A/N: So! I've been inspired to write this by a piece I've been reading, 'The Path of Water' by Arlia'Devi. I love her work, and it really sparked some dormant ideas. I've been working on a lot of projects lately and school hasn't been helping. When summer comes I'll be updating on a more stable basis hopefully.

I do not own Spirited Away.

I remember the first time I had seen Haku as he truly was. His lithe body swimming in the sapphire sky, shimmering like a silver streaming ribbon. I recall my thoughts from that moment, I realized just how unreal he was. Like a fairy tale character that was just a hair's breath away from reality. I could see the young boy I had known, his emerald-green eyes that were cold to everyone but me. His pale skin and his dark hair.

I can remember that once my parents and I had escaped the spirit realm, I had completely forgotten the existence of my spirit friends. Only years later did they finally come back to me. I didn't really think they were memories at first, more like wonderful dreams in which I could only hope were reality. It had taken me a whole six years to recall everything that had gone down in my other worldly home. Just thinking about the time it took to recall everything breaks my heart.

The spirit world, the place in which I had fallen deeply in love with. My heart and soul pulled me there, a tight red string consistently tugging me to come back. But there was nothing I could do, no matter how many times I had tried to cross that empty river filled with stones, I simply could not. I was often found there, whether it be rain or shine, winter or summer. I spent a great deal of my time there. Walking through the forest, up the empty, ill cared for, rustic trail. Passing the shines and statues that so easily scared me as a child.

The grey stone, moss covered building, that use to be a red, always made me hesitate. The moans that emanated from it never ceased to disturb me. But I never waited to long before I walked through its dimly lit tunnel. I took my time through it, and occasionally stopped and sat on one of the old benches. Even though the building was not used anymore, it never smelled old. But perhaps that was because there were no doors.

When I would reach the stream, I would wait and watch. I could see the buildings beyond from where I stood. Their banners fluttering in the breeze. Sometimes I would think that I caught a glimpse of a dark shadow peeking out to look at me. But whenever I tried to look at it directly, it would disappear. There were a few times were I almost thought I had seen a glimmer of silver in the sky, but I was sure that I had been imaging things. I would never be able to reach my spirit home again. Even if Haku had promised we would meet again. I didn't think we would ever see each other face to face again. I knew that when he promised me, he had meant he would do everything in his power to do what he could to make it happen. But it simply wasn't meant to be, at least, that's what I had begun to think. I was seventeen then, had good marks, but few people I could call 'friend'. I'm not sure whether I regret the decision I made or am grateful of it. The decision to turn down that trail rather than go home.

On the day it happened, it had been raining.

Rain soaked my clothes and seeped into my shoes. I hadn't bothered to run, there was no point, I would have gotten wet in both scenarios. By the time made it to the cross roads that split off into the grassy trail and the road to home, I had started walking barefoot. I carried my black, now completely ruined, sneakers in my hand with my sopping white socks inside them. My grey-blue skirt dripped, and my white button down clung to me like a second skin. I was fairly certain that my bra was visible, but I wasn't to concerned about it. My grey-blue blazer was draped over my head in a failed attempt to keep at least my head dry.

"Stupid rain..." I muttered, my breath billowing out in front of me. I looked up at my blue house and then at the forest trail. It didn't take me long to choose, I quickly turned and jogged until I was under the cover of trees and continued my way with a slow walk. I spotted a few weasels skitter across the trail and dive into the bushes, most likely looking for a dry place to wait out the storm.

Goosebumps ran across my skin and a few squeaky sneezes escaped me. "I better not be catching a cold." I shivered briefly and before I realized it, I was once again standing in front of that old, moss covered, stone building. This time I didn't hesitate to enter its dark tunnel and hurried inside to shelter myself from the pelting rain. Soon I entered the bench area, I marched over the bench farthest from me, the one closest to the opposite entrance. I tossed my shoes onto the seat and slipped off my grey dripping backpack. I threw off my blazer as well and shook it to get some of the access water from it. I draped it over the back of the bench, rung out my socks, and did the same to them. I flipped my shoes over so the water could drip onto the floor. I didn't even want to venture into my bag, I was too afraid of the damage.

I gazed out into the rain, and decided that I was already wet, so it wouldn't matter if I got wet some more. I went out of the archaic building and trudged through the mud, my feet sunk into the ground a bit. I struggled not to slip as I made my way up the grassy hill. I practically slid all the way down it. As I neared the river, I realized that it wasn't empty, it was flooding actually. It's rushing waters were murky and full of god knows what. I could just barely see the tips of the boulders underneath the roaring waters. I stood there next to the river, the wind whipping at my face and tearing at my clothes. My eyes focused on the opposite side of the river, there was nothing but rain washing the old stone steps on the other side.

I was about to turn away when a glimmer of green stole my attention, I peered across the river and my eyes widened. There stood a young man who resembled the young boy I had once known. He shared the same eyes, hair and skin as Haku. My eyes widened and I stepped forward, and realized I was able to cross, I was being allowed back into the world of the spirits. I hopped onto the peak of a boulder and was about to pounce on another when I felt my foot shift. I lost my balance and slipped sideways into the river. My back slammed into another rock, the water rammed me to the bed of the river, forcing me to the bottom. I flailed, attempting to grab something that would help me resurface. Nononono! He was there! He was right there! He didn't break his promise! He was there! I thought frantically. The currents kept slamming me into the boulders, over and over again. I couldn't cry out, I would drown if I wasn't already.

I felt something latch onto me then, it gripped my wrist, pulled me forward, then grabbed my waist. Before I knew it, I was out, and hacking up water next to the river bank. A hand delicately rubbed my back and held my hair away from my face. Once my hacking fit was over and done with, I looked over my shoulder to see concerned emerald eyes gazing into my own. "H-Haku?" I whispered, my vision blurring a bit.

"Chihiro." I heard his voice murmur through the sounds of rain. I didn't need anymore proof than that. His voice was deeper, but was still smooth. "Are you alright?" He asked. I managed a nod, but that's all I seemed to be able to do until I completely blacked out.

Haku watched as Chihiro's eyes rolled back into her head as she slumped forward. He caught her before she crashed into the muddy ground. He had absolutely no idea what to do. He scooped her up and was tempted to cross over the river, but he thought otherwise. He hadn't seen her in seven years, and she would curse his name if she found herself on the human side of the raging waters.

He looked down at her, inspecting her face. Her dark brown hair stuck to her forehead and was pulled up in her traditional ponytail but her fringe had grown longer and was now swept to the right side of her face. Her locks were no longer straight, but were wavy and perhaps a bit darker than last time he had seen her. Her face was thinner, and had lost its childish features. Her lips were fuller, as was the rest of her body. She was no child anymore, but almost a woman. She still had long legs, her chest was fuller and Haku avoided looking anywhere near that area.

Haku carefully flew her to the bath house, she didn't need to be in the rain any longer, and she had almost drowned. He stopped in front of the bath house gate, and knowing what the employees thought of humans, he decided to take her to the boiler room. At least there she was hidden and could warm up much faster than anywhere else. He was mindful of her back but made it to Kamaji's without making her so much as wince or whimper.

When he barged in, the boiler man nearly fainted. "Haku! Is this really our Sen? She's so different. She's all grown up." He gazed at her. But didn't fuss when the dragon told him to set up a futon and arrange all of his extra pillows there as well. Haku set her down and rolled her to her side so he could see the damage done to her back. There wasn't anything broken or fractured, much to his relief. But there was quiet a bit of bruising. Kamaji hissed when he viewed his granddaughter's injuries.

"Did you expect her to stay as a child? She's human, she doesn't age like we do. Her time passes quicker than our own." Haku whispered an answer to Kamaji's older question. He brushed the wisps of hair away from her face. He sighed and stood. "I need you to look after her for me."

"Of course. You'll let Rin know won't you?" Kamaji motioned for the dragon to leave, "You best be going, the bath house must be wondering where you've disappeared to. I'll be sure to keep an eye on her. She'll be fine." The spider promised.

"I'll be back later to check on her. If she wakes before I'm back, tell her to rest some more. I will return with some herbs that will help her with the pain." He turned sharply on his heel and left. Leaving a chilled and bruised human with her adoptive, spider spirit grandfather.

Smells of sweet herbs filled my nose, along with the smell of coal. The sounds of clashing metal and scurrying of tiny feet slipped into my ears. My eyes opened sleepily, and I tried to sit up. But the aching that I felt in my bruised back didn't let me follow through with the action. I waited a moment and stared up at the ceiling. I took a mental notice that I was laying on a comfortable pile of pillows and blankets. It was rather warm wherever I was, and then I noticed a very long arm stretch out above me. My eyes widened considerably, and even though my back protested, I sat up. I almost cried when I realized where I was exactly.

"K-Kamaji..." I whispered to myself, but he must have heard because he turned and looked at me. His rather bushy mustache hadn't changed, nor did his lack of hair of his pointed head. His dark eye glasses were exactly the same as well. He didn't look any different.

"Ah! Sen! Finally awake I see. Are you feeling well?" I didn't answer him but instead looked over to see the sprites gawking at me with their pieces of coal held over their heads. "Quit gawking and get back to work!" Kamaji yelled. I was in shock, there was no way it could all be real. "Sen, are you alright?" He asked again.

"Kamaji... Am I really here?" I hoped he said yes, I feared this was all some wonderful dream I'd eventually have to wake up to and face the dreadful truth of reality. I could feel the tears starting to well up, "Please tell me I'm here. Please don't say this is a dream..."

"Of course you're here! Don't cry Sen!" Two of his arms stretched and and cupped my face, he brushed the tears, that had escaped, away with his thumbs. I smiled gratefully.

"I've missed you." I whimpered.

"As I have missed you my granddaughter. My have you grown!" He smiled, "And what a beauty!" I laughed, my tears completely vanished.

"Oh stop! I'm no such thing!" But my laughing ceased when my back started to once again protest. I winced in pain.

"You're back hurts doesn't it? I should think so given what I seen of it and what Haku had told me." Kamaji pat her head, "You should rest some more." I nodded and carefully lay back down, but shifted more onto my side when I found it rather uncomfortable on my back. I closed my eyes, but even though I didn't fall asleep, I was content with the sounds of Kamaji's voice and the sounds of the boiler room.

A/N: Well here it is. Please tell me what you thought. I'm very eager to know! I hoped you enjoyed it! I'll update when I can!