A/N: wowie! TWO readers! And I figured I'd only get one flamer and that was
it. =^-^= expect the worst, then you'll never be disappointed! Oh great.
Now I'm getting pessimistic.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. [i.e. Spirited Away]
Chapter Started: 4/29/03
Chapter Finished: 4/30/03
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Third Person POV
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Yuuko slowly opened her eyes, and waited a second. Then she realized that she was in her living room, on the floor. She looked around. And promptly faded into blackness once more. Of all swiftness, Yuuko closed her eyes.
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Roku was personally shocked at Miai, or Chihiro. She seemed much younger then what he had expected - Yuuko had mentioned her "childlike" physical state, but he hadn't expected it to be this bad. Oh, well. She'd start growing properly and would be ready to take a consort and conceive within a few months. In that time, she could be given magic, taught how to be a proper princess and queen, and she would have a love for her Kingdom, and would rule it regardless of her inner thoughts.
Niou was also somewhat surprised at how easily Miai - Chihiro - gave in to the darkness of oblivion. She would have to be taught strength. She wouldn't cooperate at first, that much was obvious. But that was why they had kept Yuuko alive. That, and Yuuko needed to give them "Chihiro" willingly otherwise Miai would be able to take desperate measures should she truly wish to leave. She was the last of the throne.
After dragging her downstairs again, her left foot was carefully examined and it was made certain that this girl was the Last Heir.
"She is weak, and very, very young," Roku said, waving a hand. All of the blood and bodies disintegrated, and the house was suddenly ship-shape again. Niou also exercised his magic, and all of the doors closed, and the stench was eliminated. A snap of the fingers, and Yuuko lay perfectly clean on the couch. Both turned their magic to Chihiro and managed to heal and clean her shoulder, skin, throat and mouth; as they reached for her hair, there was an enormous crackle, a snap, and both jumped back with surprised shouts.
"So she has magic?" Roku asked in surprise. He extended an invisible magic hand, and searched Chihiro thoroughly.
"No. somebody magic must have known who she was, and had access to Kamikakushi. They gave her some protection." Niou said. "we shall have to thank whoever it was."
"Indeed."
Now being careful of the hairpiece, which might brake should they put too much force on it, they finished cleaning Chihiro up, and she looked almost the same except for her torn and tattered night shirt. The sparkly hair band was the only magic that Chihiro would accept willingly. Roku put both hands out, and Chihiro was lifted into the air and floated just a little over their heads, held up by an invisible force - actually Roku.
Niou made the same hand motions, and her garments slithered to the floor and twisted and burned until just a few lingering lint was left. Both men examined her, and sighed. "she has some growing to do," Niou commented, bring a wrist down and a corset materialized on Chihiro.
"Yes. By the time she has come of age, everything will be ready, and with the influence of Kamikakushi and other sorcerers and sorceresses her body will have developed enough for conceiving." Roku replied.
Niou brought his wrist back up, and an under-gown appeared. Down, and a silk light blue gown was over that; up, the actual dress [white]; and down for the last time, dressing her bare feet in soft cloth boots. Roku lowered her so that her height matched theirs, and Niou moved forward quickly, placing a single, quarter-sized misty blue-black jewel in the shape of a sphere on/in the little hollow at the base of her neck. It stayed; it seemed glued to her skin. Roku lowered Chihiro fully on the floor, where Niou swiftly placed a layer of thick, soft blankets for her body to rest on.
Yuuko woke once more. After a few minutes, her eyes shot open fully, and she scrambled at once to her feet. She caught sight of Chihiro, and in a flurry she was at her daughter's side in an instant.
"Chihiro, Chihiro-chan, wake up sweet one, it's me, okaasan, please wake up," Yuuko whispered, cradling her daughter's head in her lap. She took full notice of Chihiro's clothing, and looked sharply up at a very amused Roku and Niou.
"What did you do to her?!?" Yuuko demanded. "Where's my husband???"
Roku laughed coldly. "That man who thinks he can have the privilege of calling Princess Miai 'daughter' is dead: killed him myself." He smirked fully. "you - you are going to cooperate, otherwise your daughter will be killed."
"No, let her go, please," Yuuko begged. "I'll do anything, just release Chihiro from this madness, she is far too young!"
"Twelve seasons of age is not young at all," Niou scoffed. "see that jewel at her neck? Can you guess what it is?"
Yuuko looked back at Chihiro's prone form, and swallowed. Tentatively she reached out a finger and brushed the trinket gently. Then two fingers, three fingers, closed around it and pulled. Chihiro whimpered, and blood began to speck as the jewel refused to come off. Shocked, Yuuko stopped pulling, and watched as the trinket seemed to drink up the dots of blood around it. she looked up again.
"What have you done to her?!?" tears began to fall. They had killed Akio. They had hurt her daughter. What was Yuuko to do? She should have gotten an abortion when she had had the chance.
"Because I am a very kind and caring sorcerer, I'll tell you why you are still alive and what that beautiful jewel is for." Said Roku, reclining easily. Niou perched himself next to him.
"You are going to help us control her at first. then, when we have better power over her, her magic will be held in that sphere, isn't it lovely? Only we Royal Advisors can work it. should she manage to pull it off, it'll kill her slowly and painfully, and only we or" (he wrinkled his nose) "her true love. Should she cut it off, she would end up with a slit throat. Once she is consort, it will be removed, and she will have an undying love for her kingdom, and we will advise her on how to rule it properly until wisdom takes over. Besides, she has nothing left here. You will be killed as we show her a demonstration of our power, and little miss Chihiro will no longer exist." He stood fully once more. "Princess Miai, soon to be Queen Miai, will be alive once more."
Yuuko bit her lip and cradled her daughter closer. "No," she whispered, more tears falling, falling in endless, silent rivers. "don't hurt her."
"Time to go," Niou said abruptly. "It's twelve o'clock."
Roku looked at Yuuko and raised a hand, palm facing her. "terribly sorry." He said blandly, and Yuuko fell unconscious. Roku then scooped Chihiro up, and Niou transformed into a large, chest height grey wolf with three tails. Roku placed Chihiro in his mouth, and opened the door. Niou slammed through it, careful to keep his teeth parted slightly so Chihiro could breathe. With a little magic, nary his breath or saliva would affect her. A princess in mint condition. Roku turned into a very large wolf as well, and picked Yuuko up in his jaws, being non-too-gentle. Together, carrying their cargo, both made a beeline for the forest and The Tunnel.
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the others had long since been shooed to bed. Yubaba couldn't stifle a yawn as they all continued to wait. When that one Advisor guy, what's his name, came and said something about the poor Princess being unstable, she felt pity for the child. Imagine, a spirit - royalty, no less - being raised by humans!
Only two of the most powerful sorcerers (not including the Royal Advisors) and three sorceresses (including Yubaba) and their apprentices were still waiting to meet the Princess head on.
Yubaba was bored. She almost wished something would happen so that she would have an excuse to leave and go to bed. Haku could stay and represent her or whatever.
Luckily, something did happen. A great large wolf - a spirit, came galloping through the tunnel and out the building. It was one of the Royal Advisors, and in his jaw he carried a woman. She was definitely *not* twelve years of age. He turned back into his two-legged form and said, "I am sorry! The Princess Miai will be unable to do any sorts with tests and magic! We will inspect your records and then call you accordingly if we wish!" he turned back, and the sorcerers grumbled and disappeared, taking their apprentices with them.
Also grumbling, Yubaba went back, and heard the sorceresses behind her transform away. sorceresses could not just disappear and reappear.
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Just as the coast became clear, Roku pounced up, Chihiro still held loosely in his jaws. He and all of the Advisors (yes, all fifteen of them) talked for a moment, then one - the only female - turned into a great large bird, and gently took Chihiro in her beak. Only one other was a bird, and one was a dragon. These followed her. The others (the other ten) transformed as well. Actually, only two of them were actually sorcerers.
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When Chihiro finally woke up again, the first thing she noted was the difficulty to breathe. The solution to this proved to be the corset. Getting it off wouldn't be so easy, so she contemplated just going back to sleep again. But she shifted her leg slightly, and realized she was wearing more then just a-corset-under-her-clothes. By far. Some medieval dress thing.
She forced herself to sit up and look around.
She was in a room, a small one, though it looked cozy enough. The bed she was laying on was a magnificent four-poster, and the carpet under her feet - no, not carpet! Boots! Chihiro looked down and smiled a little. Booties, just like what those dogs up in the north wear. They were soft, cloth material, and she didn't care to take them off. The walls were an eggshell white, and a huge window on one side spilled beautiful, bright sunlight that warmed her skin, making her arms tingle. She took full notice of her "gown."
It was a corset, with a slip, a sort of under-dress thing, then a fluffy thick white dress that swirled when she twirled. Chihiro liked it, but had a feeling that she shouldn't. shifting slightly, she looked around for some clothes, a closet, a dresser, anything that might have anything else in it. there was none. Nonplussed, she kicked and struggled around for a minute before getting the dress-dress off. The next was easier, as it just slipped up. So did the other. The corset was harder. She sucked in her stomach and chest, reaching behind her and tearing at the laces. Somehow, miraculously, she got it off, and took a large gulp of air.
She then wrapped herself up in a blanket and tried to figure out how she had gotten there, and why she wasn't wearing any lingerie under the "dress."
She had been coming from the store, and entered the house. Her house. And... she had seen something, and it had scared her. Outside was a shadow, then upstairs was... something that scared her more than anything.
What was it?
Something had died.
No, somebody had died.
No. killed. Murdered.
Finally, Chihiro remembered, and stumbled out of the blankets, surprisingly not screaming or crying or anything as she remembered who it was that had died. Swallowing hard, Chihiro grabbed the over-dress and put it on, then ran to the door. It was unlocked, and she opened it fully.
She took off down a long, large hall with windows at a run. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the ocean, or sea, whichever it was. She ran harder then she had ever run before, down stairs, through doors, hallways, rooms. Everywhere.
Finally, she dropped to her knees outside, out a huge door to what looked like a courtyard or garden. It was small, and flowers grew everywhere with trees, too. A brick wall surrounded her on all sides.
Chihiro threw up.
Then she cried. She beat her fists futilely on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Where was she? Where was her mother? What was going on? Why had somebody killed her father? Her daddy, the man who raised her? She was HIS chromosome, dammit!
She remembered a man. He had hugged her, and made her feel better. Where was he? Surely he would know. He would.
Coughing, Chihiro managed to begin to think coherently.
Her daddy was *NOT* dead! He wasn't! he and mommy had escaped! And maybe that man would know where they were. He would. She felt she could trust him.
Sluggishly, Chihiro wiped her nose and tears. No need to cry if they were BOTH alive and probabaly looking for her. And the police weren't dead. And Yugi-sama wasn't dead. It had all been a terrible, terrible nightmare.
Yeah, that was it. just a nightmare.
Then why was she here, in some sort of castle?
She'd have to find out.
Sniffing, Chihiro got to her feet and brushed herself off, deciding some water to rinse her bile mouth out would be better. Where was the kitchen to this place anyway? She had so many questions that her head hurt. No, it pounded; throbbed; ached. Gasping, Chihiro buried her hair in her hands and fell to her knees, breathing heavily through her throat.
"Miai Hime?!" asked a sudden female voice. Slowly, dragging her fingers down with her hair in an attempt to focus on the pain of hair coming out other than her brain pulsing, Chihiro looked up. A young girl, just a little older then her, maybe, was standing there, looking horrified. She was barefoot, and wore a skirt that reached her ankles; her bodice and poets shirt and skirt were all made of the same material, and she had a small cap on. Her short black hair was in a braid down her back, and her eyes were crystal-blue flecked.
The first thought that came to Chihiro's mind was servant or maid. But, no, that couldn't be.
"Are you well?" she asked, taking a step closer. Chihiro gasped and forced herself to her feet. "where are we?" she demanded. "who are you? where's that man - Roku, was it?"
the girl seemed somewhat surprised. "what happened to your clothes?" she asked, but then eimmediatly fell to one knee, mumbling something about forgiveness. Chihiro waited patiently for a second until the girl looked up at her through her lashes. "You are - we are - in the castle of Kamikakushi; the royals - king, queen, princess, etc., live here. I am a simple servant maiden. And Lord Roku should be at your room, My Lady." She looked down again, sounding very confused. "did you hurt your head, m'lady? Perhaps that would explain the memory loss?"
"Where's my daddy?" Chihiro demanded, deciding that she would question about him first - Yuuko would be with him.
"My Lady!" the servant girl gasped. "you do not remember?? My Lord, King of Kamikakushi is dead! He has been killed, Miai Hime!"
"No! you're lying! And I'm not a princess MY NAME IS CHIHIRO and my daddy's not a king and my mom's not a queen! What is with you people? what's going on?" Chihiro stumbled back, then turned and fled at top speed.
She ignored the servant girl's calls after her and just continued to run, lifting her skirt dress thing up, slipping slightly in her booties so kicking them off, not caring about something such as getting caught or modesty.
Somehow, gasping, she made it to the room she had been in. by impulse, Chihiro pushed the door open and glanced around. A pitcher of water was in sight, and she used it. once feeling a little better and ready to venture off again, she turned and gasped, falling backwards.
He was standing there.
Roku.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Chihiro breathed a sigh of relief.
"Do you know what's going on?" she asked hesitantly.
He frowned at her - a cold frown. Chihiro froze, and felt suddenly very nervous and scared. This man wasn't good.
"What did you do to your clothes?" he demanded harshly. Chihiro gaped and stumbled onto the bed. "I, I took them off." She demanded. "if it's all those dresses you were talking about - I haven't got a clue where my real clothes are."
"No." he snapped, then sighed.
"Chihiro," he said at last. "I have a story to tell; it's not too long, really. Twelve years ago, our King and his sister went to the Human World. There, My King got a young human girl named Yuuko pregnant with his only heir. She would not stay to be his queen, so she struck a deal with us; should there be no other heirs when the time rises, she will willingly give up her heir. Well, not too long ago, the King and His sister, and his sister's family were all found murdered, and Yuuko's child became the last successor to the throne. That would be you, my dear child. You are our only Princess, and soon-to-be Queen. Yuuko did not want to give our heir to us, so we killed the man she called husband - Akio, I think - and she is currently now in the dungeouns." Roku examined Chihiro carefully. "understand?"
"You're crazy," Chihiro snapped. "where's my daddy?"
"He was murdered."
Chihiro began to cry, and wiped angrily at the tears. "By who?"
"I do not know."
"Did he die in pain?"
"I do not know."
"But you were there! You came and comforted me, and then, and you were there! You must know!"
Roku stopped. "if you are talking about that Human Man who calls - or should I say, called - you HIS daughter, then I killed him myself, and yes, he did die in great pain. As for your mother, she is still alive."
"NO!" Chihiro screamed. "where am I?!?"
"Kamikakushi."
"AND where is THAT?!?!?!?!?"
"The Spirit World, is another name."
Chihiro froze.
"w-we're in the Spirit World?"
"Yes."
"okay, let me get this straight - I'm the Princess of the Spirit World. My "Father" was the king, and was murdered. YOU killed my daddy, Akio Ogino, and captured my mom. Right now we are in the palace that's supposed to be my new home. And just when am I going to be Queen exactly, if my father was King and my mom is still alive?"
Roku did not miss the sarcasm in her tone, but dismissed it. the maiden was disturbed. "Yuuko did not marry the King, so, is not a legitimatized wife or queen."
"Then how am I a legitimatized Princess or daughter?"
"You have the mark - that automatically puts you in line for the throne."
"Mark?? Where?"
"Your left foot."
Chihiro grabbed her left foot and inspected it.
"Your other left - on the bottom. It looks like a flower scar."
Chihiro switched feet, and stared. "That's nothing," she said, dropping her foot. "this is all just a bad dream."
"No it isn't," Roku said, stood up, and smacked her. Chihiro gasped as tears came to her eyes.
"Did that hurt?" asked Roku. "then this must not be a dream. Come. I shall take you to your mother." He turned and began to leave, stopped, turned around, flicked his wrist, and suddenly Chihiro was finding it difficult to breathe and walk, though her legs followed him of their own accord - she was wearing all the other things, now. At least she was still barefoot.
They went down endless passages of stairways, and through many, many halls. Finally, they entered a room guarded by two guards. Everything was a cold, drippy stone, and it was dark except for a single candle.
Bars lined both sides of the walls, and at the very end, a shadow shifted, and Chihiro faguely recognized it... "Mommy!" she cried, and shot to the cell. Yuuko jumped to her feet, and hugged her daughter through the bars.
"Oh, Chihiro, I thought I'd never see you alive again," she whispered. Chihiro shook her head. "this is all just a bad dream, mom, it isn't real." She looked up, searching her mother's gaunt face. "is it?"
slowly, Yuuko sighed, and tears began to fall. "Akio Ogino is not your birth father," she whispered. "The King fo the Spirit World is. Was. You are, in truth, the Princess of Kamikakushi." Yuuko swallowed. "I really do wish this were all a bad dream, Chihiro, honey," she said softly. Chihiro backed away from her mother's grasp, shaking her head. Silent tears streamed down her face, and she coughed a little.
"This is... for real?" she asked softly.
Yuuko sighed. "Please don't hate me, Chihiro," she whispered. "yes, this is all real."
Before Chihiro could say anything else, Yuuko's eyes widened, and the room went black for a moment.
Chihiro and Roku reappeared in Chihiro's room. Chihiro swallowed again, fighting the tears. All she could thing was 'oh god oh god oh god, please, no, god, oh god oh god...' over and over again. She fell to her knees, and sobbed openly, gasping for air through her squeezed ribcage.
Roku pulled her up, and wiped her tears away with a spell.
"You will start your lessons now," he said. "by the day you turn thirteen, you will be matured enough to conceive, and we will have you a King. And you will be Queen." He turned to leave, but Chihiro reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Roku!" she cried. "don't do this to me, let my mom and I go!" she sniffled. "please, just let my mom and I go home..."
"You are home," Roku pointed out.
"No." Chihiro snapped, suddenly angry. What right did this man have to come and snatch away her so carefully built life? "I am NOT going to be your princess, and I am NOT going to be your queen, and I am NOT getting married - ever! - and I am NOT getting pregnant the moment I turn thirteen." She took a deep, steady breath. "I am NOT wering your stupid clothes, I am NOT going to stay here any longer. Let my mother and I go. Now."
"I was afriad you would do this," Roku said, and sighed. "Tell you what - you cooperate, I cast a few spells, and your mother. Stays. Alive."
Chihiro's eyes widened. "You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would, and I assure you, I can." He thought a moment. "perhaps you will be unable to take lessons today. Yes, we shall have to find you a husband ready and give you your magic, right." He reached out and tapped the small orb on Chihiro's neck. Startled, she grabbed at it, and tried to pull. Whimpering in pain, she gave up a while later. Roku's face twisted into a grin.
"Good. I knew you would cooperate. There are already many spirits with the blood of rights here wanting to court you - I sent them off, but I among the other Royal Advisors shall bring them back." he smirked from ear to ear now. "since there are so many, and we have so much time, you will spend a week with each and you can take your pick from there." He was being generous. Chihiro began to cry again.
"Nom, please," she whimpered. "please. Just let this all be a bad dream, please, please, please..."
"ENOUGH." Roku snapped, and grabbed her chin, yanking her face up. "Come. I am being generous, but I can be cruel, Princess. I could bend the rules a little bit, and tell the nice young lads that the first one to give you child will win your hand." He sneered right into her face. "that is usually what is done - you are under age, and - as Yuuko said - ohysically unfit. But magic can solve that. In fact," Roku snapped his fingers. "I'll have to cast that spell. Because you insist upon having your choice in males, I will speed up the process a bit, hmm?" still sneering, Roku continued; "I'll change plans - all of them. You will mature and develop while courting until something "happens." Then we'll have all of the sorcerers and sorceresses come and give you your magic. Then you can take your lessons - this will take much longer than expected, but if all goes well, the throne will be bent under your rule by the time you have aged fourteen and a half years." Pleased with himself, Roku grabbed Chihiro's hand and dragged her out, still sobbing, all the way to the mettting room. "remember," he hissed harshly into her ear. "if you want your mother to stay alive, you'd best sit still and be quiet."
Chihiro wiped her tears away and sniffed. She had to be strong. For mother.
Besides, Chihiro had no intentions of getting pregnant or married. She'd ditch every guy that approached her until there were none left. If Roku chose one for her, she would not say "I do" at the wedding ceremony. These people were crazy. Getting pregnant BEFORE getting married was, well, NOT. DONE. Especially at a young age such as twelve. In fact, Chihiro figured it'd probably be illegal.
No. they would keep her mother alive to keep her in control.
Well guess what, buster, Chihiro thought angrily as she was pushed down into a seat at the head a long table filled with men and one woman. I have no intention whatsoever of getting married (or anything else) or ruling your stupid kingdom. Chihiro and her mother would escape.
They hadn't killed her father.
This was all just a joke. Or bad dream.
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A/N: sorry that was so short. ^_^0 thank you, all three of you, for reviewing! *throws out every kind of candy and cookies in the world to reviewers* THAAAAAAAAANK YOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. [i.e. Spirited Away]
Chapter Started: 4/29/03
Chapter Finished: 4/30/03
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Third Person POV
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Yuuko slowly opened her eyes, and waited a second. Then she realized that she was in her living room, on the floor. She looked around. And promptly faded into blackness once more. Of all swiftness, Yuuko closed her eyes.
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Roku was personally shocked at Miai, or Chihiro. She seemed much younger then what he had expected - Yuuko had mentioned her "childlike" physical state, but he hadn't expected it to be this bad. Oh, well. She'd start growing properly and would be ready to take a consort and conceive within a few months. In that time, she could be given magic, taught how to be a proper princess and queen, and she would have a love for her Kingdom, and would rule it regardless of her inner thoughts.
Niou was also somewhat surprised at how easily Miai - Chihiro - gave in to the darkness of oblivion. She would have to be taught strength. She wouldn't cooperate at first, that much was obvious. But that was why they had kept Yuuko alive. That, and Yuuko needed to give them "Chihiro" willingly otherwise Miai would be able to take desperate measures should she truly wish to leave. She was the last of the throne.
After dragging her downstairs again, her left foot was carefully examined and it was made certain that this girl was the Last Heir.
"She is weak, and very, very young," Roku said, waving a hand. All of the blood and bodies disintegrated, and the house was suddenly ship-shape again. Niou also exercised his magic, and all of the doors closed, and the stench was eliminated. A snap of the fingers, and Yuuko lay perfectly clean on the couch. Both turned their magic to Chihiro and managed to heal and clean her shoulder, skin, throat and mouth; as they reached for her hair, there was an enormous crackle, a snap, and both jumped back with surprised shouts.
"So she has magic?" Roku asked in surprise. He extended an invisible magic hand, and searched Chihiro thoroughly.
"No. somebody magic must have known who she was, and had access to Kamikakushi. They gave her some protection." Niou said. "we shall have to thank whoever it was."
"Indeed."
Now being careful of the hairpiece, which might brake should they put too much force on it, they finished cleaning Chihiro up, and she looked almost the same except for her torn and tattered night shirt. The sparkly hair band was the only magic that Chihiro would accept willingly. Roku put both hands out, and Chihiro was lifted into the air and floated just a little over their heads, held up by an invisible force - actually Roku.
Niou made the same hand motions, and her garments slithered to the floor and twisted and burned until just a few lingering lint was left. Both men examined her, and sighed. "she has some growing to do," Niou commented, bring a wrist down and a corset materialized on Chihiro.
"Yes. By the time she has come of age, everything will be ready, and with the influence of Kamikakushi and other sorcerers and sorceresses her body will have developed enough for conceiving." Roku replied.
Niou brought his wrist back up, and an under-gown appeared. Down, and a silk light blue gown was over that; up, the actual dress [white]; and down for the last time, dressing her bare feet in soft cloth boots. Roku lowered her so that her height matched theirs, and Niou moved forward quickly, placing a single, quarter-sized misty blue-black jewel in the shape of a sphere on/in the little hollow at the base of her neck. It stayed; it seemed glued to her skin. Roku lowered Chihiro fully on the floor, where Niou swiftly placed a layer of thick, soft blankets for her body to rest on.
Yuuko woke once more. After a few minutes, her eyes shot open fully, and she scrambled at once to her feet. She caught sight of Chihiro, and in a flurry she was at her daughter's side in an instant.
"Chihiro, Chihiro-chan, wake up sweet one, it's me, okaasan, please wake up," Yuuko whispered, cradling her daughter's head in her lap. She took full notice of Chihiro's clothing, and looked sharply up at a very amused Roku and Niou.
"What did you do to her?!?" Yuuko demanded. "Where's my husband???"
Roku laughed coldly. "That man who thinks he can have the privilege of calling Princess Miai 'daughter' is dead: killed him myself." He smirked fully. "you - you are going to cooperate, otherwise your daughter will be killed."
"No, let her go, please," Yuuko begged. "I'll do anything, just release Chihiro from this madness, she is far too young!"
"Twelve seasons of age is not young at all," Niou scoffed. "see that jewel at her neck? Can you guess what it is?"
Yuuko looked back at Chihiro's prone form, and swallowed. Tentatively she reached out a finger and brushed the trinket gently. Then two fingers, three fingers, closed around it and pulled. Chihiro whimpered, and blood began to speck as the jewel refused to come off. Shocked, Yuuko stopped pulling, and watched as the trinket seemed to drink up the dots of blood around it. she looked up again.
"What have you done to her?!?" tears began to fall. They had killed Akio. They had hurt her daughter. What was Yuuko to do? She should have gotten an abortion when she had had the chance.
"Because I am a very kind and caring sorcerer, I'll tell you why you are still alive and what that beautiful jewel is for." Said Roku, reclining easily. Niou perched himself next to him.
"You are going to help us control her at first. then, when we have better power over her, her magic will be held in that sphere, isn't it lovely? Only we Royal Advisors can work it. should she manage to pull it off, it'll kill her slowly and painfully, and only we or" (he wrinkled his nose) "her true love. Should she cut it off, she would end up with a slit throat. Once she is consort, it will be removed, and she will have an undying love for her kingdom, and we will advise her on how to rule it properly until wisdom takes over. Besides, she has nothing left here. You will be killed as we show her a demonstration of our power, and little miss Chihiro will no longer exist." He stood fully once more. "Princess Miai, soon to be Queen Miai, will be alive once more."
Yuuko bit her lip and cradled her daughter closer. "No," she whispered, more tears falling, falling in endless, silent rivers. "don't hurt her."
"Time to go," Niou said abruptly. "It's twelve o'clock."
Roku looked at Yuuko and raised a hand, palm facing her. "terribly sorry." He said blandly, and Yuuko fell unconscious. Roku then scooped Chihiro up, and Niou transformed into a large, chest height grey wolf with three tails. Roku placed Chihiro in his mouth, and opened the door. Niou slammed through it, careful to keep his teeth parted slightly so Chihiro could breathe. With a little magic, nary his breath or saliva would affect her. A princess in mint condition. Roku turned into a very large wolf as well, and picked Yuuko up in his jaws, being non-too-gentle. Together, carrying their cargo, both made a beeline for the forest and The Tunnel.
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the others had long since been shooed to bed. Yubaba couldn't stifle a yawn as they all continued to wait. When that one Advisor guy, what's his name, came and said something about the poor Princess being unstable, she felt pity for the child. Imagine, a spirit - royalty, no less - being raised by humans!
Only two of the most powerful sorcerers (not including the Royal Advisors) and three sorceresses (including Yubaba) and their apprentices were still waiting to meet the Princess head on.
Yubaba was bored. She almost wished something would happen so that she would have an excuse to leave and go to bed. Haku could stay and represent her or whatever.
Luckily, something did happen. A great large wolf - a spirit, came galloping through the tunnel and out the building. It was one of the Royal Advisors, and in his jaw he carried a woman. She was definitely *not* twelve years of age. He turned back into his two-legged form and said, "I am sorry! The Princess Miai will be unable to do any sorts with tests and magic! We will inspect your records and then call you accordingly if we wish!" he turned back, and the sorcerers grumbled and disappeared, taking their apprentices with them.
Also grumbling, Yubaba went back, and heard the sorceresses behind her transform away. sorceresses could not just disappear and reappear.
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Just as the coast became clear, Roku pounced up, Chihiro still held loosely in his jaws. He and all of the Advisors (yes, all fifteen of them) talked for a moment, then one - the only female - turned into a great large bird, and gently took Chihiro in her beak. Only one other was a bird, and one was a dragon. These followed her. The others (the other ten) transformed as well. Actually, only two of them were actually sorcerers.
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When Chihiro finally woke up again, the first thing she noted was the difficulty to breathe. The solution to this proved to be the corset. Getting it off wouldn't be so easy, so she contemplated just going back to sleep again. But she shifted her leg slightly, and realized she was wearing more then just a-corset-under-her-clothes. By far. Some medieval dress thing.
She forced herself to sit up and look around.
She was in a room, a small one, though it looked cozy enough. The bed she was laying on was a magnificent four-poster, and the carpet under her feet - no, not carpet! Boots! Chihiro looked down and smiled a little. Booties, just like what those dogs up in the north wear. They were soft, cloth material, and she didn't care to take them off. The walls were an eggshell white, and a huge window on one side spilled beautiful, bright sunlight that warmed her skin, making her arms tingle. She took full notice of her "gown."
It was a corset, with a slip, a sort of under-dress thing, then a fluffy thick white dress that swirled when she twirled. Chihiro liked it, but had a feeling that she shouldn't. shifting slightly, she looked around for some clothes, a closet, a dresser, anything that might have anything else in it. there was none. Nonplussed, she kicked and struggled around for a minute before getting the dress-dress off. The next was easier, as it just slipped up. So did the other. The corset was harder. She sucked in her stomach and chest, reaching behind her and tearing at the laces. Somehow, miraculously, she got it off, and took a large gulp of air.
She then wrapped herself up in a blanket and tried to figure out how she had gotten there, and why she wasn't wearing any lingerie under the "dress."
She had been coming from the store, and entered the house. Her house. And... she had seen something, and it had scared her. Outside was a shadow, then upstairs was... something that scared her more than anything.
What was it?
Something had died.
No, somebody had died.
No. killed. Murdered.
Finally, Chihiro remembered, and stumbled out of the blankets, surprisingly not screaming or crying or anything as she remembered who it was that had died. Swallowing hard, Chihiro grabbed the over-dress and put it on, then ran to the door. It was unlocked, and she opened it fully.
She took off down a long, large hall with windows at a run. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the ocean, or sea, whichever it was. She ran harder then she had ever run before, down stairs, through doors, hallways, rooms. Everywhere.
Finally, she dropped to her knees outside, out a huge door to what looked like a courtyard or garden. It was small, and flowers grew everywhere with trees, too. A brick wall surrounded her on all sides.
Chihiro threw up.
Then she cried. She beat her fists futilely on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Where was she? Where was her mother? What was going on? Why had somebody killed her father? Her daddy, the man who raised her? She was HIS chromosome, dammit!
She remembered a man. He had hugged her, and made her feel better. Where was he? Surely he would know. He would.
Coughing, Chihiro managed to begin to think coherently.
Her daddy was *NOT* dead! He wasn't! he and mommy had escaped! And maybe that man would know where they were. He would. She felt she could trust him.
Sluggishly, Chihiro wiped her nose and tears. No need to cry if they were BOTH alive and probabaly looking for her. And the police weren't dead. And Yugi-sama wasn't dead. It had all been a terrible, terrible nightmare.
Yeah, that was it. just a nightmare.
Then why was she here, in some sort of castle?
She'd have to find out.
Sniffing, Chihiro got to her feet and brushed herself off, deciding some water to rinse her bile mouth out would be better. Where was the kitchen to this place anyway? She had so many questions that her head hurt. No, it pounded; throbbed; ached. Gasping, Chihiro buried her hair in her hands and fell to her knees, breathing heavily through her throat.
"Miai Hime?!" asked a sudden female voice. Slowly, dragging her fingers down with her hair in an attempt to focus on the pain of hair coming out other than her brain pulsing, Chihiro looked up. A young girl, just a little older then her, maybe, was standing there, looking horrified. She was barefoot, and wore a skirt that reached her ankles; her bodice and poets shirt and skirt were all made of the same material, and she had a small cap on. Her short black hair was in a braid down her back, and her eyes were crystal-blue flecked.
The first thought that came to Chihiro's mind was servant or maid. But, no, that couldn't be.
"Are you well?" she asked, taking a step closer. Chihiro gasped and forced herself to her feet. "where are we?" she demanded. "who are you? where's that man - Roku, was it?"
the girl seemed somewhat surprised. "what happened to your clothes?" she asked, but then eimmediatly fell to one knee, mumbling something about forgiveness. Chihiro waited patiently for a second until the girl looked up at her through her lashes. "You are - we are - in the castle of Kamikakushi; the royals - king, queen, princess, etc., live here. I am a simple servant maiden. And Lord Roku should be at your room, My Lady." She looked down again, sounding very confused. "did you hurt your head, m'lady? Perhaps that would explain the memory loss?"
"Where's my daddy?" Chihiro demanded, deciding that she would question about him first - Yuuko would be with him.
"My Lady!" the servant girl gasped. "you do not remember?? My Lord, King of Kamikakushi is dead! He has been killed, Miai Hime!"
"No! you're lying! And I'm not a princess MY NAME IS CHIHIRO and my daddy's not a king and my mom's not a queen! What is with you people? what's going on?" Chihiro stumbled back, then turned and fled at top speed.
She ignored the servant girl's calls after her and just continued to run, lifting her skirt dress thing up, slipping slightly in her booties so kicking them off, not caring about something such as getting caught or modesty.
Somehow, gasping, she made it to the room she had been in. by impulse, Chihiro pushed the door open and glanced around. A pitcher of water was in sight, and she used it. once feeling a little better and ready to venture off again, she turned and gasped, falling backwards.
He was standing there.
Roku.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Chihiro breathed a sigh of relief.
"Do you know what's going on?" she asked hesitantly.
He frowned at her - a cold frown. Chihiro froze, and felt suddenly very nervous and scared. This man wasn't good.
"What did you do to your clothes?" he demanded harshly. Chihiro gaped and stumbled onto the bed. "I, I took them off." She demanded. "if it's all those dresses you were talking about - I haven't got a clue where my real clothes are."
"No." he snapped, then sighed.
"Chihiro," he said at last. "I have a story to tell; it's not too long, really. Twelve years ago, our King and his sister went to the Human World. There, My King got a young human girl named Yuuko pregnant with his only heir. She would not stay to be his queen, so she struck a deal with us; should there be no other heirs when the time rises, she will willingly give up her heir. Well, not too long ago, the King and His sister, and his sister's family were all found murdered, and Yuuko's child became the last successor to the throne. That would be you, my dear child. You are our only Princess, and soon-to-be Queen. Yuuko did not want to give our heir to us, so we killed the man she called husband - Akio, I think - and she is currently now in the dungeouns." Roku examined Chihiro carefully. "understand?"
"You're crazy," Chihiro snapped. "where's my daddy?"
"He was murdered."
Chihiro began to cry, and wiped angrily at the tears. "By who?"
"I do not know."
"Did he die in pain?"
"I do not know."
"But you were there! You came and comforted me, and then, and you were there! You must know!"
Roku stopped. "if you are talking about that Human Man who calls - or should I say, called - you HIS daughter, then I killed him myself, and yes, he did die in great pain. As for your mother, she is still alive."
"NO!" Chihiro screamed. "where am I?!?"
"Kamikakushi."
"AND where is THAT?!?!?!?!?"
"The Spirit World, is another name."
Chihiro froze.
"w-we're in the Spirit World?"
"Yes."
"okay, let me get this straight - I'm the Princess of the Spirit World. My "Father" was the king, and was murdered. YOU killed my daddy, Akio Ogino, and captured my mom. Right now we are in the palace that's supposed to be my new home. And just when am I going to be Queen exactly, if my father was King and my mom is still alive?"
Roku did not miss the sarcasm in her tone, but dismissed it. the maiden was disturbed. "Yuuko did not marry the King, so, is not a legitimatized wife or queen."
"Then how am I a legitimatized Princess or daughter?"
"You have the mark - that automatically puts you in line for the throne."
"Mark?? Where?"
"Your left foot."
Chihiro grabbed her left foot and inspected it.
"Your other left - on the bottom. It looks like a flower scar."
Chihiro switched feet, and stared. "That's nothing," she said, dropping her foot. "this is all just a bad dream."
"No it isn't," Roku said, stood up, and smacked her. Chihiro gasped as tears came to her eyes.
"Did that hurt?" asked Roku. "then this must not be a dream. Come. I shall take you to your mother." He turned and began to leave, stopped, turned around, flicked his wrist, and suddenly Chihiro was finding it difficult to breathe and walk, though her legs followed him of their own accord - she was wearing all the other things, now. At least she was still barefoot.
They went down endless passages of stairways, and through many, many halls. Finally, they entered a room guarded by two guards. Everything was a cold, drippy stone, and it was dark except for a single candle.
Bars lined both sides of the walls, and at the very end, a shadow shifted, and Chihiro faguely recognized it... "Mommy!" she cried, and shot to the cell. Yuuko jumped to her feet, and hugged her daughter through the bars.
"Oh, Chihiro, I thought I'd never see you alive again," she whispered. Chihiro shook her head. "this is all just a bad dream, mom, it isn't real." She looked up, searching her mother's gaunt face. "is it?"
slowly, Yuuko sighed, and tears began to fall. "Akio Ogino is not your birth father," she whispered. "The King fo the Spirit World is. Was. You are, in truth, the Princess of Kamikakushi." Yuuko swallowed. "I really do wish this were all a bad dream, Chihiro, honey," she said softly. Chihiro backed away from her mother's grasp, shaking her head. Silent tears streamed down her face, and she coughed a little.
"This is... for real?" she asked softly.
Yuuko sighed. "Please don't hate me, Chihiro," she whispered. "yes, this is all real."
Before Chihiro could say anything else, Yuuko's eyes widened, and the room went black for a moment.
Chihiro and Roku reappeared in Chihiro's room. Chihiro swallowed again, fighting the tears. All she could thing was 'oh god oh god oh god, please, no, god, oh god oh god...' over and over again. She fell to her knees, and sobbed openly, gasping for air through her squeezed ribcage.
Roku pulled her up, and wiped her tears away with a spell.
"You will start your lessons now," he said. "by the day you turn thirteen, you will be matured enough to conceive, and we will have you a King. And you will be Queen." He turned to leave, but Chihiro reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Roku!" she cried. "don't do this to me, let my mom and I go!" she sniffled. "please, just let my mom and I go home..."
"You are home," Roku pointed out.
"No." Chihiro snapped, suddenly angry. What right did this man have to come and snatch away her so carefully built life? "I am NOT going to be your princess, and I am NOT going to be your queen, and I am NOT getting married - ever! - and I am NOT getting pregnant the moment I turn thirteen." She took a deep, steady breath. "I am NOT wering your stupid clothes, I am NOT going to stay here any longer. Let my mother and I go. Now."
"I was afriad you would do this," Roku said, and sighed. "Tell you what - you cooperate, I cast a few spells, and your mother. Stays. Alive."
Chihiro's eyes widened. "You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would, and I assure you, I can." He thought a moment. "perhaps you will be unable to take lessons today. Yes, we shall have to find you a husband ready and give you your magic, right." He reached out and tapped the small orb on Chihiro's neck. Startled, she grabbed at it, and tried to pull. Whimpering in pain, she gave up a while later. Roku's face twisted into a grin.
"Good. I knew you would cooperate. There are already many spirits with the blood of rights here wanting to court you - I sent them off, but I among the other Royal Advisors shall bring them back." he smirked from ear to ear now. "since there are so many, and we have so much time, you will spend a week with each and you can take your pick from there." He was being generous. Chihiro began to cry again.
"Nom, please," she whimpered. "please. Just let this all be a bad dream, please, please, please..."
"ENOUGH." Roku snapped, and grabbed her chin, yanking her face up. "Come. I am being generous, but I can be cruel, Princess. I could bend the rules a little bit, and tell the nice young lads that the first one to give you child will win your hand." He sneered right into her face. "that is usually what is done - you are under age, and - as Yuuko said - ohysically unfit. But magic can solve that. In fact," Roku snapped his fingers. "I'll have to cast that spell. Because you insist upon having your choice in males, I will speed up the process a bit, hmm?" still sneering, Roku continued; "I'll change plans - all of them. You will mature and develop while courting until something "happens." Then we'll have all of the sorcerers and sorceresses come and give you your magic. Then you can take your lessons - this will take much longer than expected, but if all goes well, the throne will be bent under your rule by the time you have aged fourteen and a half years." Pleased with himself, Roku grabbed Chihiro's hand and dragged her out, still sobbing, all the way to the mettting room. "remember," he hissed harshly into her ear. "if you want your mother to stay alive, you'd best sit still and be quiet."
Chihiro wiped her tears away and sniffed. She had to be strong. For mother.
Besides, Chihiro had no intentions of getting pregnant or married. She'd ditch every guy that approached her until there were none left. If Roku chose one for her, she would not say "I do" at the wedding ceremony. These people were crazy. Getting pregnant BEFORE getting married was, well, NOT. DONE. Especially at a young age such as twelve. In fact, Chihiro figured it'd probably be illegal.
No. they would keep her mother alive to keep her in control.
Well guess what, buster, Chihiro thought angrily as she was pushed down into a seat at the head a long table filled with men and one woman. I have no intention whatsoever of getting married (or anything else) or ruling your stupid kingdom. Chihiro and her mother would escape.
They hadn't killed her father.
This was all just a joke. Or bad dream.
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A/N: sorry that was so short. ^_^0 thank you, all three of you, for reviewing! *throws out every kind of candy and cookies in the world to reviewers* THAAAAAAAAANK YOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!