AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long, but we are finally back at the Bath House! Sen is getting more of her memories back all the time and Aogaeru is clearly worried. Will she remember those she was closest to when she sees them? Since she was 10, Sen drew hundreds of pictures of the boy with blue-green hair even though she couldn't remember who he was. I bet she'll be happy to meet the boy she's thought of for 13 years! Also, no she doesn't know who the river in her dreams is yet, but she loves it anyway. Oh, and if you guys ever have any questions, feel free to let me know. :)
...
Sen followed Aogaeru down a short path that cut through the middle of the field, over a rock-filled dry river bed, up to a dirt path lined with odd looking restaurant stands that were completely lit and filled with shadowy black figures. They walked in silence for a long time as she was caught up in her thoughts. The frog hadn't been lying; she had most definitely been here before with her parents. Slowly but surely, bits and pieces of her memories were returning.
She looked down when she noticed her hand felt strange. Lifting it to her face, Sen could see right through it. "Uhm, Aogaeru…?"
The frog didn't look stop or look back, "We have to keep going. The Bath House is surely busy by now so Yubaba won't have a lot of time to talk to you, but if we get there soon we might get lucky."
Something else flashed in her mind. Something small, round, and red.
A berry?
"Aogaeru, I think… I think I need to eat something."
He was clearly getting frustrated, "There's plenty of food at the Bath House. You can eat when we get there. It's only a short distance from here; don't you see the stairs ahead?"
She noticed her legs were becoming transparent as well. This time, her voice was shaking, "I don't think I'll make it to the Bath House!"
Aogaeru let out a frustrated groan before finally turning around. When he saw that she was almost completely see-through, he gasped. "Ah! I completely forgot" He hopped to a nearby food stand and grabbed something grey. Before the spirit who ran the stand could yell at him, he hopped back to Sen. "Here, eat this."
Sen eyed the grey mass skeptically, but seeing as she didn't want to disappear, she forced herself to take it and pop it into her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock as she chewed; no wonder her parents hadn't been able to stop eating the spirit's food, it was the most wonderful thing she had ever tasted!
She froze at this thought, "…My parents ate the food at one of the stands. They turned into… pigs, I think?"
Aogaeru hopped up and down anxiously, "It seems like more and more of your memory is coming back!" He tugged at her ankle, harder this time. "Come, come. We have to see Yubaba!"
Excited at the prospect of getting all of her memories back, Sen eagerly followed the frog down the remainder of the path and up the stone steps. When they reached the top, she stopped. The bath house before her was magnificent, with red paint and green tiling atop the many pagodas. Every window was lit with a warm yellow glow and there was a loud buzz of contentment that floated from the building to the bridge.
"Oh!" Sen felt compelled to run to the large red railing of the bridge and look down. A short train went rumbling by on the tracks below, reminding her of something.
"Sen!" Aogaeru called. "Come on!"
She reluctantly pulled herself from the railing and followed the little frog once again. The closer they got to the main gate, Sen felt herself becoming more and more anxious. Something was pulling her in, compelling her to enter the bath house in front of her. Her heart ached; it was longing for something from a long, long time ago. But what?
Her right foot crossed the threshold of the Bath House and everything went black.
...
The warm turquoise water caressed her skin like it always did. She smiled lazily, bubbles escaping past her lips. There was no sun this time, only moonlight reached her face through the crystalline waves. The river seemed different this time, though she couldn't exactly tell why. Something just felt wrong.
"I've missed you."
She opened her eyes in panic. The river's voice wasn't right. "What's wrong?"
The river swirled around her hair, "You shouldn't be here."
Those words were like knives in her heart; this was the only place she ever wanted to be. "Don't you want me anymore?"
Water danced in circles around her body, "I always want you."
"Then why are you trying to send me away?" She choked.
The river once again sent the ghost hands to cup her face, though she could clearly see there was nothing there. Invisible fingers traced her features, "I tried to save you, but you found your back nonetheless. I tried to keep you away because I knew if you returned, you would never want to leave. But I don't know if I can protect you here. My magic isn't as strong as hers."
She reached up to grab the invisible fingers as if to comfort the river, but she could only feel her own skin. "What would you have to protect me from?"
"You will remember soon enough. The spell was not meant to work in this world. That's why it's wearing off."
Her stomach made an uncomfortable flip, "You know about the spell? Can you tell me what happened to me when I was 10?
The river did not answer her question, "When it wears off, you'll understand. But I don't know how long it will be until then."
"That's why I've come here; the hopefully find some answers. The frog spirit said Yubaba may be able to help me."
The river grew angry, tossing her around as its waves roared beneath the surface. Even though it was upset, she was not afraid. The river would never hurt her. She remained silent, letting it toss her to and fro until it was satisfied. When the water finally calmed again, she felt a large wave of embarrassment and guilt ripple through the waves.
"I'm sorry," the river whispered. "That was inexcusable."
She looked up towards the surface, her voice gentle, "Tell me why you were angry."
"I don't trust her. I'm afraid she will hurt you."
"If you're so worried, then come and find me."
The river was very still for a moment, "Chihiro…"
She sighed, knowing exactly what he was going to say, "You know, you are the only one allowed to call me that."
"I will always call you that. That was your name when I first met you and that was your name when you saved me."
Knowing the river would not answer her if she asked what it meant about her saving it, she chose to ignore the comment altogether. "Why don't you want to see me?" She asked instead, unable to hide the sadness in her voice.
There was only silence for what seemed like hours. When the river finally answered her, its voice was nothing more than a whisper. "Because I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
The water swirled around her again, "That you might remember how much I loved you."
...
"Is that Sen?!"
"Somebody better go get Rin, she'll never believe this!"
"Is she alright?"
"Ugh, she stinks so bad!"
"Someone shake her again!"
"I can't believe she just collapsed like that."
Sen could hear a cluster of voices somewhere above her. Had she fainted again? She seemed to be doing that a lot today. The last thing she remembered was walking into the Bath House before a sharp pain hit her right in the temple. Could it be…?
She opened her eyes slowly, grateful that there were plenty of spirits around her willing to help her up. When she was back on her feet, she looked around.
And recognized every single thing she saw.
Before she even had time to realize what that meant, spirits of all types were bombarding her.
"Sen, it's so good to have you back!" The foreman shook her hand warmly.
"We've missed you so much!" Said the group of women who initially rejected taking her on when she first came to the Bath House.
Even the cooks were happy to see her. "Just let us know anytime you're hungry! We will make anything you like!"
Just then, a weasel spirit in her late twenties pushed through the crowd, dressed in the same pink outfit all the women who cleaned the Bath House wore. When she saw Sen, her face lit up while her mouth hung open.
"Sen!" She shouted, throwing her arms around her. "I can't believe it's really you!"
"Rin! I've missed you so much!" Sen cried, burying her face into Rin's shoulder. She was overwhelmed not only with happiness for seeing her friend again, but also with happiness for remembering who Rin was. That must have been the sharp pain in her temple that caused her to faint; her memories had returned the moment she entered the Bath House. As the river in her dreams said: the spell wasn't meant to work here.
"You're definitely not a scrawny little kid anymore!" Rin chuckled, pulling away so she could look at Sen. "You grew up so beautifully!"
Sen blushed, "Thank you, Rin. You look wonderful, too!"
Aogaeru managed to push through everyone's legs, "Ahem. Sorry Rin, but I have to take her straight to Yubaba. She needs—"
"I need another contract before I can start working. Yes, I remember," Sen smiled.
Rin hugged her again, "You're planning on staying this time?!"
She couldn't stop smiling; all of the memories of her last visit to the Spirit world running through her mind and filling her with happiness. Even the bad ones. One thing she knew from the very bottom of her soul was that this place was her home. "Most definitely."
Aogaeru hopped onto Rin's shoulder, "That's all well and good, but I must take her to Yubaba right away."
Rin pushed the frog spirit roughly off her shoulder and grabbed Sen's arm, "Don't worry Aogaeru, I'll take her. You've got some new customers in your section that need attention anyway."
Unable to push through the large crowd with Rin and Sen, Aogaeru was left fuming, trapped by the wall of legs. "I better still get my reward," he muttered angrily. "It's not my fault her memories came back."
...
Rin didn't stop talking for a single second in the elevator on the way to Yubaba's office, but Sen didn't mind. It was so wonderful to be able to remember all the things she was talking about.
"I just can't believe you're really here! If you think I'm excited, I can only imagine how excited Haku will be," she said with a sly smile on her face, eying Sen mischievously.
Sen turned to Rin, her eyebrows furrowed, "Haku?"
"Ah, here we are!" Rin opened the elevator doors and nudged Sen out of it. "I can't go with you, as I'm sure you remember. I'm pretty sure Yubaba will assign you to me again, so I will see you when you come back down. Miss you already!" And the elevator doors closed.
Sen hesitated for a moment before making her way to the large, ornate double doors that held Yubaba's office. The enormous, ugly, golden-headed doorknockers were still mounted on the doors. One of them eyed her suspiciously.
"I recognize that ditzy face," the doorknocker quipped. "You were uglier last time I saw you."
She pursed her lips in displeasure, "And you're still just as rude as ever."
The doorknocker rolled its eyes, but before it could be snarky again, Sen grabbed it and knocked, a little harder than necessary, three times.
The door immediately swung open, followed by that raspy voice she remembered all too well. "Come in, child."
Just like last time, Sen found herself frozen in the doorway and just like last time, Yubaba used her magic to drag her in. When she made it to the main room, Sen managed to keep her balance and not land on her face like she had the first time.
Yubaba looked exactly the same: matronly light blonde bun piled on top of a withered and wrinkled face, gaudy blue eye shadow that matched her slightly frilly blue gown, large mole in the middle of her forehead, obnoxious hooked nose and equally obnoxious gold earrings. She took a long drag on her cigarette before addressing Sen.
"I was wondering when you would come back," Yubaba chuckled in her gravelly voice. "Though I am surprised it took you so long."
Sen narrowed her eyes, "Someone used a spell to cover my memories of this place."
Yubaba looked incredibly disinterested, "Well don't look at me. I didn't do it."
"Oh," Sen backpedaled. "Sorry. I just assumed…"
"Yes, yes I'm sure you did. Now, what is it you want? I don't have all day."
She took a deep breath and strengthened her resolve, "I got my memories back when I walked into the Bath House. Now that I remember everything from last time, I want to ask for my job back."
Yubaba put out her cigarette and gave her full attention to Sen, "You got them back, you say? How interesting…"
Sen frowned, "Why does that matter? I just want my job again."
The witch thought for a moment, "Hm… I guess I don't understand. If you remember everything that happened the last time you were, why would you want a job again and why you even think I would give you a job again? Do you remember how much money you cost me?"
She blushed, "Of course I remember. I let No-Face into the Bath House and he destroyed everything, along with swallowing 3 people. I just…" Sen fidgeted with her fingers. "This is the only place I have ever felt like I belonged. I have so many friends here. And quite honestly, I have no desire to go back to my world. Please Yubaba, will you give me my job back?"
Yubaba sighed, obviously disappointed about something, "Stupid oath," she mumbled. "Fine. I will give you your job back. But if you ever run away again, even if it is to see my worthless sister, I will give you to the kitchens and you will be dinner. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"
Sen smiled so wide it hurt, "Yes, ma'am!" She bowed over and over. "I will do my very best."
Yubaba sent a scrap of levitating parchment to Sen, along with a quill. "You know how this goes, sign your name away. We will just call you Sen again."
She eagerly grabbed the quill and signed the parchment 荻野 千尋. When the parchment floated back over to the witch, she once again absorbed Sen's birth name into the palm of her hand, leaving only 千 on the paper.
"You can start tomorrow. For now, I'll have Haku take you to Rin's quarters again so you can get your clothes and get settled," Yubaba said, already focusing on something else on her desk. "Haku?" She called.
A slender yet muscular man in his mid-twenties walked into the room wearing a familiar looking white kimono tied with a purple sash, blue knee-length pants, and wooden sandals. His radiant turquoise hair fell to the middle of his back tied with a sash and framing his face were straight bangs complimented by a section of hair on each side that hung to his collarbone; the eyes that surveyed her were deep pools of majestic jade. Sen had to catch her breath as her heart tried to hammer out of her chest at the sight of him.
"Hello… Sen," the man said, his gentle voice seeping through her skin and mingling with her veins, becoming a part of her very soul.
She blushed furiously and bowed to hide her face, "Hello! You must be Master Haku."
Whoever this man was, he made Sen feel things she'd never felt before. Something about him called out to her, making her heart ache with that strange loneliness again. But there was something else, too…
She knew his voice.
She loved his voice.
She craved his voice.
But that was all ridiculous… she had never met this man before.
...
...
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That's right guys! She got all of her memories back except the memories of Haku! Those are still buried. I was going to end this chapter with Yubaba's reaction to finding out that Sen doesn't remember Haku, but I decided to end it here instead. Suffice it to say, Yubaba is thrilled with this little turn of events. She is still planning on trying to manipulate Sen to get back at Haku and this proved the perfect opportunity for her. I'm so excited to share more with you guys soon!
Also, I may have to change the rating from 'T' to 'M' if I go through with some of the ideas I have. Eh, we'll see. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed my favorite chapter so far! ^.^