Disclaimer: I do not own Spirited Away, but I do own Sora Kasama/Kizuka, Keiko Dobashi, Ryo Tanaka, Ms. Kiyotaka, the Shadow Demons, and the plot. Do not use them without my permission. This disclaimer applies to all the chapters I write for this story.

I would absolutely love to answer any questions, so please send in any questions you've got. Responses will be at the end of the chapter.

.: .The Lost Princess.: .

CHAPTER THIRTEEN--'CLOSER AND CLOSER'

by: Cecile Li

We dance round in a ring and suppose. But the Secret sits in the middle and knows.

-Robert Frost

Recap.

"Chihiro, there's something wrong with Ryo."

Chihiro walked home, carrying a white paper bag. She looked forward grimly, checking now and then into the bag, lost in thought.

I never thought that this huge drama plot could be centered on chocolate cherries. She peeked into the bag and the chocolate glazed cherries seemed to wink at her, smiling innocently.

And now about Keiko…Chihiro mused. She knew that Keiko was in actuality not that beautiful; it was more of the fact of her beautiful possessions that made her that pretty. That and the fact she had such round blue irises. Could Sora have been mistaken when she thought Keiko was the heavenly princess that was beautiful beyond words?

Chihiro shook her head violently, the bag almost slipping from her hands. No, there was no way Sora was mistaken, no matter how crazy she was before. And if Keiko was adopted…

Chihiro stopped short, the bag nearly dropping again. She broke into a run and ran all the way home.

Keiko stood in front of the mirrored wall in the foyer. She examined her face precariously, inspecting her nose, her mouth and her eyes. Setting her mouth into a tight line, she scrutinized her body while she walked in a circle. Finally smiling a little, her body passed her examination. Pulling up a chair that probably cost more than a car, she sat in it, observing herself very closely in the glass. Tilting her head back and forth, her eyes never leaving her reflection, she frowned even deeper. Seating herself in a very certain position, all of a sudden she smiled. Her smile looked genuine enough; even the eyes turned up. Unable to keep smiling at herself, she collapsed into the chair, covering her face.

I want to be beautiful, Keiko realized, hiding in her hands. I want to be so beautiful that I could hold a power over Ryo. I want to be so beautiful that Ryo wouldn't look twice at Chihiro or even Naoko.

Looking up again, a tear glistened as it rolled down her cheek. Pressing her cold hands against the crystal mirror, she rested her cheek on the icy glass. I'm beautiful, she tried to convince herself. I'm more beautiful than Chihiro.

More tears left her round eyes and they splattered on the floors. Big fat drops of salty tears plinked onto the ground. Plink plink! Keiko fell onto the floor, still holding her face. "Why couldn't I be born beautiful?" She whispered softly, "Why couldn't I be born like Chihiro?"

Oh how envious of Chihiro she was. Chihiro was so ignorant of what surrounded her. Chihiro, of her pale face and shining hair. Chihiro, of her quiet, serene beauty. Chihiro, of her elegance and lovely laugh.

Keiko screamed suddenly and terribly. Her fist raised to strike the offensive glass, but she wobbled at the last moment and instead shattered inside, sobbing.

Keiko walked slowly in the direction of Chihiro's home. Folding her hands silently with her head bowed, she smelled the person before seeing her.

Two stilettos appeared . Curious, Keiko looked up at the owner. Almost immediately, Keiko wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Naoko." Keiko nodded, her words slightly muffled, covering her nose and mouth to avoid breathing in anymore of the putrid perfume.

Naoko smiled like a vixen, striking a pose. "I know. I look gorgeous."

Keiko looked at her in disbelief. How could the two ever been friends before? Of course that was before Naoko turned into the Naoko she was today, but…

"So Keiko, what are you doing here?" Naoko's nasal voice cut into her thoughts, rudely interrupting her. "I am, of course, being the head of an elite social club, headed to yet another party. They require so much of my attention." Naoko puffed like an old man boasting of his grandson's achievements.

Naoko was dressed in a tight light pink dress with tiny spaghetti straps. The back dipped dangerously low and the straps criss-crossed over her back. She wore pinkish fishnets, the stilettos increasing her height to a 5'6''. White sequined gloves covered her hands and when she pulled them off, they revealed short bitten nails painted messily in bright hot pink. Her hair piled up in a sloppy heap that still managed to make Naoko look good. Tiny glittering rosy gems sparkled in the hidden folds of her light dyed hair. Rose earrings swayed from her ears, spinning with each twist of her head. A humble gold chain wound around Naoko's slender neck with just a simple drop of rose dangling from it. Keiko was surprised to note that Naoko had neglected to put make-up on. Peering closer, she decided Naoko looked better without make-up.

"What are you staring at?" Naoko interrupted again, a little taken back.

Keiko blinked, then smiled. "I was just thinking you look better with no make-up on."

"No make-up?" Naoko's eyes widened. "That's what I forgot! What am I going to do?!"

Keiko had to smile again at Naoko's silliness. "You look great, Naoko. Don't worry about make-up."

Naoko's hard face softened and she stared down at the ground. "About what happened 3 years ago…I really am sorry, you know."

Keiko's smile wobbled a little and she fought back tears. "We were great friends, weren't we?"

Naoko sniffled a little. "We were. I just hoped you would be able to forgive…what I did."

Keiko tried not to remember the pain. "I did forgive you, Naoko. I did."

Naoko wiped her eyes, trying not to muss her hair. "That's all I wanted from you. That and your friendship. I'll do anything if we can be friends again."

Keiko was touched by Naoko's little speech and stepped forward in a hug. Shaking her head to clear the smell of her perfume, she choked out, "You could put a little less perfume on."

Naoko laughed weakly. "Sure. As well as a million other things." She frowned now. "There's something I've wanted to tell you, as Chihiro is your friend." Keiko waited in dread, sensing this was far worse than a mere I-Hate-You. "Lately, Ryo has made me do stuff to Chihiro. He's always talking about her…and it's not just lovey-dovey stuff. He doesn't think I can hear him or understands him, but I can hear. And I can see. Ryo doesn't want to marry Chihiro. He wants to destroy her."

Sora stood up from the scratchy cot, panting heavily. Yes, she thought madly, Yes, I have to go back. Go back and be with Haku again. But not before I kill her.
Haku lay in his bed, staring up at the dark night sky. It had been 3 days since Sora had left to bring Chihiro back. It had been so long since he'd seen Chihiro again.

Chihiro… Haku crushed the soft blanket to stop himself from thinking of her. He wanted to be with her forever, hold her, breathe her in. How was it possible to feel this way when in another lifetime he was promised to another?

Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. That was his name. But Prince Kohaku? Could he be a prince? He remembered Sora's reaction to his name again.

--Flashback—

Sora's face grew white and she clutched her chair tightly to the point her nails looked like a predator's claws. Her eyes opened and shut with such force, her head rocked. Her breathing was guttural and even Yubaba seemed a little freaked out by the seemingly delicate woman. Two red spots appeared on her cheeks and finally she swallowed. Smiling as if nothing happened, she excused herself and went back to her room. When Haku checked the chair later, he saw deep nail marks where her hands were.

--End Flashback—

The next day she announced her decision to go get Chihiro.

Needless to say, Haku was a little bit suspicious of Sora, even though her intentions were good. If Sora didn't come back in 2 days, Haku would have to go get Chihiro back himself.

Keiko knocked on Chihiro's door apprehensively. Still pondering on what Naoko had told her, she didn't notice the door open.

"Keiko!" Chihiro called cheerfully, "It's so nice to see you! How have you been doing? I was just going to call you. I've been meaning to tell you something."

Keiko nodded distractedly. "I came to tell you something too."

Chihiro looked at Keiko carefully. Does she look like a princess? Even remotely? Ever the host, Chihiro invited her in. "Let's have a sleepover! It's too late for you to go home alone."

Keiko accepted politely, adding, "It's not like they'd care anyway."

Once they were upstairs, Keiko shut the door and spoke. "I just talked with Naoko. She confirmed our suspicions. Ryo hasn't been acting normal lately. She also said that he meant you harm."

Chihiro paled but agreed. "He has been sort of strange." Chihiro checked to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Listen very closely," Chihiro said in a low voice, "Remember when I moved here? I went into kind of temple. In there was an entire different world, called the Spirit World. It's a magical world of dragons and witches, even demons. There is one dragon kingdom, the Sky Kingdom. Many years ago, their princess took ill and a demon rescued her. He also turned her into a human baby. Shortly afterward, the Sky Kingdom fell. The princess escaped along with a servant. I…" Chihiro glanced at Keiko. Keiko sat, caught up in the story.

"Is this real? Are you sure you're not kidding me?" Keiko wanted to believe, but she was too sensible to just fall for something.

"I'm not kidding. I think…I think you are the lost princess."

A/N: It's been so long since I've updated! Wahh! I'm so sorry. Bad C.L. bad C.L.! McDonalds good!

I apologize for the horrible chapter name. I couldn't think of anything relevant!

QUESTIONS QUESTIONS QUESTIONS! I LOVE THEM! SEND THEM IN IF YOU GOT ANY! (but please, none that reveal the end of the story ;;)

I must say, avolare is the best reviewer...because avolare gave me questions! (didn't I say I love questions?)

Responses:
avolare (as you can tell from this chapter (maybe) Sora is evil....maybe on her own. Naoko will have a bigger role and no, Sora and the princess are two different beings. Yay! Questions questions! And because you wanted more Haku....I added a little bit. I shouldv'e added more! cringe), Y Sunshine (yes you are the only one who liked Sora. Haha. Well. I did for a little while, then I was like, hehe....too much of a Mary-Sue?), Joker is Poker with a J (lol, your reviews are always funny to read. I'll check out your story when I have the time. Lately, I don't read much fanfiction. that seemed to have a lot of grammar mistakes.... Chocolate cherries are gross though!), Erkith (wouldn't you love to know? Thanks for reviewing.), charice (Yikes! I hope my story won't get worse. But thanks! I love Miyazawa's work too.), LadyCrescentStar (Ryo's in even more trouble witht his chapter! I hope he turns out okay....), Kaoru Girl (I love your name. Well. I love almost all Japanese girl names. Except for Miyazaka or something and Tsubabe and Maho. Thanks for reviewing!), x blue belle x (cough talked to me! surpresses excitement), MizuiroSnow (Giant chocolate Cookie??? YUUMM! I don't like ginger though....too strong.)

Love LOTS,
C.L.