(Chapter 2 here we go!)

"Hoooooooonnnnnnkkkkk"

Rin
Huh!

Bolting up like a cat suddening being woken up I began looking around frantically finding myself most likely having laid down on the bench and fallen asleep. I'm still… so it was all real then and I really ran away from home, I could see I was still in the same cabin room as before and everything wasn't some dream which was kinda sad. Looking across from me as the dim glow of the light hanging above us lit the room the radish spirit was asleep on his side of the cart and soon the door to our cart opened automatically with a clank of the wood moving by itself. Watching as figures passed by probably to all board off I slipped off my seat and hurrying across the cabinet floor, the wood squeaking under my feet. Picked up my fallen bag as I rushed over to the radish man I ran straight into his body and clung somewhat close as my head turned to looking at the passengers that were walking by, some looking inside the room and staring at me as they passed. Tapping the radish spirits arm while not taking my eyes away from the doorway I kept a strong face as to mask how unsettled I was and took to looking confident and not afraid, the cool but also warm breeze of the night air began to flood inside the small room.

Rin
Hey I think we're here now Mr.Radish Guy

Opening his eyes his body starting to rise of the seat had me quickly back up and watch as his body slowly got up with a huff and began exiting the room. I guess that means we're leaving too, following close behind walking down the walkway off the boat onto solid ground we made it off with all the other passengers and the glowing town before me well… I can't even describe it! It was amazing and even though it was night everyone seemed to be walking around and it was just- just amazingly cool. The radish spirit stopping and turning to me his stubbed arm rising up and slowly resting atop my head for a moment I soon found him patting my head slowly shutting his eyes as he nodded. I wonder what that means? Watching as his stubbed hand soon returned to his side he slowly turned away from me and began walking and disappearing into the crowd. Leaving me alone in this new place I guess we were just traveling here together nothing more. Waving goodbye as I think he? I don't know but they didn't have a shirt on so I hope the spirit was a he, waving goodbye as he left with the crowd I looked around taking in all the structures and fun town looking place, It looked like a fun place with what seemed to be restaurants all over and nothing else and the smell of the restaurants made my mouth water and my tummy grumble. Roaming around slowly as I walked past many places and alleys while passing spirits and black ghost looking things with arms, lots of them glanced my way but left me alone and as I walked through the crowd I bumped into someones back and gave a yelp. Looking up white holding my nose my breath hitched at the really pretty woman in front of me. Her cat like eyes were violet like a flower and her long hair put up with a hair comb and chopsticks was a light blonde, her skin was light and her lips looked pink like a peach, while she wore a black yellow and brown kimono dress. What was really noticeable though was her fox ears and 3 fox tails that were the same color as her hair. What did Dad call creatures like these again? Um… man I can't remember.

Fox woman
Oh my how cute! I must say I'm intrigued how delicious your kinds livers might be, do you think I could taste one? Just a bit please~

Rin
You can't eat my liver I need it!

I said as she reached down toward me but slapped her hand away noticing the blue fire around me however at my outburst the fox lady backed away surprised as spirits all around began to stare at me. Hitching my breath and looking around the flames there- my hands- my feet- I'm covered in blue flames! Mind starting to flash back to how the other kids had called me a demon and how I had hurt Dad when angry everything those kids said… it's TRUE. I'm a demon, a monster, demon child, dangerous, not right, not human. Darting off and pushing my way through the crowed away from everyone as I felt my face becoming wet with tears tripping over my own two feet I ran into a garden area out of the creepy woman's sight. Catching my breath and hiding in the flowers for a short while I collapsed into the dirt and sniffed as I tried to clean my face of snot and tears, I already knew I was a monster. It's why I left right? Looking at my hands wet with my tears but still coated in blue flames all around the flames slowly began to disappear until I was back to normal. Maybe that's why the radish spirit helped me… I belong here. Getting back up slowly once I was sure the fox woman was gone I left the forest of flowers I used to hide in and held my backpack close. Who would wanna eat a liver that's gross, I think she was a kitsune though, Dad used to tell stories about foxes who could take on human appearance to me and Yukio. Starting to look around some more I kept my backpack on and took to looking into each building and at each person I passed before stopping in awe at the large red building pumping out steam in front of me. People walked across the bride that lead inside where a seemingly small frog spirit welcomed everyone inside happily and a large gap down below sat under the bridge. The place looked busy and swarmed with smiling faces and as I began to cross the bridge slowly curious of what could be inside walking behind a swarm of giggling woman in kimonos I saw the fox woman from before walking with 3 other females just by the entrance that I was approaching. No way I'm losing my liver or ever letting that crazy woman catch me! Looking around for a way back across the bridge with everyone pushing me forward towards the door and the fox woman becoming closer and closer my body was to small to push against the current of people thus beginning to panic I saw it, a small gate that would need to be crawled through maybe by any adult left open a tad bit and not fully closed. Without much choice I lunged through it feeling a tinge flash through me as if walking through an invisible wall before I found myself in a small garden of sort connected to the large building which you could enter into from sliding doors but with all the people running about inside I didn't know if I should even enter or if I was allowed to. Looking around the small garden after shutting the little gate door behind me I took notice of a wooden door across from where I was which possibly might lead me out of this place and back to town. Ok I got this, crawling low so the people inside wouldn't see me the dirt getting all over my hands and knees, under my nails and on my clothes, I soon got close enough that I could just barely reach the hinge and push the door open and slip in only to yelp in surprise as a staircase made of wood with no railings lead down the side of the building downwards. Who would be crazy enough to build something like this! Hearing the sound of someone beginning to open the sliding doors of the build which the sealed off garden belonged to I didn't have any other options so I quickly but quietly pushed the door closed with a click. The wood blowing passed and sounding the the wallowing of a creepy ghost singing in the wind looking down the old looking creaky stairs I took a deep breath in.

Rin
Ok Rin time to be brave no chickening out now

Feeling the wind blowing from behind me and looking up the large towering building I began to pray this wouldn't be how I died. Lowering myself onto the first step I sat down then turned around and began slowly crawling backwards down the steeps because there was no way I was going to be walking down, I'm not that stupid. And about 10 minutes later while almost slipping half the time thanks to the now pouring rain and bag on my back I found myself on a platform halfway down.

Rin
Ugh this is going to take forever!

Looking to the door that was on this platform and then into the sky that was very much raining now I gave a shiver as I was completely soaking wet. Maybe I can hold out in wherever that is until morning and the rain stops. Approaching the door I gave it a hard pull before it gave a creak and I heaved it open. Rushing inside as the wind fought me in keeping the door open as I struggled to get the door shut once I finally had it shut I found a small area full of steaming red large pipes all around me passed the walls of pipes I could already feel myself warming up. The entire room was warm and loud with clanking and noise and as I walked forward, the entire room amazed me as drawers upon drawers reaching up to the high ceiling, two of the walls in the room being completely covered, being the right wall and far back one from me. What was the coolest was the man sitting in this really weird workstation with lots of arms mixing things and grabbing things from far away drawers with his long arms that seemed to stretch to reach what he needed. Looking down on lower cement level floor small black fluff balls with skinny legs and arms like sticks walked around on the stone floor part of the room carrying big pieces of coal from small holes in the wall over to a huge metal fire thing in a well functioning team of workers, the entire room being fairly noisy. The black things were close to the things I saw before but not really, maybe there related somehow as there both small black things.

(What Rin sees in front of him in the room)

Feeling a shiver go up my back from my still wet clothes my nose began to tickle as I let out a small sneeze which the spider armed man seemed to stop working at as he turned to me and I wiped my nose.

Kamaji
Whaaaaaat! What are you doing down here!

Rin
S-Sorry! I just wanted to get out of the rain and I-achoo!

The fire in the furnace growing a large amount and changing to a brilliant blue at that second it began to simmer down as I wiped my nose again with my arm and the spider man along with the black fluff balls stopped all their work all together. The workspace going close to quiet as the glow of the fire from the large machine spread across the room and provided a good amount of light during the night in the basement area the spider guy raised one of his bushy eyebrows.

Kamaji
Rain huh............... sit down and wait till I'm done my work then maybe I'll see what I have to warm you up and fix that cold, if you can't wait then leave and find someone else to bother

Rin
O-Ok thanks!

Kamaji
And take off those wet clothes you can use a blanket from the table to keep warm and cover up

Nodding I quickly moved across and over all the black fluff balls then over to the other side of the room were the floor rouse slightly from the stone onto a wooden board level like the other side I was on but this had more home like things such as a small low japanese table on the ground and a dresser of sort off to the side. I guess he lives down here and works here thats kinda fun, it reminds me of home with Dad. Frowning slightly while removing my bag from my back and placing it beside me I removed my shirt, jacket, shorts, socks, and shoes but stayed in my underwear then wrapping a blanket around me as I sat down on the warm wooden floor boards. Resting my head down so I could watch as the fluffy black things got back to work and the spider spirit started working after about a good 10 minutes I felt my eyes become heavy and soon drifted off feeling the warmth from the fire and comfort of the blanket. Everything just seemed to slow down and I began to feel safe, I began to feel better than I did before leaving the monetary and I felt better than before when I had been stuck out in the rain or having my liver eaten by some crazy fox lady.

(3rd Prov)

Rin having fallen asleep with wet hair but warmer body from the warm area that soothed him as the clanking of the furnace lulled him to sleep Kamaji the Bathhouses boiler focused on finishing his nights worth of work before sorting out what to do with the strange child. The night was long but as the sun started to rise and the bathhouse began to go into a slumber along with everything outside Kamaji set his work tools down and took a chug of his gold water kettle filled with water quenching his thirst and dry throat before banging on the side of a metal wheel with a mallet to gain the soot balls attention.

Kamaji
Alright all you useless balls of soot that's all for tonight so get back in your holes!

Quickly fleeing into their holes in the wall while Kamaji let out a few colorful lines of words as the spots did give a small bit of a bickering fight back Kamaji then turned towards the black haired child lying on the floor sleeping heavily. Using his arms to move himself off his work bench he moved to hunching beside the child then moved his hand over Rins forehead feeling a slight heat then gave a grumble.

Kamaji
Hmh a fever what a stupid thing walking around in the rain at night without proper clothes or a umbrella of some sort. The blue flames earlier were also questionable because only some spirits can summon such flames for there own use but the boy seems to smell of demon and human

Moving towards his dresser he started to look around for anything to bring down a fever. Grabbing a cloth he poured some of his water from the kettle on it soaking the fabric then set it on the sleeping boys head to help cool him down as he then took to taking the child's clothes and setting them near the boiler to dry off as the child slept. Kamaji setting down to sleep as the morning took over Rin started to stir awake around 4:45pm while Kamaji read a book as he took in what time he had left before the night started again, Rin starting to slowly bring himself to sitting up while rubbing his eyes with his hands trying to get the sleep goo out of his eye and wake up. Looking around Rin took notice of the wet cloth drop from his forehead onto his lap and then the now cooler room temperature and silence other then the turn of a page.

Kamaji
If your hungry there's mandarins in the bowl, your clothes should be dry by now

Looking to the table where the manderin bowl was Rin's tummy gave a growl but with the now cooler room he looked to his clothes near the boiler that looked dry and carried the blanket over him as he collected his clothes then put them back on before having something to eat. The fruit was gone in minutes and the small boy couldn't help but started eating another one as he realized just how hungry he was, all the while the boiler man paused in his reading to glance at the child before asking the nagging question in his head.

Kamaji
So what were you doing in the rain all alone, you get lost?

Rin
Umm no… I left home because I didn't want to hurt my family anymore, now I guess I'm just trying to learn how to live on my own?

Kamaji
Doing a pretty bad job of it

Rin
Well I've never run away from home!

Lin
Hey, what's with all the yelling in here!

(Rins Prov)

Looking over to a small sliding door near the lower wall a woman with a large basket or bucket of sort climbed through the opening while also holding a bowl of rice.

Looking at me sitting at the small table with the spider guy she froze before glancing to the man beside me with a confused face.

Lin
Kamaji who the hell is this?

Kamaji
He's looking for a way to live on his own you think he can handle getting a job here?

Lin
Are you crazy! You should go back to where you came from kid plus you stink of human

Rin
I lived in a monastery before running away with a lot of humans so it makes sense

Lin
Seriously? Who the hell is this kid Kamaji?

Kamaji
Lin, kid, kid Lin

Rin
Oh my names Rin, Rin Okumura but I guess maybe it's just Rin now....

Kamaji
He seems like a good kid mind taking him up to Yubaba's office

Lin
What! Why me, get this kid to go there himself I was scrubbing tubs all day I'm taking a long needed nap

Kamaji as I learned was the spider arm guys name didn't say anything as I sat there awkwardly. The woman after setting the bowl of rice in front of Kamaji began throwing sprinkles of sort over onto the stone floor to which multiple of the black fluff things flooded out of there holes to start eating and dancing with the sweet treats. Sitting there watching while not knowing what to do Kamaji let out a disappointed sigh but didn't say anything. Line seemed kinda scary.

Lin
Oh don't give me that

Kamaji
What?

Lin
You know what

The two didn't say anything as Kamaji continued to read his book and the annoyed woman looked at the spider spirit waiting for an answer then gave a grumpy sigh before she began walking out of the room the way she came.

Lin
Fine, Come on kid I'm not going to hold your hand the entire time and take off your shoes you won't be needing them

Rin
Oh um ok! Thank you!

Lin
Ya ya and stop yelling

Rin
Bye Kaminsky

Lin
Kamaji

Rin
R-Right!

Kamaji
Good luck kid

Rin
Yup!

Lin
I said stop yelling, lets go!

Slipping into the hole in the wall after removing my shoes and socks along with jacket I left my bag with Kamaji along with my shoes and socks then quickly ran to catch up and tried to look mature and stand straight as we walked into an elevator as she then pulled the lever and we went zooming upwards. Wow we're going up so fast, I wonder what kind of job I'll be given. The elevator eventually giving a ring as the doors opened and we stepped out in awe I almost wanted to yell out at how cool this place looked. Huge bathtubs were all around on the lower floor with spirits all bathing in the large tubs. People walked around being lead by workers of the place to maybe there rooms while others carried food and cleaning supplies. And while walking across the bridge I could see the inside was really really tall and open. Hurrying across the wooden floor with the pitter patter of my little feet against the floor the Lin woman was now waiting in a different elevator for me which speed upward the second I was on. Speeding upwards for a bit the door opened with a dingy as she nudged me forward and I stumbled forward while flailing my arms.

Rin
Hey!

Lin
Yubaba's office is just up ahead so your on your own now kid

Rin
Oh… I guess thanks

Lin
Won't be thanking me for long

The door shutting behind me I turned to the large red doors before slowly making my way over and taking a deep breath then knocking on the door loudly I had no idea what to expect. I was not happy about being left in a creepy large room between an elevator and large door as my knock echos through the room.

Door knob
HEY KNOCK ANY HARDER AND YOU MIGHT BREAK THE DOOR DOWN! You stupid child hurry up and get in here your waisting my time

What the hell! The door knob no longer speaking I hesitated as I slowly reached for it though it opened on its own along with alot of other doors down a long hallway then began walking in. There were alot of hallways and turns along with doors before I reached the door that looked about right then entered. The inside was nice looking and fancy, definitely had a bug large fire and ominous atmosphere but my eyes widening at the sight of the huge old lady in front of me with a huge head behind the desk. Wow that's scary, walking inside her eyes glanced to me as she wrote down something on a piece of paper before sticking it in an envelope and setting it aside.

Yubaba
Let me guess your here looking for work

Rin
Um ya?

Yubaba
What's a snot nosed brat like you going to do around a place like this, I don't need anymore blubbering idiots around here much less a whining child that stinks of humans

Rin
I'm not a brat or an idiot! Well I guess I'm not that smart but I'm not a complete idiot, I can cook and… and um maybe sweep?

Yubaba
How pitiful, I suppose I can't really turn you away though due to an oath I made never to turn anyone away but if you so much as whimper about this job being to much work you will be turned into a bug and squashed under my foot do you understand?

Rin
Ya alright

Yubaba
Good then hurry up and sign this before I lose my patience

A piece of paper flying my way with lots of writing on it one thing I did see was a blank line which I guessed was where my name went. A pencil appearing in my hand I looked to the giant old lady but she didn't seem to care for anymore chit chat till I completed signing the paper so I turned back around and began to scribble my name down. I wonder if having a job is hard? I guess this is a good start to living on my own. I moved out before Yukio to and everyone of the guys said Yukio would most likely be the first one to get a job much less move out. I guess they were wrong. Finishing writing my name down as I stuck my tonge out the side of my mouth as I wrote the kanji down it seemed right and might even be my best writing yet! It still wasn't the best writing of a name though as it was all child like looking and messy.

奥
村
燐

Rin
I think that's right?

Yubaba
Okumura Rin, what a hopeful name. Rin meaning phosphorus, light bearer and Okumura meaning heart village. Your new name from now on will be Ren but before your contract is complete let's get the rest of you here

Rin
The rest?

After having watched as my name peiled off the paper and the Rin kanji part shifted into Ren I watched as she took the leftover letters in her hand before the old lady began moving her hand in an odd way while sparks began to swirl around her palm then out of nowhere as she chanted something I felt a burning in my chest as the blue flames from early surrounded me again for a moment then a long sword or maybe katana appeared out of nowhere in a burst of blue flames then landed in the old woman's hand as the flames disappeared. Why was there a sword in my chest!

Yubaba
What a troublesome one you are just look at you split in half, no matter the contract is done

Reaching over to a strange phone while placing the sword on her desk I watched as she dialed a number then waited. How was I split in half?

Yubaba
Get your worthless being up here I've got a new worker for you

Talking could be heard as she soon hung up then instructed me to wait where I was standing and not to touch anything. Looking to the three weird heads that were bouncing around around me I scrunched my nose up and tried to ignore them as I simply waited, before long the rooms doors opened. A strange looking humanoid frog guy came walking in wearing a yellow top and green hat of sorts, his skin looked more pinkish yellow and he had a bit of a mustache but not much of on. Spotting me simply staring at him he took to ushering me out the room out of Yubabas office and following him. Rushing out of the center of the green heads circle dance and leaving with the human that kinda reminded me of a frog we walked back down the long hallways in silence other than a rushed hurry up and entered the elevator once more. Watching him pull the lever down we did just that and while I didn't want to be rude as I just got a job possible having dinner first would be great, I hope the staff get free food for there work. Heading down the elevator eventually came to a stop with a ding thus following the frog man dressed in white I tried to keep from losing him and not get distracted by how huge the inside of this place was and everything going on. Heading passed customers and people carrying food we headed up a few staircases until we reached a room which was empty and pretty very open, there was a balcony area of sorts across the room which looked like a place you could sit down and dangle your legs over the side from, there was also a sort of storage compartment in the wall blankets and clothing were in. Watching as the weird frog human guy dug around within the cupboards he seemed to be looking for something that would fit me for clothing though I didn't know why the clothes I had one couldn't just be the ones I kept to work in.

Chichiyaku
You'll be doing all sorts of things until we fit you into a permanent job, you'll be scrubbing tubes, escorting guest, learning how to tend to them as they relax, working in the kitchen, and cleaning the overall bathhouse. Get used to moving fast and stay out of people's way got it

Rin
Right ok I'll work hard!

(A Tasuki rope around a jinbei outfit kinda thing, if you don't know what that is then basically what Sen wears but in a smaller size to fit Rin and in red not pink. As for sleep just a pair of white shorts with a white kimono top)

Being handed 2 sets of clothes and a roll out bed with a small pillow I thanked the man and quickly got changed into the red and white set not the blue one which seemed to be pjs of sorts. Putting my things into the cupboard where the man said I could use as my storying space it was really small and organized so multiple people could share a storage space for there things. Following the frog out of the multi person shared sleeping area room I tailed behind him as we went down a number of staircases in a rush.

Chichiyaku
What's your name?

Rin
Ri-I mean Ren

Turning into the kitchen the frog took a deep breath then shouted out over everyone who was working loudly with pots and pans steaming with hundreds of delicious smells drawing everyone's attention to himself.

Chichiyaku
WORKERS NEW TADPOLE!!! This is Ren he'll be working with us for the day!

The frogs once cooking all giving a loud hello before getting back to work I looked from the main frog man to the bustling kitchen then slowly nodded my head. I can do this no prob, I used to have all sorts if chores at home and while I still have to push away the thoughts of how my life is changing and home isn't home anymore and this was my new life… I knew it was the right thing to have done. Yukio would grow up and be a doctor, Dad would focus all of his attention on Yukio and no longer have to deal with angry parents. Everyone at the monetary will be ok, they'll be happy… and eventually after I get used to this I'll find a way to be happy to even f it's hard. Taking a deep breath before looking to the main fog guy I took to following the frog around as he told me each station and how orders and food was made and carried out. And for the rest of the day I was in that kitchen helping cook all sorts of meals and even got to delivering dishes near the end of the day to rooms on large trays. I'd be ok.

(End of chapter! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!)