Spirited Away Fanfiction: Chihiro is 20 and at university. Her brush with the Spirit World still influences her life today. She is trying hard to fit in with the "real world", but she is finding this difficult and the cracks are starting to show
Thi...
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(Art credit Soso24)
She remembered some of her dream in the morning but not all of it. She remembered seeing them but not what was said. The next day she had a surprise visit. She sat in the visiting area and a tall man came towards her. It took a moment for her to recognise him, the copper hair and freckles should have been a big give away; also he was unnaturally tall, (as westerners tend to be,) but her fogged brain was slow. It was not until he held a hand out in greeting that she placed him.
"Scott," she gasped. She stood, wobbled and hugged him, she tried desperately not to cry but she was so happy to see a friendly face again she could not stop herself.
"Hey!" he said. "I expected you to be glad to see me, not cry all over me!" He helped her sit down; the white visiting room was virtually empty. Many preferred to forget the inmates here. Cameras constantly monitored the activity in the room. Chihiro squinted under the harsh strip lights. Scott noticed how tired and worn she looked, her face was thinner and there were large circles under her eyes. He shook his head.
"Och wee lassie, what have they done to youn?" He said slipping into broad Scottish brogue for a moment. He handed her a tissue and she dried her face. He chatted to her about university and how he had managed to get a family visitors pass.
"I called in a few favours from some med students. You'd be surprised by how many of them have family already in the medical profession."
"How did you know I was here?" he grinned, attractive dimples peeped at her from the corners of his mouth.
"I hacked the university database to get your address and then gave your mother a call." He frowned. "She is feeling really guilty about putting you here. Which leads me to the question..." he paused and held his head on one side; regarding her with his piercing blue eyes. "Why are you here? If you don't mind me saying so, you don't look mad."
Chihiro laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment." She gave him a brief outline of her adventure at ten. Then went on, mentioning no names, to how she was lured back to the spirit world. Then told him how she had returned under Haku's advice. "He wanted me to make peace with my parents; he could not have known this would happen." She sighed and looked him square in the face, her eyes pleading for an understanding that she knew she was not likely to receive. "I know it sounds crazy but it exists, it really does and I want to go back there." She looked at his open freckled face and was surprised, she thought he would laugh or tell her not to be so stupid. Instead, he sat back and seemed to consider what she had told him, his face was thoughtful, not judgemental. Eventually, he said...
"It's far-fetched, but I don't think you are crazy." Chihiro made a small squeak of surprise. He smiled at her kindly.
"You believe me?" breathed Chihiro, then she frowned. "Why?"
"I'm Scottish Chihiro. We take in the fact that the world is not all it seems with our mother's milk. Also if you believe, then it is good enough for me. You're not crazy; you talk of your story rationally. If you say you have met spirits then it has happened. This is Japan, spirits are part of the culture and landscape. Most people don't actually think they exist even if they clap at shrines and light incense. They certainly don't talk to them. You do. That does not make you mad, just different. They will soon see that and let you go."
