Seven Years Later

Chapter 4 - Lost but now Found

"You want to find a girl who left this place seven years ago and never looked back? Did you hit your head gaining all those bruises or are you just dumb?!" Yubaba yelled

"Y-Yubaba. I swear I'll abide these rules. You can even put a spell on me, send a spy or whatever! Just so you know I'll behave. I'm not asking for freedom, it's not in my interests right now. I just want to bring Sen back. I want to make everyone happier..." Mina sighed.

The older woman sighed heavily, waving her bejeweled fingers as two files came to her hands in an instant. One was covered in dust and the other was still as clean as ever. "You really have a way of persuading people. Usually I wouldn't allow it but you're bringing back Se- Chihiro. Now. This is a picture of her. Refer to her as Chihiro. You have exactly two weeks to find everything you need."

Yubaba placed the dusty file into Mina's hands as she herself took out the contents of the cleaner file.

"But Yubaba!"
"What now?!"
Mina froze for a second, "I cant leave if I dont know my real name..."
Yubaba sighed as she hobbled over, "You really are hopelessly lost, Mina." She quietly whispered in the girl's ear, "Now you know it, you can go. Remember two weeks. No more. No less."

Mina nodded as she ran out of the room in a rush, excited to finally make the bathhouse and its inhabitants happy and interesting again.

"You're not usually like this, Yubaba. Why let her go when theres so many risks?"

"Because shes the only one I think can bring back Sen. Those girls can help us fight them off."

"And what'll happen when they do come back?"

"You'll take over and I'll go do what I do best."

"You've got quite a lot of trust in her. I wonder why."

"Because I know she can do it."

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Walking over to the small dock beside the train tracks, adorned now in clothes she hadnt worn since she first entered the Spirit World, she sat on the wooden deck. She was watching for any moving trains going down the tracks.

Then she jumped off of the platform and swam to the tracks. "Thank god I can swim... I shouldnt have jumped in..." she told herself, immediately regretting her decision to get her clothes submerged in water as she pulled herself out.

Now freezing and soaked, she trudged her way across the tracks, careful to listen. By the time she got to the station, she realised she wasnt going to get anywhere if she kept walking at the pace she was going. Sitting on the platform to catch her breath. Laying down on the wood, she sighed, pulling out a picture she made sure to keep in a ziplock bag to protect it.

This Chihiro girl looked quite average as a ten year old yet quite unique in the Spirit World. Mina just hoped she would be able to find her otherwise she probably wouldn't get another chance. Chihiro had brunette hair tied back into a high ponytail. She was pale with a round, kind features and her eyes were a lovely shade of brown.

"I hope she still looks like that now..." Mina sighed, feeling a weight on her eyelids. She hadnt slept in more than two days. The black haired girl covered her eyes with her arms to shield her from the rising sun and with the calm waves of the water lapping at her ankles, she fell into a sleep she really needed.

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Her eyes fluttering open, the sun filled her sight, causing her to stir in her half asleep state. But Mina wasnt on the station anymore, she was in someone's arms. A woman arms.

"Morning, Mina. It's been a while!" a tired voice spoke. Looking up at the woman holding her, Mina saw long brunette hair tied into a loose ponytail on her back and a set of protective yet kind eyes.

"L-Lin...?" Mina asked, cautious. She wasnt sure if this was still a dream or not.
"Bingo! Funny how the first time we meet again is the same as how we first met! You passed out on the tracks!" Lin laughed, "You must be freezing. Let's at least get you into the bathhouse."

"Where were you?!" Mina jumped up, almost slipping out of Lin's grip, "I missed you so mu-"
"HEY HEY HEY! I'm gonna drop you if you dont calm down!" Lin exclaimed, struggling to keep the excited girl at bay.
Mina laughed, hugging Lin closely, "I missed you, Lin! You cant leave for that long again! Tell me where you left to next time."
"I wont! I didnt even go that far, Mina," Lin set down Mina on the tracks on her feet, "Can you walk?"

Mina nodded, "Well you went far enough for me to not find you for five whole years!"
"Like I said I'm sorry!"

The two girls could start to see the bathhouse from where they were standing. Mina walked in front of the older brunette, skipping happily as the water lapped at her feet.

"Oh by the way, Lin."
"Hmm?"
"Didnt you know Sen?"
"Course I knew her! I was her friend! Dont tell me you forgot what I told you about her?"
Mina shook her head, "Nonono! I'm gonna do something that I'm sure you'll be happy about."
"Which is?" Lin asked inquisitively.
"I'm bringing her back here for a while!" Mina exclaimed cheerily, "I thought you'd wanna know!"

Lin stopped in her tracks, staring at Mina, "Y-Youre joking right? You cant! That's impossible! Theres so many risk-"
"I know. I've been told all of that by Haku and Yubaba!" Mina sighed as she continued to slowly walk towards the bathhouse, her sodden wet shoes in hand.

"Hold up, kiddo. Yubaba has already said you can? She must really be going soft to do that..."
"I know right!" Mina laughed, "Now come on, I'm freezing and you probably are too. I'm sure all the girls will be happy to see you. Chiei and Miyaki will be so excited!"

Mina took hold of her friend's hand and began to run. Lin almost tripped over the tracks when she was pulled along.

"HATTORI!" Mina called out to a woman getting into a boat, "LIN! SHES BACK! PULL THE BOAT OVER!"