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

Incarnation

There was something oddly peaceful, and yet wonderfully exhilarating, about running along the cliff trail with a gaggle of children at her heels, waving to her little cove god who was swimming amongst the waves as they passed.

"This way! This way!" She called to the amassing, turning sharply in the trees not far from her home; her own peaked roof within view.

There was nothing really to mark the spot in which they had opened the gateway, except a whoop of joy that ripped its way from her throat at the sight of it.

And then they were leaping in-mass. Flying though the air and past the edge of land, down though the belly of the earth to land in the crisp, transparent waters of the lake; drawing screeching laughter from all of their throats at the chill.

An elderly couple were slowly coming down the rope ladder along the wall, and they smiled at the sight of the children, even as Chihiro swam toward the waters edge to lean forward at the foot of the shrine house and clap her hands together in a rueful prayer. She could feel smooth scales brush against her calf, even as fur tickled her toes, and she smiled, known he was watching over them all.

It was a beautiful sight, his shrine; perfectly carved wood covered in a bright cherry lacquer and adorned with offerings, and gifts, and children's toys.

"I know you can here me, my great, joyful dragon." she whispered, smiling so hard her cheeks began to hurt when she felt him nip at her kneecap. "So may this incarnation of your name, Kohaku Lake, bring as much happiness as the last did, and may our waters remain peaceful and welcoming for a thousand years and more. A thousand plus a thousand. I love you."

Her last word came out more of a squawk as three pairs of thin arms grabbed at her and pulled her back down into the waters with them.

"You better watch out!" She told the children who were now trying to frantically swim from arms reach, turning to grab for them in mock anger. "I'm coming to get you!"

And as Chihiro scooped up a little girl in her arms, diving under the water with her, she could see her dragon, looking peaceful and so at home as he lounged against a jutting outcrop of rock deep below her in their pool.

And for the first time in a long time, Chihiro was at peace. Their world was at peace, and the the great adventure was finally over; to be replaced with a grander one: Finally living.

The End.

Note: So this had been a long journey, my darlings, and I treasure each and every one of you that stuck around with me through the ups and downs of writing this piece. So thank you; and I hope you enjoyed this ride as much as I did. This is the final chapter, so Goodbye, and I hope to see you all again with the next tale I put to paper.