Disclaimer: I don't own spirited away.
New Book, New Cover, New Innocence, Old Sacrifice.
The paper door slid open -revealing to them a group of kneeling woman, dressed in the same simple kimono Chihiro had come to recognize as their uniform. "Preparations are already underway, my lord."
The dragon nodded his acquiescence, and the woman who were people and yet distinctly not -came forward to usher her into the room from which they had emerged.
"Come, Hanayome no Kawakami, we must ready you." they told her in quiet voices -their words rhythmic and soft, hands fleeting as they pulled from her the clothing she had arrived in so that they could wash her flesh and dress her in the style of a princess.
Layers of kimono and lacquer she had adorned only once before.
Deft fingers massaged the faint white scars that trailed up her arms like maps of trials she couldn't remember besting, and The teeth of combs scraped her scalp as feather soft brushes painted her skin, turning her into someone else.
Something else.
Distantly she heard Whale song. And saw blood in the water.
One of those soft voices called to her, bringing her back as sharp nails caressed her cheek. "You are safe, mistress, none would dare harm you now. You need not fear sharks any longer."
Note: Good evening one and all! Thank you for the kind reviews i have been getting; its really wonderful to see you all enjoying my work. And i'm sorry this is not a very happy chapter -but if you remember correctly, the last time Chihiro was dressed up, she was eaten by sharks, so its understandable for her to be having some flashbacks. I'm very much of the opinion that she would be experiencing some post traumatic stress. I hope you all understand that i am trying to make this as believable as can, and as always; reviews are a wonderful thing to leave.