Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away or any of its characters.

Author's Note: Sorry it took me longer then normal to update. My host family thinks that me writing this Fan fic is giving me nightmare, just because I had a dream that someone tried to kill me. So now I'm afraid that my host family might delete my story. It's just a warning that this and other Fan fics of mine might disappear :( Happy Reading!
~Na

Chapter 14: Pigs

Chihiro walked into the big tub stall, she knew that it would still need a lot of scrubbing before it was completely clean. Chihiro hoped that there wouldn't be a customer in need of the big tub that night. The good thing about the big tub was that it was only used for the grimier guest, Stink spirits, partial humans, etc. and those types of guest were very slim to none. Rin walked in and handed Chihiro a bowl of rice, they ate their breakfast in silence.

Rin finished her breakfast and picked up a broom, "So why do we have the big tub again? Are we hated or something?" asked Rin, more rhetorically.

"Because if I don't scrub this tub, I'll get turned into a pig. Your scrubbing this tub again because your nice and are helping me," Chihiro replied sadly. Chihiro looked lost and forlorn, Rin decided that she wouldn't ask any more.

When the floor was finished being swept Chihiro and Rin climbed in the tub with their scrub brushes. Rin was very happy to discover that ten minutes of scrubbing one spot removed all the grim, the spot might have been no bigger then the diameter of a small apple, but it was some headway. Rin moved up a little and started to scrub her new spot. After a half an hour Rin noticed that Chihiro hadn't changed the spot she was scrubbing. Rin inspected Chihiro's scrubbing a little more closely, it was spotless and slightly bigger then the diameter of a large apple, but Chihiro didn't move to clean another part of the tub wall. Rin inspected Chihiro a little more closely, the only part of Chihiro that was moving was her arm that was scrubbing, Chihiro's expression was a complete blank, as well as her eyes that looked like black pools of nothingness.

Rin waved her hand in front of Chihiro, who didn't blink or move any muscle, besides the scrubbing hand. Rin dropped her scrub brush loudly, Chihiro didn't hear. Rin shook Chihiro, "Sen! Are you ok!?"

Chihiro turned and looked at Rin, with no new expression, "It's nothing Rin."

The blank stare was scaring Rin, "No something is wrong, your going to scrub a hole in the tub! So spill what is wrong!"

"Haku has to find Bou and if he doesn't I'll never be seen again. I have to scrub this tub and after I'm done work I have to clean the pig barns or I'll become a pig. I can never return the Human world even if I wanted to. I met this odd pair, Dak and Li and I think they have already tried to kill me. I also believe that Edisu and Youzaburou are going to try to kill me again. But I think my worst enemy is Yu-Baaba, she threatens my life just a little to much, I wouldn't put it by her if she hired someone to kill me," said Chihiro turning back to the tub and scrubbing a new spot.

Rin was shocked at how much really was on Chihiro's mind and how all of it was relating to her own death. Rin could tell that Chihiro was thinking of this stuff like it was as normal as rice for breakfast and her own death was just the last bite. Rin didn't know what to say, "Well... oh what is that smell!?" Rin finished covering her nose.

"Stink spirit!" Chihiro replied tumbling out of the tub, "You go get a couple Herbal soak tokens I'll greet our guest." Chihiro ran out of the stall and down to the front door. Just like the first time there was a stink spirit and when Edisu came everyone was at the door and Chihiro was the spirit's tender.

Just like seven years before the spirit who came to the door looked like Okusare-Sama the Stink Spirit, or at least to Chihiro. Everyone seemed to drift away slowly, believing it was truly a Stink spirit, and they knew that Chihiro could handle it. Chihiro turned around expecting to see Yu- Baaba standing there, but she was only walking away, she knew that Chihiro would be fine or it was not another mucked up river god.

Chihiro held out her hand when the spirit motioned to give her money. Chihiro looked hard at the spirit, "Kawa no Kami?" The spirit nodded, Chihiro just smiled, "right this way sir." Chihiro walked back to the big tub followed closely by Kawa no Kami. Rin was impatiently waiting for Chihiro to walk in with the guest, Kawa no Kami walked strait to the tub and slunk in, the water didn't overflow too much, Rin only filled half of the tub.

"A real Stink Spirit this time?" asked Rin retaining from covering her nose. Chihiro just shook her head and walked to the tub side.

"I know you would like some more water, but first lets remove this junk, I assume your not just covered in mud," said Chihiro. She stuck her arms in the mud and felt around, her hand touched a tire. Chihiro wrapped her arms around the tire, putting half of her body in the mud. Chihiro pulled, but she herself was stuck in the mud. Rin realizing that Chihiro needed help walked over and began to pull Chihiro out of the mud. After a few minutes of pulling Rin fell back onto the floor, Chihiro fell on top of Rin taking the tire with her. Chihiro and Rin stood up and noticed that there was a rope tied to the tire.

Chihiro and Rin pulled on the rope thinking that all the mud and junk would fall away like the last time. The rope slowly came out of the mud the opposite end was tied to a tree branch, It was an old tire swing. The last tug freed the spirit of the branch, an old tin barrel, a few sticks, and a couple feet of chicken wire(to make the fence for chickens) the chicken wire was still suck in the mud.

They dropped the rope and picked up the chicken wire and began to pull. The thin wire cut into Chihiro's hand a few drops of blood dripped to the floor, they went unnoticed Chihiro didn't even feel the pain.

The chicken wire took longer to pull out, there seemed to be a lot of things stuck to the chicken wire. A few rusty pots fell to the ground, which drew attention to an Aogaeru who was passing by. The Aogaeru jumped in shock and then ran off to tell Yu-Baaba. The chicken wire finally came out along with, an old wash basin, a baby carriage, two old mail boxes, more pots and pans, a huge piece of black garden plastic, a net, about ten flattened balls, an old basket, and about fifty feet more rope.

Kawa no Kami was still covered in mud, Rin sighed and picked up the rope and began to pull. Chihiro grabbed the rope as well, and tried to walk to the stall door. Chihiro closed her eyes straining to slowly walk away from the tub, suddenly all the strain released and Chihiro tumbled forward. The rope that was tied to a cinder block came out of the mud with another tin barrel, an old sink, a rake, and some sand toys (buckets, shovels, and children's construction trucks).

Chihiro quickly got up and looked at the spirit who was still covered in mud, Chihiro sighed. Kawa no Kami was motioning for some fresh water, Rin was already hooking up the second Herbal soak token that she got because no one was minding the tokens, while they were seeing who it was who came to the door. Chihiro climbed up on the tub and started the water.

As the water poured over Kawa no Kami the mud slipped away Chihiro allowed the water to overflow a little removing all the mad from Kawa no Kami and the tub.

Once again when Chihiro went to stop the water she slipped on the muddy tub, and fell into the tub. Rin quickly grabbed Chihiro's foot and tried to pull her out. The Spirit picked both Chihiro and Rin up, placing a glowing crystal and a Nigadango in Chihiro's hand and a piece of gold and a train ticket in Rin's hand.

Kawa no Kami said, "Thank you."

Rin just nodded it was Chihiro who replied, "Your Welcome, but why does this always happen to you and only when I'm here?"

"A family that lives near by my river is the cause, every time they clean their whole house(including Attic and Basement(that thorough cleaning you only really do every five years or so, or when you move) ) what ever is left that they couldn't burn, or sell at a yard sale they dump in my river. It's just my luck that you are always here," replied Kawa no Kami as Yu- Baaba came running in. Kawa no Kami put down Chihiro and Rin and flew out the door on the way out he dropped a big pile of gold in front of Yu-Baaba, for the mess and over flowed water that he caused.

Yu-Baaba smiled and then she put on a sour face, "This doesn't change a thing your mucking out the pig stalls at sunrise Sen! And tomorrow night you two are cleaning up this mess! For right now dry up the floor!"

Rin and Chihiro pocketed their gifts.Chihiro was wondering why she didn't have them cleaning up the whole mess that night. The answer was simple moping up all the water would take up at least two hours and that is when the sun would rise.

Yu-Baaba scooped up the gold and left, Rin handed Chihiro a mop, "Do you want help with the pigs Sen?"

"No Thank you, She specifically said for me to do it and you should get some rest, you've got a train ticket now, You'll need to talk to Yu-Baaba about leaving," replied Chihiro with a wiry smile.

"That is no problem, my contract ended a few years before you first came I believe, I just had no place to go, and Yu-Baaba isn't used to people not in contract, now redoing or leaving so she never looked at it. Also Haku is the one who goes through the contracts usually he'll say when someone's is up, I don't know why he didn't for mine. A train ticket cost five gold pieces and I only had three, now I have four. I'll give Yu-Baaba two pieces of gold, because that is all she knows that I have. To pay for the food and stuff that I used while I was unemployed," reassured Rin.

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Kohaku landed at Bunta's house, he changed back to his human form, he was happy that his clothes were dry. Kohaku hoped that Bunta would know what to do, Kohaku understood that he just wanted to see his son, but Chihiro's life was being threatened again.

Kohaku knocked on the door, and waited a minute. There was no answer, Kohaku knocked again, "Bunta are you home?" There was still no answer, Kohaku's hand rested on the door knob.

After a few minutes, Kohaku opened the door, "Bunta?" still no answer. Kohaku slowly walked in he saw the house for the first time. Kohaku realized that the first two times he was there that he never looked at the house, he always had to much to think about. Much like Zeniiba's house it opened up into the kitchen, near the door was a small side desk that held the magick seal. Next to the desk was an open fire place, and on the opposite wall there was the kitchen table and behind that a wood burning green ceramic looking cooking stove. The walls over the table were lined with cupboards. Next to the stove was a door and next to the door a hall way.

Kohaku moved towards the hall way when a shiny piece of green glass, that was laying on top of a piece of paper on the kitchen table caught his eye. Kohaku walked to the table, the piece of paper was a note. Kohaku read the note, "Haku I'm figuring that Yu-Baaba will send you to retrieve Bou, and that once again she put Sen's life in danger. I have created for you and Sen, with help from Bou, a protection necklace, which only protects from such magick spell that alter appearance, and all of Yu-Baaba's evil magick and anyone else's that is similar. Now please tell Yu-Baaba that Bou is alright, and there is no way that either Bou or I will be found. Bou will only be returned to Yu-Baaba when she apologizes and allows me to see my son. Love, Bunta."

Kohaku looked at the necklaces, both of them were identical. The necklace string was a dark blue. There was two pieces of string the both entered a hole in a piece of sea glass, about a foot from the beginning of the string. The hole was going the length of a circles diameter, in a quarter sized piece of pastel green sea glass that was about a centimeter thick. Then through three of the same color beads each one getting smaller. The string looped around and went back through the top two beads and around the edges of the quarter sized piece of sea glass. The string was tied tightly to its self where the string first entered the sea glass, and the it tied back up to the beginning of the string. The 'four' piece of string where tied together making a loop. The string was rather stiff, with a leathery feel to it. Kohaku slipped one necklace over his head and the other in his pocket.

Kohaku picked up the note and ripped it in half, the piece he kept with him read, "Bou is alright, and there is no way that either Bou or I will be found. Bou will only be returned to Yu-Baaba when she apologizes and allows me to see my son. Love, Bunta."

Kohaku placed the note in his pocket and the necklace under his shirt then he left Bunta's house. Kohaku closed the door behind him and changed back into a dragon.

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The floor wasn't completely mopped up when the sun began to rise, "You should go to the pigs Sen, I'll finish with the floor," said Rin taking Chihiro's mop.

Chihiro nodded and quickly walked out of Aburaya, she tried to recall the way that Kohaku first took her to the pigs. Chihiro walked into the garden and then she found where the bushes were rather close together and covered in flowers. Chihiro began to walk down the path, not paying attention. Chihiro thought, Chihiro hoped that everything with Bou would be alright and part of her wished that he wouldn't be returned, Bunta was much nicer then Yu-Baaba. Chihiro didn't think of her own life, it seemed that everyone else controlled her life's future except her. Yu-Baaba could turn her to a pig or a piece of coal whenever she wanted, numerous people in the Spirit world wanted Chihiro dead, and if she went back to the human world she would be as good as dead. Chihiro couldn't even just say that her name wasn't Chihiro, because she would need a birth certificate and a social security number, she knew that legally changing her name wouldn't help at all.

Chihiro reached the door to the pig barns and found a note tacked to the door from the guy who usually tens to the pigs. Chihiro read the note, "Thank you for the break. You need to put the pigs from one stall into the empty stall. Then shovel out the newly empty pig stall, using a shovel and wheelbarrow. You can dump the wheelbarrow in the pile out back. Lay down a little fresh straw and fill up the food troth, then bring the pigs back and repeat with every stall. At the end clean out the extra stall. Hay is in the loft and the food is in the food room towards the back."

Chihiro walked in she noticed that the pig stalls had be redone. They were now longer as open and jumbled as they were when she came with Kohaku. They were now like Cow stalls and every four stalls were separated by wooden panels. She figured that between each wooden panel was a stall. And the empty stall was the small original stall to the right of the door. To the left of the door was a ladder up to the loft and the cleaning supplies. In the way back was a second door leading out side and to the right of that door was a couple more rooms.

Chihiro walked to the first stall there was a thin walk way in front of the pigs, and a wider walk way behind the pigs covered in waste. Chihiro walked back to the supplies to see what she had to use. There was a couple shovels varying in sizes, a wheelbarrow, big rubber boots, work gloves, a bucket, and a broom. Chihiro put on the rubber boots and the work gloves they were a little big, but better then none.

Chihiro returned to the pigs and walked in front of them. All the pigs were tied to a metal bar that was a foot above the feeding troth, just like cows only lower to the ground. Chihiro found it sad and odd that all the pigs were humans that were being treated as cows, and being eaten by spirits, gods, and other humans sealing their fate to be the same. Chihiro just figured they changed it to this method after she left so they wouldn't loose track of which pig was which. So the could properly threaten to kill parents, sisters, brothers, friends, children. And know who's pig relative was who, since they were going to eat Chihiro's parents the first time if she didn't comply.

Chihiro untied the first pig and climbed over the bar pushing the pig out of the stall, the pig went out reluctantly. Chihiro lead it to the empty stall opening the gate with her free hand, Chihiro lead the pig in the stall. Chihiro walked out of the stall and closed the gate. Chihiro did the same with the next three pigs, each time was harder then the last.

Chihiro retrieved the biggest shovel and the wheelbarrow bringing them back to the pig stall. Chihiro shoveled all the pig waste onto the wider path and then shoveled it into the wheelbarrow. They wheelbarrow was full with only half the waste. Chihiro pushed the wheelbarrow towards the back, she hadn't gone a meter when the wheelbarrow tipped. Chihiro sighed, refilling the wheelbarrow and slowly walking towards the back of the pig stalls. The wheelbarrow tipped about five more times, until Chihiro finally made it out of the stalls. Chihiro dumped the wheelbarrow in a big pile of waste and walked back in.

Chihiro climbed up into the loft and throw down ten bails of hay. Chihiro got down from the loft and removed the bailing twine from one of the bails of hay. Chihiro picked up the first two pieces of straw, one each hand, and spread them over the first two pig places. Chihiro went back grabbing two more and spreading them over the next two pig places.

(a/n: for non-farming readers, cow stalls work this way, almost exactly at least milking cows, I don't know if it is all cows. There is normally a ditch for the waste, some are electronic and remove the waste automatically. Cows are usually brought out to the pastor to graze, and for a more thoroughcleaning . Bails of hay, the rectangular ones are about a meter long, and a foot high and wide. They come in easy pull apart pieces that are clumps of hay about four inches thick, there is about ten pieces in a bail. I personally never tended pigs only cows, chickens, turkeys, and horses. I do know that our pigs were really just left without cleaning, because their sty had no floor and we didn't have them in winter. so having them set up like cows gives them order, and Yu-Baaba a hard job to give Chihiro and makes it easier to write.)

Chihiro picked up the bucket and walked to the food room. On the door there was a sign that said "Food" Chihiro opened the door and a strong smell of rot reached her nose. Chihiro walked in to find a huge pile of kitchen leftovers, Chihiro scooped up a pail full and walked back to the feeding troth of the first four pigs and dumped in the slop.

Chihiro returned to the 'empty stall' and one by one returned the pigs to their original places. Then Chihiro moved onto the next four and did the exact same for them. Each new set of pigs Chihiro was a little faster and a little less clumsily with the wheelbarrow. Also each new set of pigs, made Chihiro more hungry and tired, but she trudged along.

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Kohaku was flying high over the island returning from Bunta's it was about noon. Kohaku was just about to land and go into Aburaya when he spotted Chihiro dumping a wheelbarrow of pig waste and walking back into the barn. Kohaku flew towards the pig pens, he figured after he left Yu- Baaba's Chihiro was told to clean the pig stalls.

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Chihiro was happy that she had finished the first pig barn, she only had to do the second and she would be finished. It took her from sunrise till noon to do the first one and that was about seven hours or so. Chihiro hoped that Yu-Baaba and Rin wouldn't be made if she went to regular work late.

Chihiro walked towards the front door only to see Kohaku standing there, "Kohaku! Did you bring Bou back?" Chihiro asked a little worried.

"No, I found a note saying that if Yu-Baaba apologized and allowed Bunta to see Bou then Bou would be returned. There was also a present for you from Bunta, to protect you from Yu-Baaba's magick," replied Kohaku handing Chihiro the necklace, "you look tired, what are you doing here?"

Chihiro took the necklace and put it on, "Thank you Bunta, its beautiful," Chihiro said Kohaku looked at her strangely, "Yu-Baaba said I had to clean the stalls. I am very tired and hungry I haven't had any dinner or sleep and I have one more barn to clean."

Kohaku gave Chihiro a hug and said, "Well you wont have to work tonight." Chihiro just shook her head. "Well I got to go to Yu-Baaba I doubt she went out knowing Bou was missing, and I'll see about getting you some food and sleep time."

Chihiro nodded as she walked to the second pig barn. Kohaku turned and changed into a dragon. Kohaku flew strait into Yu-Baaba's window, as he expected she was wirily passing back and forth.

Kohaku started to change into his human form but before he could finish Yu- Baaba grabbed him and shook him, "Where is Bou? Did you find them?" Kohaku still couldn't answer, Yu-Baaba throw him on the ground and quickly turned back to her pacing.

When Kohaku was finished changing he handed Yu-Baaba the note from Bunta. Yu-Baaba read the note, "Well I wont! Ever! You'll search again tomorrow!"

Kohaku looked at Yu-Baaba who looked as if she was going to cry, "And when I don't find Bou? Are you really going to live with out your son, just so you wont have to apologize?"

Yu-Baaba considered what Kohaku had said, for about an hour. Kohaku stood there unmoving and quiet till Yu-Baaba answered, "Alright Haku, a week, when he isn't found in a week, I'll abide."

"And Sen?" asked Kohaku.

"Fine I wont make her disappear unless Bunta doesn't abide, but that's all that will change understand!" replied Yu-Baaba sitting down.

"Can I at least bring her food?" asked Kohaku, after waiting a long time for Yu-Baaba to be completely lost in thought.

Yu-Baaba wasn't paying attention she was thinking of Bou being with Yu- Baaba's ex in-laws. Bunta not being the worst of them, Yu-Baaba considered Bunta's mother as the worse. Yu-Baaba just replied with, "Uh-huh."

"And not working tonight?" asked Kohaku hopefully.

That caught Yu-Baaba's attention, "I told you that the only change was that she wouldn't disappear if Bunta returns Bou in a week when you don't find him! And that is all, one more word and I'll kill her in front of you!!" Yu- Baaba had stood up and some how towered over Kohaku who in the last seven years had grown taller then Yu-Baaba. Kohaku quickly backed away nodding, Kohaku reached the door and ran out.

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Chihiro dragged a left over bail of hay back up into the loft, there wasn't as many pigs as the first stall. Chihiro had gotten into a fast paced rhythm of cleaning up the oddly set up pig stalls. Chihiro laughed as she rethought of her human pig cow idea and laughed. Chihiro swung the bail of hay into the loft and the dragged her self up. Chihiro lay on a few hay bails and fell asleep her foot hanging over the edge.

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Kohaku ran down to the kitchen and picked up a few rice balls. It had taken him surprisingly a few hours with Yu-Baaba, it was nearing time for Chihiro to do her normal job. Kohaku hoped she was finished with the second barn, he knew there wasn't nearly as many pigs as in the first barn, because they were recently slaughtered.

Kohaku quickly walked out of Aburaya and walked the familiar path through the garden to the pig barns, he was hoping that Chihiro wouldn't be to tired to work in a few hours.

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A shadowy figure entered the barn, he looked around for Chihiro. He found his prize, asleep on the top of the loft.

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Kohaku walked into the second barn, "Chihiro?" Kohaku couldn't see her anywhere amongst the pigs, and she didn't answer.

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The Shadowy figure had held his sword over Chihiro's heart, he quickly brought it down on Chihiro. The sound of Kohaku's voice made him miss his mark and stab the hay bail. Removing his sword shook Chihiro a little, causing her over sized boot to fall.

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Kohaku began to walk towards the back of the stall looking for Chihiro when he heard a noise behind him. Kohaku turned around to find one oversized rubber boot laying on the ground near the ladder to the loft. Kohaku looked up to see the small foot that it once was on.

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The Shadowy figure backed into the shadows hoping Kohaku would leave. While he knew that Kohaku couldn't be killed.

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Kohaku ran over and climbed the ladder, when Kohaku reached the top, Chihiro was sound asleep on some hay bails. Kohaku sat down and watched Chihiro sleep for a half an hour.

Kohaku knew that Chihiro was beautiful, and happy now that they were back together. He also knew that she had all these people on her mind all these words said, threats made, and attempted murders. They didn't bother her like they should of, but when she was awake it was more obvious. Kohaku hated having to wake her up when her mind was free and clear, when her beauty double.

Kohaku gently shook Chihiro awake, he had to for her own life's sake. "Wake up Chihiro I have some dinner for you and then you've got to go to work," whispered Kohaku. Chihiro groaned and rubbed her eyes.

Chihiro slowly sat up and looked at Kohaku, "Where are we? How long have I slept?"

"We're in the pig barn, I don't know exactly how long you slept but you've got to go to work now," said Kohaku, Chihiro moaned, "not until after you eat." Kohaku smiled holding out a dumpling.

Chihiro took the dumpling and gave a short tired laughed, "Thank you Kohaku." Chihiro ate the dumpling and climbed down the ladder. Kohaku followed her, at the bottom Kohaku took Chihiro's hand and led her back to Aburaya. She had to clean up Kawa no Kami's mess and Kohaku had to look for Bou.

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The Shadowy figure laughed, he had been so close to completing his task. He thought when the boy was asleep he was dangerous to me and even when she is alone he always comes at the right moment to save her. The boy has luck, in saving the girl, and he is a thorn Yu-Baaba wont let me remove. For me to kill her, he has to be completely out of the picture. Without killing him or kidnapping him, Yu-Baaba wont like it. But what could I do? Yu-Baaba will like it less if she lives to much longer...

Author's Note: disclaimer to the pervious author's note about farming, If that is not how you did your farm animal(those who have/had them) I'm sorry it is how I did it and I grew up on or small chicken farm (including a year with turkeys) we also kept a few calves. I also grew up on my friends dairy farm, where we kept our pigs, I help with the cows sometimes. I also took horse riding lessen, including tending to the horse. I remember in the movie that there was no pastor for the pigs(if that is wrong sorry haven't seen movie since I got to Switzerland :( so bare with me) and that there was a lot of pigs and not really any room to place all of them elsewhere to clean. I also only remember two big barns for pigs) I also thought it would take a little longer if Chihiro had to do four pigs at a time than all of them. Because when she had to only clean one room then she could shovel all the waste to the far side and then it would be faster to dump then if she had to clean a hundred small sections. This author note was written because I was previously reviewed by a person who positively hated this story and didn't like the parts that had to do with medicine. I do admit that I have no medical experience, and I'm not even a huge fan of modern medicine (I hate needles, and the little pink pills (can't think of name) which made my heart beat faster(hate the sound of heart beating)), and of course I scrunched time, what was I supposed to say Yuuko sat there reading a magazine for the hour or so, it took for the cat scan to be finished, it was an interesting article about woman's health and then Chihiro and Yuuko played 'I spy' for another hour, waiting for results. (I personally know that parents get tired of 'I spy' after 13 years of playing it in the hospital while they're waiting). So I just decided to scrunch time and get to the point. So if you don't like my farming decision and think 7+ years of living around farm animals isn't enough to write this, I think it is. So Happy Reading!
~Na