Beginning note: I don't own Spirited Away, I'm not making any money off it, and this is all for the funzys.
Ablution - A ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers
Exception
Once taking a much needed breath of air Chihiro made her way toward the closest rock jutting out of the water and clambered on, uncaring of her nudity. Her god had no use for modesty, after all, and the ocean breeze felt delicious against her skin.
She had something to tell him and she knew he would listen without question, she was his exception after all, the only mortal, or however close she still was to that term, who was safe in his waters.
"You know today is the 18th anniversary of the day I was spirited away to Yubaba's Bathhouse? That was the day I met the Kohaku River for the second time in my life. I was 10 years old," She moved to dip her toes in the now chilled water absently, watching as the tiny waves lapped over her flesh ever so gently. "I still remember it like it was yesterday. I still remember him like it was yesterday."
At that admission she sighed, closing her eyes and tilting her head back to face the sky. "I know I can never have him back. I know this. I really do. They built over his river. But that doesn't stop me from wishing he was here." In the darkness of her closed eyes, she thought she felt a hand come to rest over them, pressing into the tears she refused to admit she was shedding. "I painted him again today," she whispered to the water. She felt warm lips press against her forehead in comfort before the entire feel of him was gone, leaving nothing but the warmth of the wind.
Note: I just woke up not 10 minutes ago and am posting this while waiting for the kettle to go off so I can make my morning cup of tea. -Insert disgruntled, noncommittal grunt here-