Disclaimers Notice: *sigh* I wish that you peoples wouldn't make me do this
all of the time.I do not own Spirited Away or any other such things
incorporated with it.
Authors Beginning Note: Ok, the last we left off, Chihiro was on her way to the train station to hitch a ride once there, go to the bath house for the Sano Saishe festival, and figure out a way to save Haku, oh and try to stay alive while she's at it.if that's possible.
Chapter 17
The Bauble Mystery Solved
And a dew Tid-bits
The bus is the same like last time. No new changes other than the companions I had ridden with last time. Now I'm on my own. I have no one here with me. No back ups. I'm just alone. I have to go alone, but.the thoughts of my friends will keep me going, so I guess I won't be as alone as I think. With this I slowly drifted off into sleep.
That's the way it was all night. I slept, and ate a few of the things Granny made for me and packed. I woke up with sudden jerks when the train stopped, but I slept mostly. Now, it's daytime. There's nothing to do other than look out the windows, which seemed really fascinating earlier, but now, it's just boring to.
*sigh* I laid back down onto the seats, and even though I wasn't tired, I slept.
"Chihiro!" I heard a weak raspy voice, though I knew it was Haku. I saw a door and ran to it.
"Haku!" I screamed. I flung open the door and was instantly in Yubaaba's glamorous room. I looked around, but no one was there.
"Chihiro."
"Haku? Where are you?" I whispered.
"Chihiro." I looked at Yubaaba's desk. The little box was glowing a dim blue/green color.
"What the.?" I walked over to her desk to pick it up. A hand grabbed my wrist. I looked up into cold, lifeless eyes that were once green but now, turning black. His lip curled up into a sneer. He pulled me close to him. I tried to struggle, but he was stronger. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered:
"You'll never save him in time. Muaaaaaah!" He began laughing as I pushed him away. I fell into darkness.
"Haku!" I yelled as I was thrown off of the seat and hurled into wakefulness. I scrambled up and looked out of the windows, and there was the bathhouse, a little farther back, just right behind us. I quickly grabbed my bag and leaped out of the doors, just in time. The train lurched forward, and chugged away, as I watched. I turned and looked at the now heavily decorated bathhouse. Night was dawning, and the lights were turning on. I trudged down the now dry train tracks towards Yubaaba's bathhouse. Closer up I could hear the excited sounds of spirits talking and the greeters doing their routine round abouts of "welcome, enjoy your stay, Welcome, Welcome back" and of others shouting in glee. I couldn't help but smile, and skip a little.
Walking up steps and stairs on the outside walls, I came face to face with Kamajii's door, and smiled. I joyfully opened the door.
"Kamajii! Kamajii! I'm back!" I exclaimed. The susuwatari stopped their work and started jumping up and down.
"Back to work!" yelled Kamajii and banged his little hammer. I smiled as I walked in. Eight bath tokens dropped down and there were still five to be taken care of. I walked passed the susuwatari and they began slowly, one by one, to working again with a little *encouraging* from Kamajii. I smiled.
"Chihiro! I was beginning to worry about you. Especially when I heard of the mischief you two must have done." Kamajii began working faster than I usually see him as he began mixing and grinding herbs. He didn't look at me, though not in an attempt to avoid looking at me, but he was so busy, he didn't dare take his eyes off his work.
"What do you mean-mischief?" He chuckled.
"Am I mistaken or was it Rin who took the bauble."
"It was Rin, but I didn't think that it would cause any harm." How could one little orb cause any trouble, if any at all?
"You don't really know what that bauble was used for, do you?" He chuckled again. I shook my head, than remembering that he couldn't see me shake my head no, so I answered.
"Well, you see, it was that little orb of light that powered the bath house. It was the cause of the power failure. Yubaaba sure caused quite a little fit over that I can imagine. It's a good thing that she got another one, otherwise she would be in a rampage by now." I stared dumbfounded, than laughed. He chuckled.
"You should go join the festival Chihiro. Maybe have a little fun while you can."
"But, I have to find a way to save Haku." I said worried again. Kamajii stopped and looked at me, ignoring the next three bath tokens falling.
"What I meant was to eve's drop. Maybe you can hear something that might help. Don't get into trouble though. Try and have some fun though while you're at it." I smiled. He smiled too and went back to work I shook my head and bound out of the room.
I got onto the elevator. It rose steadily and when I got off, my eyes became as wide as saucers.no.even wider. The bathhouse was elaborately decorated in paper lanterns, streamers, silk, and so much more. There were several different tunes floating in the air. Some sad, some menacing, some happy and carefree, and others indescribable. Some of them were sung, and others were played on instruments. Smells Engulfed Chihiro and told her of the many kinds of delicacies that were here. The whole celebration seemed like a vast Christmas Party. It was almost too much to take in. Feeling a little awkward, Chihiro was swept into the crowd as soon as she stepped onto the floor. Craving air, Chihiro made her way to the railing and was amazed at the sights. So much movement, and noise.
Chihiro looked down at the dancers below, and was mesmerized by one particular dancer. She was a girl of about Chihiro's age and had long blue hair. Her skin was a sea green and even though Chihiro was so far away she could see the girls deep blue eyes. Her movements were like fluid and she had collected quite a crowd. Someone bumped into Chihiro, awaking her from her trance. Chihiro then allowed herself to yet once again be swept away into the crowd.
My legs soon began to ache from all of the walking, so I saw a little food area, which looked much like a French or American restaurant. It had a little shop you walked into and a few tables with chairs. The whole area was crowded. I went ahead and walked in. The place was cozy. Dim lanterns everywhere softly lighted it. In the back there was the counter with seats around it. The room too had seats and tables in it. I could hear the cooks yelling at each other and waitresses' asking what platter goes to which table. Gossip seemed to find my ears as I made my way through the heavily crowded area and sat on a mat with a small table in front of me way over in one of the corners. A small bonsai tree adorned the center of my table and looking out, I could see others on every other person's tables as well. There were also many tall plants, about four feet high strategically placed through out the place as well. I lowered my head and began skimming through the small useless bits of the latest gossip I could hear.
"Yubaaba has really outdone herself.where you hear during the last Sano Saishe festival..So how was your vacation.can you believe how rude.oh I just love the Kimono your wearing.what will you have to eat." No one came in for a while, and no one bothered me. Sweet slow and happy music could distinguishly be heard being played on instruments close by. A few more spirits walked in and sat at a table near mine. I looked up at them. They were three younger girls. Well, at least they had the form of Girls between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. You could clearly see their forms, as female humans would look. They had wings that protruded from their backs with black feathers. All four of them. They did have human arms though with human hands, though their nails were long and looked sharp. All four had black hair, only at different lengths. Their bodies were covered in feathers, and I was amazed. They also had pointy ears as well. Their feet though, were a bit odd. They all had feet with skin like a humans, but instead of smooth skin, they were heavily callused. Their feet seemed to be split into three parts like a birds. Two parts with razor claw- like nails in the front, and a single one in back. Three of them had bronze honey skin, while the youngest had smooth crème skin. Their lips were crimson. Their complexions were flawless.
"Excuse me miss, but would like anything?" A lady said bowing to me. I looked up and quickly looked down, for it was the worker Aishe. One of the workers I had worked with previously this week when scrubbing floors. She was dressed in a blue Kimono with darker blue rose petals as a design.
"Uh.um..tea please.um.red spice tea, with a hint of herbs, if you please." I said trying to keep my voice calm and unrecognizable. She bowed and turned away I let out a sigh. Another worker dressed in a pink Kimono with purple flowers addressed the four bird women.
"Sakes for all of us." Said the one with the longest black hair. She had piercing water blue eyes. Her voice was hard and commanding. She also looked to be the oldest. My tea soon arrived and Aishe bowed without saying a word. I nodded in response giving her my leave. The Four winged females sakes soon arrived as well. Three of them were polite and thanked the waitress, while the one with the shortest black hair and red eyes just stared at the waitress in distaste. The spirit who had brought them their drinks soon left. My attention shifted off into listening to other people's conversations.
Finally completely bored, with my tea only half finished I was about to leave when I zoned in on the four-feathered spirits conversation.
"Did you see that one guy?" The second youngest said. Her hair was in a braid; her eyes were the color of green mint. Her voice sounded like that of an overly exited child.
"You mean with the green hair and dark eyes." The oldest said.
"I don't like him. He looked evil." Said the youngest. Her eyes were a dark brown and glazed like the others. Their tongues were clearly loosened to a great deal by the sake.
"You know what I heard, I heard that he accepted an agreement from an evil spirit. One that would make him powerful. The spirit agreed, only if he could have the one thing dearest to him in return."
"Oh really sister, and what might that be?" The eldest mocked as she was clearly not convinced of her second eldest siblings story.
"His heart. It's true. He was once a kind person, but hated his kindness and took it for a weakness."
"Sister, I don't know where you get your gossip, but it's completely off. The truth of the matter is the poor water spirit's soul was captured. The thing that walks around is his body, which was stolen by the imp spirit, the very one that stole his soul." The oldest said plainly without showing emotion.
"I think he is just plain evil. I don't think he was ever good, and if he was, he turned evil. Either way, I don't get a good vibe from him." I shook in rage at the second youngest last comment about Haku being just plain evil. He is good! I don't know who or what that look alike thing is, but it's not my Haku.
"Sisters. Those are very good stories, but the truth is that his soul was stolen by Yubaaba." I looked up in surprise but quickly averted my eyes. The four sisters looked around the place, sure that no one was listening to them, the youngest continued with her tale.
"It was about six years ago, but I heard one of the aogaeru talking about something that happened. The water spirit, Hora.Hotu.Kahu.no.Haku.I believe that was his name. He was cold and bitter, but then he softened. The ice melted his heart, and all for a human." She said the last part emotionlessly but I could see the clear disgust on the other three's faces.
"Over a worthless, back stabbing, smelly, human?" The eldest nearly spat. The youngest nodded.
"Then only a month after she left, he demanded to be able to go back to her. When Yubaaba heard this, she became angry and ate his soul, but it gave her serious stomach pain. Instead of placing it back into his body the put it in a bottle. Then placed a spell on his body to do her bidding without question." The three sisters looked at each other.
"That by far is the stupidest most unrealistic story I have heard about the subject so far!" They began laughing at the sister's seeming stupidity and ignored her.
They began talking again, only of other things, but I listened anyways. When I was sure what they had to say, was of no importance to me, I got up and left. Now instead of being cheered by the bright lights, music, dancing, laughter, and smells of food, it made me feel worse. I made up my mind.
After all, in my dreams.I ended up there all of the time.other than the darkness.it was the one place that I was at.and that girl.the youngest.what she said was by far the closest to the truth I had heard so far.maybe what she said.was true.Why.why didn't I think of it earlier.why hadn't I thought of the possibility of it being so.
I shuddered and fighting against the crowd, headed for one of the few places I wished not to be in.
Authors Ending Note: Yah, I think Next to the first few, this is my favorite chapter that I've written. It's not so dramatic, and it's interesting.I kind of think of Christmas when I read it.huh. Well anyways, sorry that I switched from 1st person to 3rd person once or twice, but I was tired and it kind of happened so.like.ya. I hope you peoples aren't bothered by it too much.
I just want to say a quick Thanx to all of you who have supported me thus far.and who have reviewed and by doing so helping to motivate me. You guys are truly awesome!
Authors Beginning Note: Ok, the last we left off, Chihiro was on her way to the train station to hitch a ride once there, go to the bath house for the Sano Saishe festival, and figure out a way to save Haku, oh and try to stay alive while she's at it.if that's possible.
Chapter 17
The Bauble Mystery Solved
And a dew Tid-bits
The bus is the same like last time. No new changes other than the companions I had ridden with last time. Now I'm on my own. I have no one here with me. No back ups. I'm just alone. I have to go alone, but.the thoughts of my friends will keep me going, so I guess I won't be as alone as I think. With this I slowly drifted off into sleep.
That's the way it was all night. I slept, and ate a few of the things Granny made for me and packed. I woke up with sudden jerks when the train stopped, but I slept mostly. Now, it's daytime. There's nothing to do other than look out the windows, which seemed really fascinating earlier, but now, it's just boring to.
*sigh* I laid back down onto the seats, and even though I wasn't tired, I slept.
"Chihiro!" I heard a weak raspy voice, though I knew it was Haku. I saw a door and ran to it.
"Haku!" I screamed. I flung open the door and was instantly in Yubaaba's glamorous room. I looked around, but no one was there.
"Chihiro."
"Haku? Where are you?" I whispered.
"Chihiro." I looked at Yubaaba's desk. The little box was glowing a dim blue/green color.
"What the.?" I walked over to her desk to pick it up. A hand grabbed my wrist. I looked up into cold, lifeless eyes that were once green but now, turning black. His lip curled up into a sneer. He pulled me close to him. I tried to struggle, but he was stronger. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered:
"You'll never save him in time. Muaaaaaah!" He began laughing as I pushed him away. I fell into darkness.
"Haku!" I yelled as I was thrown off of the seat and hurled into wakefulness. I scrambled up and looked out of the windows, and there was the bathhouse, a little farther back, just right behind us. I quickly grabbed my bag and leaped out of the doors, just in time. The train lurched forward, and chugged away, as I watched. I turned and looked at the now heavily decorated bathhouse. Night was dawning, and the lights were turning on. I trudged down the now dry train tracks towards Yubaaba's bathhouse. Closer up I could hear the excited sounds of spirits talking and the greeters doing their routine round abouts of "welcome, enjoy your stay, Welcome, Welcome back" and of others shouting in glee. I couldn't help but smile, and skip a little.
Walking up steps and stairs on the outside walls, I came face to face with Kamajii's door, and smiled. I joyfully opened the door.
"Kamajii! Kamajii! I'm back!" I exclaimed. The susuwatari stopped their work and started jumping up and down.
"Back to work!" yelled Kamajii and banged his little hammer. I smiled as I walked in. Eight bath tokens dropped down and there were still five to be taken care of. I walked passed the susuwatari and they began slowly, one by one, to working again with a little *encouraging* from Kamajii. I smiled.
"Chihiro! I was beginning to worry about you. Especially when I heard of the mischief you two must have done." Kamajii began working faster than I usually see him as he began mixing and grinding herbs. He didn't look at me, though not in an attempt to avoid looking at me, but he was so busy, he didn't dare take his eyes off his work.
"What do you mean-mischief?" He chuckled.
"Am I mistaken or was it Rin who took the bauble."
"It was Rin, but I didn't think that it would cause any harm." How could one little orb cause any trouble, if any at all?
"You don't really know what that bauble was used for, do you?" He chuckled again. I shook my head, than remembering that he couldn't see me shake my head no, so I answered.
"Well, you see, it was that little orb of light that powered the bath house. It was the cause of the power failure. Yubaaba sure caused quite a little fit over that I can imagine. It's a good thing that she got another one, otherwise she would be in a rampage by now." I stared dumbfounded, than laughed. He chuckled.
"You should go join the festival Chihiro. Maybe have a little fun while you can."
"But, I have to find a way to save Haku." I said worried again. Kamajii stopped and looked at me, ignoring the next three bath tokens falling.
"What I meant was to eve's drop. Maybe you can hear something that might help. Don't get into trouble though. Try and have some fun though while you're at it." I smiled. He smiled too and went back to work I shook my head and bound out of the room.
I got onto the elevator. It rose steadily and when I got off, my eyes became as wide as saucers.no.even wider. The bathhouse was elaborately decorated in paper lanterns, streamers, silk, and so much more. There were several different tunes floating in the air. Some sad, some menacing, some happy and carefree, and others indescribable. Some of them were sung, and others were played on instruments. Smells Engulfed Chihiro and told her of the many kinds of delicacies that were here. The whole celebration seemed like a vast Christmas Party. It was almost too much to take in. Feeling a little awkward, Chihiro was swept into the crowd as soon as she stepped onto the floor. Craving air, Chihiro made her way to the railing and was amazed at the sights. So much movement, and noise.
Chihiro looked down at the dancers below, and was mesmerized by one particular dancer. She was a girl of about Chihiro's age and had long blue hair. Her skin was a sea green and even though Chihiro was so far away she could see the girls deep blue eyes. Her movements were like fluid and she had collected quite a crowd. Someone bumped into Chihiro, awaking her from her trance. Chihiro then allowed herself to yet once again be swept away into the crowd.
My legs soon began to ache from all of the walking, so I saw a little food area, which looked much like a French or American restaurant. It had a little shop you walked into and a few tables with chairs. The whole area was crowded. I went ahead and walked in. The place was cozy. Dim lanterns everywhere softly lighted it. In the back there was the counter with seats around it. The room too had seats and tables in it. I could hear the cooks yelling at each other and waitresses' asking what platter goes to which table. Gossip seemed to find my ears as I made my way through the heavily crowded area and sat on a mat with a small table in front of me way over in one of the corners. A small bonsai tree adorned the center of my table and looking out, I could see others on every other person's tables as well. There were also many tall plants, about four feet high strategically placed through out the place as well. I lowered my head and began skimming through the small useless bits of the latest gossip I could hear.
"Yubaaba has really outdone herself.where you hear during the last Sano Saishe festival..So how was your vacation.can you believe how rude.oh I just love the Kimono your wearing.what will you have to eat." No one came in for a while, and no one bothered me. Sweet slow and happy music could distinguishly be heard being played on instruments close by. A few more spirits walked in and sat at a table near mine. I looked up at them. They were three younger girls. Well, at least they had the form of Girls between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. You could clearly see their forms, as female humans would look. They had wings that protruded from their backs with black feathers. All four of them. They did have human arms though with human hands, though their nails were long and looked sharp. All four had black hair, only at different lengths. Their bodies were covered in feathers, and I was amazed. They also had pointy ears as well. Their feet though, were a bit odd. They all had feet with skin like a humans, but instead of smooth skin, they were heavily callused. Their feet seemed to be split into three parts like a birds. Two parts with razor claw- like nails in the front, and a single one in back. Three of them had bronze honey skin, while the youngest had smooth crème skin. Their lips were crimson. Their complexions were flawless.
"Excuse me miss, but would like anything?" A lady said bowing to me. I looked up and quickly looked down, for it was the worker Aishe. One of the workers I had worked with previously this week when scrubbing floors. She was dressed in a blue Kimono with darker blue rose petals as a design.
"Uh.um..tea please.um.red spice tea, with a hint of herbs, if you please." I said trying to keep my voice calm and unrecognizable. She bowed and turned away I let out a sigh. Another worker dressed in a pink Kimono with purple flowers addressed the four bird women.
"Sakes for all of us." Said the one with the longest black hair. She had piercing water blue eyes. Her voice was hard and commanding. She also looked to be the oldest. My tea soon arrived and Aishe bowed without saying a word. I nodded in response giving her my leave. The Four winged females sakes soon arrived as well. Three of them were polite and thanked the waitress, while the one with the shortest black hair and red eyes just stared at the waitress in distaste. The spirit who had brought them their drinks soon left. My attention shifted off into listening to other people's conversations.
Finally completely bored, with my tea only half finished I was about to leave when I zoned in on the four-feathered spirits conversation.
"Did you see that one guy?" The second youngest said. Her hair was in a braid; her eyes were the color of green mint. Her voice sounded like that of an overly exited child.
"You mean with the green hair and dark eyes." The oldest said.
"I don't like him. He looked evil." Said the youngest. Her eyes were a dark brown and glazed like the others. Their tongues were clearly loosened to a great deal by the sake.
"You know what I heard, I heard that he accepted an agreement from an evil spirit. One that would make him powerful. The spirit agreed, only if he could have the one thing dearest to him in return."
"Oh really sister, and what might that be?" The eldest mocked as she was clearly not convinced of her second eldest siblings story.
"His heart. It's true. He was once a kind person, but hated his kindness and took it for a weakness."
"Sister, I don't know where you get your gossip, but it's completely off. The truth of the matter is the poor water spirit's soul was captured. The thing that walks around is his body, which was stolen by the imp spirit, the very one that stole his soul." The oldest said plainly without showing emotion.
"I think he is just plain evil. I don't think he was ever good, and if he was, he turned evil. Either way, I don't get a good vibe from him." I shook in rage at the second youngest last comment about Haku being just plain evil. He is good! I don't know who or what that look alike thing is, but it's not my Haku.
"Sisters. Those are very good stories, but the truth is that his soul was stolen by Yubaaba." I looked up in surprise but quickly averted my eyes. The four sisters looked around the place, sure that no one was listening to them, the youngest continued with her tale.
"It was about six years ago, but I heard one of the aogaeru talking about something that happened. The water spirit, Hora.Hotu.Kahu.no.Haku.I believe that was his name. He was cold and bitter, but then he softened. The ice melted his heart, and all for a human." She said the last part emotionlessly but I could see the clear disgust on the other three's faces.
"Over a worthless, back stabbing, smelly, human?" The eldest nearly spat. The youngest nodded.
"Then only a month after she left, he demanded to be able to go back to her. When Yubaaba heard this, she became angry and ate his soul, but it gave her serious stomach pain. Instead of placing it back into his body the put it in a bottle. Then placed a spell on his body to do her bidding without question." The three sisters looked at each other.
"That by far is the stupidest most unrealistic story I have heard about the subject so far!" They began laughing at the sister's seeming stupidity and ignored her.
They began talking again, only of other things, but I listened anyways. When I was sure what they had to say, was of no importance to me, I got up and left. Now instead of being cheered by the bright lights, music, dancing, laughter, and smells of food, it made me feel worse. I made up my mind.
After all, in my dreams.I ended up there all of the time.other than the darkness.it was the one place that I was at.and that girl.the youngest.what she said was by far the closest to the truth I had heard so far.maybe what she said.was true.Why.why didn't I think of it earlier.why hadn't I thought of the possibility of it being so.
I shuddered and fighting against the crowd, headed for one of the few places I wished not to be in.
Authors Ending Note: Yah, I think Next to the first few, this is my favorite chapter that I've written. It's not so dramatic, and it's interesting.I kind of think of Christmas when I read it.huh. Well anyways, sorry that I switched from 1st person to 3rd person once or twice, but I was tired and it kind of happened so.like.ya. I hope you peoples aren't bothered by it too much.
I just want to say a quick Thanx to all of you who have supported me thus far.and who have reviewed and by doing so helping to motivate me. You guys are truly awesome!