Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away! I really don't!
I kind of fixed something in this chapter and added some in the story. Sorry readers!
His Beloved Treasure:
Chapter 1: Different Paths
Rain blurred the entire view of the capital of Fukagawa in the cold autumn night. People whom had returned to their homes several hours ago when the rain started blew off their candles, ready for a slumber in their beds. The dark and empty streets were left with nothing but the sound of splattering raindrops and the galloping sound of a horse's hooves from an old and small traveling wagon which provided the capital the only source of light with a small lantern.
The wagoner dressed in black kimono held the leash of the horse in the front seat with one of his hands and the other held the lit lantern high in the air. He doesn't feel like traveling in the middle of the night especially in this type of weather, but his store ran out of business two months ago and he owned the empire a large amount of debts, so he had no other choice than to offer the three slaves he owned to the empress of Fukagawa. Now they are on the way to the palace's front gate.
Three young slaves in torn and dirty kimonos were inside the small wagon with a lit lantern in the center that their master had given them. Although it's almost midnight, neither of them was feeling sleepy nor tired. The oldest one of them was a young female around the age of ten who looks very pale and weak with shoulder length black hair and eyes of chestnut color is squished on one side of the wagon with her younger brother. The pair of big and jet-black eyes that her young sibling possesses were staring into another pair of green ones which belong to another young male slave who sat on the opposite side of the wagon facing them.
Both siblings had never seen the owner of those green eyes ever spoken to anybody since the first day they met him when their master brought him home. His face always remained emotionless no matter what. The pair of green eyes are beautiful but yet mysterious. They can never look through his eyes to find any sign of any feelings; however, both siblings were always attracted to gaze into his eyes for some strange reasons although they know it's very impolite to stare at a person like that.
The female slave listened to the splattering noise of the raindrops outside the wagon with worries. If her brother and she are not purchased by the empress, they might have to starve with their master. But her younger brother continued to stare into those green eyes without worries. She expected other slave to stare back at them both, but he never did and he doesn't seem to mind them staring. Now in the wagon, his eyes were fixed on the bright burning fire inside the small lantern with no facial expression at all. None of them make a sound; the wagon seemed to be in eternal silence while its wheels continued to leave their tracks on the muddy ground
The rain stopped. All the seats on both sides of the enormous court began to empty as a hundred court nobles exited from its large gate after their discussion on warfare with the empress. War had broken out between two of the five empires on this continent, Tanaka and Kumano. And other empires like Higonokuni and Rigu might join in the fight eventually, including their own empire, Fukagawa.
All desperate to return to their homes and get some sleep from a whole day of work especially through this weather, each quickened their pace to the exit of the palace. The only ones that are left inside the court was a tired looking old woman in a deep blue dress whom had a wrinkled face with her white hair tied up in a bun sat in a golden armchair behind a golden desk in the center of the farmost end of the court and a masked figure with a shadowy body who seemed to be standing next to the old lady.
"Are you hungry Kaonashi?" The old woman asked her bodyguard the masked figure named Kaonashi while using both of her index fingers to caste spells on the scrolls to roll up by themselves and papers to pile neatly on her desk.
She doesn't like to work up to this late hour with other noblemen in court but her empire must act fast to strengthen its defense against invasions from the other four greedy empires, especially the Rigu Empire ruled by her evil and greedy twin sister, Yubaba is now attempting to enter the war between Tanaka and Kumano and if she invade Fukagawa later on, it wouldn't be a surprise because Zeniba knew her twin sister would do anything to satisfy her greediness.
"Ah.....ah...." Kaonashi shook his head showing his mistress, Zeniba the empress of Fukagawa that he's not hungry at all. Then there was silence between them both for a couple of moments as Zeniba continued to clear up the mess on her desk.
"Looks like the person I'd expected to meet today had finally arrived." Zeniba said suddenly, breaking the silence between them after she'd finished cleaning her desk. She had an odd feeling that she is going to meet someone special tonight who will aid her in the future except she doesn't know who might that be.
"Ah.....ah...?" Kaonashi seemed to be confused, but then the echoing sound of footsteps was heard in their ears.
As both of them raised their heads, they saw their old adviser who has eight limbs, bald head, big nose, white mustache, and black spectacles named Kamaji entered the court with a man and three young children following behind him and three pieces of parchments in his hands. All five of them gave the empress a bow as they all stopped in the center of the court before Kamaji spoke again.
"Your highness, this is the man I mentioned who wanted to offer you his three slaves to pay for his debts instead." Kamaji announced as the three slaves stepped in front of him and the man after he gave them each a slight push in the back with one of his six hands so then the empress can have a better look at them.
Zeniba rose from her golden armchair and walk steadily toward them with Kaonashi followed closely behind her for his duty of protecting his mistress. As they approach, Zeniba saw the nervous looks on the faces of the first two slaves, but the third seemed rather indifferent. She stopped in front of the young female, she studied her and moved on to the next slave with jet-black eyes, then she reached the third slave who seemed to be around the age of six, her big eyes met with the pair of extraordinary green ones.
"What's your name young man?" She asked softly as her eyes gaze more deeply into his. Something's telling her that he is the one she expected.
"Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi." His voice is steady, not too loud but audible and clear. Although he was facing the empress of this whole empire, he felt indifferent and rather calm. Zeniba received his answer and turned her eyes to his master. His master and the other two slaves were staring him, wide eyed with some astonished expression. It's the first time they'd heard him ever spoke in two years.
"I have no interest in those two but I will take Kohaku. Hand me his contract Kamaji and clear out all his debts for the empire." She demanded and Kamaji looked through each of the three parchments in his hands and finally took out the one with Kohaku's fingerprint and handed it to the empress.
"Thank you your highness." The man put up a wide smile, which made each one of his teeth his mouth contains visible and bowed as he heard what the empress said. It's very unbelievable; only one slave can clear out the large amount of debts he owned?!
"Now you may go, Kamaji would lead your way to the exit of the palace." Zeniba demanded once again and Kamaji began to lead the two slaves and their master outside of the court leaving the empress, her bodyguard, and her new servant, Kohaku in the court. Zeniba's eyes fell on Kohaku again.
"If I let you regain your freedom right now, would you help me later on with my empire and me?" Zeniba asked softly as she held out the contract at the same level Kohaku's face in front of him.
Kohaku put up a blank look, but simply nodded as an answer without any second thought.
"Very well then." Her palm gave the contract a slight squeeze, and then it set itself on fire after she loosened her grip of it. It burned into gray ashes a few seconds later in her palm.
Footsteps were heard again as Kamaji re-entered to the court. He performed a bow to the empress as he stopped in front of the three in the center of the court.
"Kamaji, take Kohaku to one of the guest rooms and arrange courses in the palace for him to study with the children of other noblemen." Zeniba demanded once again.
"Yes your highness. Follow me Kohaku." Kamaji and Kohaku both bowed before turning to leave the court and started to head for one of the empty guest rooms in the enormous palace.
Kamaji trusts the empress's sixth sense. Somehow, Kohaku's green eyes tell him that he might be able to help them protect their empire from the other four greedy ones. However, each and every person in this world knew that those eyes are also a sign of misfortune.
"So then it had been decided, Kohaku and General Wataru would be assigned to go in the war against the Rigu Empire." Zeniba the empress announced finally after a long discussion of war strategies with advisers, and other court nobles. All of them had faith in Kohaku that he can defend their empire and earn them victory in this major war between their empire, Fukagawa and Rigu.
A young man around the age of twenty with a pair of green eyes named Kohaku and another man next to him who looks to be in his early forties named Wataru nodded in agreement in their seats in the front, which are mostly the seats of high class noblemen.
"All of you are dismissed, but Kohaku, Kamaji, and General Wataru, I would like to have a word with you before you leave." Zeniba demanded. All court nobles bowed before the empress, then the seats on both sides of the court began to empty as they quickly exited the large gate of the court hoping to return home before sundown while Kohaku, Kamaji, and Wataru all walked toward the opposite direction to the far end of the court and stopped in front of Zeniba and her bodyguard Kaonashi who also hadn't left the court.
"You must be very careful and as secured as possible Kohaku, the one you are facing this time is Kuro not other warriors of other empires." Zeniba insisted in a worried tone. Since that muggy night when Kohaku arrived in the palace fourteen years ago, Zeniba treated him like he was her son. Every time when he was assigned to go in war, she was worried about him, especially this time that he is going to face Kuro.
"I will, don't worry. I know how to take care of myself." Kohaku replied politely with a voice as calm as ever and an emotionless face. He is really grateful for what Zeniba had offered him all these years, if it wasn't for her, he doesn't know what would have happened to him. But he just couldn't use a better tone to speak with her and a warmer look to put on his face. He doesn't know why.
"Don't worry your highness, Kohaku was experienced and proved himself to be our most outstanding warrior. He will be just fine." Kamaji added.
It's true. Kohaku possesses innate abilities of sharper senses, quicker reactions and movements, and intelligence as well. Kohaku can master any types of sword techniques his teachers taught him and simple spells taught by Zeniba whom was a sorceress. Plans, strategies, and tactics for battle wouldn't be a hard problem for him either. His strategies always helped their empire to earn victory in war against others. He is also cautious and placid, he can always keep his mind clear and calm. His talents are like gifted from heaven.
"I guess you are right... You are dismissed Kohaku." A deep sigh followed after her reply.
Kohaku simply bowed and turned to leave for his home. After he'd enter warfare and became one of the generals two years ago, he moved out of the palace and lived in an enormous mansion in the capital, because he's not a relative of the empress so living in the palace doesn't seem right with other noblemen.
Watching him leave, Zeniba sighed once more.
"Please take care of Kohaku General Wataru, I know it will be dangerous for the both of you." Zeniba still has some doubts.
"I will, he was betrothed to my daughter and I will make sure he returns safely." Wataru said in a serious tone with a slight frown. He had been in the battlefield with Kohaku for countless times. Kohaku would only like to be equipped with the single sword he owned and armed with nothing of armor or shield in order for him to perform swift and smooth movements and strikes his enemies accurately in perfect spots. He is a good fighter; however, he never hesitates to stop to save or protect his own life. Therefore, the empress and he allowed his own daughter, Sakae who is very willing and happy to marry Kohaku to be engaged to him. Kohaku didn't refuse but doesn't seem concerned with their decision for him. They just hope he would cherish his life if he remembers his fiancé is waiting for him.
"Sometimes I think that I'd dragged an innocent person into war and sacrifice his life." Zeniba said sadly, her eyes filled with regret.
"But he's the best choice we have against Kuro your highness." Kamaji stated.
The first war between their empire and Rigu had broken out a year ago and it's also the first time they encounter Rigu's new warrior with the title 'The Wild Beast' named is Kuro. His title came from the pair of jet- black eyes that he possesses which look like eyes that belong to a wild beast. In the battlefield, he is like a hungry leopard hunting for his prey. He is not weak either; he injured the leg of General Wataru who is an experienced fighter during their first war, which earned Rigu its victory. So this time, they put their faiths and hopes on Kohaku, their most skilled general to regain victory.
"We will be facing against the Fukagawa Empire in two weeks and seems like they'd assigned a new general this time, so beware." A woman's voice echoed in the big room.
A man who sat in a wooden chair looked up with his jet-black eyes as the voice reached his ears. A woman around the age of twenty-five with a worried look on her face appeared in his eyes. He quickly recognized those waist length black hair and chestnut colored eyes of his big sister Sanada who had entered his bedroom.
"Who is the new warrior?" He asked with a bored tone showing no concern of his sister's news. Last time he injured their warrior with no effort and this time they bring in a new person to challenge him?
"His name is Kohaku... Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi." Sanada answered in a serious tone with a frown. Like she'd expected, her brother, Kuro's eyes grew wide when he heard the name just like she did when she received the message from one of their spies. They'd expected to face him someday when they heard that a new general of Fukagawa named Kohaku was a great fighter two years ago. Both of them remembered clearly of the Kohaku they knew with mysterious green eyes were sold to the empress of Fukagawa fourteen years ago. If he had become Fukagawa's warrior and aids in warfare, it wouldn't be a surprise.
"I would like to see what kind of great warrior he had become." Excitement replaced the sense of boredom in his eyes. It looks like fate has lead Kohaku and him in different paths. They were in the same wagon fourteen years ago, but Kohaku got separated from him and his sister. Now they are about to meet again in war.
"Beware, he might not be that easy." Sanada warned.
"I'll be alright, with your great strategies and tactics I will never lose. And the one who is going to enter the battlefield is me why are you so worried?" He asked with an assuring smile. His sister is always like this when he has to go to war, is this a woman's nature? Despite Sanada's warning, he'd already chosen the prey that he would be hunting in the next battle, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi.
Author's Note - Feeling weird that Chihiro's not here right? Well I promise she will be in the next chapter! Which is chapter 2. Well this is generally a romance story, warfare and action is only some small part of it. I guess you already knew which couple is going to be in here C/H of course.
This idea swirl in my head for weeks... I tried to proofread with my tired eyes . Hope there will be fewer mistakes.