Chapter 11: Sen

Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away or Frozen.

That morning, after a long night of work, when the entire bathhouse was sleeping, Lin crept up to Ís' room. Without knocking, she opened the door. Ís was already awake, waiting for the spirit woman. She stopped sharpening her knives, placing them and the whetstone back in their box. After putting that on her desk, she sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Ís," Lin drawled, "You owe an explanation." She lay on the futon, sprawled like a cat. "Why was it so important that I help the human? And why did you arrange it so that she was assigned to me?"

Ís gave a secretive smile. "The human girl is the key," she answered. "She has a powerful effect on Haku. Earlier, when I tried to freeze her, Haku fought me against Yubaba's orders to help her escape."

Lin sucked in a breath. "You're right," she replied. "This could change everything."

"She seems to be able to negate the control slug's effect on Haku. She's the catalyst Lin — we'll overthrow Yubaba soon!" A floorboard outside of the room squeaked, and Ís thought she heard a muffled gasp. "Who's there?" she called, jumping to her feet and readying her powers. Whoever it was would have to be dealt with swiftly; this conversation was deadly. "Show yourself!"

The door opened with a slow creak, revealing a young girl. The human girl. She offered a quick, guilty smile and a quiet, "I'm sorry."

Ís was ready to punish the human for having dared spy on them, but Lin patted the futon and and said, "Have a seat, Sen. We're just gossiping. Feel free to join in."

The girl, Sen, sat down, her cheeks still flushed a faint red. "Thank you."

Lin continued, as if nothing had happened, "Haku's s shaking off the slug's effects. Earlier, Sen told me that it seemed there were two Hakus. Right, Sen?"

The human girl nodded. "Yes, there was the one who fought you," a quick look at Ís, "and kept me from being transparent and helped me find my way to Kamaji. He was nice. But then there was the one in the study who was cold and made me address him as 'Master Haku'. That was the mean one."

Ís frowned. It seemed Sen could only affect Haku when he wasn't under the control slug's direct orders. She then asked the girl, since she may not have another chance, "How do you know Haku?"

"I don't know," Sen replied, shaking her head. "I've never seen him."

"But he seems to recognize you," Ís countered. "How can that be?"

"I don't know!" she answered. "I have no idea how he knows me. I've never seen him before in my life!"

"Oh, leave the girl alone, Ís," Lin interjected. "It's not her fault that dragon-boy has a thing for her. It's love at first sight," the spirit woman finished sarcastically.

Ís sighed. "But it's not as if I can exactly go up to Haku and ask him why he's fixated on Sen."

At this point Sen, her cheeks flaming, cried, "He doesn't like me! There's no way.

Ís gazed at the human girl, then said, "There must be something. Sen, would you promise me that you'll think about how he recognized you? There must be a reason. Just think about it, okay?"

Sen nodded. "Fine, but I doubt I'll remember anything. Haku's just a very nice spirit who wants to help me find my parents and get them back in the human form."

"That's right!" Ís exclaimed. "Your parents were those pigs that I disposed of." She immediately winced, realizing her poor word choice. "I know what you're thinking, but it was nothing bad. I had my golems carry them to the pig pens. I could even show you, if you wanted — though there are spells over the pens, so I wouldn't go there alone."

"Okay," Sen replied. "Could we go now?"

Ís frowned. "Probably not. There's still too many spirits bustling around, taking care of last-minute things before they sleep. We'd have to do it later."

"Okay." Sen slumped over, resting her head in her hands. "I'll see my parents later," she sighed. "I just hope they're okay."

Ís yawned. It had been a long day, and 'liberating' magical items was exhausting. "I don't mean to be rude," she began, "but it's getting late. How about we all turn in?"

Lin nodded. "I know what you mean. I've got a long shift tomorrow and I've had a long shift today. I need some rest." Her eyes raked over Sen, and Ís' did as well, both of them taking in the girl's slender legs and uncalloused hands. "You'll want to rest and prepare for tomorrow too, Sen. Your first day is going to hurt."

As Lin left the room, Sen took a little time to bow once more to Ís and murmur, "Thank you again for saving me from Yubaba's powers. I'll think hard about Haku, I promise." Then she ran after Lin, who was waiting in the elevator, keeping the doors open for her assistant. Lin and Sen waved at Ís, then the elevator doors shut and the two disappeared.

Ís stood in her doorway for just a little while longer, smiling. She had influence over the human girl who had Haku tied in knots. She was on her way. Yubaba had best be careful — before the witch knew it, she, Ís, would free the entire bathhouse.

With those pleasant thoughts in her mind, Ís cuddled under her blankets and fell asleep in a matter of seconds.

Someone was shaking Ís awake much too early. The first thought to run through her dazed mind was that it was an assassination attempt. Ís should have realized it was only a matter of time before Haku turned on her. Throwing one arm out, Ís began to draw upon her powers, stopping only when she realized it was Lin. "What?" Ís asked grumpily. Her futon was quite comfortable, and she was at a loath to leave it. Still, she sat up, rubbing her eyes and regarding the spirit woman.

"It's Sen," Lin said, worry evident in her voice. "She's disappeared. I woke up and she was gone."

Ís stifled a curse, climbing out of bed and beginning to pull on her clothes. She couldn't afford to lose the girl now. "Where could she be?"

"I don't know. I've already checked the servant's quarters. I'm afraid that she went to the pig pens. She wouldn't stop talking about her parents last night."

"If she's there, she's likely triggered Yubaba's detection charm." Ís fastened her uniform and began pulling her hair up into a high bun. "Lin, go back to bed and cover for Sen. I'll find her. I can neutralize the charm."

Ís glanced at Lin out of the corner of her eyes — for all of her authoritative tone, she had been worried Lin would protest, and time was of the essence. However, the spirit woman only planted a kiss on Ís' forehead, saying, "Just be careful. I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt because I wasn't watching Sen closely enough."

Ís nodded. "I'll be careful," she promised. Then she began hurrying down to the pig pens. The human could still ruin everything. If Yubaba caught her, this would be a disaster.

When Ís arrived at the pig pen, she heard muffled sobs from beyond the bushes. Immediately her pace slowed, and she took care with where she stepped. Whatever was going on, it wouldn't be good to interrupt. Creeping through the hedges, Ís spotted Yubaba's detection charm. She raised on hand to freeze it, but it wasn't buzzing. Confused, Ís drew nearer and realized it was already disabled.

Interesting. Only herself, Haku, and Yubaba had that power. After freezing the detection charm for good measure, Ís peered around the hedge.

The sight which greeted her eyes astounded her. Across the field, sitting against a flowering hedge, sobbing quietly, was Sen. Haku sat next to her, offering rice cakes and silent support. Ís must have made a sound, because he looked up, his jade eyes unreadable, and said softly, patting the ground beside him in a clear invitation, "Come on over."

Ís swallowed hard. This kind Haku unsettled her. But still, she picked her way across the field and squatted next to Sen, who had begun shoveling rice cakes into her mouth and bawling. Surprising Ís once again, Haku patted the human girl's shoulders and murmured, "It's going to be okay, Chihiro. We'll rescue your parents." He sent Ís a meaningful look

Hastily clearing her throat, Ís replied, "I'll be there for you." She grabbed Sen's hands, holding them tight in her own, and tears began to form in her eyes. "We'll save your parents — you'll be a real family again."

Haku turned to look sharply at her, likely surprised by quaver in her voice, but he said nothing. However, he did give Ís' hand a quick squeeze, as if in a silent show of support. Hope sprung in Ís' breast and she said, "We'll do this together. The three of us."

They stayed like that for quite a while, simply there, understanding one another, until Haku reached behind him and took out a stack of clothes. He shattered the spell that had been cast between them, and Ís woke as if from a trance. After glancing at the shadows, she groaned and remarked, "Haku, it's getting late".

Haku turned. When he noticed how far the sun was from the meridian, he jumped up and cried, "We have to go. Now, before Yubaba comes. The spell I cast on the detector will have worn off…."

Ís got to her feet as well. "Don't worry. When I came in, I made sure to freeze it to the ground."

"Oh." Haku calmed. Then, squinting at the sun once more, he said, "We should probably still be going. It's getting late."

Ís nodded, even though she didn't want to shatter still the strange bond that had formed between her, Haku, and Sen. She got up, helping pull Sen to her feet, and then the three of them left the pig pens.

Before they crossed the bridge, Haku flashed Ís and Chihiro a regretful smile. "This is where I have to leave," he said, glancing at Ís. "Take her back, will you?"

"Of course," Ís replied. "I'll keep Sen safe."

"Good." He squeezed Sen's hand, then pulled away from the two girls and began walking back towards the pig pens.

"Wait! Haku!" Sen let go of Ís' hand and ran to the boy. She caught his arm, turned him to face her, and asked, "When can I see my parents again?"

"I don't know, Chihiro," Haku replied. "But we can go again soon. Just never go alone, or Yubaba's detection charms will catch you. And then you'll be a pig, just like them."

Sen nodded. "I understand." She gave Haku a deep bow. "Thank you, Haku." Then, after murmuring, "Come back soon," she hurried to the bridge, where Ís was waiting.

When Sen had rejoined her, and Haku was naught but a silver speck In the distance, Ís turned to the human girl and asked, "Why does Haku keep calling you Chihiro?"

Sen flushed. "It's my real name," she mumbled. "I was Chihiro before Yubaba stole my name and made me Sen. Haku helped remember."

Ís nodded. "You're very lucky, then, to have regained your true name. I won't tell anyone about it." Jealousy flared in her heart — she wished she had her true name, so that she could truly be free.

"Thank you," Chihiro answered. "And I remembered something about Haku. I've known him since I was very little, though I still can't quite remember why."

Ís sighed. "Well, that's a start," she replied. "Let's go back to bed and get a little more sleep. Maybe you'll remember more after a nap." The two of them crossed the bridge, and Ís' hackles raised when she saw a strange figure there, tall and black and wearing a strange mask. She raised her free hand, but it didn't attack her, and when Ís looked back, it had vanished.

Strange. Ís looked at Chihiro to see if she, too, had seen the spirit. The human girl was staring at the same spot where the spirit had disappeared. Ís elbowed her. "You saw it too?" she asked.

"What?" Chihiro startled. "Oh, yes." She turned back around to stare at the same spot. "That was weird."

"It was," Ís replied. "I've never seen a spirit like that before." The two of them entered the bathhouse, creeping in through the boiler room. Sen was so exhausted that she almost fell asleep in Kamaji's room, but Ís kept her going. Finally, they reached the yuna's room. With a quiet smile, Chihiro slipped her hand out of Ís' as she crept back into the room. Lin's tense form relax as Sen entered — Ís gave a tiny wave which Lin didn't notice. Realizing that there was nothing left to do, Ís turned and left. She was exhausted, and her bed called to her.

On the lonely elevator ride up to her room, Ís contemplated her situation. Haku was opening up, losing his cold, stony indifference. She found herself strangely happy for the human girl, for her

family would be restored, unlike Ís' own family, who'd never return. She wanted to see Anna, though; she wanted to see the girl she'd sacrificed so much for. And who knew, maybe one day she could reconcile with her parents.

Ís pushed away the thoughts as she stepped into her room. She couldn't keep thinking of her family — Anna was a luxury, something to dream of. First, she had to overthrow Yubaba. Then she could go home.

She needed to focus on the here and now. Turning over Chihiro's cryptic remark in her head — she knew Haku from long ago, but didn't know why — Ís still couldn't understand it. She was stumped, and her head felt as if it were stuffed with cotton from the lack of sleep. Her eyes were too dry and scratchy.

Ís didn't even bother shrugging out of her outer robe before she fell onto her bed and fell asleep.

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Family still here. No computer time for me. Good thing phones can still post fanfiction. But responding to guest reviews is tricky. So I'll just say — thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying this.

Other than that, nothing to say but the next update is the 29th. Three days! And I hope you guys had a Merry Christmas! :)