I'm sorry for such a long wait! And I'm sorry for the possibility of inconsistencies in writing style. It's been so long since I've written this story. By the way, this chapter was meant to be longer but if I were to finish it you wouldn't see me posting anything for at least another month. So this chapter is meant to let you all know that I haven't given up on this story, and to keep you entertained. I hope.

Oh, the person who mentioned that Canberra can't be such a bad place, well it really is. It's a hole. Plus, it was very cold at night…needless to say I didn't sleep very well.

Thanks to all who gave their opinion on magic and animal forms. As you'll see, I had no use for that information here, but I think I will later on. And okay, Kamaji has 8 limbs. I shall change that someday...

By the way, I had big problems as to what to call this chapter. And I should stop rattling on about nothing and let you guys read! (Though you could've just scrolled down…)

Chapter 16: Shield

Kohaku felt the fur on his back tingle at the presence of magic. Even with the warning, he barely had time to dodge Yubaba's fire disc that screamed past him like a comet. He turned around, ready to fight back if he had to. He focused on Yubaba, trying to predict her next move.

Just then, though, Oukami's mind touched his briefly, yet the brief contact said all. Head to the tunnel, I'll take care of Big-nose.

The dragon paused, uncertain if he should really leave. He was pretty certain that Oukami could take care of himself, but he still didn't trust the demon. Sure, he had helped them so far, but for how much longer was anybody's guess.

"Haku? We'd better go, Oukami can take care of Yubaba," Chihiro said, her voice quavering a little from the shock of almost getting burnt by the fire disc.

Kohaku hesitated only for a moment longer before flying at a breakneck speed towards the tunnel. Of course Oukami was right. Chihiro would be in danger if he involved himself in a fight now.

He landed outside the building and Chihiro slid off his back. He changed back to his boy form as Chihiro asked, "Do we go in?"

"I don't know," he replied, looking up at the sky where Rin was still clinging onto the wolf's back.

A sudden gush of wind swept past them, stirring up projectiles of sandy dirt and leaves. Chihiro gasped and protected her eyes against the barrage of odd objects. She flinched as the stinging of grainy dirt increased against her bare skin until somebody pushed her against the wall and sheltered her from most of the dust storm.

After what seemed to be ages, the howling wind whispered away into absolute stillness. Chihiro peeked out between her fingers and what greeted her sight was Kohaku standing protectively over her. Looking past him, she saw what seemed to be a wall of leaves. Beside her was Oukami in his boy form again, and Rin. Both were covered in a thick layer of dust like Kohaku. Looking down at herself she saw that she looked quite a bit cleaner than the rest of them.

A blush rose to her cheeks and she suddenly found the ground very interesting while mumbling her thanks to Kohaku. When there was no response, she stole a glance at him and was surprised to find his usually pale face tinged with pink. Why was he…?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a loud explosion from outside shook the ground. Rin glared at Oukami. "How strong is that leafy wall you put up?"

"Its leaves," he answered. "Leaves and dirt. Come on, let's get going." He ushered them around the upturned benches in the room towards the tunnel.

Another explosion followed, and on the third one the wall of leaves came down and Yubaba tore through like a bullet train, smoke rolling off her ears. She screeched as she saw the four of them escaping.

"Haku!" she shrieked. "Come back here! I'll turn you into a pig and if you're not eaten I'll turn you into coal!"

Yubaba began a long string of obscenities, but unfortunately for her, none of them were listening. Oukami was pushing Kohaku towards the portal, saying, "Don't go all the way through, just half way, do you understand?"

Kohaku frowned. He understood but he wasn't sure…

"Trust me, it's safe, all right? I'm controlling it." Kohaku stopped in his tracks, stunned at his statement. "Get going, Big-nose is coming." Oukami gave him one last shove towards the portal. Kohaku sighed in defeat and grabbed Chihiro's hand and stepped through with her.

As they disappeared into the darkness, Yubaba's fury rose another notch. The little brats were getting away! She let loose her favourite attack again, but this time not at Oukami.

"Rin!" Oukami yelled, seeing what Yubaba was planning. "Move, or you'll be killed!" The fire disc raced closer to her, and still Rin was frozen, almost transfixed in shock.

Desperately Oukami leapt straight at her and pushed her out of the way. Rin seemed to come to her senses as she fell, and she couldn't help but gasp as the fire disc hit Oukami dead on. He staggered back from the force of it before he regained control and absorbed the attack, though it left him a little singed.

Yubaba cackled with glee. "How interesting," she gloated. "I didn't think you would take the attack for the girl, you being such a 'heartless' demon and all." Still chuckling, she advanced on them. "Looks like I was wrong, you do have a weakness."

Oukami met Rin's shocked brown eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to Yubaba. His mouth was set in a firm thin line as he readied his next attack.

"Don't get hasty," Yubaba chided before pointing a jewelled finger towards the ceiling, and immediately a low rumbling sound began. Small pebbles from the ceiling began raining down on the portal's entrance, followed by larger and larger chunks.

"Come on!" Oukami said, cancelling his spell as he pulled Rin to her feet. He dragged her over to the portal as the rumbling escalated into a deafening roar. The chunks of ceiling were almost completely blocking off the entrance. With a swift motion he sent his fist into the thick rocky wall and a small part crumbled away.

"Hurry!" Rin urged. She turned around to look at Yubaba, just in time to see her throw a small glowing disc that disappeared as soon as it hit the ground near her feet, but in its place rose clouds of foggy purplish-black gas that obscured Yubaba from her sight. Rin frowned, trying to figure out what it was, when in her mind something clicked. "Poison fog!" She quickly held her breath.

Oukami swore before holding his breath likewise, all the while pounding the wall. Rin began to help by clearing away the debris that Oukami created.

At last there was a hole just enough to fit one person. Oukami shoved Rin through and then crawled in himself, but something snagged his ankle. He gasped in surprise as Yubaba's jewelled hand dragged him back out. "Get lost, you witch!" He leaned forward and bit her arm, hard. The hand was quickly snatched away in what Oukami hoped was considerable pain. Panting, he licked the blood away from his teeth and crawled into the hole again.

Emerging out the other side, he was surprised to find Rin just outside the portal, though with one hand clapped forcefully over her nose and mouth. She gave him a look that seemed almost relieved before practically running through, Oukami following close behind.

So…! What do you think? Review please! Or may a thousand rotten eggplants come raining down on you!

Reposted 22/11/05 to remove review responses