I do NOT own Spirited Away but please enjoy chapter 8.
Chapter 8 : His Missions
"What gives you the rights to say that? You don't own her and neither do I. It is up to her whether she wants to stay in the Spirit World or not!"
"Ohhh? What are the chances of kidnapping her then?" The prince smiled wickedly
"What was that?!" Haku furiously yelled.
"Hahahahaha! I can get what I want. You do understand what that means right?"
Haku clutches his teeth.
"I will destroy this place if you do not accept this challenge. I will count to five, if you do not accept; I will blow out this place. I obviously can't guarantee if all the workers will be safe."
"S-Stop this brother! Why are you going this far for a mere human? We can always scout other ones!"
"Be quiet Lillia! It's not your business. You can head back home."
"B-But!"
"Now!"
"Brother!"
"Quiet."
"One…"
"Two..."
"Three…"
"Haku!" Chihiro nudges him as Haku hesitates to accept.
"Four…"
"Fi-"
"Alright! Challenge accepted." Haku announced as all the frogs sighed in relief.
"What is the meaning of this, Prince?!" Yubaba flies into the room a second too late.
"This is exactly what it looks like." The prince grinned
"We're fighting over your worker."
"You mean Sen?"
"Yea. Chihiro."
"Hahaha! You must have mistaken, she isn't my worker."
"Yes, I know because she is soon to become mine."
"Whaaaaaaat?" Yubaba's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why would you want a mere useless human child?"
"That is only your opinion, keep your mouth shut." The prince glared at Yubaba.
"So you can say something decent, huh?" Haku chuckled
"That river spirit of yours just saved your life. This place would have been a pile of dust if it weren't for him."
"I believe you do not understand. I am the one in charge under this bath house. Not him."
"Are you requesting a challenge, witch?"
"Chaaaaaallenge?"
"For my dear Chihiro, of course."
"I will gladly make this a three man duel."
Yubaba was confused but she knew she didn't want to get involved.
"Hmph, I'll pass."
"Now that's what I thought."
"So, river spirit, we shall have three challenges. There will be no limits to using our powers. Arguing over a girl obviously means power. Of course, when it comes to fighting, I will obviously win. Therefore, to make this fair I will let Chihiro choose two events. We will have a match of fighting for the third challenge."
"It is getting late. We will start tomorrow."
"Of course, of course. That is not a problem at all. I think I have made enough commotion in the bathhouse for one evening. I will now retreat. Rest well, Chihiro."
The prince flew out of the bathhouse in a blink of an eye. The princess bowed, apologized and followed behind the prince.
"Everyone scatter, scatter!" Yubaba broke the silence and glared at Haku before she left for her room.
Lin decided to leave the two of them alone and also left. The room was filled with nothing but silence. The two of them stood there feeling awkward.
"H-Haku.."
"Chihiro, I'm sorry" Haku said without turning around. He didn't want her to see the face he was making.
"I didn't expect this to happen. I should have never brought you back here. I'm such an idiot!"
Chihiro smiles at the helpless looking Haku. She hugs him from behind and whispers to him.
"Everything's going to be alright. We'll come up with something so let's go get some rest, okay?" She didn't know what was coming their way but she didn't want to stress Haku any more.
Haku turns around and squeezes Chihiro tightly.
"Chihiro… let's promise… to be together forever. I will win this… absolutely win this!"
That night, the two of them felt warm at their hearts. Haku fell asleep beside Chihiro as he waited for her to sleep.
"We need two… that can guarantee that you'd win."
Early in the morning, everyone sat at the table thinking up a plan. Yubaba decided to close the bathhouse. She wouldn't want the customers to get involved because she would be the one who has to take responsibility.
"I know!" Lin shouted.
Everyone turns their head towards Lin
"….C-could you guys not look at me?" She turns her head to avoid eye contact.
"I-it's putting pressure on me.."
Everyone turns their head down and listens to Lin.
"Here comes the bride!"
"What do you mean…?" Chihiro questioned
"Well whoever the winner is.. is going to marry Chihiro eventually right?"
"Wuah..!" Chihiro suddenly shouts
"The two of them pick a girl in the bathhouse and have her pretend as their bride. It can't be Chihiro obviously. Who ever gives off the best impression would be 'matched' with Chihiro"
"That's not a bad idea Lin.." One of the frogs gave her a thumb up.
"I-I'm still too young to get married!"
"Unless you have a better idea…" Everyone grins at the two of them.
"I guess it's worth trying.."
Several workers went to collect props while the rest of them stay to come up with other ideas.
"Now what is the second challenge..?" Chihiro asked
They made suggestions but none of them were suitable.
"What if they had a race? Haku is a dragon.. So he should be experienced at speed."
"But it's the prince we're going up against. Who knows how much power he has when it comes to this stuff."
"…I guess so.."
They went back to the long silence.
"Lin? Anything?"
"Nah, I don't know.."
Lin sighs and looks at Chihiro.
"I'm worried now. What do we do?"
"I-I don't know…"
"Can you just tell that stubborn guy to back off?"
"I don't think the prince will listen.."
"Listen to what?" The prince puts his arm around Chihiro's neck popping out of no where
"AHHH!" Lin screamed in surprise
"W-When did you get here?!"
"You mean you guys didn't notice?"
"What?!"
"Oh. That's my Chihiro alright. So, let's get started." He grinned.
"B-Brother! Let's stop this?" The princess pops out of nowhere.
"AHHHHH!" Lin falls off her chair.
"You.. Stop doing that!"
"I-I'm sorry.." Princess apologizes
"I told you not to get in the way, Lillia. Go home!"
"That's not happening!"
"Whatever."
Haku calmly stands up and walks over to Chihiro. He removes prince's arm that was still wrapped around Chihiro's neck.
"You haven't won anything yet. Keep your hands to yourself." Haku glares at the prince and walks over to grab a cloth. He wipes the hand he touched prince with.
"You sure know how to make me feel like a germ…"
"That's because you are a germ." Haku said without looking up.
"At least I'm not some overly dry river" he chuckles
They both glare at each other with tension in the air.
"P-Please don't argue!"
"Hmph." Both of them turn away from each other
"We'll do Chihiro's challenges first. What's challenge number one?" The prince asks her with a smile and changed his tone.
"U-uhm… br-bride.."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain." Lin shoves in.
"The two of you must choose a girl in the bath hous-"
"CHIHIRO!" The prince grabs Chihiro's hand and pulls her into his arms
Lin slaps his hands
"Let go of her. You cannot choose her."
"Whaaat?! That's stupid."
"You have to act as if you are getting married and do a bridal show."
"Chihiro, Yubaba, some other workers, your sister if she wants to and I will be the judge."
"Sounds fun."
The two of them chose their brides and planned out their coordinates. After awhile, everyone met back at the large room.
"First up, we have Haku and his bride."
Haku was dressed in a white kimono with black outlines. The bride wore a bright pink yukata with sakura flowers. Haku asked for the bride's hand. They strolled down the space they had hand in hand. He takes out a flower and clips the flower onto her hair. He smiles at her full heartedly.
Woahs and Whoos came from the audience. Some were even too amazed to talk.
Chihiro pouts in jealousy.
Prince and the bride were dressed in a white kimono with blue patterns. They were a matching couple. Prince picked up the bride like a princess. The bride held up a bouquet of flowers and covered the bottom half of her face. Prince leans his head forward and 'kisses' her.
The audience was quiet. Everyone had their jaws dropped in shock. After a short moment of silence, everyone cheered.
"The prince had won.." Chihiro's heart sunk in worries.
"I'm so stupid. There's no way a prince would not know how bridal ceremonies work." Lin said in disappointment.
"Hahaha! There's no way I would have lost that. That's the end of it, stupid river! Let yourself shrivel up and become a desert. You've lost this whole competition."
"The winner's not determined until the three matches are over." Haku glared.
"You can't win me in a fight, can you? It's already two out of three." The prince grins
"I never said I was forfeiting."
"Whateverrrrr." He walks to Chihiro and holds her hands
"Ready to be my bride!" he winks
Haku shoves him back
"Don't touch her!"
"Shut up, river."
The two starts arguing again.
"Stop it, both of you." Lin pops out of nowhere and smacks both of their heads.
"So what's next, Chihiro?"
"A-Actually prince.. I haven't decided on the second challenge…"
"Reaaaally? Hmmm then we can have the fight first. I guess. It'll be a piece of cake."
"Moving into the battle field!" A frog shouted to let everyone know.
"First one to forfeit wins." Lin announces
The two of them gets into stance. Everybody was quiet..
"and… start!" Lin drops her arm down giving them the signal to start.
No one spoke a word. The two of them stood in position until the opponent makes a move.
The prince charges towards Haku and throws his fist at him. Haku barely managed to dodge.
"H-He's fast." Haku thought to himself.
"Hmmm? No bad, river… but not good enough!" The prince throws another punch at him.
Haku barely dodges again. The pattern continues. Haku moves backwards every time a punch is thrown at him. He was getting cornered and soon enough, the prince hits him.
"H-Haku!" Chihiro yells from the crowd
Haku jumps into air and kicks him across the face. The two of them used magic and physical ability.
"H-How can he last this long after numerous hits?!" The prince thought to himself
"This isn't going so well. I don't know how much longer I can last."
Both of them were exhausted
"S-Say, you're not so bad, river."
"Y-You're not so bad yourself."
Both of them were running out of breaths
"But this ends here!" Both of them charged at each other. They did not bother to dodge.
Haku and the prince were both lying on the floor. The audience was quiet waiting for one of them to stand back up. Not too long after, Haku climbs back up catching his breath. The prince lied there and did not move.
Chihiro nudges Lin
"T-The winner is Haku!"
The prince quickly sits back up
"W-What?! You said the winner is the one who forfeits!"
"You can't even stand back up!"
"S-Shut up!" he attempts to stand but falls back down.
The crowd roars at Haku's win and hops out of their seats.
"He won, he won!" Chihiro cheers.
Princess Lillia sighs in relief.
"I can't believe you became so popular among us. When you first came here, you were so useless" Lin said to Chihiro.
"Y-Yea.. I only wanted my parents to turn back into humans… Yubaba was about to make pig dinner! I wonder what would of happened if I didn't guess the right answer.."
"Haku would have probably given his life to Yubaba…"
"pig dinner… pig dinner… pigs… pigs…?"
"Are you hungry Chihiro? What bad timing."
"Yea!"
"W-What?"
"The third challenge!"
"Pig dinner?! Eating contest?!"
"That's it!"
"I think you've gone nuts.."
"Lend me your ears…"
Chihiro whispered into Lin's ears and they nodded at each other.
"Okay everyone. Chihiro has thought of the last challenge. Let's make our way to the entrance of the bath house."
Everyone crowded back to the bathhouse.
"Haku, Prince, please leave this place. We have to discuss the last challenge."
They both left feeling confused. Fourteen frogs were called out and they lined up in a row along with Chihiro . Yubaba snaps her finger and they turn into pigs.
Lin goes and grabs both the boys.
"So here's what you have to do."
"That one." Haku walks up to the fourth pig
"She's Chihiro."
"Wh-What?!" Lin looks at Haku
"We're supposed to guess which one's Chihiro right?"
"…Y-Yeah."
"HA?! How is that even possible?"
"Well, it can determine your feelings… which feelings are stronger. If you definitely love her, you will obviously know which pig she is."
"T-That's not possible even when you're in love!"
"Haku doesn't seem to be complaining. Are you forfeiting?"
"O-of course not!"
"So, which pig do you pick? I guess you're allowed to pick the same pig.. but…"
The prince takes a moment and looks at them.
"T-That one." He points to the second pig.
"Are those your final answer?"
Haku nods
"Y-Yeah." The prince sounded very unsure.
Yubaba snaps her finger once again and they turn back to their original states. Chihiro, standing in the position of the fourth pig widely smiled at Haku as everyone cheered.
"W-Wha, How?!"
"How what?" Haku asks
"How did you know it was her?! You guys ganged up on me!"
"That's not true!" Chihiro runs over
"I want a rematch this round!"
"That's fine with me." Haku speaks calmly
"Get my sister to pick it this time!"
"H-Huh?!"
The prince grabs Haku's arm and leaves the room.
Awhile later princess Lillia goes and gets the boys.
"I guess the seventh pig this time!" Prince announces proudly.
Haku stayed quiet for awhile
"Aren't you going to pick a pig, Haku?" Lin asks
He looks at Lin and shakes his head.
"She's not even here."
Everyone became quiet
"H-How did you know?" Lillia asks
"W-What?!"
The pigs turn back into frogs but Chihiro was not there. She comes out behind a door and smiles at Haku.
"T-That's impossible!"
"If your feelings were strong enough for Chihiro, you would know where she was even if it was to put your life on the line." Lin puts her hand on the prince's shoulder and smiles
"Haku loves her. None of us can go against that. That's how strong his love is for that human child. So let them be, alright?"
"….there's no helping it." The prince teared up.
"Brother, let's leave.." Lillia smiles at her child-like brother
Prince nods
"Hey! Stupid River! I'll admit that you defeated me but don't think that you've won!"
"Sora!"
"Wh-What I'm trying to say is… good luck…Haku"
Haku smiles at the prince
"Thanks and you too."
"Chihiro! M-My name is Sora Chikara! S-So.. don't forget me." The prince had started to cry and left with his sister.
"Chihiro.. I'll take you back to the human world before anything else happens."
Chihiro nods her head and left to where she belonged.
At the staircase where they first parted, they embraced each other.
"So.. Will we meet again sometime?"
"Sure we will."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now go, and don't look back."
They both laughed at the conversation they were once having again.
"Chihiro.. I will be in the human world so look for me."
"H-Huh?"
"I am not allowed to expose myself. That was my deal with Yubaba."
"H-How is that possible?!"
"You are closer to me than you think you are… do not worry I will write start replying to your letters from now on."
"R-Really?!"
"Yea. Yubaba owes me." He laughs joyously
"Alright!"
I slowly let go of his hands and left, running through the green grass…
"He's in the human world…"
"Chihiro, please find me.. And figure out who I really am."
Did you like this chapter? Pleave leave a review! Look forward to Chapter 9~
Author's notes : Well… Sorry if they challenges were lame. Anyways, this chapter gave me a difficult time! I couldn't think of the challenges… So yeah, check out my profile for the next update on Spirited away : A thought in heart! Thanks for reading!