Rivers Never Die
by LadyRainStarDragon
Chapter 20: An End is a Beginning
I don't own Spirited Away, 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.
The morning was bright, although rather misty. Murmuring could be heard from the river as a young couple stood together contemplating the water.
"It's good to hear again. I missed the river so much."
The young man merely nodded assent.
"I can vaguely remember playing with my friend on the shore, or an occasional swim. Has it really been that long ago?"
"Time passes strangely."
He reached out to touch something in her hair. A soft smile curls his lips.
"You still wear my rose."
"And will until the day I no longer can."
"Do you realize how much we sound like those couples in the bad romance movies right now?"
Chihiro laughed, shaking her head, teeth flashing in the filtered light. Kohakunushi felt his heart beat faster as his best friend and most cherished one flushed in her amusement.
"We do don't we? So this is it then. Time for you to do your job."
The river Kami looked away from his miko. "Yes."
Chihiro's eyes gained a mischievous glint to them. "Will I ever see you again?"
Kohaku looked confused for a moment, then caught on. "I'm very sure you will."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Chihiro stretched up to give her Kami a peck on his cheek, before he stepped away from her towards the water, hands drawing out after each other. Her hand remained outstretched as he transformed into a dragon and slipped below the surface.
The miko slowly drew her hand to her chest, gazing peacefully at the gently flowing river.
"Come back to me as soon as you can."
Slowly turning, she began the short walk to the Shrine. A figure stepped from behind a tree and patted her back as she walked past.
"You'll see him again. You walk between the worlds, traveling more easily than many fully trained shaman. Even if he can't spend much of his time here in this world, you will still be able to visit him in his. And we could always go harass Ten somehow when you are lonely and there's nothing better to do. He did say to come visit him anytime last night."
"Ok. Hey. Can you tell me more about the beliefs of your people?"
"I don't know everything, I lived too far away from the reservation to learn from most of my family. But I can tell you what I do know, and together we could do some research. Maybe the elders of my tribe wouldn't be adverse to teaching me more than I know. At least more of the stories would be nice. In return, you could teach me more about your religious beliefs." The two women then disappeared into the Shrine building.
Nodding and smiling, a weasel who was finally free of the smell of the yuna set off to head back to the bath house. She knew that Yubaba was expecting her back, and her pay would definitely be docked if she didn't get going.
Surprisingly, the Kohakugawa Shrine became a very busy place. Many people came to pray and give offerings. Koji had many small replicas of the Kohaku statue made, which Chihiro blessed in Kohakunushi's name and they were reputed to have shortened illnesses of many children. It seemed that not only was he just the deity of the river, but that he was a healing deity as well. This made the Shrine even more popular, especially among nurses and mothers.
Even some of the local spirits would visit at night. Two of the old tree spirits from the forest began to teach Chihiro of the intricacies of the Spirit World, which she learned was not so much a place at all. Her priestess studies were truly rocketed forward by all that she was learning about the spirits from the spirits as well. Now if she could only figure why she could tell who was a spirit in disguise.
Even with all of her University studies and Shrine duties, Chihiro would still find time for herself. Her favorite activity was to go down to the river. She would talk to it as if it could hear her, laying down on the banks and dangling a hand or foot in. Sometimes, she could almost imagine the water becoming softer and the water would inch its way up an available limb. Occasionally, she could almost hear words in the river sounds, and they would soothe her. If no one was looking and it was warm enough, she would sometimes slip into a side pool that had formed near the shrine. Strangely, it was just perfect for a little swim.
Two months had gone by without her Moon. In confusion, she told her river all about it, and the odd results the doctors had given her, even though their examinations could confirm she had never had intercourse. The next day, after her night-time swim in the river's waters, she got her Moon.
A year passed by in this manner, each day much the same as the last, except there were no more worries for Chihiro about her monthly flow. Men had asked the miko out on dates, and would always be politely turned down. If they tried to press the matter to were she was uncomfortable, they could always be assured of some minor mishap near the river, or a meeting with the sharp teeth of a green snake. In time, it became whispered among the more traditional families that she was being protected by the very river itself. In the same breath, it would be noted that around the time of the river's return, the apartment ghost had disappeared, and that the ghost had really been the Kami searching for his home or his miko. That was why mishaps occurred to those trying to take her. He was grateful to her they would say.
Chihiro thought none of it. What was is what would be, in her mind. She had all that she needed, and was waiting for someone very special. She had already given her word to someone, to be set aside for him and him alone, however he wished her. What would be the point in dating anybody if she didn't feel for them? What would be the point since her duty was to the Shrine and her Kami?
By this time, it had become a favorite past time of the local children to shadow the miko when not in school or doing something. Sometimes, they would play with her, or bring her gifts of flowers if she looked sad, which was often as time went on. During sleep overs at each other's homes, some of the more spiritually perceptive ones would weave stories for the others about the miko falling in love with a river spirit. The adults paid no attention to the stories, shrugging them off as childish fantasies. They had forgotten how as children themselves they would tell stories about the river ghost. Children were strange, not having minds clouded with pre-conceived notions about what is beyond.
Another year passed, and the Shrine was still busy, if not busier. Somehow, Chihiro had managed to finish University, and she was now a Priestess, no longer just a miko. She was free to marry if she wished and still keep about her Shrine duties, just as her grandfather Koji wanted. Chihiro and her parents were speaking more now, although her mother was now hounding her about getting a boyfriend. And as always, Chihiro poured her heart out to the river, including the frustration over her mother. The river always made her feel better. Sometimes, the river would give her feelings as she swam.
The time came for the third festival of the return of the river. Chihiro was down at the river again, inviting Kohaku to return for his festival if he was able. That day, she was wearing the infamous blue kimono that Ten had given her, with a white undershirt and loose white hakama beneath, so she would feel covered. Having finished speaking, she sighed and turned to walk away, when she was stopped by an arm around her waist. Stiffening, she only relaxed when a familiar voice caressed her ear.
"Did you think I wasn't coming?"
Leaning back, Chihiro placed an hand on the arm encircling her.
"I wasn't sure. I didn't know if you were still busy. Last year, I could feel you, but I didn't see you."
"Well, I'm not busy. And as you can tell, I took on a physical form this year."
"So I see." Chihiro yawned.
"I see you didn't sleep much last night. I hope that you've been eating better than you've been sleeping."
Chihiro turned around and looked up at Kohaku. "Who says I haven't been sleeping well?"
"That yawn, and the spirits that volunteered to keep an eye on you."
"That's cheating."
"Maybe. I brought you something." His eyes, which had previously only been shining with happiness, now took on a more mischievous glint. "Have you been a good girl?"
For a second, Chihiro looked at him like he'd grown a second head. She had rarely seen him in a mischievous mood. Just what was he thinking?
"I guess so." The strengthening of the glint in Kohakunushi's eyes did nothing to calm her. Whatever he was planning, it was not going to be what she expected.
"Close your eyes and hold out your left hand." He broke into a grin as she cautiously slid her eyes shut and extended the requested hand. Quickly, he clasped something around her wrist, which glittered in the light. "You can open your eyes now."
What met her eyes as she opened them took her breath away. Glittering on her wrist was a bracelet made of silver links and what appeared to be dragon scales. Gingerly examining the silvery yet opalescent ornamentation, she discovered it was indeed dragon scale. She knew whose scales they were too. Kohaku watched with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He had gotten the reaction he wanted.
"It's beautiful. The scales are yours aren't they?"
Kohaku nodded. "I had to visit the Sea King once the river was set in proper order. While I was there, I got permission for one of his smiths to fashion you a bracelet. The Sea King was very interested in you, and would like to meet you someday. He says there is no hurry though."
Chihiro nodded. "Thank you. But how would I be able to meet the Sea King? I thought he lived below the sea. I can't breath underwater."
"You'll find that the rules change in different worlds. That bracelet will help to protect you, and you will be able to breath when you visit a water world. Also, if you just happen to fall in another river, the kami will know that it is safe to help you."
Kohakunushi deftly closed the gap between them, claiming her lips for the first time in three years. The kiss was a chaste one, yet still filled with all the passion that fills any river spirit, easily sweeping his maiden away. A muffled giggle in the bushes to his right alerted him they had a little audience. The Kami began ushering the Priestess toward the Shrine.
"Shall we go? I feel little eyes watching us."
Dazed by the enormosity of the gift, Chihiro followed his lead into the Shrine. She didn't even notice the chorus of giggling beginning to surround them. Her body was still partially possessed by the sheer power of the slightly wild river spirit.
After the couple had retreated into the Shrine building, five small children stepped out from behind respective trees and bushes.
"Should we tell somebody?"
The leader of the group shook her head.
"Who would believe us kids. The adults would just tell us that the young man must be her boyfriend. Remember, they always tell us that spirits exist only in fairy tales."
The festival that night was a success yet again. Kohakunushi and Chihiro had been tailed by a band of five children that had amused all the adults by asking him when he was going to spirit away their Priestess. He had laughed and replied that he had been considering taking her on what he felt a well deserved vacation. They then gave the couple some flower wreaths they had made and dashed off laughing.
Finally, after most of the night had passed, The river kami and Chihiro managed to find some time alone.
"You said you were thinking about a vacation."
"What? Don't you want a break after all that hard work you've put in over the years?"
"Well, that would be nice, but I don't really need a break."
"But you deserve one. I was thinking that I would take you with me to a certain health spa that I hear is excellent, and then after that you could give me an opinion on a project I've been working on."
Chihiro looked into his eyes searchingly. She had a feeling he meant enjoy a bath instead of scrubbing one, and visit some friends. What was the project though? His home maybe?
"When do you want to go Kohaku, since I know you won't let me decline."
"After you've let everyone know you're taking a vacation. Don't worry about packing. Everything will be provided for."
"Alright then. We can leave tomorrow after a few phone calls."
END
Well, Rivers Never Die is completed. I'm just as sad as you. Hey, don't give me that look! I left it open for a sequel just because I know what you're going to say. And maybe I will do a sequel some day. I just want to play with the prequel stuff first though.
Wow. There's 51 reviews as I type this. Thanks a lot everyone.
Here is where I need your help. Tell me what you liked and didn't like about the story. What are the weak areas and the strengths? I know one of you always does that, but for those of you who have been shy, please speak up. You can email me (on my bio page somewhere) or just review. Thanks so much to you and see you later!
:Update - The sequel to this is Rivers Keep Flowing:
Replies
big book worm: I'm very sad, but also happy to see this end. I too, love to see a fic get completed.
Micrll: Sad huh? Well, like I said above. There's always room for a sequel.
:Update: As I finish the corrections and expansions in this story for the Fan Fiction . Net incarnation of 'Rivers Never Die' I see that there are 69 reviews. I thank each and every one of you, even though I have not responded to the ones done after the first round.
(Scene switches)
"She finished the story! Now she's going to do more to us after she's done with the stuff from before the movie." Kohakunushi holds his head. "Then she's thinking about a sequel. We all know what she wants to see happen next."
"She'll be putting in the non PG-13 material in the edition of this story she's posting on adultfanfiction . net also, don't forget. How'd she get another head hampster anyway? We've still got the original right here." Chihiro holds up a caged hampster.
Ryu moves to quietly leave the room. BlowingWind stops him and proceeds to beat his shoulder.
"What did you do?"
After several minutes of getting pounded, he confesses.
"Fine, I bought her another. She promised me I could go further with you if she ever did a sequel."
Another figure pops his head in the door.
"And I bought her two more because she looked so annoyed. I didn't want to find penguins waddling around in my bedroom again when she gets writer's block. They make a huge mess."
Kohaku and Chihiro look at each other. "And here we thought they were our friends."
Ten pops back in. "You do realize that she is already well into the sequel now, right?" His statement echoes a bit, and he notices that everyone has already run far, far away.
