Chapter 1 Where are you?
"Chihiro, please... help me. I need you, now more than anything..." that familiar voice said.
"Kohaku? Kohaku, were are you?"
Yet her question was soon about to be answered. She saw him and he saw her. He was laying one a stone table. A knife in his heart.
"Help me..." he whispered.
And everything went black and she felt herself roll out of bed and bump on to the floor. Panting she got up, back on her bed. This wasn't the first time she had nightmares like this. During the last six years, ever since she had left the Spirit world, she had had nightmares similar to this. Trembling she remembered the bight before when she had dreamt of Kohaku, being hanged in a tree. Why did she have these dreams? Was Kohaku in trouble, did he need her help? This always confused her.
She went up, the sun hadn't risen, yet there were no school today. But ever since she had returned from Kamikakushi (Spirit world) the days had been the same. She hated the world she lived in, she wished she had stayed. She missed her old friends, Lin, Kamaji, the Susuwatari's (Soot balls), Zeniba but most of all Kohaku.
'Were are you? I waited so long, for such a long time now.'
Tears trickled down her cheek. With a swift move she disposed of them.
She went to the only window in her room. She usually sat there, thinking of Kamikakushi and its mysteries. Long time had passed yet her memories hadn't disappeared, at least not the happy ones.
She usually sat by that window, almost is if she was expecting to see a flying dragon appear if she stayed long enough. 'Whom am I kidding?' she thought. He won't come, he can't come. That's what my dreams are telling me. He needs my help. She rushed out of bed, quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt. She took the old headband, the one Zeniba had given to her. The old witch had said it would protect her. From what, though? She rushed down, careful not to wake up her sleeping parents. Before leaving, she placed a small explaining note on the kitchen table. It didn't say much because her father had forbidden her to go out in the dark or alone, No words would help soothing him.
She up to the place were the entrance had lied. She had ever since returned often tried to go back, especially when people teased her at school, called her a freak and a liar. But whenever she needed Kamikakushi at the most, she always came to the same hidden lake. She prayed that she would find it this time. She must get into Spirit World.
Her schooldays were a nightmare. Ever since returning, she had been gone for four month, she had told her classmates the story. They were actually impressed at the beginning, admired her great imagination. But the that Jeeko had appeared and days of hell had started. Everyone turned their backs at her, she was always teased and called bad stuff. She was the lying soprano, the greatest liar on earth. Whenever she passed one of that son-of- a-bitch, he always took the opportunity to do something really evil. Once, she remembered this shivering, he had chased her to the back of the school building, were no one could see them, and started beating her up because she was the great liar. She still remembered and she was dead frightened something like that would happen again.
'The entrance!' Her heart screamed of joy. It was back, it wasn't just an old lake that lied there, and everything had been real. Taking a deep breath she entered.
It was s great shock coming out from the tunnel. The sky was so dark, heavy black clouds filled the sky, but it wasn't rain clouds. It was something else. The grass under her was dying and the water was muddy. What had happened?
She ran, all the way until she reached the bridge. The bathhouse looked the same. But it was dead quiet, to quiet. Suddenly something flashed from above. She looked up and saw a giant bird with sapphire wings. She had never seen anything like that before. This didn't look good.
She walked over the bridge, kept her eyes on the bathhouse. There were no signs of any living at all. All the windows were dark, the place looked like a ruin. She shivered at the coldness and hurried to the boiler room, were Kamaji lived, she hoped.
She went down the stairs, they weren't as big as she remembered them, the time she had almost fell down. Still it was more climbing than walking to do. At least this time, she didn't slip, thankfully.
She opened the door and entered. It was very dark inside and she stumbled through the darkness. "Kamaji, are you there?"
A voice answered. "Sen, is that really you?"
A small candle was lit and she was able to see her old friend.
"Kamaji, what has really happened here? Why's the place all deserted?" she said raising her voice a little.
"Shh, don't raise your voice, what if she'll hear you. I will explain, but not here. Follow me!"
The old boiler led her from the room, downwards. Walking she began to hear hushed voices. She couldn't make up what they said.
"In here!" he said showing her inside a room that was hidden with black curtains. Walking inside she saw many faces she recognised, some new though.
"Sen!" said a voice she really recognised and before she knew it Lin was hugging her. "Sen, what took you so long? We've been waiting for you for ages!"
"Huh?"
To her answer Zeniba stepped closer, followed by Konashi (No Face).
"Granny!" I said letting go of Lin to hug her gently.
"Chihiro, so good you managed here." The old witch said. Konashi nodded.
"Granny, what have happened here? Why is the bathhouse deserted?"
"It's a long story my dear, I'll tell you soon, but right now someone special needs your help."
She took her to a dark corner were a hooded figure sat. Whoever he was he looked like as if he was sleeping.
"Kohaku, wake up. Chihiro is here!"
The figure shook awake, looked at the young teenager. His hood fell down to unveil his face. He looked quite the same, unless you counted the weariness in his eyes and the slightly paler colour on his skin.
"Kohaku!" Chihiro said, not believing her eyes. Kohaku smiled.
"I knew you would come. I'm sorry I didn't come to you..." he said weakly.
"Granny," the young teenager said turning over to the witch. What's happened to him? What's happened here?"
"It's a long story my dear. It began while you just had arrived at my house. At the bathhouse, one of our most legendary spirits appeared asking for a room. She received one, yet not before she had proved her mighty powers and frozen most of the workers, some spirits and frog. My dear sister had a really hard time fixing up the bathhouse, yet when the two of you turned up and your contract was destroyed she crossed the lines to the forbidden realms. There are two ways of magic for us witches, one the world can take and one it can't stand. She has long enough tiptoed over the line, yet this time she went over and the proof of it sits on Kohaku's finger now."
He took the young man's hand. On it was a heavy iron ring, which glowed fiercely.
"This thing has for the last years stolen Kohaku's powers, the powers he had had, until now. He turned up at my house two years ago and that's when I started to send those dreams to you. He needs your help or else, I think this is the end for him, as it soon will be the end for all of us."
Tears trickled down from Chihiro's face. The knowledge of this was like a stab in her heart.
"There is one way, thought we can save him. We must turn to the strongest living creatures existing and I'm talking of course about the ten legendary phoenixes. The only problem we have is that no one knows where they live, all we know is that they live up in mountains, but there are many mountains here. The phoenixes are the ones who destroyed these kinds of evil a hundred years ago, yet now... who know when they will appear. The one who came here quickly departed after your farewell, we don't know where she left."
"Granny, who are the phoenixes?"
"The phoenixes are the guardians of the elements and feelings this world was built of if one of them would ever die this would go to its fate and soon disappear from all knowledge. They are strong spirits. I only seen one once, and that was the Phoenix of Water. There is also Phoenix of Ice, the same one who turned up here. Phoenix of Wind, he's the oldest from what I know and also the leading phoenix. Phoenix of Fire, a very fiery one, always the eager, Phoenix of Earth, master of the growing, Phoenix of Life, guardian of lives and death, Phoenix of Love, the guardian of love and lovers, Phoenix of Lightning, lord of the storm, Phoenix of Peace, the flying peacemaker and Phoenix of Destiny, who will be the last remaining living spirit when the worlds goes under."
Chihiro nodded, yet she was still confused and had a lot of questions she wanted answered.
"You never told me what happened to the bathhouse," she said.
Zeniba sighed.
"After stealing Kohaku's powers, my sister destroyed it. She didn't need this any more and tried to dispose of it, I tried to stop her, but with all that power I failed. Yubaba has now disappeared somewhere, we suspect she has gone of to find more lost spirits in order to gain more power. Lost spirits are easier to conquer than others."
Chihiro looked at Kohaku. His eyes were closed and he looked as if he was sleeping. 'What have they done to you?' she wondered.
"It's getting late, tomorrow you'll leave for the search."
"Am I really supposed to do this alone?"
"No, my friend, you will have followers. Lin has volunteered and so have also Deko and Xing. Deko is a fire spirit and Xing is an Earth Spirit. Kohaku must also follow, since he's the one who needs help here so you must be careful. There are many out there who will try to stop you."
"Do you really think he will make it?"
"He still has parts of his old powers, not as much as before, yet enough for surviving some moths. And he is capable of going, even if he is as you know, tired. But most of that came from waiting for you to arrive. He is happy now that you are back, he became so depressed when he realised he wouldn't be able to keep his promise."
Chihiro nodded, yet more tears trickled down from her eyes. Lin came over to show her were she would sleep, yet no soothing words from either Lin, Kamaji or Zeniba could help her. She felt so responsible for this. She gave herself a promise. Never to give up until the task was done and Kohaku was free again, not even if death would separate them forever.
Yet what no one knew was that two eyes watched them, the Phoenix of destiny kept his watch. He knew what would happen, he wished he could warn her for upcoming evil, yet laws forbade him. He turned away, thinking of what he had seen. That human better hurry because time was running away.
To reviewers: Thank you so much, this was my first Spirited Away fic' ever. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Ace10392: I was a bit surprised to see you as my first reviewer here, yet I'm glad you liked it. Hope you liked this update.
Velf: I'm glad you did, and thanks for the great compliment. Yours pretty good too.
Sakura-Hiwatari: Here's the update. I hope you liked it.
Micrll: I know that the prologue was short. I wanted it to be longer, but I suck writing long chapters. Yet as a compromising I'll try to update more often.
Kameeko: Here's the update, enjoy!
End note: Please review, just tell me what you thin, if you like it or if you think it sucks, I don't know. Yet I hope you didn't think it sucks so see yah soon...
Shitza
"Chihiro, please... help me. I need you, now more than anything..." that familiar voice said.
"Kohaku? Kohaku, were are you?"
Yet her question was soon about to be answered. She saw him and he saw her. He was laying one a stone table. A knife in his heart.
"Help me..." he whispered.
And everything went black and she felt herself roll out of bed and bump on to the floor. Panting she got up, back on her bed. This wasn't the first time she had nightmares like this. During the last six years, ever since she had left the Spirit world, she had had nightmares similar to this. Trembling she remembered the bight before when she had dreamt of Kohaku, being hanged in a tree. Why did she have these dreams? Was Kohaku in trouble, did he need her help? This always confused her.
She went up, the sun hadn't risen, yet there were no school today. But ever since she had returned from Kamikakushi (Spirit world) the days had been the same. She hated the world she lived in, she wished she had stayed. She missed her old friends, Lin, Kamaji, the Susuwatari's (Soot balls), Zeniba but most of all Kohaku.
'Were are you? I waited so long, for such a long time now.'
Tears trickled down her cheek. With a swift move she disposed of them.
She went to the only window in her room. She usually sat there, thinking of Kamikakushi and its mysteries. Long time had passed yet her memories hadn't disappeared, at least not the happy ones.
She usually sat by that window, almost is if she was expecting to see a flying dragon appear if she stayed long enough. 'Whom am I kidding?' she thought. He won't come, he can't come. That's what my dreams are telling me. He needs my help. She rushed out of bed, quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt. She took the old headband, the one Zeniba had given to her. The old witch had said it would protect her. From what, though? She rushed down, careful not to wake up her sleeping parents. Before leaving, she placed a small explaining note on the kitchen table. It didn't say much because her father had forbidden her to go out in the dark or alone, No words would help soothing him.
She up to the place were the entrance had lied. She had ever since returned often tried to go back, especially when people teased her at school, called her a freak and a liar. But whenever she needed Kamikakushi at the most, she always came to the same hidden lake. She prayed that she would find it this time. She must get into Spirit World.
Her schooldays were a nightmare. Ever since returning, she had been gone for four month, she had told her classmates the story. They were actually impressed at the beginning, admired her great imagination. But the that Jeeko had appeared and days of hell had started. Everyone turned their backs at her, she was always teased and called bad stuff. She was the lying soprano, the greatest liar on earth. Whenever she passed one of that son-of- a-bitch, he always took the opportunity to do something really evil. Once, she remembered this shivering, he had chased her to the back of the school building, were no one could see them, and started beating her up because she was the great liar. She still remembered and she was dead frightened something like that would happen again.
'The entrance!' Her heart screamed of joy. It was back, it wasn't just an old lake that lied there, and everything had been real. Taking a deep breath she entered.
It was s great shock coming out from the tunnel. The sky was so dark, heavy black clouds filled the sky, but it wasn't rain clouds. It was something else. The grass under her was dying and the water was muddy. What had happened?
She ran, all the way until she reached the bridge. The bathhouse looked the same. But it was dead quiet, to quiet. Suddenly something flashed from above. She looked up and saw a giant bird with sapphire wings. She had never seen anything like that before. This didn't look good.
She walked over the bridge, kept her eyes on the bathhouse. There were no signs of any living at all. All the windows were dark, the place looked like a ruin. She shivered at the coldness and hurried to the boiler room, were Kamaji lived, she hoped.
She went down the stairs, they weren't as big as she remembered them, the time she had almost fell down. Still it was more climbing than walking to do. At least this time, she didn't slip, thankfully.
She opened the door and entered. It was very dark inside and she stumbled through the darkness. "Kamaji, are you there?"
A voice answered. "Sen, is that really you?"
A small candle was lit and she was able to see her old friend.
"Kamaji, what has really happened here? Why's the place all deserted?" she said raising her voice a little.
"Shh, don't raise your voice, what if she'll hear you. I will explain, but not here. Follow me!"
The old boiler led her from the room, downwards. Walking she began to hear hushed voices. She couldn't make up what they said.
"In here!" he said showing her inside a room that was hidden with black curtains. Walking inside she saw many faces she recognised, some new though.
"Sen!" said a voice she really recognised and before she knew it Lin was hugging her. "Sen, what took you so long? We've been waiting for you for ages!"
"Huh?"
To her answer Zeniba stepped closer, followed by Konashi (No Face).
"Granny!" I said letting go of Lin to hug her gently.
"Chihiro, so good you managed here." The old witch said. Konashi nodded.
"Granny, what have happened here? Why is the bathhouse deserted?"
"It's a long story my dear, I'll tell you soon, but right now someone special needs your help."
She took her to a dark corner were a hooded figure sat. Whoever he was he looked like as if he was sleeping.
"Kohaku, wake up. Chihiro is here!"
The figure shook awake, looked at the young teenager. His hood fell down to unveil his face. He looked quite the same, unless you counted the weariness in his eyes and the slightly paler colour on his skin.
"Kohaku!" Chihiro said, not believing her eyes. Kohaku smiled.
"I knew you would come. I'm sorry I didn't come to you..." he said weakly.
"Granny," the young teenager said turning over to the witch. What's happened to him? What's happened here?"
"It's a long story my dear. It began while you just had arrived at my house. At the bathhouse, one of our most legendary spirits appeared asking for a room. She received one, yet not before she had proved her mighty powers and frozen most of the workers, some spirits and frog. My dear sister had a really hard time fixing up the bathhouse, yet when the two of you turned up and your contract was destroyed she crossed the lines to the forbidden realms. There are two ways of magic for us witches, one the world can take and one it can't stand. She has long enough tiptoed over the line, yet this time she went over and the proof of it sits on Kohaku's finger now."
He took the young man's hand. On it was a heavy iron ring, which glowed fiercely.
"This thing has for the last years stolen Kohaku's powers, the powers he had had, until now. He turned up at my house two years ago and that's when I started to send those dreams to you. He needs your help or else, I think this is the end for him, as it soon will be the end for all of us."
Tears trickled down from Chihiro's face. The knowledge of this was like a stab in her heart.
"There is one way, thought we can save him. We must turn to the strongest living creatures existing and I'm talking of course about the ten legendary phoenixes. The only problem we have is that no one knows where they live, all we know is that they live up in mountains, but there are many mountains here. The phoenixes are the ones who destroyed these kinds of evil a hundred years ago, yet now... who know when they will appear. The one who came here quickly departed after your farewell, we don't know where she left."
"Granny, who are the phoenixes?"
"The phoenixes are the guardians of the elements and feelings this world was built of if one of them would ever die this would go to its fate and soon disappear from all knowledge. They are strong spirits. I only seen one once, and that was the Phoenix of Water. There is also Phoenix of Ice, the same one who turned up here. Phoenix of Wind, he's the oldest from what I know and also the leading phoenix. Phoenix of Fire, a very fiery one, always the eager, Phoenix of Earth, master of the growing, Phoenix of Life, guardian of lives and death, Phoenix of Love, the guardian of love and lovers, Phoenix of Lightning, lord of the storm, Phoenix of Peace, the flying peacemaker and Phoenix of Destiny, who will be the last remaining living spirit when the worlds goes under."
Chihiro nodded, yet she was still confused and had a lot of questions she wanted answered.
"You never told me what happened to the bathhouse," she said.
Zeniba sighed.
"After stealing Kohaku's powers, my sister destroyed it. She didn't need this any more and tried to dispose of it, I tried to stop her, but with all that power I failed. Yubaba has now disappeared somewhere, we suspect she has gone of to find more lost spirits in order to gain more power. Lost spirits are easier to conquer than others."
Chihiro looked at Kohaku. His eyes were closed and he looked as if he was sleeping. 'What have they done to you?' she wondered.
"It's getting late, tomorrow you'll leave for the search."
"Am I really supposed to do this alone?"
"No, my friend, you will have followers. Lin has volunteered and so have also Deko and Xing. Deko is a fire spirit and Xing is an Earth Spirit. Kohaku must also follow, since he's the one who needs help here so you must be careful. There are many out there who will try to stop you."
"Do you really think he will make it?"
"He still has parts of his old powers, not as much as before, yet enough for surviving some moths. And he is capable of going, even if he is as you know, tired. But most of that came from waiting for you to arrive. He is happy now that you are back, he became so depressed when he realised he wouldn't be able to keep his promise."
Chihiro nodded, yet more tears trickled down from her eyes. Lin came over to show her were she would sleep, yet no soothing words from either Lin, Kamaji or Zeniba could help her. She felt so responsible for this. She gave herself a promise. Never to give up until the task was done and Kohaku was free again, not even if death would separate them forever.
Yet what no one knew was that two eyes watched them, the Phoenix of destiny kept his watch. He knew what would happen, he wished he could warn her for upcoming evil, yet laws forbade him. He turned away, thinking of what he had seen. That human better hurry because time was running away.
To reviewers: Thank you so much, this was my first Spirited Away fic' ever. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Ace10392: I was a bit surprised to see you as my first reviewer here, yet I'm glad you liked it. Hope you liked this update.
Velf: I'm glad you did, and thanks for the great compliment. Yours pretty good too.
Sakura-Hiwatari: Here's the update. I hope you liked it.
Micrll: I know that the prologue was short. I wanted it to be longer, but I suck writing long chapters. Yet as a compromising I'll try to update more often.
Kameeko: Here's the update, enjoy!
End note: Please review, just tell me what you thin, if you like it or if you think it sucks, I don't know. Yet I hope you didn't think it sucks so see yah soon...
Shitza