Action/Adventure

"Tell me again why we have to get this stupid artifact?" grumbled Shippo. He and the two others from his fox tribe had been trudging through the forest all day, searching for an ancient temple.

"Because it is a coming-of-age ritual of our tribe that young adult kitsunes retrieve the artifact from the temple," sighed Kitanya for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Yah, that's what they tell us, but it's really just to get us out of the elders' fur for awhile," sneered Gin.

Shippo laughed and shoved the silver kitsune. "You make us sound like burrs or something."

"Quit messing around. The sooner we get the artifact, the sooner we get home," said Kitanya, smacking Shippo with her tail.

"Sure," said Shippo amiably. "Now, where are we going again?"

"Not going," called Gin as Kitanya attempted to strangle Shippo. "We've found it!" The three kitsunes emerged into a half overgrown clearing to stand before a large stone temple.

"About time!" Shippo said as he headed toward the entrance. "Now let's get going. It'll be a piece of ca--" he stopped mid-sentence as a row of sharp spikes shot up just where he was about to set his paw.

Gin goggled at the spikes for a brief moment, then turned to leave. "Well, we tried!" he said.

"You can't just quit!" snapped Kitanya. "We need your help!"

Shippo stepped back from the spikes. "I think they go all the way around. We'll have to go over them."

Kitanya flipped her gold earring back with a grin. "Easy." She lept into the air, kicked off of a tree and sailed over the spike wall.

Shippo shook off his surprise at this quick solution, then followed suit. Gin hesitated before clearing the barrier while mumbling something like 'I'm not gonna get spiked, I'm not gonna get spiked...'

"That was just the first obstacle. Be ready for anything," warned Shippo. They made their way through the doorway into a long stone hall.

"I know," said Gin, then cried, "Kitanya, look out!" Kitanya turned just in time to deflect a poison dart with her armguard.

"More are coming! Move it!" she yelled. Shippo and Gin jumped to avoid three more darts. Darts started shooting from both walls as the three foxes tried desperately to dodge them. Shippo took a breath, then jumped between two rows of flying darts to land out of their range at the end of the hallway. Gin dropped out of nowhere to land beside him.

"Where's Kitanya?" cried Shippo. They heard Kitanya's high pitched yell from a little way to their right.

"Foxfire!" Shippo cast his spell just in time to burn up the darts about to hit her. She recovered herself and ran to where the other two crouched.

"I can see why this place isn't on the tourist guides," remarked Gin as Kitanya gasped and squeaked beside them.

"Hey, guys, check this out!" called Shippo from up ahead. The two foxes followed him into a large chamber with nothing in it except a pedestal on which sat a fox statue carved of jade.

"What, that's it?" said Gin incredulously. "Just some spikes and a few poison darts and we get the artifact?"

"Don't be too sure," said Kitanya, looking warily around the chamber.

"Oh, all we have to do is walk up and take it! It'll be a piece of cake!" Shippo said, and advanced toward the statue. But he halted as a strange hissing met their ears.

"Look!" yelled Kitanya. A dozen iridescent blue serpents slithered up around the pedestal in the middle of the room.

"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?" moaned Gin. The snakes sat for a moment, flicking their tongues in and out, then sped straight toward the kitsunes.

"Move it!" screamed Kitanya. "They're fast!" The serpents were upon them in a flash. The foxes jumped away as the snakes bit and snapped at their legs. Black poison oozed from the snakes' mouths and they twisted their bodies every which way, trying to catch the foxes.

"Split up!" yelled Shippo. "Gin, you go for the statue, Kitanya, you and I will hold them off!" Gin nodded and pulled out his shuriken to slice through the snake that was two inches from his paw.

"Foxfire!" Kitanya scorched two more snakes enough to force them to retreat. Shippo somersaulted off the wall and brought his footclaws down hard just behind a snake's head. The other snakes hissed and advanced, fangs bared, and the two foxes flew at them in tandem to continue the fight.

"I've got it!" called Gin, holding the statue up.

"Good, let's get out of here!"

The snakes suddenly stopped their attack and slipped away through holes in the floor. The foxes watched them go in confusion until a loud scraping noise met their ears.

"The door!" cried Kitanya. The entrance to the chamber was sliding shut. Shippo yelled, "Quick! We have to get under it!" and dashed for the rapidly closing door. Gin and Kitanya ran behind him, the sandy chamber floor grinding against their paws. Gin started to slow down. "We're not going to make it!" he said.

"Oh, yes we are!" snapped Kitanya. She scruffed him like a naughty kit and flung him under the door. She and Shippo then narrowly managed to slide under after him. Kitanya moved her tail just before the door crashed shut on it. The foxes sat breathing hard for a moment.

"Don't rest yet!" yelled Shippo suddenly. A stream of fire issued from the wall straight toward them. The weary foxes tumbled out of the way only to be met with another fire jet.

"They're everywhere! Just get out!" screamed Kitanya. They dashed for the light of the exit, leaping over and around the flaming jets. Ears and tails were scorched as they dodged in between them, but when they reached the door, a solid wall of flame sprang up before them.

"Just run through!" cried Gin. "We're not getting out otherwise!" The foxes couldn't help but scream as their bodies were engulfed in flame, then they were out and rolling on the ground to extinguish the fire. Silence reigned for the first time in what seemed an eternity while the foxes caught their breath...then Shippo sat up and grinned at the others.

"See? Piece of cake!"

The End