Spirited Away: The Wait [ORIGINAL]

I'll Protect You

The Wait: I’ll Protect You

“I guess what scares me the most now is the thought that I won’t be able to protect you.”

-Julie Hoban, Willow

     “You have got to be kidding me… Stay a little longer, please? I don’t know when you’ll come back again…” Lin was close to crying. Chihiro hugged her tightly.

     “I’m sorry, Lin. But I have to get back to the hospital. My mom probably flipped when she learnt of my unofficial leave, and if I don’t hurry back, I don’t want to know what will happen.”

     “But… but will you be coming back?” asked Lin, pulling away and looking into her eyes.

     Chihiro’s eyes were filled with grief. She didn’t want to leave as she—and everyone else—knew that she may not be granted the privilege of returning again. But, she knew what she had to do.

     “I hope so, Lin. Maybe I will?” Chihiro tried in her most optimistic voice she could muster, but still it failed rather miserably.

     “You better come back, squirt. I’ll be waiting for you. If you don’t come back, I’m not letting you off easy, ya hear?”

     Both women smiled and they embraced each other in a tight squeeze again. “Got it, Lin.”

     “You’re cutting into my time with my granddaughter, blasted weasel!” grumbled Kamaji from where he was.

     Chihiro almost burst out laughing when Lin’s fair face turned a dark shade of scarlet.

     They pulled away and Chihiro made her way into the open arms of her grandfather. “I’ll miss you, Kamaji.”

     “I know you will. I will miss you too. That’s why I want you to have something.” He turned around to grab something at the side of his seat. He held it up to Chihiro and placed it in her open palms.

     She held her breath for a moment, admiring the exquisite workmanship. It was a pressed yarrow flower necklace. The yellow yarrow flowers were set in resin in a hand-antiqued bezel and hung on a polished brass chain with a hook for closure. The intricate gift felt light in her hands and for a moment she could not believe Kamaji was actually giving that to her.

     “It’s… it’s beautiful. No, I can’t accept this!” She tried to push it back into the boiler man’s hands but he firmly declined.

     “It’s yours now. It’s handmade entirely, save for the bezel and brass chain I got from my old companions.”

     Chihiro’s eyes brimmed with tears but she blinked them back. “Thank you so much, Kamaji. I love it,” she grinned before hugging him tightly again.

     “These are magical yarrows. They’ll ensure your full recovery, so don’t worry.”

     Chihiro suppressed the skeptical thoughts that popped up instantly. Even magic wouldn’t be able to save her. Besides, she did not want to have her hopes up in any way. The higher her hopes were, the harder her fall would be. Nevertheless, for courtesy’s sake, she forced a tiny smile. “Thank you.”

     “You better get a move on before the dragon starts to get impatient.”

     At the mention of him the girl became quieter. Haku was the only one available to escort her back safely to the tunnel since Lin and Kamaji had to work, and he didn’t seem too enthusiastic about it. Well, neither was she. He still bore the ice cold attitude towards her and their relationship, if they even ever had one, had basically withered and turned into dust.