Shitza: This will sound like a very dramatic chapter, possibly because I was writing on the end chapter for Tale of the prophecy, my central HP fic. Oh, hope this isn't too dramatic.

Tári: Spirited Away belongs to Miyazaki, not Shitza. Deko and Xing belongs to Shitza, confusing you?

Shitza: Please enjoy, you'll find the usual review answers below, like always.

Chapter 19 In the Eye of the Storm

Great winds erupted, threatening to make them fall. They clung to the ground, not wanting to die yet. The shadow of a bird descended and now they saw what kind of creature it was. No, it wasn't an enemy, to their relief. It was the phoenix, the Lord over the Storm, as he also was called. He flew down to them, they backed. The feared what he would perhaps do with them?

But he did nothing, just watched them. Chihiro felt coldness run through her spine, as the old phoenix seemed to be able to look through her soul. The phoenix smiled. For him it was rare to see such a purity, such an innocent soul that did neither desire power or wealth.

Kohaku carefully climbed down from Deko's shoulder. He bowed as much as his strength would allow.

"I already know what you want." The phoenix said before Kohaku was allowed to open his mouth. "I just hope I'm able to help you."

The storm around them grew steadily, the wind was so strong it knocked them down. Chihiro tried to see through the dust that whirled in front off her eyes. She managed to see the Wind spirit walking towards him, his whole body glowing in a pale blue light. Powers, feared and unfeared battle against each other. The Phoenix of Wind shined brighter, his powers helping, but as he touched the ring, his powers fled.

"I am sorry, this is beyond my powers. All though I will help, you will receive some of my strength, you can get some more from Life, she lives down in the central lake of the Livia Lake, in the centre of Miroku Valley. The valley lies just downhill from here, all though I should warn you. The valley is the living forest, whatever happens there happens from the wills of growing."

Kohaku sighed, but he felt his strength return. His hoped once more shined, because now he knew he would make it, at least some more days. He looked at his friends, whom all smiled. Chihiro ran over to him, giving him a light hug. She too felt happy, because now they could continue hoping. Now their time together, would continue.

(Shitza: I hope you didn't think I would kill Haku that easily, did you?)

The Phoenix smiled, before once more taking his phoenix form and flying off. As all phoenixes he disliked the company of to many other spirits at the same time. This would surely be enough for him, for the next three hundred years. The storm that had raged was over, and he flew off to create a new one.

The group rested on the top, for some hours calming down their shaken nerves. After resting, Deko took Kohaku and started the long way down. The others had to make their own way down, which wasn't easy. Climbing up had been hard, but climbing down was far more dangerous and frightening. 'Don't look down' Chihiro had to tell herself over and over again.

After six hours they had once more reached the cave, where Deko and Kohaku waited. Kohaku indeed looked stronger as he was standing, holding the reins of his Dinkes. This made everyone laugh, and he smiled back. He knew he wasn't all that strong, but he knew, would they find third phoenix of life, they maybe would have a chance. Yubaba's cursed ring still took his strength, but now they all knew it wouldn't take him, not yet.

The rode down from the mountains, just as the wind grew in strength once more. It was strange, as the Phoenix of wind had flown off, what could cause it?

They all looked up, to see the Phoenix being back, but he was attacked. Attacked with what seemed to be a hundred ravens. The poor Phoenix tried to fight them of, he created huge winds to blow them away. The wanderers hurried down the mountain, it was so clear who had sent them, and who was on their trail. 'Curse you Yubaba' they all thought. 'That is really low even for you.'

They didn't have time to see how two other phoenixes appeared, helping out. One burned in bright fire, the other was as cold as ice.

A life is taken, peace reborn,

Heart can touch the stinging thorn.

Smell the air, being farther.

Away we go, away we are,

Dripping in blood and tar...

To Reviewers: Extremely short, but I didn't have that much to write and ideas once again escaped. Oh well, maybe this means it will take a while before next chapter is finished.

Micrll: I was hoping on keeping the standards as last chapter you read, but things went blank in my head. Still I hope this was good enough, and I'm glad to see you reviewing once again.

wyldcat: Thank you, sorry it took a while to update, but as I said it was hard for me to get inspiration this time. We can only hope I'll be able to keep up the pace.

Velf: Well, I'm self critical, so that's really why I wrote that. After writing a chapter, I can be very critical, usually wears off after some weeks. Well, truth to be told, when I printed out the sequel for my other story, I was shocked it was so good, while writing I thought it sucked. Oh well, better get some good inspiration till next time, this was hard to write.

Winter –iel –o burzum: Thank you, and I'll go looking for that, once this stupid modem starts working once more, been acting strange lately, too strange in my opinion.

End Notes: Well, trying to keep on the main red line through this story, anyone who can guess by now, I thought I left too many clues out.

Next update hopefully will be in a week, probably in two. Please continue reviewing as you always do, I love all your reviews!

Shitza