Thanks reviewers! Wow so many! (grins like an idiot) You are all so wonderful…
LadyRainStarDragon: Yes the bottle is very evil. I'm relieved that it sounded reasonable! And you're right on track about the students…you'll find out soon which one it is
Dillpops: Yes, glass is painful. Poor Chihiro. I will make it up to her…
Fideal mollicia: Ahhh! (runs away from several annoyed readers carrying spears) Sorry! I was being mean. But I'll make up for it!
The person I know: Yes! Finally the plot thickens. I was getting sick of no action and set up. Good pacing? Me likes the falcon too. Hmm…I'll think on the age thing. Maybe you will find out through Chihiro. (shrugs)
Lady Seoh Phoenix: I like the new name! lol Ok, good. So the blood wasn't that bad. Read on…
Kabashka: Lol. You're my kinda girl. Go sappy people! Don't worry…
Velf: Yes! I knew too that leaving the glass in would have been a much better idea, less bleeding, etc. I was cringing as I wrote that part. I was in quite a sadistic mood…hehe. Don't worry about Haku… As you said, he is a dragon. Yay you wrote an epilogue hehe! I love your writing.
Tara: Oh! lol Fanfiction can get quite addicting, I only discovered it this year! Well, it sounds like my story didn't put you off it again yay! Enjoy.
I kissed hiei: Thanks. Here you go!
Pyramidgirl89: Yeah it was a bit graphic…hehe I guess you like. Oh and the Battousai came. He's making me some miso soup with tofu! Lol!
Lavender wings: (grins) Your question was right on but I can't answer Sorry to keep you hanging. It will become clear eventually. hehe
Leanne: Ahh! lol Its nowhere near finished actually but here's the next chapter.
Just can't help it: Here you go! hehe Your questions will be answered soon. It was not so odd a review, actually one that made me very happy that I invoked curiosity and, well, made me hurry up
Disclaimer: I don't own spirited away.
A/N: Ok! Sorry about the bloodiness of last chapter. I was being evil and there will rarely be these kinds of graphic chapters. But it was good drama! hehe This chapters happier. Yeah…
Across the crimson gloom
Haku sprinted through an archway from the whispering green fields and suddenly stopped. He was in a room made of tan clay, with a high ceiling and a rickety alter. A rose window cast soft pink shadows on the dusty floor. He looked into the center archway of the three before him, the portal to the human realm. Eyes widened in alarm. What the…! The archway glowed a haunting deep crimson, almost black. It was impossible to see the exit on the other side and occasionally there were sparks or vivid green, red and midnight blue which zigzagged through the gloom. As he frowned at the sight, Haku suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of despair come crashing down on him like before. There were no words this time, just weakness and helplessness. Chihiro? He felt panic bubble in his chest but calmed himself down with deep breaths. Determination set into forest green eyes. Calf muscles tightened as he prepared to run through the unwelcoming fog. Ok. One, two…
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The tall green trees swayed blurrily in Mayu's eyes. It had only been a few minutes since she had started carrying Chihiro, but it seemed like a year had passed in agonizingly slow hours. The bleeding from Chihiro's arm, after more pressure, had finally stopped. But there was no sign of water still. Throat scratching and lightheaded from the desert-like heat, Mayu gathered her strength and looked for her only guide. Her only hope. "Birdie…" she rasped. She couldn't see it.
Her knees buckled and almost gave out, when suddenly a mass of waxy feathers pricked her bare shoulder. The bird gave an ear splitting scream hovering right over her shoulder and Mayu's drooping eyes snapped open. She grinned at the gorgeous bird. "Thanks. I needed that." The bird glanced at her and squawked. It seemed more restless now, russet feathers rustling more, keeping her on track. It occasionally poked her painfully with its sharp gold beak, but never enough to pierce her caramel skin. She looked around and realized that the path they were now on was overgrown and thank god, not littered at all. A forgotten trail. She grunted under her friend's weight, muscles burning with fatigue as she trudged her way up the sloping trail. A few minutes later, she crested the hill and couldn't take it any more. One last step and she collapsed onto the hard ground with a groan, face down. Chihiro rolled unconscious to the ground next to her.
She heard the falcon squawking softly near her and raised heavy eyelids up to meet a piercing amber gaze. The falcon looked soulfully into her eyes as it waddled gracefully over. Her ring and chain hung from its murderously sharp beak. Mayu smiled and put it around her neck with fumbling fingers "Thank you for trying to save us." she whispered. Delayed despair blossomed in her weary heart. The huge amber falcon stood by her head comfortingly, occasionally picking leaves with its beak from her silky raven hair.
She closed her eyes into darkness. In the middle of a vast wood with no people around, Mayu listened to the sounds of nature, the chirping of birds and singing of cicadas in the bushes. Its hopeless…The bird nudged her. She turned away from it, and lay motionless, listening to the soothing sounds. They reminded her of lazy summers at home when her was younger, when sit on the porch with her mother in comfortable slience, looking at the orange sunset and listening to the summer night. She imagined her mother sitting there now, alone. I should have stayed home…But the falcon nudged her again, harder this time, and squawked loudly. Called back to reality, Mayu looked at the bird blearily. It swung its head upwards, pointing. She looked up mechanically and her smooth expression changed to one of absolute shock. She gasped and sat up.
A tall red building stood before her, old and worn. A stone statue of a stumpy man stood nearby. Mayu frowned when she saw the archway. There was no light shining through, seemingly no end to the tunnel. Just a deep crimson fog, darker than the rusty red paint of the building. It's the portal…from Chihiro's story… The falcon observed her for moment before touching its beak to her temple in a quick motion. Mayu didn't even know what hit her before she glowed blue for a second and fell into a deep sleep, plopping to the ground. The bird nudged her. She didn't stir. It flew to a thick but short branch laying on the ground a few feet away. Carrying it back to Mayu, it rolled her onto the dry wood so that the branch now lay under Mayu's abdomen. Grabbing the branch on either side of her limp form with razor sharp talons, it slowly took off into the air. Mayu dangled and swayed from the thick branch, like a doll fluttering in the wind on a rustic clothesline. The enormous bird flew at ease to the archway and straight into the thick crimson fog, carrying its prize.
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Three! Haku ran towards the eerie crimson blackness. However before he could even penetrate the gloom, he felt a humongous branch slam him backwards into the clay wall. There was a huge gush of wind and he saw a flash of amber but it was gone in a second, out the arch and into the field. He looked up unexpectedly to see a branch falling straight onto him. He yelled and jumped out of the way just in time. He heard a thump and a soft moan and looked in front of him. A young woman with raven hair and what would be beautiful caramel skin lay on the ground, in a swirl of dust. Haku ran over, eyes wide. "Hello?" he called out uncertainly.
Mayu fluttered her eyes open and winced as dirt made them water. She saw a handsome face, beautiful emerald eyes, black glimmering chin length hair. Suddenly, it clicked. Am I dreaming? Then she remembered seeing the portal from her friends story as well. Better tell him anyway…"Dragon, go save her."
Haku's eyes dilated, fully alert. He looked suspiciously at the girl, brushing raven hair from his face. "Who are you? And save who?"
Haku could have sworn a smile twitched on the girls exhausted face. Maybe not a dream…"Chihiro stupid. She's hurt." Mayu gave into hacking coughs as her dry throat smarted and closed her eyes.
Haku's breaths were shallow. He tried to calm down. Failed. His heart raced and ached in painful bursts of adrenaline. He swallowed and stared at the girl before him. Clearly human. He remembered Zeniba's words and panicked more."Oh gods…" Haku breathed. But then he inspected the girl closer, drawing his magic to his sight. A faint blue aura surrounded her.Magical protection. Haku sighed with relief.
He turned and raced fearlessly now into the crimson fog, leaving Mayu laying on the ground. He felt currents of power running in an intricate net throughout the whole tunnel. Strange echoes and murmurs pressed on him from all sides. Finally, he broke through. He staggered as the human world without magic seemed to drag on him, drain him. He blinked rapidly his eyes adjusting to the new light. Then he saw her. A young woman with traces of the little girl he knew. In a heap of pale skin, a bloody rag on her arm shockingly red in her otherwise pale state. Woody brown hair tangled with leaves, dirt stains on her beautiful soft face. Haku's heart screamed at the sight. He ran over, eyes glowing with a rich green pain. He felt her weak pulse, scant breath. Hurt and fear written on his face, he scooped her up in his arms and ran as fast as he could, trying not to jostle her too much, into the gloom and back to the spirit world.
He broke out on the other side of the smog and saw the girl still laying on her back, eyes closed. Haku bit his lip. "Hello?" This time she didn't stir. Haku looked at the two pale, dirty, sweat soaked faces and frowned in thought. How to carry them? He put Chihiro gently on the ground next to Mayu and closed his eyes. He glowed a rainbow of colors for a second and then suddenly the room was full of shining white coils and green mane. The dragon Haku scooped up the two girls on his back and with a tiny snarl of effort, was airborne. He whipped the air furiously in graceful curves soaring across the azure sky. He got to the steps where his friends was waiting and skidded to a stop in the deserted streets, blowing up a cloud of dust. Everyone coughed. Haku changed quickly back to human form and caught both girls as they fell with strong supple arms. Finally the dust settled and the wind that the dragon's speed brought on them, died down. Rin, Bo, and Zeniba saw the limp girls and gasped.
"Oh my god! What the hell happened to her?" Rin screamed, gaping at the bloody rag on Chihiro's arm. Then she saw Mayu and frowned. "And is that a human?"
"Oh dear." Zeniba said frowning. "We better get them to Kamaji right away." Bo whimpered incoherently. Haku was breathless and apparently in shock. Without another word they all ran down the street and across the bridge, ignoring cries of "Human! I smell human!" and raced down the wooden stairs and burst through the boiler room door.
"Kamaji!" Rin screamed. Kamaji whirled around and saw the chaotic sight.
"Is that Sen? My gods!" he cried. Then he saw Mayu. "And another human? Never mind. Lay them here." he dragged out two futons from a handy drawer. futon- bedding used in Japan to sleep on the floor.
Bo stood whimpering in a corner. "Auntie, is Sen ok?"
Zeniba blinked owlishly and looked at the child. "Bo darling…" Bo's chubby cheeks were puffed out as he tried not to cry. Huge milky tears hung in his eyes and dripped onto rosy cheeks. Zeniba went over and hugged him tight. "It's going to be ok, darling."
Bo sniffled. "Can I help, auntie?"
Zeniba rubbed her chin and smiled. "Yes Bo. I have a very important mission for you. You have to go back to your mommy and distract her, you understand? Cry and scream as much as you can dear! This is a job only you can do for Sen."
Bo lighted up a bit. He waddled over to Chihiro looking worried and scared. "Hi Sen. I'll go distract mommy now, so get better." He let out a whimper, but drew himself up and toddled out the door. Zeniba looked wistfully after him. My darling's growing up…
Meanwhile Kamaji was furiously mixing different medicines together, six arms flying in and out of drawers, high and low. In a few seconds, he held up two lukewarm brews. "Put these down their throats." he instructed, giving one mug to Haku, the other to Rin.
Haku fighting an outburst of emotion, tenderly supported Chihiro's limp head and poured the nasty smelling liquid down her throat. Nothing. Not even a sound. Haku gritted his teeth and turned away.
Kamaji saw this between a flurry of motion. "Haku. We need to do what we can now." he said calmly.
"I know." Haku responded tensely. He poured the rest of the concoction down her throat.
Kamaji handed him another mug. "This one's next." Haku grimly tipped down a sweeter smelling green brew. "Pulse?" Kamaji said. Haku gently squeezed her wrist.
"Weak, but its there," he put a hands near her mouth. "Feel some breath too."
Kamaji grunted. "Then there's plenty of hope." Haku nodded and continued nursing his treasure, worried and angry. After eight years I finally get to see her and…he swallowed. Stop that. Just actions now, Haku. he thought.
"Is that arm bleeding still?" Haku took the rag off Chihiro's arm to reveal a large jagged scab. "Scabbed nicely. That a relief. Leave that rag off for a bit." Haku nodded.
Meanwhile, Rin poured the nasty liquid down the human's throat. Mayu felt liquid burning her sore throat and woke up, gagging.
"Whoa! Easy there, easy." Rin stopped pouring the drink and Mayu managed to control herself. Then she looked down and screamed hoarsely.
"My hands!" she yelled, "They're see through!" It was true.
Rin smacked her head. "Duh! Kamaji you got any breakfast left?"
Kamaji frowned. "No…Zeniba!" she whirled around, snapping out of sentimental thoughts about her darling Bo. "Some food for the girl?"
Zeniba smiled. "Of course." A steaming rice ball and miso soup appeared with a pop in front of the Mayu. She looked up thoroughly disoriented and scared.
"I'm trying to help." Rin coaxed patiently. "Trust me. If I wanted you gone, I would had let you just fade away." Mayu looked at the food and her stomach grumbled. It sure looked good! She attacked it ravenously and soon it was all gone. She saw her hands solidify again and clapped them together with a satisfying smack. She turned and stared at her surroundings a look of disbelief and awe on her dirty face. Chihiro's spirit world…Then remembered Chihiro's bloody state and saw her friend laying unconscious next to her. She gasped and took her wrist, felt a pulse and sighed. "Is she going to be ok?" she asked looking worriedly at Kamaji.
Kamaji blinked a little surprised, then frowned. "I'll try my best. Can't promise more than that." he chuckled. "But I know my Sen, she's not much of a quitter."
Rin smiled "Yup stubborn little human she is. Stood up to Yubaba! That nerve."
Mayu nodded and let out a yawn. Rin turned back to her patient. "Now you…" she made a face. "I forgot to ask. Can't call you "human girl" forever. What's your name?"
"Mayu…" she said yawning again.
Rin grinned. "Well then, Mayu, go to sleep. You're exhausted. We'll take care of Chihiro." Mayu nodded drowsily and was instantly asleep as her head hit the pillow.
Rin arched an eyebrow and looked at Kamaji, "Sleeping drought?"
Zeniba chuckled. "It wasn't me!"
Kamaji grinned "Oh sorry, did you want to deal with a fully conscious very disoriented human?" he asked. He handed Haku another brew. "There, the last one for a bit." Haku nodded mechanically and carefully tipped it down. Nothing. He sat on his heels and put his head down on his knees, greenish black hair creating a glimmering curtain around him.
Rin saw this and sighed. "Zeniba these girls are filthy. You got a towel and some water?"
"Here you go darling." Zeniba said and pointed a wooden basin full of scented water near her. She also pointed up a similar one next to Haku. "Haku." she called. He looked up wearily. "Clean her up, dear. She's dirty." He nodded and wrung out the white towel. Tenderly, he started washing the dirt stains off Chihiro's face. "Wash the cut too. I put healing lotion in the water." Haku dabbed the towel at Chihiro's fresh scab and it instantly shrunk into a pink scar. Haku smiled sadly at it. Rin slightly less tenderly wiped off Mayu's face.
Kamaji cleared his throat. "Ahem…well I don't want to seem cold hearted, but me and Rin better get back to work. The last thing we need is for Yubaba to get suspicious and find them." The others nodded. "There's nothing we can do but to give them plenty of rest and nutrients." Rin reluctantly got to her feet. Kamaji looked at the woman. "Rin, go scout out how much everyone knows about the girls." she nodded.
"Zeniba, let me know if anything happens?" Rin said when she got to the door. Zeniba nodded. Rin slipped out quietly. After sliding the door shut, she leaned against it and sighed, rubbing her temples. Then she slowly made her way to the lift.
Haku stared at the pale statuesque beauty of Chihiro's face. "Kamaji…"
"Give it some time. She's tired. Lost a lot of blood." he looked at Mayu who slept on like a log. "And that one's exhausted. They should be up by tomorrow."
Haku lit up a bit. His eyes shined a lighter green. "Really? All that blood…" he trailed off in a loud yawn.
Kamaji chuckled. "And you're exhausted. You haven't slept yesterday either, remember?" He handed him some left over brew. "Drink. It will help you sleep." Haku took a large gulp and smiled at the pleasant taste of fresh brewed tea. Zeniba smiled and drew out another futon from a drawer and lay it right beside Chihiro's.
"Here you go dear. Off to bed." Zeniba said.
Haku lay down gratefully. The sleeping drought did its job and soon he was emitting soft snores. Zeniba snickered as Haku unconsciously snaked an arm out to Chihiro and tucked her away into the warmth of his body.
"Sen will be better in no time." she mused. Kamaji saw Chihiro move for the first time to, of course, snuggle closer to Haku.
He snorted. "Better enjoy the peace while it lasts…" he muttered to himself.
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Chihiro felt a warmth bathe her through the cold darkness, drawing her back the way she had come. A deep voice rumbled into her ear. Chihiro…With a small sigh she turned around and walked back towards the loving sound. I'm coming…
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A/N: Ok, I know the wood near Chi's house doesn't have the littered trails and what are the chances of the wood being that specific one? But I needed to get the girls into spirit world, and another thread will explain about this more in the future. So things are looking up! Next chapter the girls wake up and lots of fluff is on its way!