So this is my first Spirited Away fanfic, I know it's short but (tbh it's only the prologue/intro)...
Reviews are very welcome, positive or negative!
DISCLAIMER: I'm like Jon Snow, I own nothing.
Six years ago, when I was ten years old, my parents took me to the circus. Of course that's not out of the ordinary, every kid by the time they're at least ten, goes to the circus; it could only be my family that would go to a circus where everything was not as it seemed. Ironic, huh.
"Mom look, everything is so pretty!" I turned to my mom, waving at all the brightly coloured lights, stalls and tents that surrounded us. "I know Chihiro, I know" she looked around before nodding at the huge white, green and red striped tent before us "We better catch up to your father or we could miss the show." She laughed at my horrified expression as I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the entrance. Once we had found my dad, we quickly sat down in our seats as the show began; a show that would change my life forever.
I remember there were fire breathers and acrobats and contortionists each with their own iridescent costumes that shimmered as they moved. Then there were those that danced with silk and walked at, what seemed to me and I somewhat exaggerated, hundreds of feet in the air, and clowns that were actually pretty funny and animals that could seemingly talk and a giant baby; and there was the man with multiple limbs that could grow or shrink at his command, my dad was convinced that it was all mechanics and a trick of the light but I knew it was real. There was also the twin witches, because magicians just isn't the right word, who could conjure anything, paper birds or bouncing heads. Finally there was a boy, about my age maybe a little older, he was dressed the simplest of all in plain white and blue traditional Japanese clothing with a purple sash; I was sitting right in the middle of the front row so it seemed like everything he was doing, he was doing for me. Throughout the performance he seemed to be looking in my eyes and my eyes only. His act was the most beautiful, just like him, he started right in the middle of the ring, took a breath and brought his thumb and forefinger to his lips, as he released the breath he had taken, petals, or at least what looked like petals, dusted the air. I remember him moving in a sort of intricate and intriguing dance that made the petals form a bewitching dragon that moved and danced with him. The boy and his dragon were all I could think about, all I could draw, for weeks, maybe months afterward.
After the end of the show had ended, my parents went to look for food at the abundance of stalls that encircled the big top, in the crowd that flooded out I was knocked over and I lost them. As I knelt on the ground, in amongst all the confusion and people, with tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I didn't notice the very same boy I had been enthralled by mere moments before approach me and take my hand. He looked to me, sincere and genuine concern shining in his emerald eyes, "Don't be afraid, I just want to help you", he said, before gently leading me to a quiet corner. He spun round to face me, the question "Are you okay?" on his lips before he was fully facing me, "I'm fine it's just-" but he wasn't paying attention, it was diverted at every sound, "Good, where are your parents, you shouldn't be here" I sighed, a little annoyed, "Well as I was trying to tell you I've lost my parents, they said they were going to get food but I don't know where." I huffed "And why aren't I supposed to be here?" He grabbed my hand once again "It doesn't matter, come on let's go find your parents" And he pulled me along to the various stalls that lit up the night.
As we walked to find my parents, I decided to ask him a few questions like his name, how old he was and how he had come to be in the circus; to which he replied "Haku", with a small laugh "I'm twelve I guess." And "It's a long story, which I honestly can't quite remember." He stopped walking, causing me in turn to stop in surprise and partly because our hands were still joined and he continued to speak "I don't even think Haku is my real name, I don't remember." At this I frowned in confusion "You can't remember your name?" He shrugged slightly "I don't remember much before the circus, I don't remember my name, but for some reason I remember yours, Chihiro." Again I frowned "I never told you my name…" he smiled slightly "Exactly." And he continued to walk on pulling me yet again by the hand.
In the hour we spent together searching for my parents, I found out that Haku was hard to read, that while he somewhat enjoys his time at the circus he was lonely, and that he hated pickles (the last one was discovered by the look of disgust on his face whilst walking past a pickle stall). When I was finally reunited with my parents, I found myself not quite wanting to let go of his hand, that if I did he would disappear like the petals he had created before my very eyes not too long ago. I turned to him "Promise that we'll meet again?" He smiled as he let go of my hand, our fingertips gently brushing, "I promise, now go." I smiled wide and waved to him as I ran to my parents, smiling even wider at the small, slightly shy wave I got in return; the two of us completely unknowing to the discussions that were happening between the two witches not to far away.
"I suppose if I have to play Yubabba, her, she's the one." Zeniba pointed at the girl waving enthusiastically, Yubabba smiled "Well it took you long enough but oh yes, she definitely is the one, this should be fun, very fun indeed." Zeniba rolled her eyes at her sister, "Honestly this is ridiculous, we are playing games that, we ourselves, let alone those two children will understand!" Now it was Yubabba's turn to roll her eyes "Honestly, Zeniba calm down everything will work out, also by the time this game of ours is properly in swing those two will be on the cusp of adulthood, the most perfect time to play…"
I'm quite happy with how it turned out and it kinda somewhat sets up the story...
Anyhoo, please review!