[fic] Off to See the Wizard, 1/2 (HaruToki4)
Title: Off to See the Wizard, Part 1
Fandom: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own rights to Haruka or to Wizard of Oz. Probably best to be familiar with the movie.
Notes: A belated Christmas present for thisissong, saramichiru, kimi_kuma, and _katty_ too. Many thanks to thisissong for her awesome casting help and advice. A few translations at the end.
Chihiro looked out her bedroom window at the dark rainclouds gathering. Worry gnawed at her, and she rushed across the room. “Nagi?” she called.
“What.” Nagi’s monotone reply carried to her from the kitchen.
“I’m worried,” she explained, glancing at the pot of boiling water on the stove. “While you work on fixing dinner, I’m going to go meet Kazahaya with an umbrella. The weather looks like it’s going to turn bad, and I just know he didn’t take an umbrella with him this morning.”
“That’s because he doesn’t use his brain,” Nagi mumbled. He glanced up at her and spoke clearly. “You just want to get out of helping.”
Chihiro pouted. “Nagi, don’t be heartless. I’ll be back soon, and then we can all make dinner together.” She gave him a smile and headed for the door, donning her jacket and shoes. “Be back soon,” she told him, uncertain if he was even listening.
“Yeah, be careful out there,” Nagi answered.
Grabbing an umbrella, Chihiro slipped outside and headed toward the school. The low-hanging clouds looked as if they would open up and pour down on her at any moment, so she quickened her pace until she was nearly jogging. Peripherally she noticed a strangely-dressed man wearing an eye patch, but she spared him only a curious glance as she hurried by, concerned only with reaching Kazahaya before the rain began. To her surprise, she noticed the stranger staring at her intently and quickly averted her eyes.
“Do you plan to ignore me when I’ve waited here for you, Ni no Hime?” the stranger’s voice smoothly asked.
Blinking in surprise, Chihiro slowed her steps and turned to look at him properly. “...Are you talking to me, sir?”
“Indeed, I am,” he replied, stepping closer. “We meet again, Hime.”
Chihiro edged backwards, giving a slight bow. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid you must have me confused with someone else. And I’m really in a hurry, so...” With another quick bob of her head she turned to continue on her way.
“Oh? But Kazahaya has already passed by.”
His words stopped Chihiro dead in her tracks, and she whipped around to face the stranger. “How did you know...?”
He chuckled. “I know everything about you, Ashihara Chihiro.”
Gaping, Chihiro stared in disbelief. “How do you know my name?”
As if on cue, the sky grew darker with the sun’s setting. He moved closer, murmuring softly in a language Chihiro did not recognize. Suddenly, a shrouded figure appeared beside him. Frightened at this development, Chihiro sprinted back in the direction of the house.
At that moment the clouds opened, and pouring rain instantly soaked her, but she dared not slow down. She rounded the corner and slipped, grazing her knee and the palm of her right hand on the sidewalk. Chihiro grimaced at the pain but stood, continuing on as fast as she could manage. A glance over her shoulder told her that neither of the strangers were following her, at least not as far as she could see. She faintly heard a voice calling something that sounded like “Miko” but she shook her head and kept running.
“Chihiro!” Kazahaya’s voice carried to her as she turned the corner to her block. “Chihiro!”
“Kazahaya!” she yelled back in an attempt to gain his attention. He ran to meet her halfway, hugging her close which startled her even more. Chihiro remembered how the man she had met earlier spoke his name. “Kazahaya, there was a man! He was kind of creepy, and he knew your name, but I’ve never seen him before...”
“Shh,” Kazahaya tried to soothe her. “Come inside, you’re soaked to the bone.” He guided her into the entryway where Nagi stood, hands clenching and unclenching. He glanced up as she walked in, frowning.
“Didn’t you leave with...” His words broke off as he noticed the umbrella in her uninjured hand. “The hell, you had an umbrella, why didn’t you use it out there.” His biting words disappeared down the hall, but he reappeared a few moments later with a towel, which he draped over her head. “Here, dry off, then we can disinfect your knee.”
“Ah, thank you, Nagi,” Chihiro stammered, rubbing at her dripping hair. “I’m sorry I worried you both.”
“Whatever.” His voice moved around her, and Chihiro pulled the towel off her head and glanced over her shoulder in time to hear him curse to himself. “You brainless moron! What did you do!”
Kazahaya ran into the house and bolted the door closed. “Both of you, go to Nagi’s room. Make sure you lock the door and window. Now.” He edged the curtain away from a window to peek outside.
“What’s going on, Kazahaya?” Chihiro asked.
“I tried to make a barrier to protect the house, but it’s possible it backfired.” He smiled, though it looked more forced then reassuring. “Nagi, take her somewhere safe.”
“A barrier?” Chihiro asked, still thoroughly confused as Nagi began dragging her down the hallway. “Nagi, what’s going on? I don’t understand!”
“I don’t either,” he growled. He finally let go of her arm and pointed at his bed. “Sit there and don’t move,” he ordered, checking the window and pulling the shades down. He pulled a strand of strangely shaped beads out of his pocket then locked the doorknob on the inside. “Whatever happens, stay in here and be quiet.” He rushed out of the room before Chihiro could stop him, pulling the door shut behind him.
“I don’t understand,” Chihiro repeated aloud. “What’s going on?” She stood and moved over to the window, carefully peeking out the same way she had seen Kazahaya do just a minute before. A dark cloud, funnel-shaped and tornado-like, was slowly moving amongst the rows of houses. Horrified, Chihiro watched it tear up buildings and send cars flying.
Miko.
Chihiro spun so fast she nearly tripped, her eyes wide. The shrouded figure stood before her.
A shrouded arm pointed at her bleeding knee. Miko is injured. I can heal it.
Too terrified even to scream for help, Chihiro could only watch as the figure approached, the mysterious tornado forgotten. The sound of breaking glass gave her little warning as the window shattered, the wood trim knocking her over the head.
Miko!
That voice, as desperate and as frightened as she felt, followed her into the darkness.
~ ~ ~
Miko... Miko, are you ok?
Chihiro slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the light. A person leaned over her, warm violet eyes looking relieved.
Miko woke. I’m happy.
Though his lips did not move, Chihiro knew instinctively that the deep voice reverberating in her head belonged to him. “Wh-who are you?”
His head tilted to the side. I am called Tooya.
“Tooya,” she repeated softly. Chihiro sensed no danger from him despite the fact that he had appeared beside the strange man with the eye patch. She quickly sat up then winced again.
Slowly, Miko. Your light faded.
She took a moment to consider his words then gave him a curious look. “I’m sorry, but you must have the wrong person. My name isn’t Miko, it’s Chihiro. Ashihara Chihiro.”
He smiled, his entire expression lighting up. I understand. Miko is Ashihara Chihiro.
“I don’t understand what you mean by ‘Miko.’ And how are you talking to me without speaking?” she asked, bewildered.
Miko can hear me. That is proof. Ashihara Chihiro is Miko.
Frowning, as his reply did not answer either of her questions, Chihiro slowly looked around. She was sitting on Nagi’s bed, still in Nagi’s room. “Oh no! Kazahaya and Nagi, are they all right?” Chihiro slid off the bed and hurried to the door. “Kazahaya? Nagi?” she called, wandering down the hall. There was no sign of either man.
Miko. No one else is here.
“But where are they?” Chihiro asked, distressed. She hurried to the front door to check outside, cautiously turning the knob. When she peered out, she gasped at the sight that greeted her. Instead of her familiar neighborhood, a small village overgrown with large plants and flowers spread out in front of her. Amazed, she took a tentative step outside. “...I think we’re not in Japan anymore, Tooya.” Chihiro walked a few steps more before she noticed a small glowing light that seemed to be floating closer to where she stood, gradually growing larger.
Miko, don’t be afraid. It will not harm you. Tooya hovered behind her right shoulder.
The reassurance calmed her a little bit. “Do you know what it is, Tooya?”
The strength of the earth resounds.
His answer puzzled Chihiro even further, but she slowly approached the iridescent light. “Hello?”
The light stopped but continued to expand until it suddenly disappeared to reveal an elderly woman with sharp eyes and a shrewd expression. “Oh, so it’s you, huh.”
“I, I beg your pardon?” Chihiro stammered.
“You. You’re the one that dropped that house, aren’t you.” The woman sounded vaguely annoyed.
Eyes wide, Chihiro tried to explain, “I didn’t mean to. I don’t know what happened, but a funnel cloud must have picked up the house, which is bizarre because I don’t know where it came from-“
“Yes, yes,” the woman interrupted. “Well you freaked out the munchkins, y’know. Dropping a house on the Wicked Wizard of Black Lightning like you did.”
“The, Wicked Wizard of Black Lightning?” Chihiro whipped around to examine the house, and to her horror she saw a pair of black boots sticking out from beneath one side of the building. “Oh I never meant to do something so horrible!” she exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes.
The woman shrugged. “Look, I’m not here to punish you or anything. I’m just here because the munchkins witnessed you defeating the wicked wizard and want to know if you’re a good witch or a bad witch.”
“A what?” Chihiro returned her attention to the woman. “But, I’m not a witch at all. I’m just a high school student. Witches are old and ugly.” Scattered laughter met her ears, and she looked around for the source. “Did I say something funny?”
Wearing a rather put-out expression, the woman explained, “They think it’s funny cuz I’m a witch. They call me Iwanaga-hime, and I’m the Good Witch of the Earth.”
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” Chihiro apologized, bowing her head.
“Don’t worry about it,” the older woman said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Over there, the one beneath your house is the Wicked Wizard of the Black Lightning, Asvin.” She snorted as if at a private joke. “He wasn’t old or ugly either, but not even he could survive a fallen house so best to just move on. Come with me.” Iwanaga-hime led Chihiro to a small pond near the middle of the village. “Oh, for gods sakes, come on out already. You can see she means no harm.”
From the small dwellings and the gardens the munchkins emerged, an entire village of people short in stature. A young warrior carrying a spear bigger than himself was the first to approach. “Iwanaga-hime, are you certain she poses no threat?”
“I think that’s pretty obvious, Futsuhiko. Let’s get this over with, I heard they were cooking up a tasty roast for supper.” Iwanaga-hime addressed the munchkins at large. “Listen up! This girl says she’s no witch. Apparently she didn’t really mean to drop her house on Wizard Asvin, but we can’t really change that. So welcome, uh...” She gave Chihiro a frown and asked quietly, “What’s your name?”
“Ashihara Chihiro,” she answered with another small bow.
“Ah, right.” Raising her voice again, she continued, “Welcome Ashihara Chihiro. Now let’s celebrate and open up some booze.”
Futsuhiko looked appropriately shocked at the speech, but before he could comment a fireball arced over the crowd and landed squarely in front of Chihiro, causing her to cry out in surprise. Around her, most of the munchkins ducked to the ground and cowered in fear.
Miko, stay back! Tooya moved to stand in front of her, chanting softly in a language Chihiro could not recognize. Water seemed to seep up from the ground to put out the flames.
“A Tsuchigumo, I see.” A low voice accompanied a red-headed man dressed in white and blue. “Are you the one who killed my brother?”
Tooya gazed evenly at the man, a gigantic scythe appearing in his hands. I will not allow you to harm Miko.
“It was an accident!” Chihiro blurted out. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone!”
“An accident. I can’t quite believe that, when you stand between a Tsuchigumo and a general of the enemy’s army.” His blue eyes narrowed. “But I can cause accidents too. You best watch yourself.” Without another word a wall of fire rose up in front of him. The munchkins shrieked in fear, even after the flames disappeared to reveal that he was gone. He used the opportunity to move unnoticed to where his brother lay. “Asvin, I will take revenge.” First he drew the sword at his side then knelt down. He slashed once, hand coming up to reveal a long braid of dark red hair.
Chihiro gasped and instinctively raised a hand to her own hair, as Asvin’s braid matched her own in length. Behind her she heard Iwanaga-hime mutter, then suddenly her legs felt heavy. Chihiro looked down in surprise to see the knee-high boots that had once been on Wizard Asvin’s feet were now covering her legs to mid-thigh. “What?”
“Stand firm,” Iwanaga-hime ordered quietly, her words barely audible over the angry yell that came from Asvin’s brother. “You must keep those on, got it?”
Before Chihiro could question this, a silver sword was pointed at her throat. “Give those back,” he demanded. “They clearly don’t fit you, you have no use for them.”
“Begone, Fire-Lightning Wizard Nasatya!” Iwanaga-hime countered. “You haven’t the military power here to harm her and escape with your life.”
Nasatya glared at them both angrily. “This isn’t over. We will meet again!” Another wall of white-hot flame sprung up in front of him, and this time when it dissipated he was nowhere to be seen.
“He’s gone, you can get up,” Iwanaga-hime called. “You’re really something, Chihiro. First you off Wizard Asvin, then you make an enemy of Wizard Nasatya.”
A small boy with wolf ears and a tail bounded up to where Chihiro stood. “Wow, you defeated him all by yourself? He’s one of the Lightning Wizards, you must be strong! I’m Ayuki, I’m training to be a strong warrior too!”
Chihiro smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Ayuki.” Her expression faltered. “But I’m not here to fight anyone. I came here in a storm by accident, and all I really want is to find my way back home.” She looked back at the house mournfully, then at Tooya. “I don’t suppose I can make it back the way I came?”
Tooya shook his head. The wind sings peacefully, Miko.
Nodding, she glanced over at Iwanaga-hime. “Do you have any idea of how I might be able to go back?”
Iwanaga-hime made a face and thought for a moment. “That kind of thing isn’t in my power either. So I guess you’ve got no choice but to go see the Wizard.”
“The Wizard?” Chihiro glanced at the place Nasatya had stood before he disappeared.
“Not that one,” Iwanaga-hime corrected then rolled her eyes. “I mean the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.”
“The Wizard of Oz? Is he a good wizard or a bad wizard?” Chihiro asked hesitantly.
“Hmph. Guess that depends who you ask,” came the muttered reply.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you?” Chihiro apologized, growing worried.
“Well, he’s basically good. More or less. Maybe it’s closer to say he’s just mysterious.” Iwanaga-hime made a face that clearly conveyed her desire to not discuss the wizard any further. “You’ll have to go to the Emerald City to find him.”
Chihiro waited a few moments more, but Iwanaga-hime remained silent. “...But how do I-?“
“Oh, ask the munchkins. I think I smell the roast, so I’m headed for supper.” Iwanaga-hime began weaving her way through the crowd of gathered munchkins. “Just make sure you keep those boots on, don’t let the Fire-Lightning Wizard have them,” she called over her shoulder.
“But...!” Shoulders sagging a fraction, Chihiro gazed at the crowd of munchkins in front of her. “I don’t suppose any of you know the way to Emerald City?”
“I can help you!” Ayuki piped up.
“Oh, can you?” Chihiro asked, relieved.
“Well…” Ayuki bit his lip. “I can’t really go with you, but I can tell you this! Oshihito-sama always said that to reach Emerald City you must follow the yellow brick road.”
Futsuhiko nodded. “That’s correct.” He gestured at the yellow bricks forming the beginning of the road, only a few steps from Chihiro. “If you follow this road, you will reach your destination.”
“Follow the yellow brick road,” Chihiro repeated. She looked up at Tooya. “Shall we go?”
I will follow Miko. I want to protect Miko.
“It’s decided then.” Chihiro smiled brightly at the munchkins, particularly the two in front of her. “Thank you very much. Wish us luck!” The crowd parted to allow her through as she began her journey to Emerald City. The munchkins waved and shouted words of encouragement as Chihiro and Tooya followed the meandering path out of the village and into the countryside.
~ ~ ~
Chihiro continued along the brick path with Tooya. “This isn’t all that difficult. Hopefully if we keep going, we’ll arrive in Emerald City in no time, Tooya.”
He nodded, then paused and tilted his head. Crows are laughing, Miko.
“Laughing? Why is that?” Chihiro stopped short before Tooya could answer, staring at the road ahead of her. Not only did it continue straight, but it also forked to the left and the right. Her question forgotten, she bit her lip nervously. “Which way do we go now?”
Tooya closed his eyes and hummed softly.
“That way is nice,” a voice called from a nearby field.
“...Who said that?” Chihiro asked, glancing around. The only thing she could see in the cornfield was a tattered old scarecrow, with an arm pointed straight down her path. She glanced behind her, wondering where the advice had come from.
“This way is nice too,” the voice spoke again.
Chihiro turned back, but again she saw nothing but the scarecrow. She frowned and looked at Tooya. “Wasn’t he just pointing the other way?”
He was. Now he points that way.
“But how can that be?” Chihiro wondered aloud, gazing at the scarecrow.
“People do go both ways,” the scarecrow added, his arms crossing as he pointed in opposite directions.
“It was you!” Chihiro exclaimed, carefully climbing over a fence and walking into the field. “You really can talk!”
The scarecrow shook his head then contradicted himself by nodding an affirmative.
“Which is it? Can’t you make up your mind?”
Shrugging, the scarecrow answered, “I haven’t got a mind to make up, so I guess I can’t.” He patted his patchwork hat. “Only straw up here.”
“Haven’t got a mind!” Chihiro repeated. “Well how can you talk if you don’t have a brain?”
He paused, gazing into a distant field as if considering her question. “I don’t know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t you agree?”
Flustered at this turn of conversation, Chihiro said quietly, “I suppose you are right.” She slowly picked her way into the cornfield to stand before the sturdy post that held the scarecrow upright. “Oh, forgive my rudeness. I’m Ashihara Chihiro,” she greeted, giving him a slight bow.
“I’m Kazahaya, the scarecrow,” he returned with a grin. “How do you do?”
“I’m doing fine, thank you,” Chihiro answered, shading her eyes against the sun as she looked up at him. “How do you do?”
“Not very well,” he replied gloomily. “It’s not all that comfortable sitting here stuck to a pole day in and day out.”
“Maybe I can help,” she suggested, walking around to the back of the pole. “Will this do?” Chihiro pulled on the sturdy nail holding Kazahaya in place, and he fell with a thud. “My goodness! Are you all right, Kazahaya?”
Laughing as he picked up some straw that had fallen out of a hole in his seam, Kazahaya shoved it back inside. “Just fine. Losing bits of me, but we can just stuff it back where it came from. No harm done.” He stood and brushed himself off. “Thank you, Chihiro.” Kazahaya climbed over the fence, headed for where Tooya stood waiting, but he slipped and fell onto the ground.
“Oh! Kazahaya!” Chihiro scrambled over the fence to join him. “Are you all right?” she repeated as she crouched down beside him, worry evident in her voice this time.
“Did I scare you?” he asked, tone somewhat amused.
“Well, no, I just thought you might have hurt yourself...”
Kazahaya frowned. “I didn’t think so... I can’t scare anything.” As if to prove his point, a crow landed on his shoulder and nonchalantly began pecking at his hat. “Scat, shoo!” he told it, but it ignored him, snatched some hay, and flew off. “You see? I can’t even scare crows,” he said dejectedly. “I think they come to my field just to laugh at me.”
Chihiro recalled Tooya’s comment about the laughing crows, but she wasn’t about to repeat it. She patted his shoulder consolingly.
“Thank you,” he murmured with a sad smile. “But I’m a failure. If only I had a brain.”
“I wonder...” Chihiro stood and helped Kazahaya to his feet. “I’m going to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz and ask him if he’ll send me back home, to Japan. Why don’t you come along and ask him for a brain?”
His expression brightened. “Do you think he would?”
“Even if he didn’t, you wouldn’t be any worse off than you are now,” Chihiro pointed out. “Would you like to join us?”
“Us?” Kazahaya repeated. He glanced over at where Tooya stood silently, watching.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me introduce you. Kazahaya, this is Tooya. Tooya, Kazahaya.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kazahaya smiled.
The winds sing of change. The grasses wave. Miko’s light grows. Happiness. Tooya nodded at Kazahaya then beamed at Chihiro.
“Ah, Tooya can’t speak, but he talks to me,” she explained. “It’s a little weird, but he’s happy you’re coming.” Her expression sobered. “I should warn you that there’s a wizard after me, so the journey could be dangerous.”
Kazahaya nodded. “All the more reason to tag along and help protect you, then. I can’t expect to just be given a brain without proving myself first, right?” He pointed down one of the forks in the road. “We’ll need to go this way.”
“All right, then.” Chihiro grinned first at Kazahaya, then at Tooya. “Let’s go!”
~ ~ ~
The yellow brick road led the trio into a forest, and when Chihiro looked closely she let out a delighted sound. “Look! Apple trees!” Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food.
Miko, the trees are unhappy, Tooya warned.
But Chihiro was already reaching up to pick an apple. Suddenly a branch smacked across her hand and she cried out, more startled than hurt. “Ouch!”
“Whaddya think you’re doin’?!” a grumpy voice asked.
Gaping, it took Chihiro a full three seconds to realize the tree was talking to her. “I’m sorry, we’ve just been walking an awful long way and I was hungry...” She trailed off and looked over at Kazahaya and Tooya.
“Oh, she was hungry,” the apple tree mocked patronizingly, and another tree echoed the line back. “How would you like it if someone just came up and picked something off of you!” the tree snapped.
“I keep forgetting I’m not in Japan anymore...” Chihiro said sorrowfully.
“Let’s go Chihiro,” Kazahaya said cheerfully. “You wouldn’t want to eat any of those apples anyway.”
“Are you implying there’s something wrong with my apples?” grumped the tree.
“Oh, not at all,” Kazahaya assured it. “She just doesn’t like little green worms.”
The tree angrily attempted to grab at them both while other trees threw apples at them. Tooya quickly moved between his comrades and the tree, humming softly to calm the trees.
“See, that worked pretty well,” Kazahaya said, reaching down to pick up a shiny red apple and brush it off.
“...I suppose it did,” Chihiro acknowledged. She followed a rolling apple to the other side of the path. She noticed something metallic through the bushes and moved closer to steal a peek, nearly gasping at the sight. “There’s a man!” she exclaimed.
“A what? A man?” Kazahaya followed her.
“Yes, a man made of tin!” Chihiro gazed down at the metallic man laid out on the ground as if napping. She crouched down beside him and tried tapping at his arm. “Hello?” A squeak answered her, and she realized his jaw was rusted. “I think he’s trying to speak!” she told Kazahaya, tilting her head backward to look up at him.
“Hm...” He looked over the tin man then noticed a small can sitting next to the giant metal feet. “Why don’t we try squirting it with oil?” he suggested, picking up the can and handing it to her.
“A- all right.” Nervously, Chihiro took the can and squirted a little oil at the hinges of the tin man’s jaw, then physically moved it back and forth a couple times. “There!” she proclaimed. “That should be better. Can you speak now?”
“Yeah,” came the monotone reply, “and I’m trying to nap, so could you please be quiet.”
“Well!” Chihiro huffed. “You don’t have to be rude about it, we were only trying to help.”
“I can’t really care about that, because I don’t have a heart,” he retorted. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to sleep.”
“But! You’ll rust up again if you just lay there,” Chihiro protested. “Kazahaya, won’t you help me get him up?”
“Don’t bother, my joints are all rusted.” The tin man gazed up at her with narrowed eyes. “Just be on your way.”
A frown marred Chihiro’s face. “You need to fix your attitude!” she told him. “You haven’t even properly introduced yourself.”
“Neither have you.”
Her mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise. “I, I guess you’re right. I’m Ashihara Chihiro. And this is Kazahaya the scarecrow.”
“I see,” came the disinterested reply. He settled back on the grass and closed his eyes.
“Hey, now.” Chihiro shook one tin arm, which caused a loud metallic rattle. “Stop that and sit up.”
“Oh give it a rest,” the tin man grumbled. “My name is Nagi. Now I want you to go away and leave me alone. You’re noisy and I’m tired.”
Chihiro ignored him and squirted oil at each rusty joint. “You’re getting up whether you like it or not,” she told him. “You can come with us to ask the Wizard of Oz for a heart, and that’s that.”
“Hey, knock it off,” Nagi warned, glaring at her.
Kazahaya looked on, amused, as Chihiro forcibly bent each oiled joint back and forth. “It appears she won’t leave you alone to rest, Nagi,” he said gently. “Won’t you come with us?”
A flicker of emotion passed across his face then just as quickly it disappeared. “...Fine,” he agreed with a sigh.
“That’s wonderful, Nagi!” Chihiro stood and took one of Nagi’s hands, helping to pull him to his feet.
“Sure. Great,” Nagi answered unenthusiastically. He allowed her to drag him to the brick road, and only then did she finally release his hand. Kazahaya joined them, holding the oil can and an ax. Nagi took the latter with muttered thanks.
“Oh, and this is Tooya,” Chihiro introduced, waving over their silent companion.
The trees forgive, Miko. All is peaceful. Tooya smiled, happy to bring her this news. They give fruit. He held out his hands to her, offering a small pile of apples.
“Ah, thank you, Tooya.” She gestured to Nagi. “This is Nagi, the tin man.”
More companions. Miko’s light grows brighter still.
“...Is he saying something?” Nagi asked.
“He is, but for some reason that I can’t quite understand I’m the only one who hears him. But he’s glad you’re joining us,” Chihiro assured him. “We’ve come a long way already, but shall we press on?”
A cloud of red smoke exploded from thin air just down the path, and the small group shrank back as the Fire-Lightning Wizard appeared.
“Wizard Nasatya,” Chihiro breathed, shivering.
“You think your journey has been long? Then you should give up now.” He glanced at the men with her. “Gathering more friends as you go, it seems. How foolish. You’d best give up, or you’ll all meet your doom.” He paused, then with a smirk added, “A gift for you, then.” Nasatya wordlessly conjured a fireball and flung it at the group, purposely aiming for the scarecrow. “Look forward to your demise,” he told them and disappeared into red smoke once more, his laughter echoing in the forest as Nagi stamped out the small fire with his large tin foot. Tooya once again coaxed water from the ground to extinguish the smoldering remains.
“Chihiro, I’m not afraid of him,” Kazahaya said firmly. “I’ll see to it that you make it to Oz, even if it’s the last thing that I do.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you, Kazahaya.”
Flames burn unruly. Water calms them. I will protect Miko. Tooya vowed.
“Yeah, can we just get going, then?” Nagi interrupted. “The sooner we get where we’re going, the sooner we won’t have to worry about that wizard, right?”
“You’re right,” Chihiro agreed with a nod. “Let’s go to Emerald City!”
As one, the four continued along the yellow brick road.
~ ~ ~
When they had travelled deeper into the forest, Chihiro spoke up in a small voice. “...I don’t think I like this forest. It’s dark and creepy.” She walked a little closer to Kazahaya and Nagi, glancing around nervously.
Kazahaya took her hand and squeezed it. “I can’t say for sure, but it’s probably going to get darker before it gets lighter.”
Behind the trio, Tooya wandered from one side of the path to the other, listening to the trees. Only distant magic touches here, Miko. The animals fear people. Trees shelter them.
Chihiro grabbed Nagi’s hand as well. “Do, do you suppose we’ll meet any wild animals?” she stuttered.
Nagi rolled his eyes. “We might,” he said honestly. “They live in the forest, after all.”
“Animals that eat... straw?” Kazahaya asked hesitantly.
Heaving a long-suffering sigh, Nagi answered, “How many dangerous animals do you think eat straw?”
“They might not be dangerous to the rest of you, but it would be for me,” the scarecrow protested.
“...” Nagi waited two beats, then continued, “Most likely lions and tigers and bears.”
“Lions?” Chihiro repeated, terrified.
“And tigers?” Kazahaya added.
“...And bears,” Nagi answered.
“Oh my!” Chihiro clung to their hands more tightly. “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my...”
“Stop,” Nagi said tiredly. “It’s bad enough that you’re clinging to me. Why are you purposely scaring yourself?”
“Well, because, I...” Chihiro trailed off.
Miko, be careful Tooya warned suddenly.
Before Chihiro could react a voice called out, “Excuse me...”
Shrinking back a fraction at the unexpected words, Chihiro peeked over Kazahaya’s shoulder. “Wh-who’s there?”
Ahead on the path crouched a lion.
“Run!” Chihiro screamed, attempting to drag her companions into the cover of the nearby trees.
“Wait, please wait!” The lion called, approaching. “I mean you no harm.”
“Then, then stay where you are, don’t come any closer!” Kazahaya shouted, his straw limbs shaking so strongly that he collapsed on the ground.
I won’t let you harm Miko. Tooya stepped forward, his scythe appearing in his hands once more.
The lion gasped and took a step back, eyes wide. “A Tsuchigumo?! What is such a creature doing here?”
Chihiro frowned. “Wizard Nasatya called him that too. What exactly is a Tsuchigumo?”
“They’re a dangerous tribe, not exactly human, and they have mystifying and frightening powers.” The lion deliberately avoided looking directly at Tooya. “Some say they are harbingers of death.”
“That’s not true!” Chihiro said angrily. “Tooya wouldn’t hurt anyone!”
“You say that,” the lion countered evenly, “but that scythe tells another story.”
“He’s only trying to protect me because you came out of nowhere to attack us!” Chihiro countered.
Yes. I will protect Miko. Tooya stared at the lion, unwilling to back down from a possible threat to Chihiro.
Shaking his head, the lion held up his paws in a surrendering gesture. “As I already said, I mean you no harm.”
“Then what do you want?” Nagi asked tiredly. “We’re in the middle of something, and we’d like to be on our way.”
“Maybe the Tsuchigumo could put the scythe away?” suggested the lion timidly.
“What’s the matter, you’re afraid of him?” Kazahaya asked as he staggered to his feet.
“Of course I am!” the lion scoffed.
Chihiro stepped forward and laid a hand on Tooya’s. “It’s all right, Tooya,” she said softly. “Thank you, but there’s no need to fight.”
I understand. Tooya nodded, and the scythe mysteriously disappeared. I scare people. Miko, shall I wear my shroud?
“No, that’s not necessary, Tooya.” Chihiro smiled up at him. “I’d rather be able to see you, like this. I don’t think you’re scary. And anyway, aren’t lions supposed to be fearless?”
“Perhaps that is usually the case,” the lion answered Chihiro, “but unfortunately I have no courage. I am a disgrace to lions everywhere, because I am a coward.”
“A cowardly lion?” Kazahaya nudged Chihiro. “Maybe the wizard can help him too?”
Chihiro considered this for a moment. “I don’t see why not.” She gave the lion a kind smile. “Why don’t you come with us? We’re going to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz to get him a brain,” she explained, pointing to Kazahaya.
“And him a heart,” Kazahaya added, laying a hand on Nagi’s shoulder, which was immediately shrugged off.
“You really think he would do that for me?” the lion questioned.
“He has to!” Chihiro insisted firmly. “We’ve already come such a long way. He’s my only hope to get back home...”
“I’m sure he will,” Kazahaya reassured her. “Might as well be on our way, right?”
“You’re right,” she agreed, looking at the lion. “Um... I’m Ashihara Chihiro. This is Kazahaya and Nagi and Tooya,” she introduced.
“I am Michiomi,” the lion answered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Sure,” came Nagi’s indifferent reply. “So, Emerald City?”
Tooya hummed. Nothing threatens, Miko.
Chihiro smiled brightly. “Tooya says it’s safe, let’s be on our way.” She took hold of Kazahaya’s and Nagi’s hands. Michiomi joined in the line at Kazahaya’s other side. Tooya lagged behind, eyes scanning the forest while he followed.
~ ~ ~
Translations:
Ni no Hime - literally, the second princess (Chihiro's title)
Hime - Princess
Miko - Priestess
The idea for this came to thisissong and I in September, and it's been waiting for semester break to be written. This is only part 1, since the story is going to be long enough that lj would cut it off. Part 2 isn't complete yet, but I hope I'll be able to post it soon. ^^;
Fandom: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own rights to Haruka or to Wizard of Oz. Probably best to be familiar with the movie.
Notes: A belated Christmas present for thisissong, saramichiru, kimi_kuma, and _katty_ too. Many thanks to thisissong for her awesome casting help and advice. A few translations at the end.
Chihiro looked out her bedroom window at the dark rainclouds gathering. Worry gnawed at her, and she rushed across the room. “Nagi?” she called.
“What.” Nagi’s monotone reply carried to her from the kitchen.
“I’m worried,” she explained, glancing at the pot of boiling water on the stove. “While you work on fixing dinner, I’m going to go meet Kazahaya with an umbrella. The weather looks like it’s going to turn bad, and I just know he didn’t take an umbrella with him this morning.”
“That’s because he doesn’t use his brain,” Nagi mumbled. He glanced up at her and spoke clearly. “You just want to get out of helping.”
Chihiro pouted. “Nagi, don’t be heartless. I’ll be back soon, and then we can all make dinner together.” She gave him a smile and headed for the door, donning her jacket and shoes. “Be back soon,” she told him, uncertain if he was even listening.
“Yeah, be careful out there,” Nagi answered.
Grabbing an umbrella, Chihiro slipped outside and headed toward the school. The low-hanging clouds looked as if they would open up and pour down on her at any moment, so she quickened her pace until she was nearly jogging. Peripherally she noticed a strangely-dressed man wearing an eye patch, but she spared him only a curious glance as she hurried by, concerned only with reaching Kazahaya before the rain began. To her surprise, she noticed the stranger staring at her intently and quickly averted her eyes.
“Do you plan to ignore me when I’ve waited here for you, Ni no Hime?” the stranger’s voice smoothly asked.
Blinking in surprise, Chihiro slowed her steps and turned to look at him properly. “...Are you talking to me, sir?”
“Indeed, I am,” he replied, stepping closer. “We meet again, Hime.”
Chihiro edged backwards, giving a slight bow. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid you must have me confused with someone else. And I’m really in a hurry, so...” With another quick bob of her head she turned to continue on her way.
“Oh? But Kazahaya has already passed by.”
His words stopped Chihiro dead in her tracks, and she whipped around to face the stranger. “How did you know...?”
He chuckled. “I know everything about you, Ashihara Chihiro.”
Gaping, Chihiro stared in disbelief. “How do you know my name?”
As if on cue, the sky grew darker with the sun’s setting. He moved closer, murmuring softly in a language Chihiro did not recognize. Suddenly, a shrouded figure appeared beside him. Frightened at this development, Chihiro sprinted back in the direction of the house.
At that moment the clouds opened, and pouring rain instantly soaked her, but she dared not slow down. She rounded the corner and slipped, grazing her knee and the palm of her right hand on the sidewalk. Chihiro grimaced at the pain but stood, continuing on as fast as she could manage. A glance over her shoulder told her that neither of the strangers were following her, at least not as far as she could see. She faintly heard a voice calling something that sounded like “Miko” but she shook her head and kept running.
“Chihiro!” Kazahaya’s voice carried to her as she turned the corner to her block. “Chihiro!”
“Kazahaya!” she yelled back in an attempt to gain his attention. He ran to meet her halfway, hugging her close which startled her even more. Chihiro remembered how the man she had met earlier spoke his name. “Kazahaya, there was a man! He was kind of creepy, and he knew your name, but I’ve never seen him before...”
“Shh,” Kazahaya tried to soothe her. “Come inside, you’re soaked to the bone.” He guided her into the entryway where Nagi stood, hands clenching and unclenching. He glanced up as she walked in, frowning.
“Didn’t you leave with...” His words broke off as he noticed the umbrella in her uninjured hand. “The hell, you had an umbrella, why didn’t you use it out there.” His biting words disappeared down the hall, but he reappeared a few moments later with a towel, which he draped over her head. “Here, dry off, then we can disinfect your knee.”
“Ah, thank you, Nagi,” Chihiro stammered, rubbing at her dripping hair. “I’m sorry I worried you both.”
“Whatever.” His voice moved around her, and Chihiro pulled the towel off her head and glanced over her shoulder in time to hear him curse to himself. “You brainless moron! What did you do!”
Kazahaya ran into the house and bolted the door closed. “Both of you, go to Nagi’s room. Make sure you lock the door and window. Now.” He edged the curtain away from a window to peek outside.
“What’s going on, Kazahaya?” Chihiro asked.
“I tried to make a barrier to protect the house, but it’s possible it backfired.” He smiled, though it looked more forced then reassuring. “Nagi, take her somewhere safe.”
“A barrier?” Chihiro asked, still thoroughly confused as Nagi began dragging her down the hallway. “Nagi, what’s going on? I don’t understand!”
“I don’t either,” he growled. He finally let go of her arm and pointed at his bed. “Sit there and don’t move,” he ordered, checking the window and pulling the shades down. He pulled a strand of strangely shaped beads out of his pocket then locked the doorknob on the inside. “Whatever happens, stay in here and be quiet.” He rushed out of the room before Chihiro could stop him, pulling the door shut behind him.
“I don’t understand,” Chihiro repeated aloud. “What’s going on?” She stood and moved over to the window, carefully peeking out the same way she had seen Kazahaya do just a minute before. A dark cloud, funnel-shaped and tornado-like, was slowly moving amongst the rows of houses. Horrified, Chihiro watched it tear up buildings and send cars flying.
Miko.
Chihiro spun so fast she nearly tripped, her eyes wide. The shrouded figure stood before her.
A shrouded arm pointed at her bleeding knee. Miko is injured. I can heal it.
Too terrified even to scream for help, Chihiro could only watch as the figure approached, the mysterious tornado forgotten. The sound of breaking glass gave her little warning as the window shattered, the wood trim knocking her over the head.
Miko!
That voice, as desperate and as frightened as she felt, followed her into the darkness.
~ ~ ~
Miko... Miko, are you ok?
Chihiro slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the light. A person leaned over her, warm violet eyes looking relieved.
Miko woke. I’m happy.
Though his lips did not move, Chihiro knew instinctively that the deep voice reverberating in her head belonged to him. “Wh-who are you?”
His head tilted to the side. I am called Tooya.
“Tooya,” she repeated softly. Chihiro sensed no danger from him despite the fact that he had appeared beside the strange man with the eye patch. She quickly sat up then winced again.
Slowly, Miko. Your light faded.
She took a moment to consider his words then gave him a curious look. “I’m sorry, but you must have the wrong person. My name isn’t Miko, it’s Chihiro. Ashihara Chihiro.”
He smiled, his entire expression lighting up. I understand. Miko is Ashihara Chihiro.
“I don’t understand what you mean by ‘Miko.’ And how are you talking to me without speaking?” she asked, bewildered.
Miko can hear me. That is proof. Ashihara Chihiro is Miko.
Frowning, as his reply did not answer either of her questions, Chihiro slowly looked around. She was sitting on Nagi’s bed, still in Nagi’s room. “Oh no! Kazahaya and Nagi, are they all right?” Chihiro slid off the bed and hurried to the door. “Kazahaya? Nagi?” she called, wandering down the hall. There was no sign of either man.
Miko. No one else is here.
“But where are they?” Chihiro asked, distressed. She hurried to the front door to check outside, cautiously turning the knob. When she peered out, she gasped at the sight that greeted her. Instead of her familiar neighborhood, a small village overgrown with large plants and flowers spread out in front of her. Amazed, she took a tentative step outside. “...I think we’re not in Japan anymore, Tooya.” Chihiro walked a few steps more before she noticed a small glowing light that seemed to be floating closer to where she stood, gradually growing larger.
Miko, don’t be afraid. It will not harm you. Tooya hovered behind her right shoulder.
The reassurance calmed her a little bit. “Do you know what it is, Tooya?”
The strength of the earth resounds.
His answer puzzled Chihiro even further, but she slowly approached the iridescent light. “Hello?”
The light stopped but continued to expand until it suddenly disappeared to reveal an elderly woman with sharp eyes and a shrewd expression. “Oh, so it’s you, huh.”
“I, I beg your pardon?” Chihiro stammered.
“You. You’re the one that dropped that house, aren’t you.” The woman sounded vaguely annoyed.
Eyes wide, Chihiro tried to explain, “I didn’t mean to. I don’t know what happened, but a funnel cloud must have picked up the house, which is bizarre because I don’t know where it came from-“
“Yes, yes,” the woman interrupted. “Well you freaked out the munchkins, y’know. Dropping a house on the Wicked Wizard of Black Lightning like you did.”
“The, Wicked Wizard of Black Lightning?” Chihiro whipped around to examine the house, and to her horror she saw a pair of black boots sticking out from beneath one side of the building. “Oh I never meant to do something so horrible!” she exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes.
The woman shrugged. “Look, I’m not here to punish you or anything. I’m just here because the munchkins witnessed you defeating the wicked wizard and want to know if you’re a good witch or a bad witch.”
“A what?” Chihiro returned her attention to the woman. “But, I’m not a witch at all. I’m just a high school student. Witches are old and ugly.” Scattered laughter met her ears, and she looked around for the source. “Did I say something funny?”
Wearing a rather put-out expression, the woman explained, “They think it’s funny cuz I’m a witch. They call me Iwanaga-hime, and I’m the Good Witch of the Earth.”
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” Chihiro apologized, bowing her head.
“Don’t worry about it,” the older woman said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Over there, the one beneath your house is the Wicked Wizard of the Black Lightning, Asvin.” She snorted as if at a private joke. “He wasn’t old or ugly either, but not even he could survive a fallen house so best to just move on. Come with me.” Iwanaga-hime led Chihiro to a small pond near the middle of the village. “Oh, for gods sakes, come on out already. You can see she means no harm.”
From the small dwellings and the gardens the munchkins emerged, an entire village of people short in stature. A young warrior carrying a spear bigger than himself was the first to approach. “Iwanaga-hime, are you certain she poses no threat?”
“I think that’s pretty obvious, Futsuhiko. Let’s get this over with, I heard they were cooking up a tasty roast for supper.” Iwanaga-hime addressed the munchkins at large. “Listen up! This girl says she’s no witch. Apparently she didn’t really mean to drop her house on Wizard Asvin, but we can’t really change that. So welcome, uh...” She gave Chihiro a frown and asked quietly, “What’s your name?”
“Ashihara Chihiro,” she answered with another small bow.
“Ah, right.” Raising her voice again, she continued, “Welcome Ashihara Chihiro. Now let’s celebrate and open up some booze.”
Futsuhiko looked appropriately shocked at the speech, but before he could comment a fireball arced over the crowd and landed squarely in front of Chihiro, causing her to cry out in surprise. Around her, most of the munchkins ducked to the ground and cowered in fear.
Miko, stay back! Tooya moved to stand in front of her, chanting softly in a language Chihiro could not recognize. Water seemed to seep up from the ground to put out the flames.
“A Tsuchigumo, I see.” A low voice accompanied a red-headed man dressed in white and blue. “Are you the one who killed my brother?”
Tooya gazed evenly at the man, a gigantic scythe appearing in his hands. I will not allow you to harm Miko.
“It was an accident!” Chihiro blurted out. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone!”
“An accident. I can’t quite believe that, when you stand between a Tsuchigumo and a general of the enemy’s army.” His blue eyes narrowed. “But I can cause accidents too. You best watch yourself.” Without another word a wall of fire rose up in front of him. The munchkins shrieked in fear, even after the flames disappeared to reveal that he was gone. He used the opportunity to move unnoticed to where his brother lay. “Asvin, I will take revenge.” First he drew the sword at his side then knelt down. He slashed once, hand coming up to reveal a long braid of dark red hair.
Chihiro gasped and instinctively raised a hand to her own hair, as Asvin’s braid matched her own in length. Behind her she heard Iwanaga-hime mutter, then suddenly her legs felt heavy. Chihiro looked down in surprise to see the knee-high boots that had once been on Wizard Asvin’s feet were now covering her legs to mid-thigh. “What?”
“Stand firm,” Iwanaga-hime ordered quietly, her words barely audible over the angry yell that came from Asvin’s brother. “You must keep those on, got it?”
Before Chihiro could question this, a silver sword was pointed at her throat. “Give those back,” he demanded. “They clearly don’t fit you, you have no use for them.”
“Begone, Fire-Lightning Wizard Nasatya!” Iwanaga-hime countered. “You haven’t the military power here to harm her and escape with your life.”
Nasatya glared at them both angrily. “This isn’t over. We will meet again!” Another wall of white-hot flame sprung up in front of him, and this time when it dissipated he was nowhere to be seen.
“He’s gone, you can get up,” Iwanaga-hime called. “You’re really something, Chihiro. First you off Wizard Asvin, then you make an enemy of Wizard Nasatya.”
A small boy with wolf ears and a tail bounded up to where Chihiro stood. “Wow, you defeated him all by yourself? He’s one of the Lightning Wizards, you must be strong! I’m Ayuki, I’m training to be a strong warrior too!”
Chihiro smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Ayuki.” Her expression faltered. “But I’m not here to fight anyone. I came here in a storm by accident, and all I really want is to find my way back home.” She looked back at the house mournfully, then at Tooya. “I don’t suppose I can make it back the way I came?”
Tooya shook his head. The wind sings peacefully, Miko.
Nodding, she glanced over at Iwanaga-hime. “Do you have any idea of how I might be able to go back?”
Iwanaga-hime made a face and thought for a moment. “That kind of thing isn’t in my power either. So I guess you’ve got no choice but to go see the Wizard.”
“The Wizard?” Chihiro glanced at the place Nasatya had stood before he disappeared.
“Not that one,” Iwanaga-hime corrected then rolled her eyes. “I mean the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.”
“The Wizard of Oz? Is he a good wizard or a bad wizard?” Chihiro asked hesitantly.
“Hmph. Guess that depends who you ask,” came the muttered reply.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you?” Chihiro apologized, growing worried.
“Well, he’s basically good. More or less. Maybe it’s closer to say he’s just mysterious.” Iwanaga-hime made a face that clearly conveyed her desire to not discuss the wizard any further. “You’ll have to go to the Emerald City to find him.”
Chihiro waited a few moments more, but Iwanaga-hime remained silent. “...But how do I-?“
“Oh, ask the munchkins. I think I smell the roast, so I’m headed for supper.” Iwanaga-hime began weaving her way through the crowd of gathered munchkins. “Just make sure you keep those boots on, don’t let the Fire-Lightning Wizard have them,” she called over her shoulder.
“But...!” Shoulders sagging a fraction, Chihiro gazed at the crowd of munchkins in front of her. “I don’t suppose any of you know the way to Emerald City?”
“I can help you!” Ayuki piped up.
“Oh, can you?” Chihiro asked, relieved.
“Well…” Ayuki bit his lip. “I can’t really go with you, but I can tell you this! Oshihito-sama always said that to reach Emerald City you must follow the yellow brick road.”
Futsuhiko nodded. “That’s correct.” He gestured at the yellow bricks forming the beginning of the road, only a few steps from Chihiro. “If you follow this road, you will reach your destination.”
“Follow the yellow brick road,” Chihiro repeated. She looked up at Tooya. “Shall we go?”
I will follow Miko. I want to protect Miko.
“It’s decided then.” Chihiro smiled brightly at the munchkins, particularly the two in front of her. “Thank you very much. Wish us luck!” The crowd parted to allow her through as she began her journey to Emerald City. The munchkins waved and shouted words of encouragement as Chihiro and Tooya followed the meandering path out of the village and into the countryside.
~ ~ ~
Chihiro continued along the brick path with Tooya. “This isn’t all that difficult. Hopefully if we keep going, we’ll arrive in Emerald City in no time, Tooya.”
He nodded, then paused and tilted his head. Crows are laughing, Miko.
“Laughing? Why is that?” Chihiro stopped short before Tooya could answer, staring at the road ahead of her. Not only did it continue straight, but it also forked to the left and the right. Her question forgotten, she bit her lip nervously. “Which way do we go now?”
Tooya closed his eyes and hummed softly.
“That way is nice,” a voice called from a nearby field.
“...Who said that?” Chihiro asked, glancing around. The only thing she could see in the cornfield was a tattered old scarecrow, with an arm pointed straight down her path. She glanced behind her, wondering where the advice had come from.
“This way is nice too,” the voice spoke again.
Chihiro turned back, but again she saw nothing but the scarecrow. She frowned and looked at Tooya. “Wasn’t he just pointing the other way?”
He was. Now he points that way.
“But how can that be?” Chihiro wondered aloud, gazing at the scarecrow.
“People do go both ways,” the scarecrow added, his arms crossing as he pointed in opposite directions.
“It was you!” Chihiro exclaimed, carefully climbing over a fence and walking into the field. “You really can talk!”
The scarecrow shook his head then contradicted himself by nodding an affirmative.
“Which is it? Can’t you make up your mind?”
Shrugging, the scarecrow answered, “I haven’t got a mind to make up, so I guess I can’t.” He patted his patchwork hat. “Only straw up here.”
“Haven’t got a mind!” Chihiro repeated. “Well how can you talk if you don’t have a brain?”
He paused, gazing into a distant field as if considering her question. “I don’t know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t you agree?”
Flustered at this turn of conversation, Chihiro said quietly, “I suppose you are right.” She slowly picked her way into the cornfield to stand before the sturdy post that held the scarecrow upright. “Oh, forgive my rudeness. I’m Ashihara Chihiro,” she greeted, giving him a slight bow.
“I’m Kazahaya, the scarecrow,” he returned with a grin. “How do you do?”
“I’m doing fine, thank you,” Chihiro answered, shading her eyes against the sun as she looked up at him. “How do you do?”
“Not very well,” he replied gloomily. “It’s not all that comfortable sitting here stuck to a pole day in and day out.”
“Maybe I can help,” she suggested, walking around to the back of the pole. “Will this do?” Chihiro pulled on the sturdy nail holding Kazahaya in place, and he fell with a thud. “My goodness! Are you all right, Kazahaya?”
Laughing as he picked up some straw that had fallen out of a hole in his seam, Kazahaya shoved it back inside. “Just fine. Losing bits of me, but we can just stuff it back where it came from. No harm done.” He stood and brushed himself off. “Thank you, Chihiro.” Kazahaya climbed over the fence, headed for where Tooya stood waiting, but he slipped and fell onto the ground.
“Oh! Kazahaya!” Chihiro scrambled over the fence to join him. “Are you all right?” she repeated as she crouched down beside him, worry evident in her voice this time.
“Did I scare you?” he asked, tone somewhat amused.
“Well, no, I just thought you might have hurt yourself...”
Kazahaya frowned. “I didn’t think so... I can’t scare anything.” As if to prove his point, a crow landed on his shoulder and nonchalantly began pecking at his hat. “Scat, shoo!” he told it, but it ignored him, snatched some hay, and flew off. “You see? I can’t even scare crows,” he said dejectedly. “I think they come to my field just to laugh at me.”
Chihiro recalled Tooya’s comment about the laughing crows, but she wasn’t about to repeat it. She patted his shoulder consolingly.
“Thank you,” he murmured with a sad smile. “But I’m a failure. If only I had a brain.”
“I wonder...” Chihiro stood and helped Kazahaya to his feet. “I’m going to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz and ask him if he’ll send me back home, to Japan. Why don’t you come along and ask him for a brain?”
His expression brightened. “Do you think he would?”
“Even if he didn’t, you wouldn’t be any worse off than you are now,” Chihiro pointed out. “Would you like to join us?”
“Us?” Kazahaya repeated. He glanced over at where Tooya stood silently, watching.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me introduce you. Kazahaya, this is Tooya. Tooya, Kazahaya.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kazahaya smiled.
The winds sing of change. The grasses wave. Miko’s light grows. Happiness. Tooya nodded at Kazahaya then beamed at Chihiro.
“Ah, Tooya can’t speak, but he talks to me,” she explained. “It’s a little weird, but he’s happy you’re coming.” Her expression sobered. “I should warn you that there’s a wizard after me, so the journey could be dangerous.”
Kazahaya nodded. “All the more reason to tag along and help protect you, then. I can’t expect to just be given a brain without proving myself first, right?” He pointed down one of the forks in the road. “We’ll need to go this way.”
“All right, then.” Chihiro grinned first at Kazahaya, then at Tooya. “Let’s go!”
~ ~ ~
The yellow brick road led the trio into a forest, and when Chihiro looked closely she let out a delighted sound. “Look! Apple trees!” Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food.
Miko, the trees are unhappy, Tooya warned.
But Chihiro was already reaching up to pick an apple. Suddenly a branch smacked across her hand and she cried out, more startled than hurt. “Ouch!”
“Whaddya think you’re doin’?!” a grumpy voice asked.
Gaping, it took Chihiro a full three seconds to realize the tree was talking to her. “I’m sorry, we’ve just been walking an awful long way and I was hungry...” She trailed off and looked over at Kazahaya and Tooya.
“Oh, she was hungry,” the apple tree mocked patronizingly, and another tree echoed the line back. “How would you like it if someone just came up and picked something off of you!” the tree snapped.
“I keep forgetting I’m not in Japan anymore...” Chihiro said sorrowfully.
“Let’s go Chihiro,” Kazahaya said cheerfully. “You wouldn’t want to eat any of those apples anyway.”
“Are you implying there’s something wrong with my apples?” grumped the tree.
“Oh, not at all,” Kazahaya assured it. “She just doesn’t like little green worms.”
The tree angrily attempted to grab at them both while other trees threw apples at them. Tooya quickly moved between his comrades and the tree, humming softly to calm the trees.
“See, that worked pretty well,” Kazahaya said, reaching down to pick up a shiny red apple and brush it off.
“...I suppose it did,” Chihiro acknowledged. She followed a rolling apple to the other side of the path. She noticed something metallic through the bushes and moved closer to steal a peek, nearly gasping at the sight. “There’s a man!” she exclaimed.
“A what? A man?” Kazahaya followed her.
“Yes, a man made of tin!” Chihiro gazed down at the metallic man laid out on the ground as if napping. She crouched down beside him and tried tapping at his arm. “Hello?” A squeak answered her, and she realized his jaw was rusted. “I think he’s trying to speak!” she told Kazahaya, tilting her head backward to look up at him.
“Hm...” He looked over the tin man then noticed a small can sitting next to the giant metal feet. “Why don’t we try squirting it with oil?” he suggested, picking up the can and handing it to her.
“A- all right.” Nervously, Chihiro took the can and squirted a little oil at the hinges of the tin man’s jaw, then physically moved it back and forth a couple times. “There!” she proclaimed. “That should be better. Can you speak now?”
“Yeah,” came the monotone reply, “and I’m trying to nap, so could you please be quiet.”
“Well!” Chihiro huffed. “You don’t have to be rude about it, we were only trying to help.”
“I can’t really care about that, because I don’t have a heart,” he retorted. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to sleep.”
“But! You’ll rust up again if you just lay there,” Chihiro protested. “Kazahaya, won’t you help me get him up?”
“Don’t bother, my joints are all rusted.” The tin man gazed up at her with narrowed eyes. “Just be on your way.”
A frown marred Chihiro’s face. “You need to fix your attitude!” she told him. “You haven’t even properly introduced yourself.”
“Neither have you.”
Her mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise. “I, I guess you’re right. I’m Ashihara Chihiro. And this is Kazahaya the scarecrow.”
“I see,” came the disinterested reply. He settled back on the grass and closed his eyes.
“Hey, now.” Chihiro shook one tin arm, which caused a loud metallic rattle. “Stop that and sit up.”
“Oh give it a rest,” the tin man grumbled. “My name is Nagi. Now I want you to go away and leave me alone. You’re noisy and I’m tired.”
Chihiro ignored him and squirted oil at each rusty joint. “You’re getting up whether you like it or not,” she told him. “You can come with us to ask the Wizard of Oz for a heart, and that’s that.”
“Hey, knock it off,” Nagi warned, glaring at her.
Kazahaya looked on, amused, as Chihiro forcibly bent each oiled joint back and forth. “It appears she won’t leave you alone to rest, Nagi,” he said gently. “Won’t you come with us?”
A flicker of emotion passed across his face then just as quickly it disappeared. “...Fine,” he agreed with a sigh.
“That’s wonderful, Nagi!” Chihiro stood and took one of Nagi’s hands, helping to pull him to his feet.
“Sure. Great,” Nagi answered unenthusiastically. He allowed her to drag him to the brick road, and only then did she finally release his hand. Kazahaya joined them, holding the oil can and an ax. Nagi took the latter with muttered thanks.
“Oh, and this is Tooya,” Chihiro introduced, waving over their silent companion.
The trees forgive, Miko. All is peaceful. Tooya smiled, happy to bring her this news. They give fruit. He held out his hands to her, offering a small pile of apples.
“Ah, thank you, Tooya.” She gestured to Nagi. “This is Nagi, the tin man.”
More companions. Miko’s light grows brighter still.
“...Is he saying something?” Nagi asked.
“He is, but for some reason that I can’t quite understand I’m the only one who hears him. But he’s glad you’re joining us,” Chihiro assured him. “We’ve come a long way already, but shall we press on?”
A cloud of red smoke exploded from thin air just down the path, and the small group shrank back as the Fire-Lightning Wizard appeared.
“Wizard Nasatya,” Chihiro breathed, shivering.
“You think your journey has been long? Then you should give up now.” He glanced at the men with her. “Gathering more friends as you go, it seems. How foolish. You’d best give up, or you’ll all meet your doom.” He paused, then with a smirk added, “A gift for you, then.” Nasatya wordlessly conjured a fireball and flung it at the group, purposely aiming for the scarecrow. “Look forward to your demise,” he told them and disappeared into red smoke once more, his laughter echoing in the forest as Nagi stamped out the small fire with his large tin foot. Tooya once again coaxed water from the ground to extinguish the smoldering remains.
“Chihiro, I’m not afraid of him,” Kazahaya said firmly. “I’ll see to it that you make it to Oz, even if it’s the last thing that I do.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you, Kazahaya.”
Flames burn unruly. Water calms them. I will protect Miko. Tooya vowed.
“Yeah, can we just get going, then?” Nagi interrupted. “The sooner we get where we’re going, the sooner we won’t have to worry about that wizard, right?”
“You’re right,” Chihiro agreed with a nod. “Let’s go to Emerald City!”
As one, the four continued along the yellow brick road.
~ ~ ~
When they had travelled deeper into the forest, Chihiro spoke up in a small voice. “...I don’t think I like this forest. It’s dark and creepy.” She walked a little closer to Kazahaya and Nagi, glancing around nervously.
Kazahaya took her hand and squeezed it. “I can’t say for sure, but it’s probably going to get darker before it gets lighter.”
Behind the trio, Tooya wandered from one side of the path to the other, listening to the trees. Only distant magic touches here, Miko. The animals fear people. Trees shelter them.
Chihiro grabbed Nagi’s hand as well. “Do, do you suppose we’ll meet any wild animals?” she stuttered.
Nagi rolled his eyes. “We might,” he said honestly. “They live in the forest, after all.”
“Animals that eat... straw?” Kazahaya asked hesitantly.
Heaving a long-suffering sigh, Nagi answered, “How many dangerous animals do you think eat straw?”
“They might not be dangerous to the rest of you, but it would be for me,” the scarecrow protested.
“...” Nagi waited two beats, then continued, “Most likely lions and tigers and bears.”
“Lions?” Chihiro repeated, terrified.
“And tigers?” Kazahaya added.
“...And bears,” Nagi answered.
“Oh my!” Chihiro clung to their hands more tightly. “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my...”
“Stop,” Nagi said tiredly. “It’s bad enough that you’re clinging to me. Why are you purposely scaring yourself?”
“Well, because, I...” Chihiro trailed off.
Miko, be careful Tooya warned suddenly.
Before Chihiro could react a voice called out, “Excuse me...”
Shrinking back a fraction at the unexpected words, Chihiro peeked over Kazahaya’s shoulder. “Wh-who’s there?”
Ahead on the path crouched a lion.
“Run!” Chihiro screamed, attempting to drag her companions into the cover of the nearby trees.
“Wait, please wait!” The lion called, approaching. “I mean you no harm.”
“Then, then stay where you are, don’t come any closer!” Kazahaya shouted, his straw limbs shaking so strongly that he collapsed on the ground.
I won’t let you harm Miko. Tooya stepped forward, his scythe appearing in his hands once more.
The lion gasped and took a step back, eyes wide. “A Tsuchigumo?! What is such a creature doing here?”
Chihiro frowned. “Wizard Nasatya called him that too. What exactly is a Tsuchigumo?”
“They’re a dangerous tribe, not exactly human, and they have mystifying and frightening powers.” The lion deliberately avoided looking directly at Tooya. “Some say they are harbingers of death.”
“That’s not true!” Chihiro said angrily. “Tooya wouldn’t hurt anyone!”
“You say that,” the lion countered evenly, “but that scythe tells another story.”
“He’s only trying to protect me because you came out of nowhere to attack us!” Chihiro countered.
Yes. I will protect Miko. Tooya stared at the lion, unwilling to back down from a possible threat to Chihiro.
Shaking his head, the lion held up his paws in a surrendering gesture. “As I already said, I mean you no harm.”
“Then what do you want?” Nagi asked tiredly. “We’re in the middle of something, and we’d like to be on our way.”
“Maybe the Tsuchigumo could put the scythe away?” suggested the lion timidly.
“What’s the matter, you’re afraid of him?” Kazahaya asked as he staggered to his feet.
“Of course I am!” the lion scoffed.
Chihiro stepped forward and laid a hand on Tooya’s. “It’s all right, Tooya,” she said softly. “Thank you, but there’s no need to fight.”
I understand. Tooya nodded, and the scythe mysteriously disappeared. I scare people. Miko, shall I wear my shroud?
“No, that’s not necessary, Tooya.” Chihiro smiled up at him. “I’d rather be able to see you, like this. I don’t think you’re scary. And anyway, aren’t lions supposed to be fearless?”
“Perhaps that is usually the case,” the lion answered Chihiro, “but unfortunately I have no courage. I am a disgrace to lions everywhere, because I am a coward.”
“A cowardly lion?” Kazahaya nudged Chihiro. “Maybe the wizard can help him too?”
Chihiro considered this for a moment. “I don’t see why not.” She gave the lion a kind smile. “Why don’t you come with us? We’re going to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz to get him a brain,” she explained, pointing to Kazahaya.
“And him a heart,” Kazahaya added, laying a hand on Nagi’s shoulder, which was immediately shrugged off.
“You really think he would do that for me?” the lion questioned.
“He has to!” Chihiro insisted firmly. “We’ve already come such a long way. He’s my only hope to get back home...”
“I’m sure he will,” Kazahaya reassured her. “Might as well be on our way, right?”
“You’re right,” she agreed, looking at the lion. “Um... I’m Ashihara Chihiro. This is Kazahaya and Nagi and Tooya,” she introduced.
“I am Michiomi,” the lion answered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Sure,” came Nagi’s indifferent reply. “So, Emerald City?”
Tooya hummed. Nothing threatens, Miko.
Chihiro smiled brightly. “Tooya says it’s safe, let’s be on our way.” She took hold of Kazahaya’s and Nagi’s hands. Michiomi joined in the line at Kazahaya’s other side. Tooya lagged behind, eyes scanning the forest while he followed.
~ ~ ~
Translations:
Ni no Hime - literally, the second princess (Chihiro's title)
Hime - Princess
Miko - Priestess
The idea for this came to thisissong and I in September, and it's been waiting for semester break to be written. This is only part 1, since the story is going to be long enough that lj would cut it off. Part 2 isn't complete yet, but I hope I'll be able to post it soon. ^^;