WHEEEE! Okay, this chapter is up and rolling. I understand you guys want more Chihiro and Kohaku stuff, but I wont have much in this chapter. Later, when the stuff starts to take place, there'll be a few fluffy moments, and maybe a lime (keyword: MAYBE) :DDDDDDDD.
MAAAAAN! I LOVE REPLYING TO REVIEWS : Poop.
Currently Listening to: "feel Good Inc" By Gorillaz 33 (yes, from the ipod commercial) and "I'm really, really hot" by Missy Elliot.
Disclaimer- I don't own any of the Spirited Away Characters, but I DO own Akina, Takashi, and Sano.
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
Doing
Flashback or whatever((A/N))
E/Ns are in blue, but you might not be special enough to see them. :PChapter 8
To Grandmothers House We Go
Chihiro sat in the train on the way to Zeniiba's. She looked around and Bou entertained the other guests. 'Last time I was on this, I was going to give Granny her seal back, and to apologize for Kohaku,' she thought.
Smiling to herself, Chihiro then thought of her parents. 'I wonder how they're doing. I'm sure Dad's happily working, but what about Mom? She usually stays home and takes care of me. Well, I guess that won't be a problem, now that they have Yumi.'
Looking over, Chihiro saw Bou still entertaining passengers. She then looked out the window, ahead as far as she could. They had just recently gotten on the train. Bou had somehow gotten tickets, but Chihiro had no idea how.
'And No Face! I'm sure he's having fun with Zeniiba,' Chihiro thought. She sighed as they came upon the third stop.
-----Last Stop-----
"Bou," Chihiro said. "Wake up, Bou, we're here."
Bout sat up, still a bit dazed. "We're where?" he asked.
"Zeniiba's cottage." Chihiro answered as Bou got up.
Bou stretched and smiled. "Alright! Let's go!" he yelled happily, running out.
Chihiro followed. "Bou wait!" she yelled, but caught up after a while.
They ran past the lamp at the entrance and followed the path up to the cottage.
"Niiba's house! Niiba's house!" Bou yelled as they came up to it. They stopped and knocked on the door.
A short time later, No Face opened the door and looked at Bou and Chihiro. Moving aside, he let them in.
"Hi," Chihiro smiled, walking past No Face. He closed the door and looked at them.
Zeniiba soon entered from the other room. "Hello Bou, welcome back," she said, then noticed Chihiro. "Chihiro, you're back!" she smiled and went to hug Chihiro.
"Hi Granny," Chihiro said and looked at her. "Of course I'm back. I couldn't forget," she said and motioned towards the purple hair tie in her hair.
"So you still have it. I'm glad," Zeniiba smiled. "Come, come! Kaonashi and I were just about to have some tea," she said as No Face went to get the tea kettle. (Kaonashi literally means "No face", so don't get confused .; )
Bou walked in, Chihiro following him. They went over to the table and sat, Bou helping himself to some cookies. "These cookies are good, granny!" Bou said.
"Thank you, Bou," Zeniiba, taking a seat near Chihiro as Kaonashi came out with the tea. He poured them all cups and sat as they talked.
-------Meanwhile-------
"I'll be back soon!" Akina smiled, running out.
"Hey, wait!" Rin called, looking over. "Where are you going?"
"The bathroom." Akina lied, exiting.
She ran out, across the bridge, and into the store that sells yukata's, kimonos, and everything else of the sort. Takashi and Sano were already waiting for her. "You're late," Sano said, looking at her.
"Hey! I've got a job now. What do you want me to do?" Akina asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"You could at leassst be on time," Takashi said coldly.
"Alright, alright," Akina sighed. "Now, moving on. How is everything going?" she asked.
"We're almost ready. Meaning, you should get to know this human better before you take her," Sano said, crossing his arms.
"Can do," Akina nodded.
"We'll call you back when we're ready," Takashi said. "In the meantime, you can go."
"Do I have to?" Akina whined. "Work is so boring right now!"
"Yes." Sano said, looking as if it were obvious.
"Fine," Akina sighed, leaving.
-------Ze Next Day------- ((yes, it was QUITE intentional w))
Chihiro quietly entered the room. They had just gotten back from Zeniiba's, so she figured she'd relax before work. She tiptoed across the room and was almost to her bed when she heard, "Chihiro?"
Chihiro looked around and saw Akina on the porch. "What are you doing up?" Chihiro asked.
"Oh, I got plenty of sleep already," Akina started, "so I'm not tired. You look like you are though."
"Not really. I got some sleep on the train," Chihiro smiled and sat next to Akina.
"Chihiro, I've been meaning to ask you about something," Akina said warily, looking over.
Chihiro smiled and looked over. "Yes?"
Akina looked forward and down sheepishly. "You're a human, aren't you?"
Chihiro knew humans weren't the best in their world, so she wasn't sure if it would affect their friendship. "Yeah. Why?"
Akina smiled. "Oh, no reason! I was just curious!" she beamed, going back to her usual bubbly self.
Rin's eyes slowly opened and she heard Chihiro and Akina talking. She stayed silent, listening.
"So, why ARE you here?" Akina asked.
Chihiro paused and sweat dropped. "Oh, I have my reasons," she said, changing the subject. "Why are YOU here?"
"I have mine too," Akina smiled, swatting her hand in front of her as if to say 'shoo.'
Rin sat up and yawned loudly, making sure her presence was known. "What time is it?" she asked dazed, looking around.
"Still early enough to have time to mess around for a while before having to clean," Akina answered, smiling.
"Good Morning, Rin!" Chihiro smiled brightly, looking at her friend.
"I should get us some food," Rin said, stretching again.
Chihiro jumped up, "I'll get it! I'm awake and pretty restless."
Rin was still fairly dazed, she yawned again. "Alright then."
Chihiro quickly changed back into her work uniform and walked out. 'I wonder if I'll see Kohaku today.' she thought, 'I came here to see him and Rin, but I haven't seen much of him at all. But, Did he even miss me?' When Chihiro thought that, she thought of the first day she returned.
Before Chihiro knew it, she was in Kohaku's arms "Ko . . . ha . . . ku?" she slowly asked, her face getting pinker by the second.
"I'm glad you're back. I couldn't go back, so I waited for you, hoping you'd remember. After a while, I figured you'd forgotten" Kohaku said quietly.
Chihiro snapped out of her daze to see Kohaku standing right in front of her. "Why is your face so red?" he asked, slightly laughing.
Chihiro blinked and turned away. "N-no reason, I'm just hot. Yeah! So, I'm going for a walk. I'm also supposed to get food for me, Kohana, and Rin." Once she thought her face wasn't as red she turned around and smiled.
"Alright," Kohaku said, slightly smiling. "Mind if I tag along?"
"No! Please do," Chihiro said, and started walking with Kohaku to get food.
Just like the last time they walked together, silence hung between them.
"So, um, what have you been doing lately?" Chihiro asked, trying to start a conversation.
Kohaku looked back. "Same old thing. Just running small errands for Yubaaba," he shrugged.
'I wonder of Kohaku is still Yubaaba's henchman.' Chihiro wanted to ask, but even thinking about it made her uneasy. The thought lingered in her mind though.
The two got food and Chihiro went into the Yunas' Room to give it to Rin and Akina. "I, uh, need some fresh air. So, I'll be back before we have to start working," she waved, walking out.
"Think she's lying?" Rin asked, suspicious.
"No doubt," Akina said, taking a big bite of the rice.
'Where'd he go?' Chihiro thought, but shrugged, not seeing Kohaku. She started walking up the stairs to the main level. She went out of the bathhouse to go sit on a hill. It was about noon or one o'clock, so the sun was out and there was a slight breeze. "What a nice day!" Chihiro smiled and told herself, sitting on the green grassy hill.
Chihiro laid back on her back against the grass, watching the clouds. She watched shapes go by, feeling calm and relaxed.
Kohaku seemed to appear out of nowhere. He looked at Chihiro, causing her to sit up as he sat down next to her. "Sorry," Kohaku said. "I had to do something."
Chihiro nodded as she sat up "It's fine," she smiled. 'I should ask' she thought, feeling uneasy again, worried about the answer.
'Go on, ask!' Chihiro mentally cheered herself on. 'But, what if he is still her henchman? Then what would I say? "Okay"? No, no, no. I just can't ask.'
"Kohaku." Chihiro said, speaking without even realizing it.
Kohaku looked at Chihiro. "Hm?"
'Now I have to say something,' Chihiro mentally sighed. "Umm..."
Chihiro looked forward and down, fumbling with her hands. Kohaku just looked at her.
"Are you still Yubaaba's henchman?" Chihiro asked suddenly.
Kohaku paused. 'I didn't tell her?' he thought. "No, I quit a few days after you left." he answered.
"You didn't get in trouble or anything?" Chihiro asked, still looking down.
Kohaku smiled slightly. "No, it was my choice. I still run errands, just, not those kinds."
Chihiro nodded and looked at Kohaku after a minute she leaned against him. "I'm glad."
Kohaku put an arm around Chihiro as another small gust of wind washed over them.
I loved writing this 3333