyes, his lips had a natural rosy color to them. His shoulders were broad and you could faintly see his muscles under his skin tight white shirt, he made me blush and look away.

"Chihiro" he teased and placed my coffee in front of me "am I making you blush again?" I smiled and stared into his shining eyes, I used to think they were shining only for me, but I guess what I felt was one- sided, since he loved Sophie. "You wish" I joked and looked away. "Chihiro, I-" "Hey, Chihiro!" I looked away fron Howl and waved at Boh as he ordered a coffee and made his way towards us. His curly brown hair was pushed up with a red bandana that made his dark green eyes shimmer. His toned body was as muscular as Howl's, but anyone could see he was fit. He sat down next to Howl and pulled a small box out of his coat "Happy Birthday!"

I laughed "thanks Boh" I glanced up at Howl under my lashes and saw his face turn pale as he got up and walked away. I shrugged and smiled at Boh "well, open it!" I rolled my eyes "Sir yes sir" and ripped the wrapping paper off the thin box. I got serious as I opened the box, only to find a small blue and white dragon pendant hanging from a beautiful silver chain. It brought tears to my eyes as memories came flooding back to me, but I pushed them aside as I jumped up and hugged Boh " I didn't think you'd like it that much" he laughed and wiped my tears away.

"Of course I love it, its beautiful!" I quickly put it on and smiled down at it "really, thank you." I smiled and a slight blush decorated his cheeks "it was nothing, Chihiro" I nodded and smiled. I heard a cough come from behind the counter as I saw Howl glaring at Boh, but his gaze softened once he saw me looking at him. "We need to talk" he mouthed to me and I nodded and blushed again.

"He doesn't really like you Chihiro, who would like you?" I glanced at the person who had welcomed herself into Howl and I's silent conversation, only to be greeted with the cold gaze of Sophie. Sophie had hair that 'sparkled like the stars', but her cold grey eyes made her look menacing, which did not compliment her thin but bountiful body which all the guys oogled at. "You're like a size C, your butt isn't very cute and you dress yourself like your still ten. No man would ever be into you" I frowned and looked down at my clothes, I thought they were perfectly normal, as for my body, that was like a slap to the face. "Leave her alone, Sophie" Boh sighed and got his things together.

"Oh please, can't you see her making goo-goo eyes at Howl? Doesn't that hurt your feelings, considering you've loved her for the past 2 years, and she hasn't even noticed?" I stared at Boh and quickly looked down to pick up my things "Have a good day you guys" I smiled and quickly walked out of the shop and called in sick, today just wasn't my day.

A/N: hey guys♥♥ so its been a while. I have a new plan for this story and I hope you've liked what I dished out..idk if I will edit it or not, may change some stuff tomorrow

But yea, hope you liked it and the characters that will be with Chihiro throughout the story

xoxo jazzie