Hey all! I must say, the people who give me reviews for my Spirited Away
fic give some of the best reviews ever! I love them to death! Please keep
them coming, if not only because they make me feel so guilty I just HAVE to
write.
Now. Some things I must attend to. Apparently, I've been spelling Aburaya wrong. Not a big surprise, though (As much as I am thankful to the person who pointed it out.) I am a little tired of fixing all my Japanese names. Of course, I'll keep on fixing them, but let's just try to overlook it people, if I mess up some during the duration of the story.
Also, people want more fluff with Kohaku and Chihiro! I can totally relate to that. AND. It'll happen, but this fiction is not going to be necessarily centered around it- there are too many other things going on! (And by the by- hardly anyone mentioned anything in the reviews about how the entire Spirit World has been chaotically hurled into a confusing mêlée of gigantic proportions! It was all about the Chihiro and Kohakuness! Sheesh!) (Shut up. I know I'd be focused on the same thing. we're just going to pretend I wouldn't be!)
And then there's my grammar. Oh God, it's atrocious, and I know it. I did a lot of 'it's' 'its', and then I just forgot to add needed words. I'm sorry; I should have looked over my work more carefully.
Last note, about Tenchi. I must be a really bad writer, because I didn't mean for people to get so many mixed messages about him! However, I'm not going to say anything, you can all think what you like, but the guy's not going to pop up much more, except maybe subliminally. He's just not overly important to the story after his little pep talk with Chihiro.
Sorry for keeping everyone waiting for so long, but as you're all going to find out, I'm lazy! Really, really lazy! And this won't be the first time Spirited Back will take a bit to come out.
Now that I'm done acting like a total bitch- On with the story! I love you all, and I don't own Spirited Away!
*
Spirited Back
By Rio Grande
Chapter Three: Spy Games.
*
"Chihiro, where did you go!?" Rin cried, upon sighting Chihiro come trotting around the bend. The older woman wasted no time throwing herself on the girl, and hugging her close. "We were so worried!"
"I-I'm sorry Rin!" Chihiro mumbled, her voice stifled by Rin's arms, and her vice like hold around Chihiro's neck.
"No I'm sorry. I'm sorry I brought you into all this. It's just too much for you to swallow, so suddenly! I should have never let you even think you would be helping us fight this war. You have no place in it!" Rin explained, looking slightly distressed, and quite guilty.
"No Rin! You weren't wrong! I've made up my mind!- Again. I want to help you fight this battle against Tiko. For real!"
Chihiro had been blindly running around the streets of the underground, rebel city for some time now, hopelessly lost and unsure if she would be able to make it back to Rin's place before daybreak, when she knew the Spirit World tended to settle down and hibernate for the day. She had just been about to break down and ask a random Yuna for direction's to her friends place, when Rin had spotted Chihiro coming down the street. Apparently Rin had been out all night looking for the fourteen year old, and had made some personal decisions herself about what Chihiro should do from here, in terms of the Spirit War. Unfortunatly for Rin, Chihiro too, thanks to a certain old shopkeeper, had made some very important choices about the war as well.
"What are you talking about, Chihiro?" Rin asked, furrowing her brow, and staring into the girls wide brown eyes. She had gotten the distinct impression that, when the girl had burst into tears and dashed out of her house, that she had been having some misgivings about really getting involved in all this mess, no matter what she had said before. But now. now she had that look in her eye. The look that told Rin she was dead serious. That she had her mind set, and refused to be persuaded.
"I. I've made up my mind to help you and all of the Bathhouse workers! I'm going to help you because I don't want the Spirit World to be torn apart by some twisted old Woman, and I will not let this battle hurt me. I'll just get stronger! Like when I came here last time! You'll see!" Chihiro assured the woman, amazing herself with how childishly firm she sounded. She hadn't talked about ANYTHING this passionately, or even thought about anything this passionately, in such a sure way, since she had been much younger. It seemed as though she had lost her will to love things strongly or as definitely as she once had been taught to in Aburaya, and had suddenly regained the ability to do so. It felt good.
"Well. I can't really argue with that . but. but It's a big commitment Chihiro. Think about what you're doing! We're not playing games here." Rin reminded the girl softly, not so sure she wanted her little friend to get involved with such things like fighting with Lady Tiko, personally.
"I know it's going to be hard, and dangerous. But I'm willing to go through all that if I can help you guys. I want to help everyone I care for!" Chihiro explained, as if this should cover it all, and end the discussion.
"A very noble choice, but maybe you'll feel differently after going to one meeting." Rin said, sagely, folding her arms.
"Meeting?"
"Yes. we're having one final one this late afternoon, to confirm our plans before tomorrow tonight," Rin elucidated, as if this should all mean something to Chihiro., which it didn't.
"What plans? In his note. Kohaku mentioned something about plans, as well." Chihiro said, impressed that she could now utter her friend's name without getting all choked up. It was an improvement!
"Yes well, he did have a big hand in organizing the whole operation our little group of rebels has been planning, though he never WAS going to be an active participant in it. he'd stand out too much. He's too well known at the Aburaya now," Rin admitted, sighing, and starting to walk back down the street, in the direction of her home, Chihiro trotting along side her. All around them, as the sun began to peak above the trees, people were scuffling into their homes, and locking their doors. Closing down for the day, and ready to act on their nocturnal ways. The sun was up! It was time for bed! Chihiro scarcely noticed anyone around her as Rin continued to talk.
"Stand out?"
"Well, I told you how Tiko had a sort of special vendetta on Kohaku over the rest of us, didn't I?" Rin asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Well, yes," Chihiro agreed. "It was because he figured out she was up to no good first, right?"
"More than that, Kohaku is currently the strongest rebel left in the entire Aburaya property. He's a river God for God's sake! And he hates Tiko, so Tiko, in turn, keeps a special eye out for him. He's her only real threat. This hurts Kohaku because it prevents him from going on special operations with us, mainly spying, since he would be too easily noticed by Tiko's people, who have specific orders to keep both eyes peeled for things like him," Rin said, spotting her house from a block away now.
"That's terrible for Kohaku," Chihiro sighed, biting her lip. Is this what Kohaku had had to live with?
"Yeah, but he deals with it well. Even gives Tiko a run for her money, most of the time. She likes letting the rest of us rebels live on her specially enclosed property, to watch us squirm and feed her demons with our depression energy, but she doesn't like having Kohaku around, at all. He's a wild variable in her neat little equation she worked out, and he likes stirring up things for her. He's practically our best defense, to boot!" Rin said, digging in her pocket for keys.
"Then he really couldn't have come to stay with me, while I was in the mortal realm. you all need him much more than I do," Chihiro acknowledged firmly, little by little completely forgiving Kohaku for all past misgivings, where she hadn't even realized she had not yet completely exonerated him. Even after all that had happened, she had still been clinging onto one selfish diminutive thought, that he really had abandoned her in the human world for four years when she was so very lonely. but now the thoughts had dissolved into thin air, and instead of uncertainty, Chihiro now felt a strong bond of camaraderie between her and Kohaku, even if HE didn't actually know they shared that aspect of their lives yet. That she was going to help him fight his, all of the Spirit World's, war.
"Yeah, I guess so," Rin shrugged, not really understanding much about Chihiro and Kohaku's relationship, when it came to such things. She shoved open her large door, and once again Chihiro found herself surrounded by the comforting, cozy atmosphere of Rin's house. It was almost a relief from the tiring, soul-searching experience she had just had out in the streets. "So, about these meetings we have. they are held every so often, as a gathering for all of the active rebels in the city, where we discuss new happenings with the Aburaya and Tiko, try out new ways to escape and, certainly, as of late, new ways to sabotage Tiko's plans, and save old friends," Rin explained, plopping down on to a chair, Chihiro deciding to perch herself carefully on a table opposite the woman.
"You mean like Granny and Yu-Baba?" Chihiro asked, excited at the prospect of rescuing the two old women.
"Not to mention the Baby and the No-Face." Rin added, grimly.
"No!" Chihiro said, heaving a gasp, eyes wide. Horrible pictures of the sweet, if not a bit confused, baby, chained up with No-Face in some dungeon in the depths of the Aburaya, flitted through her mind, and she felt a strong sense of injustice and anger. Babies and No-Faces had no place being locked up without their mothers! How dare Tiko!
"Yes, Baby was imprisoned, we think, just after Yu-Baba was overthrown. couldn't take the thought that his mother was being held somewhere indefinitely by the evil Tiko. He too saw easily through her fake, innocent façade. Though I supposed that's easier to do when it's your mother locked up. We were just all shocked. but the Baby was outraged, and quickly imprisoned somewhere as well." Rin said, her eyes getting a far off look in them, as though she were remembering old, confusing days she would have just as well forgotten.
"And No-Face?" Chihiro asked softly, almost fearfully, as though afraid to find out what had happened to her dear old friend who had been through so much with her.
"Well, when Tiko realized that Yu-Baba's sister, Zeniba, would be a possibly great threat to her grand plan, she swooped over to the poor woman's cottage and locked her up with Yu-Baba before Zeniba had time to blink. Tiko is that powerful. And then, unfortunately, No-Face was apparently taken with Zeniba. They say that he was trying to defend Zeniba, and Tiko just. overpowered him," Rin sighed, hugging herself. Chihiro looked quite depressed as well, biting her lip as she imagined her dear, brave No-Face trying to fight off Tiko. and then. Granny. It was too terrible to imagine, and all of it, just everything, from the overthrowing of Yu-Baba to the killing of all those people who were now mindless tainted spirits . Chihiro wanted to make Tiko pay for her crimes in a way she had never wanted anyone to pay before.
"Chihiro? Is something the matter? You look sort of . weary." Rin decided to say, for that was exactly what Chihiro looked like. Her eyes were burning with an inner flame, it was true. but the effect was lessened considerably by the impressive bags under her eyes, the slouch to her posture, the paleness of her face, and her obvious need for sleep.
Pulling herself out of her momentary bout of murderous thoughts, Chihiro couldn't help but let out a yawn. Smiling sheepishly and rubbing her eyes, it occurred to the teen that she hadn't slept in about twenty- four hours now. she had been working at the ice cream Shoppe all day. and had been out in the spirit world all night. wow. had everything thus far happened in one, crazily eventful night? It seemed ridiculous, but it was true. One moment she was in her room, practically drooling with boredom, and the next she was on a ghost ferry to the spirit world, where her old best friend in his dragon form crashed through the boat and nearly sank it before sweeping her off her feet into the night. right.
"I AM weary," Chihiro admitted, stretching. "I haven't slept in ages!"
"Well, it looks to be about bedtime, in any case," Rin commented, staring at the lonesome, golden ray of light that was seeping through the curtains. "So we should probably both turn in. I don't have a room to spare, but I do have a cot. So if you wouldn't mind setting up camp out here."
"Sounds great!"
"Good, I'll get the sheets then," Rin said, clapping her hands together, and standing up, ready to head over to the linen closet. "Oh! That meeting. it takes place first thing in the evening, so I'll be getting up pretty early to go to it. Tomorrow is the big night after all. I assume you want to come?."
"Well of course I do!" Chihiro enthused. "I'm really determined to do all I can while I stay here! I told you!"
"Well, how about you tell me your opinion AFTER the meeting, and you see how bad things really are here. Chihiro, tomorrow, I'm going to be part of this big 'plan' we've been dancing around all night. We've been organizing it for months. and it's a shame you had to come now, when we're going to execute it. I don't want you getting caught up in something so dangerous." Rin sighed, rubbing her head.
"What exactly have you all been planning?" Chihiro asked, curiosity so peaked she literally leaned forward in her seat to hear what Rin had to say.
".We're sneaking into the bathhouse, disguised as her normal soulless servants. We're going to try and find Yu-Baba and everyone else, and possibly sabotage the baths. Hopefully get a sample of Tiko's tainted spirit poison. It's going to be dangerous and risky and if we're caught and captured Tiko will most likely kill us. even though we've had minimal casualties thus far, I don't think she'll take kindly to us breaking into the Aburaya."
"Oh." Was all Chihiro could say to THAT.
"You still want to get messed up in this?"
"Well yes! I had no misconceptions that this is going to be EASY, or not risky! I'm not so naïve, and I want to be part of this plan TOO!" Chihiro proclaimed, jumping to her feet dramatically, even though she was just about ready to pass out from exhaustion.
"Chihiro! Please don't. I don't want you hurt. When we do this- this thing. I'm not going to be able to protect you, necessarily, and I would just die if you got wounded in this battle when you have so little to do with it," Rin moaned. Having Chihiro back in her life was turning out to be more stressful than the woman had predicted.
"Don't be silly Rin, if we're disguised, I'm quite sure I can take care of myself," Chihiro said flippantly, all of those years on Earth being the independent girl she had turned into shining through now with a vengeance. Rin blinked as she caught sight of it in Chihiro's overall aura. So. she really had started to grow up into a beautiful woman. Good for her.
"I'm not sure." Rin said, still hesitant now, if not only because she was sure Kohaku would kill her as well if anything happened to that girl. Well, maybe not kill, but he'd give her one of those bone chilling, disapproving glares he reserved for people who had really disappointed him, and he was maybe thinking of disemboweling. She had never had that look shed upon her, and didn't plan to have it done, either. Oh God. was she really considering letting Chihiro throw herself into the line of total danger? The group of active rebels had been planning this charade of sorts for months now, and it had been dubbed by some as 'the most risky and possibly fatal plan EVER.' How could she let little Chihiro take part in it? The fact that Rin was one of the ringleaders of the group had no effect on the situation whatsoever, in Rin's eyes. What she decided to do with her life, and what she allowed Chihiro to do with hers, were different things entirely.
"Listen, let me just go to the meeting, so I can see what it's all about, and if I think I won't be able to handle it, I'll just back out! No more complications!" Chihiro assured Rin in her most placating voice, as Rin retrieved all the needed sheets from the linen closet, and directed Chihiro to get the cot under her own bed.
"That doesn't seem like a good deal. If YOU think it's too risky, YOU can choose not to go?" Rin asked smartly, raising an eyebrow.
"Pleeaaassee Rin, I really want to help! And you said so yourself, I have a really big effect on the spirit world! Imagine what me being on this mission would do? Imagine what I could do? Admit it, it's a good idea!" Chihiro cried, slapping her fist into her palm, as she had seen her father do on more than one occasion. Ew. She was acting like her father. Chihiro quickly clasped her hands behind her back.
Rin's expression looked contemplative now, and Chihiro crossed her fingers behind her back.
"Okay," she said, heaving a large sigh after a moment. "Come to the meeting, and from there decide what you want to do. but promise me if you feel doubtful you'll back out!" Rin made the girl swear.
"I promise," Chihiro said, slapping the cot down on the ground, and mentally smiling to herself. No way was she going to back down from this operation, no matter how worried anyone was for her. She was going to help take down this Tiko, this serpent who had slithered into the spirit world, for all the woman had done to her friends!
*
"Now remember, just keep a low profile, and you'll be fine at the meeting. Things might get a little heated. but no one ever means any real harm!- Well, hardly, at least. You know how it is, times are tense! And some of the things you might hear could disturb you, so it's okay to be upset. And people might be very happy to have you here, so don't be afraid if you're a little mobbed once everyone starts recognizing you. Oh and then there's -GOD! I really wish you just hadn't come!" Rin moaned, as she and her mortal companion swiftly traveled down the mostly empty streets of the underground sanctuary, apparently up very early by spirit world standards, even though it was now five PM. Chihiro had changed out of her sunny-face shirt to more appropriate robes lent to her by Rin, although she had still kept her slightly off color sneakers. She had even been filled in, briefly, on what the whole plan was about, in case she really did decide to take part in the bathhouse workers scheme, beforehand.
Basically, since Tiko now had a hoard of soulless looking drones working for her, of a sort Rin had never encountered before, the rebels all had to plan their costumes very carefully, dressing in specific kimonos it had taken them weeks to snatch, shifting into appropriate personalities they could not let slip, and even performing all of their tasks in a certain way. Rin had awoken the still bleary eyed Chihiro a full two hours early to teach her all of the proper 'etiquette' the rebels had learned, if she wanted to act the apposite role of Tiko's workers. Chihiro had luckily caught on rather quickly, explaining with a giggle that these servants behaved rather robotically, and that they would be easy to impersonate. Rin had no idea what 'robotic' was supposed to mean, but applauded Chihiro with her quick learning anyway.
"Don't worry about me!" Chihiro said, waving off Rin's concerns for what felt like the umpteenth time that evening. Rin was acting like a worried mother hen! "I can handle it."
"Well, I guess we're about to find out, because here we are." The older woman explained, pointing to what looked like a plain, rustic hut, with a wooden cellar door at its side. Standing protectively over said cellar door was what appeared to Chihiro to be a spirit bouncer of sorts, a tall, muscular ex-bathhouse worker with a stern expression on his bulgy face. Chihiro had the sudden urge to jump behind Rin for safety as they approached the surly looking spirit, but decided it probably wouldn't be a good start to the meeting for her.
"Genma! Still on guard duty, I see?" Rin said amiably to the 'bouncer', her gregarious colors shining through. At the sight of Rin the spirit got a funny smile on his face, and he chuckled deeply.
"Aye, Rin, good to see you at the meeting! I should think the men downstairs would be needing your counseling, seeing as it's been you and Master Kohaku planning out this deal from the start," the tall spirit named Genma admitted, folding his arms. "People seem to be a might worried without Master Kohaku around to help them on the big night, but I'm sure your presence will do them a world of good,"
"So, there's still no word from Kohaku yet," Rin said, gravely. Next to her, a still shy Chihiro tugged on her ponytail irritably. It was really beginning to bother her that she didn't know where Kohaku had gone off to at all.
"No, and I must say, I think it's a little brash of him to have taken off like this, and left all of us like fish out of water. He really does have the brains of this operation. Though, I'm sure his reasons are noble, like they always are," Genma sighed, as though he were talking about a revered figure.
"Maybe this is a test of our own wits. Perhaps he thought we were depending on him to much," Rin declared as she opened the cellar doors, head held high. "I think he wanted to make sure we could pull things off without him, for once,"
"Perhaps," the bouncer conceded, shrugging. Chihiro, still nervous, was just about to follow Rin down the dark cellar stairs, when the muscular spirit called for them to stop.
"Aye! Rin! Who be this little child with you. she isn't. she wouldn't be. mortal?" Genma asked speculatively, apparently not just about to let any old HUMAN into the secret meeting. Not even some spirit members of the underground world were allowed to these, was how Rin had explained it. Some were just not trustworthy enough.
"Yeah, she is, you have something to say about it?" Rin challenged in a threatening tone, not putting up with any riff-raff Genma had to offer that night.
"Well-I-That is.. No! No, I don't. I just thought."
"Well good then. Come on Chihiro, I think we have a meeting to get to," Rin said, grinning, and continuing to trot down the stairs, that were covered in a layer of moss, making everything smell damp and earthy.
Chihiro disappeared down the flight of steps, listening to the sound of Genma yelping, 'THE Chihiro!? Good Lord!' as she left, making sure not to trip down the steep stairs and topple into Rin. The second the two reached the landing, and opened yet another wooden door, to be admitted into the meeting itself, Chihiro noticed Rin began to hold herself a different way, as though she were confident. Strong. Not that she wasn't strong before; it was just now she was. almost acting like a real leader.
This would be interesting.
The meeting room was a large, bright and rather loud one, containing a hefty circular table with many, many seats surrounding it, filled by yuna and other miscellaneous spirits alike, bustling with activity and discussion. It sort of reminded Chihiro of King Arthur's round table, although the people sitting at it were definitely not knights, and there wasn't a king in sight. Everyone looked a little rag tag and common, although they all shared a common goal and flare of passion in their eyes. Chihiro felt a small grin flit across her face as she realized she'd found kindred spirits (no pun intended) in terms of, these people all hated Tiko just as much as she now did. Wonderful.
As soon as the duo was recognized by the assembled group, a new bout of shouting and excited chatter began, Chihiro not only ignored, but also only able to pick up a few broken sentences of what the rebels were saying, as she quietly followed Rin to two vacant seats. Everyone was bombarding Rin with an array of questions and comments. Chihiro really hadn't realized that Rin was so influential or well known. Well, she had always been rather bossy at the bathhouse, so why shouldn't she be a good boss for these rebels? It made sense, and Chihiro knew Rin would make a good leader for these people. She was what they needed if they were to get things done. She could also see Kohaku doing a good job of commanding things in this place.
"Rin! It's good to see you!"
"-Where's he?"
"Yes, Master Kohaku had said-"
"-And he just disappeared with hardly-"
"Are we still going through with?."
"What do you think?"
"Could you please tell us what,"
"We NEED to strike tonight because-"
"And then she said-!"
"What's going on-?"
Chihiro's head was soon spinning with all of the roars and shouts of confusion that were blasting all around her, glad none of the questions were being posed at her, since she would have most likely tried to hide under her chair if they were. However, Rin seemed to be taking it all in with a slightly tolerant look on her face, and Chihiro silently commended her for it. These spirits were crazy!
"PEOPLE!" Rin finally yelled, holding to hands up to signal she wanted silence. "I'm am sorry to confirm that Master Kohaku won't be joining us tonight." There was mass groaning around the room. "BUT, this does not mean we won't go through with our plans! We've been planning too long to put this thing on hold now, people, and we don't really know when Kohaku is going to be back. I assure you he is doing something productive that couldn't be avoided, and we hope to have him back with us soon. Until that time however, we need to go ahead with our plan and get things done! The meeting will continue accordingly, as I think Sei and Rika have some last minute useful information for us," There was a great, pregnant pause, as everyone seemed to be absorbing what the cool and in control Rin had just told them, and even Chihiro was a bit stunned. However, one, curious spirit broke the silence:
"Is that Chihiro?"
Chihiro resisted the overwhelming urge to bang her head against the very hard table, as a new bout of yelling began, this time all of the crazed shouts and cries directed at her: most of them embarrassing praises.
"Miss Chihiro! Welcome back!"
"You're looking so well!"
"Will you be working with us?"
"Do you plan to help?"
"You did so well back at the bathhouse last time!"
"You're like a gift to us!"
"SILENCE!" Rin broke the overwhelming flow of questions now directed at the slightly shell shocked looking fourteen year-old, and, surprisingly, just as Rin had commanded it- there was silence. Apparently everyone knew that Rin would be answering all their questions in good time, from experience. "It is very possible that Chihiro, yes THE Chihiro Tei! - Will be joining us on the mission. I have already briefed her in the proper way to act as a servant of Tiko, and I think everyone will agree with me when I say she's going to be a useful asset." There was a large amount of nodding and happy smiles from the group, and Chihiro was starting to wonder if blushing this much was healthy. Although- as much as she was embarrassed- she was also incredibly flattered. She felt as though all of the Aburaya workers of whom she had left behind a long time ago, were now happily accepting her back with open arms she wanted nothing more than to leap into. She felt warm and tingly inside, again.
"Back to the matters at hand! Sei, Rika?" Rin asked, her voice authoritative as ever, as she raised her eyebrows at two male and female ex- bathhouse workers, seated next to what looked like a chalkboard, at the back. The two nodded stiffly and got to their feet, brushing deep blue robes of chalk dust. The blackboard itself seemed to have an intricate map on it, with many arrows and stars placed all over.
"Now," the male started, in a loud, though slightly nasal voice, that none-the-less caught everyone's attention. "A short summary of how things work tonight. Even though most of us are all to well acquainted with all of the Aburaya's interior, there are certain inner chambers and areas of the Aburaya we have discussed, of which we will be focusing on tonight, if we are to obtain our goals. Here we have drawn a diagram, for your convenience, of where we will be hitting, specifically,"
"Since our main objective here is to locate our captive spirits, and get a sample of Tiko's infamous poison, we will be hitting mainly Tiko's chambers, and the baths themselves. All of our men will be acting as 'normal' servants, in order to sneak into these locations," Rika continued, her voice loud enough to hear from the very opposite side of the room, as well. "The fake servants will be split into two groups, one to sniff out Tiko's chambers, the others to head to the baths and hopefully sabotage some customer's soaks while trying to obtain a sample. The blue arrows here signify where group one will be going, their exact path, if all goes well, and the red arrows are for group two,"
"There will be watch outs for every group as our men snoop around, since if we are caught by Tiko herself, the consequences could be grave," Sei added, frowning seriously.
"Yes, and also, since we have no idea where Tiko is keeping Yu-Baba had the others hidden, it may take some time for our men to actually locate anything useful in her chambers, another factor against us," the female spirit all but sighed.
"We will be entering from the back servant entrance by way of boat, and will travel up the back tower steps to get to the worker's kitchens. From there, as you can see, the men go their separate ways. Three hours later, they meet back up at the kitchen, claiming they have cooking duties that night, and escape back the way they came." Sei explained. Everyone, even Chihiro (Or more like especially Chihiro) seemed to be at the edge of their seats, listening to the grand plan with piqued interest. Even though there would be only twelve actual spirits attempting to pull off this plot, (Now thirteen with Chiharu.) everyone wanted to know exactly how the plan was going to go. They had loved ones taking part in this, after all.
"The boat will be concealed by an invisibility spell," Rika added, folding her arms, and looking a lot like a professor, giving a lecture to her students. Sei looked much the same. "So that our men will surly be able to make a hasty escape, if need be."
"Knock on wood," Sei joked, trying to lighten the mood, and failing miserably. Rika took in a breath, clapping her hands together.
"Well, if everyone has a clear idea of how this is going to work now, I think we'll be able to take questions. Keep in mind actual participants of the plan will be briefed again before they go out tonight," she said.
Chihiro looked up to Rin, but the woman had no questions, most likely because she had planned the whole thing, and in fact looked quite pleased with the presentation.
One plump yuna off to the side raised her hand.
"Um, excuse me, but do we have NO idea what sort of conditions Yu- Baba and the others are in? No idea where they are being held?" she asked, timidly.
"None." Sei said flatly. "We know they are being held prisoner somewhere, since Tiko told us outright she was holding Yu-Baba as her captive when we were still working under her. but other than that we are clueless."
"We are guessing she might have them in a confining talisman," Rika admitted, albeit hesitantly. ". It seems the easiest answer, but it's only a vague guess. We're just going to have to go in there and hope for the best," However the crowd seemed pleased by this answer, and began to talk about it heatedly among themselves, as Rika and Sei nodded thankfully and returned to their seats.
"What's a confining talisman?" Chihiro asked, getting one of those 'I'm a dumb human', feelings in the pit of her stomach again. It was times like these when she realized, no matter how at home she felt, she WASN'T a true spirit.
"It's a way to keep someone captive without much hassle," Rin said, bluntly. "The talisman itself can be anything, though most usually its precious stones, since they are the easiest to work magic on, and all you do is recite an incantation, and whomever you want to be imprisoned will be. how do I put this?. shrunken down, sort of, and sucked into the talisman, it now serving as their prison until the caster of the spell wishes them to be freed, or someone breaks the talisman with their own hands." Rin explained. Chihiro decided she sort of understood.
"Oh," she replied, twisting her ponytail, still held up by the sparkly purple hair elastic, thoughtfully. "And why do we assume Yu-Baba and everyone is being held under this spell, then? It seems sort of random."
"Because it's the most commonly used, and the most effective. Besides, we've lost trace of all of the captive's auras, as well, and unless their dead, which Tiko told us they weren't, a way to loose feel of their aura is to be trapped in a talisman." Rin elaborated.
"I see," And she did! Kind of. It was sort of confusing and hard for the girl to imagine, but she was working on it.
"AHEM!" A tall, male spirit cried, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention off their own little discussions, and onto him. After a moment, everyone dutifully turned their heads his way. He was a strong looking spirit, with thick dark hair and dashing red robes, perhaps in his mid forties, although Chihiro openly admitted to having absolutely no idea how spirit aging worked. Who knows, he could have been 200!
"Seeing as it's getting late, and we would like to put the plan into action sometime before morning, I would request that all who are going to be participating in the mission, please leave the room to the back chambers now!" he boomed. Immediately everyone broke into chatter AGAIN, though this time it sounded a whole lot more worried, and a lot less lively. People were kissing and hugging their friends and family who were participating good bye, in case the worse happened, and some were even teary as a grim troop of yuna and other spirits marched their way to a back door, disappearing behind it as the red robed spirit beckoned them in. Chihiro inwardly gulped.
At this point, Rin turned back to her younger friend, and gave her a hard stare that plainly stated: This is it. Your last chance to back down. You in, or out?
Chihiro didn't even have to think twice.
Even if she was seriously hurt, or caught and imprisoned, or even. killed. she was going to go through with this. She had to, or else she would spend her days wondering how things would have gone had she been there to help, and she couldn't stand THAT. Besides, there was this little voice in the back of her head, that was telling her it was important she see the bathhouse again. that she was going to be needed in some way. Chihiro knew better then to ignore important messages like THAT, and thus, she nodded her head happily at Rin, standing up with the woman and following her to the door. Rin didn't even put up a fight. The people were loving the idea of Chihiro helping out with all this, and Chihiro looked so positive about it all, the matter appeared to be out of her hands at this point. Kohaku was going to skin her alive.
As Chihiro neared the doors, her palms a wee bit sweaty, she was suddenly stopped as something latched onto her leg, nearly toppling her over. She gasped and looked down, her face breaking into a sweet smile as she saw it was only the little yuna from before. Kita. And she had brought two other, equally as petite yuna along this time.
"Ms. Chihiro!" Kita cried in her adorably high-pitched voice. "Please be careful! Don't get hurt!"
"Yes, be careful!" Kita's friends agreed, dancing around nervously, obviously having already made the prodigy mortal girl their new idol. Chihiro's smile broadened.
"I'll do my best to be careful AND find everyone we lost!" she assured them, just voicing these positive words giving her a sort of emotional adrenalin rush, just what she needed to encourage her to get going.
"We love you Chihiro!" the little yuna cried, as Chihiro bade them goodbye and rushed off to catch up with Rin, already passing through the door.
Cries of good luck to Chihiro in particular were called out as she too disappeared through the door, a giddy grin plastered to her face, her limbs shaking with the excitement and utter suddenness of it all. These spirits may have been preparing for this day for months, but for Chihiro, it was new and a little frightening.
She was going to help the spirit world if it was the last thing she did.
*
Chihiro found herself, but a couple hours later, sitting in a boat in the dead of the night right next to Rin, quietly gliding across the deep water from behind the Aburaya, sporting a typical servants garb, that included a convenient mask that hid the spirits give-away features. Next to Chihiro's boat, another one splashed alongside hers, containing the other seven rebels who would be sneaking into the bathhouse that night.
As promised, the slightly nervous group had been once again been briefed on exactly how things were going to work that night, Chihiro finding herself immensely grateful to be in Rin's group, the one that would be going to the baths. Everyone was feeling a mix of downright fear and complete readiness to go beat the woman who had wronged them so, and had accepted Chihiro into their group easily, seeing her as nothing more than a good omen, or a message from the heavens. Her very presence was giving them all confidence, and Chihiro would have it no other way.
The members of the group were mainly a bunch of durable and brave looking young male spirits of whom Chihiro couldn't quite distinguish between, however there were a few characters Chihiro had already picked out as her favorites. One of them was a particularly young spirit boy who had been making playful jokes to ease Chihiro's obviously tense posture when Rin was too busy conferring with some older, graver looking spirits. He was named Po, and had, Chihiro supposed, relatively handsome features for a spirit.
The others Chihiro took notice of were the other two, girl yuna along with the group. Twins, who were apparently masters of disguise and craftiness. They were a bit giggly, admittedly, but seemed to be very adamant about simply ripping Tiko's guts out for all her crimes. They were in fact a bit TOO exuberant for Chihiro, but she liked them well enough. Anyway, the only other female on the crew was a fat, churlish looking yuna with arms as thick as watermelons. She wasn't overly friendly.
"We're almost there," Rin whispered into Chihiro's ear, and the mortal girl, in turn, gripped her friend's hand hard for comfort. Rin graced her with her award-winning smile.
The outfits were long, black kimonos, and silver looking gloves that were supposed to imitate metal. Chihiro didn't know why any spirits hand's, evil or not, would be metal, but she pushed it to the back of her mind for later inspection. The masks were red with purple streaks and slits for eye- holes, a bit evil looking if you were looking for Chihiro's opinion, although Po had assured her they were just part of the 'new costume', for the 'new and improved', bathhouse. (Yeah, it's improved if you're masochistic! Po had scoffed.) Everything was a bit heavy to move in, though not impossible.
Finally, the boats silently docked by some jagged rocks near the back entrance, a spirit securely tying them both up, and another making sure the invisibility spells were still safely active. Chihiro hopped out of the boat, following Rin like a lost puppy, as the group began to quietly scour the rocks, scrambling up their steep edges, and inching along the Aburaya's side, until they had reached a small, white door, that was obviously the servant's entrance they were looking for. Chihiro found herself staring up rather dreamily at the Aburaya, thinking of all of the memorable, if not slightly frightening, adventures she had had in this place, four years ago, reminiscing on how much it had changed, and how she knew in her heart of hearts it would never be the place she once knew.
So wrapped up in her thoughts, Chihiro missed a rock to grip onto while making her way up the rocks, and as a sudden gust of wind in the darkness of the night whished by. She let out a small gasp, even as she fell, making sure not to utter to loud a cry, for fear of alerting someone her group was trying to break in. She squeezed her eyes shut, ready for the inevitable cracking of her head against a jagged boulder when- Po caught her by the wrist and firmly swung her up on to solid ground.
"Careful there, we wouldn't want you to scar that pretty face of yours," he chuckled extremely quietly, and Chihiro blushed thankfully. She had been scared there for a second.
"You okay?" Rin whispered, as the man with the red robes from the meeting, opened yet another door now, this one leading to the back staircase that would, presumably, guide the spirits to the servant's kitchens.
"Yeah," Chihiro whispered, smiling confidently for the nice woman. Rin smiled back and disappeared into the bathhouse, Chihiro, with one last longing look at the new moon hanging innocently in the star dappled sky, thinking that she wished Kohaku were by her side just now, following suit.
The group scurried as stealthily as they could up the narrow, winding staircase, everyone with the exception of their human companion apparently intimately familiar with all of their surroundings, although many looked nervous to be back. They had not parted with this place well. When they reached the end of the staircase, Rin commanded in a sharp, ever quiet voice that they were to not only slip into character now, and not break it no matter what until they met back here in three hours, but also to split into their groups and head their separate ways. Comforting glances were exchanged all around, and Po mouthed 'Good luck', to Chihiro, who mouthed it back. They were to be in separate groups from this point on, he with the watermelon armed yuna, and Chihiro with the slightly homicidal twins and Rin, not to mention two other faceless male spirits. Chihiro took comfort in the fact that they were notably beefy.
With that the door was shoved open, and everyone slipped into their obedient, eerily robotic characters, no longer free, good hearted spirits, but soulless servants for a woman who knew no limits to her own evil. The charade was on.
The two groups, single file, as that was how it was customary for the servants to travel, now snaked off in their different ways through the kitchen, Chihiro mentally wishing Po and his companions one last good luck, before all of her thoughts became completely focused on her main objective: Find a sample of that potion. They had to find a sample of that potion. And maybe sabotage a few baths so that innocent spirits weren't marinated in a concoction that would turn them into a hell bent monster for Lady Tiko, who would add them to her heartless army and continue her takeover of the spirit world. Right. That.
Soon the group was traveling out of the kitchen, and down the crowded, familiar, but infinitely unfamiliar halls of the Aburaya. Real servants who looked and walked just like them, traveled all around, a purpose in all of their steps, with seemingly no one servant lazily wandering about, and Chihiro felt a cold shiver go down her spine. These servants weren't the friendly, lively bunch she had once seen working here. They looked as though they had no lives outside their jobs, and were controlled by some powerful overlord, like puppets, only doing their master's bidding. Which was probably exactly what was happening, come to think of it.
Rin led the group, looking as though she knew exactly where she was going, while Chihiro, who had somehow ended up as the caboose at the very back, had no recollection of just how to get to the baths. She couldn't remember, and hadn't studied the map Sei and Rika had shown everyone as closely as she should. But she felt confident being under Rin's charge, in any case.
They traveled down some halls, up some stairs, past numerous servants and even customers, none who could tell that the six servants were playing a farce, as Chihiro had somehow feared they might. Chihiro altered her movements slightly to act more like the real servants did, noticing they had certain ways their heads bobbed as they moved, and certain ways they held their hands, which really WERE metal! Chihiro narrowed her eyes behind her scary mask as she studied one real servant of Tiko's. It was funny, but up close, these servants seemed to be the exact robots she had thought they acted like. But there were no such things in the spirit world!- were there? Perhaps she would have to discuss this with Rin at a later date, as it was quite odd.
All the while, there was still a part of Chihiro that was numb with shock, unable to believe all this was happening. Was she really DOING THIS? She shoved the thought aside for better, more patriotic thoughts. This was no time to freeze up!
Finally, they reached the bathing area. The stiffly walked by numerous baths, and Chihiro was sure not one of them wasn't inwardly wincing in pain as they watched the customers laugh amiably in their baths, having no idea that they were slowly but surly killing themselves as they did so. Everyone customer here tonight would be a tainted spirit before the month was up, and they had no idea. Chihiro wanted just to start screaming and get all of the oblivious sprits out of their baths before the harm was done, but knew that it would be foolish, since it would only get she and her companions caught, and ruin the plan that would hopefully save all future victims if all went well.
"Erk!" Chihiro felt her heart nearly stop as someone grabbed her arm from the side, roughly drawing her apart from her group. She hardly stifled a scream of fear, as she watched her companions dutifully march along their way, oblivious to the fact they were one rebel short. Oh why oh why had she been in the back!? Chihiro's world was practically moving in slow motion.
Turning her head, expecting the worse, Chihiro could only groan as she found exactly what she had been dreading standing in front of her, gripping her upper arm with more force than was absolutely needed. It was a real servant. And he looked to be higher in status than the normal one, have more predominant marks on his mask, and being a great deal taller. Perfect. Bloody perfect.
"You," it ordered, in a voice that was awfully mechanical. Chihiro was shaking like a leaf in the wind, unable to reply. How would she even find her group if she got away from this mindless servant? She didn't really know where they were going! Should she just find her way back to the kitchen, and hide in a cabinet, waiting like a scared fool for the three hours to be up? Oh! This was a terrible turn of events, and Chihiro was having trouble holding back a wave of tears. "You must come with me to bath number two-zero-four. Tiko's orders,"
"M-m-me?" Was all Chihiro could get out, in her best mechanical- sounding voice. Sweat dripped down her face from behind her mask, and she was suddenly incrediably glad for the concealing costume piece, because she was absolutely positive she wouldn't be able to hide the fear from her face if she was without it, and then her game would be up.
"You." It replied, harshly. "We have a very important 'customer', and he needs guarding. Are you not a warrior vessel?" It asked, jerking its head at her mask. Chihiro didn't know what a warrior vessel was, but she did know better than to deny that fact, if that's what this guy thought. So she nodded submissively. "Good then, come with me, it won't take long." It was odd, but everything this servant said had absolutely no emotion. No change in tone. It was as though it were her computer back home, talking to her.
The still quivering, though rapidly recovering Chihiro, followed the servant down some more halls, inwardly groaning as traveled farther and farther away from her old companions. When they finally got bath number two- zero-four, Chihiro found it to be concealed by rice paper walls. The superior looking servant turned to her now.
"Just watch over this one, are Tiko's orders. Make sure it bathes for a good hour at least, and does nothing funny. You see anything odd, even remotely odd, you report back immediately, understood? Tiko is doing a special sweep tonight, and I am needed, and cannot take this job myself. Understood?" It asked again. All Chihiro could do was nod in as robotic a way she could manage, pale as snow. Uh-oh - a special sweep? She had to warn the others! However, she could not, for the servant stayed to watch her fully enter the room, and she had no choice but to go. She decided firmly, as soon as she was sure that servant was gone, she was going to make a mad dash to warn everyone of Tiko's plans, no matter she was clueless as to where everyone currently was. She couldn't bear it if any of her friends were caught!!
Taking deep breaths, Chihiro entered the room, which was relatively small, and contained a simple, steaming bath in the middle of the room. She walked towards it, in case the servant was watching her shadow from outside, as she had the sneaking suspicion he was, all the while planning her quick escape. Pictures of Rin being captured and imprisoned with Yu- Baba were dancing through her head, and she could think of nothing else, her mind a mess of scrambled, half-baked ideas and ridiculously heroic rescue plans.
However, as she peered through the steam of the room, she suddenly felt a pang of compassion for whoever was taking that bath. They were probably a kind, good, loving spirit, who had a family back home (She knew she couldn't sound any more naïve, but did spirits have families?) and people who loved it. people who were going to be crushed when this poor spirit died and became a brainless demon. Squaring her shoulders, Chihiro prepared to go up to the spirit and order him out of the tub, hoping, if this one hadn't been sitting in it long enough, she could still save it, even though in her heart she knew this one was a goner. Rin had said the tainted spirit disease, so to speak, spread faster than anything! The thought depressed Chihiro, but she had to do SOMETHING.
Wait. if she told this spirit what was really going on in the bathhouse. maybe he could spread the word to the outside world! Maybe he could warn all of the warring spirits of Lady Tiko's treachery, and then everyone would rise to overthrow her in an act of spirit power! Chiharu felt the heat of excitement rise to her cheeks, (although it could have been all the steam in the room,) and she quickly scampered in a very un- robotic-servant type way over to the bath, lunging forward to spin the spirit around, and order him out of the tub. This could be it! The answers to all of the rebel's problems, and the inevitable fall of Tiko! She slapped one hand on the spirit's shoulder, twisted him around, and-
The bottom fell out of her stomach, and her breath got caught in her throat. She felt as though someone had just stabbed in the gut, and then twisted the knife around a bit, just to see her squirm and bleed with sheer agony.
The spirit soaking in the bath was.the spirit saturated in tainted spirit poison was.
Kohaku.
*
Author's Notes:
Now that's a cliffhanger! Sorry there wasn't too much fluff in this chapter, but it was very. informative, maybe? Please don't be too angry about the ending, I promise I'll make it up to you. somehow. Just review, pleeeaassee. I'm feeling very unloved over here, and I'm sick. So I'd appreciate it, because it would, undoubtedly, make my killer cold disappear! Thanks!
Rio Grande.~
Now. Some things I must attend to. Apparently, I've been spelling Aburaya wrong. Not a big surprise, though (As much as I am thankful to the person who pointed it out.) I am a little tired of fixing all my Japanese names. Of course, I'll keep on fixing them, but let's just try to overlook it people, if I mess up some during the duration of the story.
Also, people want more fluff with Kohaku and Chihiro! I can totally relate to that. AND. It'll happen, but this fiction is not going to be necessarily centered around it- there are too many other things going on! (And by the by- hardly anyone mentioned anything in the reviews about how the entire Spirit World has been chaotically hurled into a confusing mêlée of gigantic proportions! It was all about the Chihiro and Kohakuness! Sheesh!) (Shut up. I know I'd be focused on the same thing. we're just going to pretend I wouldn't be!)
And then there's my grammar. Oh God, it's atrocious, and I know it. I did a lot of 'it's' 'its', and then I just forgot to add needed words. I'm sorry; I should have looked over my work more carefully.
Last note, about Tenchi. I must be a really bad writer, because I didn't mean for people to get so many mixed messages about him! However, I'm not going to say anything, you can all think what you like, but the guy's not going to pop up much more, except maybe subliminally. He's just not overly important to the story after his little pep talk with Chihiro.
Sorry for keeping everyone waiting for so long, but as you're all going to find out, I'm lazy! Really, really lazy! And this won't be the first time Spirited Back will take a bit to come out.
Now that I'm done acting like a total bitch- On with the story! I love you all, and I don't own Spirited Away!
*
Spirited Back
By Rio Grande
Chapter Three: Spy Games.
*
"Chihiro, where did you go!?" Rin cried, upon sighting Chihiro come trotting around the bend. The older woman wasted no time throwing herself on the girl, and hugging her close. "We were so worried!"
"I-I'm sorry Rin!" Chihiro mumbled, her voice stifled by Rin's arms, and her vice like hold around Chihiro's neck.
"No I'm sorry. I'm sorry I brought you into all this. It's just too much for you to swallow, so suddenly! I should have never let you even think you would be helping us fight this war. You have no place in it!" Rin explained, looking slightly distressed, and quite guilty.
"No Rin! You weren't wrong! I've made up my mind!- Again. I want to help you fight this battle against Tiko. For real!"
Chihiro had been blindly running around the streets of the underground, rebel city for some time now, hopelessly lost and unsure if she would be able to make it back to Rin's place before daybreak, when she knew the Spirit World tended to settle down and hibernate for the day. She had just been about to break down and ask a random Yuna for direction's to her friends place, when Rin had spotted Chihiro coming down the street. Apparently Rin had been out all night looking for the fourteen year old, and had made some personal decisions herself about what Chihiro should do from here, in terms of the Spirit War. Unfortunatly for Rin, Chihiro too, thanks to a certain old shopkeeper, had made some very important choices about the war as well.
"What are you talking about, Chihiro?" Rin asked, furrowing her brow, and staring into the girls wide brown eyes. She had gotten the distinct impression that, when the girl had burst into tears and dashed out of her house, that she had been having some misgivings about really getting involved in all this mess, no matter what she had said before. But now. now she had that look in her eye. The look that told Rin she was dead serious. That she had her mind set, and refused to be persuaded.
"I. I've made up my mind to help you and all of the Bathhouse workers! I'm going to help you because I don't want the Spirit World to be torn apart by some twisted old Woman, and I will not let this battle hurt me. I'll just get stronger! Like when I came here last time! You'll see!" Chihiro assured the woman, amazing herself with how childishly firm she sounded. She hadn't talked about ANYTHING this passionately, or even thought about anything this passionately, in such a sure way, since she had been much younger. It seemed as though she had lost her will to love things strongly or as definitely as she once had been taught to in Aburaya, and had suddenly regained the ability to do so. It felt good.
"Well. I can't really argue with that . but. but It's a big commitment Chihiro. Think about what you're doing! We're not playing games here." Rin reminded the girl softly, not so sure she wanted her little friend to get involved with such things like fighting with Lady Tiko, personally.
"I know it's going to be hard, and dangerous. But I'm willing to go through all that if I can help you guys. I want to help everyone I care for!" Chihiro explained, as if this should cover it all, and end the discussion.
"A very noble choice, but maybe you'll feel differently after going to one meeting." Rin said, sagely, folding her arms.
"Meeting?"
"Yes. we're having one final one this late afternoon, to confirm our plans before tomorrow tonight," Rin elucidated, as if this should all mean something to Chihiro., which it didn't.
"What plans? In his note. Kohaku mentioned something about plans, as well." Chihiro said, impressed that she could now utter her friend's name without getting all choked up. It was an improvement!
"Yes well, he did have a big hand in organizing the whole operation our little group of rebels has been planning, though he never WAS going to be an active participant in it. he'd stand out too much. He's too well known at the Aburaya now," Rin admitted, sighing, and starting to walk back down the street, in the direction of her home, Chihiro trotting along side her. All around them, as the sun began to peak above the trees, people were scuffling into their homes, and locking their doors. Closing down for the day, and ready to act on their nocturnal ways. The sun was up! It was time for bed! Chihiro scarcely noticed anyone around her as Rin continued to talk.
"Stand out?"
"Well, I told you how Tiko had a sort of special vendetta on Kohaku over the rest of us, didn't I?" Rin asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Well, yes," Chihiro agreed. "It was because he figured out she was up to no good first, right?"
"More than that, Kohaku is currently the strongest rebel left in the entire Aburaya property. He's a river God for God's sake! And he hates Tiko, so Tiko, in turn, keeps a special eye out for him. He's her only real threat. This hurts Kohaku because it prevents him from going on special operations with us, mainly spying, since he would be too easily noticed by Tiko's people, who have specific orders to keep both eyes peeled for things like him," Rin said, spotting her house from a block away now.
"That's terrible for Kohaku," Chihiro sighed, biting her lip. Is this what Kohaku had had to live with?
"Yeah, but he deals with it well. Even gives Tiko a run for her money, most of the time. She likes letting the rest of us rebels live on her specially enclosed property, to watch us squirm and feed her demons with our depression energy, but she doesn't like having Kohaku around, at all. He's a wild variable in her neat little equation she worked out, and he likes stirring up things for her. He's practically our best defense, to boot!" Rin said, digging in her pocket for keys.
"Then he really couldn't have come to stay with me, while I was in the mortal realm. you all need him much more than I do," Chihiro acknowledged firmly, little by little completely forgiving Kohaku for all past misgivings, where she hadn't even realized she had not yet completely exonerated him. Even after all that had happened, she had still been clinging onto one selfish diminutive thought, that he really had abandoned her in the human world for four years when she was so very lonely. but now the thoughts had dissolved into thin air, and instead of uncertainty, Chihiro now felt a strong bond of camaraderie between her and Kohaku, even if HE didn't actually know they shared that aspect of their lives yet. That she was going to help him fight his, all of the Spirit World's, war.
"Yeah, I guess so," Rin shrugged, not really understanding much about Chihiro and Kohaku's relationship, when it came to such things. She shoved open her large door, and once again Chihiro found herself surrounded by the comforting, cozy atmosphere of Rin's house. It was almost a relief from the tiring, soul-searching experience she had just had out in the streets. "So, about these meetings we have. they are held every so often, as a gathering for all of the active rebels in the city, where we discuss new happenings with the Aburaya and Tiko, try out new ways to escape and, certainly, as of late, new ways to sabotage Tiko's plans, and save old friends," Rin explained, plopping down on to a chair, Chihiro deciding to perch herself carefully on a table opposite the woman.
"You mean like Granny and Yu-Baba?" Chihiro asked, excited at the prospect of rescuing the two old women.
"Not to mention the Baby and the No-Face." Rin added, grimly.
"No!" Chihiro said, heaving a gasp, eyes wide. Horrible pictures of the sweet, if not a bit confused, baby, chained up with No-Face in some dungeon in the depths of the Aburaya, flitted through her mind, and she felt a strong sense of injustice and anger. Babies and No-Faces had no place being locked up without their mothers! How dare Tiko!
"Yes, Baby was imprisoned, we think, just after Yu-Baba was overthrown. couldn't take the thought that his mother was being held somewhere indefinitely by the evil Tiko. He too saw easily through her fake, innocent façade. Though I supposed that's easier to do when it's your mother locked up. We were just all shocked. but the Baby was outraged, and quickly imprisoned somewhere as well." Rin said, her eyes getting a far off look in them, as though she were remembering old, confusing days she would have just as well forgotten.
"And No-Face?" Chihiro asked softly, almost fearfully, as though afraid to find out what had happened to her dear old friend who had been through so much with her.
"Well, when Tiko realized that Yu-Baba's sister, Zeniba, would be a possibly great threat to her grand plan, she swooped over to the poor woman's cottage and locked her up with Yu-Baba before Zeniba had time to blink. Tiko is that powerful. And then, unfortunately, No-Face was apparently taken with Zeniba. They say that he was trying to defend Zeniba, and Tiko just. overpowered him," Rin sighed, hugging herself. Chihiro looked quite depressed as well, biting her lip as she imagined her dear, brave No-Face trying to fight off Tiko. and then. Granny. It was too terrible to imagine, and all of it, just everything, from the overthrowing of Yu-Baba to the killing of all those people who were now mindless tainted spirits . Chihiro wanted to make Tiko pay for her crimes in a way she had never wanted anyone to pay before.
"Chihiro? Is something the matter? You look sort of . weary." Rin decided to say, for that was exactly what Chihiro looked like. Her eyes were burning with an inner flame, it was true. but the effect was lessened considerably by the impressive bags under her eyes, the slouch to her posture, the paleness of her face, and her obvious need for sleep.
Pulling herself out of her momentary bout of murderous thoughts, Chihiro couldn't help but let out a yawn. Smiling sheepishly and rubbing her eyes, it occurred to the teen that she hadn't slept in about twenty- four hours now. she had been working at the ice cream Shoppe all day. and had been out in the spirit world all night. wow. had everything thus far happened in one, crazily eventful night? It seemed ridiculous, but it was true. One moment she was in her room, practically drooling with boredom, and the next she was on a ghost ferry to the spirit world, where her old best friend in his dragon form crashed through the boat and nearly sank it before sweeping her off her feet into the night. right.
"I AM weary," Chihiro admitted, stretching. "I haven't slept in ages!"
"Well, it looks to be about bedtime, in any case," Rin commented, staring at the lonesome, golden ray of light that was seeping through the curtains. "So we should probably both turn in. I don't have a room to spare, but I do have a cot. So if you wouldn't mind setting up camp out here."
"Sounds great!"
"Good, I'll get the sheets then," Rin said, clapping her hands together, and standing up, ready to head over to the linen closet. "Oh! That meeting. it takes place first thing in the evening, so I'll be getting up pretty early to go to it. Tomorrow is the big night after all. I assume you want to come?."
"Well of course I do!" Chihiro enthused. "I'm really determined to do all I can while I stay here! I told you!"
"Well, how about you tell me your opinion AFTER the meeting, and you see how bad things really are here. Chihiro, tomorrow, I'm going to be part of this big 'plan' we've been dancing around all night. We've been organizing it for months. and it's a shame you had to come now, when we're going to execute it. I don't want you getting caught up in something so dangerous." Rin sighed, rubbing her head.
"What exactly have you all been planning?" Chihiro asked, curiosity so peaked she literally leaned forward in her seat to hear what Rin had to say.
".We're sneaking into the bathhouse, disguised as her normal soulless servants. We're going to try and find Yu-Baba and everyone else, and possibly sabotage the baths. Hopefully get a sample of Tiko's tainted spirit poison. It's going to be dangerous and risky and if we're caught and captured Tiko will most likely kill us. even though we've had minimal casualties thus far, I don't think she'll take kindly to us breaking into the Aburaya."
"Oh." Was all Chihiro could say to THAT.
"You still want to get messed up in this?"
"Well yes! I had no misconceptions that this is going to be EASY, or not risky! I'm not so naïve, and I want to be part of this plan TOO!" Chihiro proclaimed, jumping to her feet dramatically, even though she was just about ready to pass out from exhaustion.
"Chihiro! Please don't. I don't want you hurt. When we do this- this thing. I'm not going to be able to protect you, necessarily, and I would just die if you got wounded in this battle when you have so little to do with it," Rin moaned. Having Chihiro back in her life was turning out to be more stressful than the woman had predicted.
"Don't be silly Rin, if we're disguised, I'm quite sure I can take care of myself," Chihiro said flippantly, all of those years on Earth being the independent girl she had turned into shining through now with a vengeance. Rin blinked as she caught sight of it in Chihiro's overall aura. So. she really had started to grow up into a beautiful woman. Good for her.
"I'm not sure." Rin said, still hesitant now, if not only because she was sure Kohaku would kill her as well if anything happened to that girl. Well, maybe not kill, but he'd give her one of those bone chilling, disapproving glares he reserved for people who had really disappointed him, and he was maybe thinking of disemboweling. She had never had that look shed upon her, and didn't plan to have it done, either. Oh God. was she really considering letting Chihiro throw herself into the line of total danger? The group of active rebels had been planning this charade of sorts for months now, and it had been dubbed by some as 'the most risky and possibly fatal plan EVER.' How could she let little Chihiro take part in it? The fact that Rin was one of the ringleaders of the group had no effect on the situation whatsoever, in Rin's eyes. What she decided to do with her life, and what she allowed Chihiro to do with hers, were different things entirely.
"Listen, let me just go to the meeting, so I can see what it's all about, and if I think I won't be able to handle it, I'll just back out! No more complications!" Chihiro assured Rin in her most placating voice, as Rin retrieved all the needed sheets from the linen closet, and directed Chihiro to get the cot under her own bed.
"That doesn't seem like a good deal. If YOU think it's too risky, YOU can choose not to go?" Rin asked smartly, raising an eyebrow.
"Pleeaaassee Rin, I really want to help! And you said so yourself, I have a really big effect on the spirit world! Imagine what me being on this mission would do? Imagine what I could do? Admit it, it's a good idea!" Chihiro cried, slapping her fist into her palm, as she had seen her father do on more than one occasion. Ew. She was acting like her father. Chihiro quickly clasped her hands behind her back.
Rin's expression looked contemplative now, and Chihiro crossed her fingers behind her back.
"Okay," she said, heaving a large sigh after a moment. "Come to the meeting, and from there decide what you want to do. but promise me if you feel doubtful you'll back out!" Rin made the girl swear.
"I promise," Chihiro said, slapping the cot down on the ground, and mentally smiling to herself. No way was she going to back down from this operation, no matter how worried anyone was for her. She was going to help take down this Tiko, this serpent who had slithered into the spirit world, for all the woman had done to her friends!
*
"Now remember, just keep a low profile, and you'll be fine at the meeting. Things might get a little heated. but no one ever means any real harm!- Well, hardly, at least. You know how it is, times are tense! And some of the things you might hear could disturb you, so it's okay to be upset. And people might be very happy to have you here, so don't be afraid if you're a little mobbed once everyone starts recognizing you. Oh and then there's -GOD! I really wish you just hadn't come!" Rin moaned, as she and her mortal companion swiftly traveled down the mostly empty streets of the underground sanctuary, apparently up very early by spirit world standards, even though it was now five PM. Chihiro had changed out of her sunny-face shirt to more appropriate robes lent to her by Rin, although she had still kept her slightly off color sneakers. She had even been filled in, briefly, on what the whole plan was about, in case she really did decide to take part in the bathhouse workers scheme, beforehand.
Basically, since Tiko now had a hoard of soulless looking drones working for her, of a sort Rin had never encountered before, the rebels all had to plan their costumes very carefully, dressing in specific kimonos it had taken them weeks to snatch, shifting into appropriate personalities they could not let slip, and even performing all of their tasks in a certain way. Rin had awoken the still bleary eyed Chihiro a full two hours early to teach her all of the proper 'etiquette' the rebels had learned, if she wanted to act the apposite role of Tiko's workers. Chihiro had luckily caught on rather quickly, explaining with a giggle that these servants behaved rather robotically, and that they would be easy to impersonate. Rin had no idea what 'robotic' was supposed to mean, but applauded Chihiro with her quick learning anyway.
"Don't worry about me!" Chihiro said, waving off Rin's concerns for what felt like the umpteenth time that evening. Rin was acting like a worried mother hen! "I can handle it."
"Well, I guess we're about to find out, because here we are." The older woman explained, pointing to what looked like a plain, rustic hut, with a wooden cellar door at its side. Standing protectively over said cellar door was what appeared to Chihiro to be a spirit bouncer of sorts, a tall, muscular ex-bathhouse worker with a stern expression on his bulgy face. Chihiro had the sudden urge to jump behind Rin for safety as they approached the surly looking spirit, but decided it probably wouldn't be a good start to the meeting for her.
"Genma! Still on guard duty, I see?" Rin said amiably to the 'bouncer', her gregarious colors shining through. At the sight of Rin the spirit got a funny smile on his face, and he chuckled deeply.
"Aye, Rin, good to see you at the meeting! I should think the men downstairs would be needing your counseling, seeing as it's been you and Master Kohaku planning out this deal from the start," the tall spirit named Genma admitted, folding his arms. "People seem to be a might worried without Master Kohaku around to help them on the big night, but I'm sure your presence will do them a world of good,"
"So, there's still no word from Kohaku yet," Rin said, gravely. Next to her, a still shy Chihiro tugged on her ponytail irritably. It was really beginning to bother her that she didn't know where Kohaku had gone off to at all.
"No, and I must say, I think it's a little brash of him to have taken off like this, and left all of us like fish out of water. He really does have the brains of this operation. Though, I'm sure his reasons are noble, like they always are," Genma sighed, as though he were talking about a revered figure.
"Maybe this is a test of our own wits. Perhaps he thought we were depending on him to much," Rin declared as she opened the cellar doors, head held high. "I think he wanted to make sure we could pull things off without him, for once,"
"Perhaps," the bouncer conceded, shrugging. Chihiro, still nervous, was just about to follow Rin down the dark cellar stairs, when the muscular spirit called for them to stop.
"Aye! Rin! Who be this little child with you. she isn't. she wouldn't be. mortal?" Genma asked speculatively, apparently not just about to let any old HUMAN into the secret meeting. Not even some spirit members of the underground world were allowed to these, was how Rin had explained it. Some were just not trustworthy enough.
"Yeah, she is, you have something to say about it?" Rin challenged in a threatening tone, not putting up with any riff-raff Genma had to offer that night.
"Well-I-That is.. No! No, I don't. I just thought."
"Well good then. Come on Chihiro, I think we have a meeting to get to," Rin said, grinning, and continuing to trot down the stairs, that were covered in a layer of moss, making everything smell damp and earthy.
Chihiro disappeared down the flight of steps, listening to the sound of Genma yelping, 'THE Chihiro!? Good Lord!' as she left, making sure not to trip down the steep stairs and topple into Rin. The second the two reached the landing, and opened yet another wooden door, to be admitted into the meeting itself, Chihiro noticed Rin began to hold herself a different way, as though she were confident. Strong. Not that she wasn't strong before; it was just now she was. almost acting like a real leader.
This would be interesting.
The meeting room was a large, bright and rather loud one, containing a hefty circular table with many, many seats surrounding it, filled by yuna and other miscellaneous spirits alike, bustling with activity and discussion. It sort of reminded Chihiro of King Arthur's round table, although the people sitting at it were definitely not knights, and there wasn't a king in sight. Everyone looked a little rag tag and common, although they all shared a common goal and flare of passion in their eyes. Chihiro felt a small grin flit across her face as she realized she'd found kindred spirits (no pun intended) in terms of, these people all hated Tiko just as much as she now did. Wonderful.
As soon as the duo was recognized by the assembled group, a new bout of shouting and excited chatter began, Chihiro not only ignored, but also only able to pick up a few broken sentences of what the rebels were saying, as she quietly followed Rin to two vacant seats. Everyone was bombarding Rin with an array of questions and comments. Chihiro really hadn't realized that Rin was so influential or well known. Well, she had always been rather bossy at the bathhouse, so why shouldn't she be a good boss for these rebels? It made sense, and Chihiro knew Rin would make a good leader for these people. She was what they needed if they were to get things done. She could also see Kohaku doing a good job of commanding things in this place.
"Rin! It's good to see you!"
"-Where's he?"
"Yes, Master Kohaku had said-"
"-And he just disappeared with hardly-"
"Are we still going through with?."
"What do you think?"
"Could you please tell us what,"
"We NEED to strike tonight because-"
"And then she said-!"
"What's going on-?"
Chihiro's head was soon spinning with all of the roars and shouts of confusion that were blasting all around her, glad none of the questions were being posed at her, since she would have most likely tried to hide under her chair if they were. However, Rin seemed to be taking it all in with a slightly tolerant look on her face, and Chihiro silently commended her for it. These spirits were crazy!
"PEOPLE!" Rin finally yelled, holding to hands up to signal she wanted silence. "I'm am sorry to confirm that Master Kohaku won't be joining us tonight." There was mass groaning around the room. "BUT, this does not mean we won't go through with our plans! We've been planning too long to put this thing on hold now, people, and we don't really know when Kohaku is going to be back. I assure you he is doing something productive that couldn't be avoided, and we hope to have him back with us soon. Until that time however, we need to go ahead with our plan and get things done! The meeting will continue accordingly, as I think Sei and Rika have some last minute useful information for us," There was a great, pregnant pause, as everyone seemed to be absorbing what the cool and in control Rin had just told them, and even Chihiro was a bit stunned. However, one, curious spirit broke the silence:
"Is that Chihiro?"
Chihiro resisted the overwhelming urge to bang her head against the very hard table, as a new bout of yelling began, this time all of the crazed shouts and cries directed at her: most of them embarrassing praises.
"Miss Chihiro! Welcome back!"
"You're looking so well!"
"Will you be working with us?"
"Do you plan to help?"
"You did so well back at the bathhouse last time!"
"You're like a gift to us!"
"SILENCE!" Rin broke the overwhelming flow of questions now directed at the slightly shell shocked looking fourteen year-old, and, surprisingly, just as Rin had commanded it- there was silence. Apparently everyone knew that Rin would be answering all their questions in good time, from experience. "It is very possible that Chihiro, yes THE Chihiro Tei! - Will be joining us on the mission. I have already briefed her in the proper way to act as a servant of Tiko, and I think everyone will agree with me when I say she's going to be a useful asset." There was a large amount of nodding and happy smiles from the group, and Chihiro was starting to wonder if blushing this much was healthy. Although- as much as she was embarrassed- she was also incredibly flattered. She felt as though all of the Aburaya workers of whom she had left behind a long time ago, were now happily accepting her back with open arms she wanted nothing more than to leap into. She felt warm and tingly inside, again.
"Back to the matters at hand! Sei, Rika?" Rin asked, her voice authoritative as ever, as she raised her eyebrows at two male and female ex- bathhouse workers, seated next to what looked like a chalkboard, at the back. The two nodded stiffly and got to their feet, brushing deep blue robes of chalk dust. The blackboard itself seemed to have an intricate map on it, with many arrows and stars placed all over.
"Now," the male started, in a loud, though slightly nasal voice, that none-the-less caught everyone's attention. "A short summary of how things work tonight. Even though most of us are all to well acquainted with all of the Aburaya's interior, there are certain inner chambers and areas of the Aburaya we have discussed, of which we will be focusing on tonight, if we are to obtain our goals. Here we have drawn a diagram, for your convenience, of where we will be hitting, specifically,"
"Since our main objective here is to locate our captive spirits, and get a sample of Tiko's infamous poison, we will be hitting mainly Tiko's chambers, and the baths themselves. All of our men will be acting as 'normal' servants, in order to sneak into these locations," Rika continued, her voice loud enough to hear from the very opposite side of the room, as well. "The fake servants will be split into two groups, one to sniff out Tiko's chambers, the others to head to the baths and hopefully sabotage some customer's soaks while trying to obtain a sample. The blue arrows here signify where group one will be going, their exact path, if all goes well, and the red arrows are for group two,"
"There will be watch outs for every group as our men snoop around, since if we are caught by Tiko herself, the consequences could be grave," Sei added, frowning seriously.
"Yes, and also, since we have no idea where Tiko is keeping Yu-Baba had the others hidden, it may take some time for our men to actually locate anything useful in her chambers, another factor against us," the female spirit all but sighed.
"We will be entering from the back servant entrance by way of boat, and will travel up the back tower steps to get to the worker's kitchens. From there, as you can see, the men go their separate ways. Three hours later, they meet back up at the kitchen, claiming they have cooking duties that night, and escape back the way they came." Sei explained. Everyone, even Chihiro (Or more like especially Chihiro) seemed to be at the edge of their seats, listening to the grand plan with piqued interest. Even though there would be only twelve actual spirits attempting to pull off this plot, (Now thirteen with Chiharu.) everyone wanted to know exactly how the plan was going to go. They had loved ones taking part in this, after all.
"The boat will be concealed by an invisibility spell," Rika added, folding her arms, and looking a lot like a professor, giving a lecture to her students. Sei looked much the same. "So that our men will surly be able to make a hasty escape, if need be."
"Knock on wood," Sei joked, trying to lighten the mood, and failing miserably. Rika took in a breath, clapping her hands together.
"Well, if everyone has a clear idea of how this is going to work now, I think we'll be able to take questions. Keep in mind actual participants of the plan will be briefed again before they go out tonight," she said.
Chihiro looked up to Rin, but the woman had no questions, most likely because she had planned the whole thing, and in fact looked quite pleased with the presentation.
One plump yuna off to the side raised her hand.
"Um, excuse me, but do we have NO idea what sort of conditions Yu- Baba and the others are in? No idea where they are being held?" she asked, timidly.
"None." Sei said flatly. "We know they are being held prisoner somewhere, since Tiko told us outright she was holding Yu-Baba as her captive when we were still working under her. but other than that we are clueless."
"We are guessing she might have them in a confining talisman," Rika admitted, albeit hesitantly. ". It seems the easiest answer, but it's only a vague guess. We're just going to have to go in there and hope for the best," However the crowd seemed pleased by this answer, and began to talk about it heatedly among themselves, as Rika and Sei nodded thankfully and returned to their seats.
"What's a confining talisman?" Chihiro asked, getting one of those 'I'm a dumb human', feelings in the pit of her stomach again. It was times like these when she realized, no matter how at home she felt, she WASN'T a true spirit.
"It's a way to keep someone captive without much hassle," Rin said, bluntly. "The talisman itself can be anything, though most usually its precious stones, since they are the easiest to work magic on, and all you do is recite an incantation, and whomever you want to be imprisoned will be. how do I put this?. shrunken down, sort of, and sucked into the talisman, it now serving as their prison until the caster of the spell wishes them to be freed, or someone breaks the talisman with their own hands." Rin explained. Chihiro decided she sort of understood.
"Oh," she replied, twisting her ponytail, still held up by the sparkly purple hair elastic, thoughtfully. "And why do we assume Yu-Baba and everyone is being held under this spell, then? It seems sort of random."
"Because it's the most commonly used, and the most effective. Besides, we've lost trace of all of the captive's auras, as well, and unless their dead, which Tiko told us they weren't, a way to loose feel of their aura is to be trapped in a talisman." Rin elaborated.
"I see," And she did! Kind of. It was sort of confusing and hard for the girl to imagine, but she was working on it.
"AHEM!" A tall, male spirit cried, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention off their own little discussions, and onto him. After a moment, everyone dutifully turned their heads his way. He was a strong looking spirit, with thick dark hair and dashing red robes, perhaps in his mid forties, although Chihiro openly admitted to having absolutely no idea how spirit aging worked. Who knows, he could have been 200!
"Seeing as it's getting late, and we would like to put the plan into action sometime before morning, I would request that all who are going to be participating in the mission, please leave the room to the back chambers now!" he boomed. Immediately everyone broke into chatter AGAIN, though this time it sounded a whole lot more worried, and a lot less lively. People were kissing and hugging their friends and family who were participating good bye, in case the worse happened, and some were even teary as a grim troop of yuna and other spirits marched their way to a back door, disappearing behind it as the red robed spirit beckoned them in. Chihiro inwardly gulped.
At this point, Rin turned back to her younger friend, and gave her a hard stare that plainly stated: This is it. Your last chance to back down. You in, or out?
Chihiro didn't even have to think twice.
Even if she was seriously hurt, or caught and imprisoned, or even. killed. she was going to go through with this. She had to, or else she would spend her days wondering how things would have gone had she been there to help, and she couldn't stand THAT. Besides, there was this little voice in the back of her head, that was telling her it was important she see the bathhouse again. that she was going to be needed in some way. Chihiro knew better then to ignore important messages like THAT, and thus, she nodded her head happily at Rin, standing up with the woman and following her to the door. Rin didn't even put up a fight. The people were loving the idea of Chihiro helping out with all this, and Chihiro looked so positive about it all, the matter appeared to be out of her hands at this point. Kohaku was going to skin her alive.
As Chihiro neared the doors, her palms a wee bit sweaty, she was suddenly stopped as something latched onto her leg, nearly toppling her over. She gasped and looked down, her face breaking into a sweet smile as she saw it was only the little yuna from before. Kita. And she had brought two other, equally as petite yuna along this time.
"Ms. Chihiro!" Kita cried in her adorably high-pitched voice. "Please be careful! Don't get hurt!"
"Yes, be careful!" Kita's friends agreed, dancing around nervously, obviously having already made the prodigy mortal girl their new idol. Chihiro's smile broadened.
"I'll do my best to be careful AND find everyone we lost!" she assured them, just voicing these positive words giving her a sort of emotional adrenalin rush, just what she needed to encourage her to get going.
"We love you Chihiro!" the little yuna cried, as Chihiro bade them goodbye and rushed off to catch up with Rin, already passing through the door.
Cries of good luck to Chihiro in particular were called out as she too disappeared through the door, a giddy grin plastered to her face, her limbs shaking with the excitement and utter suddenness of it all. These spirits may have been preparing for this day for months, but for Chihiro, it was new and a little frightening.
She was going to help the spirit world if it was the last thing she did.
*
Chihiro found herself, but a couple hours later, sitting in a boat in the dead of the night right next to Rin, quietly gliding across the deep water from behind the Aburaya, sporting a typical servants garb, that included a convenient mask that hid the spirits give-away features. Next to Chihiro's boat, another one splashed alongside hers, containing the other seven rebels who would be sneaking into the bathhouse that night.
As promised, the slightly nervous group had been once again been briefed on exactly how things were going to work that night, Chihiro finding herself immensely grateful to be in Rin's group, the one that would be going to the baths. Everyone was feeling a mix of downright fear and complete readiness to go beat the woman who had wronged them so, and had accepted Chihiro into their group easily, seeing her as nothing more than a good omen, or a message from the heavens. Her very presence was giving them all confidence, and Chihiro would have it no other way.
The members of the group were mainly a bunch of durable and brave looking young male spirits of whom Chihiro couldn't quite distinguish between, however there were a few characters Chihiro had already picked out as her favorites. One of them was a particularly young spirit boy who had been making playful jokes to ease Chihiro's obviously tense posture when Rin was too busy conferring with some older, graver looking spirits. He was named Po, and had, Chihiro supposed, relatively handsome features for a spirit.
The others Chihiro took notice of were the other two, girl yuna along with the group. Twins, who were apparently masters of disguise and craftiness. They were a bit giggly, admittedly, but seemed to be very adamant about simply ripping Tiko's guts out for all her crimes. They were in fact a bit TOO exuberant for Chihiro, but she liked them well enough. Anyway, the only other female on the crew was a fat, churlish looking yuna with arms as thick as watermelons. She wasn't overly friendly.
"We're almost there," Rin whispered into Chihiro's ear, and the mortal girl, in turn, gripped her friend's hand hard for comfort. Rin graced her with her award-winning smile.
The outfits were long, black kimonos, and silver looking gloves that were supposed to imitate metal. Chihiro didn't know why any spirits hand's, evil or not, would be metal, but she pushed it to the back of her mind for later inspection. The masks were red with purple streaks and slits for eye- holes, a bit evil looking if you were looking for Chihiro's opinion, although Po had assured her they were just part of the 'new costume', for the 'new and improved', bathhouse. (Yeah, it's improved if you're masochistic! Po had scoffed.) Everything was a bit heavy to move in, though not impossible.
Finally, the boats silently docked by some jagged rocks near the back entrance, a spirit securely tying them both up, and another making sure the invisibility spells were still safely active. Chihiro hopped out of the boat, following Rin like a lost puppy, as the group began to quietly scour the rocks, scrambling up their steep edges, and inching along the Aburaya's side, until they had reached a small, white door, that was obviously the servant's entrance they were looking for. Chihiro found herself staring up rather dreamily at the Aburaya, thinking of all of the memorable, if not slightly frightening, adventures she had had in this place, four years ago, reminiscing on how much it had changed, and how she knew in her heart of hearts it would never be the place she once knew.
So wrapped up in her thoughts, Chihiro missed a rock to grip onto while making her way up the rocks, and as a sudden gust of wind in the darkness of the night whished by. She let out a small gasp, even as she fell, making sure not to utter to loud a cry, for fear of alerting someone her group was trying to break in. She squeezed her eyes shut, ready for the inevitable cracking of her head against a jagged boulder when- Po caught her by the wrist and firmly swung her up on to solid ground.
"Careful there, we wouldn't want you to scar that pretty face of yours," he chuckled extremely quietly, and Chihiro blushed thankfully. She had been scared there for a second.
"You okay?" Rin whispered, as the man with the red robes from the meeting, opened yet another door now, this one leading to the back staircase that would, presumably, guide the spirits to the servant's kitchens.
"Yeah," Chihiro whispered, smiling confidently for the nice woman. Rin smiled back and disappeared into the bathhouse, Chihiro, with one last longing look at the new moon hanging innocently in the star dappled sky, thinking that she wished Kohaku were by her side just now, following suit.
The group scurried as stealthily as they could up the narrow, winding staircase, everyone with the exception of their human companion apparently intimately familiar with all of their surroundings, although many looked nervous to be back. They had not parted with this place well. When they reached the end of the staircase, Rin commanded in a sharp, ever quiet voice that they were to not only slip into character now, and not break it no matter what until they met back here in three hours, but also to split into their groups and head their separate ways. Comforting glances were exchanged all around, and Po mouthed 'Good luck', to Chihiro, who mouthed it back. They were to be in separate groups from this point on, he with the watermelon armed yuna, and Chihiro with the slightly homicidal twins and Rin, not to mention two other faceless male spirits. Chihiro took comfort in the fact that they were notably beefy.
With that the door was shoved open, and everyone slipped into their obedient, eerily robotic characters, no longer free, good hearted spirits, but soulless servants for a woman who knew no limits to her own evil. The charade was on.
The two groups, single file, as that was how it was customary for the servants to travel, now snaked off in their different ways through the kitchen, Chihiro mentally wishing Po and his companions one last good luck, before all of her thoughts became completely focused on her main objective: Find a sample of that potion. They had to find a sample of that potion. And maybe sabotage a few baths so that innocent spirits weren't marinated in a concoction that would turn them into a hell bent monster for Lady Tiko, who would add them to her heartless army and continue her takeover of the spirit world. Right. That.
Soon the group was traveling out of the kitchen, and down the crowded, familiar, but infinitely unfamiliar halls of the Aburaya. Real servants who looked and walked just like them, traveled all around, a purpose in all of their steps, with seemingly no one servant lazily wandering about, and Chihiro felt a cold shiver go down her spine. These servants weren't the friendly, lively bunch she had once seen working here. They looked as though they had no lives outside their jobs, and were controlled by some powerful overlord, like puppets, only doing their master's bidding. Which was probably exactly what was happening, come to think of it.
Rin led the group, looking as though she knew exactly where she was going, while Chihiro, who had somehow ended up as the caboose at the very back, had no recollection of just how to get to the baths. She couldn't remember, and hadn't studied the map Sei and Rika had shown everyone as closely as she should. But she felt confident being under Rin's charge, in any case.
They traveled down some halls, up some stairs, past numerous servants and even customers, none who could tell that the six servants were playing a farce, as Chihiro had somehow feared they might. Chihiro altered her movements slightly to act more like the real servants did, noticing they had certain ways their heads bobbed as they moved, and certain ways they held their hands, which really WERE metal! Chihiro narrowed her eyes behind her scary mask as she studied one real servant of Tiko's. It was funny, but up close, these servants seemed to be the exact robots she had thought they acted like. But there were no such things in the spirit world!- were there? Perhaps she would have to discuss this with Rin at a later date, as it was quite odd.
All the while, there was still a part of Chihiro that was numb with shock, unable to believe all this was happening. Was she really DOING THIS? She shoved the thought aside for better, more patriotic thoughts. This was no time to freeze up!
Finally, they reached the bathing area. The stiffly walked by numerous baths, and Chihiro was sure not one of them wasn't inwardly wincing in pain as they watched the customers laugh amiably in their baths, having no idea that they were slowly but surly killing themselves as they did so. Everyone customer here tonight would be a tainted spirit before the month was up, and they had no idea. Chihiro wanted just to start screaming and get all of the oblivious sprits out of their baths before the harm was done, but knew that it would be foolish, since it would only get she and her companions caught, and ruin the plan that would hopefully save all future victims if all went well.
"Erk!" Chihiro felt her heart nearly stop as someone grabbed her arm from the side, roughly drawing her apart from her group. She hardly stifled a scream of fear, as she watched her companions dutifully march along their way, oblivious to the fact they were one rebel short. Oh why oh why had she been in the back!? Chihiro's world was practically moving in slow motion.
Turning her head, expecting the worse, Chihiro could only groan as she found exactly what she had been dreading standing in front of her, gripping her upper arm with more force than was absolutely needed. It was a real servant. And he looked to be higher in status than the normal one, have more predominant marks on his mask, and being a great deal taller. Perfect. Bloody perfect.
"You," it ordered, in a voice that was awfully mechanical. Chihiro was shaking like a leaf in the wind, unable to reply. How would she even find her group if she got away from this mindless servant? She didn't really know where they were going! Should she just find her way back to the kitchen, and hide in a cabinet, waiting like a scared fool for the three hours to be up? Oh! This was a terrible turn of events, and Chihiro was having trouble holding back a wave of tears. "You must come with me to bath number two-zero-four. Tiko's orders,"
"M-m-me?" Was all Chihiro could get out, in her best mechanical- sounding voice. Sweat dripped down her face from behind her mask, and she was suddenly incrediably glad for the concealing costume piece, because she was absolutely positive she wouldn't be able to hide the fear from her face if she was without it, and then her game would be up.
"You." It replied, harshly. "We have a very important 'customer', and he needs guarding. Are you not a warrior vessel?" It asked, jerking its head at her mask. Chihiro didn't know what a warrior vessel was, but she did know better than to deny that fact, if that's what this guy thought. So she nodded submissively. "Good then, come with me, it won't take long." It was odd, but everything this servant said had absolutely no emotion. No change in tone. It was as though it were her computer back home, talking to her.
The still quivering, though rapidly recovering Chihiro, followed the servant down some more halls, inwardly groaning as traveled farther and farther away from her old companions. When they finally got bath number two- zero-four, Chihiro found it to be concealed by rice paper walls. The superior looking servant turned to her now.
"Just watch over this one, are Tiko's orders. Make sure it bathes for a good hour at least, and does nothing funny. You see anything odd, even remotely odd, you report back immediately, understood? Tiko is doing a special sweep tonight, and I am needed, and cannot take this job myself. Understood?" It asked again. All Chihiro could do was nod in as robotic a way she could manage, pale as snow. Uh-oh - a special sweep? She had to warn the others! However, she could not, for the servant stayed to watch her fully enter the room, and she had no choice but to go. She decided firmly, as soon as she was sure that servant was gone, she was going to make a mad dash to warn everyone of Tiko's plans, no matter she was clueless as to where everyone currently was. She couldn't bear it if any of her friends were caught!!
Taking deep breaths, Chihiro entered the room, which was relatively small, and contained a simple, steaming bath in the middle of the room. She walked towards it, in case the servant was watching her shadow from outside, as she had the sneaking suspicion he was, all the while planning her quick escape. Pictures of Rin being captured and imprisoned with Yu- Baba were dancing through her head, and she could think of nothing else, her mind a mess of scrambled, half-baked ideas and ridiculously heroic rescue plans.
However, as she peered through the steam of the room, she suddenly felt a pang of compassion for whoever was taking that bath. They were probably a kind, good, loving spirit, who had a family back home (She knew she couldn't sound any more naïve, but did spirits have families?) and people who loved it. people who were going to be crushed when this poor spirit died and became a brainless demon. Squaring her shoulders, Chihiro prepared to go up to the spirit and order him out of the tub, hoping, if this one hadn't been sitting in it long enough, she could still save it, even though in her heart she knew this one was a goner. Rin had said the tainted spirit disease, so to speak, spread faster than anything! The thought depressed Chihiro, but she had to do SOMETHING.
Wait. if she told this spirit what was really going on in the bathhouse. maybe he could spread the word to the outside world! Maybe he could warn all of the warring spirits of Lady Tiko's treachery, and then everyone would rise to overthrow her in an act of spirit power! Chiharu felt the heat of excitement rise to her cheeks, (although it could have been all the steam in the room,) and she quickly scampered in a very un- robotic-servant type way over to the bath, lunging forward to spin the spirit around, and order him out of the tub. This could be it! The answers to all of the rebel's problems, and the inevitable fall of Tiko! She slapped one hand on the spirit's shoulder, twisted him around, and-
The bottom fell out of her stomach, and her breath got caught in her throat. She felt as though someone had just stabbed in the gut, and then twisted the knife around a bit, just to see her squirm and bleed with sheer agony.
The spirit soaking in the bath was.the spirit saturated in tainted spirit poison was.
Kohaku.
*
Author's Notes:
Now that's a cliffhanger! Sorry there wasn't too much fluff in this chapter, but it was very. informative, maybe? Please don't be too angry about the ending, I promise I'll make it up to you. somehow. Just review, pleeeaassee. I'm feeling very unloved over here, and I'm sick. So I'd appreciate it, because it would, undoubtedly, make my killer cold disappear! Thanks!
Rio Grande.~