Chihiro was amazed to find herself sitting awkwardly in shallow water surrounded by reeds. Wetness was slowly seeping up her sleeves and skirts, and the reeds were gently brushing against her as a breeze played over the water's surface. She looked up and around, she was in the shallows of a river only a few footsteps from shore. Fruit, vegetables, and a pair of wine bottles were bobbing serenely near her, a covered dish floated out just past the last reeds. The sun reflecting off the deeper water dazzled her eyes. In shock Chihiro ran her hands over her hair and inspected her clothes, still intact save for the veil which had gone missing somewhere along the way. She looked around herself almost frantically, hoping to spot the missing veil. Instead her eyes landed on a magnificent castle right on the river's shore. It was far larger and more elegant than the Tachibana mansion, with sunlight reflecting off the finely polished wood and beautifully carved statues. She could see several elegant people spilling out of the castle and rush towards her.
Chihiro attempted to stand then, but the weight of the soggy kimono pulled her right back down into the sparkling water around her. And old man, far older than anyone she had ever seen before, with more wrinkles than face and bushy white eyebrows over his squinting eyes, was the first to reach her. "Here, let us help you up, my dear." The old man held out a hand to Chihiro, which she shyly took. Another man, about her father's age, came up to her other side and took her other hand. Between the two of them they soon had her hefted up out of the water and were leading her ashore. Once safely on dry land the old man turned to the others who had gathered around them, ever one of them dressed in dazzling clothes far more elegant than anything she had ever seen before. "Well the rest of you gather what's left, we can't leave it floating in the river." Chihiro watched in amazement as the others obediently followed the old man's directions, wading out into the water without a thought to their beautiful clothes. Chihiro wanted to protest, surely their clothing would be ruined, but before she had a chance the old man had placed her hand on his arm and started for the castle. "Come along, my dear, we can't leave you out here in those soaked clothes."
Inside the castle's entrance Chihiro stepped out of her shoes and into the slippers a radiantly dressed person laid out for her, she suddenly realized that her clothes were completely dry as if she had never fallen into the river. She was about to ask the old man what had happened but he had already taken her hand back and was gently placing it on his arm. "This way, my dear." He led her further into the castle and Chihiro tried to remember how exactly she had gotten to this point. She had jumped into the river, that much she remembered clearly, and quickly sunk into the murky depths. She vaguely recalled hearing splashes as other things hit the water, probably the sacrifices being thrown in after her. The sacrifices being gathered up by the elegant people who helped her up. Servants? Did servants wear brocade clothes woven with silver and gold? Chihiro shook her head and tried to re-order her thoughts. She had jumped into the river and sank, her clothes had been too heavy to even attempt swimming. Then a strong current picked her up, the water around her was suddenly rushing and flowing past so fast she had to close her eyes tightly and... and there had been something solid for her to cling to? Then suddenly she was sitting in the shallow water right next to a huge castle but she couldn't remember ever having broken the river's surface. Did it just happen so fast she didn't remember? Was she still in the river next to her village? Was there another river flowing underneath their river? Had she crossed the veil into the spirit realm?
Whatever questions Chihiro had would have to wait, the old man had led her into a grand room, all dark wood paneling and gold inlaid carvings. The room was very long, with beautiful tapestries lining the walls. At the other end were intricately carved panels framing a mural of a white dragon painted onto the wall. Chihiro only briefly paid attention to the mural as her focus switched to a beautiful man sitting in an intricately carved chair atop a dais just before the mural. He had long, dark hair tied back from his face, pale skin, and piercing green eyes that seemed strangely familiar, though she was sure she had never seen him before in her life. How could she forget such a man?
The old man stopped before the dais and bowed, Chihiro mirroring him awkwardly. "My lord Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, here is the bride the Tachibana village has sent you: Miss Chihiro Ogino."
Chihiro turned to look at the old man in surprise, how did he know her name? The old man gently nudged Chihiro, she took this as her cue and stepped forward. She stood uncertainly in front of the beautiful man. The god of my village's river, she reminded herself. "It is an honor to meet you," Chihiro said when Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi didn't respond to the old man. For all her confidence when she stepped of The Bridge she had expected to drown, everyone had expected her to drown. No one had ever told her what to do when you've been drowned and then taken to be introduced to the river you just drowned in and whom, by the way, was now your husband.
"So tell me," Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi stated sharply, "why has your tiny village seen fit to send me a bride I never asked for?"
Chihiro quailed at the god's imperious tone, she wasn't sure why but it didn't suit him at all. Then she remembered why she had been sent here in the first place and got down on her hands and knees. "Please, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, oh great and powerful god, my home has been plagued by a terrible drought for several years. I've been sent to humbly beg you to use your power to send my home respite, please don't let them wither and die." She kept her head down as she waited for his response.
"Would it not be better if I did not? Think of how your village will react, what's to stop them from drowning some other poor girl in my waters the next time they have a particularly dry rainy season? Would you have them inflicting this destiny on some other poor girl?"
"Please, my lord, if you do not there won't be a village left to worry about."
"You beg for the lives of the people who would so carelessly throw your own away?"
"I do, my lord." Chihiro continued to stare at her hands as she heard Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi sigh deeply. She couldn't help but wonder what he looked like at this moment.
"You have done well, Chihiro Ogino. I will do what I can for your village."
Chihiro looked up then, delighted with her success. She gave him a dazzling smile before bowing her head again. "Thank you, my lord." The young woman rose and stood facing the river god, unsure what to do next.
"And what shall I do with my unplanned for bride?" Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi paused as he seemed to think the matter over. Chihiro stood with her hands clasped, waiting for the river god to decide. "I suppose I shall keep you as an honored guest while I think the matter over. Yamauchi," The old man to Chihiro's side perked up and stepped next to her at Nigihayami Hokaku Nushi's call. "Show Miss Ogino to the guest quarters and have a private supper sent to her."
"As you wish, my lord." The old man, Mr. Yamauchi, bowed to the river god. Chihiro mirrored him, then he placed her hand on his arm as the old man led her away. Chihiro was silent for the journey, too busy alternating between admiring the building and thinking over her short interview with Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. As they turned down a long corridor she noticed a pair of ethereal women in beautiful clothing standing to either side of a doorway.
"That must be our destination," Chihiro thought to herself. She turned out to be correct, Mr. Yamauchi slowed to a halt and took her hand from his arm, giving it a comforting pat.
"Here we are, my dear. Please forgive his lordship's coldness, we were all quite shocked that anyone would... well... I'm sure he'll be a very gracious host. You must be tired after everything you've been through today, get some rest."
"Thank you, Mr. Yamauchi." Chihiro bowed politely to the old man, who returned it before turning and heading back up the hallway. The young woman turned her attention to the door she was standing before. The two ethereal women still stood to either side of the open doorway, inside she could see two more women standing silently inside an extravagant looking room. Chihiro stepped inside, casting a quick glance around. It was all dark wood paneling, intricate carvings, and plush cushions laid out around a richly colored table. The two women standing outside the door came in, closing the door behind them, and stood next to the other two already inside. They looked very similar, perhaps closely related, and were wearing similar clothing. Chihiro politely bowed to the quartette and gave them a tentative smile, "Hello, my name is Chihiro."
One of the women tittered, the one next to her nudged the first none too gently them smiled at Chihiro. "We know, everyone in the palace knows. We're honored to serve the bride of our master, Mistress Chihiro." All four bowed deeply to her in unison, Chihiro bowed hurriedly back then blushed when she remembered she had already bowed to them. "My name is Nadeshiko," she continued. "These are my sisters: Sakura, Momoka, and Kiku." Each sister nodded as Nedeshiko introduced them, Chihiro nodded in return. "Now, how about we get you into something a bit more comfortable before your supper arrives, alright?" It took three of the sisters working together to get the heavy wedding kimono off while the last retrieved a neatly folded pile of clothing. Once Chihiro was undressed two of the sisters dressed her again while the other two disappeared with the wedding kimono.
By the time the two who had left returned, a large covered tray in hand, Chihiro was finished being dressed and comfortably seated at the table. She found her new clothes to be light and easy despite obviously being far finer than anything she had ever worn before, over done wedding kimono included. The large tray was placed before her and the lid lifted to reveal a beautifully presented meal that looked simply wonderful.
"If you should need anything just call us, we'll be in the next chamber." The four sisters bowed themselves out of the room before Chihiro had a chance to do more than nod back to them. It was the first time she had been left alone since being told she had been chosen to be the bride of the gods, suddenly she was very tired. It felt like years had passed though she knew it had only been a single day. When had she even eaten last? She looked down to the meal set before her, it certainly did look delicious. She wasn't even sure what half the dishes were, but a trio of humble rice balls sat off on their own in the corner. Something about them just seemed so comforting and familiar.
She picked up one of the rice balls and tentatively took a bite. It had a homey taste that would have had her feeling homesick if it didn't remind her so strongly of being in a garden surrounded by hydrangeas and the smell of pigs. Chihiro had no idea why the rice ball reminded her of something so specific, of a place she didn't remember ever visiting. She took another bite and was reminded of being so overwhelmed that she sobbed uncontrollably while stuffing more rice balls in her mouth. And a boy, a boy she used to know sitting next to her and comforting her while she cried. Then with the third bite, it was like a dam in her mind burst and she was flooded with memories.
Happy Tuesday everyone! Thank you again for reading and a big thank you to everyone who's left reviews. This was the penultimate chapter, so get ready because the finale is coming up next!