Chihiro was in trouble, deep enough trouble that her options had led her to the place she was suppose to never go back to. She had kept her promise to 'never look back' for seven years now, and it was now her final 'positive' option. Her parents would never understand, they'd be disappointed and always see her as a little slut, she couldn't go back to them, not with the knowledge that they'd more than likely hate her forever.
Chihiro had been doing what typical teenagers do when they were her age, she was having sex. It had started out as a stupid crush, on the librarian assistant who was a hot college student, his name was Koga. He'd been so friendly, his smile was dimpled and charming, his hair was gelled and styled in an adorable spiky manner, and he liked the same kind of books she enjoyed reading! They were both into fantasy, he'd suggest books for her, and she'd do the same to him. It had been a purely friendly relationship until one evening...
She was the last one at the library, he had been in charge that day of the building, his higher up had gone home sick. So he let her stay longer than usual, they talked of books and recent songs that had been playing on the radio, when suddenly he kissed her! It surprised the crap out of Chihiro!
She'd been taken off guard, pulling back first and blushing like a rose in June, staring into those bright green eyes he had and feeling her stomach ache in an odd way.
He was starting to apologize when she kissed him, dropping her books to the ground as her little arms wrapped around his slender neck. They fumbled about, until he had them against one of the large desks, he lifted her upon the desk and started to grope her, making her internally uneasy, but she also didn't want the guy to think of her as a prude. So she let him. It was fine at first, and somewhat nice, but then his hands started to do things she wasn't comfortable with.
Her brown shorts she had been wearing, had a hand down them, he was lifting up her underwear and attempting to take his fingers down there! She pushed him back at that point, looking at him wearily.
"Chihiro." He spoke her name with so much husk, so much desire, his eyes seemed to be weaving a spell into her as she felt her body give in and relax, he smiled at that and started to take her shorts completely off.
It had been so strange, letting him touch her when mentally she was thinking that she shouldn't, that she should be leaving before it got too far...Yet something kept her there, whether it was hormones or stubbornness, Chihiro would never truly know.
He'd done it to her, took her right there on that library desk. He said he'd pulled out just in time, that nothing had gotten in her, but now she knew that had been a big, fat lie. Last week her period hadn't come, and she was freaking out about it, wondering if maybe they'd done enough to cause her to be...Late at night, she snuck out of her bedroom window, thanking God that she hadn't fallen out of the damn thing, and had gone over to a pharmacy and picked up a test.
That result had brought her to this option. She couldn't deal with the real world consequences of her actions, and so she would travel to another world to deal with her mistake, her accident. It had been seven years, but she remembered everything as if it were only yesterday when it happened. She still believed, and only hoped that because she did believe, that it would gain her access to the other side. To the bathhouse for the spirits, to Kamaji and his boiler, to Lin and her sarcastic sense of humor, and of course, to Haku.
Would he still be a child? How did things age within that realm? Was Yubaba still in charge of the bathhouse? Had her son gotten out of his baby stage? So many questions ran through her imaginative mind, making it easy to forget about her own growing problem as she continued to walk towards the 'abandoned theme park'.
The sun was beginning to set as she quickened her pace, traveling past the dried up riverbed, walking past the little shops and food stands that, for now, looked abandoned and empty.
Chihiro knew better though, soon the lanterns would light and things would change drastically around here. Her little feet clicked along the bridge, standing the same way she had when she first met Haku. Well, when she first met him in his spirit human form, she hadn't counted the almost drowning incident. Her dark eyes gazed up towards the bathhouse, her braided hair blowing back from a breeze as she waited to see the smoke that would start wafting from the building.
She wasn't disappointed, after a while the smoke appeared, and as she began to look around herself, she noticed the lanterns starting to appear. The buildings, once abandoned, were coming to life again, voices and other sounds going on throughout the entire shop area.
She was patient, watching with enjoyment as her surroundings were turning into a place people would only read about in books, or watch on television. It was magic, and she loved it! Her heart feeling less weighted over her own concerns as she watched everything turn into the spirit world.
A whooshing sound, followed by a creaking from the wooden bridge made her turn towards the bathhouse. Her eyes stared unbelieving at a face she knew well, her long lashes blinking quickly at the shock of actually seeing him.
His face wasn't round like that of a child, it was longer now, leaner. He had a nice jaw line, his lips were lightly curved into an unbelieving smile. His brown hair was no longer a childish bowl cut style, it was shorter, crew cut with his bangs styled to part at the side, a much more adult look for the river spirit. His clothing was traditional, robes of a higher standard than what he had previously worn. Robes of a medium blue color with intricate gold and silver designs throughout the material, it looked very flattering on the long, lean young man that stood before her.
What do you say to someone you hadn't seen or spoken to for seven long years? Sorry I didn't write, the post office couldn't deliver to the 'spirit world'. You were missed, all of you were, I thought of you when a boy tried to win my heart over, none of them could ever know me like you did. Too bad I didn't think of you when Koga...Her thoughts paused, her eyes feeling watery as she looked at Haku with sad, big eyes.
"Chihiro." He said her name, bringing a spark to her aching heart as he made the first step towards her.
"You remember." Chihiro said somewhat as a joke, looking at him with a soft, lightly sad smile as he moved closer to her. He was inches away now, looking at her with mirth and fondness.
"I'd never forget you." He spoke to her, before grabbing her with unearthly speed and hugging her body to him. She hugged him back, burying her face into his robed chest and breathing in his magical scent of jasmine.
"I never stopped thinking about you." She admitted to him, holding on a bit longer before pulling back. They gazed at one another, star struck with each other, when a very loud, very sudden yell caught both their attention.
"Chihiro!" Lin hailed her friend, rushing over to the couple and grabbing the young woman Chihiro now was, and hugging her tightly.
"I knew we'd see each other again!" Lin praised her friend, she pulled back from their embraced and looked over her now grown pal. "Damn Chihiro, you got gorgeous! Look at yourself! I never thought you'd grow much at all, but thank goodness you did! Haku, you've lucked out!" She spoke teasingly to the young man watching them, the fellow rolled his eyes at the lady's playful comment.
"So what brings you back? Are you ready to settle down already?" Lin teased Chihiro, making the young woman blush and cough awkwardly.
"Lin." Haku spoke her name warningly, noticing Chihiro's unease at the question.
"I've come for my own reasons, for now can we all just get together and visit?" She inquired, looking over at Haku, assuming he had the authority to make something like that happen.
"Of course, you'll need to eat something soon to stay, Lin go get her something really quick, I'll start preparing everything for Chihiro's return dinner." Haku smiled and clasped the young woman's hand, squeezing it before he left them to set everything into motion.
"Alright lady, lets get you some grub!" Lin patted Chihiro on the back heartily as they moved towards the bathhouse, Chihiro was greeted by many others as she walked among the servants and other workers, getting a wave from the Radish Spirit as well as Lin lead them towards the kitchen.
"Alright, here's a rice ball, snack on that while Haku gets his ass in gear and gathers everyone." Lin smiled as her young friend ate, watching the human woman with eagle like eyes, scrutinizing her.
"You're different." She commented on the obvious.
"It's been seven years." Chihiro laughed, looking at Lin with a raised brow, "What'd you expect, I'd still be little?"
"Well no, I figured that you'd be about Haku's age, since you two are kinda tied together. I just sense something else about you." She tisked, wishing she knew what it was.
"Well, I'm sure it's just different, seeing me this way." Chihiro shrugged, trying to not be bothered by Lin's quizzical gaze.
"You've got a secret, don't you?" Lin spoke up, making Chihiro cough and choke on her food, making Lin laugh as she patted the other girl's back.
"I knew it! Tell me?!" Lin urged, Chihiro wasn't coughing anymore but she felt like throwing up, imagining herself admitting her folly to the people who thought so highly of her. No, she couldn't, not now.
"It's nothing!" She insisted, Lin giving her an unimpressed look.
"Sure, I believe that." Lin said sarcastically, thankfully they were interrupted by Haku's abrupt presence.
"Alright, everything is set. Lets go." He held out his hand for Chihiro, making her blush lightly as she took it. All three of them walked until they entered a large room with a long table in it, filled with food and drink along with familiar faces!
Kamaji was there, his scruffy mustached face smiling happily at Chihiro's arrival. There was also Yubaba's son! He was more childlike and less babyish, his size still enormous. He wore similar clothes to how Haku use to dress, his chubby cute face smiling up at Chihiro fondly.
"Hello!" Chihiro greeted the two, looking around for perhaps Noface or Granny, yet not seeing them anywhere.
"You're appearance was so sudden, I couldn't get them here from Swamp Bottom that quickly." Haku seemed to have read her mind, making her blush again and nod in understanding.
Chihiro sat down and started talking with everyone, listening to their stories with deep interest. Apparently Haku was keeping Yubaba in line, she still ran the bathhouse but she wasn't as mean to the help anymore. Apparently the lady still held somewhat of a grudge against Chihiro, that was why she wasn't there with the rest of them. It bothered Chihiro little, having no love or hate towards the ornery old woman.
When asked about herself, she answered sparingly, telling them she had recently graduated, that she had gotten along fine at her new school and new home.
"Chihiro, why did you come back?" Kamaji asked of her, the young woman was uneasy as she tried to think of a reasonable answer. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, she looked to see Haku gazing at her understandingly.
"Whatever the reason, we're glad you came." He cleared the air, relieving Chihiro greatly as they talked of other things, daily happenings that were humorous around the bathhouse.
"We had an actual stink spirit show up, and Yubaba was trying to kiss up to him to get more money, and he accidentally pushed her into the filthy tub with her! Funniest thing I've ever seen!" Lin laughed at the memory, Chihiro imagined such a silly thing happening to the uptight old lady and she couldn't help but laugh along with them.
"After that incident, she doesn't come down here nearly as often as she use to." Haku chuckled lightly, finding Yubaba's pain or discomfort comical.
After many hours of talking and enjoying each others company, Chihiro started to yawn, feeling tired. Haku excused themselves as he helped her up, leading her away from the waving, knowing eyed group of friends, towards his own quarters.
His resting chambers were a floor below Yubaba's, large wooden door with dragon knockers attached to them opened for the two friends, closing magically behind them as he led her over to the balcony. The both stood quietly, gazing out at the lights of the shops and enjoying the peaceful moment.
"I know, that you're wondering why I came, Haku." Chihiro began keeping her gaze on the lights as she spoke, "I have come here, to stay, if you'll allow it. I can no longer stay with my parents. Please don't ask me why, just know that I can't go back to them." Her voice wavered a bit towards the end, uncertain if he'd want her to stay within this realm for good.
"Chihiro, are you in trouble?" He asked, worried look on his face as he gazed at her, making her feel guilty.
"I can't tell you, Haku, please understand." She pleaded with him, getting an uncertain look from the river spirit before he sighed, nodding his head in agreement.
"What will you do here, Chihiro? I don't want you to to make a contract with Yubaba and get stuck in the bathhouse again." He informed her.
"I kinda liked working the bathhouse, besides, I wouldn't let her take my name from me." She reassured the other.
"What would you let her take then? Your memories from your childhood?" He shook his head unhappily. "You could find another job. Maybe you could...No, you'd think it silly."
"What?" She smiled at him, wanting to hear what he had to say.
"You could work for me, help me run parts of the bathhouse and learn magic from me." He offered hesitantly, her eyes were huge in wonder.
"You could teach me magic?! But I'm a human!" She scoffed.
"You can learn it, we have a connection after all, that will make it easier to teach you. Also, you get to run errands around the bathhouse for me when I'm busy doing other work. What do you say, Chihiro?" He waited, wondering what her answer would be.
"Yes!" She squealed excitedly, hugging him suddenly and making the river spirit blush.
"Chihiro, I hope I can make you happy here, but if you aren't happy, you can always return to the human world, I'll understand." He assured her, watching with light amusement as she rolled her eyes at the idea of leaving.
"I appreciate your concern, but I'm not planning on going anywhere." She smiled assuredly at her friend, he nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"So, where do I sleep?" She inquired, stepping away from the balcony to walk around his large and well decorated room.
"I..." He began, his face having a funny expression of nervousness upon it, a sight she'd never seen on the confident fellow.
"I have a bed for you within my chambers. I've kept it there in case...in case you returned." He admitted to her, making Chihiro feel very flattered.
"Well, where is it?" She asked him, following the young man as she strode past her, towards a low lit part of his room. Haku stopped next to a purple colored bed, with beautiful flower designs along the soft material.
"This is for me?" She gaped, looking at the beautiful covers with awe.
"Yes, I hope you like it." He commented, watching her sit on the mattress and test out the springs.
"This is amazing! Here, sit next to me Haku." She called to him, pleased when the other squatted and sat beside her, smiling softly as he watched her lightly bounce her rump against the mattress.
"Springy!" She commented, stopping her actions and leaning back to lay on it, looking up at the clear colored ceiling. Haku did the same, laying back and holding her hand as he did so, making her gasp a bit.
"Chihiro, I know this is going to be a...a silly question, but did you have a boyfriend in the human world?" He waited patiently, the girl beside him going very stiff, uncertain how to answer him.
"Boys tried to grab my attention, but none of them felt connected to me the way you were...I never really dated. Then I met a librarian assistant, he was nice to me and we'd talk about fantasy books, stories we both enjoyed. Koga was his name, he was the closest thing to a boyfriend I've ever had, but he wasn't really my boyfriend." She paused, sighing and taking her free hand to rest it on her flat stomach.
The gesture didn't go unnoticed, Haku could tell there was something that happened between Chihiro and this boy that hadn't ended pleasantly.
"Did he kiss you?" He had to ask her, the girl feeling odd emotions inside her as she tried to hold back the tears wanting to flow.
"Yes." She answered him truthfully, she didn't want to lie to Haku, if she could help it.
"Did he do something wrong?" Haku was beginning to ask harder questions.
"He is apart of why I am here, if that's what you're meaning. I don't want to lie to you Haku, so please stop asking anything more. I just can't talk about it right now. Do you understand?" She looked towards him, holding his hand still and squeezing it warmly.
"I do." He answered her, noticing the way her eyes were trying not to water. He didn't want to cause her pain in any way, so he'd let the subject drop for now, but he was still worried.
-0-0-
The spirit world had entrances and exits all over, you just had to know where to look. And some spirits were able to travel back and forth through both human and spirt realms, easily. Koga was closing up the library again, his hands locking the doors from the inside as he went to walk over towards the stairs leading up. There was a little visited shelf, filled with old books resting upon the shelves as he reached with a long, lean arm to pull out one. Where the book had been, a blue glow was emitting, casting strange shadows along the other shelf behind him as he smiled. His green eyes glowed oddly as his hand reached inside the blue glow, his body shirking and getting sucked magically into the void. Soon the man was gone, the library completely empty now.
Koga was not a human, in fact, he was a spirit. He was the spirit of the Koga River, a river that got dumped into by the Kohaku, that was until the Kohaku got filled in. He resented the river that had been a constant trespasser upon his territory, had laughed when the fool of a spirit forgot his stupid name and was the salve of Yubaba. But his laughter hadn't lasted long, for one day a little girl freed the enslaved river spirit, and now Haku, he still went by that nick name, was practically in charge of the entire bathhouse! His spiritual magic growing stronger every day, pissing off the Koga river spirit who wanted the other to still suffer.
When the spirit had asked around, he heard that Kohaku had been saved by the power of love. The love of the little girl. The girl that had freed her parents and had gone back to her own realm.
Koga had taken his time, thinking of a way to hurt Haku, when he decided on something very underhanded and deplorable. The girl had grown now, she was at the age where stupid young humans were not in control of their hormones, making them vulnerable.
He had started out gentle, befriending the young woman, getting her to like him more with a drop of magic here and there. When he'd had his chance to take what he wanted of her, it had been more challenging than he'd thought. Her mind had been warning her to leave, Koga had to use quite a bit of his powers to convince her to stay, to relax her body so that he could deposit within her.
With any luck she'd birth him a stream spirit, perhaps a creek. Either way she was connected to him now, whatever tie she had with stupid Haku would be less powerful now, their connection was the reason the river spirit was so prosperous, Koga just knew it! When Chihiro gave birth to his creation, her soul would belong to Koga, making his luck and powers much more prosperous than Haku.
He was flying now, his body no longer human, his form long and lean, with black scales and dark purple fur along his back. His green eyes held smug amusement as he flew to his ancient tower, distantly away from the bathhouse as he perched his long body along the stone tower. He'd wait for the right moment, wouldn't the girl be so surprised to see him? He'd come in his human form first, and only change into his dragon form if he needed to. Things in the spirit world were going to change, change for the better in Koga's eyes, and once they did, he'd be the proud and confident one, not Haku! Haku would be nothing once his Chihiro was taken from him.
-0-0-
Spirited Away belongs to Hayao Miyazaki.