Hello all! I've loved Spirited Away since I first saw it so many years ago and have always wanted to do a fan fiction which would satisfy my version of a sequel. This story will not be terribly long, but I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it. Unfortunately, I do not own Spirited Away nor the characters, because if I did, Chihiro and Haku would have met up again.

The darkness of the sky belied the time of day, for though it was afternoon, grey clouds heavy with rain filled the expanse as far as the eye could see. A young woman looked up in trepidation as she hurried forth, her steed speeding her along swiftly as it also felt the approach of the storm. "Hurry, Jinsoku!" The woman encouraged and her steed, a pale blond stag, huffed in response. Despite the wind rushing by, the woman's chocolate brown hair didn't whip too badly in her face, for she had it in a bun. She glanced again at the sky with eyes the color of a dark blue marble, or perhaps the sea. Finally, the pair approached a small village, where they darted through the empty streets. It seemed as though everyone was hunkering down due to the weather. They sped up a wide path leading to a stately house, which was bigger than the other houses in the village. Finally, the stag stopped, and the woman alighted, her slender, curvy form accented in the silk blue tunic and pants she wore. Fitted dark leather boots completed her ensemble, for she believed that the simpler one's accessories are, the better. She pried open a satchel which rested against her steed's flanks, and pulled out a small box which was tied with a flashy ribbon. She knocked on the door. A minute went by until the door opened and a small fox stood at the entrance. He looked like any normal fox, except for the fact that he was standing upright and wearing a kimono. "Greetings, Master Kōkatsuna. I have brought you your order from Princess Tejina."

"Ah yes! I'm pleased it's arrived so fast! I know it takes time to craft charms."

"Please inspect the product to make sure everything is to your liking."

"Thank you," the fox said, and opened the box as the young woman held it out for him. Inside lay a necklace made out of different precious stones in various colors. It looked beautiful, but ordinary, yet the woman knew that it was enchanted with a luck charm. The fox made a pleased sound in his throat, saying, "This is finely crafted indeed! Tell her Highness that her reputation is sure to grow around these parts."

"My mistress will be most pleased to hear your words, Master Kōkatsuna."

"Here is the payment, and here is a tip for your services." The fox handed her a fat purse, which jingled from all the coin it held. She thanked him, and was about to leave, when he asked, "I've been here a long time, longer than many in fact, and as such I can generally sense what type of spirit another is. I can't sense what you are though. May I ask?"

The woman smiled, and replied, "I am not a spirit at all, but I have been here for about three years. I am, was, human, if that answers your question, and I do hope you won't hold that fact against me. I normally don't tell anyone, but for some reason, I feel I can trust you."

Surprise lit the fox's features. "You are human? Truly? Interesting. Most humans who accidentally wander here find themselves in a bad way. Most spirits here don't take kindly to your kin."

A wry grin lit the woman's face. "Yes, I know. Fortunately, the Princess is not one of those spirits. She gave me work and a place to stay. She was curious about the world I came from and also, I think, found me an interesting project."

"Well, good luck to you, human."

"You as well. And my name is Ryusāchi." With that, the woman was gone.

The fox stood there a moment in his doorframe, contemplating the strange human. "Dragon search...interesting name indeed." But the storm would be upon him soon, and he went back inside with his charm.

Name Translations (May not be entirely accurate, since I looked them up on Google.):

Jinsoku - Swift

Kōkatsuna - Crafty

Ryusāchi - Dragon Search