Neighbors:

by Siren & SpelCastrMax

Authors Note (Yes there's 2 of us for the price of one): Everyone has

seen Spirited Away and EVERYONE wanted a longer ending, so here's our

rendition. Enjoy.

From SIREN: This is where the story gets really good! The bad guy

arrives on the scene.

From SPELCASTRMAX: We could be really proper and call him an

antagonist.

SIREN: Why be proper? He's a bad guy.

SPELCASTRMAX: So we actually sound like college students.

SIREN: We are college students for several hours duing the week. Why

sound like the in our down time?

SPELCASTRMAX: Can we just start the story now?

SIREN: (shakes her head)

SPELCASTRMAX: Is that a yes?

Chapter Six:

Chihiro lay with her eyes lightly closed and her breathing heavy. Haku knelt beside the fainted girl whispering her name to wake her without rousing the others in their camp. Tommy, and Yukari slept so deeply they did not sense what Haku did. He was distracted from his task by a presence. Spinning about, Haku stared into the pitch black tunnel entrance.

A pair of yellow cat eyes stared back. The slits were gazing at Chihiro, almost lovingly as a voice murmured, "Poor girl."

It was Raiju. Haku knew by instinct, but said nothing. The eyes moved onto the river spirit and the voice let out humorless laugh. "You are a fool, Kohaku. You do not even have home any longer. How can you protect her?"

Haku rose from his place beside Chihiro and stood on the very edge of the tunnel as if the little statue beside him was his backup. Still he did not speak.

Raiju continued his speech, his eyes inspecting the river spirit's human form. "To think, we are similar beings. Some humans would call that 'cut from the same cloth' or 'brothers eternal'. But I come from stronger threads. You wait. Just wait and see. I will watch you unravel as easily as a school girl's hair ribbon."

Silent as ever, Haku accused with his eyes, as if saying, "We are nothing alike."

The eyes darted back to Chihiro's sleeping form. "I will win," the voice commented, "She chose you, but I will get her."

Haku's face didn't even flinch and the eyes slanted downward in annoyance.

"She will never last. Her peaceful little world will be but a memory when I am finished."

Haku still didn't talk.

At last, the voice growled, "You miserable little stream! Why aren't you speaking?!"

Stoic as ever, Haku simply responded with "What do you want her for?"

Not ready to give up his plan, but clearly pleased that the spirit was talking, Raiju boldly stated, "That is my business."

Behind him, Haku heard Chihiro come out of her sleeping state. He didn't want her to see Raiju. Taking a handful of petals from his pocket he blew them into the tunnel.

The eyes squinted, but were unaffected. "See what I mean; stronger threads," he chuckled, the paused to watch Chihiro stir. As she sat up, he commented, "Oh, I see our little princess is awake."

Groggily rubbing her head, Chihiro almost didn't see the eyes watching her so intently. When she noticed them, her mouth fell open. Her voice seemed to fade for a second, then a long loud yell cut through the trees waking Tommy and Yukari. It also caught the attention of Noh Face.

Yukari, as if she believed she was in a simple dream, offhandedly asked, "Why are those eyes floating?"

Tommy was a little more conscious, but less calm. He gasped, "Ahh! Bad guy! That's a bad guy!"

Clearing enjoying the boy's panic stricken face, Raiju's voice echoed from the tunnel, "Yes, I am bad guy."

Suddenly, Chihiro felt as if something was pulling on her as if by a giant vacuum. She could feel herself being made to stand and the pulling sensation taking control of her body. It reminded her of one of Yubaba's tricks. Her feet skidded in the dirt as she fought to stay put.

The yellow slits were gleefully laughing as Raiju pulled her closer. "Come to me, Chihiro," the voice sing songed.

Chihiro protested and cried out. Haku was about to act, but his attention was stolen by Noh Face racing passed him and into the tunnel. "Stop," the river spirit called.

The monster paid no attention. His black form disappeared into the darkness. Chihiro was released from the spell and the eyes disappeared. The girl ran as close as she dared, still crying out but this time it was a request for her friend to come back.

For a moment that seemed like an hour there was perfect silence. The four watched the unwavering darkness. Noh face still had not returned. Then there was deafening thunderclap simultaneous with a blinding flash. The four were knocked backwards from the impact. They landed on the forest floor and everything went silent once again.

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Okay, please review! Please, please, please review! Don't make us beg! Please, please, please don't make us beg. Wait, this is, by definition, begging. Okay don't make as beg anymore than dignity allows by reviewing.

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