Disclaimer: If I was to say that I owned Spirited Away I would be lying and I would hate to do that because I like my nose just the length it is I'm going to state for that small minority that I don't own that movie...believe it or not people it actually belongs to Hayao Miyazaki...
Well thanks to those who reviewed if it wasn't for people nicely threatening to hunt me down or begging to post another chapter I doubt I would have gotten this one up so soon but yeah I have decided because I can to devote this chapter to my reviewers This one is for you guys *arigatou*
Meeting Again
Chapter 4: a tiny revelation...
Chihiro looked up to Kamaji to see what he would say. The Susuwatari had gone silent at the mention of the bathhouse resident witch. Everyone was afraid of her and those that weren't should be. Kamaji looked at her frowning silently and Chihiro wished that he wasn't wearing his glasses and she could see his eyes.
"Your going to see Yubaba?" Chihiro nodded, if she wasn't so worried about Haku she would of giggled at the slightly confused look on his face. Chihiro sighed.
"I have to maybe she will help me." She knew this would be a long shot but she had to try, it was hard not knowing that Haku was alive or dead.
"You'll do all of this for him?"
"He helped me once and I feel a connection to him I have to know if my dream is true. Haku is my friend and I have to find him." Kamaji smiled at the conviction that was in her voice, he knew that her actions stemmed from a love for Haku that transcended physical demands. They had meet before all of that and had connected on a level that even he couldn't fathom but he knew that she wasn't ready to acknowledge this yet. She'll grow into her feelings, besides it would be fun to see the look on her face when she finds out. At this thought he cackled. Chihiro looked at him her head titled to one side questioning his laugh with her eyes. Kamaji shook his head to get himself back to the present.
"If your going to see Yubaba you'd better hurry, no doubt she already knows that a human is here in her house and she is probably looking for you."
"But Kamaji, won't she turn me into something if I go see her?"
"Hmm, you'll have to do her a favour she does nothing for free, then maybe she'll help you."
"Alright I'll go to her." Kamaji was about to say something when three tokens dropped down from the roof at once.
"What! Three tokens at once! Ahhh!" He muttered angrily, whatever he was about to say forgotten. He picked up his hammer and tapped it three times telling the soot to get back to work. His arms were already reaching up to various draws containing herbs. Knowing that he was busy Chihiro took off her shoes and placed them in the corner. She went to the trap door and before she left she bowed to him even though he couldn't see it.
"Thanks Kamaji!"
***
Walking up the wooden steps in the bowels of the bathhouse Chihiro tried to think about how she was going to get to Yubaba without being spotted. She sighed when she realized it was virtually impossibly considering how she had destroyed the only outside entrance to her rooms when she went up there when Haku had been injured.
When she reached the stairs she saw that the elevator was empty and she quickly ducked in and pressed the lever up. This she knew would take her all the way to the main level of the bathhouse there she would have to take another one that would take her to Yubaba's place. Thinking about Yubaba Chihiro wondered how she would treat her. Strict and mean she was the witch that ruled the bathhouse but when she left Chihiro was slightly less afraid of her but still scared all the same. Chihiro slouched in the corner of the elevator caught up in her own thoughts dimly registered the there was a soft hiss as the elevator doors opened. She stood, resettled her backpack and peeked cautiously out the doors looking left and right. It was surprisingly empty but then she remembered that most of the employees would be down at the baths helping or in the kitchen. She could almost touch the amount of moisture in the air. It was rich with herbs. The bathhouse hadn't changed much; it was still richly decorated with royal red and polished wooden floors. Seeing no one she stepped out into the corridor and began walking towards the bridge that was above the bathhouse, at the end was the elevator that she needed to catch. She tossed her hair over her shoulders and began walking purposefully concentrating on looking like she belonged here. 'Maybe it will work and no one will notice me' she thought.
"Sen is that you?" A loud voice called out over the din and suddenly everything went quiet. 'Damn' she thought and looked towards the source of the voice and her eyes meet with that of a very surprised young lady with long black hair, Lin. Chihiro smiled with relief but anxiety. She was hoping to run into her but not in a place so...so public. Lin ran towards her and as soon as she reached her caught her up in a big hug, something she had never done before.
"Sen its you, your back! What are you doing here you dope if Yubaba catches you..."
Chihiro smiled. 'Yep' she thought, 'she hasn't changed a bit'
"I'm going to see Yubaba"
"What!? You've grown up."
"Its about Haku.""Him, you came back to seem him? Why? I can't stand the guy."
"I had a dream and he was injured."
"Your back here because of a dream?" Chihiro took a depth breath and expelled it heavily. 'Yep hasn't changed.' Chihiro looked past Lin to all the other workers in the bath house to see their reaction to a 'human' in their presence.
"Sen is that you?" It was one of the bathhouse workers that she only knew by sight.
"Of course it is." She looked to the source of that voice and standing there in the exact same eggplant cream work outfit was the spirit who dispensed the bath tokens.
"Don't even think about doing anything, she's going to see Yubaba." Lin threw an arm defensively around her shoulders and started to lead Chihiro towards the elevator to the top of the bathhouse.
"Don't worry it will be just like last time." Thinking back on her last time and what Lin had said after... 'I can't believe you made it. You had me so worried....'
"That's what I'm afraid of." Lin pushed her into the elevator and motioned for to press the lever to go up. As the elevator started to move she called out.
"Don't you forget to come see me after your talk to Yubaba Sen!"
"I won't. "
***
At the top floor the elevator doors parted and Chihiro stepped out and walked across the finely polished wooden floors and came to a stand still at the front of an ornate set of doors. Taking a depth breath she took hold of the metal doorknocker that slightly resemble Yubaba knocked quietly.
"So your back."
The doorknocker was animated and had the slightly up-pitch nasal voice that Yubaba had, probably from too much smoking.
"Hai, can I come in?"
"May as well." The door opened inward, quietly and without her pushing them at all. It unnerved her to watch this but remembered that she was a witch. She began walking down the long hallway ignoring the rich and lavish decorations struggling to remember which way. As she passed a corridor that went to the left she heard a voice in the air right beside her head."This way." She turned and continued down the hallway and before she could gather her thoughts she realized that she was in the presence of the bathhouse which once again. The one and only Yubaba.
***
"Come in Sen or is it Chihiro?" Chihiro stepped into the room and for the first time in many years her eyes meet Yubaba's. Surprisingly she knew she wasn't afraid. 'ot when her sister is so nice' she thought. 'Possibly some of it has rubbed off on her.'
"I've come to see you about Haku."
"Him? Should of known..."
"Yes, I...had this dream and he was hurt so I'm here to look for him. He was last seen coming up here to see you."
"Quite the detective." Yubaba took a deep drag on her cigarette and exhaled.
"Yes well he came to break his contract, now that he knew his name I no longer had any power over him."
"So he wasn't injured or anything?"
"No, he was his usual arrogant self, Said that he had somewhere to go."Chihiro thought quickly 'if he wasn't injured then why did I have that dream? Why am I back here?'
"Yubaba can you tell me where he is?"
"I gave that brat a final assignment and he never returned, ungrateful kid."
"Where did he go?"
"Hmph on a mission and why should a tell you?" 'All business' Chihiro thought with a smile.
"Please,im looking for him." Yubaba looked at her and could see the determination in her pale brown eyes, 'maybe she could be of some use to me, finish what that kid couldn't do...'
"I'll tell you but I don't do anything for free. After he failed to get me Zaniba's gold seal in return for his freedom he would have to bring me another. He did argue that because he knew his name he could leave but I threatened him. See he owes me a favour for teaching him magic. But, he never returned. I want you to go and find him and bring me back this seal, and then Haku can leave. In return you can stay here at the bathhouse until your ready and I'll give you supplies. Fair enough?"
"Okay so where do I have to go?"
"Beyond Zaniba's place there is another place such as this. A place where spirits go to replenish themselves." Yubaba took a drag on her cigarette and exhaled.
"Depending on what kind of magic the seals are is what powers you can gain. My sisters' seal gives her a small amount of control over the weather, creating rain, wind, lightening or preventing it. The seal that Haku was meant to fetch contains powerful magic. This seal belongs to a spirit called Nahakio. I will give you a map and everything you need to get there including train tickets. So are you sure?"
"I am but how do I know if your not tricking me or worse lying? What if he is not there?" Yubaba looked at Chihiro and started laughing.
"Don't worry girl he is there, I know it." 'How' Chihiro wondered. Just then a large thump came from behind the curtains near Yubaba's desk it was so strong that it made that paintings on the wall shake. Another one followed. Yubaba's face tightened and grew apprehensive.
"Go, come see me tomorrow after you've rested, I'll have everything ready. I don't want him to see you not after last time. My poor baby was so traumatized. Leave" Smiling on the inside Chihiro left quietly, her steps now filled with purpose.
***
Somewhere far away....
"So she is coming for you." Eyes with flaming slits looked deeply into green ones and smiled.
"How predictable..."
To be continued...
Authors note: He he , ended that chapter with a slightly evil tone. Anyway its finally up and posted, I have realised that there are a few spelling mistakes, but when I do get some time I will do a re-editing of previous chapters so just ignore all the grammar errors,I sure do... ^^
Feel free to review, comment and criticise (nicely if possible), I am leaving myself at your mercy ^^
Well thanks to those who reviewed if it wasn't for people nicely threatening to hunt me down or begging to post another chapter I doubt I would have gotten this one up so soon but yeah I have decided because I can to devote this chapter to my reviewers This one is for you guys *arigatou*
Meeting Again
Chapter 4: a tiny revelation...
Chihiro looked up to Kamaji to see what he would say. The Susuwatari had gone silent at the mention of the bathhouse resident witch. Everyone was afraid of her and those that weren't should be. Kamaji looked at her frowning silently and Chihiro wished that he wasn't wearing his glasses and she could see his eyes.
"Your going to see Yubaba?" Chihiro nodded, if she wasn't so worried about Haku she would of giggled at the slightly confused look on his face. Chihiro sighed.
"I have to maybe she will help me." She knew this would be a long shot but she had to try, it was hard not knowing that Haku was alive or dead.
"You'll do all of this for him?"
"He helped me once and I feel a connection to him I have to know if my dream is true. Haku is my friend and I have to find him." Kamaji smiled at the conviction that was in her voice, he knew that her actions stemmed from a love for Haku that transcended physical demands. They had meet before all of that and had connected on a level that even he couldn't fathom but he knew that she wasn't ready to acknowledge this yet. She'll grow into her feelings, besides it would be fun to see the look on her face when she finds out. At this thought he cackled. Chihiro looked at him her head titled to one side questioning his laugh with her eyes. Kamaji shook his head to get himself back to the present.
"If your going to see Yubaba you'd better hurry, no doubt she already knows that a human is here in her house and she is probably looking for you."
"But Kamaji, won't she turn me into something if I go see her?"
"Hmm, you'll have to do her a favour she does nothing for free, then maybe she'll help you."
"Alright I'll go to her." Kamaji was about to say something when three tokens dropped down from the roof at once.
"What! Three tokens at once! Ahhh!" He muttered angrily, whatever he was about to say forgotten. He picked up his hammer and tapped it three times telling the soot to get back to work. His arms were already reaching up to various draws containing herbs. Knowing that he was busy Chihiro took off her shoes and placed them in the corner. She went to the trap door and before she left she bowed to him even though he couldn't see it.
"Thanks Kamaji!"
***
Walking up the wooden steps in the bowels of the bathhouse Chihiro tried to think about how she was going to get to Yubaba without being spotted. She sighed when she realized it was virtually impossibly considering how she had destroyed the only outside entrance to her rooms when she went up there when Haku had been injured.
When she reached the stairs she saw that the elevator was empty and she quickly ducked in and pressed the lever up. This she knew would take her all the way to the main level of the bathhouse there she would have to take another one that would take her to Yubaba's place. Thinking about Yubaba Chihiro wondered how she would treat her. Strict and mean she was the witch that ruled the bathhouse but when she left Chihiro was slightly less afraid of her but still scared all the same. Chihiro slouched in the corner of the elevator caught up in her own thoughts dimly registered the there was a soft hiss as the elevator doors opened. She stood, resettled her backpack and peeked cautiously out the doors looking left and right. It was surprisingly empty but then she remembered that most of the employees would be down at the baths helping or in the kitchen. She could almost touch the amount of moisture in the air. It was rich with herbs. The bathhouse hadn't changed much; it was still richly decorated with royal red and polished wooden floors. Seeing no one she stepped out into the corridor and began walking towards the bridge that was above the bathhouse, at the end was the elevator that she needed to catch. She tossed her hair over her shoulders and began walking purposefully concentrating on looking like she belonged here. 'Maybe it will work and no one will notice me' she thought.
"Sen is that you?" A loud voice called out over the din and suddenly everything went quiet. 'Damn' she thought and looked towards the source of the voice and her eyes meet with that of a very surprised young lady with long black hair, Lin. Chihiro smiled with relief but anxiety. She was hoping to run into her but not in a place so...so public. Lin ran towards her and as soon as she reached her caught her up in a big hug, something she had never done before.
"Sen its you, your back! What are you doing here you dope if Yubaba catches you..."
Chihiro smiled. 'Yep' she thought, 'she hasn't changed a bit'
"I'm going to see Yubaba"
"What!? You've grown up."
"Its about Haku.""Him, you came back to seem him? Why? I can't stand the guy."
"I had a dream and he was injured."
"Your back here because of a dream?" Chihiro took a depth breath and expelled it heavily. 'Yep hasn't changed.' Chihiro looked past Lin to all the other workers in the bath house to see their reaction to a 'human' in their presence.
"Sen is that you?" It was one of the bathhouse workers that she only knew by sight.
"Of course it is." She looked to the source of that voice and standing there in the exact same eggplant cream work outfit was the spirit who dispensed the bath tokens.
"Don't even think about doing anything, she's going to see Yubaba." Lin threw an arm defensively around her shoulders and started to lead Chihiro towards the elevator to the top of the bathhouse.
"Don't worry it will be just like last time." Thinking back on her last time and what Lin had said after... 'I can't believe you made it. You had me so worried....'
"That's what I'm afraid of." Lin pushed her into the elevator and motioned for to press the lever to go up. As the elevator started to move she called out.
"Don't you forget to come see me after your talk to Yubaba Sen!"
"I won't. "
***
At the top floor the elevator doors parted and Chihiro stepped out and walked across the finely polished wooden floors and came to a stand still at the front of an ornate set of doors. Taking a depth breath she took hold of the metal doorknocker that slightly resemble Yubaba knocked quietly.
"So your back."
The doorknocker was animated and had the slightly up-pitch nasal voice that Yubaba had, probably from too much smoking.
"Hai, can I come in?"
"May as well." The door opened inward, quietly and without her pushing them at all. It unnerved her to watch this but remembered that she was a witch. She began walking down the long hallway ignoring the rich and lavish decorations struggling to remember which way. As she passed a corridor that went to the left she heard a voice in the air right beside her head."This way." She turned and continued down the hallway and before she could gather her thoughts she realized that she was in the presence of the bathhouse which once again. The one and only Yubaba.
***
"Come in Sen or is it Chihiro?" Chihiro stepped into the room and for the first time in many years her eyes meet Yubaba's. Surprisingly she knew she wasn't afraid. 'ot when her sister is so nice' she thought. 'Possibly some of it has rubbed off on her.'
"I've come to see you about Haku."
"Him? Should of known..."
"Yes, I...had this dream and he was hurt so I'm here to look for him. He was last seen coming up here to see you."
"Quite the detective." Yubaba took a deep drag on her cigarette and exhaled.
"Yes well he came to break his contract, now that he knew his name I no longer had any power over him."
"So he wasn't injured or anything?"
"No, he was his usual arrogant self, Said that he had somewhere to go."Chihiro thought quickly 'if he wasn't injured then why did I have that dream? Why am I back here?'
"Yubaba can you tell me where he is?"
"I gave that brat a final assignment and he never returned, ungrateful kid."
"Where did he go?"
"Hmph on a mission and why should a tell you?" 'All business' Chihiro thought with a smile.
"Please,im looking for him." Yubaba looked at her and could see the determination in her pale brown eyes, 'maybe she could be of some use to me, finish what that kid couldn't do...'
"I'll tell you but I don't do anything for free. After he failed to get me Zaniba's gold seal in return for his freedom he would have to bring me another. He did argue that because he knew his name he could leave but I threatened him. See he owes me a favour for teaching him magic. But, he never returned. I want you to go and find him and bring me back this seal, and then Haku can leave. In return you can stay here at the bathhouse until your ready and I'll give you supplies. Fair enough?"
"Okay so where do I have to go?"
"Beyond Zaniba's place there is another place such as this. A place where spirits go to replenish themselves." Yubaba took a drag on her cigarette and exhaled.
"Depending on what kind of magic the seals are is what powers you can gain. My sisters' seal gives her a small amount of control over the weather, creating rain, wind, lightening or preventing it. The seal that Haku was meant to fetch contains powerful magic. This seal belongs to a spirit called Nahakio. I will give you a map and everything you need to get there including train tickets. So are you sure?"
"I am but how do I know if your not tricking me or worse lying? What if he is not there?" Yubaba looked at Chihiro and started laughing.
"Don't worry girl he is there, I know it." 'How' Chihiro wondered. Just then a large thump came from behind the curtains near Yubaba's desk it was so strong that it made that paintings on the wall shake. Another one followed. Yubaba's face tightened and grew apprehensive.
"Go, come see me tomorrow after you've rested, I'll have everything ready. I don't want him to see you not after last time. My poor baby was so traumatized. Leave" Smiling on the inside Chihiro left quietly, her steps now filled with purpose.
***
Somewhere far away....
"So she is coming for you." Eyes with flaming slits looked deeply into green ones and smiled.
"How predictable..."
To be continued...
Authors note: He he , ended that chapter with a slightly evil tone. Anyway its finally up and posted, I have realised that there are a few spelling mistakes, but when I do get some time I will do a re-editing of previous chapters so just ignore all the grammar errors,I sure do... ^^
Feel free to review, comment and criticise (nicely if possible), I am leaving myself at your mercy ^^