******The Dragon and the Glass Tower******

Disclaimer—Spirited Away and it's characters belong to Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. Copyrights are being infringed, but the author, and all fans in every fandom everywhere, hopes that no one minds.

******Ch 2 – The Second Egg******

Haku traveled and flew till he reached Swamp Bottom and the small cottage of Zeniba, Yubaba's twin sister. He had once not been welcome here, but a small girl had gone to great lengths to change that 12 years before, and had saved his life in more ways than one. Kohaku's arrival shook Zeniba's windows.

"Who? Oh, it's Haku! No-Face, look! It's Haku!" Yubaba's mirror image gave a grandmotherly deep throated chuckle. "And he's all grown up. Hmmhmm. Come in! Come in!" She ushered the tall young man in, and sat him down at the table.

No-Face made tea while Kohaku talked to Zeniba.

"I have come for your advice, Zeniba," Kohaku said. "It has been 12 years. Today I begin my quest."

"So I can see," Zeniba chuckled again good-naturedly. "Yes, now should be a good time. Though there are still perils."

"Yubaba said that I will be trapped in the mortal world if I stay past sunset."

Zeniba snorted like her sister, but her's was a much friendlier snort. "If that's true, than that's her doing." She looked closer at the green-eyed young man in front of her. "Well, well, so she has. She's laid a curse on you. A minor one, but a curse none-the-less. I suppose she's still miffed about losing a good worker and a good pork dinner all those years ago. How spiteful. Oh well, it'll wear off eventually. But until then it will complicate things."

"She also gave me this," Kohaku handed her the small pink egg. She examined it quickly.

"Now that is useful. Yes, do be sure to use this. In fact ..." She got up and rummaged around in a bureau sitting against a wall. "Ah hah! Here." She handed him a small chest similar to the one Yubaba had. Inside, nestled in silk, was a small blue egg. He looked at her, eyebrows raised. But Zeniba paid his expression no mind. "Two, doubly useful."

"When all roads are blocked, And all avenues seem barred, Crack open this egg, And it will clear the way," she said with a grin. "But crack them separately. One a day, in fact."

Zeniba held up a be-ringed finger. "And I'll give you one piece of advice. No curses, though, I want you to succeed." she said amusedly. "The sweet girl you seek is locked in a glass tower by day." Kohaku stiffened with alarm. "She works there. To see her you will have to talk to her boss. Good luck." Kohaku's shoulders relaxed, but his eyes deepened in their determination. He nodded.

"Will you stay for supper? No-Face has made some wonderful rice-balls."

"Yes, thank you," Kohaku said. "But then I must go."

"You should go see Xatoba, our older sister," Zeniba said.

"You have an older sister?"

"Yes, she is much older than my twin and I. She lives on Mountain Top. She's retired, but enjoys a bit of a challenge every millennia or so. She could help you more with your quest. And I believe Mountain Top's on the way."

As Kohaku bade leave of Zeniba and the industrious No-Face, Zeniba said, "Take care of Chihiro for us, Kohaku. Though no doubt she'll end up taking care of you," she smiled and winked a blue-lidded eye. "Do come by and visit."

They waved as he flew off.

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