Spirit's Awakening - Sprited Away Fanfiction
This is a fanfiction that my friend C**** and I are working on together. I just thought that I would post it here and share it.
Disclaimer: This is a joint effort in fan fiction between DuoLordOfDeath and me. These characters used in this story are a mix of those owned by Studio Ghibli (Haku, Chihiro, Yubaba, Boh, Kaonashi, Ren, Komaji, Zaniba, Etc.) and our original characters. Kimmoh-Kyubi Hakumen-no-Akko is based on a character from Japanese mythology, as well as the words of our friend Sana. We make no money from this. If you wish to use any of the original characters, please let me know.
Constructive commentary is appreciated. This is one of the first fanfics/RPs that I’ve decided to share with others.
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The Mistress of Chaos walked empirically through the corridors of the bathhouse, surveying her victory with an even more empirical glower shaping her rather angular facial features. She was followed closely by her second and third commanders, both of which towered over her by at least a head. Turning quickly on her heel, she entered what she knew to be the main office of the bathhouse. Her blood-red cloak billowed about her as she turned to survey the lavishly furnished room. “This will do quite nicely, gentlemen,” she sneered, striding over to the heavy oak desk and settling herself in the over-stuffed chair that sat behind it. “Nevertheless, of course there are many changes to be made.”
She cleared off the desk with a grandiose sweep of her hand and then proceeded to wave her hands about in a practiced manner, chanting softly under her breath as she did so. Her brutish commanders stood still and silent watching their mistress stoically. She suddenly stopped, a sharp rapport emitting from her fingers and a flash of light illuminated the room. A grey and swirling mass appeared on the desktop. Slowly an image of the lower levels began to form in the swirling cesspool of the desk's surface.
Various demons and baneful spirits of all shapes and sizes picked, stalked, cut, slaughtered, and otherwise tore their way through the bathhouse searching for any more of the survivors from the staff. If any were found, they were roughly dragged to one of the various holding cells that had been set up magically through out the building. Or they were devoured. Kimmoh-Kyubi Hakumen-no-Akko, the very spirit of chaos, knew enough of her cohorts to allow them their choice in the selection of prisoners. Essentially meaning, anyone that they were lucky enough to come upon once they had had their fill. Not that she cared who lived and who died here. She had what she wanted. She was now the ruler of the bathhouse.
“Things are going according to plan,” she said silkily. She pondered for a moment then dispelled the swirling grey mass that was occupying her desk and added, “Go and set about cleaning the morass. We don't want our presence to be known here just yet. Gather all the surviving staff in one of the lower rooms so that we might see how many more whelps and wretches we might need if we're to keep this place in some semblance of operation.” She dismissed them with a wave of her hand. The commanders saluted their mistress and then turned on their heels and left. That old witch wasn't nearly the challenge that I'd hoped for, she mused as she gazed out the window. It was reported that she was much fiercer, especially with that blasted dragon under her control, she turned back to the room and walked about, taking a careful inventory of all that was in the room. Some slightly darker spots on the rug caught her attention. She knelt to examine the stains more closely. She sniffed over them; a very faint smell still lingered over the stains. Blood. She sniffed again, trying to ascertain from whence the sanguine stain came. It smelled faintly of magic. Like dragon's blood! So he finally became too much for you to handle old witch. Interesting…, the striking woman mused.
She'd already carefully searched the surrounding grounds for the wretch Yubaba and that damned dragon of hers. However, transforming into her fox-form she leapt gracefully from the balcony to one of the rooftops below and then on to the grass from there. It didn't take much for the swift fox-goddess of chaos to bound quickly down to the entrance from the living world. The evil goddess transformed into her pleasing feminine form and enacted a spell of warding about the gate. Now no humans could wander in and spoil her plans. Not even the One.
Her work for the day accomplished, she chose to wander languidly back to the Abuya. She feared nothing, for she now owned and controlled all.
However, in her arrogance, she didn't once consider that a spirit might help a human gain access to the spirit world, so her ward didn't counter-act against the inside help. Little did she know that that small oversight would cost her dearly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So...it's come to this..." the figure spoke quietly as he gazed out over the expansive valley. From his outlook atop the hill, he could see the great fields and small houses that dotted the landscape. Ponds and lakes took up small, glittering patches of the land, reflecting the starscape above. There too, winding through the lowest point of the valley, was a single line of train tracks, twisting and turning like a snake’s tail. However, there would be no train running tonight. Far in the distance, almost out of eyesight, a large plume of smoke was rising into the night, obscuring the moon.
He could tell from the scent that blew on the wind that it was the abuya burning. He could smell the scorched paint and the charred wood, the scent of burning opulence and greed.
He'd felt the vibrations that the attack had caused in the spirit world, even from such a far distance, and knew that only one person would be able to explain such phenomena to him. Frowning, he drew the navy blue cloak about his face, hiding his identity behind a shadow of obscurity. If Kimmoh's agents spotted him and realized that he had returned, he knew that all would surely be lost. That is, if his inkling was right. However, only Zaniba would know for certain.
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From the roof of her small cozy cottage in Swamp Bottom the old witch Zaniba and her assistant Kaonashi watched the piles of smoke rise from the horizon. There was only one structure and land mass from that direction that could produce such a hue and volume of smoke to obscure the stars so completely - the Abuya. “My, my…,” the old witch began, “what great disaster has my lovely sister brought upon herself this time?” Zaniba’s instincts told her that this was something dire than what she was letting on.
It was then that her apprentice, Kaonashi, began to moan and point to some figures moving about the forest in the distance. They were not expecting visitors, but something told the old witch that these visitors weren’t making a pleasant house call and that something was very wrong indeed.
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"Easy now...easy..." Kamajii murmured as two of his eight arms gently carried the limp feminine figure close. She was moaning slightly, her clothing tattered and bloody; smeared with grime and charcoal. She had been lucky to survive, he realized, but she was not out of the woods yet. Glancing over at one of the other young workers who had escaped, he frowned slightly, his bushy eyebrows troubled. "I don't know if she's going to make it, even if with Zaniba's help," he murmured truthfully, quietly so as not to upset Yubaba any further. It had been a horrific night, and even though the opulent witch had lost her livelihood and had very nearly been killed, she was still refusing to swallow her pride and accept her sister's help. Shaking his head, noting the many scratches and bruises on her, it was a wonder any of them had survived Kimmoh's attack. She had slipped in right under their noses.
“How could she have done this to me….” Yubaba growled as she walked a few feet behind the rest of the refugees, her large infant son plodding alongside her. He was holding her hand in his, looking rather miserable and scared at what had befallen them. Bitter at her usurpation, and outraged that they were asking help with her sister, she begrudgingly trudged along, comforting her son every time he threatened to burst into wailing tears.
As the lights from Zaniba’s cheery house came closer, for a moment the spirits and hopes of the weary band of the Abuya’s refugees swelled just a fraction. Along the path, a bouncing light was approaching them with the mistress of the house and Kaonashi not much farther behind.
“My gods! What’s happened? Is everyone alright?” Zaniba asked as soon as she was within ear-shot of the group.
"Zaniba..." Kamajii murmured with a faint, weary smile, and paused. It had been a long, weary trek for all involved, and the witch’s concerned voice was like music to his ears. "It's a long story...too long for us to tell it outside...and Rin here...she needs attention." He looked down at the young woman in his arms, and shook his head. "Foolish, brave girl. Because of her, Yubaba and the baby were able to get out. I had to go back for her. But..." turning his head, he looked over at the aforementioned witch.
She was looking bedraggled and unhappy with her present state; she couldn't find it in her heart to be grateful for the life she had been able to preserve. "They took my bathhouse!" she growled, glaring at the smoke that was rising high above the trees in the distance. Her free hand was trembling, the jeweled rings glittering in the lamplight, as if a last defiant stand against her sudden poverty.
“Then by all means let’s get everyone inside!” Zaniba said, casting a slightly sympathetic look towards her twin, but then quickly changing the expression to one of annoyance at her sister’s utter lack of priorities. Kaonashi immediately took Rin from Kamajii and started towards the warm and waiting cottage. Zaniba took her nephew’s hand for a moment to comfort him as she followed the group behind Kaonashi.
Once inside Zaniba summoned a futon for Rin and her house seemed to expand magically to accommodate the additional seating that also appeared from thin air. Tea appeared on the stove as Kaonashi gently laid Rin on the waiting futon and went to go get Zaniba’s healing kit and herbs. After everyone had had a chance to get in and get settled with a cup of hot tea, Zaniba asked again, “Who attacked the bath house?”
"It was Kimmoh...the kitsune demon. Chaos Incarnate..." Kamajii began as he allowed himself to be bandaged. "She...I'm not entirely sure how she did it...I assume she slipped in with the rest of the spirits coming to take a bath...she's a clever one, I'll give her that...she managed to get her cronies in too. By the time we realized what had happened...it was too late." Sighing, he rested and took a cup of tea. "She's sealed off the entrance to the spirit world near the abuya, and she's set fire to many of the buildings in the town. I don't understand what it is she is trying to accomplish..."
Yubaba snorted a little as Kaonashi attempted to put a bandage on her wrist. "She's after the gold...she has to be. Why else would someone want to take over the bathhouse...greedy wench," she grumbled, pounding her good hand against the armrest of her chair. “What use is the entrance to the spirit world to her anyway?”
“Dearest sister,” Zaniba said patiently as she began to tend to Rin’s wounds, “Not everything in this world revolves around money. On the contrary, being the vile demon that she is, it is far more likely what she is after is something far greater and far more dangerous. What that evil fiend desires the most is power, that’s all those demons crave. You knew what that job’s responsibilities were when you took the position as the guardian of the main gate. Kimmoh’s ambitions have caused us harm before. I thought that she’d been sealed away somewhere.” Somewhere in the back of Zaniba’s mind something stirred, teasing her as though there was something that she knew and ought to remember but couldn’t. Shaking her head she sighed, “Well, you are all welcome to stay here for the time being.” She looked down at the still form of the brunette young woman that lay still on the futon on the floor and sighed again heavily. “This one’s not out of the woods yet, I’ve done all I can for her for now. It’s up to her to fight.”
Kamajii noticed that Yubaba seemed to pointedly ignore her sister's comment, but if he knew the crafty witch at all, she had heard. Her pride was as tough as anything, unfortunately, and only she would be able to choose when she changed her mind. Sighing, he nodded. "I agree...if memory serves...she'd been banished some time ago too..." He glanced over at Rin, who had fallen into a deep sleep rather than her fever dreams, and sighed. "In any case...something has to be done. She won't stop at the bathhouse, you know. We've got to try and nip this problem in the bud."
Kaonashi nodded his head in agreement as Zaniba said, “I agree. There really is no satiating the appetite for power of that vile beast. However, if anything is to be done about it, then you all should rest here and gain your strength back.” Her face belied her concern that they didn’t have the time to spare. “It would be nice to have some help though. Fresh spirits and fresh bodies would do us nicely right about now.”
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"I know where I may find a few," came a voice from the door, quiet and firm. A gust of wind had accompanied the softly spoken words, and everyone in the room turned their eyes quickly as the cloaked stranger stepped into the doorway. He was moderately tall, not yet fully grown into a man, and his shoulders were draped in navy blue. His face hidden, all that could he seen were his dark teal hakama and the edge of a carefully sheathed blade at his hip. "Forgive me…but the door had been left open. I saw the smoke, and sensed that something like this might have happened. The ancient river spirit sent me, and I only knew of one person who might know of the truth behind these happenings. Zaniba," he murmured, and though his head didn't move, one could feel his eyes resting on the intuitive witch. "I believe I may know why this has happened, but I can't be for certain yet...But I know of someone who will possibly be of great help...if I am able to find them."
All in the cottage fell silent as they turned as one to face the stranger in the doorway. “Welcome stranger,” Zaniba said warmly with a soft chuckle, “but this is hardly the time to be vague and only give half answers. Perhaps you’d be willing to tell us more of your suspicions so that we could better serve you as allies.” She could sense her rightly paranoid sister bristling in her seat.
“How do you know that we can trust him? He could be an agent for her as far as we know!” Yubaba sprang from her chair and over to the young man as though daring him to try something so that she could play out her rage on him.
Unmoved by the outburst, the young man did not even flinch at the witch's sudden, explosive advance. He was silent for a moment, then he took a breath, as if in thought. "I would not wish to raise anyone's hopes just yet...but if you doubt my honesty Yubaba, you may speak with the river spirit himself. He remembers you and your bathhouse rather fondly, and I daresay he would vouch for the honesty of my character."
Before Yubaba could come up with a response, Zaniba interjected, “Do what you must, good sir, but please do it swiftly for we haven’t much time. The longer Kimmoh is in the bath house, the harder it will be to get her out of it.”
"I understand. I will move as swiftly as possible; I have no desire to see that vile demon pervade the dual realms..." he murmured, and turned his head slightly to gaze at the others in the room. "I wish I could assist you further here...but I know what I must do. I only hope that there is enough time." Turning in the doorway, his cloak rippling authoritatively, he drew the cowl closer around his face, and once he reached the center of the yard, the wind began to pick up sharply, rattling the windows. A slight crystalline sound came from him as he rose into the sky and disappeared into the darkening sky.
Kamajii looked thoughtful as the stranger made his exit, and rubbed his chin curiously. "Hmm...Wonder what that was all about..." he murmured quietly, and sat back, his bushy eyebrows
Feel free to comment!
Disclaimer: This is a joint effort in fan fiction between DuoLordOfDeath and me. These characters used in this story are a mix of those owned by Studio Ghibli (Haku, Chihiro, Yubaba, Boh, Kaonashi, Ren, Komaji, Zaniba, Etc.) and our original characters. Kimmoh-Kyubi Hakumen-no-Akko is based on a character from Japanese mythology, as well as the words of our friend Sana. We make no money from this. If you wish to use any of the original characters, please let me know.
Constructive commentary is appreciated. This is one of the first fanfics/RPs that I’ve decided to share with others.
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The Mistress of Chaos walked empirically through the corridors of the bathhouse, surveying her victory with an even more empirical glower shaping her rather angular facial features. She was followed closely by her second and third commanders, both of which towered over her by at least a head. Turning quickly on her heel, she entered what she knew to be the main office of the bathhouse. Her blood-red cloak billowed about her as she turned to survey the lavishly furnished room. “This will do quite nicely, gentlemen,” she sneered, striding over to the heavy oak desk and settling herself in the over-stuffed chair that sat behind it. “Nevertheless, of course there are many changes to be made.”
She cleared off the desk with a grandiose sweep of her hand and then proceeded to wave her hands about in a practiced manner, chanting softly under her breath as she did so. Her brutish commanders stood still and silent watching their mistress stoically. She suddenly stopped, a sharp rapport emitting from her fingers and a flash of light illuminated the room. A grey and swirling mass appeared on the desktop. Slowly an image of the lower levels began to form in the swirling cesspool of the desk's surface.
Various demons and baneful spirits of all shapes and sizes picked, stalked, cut, slaughtered, and otherwise tore their way through the bathhouse searching for any more of the survivors from the staff. If any were found, they were roughly dragged to one of the various holding cells that had been set up magically through out the building. Or they were devoured. Kimmoh-Kyubi Hakumen-no-Akko, the very spirit of chaos, knew enough of her cohorts to allow them their choice in the selection of prisoners. Essentially meaning, anyone that they were lucky enough to come upon once they had had their fill. Not that she cared who lived and who died here. She had what she wanted. She was now the ruler of the bathhouse.
“Things are going according to plan,” she said silkily. She pondered for a moment then dispelled the swirling grey mass that was occupying her desk and added, “Go and set about cleaning the morass. We don't want our presence to be known here just yet. Gather all the surviving staff in one of the lower rooms so that we might see how many more whelps and wretches we might need if we're to keep this place in some semblance of operation.” She dismissed them with a wave of her hand. The commanders saluted their mistress and then turned on their heels and left. That old witch wasn't nearly the challenge that I'd hoped for, she mused as she gazed out the window. It was reported that she was much fiercer, especially with that blasted dragon under her control, she turned back to the room and walked about, taking a careful inventory of all that was in the room. Some slightly darker spots on the rug caught her attention. She knelt to examine the stains more closely. She sniffed over them; a very faint smell still lingered over the stains. Blood. She sniffed again, trying to ascertain from whence the sanguine stain came. It smelled faintly of magic. Like dragon's blood! So he finally became too much for you to handle old witch. Interesting…, the striking woman mused.
She'd already carefully searched the surrounding grounds for the wretch Yubaba and that damned dragon of hers. However, transforming into her fox-form she leapt gracefully from the balcony to one of the rooftops below and then on to the grass from there. It didn't take much for the swift fox-goddess of chaos to bound quickly down to the entrance from the living world. The evil goddess transformed into her pleasing feminine form and enacted a spell of warding about the gate. Now no humans could wander in and spoil her plans. Not even the One.
Her work for the day accomplished, she chose to wander languidly back to the Abuya. She feared nothing, for she now owned and controlled all.
However, in her arrogance, she didn't once consider that a spirit might help a human gain access to the spirit world, so her ward didn't counter-act against the inside help. Little did she know that that small oversight would cost her dearly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So...it's come to this..." the figure spoke quietly as he gazed out over the expansive valley. From his outlook atop the hill, he could see the great fields and small houses that dotted the landscape. Ponds and lakes took up small, glittering patches of the land, reflecting the starscape above. There too, winding through the lowest point of the valley, was a single line of train tracks, twisting and turning like a snake’s tail. However, there would be no train running tonight. Far in the distance, almost out of eyesight, a large plume of smoke was rising into the night, obscuring the moon.
He could tell from the scent that blew on the wind that it was the abuya burning. He could smell the scorched paint and the charred wood, the scent of burning opulence and greed.
He'd felt the vibrations that the attack had caused in the spirit world, even from such a far distance, and knew that only one person would be able to explain such phenomena to him. Frowning, he drew the navy blue cloak about his face, hiding his identity behind a shadow of obscurity. If Kimmoh's agents spotted him and realized that he had returned, he knew that all would surely be lost. That is, if his inkling was right. However, only Zaniba would know for certain.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
From the roof of her small cozy cottage in Swamp Bottom the old witch Zaniba and her assistant Kaonashi watched the piles of smoke rise from the horizon. There was only one structure and land mass from that direction that could produce such a hue and volume of smoke to obscure the stars so completely - the Abuya. “My, my…,” the old witch began, “what great disaster has my lovely sister brought upon herself this time?” Zaniba’s instincts told her that this was something dire than what she was letting on.
It was then that her apprentice, Kaonashi, began to moan and point to some figures moving about the forest in the distance. They were not expecting visitors, but something told the old witch that these visitors weren’t making a pleasant house call and that something was very wrong indeed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Easy now...easy..." Kamajii murmured as two of his eight arms gently carried the limp feminine figure close. She was moaning slightly, her clothing tattered and bloody; smeared with grime and charcoal. She had been lucky to survive, he realized, but she was not out of the woods yet. Glancing over at one of the other young workers who had escaped, he frowned slightly, his bushy eyebrows troubled. "I don't know if she's going to make it, even if with Zaniba's help," he murmured truthfully, quietly so as not to upset Yubaba any further. It had been a horrific night, and even though the opulent witch had lost her livelihood and had very nearly been killed, she was still refusing to swallow her pride and accept her sister's help. Shaking his head, noting the many scratches and bruises on her, it was a wonder any of them had survived Kimmoh's attack. She had slipped in right under their noses.
“How could she have done this to me….” Yubaba growled as she walked a few feet behind the rest of the refugees, her large infant son plodding alongside her. He was holding her hand in his, looking rather miserable and scared at what had befallen them. Bitter at her usurpation, and outraged that they were asking help with her sister, she begrudgingly trudged along, comforting her son every time he threatened to burst into wailing tears.
As the lights from Zaniba’s cheery house came closer, for a moment the spirits and hopes of the weary band of the Abuya’s refugees swelled just a fraction. Along the path, a bouncing light was approaching them with the mistress of the house and Kaonashi not much farther behind.
“My gods! What’s happened? Is everyone alright?” Zaniba asked as soon as she was within ear-shot of the group.
"Zaniba..." Kamajii murmured with a faint, weary smile, and paused. It had been a long, weary trek for all involved, and the witch’s concerned voice was like music to his ears. "It's a long story...too long for us to tell it outside...and Rin here...she needs attention." He looked down at the young woman in his arms, and shook his head. "Foolish, brave girl. Because of her, Yubaba and the baby were able to get out. I had to go back for her. But..." turning his head, he looked over at the aforementioned witch.
She was looking bedraggled and unhappy with her present state; she couldn't find it in her heart to be grateful for the life she had been able to preserve. "They took my bathhouse!" she growled, glaring at the smoke that was rising high above the trees in the distance. Her free hand was trembling, the jeweled rings glittering in the lamplight, as if a last defiant stand against her sudden poverty.
“Then by all means let’s get everyone inside!” Zaniba said, casting a slightly sympathetic look towards her twin, but then quickly changing the expression to one of annoyance at her sister’s utter lack of priorities. Kaonashi immediately took Rin from Kamajii and started towards the warm and waiting cottage. Zaniba took her nephew’s hand for a moment to comfort him as she followed the group behind Kaonashi.
Once inside Zaniba summoned a futon for Rin and her house seemed to expand magically to accommodate the additional seating that also appeared from thin air. Tea appeared on the stove as Kaonashi gently laid Rin on the waiting futon and went to go get Zaniba’s healing kit and herbs. After everyone had had a chance to get in and get settled with a cup of hot tea, Zaniba asked again, “Who attacked the bath house?”
"It was Kimmoh...the kitsune demon. Chaos Incarnate..." Kamajii began as he allowed himself to be bandaged. "She...I'm not entirely sure how she did it...I assume she slipped in with the rest of the spirits coming to take a bath...she's a clever one, I'll give her that...she managed to get her cronies in too. By the time we realized what had happened...it was too late." Sighing, he rested and took a cup of tea. "She's sealed off the entrance to the spirit world near the abuya, and she's set fire to many of the buildings in the town. I don't understand what it is she is trying to accomplish..."
Yubaba snorted a little as Kaonashi attempted to put a bandage on her wrist. "She's after the gold...she has to be. Why else would someone want to take over the bathhouse...greedy wench," she grumbled, pounding her good hand against the armrest of her chair. “What use is the entrance to the spirit world to her anyway?”
“Dearest sister,” Zaniba said patiently as she began to tend to Rin’s wounds, “Not everything in this world revolves around money. On the contrary, being the vile demon that she is, it is far more likely what she is after is something far greater and far more dangerous. What that evil fiend desires the most is power, that’s all those demons crave. You knew what that job’s responsibilities were when you took the position as the guardian of the main gate. Kimmoh’s ambitions have caused us harm before. I thought that she’d been sealed away somewhere.” Somewhere in the back of Zaniba’s mind something stirred, teasing her as though there was something that she knew and ought to remember but couldn’t. Shaking her head she sighed, “Well, you are all welcome to stay here for the time being.” She looked down at the still form of the brunette young woman that lay still on the futon on the floor and sighed again heavily. “This one’s not out of the woods yet, I’ve done all I can for her for now. It’s up to her to fight.”
Kamajii noticed that Yubaba seemed to pointedly ignore her sister's comment, but if he knew the crafty witch at all, she had heard. Her pride was as tough as anything, unfortunately, and only she would be able to choose when she changed her mind. Sighing, he nodded. "I agree...if memory serves...she'd been banished some time ago too..." He glanced over at Rin, who had fallen into a deep sleep rather than her fever dreams, and sighed. "In any case...something has to be done. She won't stop at the bathhouse, you know. We've got to try and nip this problem in the bud."
Kaonashi nodded his head in agreement as Zaniba said, “I agree. There really is no satiating the appetite for power of that vile beast. However, if anything is to be done about it, then you all should rest here and gain your strength back.” Her face belied her concern that they didn’t have the time to spare. “It would be nice to have some help though. Fresh spirits and fresh bodies would do us nicely right about now.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I know where I may find a few," came a voice from the door, quiet and firm. A gust of wind had accompanied the softly spoken words, and everyone in the room turned their eyes quickly as the cloaked stranger stepped into the doorway. He was moderately tall, not yet fully grown into a man, and his shoulders were draped in navy blue. His face hidden, all that could he seen were his dark teal hakama and the edge of a carefully sheathed blade at his hip. "Forgive me…but the door had been left open. I saw the smoke, and sensed that something like this might have happened. The ancient river spirit sent me, and I only knew of one person who might know of the truth behind these happenings. Zaniba," he murmured, and though his head didn't move, one could feel his eyes resting on the intuitive witch. "I believe I may know why this has happened, but I can't be for certain yet...But I know of someone who will possibly be of great help...if I am able to find them."
All in the cottage fell silent as they turned as one to face the stranger in the doorway. “Welcome stranger,” Zaniba said warmly with a soft chuckle, “but this is hardly the time to be vague and only give half answers. Perhaps you’d be willing to tell us more of your suspicions so that we could better serve you as allies.” She could sense her rightly paranoid sister bristling in her seat.
“How do you know that we can trust him? He could be an agent for her as far as we know!” Yubaba sprang from her chair and over to the young man as though daring him to try something so that she could play out her rage on him.
Unmoved by the outburst, the young man did not even flinch at the witch's sudden, explosive advance. He was silent for a moment, then he took a breath, as if in thought. "I would not wish to raise anyone's hopes just yet...but if you doubt my honesty Yubaba, you may speak with the river spirit himself. He remembers you and your bathhouse rather fondly, and I daresay he would vouch for the honesty of my character."
Before Yubaba could come up with a response, Zaniba interjected, “Do what you must, good sir, but please do it swiftly for we haven’t much time. The longer Kimmoh is in the bath house, the harder it will be to get her out of it.”
"I understand. I will move as swiftly as possible; I have no desire to see that vile demon pervade the dual realms..." he murmured, and turned his head slightly to gaze at the others in the room. "I wish I could assist you further here...but I know what I must do. I only hope that there is enough time." Turning in the doorway, his cloak rippling authoritatively, he drew the cowl closer around his face, and once he reached the center of the yard, the wind began to pick up sharply, rattling the windows. A slight crystalline sound came from him as he rose into the sky and disappeared into the darkening sky.
Kamajii looked thoughtful as the stranger made his exit, and rubbed his chin curiously. "Hmm...Wonder what that was all about..." he murmured quietly, and sat back, his bushy eyebrows
Feel free to comment!