Spirit and Soul

Chapter Three:  The Agreement

(A/N:  Well, not much left to say… Thankies to all who R&R the other two chapters, and thanks in advance to al who do the same for this one.  Also note that I will start calling Chihiro "Sen" soon as not to cause any confusion.)

--PS:  In response to a review, you're right, Kyle and Fiona aren't Japanese names.  But other people were telling me that names like "Jubei" make them think of samurais. LoL.  Thus, I took the best of both worlds, both Western and Eastern names.  I hope that didn't really bother anyone.  And the title of the first chapter "Name Calling" isn't like the whole mocking, teasing thing.  But you know in the story how Chihiro was trying to pin down Haku's name?  Well at the end she hears it… sort of like a calling…. A NAME CALLING!  Make sense?  Yeah, it's lame but whatever…  Thanks for asking though.  I'm sure others were wondering also! Well, I should let you guys read now!  BYEBYE!

'What in the world?' Thought Chihiro as she tried to balance herself.  The door to Yubaba's right crashed open.

            "Now you've done it," scolded Yubaba.  "You haven't even said a word and you're already causing trouble!"  Yubaba turned to the door and said in a sickly sweet voice, "Sweetums!  Don't come out here.  Mommy is just doing some business!"

            Chihiro knew right away who it was.  A huge hand emerged from behind the burgundy curtains, then a huge foot and another huge hand.  There were little sounds of struggle as he got tangled in the curtain again.  "Oh alright, let me help you out, honey!"  Yubaba used her magic to lift the curtains so her son could move through. 

            Finally, Bou was in the room.  He was one very tall baby, taller than his mother who was already as tall as the average human.  He didn't seem much older than the last time Chihiro saw him, but it did look like he got a little bit bigger.   "Sen," Bou said, his voice like a toddlers.  He already had a good vocabulary even thought he was still a baby.  This time, he wore a cloth diaper under his red apron.

(A/N:  I prefer that Bou has a diaper.  Either way, he still makes a really cute rodent!)

            'I guess he still hasn't learned how to potty train yet,' thought Chihiro. "Hello, Bou!"  She said with false cheerfulness. "You've grown a lot!"

Chihiro watched as Yu-Bird landed on Bou shoulder.  Yu-bird used to be quite large and had the head of Yubaba, but after Zeniiba had changed him into a tiny, tiny crow like bird, him still had not decided changed back.  Yubaba waved a weary hand and the door fixed itself. After, there was a long silence.

            Finally, Yubaba broke the silence, "well, sweetums, you better say 'goodbye' now.  Chihiro was just about to leave…"

            Chihiro suddenly remembered what she was there for. "I need a job," she said steadily.  She wasn't going to leave until Yubaba gave her one.

            "Why, out of all the people in both worlds, should I give you a job?!"  Demanded Yubaba harshly.  The gruffness in Yubaba's voice suited her grumpy, old head.  And what a big head it was!  It width was probably the same length as someone extending both arms out!  She stomped towards Chihiro; her dark blue Victorian style dress swishing around her.  Yubaba's giant nose and wrinkled face was shoved before Chihiro, but Chihiro didn't react.  She knew that Yubaba could do nothing to her, especially with Bou in the room.

            'Wow, she still has that marking in her forehead,' thought Chihiro, referring to the giant, boil-like marking in Yubaba's forehead. 'I wish she would just give me a job before I try to pop it!'

(A/N:  I always wondered what the boil-thing was for…)

            "After all the money you cost me," fumed Yubaba.  "The damages No-Face caused cost me a fortune.  And all that gold he gave out; do you know what happened?  It turned to mud!  Why should I give you a job after you ran away to my sister?  Why should I give you a job after you made me loose a perfectly good henchmen like Haku?  Why should I—"

            Bou cut Yubaba off. "Give her a job, mommy."  He sounded determined.

            "Buh-But, dearie, she'll only bring down our profits!  Besides, we have all the workers we could need!"  

            Bou frowned and said, "give her a job now, or I won't like you."

            Chihiro knew that Yubaba would not be able to stand having her own son hate her, yet she continued to plead with Bou. "Darling!  You don't know about business like mommy does!  Mommy knows what's right for the bathhouse…"

            "GIVE-HER-A-JOB-NOW!"  Bou's lower lip began to tremble.

            "Alright, alright.  Don't cry!"  Yubaba waved her hand and a contract from her desk and zoomed it to Chihiro.

            "I need something to write with," said Chihiro.

            "Here, here!"  Yubaba waved her hand again and a feather pen flew to Chihiro.  "Now sign before I change my mind!"  She barked.

            As soon as Chihiro signed, the contract zipped out of her hands and into Yubaba's.  Like last time, Yubaba magically lifted characters of Chihiro's name and took them; only leaving one left.  "You're name is Sen now.  You got it?"  Yubaba then turned to Bou with a sweet smile on her face. "See, darling, mommy gave Sen a job.  Now, why don't you go back to sleep?"

            "Sen," Bou said to her, "will you be okay?"

            Chihiro smiled. "Of course," she replied, "thank you very much for helping me, Bou."  Bou nodded and squished back in through the door to take a nap.  Sen was left alone with Yubaba.

            "Since Haku isn't here, you'll have to show yourself out," said Yubaba as she returned to her desk.  But Sen didn't leave; she stayed where she was.  Yubaba looked up from her work.  "Well, why are you still here?"

            "I want…" Sen finally had gotten the chance to ask her question.  "I want to know where Haku is.  You were the last one to see him. You must have some idea to where he is!"

            "You really think I'd keep track of that boy?"  Sneered Yubaba. "Ha! I haven't seen him since the day you left!  He disappeared!  Probably ran off, that ungrateful little brat!"

            Sen was disappointed.  "So you haven't seen him?"

            Yubaba glared at her and said, "No, I haven't.  I told you that already!  I haven't seen him since I sent him off on his last mission!"

            Sen stopped. 'Last mission…'  "You sent him on one last mission?"

            "Of course!"  Replied Yubaba clearly angered. "Do you think I would've let him go without somehow paying me?  We made an agreement.  He completes the mission I give him, and he gets to go free.  Simple, only he never came back!"

            Sen stepped forward and said anxiously, "so he went on a mission…Where?  Where did you send Haku?"

            "And why should I tell you?" Inquired Yubaba scornfully.  "The agreement was between Haku and me, not you."

            "Well…" Sen scrambled for an answer.  A light bulb must have gone off in her head because the next thing she said was, "we could make an agreement.  If you tell me where you sent Haku, I can go and finish the mission up for him and then you could let us both go!"

            "Hmm… I don't know"

            "And… uh… If I'm gone, I can't ruin the bathhouse like last time!  So it's a win-win situation for you!"  She entreated Yubaba, "please!"

            That seemed to have helped Yubaba make her decision greatly. "Alright then," she said amused, "I'll tell you where Haku went and you must bring me the item he was supposed to retrieve. If you can do that successfully, I will let you both go."

            "Agreed."

            "You see, Sen, Haku's mission was to retrieve something that I truly desire.  Of course, it's been five years, but I never could find a replacement.  Have you heard of the 'Revelation Pearl'?  Of course you haven't, being a worthless human and all. It's completely priceless.  Here sign this."

            A blank piece of parchment drifted into Sen's hands.  Sen knew better than to sign anything that was blank.  "I can't sign this.  There's nothing on it."

            "Oh, you humans and your suspicions. There!"

            Suddenly, the page shook violently.  Sen let go in surprise and to avoid getting cut.  Words began to form on the paper like magic. 'Duh, it is magic!' Sen told herself. "Thanks…" she murmured.  Carefully, she picked the floating contract and read it silently.  The black ink was still fresh on the paper and the words were lavishly written.

            "I, Chihiro Ogino, have agreed to help the wealthy bathhouse owner, Yubaba.  I will retrieve the 'Revelation Pearl', wherever it may be and whoever it may be in the hands of.  I also solemnly swear not to get caught.  In return, I will receive information regarding Haku's last mission, along with my and Haku's freedom from our contract with Yubaba…"

            It continued on with saying about how Yubaba was not responsible for any injury or death.  Sen signed it using her real name and gave it back. 

            "Now then," spoke Yubaba as she folded the contract and placed it in her files. "Where were we? Yes, the 'Revelation Pearl'.  I want it and that is all you need to know.  I don't want you snooping around in my business and asking what it's for.  Understand?"

            Sen nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

            "Alright then.  So Haku's mission was to retrieve the 'Revelation Pearl'.  At that time, it was in the possession of the Sisters of Heaven.  I sent Haku to their headquarters, which is called the Bast.  It is a floating ship…"

            Yubaba stopped talking.  She took out a cigarette and lit it with the flame that bounced above her finger.  Sen leaned in and said, "and…?"

            "And what?!" snapped Yubaba. "I've told you what Haku's mission was and where it was.  Now, it's your turn to finish the deal!"

            "But," cried Sen, "that doesn't tell me anything.  Where can I find the Bast!? How will I get there?!"

            "How would I know?" stated Yubaba, who was getting annoyed.  She took a long drag of her cigarette.  The smoke that swirled out of Yubaba's large nostrils distracted Sen. "Haku took my only locater crystal with him.  I should have never given it to him!  You're on your own. Now get out, before I make you!"

            Sen's hopes of finding Haku were ruined.  She felt like she was made of lead, all heavy and lifeless.  'All this for nothing,' she thought miserably.  She ran out of Yubaba's office.  She could hear the Kashira grunting in excitement behind her.  Sen ran to the elevator, punching the buttons in frustration.  When she finally got into the elevator, she huddled in the corner and cried.  She was angry.  She was no closer to finding Haku than she was that morning.  What if Haku was in trouble?  Haku had helped Sen countless times, and all she could do for him was cry in an elevator.  She hated herself for not being able to do more, and she was mad at Yubaba for not telling her more.  She felt a lot like she did when she was in the spirit world the first time… Helpless.  Back then she had felt helpless because she could not help her parents, and now she felt helpless because she could not find Haku.  'Think, think, think…'  The words echoed in her head.

            The doors of the elevator slid open and Sen tried to bolt out.  Unfortunately, she did no see the giant Radish God that was trying to get in.  She crashed into him with full force.  The Radish God stood there without reaction as Sen bounced off him and into the wall of the elevator.  Sen rubbed her back in pain.  Sen was right; she still was a clumsy fool.  Sen scuttled out sideways to get out.  "Sorry! So sorry!"  She exclaimed bowing vigorously.  The Radish God bowed back, the little finger like things at his mouth rippling.  Sen walked backwards bowing until the Radish God was fully into the elevator, then she spun around and dashed towards the Yuna sleeping quarters.  'I need to find Rin,' Sen told herself, calming down and becoming more and more collected. 'What else can I do?!'

            Sen turned a corner and crashed into another person.  She didn't see who it was, but she saw that they wore a pink uniform.  "Rin!"  Cried Sen relieved.  The hand that belonged to the person pushed her away aggressively.  It turned out that the person Sen bumped into was not Rin, but just another worker.

            "I'm not Rin!"  Replied the annoyed bath woman.  She pinched her nose rudely in front of Sen.  "Ugh, that smell!"

            The bath woman was referring to the supposedly disgusting smell that humans gave off.  Sen didn't take anything the Yuna said personally anymore.  'Besides, at least I'm not the spirit of slugs like they are...' 

            "Sorry," she mumbled.  "I thought you were Rin."

            "Rin is downstairs," stated the bath woman arrogantly.  She a malicious smile spread across her face. "She's cleaning the big tub."

            "Oh, okay.  Thank you."  Sen bowed and quickly got out of the way.  Sen made sure that the bath woman had her back to her before she stuck her own tongue out as a rude gesture.  When the bath woman turned back to look at her, Sen quickly looked away and pretended that she was looking at the view out the window.  She tried not to look too conspicuous, but the bath woman gave her a suspicious glare.  After, she fully sized Sen up as something worthless, the bath woman then turned up her nose like she was queen of the bathhouse and strode away.  

            Sen decided that she should help Rin clean the big tub.  It was not a job that one wanted to receive.  She also decided that if she was going to help Rin, she might as well get dressed into her uniform.  Sen helped herself to a pair of pink shorts and a pink shirt that she retrieved from the cupboard.  She changed quickly while no one was around and then stuffed her clothing into the cupboard. Finally, Sen headed down to the bath area to help Rin.

            Sen found Rin sweeping the floor, which was covered with seaweed and tall grasses.  Rin was muttering curses under her breath.  Rin always thought that the assistant managers of the bathhouse were out to get her, and she was probably right.  When Rin saw Sen, she stopped what she was doing and leaned into her broom.  After blowing pieces of hair that had fallen onto her face, Rin asked Sen, "so, how did it go?  Do you know what happened to Haku?"

            While cleaning up the floor, Sen explained to Rin that she didn't exactly know where Haku was but she had an idea.  Sen told Rin about Haku having one final mission, and that she had agreed to carry out the mission of Yubaba told her where Haku's mission was.

            "Are you crazy!"  Cried Rin.  "If Haku WAS caught in his last mission, what makes you think you have a CHANCE?!"

            Sen shrugged. "I need to do this Rin.  You and I both know I need to."

            "Well," said Rin while she finished up the last of the floor and sighing heavily. "I always knew you had spunk."  Rin shuddered as she turned her attention to the bath itself.  The sludge that coated the walls had gotten way worse over the years. 

            "Do you need me to get a bath tab?"  Inquired Sen. Sen hoped not because her last attempt would not have been successful if it had not been for No-Face giving her the tab.

"No thanks.  I've got one already."  Rin pulled out the red tab from her uniform and waved it around.  "It took me a while to get a good one from the assistant manager, but I showed him who's boss!"  Effortlessly, Rin knocked on part of the wall.  A door popped open, and Rin attached the bath tab to the harness that dangled inside.  With one quick tug, the bath tab zipped away.  Sen knew exactly where the tab was heading, to Kamajii's boiler room.

            Within no time, a channel popped out from the wall and ended just above the dirty tub.  A string swung from the side of the wooden channel, inviting someone to pull it and let its contents out.  The next couple of events at the bathhouse passed by quickly for Sen. A few customers here, and some cleaning up there.  When the bathhouse finally closed, Sen was exhausted. 

            As she lay down in her sleeping mat, Rin turned to her. "So where exactly was Haku's last mission?" she asked.

            Sen yawned. "Oh, he was supposed to get some kind of pearl.  'Revel Pearl' or something like that…" 

            "'Revelation Pearl'," corrected Rin seriously.

            "Yeah," said Sen getting sleepier and sleepier.  "How'd you know?  Anyways, it's supposed to be on this ship called the Bast, and these sisters run it.  And, and, and…"  Sen yawned, more and more.

            "That's alright," Rid said soothingly, "you can tell me tomorrow when we serve Kamajii his breakfast.  You can tell me all about the Sisters of Heaven tomorrow…" There was something weird about Rin's voice.    

            "I never said they were the Sisters of Heaven." 

            "I know," said Rin quickly.  "They're just infamous in these parts.  Now go to sleep.  You must be tired."

            'She's right… I am tired' Thought Sen as she fell asleep.

 (A/N:  Oooh, something is up with Rin!)

            The next morning Sen went with Rin to serve Kamajii his breakfast.  She filled Kamajii in with what had happened last night, the same way she had described it to Rin. Sen had recollection of the short, but odd, conversation she had with Rin the night before because she had been too sleepy.  Kamajii took everything in silence.  He made the occasional "hmm" and "I see", but that was all.  When Sen had finally finished telling him all she knew, Kamajii spoke. "Hmm, I see.  Yes, yes.  I've heard of the Sisters of Heaven.  They're a dangerous lot I hear, mostly dangerous towards men, though.  They've all taken an oath of chastity, and have sworn to themselves against men.  They're lead by a Pirate Queen… umm… Pirate Queen…"  Kamajii scratched his head.

            "Pirate Queen Diane," said Rin emotionlessly.

            "Yes!  That's her," exclaimed Kamajii, "Pirate Queen Diane!"

            Sen took a look at Rin.  She wanted to ask Rin how she knew that, but decided against it when she saw that Rin was in deep thought.  'Which she never usually is in…'  Sen then turned her attention back to Kamajii.  "But how will I find the Bast?  It's a floating ship!  It could be anywhere!  Yubaba said that Haku found the ship by using a locator crystal, but she only had one and he took it.  So what will I do now?"

            Kamajii stroked his bushy moustache, "hmmm…." Suddenly, three bath tabs jingled down, breaking into Kamajii's thoughts.  He looked and the tabs as if breaking from a daze, then he took the tabs and read the requests under his breath.  Completely ignoring Sen and Rin, he started to mix the herbs for all the baths.  After a couple of minutes, Sen lost patience and started to open her mouth. Before she could say anything, Kamajii spoke.  He turned to face Sen fully.  Sen could see her own reflection in his round, dark glasses.

            Kamajii's moustache swished to and fro as he spoke words of hope to Sen, "there is only one other person.  Only one other son owns another locator crystal…"

            'Finally a breakthrough!' Sen told herself with relief.  She tensed, gulped and then asked, "Who?"

            Kamajii looked at Sen hard, his eyebrows knotting together.  He looked like he was having some kind of inner conflict about whether to tell Sen or not.  Finally, he spoke, "the other locator crystal belongs to…."

(A/N:  AHHH!!!  The end…. Of this chapter anyway.  LoL.  SUSPENSE!!!  IT'S KILLING ME!  Oh wait, it's not. I'm the author; I know what happens next.  MHUAHAHAHA!  Don't worry; I have everything planned, so there's no worry of writer's block.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REVIEWING!  I seriously would have never updated if it didn't get the response it's been getting from you guys (the readers).  You make all the difference, ya know!  *tear* 

Oh and stuff to notice:

- Bast (used for the name of the ship) is actually an Egyptian Goddess.  She embodies life, fertility, and creative energy.

- Diane (used for the Pirate Queen) is named after the Roman Goddess.  She is called a bunch of things like "Goddess of the Hunt", "Goddess of the Moon" and so on.  She is like the Greek Goddess Artemis, who made sure that all her followers swore to chastity (just like the Queen Pirate Diane!)

Well, REVIEW people!!!!  I'll update soon! BYEBYE!)

                                                ~ *. Luv Laney