Spirited Away 2 Chapter4-Zeniba's plans
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(A.N:Thank you for viewing my stories! I had deleted the original Spirited Away because of some grammar mistakes. I am trying to improve this newer version. Thank you for your views. I would really appreciate your comments. )
Chihiro woke up early the next morning. She quickly got dressed in her worker clothes. She viewed herself in the mirror. Lin woke up, surprised to see her up so early. " Hey, Sen! You are an early bird today! " Chihiro smirked at her reflection. " Yeah, to be honest, I got irritated that everyone else woke up before me that time. " Lin laughed. " Oh sorry for last time! Anyway, wait for me, I'll go change. " Lin said, rolling up her mattress and scooping up her clothes and pillow. Lin pulled on her top, tied the sash to her waist and joined Chihiro to go to the saunas. " Finally your tag is done. Fine craftsmanship. " Lin commented, taking hers and Chihiro's name tag on the board. The name tag was finely crafted with her worker name, 'Sen'. The work was made of oak, smooth against her fingers.
" Oh geez! " Chihiyaku exclaimed as Lin and Chihiro passed by his counter in the lobby. " We've got lots of customers today, so I'll need to issue more bath tokens! Here you go! " he said, shoving some at Lin and Chihiro. " Thank you! " Chihiro said to Chichiyaku, seeing that he had given some of the best tokens to her. Chihiyaku waved her and Lin off, as if he was fanning away a fly.
Lin and Chihiro were then told to attend to a couple of Season spirits. " I'll go with icy water, I don't want to melt, " the Winter spirit said. The Season spirits were attractive and very pretty. The Winter spirit had eyes cold as ice, that held a dangerous gaze. She wore jewelry made of ice crystals and had sliver hair decorated with snowflakes. " Warm water is ok for me, not too hot nor cold. " the Spring spirit said, her amethyst eyes shining, her heart-shaped flace had a natural glow and her glossy red hair tied back into a french braid with flowers. " And hot for me, like summer. " The Summer spirit said to Lin, while busy applying blood red lipstick. " Oh, I would like warm water just like Spring sister, please. " The Autumn spirit told Chihiro, pushing the bill into Chihiro's hands. " We'll need separate saunas. " Lin whisperes to Chihiro.
" I'll take the Winter and Summer. " Lin offered, and led the two of the sisters away. Chihiro bowed to the Autumn and Spring spirits. " This way. " she said, holding out her hand to a direction, gesturing for them to go that way. The Spring sister gave Chihiro a smile, holding hands with Autumn spirit. " A moment please, " Chihiro went to get towels and room temperature water. She went to the room that had hot water that was ready. The temperature had cooled down. Chihiro balanced one on her head and hugged another basin of water to her chest, cautiously walking backwards and closing the door on.
" Water's here! " Chihiro rushed towards the bathtub, pouring the water in. The two Season spirits climbed inside, enjoying their bath. " I'll leave you then, " Chihiro said, putting the towels on a stool and exiting the room. The next customer she served was a spirit who was half man and half horse. He had a chestnut red body of a stallion, and half the body of a man with curly black hair and blue eyes. He held a bow with a gold arrow. " We're honoured to have you at our bathhouse again, Sagittarius. " Aniyaku told the man, bowing. Aniyaku raised an eyebrow at Chihiro, signaling to her to take the next customer. As usual, she used the bath tokens for hot water.
By the end of her work time, Chihiro was extremely tired and worn-out. She hadn't see Haku at all today. Then, she suddenly remembered Zeniba had told her to come to her place today. " Oh no! I don't have tickets! " Chihiro said to herself. " No worries. " a voice said behind her. It was Sagittarius, the customer she served earlier. He handed her his bow and arrow. " You'll need this. I already know all about you, what you want to seek. You should have my bow and arrow. Just tell it where you would like to go and it will bring you there. I must go now. " he said, pushing the bow and arrow into her hands, giving a low bow. Chihiro bowed to him too.
He gave Chihiro a charming smile before vanishing. Chihiro stared at the bow and arrow in wonder. The bow was made of fine wood like her name tag, and the arrow made of pure, solid gold. Chihiro went back to her dorm alone, to the balcony. " She drew the arrow back against the string of the bow. " I want to go to Granny's place, " Nothing happened. Chihiro thought she was just being silly talking to a bow. But she felt the bow and arrow become a little warm. Sparks of gold shot out. " Whoa! " The arrow was very strong. It sent her to Zeniba's in no time. Chihiro let out a sigh of relief. The arrow shot so fast that Chihiro thought her heart almost leaped out.
" Granny, its me, Chihiro! " she knocked on Zeniba's door. The door creaked open, with Zeniba's beaming face and No-face greeted her warmly. " Oh, come in, dear. " Zeniba invited her in. " Rice balls with dried seaweed, " Zeniba said, putting a plate of rice balls in front of Chihiro. " Thank you Granny, " Chihiro reached for a rice ball. " Regarding about the details, there is no spirit who can grant eternal life," Chihiro almost choked on her rice ball when Zeniba said that. "what-" Zeniba interrupted her conversation. " Wait, I'm not done yet. " Zeniba told her. Chihiro sat up even straighter, swallowing the rest of her rice ball.
" There is no spirit who can grant life, but there is a very special tree, in the Land of Cloud. Just take one of its ripe fruit and you will be able to live forever. But however, no one has approached the trees for years as there are evil spirits guarding it. But who knows? Maybe you, will be the first one in years to get it. It is very dangerous and it might cost you your life. Are you willing to try? " Chihiro gulped.
" Yes, of course! But how can I get to it? Oh, and I almost forget something… " Chihiro showed Zeniba the bow and arrow that Sagittarius had given her. Zeniba's eyes widened at its wonderful sight. " That's the legendary item that Sagittarius owned! How'd you get it? " Chihiro stroked the bow and arrow. " Sagittarius gave it to me. He knew what I am seeking. " Zeniba smiled. " It'll be a great help on your journey, Chihiro. Not only it can help you teleport, it can also be used as a weapon. Try shooting at this board. " Zeniba made of piece of wooden board appear, with a target circle. Chihiro drew back the arrow and released her grip on it. The arrow landed right on the target. " Bull's eye, Chihiro! Uh-oh… " The piece of wood gave off a burnt smell. " Be careful with it. It can make serious damage with its fiery touch! " Chihiro looked at the arrow in astonishment. The arrow fell to the ground and floated back to the bow. " Amazing! " Chihiro found herself holding her breath, staring at the bow and arrow.
" Chihiro, when are you setting off for your seeking? " Zeniba asked. " Not yet, I need to wait until it is the perfect time. " She didn't know what she was saying, though.
" Goodbye, Granny! " Chihiro said. " Good luck, Chihiro dear. "
With that, she drew the arrow back again, standing in front of Zeniba's window. " Go to the bathhouse. " The arrow shot up, pulling Chihiro along with it. It sailed into the air, above the water and railway tracks. Chihiro hung onto it as tightly as she could, shutting her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she was already at the balcony. " Sen, I've got you dinner! " Lin said. " No thanks Lin, I've eaten earlier. " Lin put down a bowl of rice. " Ok, and while you are gone, Haku was looking for you. "
" Erm, where is he now? "
" Probably at the flower garden, as usual. "
Lin watch Chihiro hurry out of her dorm. In her hurry, she bumped into the door. Lin sighed. She watch her crawl out from the dorm, scratching her head. " That Chihiro and Haku, lovebirds, that's what they are. " She sort of envied Chihiro for having someone to love, but not like a friend, a sibling or family, but a soulmate and companion in life.
" Forever alone, for me. " she sighed, sprawling on the floor.
Chihiro slipped her shoes on, and went to the garden to meet Haku. " Haku, you wanted to talk to me? " Haku nodded. Chihiro squatted down beside him. " What about? " Haku fidgeted a little. " Chihiro, I won't force you anymore. You can stay here as long as you want to. " Chihiro smiled at him. " I'm so glad you understand Haku, but I choose to stay here forever. Haku widened his eyes. " What do you mean forever? " he asked curiously, thinking of her life span again. " I will become an immortal to stay here forever, Haku. "
" How? "