Rivers Never Die

by LadyRainStarDragon

Chapter 17: Bad News, Good News

I don't own Spirited Away, Inuyasha, or any brand names that may pop up. There is no excuse for BlowingWind, Ryu, Ten or Haku's lost spirit piece. That's all me. As for Koji, well . . . everybody needs a grandpa to fuss over them sometimes.

Now, on with the story. I'm escaping while I can.


As they emerged from the spring, Chihiro half expected secret government agents waiting to whisk them away. BlowingWind had made her sit through 'The Matrix' one too many times. Seeing that BlowingWind was tense too, she decided it was time for a little payback on her too. So, Chihiro leaned over her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"It's as bad as you think, and they are out to get you."

"KYA!" BlowingWind jumped onto Ryu's shoulders, miraculously standing on them and not losing her balance.

"Get off, you're heavy and have sharp feet. There's nobody around." Ryu glared at Chihiro. "Thanks."

When BlowingWind finally hopped down, the girls retreated into the trees to take off the scuba suits. They were not the most comfortable things in the world to move around in. Ryu briefly considered going to spy, but thought better of it. Kohaku was right there, and would probably do something very creative with him if he did spy. Instead, he got out of his suit too. Rubber was very stifling.

When the girls came back, everyone grabbed their packs again and hiked the distance to the Shrine. Well, that was after getting Kohaku's now long and luxurious locks out of the way of his shoulder straps.


When they arrived, Koji was pacing up and down the walkway. In addition, one arm was swinging wildly, and the other hand was holding something to his ear.

"I'm telling you that she's fine! She just had to take a little time off for herself. Really, you first complain that she does too much, now you are complaining about her taking a quick holiday with her friends." Well, Koji-jichan was certainly grouchy about something.

A voice bubbled out of the black thing by his ear, and it was discovered it was a telephone. At least he wasn't going senile. "I just worry about her is all! She is still so young. Can a mother help worrying when her only child works enough to overload anyone? We lost Lily to illness and Akio is in the hospital. I don't want to lose Chihiro too."

Chihiro froze, holding onto the sleeve of Kohaku's haori for dear life. That was her mother's voice, and she could have sworn that she had said she was worried about losing her. She had never said anything like that about Chihiro. Wait, dad was in the hospital?

Kohaku had heard the exchange too. He remembered Chihiro's mother from the times he had seen her when Chihiro played by his river. Her mother always had seemed so detached from her family members, especially Chihiro. During that time, Kohaku had formed an opinion of her that hadn't been very nice. This was a side that he had neither seen nor heard. He would need to take Chihiro to see her father as soon as possible.

"I know Yuukio. I don't want to lose her either. She is strong though, and knows her limits. Get some rest, child." Koji then pushed the button to hang up the phone. "I hope they come home soon. I can't hide the God-hiding forever."

"Grandpa? What's going on?"

Koji's head snapped up from where it had been resting in his hands. He had been surprised both by the voice and the childish name she had not called him in a long time. His eyes were graced with the vision of his only grandchild and a now healed river God. Happy would be an understatement for how he felt.

"Why don't we all go inside and sit down before I tell you the news."

The group exchanged glances at each other before following the old Priest.


Everyone was seated around the low table in the dining room and sipping tea. The girls had changed out of the kimonos into more regular clothes. Ryu had had his fill of teasing Chihiro for wearing very concealing clothing. They had even discovered that they had only been gone four days. To the trained eye however, the stress in the room was abundant.

"I have some very good news, and some not-so-good news if you are ready."

Chihiro shook her head. "You mean good news and bad news. Let's hear it."

It was Koji's turn to shake his head. "Pessimistic today are we? Which do you want first?"

Kohaku caught his eye. "Maybe you should tell us the bad news first, then cheer us with the good news."

"Your father is in the hospital. He had a small heart attack. The doctors say that it was too much work, high cholesterol, and worry about you during your unexpected vacation."

"That's awful! Is he ok? Please tell me dad's going to be alright!"

"He's fine, and recovering nicely. It was bound to happen sometime though. His diet you know."

"Wait a minute. What vacation? I didn't take a vacation."

"Well, when your mom called the police after you'd been gone a couple days, I had to come up with something. So, you were on a camping trip up by the springs as a last minute stress buster."

"And they bought it?"

"I had some coaching from Higurashi-san from the Sunset Shrine." If this was anime, Koji's sweat drop would have been huge. As it was, Chihiro had difficulty getting rid of the image.

Ryu, on the other hand, was laughing his head off. Higurashi-san made up the most hilarious illnesses to cover for his granddaughter's little trips. It was a sheer miracle he had only suggested an impromptu camping trip.

BlowingWind was trying not to laugh too. She had met the poor girl that Ryu was probably thinking of and had heard some of the odd illnesses discussed. She wanted to know the good news though. "Ok. So what's the good news."

Koji began to beam. "The funding came in!"

His animatedness spooked everyone. The only one of them who had ever seen him like this was Kohaku after Koji had gotten his first kiss from Chihiro's grandmother. After about 30 seconds spent in shock, Chihiro jumped up and hugged her grandfather. Then she gave Kohaku a hug. Her antics amused him. She looked like a very large four-year-old to him when she was extremely happy.


An hour later, Chihiro and Kohaku were in the car with Koji, on their way to see Chihiro's dad. She had chosen to sit next to him instead of up front with her grandfather, and had fallen asleep on his arm. Her head had nuzzled into his neck, and he held her steady with one arm so she wasn't too uncomfortable. After a bit Koji looked back at Kohaku via the rearview mirror.

"She trusts you."

Kohaku looked at him. "I should hope so. I've only been watching out for her pretty much her whole life."

Koji laughed. "True, but that's not what I was talking about. It's something more. I know that whatever you do will have her best interests in mind. Sooo, care to tell me why she had so much chest showing?"

"It was a gift from the Spring Spirit, you know how Ten is. It would have been rude of her not to wear it. She was very verbose about not wanting to wear it at the first though."

A silence filled the car once more as the men in Chihiro's life fell into their own thoughts. Oblivious, Chihiro snuggled further into her warm and supporting pillow. One word escaped her lips.

"'Haku."


The visit to the hospital had gone nicely. Koji had surprised both Kohaku and Chihiro by introducing the young God as her new boyfriend, much to the embarrassment and dismay of the couple. Mr. Ogino seemed to take it in stride quite well, and even approved of the match as long as "his beautiful baby girl was happy and provided for". Chihiro was cheered to find that her dad would be released in a couple days to go home.

So, Chihiro was very happy on her way home to the Shrine. Something was bothering her a little bit though.

"Grandfather, why did you introduce Kohaku as my boyfriend?"

"Because we all would have ended up in the mental ward if we had said he was the Kami. Most especially with all of us wearing traditional garb. Do you really want to meet the Napoleon that they have in there? Besides, do you have a problem with the thought?" Koji was watching her carefully in the mirror.

Chihiro turned pink. "No, that's quite alright, I pass on meeting Napoleon." She cleared her throat a bit and ducked her head, continuing very quietly. "I wouldn't have a problem with the other though. Much better than the guys at college just trying to get a score."

Kohaku watched Koji carefully. Just what was the old man trying to do? He was treading dangerous waters here. Using anything to get off the very uncomfortable topic, he spoke.

"So Chihiro, why don't you tell me about college? How much longer will you be going and what things will you need?"

Grateful, Chihiro followed his suggestion.


After they were back at the Shrine, Kohaku now had a much better idea of college life. He didn't like it at all. He wasn't against the classes, those intrigued him and he though that he might like to attend one someday. It was the kind of boys that a girl would sometimes meet that he didn't approve of. He also knew that Chihiro would not approve of him shadowing her for every class once it was time for her to go back. A degree was important in this world after all. He would have to think of a way to provide for her in this world.

Kohaku decided to start on supper for everyone. He was just itching to cook again. Chihiro had gone online to check the bank account and to get some quotes on the equipment that would be needed. After he had prepared a fine traditional feast to celebrate that Chihiro's father would be fine, he had went to the small office to get her. What he found was his beautiful Miko sound asleep on the keyboard, the blue glow from the screen illuminating her, giving her an almost spirit-like complexion.

Kohaku approached her sleeping form, as the computer screen began to spit and hiss at him. Apparently it did not trust him. Water and electricity rarely mixed well.

"Chihiro, Mai Takara, you need to wake up."

"MMM. Five more minutes mom."

Kohaku smirked a bit. It seemed that she was very far into the realm of sleep, and not quite ready to come out. On the other hand, just how he felt had slipped out, so maybe she wouldn't notice. Somehow though, he also wanted her to notice, she deserved compliments.

"Chihiro, Oshii Shinju, time for dinner."

"MMMM."

Chihiro rolled off the keyboard and landed on the floor, still sleeping. It seemed it would take something drastic to wake her up. No wonder Ryu was always dumping water on her when she slept this deep. She only had breakfast today, and Kohakunushi was determined she would eat dinner too. Then she could sleep all night. An idea formed in his mind.

"Chihiro, Saiai Kokoro. If you get up now, you can have some chocolate ice cream for dessert."

Chihiro sat up, eyes wide. Right in front of her was Kohaku. Their eyes locked and she drowned in eyes filled with amusement and something much deeper. She couldn't pinpoint what that emotion was, but the rushing of a river rapids filled her ears as her breath shortened. She could have sworn she had heard something about my heart and chocolate ice cream. Sputtering in confusion, she managed one intelligible syllable.

"Wha?"

That cinched it for Kohaku. He had to laugh, she was just too cute when disoriented, needing his protection. "Are you ready for dinner now, Chihiro? You know that I am not going to let you sleep after only eating one meal today."

After getting up from the floor, she stretched and looked around. Why was she on the floor? The last that she remembered, she had been working with the computer to get some quotes on the equipment for moving the last of the blockages in the spring.

"How'd I get down there?"

"You rolled off of the keyboard."

Kohaku placed his arm around Chihiro's waist and began to guide her to their meal. At the door, they stopped. Chihiro turned to him, and looked him in his eyes.

"Thank you, Kohaku."

"For what?"

"For everything. All the times you helped me, cooking meals, being my friend, going with me to see dad . . ." She couldn't help it, she fell into those eyes again.

Couldn't she see it? He had no other choice but to be there for her. If he didn't, he couldn't live with himself. Did she really think so little of herself to think that such small things were too good for her? He would have to show her then.

Chihiro watched the emotions flit across his eyes. Disbelief was a big one, but the other dominant one she still couldn't place. It was almost like devotion or love. She was just a human though, it had to be no more than friendship.

"Chihiro, I . . ." His face drifted closer to hers. Whatever he was going to say or do was cut off though. The annoyance brigade had struck again.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" The deep timber had to be Ryu.

SNAP! FLASH! WHIRR! SNAP! FLASH! WHIRR! There was BlowingWind.

"Would you two leave them alone!"

That last voice surprised Chihiro the worst. What had happened to him wanting Kohaku to keep his forehead off of hers? Wait a minute, did that mean that he actually wanted her to kiss Kohaku now? It couldn't be, that would never work out. She just needed a vacation.

"Guys!"

The sounds of scrambling filled the small dining hall, then two voices piped in unison. "We're at the dinner table, you can't hurt us!"

Next chapter: Kohaku meets the person he will think truly responsible for having destroyed his river, but she has a gift for 'The Heart of the River'. What could it be? Could she really be responsible? And what is so important about an ancient Kitsune's trick to the restoration of the Kohaku River?


Words

oshii - precious

shinju - pearl

takara - treasure

heart - kokoro

mai- my

saiai - beloved


Shutsumon: Thanks for the info. She strikes me as a kitsune too, but the character bios that I was reading (I don't even remember where they were, should have saved the address) had categorized her as a slug. Maybe she just smells like a slug to Kohaku due to cleaning the baths and contacts with the slug workers, so he just thinks she is one. OOO, another kitsune trick. Ah, well, plenty of time to plot,I've got to finish this and Underwater Savior before I can get to that story. rubs hands and cackles

Boy am I glad that the story apparently doesn't suck.

Micrll: Thanks! Have fun when you do get to college! A minor in any other culture can open many doors.

Redrose Moon: Yup, I'm married, as of 2000. I had stopped writing that year, but he kept bugging me to start writing again. As in anything. The kids like the fact that mommy's doing things she used to do again. As far as whether there is a manga, I don't think so. I haven't seen one. This whole story is a product of too much review of college courses (I hope to go back next year, working towards a Bachelor's, then onward from there). I like to research stuff, and my daughter is currently hung up on Spirited Away. So we've been learning about Japanese culture and mythology, and finding tidbits to play with associated with the movie. Of course, the version of my stories she gets told is very 'edited' from what I've been writing, but she now wants to write stories when she 'is big'.

whispers And there's more married fan fic writers than you would think.

Nightfall2525 question from Underwater Savior: No, I'm not, the answer to that is in this story, hopefully during the next chapter.