Okay, loves, I'm going to keep it short and sweet; I've been busy. Busy as in packing, my WiFi getting shut off, moving, talking a friend out of a bad situation, and being torn away from my first love. That and the fact that I, as clever as we all know I am, deleted the first attempt of this chapter by accident...yes, pathetic isn't?

Alex-Kurotani,

Thank you for the cookie; *wipes crumbs from mouth* it was delicious. In honest truth, I've been better, like really better. And, sadly, I don't have a Skype but I have a Facebook. Add me. How will your character come into play? Mwhaha! I plan to have her come in after their little adventure here.

Cutie Kyuubi,

I know Rigby is horrible at finding food xD. But he is horrible at practically everything. You could tell him to sit down and breathe, and he'd find a way to mess up. So why not have Rigby mess up when they depended on him? Lol

Kris' POV

I sat up from the cold floor of our hideout. I will never take a bed or couch for granted again. I feel sorry for the people who never had the luxury of a warm bed awaiting them when they got home.

I look around to see everyone still sleeping. My eyes feel on Mordecai and Hope, they were cuddled up to one another, Mordecai had an arm draped over her waist. I hope that they or at least Hope will admit that they have feelings for the other. It gets depressing, Hope and I most of the times we just sit and chat about what our plans were to get the guy. In the end, we both think it'll never work out anyways, so why bother them with our attempts to earn their affection.

I got up and stepped over Pops, picked up the satchel we found after dinner last night, and walked to the glowing river. Last night, by pure luck, we found a large patch of blackberries near the river bed. So we know that the water has magical quantities. Rigby wanted to drink it, claimed that he would be 'Raccoon Man' and that he'd get super powers. I worry about the little raccoon, he definitely isn't the brains of the group.

I walked along the water line, looking for any type of food. Eventually I came across a cave that had some sort of moss covering most of the entrance. I parted it slowly to where I could barely see into the smaller cave. Inside it were lit touches and two spiders that were talking about some sort of mission. Entranced by the sight, I ease dropped on them.

"Egon, if we don't find out what the newcomers' weaknesses, we will be slain!" The sickly pale yellow spider exclaimed to a slightly larger dark blue spider.

"Emmy, I'm aware of this fact. I'm not known for my obedience in the kingdom. I say we befriend them, see if they are worth the trouble you believe they are." Egon suggested.

Emmy scoffed at the idea. "They could be dangerous to the King and Queen, the kingdom even. Would you like to be frolicking aroound with the enemy, then they attack the kingdom? Hmm?"

"That's not what I'm aiming at, Em. I'm saying that they could help the kingdom, not destroy it." Egon sighed.

They began speaking in hushed whispers. I leaned forward, trying to hear more of the conversation. I fell to the ground with a loud thud, the spiders spun around quickly and raised their front legs, preparing to strike the first blow. I rolled out of the way just as Emmy's legs dug into the rocks beneath were I was a mere second ago. Egon quickly pushed me out of the way of her next attack.

"Why are you protecting her? She is a spy!" Emmy snarled in rage.

"I'm not a spy!" I screamed at Emmy. "I was looking for food and I stumbled across you two."

"Emmy, listen to me. She could be lying, she could not be lying, it depends on her reasons." Egon stated.

"Listen to her!" Emmy spat in anger. "She is the enemy! She could have hidden weapons and is just waiting for a chance to strike us down! Your kindness will be your downfall!"

"Kindness is not a weakness!" Egon defended.

"Then how did your wife and children die?" Emmy asked, a sick smile on her face.

Egon threw Emmy into the far wall of the cave. "You will not bring them up in this!" He shrieked.

I watched as it turned into an all out brawl, slowly sliding towards the mouth of the cave. Emmy had Egon on the ground and was about to bite off his head. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, before I even knew what happened I was standing over Egon as though I was a shield.

"You have my thanks, fox." Egon said. Egon regained his stance and breath, he walked over to Emmy and bit off her head. I turned my head when it happened though, too gory for me. I got up and looked anywhere besides the body of Emmy.

"I guess I'll take my leave. Thank you for saving me from her." I said awkwardly.

Egon bowed at my feet. "You have saved my life, I'm forever in your debt."

I smiled at his gratitude. "You don't need to be in debt to me. But since you've mentioned it..."

"What? Anything for you, my Savior!" Egon said.

"If you come across any food that you don't need or a note of some sort bring it to our place when we are all asleep."

"If that is what you wish, fox."

"Call me Kris." I smiled. "I have to leave, farewell."

I ran put of the cave and to the river, I splashed the water onto my face and pinched myself. 'I really did just save a giant spider's life from another giant spider, now he is loyal to me... This will be one hell of a story to tell my kids one day.' I thought, facepalming. 'Now they are going to ask me why I was gone so long. I highly doubt that they will believe me if I told them what just happened. Dear God, give the support and trust we need to get out of here!'

"Kris! Kris! There you are we have looked everywhere for you! We thought that an immortal came and kidnapped you!" Mordecai said, panting and putting his hands on his knees.

"I left to..." I left off, wondering what to say.

"To what?"

"To take a walk, I got lost though..." Yepp, because that was just so convincing.

"Oh. Well come on back, Skips found some food. With you back, we can eat now!" He went into a fist pump frenzy that I quickly joined in.

"Kris!" Hope screamed as she tackled me to the floor. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

I held up my paws in mock surrender. "Okay! Um, Hope, can you get off me."

"Sure!" She cheerfully chirped, standing up and offering me a hand.

Skips hastily skipped over to me. He gave me a look that showed anger and worry. "Why didn't you tell anyone you were going on a walk? It would have stopped a lot of drama!"

I looked to the floor. "I didn't want to disturb anyone, you all looked so peaceful sleeping."

Skips let out a uneasy sigh. "Just don't do it again." He skipped back over to the corner and started to meditate. Why of all people did I have to fall for him?

Benson approached me cautiously as though I had grown another head. "Why is your ear bleeding?" He put his hand on my left ear and pulled it away for it to have some blood on it.

I shrugged.

Hope sent me a tell-me-the-whole-story glare. I nodded, fearing the wraith of the slightly taller raven. I'd seen her when she was pissed, it was kinda scary. Have you ever seen a psycho killer go in for the kill? Its like that!

Benson sighed. "Well we have some extra clothing we could tear up for bandages. Pops, wanna help?"

Pops cried out in glee, "oh goody!"

Mordecai was talking to Hope in hushes tones. I rolled my eyes. 'Its funny. She can get that boy at any second she chooses, yet she is so insecure that she stops all possibility of acceptance. He could get her but he probably is still worked up over Margaret. And right now he is probably saying something that will make her doubt her feelings for him further.' I thought, shaking my head. Hope made her way towards me.

"You. Me. Walk. Now." She growled out. I obliged. We walked to the river, she cupped her hands and filled them with water. "Let me see your ear."

I bent down.

She put the glowing water on the wound and warmth coursed through my whole body. I jerked back, it felt weird, not in a bad way though.

"So what really happened? You smell like moss." Hope stated.

"Well, I was looking for food."

"Mhmm. Go on."

"I came across a cave that was practically cover in moss. I heard voices and my curiosity got the best of me, so I ease dropped. They started whispering, I leaned further in, fell on my face like the boss I am, and they started fighting with me."

"Then?" Hope pressed.

"The good spider saved me and tried to get her to see that I wasn't a spy. She said something about his family and it caused him to fight with her. As they fought, I was scooting to the exit; however, the bad spider was about to kill Egon. I pu-"

"Whose Egon?"

"Stop interrupting! As I was saying, I pushed Emmy off of him, he killed her, swore he was in debt to me and that he would do whatever he could to work it off."

Hope stood up and splashed water in my face. "Are you still delusional?"

"It really happened! Egon is going to bring us any food and clues that he can find!" I screamed.

Hope looked at me then to her reflection. "Maybe I'm still sleeping and you're safe and sound in bed, this must be a dream." Hope took a few steps back.

"Its not a dream though. I swore it happened! What are you doing?"

"Waking up!" She dove into the river.

"Hope?" Silence. "Hope, come on this isn't funny!" Silence. I ran to the river and dove in. I looked in the water and it hurt my eyes, only for a second, then it felt good. I rose to the surface to see Hope standing in the low tide. I splashed her.

"Really you're challenging me to a splash war?" She smirked.

I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I am, are you too chicken to join?"

Hope did a very unladylike snort and proceeded to splash me. We splashed for what seemed like hours. Hope dived under and pulled me down with her. We surfaced giggling.

"There are more of them?" A deep voice broke the playful atmosphere.

"So it seems, my king. Shall we arrest them or execute them here?" A very high pitched female asked, obviously annoyed.

I looked at Hope and followed her gaze to see four giant spiders on the shore, Egon being one of them.

Egon broke in. "Father, this is the fox that saved my life." He pointed to me.

The king's laughter drifted to down to us. "Son, I would not see the fox to be executed, she seems like she would make a good servant. The bird however is another story. Servina, bring them to shore."

A spider that looked nearly exactly like Emmy slung a web over to us and pulled us to shore.

Servina hissed at us and trotted back to her king.

"Don't mind her, Emmy was her older sister. She will get over it soon enough. You have my thanks, fox; had you not pushed Emmy off of my son, we would be without a heir to the throne. We have come to offer you something." The king said. "For safety reasons, I need to bind your arms behind your back. Go tie their arms, Vic."

A light green spider with yellow eyes came over and shot us an apologetic look as he bound our hands behind our back with his silk. "It is done, my king." Vic calmly walked to stand behind his ruler.

The king got in Hope's face. "Such a pretty bird. Never have I seen one with such eyes." He turned to me. "I offer that you and your company come to my palace, you shall be treated as royalty. You will be allowed to live out the remainder of your life or until you see fit. Your company will have to work for payment of your comfort. Does it sound good?"

I looked at Hope. All I see was her attempt to hide her fear of the king. She could handle nights in a wolf infested forest, but not a few giant spiders. That's kinda sad...

"Can I talk to my friends first?" I ask.

The king nodded. "Scurry there and back!"

Hope and I got up. Servina pushed Hope back down. "Only one is required to go, hen!"

"I'm a raven!" Hope hissed in response, anger dripping off everyone of her words.

"She has a mouth on her, my king. Fox, run to discuss the matter with your companions and make haste in your return." Servina hissed.

Hope sent me an unsettling smile and gave me a nod to go. I set off.

Hope's POV

"So you're the spider that Kris saved?" I asked Egon.

"Yes he is, goose." Servina snapped.

"Can I please talk to someone who isn't a complete bitch? I'd really appreciate it." I loudly said.

Vic stepped forward and undid the silk rope from around my wrists. "Thank you, Vic. Now will you talk to me since the little servant spider won't anymore?"

Vic laughed. "Sure. What is your name?"

"I'm Hope Jamie." I extended my hand which he gladly shook.

The king sat beside me. "You smell like a halfbreed."

"What?!" I snapped.

"Your blood is not pure like the fox's. She smells of the deceased and the living. You smell like a bird, yet reek of human, how do you explain this?" The king questioned.

"My mom is a human and my dad is a raven." I lied.

"Interesting. That would explain the smell, but why do you not resemble a human in the slightest way?"

"My dad's genes must have dominated my mom's." I claimed.

He went to question me further but Kris shows up being followed by everyone.

"We've decided." Kris states, running a hand through her fur.

"What say you?" The king calmly asked.

"We'll go on one condition." Kris said.

"And just what is that condition?"

"We are trapped here until we find out about the Legend of Immortality and the meaning behind it."

"You didn't state the condition." Servina pointed out.

"Quiet, fiend!" I hissed, shutting her up.

"The condition is that you help us in our search and that we find it out in less than five days."

Vic shared a worried looked with Egon.

"This I can not promise that we will be much aid in your quest, but I can promise that we will give it our all." The king smiled. "Let's head to your new home!" He turned and we fell into place behind him.

I felt someone grip my shoulder, I turned to see a very relieved Mordecai.

"Its good to know that you're okay. I thought that they might kill you, when Kris told us what happened." Mordecai said, causing me to smile.

"I appreciate the concern, but I can handle myself." I stated. "Most of the time anyways."

"I think I need a demonstration." Mordecai winked at me. I blushed and looked down at my hands. Then I hit me.

Mordecai. Just. Winked. At. Me.

My eyes shot up to meet his gaze. "What kind of demonstration?"

"Any will do."

Before I knew what I was doing I hugged him. He seemed tense, slowly he relaxed and returned the meaningful embrace.

Rigby whistled and Kris awed at us.

"About time!" Kris screamed.

"Don't dilly dally, birds. We must get to the castle before nightfall." Servina said.

With that Mordecai and I released each other and followed the spiders to the castle.

Kenyangi's POV

I smiled at the sight of the mortal's hug. The spell I cast on both of them was working at a rather fast pace. Hopefully at this pace they will leave this place as a couple. I summon my cloud and step through to my office, I need to check up on our guests.

Once again, sorry for the wait. I tried to publish the first attempt of this chapter about a week into packing only to find that they had cut the Wi-Fi. I really wish I had access to internet sooner so I wouldn't have had to leave you dears waiting. I hope a longer than usual chapter is enough to get you guys to love me again.

Kisses,

AntionetteEva