Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away or any of its characters.
Author's Notes: To answer a question that I got no this story isn't over, I had to ideas for sequels and didn't know what to do. My decision, no sequel (I think) but both ideas get mixed together to make an end to this story(if it ends). I hope you like it.
~Na
Chapter 27: Problems in August
Chihiro and Kohaku walked into Zeniiba's office, Chihiro was holding a small baby girl, Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, more commonly know as Tea or Ryu. Chihiro had loved the name Tea, and still did. But the principle of the matter was that Raki could only name the baby while it was in Chihiro's belly, and now that Raki was dead it was harder to say the name Tea. Half of the people called Chihiro and Kohaku's daughter Ryu and the other half Tea, it never really bothered either Chihiro or Kohaku, Ryu was Kohaku's favorite name (Tea second) and Tea was Chihiro's favorite name (Ryuichi second). No one actually called Ryuichi, Ryuichi.
"Oh my babies, who are you three?" asked Zeniiba.
"We're all fine Granny. I know that when it came time for me to change my contract around I said I wanted no change. Therefore I still owe you seven years, ten months, and 30 day without a vacation. But can we please take Ryu to the Human world, to her grandparents, Mishu-Kapi, Rin, Asuko, and Yoshi." Asked Chihiro.
"Of course Chihiro, I was going to suggest that you do that anyways, I think seven years, nine months, and nine days is just a little long for no vacation. How long will you be gone for?" said Zeniiba.
"Only a week, we don't want any problems this time," replied Kohaku.
Ryu began to cry, Chihiro started to rock back and forth trying to calm her. "Oh come to Granny, Ryu," said Zeniiba holding out her hands, Chihiro handed Ryu to Zeniiba. Zeniiba made a few little dragons appear and circle around Ryu, "Well I'll you three in a week then," Ryu stopped crying, Zeniiba handed her to Kohaku, "Bye-Bye Ryu, have a nice time with the humans."
"Say bye-bye to Granny," said Kohaku waving Ryu's hand at Zeniiba, "Bye Granny."
"Yeah, bye Granny," said Chihiro, as she hugged Zeniiba.
"I can't believe how you have grown up eighteen years old, and you Kohaku twenty, with an eighteen day old baby. Good-bye," said Zeniiba. Chihiro and Kohaku turned and left Zeniiba's office, they had already packed ( including their human clothes and the remainder of their human money, luckily Zeniiba started regularly paying all the workers of Aburaya.)
Chihiro woke Kamajii up when they walked into the boiler room. "Sen, Haku, and Tea, what are you three doing down here?" yawned Kamajii.
"We're going to the Human world for a week," replied Kohaku.
"Your not bring my great granddaughter with you, are you?" asked Kamajii.
Chihiro laughed, "She is the reason we're going Kamajii."
"Very well then off with you," said Kamajii pushing them out the door and going back to sleep.
Chihiro and Kohaku walked quickly through the streets and across the waterless field, into the tunnel. "Kohaku...." Chihiro began.
"I know the rules Chihiro, you don't have to tell me again," replied Kohaku.
"I know I was just going to say who do you want to see first?"
"Oh, umm... I think Rin and Mishu-Kapi would best wisest, just in case your parents freak out."
"That what I thought as well. So we'll go to the Mishu-Kapi river and the Rinako Naoko forest then to my parents and to Asuko and Yoshi.
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"They are never coming back Akio!" said Yuuko sitting down at the table.
"She isn't a child anymore, she knows what she is doing, she'll come back with our grandchild, and Raki and Saki most likely. We'll have a full house of kids!" said Akio smiling.
"I hope your right," replied Yuuko.
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"Are you sure you can't go to that party with me, its only till two?" asked Yoshi.
"I told you I have to go visit my grandmother today. I also want to take a walk in the woods by the red building," replied Asuko.
"Asuko what are you up to?" asked Yoshi suspicious.
"Nothing Yoshi, I just want to see why Chihiro and Kohaku aren't back, Tea should have been born two weeks ago."
"Don't go to the Spirit world after them Asuko, I don't want to lose you."
"Lose me Yoshi, how can you do that? We aren't married, we aren't even engaged. If we broke up we would just be like every other High school sweethearts, that didn't last."
"Are you breaking up with me Asuko?" Yoshi sounded sad.
"You know I never could do that, I just don't want to wait forever, for our life together to begin, a real beginning."
"I know Asuko."
"I got to go," said Asuko, she kissed Yoshi, "See you at four?"
"Six ok? I have to work from two to six," asked Yoshi.
"Yeah, see you at six then," said Asuko as she got up from the table in the diner and walked out the door.
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"Mishu-Kapi! We have someone for you to meet," said Kohaku walking up to the banks of the river.
"You to Rin!" said Chihiro.
"Over here you guys!" said Rinako Naoko. She was standing at the edge of the forest, the only spot where the edge of the forest came directly to the banks of the water. Rinako Naoko looked the same as she always had looked, forest spirits always looked like humans, unlike river spirits.
Kohaku and Chihiro walked over to Rinako Naoko, the water seemed to flash and they could see a dragon sitting at the bottom.
"Rin, Mishu-Kapi, I....we would like you to meet our daughter Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, Ryu or Tea," said Chihiro. Rin held out her hands, Kohaku gently laid the sleeping Ryu in her arms.
"Oh she is so beautiful, hello Tea, how are you? I'm your Aunty Rin," said Rinako Naoko as she rocked Ryu back and forth, "How old is she?"
"Eighteen days," said Kohaku.
"She is really beautiful, you two must be really happy," said Rinako Naoko.
"You could never know how happy we are," said Chihiro.
"Riko...." Whispered Mishu-Kapi.
"Yeah, yeah Pi," said Rinako Naoko, as she bent down and laid Ryu in the river. Mishu-Kapi caught Ryu and gently floated her over the waters surface.
"Riko? Pi?" asked Chihiro.
"Yeah Riko is my nickname from him, and Pi is his nickname from me. Though he likes others to call him Shu and I prefer Rin," replied Rinako Naoko. Chihiro bent down and picked up Ryu, "Come Sen, walk with me in my forest, let the rivers speak."
Sen nodded and walked into the forest, "So Rin are you happy that your back in your forest?" asked Chihiro.
Rinako Naoko looked a little sad, "Yeah, yeah I am, there is just some complications."
"Complications?" asked Chihiro.
"See along time ago before either of us were at Aburaya, the Mishu- Kapi river flooded into my forest and for a whole spring Pi and I were in the same place. That spring we fell in love. But the next year the rains didn't fall, and the next year the edge of my forest was ten feet away from the river bank, and it kept receding, then I was at Aburaya. Eventually I forgot everything including Pi. We can never truly be together Sen, ever! I love my forest but what Raki didn't know was Aburaya was the only way that Pi and I could be together," said Rinako Naoko.
"Oh I'm so sorry Rin, we'll think of something, trust me. If a river spirit and a human can be together why not a river and forest spirit?" said Chihiro.
"Yeah Sen I guess you right," replied Rinako Naoko smiling.
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"Now lets see here, Grandmother said that if you stayed in the Spirit world till after dark, you would be stuck there. Its August so the sun doesn't set till after six and that is when I must meet Yoshi, so I can just go for a few minutes and then comeback no harm done," said Asuko out loud to nobody as she stood in front of the red building. After a few seconds she stepped into the tunnel.
Asuko walked slowly through the tunnel, after a few minutes she came to the room with benches. Asuko didn't stop she just walked right through to the open air of the green field, and Spirit world. The air was warm and the wind blew lightly across the grass, as Asuko crossed the little river and walked up the hill.
High above the field flew a winged monster slightly resembling a bat. He looked down at Asuko, "A human! What my luck the perfect addition to my collection of slaves!" He dove at Asuko.
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"Chihiro, come on it is almost five we need to go to your parents!" yelled Kohaku from the edge of the forest. Chihiro and Rinako Naoko walked back to the river.
"Bye Shu, Rin," said Kohaku taking Ryu from Chihiro.
"Nice seeing you again Haku, Sen, Bye Ryu," whispered the river.
"See you Rin and Shu," said Chihiro hugging Rinako Naoko.
"I hope soon, Sen. Bye-bye Tea, Haku," Said Rinako Naoko. Chihiro and Kohaku walked up to Chihiro's parent's little blue house.
Chihiro knocked on the door, Takashi opened the door, "Chihiro! Mom it's Chihiro and Haku!"
"Nice to see you to Takashi," replied Chihiro walking into the house.
"Where is Raki and Saki?" asked Takashi.
"They couldn't come this time," said Kohaku, he bent down presenting Ryu to Takashi, "This is you niece Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, you can call her Ryu or Tea."
"She is so little, can I hold her?" asked Takashi.
"Sure you can but lets go into the kitchen first," said Chihiro. Yuuko and Akio appeared in the door way.
"I told you she would come back," whispered Akio smiling. Yuuko sighed and walked into the kitchen.
They all sat around the table, Chihiro looked at Yuuko and Akio, "Mom, Dad this is Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, your granddaughter, you can call her Ryu or Tea."
"When was she born?" asked Yuuko.
"August 3rd, she is eighteen days old, and very healthy," replied Kohaku handing Ryu to Yuuko.
"She really is beautiful, Chihiro," said Yuuko.
"Oh come to grandpa Tea!" said Akio lifting Ryu out of Yuuko's hands.
Ryu began to cry, "Oh give her to me," said Chihiro pulling a bottle out of her bag. Akio handed Ryu to Chihiro, who began to feed her.
"I want to hold her," said Takashi.
"In a minute after she is done eating," replied Kohaku.
"Ok," stubbornly said Takashi.
"Well I think we could all use some dinner," said Akio standing up and walking to the phone to order Pizza, "One large pepperoni pizza...."
"Pizza! Yay!!" said Takashi standing up.
"The Pizza will be here about six o'clock," said Akio hanging up the phone and sitting back down.
The doorbell rang about ten minutes later, Takashi got up running to the door followed by Kohaku who insisted on paying. Takashi opened the door, "Hello."
"Hello, did you order one large pepperoni pizza?" asked the delivery boy.
"Yes we did, and you got here really fast it's quarter to," replied Kohaku walking to the door.
"Haku? Your back?" said the delivery boy, as Kohaku opened the door wider.
"Yoshi!? Chihiro It's Yoshi with our Pizza!" said Kohaku.
Chihiro came running to the door, "Yoshi! It's so great to see you. Do you have time? Can you come in?"
Yoshi laughed, "Well this is my last run for the night, let me just call Asuko and tell her that you guys are back. Chihiro you don't look pregnant anymore!?"
"Yeah, Ryu was born on the third," replied Chihiro.
"Ryu? Not Tea?" said Yoshi handing the pizza to Takashi and taking out his cell phone.
"Well Teataura is her middle name so some people call her Tea," replied Kohaku.
"Oh ok, so where is little Tea?" asked Yoshi .
"In the kitchen," said Takashi carrying the pizza down the hall. They all followed Takashi and sat down at the table.
"Out of range?" said Yoshi taking the cell phone away from his ear, "She must be running late and is still at her grandmothers, her cell doesn't work. Just give me one minute." Yoshi dialed another number and after a minute began to talk to the person on the other end.
Akio passed out the plates and started putting slices of pizza on each. "She left a few hours ago?!" said Yoshi, "Well I guess I got to go to her house, if I find her We'll come back here."
Yoshi got up from the table, "Well see you Yoshi," said Kohaku.
"Yeah man, you bet. She really is a beautiful baby girl, Congratulations! Bye you guys," replied Yoshi.
"Bye," said Chihiro as Yoshi walked out of the house. They all began to eat their pizza.
Kohaku had just took a bite of his second slice of pizza, when Ryu began to cry, "It's your turn," quickly said Chihiro.
Kohaku put down his pizza, picked up the bag and Ryu, "I know. Come on Ryu lets change that diaper of yours." Kohaku took Ryu out of the room.
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Yoshi knocked on Asuko's door, Asuko's mom came to the door and opened it, "Oh hello Yoshi, Asuko isn't here I thought she was with you."
"No I had to work, she must be at the diner, Thank you," said Yoshi, he lied Yoshi already checked the diner.
"Well don't keep her out to late," smiled Asuko's mom closing the door.
Yoshi didn't really want to think what would have happened to Asuko if she went to the Spirit world. But Yoshi loved Asuko and would follow her to the end of time. Yoshi ran to the red building without thinking, because if he was thinking he would have gotten Chihiro and Kohaku. Yoshi ran through the red building and into the field, it was only a few minutes before sunset when he crossed the small river and walked up the hill.
Yoshi walked across the field and up the steps with the frog fountain at the top, water was already spilling out of its mouth. Yoshi turned around the field was covered in black water. Yoshi walked through the streets strange creatures walked around, some standing in front of unlighted shops waiting for them to open.
By the time Yoshi reached the bridge to Aburaya the streets were full of spirits. Yoshi walked across the bridge, the second his foot touched the bridge plank, everyone went in a frenzy. Yoshi hadn't held his breath and everyone know what her was. When Yoshi was half way across the bridge two Aogaeru grabbed Yoshi and dragged him into Aburaya and up to Zeniiba.
"Hey let go of me you, you frogs!" yelled Yoshi as the Aogaeru throw him down on the floor in front of Zeniiba.
"We found him just casually walking across the bridge," said one of the Aogaeru.
"Thank you, you can leave now, I'll deal with him," said Zeniiba. The Aogaeru bowed and then left the room.
"Is this Aburaya?" asked Yoshi standing up.
"Yes it is, but we don't serve humans, so what are you doing here?" said Zeniiba.
"I'm looking for my girlfriend Asuko, I think she came here looking for Haku and Chihiro. Have you seen her?" said Yoshi he put his hands on Zeniiba's desk but they went right through, "What the?"
"You know Chihiro?" asked Zeniiba picking up her small candy dish.
"Yes I do," replied Yoshi, "Why can my hand go through the desk!?"
Zeniiba took out one candy and said, "You have to eat something from this world or you'll disappear. Now how do I know your telling the truth?"
"Chihiro and Haku are married, Kohaku is a dragon, they had a baby girl Tea well Teataura is her middle name. Now please give me some food!"
Zeniiba put the candy in Yoshi's mouth, when he was back to normal Zeniiba asked, "So what exactly happened, where is Chihiro and Kohaku?"
"Well my girlfriend Asuko said she wanted to find Chihiro and Haku, I told her not to come here, but she wasn't at home or at the diner where we were going to meet so I figured she came here, because she didn't know that Chihiro and Haku came back."
"Why didn't you tell Chihiro or Kohaku this, why did you come here, especially alone?"
"I was so worried about Asuko that I didn't think to go to Chihiro and Haku."
"Well there is no other human here, so go home."
"No, I know she is here, can't I just stay here till she shows up?"
"No, you're a human not a guest."
"Well then can I work here?"
Zeniiba looked disappointed, "Your asking for a job?" Yoshi nodded, "Well then I'll have to give you a job, lets see you can have a job like Sen's, but you'll be working alone until she comes back in a week. Kaonashi will show you what to do, sign your name here."
A contract flew to Yoshi, Yoshi signed his name Yoshihiro Mato the contract flew back to Zeniiba. Yoshi watched as the character in his name flew off the paper and into her hand. "I'm sorry to do this, but we can't have a human running around the whole of the spirit world. When Asuko is found your name will be returned to you, in the mean time you will be called Mat. Kaonashi take Mat her to Chihiyaku, get him a proper meal and show him around, tomorrow you'll show him how to do his job."
Kaonashi walked out of the dark corner he was standing in Mat jumped at the sight of Kaonashi, but calmly followed him out of the room. Kaonashi showed Mat around really quickly and got him a bowl of rice for dinner. Mat followed Kaonashi into a room where all the workers were getting ready to go to bed. Kaonashi said something that Mat didn't understand. Chihiyaku sighed, "We have a new worker Mat, he'll be working Sen's job and then helping her when she comes back. I don't want to hear any complaints we all know that he reeks of human."
Mat looked confused as the crowd gave him nasty looks, and whispered among themselves. Kaonashi brought Mat to the Men's sleeping quarters and gave him a uniform like Kohaku's. Mat laid down and went to sleep.
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Asuko woke up on a cold damp floor, she had no clue where she was, all she knew was she didn't want to stay. Asuko got up and quickly walked to the nearest door.
Something yanked Asuko back and she fell to the floor, Asuko noticed a magick collar around her neck it was glowing blue. "Oh no you don't!" said a voice from the shadows, hitting Asuko with a whip "You're my slave now girl, you can call me Master Hiyae." Master Hiyae walked out of the shadows Asuko tried to back away from the bat like monster that imprisoned he. "Where do you think your going?" Master Hiyae yanked Asuko off the ground and brought her so she was only a few inches from his face, "I told you your mine, and you'll be mine until you die!" He through Asuko across the room she hit the wall and passed out.
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Chihiro and Kohaku woke up early in the morning and got Ryu ready for a walk. Chihiro quickly wrote a note to her parents and closed the door behind her.
After a few minutes of walking Chihiro asked, "Kohaku what happens when a Forest spirit falls in love with a River spirit?"
"Nothing, they could never be together the river spirit will be a dragon until its river is gone and the forest spirit will always have a human form, both only being able to leave for a little while at night," replied Kohaku.
"Oh..." said Chihiro.
"Why?" asked Kohaku.
"No reason just wondering," said Chihiro sitting down on the edge of the Mishu-Kapi river. Chihiro said nothing she just starred at the water.
After a few minutes Kohaku asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"I sit on the banks of a dying river,
I sit on the edge of an old dead forest. To us they're not dying anymore, but thriving, So why are they always dying? Dying to be together. What happens when you die? When your body lies limp, Does it make something's better? Worse? What happens when the rain dies And snow is no more seen, Where did they go? What happens when a river falls in love with a forest? When the forest loves the river as well, Where would they live? What truly happens when a river and human have a child? The love is there, But what does the future hold?" sadly said Chihiro, She knew that her and Kohaku would alright. Ryu would be alright as well, but exactly what was she, where did she belong? Now it seemed to Chihiro that everything was unfair, Asuko and Yoshi had loved each other as long as Chihiro and Kohaku, but they weren't married, Asuko not pregnant. Mishu-Kapi and Rinako Naoko had lives of eternity, but an eternity, not being allowed together, wasn't life but hell.
"Chi..." Kohaku began, He knew exactly what Chihiro meant, because he had thought of the same things.
Rinako Naoko interrupted, "Sen! Haku! Your human friends went to the Spirit World, the forest spirit told me. Sen! Haku! did you hear me!?"
Chihiro snapped back to reality, "What?! Asuko and Yoshi No!"
Kohaku helped Chihiro up, "Come on we have to go home now!"
"Thank you Rin!" yelled Chihiro as Kohaku and Chihiro ran quickly (But safely, because of Ryu). They ran into the house, everyone was at the table eating breakfast. Chihiro ran upstairs to get their stuff, Kohaku stopped in the door way with Ryu in his arms, everyone was looking at him.
"There is an emergency we have to go home now," said Kohaku.
"Calm down, what kind of emergency?" asked Akio.
"Asuko and Yoshi are in the Spirit world," replied Kohaku.
"Well then you must bring them back, I couldn't stand to know that two more families lost their children to that horrible place," said Yuuko.
"Just because Chihiro chose that world over this one doesn't mean you can hate Aburaya, hate me, hate Ryu. It wasn't your decision, it was her's, now either you except this or you will never see us again!" said Kohaku angrily at Yuuko.
Yuuko had no time to react because Chihiro had ran down the stairs and dragged Kohaku with her. Outside Kohaku changed into a dragon and Chihiro got on his back Ryu in her arms.
Kohaku sped off through the trees and the tunnel and back to the spirit world. Kohaku flew strait into Zeniiba's window.
"What are you three doing back so early?" asked Zeniiba, but she knew the answer.
Chihiro answered, "Are Asuko and Yoshi here? Are they alright?"
"Well Yoshi is here, he refused to leave the spirit world without Asuko, he asked for a job..." replied Zeniiba.
"Oh, no Granny you didn't," said Chihiro.
"He asked you know the rules anyone who asks for a job gets a job. It's only temporary when Asuko is found his contract is finished, and he can't have his name back till then," replied Zeniiba.
"His name Zeniiba? But why, and who is he now," asked Kohaku.
"Well I knew that if he was more free he would run off looking for Asuko and getting himself killed. So I gave him a job like Chihiro's, and now he is Mat," said Zeniiba.
"Very well then, Granny can you watch Ryu, we're going to look for Asuko, we'll be back before work begins," said Chihiro handing Zeniiba the baby bags and Ryu.
"Sounds like a good idea, good luck," said Zeniiba.
"Thanks Granny," said Chihiro as Kohaku grabbed her hand and jumped out of the window. Zeniiba watched them as they fell, right before they hit the water Kohaku changed into a dragon, Chihiro on his back and they flew high into the sky.
Author's Notes: To answer a question that I got no this story isn't over, I had to ideas for sequels and didn't know what to do. My decision, no sequel (I think) but both ideas get mixed together to make an end to this story(if it ends). I hope you like it.
~Na
Chapter 27: Problems in August
Chihiro and Kohaku walked into Zeniiba's office, Chihiro was holding a small baby girl, Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, more commonly know as Tea or Ryu. Chihiro had loved the name Tea, and still did. But the principle of the matter was that Raki could only name the baby while it was in Chihiro's belly, and now that Raki was dead it was harder to say the name Tea. Half of the people called Chihiro and Kohaku's daughter Ryu and the other half Tea, it never really bothered either Chihiro or Kohaku, Ryu was Kohaku's favorite name (Tea second) and Tea was Chihiro's favorite name (Ryuichi second). No one actually called Ryuichi, Ryuichi.
"Oh my babies, who are you three?" asked Zeniiba.
"We're all fine Granny. I know that when it came time for me to change my contract around I said I wanted no change. Therefore I still owe you seven years, ten months, and 30 day without a vacation. But can we please take Ryu to the Human world, to her grandparents, Mishu-Kapi, Rin, Asuko, and Yoshi." Asked Chihiro.
"Of course Chihiro, I was going to suggest that you do that anyways, I think seven years, nine months, and nine days is just a little long for no vacation. How long will you be gone for?" said Zeniiba.
"Only a week, we don't want any problems this time," replied Kohaku.
Ryu began to cry, Chihiro started to rock back and forth trying to calm her. "Oh come to Granny, Ryu," said Zeniiba holding out her hands, Chihiro handed Ryu to Zeniiba. Zeniiba made a few little dragons appear and circle around Ryu, "Well I'll you three in a week then," Ryu stopped crying, Zeniiba handed her to Kohaku, "Bye-Bye Ryu, have a nice time with the humans."
"Say bye-bye to Granny," said Kohaku waving Ryu's hand at Zeniiba, "Bye Granny."
"Yeah, bye Granny," said Chihiro, as she hugged Zeniiba.
"I can't believe how you have grown up eighteen years old, and you Kohaku twenty, with an eighteen day old baby. Good-bye," said Zeniiba. Chihiro and Kohaku turned and left Zeniiba's office, they had already packed ( including their human clothes and the remainder of their human money, luckily Zeniiba started regularly paying all the workers of Aburaya.)
Chihiro woke Kamajii up when they walked into the boiler room. "Sen, Haku, and Tea, what are you three doing down here?" yawned Kamajii.
"We're going to the Human world for a week," replied Kohaku.
"Your not bring my great granddaughter with you, are you?" asked Kamajii.
Chihiro laughed, "She is the reason we're going Kamajii."
"Very well then off with you," said Kamajii pushing them out the door and going back to sleep.
Chihiro and Kohaku walked quickly through the streets and across the waterless field, into the tunnel. "Kohaku...." Chihiro began.
"I know the rules Chihiro, you don't have to tell me again," replied Kohaku.
"I know I was just going to say who do you want to see first?"
"Oh, umm... I think Rin and Mishu-Kapi would best wisest, just in case your parents freak out."
"That what I thought as well. So we'll go to the Mishu-Kapi river and the Rinako Naoko forest then to my parents and to Asuko and Yoshi.
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"They are never coming back Akio!" said Yuuko sitting down at the table.
"She isn't a child anymore, she knows what she is doing, she'll come back with our grandchild, and Raki and Saki most likely. We'll have a full house of kids!" said Akio smiling.
"I hope your right," replied Yuuko.
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"Are you sure you can't go to that party with me, its only till two?" asked Yoshi.
"I told you I have to go visit my grandmother today. I also want to take a walk in the woods by the red building," replied Asuko.
"Asuko what are you up to?" asked Yoshi suspicious.
"Nothing Yoshi, I just want to see why Chihiro and Kohaku aren't back, Tea should have been born two weeks ago."
"Don't go to the Spirit world after them Asuko, I don't want to lose you."
"Lose me Yoshi, how can you do that? We aren't married, we aren't even engaged. If we broke up we would just be like every other High school sweethearts, that didn't last."
"Are you breaking up with me Asuko?" Yoshi sounded sad.
"You know I never could do that, I just don't want to wait forever, for our life together to begin, a real beginning."
"I know Asuko."
"I got to go," said Asuko, she kissed Yoshi, "See you at four?"
"Six ok? I have to work from two to six," asked Yoshi.
"Yeah, see you at six then," said Asuko as she got up from the table in the diner and walked out the door.
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"Mishu-Kapi! We have someone for you to meet," said Kohaku walking up to the banks of the river.
"You to Rin!" said Chihiro.
"Over here you guys!" said Rinako Naoko. She was standing at the edge of the forest, the only spot where the edge of the forest came directly to the banks of the water. Rinako Naoko looked the same as she always had looked, forest spirits always looked like humans, unlike river spirits.
Kohaku and Chihiro walked over to Rinako Naoko, the water seemed to flash and they could see a dragon sitting at the bottom.
"Rin, Mishu-Kapi, I....we would like you to meet our daughter Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, Ryu or Tea," said Chihiro. Rin held out her hands, Kohaku gently laid the sleeping Ryu in her arms.
"Oh she is so beautiful, hello Tea, how are you? I'm your Aunty Rin," said Rinako Naoko as she rocked Ryu back and forth, "How old is she?"
"Eighteen days," said Kohaku.
"She is really beautiful, you two must be really happy," said Rinako Naoko.
"You could never know how happy we are," said Chihiro.
"Riko...." Whispered Mishu-Kapi.
"Yeah, yeah Pi," said Rinako Naoko, as she bent down and laid Ryu in the river. Mishu-Kapi caught Ryu and gently floated her over the waters surface.
"Riko? Pi?" asked Chihiro.
"Yeah Riko is my nickname from him, and Pi is his nickname from me. Though he likes others to call him Shu and I prefer Rin," replied Rinako Naoko. Chihiro bent down and picked up Ryu, "Come Sen, walk with me in my forest, let the rivers speak."
Sen nodded and walked into the forest, "So Rin are you happy that your back in your forest?" asked Chihiro.
Rinako Naoko looked a little sad, "Yeah, yeah I am, there is just some complications."
"Complications?" asked Chihiro.
"See along time ago before either of us were at Aburaya, the Mishu- Kapi river flooded into my forest and for a whole spring Pi and I were in the same place. That spring we fell in love. But the next year the rains didn't fall, and the next year the edge of my forest was ten feet away from the river bank, and it kept receding, then I was at Aburaya. Eventually I forgot everything including Pi. We can never truly be together Sen, ever! I love my forest but what Raki didn't know was Aburaya was the only way that Pi and I could be together," said Rinako Naoko.
"Oh I'm so sorry Rin, we'll think of something, trust me. If a river spirit and a human can be together why not a river and forest spirit?" said Chihiro.
"Yeah Sen I guess you right," replied Rinako Naoko smiling.
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"Now lets see here, Grandmother said that if you stayed in the Spirit world till after dark, you would be stuck there. Its August so the sun doesn't set till after six and that is when I must meet Yoshi, so I can just go for a few minutes and then comeback no harm done," said Asuko out loud to nobody as she stood in front of the red building. After a few seconds she stepped into the tunnel.
Asuko walked slowly through the tunnel, after a few minutes she came to the room with benches. Asuko didn't stop she just walked right through to the open air of the green field, and Spirit world. The air was warm and the wind blew lightly across the grass, as Asuko crossed the little river and walked up the hill.
High above the field flew a winged monster slightly resembling a bat. He looked down at Asuko, "A human! What my luck the perfect addition to my collection of slaves!" He dove at Asuko.
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"Chihiro, come on it is almost five we need to go to your parents!" yelled Kohaku from the edge of the forest. Chihiro and Rinako Naoko walked back to the river.
"Bye Shu, Rin," said Kohaku taking Ryu from Chihiro.
"Nice seeing you again Haku, Sen, Bye Ryu," whispered the river.
"See you Rin and Shu," said Chihiro hugging Rinako Naoko.
"I hope soon, Sen. Bye-bye Tea, Haku," Said Rinako Naoko. Chihiro and Kohaku walked up to Chihiro's parent's little blue house.
Chihiro knocked on the door, Takashi opened the door, "Chihiro! Mom it's Chihiro and Haku!"
"Nice to see you to Takashi," replied Chihiro walking into the house.
"Where is Raki and Saki?" asked Takashi.
"They couldn't come this time," said Kohaku, he bent down presenting Ryu to Takashi, "This is you niece Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, you can call her Ryu or Tea."
"She is so little, can I hold her?" asked Takashi.
"Sure you can but lets go into the kitchen first," said Chihiro. Yuuko and Akio appeared in the door way.
"I told you she would come back," whispered Akio smiling. Yuuko sighed and walked into the kitchen.
They all sat around the table, Chihiro looked at Yuuko and Akio, "Mom, Dad this is Ryuichi Teataura Nushi, your granddaughter, you can call her Ryu or Tea."
"When was she born?" asked Yuuko.
"August 3rd, she is eighteen days old, and very healthy," replied Kohaku handing Ryu to Yuuko.
"She really is beautiful, Chihiro," said Yuuko.
"Oh come to grandpa Tea!" said Akio lifting Ryu out of Yuuko's hands.
Ryu began to cry, "Oh give her to me," said Chihiro pulling a bottle out of her bag. Akio handed Ryu to Chihiro, who began to feed her.
"I want to hold her," said Takashi.
"In a minute after she is done eating," replied Kohaku.
"Ok," stubbornly said Takashi.
"Well I think we could all use some dinner," said Akio standing up and walking to the phone to order Pizza, "One large pepperoni pizza...."
"Pizza! Yay!!" said Takashi standing up.
"The Pizza will be here about six o'clock," said Akio hanging up the phone and sitting back down.
The doorbell rang about ten minutes later, Takashi got up running to the door followed by Kohaku who insisted on paying. Takashi opened the door, "Hello."
"Hello, did you order one large pepperoni pizza?" asked the delivery boy.
"Yes we did, and you got here really fast it's quarter to," replied Kohaku walking to the door.
"Haku? Your back?" said the delivery boy, as Kohaku opened the door wider.
"Yoshi!? Chihiro It's Yoshi with our Pizza!" said Kohaku.
Chihiro came running to the door, "Yoshi! It's so great to see you. Do you have time? Can you come in?"
Yoshi laughed, "Well this is my last run for the night, let me just call Asuko and tell her that you guys are back. Chihiro you don't look pregnant anymore!?"
"Yeah, Ryu was born on the third," replied Chihiro.
"Ryu? Not Tea?" said Yoshi handing the pizza to Takashi and taking out his cell phone.
"Well Teataura is her middle name so some people call her Tea," replied Kohaku.
"Oh ok, so where is little Tea?" asked Yoshi .
"In the kitchen," said Takashi carrying the pizza down the hall. They all followed Takashi and sat down at the table.
"Out of range?" said Yoshi taking the cell phone away from his ear, "She must be running late and is still at her grandmothers, her cell doesn't work. Just give me one minute." Yoshi dialed another number and after a minute began to talk to the person on the other end.
Akio passed out the plates and started putting slices of pizza on each. "She left a few hours ago?!" said Yoshi, "Well I guess I got to go to her house, if I find her We'll come back here."
Yoshi got up from the table, "Well see you Yoshi," said Kohaku.
"Yeah man, you bet. She really is a beautiful baby girl, Congratulations! Bye you guys," replied Yoshi.
"Bye," said Chihiro as Yoshi walked out of the house. They all began to eat their pizza.
Kohaku had just took a bite of his second slice of pizza, when Ryu began to cry, "It's your turn," quickly said Chihiro.
Kohaku put down his pizza, picked up the bag and Ryu, "I know. Come on Ryu lets change that diaper of yours." Kohaku took Ryu out of the room.
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Yoshi knocked on Asuko's door, Asuko's mom came to the door and opened it, "Oh hello Yoshi, Asuko isn't here I thought she was with you."
"No I had to work, she must be at the diner, Thank you," said Yoshi, he lied Yoshi already checked the diner.
"Well don't keep her out to late," smiled Asuko's mom closing the door.
Yoshi didn't really want to think what would have happened to Asuko if she went to the Spirit world. But Yoshi loved Asuko and would follow her to the end of time. Yoshi ran to the red building without thinking, because if he was thinking he would have gotten Chihiro and Kohaku. Yoshi ran through the red building and into the field, it was only a few minutes before sunset when he crossed the small river and walked up the hill.
Yoshi walked across the field and up the steps with the frog fountain at the top, water was already spilling out of its mouth. Yoshi turned around the field was covered in black water. Yoshi walked through the streets strange creatures walked around, some standing in front of unlighted shops waiting for them to open.
By the time Yoshi reached the bridge to Aburaya the streets were full of spirits. Yoshi walked across the bridge, the second his foot touched the bridge plank, everyone went in a frenzy. Yoshi hadn't held his breath and everyone know what her was. When Yoshi was half way across the bridge two Aogaeru grabbed Yoshi and dragged him into Aburaya and up to Zeniiba.
"Hey let go of me you, you frogs!" yelled Yoshi as the Aogaeru throw him down on the floor in front of Zeniiba.
"We found him just casually walking across the bridge," said one of the Aogaeru.
"Thank you, you can leave now, I'll deal with him," said Zeniiba. The Aogaeru bowed and then left the room.
"Is this Aburaya?" asked Yoshi standing up.
"Yes it is, but we don't serve humans, so what are you doing here?" said Zeniiba.
"I'm looking for my girlfriend Asuko, I think she came here looking for Haku and Chihiro. Have you seen her?" said Yoshi he put his hands on Zeniiba's desk but they went right through, "What the?"
"You know Chihiro?" asked Zeniiba picking up her small candy dish.
"Yes I do," replied Yoshi, "Why can my hand go through the desk!?"
Zeniiba took out one candy and said, "You have to eat something from this world or you'll disappear. Now how do I know your telling the truth?"
"Chihiro and Haku are married, Kohaku is a dragon, they had a baby girl Tea well Teataura is her middle name. Now please give me some food!"
Zeniiba put the candy in Yoshi's mouth, when he was back to normal Zeniiba asked, "So what exactly happened, where is Chihiro and Kohaku?"
"Well my girlfriend Asuko said she wanted to find Chihiro and Haku, I told her not to come here, but she wasn't at home or at the diner where we were going to meet so I figured she came here, because she didn't know that Chihiro and Haku came back."
"Why didn't you tell Chihiro or Kohaku this, why did you come here, especially alone?"
"I was so worried about Asuko that I didn't think to go to Chihiro and Haku."
"Well there is no other human here, so go home."
"No, I know she is here, can't I just stay here till she shows up?"
"No, you're a human not a guest."
"Well then can I work here?"
Zeniiba looked disappointed, "Your asking for a job?" Yoshi nodded, "Well then I'll have to give you a job, lets see you can have a job like Sen's, but you'll be working alone until she comes back in a week. Kaonashi will show you what to do, sign your name here."
A contract flew to Yoshi, Yoshi signed his name Yoshihiro Mato the contract flew back to Zeniiba. Yoshi watched as the character in his name flew off the paper and into her hand. "I'm sorry to do this, but we can't have a human running around the whole of the spirit world. When Asuko is found your name will be returned to you, in the mean time you will be called Mat. Kaonashi take Mat her to Chihiyaku, get him a proper meal and show him around, tomorrow you'll show him how to do his job."
Kaonashi walked out of the dark corner he was standing in Mat jumped at the sight of Kaonashi, but calmly followed him out of the room. Kaonashi showed Mat around really quickly and got him a bowl of rice for dinner. Mat followed Kaonashi into a room where all the workers were getting ready to go to bed. Kaonashi said something that Mat didn't understand. Chihiyaku sighed, "We have a new worker Mat, he'll be working Sen's job and then helping her when she comes back. I don't want to hear any complaints we all know that he reeks of human."
Mat looked confused as the crowd gave him nasty looks, and whispered among themselves. Kaonashi brought Mat to the Men's sleeping quarters and gave him a uniform like Kohaku's. Mat laid down and went to sleep.
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Asuko woke up on a cold damp floor, she had no clue where she was, all she knew was she didn't want to stay. Asuko got up and quickly walked to the nearest door.
Something yanked Asuko back and she fell to the floor, Asuko noticed a magick collar around her neck it was glowing blue. "Oh no you don't!" said a voice from the shadows, hitting Asuko with a whip "You're my slave now girl, you can call me Master Hiyae." Master Hiyae walked out of the shadows Asuko tried to back away from the bat like monster that imprisoned he. "Where do you think your going?" Master Hiyae yanked Asuko off the ground and brought her so she was only a few inches from his face, "I told you your mine, and you'll be mine until you die!" He through Asuko across the room she hit the wall and passed out.
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Chihiro and Kohaku woke up early in the morning and got Ryu ready for a walk. Chihiro quickly wrote a note to her parents and closed the door behind her.
After a few minutes of walking Chihiro asked, "Kohaku what happens when a Forest spirit falls in love with a River spirit?"
"Nothing, they could never be together the river spirit will be a dragon until its river is gone and the forest spirit will always have a human form, both only being able to leave for a little while at night," replied Kohaku.
"Oh..." said Chihiro.
"Why?" asked Kohaku.
"No reason just wondering," said Chihiro sitting down on the edge of the Mishu-Kapi river. Chihiro said nothing she just starred at the water.
After a few minutes Kohaku asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"I sit on the banks of a dying river,
I sit on the edge of an old dead forest. To us they're not dying anymore, but thriving, So why are they always dying? Dying to be together. What happens when you die? When your body lies limp, Does it make something's better? Worse? What happens when the rain dies And snow is no more seen, Where did they go? What happens when a river falls in love with a forest? When the forest loves the river as well, Where would they live? What truly happens when a river and human have a child? The love is there, But what does the future hold?" sadly said Chihiro, She knew that her and Kohaku would alright. Ryu would be alright as well, but exactly what was she, where did she belong? Now it seemed to Chihiro that everything was unfair, Asuko and Yoshi had loved each other as long as Chihiro and Kohaku, but they weren't married, Asuko not pregnant. Mishu-Kapi and Rinako Naoko had lives of eternity, but an eternity, not being allowed together, wasn't life but hell.
"Chi..." Kohaku began, He knew exactly what Chihiro meant, because he had thought of the same things.
Rinako Naoko interrupted, "Sen! Haku! Your human friends went to the Spirit World, the forest spirit told me. Sen! Haku! did you hear me!?"
Chihiro snapped back to reality, "What?! Asuko and Yoshi No!"
Kohaku helped Chihiro up, "Come on we have to go home now!"
"Thank you Rin!" yelled Chihiro as Kohaku and Chihiro ran quickly (But safely, because of Ryu). They ran into the house, everyone was at the table eating breakfast. Chihiro ran upstairs to get their stuff, Kohaku stopped in the door way with Ryu in his arms, everyone was looking at him.
"There is an emergency we have to go home now," said Kohaku.
"Calm down, what kind of emergency?" asked Akio.
"Asuko and Yoshi are in the Spirit world," replied Kohaku.
"Well then you must bring them back, I couldn't stand to know that two more families lost their children to that horrible place," said Yuuko.
"Just because Chihiro chose that world over this one doesn't mean you can hate Aburaya, hate me, hate Ryu. It wasn't your decision, it was her's, now either you except this or you will never see us again!" said Kohaku angrily at Yuuko.
Yuuko had no time to react because Chihiro had ran down the stairs and dragged Kohaku with her. Outside Kohaku changed into a dragon and Chihiro got on his back Ryu in her arms.
Kohaku sped off through the trees and the tunnel and back to the spirit world. Kohaku flew strait into Zeniiba's window.
"What are you three doing back so early?" asked Zeniiba, but she knew the answer.
Chihiro answered, "Are Asuko and Yoshi here? Are they alright?"
"Well Yoshi is here, he refused to leave the spirit world without Asuko, he asked for a job..." replied Zeniiba.
"Oh, no Granny you didn't," said Chihiro.
"He asked you know the rules anyone who asks for a job gets a job. It's only temporary when Asuko is found his contract is finished, and he can't have his name back till then," replied Zeniiba.
"His name Zeniiba? But why, and who is he now," asked Kohaku.
"Well I knew that if he was more free he would run off looking for Asuko and getting himself killed. So I gave him a job like Chihiro's, and now he is Mat," said Zeniiba.
"Very well then, Granny can you watch Ryu, we're going to look for Asuko, we'll be back before work begins," said Chihiro handing Zeniiba the baby bags and Ryu.
"Sounds like a good idea, good luck," said Zeniiba.
"Thanks Granny," said Chihiro as Kohaku grabbed her hand and jumped out of the window. Zeniiba watched them as they fell, right before they hit the water Kohaku changed into a dragon, Chihiro on his back and they flew high into the sky.
