Hey guys! Sorry for not updating for months! ~ I was really caught up in my studies and other activities. *Argh* This un-updated story may go on for a few more months so please bear with me ~. I promise when I am completely free I will post two chapters. Now... does anyone miss the little red dragon?

Chapter 14: Ring of Fire

Kanade's P.O.V

What happened to going to Totosai's place?

We were now eating some blackberries that we found with fish, and at one corner of our narrowed circle, next to Kirara, was Koryu gobbling down gems. I know that along the way we're suppose to be helping people to improve our skills in fighting but…

We were walking through the forest along the river after I had refreshed myself. Shippo's stomach kept rumbling, so much I started to get annoyed.

"Can we stop and have lunch?" Shippo asked "I'm hungry."

"If it would stop your infernal grumbling. But this time, I'm doing the fishing." I said as I went into the river again.

"Come on, I'm not that bad in fishing!" Shippo exclaimed "And why fish again? Can't we have something else like chicken for beef?"

"Do you see any chickens or cows around here. Look at reality Shippo, food isn't going to fall out of the sky." I told him. That was when Kirara looked up and I heard a scream. I looked up and saw a familiar red dragon falling directly on top of me. Too late. The dragon fell unto me and we both crashed into the water. Ouch! When I rose to the surface, I saw Koryu, with two fishes stuck unto his horns.

"Well that saves us time." As I picked out one of the fish on Koryu's horns and threw it at Shippo, who nearly caught it but fell unto the ground.

Koryu just stared at us. I looked at Koryu and asked him "What's wrong."

"Kanade-sama! Please help me!" Koryu exclaimed.

I just stared at the hungry Koryu, who was even hungrier than Shippo, as I ate a berry. We found some along the river bank, to stop Shippo from complain the lack of variety in food. He kept mumbling about ninja food. I really wonder what this ninja food is.

"So what do you need help in Koryu?" Rin asked Koryu. Koryu stopped and then said "Oh right. Thanks for the food. I really need your help! I received news last week that my brother got captured! I was really worried, Souten let me go off to find him. Oh… what do I do?"

"So you need us to help you find him. Why can't Souten help you. I mean she would be more than willing to help." I said.

"She said she needs to do something. Something about a stolen bracelet. Besides, I think she would say 'You're brother's a strong dragon, unlike you. I would be wasting my time, go find him yourself. I'm sure he would be fine.'" Koryu said.

"A bracelet? Is it something like Kanade's necklace?" Kohaku asked. My necklace?

"I'm not sure, but that's a very nice necklace." Koryu said.

"So where is your brother? How does he look like anyway?" I asked.

"The last time I heard of him he was somewhere in the mountains not far from here. I can show you the way. My brother is the fire lord of those mountains, his name is Hono. He's much larger than me but we look similar." Koryu said.

"I think your brother is fine since he is so mighty as you say." I said as I stood up, throwing away a fish bone. "But if you're really worried, we'll go and check."

"Is your brother protecting anything powerful or owns such a thing?" Kohaku asked.

"Um… yeah! I remember. He showed me this ring called the Ring of Fire. It is said that if you wear it, you will have amazing fire power and strength." Koryu said.

"We have to go." Kohaku said.

"What's wrong?" Rin asked.

"I think I know what Shiguri's planning, but I have to be sure." Kohaku said.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Shippo said as he got up and turned into a flying kite bird. "Hop on."

…

"There it is!" Koryu said. We were flying towards high black mountains, all jagged and black. I was flying on Shippo while Rin and Kohaku were on Kirara. Koryu flew ahead and we tried to catch up. I looked around for a dragon that looked like Koryu, but as an actual proper dragon. Koryu was too small to be a mighty one.

"I can't find him." Koryu said "He's usually flying around the mountains at this time to check for suspicious people."

"We should split up. Kirara, Rin and Kohaku will search here. Koryu, lead Shippo and I further ahead, he might be there." I told Koryu. Koryu nodded and flew ahead, Shippo flew after him.

"I wonder what Kohaku is thinking. What does this Ring of Fire have to do with anything?" Shippo asked.

"I don't know. But I think he's onto something. Maybe it's got something to do with my necklace." I said.

"The necklace is powerful, strong enough to open the well again. Maybe the Ring of Fire has the same kind of power?" Shippo asked.

"Why would Shiguri open portals?" I asked.

"Well I could easily go to other weaker world to conquer if I had the power of portals." Shippo said.

"Maybe… but I doubt it." I said as I held up the gem of my necklace. "This can't be used for evil. I know it can't."

Rin's P.O.V

Kirara landed on the ground. Kohaku and I got off her and started searching. Kirara used her sense of smell to try and find a scent similar to Koryu's since the dragon is Koryu's brother. Then I sang softly "If I were a dragon where would I be?"

"Somewhere hidden from plain sight I guess. We couldn't find him in the air, he might be sleeping. If he was really captured, then I would hide a dragon somewhere deep and out of sight so no one can see him." Kohaku said.

Then I heard Kirara roar, I went to Kirara and asked her "Did you find anything?" Kirara looked down. It was a small cliff of rock that descended down into a large side of the mountain. Kirara then started jumping downwards.

"Wait for me!" I said, then I climbed down the cliffs after her. It was quite hard since the rocks weren't steady and there are little rocks that I could step on. Half way down I heard Kohaku call "Rin! Kirara! Where are you?"

"Down here! Kirara found something!" I yelled as stepped down. Kirara was waiting patiently for me as I went down. When I reached the ground, Kohaku had started climbing down. I told him where to step, I didn't want Kohaku to get hurt again. He was already injured badly too many times.

When Kohaku reached the ground, Kirara walked ahead to the wall and looked at us. Kohaku went to it and looked closely. Then he said "I wish I still had my pickaxe, otherwise this would be easy."

"What did you find?" I asked.

"A door." Kohaku said "Kirara, help me pull it out."

Kohaku then pulled out his sword and hit the wall at a small gap between rocks. The rocks moved a little and Kirara, using her paws, attempted to pulled it out. Kohaku helped too and slowly, a large rock moved away and reveal a large black cave. I went closer and pulled out my sword. Kohaku and I looked at each other and then we walked in, with Kirara behind us. Kohaku took out a stick and used Kirara's flames to light it up. The cave seemed to go on for ages. We should be able to find Hono here.

As we walked deeper and deeper into the dark cave, it seemed to get bigger and bigger. Soon, the torch no longer light the ceiling, only a only light in a sea of darkness. That was when we heard voices.

"Are you going to tell us? Last chance."

It was Kasairyu! A growl replied.

"I SAID GIVE US THE RING!"

There was a roar of fire, it temporary lit the large cave. Kirara, Kohaku and I dodged it just in time. Then they heard screams of agony. They've found him.

"Kasairyu. Stop."

Tsurukna.

"Don't order me around!"

"Someone's here. Give me light."

"Kirara, change back and tell the others." Kohaku said as he whispered into Kirara's ear. Kirara quickly returned to her small kitten form and ran off. Kohaku blew out his torch.

"There's no one there." Kasairyu shouted. "Stop getting into my way."

Kasairyu sounds different. He didn't his childish, mishcevious behaviour anymore. It was replaced by a cruel person. Then we heard a grunt. "The ring is not here! Leave!"

"You think you can trick me lizard? I ask you one more time before I rip you apart, where is the ring?" Kasairyu demanded.

"I found them."

I was about to run when I felt something move underneath me. Kohaku and I dodged as the plant attempted to trap us. The cave suddenly lit up, Kasairyu had prepared two fire swords in his fists. I could see the moss that attempted to drag us down slowly retracted.

"I told you." Tsurukina said.

"Let Hono go!" I demanded.

"Argh… why is it every time we almost got something, they come." Kasairyu growled.

"If they're here, so is Kanade." Tsurukina said. "Where is she?"

"Why would we tell you?" Kohaku said.

"We'll let the dragon go if you give us Kanade." Kasairyu said.

"No." We both said immediately.

"Your choice." Kasairyu said. Then Tsurukina made her wooden arm grow into a large claw and swiped us with it.

Kanade's P.O.V

"Where could Hono be…" Koryu muttered. He was extremely worried. We have been searching for the red dragon in the air for a long time and could not see him. It can't be that hard to find a big dragon can it?

Then we heard a growl and looked behind us. It was Kirara in her demon form, flying towards us. She was alone.

"What's wrong Kirara?" Shippo asked her. Kirara gestured us to follow her, she looked desperate. We quickly followed after her. By the look on her face, I can guess what happened. Rin and Kohaku are in trouble.

We followed Kirara to a deep side of the mountain where we saw a dark hole leading inside the mountain. I could hear roars of fire and rumbling inside the cave. When we landed, Shippo turned back to his fox form and we quickly ran in. At midway, Koryu stopped in his tracks and said "Um, you guys go ahead. I'll just wait outside."

Koryu hardly took a few steps back when I grabbed his horns and yelled "You are coming with us!" Then we ran ahead, with me dragging Koryu behind and him screaming to be let go of. The cave slowly got larger and larger. Shippo used his fox fire to light up the cave. Then a pillar of fire was shot towards our direction, we all jumped. Koryu got burnt by the edge of his tail yelling out in pain. We quickly ran faster, there's a battle going on.

We ran into a large area where Rin and Kohaku were fighting large branches. Kasairyu was attacking Rin as quickly as he could with his twin fire swords. I felt uncomfortable. Something about the fire demon had changed. I don't know what but the feeling is horrible. Tsurukina was trying to catch Kohaku but he kept dodging.

"Hono!" Koryu exclaimed as he wrestled under my grip, got free and ran off. Koryu ran towards a large red dragon, covered with burns and cuts. His teeth looked like it could bite off someones's head at any moment. It's emerald eyes eyed at unsuspiciously.

"Koryu, what are you doing here?" Hono grumbled in pain.

"We've come for you!" Koryu said as he took in a deep breath and blew out a small pillar of fire unto a few ropes that pulled the dragon down. Shippo came by their side and helped. I then ran to Rin and Kasairyu. I drew out my water whip and aimed for Kasairyu. It hit it back, making it sting. Kasairyu glared at me. That face… I was almost caught off guard. I may not know most of Kasairyu's personality that well, I knew he wasn't himself. Rin took the chance to strike him but he dodged. Then he ran towards me stretching out his hand. I dodged and with the other fire sword he still held, he tried to strike me. I just kept dodging. Is is trying to kill me?! What happened to kidnapping me?

"Don't lose control!" Tsurukina exclaimed as she aimed for Kohaku then Rin, both who dodged. "We need her alive!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Kasairyu yelled as he tried to catch me again. Then I realized what he was after, the necklace. Tsurukina was running towards Shippo and Koryu, only to be stopped by Rin and Kohaku "I need help here!"

"What do you want with me? And this necklace?" I asked "What are you planning?"

"It's none of your business!" Kasairyu yelled as he tried to stab me. I attempted to hit him with the whip but missed too. Then the fire sword grazed my arm, leaving a burn. I grabbed it and moved away. Kasairyu's a lot more aggressive. I bet that was the face. The face he had when he destroyed my tribe. The face that killed my family.

Then a roar erupted from the cave, it made the cave shake. We looked up. Hono was free. Hono flapped his wings. Kasairyu took the advantage. He cut my stomach, making retreat in pain. He grabbed the necklace but I pushed him away and held unto the necklace. Kasairyu fell unto the ground. Before he could attack me again, Tsurukina wrapped her wooden arm around Kasairyu and retreated, with Kasairyu yelled for her to let him go. I slowly got up. I checked my wound. It was a nasty burn, bleeding slightly, but I should be able to bear it.

"Kanade, let me see." Rin said as she went to my side. I slowly removed my hand coated with my blood. Rin quickly asked Kohaku for a cloth and used it to wrap around my waist after putting on painful herbs.

"Can you stand?" Rin asked. I nodded and slowly got up. Then I looked at Kohaku "They were after the necklace. They are planning something."

Kohaku nodded. Then he turned towards Hono who was comforting Koryu. Hono was watching the two escape. I slowly got up. Then Hono looked at the five of us and said while bowing his head "I thank you so much for your help. I do not know what I would have done without it."

"No problem! Glad to help." Shippo said.

"Um Hono-sama, can you help us?" Kohaku asked. "Those two are Shiguri's servants. They've been after us since we joined Kanade, the nymph. We suspect that they're planning something. They are stealing some kind of jewellery, including your ring and this necklace."

I took out the necklace around my neck and showed it to Hono. Hono bent his head and observed it carefully. Then Hono's eyes went wide and said "So that's what they're doing!"

"What is it?" Rin asked.

"The water necklace you hold is one of the eight items that belong to the eight deities. Each deity has one, for example I own the ring of fire. The goddess of the lake owns that necklace. How did you obtain it?" Hono asked.

"Long story. Let's just say we stole it from other two servants of Shiguri." I said.

"The items you posses grant people great power. But each item gives power depending on its element. Fire gives power and strength, water gives peace and a calming power, earth gives fortitude and defence and so on. Their immense power can cause many things as well." Hono explained.

"Like opening portals." Kohaku said. Hono nodded. Then he said "If all eight are gathered, a strong power will be unleashed to amplify one's powers and it would be very dangerous if placed in the wrong hands."

"Shiguri is planning to use them." I finished. "We can't let him get it."

"Should we return the necklace to the goddess of the lake now that we know who it belongs to?" Rin asked. I

"Of course. It's not ours anyway." I said as I put the necklace around my neck.

"What is your name Fox Demon?" Hono asked Shippo. Shippo said his name. "Are you the only one in your group who controls the fire element?"

"Yeah." Shippo said.

"Koryu, you know where its hidden." Hono said. Koryu became shocked. "Hono! You can't be serious! He's not of our family. You cannot trust the ring to him!"

"It's no longer safe here." Hono said. "The two will surely come back. It's safer in their hands, they are good people."

Koryu looked like he wanted to protest but silently obeyed. Koryu went in deeper into the cave. Then we heard a large blast of flame. Koryu came back carrying something small in his hands. Koryu passed it to Shippo and said with a small but careful trust in his eyes "Take care of it."

Shippo stared at the item in his hands. I peeked over his shoulder to take a good look at it. It was just a simple gold ring. Shippo put it on his pinkie finger and stared at it. "This is… you can't be serious!"

"It is better for it to be in your hands for now. But it's not yours, protect it for me." Hono said. Shippo nodded as he stared at his ring.

"So where does the goddess live?" Kohaku asked.

"She leaves East of here, it's not far off. Well if you fly it's not." Hono said.

"We can't go there yet." I said "We can't leave defenceless. We have to get to Totosai's place first, only then will we return the ring. If what Hono-sama said is correct, the servants might go there again and these items must be protected. Stalling the delivery may prove to be a better solution."

Kohaku nodded. We all left the cave. Koryu thanked us so many times he got teary. Somehow I got the title 'Kanade-sama' from him. Hono looked upon is with respect. We finally came move on, but my mind was still on Shiguri's plan. This plan was more important than capturing me. But why does he need me so badly? I couldn't figure it out. I just want to stop him before he gets them. So he won't cause anyone the same suffering he did to me.

I hope you like this chapter! The next chapter I am sorry to say will not be coming soon due to my studies. Sorry! I will try to make the next chapter worth the wait. It might be though, with Totosai in the picture. See you next time! :)