Spirited Away 2: Chihiro's Return

Chapter Two: A Journey To Last A Lifetime

"To See With Eyes Unclouded By Hate"

The bus ride back home was quiet and I was finally alone with my thoughts. I wasn't mad at Sophie, she's always had that attitude, I couldn't deny it did lower my self esteem. I let my hair down and relaxed, I'll live. I looked down at my body; my thighs smooshed together, my stomach was thin but there would always be faint stretch marks on my hips. My chest, well I thought it was a fine size, not to big not to small. My eyes were now a Hazel color as I had grown out of the dark brown that had dominated my eyes, my lips were a dark pinkish red color and my cheeks had developed dimples. I sighed as the bus came to a stop, time to make the trek back up the green hill.

I stared down at my black chucks as I walked the narrow dirt road, passing the tunnel. I stopped, and listened. That sound of wind kissing the tops of grass and the smell of fresh air drifted out of the tunnel, my eyes widened "no way." I jogged towards the tunnel and stopped at the entrance. It's been years since I'd last been here. The chipped  paint was now a warm pink, moss and rocks covered the tunnels floor and I slowly walked inside, nervous but excited.

A gust of wind blew through my hair as I walked past the train station and soon enough I was welcomed with hills of green lushious grass and a tiny creek that flowed around the boulders that laid in the river bed. I jumped from boulder to boulder, billions of questions ran through my mind. Will Haku remember me? What is the bathhouse like? Will Lin remember me? Am I too old, too different? Is Haku the same age, or did he age too? I shook my head and smiled a huge smile and breathed in, I'm back! I giggled "I'm actually back!" I laughed and ran towards the bathhouse, past the spirits restaurants and to the very bridge I first met Haku on.

That made me freeze. Haku. I shook my head and jogged over the bridge to the side of the bathhouse to the unstabe , wooden stairs that lead down to the boiler room. I smiled and slowly made my way down the steps, pushing my palms against the wall for support that I knew wouldn't help if I actually fell.  I slowly made my way down the last flight of steps and placed my hand on the door handle. I tensed, I had never really thought about what it would be like if I actually came back...its been 8 years. I shook my head and took a deep breathe, "I've got this" I cheered myself on as I swung the door open.

The scent of burnt coal and dust filled my nose and I slid my shoes off, showing off my dragon themed socks. How embarrassing... I slowly peered around the corner and there slept Kamaji, the Boiler Man. His six long arms were relaxed at his side; he hadn't aged a bit. His mustache was a lighter grey color, and his glasses barely hung off his large crooked nose. I stepped up to the man and poked his arm, "Kamaji" I nervously whispered, he shrugged and moved away from me. His snores filled the room "Kamaji, wake up, its Chihiro" I whispered and his eyes slowly opened.

He grumbled "don't know no Chihiro" I shook my head and stared at him, he really didn't remember me? Then it hit me, everyone in the spirit world had called me "Sen," not Chihiro. I poked the boiler man again "Kamaji, its me, Sen" his eyes slowly opened and stared at me for a few seconds, then widened quickly as he sat straight up. "Sen, its really you! You're back, when did you get back?!" His old voice made me smile, reminding me of my journey that began with Kamaji.

"Just now, actually" I laughed and screeched as he picked me up into a hug "its been so long, everyone has missed you" he cried. I laughed loudly and hugged the old man back, "I've missed you too, I-" "Kamaji, what's all the noise? You do realize its like 5pm, don't you? We have another hour.." A girl whined as she slid a door open. She stopped mid breath and stared at Kamaji, then at me. "Well who is that?" Kamaji set me back down and I slowly walked towards her. "Lin, this is Sen"

Kamaji laughed at Lin's expression as she looked me up and down. "Oh my god" she whispered, then stared at me with tears in her eyes "Sen, its REALLY YOU! You're all grown up!" She cried and threw her arms around me. "I'm finally legal" I teased and she hit my shoulder "Well Haku will be happy about that" she wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath, suddenly getting serious. "You need to stay here with Kamaji, Sen. Its not safe in the bathhouse with Yubaba gone." Yubaba's gone? "What do you mean she's gone?" I panicked.

Lin rolled her eyes "You've really been gone a while. Well, about a year after you left Yubaba's daughter Umi came to the bathhouse, she had gained new powers that toppled Yubaba's and she kicked her out, and banished her to lived in the swamp." I was shocked, Yubaba was such a powerful witch, I never guessed someone could surpass her. "Before she left, she had been searching for her son that had left a few months after you did. Sadly no one has found him, and he may have been our key to defeating Umi." Lin sighed. "Stay here"

I pursed my lips. "You do realize I'm 18, I can do what I like. I'm not 10 years old anymore Lin" I fought back. Although the bath house was dangerous I had to see Haku, I wanted to work again and maybe just maybe, stay here. The life I lived now wasn't fulfilling, sure my friends were sweet and caring but I had no parents to go home to and no one really needed me there, nothing held me back. Howl, my mind whispered to me. I shook my head, Howl had Sophie, it was my turn to be happy.

Lin sighed again and pursed her lips "Fine. Its not like Umi ever leaves her tower. The only person I know of that has ever gone up there is Haku, and I'm sure theyve-" she stopped and snapped her eyes up to mine. "Sen" she whispered and I quickly looked down. "It's fine, I'm sure we've both moved on." I sucked in a breath and held the tears back "it was a childhood love, it meant nothing, really." I avoided Lin's eyes "So, can we go up?" I put on a fake smile as I beamed at her. She sighed again and shrugged her shoulders "Why the hell not?" i cheered and followed her through the tiny door in the wall. "Bye Kamaji, sorry for waking you" i whispered. The old man wiggled his nose and smiled "You can bother me anytime Sen."

I followed Lin closely up the stairs and up an elevator or two until we got to a big room where everyone was just waking up and getting ready to welcome and serve the spirits that would arive at dusk. Lin marched up to the front of the room with her fists on her hips and stared at the workers. They had all noticed her presence and stopped working to stare at her. Her lips were in a thin like and her expression looked almost angry. She let out a deep breath and smiled "Everyone" she paused "Sen is back!" she pointed at me from across the room as all eyes turned to me. 

It was quiet for a few seconds and i quickly looked down at myself to be sure everything looked right. Suddenly a roar filled my ears and I was lifted into the air by dozens of hands. I smiled as I heard hundereds of people scream "WELCOME BACK SEN!" 

I was finally back in the spirit world, the only thing that occupied my thoughts was Haku, and Yubaba's daughter Umi. What was in store for me?

A/N: Hey guys! Happy Sunday or possibly Monday wherever you are, i hope you all had a great weekend. I was supposed to update Thursday but my tablet broke, and thats what's i write on:/ It gets fixed Feburary 10th so lets hope i can update continuously until then. 

How are you feeling about the book so far? I know its only been a few chapters, but votes and comments are always appreciated

Thanks guys 

xoxoxo Jazzie