One Summer's Day

Fear Creates Strength

I try to shake off what just happened and continue with my day. The snack is basically our dinner, but it's small and quick. Lin tells me that they will light the lanterns in the courtyard soon, and thats when the guests come. And when they come, that's when the real work begins. 

What she says scares me. But I just have to be strong. I have to get through it.

At that moment everything is peaceful. Until it's not.

Everyone's head perks up at the screaming. I can't tell what they're saying, but it sounds like they're warning everyone. As fast as I can I'm up and running to the entrance, Lin not far behind me.  

On my way I see a lonely sword propped up against the hall. I grab it, hoping I can return it or put it to the side later.

When we run up we see black spirits, the shapes of panthers coming towards the worker in the entrance.
"What's going on", I ask him.
"They're dark and evil spirits, demanding to be served. They won't go away."

I look over to them coming closer. I look to my right at Lin. She nods, telling me she can handle this. I hide the sword behind my back.

"Gentleman welcome. What can we do for you. Perhaps we can give you directions? Maybe some food from the kitchen?"

"We're here to do what people do in a bathhouse, and that's to take a bath."
His voice is dark and raspy. It makes me cringe just thinking about it and replaying the sound of it in my mind.  I don't know how Lin is going to reason with these people. They seem extremely impatient.

"Al-alright", she says her voice faltering. "Let me go speak to my manager."
"You must have misheard me", he says pure anger coming out of his mouth with so much force.
"We are not here to talk with the owner. We're here to be served!"
"Sir if you'll just..."
"NO", he yells, and the earth shakes.

I see his hand go to the handle of his sword. And by my surprise, so does mine.

Everyone gasps in fear as his sword comes up, ready to strike down and hit Lin. And for half a second, everyone think it will.

But in that half second, I miraculously take out my sword, and block it with his, the blow practically only two inches away from Lin's face.

I get this feeling. A new feeling. It's slow at first. I can feel it grow, and grow, and grow. Inside my chest, it travels down my stomach, down my legs, and into my feet making them tickle. But the feeling also travels up. Up and up and up. It wants to go higher and higher. And then as if escaping from a prison cell, the feeling escapes my mouth. And the sound that comes out, is pure, and utter, confidence.

"We will serve you all. But no one, no one! Is to be harmed, in any way possible, is that clear?"

No one says a word. No one breathes. All is silent.

"IS THAT CLEAR???", I yell with all my might and everything inside me.
The spirit shakes his head furiously and in fear.
"Very good", I say. I turn to face the workers behind me.
"Everyone! Tell all the guests to go to their room. Take a spirit and go to your assigned bathroom. Clean them and then lead them out. Okay?" As their answer, they all rush and get to work. Each taking a spirit with them. Lin shakes out of her shock and turns to me.
"Chihiro. We're one person short on a station. Station six."
"Don't worry I can take it."
"But you don't know how."
"Yes I do it's easy. Take a token put it into the compartment behind the wall, attach the token to the string, pull it down and then Kamajji will send us our water."

Oh my god I remembered something!

As if on que we both scream and hug at the same time. But we can't celebrate long. So we pull away.

"Lin please go rest. You look pale."
I can tell she wants to argue with me, but she doesn't. She nods and walks over to the elevator.

What did she say? Six? I'll go there now.

When I walk in the head of a panther pops up from the bath. He's small. Smaller than the others.
"Hello", I tell him. Trying to be as nice as I can. He looks down, shy as can be.
I take the token in and get our water. I'm about to pull the string to pour it when I see the panther spirit curled up in a ball at the bottom of the tub.

I pause and put my hand down. What's up with this guy? I step inside the tub and join him.

"Hey", I say lightly touching him. "What's wrong?"
He looks at me nervously. Contemplating whether he should speak to me.
"It's okay", I tell him, putting a gentle hand on his back. "You can tell me."

His eyes glow blue. And for a minute they seem to sparkle. And I can feel a connection between us.

"I don't know", he says. "It's just my pack. They've been putting a lot of pressure on me to work harder, do better. It's just so hard. And sometimes I wonder if I even belong there. But forget it. It's stupid. Just do better. I just have to do better." He looks away, sadness in his eyes.

I think about what I should say to him, and then I realize that our situations aren't that different.

"I may not be training to be in a panther pack", I start. "But I know how you feel."
He looks up at me both confused and curious.
"I'm not from here. The spirit world, that is. I came here when I was younger. But I don't remember anything. And everyone wants me to. I was someone important to all of them. And not being able to remember brings a burden on me. And it makes them sad, that even though it's me, it's not the same me from four years ago. So if I remember, it will bring the old me back."

He doesn't say a word. And neither do I. I pull the string for water and start the bath. I move around to the side of the tub, and turn towards the panther.
"If you honestly think you can make it in your pack, then keep trying. If you set your mind to it, I know you can do it. But you have to want it. Want it with all your heart. If you don't, then don't do it. Leave. Start a new life. Do something great that will truly make you happy."

"Huh", he says. "I never really thought of it that way. Thank you." I smile. And he smiles back.

When the bath is finished I dry him off with a towel, and surprisingly he turns to me. "You know, if they don't really like you for who you are now, then they're stupid, because you're the kindest person I've ever met. And I think you can remember. Whether you work at it or let it come naturally, you can remember. Because I don't think those memories ever left. I've learned that once you do something, you never really forget it. Even if you don't remember.

His words hit me hard. Like a flood of emotions overcoming me all at once. I look at him expecting more, but he just winks at me. And I find myself winking back.

***

Everyone follows the panther pack to the entrance to bid them goodbye. Haku, finally here, stands at the front of the bridge closest to the bathhouse. He bows to all the Panthers as they pass. The small one hands Haku a piece of paper, which I'm guessing is a form of payment. He stares at it with wide eyes.

A worker pushes my shoulder and moves past me towards Haku. He starts to yell. They're too far away to hear clearly, but I can tell the man is getting handsy and violent. I slowly inch closer, not knowing what to expect but ready to expect it.

The man, in such an enrage, pushes Haku over the edge of the railing.

I fly. I don't run. I fly. My feet don't touch the ground as I go as fast I can towards Haku. And I grab his hand. Half my weight and body fall over the edge. But I won't go down, and I won't let go. I won't ever let go.