Those Emerald Eyes
Disclaimer: We don't own Spirited away! If we did…well, let's just say, to us, it'll make the creators of Yugioh, Sailor Moon and the author of Harry Potter seem inferior. Lol.
Those Emerald Eyes
Chapter Two: Adjusting
That morning, Chihiro and Torri could not sleep.
"Chihiro," Torri whispered, leaning over to talk to her friend, "Are you awake?"
Chihiro rolled over so she was facing her cousin. "Torri! You must remember that here, my name is Sen and yours is Roi okay?"
Torri nodded miserably. "All I can do is wait right?" she whispered.
Chihiro nodded. "And you have to work too."
Torri groaned but nodded reluctantly.
"Go to sleep now," Chihiro said, trying to reassure her cousin and rolled over again.
Night fell and soon, the bathhouse was buzzing with activity. As usual, Chihiro, Torri and the other worker girls were assigned the job of cleaning the place up.
There was one good change. Yubaba had assigned Haku with the job of running the place now that he wasn't her apprentice anymore. Haku had allowed all the workers to take a break after two jobs.
That was how Chihiro and Torri got to be sitting with the other worker girls as they ate their breakfast. The girls were sitting well away from Torri because 'she stank of human' but Chihiro insisted that they include Torri into the conversation. It seemed the worker girls were new for they had not heard too much of Chihiro's magnificent deed of saving everyone from No Face.
After many changing of topics, the final subject was brought to 'Master Haku'. Chihiro noticed that during her absence, all the girls, it seemed, had developed a fondness for the boy dragon.
"He's so…dreamy!" a girl called Yasha sighed, her eyes unfocused and her hands crossed over her heart.
"I know!" Another girl called Raki agreed, giggling.
"And handsome!" A black-haired girl called Lio said, a blush invading her cheeks.
Torri grinned, causing Chihiro to shoot a surprised glance at her cousin.
"I've actually held his hand!" Torri proclaimed, her voice almost boastful.
There were immediate giggles and excited mutterings among the group. Sitting there, Chihiro began feeling uncomfortable. She resisted the urge to speak up herself. True, Haku was someone she had not seen for four years, but she couldn't help wondering about how he felt about her now.
She flashed back on the previous meetings with him. She remembered flying on his back and helping him recover from the spell of the golden seal. Closing her eyes, Chihiro barely noticed Rin walking up with three bowls of soup in her hand.
"Well, what have we here?" Rin asked the group playfully, sitting beside Chihiro and Torri and putting a bowl of soup in front of the two girls, "Another two members of the Haku Fan Club eh?"
She winked at Chihiro. "Maybe one of you will be more successful than all the rest."
Immediately, Chihiro felt her cheeks turn hot and red. She noticed all the girls were peering curiously at her and determinately pushed back the embarrassment.
"Yes Rin?" she asked mildly, ignoring the frenzied whispers starting up again.
"We've got the Big Tub again," Rin said, forgetting the subject she had brought up previously and looking thoroughly disgruntled.
"We're still cleaning the Big Tub?" Chihiro asked disbelievingly, "After four years?"
Rin rolled her eyes. "Those creeps think it's my responsibility after the River God came," she said, "So yes, it's 'our' tub now."
"Right," Chihiro said quickly, grabbing Torri's arm and ignoring her cousin's bewildered expression, "Let's go Roi.
"I guess all the slime from the Stink Spirit is still on here huh?" Chihiro remarked as she scrubbed a particularly hard bit of sludge that felt like it had been caked on with superglue.
"I know," Rin groaned, "No one bothered to clean it up after Yubaba gave us the food."
Chihiro glanced over at Torri who was struggling to hold the brush properly.
"Here," she said reluctantly and walked over to help her cousin.
Torri shot Chihiro a grateful look. The girl glanced in disgust at the sludge caked onto her shirt and made an attempt to brush it off.
"It won't come off that easily," Rin remarked, noticing what Torri wanted to do, "You'll have to wash it."
She glanced at Chihiro, still trying to get a bit of dirt off the walls of the tub. "It's going to need an herbal soak again."
"I'll get it," Chihiro said, dropping her brush and hoisting herself onto the ledge.
"'Kay Sen."
"Herbal soak?" the foreman asked, positively beaming at Chihiro, "Relax and enjoy!"
Chihiro was reminded vividly of the previous time she had asked for a token. How things had changed! For the first time, Chihiro began to feel positive about the new bathhouse. She was treated well and everything. Why couldn't she stay?
Her mind still dwelling on those thoughts, Chihiro ran back to the big tub.
"Thanks Sen," Rin said gratefully, clipping the token onto the string.
Torri remained huddled in the corner, her face buried in her hands.
"Poor thing," Rin remarked, though her voice was unsympathetic, "She hasn't done a thing since she got here. She'll have to start working if she doesn't want to disappear!"
"She's just new Rin," Chihiro said, affronted by the harshness in Rin's voice.
"Yeah, well if I got paid to do all she's doing, I might as well quit," Rin remarked dryly, her voice bitter, "Seriously. You must tell her Sen that there's no such thing as an easy job. Ya all gotta help each other."
Chihiro lowered her eyes and averted her gaze to Torri.
"I know Rin. She'll do better. I know she will."
Rin glanced doubtfully at Torri before reluctantly nodding. Chihiro smiled wanly at Rin before turning and squatting down next to Torri.
"Hey Roi," She said sadly.
Torri gave her a teary glare.
"Why are you calling me that?" She bubbled sadly, "My name is Torri and yours is Chihiro. Why are people calling us Sen and…and Roi?"
Chihiro sighed. Torri was having a hard time getting over the new names. Her cousin's brown hair was damp and dirty and her face was red with tears.
"That's how you are employed. Yubaba takes your name. Don't forget your real name though. But when people are talking to you, call yourself Roi okay? For me?"
Torri gave her and sad glance.
"Okay Chihiro."
"It's Sen now. Please don't call yourself Torri or me, Chihiro unless we're alone and no one is eavesdropping. Please remember Roi."
Torri sniffed.
"Suddenly you seem so much older than me Chihi-I mean Sen," She said tearfully, "I just don't know how to cope…"
"Well, you have to work," Chihiro said firmly, standing up, "Rin can't help you if you stop working and Yubaba will turn you into a pig."
Torri's eyes widened and she bit her lip as Chihiro turned to finish scrubbing the bathtub. The other girl bent down and picked up a brush, opting to scrub next to Chihiro.
"About that boy…" The blue-eyed teen began, peering carefully at her cousin as they scrubbed.
"Hmm?" Chihiro's absentminded response did little to help Torri.
"You know…the guy who led us down here," Torri mumbled, blushing, "I think he's…kinda…sweet you know?"
"Who? Haku?" Chihiro asked, her voice betraying her inner shock. It was not like Torri to bring up males in general voluntarily. And of all the people in the world, it just had to be Haku.
It was an unfinished conversation for Rin called suddenly, "Water coming!"
Chihiro dropped picked up her brush and hoisted herself out of the Tub, giving Torri a hand. Soon, the hot, steamy water of the Herbal Soak filled the Tub.
"That should do it!" Rin said, smiling triumphantly. Her smile faded as she saw Chihiro's face. And then at Torri's chattering one.
Rin edged a bit closer, ears straining to catch the conversation.
"He's so sweet you know Chi-Sen…" Torri was saying cheerfully, "The way he saved us and all. I wonder if…you know…"
Rin saw Torri give Chihiro a playful nudge and a wink. And she saw the thin smile that stretched across Chihiro's lips. That could only mean one thing. Haku. Rin could almost see Chihiro's inner face, filled with surprise and sadness.
She could not believe Torri, of all people, would be interested in knowing Haku better. It was unusual for her cousin to be really shy and awkward and also be really interested in a guy. And it just had to be Haku.
Chihiro fought to keep sharp words from pouring out of her mouth as she listened to Torri rant on about how wonderful Haku had been when he had saved them across the bridge. Didn't her cousin know that it was because of her, Chihiro, everyone had accepted Torri? And what did Haku think?
Chihiro frowned as she pushed the thoughts right away from her mind. Now was not a time to fathom with Haku's complicated mind. And not to reply to Torri either. Chihiro sighed and trailed after Rin as the other went to get more herbs.
The night lengthened and quickly turned into day. Chihiro felt herself yawning as the first rays of sunlight hit the bathhouse. Lights were switched off and all the workers prepared to rest until the following night announced their day.
Rin fell asleep without any trouble at all and even Torri was able to get some rest but Chihiro felt restless. She couldn't help remembering what Torri had said about Haku. And she couldn't help but fell confused. Zeniba had said pure love broke the spell of the seal. And it did.
But now, was the love going to fade? Chihiro hadn't seen Haku since he had lead Torri and her to the foreman to find jobs. Where was he now? What was he doing? Did the love refer both ways? Suddenly, she longed to see Haku. She needed to know.
So she felt around for her pink uniform and the shoes she had remembered to keep. The rest of her and Torri's clothes she had left in the blankets. She picked them up, opting to go the route of the boiler room. The Soot Balls seemed more reliable than her futon anyway.
As Chihiro crept into the Boiler Room, she saw the familiar sight of the spider-like boiler man. Looks were deceiving on Kamaji as Chihiro remembered how kind he was to her. The Soot Balls squeaked in pleasure at the sight of the girl and after she had given them the clothes with a thank you, she waved like she had before. Then, Chihiro opened the door to the rickety stairway, climbing up carefully.
She emerged at the bridge and then crossed it. Then, she wandered here and there, staring at the bright flowers and leaves that hung with pearly dew. The girl sighed and smiled as the gentle breeze caressed her face.
Wait…the gentle breeze danced past her…and was gone? Chihiro opened her eyes in confusion as the sudden stop of the breeze made her wonder. She looked around for any movement while clinging onto the pink fabric of her shirt with her sweaty hands.
"Haku?" she began but remembered something, "I-I mean Kohaku? Are you there?"
No one answered but a deep rumbling growl sounded somewhere to her right. Chihiro shrieked and jumped back as the form of a white dragon shimmered and appeared at her side.
Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Chihiro walked closer to the dragon. She always felt better and more relaxed when she saw Haku as a dragon and not as a human. Patting Haku's head, Chihiro felt peaceful and almost…at home.
"You didn't tell me you could turn invisible," Chihiro told the dragon accusingly, "Was that on purpose just to scare me like that?"
The dragon nodded, it's emerald eyes twinkling with laughter. Chihiro glared mockingly at the dragon before turning to the question she wanted to ask.
"Why are you here?"
The dragon growled a few times as if to tell her something and gazed out across the bridge. Chihiro followed and stared in surprise as Haku bent down and offered her his back to ride on.
"Now?" Chihiro's tone was doubtful.
The white dragon nodded and turned his head towards the sun, hanging high up in the sky. Chihiro relaxed-they still had plenty of time.
She clambered awkwardly onto Haku's back, feeling for his horns and gripping on tightly. Haku took a running leap…and soon, they were in the air. Haku twisted and turned, causing Chihiro to shriek and laugh and the same time.
After a quick ride, Haku landed at the bridge. Chihiro clambered shakily off and then patted him on the head gently. The dragon nudged her hand with its nose, almost looking as if it was smiling.
"Thanks Haku," Chihiro said, feeling somewhat reminiscent of their first meeting at the bridge, "You're a good friend."
The dragon nodded and watched as Chihiro ran quickly back to the bathhouse.
"Where were you Chihiro? I-I mean Sen.!" Torri asked later that evening, stammering as she corrected Chihiro's name.
Everyone had almost woken up and Rin was folding futons and replacing pillows in the cupboards.
"I had…things to take care of," Chihiro replied, feeling slightly uncomfortable. No doubt her cousin would question her further but luckily, just as Torri opened her mouth, one of the frogs ran up to her.
"Sen," The frog said, sounding almost breathless and bowing, causing Chihiro to jump and then help the frog up, "Your job is to go feed the Soot Balls and give Kamaji his breakfast."
"Okay," Chihiro replied, ready to go ask Rin where the food for the Soot Balls were kept and what to give Kamaji.
"Oh yes and Roi," The frog continued, voice suddenly cold and careless, as a king would speak to a slave, "You go and mop up the floors in the Stink Spirit section."
"Wait!" Chihiro exclaimed, unable to contain herself any longer, "Did Yubaba assign Roi the job?"
"N-no!" The frog stammered, caught off guard, "Yubaba only collects the money and manages the funds of the bathhouse. No, no. Master Haku did! He's in charge of the jobs now."
Chihiro felt her heart welling in disappointment. How could Haku have done that to Roi? She gripped her hands tightly and then said, "I'll go speak to Master Haku."
"No C-Sen!" Torri cried, avoiding the suspicious glare from the frog, "Um…I'll mop the floors. If Master Haku wants me to do that…I'll just do it."
"B-But-"
"I'll be fine Sen!"
Chihiro felt her spirit sag and then felt herself nod reluctantly.
"Okay then. I'll go ask Rin where the Soot Ball feed is kept."
Torri nodded and then timidly picked up the bucket and mop that was placed beside her. Chihiro smiled encouragingly at her cousin and then jumped as Rin shoved her the straw basket, in which the feed was placed into. Obviously, Rin had been eavesdropping.
"Soot Ball feed is in that container," Rin said, pointing to a large, white jug-like container placed in the corner of the room, "And just ask one of the Yunas for Kamaji's feed."
"Thanks Rin," Chihiro said, gratitude warming her face and causing her to smile and bow at Rin.
Rin grinned and turned to Torri, who was having trouble picking up the mop.
"Oh boy…"
Chihiro slid open the wooden door and promptly spilled almost half the contents of the basket on the polished wooden floor. Soot Balls squeaked in excitement as the little star-shaped food clattered everywhere on the floor.
"Alright! Have a break!" The familiar scratchy voice of Kamaji, the boiler man echoed throughout the room.
Chihiro hesitated as she pushed the pile of stars down to the ground where the Soot Balls worked. Already, it was a whole mountain of furry black as Soot Balls clambered here and there, all eagerly fighting for their food.
Then, she tipped over the basket of the remaining stars and hesitantly walked up to Kamaji. The boiler man resembled a spider with eight arms and two legs. He didn't look much older than he had before, although the light brown beard seemed to be slightly flecked with grey.
"Ah Sen," The old boiler man sighed, "So nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too Kamaji," Chihiro said, bowing respectfully, "I-I brought you your breakfast."
"Ah good girl," Kamaji said, and smiled as he passed her the old plates and bowls. As Chihiro passed the filled plates to Kamaji, she scrutinized what was on it.
The first was a bowl, filled with something, which looked like a yellow paste of some kind. The second was a bowl filled with rice. The third was a plate of huge number of small, silvery fish, no bigger that Chihiro's finger, garnished with a sort of browny-blue nut.
The fourth was another plate, filled with a sort of brown and purple dish, decorated with green shallots. The fifth and final dish was a small, round plate, piled with some sort of ball, which had a rich aroma of something between chicken and soy sauce.
Chihiro hesitated and finally asked, "Um…Kamaji? What are you eating?"
Kamaji seemed to stare at her for a second before nodding and smiling. He held up the bowl of soup, still filled with a sort of yellow paste.
"Well Sen, this soup is considered a delicacy! It's Bird's Nest Soup with a few roasted pork pieces in there. The fish is just a simple fish we like to call Sai-sai. And the nut is a Kiwarli nut."
Chihiro felt her nose wrinkle in disgust. Bird's Nest soup? Sai Sai and the Kiwarli Nut? Nevertheless, she kept silent, resolving to be more open minded as Kamaji continued.
"The dish that looks brown is eggplant and also a special food we eat called Akaji-it's a purple paste made from lettuce, beans, fish and shrimp (Chihiro cringed). And the last dish is a special delicacy only known to the bathhouse. It's called Row Chow-a little like chicken meat balls."
Chihiro swallowed hard and saw Kamaji smiling kindly at her.
"Thank you Kamaji for the explanation. I think I'll go now."
"Good luck Sen."
In a quiet, darkened room up the very top of the Bathhouse, someone, who had been observing very carefully with a shrewd and careful eye, spoke for the first time.
"So…Sen has changed. And that girl Roi is a weakling. But, alas, I must keep them here until the spell is broken."
In the dark, those eyes narrowed in anger.
"I just hope Sen's cousin won't mess things up."
Author's NoteAIEE! Such a long chapter and currently 11 A4 pages long! Well, a long chapter should have a large amount of reviews no? Lol.
And believe it or not, sai-sai is really a fish. It's a small silvery fish (Matching our description) that roamed the waters of an island called the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Anyway, Bird's Nest soup is also a real thing. And it's a delicacy in China (Mage One tried it before and she said it was disgusting but oh well).
The rest of the food we made up although Row Chow sounds like mandarin for meatball-which was what we had intended. You can use them in your story, as long as you ask permission first-although we didn't describe them too vividly. I think you guys all know the things we wrote about Kamaji's breakfast that are genuine. Lol.
Anyway, reviews! Thank you guys! We've also made a pact to review all the reviewer's stories (if they have any) and thank them. If you notice we haven't reviewed any of your stories, please let us know. We're deeply sorry if we didn't review!
Shitza- Thanks for your review. And about your comment-we'll give you guys an in-depth guide to how we write our chapters for our various stories.
First, we brainstorm ideas and possible things that would happen in the chapter.
Then, we organize everything (including editing, cutting out and saving ideas for furture chapters). And pictures help too so GM and Mage One draw pictures of possible scenarios.
Finally, GM types the things up and everyone reads it, suggesting possible corrections and stuff.
Click 'Save' and then we leave the chapter until GM decides to upload another one again.
Anyway, thanks for your review! Gives cookie
pinkwitch1- Thanks for your review! Gives cookie
Technogeist- Thanks for your review! You'll find out more about Torri soon! That's a promise! Gives cookie
SerenityMeowth- As usual, thanks for reading and reviewing! Gives cookie
Chcraven- Hopefully things will begin to unravel soon! Thanks for your review! Gives cookie
Lady Moon Dragon- Blushes Oh thanks! Hopefully, this chapter will be up to your standards! Gives cookie
lexyV105- A bit early to tell for that! Laughs Yes, they should. But there will be romance in later chapters. We're just not the type to make things instantaneously happen.
At the end of the actual movie, Mr. Miyasaki left a lot of expanding room. But we didn't see any romance happening between Haku and Chihiro (Apart from the off-screen and we're not sure if they even kissed at all-she was only ten for Ra's sake!). We want to make it happen slowly. And another obstacle is Torri. What will she do? Suspense music
Anyway, thanks for letting us rant on for about Checks four lines! Holy Ra! Big thanks for the review! Gives cookie
Nyome- Ah! We were wondering where to find you Sierra! Cheers End of term! End of term! And what about the sleepover? Did Pixes say this Friday or next Friday? Gives cookie
Thanks for all your reviews people! Keep it up!
Gardevoir Mages