If you have not watched Spirited Away or Inuyasha, I encourage you to do so. Both Hayao Miyazaki and Rumiko Takahashi have such vivid imaginations and base their stories so deeply in Japanese folklore that they bring life to old traditions. I also recommend Eiji Yoshikawa and his novel Musashi to anyone that loves Japanese stories.

I no longer accept anonymous reviews. If you think a story, collection of stories, or even an individual story out of a collection reeks then you need to tell me why it reeks. I really like constructive criticism. How the heck does "you suck" or "your story sucks" help anybody get better? Some of the stories in a collection are best understood after reading my main stories anyway. Note that these are all old stories now. I leave them up because people have enjoyed them, and as an example of how I work from inspiration given by others.

These stories are meant for entertainment only and were written because my daughter loved the anime Spirited Away and kept asking me what I thought had happened before and after (although some parts were written for daughter to read at an older age than she was then). Maybe some day after my non fanfic works are better known there will be writing fanfic of my stories (if so, please credit me though!).

I also am leaving these up as examples of what my earlier (not earliest) writing was like.

Live Journal: http:///rainstardragon/ Gold, jewels, scribbles, rambles, and other assorted treasures can be found in my hoard here. Check here for your review replies and notes as to when I expect to have an update. Also good for finding out why I haven't updated.

Dreamwidth: http:/// My dreamwidth. Here I currently have two stories in progress. The first, "Selkies' Skins" is a story influenced somewhat by J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" books (who, having read them, has not been?) as well as Celtic mythology. The Celtic mythology does not come strongly into play until the later chapters. Note the use of the term "influenced." Ms. Rowling, like Tolkien, has become so ubiquitous that her work has become very far reaching. Just because I will admit that her writing has impacted my own does not make "Selkies' Skins" fan fiction. If I were writing it as a fanfic, it would be here and not under the aegis of my publishing. Kirsty's got her own stuff to do, like

The story centers around a family of Selkie descent, Etain, who is a grown seawitch and her daughter Kirsty, who must train in both human and selkie magic, as well as earn her own sealskin to complete her bloodline's return to the sea... eventually to take her mother's place. Of course, Kirsty has complications along the way, things to take care of, and a gaggle of various gods and goddesses all with their own agenda, and a prophecy that is important to her world that everyone does their best to just stay the heck out of, because it's someone else's prophecy. After all, not everyone prophecy has to suck people into it.

The second, "Shen's Tale" (currently inactive and hidden) focuses around paranormal events around McCloud, Ca... and a mysterious wanderer that happens into the area... and a more mysterious dark presence a local family has been trying to quell.

Fiction Press: /ladyrainstardragon This contains completely original character stories, including my limelight stealers BlowingWind and Ryu. Later on maybe there will be a bit of Huetziatl and Jewel too. Lots of poems and stories dealing with mythos and spirituality. Lots of poetry too, including some stuff I recently found copies of that I'd written way back in 1996.

I'm in the America's Next Author 2012 competition. Check out the short "Kiss Cursed Princess" and give a review or vote on this darker fairytale. http:///author/teresa-garcia

THG StarDragon Publising (Lulu Press): http:///rainstardragon

THG StarDragon Publishing webstie: http://

THG StarDragon Publishing blog:

Amazon Author Central: http:///Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE

Twitter: @AmehanaArashi

Updates will still be spotty, depends on other factors . . .

Now, stuff you didn't want to know about me. . .

I am a Wiccan Pagan with Native American and Shinto influences. I live in McCloud, California, in the US of A. So, my outlook on life may be a lot different than your own. As my family's personal practices revolve heavily around dragons... I have spent a lot of time researching dragons of several cultures. Fair warning.

Currently 33 (for a few days longer), and always riding my magic flying broom-o-doom, I swoop in to take the world by storm. Those who arouse my wrath are rewarded with rains of heavy objects or broom beatings (hence my broom's name). I am a mother of two who takes a break from the pressures of everyday life by writing stories and making various handicrafts. I have two poems published professionally, more info can be found at my fictionpress account. I have also released two novel centering around Ryu and BlowingWind, and one book of poetry, and helped with the publishing of two other poets (works can be found at the Lulu outlet listed above)

Job: harried homemaker / mom / author / university student / publisher / editor and I am a spiritual counselor, meditation facilitator, and priestess (ordained minister) as well. My son, 10, was diagnosed with autism slightly before the age of three. Life gets busy, especially when somebody decides to bring me something for my paranormal interests (yes, I'm also a parapsychologist) or an editing or publishing project.

Astrological sign:
Western: Pisces in both Sun and Moon, with Taurus rising.
Eastern: Metal Monkey.

Some favorite series: TMNT's (80's-90's), Spirited Away, Harry Potter, Inuyasha, Lord of the Rings, Steven King's Dark Tower series ... not a complete list.

Likes: good books, quiet time, naps, sushi, pizza, slalom skiing (doing, not just watching), inspiration, music, poetry, exercise, a good Tai Chi or Push Hands session . . .

Dislikes: writer's block, mopping formerly spotless floors, laundry shudder, lack of sleep, lack of coffee, children who haven't taken their nap (aka, the grouchies),wedgies, soggy pizza, chapters writing themselves in off-kilter order... Too much to do without enough time... Driving five hours to get to the only specialist that can perform dentistry on my son...

Story placement index

Rivers and Promises Continuity

Fandom: Spirited Away.

Miyazaki owns all rights to Spirited Away. LadyRainStarDragon does not own Inuyasha, Mountain Dew, Yu-yu Hakusho, or any other such stuff. I own Ryu, BlowingWind, Jewel, Huetziatl, Ten, and some others.

1. Promise to Protect and Provide

Two month old Chihiro meets the spirit of the Kohaku river for the first time in her life. This brief encounter sets the wheels of destiny in motion, activating a prophecy revealed in Underwater Savior. One chapter. Complete.

2. Underwater Savior

A prophecy seeks fulfillment, dragging a seemingly normal three year old child into a realm of magic, gods, spirits, and demons. Chihiro has fallen into Kohakugawa, and a mysterious being saves her from drowning. Her parents don’t believe her, although her friend, Lily, does. The river is in danger of being filled in, and a meddling kitsune causes Ogino Akio to betray the ‘imaginary friend’ that he once played with. As if that wasn’t enough for a young river lord to deal with, one of his favorite charges has been targeted by an evil demon. An evil wizard unleashes an ancient evil who seeks retribution. Can he save his river and protect a young Chihiro? Can he save himself? Twenty-one chapters. Complete.

3. Promise of a River

Starts off with Kohaku’s version of events during that time Chihiro showed up at Aburaya. He made a promise that they would see each other again, which he is honor-bound to uphold. Can he keep his faith, even knowing that she will not remember him? As his contract with Yubaba will be drawing to a close, he has been called before the Dragon Council for reassignment. He intends to petition to obtain guardianship over a special human, but will they grant the request? Haku finds himself fading, but not always able to recall what happens. During some of these, he finds himself seducing a particular girl, and oddly enough she begins falling for ‘the strangely perverted ghost’ despite the fact that she is a training miko in school and the fact that she nevers sees this trouble maker. Complete.

4. White Death

An 11 year old Chihiro has just entered Miko training. Sadly, one of the harsher lessons is the inevitability of Death. She now must guide her childhood friend, Lily, to the Light, and feels the sympathy of Death himself. ‘Nushi had a soft place in his heart for the Miko’s best friend, how does he take her passing? True to her name though, this lily grow again. Will she reunite with her friend? Will the Lord of Kohakugawa recognize her? Three chapters. Complete.

5. Rivers Never Die

A river never dies, it just transforms. An environmentalist, who also happens to be a Miko has always felt intensely for a river that no longer flows. Following a calling, she brings the river back to her community. However, there is more to restoring the health of the Kohakugawa Community. When she was young, a terrible fight literally shattered the guardian of the river. The four pieces of his spirit have to be reunited before he fades away forever, leaving a new natural feature vacant for any being craving power. An old evil is still active in the area, biding his time to strike. A mysterious object, The Heart of the River, is key to healing the kami or transferring his power, but what or who is it? Can she fix things in time, or will she be too late? Twenty-one chapters. Complete.

6. Not Yet

Two months after Kohakunushi has left to attend to re-establishing and re-populating his river, Chihiro has received a bit of a shock when she went for her yearly women’s exam. By the light of the moon, she goes for a swim in the river to get rid of her frustration, and finds herself having a heart to heart with the spirit in absentia. Kohaku must make a decision that will affect his Miko’s future, but will it be the right one, and will he deal with the consequences for the rest of his immortality? One chapter. Complete.

7. Rivers Keep Flowing

The most important property of a river is its flowing water. In good times in bad, it will flow. Drought comes in many forms to force a river below or dry it up. Chihiro makes new friends and enemies, and finds her relationship with her kami changing drastically. Fate is also forcing BlowingWind to move on with Ryu, and she finds herself pregnant in a most unexpected way. The girls find out about a cousin of BlowingWind’s who is in big trouble, and so they have to save her. A curse looms over their head, and even the fate of the Sun and the world hangs in the balance if that isn’t bad enough. Wishing for some chocolate, which Kohakunushi and Ryu will not let them have, we follow the adventures of these girls, and find out why it is so important for them to have children (no matter how much they aren’t ready for it). Jewel, the hitherto unknown cousin, is being pursued by a dusty Olmec dragon, and finds herself falling for one of Kohakunushi’s friends. Nothing is as it seems at first glance. How is poor Haku going to keep three pregnant and danger-prone girls out of trouble, keep his sanity, and keep reality from unraveling? Complete.

8. Rivers Always Claim What Is Their Own

What happens if Chihiro dies on a routine job in her middle age years? What if she was raped? What is Kohaku’s reaction? Will he make good on his promise to bring her home when she dies, or will fate just rip his heart to shreds one final time? They have grown children by now, what will their reactions be to the loss of their mother? Four chapters. (offshoot and speculation story) (Will undergo revision/expansion in the future, check my live journal for announcements on when I plan to get to it.)

9. Courting the River Maid Collection

Home of the rampaging plot bunnies that don’t make it in the other stories. Humor and romance, sometimes a bit of mayhem. Maybe the occasional lemon if one won’t leave me alone (as in the fruit). The adventures of Chihiro, failure of ‘The Cheese’ to catch her, jealous and harassed dragons, and gagging amounts of fluff in places. (In Progress) Please note that as it stands this is complete, but it is left open in case I wind up with other short stories for the collection. If you subscribe to the story you will get an update if anything does attack me.

10. Arms of the Kami no Kohakugawa

Formerly 'Sweat,' this collection of stories features the residents of the Kohaku River Shrine performing their duties and rituals. Intended to be more serious than my other stuff. Possessions, Exorcisms, Ghosts, Matsuri, Rites of Passage . . . (In Progress) Like Courting the River Maid, this is actually a collection of short stories, so is technically complete but left open for any expansions.

11. A Different Current of the River

Haku's river was never buried, and he never had to go to Aburaya. Chihiro never moved. However, when something is meant to be, it will happen. An alternate universe for Spirited Away, forking off of my previous story 'Underwater Savior' after his split. A prophecy was made while Kohaku was still only an egg, and fate will have its way no matter what one does. (In Progress.)

12. Musings of a River

A collection of occurences where Haku must think deeply about what is happening. For instance, "My life is a novel," "The Spy," "Parallel," "What IS the Difference Between Human and Spirit?" (In Progress) This is another collection of shorts that may or may not see an update.

Inuyasha fandom

Rumiko Takahashi owns Inuyasha. Not me.

1. Threads of Destiny

Contains 'From a Shoulder Perch,' which was a quick one-shot wherein Shippo reflects. This collection of stories will be snapshots of different views seen in the lives of the different Inuyasha characters, and will explore how their quest ties into other times and other worlds. Will feature the occaisional tie-in with my Spirited Away stuff. (In Progress)

2. Shikon Shards and Obsidian Mirrors

BlowingWind and Ryu meet with Kagome, and their search for the pieces of her soul will parallel for a time with Kagome's searches in the Modern Era. However, they will have to search in the Spirit Realm, and Inuyasha is not too keen on some of the help that will be joining them, May or may not eventually tie in with SA. (Abandoned) This one was just a "hey mom, what if" lark for my daughter. BlowingWind and Ryu ended up with their own series since their characters were forming so well in my mind and I wanted to take them more into their own adventures outside the bounds of fanfic. It would have been nice to finish, but I just won't be able to get back into this one.

I would appreciate feedback on original works archived at www.fictionpress.info under LadyRainStarDragon, but you don't have to. Look for The Dragon and the Flame,Priestess of Spirit, and Love of the Wind Spirit.