A/N: I hope this chapter makes you guys hate Itoko less, and I'm sorry the first third is just a repeat of the last third of the previous chapter. I guess worked out since I didn't update for almost a month, so it was a refresher from a different perspective.

I lied in the previous chapter. This will be the end of clothing information, but the beginning/ending of Japanese traditional home layout. I'll put the definitions/translations as appositives, so don't worry.

.jp/english/fukusyoku/wayou/: Kosode - female commoners' clothing

Hitatare - male commoners' clothing

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away.

Chapter 6: Nothing's Like Before

"Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before"

"Simple and Clean" by Utada Hikaru

~.~.~.~ITOKO~.~.~.~

Itoko was understandably distraught after the events of the past few days. First, a guest stormed out who was followed by Mamoru, then the same guest fainted at her wedding and caused a commotion. Her husband and that same guest also happened to be fate's biggest mistake. It was supposed to be the beginning of the happiest days of the rest of her existence, but it was the beginning of the most traumatic event of her existence. She had been in Kohaku's bed for the past three days sulking when she wasn't bawling her eyes out. Kohaku made her happy and to her knowledge, she made him happy. Wasn't that enough? No. Fate needed everyone to know that it wasn't. She didn't hate Chihiro, or humans in general, but it just wasn't right.

She was, however, upset at Chihiro for making Kohaku upset. It hurt her to see him so conflicted; should he listen to his heart or listen to what fate has decided for him? She, too, was a mess inside. Did that mean another spirit could make her even happier and was also hurting like Chihiro? She did feel guilty about indirectly hurting an undeserving spirit, whoever they may be, a victim of this catastrophe.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Kohaku return from inquiring about Chihiro when he slammed the door and stomped towards his desk. She quickly got off the bed and walked quickly towards him to calm him down. When she saw that he did not do anything rash or violent but instead took a deep breath, she was relieved. To remind him that he was not going through this alone, she wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her head on his back.

"I'm sorry for almost losing my temper. I'm trying," he said with his eyes closed and his head lowered.

"I know. I am, too," Itoko said with a little crack in her voice.

He turned around and gently embraced her. "I'll make sure this gets resolved quickly and then we can begin our lives together," he reassured her while running his fingers through her hair.

Knock knock. "It's Itogami. Chihiro is conscious, let's go see her."

Kohaku tensed, which Itoko felt so she cupped his face and forced him to look into her deep crimson eyes. "She wants this over as much as we do," she cooed.

Kohaku nodded. He brought his hands to lower hers. He grabbed her hand and confidently smiled at her, "Let's go."

When they entered the room, he found Chihiro sitting cross-legged on the bed with her back hunched over staring blankly at the horizon deep in thought.

"I've brought everyone," Mamoru announced.

Chihiro responded with silence. There were only two chairs in the room which Itoko and Itogami took. They sat on both sides of the bed. The rest of them stood at the end. Chihiro lowered ahead refusing to look in Kohaku's direction.

Her father was the first to speak. "Chihiro, Mamoru tells me that you no longer understand love."

"That's one way of putting it," Chihiro responded with her head still lowered but facing towards Itogami.

"It's because the string broke that you have lost your heart."

Chihiro raised an eyebrow. "Lost my heart?"

"Yes. You cannot comprehend or feel love anymore. Even if you reminisce about times you felt love, you can't feel it now. It doesn't compute."

"Well that means I don't get hurt anymore."

"Isn't your heart hurting now?'

"I mean, I can't allow myself to get hurt anymore."

Itoko stood there silently taking it all in. She wondered what she'd do if she lost her heart. Would she be glad like Chihiro? To be fair, she hadn't been betrayed like Chihiro has.

"Itogami-sama," Rin, a yuna who was close to Haku, interrupted, "why did the string break? I thought it couldn't." Itoko always had an inkling that Rin didn't like her. She was never outright disrespectful but could feel resentment emanate off her. Now she knew why.

He sighed and leaned back. "I did, too, until this. My theory is that the two of you pulled away from each other so much that the string couldn't handle it. Being a human-spirit pairing already put a lot of pressure on it. The final straw was the marriage."

"Okay, but why isn't he affected?" She lifted her eyes to meet Kohaku's for the first time since he entered the room. If looks could kill, hers would.

"Because you're tied to Itoko; love is shielding you." Itoko weakly smiled at Kohaku glad she could be of assistance.

"Of course," Chihiro grumbled and turned back to face Itogami. "So is there any way to clean up this mess?"

"Well, if you dare to challenge her, Michiyo is the goddess of fate who makes the matches."

Chihiro straightened her back, lifted her head, raised her hand and waved it crazily. "I do! I definitely do!" Chihiro said a little too excited.

Itoko had met Michiyo once when she was young. She was what one would call a fun aunt. She offered Itoko the chance to play with someone's fate, but even at that age, she understood the gravity of what she was being offered and rejected it. Michiyo's response was unexpected. She fell back laughing and told her father that Itoko was a perceptive one. To meet her again wasn't something she was looking forward to.

"I only ever see her now during Kannazuki." Which Itoko had never been to since she's not a god, just a god's offspring. "In the beginning, we worked closely, but now she just sends me the strings by magic. I haven't had a conversation with her in a millennia. I know she does not like to be sought out and tries to deter spirits as much as possible. But do not fret, she's only testing you. Anyway, she is never in one place for long and travels disguised. The best place to start would be Ookuninushi's place. He keeps tabs on his fellow gods. It'll also be convenient since he blesses newlyweds as the deity of marriage."

Itoko wasn't sure if he could bless them because of their predicament which depressed her even more. She was close to tears at this point.

"Yes, he was going to be our first stop after the ceremony, but…" Kohaku drifted off leaving what didn't need to be said unsaid when she caught him glancing at her.

"Let's just get this over with; the sooner the better," Chihiro said exasperated.

"I agree. We should prepare. We can go to my river in the morning. I should have supplies and information there," Haku confidently said.

"I'm coming with you," Mamoru declared. "I know you hate being the third-wheel."

Chihiro rolled her eyes. "Well according to fate, she's the third wheel," Chihiro said while pointing her chin at Itoko.

Itoko looked down ashamed. To be a third wheel in her own marriage was not a pleasant feeling and to have that pointed out by the one who made her that way exacerbated the feeling. Itoko was not looking forward to this trip to say the least.

"Oh, sorry, too soon." Chihiro said insincerely.

"Then it's settled. The four of us will meet at noon on the bridge," Kohaku instructed.

~.~.~.~CHIHIRO~.~.~.~

Chihiro finished packing her backpack with extra clothes and left her formal clothes in the room. She double-checked that she still had everything she brought from the Human World: granola bars, first aid kit, toiletries, spare glasses, and water bottle. She was so confident about being prepared for any disaster, but fate had proven her wrong and of course, Haku was at the center of it.

Rin appeared at the doorway. "Ready?"

"As much as I can be," she groaned.

"Hey! Where's the confident Sen I know-the one who faced Kaonashi?"

"That girl had a plan and adapted to the crazy. I am venturing into the unknown now without a plan. I have someone who is my stringmate who isn't even the same species as me, his wife, and my ex-fiance. This is too crazy for anyone to adapt to."

"You can do it. You still have it in you." Rin's eyes gleamed with assurance. She actually believed what she was saying, which Chihiro couldn't.

"We'll find out soon," Chihiro said incredulously.

When Chihiro arrived at the bridge with Rin by her side, Haku and the others were already there. Haku was already in his dragon form. Itoko wore a royal blue kosode without the wrapping skirt with her hair tied up with a gold silk tie, her only luxurious piece. Mamoru was in a loose camouflage green hitatare. They all had a determined look in their eye.

Chihiro turned around to say goodbye to Boh, Zeniba, and Kaonashi.

"Ah, ah." Chihiro had no idea what he said but assumed it was along the lines of "Stay safe!" and hugged him anyway.

"Like Kaonashi said, be careful and good luck. Your journey will be filled with dangers and the goddess of fate is a character," Zeniba warned. Chihiro wasn't fazed though. She had three spirits with her. Regardless, Chihiro thanked and embraced her Granny.

"S-s-sen! You're leaving? Already?" Boh whined.

"Yeah Boh. I thought you wanted me to be happy."

"I do!"

"Some people have to work extra hard for happiness, and it looks like I'm one of them."

"I know you're brave and strong and a big girl now, but you're human! There are spirits that eat humans! This isn't a train ride to Auntie's house like last time. "

"Mamoru and Haku are going to make sure that doesn't happen," she assured him. She leaned in closer, "Though, I'm not sure about Itoko," she joked.

"Itoko is a really nice spirit. She won't hurt you. She plays with me whenever I ask. She's a really good friend."

"Okay Boh, I trust you." She didn't attempt to hug him but gave him a big smile. "When I come back, I'll play with you!" She promised.

When Chihiro got to Rin, she was on the verge of tears. "You better not be a dope, you'll be dealing with gods! Also, if you have any scratches, I will beat the dragon senseless." Rin glared at Haku, but Haku did not acknowledge the threat.

"Thanks for having my back, Rin." Chihiro let out a soft laugh. She could feel the impatient glares aimed at her so she squeezed Rin tightly before heading towards Haku.

She swung her leg over and clung to his mane tightly. She seated herself behind Mamoru, while Itoko held onto Haku's horns. She waved goodbye. In the corner of her eye, she could see a certain bathhouse mistress spying on them through her window. She acknowledged her by bowing her head just a bit. Even though she didn't show it, Chihiro knew Yubaba was worried for her safety, or the safety of her business partner.

They flew and flew and flew. It felt endless. Chihiro was thankful for the serene scenery though. They passed by a few wind spirits while in the air. They were barely visible, their form never settling. However, Chihiro couldn't miss the face of bewilderment when their eyes landed on her.

Finally, Chihiro's patience wore out. "Are we there yet?" It sounded more like begging than asking.

Itoko replied, "We're close. We just passed the Curly Forest."

"Curly?"

"The trunks are curly. Imagine curly fries with branches and leaves." Mamoru clarified.

Chihiro pouted wishing she could see the forest and eat some curly fries.

About half an hour later, they landed on the banks of the river which was lined with bushes of rainbow camellias and yellow tulips. It ran through a meadow with grass the same shade as his eyes. There was a lone silk tree mimosa (sleeping tree nemunoki) which gave off a sweet fragrance. It would be the perfect spot The sun was starting to set which reflected beautifully off the river which twinkled like stars. The silk tree provided a pristine view to watch the sun set and rise over the scene.

Haku shifted back into his human form. Chihiro bent down to touch the river and what came up booped her on the nose. Chihiro fell back in surprise but Haku caught her.

"Don't mind the kawauso, they love to play," Haku said.

"River otters?" Chihiro asked confused. "They're extinct!"

"In the Human World. A thousand years before my river was built over, I already predicted that humans would quickly develop. So with my magic being at full capacity at the time, I casted a spell to protect all inhabitants of the river."

She pushed herself up. She respected Haku even more now and a smile formed. With the smile came a flickering feeling. It left as quickly as it appeared though.

"Jump in," Haku said.

"What?" Chihiro wasn't anxious to dive into a river and possibly drown.

"Jump in. It's my river Chihiro, you'll be safe. The ryuutou (dragon lights) will lead the way."

A tiny ball of fire appeared. And then another. And then another.

"Okay…" Chihiro said uncertain.

Chihiro wasn't really sure how to enter. Should she take off her shoes? Should she dive right in? Should she go toe first?

"Hey." Mamoru bent down next to her. "Let's do this together, okay?" He offered his hand. Chihiro took it and nodded. She took a breath despite Haku's reassurance that he would keep her safe.

As they were following the dancing flames, Chihiro realized she was able to breathe regularly. Haku was right, he did keep her safe.

As they were swimming, Chihiro felt the changes in temperature. One kick and it was boiling hot. One kick later and it was freezing cold. Sometimes the current was fast and hard, sometimes it was slow and gentle. The river seemed conflicted and undecided. If the river was reflective of Haku, she did feel sorry for causing him to feel this way.

The ryuuto slowly formed a dragon. It had started with the tail and ended with the head. At the head, there was a hole where the river also flowed into.

The current was strong so Chihiro let the current take her where it wanted and the tunnel was high enough for Chihiro to bob her head. At the end of a tunnel was an unexpected waterfall. Dropping fifty feet into a body of water did not amuse Chihiro. She surfaced on marble steps thankful for solid ground. As she climbed the steps, she realized she wasn't dripping. Not only did he keep her safe, he kept her dry.

Chihiro sat down on the steps waiting for the others. When Haku arrived, she got on her feet and put her hand on his harm. "Hey, thanks for keeping me safe," she said with a smile.

Haku smiled back, "Always."

Chihiro left her shoes at the genkan, lower floor level where people leave their shoes facing the door and stepped up to the main house, careful not to touch the genkan.

As her feet lightly tapped against the hardwood floors, she took in Haku's place. It was like a traditional Japanese home, except there were gaps on both sides of the floor where the river ran through the home. It reminded her of her trip to Gujo Hachiman, the water city. On the outside, the house looked short and wide. However, on the inside, it was tall and wide. She didn't know how that worked, but magic existed here, so she shrugged off her bewilderment and what was left was amazement.

All the shouji, sliding wooden panels with translucent paper, whose wooden frames were painted teal with golden strokes, all shook open as the master of the house passed by. Inside each room were fusuma-solid sliding panels that were used to separate rooms-where live images of his river flowed through it.

When they passed by the engawa, a wrap-around veranda, a mini beach took the place of a garden. If Chihiro sat on the porch, her feet would dangle just above the water. In the distance, she could see a pair of kawauso floating hand-in-hand together.

They made their way into the room to receive guests in, the tokonoma, a slightly elevated area against a wall, like all tokonoma, was modest. Calligraphy of a river hung on the wall against a beautiful blue background. Haku seated her and Mamoru on zabuton (thin pillows) with their backs facing the tokonoma, so she, unfortunately, couldn't admire it for the duration of their discussion. In front of them appeared cups of filled with hot tea and plates of grilled unagi (eel), traditional snack for the summer. Chihiro hadn't realize how hungry she'd been until she was salivating over the sight and smell of the food.

Haku kicked off the conversation as if he was the designated leader. Oh wait, he was. Chihiro still grumbled at that fact. If she knew her way around the Spirit World, she could have easily taken the lead.

"Just to make it explicitly clear, our goal is to find the goddess of fate and ask her to sever the connection between Chihiro and I." Everyone nodded in agreement. "I'll be our spokesperson to the gods since I'm the only god here." Again, everyone nodded in agreement. "Okay. For now, Mamoru and I will go to the library to research encounters spirits have had with Michiyo and if we're lucky, instances where spirits asked Michiyo to sever their en." He turned to Itoko. "Itoko, you can gather the materials needed for the trip." Finally, he addressed Chihiro. "Chihiro, just relax. You've gone through enough."

When everyone broke off to do their assigned tasks, Chihiro finished her snack and drink. When she was done, she looked out the engawa to admire the cavern. The ryuuto lighted up the cavern beautifully and the water provided a green-blue reflection off the walls. The view quickly got boring. Chihiro left her backpack in the room and took off to explore the house.

With almost ninja-like stealth, she tiptoed past the library, but not without peeking first. She couldn't believe her eyes. The shelves reached endless heights. There was no telling how much knowledge Haku had amassed from his expansive library. It would be impossible for the two spirits not to find something on Michiyo.

She passed by the room with the irori (sunken hearth) and the room with the ofuro (bath NOT shower), and explored a few bedrooms with futon tucked away neatly in a closet and a kotatsu (table with built-in heater) in the center of another room. She screeched to a halt when she passed by one of the rooms. What caught her attention was the fact it had a different view of the river. There were buildings in the distance. Apartment buildings to be more precise. In the dark unlit room was a pile of wedding gifts. The room hit Chihiro with a wave of sadness. Even though it had a do-not-enter vibe emitting off it, Chihiro only felt more compelled to do so. In the center, she found a string hanging from the ceiling. She tugged on the string and a staircase unfolded. It unfolded softly as if it knew she was snooping. She climbed the steps. What she found was breathtaking.

It must have been the equivalent of the roof because she was outside again above the cavern. However, she was on a hill with a patch of grass and a lone silk tree. There was a spot perfect for a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.

"Wow," Chihiro said. It was all she could say.

"Beautiful, isn't it? You were always naturally curious," said a voice coming from behind.

She winced and turned around to face Haku. "Sorry," she sheepishly said.

He shook his head. "I will never understand your inability to follow orders."

"Well, good comes from it, like how I discovered this hidden gem."

"Ah yes. My kisestunoki (tree of seasons). It is one tree for the beauty of the different seasons: sakura in the spring, the nemunoki in the summer, momiji in the fall, and ume in the winter. It rotates between each so you never have to see a lifeless tree."

"But you can only appreciate life when you know death awaits you."

Haku softly laughed at her human logic. "I guess you're right. Okay, I'll leave the branches barren for a short period next time."

"No no no. It has to be long, almost unbearably long! That's what gets you excited for the ume and sakura.

"Okay. I acquiesce. I will leave the branches barren for a year."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"I hope you can keep this one."

"I will, I swear! Besides, this is something I can do easily."

Chihiro nodded smugly at her victory. "Hey, why is your house a traditional house? The bathhouse upper floors are western style."

"It reminds me of happier times."

"Then why do you have a room with the Human World's view of your river?"

"To remind me of my loss. It is akin to a tiny shrine for departed ones in your world."

Chihiro nodded in understanding. Not sure how to respond, they sat under the shade of the tree taking in its sweet fragrance for a few minutes in silence while taking in the world. She wished she could just pause time and stay in the moment, but unlike the kisetsunoki, beautiful moments had to end.

Haku was the first to get up. "I better go back down and help Mamoru continue searching."

"Yes, of course. I'll be here."

She watched as Haku left her. For some reason, it hurt her heart more to see his back. She was walking away from her again. She tried her best to shrug it off and focus on the gurgling of the river, the gentle summer breeze, and other calls of nature. It eventually lulled her to sleep.

"Chihiro," Haku's voice called. Chihiro groggily woke up and opened her eyes to an empty field. She began searching for the source. "I am calling for you through my river. Come back down. We're reconvening."

She brushed the dirt off her clothes and hurried back down to the house making sure to shut the door as if preserving her and Haku's secret.

She made her way back to the main room for guests to find quite the pile of supplies. She had no idea how anyone had the strength to carry that mountain. It was made up of clothing, maps, compasses, heavy books, food, water, and gifts.

"Throw your backpack in," Itoko gently instructed.

Chihiro looked incredulously at the pile. "Are you sure it'll fit?"

"Yes. The cloth is magic. It's kind of like a bottomless pit of storage. When wrapped up, it would weigh no more than half a pound," Itoko explained.

"Wow! That sounds great." Chihiro gladly threw her backpack into the pile.

She watched as Itoko and Haku wrapped the pile and Mamoru slung it over his shoulder.

"Wait, I want to see how much it weighs!" Chihiro pleaded.

Mamoru handed Chihiro the bag and was amazed at how light it was. "Whoa. I am liking magic!"

"It's very convenient," Mamoru responded. "I could not survive my first few months in the Human World. It's a shame our worlds aren't as close anymore. Magic used to be abundant."

"We best get going. Ookuninushi is a busy god."

They swam back to the surface and boarded Haku once again, but this time to meet a major god.

A/N:

Kisetsunoki's Rotations:

Sakura - cherry blossom

Nemunoki - sleeping tree, silk tree

Momiji - maple leaves

Ume - Plum/apricot blossom, first flower to bloom towards the end of winter

My goal was to get this out before school started, and I couldn't do it. Ironically, Chihiro's scene was the hardest to write. I just wasn't as motivated because I really wanted Itoko's voice to be included and had fun writing the part where they meet the god and I couldn't visualize the river easily. But thanks to dv36muskan, I eventually could! Also, when I decided to finally google the layout of a traditional Japanese home. If you actually read the fic in the first three hours since I updated, I cut out the part where they meet Ookuninushi. He is being moved to the next chapter. But hey, that means the next chapter won't take a month.

My school/work/volunteer schedule is kind of unbalanced. Like for three days, I have classes/work/volunteer back to back. But then for four days, I'm sleeping in and working out. Due to this hectic schedule, I may only be able to go back to the fic to revise and edit based on the reviews stylistically wise but not so much plot wise. At least I left off on a non-angsty note.

You are welcome to PM me for an update on how the writing is going if it becomes unbearably long (1+ month).

As always, please leave a review and thank you to those who do! :)