Good morning, good evening, good night, whichever the case may be while you are reading this story.
Some notes for you, the reader:
One, I am assuming you have seen most of the Miyzaki movies; Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, the Cat Returns, to name a few. If you have not seen ANY ONE of these movies above you PROBABLY won't know understand what is going on. This is a frightening clash of MOST of the Studio Ghibli movies directed by Miyzaki. If you are afraid of crossovers: run… like… heck…
Two, I based most of my writing from the Disney produced English-dubbed versions. Some references are made from the Japanese original version. But since the movies are creditable dubs, it really doesn't matter. Some stuff, such as Howl's Moving Castle, is more based on the novel (such as Howl's more striking personality, that Howl was born in Whales, etc) while the plot and storyline is better based on the animated feature. Also, some stuff might be from the original Cat Returns manga that might have not been used in the movie.
Three, this story is solid. No suggestions to mold the story or constructive criticism will be needed if it focuses on the storyline. I find myself a fairly decent writer, but if my story does not please your tastes then please, DO NOT FLAME FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. And everything is spell-checked and in correct format so I saved any anonymous scumbag the trouble of getting this story deleted by the board.
Four, I hope you will enjoy my fic. I put in a lot of effort into it.
And now, without further ado, I present to you, "The Untold Adventure." Please enjoy.
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Chapter 1 Letters in Velvet
"Must you continue? I really abhor cigar smoke."
"Oh shut up, Howl," Yubaba hissed. "You know this is magic sedative."
The old witch took a long, deep draw out of her cigar, sighing with hearty pleasure as if to pester her guest. She opened her gaping mouth to let the oddly colored smoke billow out.
"You seem abnormally vexed," Howl answered bringing his long sleeve to his mouth and using the other to bat away at the smoke around him like a nasty animal.
She leaned farther back into her chair. Times were difficult for the revered owner of the local bathhouse right smack in the middle of the spirit world. And she ruled it with an iron fist.
However, something unusual was afoot and her large nose could smell it.
"How is that blasted castle of yours?" Yubaba asked hoping that Howl's life was just as difficult as hers was these days.
Howl, sensing the change in subject and her lack of an answer, leaned forward, his sleeves almost dragging onto the lavishly designed carpet.
"Fairing well," he finally answered.
"And that human girl you call a bride?" she spat wrinkling her nose.
"Lovely as ever," he answered sharply with a cat's grin.
"And what of that terrifying little brat that followed your coattails? Eh? Wasn't he your apprentice or something? He always seemed more like a little rat you picked up off the street," she cackled like oil popping on a hot surface.
"Markyl," he stated in his soft, hypnotic voice he saves for special occasions, "is well. And what, pray tell, of your apprentice?"
This struck Yubaba back and her long fingers nails dug into her cigar, its cinders falling onto her dress. She didn't feel like mentioning that accursed little… Haku who ran off. She would die with a stake in her heart before admitting that to her old friend.
"Bou is my apprentice now," she muttered quickly. Too quickly.
"Bou? Your infant son?" Howl whispered eyes widened, in his playful tone. "To take on a son, much less an infant, is highly unusual Yubaba. Intriguing, but unusual. What's gotten into you?" he chuckled.
"He's my darling little angel, and don't you forget that!" she replied hastily pointing her cigar threateningly to Howl's brow. She stiffly brushed the cigar ashes from her dress. "Besides, he's far a better listener than my previous… or your rat for that manner."
Howl smiled and gently lowered his glass to Yubaba's table. "I am deeply sorry, I am pressed for time, and Sophie awaits," he cooed pushing his chair back.
"Is that her name?" Yubaba grinned showing all her yellow teeth. "Stop right there, Howl, I'll have Bou escort you out."
"Oh, thank you my dear Yubaba, but I know my own way out," he replied glancing toward the tall, open window.
"Not a chance, Howl! You want to go flutter-fluttery out my window and leave feathers and dirt everywhere in my office. No. Bou will send you out," she stated firmly, although Howl upon first look would seem an extraordinarily clean and well-kept man. His image practically glittered. "Bou? Bou sweetie?" Yubaba called out into the halls.
"I thank you for your trouble, but I really can just—"
"That wouldn't be courteous of me! Bou! Bou, where are you?" Yubaba called once more.
"Yubaba, I'm really just—"
"BOU! ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW!" she screamed frantically, and Howl realized the seriousness of the situation and as if on cue, spread his long, black bird wings.
"BOU!" the shout was like the starting pistol for the two.
They rushed through the hallways and through the rooms where guests were bathing and staff were taking inventory. Gusts of wind swept through the bath house as Howl trailed Yubaba, now a hysteric frenzy.
The last time she though she lost her darling son, she almost blew the bath house down. But that was before Haku informed her that her baby was safe with her twin sister Zeniba. Now, Zeniba hardly talks with her sister and Haku isn't around anymore to tell her where her child is.
She flew across the rooms, opening doors, closing doors. All the while, like a winged shadow, Howl followed. Bou wasn't anywhere.
"Bou! Bou, come out! Oh please come out!" she shrieked. No force on this plane could stop her riling power except the voice of Howl. She halted abruptly.
"I said, over here Yubaba!"
Her hand flew to the doorknob and swung open the door to find…
Howl, her old friend she met a long time ago as witch and wizard… standing behind a long dagger with dragons elegantly carved on the handle—a handsome dagger for it to be so thrust violently into the wooden door. It served a good purpose, to hold in place a patterned envelope.
Howl withdrew the dagger from the door and delicately fingered the letter, clenched his teeth on the satin ribbon and gently pulled it out. He opened the letter…
The inside of the envelope was dark blue velvet holding in place a piece of parchment with such beautiful English lettering embossed in gold.
Howl read out loud.
"Dearest Madam Yubaba,
Your son is in good hands. He will have to stay with us for a while. Do not try anything witchy like sending an army of those ghastly demons because we do not respond so well with such matters. You will be hearing from us around the time of the summer festival. Enjoy the fireworks.
From,
A friend
A well-acquainted familiar
A threat."
The guests of the bathhouse could feel the rooms shaking with the witch's fury and grief.
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"So what do you make out of this, Baron?"
"I haven't the slightest."
"Baron…"
The handsome, golden haired cat turned, his whiskers stirring.
"I take it that this matter upsets you?"
"Well, It's not everyday that someone walks up to you and says, "Hey! There's a ghost sitting on top of you!" Haru sighed.
"Was there really?"
"Well, it did feel kind of chilly," she shivered. "And creepy, but I didn't see anything. And the feeling left when I… um… swatted at my head a little. I don't know. She told me to. And after that, the girl walked away before I could find out who she was."
"That's um… interesting," his little doll heart couldn't tell her his disbelief.
"You think I'm crazy, don't you Baron?" she faced him, his coattails twitched.
"Not at all," he said with a charming smile. "I don't think you should worry yourself about this. I am quite sure that such things as "the living dead" do not exist."
Haru smiled. She's always had a little crush on Baron, ever since he helped her in the Cat Kingdom where she was almost to be married to a cat—and turned into one! She admitted her little aspiration, but he never spoke of the matter itself. But he was enjoyable to talk to after school whenever something weird came along.
At least this beats talking about Machida's new girlfriend or the latest escapade of her friend Hiromi's daring flirtation with Tsuge.
"And I enjoy a good tête-à-tête every now and then," he said with a tip of his hat as he ushered her out the door.
She was just about to crouch down and wiggle out of the tiny miniature house when she stopped.
"Wait! Why would a ghost want to sit on my head anyway?"
White ears twitched from behind the couch as the large cat, Muta, turned his head back towards the girl.
"Maybe, your head makes a nice cushion," he grumbled.
"Muta," Baron lectured in almost a bored tone. "That was uncalled for."
"What? She's annoying you to! Don't deny it, Baron. All this talk of ghosts and stuff. I'm just worried about my next meal."
"Oh, I'm sorry Baron." Her shoulders drooped.
"No, no! Don't be. It's all right," he smiled. "You can always come here to talk."
"Don't mind him," a voice fluttered from above. It was Toto, the Cat Bureau's resident magpie. "He would make a nice meal for some ghosties," his beak pointed at Muta.
The couch's overwhelming burden was lifted, as Muta rose from his seat.
"Exuse me?"
"I'm sorry, a nice feast," Toto corrected himself. "Of course, they would have to haul you to some dark forest—which would be quite a feat. I applaud them," he cawed.
"It hasn't happened yet, bird brain! I mean, it's not going to happen-!"
"They'll roast you on a spit with walnuts and a nice honey paste," sang Toto dancing like a black ribbon in the wind.
At that, Muta leaped from the ground.
"WE'RE HAVING KFC TONIGHT!"
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In truth, Chihiro's experience in the spirit world changed her.
She started just an ordinary ten year old girl—lazy, rambunctious, the whole package.
Then, she tread where no human was supposed to, into an enchanted land chock full of spirits, witches, demons, gods, the lot. She became a Yuna and served in the bath house for spirits to replenish. It was difficult, but she managed to survive. And she made a lot of friends.
Now, she returned to the life she left behind. She changed a lot since then. Now she wasn't too afraid of her new school, too upset over everything. Yes, it stumped her parents but they weren't particularly bright to speak upon it. They shrugged it off like it was all part of growing up or something.
Haku told her not to look back, but she can't help it sometimes. Chihiro wonders where he had disappeared to and when he was going to come back for her and whisk her away into that starry night.
Perhaps it was just a dream, she thought some nights. Then she reaches into her hair and feels for the thin elastic band tying her thick ponytail up and remembers.
The time in the spirit world has heightened her sixth sense. By eating their food and breathing their air, she attained some interesting qualities. Although they were not as plentiful as in the spirit world, and more dumb and sluggish, she could see them. And it was hard to keep it inside.
If only Haku was around for her to talk to, to share the burden.
Why hasn't he come for her yet? What happened to her master, her true love, her dragon prince?
The sickly heartache dunked her mind in a syrupy haze making her feel faint every time she had some downtime to herself from school or her parents. Being alone with her thoughts was hard on her, both physically and mentally, like she left part of herself back there on the other side of the tunnel serving food to ghosts and playing with Noh-face, Bou, and Zeniba, and flying atop of the world from that scaly back and leaving all her troubles behind. No matter how much she tried to immerse herself with the current affairs, life was growing dull, bleak, and cold.
And alarming—she is missing a part of her heart and she's not even sure if he's alive. Is it possible for a child to have such blind faith, such compassion, such wanting? The connection feels faint and dismal, but she stumbles to follow it with aching legs.
"A window?"
She turns to her right and sees where the feeling has led her.
A shop window with many porcelain nick-nacks, wooden animal carvings, and tiny glass creatures stood there, calling her.
Where did she last feel that feeling? Oh yes, by the red tunnel that led to the spirit world. This time it was the same tugging feeling but different destination.
She put her nose to the window, her warm breath fogged the glass in the rainy weather. A tiny wooden door the size of a picture frame was displayed atop of the lavender spread.
"How weird…" she mumbled.
"You've got to crack it," came a voice at her feet. "That is, the glass."
Chihiro looked down around her to find a tiny person in a bright red dress and flowery bonnet. This person didn't even come up to her knees.
"Are you another ghost?" Chihiro asked.
"Shocking," clucked the figure's little white face. "But I don't take offense. Where do you wander?"
"I'm trying to find someone," Chihiro admitted, peering over the large white ears and furry tail of her addresser. It was clearly a cat head with a human body—woman, by the soft tone of voice.
"Well, you certainly stumbled onto the right place," she chuckled as she gently pulled up a tiny umbrella with delicate gloved hands and tapped at the glass. At its tiny touch, the window shattered into pieces.
Chihiro, too young to curse, gasped and rubbed at her eyes which stung with glass. Oddly enough, the tiny shards became soft and shapeless as it gathered and billowed out of her eyelashes like cold mist.
She looked up and squinted as the glass window was still there. However, the people that were about her shopping and talking were not and neither was the tiny cat woman. And it strangely stopped raining as well.
She heard muffled voices behind her and turned to see a tiny house that came up a little above her forehead. A large, black bird whooshed out from the inside of the house and landed on a lamp post.
"Cheeky cat," it cawed as he hopped in place, struggling to take a good hold of the post. He turned back to the house and sing-songily chirped, "Plushy pillow pussy cat!"
Was it just smiling? And it talked! The bird didn't notice the shocked girl who hid behind a pillar that held up what used to be a shoe store—which is now empty and dark.
A large white cat ran out and skid against the damp pavement.
"Get back here you bird brain!" it shouted angrily. It said many other unkind words that should have not entered the young girl's ears until an aristocratic British voice from the inside called out, "I thought I felt a gust, Muta. Would you mind checking about to see if someone wandered in?"
Chihiro's eyes widened as she held her knees closed to her, trembling. She could hear the cat's heavy but soft steps as it came closer to the pillar she was hiding behind.
Any closer now.
With each step.
The sound stopped…
Chihiro turned her head slightly to see a huge white grinning face in front of her.
"Found you."
Chihiro screamed.
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R&R
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