Royal Image
By: jaded image
AN: Okay...I'm an absolutely horrible person and I'm terribly sorry for the delay. For all those who are still reading, I'd like to thank you. You've all made me extremely happy ;)
Yana5- Thank you.
Moezy-chan- winces This was the soonest I could update...please don't hurt me...
Time's Mortal Enemy- Weird and sick freak?? Does that mean I'm one too? I'm actually fine with being one, people like them don't know what they're missing out on. And I'm sorry to be ranting, but it really bugs me when anime is referred to as a "cartoon". Perhaps it's just me......
Whispers Sound Like Screams- . You're one reason I had to update. Threatening to take away all my cookies and pixie sticks. I need the sugar!
Silver Petra- Amusing and cute at the same time? You're much too kind .
Blazingsunstar- Kool.
Burning-Yami-Rain- Thank you. I'll try although I can't promise you anything.
Fire Kitsune Goddess- I'm extremely happy! Does that mean I'll update more often? Sadly I find that to be a bit hard
Silver Dragon Ixi- ::hands her a pixie stick:: My last one. Unless somebody's willing to buy me some more? (hint hint)
KittyCat918- I'm glad you enjoyed it so far.
As a side-note, I won't be able to update for a month as I'm going to be sunburning on vacation. But I shall update once I have gotten my mosquito bitten self back in front of any available monitor.
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away; so please...don't make me...pay? What kinda messed up person wrote that?! ::cough::
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He felt himself falling and falling...until he landed in a heap right in front of the last person he expected to see.
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Chihiro stared at the fallen beast. It just fell seemingly out of nowhere. Hearing a faint rustling sound, she glanced up to see a dark cloud of what looked like green bird, plummeting towards them.
"Ah, shit...!"
Dropping the recently cleaned cloth, she stared as the swarm swirled around the creature. It writhed in pain and made a low growl deep in its throat but seemed unable to get away.
Impulsively, Chihiro ran forward waving her arms wildly about her as if that would ward off the attackers.
The rustlings grew louder, Chihiro shut her eyes as fear took over and she huddled near the ground. What had she been thinking, charging in here like a maniac?
After awhile, when the long awaited pain didn't arrive, she opened her eyes and glanced around.
The ground was littered with fresh, young leaves. Upon closer examination, the fragile leaves revealed razor-like edges and were pointed like arrows.
A light finally went on somewhere in Chihiro's mind and she shivered at the thought that these measly little leaves could do so much damage.
A pained groan came from close by and the princess got her first close look at the mystical creature. Trying to be as silent as possible, she got about a yard away before it growled in warning.
Chihiro stiffened, but forced her expression to be one of kindness and sympathy.
"It's okay, all I want to do is help you." She held out her hand and when the beast made no move, she crept closer.
It was a dragon. With beautiful antlers that gleamed in the sun, long blue- green mane spread out on the ground. It's pearly white scales shone like polished glass, marred only by the multiple cuts all over its body.
Chihiro came within touching distance and reached out towards the beast, a questioning look in her eyes. The dragon watched her with its amazing jade green eyes as she gently stroked its mane.
A beautiful creature indeed.
Her heart ached as her roaming hands discovered more cuts. "What happened to you?"
The beast gave a low groan and tried to stand. Chihiro restrained it with one hand and muttered, "Don't be stupid. You're in no condition to move."
Looking around, she sighed. She had to find a place to keep her new found friend.
"Uh..stay here." She ordered, not sure if it would understand. Quickly she scanned her surroundings. She hadn't even been in the Spirit Realm for more than a day, how was she suppose to know where to go?
Closing her eyes and spinning in circles, she stopped, facing a random direction. Stiffening her resolve, she left the fallen dragon and headed for the hills.
:::Haku:::
He growled in frustration and pain. For the past few minutes he had tried to change back. But for some reason, he couldn't.
There was some restraining power. The most he could manage was for his form to shimmer uncertainly, and even that was too painful.
He sighed and waited for the aches to subside. Sen had been gone for quite some time now. He hoped she was alright. Silly human...
When he had crashed to the ground, the first thing he noticed was Sen crouched by the river, a pile of rags beside her.
She was wearing the traditional pink uniform, smudged with some indiscernible material and reeking something awful. Haku gave a deep chuckle. She must've been dealt the big tub.
Thinking about her brought him peace and he managed to forget what happened not too long ago.
Remembering the genuine look of caring she had shown, Haku felt warmth rise inside of him. Nobody had ever treated him that way, no one except...
He shook his great dragon head and grimaced at the self-induced pain.
His ears suddenly perked up at the sound of hurried footsteps and his nose smelled the disgusting scent of the big tub with an underlying peach aroma.
Half a minute later, Sen herself came into view. Her brown eyes shining and cheeks flushed, hair held back in a tangled mess. She rushed up to Haku and knelt by his side, taking a moment to catch her breath.
"I found...::pant:: the perfect place...::pant:: for you...::gasp::."
He cast her a confused look and she rolled her eyes. "I don't know if you understand me or not, but I found you a place to stay."
Now it was his turn to roll his eyes at the idea that she had to go find him somewhere to stay. As if he wasn't capable. Sen giggled.
"You know, you remind me of somebody..." Haku watched her with a mixture of wariness and excitement. If she figured out who he really was...
Sen snapped her fingers. "That's it! You remind me of that kitchen boy back home! He always rolled his eyes at the cook." She giggled again.
Haku would've fallen over had he been standing. A kitchen boy? Has something been done to this girl's brain?? He failed to see any connection between a river god like himself and a common kitchen servant. Humans were strange indeed.
He suddenly realized the meaning of what she said. A servant...and a cook...which meant she must be from some rich family. Perhaps the daughter of a successful merchant or trader. Or maybe a rich lord owning an admirable amount of land.
His thoughts were interrupted as Sen was taking a closer look at his face. "No," she said. "Not the kitchen boy. Somebody else. You're much too beautiful to be compared to him."
If dragons could blush...
Sen was quiet. Suddenly her eyes rounded, "Oh... You remind me of him!"
Her statement was vague and it left him wondering who "him" was. Another servant? But the way she said it...a suitor perhaps?
Haku felt what seemed to be dismay at the thought of Sen having a suitor. Why should I care...she's just a silly little human.
The said silly little human let out a sigh, which was immediately replaced by a cheery smile.
"Anyway, like I was saying. I found this little hut a bit in the forest. I think you'll be able to stay there. It looked deserted."
Her uncertainty showed and Haku wondered if this cabin was, in fact, uninhabited.
She continued, all the while straining to lift him up. "It's a bit far, so we should probably hurry."
Deciding her sad attempts weren't getting them anywhere, he hauled himself to his feet swaying a bit. Sen placed her small hand near his neck, her touch soft and gentle.
Together they walked off in the direction Sen had come.
:::Chihiro:::
She was delighted to see the dragon up and moving about, if not in a slow lethargic way. It's motions were nonetheless fluid and pleasant to watch, like a calm flowing river.
The two made their way to the deserted hut she had found. It was a homely sort of place, a bit dusty perhaps, but cozy.
They entered and she searched for any source of light. Finally lighting a candle, she started piling old blankets and sheets the previous owner left behind.
Her end creation was a shapeless nest.
The dragon gave it a doubtful look and Chihiro rolled her eyes. "Sorry, no special treatment here. It should be comfortable enough..." Of course she wouldn't know, having slept on four feathered mattresses her whole life.
By now, she figured the creature understood what she said. She had seen the deep frown when it was being likened to the kitchen boy. Obviously it didn't like that comparison too much.
The creature settled itself with its tail curled securely around its body.
After making sure it was comfortable, she stood up and the dragon's eyes followed her.
"I'll go get you some food and water and bring it later. For now, try to rest." She hesitated by the door. "Please...don't run off while I'm gone." Had she been facing it, she would've seen a soft toothy smile from the dragon.
She skipped out the door and headed back toward the river, back to the pile of clean rags were. Rin was going to give her hell for taking so long.
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MUAHAHAHA!!! Another chapter done and I have to leave for the airport in...just about a hour .; Well then, hopefully this chapter was alright and nobody has died from boredom.
Please leave me a review and tell me what you think. Thank you and come again.
jaded image