A/N: Er, hi... I know it's been a long time. I barely had the guts to post again. *bursts into tears* I'm so ASHAMED!!!! I haven't had any inspiration at all for a MONTH!!!! I tried to write, really I did, but nothing would come out. I feel terrible. *sniff* Not that it matters... I probably lost any readers I had before by abusing your attentions. I'm unworthy. In all seriousness, though, I really am sorry. It was irresponsible of me take such a break even if it was against my will. The least I could have done was post an apology/warning. I will be shocked and eternally grateful if anyone reads my fic again. If anyone does, please accept my thanks for your incredible tolerance of my inexcusable delay. By way of apology I plan to do two things. First is to strive for weekly updates. Second, I will be accepting flames. It is no less than I deserve.
Finally I would like to thank Ares Sephiroth, who tried to convince me I am a good writer and told me not to get discouraged. If it were not for his boost to my self esteem it is very likely I would not be updating today. Thanks buddy.
Disclaimer: I know *cough* that since I am such a good writer *cough* you all probably think that I own Spirited Away *cough cough*. I really don't though. I hope you all will recover from the shock. *dies as sarcasm reaches toxicity level*
Chapter 5
Kohaku could tell that this was a place of warm lights and good food, of rest and dance. But all of that vanished as soon as Kohaku entered the room. Patrons and workers alike stopped in their steps to stare at him. Whispers and glances followed Kohaku the ten steps it took to reach the front desk.
He wondered what exactly it was that drew their eyes; he did not look so very different from some of the employees. That he took a human form was not unusual as it was far easier to manipulate things when one had hands. But what Kohaku could not know was that it was not so much his appearance that set him apart as the way he carried himself. He was a dragon and it showed. Perhaps he had no claws, no fangs, but his power manifested in the proud set of his shoulders and in the sure tilt of his chin. Though his legs moved it did not seem that Kohaku walked, but rather that the earth spun beneath him, bringing him closer to that which he desired. He never faltered in his steps he never once glanced at his feet. He was a river spirit, earth friend, and trusted it to take care of him.
Kohaku stopped when he reached the desk and looked calmly at the foreman. "I'd like to see Yubaba."
The man started, shocked. "You...what?"
"Yubaba. I'd like to see her."
The foreman still had the look of someone who was not sure he'd heard right when he responded, "Sir, if you would like a bath I'm sure that I can find someone to help you. There's really no need for you to see Yubaba."
Kohaku shook his head. "That won't be necessary: I'm not a customer. Please take me to her."
"But, sir, I'm sure I-" A loud ring interrupted him. He picked up the phone. "Yes?"
The low and throaty voice that answered was clearly audible. "You idiot! Bring him to me now!"
The foreman gulp and murmured "Yes, mam," at the dead phone. He glanced at Kohaku. "This way."
The foreman led Kohaku across the bustling ground floor and over to a nearby elevator. They waited for the spirits to get out before entering and pulling the lever. The doors closed and Kohaku felt the floor rise beneath him. They were moving quite fast; the lights from the other floors flashed at a steady pace in the dim elevator. Gradually the flashes slowed until they stopped at a floor near the middle of the tower. The foreman got out and Kohaku followed him through a series of hallways until they reached another elevator. Again the foreman pulled a lever and they continued their ascent.
"Just one more," the foreman murmured as they left the elevator once more.
This floor was a steamy haven. Dozens of odd looking customers made their way over bridges to luxurious baths. Kohaku glanced below the bridge to the lower floor. It was filled with lazing spirits and warm baths. He left the warm light and merry music.
This elevator was fancier than the others. It was made of polished mahogany and trimmed in gold. Kohaku remained silent. Elegant though it was this elevator lent a sense of menace that the others lacked.
The elevator stopped. Kohaku stepped out but the foreman didn't follow. He seemed subdued as he said, "This is where I leave you."
Kohaku tilted his head. "You aren't coming?"
He laughed shakily. "Are you kidding? Nobody goes there." Without another word he pulled the lever and the doors closed.
Kohaku gazed at the elevator doors a moment longer, then turned and looked at the hallway. The walls bore beautiful engravings of flowers that shown with rich color. The floors were made of polished jade and the walls were supported by marble pillars. Kohaku could see two large doors, both of mahogany. He walked over to them and hesitantly touched one of the gold handles.
Kohaku froze and his eyes widened when the golden knocker spoke in that same low voice. "Come in."
The door swung open revealing a beautiful blue room but his eyes had barely touched it when the next door swung open, followed by another and another and yet two more.
"I haven't got all day, you know," came the irritated voice.
Kohaku calmed and forced himself through the gaudy rooms, one at a time, sparing no time to gaze around. His eyes strayed only once as he passed through the fourth room, a room of portraits. They covered the walls, leaving little space between, and they all looked alike. They were a line of witches, he could tell, a family lineage. Each portrait showed a graying woman, old but not ancient. Kohaku's eyes were drawn to the last portrait, a woman with her hair in a bun. She was old but Kohaku could still see the girl she had been through the wrinkles. She had been beautiful, he thought, with her earthy eyes and stubborn chin. Her only flaw would have been her nose: it was far too large.
He left the room and walked through a hall of pottery. There he hesitated, for there were two paths to choose from. Kohaku considered, then turned down the dark hall. For some reason he was sure Yubaba was that way. He could see his reflection in the blood red walls. It was marred only by golden swirls. Kohaku turned his face away and walked to the end of the hall. He knocked once on the door and entered.
Yubaba didn't look up when the boy opened the door. Instead she continued to work, recording the figures of her profits from the day before. She'd hoped that it would make him uncomfortable, perhaps fidget. Yubaba loved to have the upper hand but this was one of the few times she thought she'd need it. She was reasonably sure she knew what he wanted; what she couldn't figure out was why. That could be dangerous knowledge withheld, and if she was to extract it from him she'd need all the help she could get. Without even having seen him she knew he'd be stubborn.
As usual Yubaba was right on the money: the boy made not a sound, but waited patiently for her to acknowledge him.
"So," she breathed. "I hear you're looking for a job."
"Yes," he replied calmly.
Yubaba grunted. She knew she'd surprised him but he'd manage to disguise it perfectly. "Well." She smiled smugly. "I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. There aren't any positions open at the moment."
He remained unperturbed. "Then you already have an apprentice?" he asked.
"What?!" she squawked.
"You said there aren't any positions open," he pointed out. "Does that mean you have an apprentice already?"
She recovered her wits and glared at him. "I am not accepting apprentices at this time, and if I were why do you think I would choose you?"
"Because I have power," he replied, "and I don't know how to use it. You could teach me. I would learn quickly."
Yubaba sneered. "Not just any spirit with a breath of magic can become an apprentice. You have to be really powerful to be worth the effort. And you have to moldable. Are you moldable, boy?"
He was silent for a moment before he answered. "Perhaps. But that's beside the point. What matters is that you can help me and I can help you. You can teach me magic. And I can use that magic to help you."
She didn't reply but instead stared at him searchingly. He was a young spirit, she could tell, though undoubtedly far older than the oldest human. And he was thin. However, Yubaba was sure that he was strong and that he would keep his word, if he gave it. But what she needed to know was whether or not his magic was worth training and if she could manipulate him. Yubaba slowly ran her eyes down his body, observing his stubborn jaw, his set shoulders and relaxed hands with their nimble fingers. She noticed his strong legs and the way he stood, poised on the earth, perfectly balanced, totally at ease. Her attention returned to his face where she met his fearless gaze. Foremost in his eyes was determination and honestly, but lurking beneath the surface was pain. Pain and power.
Yubaba grinned. She was certain, now, that the boy had power. She was also certain that part of his power came from pain, and that if the pain increased so would the magic. She chuckled wickedly. The same pain that made him strong would be the means by which she made him hers. She made her decision.
"Tomorrow, dawn. Be there or be gone."
For the first time he dropped his defenses, just a little. "Does this mean I can stay?" he asked hopefully.
Yubaba sniffed. "Tomorrow is a test. If you pass it you can stay." Indeed, she thought, if you pass it I doubt I'll let you leave.
A/N: I forgot to mention that almost all of the details about the rooms Kohaku saw were really in the movie. The only thing I added was the extra portraits in the fourth room. If you watch the movie there was one portrait but you couldn't see the rest of the room. I just pretended there were more. Who knows? There might have been. Thanx! Bye.
Finally I would like to thank Ares Sephiroth, who tried to convince me I am a good writer and told me not to get discouraged. If it were not for his boost to my self esteem it is very likely I would not be updating today. Thanks buddy.
Disclaimer: I know *cough* that since I am such a good writer *cough* you all probably think that I own Spirited Away *cough cough*. I really don't though. I hope you all will recover from the shock. *dies as sarcasm reaches toxicity level*
Chapter 5
Kohaku could tell that this was a place of warm lights and good food, of rest and dance. But all of that vanished as soon as Kohaku entered the room. Patrons and workers alike stopped in their steps to stare at him. Whispers and glances followed Kohaku the ten steps it took to reach the front desk.
He wondered what exactly it was that drew their eyes; he did not look so very different from some of the employees. That he took a human form was not unusual as it was far easier to manipulate things when one had hands. But what Kohaku could not know was that it was not so much his appearance that set him apart as the way he carried himself. He was a dragon and it showed. Perhaps he had no claws, no fangs, but his power manifested in the proud set of his shoulders and in the sure tilt of his chin. Though his legs moved it did not seem that Kohaku walked, but rather that the earth spun beneath him, bringing him closer to that which he desired. He never faltered in his steps he never once glanced at his feet. He was a river spirit, earth friend, and trusted it to take care of him.
Kohaku stopped when he reached the desk and looked calmly at the foreman. "I'd like to see Yubaba."
The man started, shocked. "You...what?"
"Yubaba. I'd like to see her."
The foreman still had the look of someone who was not sure he'd heard right when he responded, "Sir, if you would like a bath I'm sure that I can find someone to help you. There's really no need for you to see Yubaba."
Kohaku shook his head. "That won't be necessary: I'm not a customer. Please take me to her."
"But, sir, I'm sure I-" A loud ring interrupted him. He picked up the phone. "Yes?"
The low and throaty voice that answered was clearly audible. "You idiot! Bring him to me now!"
The foreman gulp and murmured "Yes, mam," at the dead phone. He glanced at Kohaku. "This way."
The foreman led Kohaku across the bustling ground floor and over to a nearby elevator. They waited for the spirits to get out before entering and pulling the lever. The doors closed and Kohaku felt the floor rise beneath him. They were moving quite fast; the lights from the other floors flashed at a steady pace in the dim elevator. Gradually the flashes slowed until they stopped at a floor near the middle of the tower. The foreman got out and Kohaku followed him through a series of hallways until they reached another elevator. Again the foreman pulled a lever and they continued their ascent.
"Just one more," the foreman murmured as they left the elevator once more.
This floor was a steamy haven. Dozens of odd looking customers made their way over bridges to luxurious baths. Kohaku glanced below the bridge to the lower floor. It was filled with lazing spirits and warm baths. He left the warm light and merry music.
This elevator was fancier than the others. It was made of polished mahogany and trimmed in gold. Kohaku remained silent. Elegant though it was this elevator lent a sense of menace that the others lacked.
The elevator stopped. Kohaku stepped out but the foreman didn't follow. He seemed subdued as he said, "This is where I leave you."
Kohaku tilted his head. "You aren't coming?"
He laughed shakily. "Are you kidding? Nobody goes there." Without another word he pulled the lever and the doors closed.
Kohaku gazed at the elevator doors a moment longer, then turned and looked at the hallway. The walls bore beautiful engravings of flowers that shown with rich color. The floors were made of polished jade and the walls were supported by marble pillars. Kohaku could see two large doors, both of mahogany. He walked over to them and hesitantly touched one of the gold handles.
Kohaku froze and his eyes widened when the golden knocker spoke in that same low voice. "Come in."
The door swung open revealing a beautiful blue room but his eyes had barely touched it when the next door swung open, followed by another and another and yet two more.
"I haven't got all day, you know," came the irritated voice.
Kohaku calmed and forced himself through the gaudy rooms, one at a time, sparing no time to gaze around. His eyes strayed only once as he passed through the fourth room, a room of portraits. They covered the walls, leaving little space between, and they all looked alike. They were a line of witches, he could tell, a family lineage. Each portrait showed a graying woman, old but not ancient. Kohaku's eyes were drawn to the last portrait, a woman with her hair in a bun. She was old but Kohaku could still see the girl she had been through the wrinkles. She had been beautiful, he thought, with her earthy eyes and stubborn chin. Her only flaw would have been her nose: it was far too large.
He left the room and walked through a hall of pottery. There he hesitated, for there were two paths to choose from. Kohaku considered, then turned down the dark hall. For some reason he was sure Yubaba was that way. He could see his reflection in the blood red walls. It was marred only by golden swirls. Kohaku turned his face away and walked to the end of the hall. He knocked once on the door and entered.
Yubaba didn't look up when the boy opened the door. Instead she continued to work, recording the figures of her profits from the day before. She'd hoped that it would make him uncomfortable, perhaps fidget. Yubaba loved to have the upper hand but this was one of the few times she thought she'd need it. She was reasonably sure she knew what he wanted; what she couldn't figure out was why. That could be dangerous knowledge withheld, and if she was to extract it from him she'd need all the help she could get. Without even having seen him she knew he'd be stubborn.
As usual Yubaba was right on the money: the boy made not a sound, but waited patiently for her to acknowledge him.
"So," she breathed. "I hear you're looking for a job."
"Yes," he replied calmly.
Yubaba grunted. She knew she'd surprised him but he'd manage to disguise it perfectly. "Well." She smiled smugly. "I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. There aren't any positions open at the moment."
He remained unperturbed. "Then you already have an apprentice?" he asked.
"What?!" she squawked.
"You said there aren't any positions open," he pointed out. "Does that mean you have an apprentice already?"
She recovered her wits and glared at him. "I am not accepting apprentices at this time, and if I were why do you think I would choose you?"
"Because I have power," he replied, "and I don't know how to use it. You could teach me. I would learn quickly."
Yubaba sneered. "Not just any spirit with a breath of magic can become an apprentice. You have to be really powerful to be worth the effort. And you have to moldable. Are you moldable, boy?"
He was silent for a moment before he answered. "Perhaps. But that's beside the point. What matters is that you can help me and I can help you. You can teach me magic. And I can use that magic to help you."
She didn't reply but instead stared at him searchingly. He was a young spirit, she could tell, though undoubtedly far older than the oldest human. And he was thin. However, Yubaba was sure that he was strong and that he would keep his word, if he gave it. But what she needed to know was whether or not his magic was worth training and if she could manipulate him. Yubaba slowly ran her eyes down his body, observing his stubborn jaw, his set shoulders and relaxed hands with their nimble fingers. She noticed his strong legs and the way he stood, poised on the earth, perfectly balanced, totally at ease. Her attention returned to his face where she met his fearless gaze. Foremost in his eyes was determination and honestly, but lurking beneath the surface was pain. Pain and power.
Yubaba grinned. She was certain, now, that the boy had power. She was also certain that part of his power came from pain, and that if the pain increased so would the magic. She chuckled wickedly. The same pain that made him strong would be the means by which she made him hers. She made her decision.
"Tomorrow, dawn. Be there or be gone."
For the first time he dropped his defenses, just a little. "Does this mean I can stay?" he asked hopefully.
Yubaba sniffed. "Tomorrow is a test. If you pass it you can stay." Indeed, she thought, if you pass it I doubt I'll let you leave.
A/N: I forgot to mention that almost all of the details about the rooms Kohaku saw were really in the movie. The only thing I added was the extra portraits in the fourth room. If you watch the movie there was one portrait but you couldn't see the rest of the room. I just pretended there were more. Who knows? There might have been. Thanx! Bye.
