AN: I uploaded new versions of Chapter 7 and 8. I only added about 2 or so paragraphs so BE SURE to read the new versions because it'll be a bit confusing if you don't. And also, I noticed I didn't use any of the normal endings at names (like chan, san in Japanese stories. I didn't use them because they were a bit confusing to keep track of all the time.
Also, this chapter is for explaining most things, so I apologize if this seems a bit awkward.
This isn't beta-ed, unlike the other chapters! Just a warning.
.: .The Lost Princess.: .
CHAPTER NINE--'NAOKO, RUMORS, AND KEIKO'
By: Cecile Li
Recap.: .
Ryo walked quickly toward his house. He turned abruptly to check whether Chihiro was still in her window. When he saw that his fiancée wasn't there, he pulled out a silver cellphone. He dialed in a phone number.
"Naoko?" He listened for a moment before a big smile broke out across his good-looking face. His seemingly innocent face. "She fell for it, just like you thought. This plan is going to work after all. Love you, babe." He smirked calmly. Oh, Chihiro was just too easy to deceive.
Chihiro trudged her way to school, her face etched in a deep frown. She didn't feel like going to school today. Chihiro laughed bitterly. Did she ever want to go to school? Now everybody probably knew about her engagement and would demand answers.
Chihiro kicked at a tuff of grass moodily. She would have to think of a plan to get rid of Ryo. Ryo was sweet and oh-so-handsome, but she didn't love him. Not the way she loved Haku. He deserved someone who loved him and she didn't.
Little did she know.
"Chihiro!"
Chihiro turned at the sound of her name. She smiled a small smile. How nice of Ryo to walk her to school!
"Ryo! It's nice to see you." She slowed down so Ryo could catch up with her.
Ryo smiled dashingly, his face boyish, a perfect picture of the perfect fiancé. Chihiro smiled softly at him. Oh, how could she tell him she didn't want to marry him?
"I'll carry your books for you." He told her briskly, taking her books from her.
Chihiro stared at him. "It-It's all right." She took her books back. Ryo gawked at her, completely flabbergasted. Every girl he got was so flattered when he took her books. Evidently, Chihiro would be harder.
Chihiro hugged her books to her chest, staring shyly at the ground. Ryo looked at her from time to time.
"So," Ryo started cheerfully, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "How are you?"
"I'm fine." Chihiro responded curtly, still looking at the ground.
Ryo glanced at her in surprise. "I thought you forgave me."
Chihiro sighed sadly. "I'm sorry, Ryo, but there's something--"
"Hello, Ryo!" Naoko's loud voice called out from behind them. She ran up to Ryo and smiled shyly. Her smile curled into a frown when she saw Chihiro. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Monkey-face."
Chihiro's hesitant smile slipped off her face immediately. She felt her eyes begin to tear. Naoko looked so sweet and nice, very beautiful, but quite vain. She was only 5'7'', enhancing the image of a cute sweet girl. She was wearing a white halter-top, laced with pink sequins. Her very short skirt was bright pink, and she wore pink legwarmers, reaching all the way up to her thighs. Her shoes were also with pink shoelaces, matching the rest of her outfit.
"Naoko!" Ryo admonished, his face almost angry, "That was completely out of line!"
Naoko rolled her eyes boredly. "Whatever; she must be used to it by now." Naoko then smiled flirtatiously at Ryo, "So how's it going, Ryo?" Naoko flounced right next to him, her skirt swirling with her sudden movements. She grabbed his arm, her long shocking pink nails closing around his arm.
Ryo made a noise of disgust, shaking her off his arm. "Apologize, Naoko."
Naoko tossed her highlighted black hair over her shoulder. She stuck her hip out on one side, staring angrily at Chihiro. "Sorry," She spat out distastefully, "Monkey-face."
Chihiro gasped; what was wrong with this girl? How could she ever thought she was nice?
Naoko, recognizing the look on Ryo's face as anger, and quickly planned her exit. She twisted her pink wristwatch, and exclaimed loudly, "Would you look at the time? I have to go and pick up a friend. It was nice talking to you, Ryo!" She left abruptly, leaving the air scented with her heavy perfume, revoltingly sweet.
"I'm sorry Chihiro," Ryo apologized, his face apologetic. "She must still be mad about the engagement.
Chihiro nodded sullenly. "We're at school anyway. I'll see you later." She walked away toward the door.
Ryo waited for Chihiro to disappear. "Naoko?" He called out, searching around him, "Naoko!"
"Aie!!!!" Naoko shrieked, stumbling out of a nearby bush. "You know how scratchy that bush was?!?!?" She complained loudly, poking at a few scratches.
Ryo smirked at her. "That was a great performance, Naoko."
Naoko smiled teasingly. "Do I get a kiss?"
Ryo crossed the short distance to her, almost towering over her. Naoko shivered. Sometimes, especially lately, Ryo scared her. "Of course."
--
Chihiro sighed, sliding into her seat in her class. All morning, all of the popular girls and boys who never talked to Chihiro except to tease her, interrogated her on Ryo and her engagement. Many of the girls were horrified at Ryo's decision, all muttering something about Naoko. When Chihiro had asked about Naoko, the girl looked at her disdainfully, leaving without answering.
There was one, Mina, who answered. Mina was a silly girl, never thinking before she spoke. Chihiro, of course, asked her too. Mina just giggled, speaking in her high annoying voice, "Oh Naoko? Those two are--" Before she could finish, her boyfriend grabbed her and pulled her away from Chihiro, speaking angrily at her. Mina looked slightly put out before realizing something.
Chihiro wondered about the 'are' in Mina's sentence; didn't Ryo say he didn't like Naoko?
"Chihiro!" Chihiro turned around, and almost collided into Keiko.
"Keiko!" Chihiro exclaimed happily; now she had someone to complain to. "Oh, it was so horrible, everyone was--"
"Is it true that you're engaged to Ryo Tanaka?" Keiko interrupted, masking a frown on her face.
Chihiro was taken aback. Her friend didn't even know? "Well, I guess so."
Keiko's large sky-blue eyes grew even wider. If Chihiro didn't know better, she'd think Keiko looked really unhappy.
"Keiko?" Chihiro asked, looking closely at her friend's wane face. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Did you do the English essay?" Keiko tried to smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes and left them looking sad and hurt.
As Chihiro bent to retrieve her paper out of her messy backpack, Keiko wiped a translucent tear from her eye. Her façade fell and she couldn't help but cry a little. After waiting so long, this is what she got.
"Here it is!" Chihiro cried triumphantly, holding up a rumpled piece of paper. Keiko immediately hid her face and reached to read it.
"Chihiro." A new voice said quietly.
Chihiro and Keiko both turned toward the voice. Chihiro raised an eyebrow and Keiko gasped. What was Ryo doing here?
Does he like stalking me or what?! Chihiro thought furiously, watching for Keiko's reaction, This is getting real old.
Keiko suddenly turned away, afraid she was going to start weeping in class. "Uh, Chihiro, I'm going to go to the bathroom."
"No, stay, Keiko. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Ryo spoke gently, eyes on Chihiro.
Keiko felt even worse. Glancing at Chihiro's please-please-please-stay-or-I'll-die look, she stammered, "Al-alright, if that's okay."
"So, Chihiro," Ryo started, never taking his eyes off the nervous girl, "When do you want the wedding?"
Keiko got up quickly, and ducked her head. "I-I'll be right back." Then she promptly exited, brushing another tear away.
Ryo smiled harshly, and a bit dully; his eyes never changed. Chihiro frowned huffily, what was wrong with him?
--
Chihiro was walking beside someone. A girl? No, Haku thought, straining to make out the person, it was a boy. And a very handsome boy.
Haku frowned, who was this person and why was he with Chihiro? Suddenly, the boy took Chihiro's books but Chihiro took them back, blushing a bit. Their mouths opened, but Haku heard nothing except for strange mumbling. Then Chihiro looked upset and opened her mouth again, but a new girl flounced into his vision. She was very pretty, nothing like the quiet beauty of Chihiro, but pretty with the essence of artificial beauty. And everything she wore was sharp and pink. Haku felt an immediate dislike to the new girl.
Apparently, she had said something mean to Chihiro and the boy got angry. Haku felt a twinge of jealousy when Chihiro looked a bit happier. The boy eventually drove the pink girl off, but Chihiro became sad again.
The scene changed to Chihiro's school. Chihiro was talking to another girl. A girl, with brilliant blue eyes. Then the boy came to Chihiro again. Haku listened closely, but all he heard were one sentence, "So, Chihiro, when do you want the wedding?"
"Haku!" Someone shook him, trying to wake him up. Haku groaned, thinking he was still in his dream. "Haku!"
"Chihiro?!" Haku burst out, his jade green eyes suddenly opening. He wilted in disappointment when all he saw was Yubaba and Sora.
"Now, boy," Yubaba scolded sternly, "Don't look so disappointed to see us."
"It's alright," Sora said gently, guiding Yubaba to a chair next to the bed, "He just wants to see Chihiro."
Yubaba sniffed disapprovingly. "Really, Haku, all we came here was to tell you the current news."
Haku sat up, now interested. "What happened?"
Sora stood behind Yubaba. "We think the Shadow Demon didn't actually die. He might have been changed into Shadow form."
"The Shadow Demons are brought to life through shadows, thus their names. Once they are defeated, they have to be completely vanquished to disappear from this world. If they are not, they may be kept in an urn as a Shadow." Yubaba explained, tucking a loose strand of hair back into her massive bun.
"You forgot something." Sora interrupted respectfully, remembering Yubaba was an extremely powerful sorceress, "A Shadow can take over bodies."
"Yes, yes. That's what we came to warn you with." Yubaba asserted carelessly, with a wave of her hand. She turned to Sora and smiled a gracious smile. "Now, Sora. Can you tell us of Princess Kanna?"
Sora blinked. "Princess Kanna?"
Yubaba nodded, trying to prompt her, somehow having a hidden motive. "Yes."
"Well," Sora said slowly, wondering why Yubaba wanted her to tell her again about Princess Kanna. Maybe Yubaba wanted her to tell Haku about the princess? "In human form, she was very fair. She had beautiful dark long hair. She was going to get married so was very happy around the time she was changed to human."
"What was her betrothed's name?" Yubaba interrupted, watching Haku closely.
"Her fianc's name?" Sora finally found Yubaba's purpose in this story. Why does Yubaba want Haku to know? It's not like they would know him, Sora thought, a bit confused, "His name was Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. Prince Kohaku."
Hours later…
Sora stared at the sky, her face gaunt and thin. Lin sat beside her, eyes troubled.
"I know you're worried, Sora," Lin persuaded gently, "I am too, but you have to eat. If you don't, how will you see Princess Kanna again?"
Sora sighed. "I have no appetite."
"Just try and eat." Lin wheedled, anxious about this intriguing young dragon.
"She had such beautiful eyes. They were so ethereal, everyone was convinced her eyes were bestowed on her by the Father of Heaven himself. They enchanted everyone, they were that lovely. Her fiancé picked her partly because of those heavenly eyes. Her father loved her dearly, and called her his little angel." Sora reminisced with a light airy smile, thinking back to happier times.
Lin also looked thoughtful, probably imagining the princess. "What color were they? Green?"
Sora smiled again, shaking her head, "No. They were blue."
--
A dark figure stood before a hard-featured statue of a ghostly figure, a statue of the former head of the clan of the Shadow Demons. A wispy insignificant urn rocked next to it, almost falling over with the strong wind. The shape bent down and picked up the urn.
A new outline appeared, this time in a kneeling position. "Young Master, the Master has been put into a new being. This time, Young Master, I assure you it will work."
"Good." The silhouette responded uncaringly, waving the servant off.
"Young Master?" The servant inquired politely, pointing at the urn, "Do you wish for me to dispose of your father's urn?"
"Oh no," The shadow replied with a piercing laugh, "Shadow Demons never relinquish their urns."
--
Ryo got off the huge ugly public bus and started walking in the direction of his house.
He stared forward listlessly, eyes with no emotion whatsoever. "You see, Ryo?" He whispered perilously, a strange smile twisting at the edge of his mouth. "I can do anything with you. I'll hurt Keiko even more if you resist." He stepped onto his walkway, then stopped, smiling maliciously. "No matter what you do, you'll never defeat the greatest of the Shadow Demons."
And inside, the real Ryo started giving up hope.
--
AN: Wow, this is 6 pages long in word document. It's the longest chapter I've written for this story!
Is Yubaba a bit OOC? And I might have twisted some of the original story up, I'm not sure, so sorry if I did! If you have any questions about this chapter, I know it's confusing, please email me or review and put the question in there. Thanks!
Responses:
cotton-angel (Aw, thanks! That's so sweet. Just to let you know, this review will be cherished and slobbered over!), M3h (Thanks! I'm glad someone doesn't hate the big spaces ), Ice (Well, from this chapter, your guess could be incorrect, but I'm not giving anything away!), Kaoru Girl (Lol, next episode! I really appreciate your reviews! Thanks a bunch!), Silver Petra (thanks for betaing! Truly appreciate it!), tHe-aRisTocRatiC-aSSaSSiN (Haha, a beta is someone who's like an editor. I think. Oh well, I'm always wrong about things. and sorry if you're confused. I hope this chapter cleared some things up), Lady Zymergy (OOC= out of character, and I rewrote, 7 and 8! I hope you like chapter 9!), Sarah (thanks!), YueMichiruNaragisawaMiko (don't say I didn't warn you! And thanks for pointing that out, again stupid me just skipped over some details!), Fire Kitsune Goddess (lol, you were right!), moezy-chan (I'll come out with them as soon as I can!), Yana5 (lol, poor Haku, he has competition….er not really….), Pachelbel's Canon ( First, thank you for your honest opinion and your criticism! I don't get a lot of criticism, so this helped me a lot. About the grammar, I know, I'm horrible in the grammar section. I just got a beta so hopefully the grammar will be better. There's only one thing about your comments though. I don't mind if you criticize my story, but I do mind if you say that all my reviewers were my friends. So in the future, please only criticize my story and not anything else. I really admire that you actually signed in though! Thanks for your comments!)
If I skipped someone, I'm incredibly sorry, I was rushing through this.
I actually finished this awhile ago, I just didn't post it up.
3,
Cecile