For a Little While Longer
In hopes of redeeming my sins, I have tried to make the chapters longer and I have also tried to make the writing style more mature. I hope this satisfies you.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters in this story that are a part of Spirited Away. I do own my writing and O.C.'s. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you. --Chigiri Shima
Chapter 5: Entrance
"Please wait for a little while longer..." she whispered. She looked up. Blues skies, different than the ones in the real world, illuminated the sky with two suns, one on the left and the right. She looked down; green grass lines every corner of her feet. "Please don't let this be a dream…" She looked forward. The river wasn't there; just a grey mass of rocks and mud.
"I can get across. I can go to him!" she started sprinting. She climbed over every rock, every pebble, in front of her. It was easier than it was 6 years ago. "Almost there… I'm coming."
She stopped.
It was all burned, all charcoal; all to the ground. The food stands that had once turned her parents into pigs have now turned into helpless mounds of steaming black soot, to be trampled on without any care. "What happened?" she thought, "Oh my God…" She started to run again.
"Haku! You're here!"
She jumped on him, showing her happiness for him coming to visit. He just waved her off, nodding, straitening his suit. "Yes. I'm here. Now, about your offer, Yosei."
She smirks. "Yes, about that…"
It was still intact. Panting, she smiles. "I'm coming. Please wait for me, Haku…"
She ran in.
"Sit and I'll explain, dear Haku."
He grunted, and Yosei just smirked. It was odd how she was named 'Fairy' and yet she was a high wood elf. Haku just humored himself on how different the two creatures were and yet she was named that.
"Are you listening?"
Haku looked up. Yosei's face was red with anger from the obvious blank stare that Haku was giving her. "No. I'm sorry. I was thinking of something else. Continue."
She just rolled her eyes. "As I was saying, I guess you really want to save your country. Are you sure you want to this, although I don't think that you want to decline," she sits on him and caresses his face, "I am perfect for you."
He placed her hand down and gently pushed her off his lap. "I am doing this for my country. Don't think that I am doing this out of my free will. I will accept, just remember that you owe me a promise."
Yosei just sneered. "Don't worry. I'll keep that promise."
"Haku!"
She swung the doors of the bathhouse, only to find broken stairs, dripping water pipes, broken glass, and splintered frames. "Sen!"
All heads turned. A familiar face walked quickly towards her. "Chihiro, is that really you?" Her wrinkly, jeweled hand caressed her face.
"Yes. It's me. Long time no see, Granny."
"Oh my God!" Zeniba grabbed the girl, holding her in a deathly squeeze, "Oh Lord, how I have wanted to see you my dear. Eat this. You're disappearing."
The human took the pill and ate it. "Me too. Where's Ha—"
"Sen!"
"Lin!"
The slug woman started to run towards Chihiro, waving her arm. "How are you?" Another deathly hug. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"I'm fine, but so confused. Where's Haku?"
"Oh, he's just running little errands. Nothing to worry about. So, did you get here okay?"
"Yes. Fine. At least I'm not disappearing. But… what happened to this place?" The bathhouse was full of life again. People were filling holes in the walls and trying to make the stairs stable again.
"It's a long story. We should sit and—"
"Ah, so it's the little brat from 6 years ago."
Another wrinkly old woman, exactly like Zeniba entered. She carried her posture like she was royalty and sneered at the young girl.
"Yubaba. I see you're still alive and well."
"Yes, it is good to see you as well." Rolling her eyes, she waved her hand in the motion to follow. "Come with me and I'll gladly explain to you what has happened since you've been gone."
"Khanh! Are you alright? Oh my God, what happened! Are you okay? Does it hurt?"
"I'm fine. Really, Bian. You don't have to fret."
The boy was covered in bruises, here and there. Blood trickled down the side of his mouth, smeared over to his ear. Both eyes were blackened and his arm was badly swollen. "This isn't, as you say, 'fine' Khanh. This is horrible! I'm so sorry! I should have gone and gotten—"
"No. You will not get hurt. This is too brutal for you. I'm fine. Seriously. I'll be able to heal later on. Don't worry. Hey! Give that back! No! I'm fine!"
"No. You will sit and I will heal you." Bian threw the shirt to the side of the room, denying the request of the beaten male. A pregnant silence filled the room while the girl smeared remedies onto him.
"So, there has been a war for the last 3 years?"
"Yes, Sen—" Yubaba's words were spat at the girl.
"Chihiro."
"Chihiro. Exactly 3 years ago, during the long summer."
"That's when Brone died…" All eyes turned to the murmuring girl until they realized that no information could be drained out of her.
Zeniba cleared her throat. "Because you have come back, you can't return to the human world. You have to stay here, for your soul yearns for this world." Tears formed at the corner of the her eyes.
"I can't even visit my parents?"
A pair of arms wrapped around her, giving her a reassuring hug. "You can go back once, but that is to get your things. Your parents won't see you. They think you're dead. I'm sorry Chihiro, but you chose your destiny."
A slam of the door broke through the wailings of the now deceased girl. All heads turned to see a green haired teen, proud and tired. He seemed to preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice the group of people that stood on the side of the room. "Yubaba. We have to talk."
"Haku."
The sobbing had stopped.
"There. All finished. Do you feel better? You have to lie down and rest, Khanh. Sit. I'll get your shirt."
The boy nodded. "Fine. I will. Thank you. I should tell you about our next mission before Master beats me again."
The girl nods, listening as she retrieves his shirt. Helping the boy put on his shirt, she asked, "Why do you do this for me?"
"Huh?" He turned to her, puzzled.
"Why do you take all my beatings? I can take them. I'm strong. You know that."
"It's because…" he hesitated, playing with the bed sheets that she placed on him, "Because, Bian, you're too pretty to be beaten. I'm already ugly; there is no point of making me ugly. You're face is not scarred. We wouldn't want to scar your face. If they beat me, it wouldn't matter because—"
"Stop saying that! You aren't ugly! You're you," She pulled him into a hug, crying into his shoulder, "You don't have to do this for me. I can take care of myself. Every mission, you end up taking the beating. You do so much for me, I feel like I can never do anything for you! Stop caring so much for me! There isn't any point if you are going to get killed in the end! There won't be any point for me to live anymore! You're the only friend I ever had! I can't lose you now!"
Breaking into sobs, she just curled up on his chest. "There there. Don't cry. Really. It's not big deal. I really am okay. Stop crying. You don't look as pretty when you cry. Please. You're making me feel really bad."
The sobs started to calm down, turning into slight breathing patterns until the girl could speak. "Can I sleep with you today? I'm scared."
The boy smiled and nodded. A smile and the girl rolled off to the side of the boy. Still attached to his neck, she snuggled closer as he put the blanket over both of their bodies. "Thank you," was the last thing she said until she, blew out the candle, kissed his cheek, and fell into a deep slumber.
And in the darkness, the boy's eyes grew wide as he blushed and touched his check.
"Haku."
The head turned, staring at the brunette. "Ch-Chihiro?"
She leaped into his arms, tears of joy brimming on the edge of her eyes. "Haku! I can't believe I found you! I wanted to talk to you so bad! I missed you so much! I really—"
He moved her arms away from his neck and turned towards Yubaba. "I have brought someone with me. Her name is Yosei. She is my new fiancé."
In came a purple-haired wood elf and all Chihiro could do was stare.
"So… she found him."
"Yes Papa. She has. What going to happen now?"
"Nothing. We just wait and follow."
"Hello all. I am Yosei. I've come to save your country."
Chihiro just glared as the elf walked closer to Haku and held his arm. "Kohaku-kun, who is this?"
"She is someone of no interest. Don't pay attention." His eyes met Chihiro's. "Yubaba, please find a room for Yosei. She will be staying here for a while or until the bathhouse is fixed."
"Yes, yes. Of course," There was an evil glint in Yubaba's eyes, "Follow me please. I'll find you the best room we still have."
"Thank you. See you later, Kohaku-kun."
As the door slammed shut, the boy's posture relaxed. No longer was his face tight and emotionless. His eyes gave a tired feel as his mouth parted slightly. His face had lost the all glimmer of hope that it once had when Chihiro first saw him. "Haku… do you not want to see me?"
It was the man's turn to hug the girl, his face lined with anxiety. It wasn't a friendly hug; it was a hug of need and yearn of comfort. "Chihiro. I've missed you so much."
Her face grew pink and she returned the hug to him. "I missed you too."
Minutes passed as a warm silence filled the room until an obnoxious cough echoed throughout. "Yes. I realize how much you miss each other, but please, can you do some explaining Haku?"
He straightened, releasing the hug that bound them. "Lin already knows this, but, during the three years of war, I have been getting letters on how to stop the war. Yosei had told me that if I marry her, I could bring peace to the country."
A pang in Chihiro's heart. "Do you have to do this?"
The man nodded. Suddenly, his face filled with horror. Panicking, trying to see if everything was intact, he cried, "How did you get here? Are you alright? When did you get here? Did you guys give her a pill? Didn't I tell you to never come back? Why are you here? You're not suppose—"
Chihiro just laughed and hugged the dragon spirit. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I'm a spirit now. I'm de—"
Tears forming, the energy was lost, drained from the knowledge that she was dead. He nodded, hugging her again, comforting her. "I'm sorry."
"So, you're that whore that Lin was talking about; Yosei." Her voice was full of venom. "Pft. I thought you were someone more... how shall I say this... special?"
The elf glared at the old witch, "You shouldn't say that to soon, Yubaba. You realize I can get you more money than you ever dreamed of. I can help you fulfill your deep desire."
The glint was in the hag's eyes again. "Do tell."
A grin. "Just show me my suite."
Dancing. She was dancing. At a time like this, she was dancing. "Mama. What are you doing?"
She seemed to be entranced with the music that was not there. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Mama. What are you doing?"
Turning, she smiled. The rays from her grin dazzled him, making him wonder why she was so beautiful. "I'm dancing, Papa. Can I do that?"
She turned her back, dancing the steps again. He wondered how she could act so young even though she was older than the universe. He wondered how she was fully clothed when she had nothing on. He wondered how she had short and long hair at the same time. He wondered how she was the spitting image of all the children that they had produced. "Mama, you do know what's happening in the world now? Why are you dancing?"
"Because, the prophecy will come true!"
The woman waved and ran away, leaving her spouse to stare blankly at her, confused about what she meant. "Whatever," He muttered, turning around to fetch one of his daughters. "Ma'at... What have you done now?"
"She thinks that she can get rid of me this easily? Really now. I will not lose one again."
It ripped up the paper, grimacing at the light coming out of the window. "I will get you Haku. You will pay for taking both of my loves."
Wow. This is 6 pages not double-spaced on Microsoft Word. I'm very proud. I hope that this isn't confusing. Thanks to all you people who have R&R. I love you all.
--Chigiri Shima
P.S. There are hidden cliche's and songs in this chapter. I was bored so, find them, and I'll give you a present. XD
