Warning: There's a chance of missinformation...and knowing me, that's a pretty high chance. Everything's being pulled from my deranged (Elves: Hey!) head/muses...so sorry if anything is wrong or seems highly unprobable. But hey, it's a fic!
Elf #1: There's only so far you can stretch poetic license...and it's not even a poem!.
Oh hush you. Must you contradict everything I say?
Elf #1: Yes.
Why?
It's in my job description.
And who made up this job description of yours?
Elf #1: You did.
...oh. Crap.
Elf #1: ^____^
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away.
Elf #1: ...
...
Elf #1: You ran out of witty things to say didn't you.
Shut up.
Feedback: Ooo...peeps said stuff. ^^ Thankie very much, and please keep the comments coming! I think I've set up a reply part at the end...and for further motivation...I'll set the elves loose for your enjoyment if you review!
Elf #1: ::snort:: Like who's gonna find that motiva---::sees a specific review aka JadeMoonWing::...oh crap...
Elf #2: ::points his finger, laughing at #1::
Elf #1: ::glares vehemently at #2:: You know that includes you too.
Elf #2: ...oh...dammit!
Elf #3: ...zzZZzz...
Elf #2: ::kicks #3 to no avail:: Is she ever /awake/?
Elf #5: She...uh...was somewhat awake some days ago...for the next chapter...
Elf #2: Grrr...::mutterstupidleavingustodealwithargh!mutter::...and where's that wimpy brother of mine?
Elf #5: Uh...he's in the closet...sir...where you left him...
::pulls the curtains:: Okay, that little drama went on way too long...::loud crashes and profanities are heard behind the curtain:: ^^;;...and I live with this all day...On with the story!
Previously:
"Where are you going?"
Hand on the knob, Chihiro did not even turn at her father's voice. She will not look at him, at his blank impartial face. She will not allow his voice, empty of all its old cheer, break her. She will not cry for causing this change in her father, and she will not regret her daughter's life.
// "Mr. and Mrs. Ogino…your daughter is pregnant."//
// "Oh God Chihiro…what did you do?"//
// "Who is he, Chihiro? Who?!!"//
// "Chihiro…pregnant…"//
// "I heard that…"//
// "…whore…"//
//…//
// "It's a girl."//
// "Mommy…"//
// "Mommy!!"//
// "Mommy, I love you."//
No, never ever regret that.
Twisting the handle and opening the door with a slow creak, she watched Kouryuu step out first, before answering her father, still not looking back. She learned not to do that eight years ago.
"Work."
With that, Chihiro closed the door behind her.
Click.
~ * ~ * ~
"Chihiro! Table 6!"
"Hai!"
Hefting the large tray, she placed it against her shoulder and picked up a stand under her other arm. Years ago, she would have tripped after two steps, but night after night of heavy orders and carefully weaving between tables, it was all natural now. Even outside of work, she found her stride to be longer and more elegant, her only improvement and reward over the years.
"Sirs, madams, sorry for the wait. Your final course is ready and I hope you enjoy the rest of your meal."
Wonderful smelling dishes of fish and meat and vegetables were replaced on her tray with dirty empty bowls and plates, remnants of rice and scraps piled together.
/What a waste…/
"Another load?"
"Hai, Kanna-san."
The taller woman clicked her tongue in annoyance as the additional dishes were dumped into the soapy tub next to her. Wiping a dripping hand across her forehead, the brunette turned towards the teen that was scraping the leftovers into a trashcan.
"I tell ya, kid. One of these days I'm getting outta this place, after I gather enough money. I've washed enough dishes to strip off seven layers of skin from my hands." She blew a puff of air from the side of her mouth, looking remarkably like someone she a long time ago.
"Sheesh kid, how do you stand that smell?"
The corner of her mouth twitched upward as she scraped the last plate clean, placed it in the tub to soak, and tied the bulging plastic bag on the ends to be thrown out.
"I've experienced worse."
Kanna clicked her tongue again, dunking another dish in the murky water of the steel sink. "No kidding? Tch, that must've been one hell of a stink."
A moment of silence passed, only the sound of clinking chinaware and sizzling dishes echoing in the kitchen. From the corner of her eyes and over her shoulder, the older woman watched the girl working to secure the knots in the garbage bag. Even though she tried to hide it, even though Kanna didn't know the girl that well, the way she carried herself, the way the woman watched the dark circles under her eyes getter larger and the inner glow that used to be so obvious turn further and further inward…
/Chihiro…/
Ever since she showed up at this restaurant, she had never said more than a few words, never complained about anything the manager handed her, and never asked for help. And when she started bringing Kouryuu, a little flame of childish charm and something almost out-worldly, something /glowing/, and after getting compliments from the guests of the "adorable little helper", well, even the manager could not say no.
But even with all the help the two brought, none of the workers ventured to them if they could help it. As much as she hated to admit it, even she felt uneasy around either one of them. It was something she could not explain; a feeling that emitted from the young teen, an almost jaded maturity that had to be the result of some experience, some trial, which she herself would probably never comprehend or understand.
A breeze blew in from the small window left open for ventilation, a few scattered leaves trailing in, dancing, before settling on the ground. It was a full moon tonight and Kanna looked at her watch placed on the counter so it wouldn't get wet. Turning, she looked at the girl who began to lug the trash bags towards the back door, walking slowly so not tear the strained plastic.
"Chihiro. After you throw that garbage out, go home and shower. You stink and it'll drive away the customers, and then the manager'll be on you like a vulture. And take Kouryuu with you. She's probably sleeping in one of the booths, that girl."
With what might have been a smile on her face, the young girl bent her head in a quick bow before disappearing through the back door into the night.
~ * ~ * ~
/It's really beautiful out tonight. /
Chihiro stopped to shift her grip on the small child propped up against her back. Kouryuu had indeed fallen asleep at the restaurant, which was no surprise. Her work hours were long and usually ran far into the night. If there were no guests, there was always cleaning or inventory to be taken care of. But Chihiro did not complain and the child refused to be left at home. The job paid well enough; it supported for most of her and Kouryuu's needs, though not enough for them to set out on their own. She still stayed under the same roof as her parents, as much as it hurt.
The streets were dark on her way home, a few of the lights having recently been shattered by some local pranksters. Neighbors complained and the authorities assured that they would be up and running soon, but Chihiro hoped they wouldn't. It was only with the streetlights out that she was able to see the stars twinkling in the dark sky.
// "…and there's the North Star. They say you can always find your way home if you find the North Star."
"Mommy, what's that one?"
"Which one?"
"The long one."
"That's Draco, the great dragon…"//
"Oomph."
Looking up, she saw a tall figure, male, his features shadowed because his back was to the moon. Around him were two others, similar height and build. A flash of an emblem on the collar showed that they belonged to Chihiro's school.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."
Head bowed, Chihiro tried to step around the trio, careful not to jostle Kouryuu too much, only to be blocked by the head of the group. Looking up again, eyes slightly widened by surprise, she unconsciously took a step back. A cold chill ran up her spine as the leader grinned, his teeth glinting a dangerous white in an almost wolfish smile.
"Now, girrly, don't ya think ya owe us sum' thin more 'n an ap-ap-sorry fer bumpin' into us?"
/He's drunk. /
~ TBC ~
Author's Note: Again, not where I wanted to stop, but I had to cut it off somewhere...^^ So is it getting interesting?
Elf #1: Curse you, woman! Get me out of this bag!
Elf #2: When I get out, I'm gonna---
Heh..now now...I made a deal with the nice readers, eh? And I don't like to go back on promises...
Elf #1: Then why aren't the rest of 'em in here with us?!
Simple...they don't bite. ::looks at #3, #4, and #5 who snore, wave, or smile, respectively:: Now, onto the Author's reply sectioni!
To the Reviewers:
JadeMoonWing: I think you scared #1 and #2...^^ Thank you.
Anee: Actually, not many, but still, I imagine there must be some after my blood. ^^; I know I would be if someone didn't update their fics/reply to any mails for...nearly half a year I believe...^^;;;
K0D4M4 61RL: Whee. Thankie. I think it was you who commented on the Sesshomaru fic and asked for more? Heh, I'll think 'bout it...if I ever get back into the Inuyasha mood. Heh, sorry if that disappoints you...
Gemini: Really? I'm kinda wondering what you were expecting, 'cause I thought I was pretty obvious. ^_^; Anyway, I've already written ahead some pages...oh, but I don't wanna give anything away eh? Hee. But I'll tell you that this is the first story I've written where it seems the chars are deciding where they're going instead of me plotting everything and twisting the chars to head in that direction...so I hope you're satisfied with the flow so far, and that when the meeting does come, it seems plausible. ^^
KitKatGirl: Heh, update fast enough for you?
So, 'til next time, with more elfy goodness! ^^
::#1 and #2 swearing violently in burlap sack::
(If you haven't figured it out already, I have elf bios on my profile. ^^)