Deep In His River
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away, just the plot and OC.
Chapter Four: The Palace of the Dragon
Warmth...
Silk pillows...
Velvet blankets...
This is really comfortable...
Wait a minute, something is not right. I quickly sat up, my eyes snapped open.
The events of yesterday came flooding in my head. Why am I alive? Where is the dragon?
And why is this bed so annoyingly comfy?
I closed my eyes for a moment. Pain in my heart, I could almost hear my mothers broken sobs.
A mother should never have to feel this pain. Not my mother. Well, I'm sure Kohaku-sama is now satisfied.
I bet the townspeople are celebrating, singing songs of my 'bravery'. But I didn't think I was brave, I
was just numb. And, confused. My father is sure to blame himself for this. Knowing him, he'll carry this
guilt to his grave.
I shivered, the winds blew the windows open. Where am I? The window almost cracked, the dragon was
right infront of me. His sudden appearance upset the side table. The vase smashed, down came the rose and
the water. Mixed with broken glass. I whimpered, the dragon came for his breakfast...
Or was it lunch?
Or dinner?... Brunch maybe...
Damn it. Who cares? I'm food.
My legs felt weak at his enormous height, he could crush me into pieces if he wanted to. I said a
silent prayer, hoping I'll end up in the heavens and not down there...
"Please don't eat me!!!" my voice surprisingly like a mouse's. I awaited the fangs against my flesh
and his talons to grip my skull. I closed my eyes, I'd rather not see my own death. "Don't eat me..." I
repeated.
"Who said I was going to eat you?" replied a male voice.
Dragons can talk?...
I peeked my left eye open; the dragon was gone. Only to be replaced by a young man. Jade, was the color
of his eyes. Lovely, like emeralds. His hair dark, almost navy blue. He was tall, and had a manly build.
He was perfect, maybe he's a warrior. Here to save me, maybe he had slayed the dragon...
"You saved me!!!" I jumped into his arms, his eyes widened. He was clearly surprised, but I didn't
care. I'm safe now, I can go home. Home! To my mother and father, oh they'll be so happy to see me. I
opened my mouth to thank him, but...
"Saved you from what?" he asked. Confusion in his eyes. Huh?
"The dragon that's what! You know... big silver dragon?" What is wrong with this man?
He looked at me for a second, then he laughed. My god, what a wonderful laugh it was. There must be
something wrong with me. "Oh... you mean THE dragon." he chuckled.
"What is so funny? Yes, I mean THE dragon." I rolled my eyes. His face suddenly became shy and
distant. He gave me shy, boyish grin. And, I felt a fluttery feeling in my heart. Oh dear...
"I'm the dragon." he mumbled. Does he think I'm an idiot?
"What are you talking about? You're not the dragon." I shook my head, he was handsome but he didn't
make any sense. He looked hurt and somehow I felt like taking back what I said. "Do you take me for a fool
and an idiot?" I asked him. He shook his head no. "What then? Why are you laughing at me?" I asked.
"I really am the dragon." he repeated. Gee... what kind of 'Prince Charming' is he?
"Don't you dare mock me." I replied exasperately. He was beggining to get on my nerves. I, Princess
Chihiro will not stand for this. "I'm not mocking you." I admired his patience, most men would have just
stranggled me at this point. "Fine, then prove it. Show to me that you are the dragon."
In a flash of silver and soft green, he was there. The dragon, the very same dragon. Same jade eyes,
same pearly talons, and same silver scales. Most of all, same fangs. I remember wishing they were a bit
smaller at that time. But, all in all he was beautiful. Never had I imagined dragons this way, I've always
thought of them as big, snake-like monsters. He proved me wrong, in more ways than one.
"You weren't lying after all..." I murmured as I touched his mane. Soft, like a kittens. He let out
a purr. I've always thought dragons roared, maybe I was wrong too... In another flash (I'm surprised I'm
not yet blind... those were a lot of flashes.) the man was back. He was just as beautiful as the dragon
was. Again, I thought there must be something wrong with me...
"I would never lie to you. Never." he spoke so tenderly, it almost broke my heart.
"Who are you?" I asked softly.
"Don't you know?"
"Know what?" Again, we were back to square one. Riddles and more.
"I'm Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi!" Mirth in his eyes, shock in mine.
Typically, I fainted...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
I woke up with the sunlight right in my eyes, I glared and snuggled into the pillows. How many times
do I have to tell Tsubasa that I get annoyed with the windows open in the morning?
Tsubasa... Oh right, I'm not home anymore. I should have asked him where I was. Was I really staring
at the powerful Kohaku-sama? He looked to be in his youth, in which I expected him to be older. Much older.
I imagined him with a gray beard, grayer than my grandfathers. But instead, he was a young man. A very
beautiful male, a very beautiful male god. Perfect to the bone and not a single flaw.
I blushed, I should be concentrating on finding where I am than thinking of his perfection. I looked
around, the room was amazing. Lush green curtains draped over the windows, velvet and silk interior. But,
that was not why the room was amazing... beyond the window was a view beyond imaginable. Prosperous green
mountains, bright blue sky and flowers of all kinds bloomed all over the perimeter. It was so breath taking,
so beautiful that I thought it must be a sin to see such beauty in my mortal eyes.
"I see you like the view, I knew you would." his voice woke me from my thoughts. I turned to face him,
"I love it," His lips turned up to a smile. Are all gods this handsome? I smiled back, though my
curiousity from yesterday lingered in my mind...
"Are you really the great Kohaku-sama?" my voice timid,
"I am Kohaku, but I'm not sure about the great part." he laughed a lyrical laugh. If staring was a sin
I would certainly be in hell right now. "Where am I?" I asked him.
"You are in my villa, my little kingdom. A little palace to call my own." He explained to me.
"How? Weren't we falling into the river yesterday?"
"Ah... yes. Good question," he smirked, "we weren't actually falling. We were entering my world, using
the river as a portal or entrance. And, since I'm a water god, entering my river would easily direct us to
my palace. So to make things simpler for you, we are in another world."
"Your world?" I asked.
"Yes, my world." he replied, emphasizing the 'my' in his sentence. "It's a very beautiful villa." I
said softly, my eyes somehow glued to the surrounding. "Thank you."
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"No," I paused, hearing a growl in my stomach, "Alright, yes. I am a bit hungry."
He chuckled, "Come..."
And I followed...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
The mortal girl seemed to adapt easier to her surroundings much better than I expected. I expected
screams and whines. But then again, this is Chihiro we are talking about, she's different than most mortal
girls. A lot different, in fact she was a lot different up close than she was from afar.
Long brown hair, grey eyes that was almost black, small features such as nose and mouth. She was plain
yet something drew me to her.
She fancied the garden, the floras and the faunas. Girls her age rarely took the time to look at the
beauty of nature, most of them take it for granted. She didn't. Of course, my Chihiro is special.
Did I say MY Chihiro?...
You did not just read that...
I led her to the kitchen (the cook is probably still asleep, might as well make her something myself),
"You can sit right here," I pointed to a chair. She nodded. Truth be told, I, Kohaku god of the Kohaku River
never had a house guest before... this could be awkward. I rarely have guests, besides who would visit a god
with only a river to guard. I took out the ingredients to make an onigiri, from what I've seen Chihiro was
fond of those.
"Why didn't you eat me?" she asked. I chuckled inwardly, she really didn't know...
"I have my reasons..." I simply replied, now was not the time.
"Do you hate me?" What? Hate her? Never!
I turned to look at her, curiousity pasted in her face. I smiled.
"I could never hate you." She flushed, was it something I said?
"Are you mad at my father?" Oh a very tender subject... her father needed to learn his lesson. I'm
very sure that right after Chihiro left that mortal learned his place in the world.
I frowned a bit and she saw. At that she appeared timid and afraid once more. I gave her wry smile,
"I'm not mad at your father..." I paused, I really didn't know how to explain something like this to a
mortal like Chihiro. Her voice rang in to my thoughts,
"But he needed to learn his lesson right... our seers say that plenty of times." I nodded. I knew, I
always did. I carefully took out the onigiri and handed one to her. She took it, her hand brushing
momentarily against mine and in that moment I thought I felt a slight tingle in my heart.
I could be wrong, but I'm sure I felt it...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
I felt it, I really felt it. A slight thump in my heart, when his hands brushed against mine. His eyes
stared soulfully into mine. "Thank you." I murmured, breaking eye contact. He stared at me for a moment, then
he nodded and took a bite in his onigiri. Which surprisingly tasted good, I took a bite and then another. He
noticed...
"I put a spell in it. It will give you back you're strength." And, it did. I soon felt the soothing
effects and my strength returning in my veins. I looked out of the windows and I thought I saw a pair of red
eyes staring at me and Kohaku-sama... My brows crinkled in confusion,
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Oh nothing, I just thought I saw something..."
He frowned, maybe I shouldn't have said that. Kohaku-sama looked out of the window, "No, I don't see
anything at all." he whispered. But, he kept his eyes at the window...
Maybe it's just a side effect of the spell...
But, like I said before. I am a rotten liar.
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
REVIEW RESPONSE:
Mizura Volphen:
~ Thank you! About the dress or kimono, well I really didn't mention that in this chapter. So, I guess I'm
safe. Thanks for reviewing^_^
Silent Bob 546:
~ Wow! A new reviewer! thanks...^_^
Regatto:
~ Wow, I'm very much flattered at your compliments *blushes* Thank you so much^^ Kohaku is awesome!!
T.L.Y.Y.:
~ Thanks, I suppose everyone here likes Kohaku^_^
Yana5:
~ Thank you, I hope you like this chapter too^^
Cafelatte:
~ You know I'm really happy that a lot of people like this story of mine, thanks!!!
Hikari No Sekai:
~ I really have a lot plans for this story, though I'm not sure which because I don't want to overload this
story. Thanks!!
Bookworym:
~ About Kohakus name, from what I've read in various fan sites, Nigihayami means something like peaceful or
calm and Nushi is a term for lord, master, god. I hoped I got those right, Thanks!!!
Crimson Mist:
~ Aww, thanks! I hope you liked this chapter.
Merodi:
~ Yeah, if I were to sacrificed because of my father I would most probably smack and slap everyone for it.
LOL! thanks...^_^
Mimi:
~ Thanks!!! Glad you like it.
JoJo:
~ Thanks, Good luck in your finals.
Goldenphoenix3000:
~ Thanks for reviewing.
Neko:
~ As for the Greek myth that inspired me to write this, I'd go with the first one you wrote. I think that
story is about Andromeda, but however, in this fic. I changed a lot of plots so it's totally different. Thank
you!!!^_^
LadyAngel:
~ Thanks^_^
Wolfgirl13:
~ Thanks... I'm happy you like it^_^
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
*A/N: I suppose I left everyone here in a rather mean cliffhanger. Sorry about that, but I like adding some
sort of suspence in my stories. I guess I'm a bit evil for that *cackles* WOW!!! 53 REVIEWS, my god I'm
totally happy. Thank you everyone and I hope everyone likes this chapter as well. I hope this chapter is
longer than the other ones. Thanks!
Sam: REVIEW PLEASE!!!
Shiba sez: Like I said before, if you find any spelling mistakes in here. I'm sorry, I have the really sucky
version of Wordpad. Sadly, there is no spell check or any of that sort. So, I have to do everything
manually.
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away, just the plot and OC.
Chapter Four: The Palace of the Dragon
Warmth...
Silk pillows...
Velvet blankets...
This is really comfortable...
Wait a minute, something is not right. I quickly sat up, my eyes snapped open.
The events of yesterday came flooding in my head. Why am I alive? Where is the dragon?
And why is this bed so annoyingly comfy?
I closed my eyes for a moment. Pain in my heart, I could almost hear my mothers broken sobs.
A mother should never have to feel this pain. Not my mother. Well, I'm sure Kohaku-sama is now satisfied.
I bet the townspeople are celebrating, singing songs of my 'bravery'. But I didn't think I was brave, I
was just numb. And, confused. My father is sure to blame himself for this. Knowing him, he'll carry this
guilt to his grave.
I shivered, the winds blew the windows open. Where am I? The window almost cracked, the dragon was
right infront of me. His sudden appearance upset the side table. The vase smashed, down came the rose and
the water. Mixed with broken glass. I whimpered, the dragon came for his breakfast...
Or was it lunch?
Or dinner?... Brunch maybe...
Damn it. Who cares? I'm food.
My legs felt weak at his enormous height, he could crush me into pieces if he wanted to. I said a
silent prayer, hoping I'll end up in the heavens and not down there...
"Please don't eat me!!!" my voice surprisingly like a mouse's. I awaited the fangs against my flesh
and his talons to grip my skull. I closed my eyes, I'd rather not see my own death. "Don't eat me..." I
repeated.
"Who said I was going to eat you?" replied a male voice.
Dragons can talk?...
I peeked my left eye open; the dragon was gone. Only to be replaced by a young man. Jade, was the color
of his eyes. Lovely, like emeralds. His hair dark, almost navy blue. He was tall, and had a manly build.
He was perfect, maybe he's a warrior. Here to save me, maybe he had slayed the dragon...
"You saved me!!!" I jumped into his arms, his eyes widened. He was clearly surprised, but I didn't
care. I'm safe now, I can go home. Home! To my mother and father, oh they'll be so happy to see me. I
opened my mouth to thank him, but...
"Saved you from what?" he asked. Confusion in his eyes. Huh?
"The dragon that's what! You know... big silver dragon?" What is wrong with this man?
He looked at me for a second, then he laughed. My god, what a wonderful laugh it was. There must be
something wrong with me. "Oh... you mean THE dragon." he chuckled.
"What is so funny? Yes, I mean THE dragon." I rolled my eyes. His face suddenly became shy and
distant. He gave me shy, boyish grin. And, I felt a fluttery feeling in my heart. Oh dear...
"I'm the dragon." he mumbled. Does he think I'm an idiot?
"What are you talking about? You're not the dragon." I shook my head, he was handsome but he didn't
make any sense. He looked hurt and somehow I felt like taking back what I said. "Do you take me for a fool
and an idiot?" I asked him. He shook his head no. "What then? Why are you laughing at me?" I asked.
"I really am the dragon." he repeated. Gee... what kind of 'Prince Charming' is he?
"Don't you dare mock me." I replied exasperately. He was beggining to get on my nerves. I, Princess
Chihiro will not stand for this. "I'm not mocking you." I admired his patience, most men would have just
stranggled me at this point. "Fine, then prove it. Show to me that you are the dragon."
In a flash of silver and soft green, he was there. The dragon, the very same dragon. Same jade eyes,
same pearly talons, and same silver scales. Most of all, same fangs. I remember wishing they were a bit
smaller at that time. But, all in all he was beautiful. Never had I imagined dragons this way, I've always
thought of them as big, snake-like monsters. He proved me wrong, in more ways than one.
"You weren't lying after all..." I murmured as I touched his mane. Soft, like a kittens. He let out
a purr. I've always thought dragons roared, maybe I was wrong too... In another flash (I'm surprised I'm
not yet blind... those were a lot of flashes.) the man was back. He was just as beautiful as the dragon
was. Again, I thought there must be something wrong with me...
"I would never lie to you. Never." he spoke so tenderly, it almost broke my heart.
"Who are you?" I asked softly.
"Don't you know?"
"Know what?" Again, we were back to square one. Riddles and more.
"I'm Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi!" Mirth in his eyes, shock in mine.
Typically, I fainted...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
I woke up with the sunlight right in my eyes, I glared and snuggled into the pillows. How many times
do I have to tell Tsubasa that I get annoyed with the windows open in the morning?
Tsubasa... Oh right, I'm not home anymore. I should have asked him where I was. Was I really staring
at the powerful Kohaku-sama? He looked to be in his youth, in which I expected him to be older. Much older.
I imagined him with a gray beard, grayer than my grandfathers. But instead, he was a young man. A very
beautiful male, a very beautiful male god. Perfect to the bone and not a single flaw.
I blushed, I should be concentrating on finding where I am than thinking of his perfection. I looked
around, the room was amazing. Lush green curtains draped over the windows, velvet and silk interior. But,
that was not why the room was amazing... beyond the window was a view beyond imaginable. Prosperous green
mountains, bright blue sky and flowers of all kinds bloomed all over the perimeter. It was so breath taking,
so beautiful that I thought it must be a sin to see such beauty in my mortal eyes.
"I see you like the view, I knew you would." his voice woke me from my thoughts. I turned to face him,
"I love it," His lips turned up to a smile. Are all gods this handsome? I smiled back, though my
curiousity from yesterday lingered in my mind...
"Are you really the great Kohaku-sama?" my voice timid,
"I am Kohaku, but I'm not sure about the great part." he laughed a lyrical laugh. If staring was a sin
I would certainly be in hell right now. "Where am I?" I asked him.
"You are in my villa, my little kingdom. A little palace to call my own." He explained to me.
"How? Weren't we falling into the river yesterday?"
"Ah... yes. Good question," he smirked, "we weren't actually falling. We were entering my world, using
the river as a portal or entrance. And, since I'm a water god, entering my river would easily direct us to
my palace. So to make things simpler for you, we are in another world."
"Your world?" I asked.
"Yes, my world." he replied, emphasizing the 'my' in his sentence. "It's a very beautiful villa." I
said softly, my eyes somehow glued to the surrounding. "Thank you."
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"No," I paused, hearing a growl in my stomach, "Alright, yes. I am a bit hungry."
He chuckled, "Come..."
And I followed...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
The mortal girl seemed to adapt easier to her surroundings much better than I expected. I expected
screams and whines. But then again, this is Chihiro we are talking about, she's different than most mortal
girls. A lot different, in fact she was a lot different up close than she was from afar.
Long brown hair, grey eyes that was almost black, small features such as nose and mouth. She was plain
yet something drew me to her.
She fancied the garden, the floras and the faunas. Girls her age rarely took the time to look at the
beauty of nature, most of them take it for granted. She didn't. Of course, my Chihiro is special.
Did I say MY Chihiro?...
You did not just read that...
I led her to the kitchen (the cook is probably still asleep, might as well make her something myself),
"You can sit right here," I pointed to a chair. She nodded. Truth be told, I, Kohaku god of the Kohaku River
never had a house guest before... this could be awkward. I rarely have guests, besides who would visit a god
with only a river to guard. I took out the ingredients to make an onigiri, from what I've seen Chihiro was
fond of those.
"Why didn't you eat me?" she asked. I chuckled inwardly, she really didn't know...
"I have my reasons..." I simply replied, now was not the time.
"Do you hate me?" What? Hate her? Never!
I turned to look at her, curiousity pasted in her face. I smiled.
"I could never hate you." She flushed, was it something I said?
"Are you mad at my father?" Oh a very tender subject... her father needed to learn his lesson. I'm
very sure that right after Chihiro left that mortal learned his place in the world.
I frowned a bit and she saw. At that she appeared timid and afraid once more. I gave her wry smile,
"I'm not mad at your father..." I paused, I really didn't know how to explain something like this to a
mortal like Chihiro. Her voice rang in to my thoughts,
"But he needed to learn his lesson right... our seers say that plenty of times." I nodded. I knew, I
always did. I carefully took out the onigiri and handed one to her. She took it, her hand brushing
momentarily against mine and in that moment I thought I felt a slight tingle in my heart.
I could be wrong, but I'm sure I felt it...
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
I felt it, I really felt it. A slight thump in my heart, when his hands brushed against mine. His eyes
stared soulfully into mine. "Thank you." I murmured, breaking eye contact. He stared at me for a moment, then
he nodded and took a bite in his onigiri. Which surprisingly tasted good, I took a bite and then another. He
noticed...
"I put a spell in it. It will give you back you're strength." And, it did. I soon felt the soothing
effects and my strength returning in my veins. I looked out of the windows and I thought I saw a pair of red
eyes staring at me and Kohaku-sama... My brows crinkled in confusion,
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Oh nothing, I just thought I saw something..."
He frowned, maybe I shouldn't have said that. Kohaku-sama looked out of the window, "No, I don't see
anything at all." he whispered. But, he kept his eyes at the window...
Maybe it's just a side effect of the spell...
But, like I said before. I am a rotten liar.
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
REVIEW RESPONSE:
Mizura Volphen:
~ Thank you! About the dress or kimono, well I really didn't mention that in this chapter. So, I guess I'm
safe. Thanks for reviewing^_^
Silent Bob 546:
~ Wow! A new reviewer! thanks...^_^
Regatto:
~ Wow, I'm very much flattered at your compliments *blushes* Thank you so much^^ Kohaku is awesome!!
T.L.Y.Y.:
~ Thanks, I suppose everyone here likes Kohaku^_^
Yana5:
~ Thank you, I hope you like this chapter too^^
Cafelatte:
~ You know I'm really happy that a lot of people like this story of mine, thanks!!!
Hikari No Sekai:
~ I really have a lot plans for this story, though I'm not sure which because I don't want to overload this
story. Thanks!!
Bookworym:
~ About Kohakus name, from what I've read in various fan sites, Nigihayami means something like peaceful or
calm and Nushi is a term for lord, master, god. I hoped I got those right, Thanks!!!
Crimson Mist:
~ Aww, thanks! I hope you liked this chapter.
Merodi:
~ Yeah, if I were to sacrificed because of my father I would most probably smack and slap everyone for it.
LOL! thanks...^_^
Mimi:
~ Thanks!!! Glad you like it.
JoJo:
~ Thanks, Good luck in your finals.
Goldenphoenix3000:
~ Thanks for reviewing.
Neko:
~ As for the Greek myth that inspired me to write this, I'd go with the first one you wrote. I think that
story is about Andromeda, but however, in this fic. I changed a lot of plots so it's totally different. Thank
you!!!^_^
LadyAngel:
~ Thanks^_^
Wolfgirl13:
~ Thanks... I'm happy you like it^_^
:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:~::*::~:
*A/N: I suppose I left everyone here in a rather mean cliffhanger. Sorry about that, but I like adding some
sort of suspence in my stories. I guess I'm a bit evil for that *cackles* WOW!!! 53 REVIEWS, my god I'm
totally happy. Thank you everyone and I hope everyone likes this chapter as well. I hope this chapter is
longer than the other ones. Thanks!
Sam: REVIEW PLEASE!!!
Shiba sez: Like I said before, if you find any spelling mistakes in here. I'm sorry, I have the really sucky
version of Wordpad. Sadly, there is no spell check or any of that sort. So, I have to do everything
manually.