Chapter Two: We Meet At Last

Ach. This took sooo long to get out. But I swear life is busy right now and I haven't got a lot of time to write. But it's my favorite fic on this website so I tried to work on it more than the others. I might put them on hold and work on this. I liked the start and I have a lot of ideas.

Nearly every name in this story that's not owned by Miyazaki (So that's everyone but Haku and Chihiro, Rin was just in here that one time--I own everyone else) was put in here cause the name has a meaning that relates to the character! Just a hint.

Disclaimer: Spirited Away, all its named characters, places, and anything that has to do with it, is not mine.


I'm going to do anything I can to make sure this war ends once and for all... Chihiro thought, taking an empty spot in the lines of men waiting for her father's orders. She knew that the war really wouldn't just end today, even if her father had implied it would. This war had been going on for who knows how long.

"Men! Now is the time to prove your loyalty to me and your families! Go! Fight! Bring victory home on your shoulders! Now!" She heard him say, and the troops started to march forward. She joined them, her identity hidden by the heavy suit. It was too thick to tell her as a woman. She just couldn't speak. Oh joy.

By now the solders had reached the start of the battlefield, and the enemy was on the other side. Chihiro nearly regretted coming, but then regained her confidence. At a sudden shout, the men around her drew their swords, raised their spears, and Chihiro was sure some near the back strung bows.

She could almost feel millions of pairs of eyes staring at her back, since she drew her sword a little after the others.

"Heheh... oops?" She softly muttered, and was glad no one could see her face. She could almost feel her cheeks going red with embarrassment.

Luckily, at the sound of a trumpet, everyone's attention was drawn away from the awkward young man with the strangely high voice. The lines began to march forward, and Chihiro was nearly trampled, but at the last second joined the men.

'Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. What have I gotten myself into?' She thought, regret coming over her again, seriously considering running back and hiding like her father had instructed earlier.


'Ach. Why did father have to die…? I'm not ready to lead a battle!' Haku thought, worry slowly creeping over his confident mind. 'No turning back now Kohaku. Better focus on surviving.'

He heard the trumpets from the opposition sound, and along with his men prepared to charge. He, being the general, was on a horse. It was a black beauty, amazing and very sweet. He just about trusted this horse with his life, and knew that if he was swung about in the midst of the thick battle, he would stay up. That gave him a little confidence.

He petted the back of Faris's, the horse, neck. He was beginning to feel Haku's tenseness and was getting jumpy. You can't very well have a jumpy horse in battle. It's almost considered suicide!

The horse neighed, shaking his head, his dark hair flying everywhere. He enjoyed the attention. Haku chuckled to himself, before remembered what he was here for.

Finally, someone near him signaled it was time.

The battle had begun.


Chihiro, in line with the other armor-clad soldiers, was nearly rattling. She would never turn back now, but they were just about fifty feet away from the opposing side now. Come on, you'd be nervous too, just admit it.

"Chaaaarrrg!" She heard a voice shout, and realizing it was her father's, obeyed. She ran with the other foot soldiers and tried to remember all she had been taught over the years about fighting.

Flashback

"Chihiro! Put that thing down!" The young eight year old heard. She reluctantly obeyed and set the wooden stick, serving as a sword, on the dark dirt.

"What, exactly, do you think you are doing? Playing, not to mention fighting, with these commoners?" She was asked. She didn't recognize the voice, but she knew if she didn't answer she would be punished.

"Sorry, ma'am. But Ahanu and Ajani are my friends! We were just having fun!" The young girl pleaded, referring to the two boys, twins apart from their height, she had been with.

Ajani, the oldest, said, "She's right Chihiro. Go on. And work on dodging better, eh? Next time, Ahanu won't have your back. And work on your left swing!"

Ahanu grinned, "But you are a girl, so don't push yourself too hard!"

Chihiro rolled her eyes and followed the woman who had interrupted her sparring.

"Don't ever play with them again! You need to stick to your studies! Make yourself attractive and fit to be the perfect queen someday!" The older woman had commanded.

Chihiro rolled her eyes a second time, 'I'm only eight,' she thought.

End flashback

'Why did I think of that? Oh yeah… Stupid Ahanu… Just 'cause I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't fight…' she thought, answering her own question.

Indeed, she could fight. The three had been meeting in secret ever since that first spar, and Ahanu, a nine-year-old, and Ajani, twelve, had been teaching Chihiro to fight. With both weapons and her hands.

She was never more ready.


Haku, skilled and trained in battle since the age of four, was urging his horse to gallop. He was ready as well.

Faris was, he regrettably admitted to himself, more confident than he was. But, he was a horse, so he didn't let the animal get to him. As if sensing his master's doubt about his four-legged state¹, Faris trotted a little harder, as if to show Haku that he was strong as well.

Haku nearly snorted, but regained his composure. He couldn't help but smile. This horse, while reliable, could always lift his spirits. (A/n Sorry for the pun, but like, no spirits in this fic)

They were almost there….

'Oh gods, what if I screw up?'

Almost there….

'I would let my people down!'

Closer….

Run away! Don't worry! Just run!Said a voice in his head, replacing his previous thoughts.

No! Come on... we're almost...

THERE!

He yelled triumphantly as his sword came in contact with his first victim, a young man on a horse like himself. 'He must have been a noble. Poor kid. Oh well.'

He ran his sword through a few more, and was completely sick at himself. Before, he would be at least a little merciful. Now, he killed without a thought. Old, young, man, boy, it didn't matter. 'This is war. I am the leader. I must win! If that means killing without thinking, then so be it.'


Soon, Chihiro had killed for the first time in her life. 'Oh gods… I'm so sorry. I must do this though…'

All of a sudden, she saw a man, on a horse, charging right towards her.

He had his sword raised.

Chihiro was frozen in fright, she knew that she was about to die.

He lowered his sword when he was close enough, everything seeming to be moving in slow motion to the girl. She slowly closed her eyes, waiting for death.

But, it never came. The sword only knocked off her helmet.

She gasped, as so did the man. Her brown hair waved behind her in the wind, which so fortunately appeared at that moment.


Dun know if this is a cliffy. But like, I will update as soon as possible! Dang, the POV switches a lot. Sorry.