Spirited Away Chapter 8-Things on the wrong timing
Disclaimer: Yea, I don't own this awesome movie.
" Omigosh! " Chihiro flounced onto the big bed with a beautiful patchwork quilt. No-Face was also a special guest- He had a round rattan basket with silk pillows in it to sleep on. " We've got the fruit, and now a stay at a royal's place! We're really lucky today. " Zeniba commented, turning into her original form. It was not exacltly a palace, but just a house from a fox's den." Dear, you must be tired now. And how long do you intend to stay? " Chihiro squeezed on a fat pillow tightly. " Tomorrow! I can't wait to get back. " Chihiro mumbled. Just then, the door knocked. " Oh shucks. " Zeniba muttered, changing back into paper bird form and hid herself beside Chihiro's purple hairband, acting as an accessory. "Come in! " Chihiro cried out, sitting up straight. A small girl went into the room and bowed. " Hello miss, I'm Ayame. Her majesty wants you to join them for dinner. " Ayame said politely. Chihiro nodded. " Ok, I'll go now- " Ayame blocked her way before she could get out of the room. " Erm sorry for my rudeness, her majesty wants you dressed too… " Ayame stammered.
" Oh, that's ok. Where are the clothes? " Chihiro asked casually. " They are in that wardrobe, miss. Let me show you, " Ayame walked towards the wardrobe in the corner of the room and opened it. Inside was the most beautiful clothes Chihiro had ever seen. " Wow… " she gasped. Ayame gave her a bright smile. " take your time, miss. Call me once you're done. " Ayame left the room and closed the door. " My! What lovely clothes! You'll look fine in them! " Zeniba said happily, ushering Chihiro forward to pick out her clothes to wear. Chihiro picked out a white blouse and a knee-length black skirt, with matching white heels with embroidered pearls. She immediately went to the changing room to change. It was like a dream. Who had knew fox spirits could be this dead rich?
Perhaps the story about evil spirits was a fabricated one so that they could keep outsiders away. The moment she went out of the bathroom, Zeniba called Ayame over. " Miss, this won't do! Your hair is a bit messy, let me help you! " Ayame argued when Chihiro refused stubbornly. Having no other choice, Chihiro gave in at sat down, letting Ayame do her hair. " Just do a normal ponytail. " Chihiro requested as Ayame grabbed a comb. She combed up Chihiro's hairs gently and removed all the tangles and did a neat ponytail. " Thanks, Ayame. " Chihro said upon her reflection. Ayame smiled. " Your welcome. Let me show you the way to the dining hall. This way. " Ayame held out her thin arm. " Follow me. " Ayame led her along a few corridors, decorated with beautiful vases, flowers, and then to the entrance of the dining hall. " In you go. " Ayame pushed her in. The lady, who was actually the queen, beamed at her. Takehiko waved her over to sit next to him. Chihiro bowed before taking a seat. " My dear king, this is Chihiro, the girl who saved our Takehiko. " The lady said to a plump man with a friendly face dressed in a gold robe.
The king shot her a friendly smile. Chihiro nodded and returned him back a smile nervously. " Chihiro, meet the others from the family, these are Kumiko, Mitsuko, Shouji and Daichi. " Two other girls and two little twin boys smiled and waved warmly at Chihiro. " Nice to meet you. " Chihiro told them respectfully. The lady smiled and glanced at the king expectantly. " Let our dinner begin! My dear queen Yukiko, where is the grape wine you bought recently? " Queen Yukiko grinned at the king. " They'll be bringing it in, dear. " The servants served them mouth-watering dishes and the grape wine. They picked up the cutlery and started eating. Chihiro picked up her napkin to wipe her mouth clean. The food was delicious, but she liked the food more that was served at the bathhouse. She didn't want to be a wet blanket, so she joined in the joyous chat with the others, hesitating a little.
Haku stared down with disappointment. He had already reached at the mountains but it had no sign of Chihiro, not even a small clue where she could have been. " I'll wait here, " he thought as he curled up onto a tree branch, blowing hot breath to keep himself warm in the cold weather. His eyelids grew heavy and soon he was snoozing peacefully, dreaming happily about what had happened seven years back…
The sunshine shone through the translucent blue curtains into Chihiro's guestroom. She stirred and yawned, blinking slowly and sat up to change out of the silk nightgown Ayame had forced her to wear. She changed back into her usual clothes that had been washed yesterday and put them on. Zeniba mouthed a good morning to Chihiro and No-Face grommed himself meekly. " I'm going to find Takehiko. " she told Zeniba before she walked off. Zeniba was wornout from yesterday and didn't bother to tag along with Chihiro. Good timing, she bumped into Takehiko in the doorway. " Morning, Chihiro. " he greeted politely. Chihiro bowed. " Morning, Takehiko. I've got to leave early today. I have some things to attend to. She had to eat the fruit at the bathhouse, away from the tree.
" What? So fast? Can't you stay for a few days more? You're the closest friend I've ever had and mother doesn't approve me of making friends with others. But she is ok with me hanging out with you. Please? " Takehiko gave Chihiro puppy-dog eyes, only those eyes were red. Takehiko convinced her to stay for a few times before Chihiro agreed reluctantly. " Alright! I'll stay just for two days. Gosh, I don't don't know you well enough yet. " Chihiro blurted out, and then quickly covered her mouth with astonishment at her words. Takehiko burst out laughing. " So that's a yes? Thank you, Chihiro. Want to go hunting? I like your flaming arrow. It'll surely be a good instrument for hunting. How about it? " Chihiro nodded. " Sure, sounds great. I have it with me all the time. Lets go then! " Chihiro replied excitedly, and followed Takehiko out. Takehiko took her to the palace stables. " You need one of these horses here. Just pick one that you like. " Takehiko told her while he led out a handsome buckskin stallion which was already tacked up. Chihiro fell in love with a graceful dapple grey Arabian mare. " Oh great choice. Her name is Seraphina. I bought her a year ago from a local farm. " Takehiko said and ordered the stable boy to tack up Seraphina. Takehiko jumped onto the buckskin horse, holding onto the leather reins tightly.
Chihiro had taken riding lessons last time and she knew well enough to ride. Riding skills do come in handy. She patted Seraphina's muzzle and climbed onto her back. " Now we head to the woods. Race you there! " Takehiko said, pointing towards some trees nearby. Without listening to Chihiro's reply, he gave his horse a kick and galloped away swiftly. " Hey wait! " Chihiro gave Seraphina a small kick and sent her galloping after Takehiko in thundering hoof-beats. " I hope to get a fine stag to add to my dad's collection. But don't hunt the foxes! " Takehiko strung his bow and snatched up an arrow when, in coincidence, a stag appeared. He aimed at it and released the arrow. It went swiftly into the air and landed perfectly on its chest. It collapsed with a whinny of surprise. Takehiko leaped off his horse and ran towards the deer, removed the arrow and slung it over his shoulders.
" Next, how about an animal from you? " Takehiko nudged Chihiro. " Ok, I'll try… " Chihiro replied. Takehiko mounted on his horse and gave Chihiro an encouraging smile. Suddenly, they heard a vicious growl behind them. Takehiko's eyes widened in fear. " Run! It's a dangerous beast! " he shouted in alarm. Seraphina bolted off fast as lightning without instructions but Chihiro could see clearly the beast's appearance. It had a scaly blue body and the head of a rooster. It looked horrible. It lunged towards Takehiko, who rolled off his horse. His sword was a few meters away, but it was too far for him to reach. The ugly beast snatched up Takehiko's sword. Takehiko could only crawl backwards helplessly as the beast was trudging towards him in heavy footsteps. Chihiro racked her brains to think of a solution to save him. A warm glow rose from Sagittarus's bow and arrow. With second thoughts, Chihiro aimed at its heart and released the flaming arrow. It landed on its chest, edging deep into its scales, creating a deep wound. The beast howled in agony, its beady eyes glaring at Chihiro. " You will regret this! " the beast shrieked pointedly and stumbled in front of Takehiko, who jumped backwards in fright. Chihiro could hardly believe her eyes. She killed another creature! And not to mention, a scary beast. She ran to Takehiko and helped him up. He was breathing repeatedly to calm himself down. " Are you ok? " Chihiro asked worriedly, hoping that she will not be held responsible if his parents knew about this matter.
" Thank you Chihiro! You were really brave just now! " he exclaimed, giving her a thumbs-up sign and another of his silly grins. " Thanks! Now what should we do with him? " Chihiro looked at the beast. It had fallen flat onto his face, with the arrow pierced directly through its body with blood flooding out slowly. Chihiro plucked the arrow out in digust. " Gross! " she grimaced at the hideous sight of the arrow which was cloaked in fresh blood and some scales from the beast. " This will do the trick, " Takehiko said softly, blowing at the arrow, sending some sliver sparks appearing, forming a cool mist around the arrow. There it was again, a magnificent arrow with its unique glow. " Thanks! " Chihiro rubbed the arrow with her sleeve, feeling its warmth against her fingers. " You're welcome. Lets bring this beast back. " Takehiko said. " I'll need a cart. " Takehiko gathered some logs and bits of rope. Chihiro helped to tie the logs up and they dragged the beast up onto it and tied the horses to the cart.
" Come on! Pull! " Takehiko slapped his horse's back and it started trotting up the way back with Seraphina following at his command. Takehiko pulled Chihiro along up onto the cart.
Haku hung upside down the branch like a bat, surveying the path, waiting for Chihiro to come. At least, some one did. A group of foxes came and raced up to the tree Haku was hanging on. Haku transformed to his humanoid form to communicate with them. " Hello there! I'm looking for a human girl by the name of Chihiro. Have you seen her? " The foxes exchanged suspicious glances and then nodded at each other. They transformed as well. They appeared again in the form of a group of well-built men. " We're not sure, but there was a girl who came. " one of them who was probably the leader said. " We don't know where she's gone off, but to us she was an intruder. She somehow escaped. We've answered to your question, so off you go! " the leader boomed. Haku gave him a dirty look and transformed, flying into the air majestically. " She's gone off somewhere again! " Haku muttered to himself. Why was she always making him worry? Now what should I do?
