(A/N: Hello there. How has it been? Chapter 6 is finally up)
Disclaimer: -.- Don't own Spirited Away.
Chapter 6: A Conversation with Yubaba
In a flash, the delegation stood in Yubaba's office.
''Okay, I'm sick of it to drag this river-god all the way around. I'm an elite guard, not a donkey,'' complained Roku. While he's holding Haku.
''Roku there is no need to complain. You are the sixth head guard in my serves and the guards before you also never complained and you're lucky that he's not trapped in his dragon form'' Said Mr. Jiangshi.
Roku sighed, while he's holding Haku's unconscious body. Chihiro was staring at Haku.
''This is all my fault,'' she whispered.
''Chihiro listen to me very carefully, Kamin stole the herbs from the Bathhouse, so you need to go to Zeniba. She's a good friend of mine. You probably know her don't you?'' Explained Mr. Jiangshi.
Her eyes began to get wider ''Yes I know her, she's my granny,'' replied Chihiro.
''Wait a minute! Sen is not going anywhere.'' A loud voice shouted out.
Mr. Jiangshi looked over to Yubaba, who is sitting in front of her desk already. Mr. Jiangshi and Chihiro walked to her desk, Yubaba began to chuckle.
''You don't think I let her go that easily.'' Yubaba is just about to show her true self in front of her powerful guest.
''I see, but may I ask why you won't let Chihiro to help her friend?'' asked Mr. Jiangshi calmly.
Yubaba glared at the jiangshi ''Her name is Sen and because she ran away, three years ago to my sister and she failed my test, I can't allow her to leave this place again, she is needed here at the bathhouse and even if Haku is about to die. I still won't give her a second chance.''
''But ma'am,'' complained Chihiro.
''No buts! Yubaba shouted. ''You will continue with working along with Lin and I will deal with Haku.''
Then something came into Chihiro's mind. The last time Haku was about to die. Yubaba wanted to threw him away in a hole full with shadow spirits, like he was a piece of garbage.
''NO!'' cried Chihiro, getting the attention of everyone in Yubaba's office. ''Please let me go to find the herbs for Haku, please Yubaba. I promise I come back and besides I never let Haku down and you know I'm not a kind of person to let a friend down.''
''You can't even handle such difficult task. You're just a human and why would I send you? I can simply send Yu-bird or one of the servants here in the bathhouse. What make you so special? Well answer me Sen!'' Shouted Yubaba.
Chihiro didn't know how to answer. Yubaba was right she is just a worthless human and the old witch didn't care much about Haku. What made her special? She didn't know.
''Well Human or spirit, it doesn't matter, the only thing that matter is the heart and soul. And the heart of Chihiro is pure, not just pure, but really pure. So that's why she's perfect for the task, Chihiro got the power of willing and she would do anything to save the people who she care to most.'' Explained Mr. Jiangshi.
Yubaba remain silence. She rubbed her chin, while the old witch made a thinking sound. She looked at some papers, one of the papers is Sen's contract. Yubaba looked up and glared at Chihiro and Mr. Jiangshi.
''You got a point, Mr. Jiangshi, but my decision remain the same. I will not allow Sen to leave.''
The old witch turned her head to Chihiro.
'' You must understand that Sen, even you find the herbs its-'' Before Yubaba could finished her sentence. The old witch was cut off by Chihiro's loud voice.
''No I don't understand. How could you be so heartless!'' Shouted Chihiro ''For once give me one chance to help Haku that's all I'm asking. Just one chance.''
''Aww what amusing, that you talked to me like that, but my answer is still no.'' Yubaba start to laugh, but her laugh disappeared quick after Mr. Jiangshi gave her an angry glance.
''Yubaba I demand to you to let Chihiro go, to save her friend.'' He demanded.
Yubaba eyes began to get wider in awe. ''Do you know who I am?'' growled Yubaba.
Mr. Jiangshi changed his expression into calmness, but then a small smile appeared on his cheek.
''You are Yubaba. Owner of this Bathhouse, but the question do you know who I am?''
Yubaba frowned and hesitate to reply, but she did answer anyway. ''You're Mr. Jiangshi. The most powerful sorcerer in the Spirit World, but that doesn't mean you have to right to tell me what to do.'' Replied Yubaba furious.
''Well then. I warned you.'' Said Mr. Jiangshi confident ''Chihiro you might take a few steps back.'' He advised. Chihiro nodded and she took a few steps back.
''Akane do you think what he's going to do?'' asked Fu Tong.
''Yes.'' Akane replied. ''Chihiro you better come over here.'' Akane Shouted to Chihiro. She ran quickly to them, not knowing if she trust them or not. She saw Haku in Roku's arms and before she realized what will happened. Katsu and Fu Tong stood with their backs in front of Chihiro.
''This is going to be a big one.'' Comment Roku.
Mr. Jiangshi clapped with his hands. A big explosion of energy came from his body, knocking Yubaba off her chair. A red aura of fire is surrounding the mighty spirit sorcerer, making his hair and clothes waved around him, while he lifted up into air of the room. Yubaba watched in horror, how four, no six arms, bounded with ancient talismans. Lifted up in the air and remain there, ready for an attack. She also saw that the eyes of Mr. Jiangshi where pure red. Red of anger. Mr. Jiangshi was scary when he was furious. Yubaba stood up and took a few steps back from her fallen desk.
''How dare you to speak to me this way, how dare you to ignore my orders. Yubaba, owner of this Bathhouse. I demand you to let Chihiro Ogino go, to save her friend or you will face the consequences.'' Mr. Jiangshi bellowed. His voice echoed into Yubaba's office.
The others are watching in a safe distance. The hard wind got blocked by Katsu and Fu Tong, who are still standing in front Chihiro and Roku, while he's holding Haku.
Yubaba didn't know what to do. If she going to fight him she will certainty lose. If she still ignore him he will probably get even angrier and destroy her office. Yubaba had no choice, but agree with Mr. Jiangshi.
''Okay I surrender. I will release Sen.'' Shouted the old witch scared. Like she was never been scared before.
Mr. Jiangshi calmed down. He came slowly to the ground until his shoes hit the floor. The flames and his extra arms disappeared behind his back and his eyes turned into normal.
Mr. Jiangshi looked around. There was minor damage to the office, papers and some jewelry were lying all over the place. Yubaba was still shocked about Mr. Jianghsi's outrage.
''Is everybody okay?'' Cried Mr. Jiangshi to the group.
''Yes. We're fine.'' Replied Chihiro, while she stood up.
Mr. Jiangshi sighed in relief, but his relief disappeared when he looked over to Yubaba, who is still standing there, shocked while she tried to light a cigarette with her finger.
But Mr. Jiangshi pointed his finger to the cigarette and in a flash he shot the cigarette out of her mouth.
''Smoking is bad you know even for a spirit, but its your bathhouse so it doesn't matter. I just want to make it clear. The other thing is that I had no choice to act this way, because you wouldn't listen to me anyway.'' Mr. Jiangshi explained.
Yubaba waved with her fingers to repair and clean the damage Mr. Jiangshi had caused. Suddenly they heard a large cry.
''What's up with all the noise, I'm trying to sleep.'' Shouted Boh. He rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times.
''Sweetie please go to bed the adults are talking.'' Said Yubaba to her infant son.
Ignoring Yubaba. Boh looked over to Chihiro and the guards. Then he saw Haku in Roku's arms.
''Sen what happened to Haku? Did they hurt you?'' Asked Boh worried. Chihiro shook her head.
''I will never allow one of my guards to harm innocent beings.'' Comment Mr. Jiangshi.
''It's a long story Boh.'' Replied Chihiro. ''I will explain the things later.''
Boh yawned ''Okay. Come and play with me soon and when Haku wakes up tell him I said hello.''
Chihiro nodded sadly, but then she heard a murmur behind her back.
''Why do you like to play with a human, aren't you afraid of the germs?'' Exclaimed Kiyoshi loud, while he's hiding behind Akane's back. Apparently Kiyoshi didn't have the knowledge about humans. He was always taught that the humans are bad, destructive and full of germs from their world.
''Yes first I was afraid of germs, but Sen taught me, not to be afraid anymore.'' Answered Boh self-assured.
''And how do you know?'' Said Kiyoshi grouchy. ''You're just a baby.''
Boh sighed, while he crossed his arms. ''Well actually I'm 150 years old, you know. Spirits have the ability to choose their own age, so how old are you?''
Kiyoshi raised his eyebrows. '' I'm twenty.'' Answered Kiyoshi defeated, while he looked down to the ground. All trough Mr. Jiangshi claimed that Kiyoshi had worked for him for at least 300 years, but that was false, why? Because He didn't want to give any information about the guards away, but Kiyoshi forgot about to give any personal information to strangers.
''Kiyoshi, What did I said for giving any personal information to strangers!'' Snapped Roku.
Mr. Jiangshi began to chuckle. ''You two just stop it. Your discussion is irrelevant from the main subject.''
They both nodded and remained silent.
''I am going to sleep, see you later Sen.'' Said Boh tired, he rubbed his eyes and walked to his room.
Chihiro quick covered her mouth, after she realized that she was also yawing.
''Sen. Where are your manners! Yawing in front of our guests!'' Shouted the old witch.
''I'm sorry ma'am, but I couldn't help it.'' Chihiro bowed polite. Yubaba growled of irritation.
''Humans!'' She mumbled.
''Speaking of yawing. You should get some rest. I will explain the things tomorrow and don't worry about Haku, me and my men will take care of him, while you find the herbs from the curse.'' Said Mr. Jiangshi.
''Wait I almost forgot.'' Yubaba added. ''You may go to find the herbs, but in one condition. If you come back you will work double of your time. So that's what I had to say. You are dismissed.''
Chihiro nodded. She walked to the large red doors of the office.
''Wait. you can leave your shoes here.'' Yelled Yubaba. ''I don't want my bathhouse get dirty from your outdoor shoes.''
Chihiro took off her shoes and walked further with her bare feet to the large doors. Suddenly she stopped in front of Roku, who is holding Haku in his arms.
''Don't worry Haku, just hang in there.'' Said Chihiro sad, while she clutched her hand in his cold hands. Then she led go of his hand and walked to the door.
The delegation and Yubaba where silent. They didn't say or do anything. They were just watching Chihiro walking to the doors, it frightened her a bit. She pulled to one of the large doors and she walked to the large hallway. With the many doors. Chihiro closed the door behind her.
After a few steps away. Chihiro heard voices coming from Yubaba's office. She is not a kind of person to eavesdrop, but after Chihiro heard her name and of Haku. She began to get curious and she couldn't help, but put her ear to the door.
Chihiro could hear Yubaba, Mr. Jiangshi and one of the advisors talking about her and about what will happen tomorrow.
''You do realize that Sen must be back in time or the herbs will be no use for Haku'' Chihiro could hear the old witch talking.
''Yes I'm aware of that.'' Replied Mr. Jiangshi.
''So what if the human is too late with delivering the herbs?'' Asked Fu Tong, out of curiosity, not that he cared much.
Mr. Jiangshi sighed. ''Isn't that obvious, the process of the curse will be irreversible. Kohaku will die and the herbs will be useless.''
Chihiro gasped in shock. She didn't want to think about that. So this is a race against the clock and what about her contract? Well that can wait. Haku is more important than her freedom.
''Is Haku really going to die?'' Chihiro whispered to herself. ''No don't think about that.'' She shook her head several times, tears where falling on the ground. Chihiro couldn't take it anymore. She ran out of Yubaba's floor. Her footsteps made so much noise that Yubaba and Mr. Jiangshi could hear the noise of a running human.
''How dare that little brat!'' Shouted Yubaba furious.
''Hey take it easy!'' Snapped Fu Tong ''That girl has suffered enough. Master what shall we do?''
Mr. Jiangshi didn't know what to say, for the first time in forever, he was speechless. The only thing what came out from his mouth was.
''Oh no.''
(A/N: Yes say that again. Chihiro just found out that she need to hurry, but now I'm struggling what the main part of this story is. The contract or Haku's curse, but I choose both. So please review and I've you have questions just ask. See you next time)
