I got six reviews this time! Yay! (Well, at least I think so.)
There were vivid, gaudy colours swirling in random patterns all around him. There was no sense of location, so he tried looking around. But it wasn't exactly 'looking'; it was like feeling, but not exactly that either. If there was a word for it, he didn't know it.
Then he realised – this was him. This was his memories and feelings. This was where his mind created the rules and laws. And it felt strange, knowing for the first time how everything inside him worked.
Gently, from the outside, he felt another presence. Reflexively he pushed his mind back against the invader. It withdrew cautiously, seeking another way in without disrupting. Then Kohaku suddenly remembered Shi Kami telling him to relax, so he let down his mental barriers and the other consciousness entered his mind.
He let it explore for a while, noting that it took particular interest in his memories of Chihiro. It also lingered over his memories of Aburaya, his missions that Yubaba sent him on, but it always came back to the short time he had spent with Chihiro. Then the other presence seemed to take over his thought, like it was trying to force him to do things he didn't want to do.
At first the presence tried to make him rid himself of the images of Chihiro, but Kohaku strongly rebelled against that, forcefully pushing the other consciousness away from his memories. Faintly, he thought he heard Shi Kami say, "He's a strong one."
The presence attempted to enter again, but Kohaku barricaded it out. He firmly told himself that he would keep doing this forever, so long as the other didn't mess around with his memories of Chihiro. Suddenly the other picked up on his strategy, and built on the newly-created barrier. Kohaku attempted to destroy it, but it was near impossible – it was like fighting himself from the inside.
Then he felt the presence take over him again with much more control than before, and suddenly it was he that was pushing the memories of Chihiro into those barriers, now shaped like a box. He fought against the Great spirit, trying to push it out, but without success. He stopped then, not wishing to tire himself more than necessary.
Unexpectedly, he 'saw' that the last of the memories were through, and now the box was slowly beginning to close. Suddenly he understood. He wasn't sure how he knew though, but he knew this: if Shi Kami sealed the box, then his memories of Chihiro would be lost forever.
Forgetting his earlier decision to reserve his energy, Kohaku threw all his mental strength against Shi Kami, but it was pointless – the Great spirit was too strong. The spirit was probably only using a fraction of his power, Kohaku thought bitterly. Still, that didn't stop him from trying.
Abruptly, the box was sealed and at the same time, his mind exploded in pain.
-----
Kohaku's vision cleared, and with a start, he realised he was sitting on the ground with no memory of how he got there. He looked up at the spirits crowding over him with expectant faces. Then Kuuki Kami extended her hand and Kohaku thankfully accepted her help.
"All right there?" she asked as she pulled him to his feet.
He nodded and asked, "What happened?"
"You – " she began but Chikiu Kami overrode her.
"Who is Chihiro?" he asked intently.
Kohaku frowned at the strange question. "Who?"
But he had already asked another one. "Has there ever been a human at Aburaya?"
He thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, but they all got turned into pigs by Yubaba."
This went on for a while, Chikiu Kami asking strange questions about him and ignoring Kohaku's, and Kuuki Kami quipping her brother's words after almost every sentence.
Finally the Earth spirit turned to Shi Kami. "Good job," he said.
Shi Kami merely nodded.
Then Chikiu Kami said formally, "We have helped you, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, and you are in our debt."
Mizu Kami added, "Though you don't have to pay it off right away."
The frivolous Air spirit chimed in, "Take no notice of the old fool. He's always trying to be formal."
Chikiu Kami ignored her. "Perhaps you should try to find your river, or get a new home. We wish you luck."
The Great spirits nodded as one, and then they abruptly disappeared into their pillars. Slowly the blue fire flickered and died, leaving Kohaku standing very alone in the engraved circle.
He felt empty, like he was missing something but he didn't know what. Sighing, he went down the stone steps and walked some way off before turning around and looking at the Five Pillars, and wondered what had made him go there in the first place. Shaking his head slightly, he kept walking.
Suddenly he decided to go and look for his river, like Chikiu Kami suggested he do. Maybe he had a better chance of finding it this time, and since he had nothing important to do, well, why not?
-----
"It's for the better! If we didn't make him forget about that human, he'd be suffering more than he needs to!"
"Ha!" was all Kuuki Kami said.
"Besides, the human has forgotten him. Better save him from grief when he finds that he can't bring the human's memories back," Inochi Kami stated.
Shi Kami added, "Remember, Kuuki, they have weak minds. It's a slim chance."
Kuuki Kami said dismissively, "Yes, yes, I know. But the point is: this human of his was already deeply ingrained in his life, correct?" She turned to Shi Kami.
Receiving the affirmative, she continued, "So by removing his memories of the human, you've taken a huge chunk out of his being. Look!" She pointed towards the dragon spiralling into the sky. "You can see he's lost something."
"And that, Kuuki," said Chikiu Kami, "is based on opinion, not fact."
"Well, can't you see it as well?"
Mizu Kami said dryly, "All I see is a dragon."
Kuuki Kami snapped, "You're not part of this, sister."
"Grow up, Kuuki," said Inochi Kami loudly. "You're too sentimental. What's done is done. End of discussion."
"Discussion? Don't you mean dogfight?" Shi Kami observed pointedly.
Kuuki Kami threw her hands up in exasperation. "Whatever. But you'll see. You'll see I'm right." She paused, then threw Shi Kami's words back in his own mouth. "'He's a strong one' – you said that yourself, didn't you, Shi?"
That chapter wasn't too weird, was it? Hopefully not.
Ah well, as usual, tell me what you think! I love reviews!
I don't mind if you type a couple of words. And all kinds of reviews accepted!
Reposted 22/11/05 to remove review responses