Spirit and Soul

Chapter Four:  Methods of Getting There

(A/N:  Weird chappie.  Sen has a conversation with a doorknocker… lol… I'm wondering?  Will this ever get mushy?  Would that be a good thing?  I want mushiness… But how much? Argh, just read!  PS:  Sorry for the bad chapter title!)

            "Yubaba must really think you can do it, Sen," finally said Kamajii, still frowning.  "All these years, she never sent anyone else.  She must've thought you could do something… like you did last time…"

            "Kamajii!"  Cried Sen.  "Please, tell me who has the other locator crystal!  I need it to find the Bast!  Who is it!?"

            "Zeniiba."  Was all Kamajii said.

            Sen blinked.  'Of course, Zeniiba would have one.  She's Yubaba's sister and she's a witch too!'  Jumping for joy, she exclaimed, "This is great! Zeniiba will lend me the crystal for sure!"

            Rin finally spoke, "but how will you get to Zeniiba's?  Maybe you should just forget about it for now.  It's not like you have to go right away, you dope!"  Rin laughed without any feeling, or as if to cover up other feelings.

            "Why are you trying to stop me all of the sudden?" asked Sen.

            Rin put up her hands in defence, "I'm not!  But, you really have no way of getting there, do you?  Kamajii has no more train tickets, none of us do.  And I doubt Yubaba would give you any money.  I'm not trying to stop you, quit putting words into my mouth."  Sen and Kamajii stared at Rin as if she were a totally different person.  Rin folded her arms and turned away, "Fine!  Go then!  What do I care?!"  She quickly amended her harsh words by clinging to Sen arm and saying, "I just don't want you to get hurt.  It's so dangerous!  Don't you think it sounds dangerous?"  Sen got a feeling that that was not the only reason, but she would have to worry about Rin later.  'Maybe she just missed me so much that she doesn't want me to leave.'  Thought Sen.

            "Of course I know it's dangerous, Rin.  Coming back here was dangerous, but I did it.  You don't need to worry, it'll all work out."  Sen wasn't actually sure that it would work out, but she figured that Rin needed the assurance. 

            "There is one way to get to Zeniiba," announced Kamajii.

            'Wow,' Sen told herself, 'Kamajii is really the bringer of good news today.'

            Kamajii continued, "Rin is right, train tickets are especially hard to come by these days. So, my guess is that you have to go the other way."

            "There's another way to get to Zeniiba's?" Asked Sen.

            "It wasn't any other way before, you see.  But there was one made from here to swamp bottom after you left.

            Kamajii had made Sen terribly impatient and curious.  "What is the other way?  Who is the person that uses it?  Come on, Kamajii!  I need to know all this!"

            "Patience! Patience!"  He replied.  "I will explain everything in time.  Now, where was I?"  Kamajii stopped to take a bite of his breakfast, which has gone cold after all the talking.  A little while later, he began speaking again. "It's no secret now that Bou and Zeniiba are close.  Bou told Yubaba that Zeniiba told him to visit, but Yubaba would not pay for the train tickets no matter what.  Bou went into a terrible tantrum."  Kamajii's eyebrows went up and then together as he yelled at the susuwatari, "Hey, you runts, you're supposed to be working!  Do you all want to turn back into soot?!"

            Sen, Rin, and Kamajii had not noticed earlier but the susuwatari had clustered around them, ignoring their work and listening to the conversation.  They scattered when Kamajii yelled at them.  Some went straight back to work and some just ran back into their holes.  Kamajii shook his head, "you've been a bad influence on them, Sen. Ever since you came they've been taking breaks whenever they please!  Soon they'll want to get paid!"

            Sen laughed. "Well, they are hard workers.  But, Kamajii, please continue.  I want to be on my way as soon as possible.  Who knows how long it may take me to find Haku."

            "Of course," said Kamajii. "As I was saying, Bou went into a terrible tantrum.  Yubaba tried ignore it, but he'd shout so loud that it disturbed some of the customers.  In the end, Yubaba struck a deal with Zeniiba.  When one has enough power, a portal can be made.  Zeniiba wasn't powerful enough to make a two-way portal, so she asked Yubaba.  Yubaba, being the greedy witch that she is, agreed to make a portal that went from here to Zeniiba's if Zeniiba payed her 100 gold pieces.  But Bou had made business so slow, that Yubaba changed it to 50 gold pieces.  So,"  Kamajii paused to drink some tea from a yellow kettle he always had with him.  Sen wondered if it was really tea inside or some kind of alcohol because Kamajii always took large swigs of it. "So, Zeniiba created a portal from her home to the bathhouse, and Yubaba made one from the bathhouse to Zeniiba's cottage at Swamp Bottom.  The portal is in Bou's nursery."

            Sen face brightened, she remembered the nursery with is mainly blue walls.  It was filled with giant toys and pillows to accommodate Bou, and it came with lights that mimicked day or night.  She also remembered that the nursery was connected to Yubaba's office. "So, I can just ask Bou if I can use his portal?  That's easy enough!  Thank you so much, Kamajii!"

            "One second," said Kamajii. "I doubt Yubaba would let you use the portal.  She wouldn't like the idea of you going to her sister for help." 

            "Well then," said Sen as she frowned. "I can find another way there.  I did that once."

            "You won't need to," said Rin softly, which was totally out of character for Rin. "Yubaba's not here, she went scouting again this morning.  There's no one in her office."

            "Perfect!"  Exclaimed Sen.  " I can go right now then!"  She jumped up.  Suddenly she remembered that she was wearing her uniform, her servants' clothes.  "Wait!  I can't wear this!  I left my normal clothes in the cupboard where the rest of the uniforms where!"

            Rin seemed to return to her normal self, at least for a while. "You did what?!  Why'd you do that?  The Yuna have probably found it by now.  You'll never get them back!  Geez, don't you ever think?!"

            "I wasn't thinking," said Sen. "Sorry."

            Rin sighed. "Right, but what do we do now?"

            "I brought a bag with me.  I had clothes in there, but I don't remember where I left it."

            "Oh," said Kamajii, "you mean this bag?"  One of his arms held up Sen's large blue bag.  "You left it down here last night."

            "You're a lifesaver, Kamajii!"  Said Sen and she grabbed the bag.  She gave Kamajii a quick hug.  Quickly, she scanned through its contents and pulled out a purple t-shirt with a pair of khaki shorts.  She went through the door that she and Rin used to come in, and changed on the other side.  It felt good to be wearing something that was hers even though she only wore the uniform for a short while.  When she came back in she went to the suswatari for her shoes, which she had left in the boiler room.  "I need my shoes, please," she told them, "oh, and my socks too."  The suswatari were all too happy to help, and they bunched into two of their holes and carried out Sen's sneakers and socks.  Sen gingerly put them on as if they were like Cinderella's glass slippers.  Then, she tapped her toe into the ground to make sure the shoe was on snugly; a unique ritual that she always did when she put on shoes.

(A/N:  The shoe-tapping, made everything much more realistic in the movie.  I just HAD to bring it up!)

            "Well now!"  Exclaimed Kamajii.  "It looks like you're all set.  So, this is goodbye for now… again.  Hmm… getting a lot of that now aren't we?  Oh, don't look so sad."  He handed Sen a handkerchief and said, "Find Haku.   You can do it."

            "I could have never gotten this far without you or Rin, Kamajii."  Tears started to form in Sen eyes, she didn't really want to say goodbye again.  "I don't know how to thank you all…"

            Kamajii smiled, revealing a missing tooth. "Just be safe.  You owe us nothing."  Kamajii turned to Rin.  "Take her to Yubaba's office Rin.  I don't think it would be proper to let her go all the way up there on her own."

            "Yes, Kamajii," said Rin.  She had returned to her strange state.  Rin started to head of out the boiler room and Sen followed carrying her blue bag.

            "Goodbye, Kamajii."

            Kamajii scowled, "say 'see you later'.  It's better." 

            Sen laughed in spite of the sadness of leaving her friends all over again.  "See you later, Kamajii."

            'He seems so sure that I'll succeed,' thought Sen. 'I just hope he's right'

            The trip to Yubaba's office was done in silence.  Rin didn't say a single word, and Sen didn't provoke her to speak.  But when they finally reached the elevator's last stop, Rin had another outbreak.  "YOU JUST CAN'T GO, SEN!  IT'S JUST TOO DANGEROUS!  HAKU CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF!"

            "Rin!"  Cried Sen.  "What's has gotten into you.  You knew how it was going to be.  I've told you a million times that I need to find Haku.  He's been missing for five years!  You really think he's okay?!"

            Rin bowed her head.  "No… But-"

            Sen stopped her.  "There is something that you're keeping from me isn't there?"

            "NO!"  Protested Rin.  "But you just got here…  I guess… I guess I'm just worried."  She put on a fake smile.  "I know you have to do this.  And I'm behind you 100%, squirt."

            "Thanks, Rin," said Sen.  "I will come back."  She gave Rin and big hug and stepped out of the elevator.  Just before she reached the door, Rin called to her, "Sen!"

            "Yeah?"  Sen turned around. 

            "Erm… nothing.  Good luck!"

            "Thanks.  See you later, Rin!"  She said, waving vigorously.

            "Yeah… See you later."  And with that, Rin stepped back into the elevator and was gone.

            In the dark hallway Sen started to have doubts.  'Maybe Rin's right.  Maybe Haku can take care of himself…  WHAT AM I SAYING?!  But it will be dangerous…  BUT I NEED TO DO THIS!  I did just get here…  THERE'S NO TIME TO WASTE!  EVYERY SECOND COUNTS!'  Sen hurried to the door in case her fears did get the better of her. 

            "Well, well…" It was the doorknocker.  Sen had forgotten all about it. "Trying to sneak into Yubaba's office are we?  Tsk, tsk!  You're going to get into trouble!"

            "Come on!  Can't you let me in just once?"  Begged Sen.

            The doorknocker rolled its eyes.  "AHAHA!  You really think I would let you?! AHAHA!"  Sen didn't find it funny, but apparently the doorknocker did.  "Now," said the doorknocker with its voice dripping with venom, "Hmm, now what will Yubaba turn you into.  She doesn't like spies snooping in her business you know. And just after she told you that she didn't want you to do that… Hmm...  A fish perhaps?  They're always opening and closing their mouths with nothing coming out.  Like you!"  It started to cackle uncontrollably. 

            Sen fumed inside, 'And it called ME rude last time!'   "Look," she said trying to sound calm and polite.  "I'm not here to snoop around.  I really don't have time to argue with a doorknob.  So please, just let me in."

            "I AM NOT A DOORKNOB, YOU STUPID HUMAN!  I AM A DOORKNOCKER!  DOORKNOCKER!   Stupid human, and it's not like I keep the door locked!" 

            'The door isn't locked!' Realized Sen. 

            "You're probably still lazy and spoiled aren't you? Rude little girl!"

            Sen's eye began to twitch slightly.  The doorknocker was beginning to get on her nerves.  It continued to ridicule Sen and laugh at the terrible jokes it made.  Sen knew she didn't need to take this, and began to reach for the door. 

            "Hold it!" Yelled the doorknocker. "What do you think you're doing?!"

            "I'm going inside."

            "Fine then!  Go ahead.  I look forward to seeing you again… with gills!"

            Sen had enough.  She pulled out one sock from her bag and stuffed it as far as she could into the enchanted doorknockers mouth.  It tried to spit it out, but the sock was jammed in too tightly.  "Tell Yubaba want you want," she said calmly.  "I won't be here anyways."  Sen then opened the door and began to walk away from the muffled sounds of the doorknocker.  She was relieved to finally have the conversation end. 

            Sen tiptoed into Yubaba's office.  It was pretty much quiet except for the bouncing around and grunting of the Kashira.  Sen didn't worry too much about them, there was little they could do… or say for that matter.  'Why are they even here?'  Sen was just about to open the door that lead to the nursery, when she heard a rustling.  She almost had a heart attack because she thought Yubaba had come back.  Luckily, it was just the wind from the open window blowing into the papers on Yubaba's desk.  Sen was very much tempted to take a peek at the papers even though she knew it was not her business.  'I better not prove that doorknocker right and snoop around.' She thought as she turned back to the door.  Suddenly, the wind blew a bit stronger and a paper that was on the desk flew off and bumped into Sen's leg. 

            "Hmm?"  Sen looked down and pick up the paper. 'It wouldn't be a crime just to take a look at this.  I mean, it fell off the desk! I'll just take a little peek…'

            She picked up the paper and studied it.  There was very little writing except for the title, The Revelation Pearl.  The rest of the paper was filled with a rough sketch painted lightly with watercolour.  The paper was yellowed and curling at the edges, so Sen assumed it was old.   In the sketch there was a chain and hanging on one end was a silver claw.  Its four long, vicious looking talons were detailed with dark Cs for scales.  The talons clutched a some kind of sphere.  Whoever had painted the sketch successfully showed the different colours there were in the sphere.  Pinks, blues, and greens seemed to swirl in the otherwise inanimate picture.  'So this is what I have to get?'

            Just then, Sen heard a voice outside.  "SHE STUFFED A SOCK INTO MY MOUTH!!!"  The voice cried to the top of its lungs! "SHE'S TRYING TO STEAL FROM YOU!"

            "Yubaba!"  Gasped Sen  crumpling the picture and sticking it in her pocket.  Yubaba had come back, and Sen was still standing in her office.  Sen quickly locked the doors of the office, hoping that it would delay Yubaba's wrath for a bit.  She stood in the middle of the office wringing her hands.  'Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap!'  She dashed into the nursery and locked that door also.  Quickly, she scanned the room for Bou, the lights were off but she didn't think it would be too hard to spot him.  "Bou! Bou!"  She called frantically.  'Where is HE?!'  

            "Mmmm, mmfff, mmm…"  Sen heard from under a pile of pillows.  She flew to the pile and began to tear though it.  'Yubaba is going to turn me into a fish!  Yubaba is going to turn me into coal!  Yubaab's going to turn me into… Bou!'  She had found Bou!  Finally, nearly at the bottom of the pillow pile was Bou taking a nap.  He looked so sweet with his thumb in his mouth.  But Sen really didn't have the time to admire it all.  She rocked Bou back and forth.  "Bou! Bou!  Wake up!  I need your help!"

            Bou frowned and tried to swat Sen away.  It was difficult for Sen to avoid getting hit because Bou's arms were ten times the size of her own.  He started to grumble.  Then, the worse thing that could possibly happen, happened.  Tears started to form in Bou's eyes and soon he was wailing at the top of his lungs.  Sen had to scramble back.  'Okay, babies do not like to be woken up from naps.  Ah, not good, not good!  There's no time!  I need to hide!'

            Sen couldn't hide among the pillows because she has tossed them everywhere, and recreating a pile would take to long.  Panicking, she looked around the room for an answer.  She found a giant toy box, but when she opened it she saw that it was filled to the brim with toys of all sorts.  She found a pile of clothes, but then when she approached it she realized it was a pile of dirty, and extremely stinky, diapers.  Next she tried to hide in Bou's closet, but she quickly jumped out.  Something inside had crawled against her leg and she did not want to stay in the closet to find out what it was.  Finally, she found a hiding spot under Bou's bed, which was just high enough for her to squeeze under.  Sen held her breath as Yubaba came into the room.  Gulping quietly, Sen reached for her bag; to her dismay, she touched nothing.  Her hand felt all around her but her bag was not there.  'Ah!  I must've dropped it in the closet!' 

            "Hmm, I do smell something," Yubaba said aloud.  She checked to see if Bou was safe, which of course he was.  Sen could hear her heartbeats synchronizing with Yubaba's heavy footsteps.  Thud, thud, thud… Yubaba halted right in front of Chihiro.  Sen's face was inches away from the witch's feet, and they stank.  They smelled so bad that Sen swore she could see green squiggly lines coming from them.  She covered her nose in disgust.  Yubaba's feet didn't have the magnitude of a stink spirit but it was getting there.  'Uh oh, I think she's discovered me!'

            "I can't see anything!"  Announced Yubaba.  Her footsteps started to thud away.  Sen gasped for air and then sighed loudly; too loudly.  Sen heard Yubaba turn around.  "Hmm."  Said Yubaba as she sniffed around.  She could hear Yubaba come back to the bed; her large nose inhaling Sen's human scent.  Sen watched as Yubaba began to bend down to check under the bed. She lay flat under the bed, not moving or breathing.  Yubaba's head was so close, that Sen could faintly hear her breathing. 

            Sen squeezed her eyes shut.  She was not going to enjoy living the rest of her life out as a fish…

            Unexpectedly, a tacky sounding rip-off of Beethoven's Fur Elise began to play in the background.  Sen recognized the sound immediately.  'My cell!  That's the ring tone!"

            Yubaba followed the music… to the closet.  'She going to find my bag!' 

            "So, someone IS here…"  Pondered Yubaba out loud.  "I will not tolerate sneaky people!"  Sen could not see, but Yubaba had raised her arms and everything that wasn't living began to levitate slowly.  In full terror, Sen tried to hold the bed down by the bedposts.  It was no use; Sen's cover would be blown in a few minutes.  She started to say her prayers…

            Without warning, Sen heard a click and the floor beneath her opened up.  Screaming, Sen fell into a swirling mass of colours…

(A/N:  Yeah, I wanted to make this longer but then it would go on forever.  I'll just save it for chapter 5.  So… what do y'all think?!  This chapter is really more like an interlude don't you think?  Anyways, got to go.  It may take me a while to get more done because of exams *shudder*.  Well, one must suffer for knowledge!  BYEBYE!  Thankies for R&Ring!)

                                                            ~ ^Love Laney^ *.