Author's Note: I think I may be on a roll. Started this chapter as soon as I can because I know the first chapter wasn't that fulfilling. So, I'm going to try and make this somewhat of a lengthy chapter for you guys. Oh, I don't really know anything about palm readings. I just googled what I wanted to know and tried to tie everything in. –face palm–

1DK – This is a term used in Japanese real estate. The number corresponds with how many bedrooms; the 'D' stands for 'dining room', and the 'K' for 'kitchen'. You might see an 'L' added and that stands for 'living room'. In this case, Chihiro lives in a 1 bedroom apartment with a dining room and kitchen.

This chapter is dedicated to: WhiteTiger 246 and LucifersAngel23. Thank you for being my first reviewers! Also: Sephyrah and fallenangel1624. Thanks you two for following. I will keep rolling out the fics! (:

Summary: Chihiro is forced to dance for the Suijin Matsuri, a festival to honor the God of Water. After the dance, she is approached by an emerald eyed male who proclaims that she is now his wife! AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away/Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi or any Studio Ghibli films for that matter, and Ryuuguu Fantastica.


Dance: /dans/Verb: To move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically

in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.


The young woman had to catch her breath, and finally noticed that her alarm clock was ringing when the sound of her heartbeat died down. Her hands were now crumpling her sheets in a death grip. When Chihiro looked down, she noticed how white her knuckles were growing. She released her sheets and could feel the blood pulse within her palms as it moved throughout her hands. After clicking the alarm off, she brought her knees up to her chest and sat there in wonder.

She hadn't had a dream like that in years – speaking specifically, she hadn't had that dream in years. When she was younger, that dream always seemed to plague her mind whenever she fell asleep at night after that incident occurred. Even though the end of the dream was a bit terrifying, she never became frightened of her town's river. Instead, she fell in love even more so with it. Because of that experience, she grew determined to learn how to swim and spent almost all her summers there.

That is also why she participated in the Suijin Matsuri and became the lead dancer for the Kagura ritual. The Kagura ritual was a dance that was performed every Suijin Matsuri in honor of the Water God. It was done to appease said God and give thanks for the precious water that made her town thrive. Ever since she was 10, she participated in the Kagura ceremony until she left for Tokyo to go to college. Not only was this important to her town, but it was something that Chihiro held very close to her heart.

Something saved her that day when she was pulled downstream. Whatever or whomever it was that did it; she felt the need to give thanks by performing in her town's ceremony.

But she hadn't performed that dance in about four years now. The brown haired girl shook her head and slowly climbed out of her bed. She tried to erase the worry within her heart due to the old dream that came to her while she slept. It was probably nothing. Maybe just being back in her hometown brought it back; that and the lack of sleep from the move. Tokyo was a train ride away, but it was a long train ride when you decided to choose the busiest time to travel.

Stretching, she moved her boxes to the side and approached her bedroom window. Chihiro pulled the curtains to the side and let the sun stream into her small apartment space. The 1DK, although it was only just a little bigger than her previous apartment, was just right for her. After living in the city, one got used to small spaces. Having a dining room was actually quite of a luxury for her, in all honesty. At least she could entertain a small group of friends.

Speaking of friends …


"Irrashaimase!"

Chihiro could hear the young voice of her best friend call from inside. She entered the quaint bakery behind two gossipy mothers, her eyes locked onto a young woman behind the counter. Upon entering, she also noticed that nothing inside the bakery really changed. The wooden floorboards and wall paneling were still intact and looked the same as when she left. On the walls, there were racks filled with a variety of bread and different jams that suited them. People filled with the store and kept the young woman behind the counter busy. From time to time, a young male with glasses would enter from one of the doors that led to the back.

She stood near the green door that allowed people to enter and exit, waiting for the customers to die down. Chihiro didn't want to disrupt the flow of business that the bakery was obviously getting. This place was always packed. The supermarket was a little far from the town; it was an easy 15 minute car ride, but most people preferred to walk to the local shops instead. Not only was it closer, it was a popular spot for all that lived in the area. They made fresh bread every day, bought jam from local farmers, and made special pastries for every occasion.

Once the customers left the store one by one, the young woman behind the counter wiped the sweat forming at her brow and finally noticed Chihiro. A squeal came from her lips and she rushed over to the woman who was waving by the door.

"Sen-chan! Is that really you?!"

After living in the city for those four rather long years, it was nice to hear her nickname again. It was actually given to her by her best friend, who commented those many years ago, "Saying Chi-chan is like … a tongue twister! From now on, it's 'Sen-chan'!" Chihiro liked it, since it was used after the first character of her name, and decided to keep it. After a while, nearly everyone who knew her used that nickname.

"Uh-huh! Alive and kicking!" Chihiro said with a smile as she hugged the other woman. "How are you, Kiki-chan? The shop still looks fantastic."

"Great! The shop's doing really well, thanks to the upcoming festival and Tombo's help. Oh!" The girl known as Kiki turned and yelled, "Tombo! Come out! Sen-chan is here!"

Chihiro laughed a little as she observed her best friend. The female was still the same as ever – cheerful and full of spirit. The young woman's hair was an auburn color that shone its brighter shade when in the sun. Kiki's hair was held back by a red headband with an equally red bow that sat close to her left ear. Her eyes were large and grey, but for a dark color it showed so much life. Chihiro thought of her best friend as a pixie sometimes, with how lithe her body was. It looked like she could fly away at any moment! Kiki was also about five inches shorter than she was, so it just added more to the imagination.

A sandy blonde haired male poked his head outside the door after Kiki called out. He looked over at Chihiro with squinted eyes and had to readjust his frames before a surprised expression overcame his face. He pushed the door open and ran over to the girls, showing off his flour covered attire. A "Sen-chan!" was given as he lifted the girl up and gave her a tight hug. More laughs were laughed between the three as Chihiro was set on the ground.

"What's up Ms. Tokyo U? How have you been?" Tomobo asked while he gently placed his friend down.

"Oh, shut up, Mr. Inventor." Chihiro punched the male on the arm playfully. "I'm doing great. I graduated and moved back just a day ago. Stuff's still packed, but whatev'! So how are you two?"

There was a smirk on her face as she dragged on the last two words of her question. Her two friends looked at each other, their cheeks turning a deep red before looking back at Chihiro.

Kiki decided to answer, "We're actually engaged." The auburn haired woman lifted her left hand, showing off the ring that wrapped around her ring finger.

"What the – And when were you guys going to tell me?!" She grabbed her best friend's hand and examined the ring carefully. Chihiro even touched it to make sure it was real. "Oh, Kami-sama, it is real. Congratulations, you two!"

Hugs were exchanged but they were cut short when a cough was heard from behind them. A few people began to filter into the bakery once more, and Chihiro offered to help the two. It wouldn't be the first time she extended a hand to her best friend's shop. As they worked, the two women chatted on.

"What are you doing back? I thought you were going to stay in the city," Kiki commented as she handed over a loaf of bread.

Chihiro greeted the customers coming in before answering. "Well, turns out city life wasn't how I thought it would be. I guess I'm a country girl~"

"Ch'yeah, but you don't look it," her best friend pointed out.

Chihiro really didn't look like a country girl. Her legs were long; she had a nice sized waist, and a bust that wasn't too big or small. She had long, chocolate brown hair and black eyes that complemented the shade of her hair color. Although her face was round, she had what most called a 'baby face' that attracted a lot of attention. 'All thanks to me!' Chihiro's mother would say whenever someone commented on how beautiful she was. Not only did she have the looks, she had the style to go with it. That was something she allowed her mother to take credit for.

Her mother owned the only beauty salon in their town and was really into fashion and style. That was because her parents grew up in Tokyo and moved here with her father when his job transferred him. So, Chihiro was raised always knowing what was currently in and what wasn't. Her mom did her hair every two months – it would have been every two weeks if she didn't tell her mother no – and made sure she dressed the following trend. This is how her mother obtained a pretty nasty online shopping addiction. Luckily, her father intervened once he saw how much money she was spending. That still didn't slow down her mother's obsession with fashion.

"Blame my mother … oh! That reminds me, I have to go to my parents' house for dinner."

Chihiro handed the box of pastries to an older woman she knew and conversed with her until she had to depart. Her best friend finished ringing up the last customer in the store and the two then settled against the back counter. They talked more about how Chihiro's time in Tokyo was and why she moved back. She had taken a job at their old high school as a Japanese history teacher – well, more like assistant teacher if anything. Kiki let her know who was still teaching at their school, and kept her up to date with the latest news and gossip about the townsfolk.

"So, since you're home, Sen-chan … are you going to participate in the festival?" Kiki asked with a nudge. "You know Ashitaka-kun is still here in town and performing in the kagura."

A light blush spread upon her cheeks as she heard her old crush's name. Both her hands came up to cover her hot face. "Oh, Kami-sama … that was like five years ago, Kiki-chan!"

Kiki laughed at her best friend's embarrassment. "Uh huh … you know, he's still single~ come on Sen-chan, who else in the village would tickle your fancy? Certainly not Boh-kun, I hope."

Both males that were brought up were people from her childhood. Ashitaka was around the same age as them and was Tombo's best friend; they all basically grew up with each other. He was easily the most popular boy at school due to his looks and personality. He was very kind and was one to always keep to his promises. The girls at school, and in town, couldn't help but fall underneath his spell. The only girl, who did not feel the same way besides Kiki, was Chihiro. They did date for a little while when Kiki and Tombo got together, but had a mutual breakup soon after. She couldn't see Ashitaka as anything more than just a childhood friend now.

Boh was a kid who was far younger than her and her friends by eight years. Growing up, Chihiro watched after him along with his cousin for the Okami-san who ran their town's famous onsen. He would not leave her side for anything and would even cry when she had to use the bathroom. Over the years until she left, he still admired her from a far, and declared his love for her even though he knew what her answer was already.

"I am not a pedophile, okay?" The two laughed. "I still haven't even talked to Rin-chan yet. She's going to kill me for not telling her that I was coming back home."

"I'm pretty sure she knows. With how many people saw you today in the store and your mother's big mouth, I'm going to guess someone's already told her."

"Right …" Just as Chihiro said this her cell phone gave a little ring. Raising an eyebrow, she removed her phone from her pocket; she opened the message as soon as her screen lit up and looked back at her best friend.

Leaning over, Kiki eyed the message which read, "WOW. THANKS FOR NOT TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR MOVE." The sender was none other than their friend Rin. The girl with the auburn hair looked back at Chihiro with a smug smile.

"To this day, I still don't know how you are able to be so precise with stuff like that," Chihiro admitted as she pocketed her phone.

"Oh, you know, I'm just good like that. By the way, let me see your palm …"

After putting her cell back, Chihiro offered her hand to her best friend and watched as the engaged woman took it in earnest. Since they were young, Kiki always had a sharp intuition and been very intrigued by things that had to do with the supernatural. It was almost like she was psychic or something. Her best friend did a lot of palm and horoscope readings for their female classmates back then. If she remembered correctly, she made quite a bit of money for doing so.

"It's been a while since I read yours," Kiki murmured as she felt the already engraved lines.

She gave a little giggle. "I know, right? Just like old times."

"Yeah, but it's kind of weird." The other woman moved her hand in several positions, trying to get a better look.

"Huh? Why? I mean, some lines may have gotten longer, right? But it's not like there's any drastic changed or anything."

There was a small pause before an answer. "You would think, but nothing about the future is ever certain."

"Ok … thanks, o' cryptic one. Can you please dumb that down a little for us who are less wise as you are?"

"Do you believe in shaping your own destiny, Chihiro-chan?"

"I guess," she said with a shrug. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, to tell you the truth – and this is not to freak you out, ok?!" Chihiro nodded in surprise. "Alright, well … when we were younger, you never really had a fate line. Not all people do, so I wasn't that concerned about it. But looking at your hand now, it looks like you do have one."

Kiki pointed out a line that started from the bottom of her palm and continued upwards. It broke into a small circle, but then seemed to continue upwards before branching out. The dark haired female looked questioningly at the fate line her best friend was pointing out to her.

"I never saw this on your hand before, and believe me, I would have noticed." The young woman would have; she looked at Chihiro's hands almost every day during their high school years.

"So what does my fate line say?"

"Eh, ok, you see how that little circle breaks the line in two almost? That means fate has in store for you a bumpy ride. Things won't go smoothly … but what's weird is that when it continues, it splits into other lines. Two lines are fine and easy to read, but more than two is just weird –"

"You're not exactly helping me be excited for what fate has in store for me, you know that?"

"That's why I asked if you believed in changing your destiny, because it seems like fate is telling you that this time, it's you who decides."


Destiny: /destinē /Noun: The events that will necessarily happen to a

particular person or thing in the future. The hidden power believed to

control what will happen in the future; fate.