Fade Away – By Snowcloud
Chapter One – The Spirit World
This is for my best buddy Kara because she likes Spirited Away. (:
Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away. Miyazaki does.
"Will I see you again?" I asked.
"Yes." He answered softly.
"Promise?" I breathed.
"Promise. Now, don't look back."
I felt his warm hand let go of mine as I casted once last glance at him. He gave a hesitant smile. Confident that we'd meet again, I descended down the stone stairs and slipped away from the one place I truly belonged.
The Spirit World.
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"Chihiro!"
I instantly woke up to my friend's hushed whisper. I groaned and rubbed my tired eyes. She prodded me.
"You were so close! almost caught you sleeping in class again!" She exclaimed.
I sighed.
"Thanks for waking me up, Yuki." I said.
"No problem." She replied.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"The end of school." Yuki answered promptly. "Come on! Let's go home before our parents freak out."
I pushed myself up to see my classmates walking out of the room. Yuki and I stood up to follow them.
"You have really got to stop that habit." She joked. "I'm seriously tired of waking you up every day!"
"I know," I muttered.
My friend didn't seem to notice my foul mood.
"Well, see you later!"Yuki smiled as she ran ahead to her street, her long blonde hair whipping into my face.
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Over the years I had vainly tried to forget the Spirit World, and Haku. It was interfering with my life and it haunted my dreams. I didn't fit in, and was teased constantly. I had done my best to erase the memories.
"Look at Chihiro, she's so weird."
I had only one friend, and even my parents thought I was strange. After multiple therapists and doctors, they gave up on me.
What a great life I have, I thought sarcastically.
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I turned a corner and walked up a grassy hill. Flinging the back door open, I winced at what a horrid color my house was.
Blue.
Eww. Who has a blue house?
"Welcome home, Chihiro." My mom acknowledged me happily.
"Hi Mom," I said lifelessly.
She frowned at my tone, but didn't question it. I trudged up to my room and stared out the window.
"I wonder how everyone's doing," I murmured. "Maybe Lin and Haku finally got along."
I chuckled at the thought and watched the clouds drift by. Something far away caught my eye. A silver speck moved across the landscape.
Could it be? Haku?
I shook the thought away. It's impossible; I haven't seen him in six years. Why was I still thinking about him? After all, he had broken his promise. There was no sign of him, not even a letter. I desperately wanted to go back again, but the tunnel wasn't there, probably protected by some magical barrier. It was like it just disappeared. I tried hundreds of times, but I never succeeded. I saw the silver thing move again. Suddenly, my confidence shot up. Maybe it was really was him. Maybe I could get through. I at least had to try. Packing some water and snacks in a bag, I pretended that I was just taking another stroll.
"I'm taking a walk, Mom!" I yelled towards the kitchen.
My mom appeared in front of me.
"Again?" she sighed. "Chihiro, for the last time. It's dangerous."
I knew she meant the time I was ten, and kept trying to find the strange world. I gave her a fake smile.
"Nonsense," I said as cheerfully as I could. "I need a little exercise"
Her face lit up, she was so thrilled to see me in a good mood. I felt a little bad, manipulating her like that.
"Okay then, be careful!" She called after me as I walked down the driveway.
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I ran through the woods, careful not to lose my way. I've walked through this place countless times in my dreams. I would not get lost. After running for a while, I got tired. I decided to start walking instead.
"Oof!"
I tripped over a stone and cursed under my breath. I turned my head, and that's when I saw it.
I gasped as I looked at the clearing. Instead of bare patches of grass and trees, there was a huge red building. I couldn't believe my luck. Edging closer to the tunnel, I was afraid that this was a hallucination. I reached out and touched one of the bricks. Feeling the solid plastic beneath my fingers, I was satisfied. Leaves whistled in the dark place, and I remembered the adventure that seemed like a lifetime time I was not afraid for what awaited me on the other side. I took a deep breath and stepped in.
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It was just as dark as I remembered, maybe even darker. I shivered and walked faster. The tunnel was creepy and I was relieved the get out of there. Even though I knew about the room at the end, I couldn't help but stand there, dumbstruck. It was breathtaking. The benches were placed next to each other, side by side. A stained glass window shined down on a bird fountain. High gray arches hung above, and leaves were scattered in the dust. Endless waves of peace and serenity washed through me. I could stand here forever.
Forcing myself to leave the room, I entered the meadow. The breeze rippled through the grass, and tugged against my long brown hair. I smiled. The other time I was too nervous to recognize the beauty of this place. I sprinted across the lush green vegetation, excited. But I stopped at the river. Thoughts raced through my mind. Did I really want to go over? I knew if I did, it would be hard to go back. I thought about my parents, my school, and decided that I would carry on. They treated me so unfairly!
I stepped over a rock, almost tripping in the process. Stumbling over a few more stones, I finally landed on the steps. Everything looked exactly the same, even the little frog-like statue. I raced through the deserted restaurants and ignored the delicious smell. I knew what would happen if I ate the food. Finally, I came to the bath house. A train sounded in the distance as I came towards the bridge. I looked down and saw the tracks.
"Ch-Chihiro?"
I turned around and saw him.
Haku.
The boy I dreamed about for the past six years. His green-black hair was cut a little shorter and he wore the same blue outfit. He was a lot taller now. His emerald eyes stared at me. A mixture of happiness and anger swelled through them.
"Is it really you?" He gawked.
"Yeah, it is." I replied.
Haku's eyes widened and then he hugged me. He pulled out a berry and offered it to me, not wanting me to disappear. I ate it gratefully, savoring the sweet taste.
"I missed you Chihiro." He murmured softly.
He released me, but then realized something.
"No, you can't be here!" Haku gasped. "It's almost dark! You have to leave!"
"I don't want to leave," I muttered, looking down.
"You have to!" He snarled. "You'll have to get a job, again! And I know Yubaba won't give you one…"
"I don't care," I said clearly. "I'd rather be turned into pig then go back. My life was horrible there!"
"But I care," He growled.
"If you cared at all, you would let me be!" I snapped back, my own temper flaring.
Haku looked taken aback at my words. Suddenly, a fluffy sorrel cat leaped down from the roof and circled my legs, purring. Fear replaced the anger in Haku. I was surprised. How could this little cat do any harm? I reached down to pet it, but Haku pushed me away.
"Ginger, I know it's you." He said, irritated.
The cat meowed in laughter and slowly shifted forms into a human. Well, mostly human. Her ears were still there, and a long tail streamed out behind her. Her nails were more like claws, and thankfully they were sheathed. She was insanely beautiful, with short hazel hair.
"Ooh, is this the girl?" She mewed.
Haku looked scared, very scared. Not for him, but I think for me.
"No." He replied, his voice hard.
Ginger giggled.
"Oh, I know it's her. She's the girl you've been moping over all this time." She said. "Why don't you just leave her and come with me?"
Haku looked uncomfortable. The cat's eyes burned.
"You're going to try to keep her here, aren't you?" Ginger hissed. "Well I'd better show this to Yubaba."
