Undying Love – Asking For Assistance
Author's Note: Chapter 7 is up! ^___^ Check it out! It's EXTRA long, about 2 and a half pages on Microsoft Word, because of all of the talking you'll read on later on! It focuses on Haku asking for help… since he has absolutely no experience in living in the human world. I'm trying to make the problems and conflicts as real as possible. I first thought of not making so many conflicts, but I have to be realistic. Haku only lived in the human world as a river; therefore, you can't just expect him to meet Chihiro right away, without beforehand preparation. XD That would be REALLY unrealistic, don't you think? o__x I'm trying to make sure that this story has no flaws, if possible, and is enjoyable and realistic at the same time. *grins* Read and review, please! ^^ BTW… just to tell you know, Kamajii and Zeniiba are NOT spelling mistakes! Those are the CORRECT ways of spelling them. You can check out the spelling for yourself if you watch the Spirited Away DVD with the original captions on, or if you search it up on reliable character info sites on Spirited Away characters.
Later that night, Haku had asked Rin and Kamajii to meet at Zeniiba's house. Though as much as he hated to admit it, Haku needed their help, or else he wouldn't be able to survive in the human world. Even though Haku was a powerful river spirit, there were just some things that magic couldn't solve, like acting socially normal in the human society. Well, what did he expect? He only lived as a river in the human world, after all.
"Ahh… welcome, Haku! Rin, Kamajii, and I have been waiting for you…" Zeniiba said cheerfully, as she welcomed him into her cozy home.
It was actually very awkward, how two twins who were equally as powerful and practically looked the same, could have exactly opposite personalities and opinions. Unlike Yu-Baaba, Zeniiba was a lot friendlier, and she didn't care for things such as riches or power. Zeniiba was a lot more understanding as well, and always welcomed anyone who needed help. She was honest, caring, and supportive of those that needed it, in her own, secretive ways. These were the traits that Haku loved about her, and which led him to treat her like his own mother… or grandmother, to be exact.
Zeniiba's home was a small cottage located at Swamp Bottom, away from the bathhouse and loud commotion. Unlike Yu-Baaba, Zeniiba didn't have any fancy furnitures, fixtures, or decorations of any sort. In fact, Zeniiba's home was probably as simple as a home could get. The only things that Zeniiba had in her home were basic things to survive or things that were common to any home. Zeniiba never cared for such luxurious things, unlike her twin sister. Her home was probably smaller than Yu-Baaba's by a large amount, but Zeniiba didn't really seem to care. And even though Zeniiba's home didn't seem as luxurious or as large as her sister's, there was still something in Zeniiba's home that made anyone feel right at home.
"Thanks everyone for coming. I really appreciate it that you could spend some time to see me…" Haku exclaimed to everyone in gratitude, as he joined the others sitting around the wooden, dining table.
"Ahh… don't mention it, Haku! You can always count on us to help you… right, Rin?" Kamajii said happily.
"Hehe… anything that has to do with helping you and the clumsy dork, I'm in!" Rin replied, nonchalantly.
"So… let's get down to business, Haku. You've already received the Amulet of Life from Yu-Baaba; therefore, it allows you passage and human form in the human world. Was there something wrong with the amulet?" Zeniiba asked, as she poured Haku a cup of tea.
"No, no, no… nothing like that. Actually, I came to ask all of you for help on… umm…"
"Oh Haku… go on. No need to be nervous in front of your friends! You need help on what exactly?" Zeniiba questioned curiously.
"Err… how do I say this? I…umm… I need someone to teach me how to live as a human… well, actually, to be exact… a teenager…" Haku exclaimed, as his cheeks flushed bright red.
All of a sudden, a small giggle could be heard. Everyone turned their heads to see Rin's hand over her mouth, as her shoulders were shaking slightly. She tried controlling her laughter, and after a few more seconds… her uncontrollable laughter could be heard throughout the room. Well, at least you could give her some credit for trying.
"Ahahahahaha! Haku… you were being so serious and everything… and I thought your problem was more threatening than this! You don't know how to live as a teenager? Ahaha. It's no wonder you have problems like this… you never learn how to have a little bit of fun…" Rin quipped, laughing every few seconds.
"IT ISN'T FUNNY! I need someone to teach me how to live as a teenager and to adapt to their ways. I can't go to Chihiro, without having any experience about acting like a regular human! I've only learned how to live as a river in the human world, okay? I won't be able to survive in her world at this rate… and if that happens, my chances of finding Chihiro will be even worse…" Haku exclaimed in frustration, as he glared angrily at Rin.
"Oops. Sorry about that, Haku. It's just not every day that people go around asking pointers on how to live as a normal human. Then again, you have a point. You'll definitely need some help before you can show up publicly in front of other people, like Chihiro…"
Haku knew that the two favors that he was about to ask of Rin and Kamajii would be very large on their parts. He'd be asking them to spend a lot of their time, trying to teach him the human ways of living. He'd also be asking them to stay with him in the human world to pretend to be his foster parents. He only hoped that they would still be willingly to help him through all of this, hopefully.
"I have two big favors to ask of both of you, Rin and Kamajii. But, I really am at a lost at this… Two days ago, Zeniiba told me of a place called a 'school', a place where children like Chihiro go to learn different things. She said that the best place to look for Chihiro would be there. But, I have two problems…" Haku asked, his eyes reflecting worry.
"What are these two problems, Haku?" Zeniiba asked.
"Well, you see, after you told me about school, you told me that the school would be asking for personal information too. I know that the spell you already conjured assures me a residence and an identity in the human world, but you do realize that they might be asking to see my parents too. And since I look like I'm only 16 years old, I wouldn't be old enough that they'd consider me as my own guardian. Therefore… that is where you two, Rin and Kamajii, come in…"
Rin's eyes widened and her eyes grew as large as golf balls. "Oh god, I'm not that old… am I? How come I have this weird feeling that you are going to be asking of us something that is very unusual? Are you saying that you want Kamajii and I… to pretend to be your parents… is that it, Haku?"
"Err… yes… but there is another reason I need you two. As I said before, I have no clue as to living the life of a human. But, Rin, before you entered the Spirit World because… of… your… umm… death… you used to live in the human world as an actual human. I need you to help me adjust and prepare me for this 'school' I've heard so much about. And I don't think I can prepare myself for this task on my own. Therefore, I need both you and Kamajii at my side, just in case if anything goes wrong… So… umm… will you help me? I mean, if it is too much to ask… I can understand if you don't want to do this… I mean that I am asking a lot after all and…" Haku exclaimed nervously, continuing on his tedious and repetitive blabbing.
"Haku… calm down, okay? You act like as if we're going to reject your plea of help. You haven't even heard what we have to say…" Rin replied, thankful that Haku finally stopped that blabbing of his.
"Uh… and what do you have to say?"
"For my part, I'm sorry… but I can't help you…" Rin exclaimed sarcastically.
"WHAT?! You gave me that long speech about me calming down and…"
"Oh boy, Haku… you need some work, that's for sure…" Rin quipped, winking at Kamajii.
"Huh? I don't get it… I thought you weren't helping me…"
"My god, Haku! Have you heard of sarcasm before?" Rin questioned knowingly.
"Not that I know of, I think. Is this one of the things I'll need to learn?"
"Ahaha… that's for sure. Since you'd be about 16 years of age in your human identity, you'd be going to a high school. Sarcasm is a common way for students to insult others or send indirect messages to each other. Sarcasm is like a tone you use when you mean the opposite of what you say. One thing is for sure, it wouldn't be a good start for you at school… if you don't pick up on these concepts fast…"
"Uhh… so… that means you meant the opposite of what you said earlier? So, you are going to help me, right?" Haku asked, biting his lower lip in concern.
"Of course! Besides, you'll probably need as much help as you can get. Kamajii going to help too, right?" Rin exclaimed happily, turning her head towards Kamajii. Kamajii nodded in agreement.
"It's settled then. We are traveling with you to the human world!" Rin cheered, jumping up and down.
Haku sighed in relief. With Kamajii and Rin traveling with him to the human world, it definitely would be something far from boring. One thing was for sure, this was the beginning of a very interesting journey.