Shitza: So sorry I haven't updated for a while, feels like ages since. Anyway, for all of you who have wondered who I was going to pair Deko with, then here is the answer. Maybe little Chip is young, but you'll see what close friendship can become of.

And for those who wonder, yes Shippô from Inuyasha was the clear inspiration for the character Chip in this fic. The reason, I really adore Shippô, he is so cute, fun, gorgeous and… Okay, hoping I'm making myself clear as I say I'm crazy. Shippô, I love you!

Chapter 25 A sudden shock of Electricity

The next day Chihiro got up, feeling unusually well. She got up from the bed that had been made for her and Kohaku. Kohaku was still asleep and she didn't feel like disturbing, so instead she got up and got dressed. Shocked she noticed someone had changed her clothes to what looked like a red dress. Sighing she had to agree that her travelling clothes indeed had started to get rather itchy and battered.

She sneaked out, the sun had since long risen to shine on them, warm and welcoming. She was about to go and see if Lin was awake when she noticed two shapes by a small river by the camp. The two shapes, one large one small seemed to be fishing and as she got nearer she could hear what they said, or what one of them said.

"I think you should try further out, the fishes are out at the deeper parts."

Chihiro moved even closer. She saw Deko, fishing, and the fox like spirit staring down towards the bottom. She smiled as the two of them laughed of joy as Deko managed to catch his first fish. Indeed the fox was so cute when he was happy, it looked like Deko and Chip, as he was called, had really found each other during that one night.

Just then Xing stepped out from his and Lin's shared tent. His white beard was twisted and tangled, he smelled shockingly much from wine and a rough awakening from having vomited. Chihiro clenched her nose, deciding to stay at least six feet away from him for the rest of the day. She watched as Xing got nearer, his eyes were wide and living, fully awake, but still he walked like some kind of zombie. As he passed her she hid even deeper into the bushes she was hiding in. She thought she could be poisoned by all that smell and hoped Lin would reconsider sending him to the bath.

"Good morning!" Chip said happily while holding his hands behind his back.

Xing nodded, but didn't say anything. Indeed he looked very suspicious at the boy, he searched his pockets and found he still had his own gold, which was a good thing.

"Don't worry about me stealing your money, after all, you stink so much no one dares go near you."

Chihiro couldn't help laughing at this, yet she laughed quietly enough so no one heard her. The look on Xing's face could probably have killed Chip on the spot, but the fox just kept on smiling.

Even Deko laughed, waving his arms frantically so that no one could see his gestures. This made even Chip to laugh and Xing to go even redder of anger.

Just then Lin appeared out from the tent. She was wearing a white dress and her hair was loose falling over her shoulders.

"Xing, what are you doing?" she called.

"That little brat of Foxes just said I was stinking."

Lin laughed. "Well, you do stink and I'm not surprised after how much wine you drank yesterday. Either way you are going to take a bath or you will not sleep beside me for the next following weeks."

Xing murmured as he passed Lin and headed towards the nearest pool of water. In the bushes Chihiro suppressed laughter and as she noticed everyone was waking up, maybe it was time for Kohaku to wake up as well. She just hoped he wasn't to full from last nights drinking.

She completely missed Lin's 'kicking the fox into the water' action. Poor Chip was completely drenched as he got up.

Kohaku woke up with someone stroking his face gently. He opened his eyes and saw Chihiro looking down at him. Yawning he sat up to receive a good morning kiss.

Chihiro still could taste the alcohol in his mouth, but the warmth of his kiss made her forget it. She felt him deepening the kiss and it would have been the perfect moment, if not Lin had decided to show up and once more disturb.

"Are you two lovebirds finished soon, we've got a ferry to catch!"

Chihiro broke the kiss with a sigh. She walked out from the tenth and back outside. One minute later Kohaku joined her, now full dressed in his usual garments. He kissed her once more before the two of them walked over to the other side of the camp. Chihiro kept as close to Kohaku as she could, she had never liked these giant things of soldiers. Rather it frightened her.

The ferry was a small boat, only big enough to carry them and some food for the journey.

They all got in, Chihiro at the front, Lin and Kohaku behind her. Then there was Xing and lastly Deko, Chihiro didn't like her spot, and she sat with all the food almost at her lap. She tried complaining, but when Xing told either way she would have to swim she gave up and shut her mouth.

The river the crossed was not stream, but it was broad and on many places rather ground. She was about to tighten her grip on one of the packages, when she felt something in front of her moving. With one hand she caught a sprouted tail. It was Chip.

"That thing again!" Lin said fishing up her bow and an arrow from her package.

Xing looked as if he was boiling with anger. That until Deko picked him up and lifted him into the air, afraid that his anger would perhaps set fire on the already small boat.

"Relax, I'm not here for your gold, you can have it back." Chip said handling the gold over to Lin. Lin's eyes widened, this was even more gold then she had ever owned.

"Now, what are you doing here?" Chihiro asked.

"Well, I heard the news you were leaving, and since it's boring travelling alone I thought I'd might as well join you. I know what you are after and I thought I perhaps could help. At least this has to be better then breaking inside other peoples pockets."

Chihiro looked back at Haku, who was looking at the fox in an awkward sort of way. Chihiro guessed Chip had reminded him of his own past life when he had worked for Yubaba."

"I don't believe you!" Xing said.

"Fine, drop me into the water if you must, but I can swim you know. And also, I am a thunder fox and water and electricity isn't the best of combinations."

The rest of the ferry crossing continued and while they carried on the small fox Chip had curled up in Chihiro's lap. Chihiro was actually quite fond of the little creature; he seemed so innocent, even if she knew he wasn't.

Soon they reached the other side, which was a relief, but it was then the sudden shock would hit them. For as soon as Chihiro stepped up the shore the weather changed dramatically. A huge cloud, thundercloud, soared over them dropping wherever it went. As this was either normal behaviour or magic Xing took the first suspicion for granted.

"Clever of you to lure us fox into our next trap."

But Chip didn't answer; he stared up at the cloud.

"Father" was all he said.

Deko too looked up, an odd expression on his face.

To Reviewers:

Wyldcat: Thank you, sorry this update took so long!

Storm- Maker: Yeah, Me too, I have never really liked drinking, except sometimes it is set to bring up the humour. Well… I did try, but the results… I guess I am too inexperienced of drinking to make it funnier.

Winter –iel –o burzum: Sorry for the late chapter, hope you liked it though.

To Reviewers in other chapters:

EverKitsune: Well, from here, next phoenix you will read about won't be that nice. And also the Phoenix of Ice is really cruel. Yet most of them are nice, but not always welcoming.

shruken15: Thanks, I am glad you liked it.

End Notes: I am terrible sorry this chapter took so long to post, but I had a French exam through it all so I barely managed to write anything at all. Hope though you all liked this chapter.

Shitza