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
Obligation
Chihiro was unsure if she was understanding the witch correctly; the blood pounding in her ears making it hard to focus. Her eyes kept darting to the other spirits lining the walls, taking in any means of escape while her palms itched to reach for the older woman in a overwhelming urge to cause pain that grew with each throb of her heartbeat.
Her fingers tightened in her dragon's fur as she physically tried to prevent herself from doing anything rash, remembering Zeniba's cryptic warning about violence making the curse spread. "And if the rules have changed, I would assume the game has as well. And we still beat you at it."
"You see, girl, that's where you're wrong. I had an obligation because you held a contract with me, to which now, you do not." Yubaba explained patiently, a patronizing note coloring her speech. "But him," an aged hand rose to point toward Kohaku, crooking back as she tried to pull him toward her with her magic. "He belongs to me."
Heavy claws dug into the wood with his effort to remain motionless, thick tail lashing out and knocking over anything in its path, the bath-workers included.
"I broke his contract with you."
"He made another. It was a sweet gesture really; meant to be for you. But he hasn't completed his end of the bargain."
Note: Hey hey hey _ So uh... Lets not kill me for the cliffhanger?