Shitza: A hundred apologises for being late posting, but I just returned from a small writing vacation. You see, I had to make an abrupt stop since I actually managed to receive a headache last weekend, from writing. Had to slow down, haven't been writing sine then, but now I'm back, and I won't tire myself out like that again. So sorry, please forgive my stupidity.

Shitza

Chapter 16 Mysterious World

Chihiro woke up, her sight blurred by what felt like sand. She came to the conclusion that it was just some dirt in her eyes. She blinked, staring up at a ceiling. Ceiling, hadn't she fallen asleep under a tree? She sat up, looked around. She saw a man standing in a corner. No it couldn't be?

Could it?

Or was this an illusion in death?

Kohaku climbed into one of the highest trees. He clung desperately onto the branches, struggling to get to the top. Everything had gone so fast and there was no knowing where she could have disappeared. He finally reached the top, the wind played with his hair, but he didn't think of the wind, which once had given him so much joy. No, he thought of Chihiro, his eyes were blocked by her face, showing up every second.

He felt the pain in his heart, the pain from being without him. He couldn't remember why he had climbed up, he just had a distant memory of flying. That bird! That thing had kidnapped her.

Thunder rumbled above as he climbed down. He jumped the last branches till he reached the ground. Finally standing on the earth, Xing asked him if he had seen her.

"No, but I will kill that thing who took her." he answered while settling himself back on the back of his Dinkes. The others sighed, everyone believed Chihiro to be dead after this.

Yet Kohaku wouldn't give up, he had to find her. he knew he would never be able to live without her.

Slowly the thunder started to hit the ground, sending dust in all directions. It was starting to get dangerous to be outside, and they hurried to find shelter in a cave. An underground cave to be exact. They had to drag Kohaku down, yet he didn't struggle, he just stood rooted to the ground as if he had been paralysed.

"C'mon Haku, we better go" Lin said. The large Deko carried him and they all went down.

Chihiro gasped. Ever since she had gone, wherever she was, that thing had still not given her a minute alone. She had tried to send her feelings to Kohaku, so he might find a way to find her, but still, that thing blocked all her bonds.

Oh yes, he was a phoenix, the Phoenix of Lightning for being exact. He was the lord over the valley, and it was his storms that rolled over them, at the moment. They reacted be their masters excitement.

The Phoenix of Lightning had to be the youngest of them all. He was by the day, 512 years old, not old for being what he was. He was also a nasty flirt, which unfortunately Chihiro noticed.

She was desperate on getting away. That bird was so egoistic she couldn't stand it.

"Pudding, how about a nice cup of tea?" he said pouring down some tea. She sighed, how much could she do, she had been tied to a chair, in order not to escape.

'Kohaku, where are you?' she thought desperately.

Thirty metres away, the White dragon received an urgent message. He stopped dead in his tracks, listening to what the hidden bond he had with her.

"She's alive" he said relieved, so happy to hear her voice. "but she needs our help" he then said alert.

"What?!" Lin and Deko said, surprised and shocked as Kohaku disappeared deeper into the cave. The others followed, but none of them were able to keep up the pace. Slowly Kohaku began to hear voices, one he didn't recognise, the other one belonged to her. he ran faster, tripping on rocks and running into walls. Bruised he came to a lit chamber. His first view was of her, bound to a chair. The other one was from a man, trying to pour something down her throat.

"Let her go!" he yelled. The man dropped the cup he had been holding and turned to face the stranger.

"Kohaku!" Chihiro screamed of joy and relief.

"Who are you?" the phoenix asked.

"Release her!" Kohaku said in a more dangerous voice. The phoenix backed, allowing him to run over and untie her. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm okay" she said close to tears. "Oh Kohaku, I've missed you!"

He kissed her lightly on the lips. She smiled, the first real smile on so many days.

"Promise me not to do that ever again" he said smiling back.

The others arrived, close behind, yet they stayed by the entrance, looking at the scene. Lin cried of happiness and Deko handed her a handkerchief to dry the tears.

In a corner, the Phoenix of Lightning trembled. He hadn't known. He hadn't even guessed it was them. He shivered violently thinking of what his sisters and brother would do once they found out.

Lin walked over to them, giving each one a huge hug, Deko followed suit. Xing looked unsure if he should run to them or run back since it had been he who had said they should leave her. Kohaku had been right, they had found her, or was it that she had found them.

Light laughter could be heard from them. The old Earth spirit walked back into the darkness. He thought of staying behind till they all got back out once again. Right now they had to discuss their little problems with the phoenix, they would sort it out, Kohaku would become himself again, he and Chihiro would probably marry, Lin would start going out with Deko, since the two of them seemed better of then him and Lin. He... he would have to continue being the selfish little thief that nobody wanted.

As tears trickled down to his beard he fled, fled from the future he had imagined.

As Xing fled, Kohaku told the phoenix about his problem. He was still sceptical towards the flirt, who ha foolishly tried to pick on her, but he hadn't much of a choice since he needed the phoenix powers.

The phoenix moved his finger over the iron ring, his face turned into a disgusted expression as he touched it. He took the finger in a firm grip. His hand glowed, yellow, but when he removed it, nothing had happened.

"There's nothing I can do to help, I'm too young for this experience, you better talk to the Phoenix of wind, he's the oldest and the wisest. Compared to him I'm just a storm, while he remains as the mighty hurricane. Go and ask him, he lives in the Oiko Mountain, just across the Luna bog. Good luck!"

They all sighed as they had to walk further on. They turned and had no idea of how much worse that day would turn out to be.

TBC

To reviewers:

Velf: Merci! Merci! Hope you liked this and sorry for taking time on the update. Good luck on your own story, I love that one.

wyldcat: Sorry for delaying. Hope you liked this and thank you for reading.

Winter –iel –o burzum: My autumn break begins November 1th. Till then, I'll just continue working. Really looking forward to it, going to write soooo much.

Kokakuisamu: Thanks I'll think of that. And a "unique voice" (blushes) Oh god, never knew. Do you really think so? I never thought it in that way. Anyway hope you enjoyed this chapter to, and review if there is anything I've missed.

End notes: Back on working. Hope you liked this, see you all!

Shitza