Disclaimer: I don't own spirited away.
Out of the Roaring shadow, into the wooded glen - the tide pool becomes the waterfall, and disturbs the hush of men
When Lin and her assistants again prepared her so that she may look worthy of the title bestowed upon her, Chihiro did not panic -could not be bothered to. She did not question the Uchikake they set out for her -in bright blues and greens, an image of the ocean floor flowing across it's surface. Nor the Obi of silver thread that looked as if they had woven scales into the silk. Did not question the way they left her hair unbound -or the flowers that still wove through it.
She did not hear the rush of waves overtaking her -or cool water against her skin.
All she could hear was the music that was not so -pounding through her blood like a slow, sensuous magic. Making her fingertips feel hazy, and her feet languid in their steps.
There was clarity though, as she walked along the shine trail beside her Dragon. Passing beneath Torii Gates and markers on their way down the mountainside. Watching the creatures that raced on the opposite side of the trees -wolves that faded like mist at their edges in the wind and lights that laughed and beckoned from the corners of her eyes.
"Life is returning to the forest." The dragon at her side shook out his mane -drops of water like dew covering everything around him -making the forest shimmer. "Spirits walking the long path back into the world -they're following you, Chihiro, asking you to lead the way."
"Why me?" she asked, reaching a hand into the trees to run fingers through the fur of a wolf as it circled -feet never touching the ground.
When she pulled her hand back there was kanji written on her palm -spelling out thanks, even as a voice giggled from just out of site, whispering it in her ear.
"Because you are the link that was missing -One who walks between the worlds and yet no longer belongs to either." Kohaku told her, his words patient, even as he explained things that sounded as if she should already know them. "You need not bend the separation between the worlds to pass between them -no magic aids your travel. Your footsteps are a doorway and upon your heels there is salvation."
Note: And we are getting back to actual happenings plot! We're almost at chapter 40 and this baby is still in its opening scenes -sorry. But I promised Long and that's what I'm going to deliver. I know I used at least one term in this chapter that requires explanation -if not just for those who haven't had a lot of experience with Japanese-, but never fear, just below is a glossary for you. And as always, reviews are a wonderful thing to leave.
Glossary:
Uchikake - a highly formal kimono worn only by a bride or at a stage performance. The Uchikake is often heavily brocaded and is supposed to be worn outside the actual kimono and obi, as a sort of coat.
Obi -a belt used to tuck excess cloth away from the seeing public.
Torii Gate - is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred
Kanji - are the adopted logographic Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana and katakana.