Promise to Protect and Provide
by LadyRainStarDragon

I don't own Spirited Away. Koji is my creation though.

Dedicated to my daughter Athena. Special thanks to big book worm for catching the grammatical error in the original posting.

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A short man in his mid 40's scrambled excitedly down to the river's banks, with a precious bundle cradled in his arms. Salt and pepper hairs fell out of a medeival japanese topknot, framing his face gently as deep brown eyes shone with joy. Above, a velvet black sky shone with stars as Lady Moon peered down to witness and guard this special meeting.

"Nigihaymi Kohakunushi-sama! I've brought her!"

The water began to foam and a white dragon with piercing jade eyes and a green mane rose majestically from the river. As he stepped onto the land, he changed into a young man in white haori and blue hakama edged in green and gold waves. Plain wooden sandals adorned his feet and a simple wooden staff filled his hand, as his rich black-green-blue hair spilled to his waist.

As the River's God drew near, Koji pulled the blanket back a little to reveal a tiny face. She was only a couple months old, and had a dusting of chestnut fuzz on the top of her head. Little eyes opened to reveal that they couldn't decide between brown or grey, then scrunched closed again in a yawn.

"A beautiful child Koji, you must be very proud of your granddaughter. What is her name?"

"Her name is Chihiro, Lord."

"Please stop, you know how uncomfortable that makes me. Talk to me as if I was one of you please. Usually it is the mother that makes the presentation to the river, under Amaterasu's light. Why so far from tradition?"

"My son's wife does not live by or believe in the old ways. She does not believe that everything has an intelligence of it's own. She refused to have Chihiro presented. So, while they are gone tonight on a get-away, I am making it."

The young river deity looked troubled as he took the child into his arms. The baby opened her eyes again and reached for his face, causing a smile to warm the features again. As he touched the child, something opened up in his heart and caused him to draw a deeper breath than normal. Her soul was the purest he had seen in a long time, full of love for everything and everyone around her. He spoke the ritual words. "I will protect and provide for her to the best of my ability."

"Thank you Kohaku."

"It is becoming colder, you should take her inside." Nuzzling the top of her head a little first, he reverently handed the human child over to his Priest. Chihiro reached out for him again. "Will you be passing the mantle down to her when she is old enough, as her father refuses it?"

Koji nodded his head. Yes, if she will take it. There is no one else to pass it to, and you have watched over our family for generations. We should repay you in the only manner we can." Koji then bowed to his Kami, and took his only granddaughter back inside to feed her and put her to bed.

As Koji took the child and left, Kohakunushi felt an emptiness fill his heart. Some other connection than one of protection had been forged that night. As he reentered his river, he comforted himself with the thought that he would be able to watch her grow, and that he would have time to figure out what this other connection was. For now though, he would sleep in his den, waiting for when he was needed by his family or the community again.

Kohakunushi lost himself in dreams of when he could walk amongst the humans during his festival and dreams of what it would be like to do it again.

Chihiro's dreams would forever be filled with the jade eyes that had been filled with joy and devotion upon seeing her eyes for the first time.