Shitza: If you want to know how I developed this character, then I can say that the idea developed once I read Manga three of Inuyasha.

Shitza

Chapter 24 The Drinking Party

They were trapped and from above they could hear laughter. Chihiro went closer to Haku, desperate to be at his protection if anything would happen. They couldn't know if this was another foe or a friend but they hoped this was not another of those things they would have to cross. They all sat down from their Dinkes, they would be less help in this as they were already trapped. Haku put his arm around Chihiro's shoulder, thinking that whatever happened she would not be dragged into this. After all it was his fault she was here.

Lin stringed her bow with an arrow. Xing and Deko transformed into their Spirit forms of a Fire Salamander and An Earth Tiger. Kohaku took a sword from one of the packages, yet when he heightened it Chihiro and the others shook their heads.

"No Kohaku, you must rest. I am sure the others can deal with this." Chihiro said calmly. She knew this would hurt since he was a warrior deep inside, but for now he needed to save his strength. They still had four phoenixes left and they didn't know if it could be the last one that could have the cure for him. Kohaku lowered the sword.

"Then who is going to defend you?" he asked.

"She'll be just fine!" Lin said. She pointed at a small pouch that hung by Chihiro's belt.

Chihiro shrugged. "Before we started on leaving the valley of Life, Xing gave it to me. It's supposed to make you unseen if the worst come. You'd do best to worry about yourself."

That wasn't true, yet last break before they had ended in this ravine, Xing had told both Chihiro and Lin to play this part, as everyone knew Kohaku loved her, but they didn't want him to go the lover's awful fate.

The two Spirits climbed up the ravine. Deko ran up, probably having some glue like ability with his small paws as he didn't slide down again. Xing jumped from small cliff to small cliff. After a minute they had gone.

From above they heard a scream, and then it was quiet. Lin heightened her bow being prepared for anything. Then…

One ladder rope fell down. They stared at it before they saw Xing look down.

"It's okay, we had luck this time." He yelled down. Lin nodded and climbed the ladder, closely being followed by Kohaku and lastly Chihiro. Yet on the way up Chihiro couldn't help wondering what was going on.

After half an hour of climbing they finally reached the top and to their surprise they saw warriors, but not evil warriors. Actually they were rented warriors for one multimillionaire thief.

"Monhu, I should say you didn't need to sneak up on us like that!" Xing said. Chihiro looked at the old thief he was talking to. Indeed Monhu hadn't changed, he still was the same liar, thief and master over his apprentices.

"Where did you get the Army from?" Lin asked trying to shake of a young boy who kept following her by every step. The boy was the same they had seen back then when they had encountered the Earth Phoenix and he was absolutely trying to see if Lin carried some gold with her.

"Haven't you gotten all my gold, you whelp?" she asked.

The boy sighed and hurried off. As he ran Chihiro noticed a sprouted tail, like a fox. She looked at Kohaku questioning.

"Clever little fox you've got" Kohaku said.

"Thanks, he is one of my best pupils."

"Well, I noticed he managed to search you pockets before going."

The thief nervously searched his pocket. Then his face whitened.

"Chip, you little thief, get back here with my gold or I won't be able to pay the armies."

The fox-like spirit, called Chip, scattered of, followed by a dozen of angry looking soldiers who had overheard the whole story.

Deko waved his arms frantically.

"He says he bet that your thief will get away. He bets with five hands full of gold." Chihiro translated.

"He does, then I can take that bet." Monhu said smiling. "Yet why should we really stand here and talk. Men!" he said turning to some of the soldiers. "Bring up the bottles of wine, I think we all need something to drink."

Xing laughed happily, Deko looked worried. Lin too smiled and Chihiro didn't know what to think, she didn't drink at all. Kohaku was quiet, but he too smiled. His throat felt rather dry.

Monhu took them to a tent, with a long table. Food and wine was brought to them, yet Chihiro only touched the food as she saw what happened to the ones who were drinking. After three goblets Xing, Monhu and Lin broke out to a hideous song. They could sing, but they didn't find the right tone of voice. Deko looked worried and Chihiro fully understood him as she definitely didn't like the atmosphere. She looked at Kohaku, who to her despair had drunk as much as four goblets and was now sleeping on the chair beside her. she had tried to talk him out of it, he would wake up with a hideous headache the next morning she could bet.

Yet as she leaned closer to him he opened his eyes and looked at her in that way that made her melt. He leaned forward lightly and kissed her. If he didn't taste so much wine, she would have enjoyed it more then ever.

Deko sighed, he felt alone. As no one took notice of him he went up from the table to take a walk. It was dark outside, yet the stars were shining brightly above. Then he heard a voice from behind.

"You're not drunk like the rest, how odd?" a boys voice said.

Deko turned, it was chip, the boy who had tried to rob Lin two times. He was dressed in a grey cloak with hood. He had ruff red hair, a foxtail and claws. Deko didn't exactly know how to place him as a spirit. He waved his arms in question.

"I am a thunder fox, one of the last." Chip answered.

Deko smiled, he had heard about the foxes of thunder, yet never seen one alive.

Chip suddenly laughed.

"You maybe are a mute, but I like you. I hope you don't have anything against if I join you in your stargazing?"

To Reviewers: Honestly I had no idea how I would end this chapter, so please don't flame for that. Also, for you who always have wondered what would happen to Deko, whom he would be paired of with. Well, those questions are about to be answered.

Ps: No, it will not be a male/male thing, no.

To Velf: Currently I have six stories going on, three HP fics, this, one Lord of the Rings fic, and one BB. And I can say it's hard work, but I love writing so much I usually spend at least one hour just writing. Sounds dull and boring for one of my age, but currently I can't stop. Yet if I have to be honest I can't wait until the stories are finished. It's hard enough keeping school and this running at the same time.

Ps: Most of the stuff was updated during my Christmas Holiday, at the moment I doubt I will be able to update so often.

To YoukoHieiLegolasGirl: Thanks, hope you liked this chapter.

To Storm-Maker: Okay, you are absolutely right but like I said last time I wrote during a headache. Yet I hope this made it all go different and that you liked this too. Thanks for reviewing and next time I will try to wait with the writing until after the headache.

To Winter –iel –o burzum: Thanks, and sorry this update wasn't so soon but I had story problem for a while. So sorry this update took a while.

End Notes: Thanks all wonderful reviewers, thanks so much for your wonderful reviews. I am so sorry this chapter took such a long time to make, still I hope you enjoyed it.

Shitza