Chapter 1: Chihiro's "Fish Tale"
Ever since her little run through the Spirit World, Chihiro Ogino's life never seemed the same. But, at the age of fourteen, that's when things started getting really, shall we say, "fishy".
Two years after moving into their new home, little Chihiro tragically lost her parents in a traffic accident. It was a hard time for her, and during that time, she was hoping for Haku to come for her, comfort her and take her back to the Spirit World. But, he never came. Not even a sign of his presence.
For the next the two years, Chihiro lived with her grandmother in a small cottage that was not far from the house Chihiro lived in with her mother and father. She didn't mind; her grandmother accepted, listened and cared for Chihiro when no one else would. School never seemed a problem for Chihiro; she had a few friends, but not like Lin, Kamaji, Zeniba, and Haku. Chihiro still hoped that Haku would keep his promise he had made four years ago.
However, at age fourteen, she's going to get the biggest discovery of her life.
It's Friday night and Chihiro's just sitting in her small, dark teal colored room, listening to music. She gave up day-dreaming on her bed, went over to the small bookcase underneath the window and took out a book. The title of one book read "Ancient Mythology". She flipped open the book to a random chapter that was titled "Mermaids". It seemed to catch her interest, but lost. Chihiro sighed as she tossed the book on her bed, grabbed a light blue jacket and went downstairs. She entered the small yellow kitchen and wrote a note for her grandmother that said, "Went for a walk, be back soon."
It was already getting dark and a full, silver moon was rising from the horizon. The young girl took a deep breath, feeling relaxed as the cool breeze splashed on her maturing face.
"It's so peaceful, so quiet. It reminds me of Swamp Bottom." Chihiro said to herself. Coincidently, the area did look somewhat similar to Swamp Bottom, a little bit of wetlands with some grassy areas here and there.
Even more memories of the Spirit World appeared as the crickets and frogs joined together in an orchestra.
Chihiro continued with her walk until she saw it. There it was. It looked like a pond, only bigger and deeper.
"Wow, I never knew this was here." said Chihiro
Her feet were killing her, so she decided to rest on a rock by the "pond". It was officially nighttime now and the moon was high over head. Just when she was about to head back, Chihiro could have sworn she saw a glimmering blue light shine from the "pond".
She leaned over to get a closer look and that's when it happened. The moment that changed her life forever. As she leaned in closer, her foot had slipped on the slippery grass, making her fall straight into the water.
There was a flash of blue light, the sound of thrashing water and Chihiro felt a slight tingle from her lower waist and all the way to her toes. Then, everything went black.
After a constant struggle with her vision, she had finally managed to awaken.
"Ok, what was that? Man, do I feel funny. And, did it just get awfully breezy all of a sudden?" Chihiro mumbled.
Chihiro looked down to a complete shock. She let out a big scream, hoping that she would wake up again, but this time in her bed. It didn't work. In front of her was a leg length aquamarine colored mermaid tail!
What also stunned her to no end was that her jacket, shirt and bra had disappeared! Fortunately, her hair had grown in the strange transformation.
Chihiro went red in the face when she heard a soft, gentle chuckle. She turned to see her grandmother sitting beside her on the same boulder Chihiro had seen before.
"G-grandma, what-what's going on? W-why am I…?" Chihiro stuttered, having trouble finding the right words.
Her grandmother smiled warmly. "Seems you've had quite a night, my angel." she said. "But be calm, Chihiro. I know this is very shocking, but you'll get used to it."
Chihiro looked at her grandmother as if she had grown two heads. "What do you mean I'll 'get used to it'? Do you mean I'm stuck like this?" she cried.
"I'm afraid so, dear." Her grandmother sighed. "But, don't be upset; you don't know how proud I am!" she exclaimed.
Now Chihiro was confused. Why would her grandmother be proud of her now that she's a fish, a mermaid?
"What are you talking about, grandma? What is there for you to be proud of in this?" Chihiro asked, thinking her poor grandmother had finally lost it.
Her grandmother shook her head. "How 'bout I give you a little fill in, sweetie." she said.
"That would be nice." Chihiro said, sarcastically.
"Well," her grandmother began, "let's just say, this is merely just a little blood line inheritance. The reason your parents never knew is because it seemed to skip a generation. Your grandfather had deal with being a merman at your age. So, it's nothing to worry about." she said, happily.
"Not worry?" Chihiro cried, "How can you expect me not to worry when I'll never be able to walk on land again!" Her mind was in hysterics.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. You seem to misunderstand. When I said that you were stuck like this, I meant you're stuck having triggered mermaid blood. You can still have legs." Her grandmother corrected.
"That doesn't really make me feel any better, grandma." Chihiro rolled her eyes.
"Calm down, dear. Now, how this works, you have to be in water every full moon." her grandmother explained.
"Why?" asked Chihiro.
"You want to wake up in your bed with a tail?" her grandmother arched an eyebrow.
"Oh, right." Chihiro smiled, sheepishly.
Her grandmother continued instructions. "Also, what you need to know is to keep your legs dry. One drop, and out comes the tail." she said.
"Okay, anything else?" said Chihiro, who was still having trouble taking in her new life.
"Actually, yes; it's best if we keep this as our little secret. It would make life harder for you if this got out." said her grandmother.
Chihiro sighed, "Sounds like a plan. Also, two more questions. One, when do I transform back? Two, where are my clothes?" she asked.
Chihiro's grandmother smiled.
And, so begins Chihiro Ogino's new life as a mythical sea creature.