Those Emerald Eyes
Disclaimer: We don't own Spirited Away. This is merely written for our own enjoyment and hopefully for our readers too!
Those Emerald Eyes
Chapter One: Back to the Spirit World
"Come on Chihiro! We're going to be late!" an excited fourteen-year-old girl shouted, bounding beside the car parked outside a blue house. The girl's blue eyes sparkled in delight as her dark hair bounced in all directions.
"I'm coming Torri," another girl, running hurriedly out of the house, called, "I just need to tie my hair."
Torri rolled her eyes. "Come on Chihiro! Tie it in the car!"
Chihiro, now fourteen-years-old came hurrying out of her house, her hands busy pulling her long, brown hair into the usual ponytail. Chihiro wore a blue T-Shirt and black shorts as she ran outside, hurriedly picking up her shoes. Torri watched her cousin, amused.
"Gee Chihiro," the girl remarked, "You've been using the same hair band for about four years. Get a new one."
Chihiro fell silent, gazing at the purple band clutched between her fingers. Memories flashed back in her mind. The incident that had occurred four years ago had changed her whole personality. Names and pictures flashed in her head, almost overwhelming her.
Granny, Bou, Kamaji, Rin, Yubaba, No Face and…Haku. They were all flooding into her head now. Chihiro squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back tears. For a moment, she wanted to return to the spirit world. She wanted to joke with Lin. She wanted to help Kamaji and the Soot Balls with the herbal water. She wanted…to see Haku.
"Chihiro?" Torri asked, apparently worried her cousin was having a seizure or something, "You okay?"
Chihiro's eyes snapped open. She gave Torri a hasty grin before finishing the ponytail and sitting in the car.
The car ran along the dusty tracks. Chihiro and Torri sat at the back while Chihiro's parents tried to locate the park on their map.
"All this time spent just to find the park where we'll be having the picnic?" Chihiro complained, "Mum, I think we really should just find a nice spot and eat."
"Don't be picky Chihiro," her mother chastised, "You don't hear Torri making all the fuss."
"Maybe that's because she wasn't awoken at four in the morning by an overexcited cousin who had just stayed for a sleepover," Chihiro mumbled darkly. No one heard.
"Hey I think I found the route!" Chihiro's father cried triumphantly, jabbing his finger at a spot on the map.
"Let's go then!" Torri cried, almost fizzing over in excitement.
The car came to a stop outside an old gateway. In front was a boulder of a kind of monster. The whole clearing was covered in moss and fallen leaves.
"I think we've been here before," Chihiro's father remarked as the four climbed out of the car, "When we just moved here remember?"
"Ah yes!" Chihiro's mother exclaimed, "Remember the sweet grass we saw before?"
"Yeah!" her husband agreed, "It'll be a perfect spot for a picnic. Though I must admit...I don't remember seeingthe park again until now."
Chihiro froze. That was the doorway to the Spirit World. She had not seen it all the other times. And yet…here it was, the huge, red walkway.
"No!" Chihiro cried in horror, "You can't Dad! There are…spirits there!"
"Don't be silly Chihiro!" Torri laughed, bounding into the car and hauling out the large picnic mat, "There are no such things as spirits!"
Chihiro sighed and looked up at the sky. Maybe she shouldn't worry. After all, Yubaba's curse had finally been broken and Haku had gotten his name back.
"I suppose we could go there," she said doubtfully, "But we'd better leave really soon Dad okay?"
The four trudged in the dark tunnel, emerging in the same place as they had done four years ago. Chihiro looked around, her eyes wide. Everything looked the same. She desperately wished they would leave before sunset.
The four had now reached the same restaurant Chihiro and her parents had stopped at before. Chihiro eyed the scrumptious food with loathing. This was what had turned her parents into pigs.
Before Chihiro had time to react to the shock of revisiting the place, Torri had grabbed her hand and they had run to the bathhouse. Chihiro gave one last desperate look at her lingering parents before running with Torri. However, the brown haired girl stopped as she caught a glimpse of the sun. It was setting.
"Torri. We'd better go now," Chihiro said, feeling a deep sense of foreboding as she watched the sun sink deeper into the horizon.
Torri wasn't listening. She was staring intently at something behind Chihiro. Chihiro followed Torri's gaze, feeling nervous and jumpy. She turned and locked eyes with emerald green ones.
It was Haku. One glance at him told Chihiro all she needed to know. Fear and worry lit the boy's eyes as he stood there. Chihiro, knowing what he meant instantly grabbed Torri's arm.
"Torri, listen to me!" she commanded, "We have to go!"
"I-" Torri began as her friend dragged her down the bathhouse steps.
While running, Chihiro turned and took one last look at Haku. Those emerald eyes were almost enchanting. The boy turned and took off in the other direction.
No! No! Chihiro thought frantically as she raced down the steps, Torri's hand in hers.
The two tore into the alleyway where Chihiro's parents had been. To Chihiro's surprise and shock, they were not pigs. They had simply disappeared.
Her mind a swirl of thoughts and jumbled feelings, Chihiro dragged Torri down the steps and into the wide, grass plains. Or…what was left of it. Torri's blue eyes widened at the sight of the huge lake.
Chihiro sank into despair. They would never get home now! A gasp of panic from Torri jolted her to her senses. Torri was staring at Chihiro with frightened eyes. The girl held up her own hands, which were becoming see-through.
Chihiro searched around for some food. Where was Haku when you needed him! She groped for Torri's arm which was now, almost completely gone. The two friends crouched down in the cover of a wall.
Chihiro was aware her own body was fading away. She held Torri's hand, which was trembling, and the two waited in agonizing silence. A sound brought Chihiro back to her senses. It was Haku.
The boy crouched down, beside Chihiro and the almost gone Torri. Worry increased in the boy's eyes.
"I have only one berry," he said at last, "I don't know-"
"Please Haku!" Chihiro said desperately, "Give it to Torri. I can't bear to see her fade away while I stay!"
Haku's emerald eyes seemed to stir at a conflict of emotions ran through them.
"Please Haku!" Chihiro pleaded, "We don't have much time left!"
She gestured at the fading Torri. The girl's legs had completely gone and the upper half of her body was fading at an alarming rate.
Haku glanced at Chihiro. Chihiro's legs had also gone and her arms were almost gone as well. The boy stared at Chihiro and seemed to make up his mind.
He stuffed the berry into Chihiro's mouth, ignoring her muffled pleadings and cries. He then tore a few leaves off the nearby bush and gave it to Torri to eat. Torri choked and wheezed but swallowed obediently. In a few moments, both girls were solid.
Haku looked around and then motioned for Chihiro and Torri to follow him.
"It's going to be hard with two of you," he pointed out worriedly.
"I know the way Haku," Chihiro put in, "I can guide myself."
But Haku shook his head. "You won't be able to keep up," he said simply. Then, he seemed to have an idea.
"We'll sneak up to Kamaji's boiler room."
Torri looked confused as Chihiro nodded.
"But how?" Chihiro asked nervously, "Are you telling me you can sneak into the room now without crossing the bridge?"
Haku shook his head, "I know the way. But we still have to cross the bridge. Just hold onto my hand."
Chihiro took his left hand while Torri shyly took the other.
"Let's go!" Haku shouted as they ran up to the bathhouse.
The three came out of the side gate Chihiro knew very well. She glanced nervously at Torri. Torri had never had any experience with holding her breath. Torri didn't seem to be concentrating on Chihiro anyway. The girl was staring intently at the various spirits and ghosts that were arriving at the bathhouse.
Chihiro hesitated when she spied Torri giving Haku wistful, dreamy looks. Chihiro found herself wondering what Haku had become the past years.
Chihiro winced as she heard Haku tell her cousin, "Make sure you don't take a breath until we get out of the bridge."
Chihiro clung onto Haku as they began the long journey across the bridge. Torri seemed to be having difficulty. The other girl's face was now turning red and her cheeks were puffed out. Haku gave Torri a worried look before continuing.
Suddenly, Torri let out a breath. They were halfway across the bridge. Instantly, Torri screamed as several spirits grabbed her hands and dragged her.
"Leave her!" Haku shouted and Chihiro, unable to contain herself anymore, let out a breath as well.
"It's Sen!"
Spirits and ghosts cheered as they caught sight of the girl, still clutching Haku's sleeve. Frogs and spirits ran to greet her and thanked her for saving them against No Face. Chihiro gulped as a swarm of people rushed out to her.
Suddenly, they all stopped. Chihiro stared at Haku who had put himself in front of her.
"You can all greet her later," he said waving away the people literally with one sweep of his sleeve, "We need to see Yubaba now!"
Cheers echoed around the bridge as Haku took Chihiro's hand and led her on the other side of the bridge. Many spirits were already standing up to catch one final glimpse of the heroine. Chihiro wondered why they were cheering. Was Yubaba treating them coldly again?
"Come on Torri!" Chihiro shouted at the girl who was still frozen in shock.
Torri scrambled out of the Spirit's grips and ran over to her friend. She clutched Chihiro's arm so tightly Chihiro felt her blood circulation in her arm stop.
Haku led Chihiro and Torri through the place…up to Yubaba's domain.
"I thought we were to see Kamaji!" Chihiro hissed at Haku anxiously.
"Change of plan. Yubaba already knows we're here. Your friend caused quite a scene."
Chihiro felt herself wince.
Haku led them up to the elevator. While Chihiro walked, she felt confused.
"What happened here?" Chihiro asked, looking around at the bathhouse.
"Yubaba took control again," Haku answered, his voice hard, "She locked the gateway back to the real world and told us there was only one way to get out. We don't know how."
His green eyes darkened. "She said it had something to do with me."
Chihiro felt deep sympathy for him. It must have been hard knowing you were the only way to get out and not knowing how.
"So is Kamaji still here?" Chihiro asked nervously, changing the subject, "How about Rin and Bou and everyone else?"
"They're all still here," Haku said, "But they don't know how to get out. Everyone knows it has to do with me so they treat me like a king even though I'm no longer Yubaba's apprentice. We can't contact Zeniba at all."
Chihiro felt her heart sinking.
"So…do I still have to sign another contract so I can work here?" she asked, "Do I have to see Yubaba again?"
"Yes," Haku replied, "If you agree to work here, you'll have to be Sen once more."
He glanced at Torri. "She'll need to work here too."
Chihiro nodded and took out a piece of paper, which was the piece of paper she had written her and Torri's names on. She hurriedly scanned the contents before stuffing it in her pocket.
"This will help me remember," she said, tucking the paper further inside the pocket.
Haku nodded, his emerald eyes scanning her face intently. Chihiro gripped his hand tightly and stared at the small door she was once told to go to. She was aware Torri was listening.
"Do I call you Kohaku or something now?" she asked, smiling weakly at him, "Or is it still Haku or Master Haku?"
"Call me Haku," Haku said gently, "But when Yubaba isn't around, call me Kohaku. It'll help me remember."
They had now reached Yubaba's domain. Haku led Chihiro and Torri to the door and knocked the knocker three times. The ornate doors slid open one by one and Chihiro entered nervously. As before, Chihiro felt herself being magically pulled into Yubaba's room with Torri by her side.
Yubaba sat in her chair as Chihiro was pulled into the room. The witch herself had not changed much but one look from those brown eyes told Chihiro that Torri was not welcome at all.
"Another human!" Yubaba grunted in disgust, surveying Torri.
"She's my cousin. My parents accidentally led us through here again. I'm very sorry," Chihiro said in a rush and then bowing, "We'll go straight away if you allow us to."
Yubaba snorted, clearly unimpressed. "I put the spell of blockage and sealed the gateway within Haku. Now even I can't get out. I sent for you not your friend here."
"Why would you want me?" Chihiro asked nervously.
Yubaba shook her giant head. "You need to find out."
Chihiro remained silent, determinedly holding back tears. She had learnt to become strong. And she was fourteen now. No longer a child.
The witch sighed in defeat, breaking the awkward silence. "Alright. You can both work here. Contract?"
As the two pieces of paper flew towards the two girls, Yubaba muttered angrily to herself. She hated being so nice and friendly but she had no choice. She needed the girl to break her spell.
Chihiro and Torri finished signing the contract and Yubaba scanned the names. "So…Chihiro. You're Sen again. And…Torri right?"
Torri nodded nervously. "From now on, you'll be known as Roi. Got it?"
Torri nodded dumbly again. There was a moment of suppressed silence. Then, Yubaba seemed to explode with fury.
"For heavens sake girl can't you speak!"
"I can!" Torri retaliated angrily, her dark blue eyes blazing.
Yubaba seemed shocked for a millisecond and then muttered to herself, "Even worse than Sen. My heavens…she needs manners!"
"You called?" Haku asked as he appeared at the doorway abruptly, making Torri and Chihiro jump.
"Take Sen and this girl down and find work," was the bored command.
"Fine."
Haku turned to Chihiro and Torri. "Come on Sen," he said and turned to Torri, eyeing her coldly, "What's your name?"
Torri gave a start and pointed to herself. Haku nodded. "It's Torri," she said, obviously forgetting her new name.
Yubaba seemed to bristle with fury and Chihiro hurriedly answered for her cousin.
"It's Roi."
Torri glared at Chihiro as if it was her friend's fault. Yubaba nodded and Haku's eyes reflected his acknowledgement. Then, the dragon led them quietly into the elevator.
As the elevator traveled down the floors, Chihiro noticed Torri giving bewildered looks at Haku. She knew Torri was going to ask why Haku was so cold.
"Don't even ask," Chihiro whispered.
"Sen needs to be in our department!" the foreman protested angrily, "She's destined to be there!"
"No!" one of the Yunas at the gates cried, "We need her in our department!"
The squabbling continued loudly but Haku broke the argument by saying, "She stays with Rin."
There were groans of disappointment from the arguing groups.
"Who will take the new girl?" Haku asked in annoyance.
Immediately, everyone stopped arguing and rejected Torri by saying 'She stinks of humans!' Chihiro glanced at Torri whose eyes were bright with tears.
"Haku?" she asked quietly, "Would Rin be happy to take Roi in with me?"
"You'll have to ask her," Haku answered and shouted, "Where's Rin!"
An obviously older Rin clambered out from the crowd, looking thoroughly disgruntled as crowds clambered here and there shouting 'I'll swap you two of my girls for Sen!'
"Hey Sen!" she cried happily and ignoring the shouts when she saw the girl.
"Rin!" Chihiro cried happily.
"Is that your friend?" Rin questioned, gesturing at Torri.
"Yeah," Chihiro answered, "Can she stay with us?"
"Sure," Rin said although she looked doubtful.
So Rin and Chihiro led Torri up to what was to be her temporary home…
Author's Note:
Well, how do you like the first chapter? Torri is, by the way, Chihiro's cousin. And all the spirits know Chihiro because of No Face and also because of the end where Yubaba gives Chihiro the final test (Remember how the Yunas and Frogs were cheering?) Sorry if any of this doesn't make sense but we're basing all of this on the movie.
So…good? Bad? Please review and we'll post up the next chapter ASAP!
Until next time,
Gardevoir Mages