Shitza: Hi, back again. I've had a wonderful time, feels great to be back. Have loads of work to do with this story so better get going. To every reviewer, thank you, thank you! Only problem I have now is that all saved reviews disappeared sometime before I left. Luckily it was just mum's computer, I have my own, which is a bit more irritating and for once everything seems to work. I really don't trust this one, but oh well. Have to continue on the one that works. I hope that fanfiction works once I will turn to the replies, because so far I have no idea how to retrieve all reviews, not to mention mail that I have?

Do anyone have any idea why only my account crashed, because the rest of mum's computer works fine. My account however won't even allow me to open the files. It sucks, but what to do. I am just happy I managed to get this before it happened.

Better warn you, because this chapter can be described with one word… DARK! I am sorry, but it is necessary, both for me and for this fic. I do hope you won't flame me, this is the darkest chapter ever. It is also written, out of perspective from Chihiro's thoughts.

Also, if you have a napkin somewhere close by, I think you need it.

Anyway, better get going! You want to find out more, don't you!

Shitza

Chapter 38 In the Chaos

Fire… raging fire… burning fire… heat…

The once green field lay dead and cold by their feet. The still ongoing war kept all life away and evil spirits waited around the corners to suck the souls from the fallen. Trees burnt from blazing arrows, remaining splinters of spears and swords covered the grounds. Te destruction had already cost thousand of spirits' lives and it would be more. For neither the phoenixes nor Yubaba would ever give up. The old witch was still alive, even if Zeniba and the Phoenixes worked tiredly to counter her. Chihiro sat on a chair, yawning. It was early in the morning and a small horse like spirit was telling them about the grand victories they had countered. Chihiro couldn't see his point. She couldn't see the glory in killing others.

Kohaku sat on a chair by the opening of the tent. He was dressed in white and silver armour, with a green dragon painted on the front. The white sword lay in his lap, glowing in the faint light. The iron ring still sat upon his finger, gleaming angrily. He was nowadays constantly being helped by the phoenixes. For it had been decided that Kohaku was the main goal for Yubaba in this war and he needed to stay alive.

Chihiro sighed. Since the war had started everyone had changed, for either good or bad. Lin was the Leader of all Archers. Xing led the earth-bound spirits like tigers, salamanders, snakes, spiders, with more. Deko too had armies, these being from old spirits and warlocks that instead of killing at the battlefield sent pests and death to the other camp. Even Chip had jumped in to this war. The little fox-demon had teamed up with the young fox Tatia. The two of them made hell off rackets as they stole magical stones, diamond hard armoury and lots of other things. They had developed to an excellent team and were rarely noticed. If someone saw them it was poor them. Two angry foxes is nothing to play with.

Kohaku wasn't leading and specific armies, but he was a face to fight for. Chihiro had to admit he looked just like one of those princes in a fairy tale.

As for herself she didn't compete in any specific battle. She was left outside, mainly because she couldn't think off killing other spirits. She knew people like Lin wanted too. Kohaku was the only one who understood her thoughts. Even if these spirits fought for Yubaba she knew they weren't evil. They just didn't know what they were fighting for. Yubaba was a great liar, which she had proven dozens of times. Instead she helped with the Healers to save as many lives as possible.

She was also training and preparing herself for becoming a spirit. She knew she couldn't be fully spirit since she still hadn't found out which form she would take. But so far she had been able to do easy tricks, for example float in the air and change colour of water. She was taking lessons from the old water spirit, who was also busy teaching his grand daughter the Art of spirit magic.

She couldn't hide though how much she hated that girl. Whatever Chihiro did that girl had to prove herself being ten times better. Not to mention as soon as she was around the girl wore a mask of outmost disgust. Once passing she had pinched her nose saying it smelled human.

Okay, so she was part human. Human enough to have started in the Human world before coming here. Chihiro sighed… that girl had some serious problems… and worse was that she also had to tell the whole camp that the truth about her and Kohaku's relationship would break within a few days and then Kohaku would start dating her. Chihiro knew Kohaku well enough to know that would never happen. One thing was that she NEVER drooled all over him, no matter how good-looking he was. She just wished that the girl could go and leave them alone!

Outside the battle grew on. The Phoenixes sent blasts of their powers. Hurricanes, floods, thunders, earthquakes, flaming comets and deceases rained down upon the enemy army. But not without consequences, for each attack followed by a rain off arrows. And for some reasons the phoenixes retreated in these rains.

The clouds rumbled and the sky opened to let down a shower. The sounds of metal against metal echoed in these dead lands. The life that once had flowed, now forgotten, grew as the slaughter went on.

Peace… where was peace when you needed her?

Peace… when would she come back to the living?

Peace… they need you… they need you know.

The hours went on, the cries could be heard within a ten miles circle. Chihiro worked in tears over a wounded man. The man was dying, but his eyes were begging her to help him. She knew this man had a family that was waiting for him. She wanted him to live, but didn't know how it could be possible.

Silent tears fell down her cheek as she gave the man something to calm him. She stood up again and walked out from the tent. She had to hurry, the water spirit wanted to see her for a new lesson.

"Now, can one of you tell me what the different and most powerful kinds of spirit power does?" The older spirit asked.

The blue haired grand daughter raised her hand like a comet and the older nodded. The girl cleared her throat, Chihiro sighed.

"The strongest, spirit power comes from inner strength and can destroy ones soul and spirit if the aim is right. The second strongest, love, inflicts damage upon ones dreams and abilities. The third is the power over light, which can destroy any darkness, yet rarely do damage upon light itself. The fourth, hope relies on outer strength and hope. It destructs walls that prevent things from happening."

"Correct, now which are the basic strategies against these?"

"Emptiness, Hate, Darkness and Despair!"

"Correct once more!"

Chihiro sighed. It was always the same.

"Today's lesson will not contain any practises, but theories. Theories and help to unveil your spirit forms."

Chihiro brightened up. Now, finally she would have the chance to find out more about herself.

The other girl must have noticed it and as the older spirit turned she whacked her over the head with her hand. Chihiro didn't manage to duck in time, and held her left hand over her aching head.

"Don't you feel well, Chihiro? You better go and rest, this needs full concentration.

Chihiro nodded and walked out. She didn't feel like complaining. After all, it was no use telling against that spirit.

Slowly she walked back to their tent. From behind she could hear the other girl cheer for something. She didn't care… she was so sick of that girl. She…

The bells sounded and a high voice called in the air. "Peace is reborn! Peace is reborn! The Phoenix has returned to us!"

Chihiro couldn't believe it, but it had to be true. She felt the anger boil within her as the other girl ran out from the tent she just had left.

'It can't be! It can't be!' she tried over and over again. She was so buried in her own thoughts that she didn't notice someone sneaking up behind her, giving her a blow to the head.

Her world blackened. And she saw no more!

TBC

To Reviewers: Please don't kill me! There is more, not done yet. Anyway

Winter –iel –o burzum: I forwarded your message, and thanks so much for reviewing. Actually, you weren't late, you had my first chapter review. You should stop worrying so, because you are a fantastic reader. You rarely miss a single chapter!

Lady Moon Dragon: Well, some of the inspiration comes from Inuyasha (Shippo). But most things are my ideas from the start. Anyway, I am really sorry for not having read your story, or the last 6 chapters. Been gone too long.

Velf: Well, nothing to be sorry for. I haven't reviewed for ages, so it's me who should be sorry. I write too much, read too little! Hope you liked the chapter, even if it was dark.

Storm-Maker: Well, feels like I've had a lot of practise lately. But mostly I just reread the fic, then dot down every new things that needs to be solved and take them one and one. Works! Also, I am happy you fell for Tatia. She won't be much of a character, except for Chip's company. Too less time.

pinkwitch1: I am working as much as I can. You can't expect too much from a girl with three fics to update.

Jinenji: Thank you, that was a really nice compliment! I hope you liked this chapter, once more sorry for the darkness in it.

For Reviewers from other chapters:

Hopeheart: Hope the mail explained everything. And hope you liked this story as well.

End Notes:

Don't kill me, just a cliffhanger. More in store. Too tired to continue. YAWN!