Shitza: Okay, sorry for taking such a long time updating, but finally I've managed to write myself through this chapter. Hope you like it.

Tári: (runs away, too tired of doing disclaimer anymore)

Shitza: I own nothing of Spirited away. I just own Deko, Xing, the Dinkes and the Phoenixes. (Runs after Tári)

Chapter 8 Love that never End

Kohaku woke up, his backed ached from lying on a tree knot. He looked over at Chihiro, who slept curled up by his side. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. It had felt like a stone had dropped from his heart, that evening before when they had confessed their love. Lin had a moment later gone over to collect them for dinner. The seen she had found them in was quite amusing, especially since she, Deko and Xing already knew. It was unmistakeable love.

That evening she had teased them during the whole dinner, and Kohaku and Chihiro had, when she had been the most busy telling them about the story of a young girl and a young boy, who loved each other yet couldn't tell each other because they were a couple of complete cowards, slipped away, and now they lay under the crown of trees, together.

Yet morning did come, and it was time for them to leave. They needed to find the second phoenix. But the sun hadn't woke up. Kohaku kissed Chihiro on her cheek before walking up to the others. He needed to ask Xing about the road ahead. He wanted to make sure they didn't cross more of those places. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep Chihiro's love to him, if she saw all that torture.

Chihiro woke up, she hadn't noticed that Kohaku was gone, but a minute after, she saw it and looked all around to find him. It was a relief for her to find out he was just sitting with Xing, discussing the road ahead.

She walked closer, they hadn't noticed her yet. Kohaku looked worried, and so she could also feel that worried feelings in herself. Whatever kind of link, that was between them, she always new what he felt, whenever he was scared, angry or frightened etc.

"Dear boy, something is bothering you. Tell old Xing, he can keep his secrets."

"Unless you had to many drinks. It's about this cursed ring, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue."

"Your spirit is strong, Kohaku. There is still time for you, and for her. Yes, I have known for a long time now, Kohaku" the earth spirit said. "It's so easy to see, you two do have tried to hide it, but every time you've looked at her, your eyes have told the story. Don't try to hide those things from us, it's a matter of surviving."

"What do you mean?"

"Undying love is strong magic, and the both of you share it. A great bond like that is your strongest defence, especially in times like these."

"I'll remember that. Just one question. Did Lin know this from the beginning?"

"Oh yes, my boy. Often you can hide things, but you can't hide feelings."

Chihiro smiled hearing this. She was thinking of talking to Lin, when suddenly Xing spoke again.

"You can come out now, Chihiro! I suppose you overheard us."

Chihiro jumped back, but stepped out from the spot she had been hidden. Kohaku looked at her, with the happy gleam in his eyes. She walked over to him, and sudden found himself in his arms. Xing laughed, and excused himself by saying he would need to wake up Deko, and that without being hit by the great fire spirit's great sword.

The last thing was not a joke, yet Xing had, though his great age, found several rude ways of awakening the spirit. They watched as Xing sneaked up on him, took out a small pinch of a green powder and blew it straight at the fire spirit's face. Deko sneezed several times, and when he opened his eyes he found himself fifteen feet above the ground. Xing laughed himself silly, while Deko, who did the only mistake, opening his eyes, fell down onto the ground. Xing rolled on the ground with laughter. Moments later, he was chased up in a tree by Lin, who told him of rude awakenings.

(Over the woods in Intera)

The Phoenix of Peace flew restless above the forest of her realm. She was worried, and she wondered if she would ever get more of the future from her dear brother Destiny. She didn't notice the arrow, which without much effort hit her.

Whatever happened thereafter, happened in a few seconds. She fell, down in the water of a small lake, but it wasn't just any water. It was the Pool of the Dead. Usually this lake lied in Life's realm, but now and then it disappeared to show up somewhere else. This time, it had gone to her, in the exact wrong time. The legendary Phoenixes may be Immortal, unless...

Hit by a force

Fallen to darkness

Reach the water

With no turning back

And so, one of the great birds fell, in her own realm, by a terrible evil.

Chihiro rode by Kohaku's side. They would soon be there, by the second phoenix's realm. She hoped that whoever the second phoenix were, it would be able to help them. For the longer it took for them, the more anxious she became.

Xing was riding ahead, to make sure the coast was clear. Deko was riding behind them, ready to clear up any followers. Lin looked like a bodyguard, with the bow in her hand. Chihiro shook her head. What could really happen?

To her answer she heard two slicing noises, and Deko returned, blood dripping from the tip of his sword. Chihiro preferred not to look at it.

"What happened?" Lin asked.

Deko made some signs with his hands.

"Two Black Roosters." Lin said and raised an eyebrow. "Why did you even bother running your sword through them?"

Deko made some more signs.

"Strange behaviour, spying! I see, we've better get moving, come on."

She spurred her Dinkes, Chihiro, Kohaku and Deko followed suit. Xing looked bewildered when the four of them, suddenly stopped by him.

He looked at Deko, who told him what had happened. Suddenly, the earth spirit looked sour.

"Why didn't you tell me, I could have used some exercise."

Lin laughed at his comment. "Since when did you jump into a fight?" she asked.

Xing choose not to answer.

Yubaba was in a bad mood. The iron rings hanged round her neck, like a heavy necklace. Yet it wasn't the weigh of the necklace that bothered her, it was the weight of something else. Her heart. Something was bothering her... Kohaku. She wanted that power, but ever since he had been regiven his real name, her power over him had vanished. Until she had managed to trick him into wearing one of the old rings, that stole everything. Yet he was strong, he still had power. She wanted that power, but he still was strong enough to fight back. Typical, how typical.

The door opened, and one of her new apprentices entered. He too was wearing one of the copies she had made, to keep up her strength. Still, she wanted his powers, they were strong, the others were weak. Whatever happened she had to get that power.

"Come in!" she said as the apprentice bowed.

"Mistress Yubaba, I have a report from your loyal roosters. The one you seek is one his way to Intera."

"They sure hope on that impossible task" she said, smiling evilly. "Let them continue, they won't find her, she's dead by now."

"As you wish!" the apprentice said, fingering on the iron ring on his hand.

She smiled, one of the first steps were done.

-Flashback.-

She sat by her desk, reading a old parchment. Yet sudden, she fell from her chair, having read what was written a long time ago.

Two souls, two lovers have fought the dark evil, longer then you've known,

One is born with powers, the other one unknown.

The power of the first born, will loose something of deep value,

The other one will gain what powers she haven't wanted.

Peace will spread to the world, if their choices are right,

Peace will fly, if choices are made wrong.

Death may await both, if darkness will gather strength.

So, there are three, but there will only be one.

Yet the sorceress has some magic, for good or bad

She will crush, whatever stands.

Earth is found where the lowest ones live

Peace will fall into darkness

Water flow, calming beautifully.

Lightning strike, when you are unprepared

Wind will blow, raging angry

Life flow out from your soul

Love will kill, as much as it gives

Destiny foretell your fate

Fire emerge from strength, from good

Ice as cold, won't tell you at all

And so, the Great War will begin.

-End Flashback-

"There, we're finally here!" Xing said pointing at a white village ahead. "There's Intera Malua, the great village over Intera."

To reviewers:

Velf: Good thing that you have patience, this chapter took a long time to write. Hope you liked this chapter.

Winter- iel- o burzum: Here's the update, hope you liked it. And I can say updates harder now then during summer. But what's that story about your school burning down?

Sakura-Hiwatari: Here's the update, I hope you liked it. I'll try to update soon, yet I can't say how soon. Sigh...

Fufa: You really think so, well you wondered how long I would drag on it. Yet, even if that's out of the way, I can promise that things are going to happen here, keep on reading and I'll keep on writing.

End notes: Hope you liked this chapter, even if it was short, but I suck writing long chapters and I'll try to update as often as I can. Keep reviewing, I love reviews and you have no idea how much they help me write this. So keep on reviewing, it's not that hard.

Shitza