Long Summary:
Post Deathly Hallows AU, Post Naruto manga (possibly AU);
She had always endured, had always had to. Orphaned twice, once as a baby and once at twelve, she now spent her time not at Hogwarts wandering the southern three nations of the Hidden Countries alone, continuing what she had done with her sensei. In recent years, she'd made it a point to stop by Konoha and Suna, searching for a place to call home when she graduated. In doing so, she found a man to call uncle, and a boy to call brother. Taiki was the best thing that had ever happened to her so far, and she didn't even mean for the first encounter to turn out that way. She had always feared attachment after her sensei was killed, but she had managed to make good friends. Among them, the pranking twins of Hufflepuff, the protégés of the Weasley twins. She was finally able to bring herself to call them brothers, always avoiding the issue until her seventh year.
Her time at Hogwarts had not been easy, though she'd stayed largely in the shadows. Her first year, she was sorted into Hufflepuff due to being well-rounded, but with extreme loyalty. That summer, her sensei and adoptive mother was killed. After that, she was much more reserved.
Each year brought new pain, but eventually she did meet Taiki, and told him about the wizarding world and the death of the one man at Hogwarts who knew about her origins in the Hidden Countries, the man she had come to consider as a grandfather. Dumbledore's death was a grief she had not felt since her sensei was murdered and a good friend of hers died the summer after. Still, she returned to Great Britain the next year with papers she had cooked up, listing her mother as a witch, thereby avoiding persecution. She fought in the battle when the time came, and returned to Konoha and Suna with joy. Taiki promised to visit her if he could, for rumor was it that the Kazekage was in contact with the wizards. That September, she discovered that this was true, and that Hogwarts was beginning a taijutsu class. This was to be checked up on by the Kazekage Gaara himself quite often, and Hikari found herself hard pressed to keep her countries of origin a secret. She told the twins, but only them, and they kept it quiet.
It became much harder to keep her skills and origins secret as the Kazekage took increased interest in her and the mystery surrounding her. When she finally decided to let everyone know, she knew it would be quite a shock. This year, she decided, was definitely going to be interesting.
Yes, there are many Harry Potter/Naruto crossovers. Yes, a few have Gaara as a main character. But no, there has not yet been one like this!
What makes this AU, you might wonder? Here's what. Harry Potter: Several of those killed in Deathly Hallows are alive in this. Also, Harry and Ron return to Hogwarts, while in canon, they do not. Naruto: I haven't read the last couple hundred chapters of Shipuuden, and only know a few things about what's going on, but this is my view of the world a few years after the Akatsuki are finally defeated. I still haven't decided what to do about Sasuke, though . . .
I feel I should explain the GaaraxOC in the short summery. This is kinda romance, but not really, and that won't come for a while. Also, any kissing will be brief mentions, mostly among established couples, as I don't feel comfortable writing them, especially when I myself have not kissed anyone yet. And other pairings will be ShikamaruxTemari and probably a little NarutoxHinata. It's not really important, though, but references will be made.
Now, then. I've talked long enough, so just one more thing. I cannot guarantee that updates will come at all often. I have school, and other stories, too. I wouldn't have even started this one, but it was just too good an idea to put aside, in my opinion. Keep an eye out on my profile for links to artwork for this story that I'll be uploading on deviantART, and let me know what you think, please! If you have any questions at all, ask away.
Enjoy the story!
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-Enduring Light-
A Harry Potter/Naruto Crossover
By Falcon's Hyperdrive
Begun 1-7-10
Finished __-__-__
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-Chapter One-
Sand. That was all that could be seen, stretching for miles, from one horizon to the other. Dunes rose and fell, flat plains spread out between, and gentle hills broke up the line of sight, ripples coursing through the land as a result of the wind. The sun beat down harshly, and what life there was in this parched environment hid in the shade and beneath the desert.
A hawk cried out, a messenger bird from Fire Country. It was on its way to Suna, the shinobi village of Wind. The Akatsuki threat was over, and the relations between Suna and Konoha were stronger than ever as the Leaf Village recovered from its rebuilding with the aid of their allies.
A young woman glanced up at the bird, shielding her gaze from the glare of the bright morning sky of midsummer. It was flying due southwest, right toward her destination. Smiling at this confirmation of her path, she continued on.
Sunagakure no Sato, Village Hidden in Sand, was true to its name. On the horizon, it looked like nothing more than another dune as the hills began to gently roll once more. Closer, perhaps it was a gigantic cliff of rock. Only when you were still yet closer did you begin to notice the details, such as the tall, dark corridor of the Western Gate.
She paused at the mouth of the gate, two previous experiences teaching her well. She didn't even jump at the sight of the Suna shinobi that appeared, but instead bowed politely in greeting. "My purpose is to restock supplies," she dutifully told the guard, knowing what his question was even without it being asked. "I aim to leave by nightfall, and I do not plan to stay overnight."
The ninja eyed her carefully. "Have you visited Suna before, ryokousha?"
"Hai. Twice, once a year. This is my third such visit."
"Which village and land do you hail from?"
The girl smiled bitterly. "None known, sir. However, I tend to wander the southern three countries of this continent. I can claim neither clan nor home, but I wish you and your village no ill will. I will consent to an escort if you find the need."
He paused for a moment, assessing her. Then, he nodded sharply. "That will not be necessary. Carry on."
"Arigato gozaimasu, shinobi-sama." She bowed shortly and stepped past him, continuing on her way as he vanished back to his post, a simple nod all the acknowledgement she needed.
The market was just how the jade-eyed brunette remembered it. The street bustled with foot traffic as shoppers rushed back and forth, and children ran squealing through what holes in the crowd they could find. Shinobi leapt from rooftop to rooftop as they moved about, the monotone color of sand everywhere. And throughout this all, the sounds of life and laughter echoed.
The fifteen-year-old came to a halt at one of the shops, the smell of fresh bread carrying gently on the afternoon breeze. As it wasn't too crowded, she made her way inside, and lost herself in her thoughts as she waited for her turn.
The past year had been very frustrating for the girl. Out in the Wizarding World, things were getting very dicey. The Ministry of Magic had steadfastly refused to believe Harry and Dumbledore-sama in the fact that Voldemort-baka had returned. The "teacher" they had imposed on Hogwarts likewise refused to teach the students how to defend themselves. Thankfully, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had come up with the idea of Dumbledore's Army, a group she had immediately joined. Despite her eagerness, however, she was wary about the group being discovered, and thought their first meeting place absolutely foolish. In the end, she was right. She was able to escape capture, but others were not so fortunate. And then there was the attack on the Ministry, and the revelation to all the orokamono wizards and witches that Voldemort-baka really had returned.
Poor Harry-san, she thought, sighing. He had lost his godfather in the attack, the girl Luna had revealed to her, and she knew how the boy must feel. She knew well the pain of loss, especially to the hands of an enemy. The Dementors would have caused a worse reaction in her than in Harry, had they ever gotten the chance to get close.
It came with living in the Shinobi Countries, she supposed, where death was a common occurrence. Her experience, she knew, would be indispensable when a battle finally arrived.
For now, however, it was time to drift and travel. Clan-less, village-less, she spent her days wandering, homeless, until it was time to return to Hogwarts. The school was the one place she knew she was welcome to return to, but after her seven years were up, and she graduated, she wasn't going to be going back there, as far as she could tell, aside from an occasional visit. These lands were where she belonged, and in the weeks spent here in the summers, she aimed to find where her loyalties lay.
Loyalty . . . The Hat had pointed that out as her most prominent characteristic. More than anything else, she was loyal, if she could only find something or someone to be loyal to. Dumbledore was one, and her few friends at Hogwarts were others. In then end, though, she knew she had to find a country and a village that she felt like she belonged to. Problem was, she usually stayed largely to herself, fearful of attachment.
All the Houses had been options for her. Slytherin, the Hat claimed, because she could be cunning. Maybe that was why she was able to sneak around so well, to survive for so long. Ravenclaw, because she was intelligent. Her grades rivaled Hermione's, but part of that had to do with the fact that she buried herself in her work, escaping grief and painful memories. Gryffindor was a possibility because, somewhere in there, the Hat had detected great bravery. And half the time, she was brave. How else would she be able to carry out some of the occasional pranks she felt compelled to plan? How else would she have dared to claim friends? How else would she have lived on alone?
Now, Hufflepuff. That was the House for her. She was well-rounded, the Hat told her, which was why she might make a good fit in any of the other Houses. However, it saw that fierce loyalty in her. That, if anything, was the clincher. And so, she found a home.
"Are you going to stand there staring at the bread, or are you going to actually buy some?"
Startled, the Hufflepuff looked up into the warm brown eyes of the shopkeeper. "H-Hai! I'll take the wheat loaf, please."
"Hm." The kind old woman fetched the requested item, then bagged it for her and smiled. "You're not from around here, are you?"
"Iie. I'm a drifter. I've visited twice before; once last year, and another the year before that."
"A yearly pilgrimage?"
The girl paused. "I suppose you could call it that. I have someplace where I go for most of the year, but I have a little more than two months on my own. I'm using that time to travel and try to find a place that feels right."
The shopkeeper accepted the money the girl offered her, and regarded the customer curiously. "Feels right? For what?"
The Hufflepuff offered a small smile. "For a place to settle down. I cannot remain a drifter forever. In fact, I'm not. It's more like a vacation. But these lands are home, and I must find a place where I belong. Thank you for the bread, and farewell."
She heard a murmured echo of her parting words as the door closed behind her, the busy streets enfolding her in their noisy embrace.
There was a tug on the package in her arms not long after, and when she looked down, she discovered it was gone. Panicked, she looked around and caught a fleeting glimpse of a small form disappearing into the crowd, a familiar object tucked under one arm.
The teenager gave chase, scowling at her inattentiveness. She should have known better than that; she could have just as easily been stabbed in the back.
The thief led her on a merry chase as she twisted through the crowd. Several times, she almost lost him. Finally, he tripped and fell, allowing her to swoop in and reclaim her purchase.
The thief, a young boy, scrambled to his feet and snatched at the bread loaf. "Give it!" he protested, determination in eyes whose color reminded her of far-off storm clouds.
She held it out of his reach, scoffing. "As if. This is mine; I payed for it."
He stopped, regarding her warily. It seemed he hadn't realized who exactly he had stolen it from. When she returned his gaze evenly, he scowled. "I need it."
"So do I."
The boy was stubborn and determined, she would give him that. Another futile attempt to snatch it out of her hands was made, and she held it high out of reach. A moment later, a gurgling noise erupted, very loudly.
The teenager snorted. "Well, if you're hungry and have no money, why didn't you say so?"
Again, the scowl. "Because no one cares. Duh." He glared at her and turned to go, giving up, but she caught his arm.
"I care."
"Yeah, right," he retorted, turning back to her. "I bet you don't know what starvation is."
She smiled bitterly, still gently gripping his upper arm. "Actually, I do. When you run out of money and can't access your bank account, meals get scarce." It had been that way, back before she started going to Hogwarts and her sensei moved her funds to Gringotts. Now, Diagon Alley was just a portkey away.
He eyed her, considering that. Finally, he eased slightly from his tense stance in surrender. "So now what?"
"Now, I buy you something to eat."
"That's it? No turning me in to the shinobi?"
"Not unless you want me to. Don't give me that look; it's not as if I haven't pilfered anything to eat in my days."
"You're just saying that."
"Nope. I was ten, I think, the last time. No, wait . . . Two years ago, I didn't want to turn around and get somewhere later than I planned. Village along the way, a stand found itself missing a few fruits. Now, then. Sandwiches?"
"If you're buying."
She laughed. "Of course, kiddo."
"Don't call me that! I'm nine years old, thank you very much."
"Ah." She nodded sagely. "Should I call you brat, then?"
He flushed. "Hey! I have a name!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! Taiki!"
Her soft smile obviously startled the boy. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Taiki. Come on, pick out your meal."
He stared at her for a moment, then turned to the open-air shop she had led him to. "That one," he decided, pointing to the one he wanted.
"The chicken sandwich? Good choice. We'll take two," she told the shopkeeper.
Upon paying for their meals, the young woman led Taiki toward a bench set up against the outside wall of a textiles shop. Taiki chowed down immediately, and she grinned. "Don't eat too quick, now. You'll make yourself sick."
"Mphmmph."
"Just try and savor it, okay?" She took a bite of her own sandwich, then studied the boy sitting next to her. "You know, you're pretty fast. Ever think about being a ninja?"
He scowled. "I want to be, but I don't have the money. I'd have to pay for schooling, food, and lodging, since I don't live anywhere, and I don't want to go back to an orphanage."
"Hmm. Scout around for an apartment, yet?"
"I found one dirt cheap, but I can't even afford that with no money."
"Yeah? What's its rent?"
"Two hundred ryo, per month. School's four hundred ryo per year."
Only that? she marveled. "All right. And with food, four thousand two hundred ryo for a whole year." She dug a hand into a pocket of her loose pants and withdrew a wallet. Counting out the notes, she nodded to herself. "Okay. Here, I'll leave you a little extra so you can clean the place and get a bed and clothes, at least."
Taiki's eyes boggled. "Nani? I can't take that!" He jumped up, and she was glad he had finished his sandwich already.
The girl rolled her eyes, still holding out the wallet. "Look, I've got plenty more in the bank. It's just me, and my sensei left me a lot. Go on, take it. It's fine."
Cautiously, disbelievingly, he reached out and accepted it into his hands. "Why?" he choked out.
She smiled. "Because I want to. Because I care. Look, you're limited to two hundred per month for food. When I come back next year, I'll bring you more so you can keep going."
Taiki was trying his hardest to not let her see him cry, and she pretended she didn't notice the tear that made its way past his defenses. "Arigato. Arigato."
The Hufflepuff nodded, beaming. "You're welcome, Taiki. You can repay me by working your hardest and shining that great radiance you're named for. I expect you to be able to tell me good things when I return."
"When are you coming back?"
"This month, next year. Hey, wanna help me finish my shopping?"
"Sure!" Taiki stuffed the wallet in one of the pockets of his trousers and zipped the pocket closed. Running a little ways, he stopped and turned back to her. "Ne, what's your name?"
"My name?" She grinned, stepping up to him and ruffling his scraggly, sand colored locks.
"My name is Hikari."
A/N: Please don't give up on me! It gets better . . . This was just the chapter introducing Hikari and Taiki.
Japanese--English translations: (In order of appearance)
(These are from using my translator widget and a romaji converter, so some may not be accurate. Feel free to correct me, and it would be very much appreciated.)
Ryokousha--Traveller
Hai--Yes
Arigato gozaimasu--Thank you (implies a greater degree)
Baka--Idiot/fool
Orokamono--Fool
Iie--No
Nani--What
Arigato--Thank you
Ne--Say (As in, "Say, what about . . .")
From BehindTheName-dot-com:
Hikari--Light
Taiki---Tai--large/great---ki--radiance/shine