What's up with Haku hanging around with this girl all the time anyway? And why are all these "things" from the other world coming after Chihiro? Some of her friends aren't being too open and truth either about their life. Will the chaos end and Haku be freed or will it be another dark ending for the lives of Chihiro, her friends and Haku?
(I suck with summaries =X) That's all I can really say about the summary… But that's that main point. Other good things DO happen and you'll have to find out by reading it.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Spirited Away characters. (Chihiro, her parents and Haku) but the others are all originally created by me. Please R&R This has also been edited.. =]
Spirited Away: The Darkness Returns
Chapter 1: The Other World-Attempted escape
"Take Care Chihiro... I promise you, we will meet once again."
Haku mumbled under his breath as he watched Chihiro run off into the vast field of grass. He nodded his head lightly and stared until Chihiro had disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel. He turned, heading back to the bathhouse. Walking past the bridge with his head hanging, he realized he already missed her. It felt like she was going to fade from his mind, although it had been such a short time.
He looked straight forward, seeing every worker head back into the building. Yubabas' face was red, anger on her wrinkly face, her lips puckered, and she grumbled a few curses as she stomped off. Lin was happy, though, just by looking at her. Haku could tell she missed her friend very much. They seemed so close. Haku knew where he was going. To the next thing that was going to make Yubaba flamed up in anger once again. The azure sky reflected against Haku's eyes as he called out to Lin.
"Lin!"
Lin turned around to face him, a rather large false smile pasted to her feature to hide her feelings.
"Yeah, what is it Haku?"
"I know how much you miss Chihiro. I feel the same..."
Haku looked up at Lin. He was trying to smile... but his eyes forced tears down his cheeks.
"H-hey... Haku. I wouldn't worry 'bout that big dope... She's returning to her home and she's free, unlike us. We're still workers and on contract by Yubaba... If only I could remember my real name!"
Haku grinned then, his eyes becoming intent as he looked at Lin.
"Well not for long Lin. Not for me."
"E-excuse me...? So you're going to make a run for it now? What are you? NUTS?! You've been working as Yubaba's apprentice for like, your whole life now your going to run off? I'm afraid you can't do that, you know. You're still under contract and you need your name to take your leave of this retched place."
Lin said in a bit of shock, and jumped upright, excitement in her eyes. Though she stuck out her tongue just thinking about the more years of working at the bathhouse.
"No. I will not run off. Even if I tried, I'd just be dragged back or hunted down. I have everything I need. And Chihiro to thank for giving me my name back...." Haku responded back in a low toned voice.
"H-how did that happen"?
Lin moved one step closer towards Haku with one brow lifted in confusion as she questioned him.
"During the night when I went to look for Chihiro at Zaneba's home, I flew over to Swamp bottom. I found her inside of Zaneba's place with No-Face. Who'd know Yubaba's sister could be so nice. Anyhow, Zaneba committed no harm to Chihiro and well, we flew back to the bathhouse in my dragon form. As we went, I felt this... surge through my body from Chihiro's hands. It felt like I could see the memory of when she was younger."
All of sudden she shouted out of what she thought my name was, "The Kohaku River". And it IS my name, strange, yes. A few years back in the real world; Chihiro dropped her little pink shoe in the river and as she reached into to get it back. She fell in herself, she thought she was going to drown but really, she fell into my river. I was the one that carried her back to shore and saved her. Now all I need to do is confront Yubaba into ripping apart my contract. I'm tired of being her henchmen and doing all her dirty work. I'm tired of being manipulated. I want to be liberated from her grasp and see Chihiro again, my friend. I promised that we would see each other again and we will."
Lin just remained staring at him for a moment, then shrugged.
"It's not that easy Haku. After seeing the old hag freeing her, I doubt she would let another go, especially you. But if you want help. You'll know where to find me, scrubbing the big tub again. Ugh..."
Lin moaned in boredom and disgust, rolling her eyes. She turned around and walked towards into the entrance of the Bathhouse.
I know I can do it... Maybe a few days would cool her off... Plus She would probably fight me, so I better be prepared. I have her magic seal. It should help a bit. The rest would be up to me and I need to be smart on it.
What element and type I must use...
"I care about her so much... She's almost like the friend I actually care so much about in a time like this..."
He waved his hand in the air above his pale face as a faint image formed of Chihiro. Slowly he smiled as he thought about her. The good times they had when she was here and their friendship. A thin red blush came upon his face.
Then the sound of smashing wood from the doorway was heard.
The image was nearly completely faded away when five workers fell over one another into a pile. He brushed his hand over the faded image hastily until it was gone, then sat up with his hands on his lap and legs crossed.
"What in Kami-samas name do you think you're doing invading into my personal space!? Can you fools not see I'm trying to meditate!?"Haku blurted out without thinking. But it did look like a good response. The crossed legs, hands down on top of his knees...
One man with a horn on the center of his forehead started laughing nervously.
"I-I was just passing by Master Haku. I just saw these... workers here by your doorway. I told them to not interfere!!!"
Lies, Thought Haku. All lies.
Another one crawled out from the bottom pile of workers.
"I was... scrubbing the floor outside your door with my fellow workers here!"
He said in a pretty confident voice while reaching into the whole in the wall. He grabbed a random worker by the pants and pulled it off then shredded it into pieces of cloth as each one slid there hand on the floor to get a cloth. A yelp came off but another coughed loudly.
One worker coughed loudly. "I'm sick, I better go before I infect you Master Haku!"
Half of them chuckled, then violently pushed one another out the doorway. "
"Wait a moment. Stop right there" Haku said in a serious tone of voice.
"Y-yes, Master Haku?" One man dared to ask.
"Fix the door you broke or you're in for serious trouble."
He nodded and started to shout, "Wood!!! Get the wood right in here so we can fix it!!!" At this point, each worker ran out to the center in the fifth floor coming near the rails. Haku had seen the fear in their eyes. Sometimes, it was almost even funny to toy with them.
Haku lifted his right hand up to his mouth with his index and thumb finger touching. But he paused. "I can't, not now. Time's running quickly, I want to escape as fast as possible." Raising to his feet, he walked over near the balcony and pushed the sliding door open where the sun slammed directly into his eyes. No blink was made.
"My magic... I need the enhancement"
Winds battered violently into his face after a while. His arms were stretched out to his sides at shoulder level and he was standing on the railing. With one breathe; he jumped into the air with his arms thrown back. Sparks of light and sakura leaves gathered around his body and his skin became even paler. His eyes grew into a crimson red. He needed to further extend his power, his form.
A few months later...
Lin was sound asleep with the other girls in her room. All wrapped up in her blanket with the cute pink decoration of Sakura leaves. The door slowly was slid open as Haku stepped in. The windows were closed and lightly open. Towels or a thin type of fabric hung right over the glass dimming the light and cutting it off before it reached the room. Looking foreword, Haku could see a clear path as the beds were set up neatly on the floor right next to each other. His eyes scanned for Lin as he walked up to her. Kneeling down on one knee he nudged her with his right hand over her shoulder.
"Lin... Lin... it's me. Get up. I need to talk to you about this..."
Lin turned her body so that she was sleeping on her back. She rubbed her eyes with her knuckles and yawned as she pulled her left hand over her mouth.
"W-wha...? What's wrong now Haku, You still worried bout Yubaba?"
"Yeah, You can say that... What would she want from me? Even if I do tell her I have my name back. She wouldn't just tear apart my contract. She would give another test or put I'm fight. I have no clue but what ever it is, it can't get it to me. I wonder if she has contact with the other world... is she does, Chihiro is in danger... I..."
"Then don't do it..."
Haku shook his head.
"You know I won't do that so bother talking about that. I'll take my chance. I promised her and that I won't break it." He responded with his teeth clenched together.
"Hmph... Just remember. You're on your own after you leave this place. You have neither family nor friends in the outside world anymore"
"Chihiro's there..."
"Only her, you won't survive that easily. And even then, what makes you think it's very easy to locate where she lives? But... I think I do have something that would help you. I found this in Kamajii's Drawer the other day. I was helping him clean out his drawers of stuff and he tossed out this emerald gem. He said it was some stone of power but since he sought no use to it, he gave it to me before he tossed it into the dump. So this might help somehow. It has no good with me so take it." Lin grabbed a gem out from her pocket. Its center was crystal blue and the outer layer was green with the edges of real silver. It looked like an amulet and a locket.
"Thank you Lin. You're a very cynical person; did anyone ever tell you that?"
He said with a chuckle. Haku quickly bowed and ran off holding it in his palms.
"Heh... Good Luck, Kohaku..."
Lin whispered as she pulled the covers back over her body.
Haku ran straight to downstairs. Althjough he wore his normal clothing he appeared well dressed.
"Good Day Master Haku", the foreman shouted out towards Haku. Other's greeted him and went back straight to work as he headed up stairs into Yubaba's room.
Others behind master Haku murmured bout Chihiro's leave. It seemed to spread so quick that after seeing Yubaba letting a girl go. They all wanted to escape as well and a few wished to turn back into humans. "Shut up and get back to work!" Master Haku turned and held his fore finger and thumb together as he started from the left and moved it quickly to the right as the Toad's mouth zipped up. They mumbled and protested trying to speak as Haku Chuckled and walked into the elevator. He pulled down the lever located on his left and slowly it traveled up. He crossed his arms and stood their silently thinking bout the right time to confront Yubaba for his freedom.
If others want to escape that would much lessen my chance for freedom and perhaps for Lin too? We both wish to leave but if the others must confront Yubaba before we can, I must take force and quickly flee from this bathhouse. I must plan this well and pull any toad, slug or human out of my way if they want to interfere. If they don't take my warning, they're going to dearly wish they had...
The elevator came to stop. The darkness of the lights was dimmed making it hard to see as Haku walked out and into the room. It was very tacky and not at all pleasant like. He knocked the doors as it swung open with a great force of wind. It struggled to pull him in. For some reason, Haku gave no movement. He walked in of his free will and with his magic seal from Yubaba he proved his power to balance out against Yubaba, the Witch that runs the bathhouse. Entering her room, he looked foreword seeing Yubaba behind her counter as always doing paper work.
"Yubaba... I have a request...." Haku said in a rather cold voice.
"Oh, you... What do you...?"
"I don't care what you want anymore." Haku cut her off quickly.
"Hm... Since when do you get fresh with your master, young man? What in the nine hells do you want, Haku? I am a very busy woman running the bathhouse." Yubaba responded as she continued to scribble down notes on ragged bit of parchment. The three green heads rolled across her carpet grunting, but kept their distance away from Haku. Her room was filled with velvet curtains and a fancy Persian carpet. The fire flickered with sparks.
"I wish to stop being your apprentice, so tear apart my contract." He demanded to her with no fear but doubt that she would yeild to his demands. Yubaba lifted her head slowly, narrowing her eyes and glaring into his. She laughed, cackling like a witch. She dropped her pen on the table and stomped her foot hard against the ground, pounding her fist against the table. Her eyes popped out wide looking as if she saw a ghost.
"Ah ha ha ha!!!! Real funny one Haku!! Now, what do you really want you pathetic fool..." She stopped her laughter completely though her kept eyes bulging out.
"That is what I want. I have remembered my name, Kohaku. I can be freed. That is, with your approval."
"Hm... you are so sure I would let you just go like that?"
"Yes, I am. I have served you the most. I have done terrible tasks and had retrieved your baby before. Even He would approve of letting me go. But I do expect you want something from me, something before letting me go. "
"You are smart Haku" she said with sarcasm. "Two things I desire from you are your heart and my magic seal back. I can feel that you replenished the seal with your own power but it's still mine. That's it. If you refuse... you're never leaving here and I'll turn you into a lump of coal!!!"
"You leave me much of no choice... Fine.... Take what you want. At least I'll return back."
Haku responded back sternly as he stood with his hands by his side. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. Yubaba cackled again as she took off from her table at past god speed and charged at him, coming to a pause with one inch away from his face. She thrusted her right hand foreword with her left hand on her hip. She placed her hand over his chest as a bolt of lighting shot out from her fingers.
Then Haku's chest changed .... It became transparent, giving Yubaba the will to reach into him to retrieve his heart. Haku groaned, as he already felt light headed. He knew he had to do this. But with out his heart, there would be no care in the world for him. He wouldn't be able to develop tears. Nothing but madness would occur. She pushed in her hand and grabbed onto a hold of his heart, tearing it out. Haku was knocked down with the great force between them into the carpet floor. Yubaba held it tightly in her palm. It was a size of a baseball and what looked like, the spirit in his heart. A light sparkled out from the holes that were visible from Haku's chest but faded soon after.
"Here's what I was searching for... You idiot. Now it's mine!!" She cackled wildly.
She then peered over at him and nudged him with her foot against his rib cage. She moved her leg to his throat. Haku was already feeling the power drained from him as well as his heart. His light was gone. She pushed down, the pressure causing him to cough. He started to squirm. The magic seal was his only hope now, so he thought quickly and bended his knee's while he was on the floor. With a bit of vision, He made out a weak image of her and unbended his knees with great force, releasing it right into Yubaba's stomach. Pushing her off balance and away, tumbling back. He ran and grabbed his contract from the little box on Yubaba's desk. Leaping onto the windowsill he stared down and readying to jump. His palms burned through the contract setting him free to run anytime.
"You're not going to get away that easily, fool!!! Get back here! I still want my seal back you... you- " Yubaba shouted out as she threw her palms together creating a quick ball of energy, almost like a bind, blasting it foreword at Haku. It slammed to his ankles sending a shock wave into his entire body. As well the bind of power spread and wrapped around his legs causing him to lose balance and fall.
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Haku screamed and pulled in a cross with his arms over her face as he dropped. The amulet around his neck glowed intensively as a light shot out from the center and into the water. Haku dropped and aiming to fall into the portal, a black image shot out and aimed upwards towards Haku. He wanted to change into the dragon, but the bind stopped it. The black images' left palm was jerked back and tucked under, once near, he shot it out slamming it straight into Haku's chest. The magical seal slipped out from the edge of the pocket and dropped through the portal. Haku's eyes bulged out and he groaned pain. The dark image caught him in its arms and promptly knocked him out. Haku could have felt his body being hoisted over his shoulder and brought back but he wasn't really sure what was going to happen next.
(I'm editing over chapters so a few things might be added into this one and the next. Thanks goes to my editor, Kat =D)