Shitza: Hello once more, I'm super happy since it's only about three weeks left till my summer holiday starts. YAY! These last days have been quite hectic, so I am happy it's break soon.
At the moment, my hands are trembling. My mum put down the heat in the house, but as the weather always changes here in Gothenburg the house is ice cold, and my hands feel like icicles. BRRRRR, we are heating the house again, but it will take a night for it to warm up. It's really cold and wet outside, it's horrible inside!
Anyway, on to this chapter, which is close to the end. Now, I must admit I had a good laugh for the reviews and all the people who had missed the little detail about the light. Reread chapter 31 Reunion again. There Love thinks, "Maybe I'm wrong. But perhaps I have just witnessed the birth of a spirit"
I hope that cleared out those question marks. You can always ask if there is something you don't understand you know, by either reviewing or mailing me.
Well, first the disclaimer, then we'll get going.
Disclaimer: Do I really have to repeat, I don't own, don't own at all!
Enjoy it everyone!
Shitza
Chapter 36 Inside the Volcano
Chihiro woke up, feeling slightly dizzy and lost. She looked around, finding herself inside a golden decorated room. She sat in a huge four-poster with gold curtains and blankets. She didn't remember how she had gotten there and the more she tried to think the more her head pounded, like if someone was hitting her on the head with a hammer.
By the opposite side of the room a door opened and what looked like a small puppy walked in, pushing a wheeled tray with breakfast towards her. It stopped by her side and she thanked the little dog, which looked like a cross species between a terrier and poodle.
This made things even more confusing. The food she had gotten looked fit to be served for a queen. Why had someone bothered? It tasted really good too and she ate greedily. She had no idea how hungry she really was.
Finishing a steamy bowl of soup she got dressed and walked toward the door. Her clothes had been neatly folded and ironed, by whom she had no idea? The huge door had an oak doorknob, but once she tried to open it wouldn't budge. She tried several times, but nothing happened.
'Great' she thought. 'I am trapped in a room fit to belong to Cleopatra. What is next, a Spirit bowing to me?'
She barely had time to finish her thoughts before a frog spirit (not like those at the Bath house, these looks like real slimy frogs) opened and bowed for her. "My mistress agrees to see you at the Golden Hall." It said.
Chihiro sighed. "Okay!" she said sounding rather depressed.
The frog jumped away, leading the way. Chihiro had a hard time following it, since it jumped on anything from floor to the roof. Thankfully it soon stopped outside what must have been the god's chamber. The door was huge, probably ten metres high.
"It's just an illusion" the frog said knocking two times on the door. To her astonishment this tiny little door opened, looking like a mouse hole. The frog moved away letting her in.
The Golden Hall wasn't at least gigantic, but it was still bi filled with floating candles and fires. The floor and walls were made of real gold, the roof looked like the lava, floating right above her head. She trembled walking inside.
In the room was a long table, where by the end she saw Arika, Xing, Deko, Chip, Kohaku and a strange woman eating breakfast as well. The woman had fiery hair, which threatened to stand up in some places, reflecting the blazes from a fire.
Chip looked up from his plate, and smiled widely when Chihiro showed up. He was about to run up to her when Arika grabbed her collar. She whispered something into his ear. Chip looked sort of sad but nodded and sat down again. Chihiro had no idea what was going on.
"Good morning Chihiro!" The woman said putting down her cup of steaming tea. She smiled warmly, filling the young girl's heart with warmth.
Chihiro smiled back. She was about to sit down when another servant (rabbit) put a chair beside the woman. Kohaku looked quite sad since he was sitting some seats away.
Chihiro sat down, beside Chip and this strange woman. Chip suddenly ignored the strange commands Arika had given him and hugged Chihiro, catching her off guard. Arika looked horrified and Xing's eyes were wide. Deko made some wild gestures in the air and Kohaku looked curious. Chihiro had no idea what was going on.
It was as if the table held its breath, but nothing happened. Xing slumped back in his chair, giving out s deep sigh. Deko made some more gestures and Kohaku looked happy again. Arika stood up:
"Nothing, now what is this supposed to mean? I thought you told us she … she was…"
The woman smiled quite mysteriously. "What did I really tell you?" she asked.
Arika sat down again, her face still a bit red from her anger. Chihiro looked from one face to the other. "What have I missed?"
"Nothing dear, I just think your friends have been overreacting. It's not always blood changes, and they were afraid you would turn them into snails if they touched you."
"Snails? What do you mean? Who are you? What is this all about?" Chihiro sounded hysteric, but she was so confused she didn't know what to do. Why on Earth would her friends be afraid of her?
"It is a long story, a story only spirits knows. But little Chihiro, your future has taken a turn. You can perhaps remember something I told you when I brought you here?"
Chihiro thought back, and like a flash she remembered one line she had heard before she fell asleep. "Listen to me, you are a spirit just like us. You might as well accept that"
Tears filled here eyes. She had believed it to be a dream, but it turned out to be something else.
"Love first told us, she witnessed your change. It was that change which saved you from dying. Few have survived her rage, but her duties as a Phoenix calmed her brining you back to health. We've been having a close watch over you for a while. We know what you are after, but I am afraid to say, whoever you visit off us you will never be able to get that cursed thing away. It is only one Phoenix who has that ability, and she died."
Kohaku felt his throat grow dry. He sank down in his chair, staring at his hands and that cursed iron around his finger.
"All this searching in vain!" Xing and Arika chorused. Chip looked equally sad and curled up in Chihiro's lap. Deko didn't make a sound, but silent tears fell down his cheek.
"However" the Phoenix continued. "You should not let your hopes despair. Because we Phoenixes are moving to war. Yubaba will not rest thinking of what she did to our beloved sister and so we have finally decided to go to war. After that we may finally find the new bird reborn from the ashes, because as the legends says about us creatures we are reborn from the ashes and I know right now at this moment there will be a new Phoenix to take her place, all though not even Destiny knows who this can be."
"You mean there is still a chance?" Kohaku asked.
The Phoenix nodded. "I swear to you there is, I can swear on the fire itself. Once we win I know there will be a new phoenix. Now, I must ask you if you are joining us because this war is equally as much ours as yours. I think you all have something against Yubaba.
"Not Chip!" Arika corrected. "He has already revenged his grudge against his father with Kohaku and the white sword. Speaking of White Sword, what was that thing?"
Kohaku smiled mysteriously, tears all gone. "I will tell you one day. "
Chihiro looked at everyone, and everyone seemed to look at her. "What? She asked.
"We have already decided, now how about you?"
Chihiro blushed. "Fine, I'm in!" she said.
The Phoenix of fire smiled warmly as the younger spirits talked in a group, discussing certain things, explaining and discussing strategies. Talking about their adventure ahead. She looked down at the little fox Chip, who had fallen asleep in Chihiro's lap.
"Oh, Destiny. I don't know what you thought wanting these young spirits in the war, but I hope you have a good explanation once I get to hear it. For as far as I know, we have sent them to their fates."
TBC
To Reviewers: Sorry for the weird ending, but right now I can't sit here for so much longer. I can't feel in my hands anymore, guess then how I do feel in the rest of my body. BRRRRRR
Velf. This wasn't such late update, and last time I knew I would be frustrated if I didn't update. But I am grateful someone here has patience with me since all others don't seem to have.
Tai'sGirl345: I am glad you like it, thank you for reading and reviewing.
jean: Well, more explanations about Chihiro can be found above, and thanks for the review, all though I hope you can calm down. I am trying to update more and more often here.
Ps. How Chihiro became a spirit, exactly when it happened and why will be explained in the end of this fic. I am terrible sorry, but it has a great importance to this fic, you have to live with the few explains you have so far. I will try and update more and more.
totallycritique: You have an odd name for the review. Anyway, glad you liked it, thanks for the review.
big book worm: Another one who is confused. Well, I guess I am good on creating question marks here. Oh never mind, hope you liked this, hope you enjoyed!
Storm-Maker: I do wonder if I am good at hiding important details once I read questions like this. (shakes head) Anyway, I am really happy you liked the last chapter, and hope I am not making your head crack with all of these mysteries. Maybe I should change my categories… nah, maybe not. Hope you enjoyed and before you say it, I know this ending was really weird.
End Notes: I am going up to bury myself into some warm blankets and get my body temperature back because now I am almost frozen to the bones. And one more thing, if any review replies sounds weird today it's because of the cold. Cold temperatures make me go all-weird, especially when it's close to summer.
Shitza