Deep In His River
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away, just the plot.
Chapter Two: The Rivers Wrath
Never had the winds been this strong before, since Kohaku-sama had always protected us and
provided good weather, I was terrified. A gods wrath could be unpredictable. The morning cycle of
our kingdom changed, no more children playing, no more happy chats coming from the women. But, the
one thing that changed most of all was my father. I'm sure you expected that.
He had aged in a day, he looked stressed and guilty. I felt sorry for him, but at the same
time I was enraged at his stupidity. Men!, men and their pride. Mortal men for the most. My mother
was not in speaking terms with my father, time and again had we lectured him about learning to be
humble. But no, he waved our words away, never listening and never learning. I realized then that
adults don't always seem together as they proclaim themselves to be. That sometimes, it was up to
the youth to make things right.
Youth, meaning me...
But that comes later, I want to set things straight once and for all.
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
The rose-tinged morning appeared in my window and for a moment I thought that it was all just
a silly nightmare, but the eerie calmness that floated around our kingdom proved me wrong.
I no longer had the enthusiasm to get up for breakfast. The chefs quit as soon as the word
spread about the kings boast, thinking that getting near him might give them bad luck. So, no chef
equals no breakfast. Actually, a lot of our servants, maids and guards left fearing that Kohaku-sama
might get them too. I was about to go back to bed- in hopes of waking up from this hellish dream -
when shouts of bloody death came from the hallway. I shivered in fear, this could mean bad news.
"Your highness," a womans voice sobbed. I looked out of my door.
"A mighty serpent," more sobs, "came and thrashed our homes... its tail almost killed my husband."
I gasped, a serpent?! Kohaku-sama must be really mad. Though I suppose I should have expected that
being as what my father had said. Plus all the other sins he had commited, the serpent has come to make
my father pay. I listened some more. This time to my father.
"Has anyone died from the serpent?"
"No, my lord. Most are just injured."
"I wil-" he was cut of by the womans shriek.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! WHAT KIND OF KING ARE YOU?!" she pointed an accusing
finger at him.
"I'm sor-"
"SORRY IS NOT GOING TO HEAL MY HUSBAND!!!"
Silence came from my father, I peeked to see his face. Remorse was hidden in his aged face.
"I HAVE NO HOME ANYMORE!!!"
Tears slowly tumbled in his eyes and I could not bear it. This man was not my father.
"Guards take her away, the king shall deal with her later." I ordered to one of the remaining
guards. He nodded, the womans shrill voice echoed.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!"
He already has, I thought. To live with such guilt is enough punishment. To be the cause of such
disturbance and injuries... yes, I think that is punishment. To know that you are weak and defenseless
against a higher being. Punishment.
But, I soon realized that this was just a taste of what will really happen.
The real punishment was soon to come...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
As soon as the sightings of the serpent were reported, my mother ordered our seers to ask the god
Kohaku what my father could do to repent his sin. This process could take hours. I made myself useful by
offering prayers and my favorite belongings to Kohaku-sama. Surely, this could help lessen whatever
the punishment was. I hoped...
I've never been so nervous in my entire life, nor have I been patient either.
The seers were taking such a long time, that I worried that the serpent might have eaten them
before they could perfom the rituals. Before we could calm the river god. Before it was too late. I was
scared of the consequences of my fathers actions. I prayed all day long, I did not eat. I don't think
anyone did. The anxiety was killing us all. Can't the seers hurry up?
I heard the door open I swiveled from my chair so I could see.
It was Aodo-san... our seer and our priest.
Finally...
But then I realized the dread that filled his eyes, the remorse in his actions.
What happened?...
Aodo-san glanced my way, his eyes held regret. What is it? Did the gods ask for my father to be
killed? Did they want our lands destroyed? I wanted to ask so much, but something inside me told me to
be patient and just be silent.
He motioned for my father to come, it seemed that whatever the punishment was, it was not for
the public to hear. My father followed him to one of the rooms. My mother tried to come, but Aodo-san
shook his head. Dejectedly, my mother sat back down beside me, I slipped my hand in hers. Assuring her
that we'll be fine. I was a rotten liar. My fear grew as we waited...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
Minutes went by, soon hours... Aodo-san called my mother in.
I saw a glimpse of my father through the door, he looked pale and regretful. He was muttering "No,
no, it cannot be..." What cannot be?, I wondered. My mother went in...
Darkness consumed her small form...
I was alone to be eaten by the anxiety of waiting.
Soon enough, I heard my mother speak. Or rather scream.
"No, no it's not right. She has done nothing wrong. Oh god..."
She?
"Ask him again, I beg of you. He cannot take her away from us."
Aodo-sans, "I already did, so many times. But I recieved the same answers."
"Try again!" my mother forced. I had a feeling I knew who she was talking about, but I ignored
it. It seemed impossible...
"YOU'RE LYING!!!"
"No, Yuuko. Aodo is not lying. I cannot believe it either." my father...
"How can you be so calm? Do you not care?" my mothers disbelieving voice
"I-" he tried to say, but he could not find the words to say.
My heart thumped from my chest, maybe it was possible after all. My palms became sweaty, what if I
was right? What if....
The sudden opening of the door surprised me, my mother pale faced with tear streaks in her eyes.
And my father, his hair unruly; he would not look at me directly in the eye.
"Oh Chihiro..." my mother sighed hopelessly.
"What is it Okaasan?" her shaking hands took mine.
"It's horrible... unfair and unjust." she murmured.
I turned to Aodo-san, "Please tell me." He shook his head apologetically, "I'm sorry, but it's not
my place to tell." What the hell is going on? My mother and father left me, there. Alone.
I didn't sleep that night.
Monsters roamed my dreams...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
I'm sure that some of you right now, are reluctant to read some more. After what had happened, I
don't blame you. I was afraid, very afraid. Of what the morning might bring. Of what my parents may tell
me. They never did tell me, but I had other sources. Such as the maids, they gossip too much. Perhaps
they could tell the princess (me!), they wouldn't refuse. They couldn't.
By dawn I had already walked around the palace for the perfect maid. I spotted one (Yes, I know. I
sound like I'm hunting. I am the predator, the maid is the prey), Tsubasa!
Perfect!, I thought. Tsubasa was one of the maids that I considered that gossiped too much. I
noticed that she seemed afraid to see me. She was about to run away...
"Halt!" I ordered, and she did. "Princess! what a surprise!" Surprise my arse, I thought darkly.
Her face, like my mothers, was pale. "Tell me, do you know anything about Aodo-sans news?"
"No!..." she stammered. Her eyes begged, but I held onto her arm. I needed to know, why did
everyone hide the truth from me?
"Please hime-sama... I was sworn not to tell."
"Not to tell what?"
"You-you are to be... I can't do this." She started to cry and I felt sorry for her, but I was
desperate.
"Tsubasa, please tell me." She breathed in.
"Y-you are to be sacrificed to the river god Kohaku."
"WHAT?!" For a while I thought I had fainted, but I felt Tsubasa move from my grasp. I paled, my
heart beat wildly. Tsubasa saw my reaction and she patted me gently in my back.
"It's not fair..." I cried.
"Life is never fair." she replied. I glared at her.
"It's only fairer than death." she concluded. She was right. I expected this, but I never really
believed it. Why me? I didn't do anything... it's not my fault. "You're not lying are you?" I asked.
"No, no it's the truth. I'm sorry"
"Me too..." I whispered, letting the winds carry my words.
"When?" my voice dull.
"Tomorrow." she mumbled.
Tomorrow... there is no hope for me.
There never was.
I was to pay for my fathers actions, I was alone to face the rivers wrath.
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
REVIEW RESPONSE:
DarkPresence:
~ Thank you! you're my first reviewer. I'm glad you like how it's in Chihiros POV! I've also read
your poems, check them out I reveiwed one of them! Thanks!^_^
Elda Aranel:
~ Thanks, the rest of the story will be in Chihiros POV. Except for some scenes. ^_^ I'm happy
you've taken an interest in this story^_^
Maria:
~ Yup, I agree with you on Chihiros dad. He was really an idiot! Thanks.
Mimi:
~ Thank you^_^ glad you like it!
Kintora:
~ Thanks! hope you liked this chap. too!
Smiley-Chan:
~ ^^Thanks!
Kristal:
~ I'm writing, I'm writing! Thanks^_^
Nigihayami Haruko:
~ Thank you, one question: Can you tell me what words I mispelled?^_^
Regatto:
~ I already have a plan on how Kohaku will appear, thanks!^_^ Trust this won't end tragically!
Marie:
~ Thanks, ^_^!
Lightdestiny:
~ Thank you! ^_^
InuYasha+Kagome:
~ Thanks, I hope you liked this chapter as well...
JoJo:
~ Thanks!!! ^_^
bookworm:
~ Thank you!^^
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
*A/N: Wow! To be honest, I didn't really expect you guys to like this. I was just playing around, I
didn't think you guys would read this and actually like it. Thanks, I'm so happy with the reaction
from the reviews. I'll try to update soon with my other stories. When? I don't know. But, thanks.
I really appreciate it. I really do have loads of ideas for this story, I'm just organizing it.
So that it won't be confusing. So... 'till my next update.
Sam: Happy Thanksgiving! and REVIEW!
PS: Sorry if there are any spelling mistakes, I don't have spell check or whatever it is.
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away, just the plot.
Chapter Two: The Rivers Wrath
Never had the winds been this strong before, since Kohaku-sama had always protected us and
provided good weather, I was terrified. A gods wrath could be unpredictable. The morning cycle of
our kingdom changed, no more children playing, no more happy chats coming from the women. But, the
one thing that changed most of all was my father. I'm sure you expected that.
He had aged in a day, he looked stressed and guilty. I felt sorry for him, but at the same
time I was enraged at his stupidity. Men!, men and their pride. Mortal men for the most. My mother
was not in speaking terms with my father, time and again had we lectured him about learning to be
humble. But no, he waved our words away, never listening and never learning. I realized then that
adults don't always seem together as they proclaim themselves to be. That sometimes, it was up to
the youth to make things right.
Youth, meaning me...
But that comes later, I want to set things straight once and for all.
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
The rose-tinged morning appeared in my window and for a moment I thought that it was all just
a silly nightmare, but the eerie calmness that floated around our kingdom proved me wrong.
I no longer had the enthusiasm to get up for breakfast. The chefs quit as soon as the word
spread about the kings boast, thinking that getting near him might give them bad luck. So, no chef
equals no breakfast. Actually, a lot of our servants, maids and guards left fearing that Kohaku-sama
might get them too. I was about to go back to bed- in hopes of waking up from this hellish dream -
when shouts of bloody death came from the hallway. I shivered in fear, this could mean bad news.
"Your highness," a womans voice sobbed. I looked out of my door.
"A mighty serpent," more sobs, "came and thrashed our homes... its tail almost killed my husband."
I gasped, a serpent?! Kohaku-sama must be really mad. Though I suppose I should have expected that
being as what my father had said. Plus all the other sins he had commited, the serpent has come to make
my father pay. I listened some more. This time to my father.
"Has anyone died from the serpent?"
"No, my lord. Most are just injured."
"I wil-" he was cut of by the womans shriek.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! WHAT KIND OF KING ARE YOU?!" she pointed an accusing
finger at him.
"I'm sor-"
"SORRY IS NOT GOING TO HEAL MY HUSBAND!!!"
Silence came from my father, I peeked to see his face. Remorse was hidden in his aged face.
"I HAVE NO HOME ANYMORE!!!"
Tears slowly tumbled in his eyes and I could not bear it. This man was not my father.
"Guards take her away, the king shall deal with her later." I ordered to one of the remaining
guards. He nodded, the womans shrill voice echoed.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!"
He already has, I thought. To live with such guilt is enough punishment. To be the cause of such
disturbance and injuries... yes, I think that is punishment. To know that you are weak and defenseless
against a higher being. Punishment.
But, I soon realized that this was just a taste of what will really happen.
The real punishment was soon to come...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
As soon as the sightings of the serpent were reported, my mother ordered our seers to ask the god
Kohaku what my father could do to repent his sin. This process could take hours. I made myself useful by
offering prayers and my favorite belongings to Kohaku-sama. Surely, this could help lessen whatever
the punishment was. I hoped...
I've never been so nervous in my entire life, nor have I been patient either.
The seers were taking such a long time, that I worried that the serpent might have eaten them
before they could perfom the rituals. Before we could calm the river god. Before it was too late. I was
scared of the consequences of my fathers actions. I prayed all day long, I did not eat. I don't think
anyone did. The anxiety was killing us all. Can't the seers hurry up?
I heard the door open I swiveled from my chair so I could see.
It was Aodo-san... our seer and our priest.
Finally...
But then I realized the dread that filled his eyes, the remorse in his actions.
What happened?...
Aodo-san glanced my way, his eyes held regret. What is it? Did the gods ask for my father to be
killed? Did they want our lands destroyed? I wanted to ask so much, but something inside me told me to
be patient and just be silent.
He motioned for my father to come, it seemed that whatever the punishment was, it was not for
the public to hear. My father followed him to one of the rooms. My mother tried to come, but Aodo-san
shook his head. Dejectedly, my mother sat back down beside me, I slipped my hand in hers. Assuring her
that we'll be fine. I was a rotten liar. My fear grew as we waited...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
Minutes went by, soon hours... Aodo-san called my mother in.
I saw a glimpse of my father through the door, he looked pale and regretful. He was muttering "No,
no, it cannot be..." What cannot be?, I wondered. My mother went in...
Darkness consumed her small form...
I was alone to be eaten by the anxiety of waiting.
Soon enough, I heard my mother speak. Or rather scream.
"No, no it's not right. She has done nothing wrong. Oh god..."
She?
"Ask him again, I beg of you. He cannot take her away from us."
Aodo-sans, "I already did, so many times. But I recieved the same answers."
"Try again!" my mother forced. I had a feeling I knew who she was talking about, but I ignored
it. It seemed impossible...
"YOU'RE LYING!!!"
"No, Yuuko. Aodo is not lying. I cannot believe it either." my father...
"How can you be so calm? Do you not care?" my mothers disbelieving voice
"I-" he tried to say, but he could not find the words to say.
My heart thumped from my chest, maybe it was possible after all. My palms became sweaty, what if I
was right? What if....
The sudden opening of the door surprised me, my mother pale faced with tear streaks in her eyes.
And my father, his hair unruly; he would not look at me directly in the eye.
"Oh Chihiro..." my mother sighed hopelessly.
"What is it Okaasan?" her shaking hands took mine.
"It's horrible... unfair and unjust." she murmured.
I turned to Aodo-san, "Please tell me." He shook his head apologetically, "I'm sorry, but it's not
my place to tell." What the hell is going on? My mother and father left me, there. Alone.
I didn't sleep that night.
Monsters roamed my dreams...
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
I'm sure that some of you right now, are reluctant to read some more. After what had happened, I
don't blame you. I was afraid, very afraid. Of what the morning might bring. Of what my parents may tell
me. They never did tell me, but I had other sources. Such as the maids, they gossip too much. Perhaps
they could tell the princess (me!), they wouldn't refuse. They couldn't.
By dawn I had already walked around the palace for the perfect maid. I spotted one (Yes, I know. I
sound like I'm hunting. I am the predator, the maid is the prey), Tsubasa!
Perfect!, I thought. Tsubasa was one of the maids that I considered that gossiped too much. I
noticed that she seemed afraid to see me. She was about to run away...
"Halt!" I ordered, and she did. "Princess! what a surprise!" Surprise my arse, I thought darkly.
Her face, like my mothers, was pale. "Tell me, do you know anything about Aodo-sans news?"
"No!..." she stammered. Her eyes begged, but I held onto her arm. I needed to know, why did
everyone hide the truth from me?
"Please hime-sama... I was sworn not to tell."
"Not to tell what?"
"You-you are to be... I can't do this." She started to cry and I felt sorry for her, but I was
desperate.
"Tsubasa, please tell me." She breathed in.
"Y-you are to be sacrificed to the river god Kohaku."
"WHAT?!" For a while I thought I had fainted, but I felt Tsubasa move from my grasp. I paled, my
heart beat wildly. Tsubasa saw my reaction and she patted me gently in my back.
"It's not fair..." I cried.
"Life is never fair." she replied. I glared at her.
"It's only fairer than death." she concluded. She was right. I expected this, but I never really
believed it. Why me? I didn't do anything... it's not my fault. "You're not lying are you?" I asked.
"No, no it's the truth. I'm sorry"
"Me too..." I whispered, letting the winds carry my words.
"When?" my voice dull.
"Tomorrow." she mumbled.
Tomorrow... there is no hope for me.
There never was.
I was to pay for my fathers actions, I was alone to face the rivers wrath.
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
REVIEW RESPONSE:
DarkPresence:
~ Thank you! you're my first reviewer. I'm glad you like how it's in Chihiros POV! I've also read
your poems, check them out I reveiwed one of them! Thanks!^_^
Elda Aranel:
~ Thanks, the rest of the story will be in Chihiros POV. Except for some scenes. ^_^ I'm happy
you've taken an interest in this story^_^
Maria:
~ Yup, I agree with you on Chihiros dad. He was really an idiot! Thanks.
Mimi:
~ Thank you^_^ glad you like it!
Kintora:
~ Thanks! hope you liked this chap. too!
Smiley-Chan:
~ ^^Thanks!
Kristal:
~ I'm writing, I'm writing! Thanks^_^
Nigihayami Haruko:
~ Thank you, one question: Can you tell me what words I mispelled?^_^
Regatto:
~ I already have a plan on how Kohaku will appear, thanks!^_^ Trust this won't end tragically!
Marie:
~ Thanks, ^_^!
Lightdestiny:
~ Thank you! ^_^
InuYasha+Kagome:
~ Thanks, I hope you liked this chapter as well...
JoJo:
~ Thanks!!! ^_^
bookworm:
~ Thank you!^^
::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::*::
*A/N: Wow! To be honest, I didn't really expect you guys to like this. I was just playing around, I
didn't think you guys would read this and actually like it. Thanks, I'm so happy with the reaction
from the reviews. I'll try to update soon with my other stories. When? I don't know. But, thanks.
I really appreciate it. I really do have loads of ideas for this story, I'm just organizing it.
So that it won't be confusing. So... 'till my next update.
Sam: Happy Thanksgiving! and REVIEW!
PS: Sorry if there are any spelling mistakes, I don't have spell check or whatever it is.