******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. Xatoba technically belongs to me, but if anyone needs a third witch for something, they can feel free to use her. :)

******Ch. 3 - The Third Egg******

Three-eyed goats scattered as Kohaku arrived at Mountain Top. A lovely, traditional palace sat there among the clouds and bleating goats. Kohaku walked up the many steps to where a wizened, large-headed old lady rocked herself on the porch. Her gray hair had a purple tinge.

"Xatoba, your sister Zeniba has sent me," Kohaku bowed. The old woman blinked large, blurry eyes at him.

"Oh, really? Why?" she croaked, and he waited patiently for her to stop coughing.

"My name is Kohaku, and I am going to the mortal realm to win my true love. I have come to ask for your guidance and any help that you may be able to give me."

"Hmmph," she coughed. "If she is really your 'true love,' she shouldn't need that much 'winning.'" Hack, hack. "What's this girl's name?"

"Chihiro."

"Chihi..?" she blinked at him some more. "Oh, you're that Kohaku. Even I've heard about you two. Yes, you have your work cut out for you. How exciting." She smiled mildly. "You do know, of course, that she does not remember you?"

Kohaku's eyes deepened, but he nodded.

"Only to be expected, you know. If every mortal who stumbled into the Spirit Realm remembered every detail, we would see more of them then we do." She chuckled, and stoked the cat on her lap. "But don't worry, nothing is ever really forgotten, even if you can't recall it," she looked at him. "But you know that, Kohaku."

"Yes," he gave a small, tight-lipped smile and a nod. But his eyes had lightened a few shades.

"So, were my pesky little sisters gracious enough to give you anything to help on your quest?" Xatoba asked brightly.

"Yes, they gave me...eggs." Kohaku pulled out the eggs in their box and showed them to her. She adjusted her remarkably sized glasses to look at them.

"Well! That's why Zeniba sent you here. All right, all right, I can take a hint. Hrrumph!" She struggled to get out of her rocker. The cat streaked off. Kohaku put down the eggs and helped her to her feet with both hands. "Thank you, dear." Xatoba shuffled towards the open sliding door. "Follow me, follow me," she waved distractedly at him behind her.

From amongst shelves of dusty, powerful looking knickknacks, Xatoba pulled out a familiar-looking box. Its egg was light green.

"Here you are. When all roads are blocked, And all avenues seem barred, Crack open this egg, And it will clear the way. Etc, etc."

Kohaku just blinked as another silk-wrapped egg joined his collection.

"Now, my advice. Let's see... Oh! Well, it may be helpful for you to know Chihiro is engaged to be married." Kohaku almost dropped his eggs. "Careful there, dear. Yes, her wedding is in less than a week, I think. She's engaged to her employer."

"The one who is keeping her locked in the tower?" Kohaku said tightly, his entire body rigid.

"Ah, yes, that's the one. Yes, that will make things interesting, won't it?" Xatoba looked quite delighted.

"Oh, and one more thing, dear. This last egg..." she patted him on the arm. "Open this one outside. Don't open it inside, dear."

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