A/N: So there is a lot of different types of dialogue that go on in this story. So, just to let everyone know what's what so they don't get confused here is what the different types of dialogue are.

When Akemi is in Japan -

"This is normal conversation spoken in Japanese."

'This is conversation spoken in English.'

This is conversation between Akemi and Inuyasha through their minds.

"This is Inuyasha talking through Akemi's body, or Akemi talking through Inuyasha's"

"This is Inuyasha and Akemi speaking to each other in an ancient inu youkai dialect, to others it simply sounds like barking and growling."

More to explain that second to last one, when they are connected, they can sometimes control the other persons speech so they can talk to people who they aren't actually around.

When Akemi is in England-

"This is normal conversation spoken in English."

'This is conversation in Japanese'

This is still mental conversation between Akemi and Inuyasha.

"This is still Inuyasha and Akemi talking through the other's body."

One more important thing. Koga is Prince of the Eastern Lands. He was the only hire that his parents have. They fear that since he doesn't have any Taiyoukai markings he will be on the receiving end of a lot of challenges. The markings of a Taiyoukai show strength, the less markings, the weaker they are considered, even if it's not the case.

Playing With Magic

Chapter 2: Ookami Prince of the Eastern Lands

Fourteen year old Akemi pulled herself out of the well and into Sengoku Jidai. The weight of her katana at her hip gave her a feeling of calmness as she pushed her way down the path to Edo village. Her billowing sleeves and leggings fluttered in the breeze. She knocked softly on the side of Kaede's hut and entered to find her friends waiting for her.

"Akemi-chan," Kagome called affectionately.

"Ne, Kagome-chan," she smiled and sat in her normal spot, "did you all come to wait for my return this summer?"

"Of course, we wouldn't leave you to walk alone though the forests," Inuyasha's voice crudely cut in.

Akemi jumped and turned to look at him. His eyes were slightly shallow, and the seemed to have lost some of their usual glow. She had felt the same way. During the last nine or so month she had found it increasingly more difficult to sleep and often couldn't sleep at all. She wasn't sure she liked how much her soul was depending on Inuyasha.

"Arigato," she bowed gently from her seated position.

"We heard a rumour about a shard, it's not to far from here," Miroku told her.

"So we thought we could head there today," Sango smiled brightly.

"That sounds good," Akemi nodded, already jumping back into the swing of things here in this time.

-x-

Battle sounds rang out all around her. Kagura was fighting with Inuyasha, who was banishing his Tetsusaiga at the said wind youkai. Kagome was with Kirara and Shippo on the out skirts of the battle. Sango was badly injured. She had thrown her Hiraikotsu at Kagura and just in time Kanna had appeared and sent her weapon back at her. Miroku stood guard over her prone body.

Akemi herself wasn't fairing to well. She had several deep gashes all along her legs and arms where claws and teeth had gotten to her flesh and a shallow cut was at the base of her neck where Kohaku had tried to decapitate her before running away. Another set of fangs sunk into her thigh, gritting her teeth she held the scream back. Rushing to Sango and Miroku she threw up a shield and laid down on the ground gasping for air.

Moments later, Inuyasha, Kagome, Kirara and Shippo joined them in the good sized blue dome. Inuyasha dropped beside her and brushed some of her hair from her face, worriedly looking her over. In the past two weeks, the two had decided to not part from each other. Their souls had cried in happiness and now they felt comfortable with each other. They had explained to the group what they were feeling and they all understood that they saw each other as brother and sister even if they really didn't know who the other was.

"Are you alright," Inuyasha asked.

"I'm okay," she laboured breath made it hard to reply.

"What are we going to do," Kagome asked, fear coating her.

Miroku was wearing down, tired and he had ingested some miasma when he hadn't noticed Naraku's insects before he had opened his kazaana. Kagome had ran out of arrows almost as soon as the battle had begun. Inuyasha looked like something the cat dragged in. His kimono was covered in rips and tears and stained with his blood. Akemi wasn't looking any better and her ningen nature was making her dizzy with blood loss.

"It's hopeless," Miroku sat down hard.

It was a shock to hear the normally cool minded monk give up so quickly, but even to everyone, it truly seemed helpless. Akemi was struggling to stay awake, her body trying to submit to the exhaustion it felt. The dome flickered for a second before snapping back into place.

"What about that magic," Shippo asked suddenly, "the one you can do with Inuyasha."

Inuyasha stared down at the red hair girl, barely fourteen years old, laying almost motionless on the ground. If they didn't do something, they could all possibly die and they were all impossibly young.

"How does it work," Inuyasha asked her.

"The actions of the spell aren't complicated, it's the accepting of the link that will drain the most power," she told him, "if we are going to do this, I at least need to be sitting up."

Kagome moved behind her, helping her into a sitting position and allowed her to lay against her chest. Akemi motioned for Inuyasha to kneel in front of her to which he complied.

"Hold out your left hand," she said, he didn't even hesitate, "now I need you to cut the palm of your hand with your nail. A good amount of blood is needed."

He stared at her, watching her eyes. The other's held their breath, watching on in interest. He slit the palm of his hand straight down the middle and a good size ball of blood pooled to the surface before the wound closed. Akemi held his hand in both of hers, mindful of the blood. She leaned down and gently submerged her lips in the red liquid, letting it coat them before she licked the remaining blood into her mouth. She heard the disgusted sounds of the ningens in the group. Shippo and Inuyasha simply remained neutral.

She looked up and their eyes connected. The red of his ki flared up and clashed with the blue of hers. Their eyes flashed, his blue and hers red before the ki died down and subsided into their bodies. Both of them took a sharp intake of breath. Their minds were connected and they could hear each other's thoughts. See all of their memories.

His life slid before her eyes like a movie as hers did the same for him. They understood each other instantly and their souls cried out in absolute ecstasy at being complete. Their wounds healed, the only sign of battle was the rips and stains left on their grabs. She stood then, the world seemed to come alive. Colours brighter and more vibrant, smells snapping to the fore front of her mind.

She could smell everything. From the river that wasn't even close to the battle field to the grass beneath her feet. Inuyasha gave her a short nod, letting her know that they would be going out to fight now. Leaving the barrier in place the two emerged. Both slid their swords free from the confines of their sheaths, the sling of metal run g through the area.

Kagome watched in awe as the two bounced everywhere. Akemi was jumping, kicking, hitting, and swinging her sword in a way that seemed more like Sesshomaru then Inuyasha, but the curses that flew from her mouth obviously was an influence of the hanyou. Inuyasha was stealthier, he was quieter and had an easier time sneaking after his prey.

Akemi's appearance didn't change, just her powers. Her katana sliced clean through a youkai's neck and it's body fell to the ground. Jumping again she attacked easily, punching the nearest thing to her in what was thought might be it's head. She landed and spun on her heel, kicking something in it's jaw, the loud snap that followed made her flinch. A gasp escaped her lips as something bit down on her shoulder.

Stabbing it through the eye with her katana, it dropped from her body and she noticed the wound was gone. Shrugging it off, she continued to fight, till not a single youkai was left. Kagura and Kanna had already fled early on, afraid of possible death. Her sword slid back into it's sheath and she turned around to find Inuyasha right next to her.

"Did this happen to you," he tugging down his haori to expose his right shoulder.

Two very large puncture wounds were weeping just below his collar bone. She waved her hand over the wound and the healing started to speed up.

"I'm sorry," she gestured to it, "I forgot that any injury I get will transfer to you. I don't know a spell to heal it completely, but that will speed up the process."

Tell me, his voice echoed easy in her mind, why does it feel like we are meant to stay this way?

You mean, meant to keep the link open, she asked.

I know you, completely. Your memories just seem to fit so well with mine.

As yours does with mine, she nodded, but I'm not sure what long term exposure would do. We must sever the link until we need it again.

Inuyasha huffed when he felt the mental door between them suddenly closed.

"Sis, does it become easier to open the door," Inuyasha asked steering her over to the group.

"Why did Inuyasha call her sis," Shippo asked.

"I think," Miroku whispered to them, "that the closeness in their souls made them feel fondly for each other, but they aren't in love with each other so the most endearing fondness they can have is that of siblings."

"Honestly," Akemi sat down heavily her body feeling completely weighted down without his strength, "I'm not even sure. It might be, but then again it might take the same amount of time again."

"I couldn't call on your miko powers like you said I could."

"Because my powers are almost completely exhausted from over use."

"Then we should open the link before the start of the fight if possible."

"Brother, we should talk to Kaede about this first, there could be repercussions by using this type of magic," Akemi told him, "after all it's dark magic that I shouldn't even be playing with."

He squatted next to her prone body, "it feels right."

"I know," she gripped his hand, "but we at least need to talk about this first."

"What's there to talk about?"

"Inuyasha, please. We are talking about our lives here."

"Sorry Sis," he sighed.

"What happened to Inuyasha," Shippo jumped onto his shoulder and touched his forehead.

"It has to be that they know each other so well now," Miroku started.

"That they are more comfortable with each other then they have ever been to anyone in their lives," Sango shrugged, "I mean how can they not be when their souls touched."

"Are they related now," Shippo asked.

"You know, we are sitting right here," Inuyasha snarled and popped Shippo on his head.

"Then what are you two now," the small kit bounced away rubbing his head.

"Pack," Inuyasha told them.

"Miroku was right, siblings," Akemi sighed and allowed her eyes to close and unconsciousness unfolded it's dark blanket on her.

-x-

They were only a day away from Kaede's village. Akemi gently washed the blood off her body in the warm water of the hot springs. Another battle had occurred and once again the bond had been used to finish the fight. It had only been their second time at using it and it was getting easier to pull the door of the link open, but harder to close. It worried her.

"Akemi-chan," Kagome stripped and slid into the water with her, "is something wrong?"

Sango joined them quickly followed by Shippo. He jumped into the water splashing the three laughing females.

"Ano... I'm worried is all," she shrugged, "brother tells me I shouldn't worry so much, but we are messing with a dark magic that no one should touch."

"At least you are worried about it and going to seek Kaede's help," Sango told her.

"Brother is right though," she told them rubbing her arms, "when the link is open it feels right. Like my soul is finally complete."

"It's almost unheard of to have a soul split," Sango looked curiously at her, "it's even more unheard of for the souls to be sibling souls instead of soul mates."

"So it has been heard of," Akemi shifted.

"I've only heard of a few. But, it's so very rare. All it means as that when Inuyasha was born that part of his soul was given to you and vice versa."

"That's a relief."

"You never said," Kagome cut in, "what you saw when the two of you opened the link."

"I saw everything he has ever seen. I know every memory and every feeling he has ever had. It's odd, but the memories just fit so well in my mind."

"And he saw yours right?"

"Yeah, he said the same thing."

Shippo swam up to Kagome and tapped her cheek, "you haven't told Akemi about Koga yet."

"Oh he is right," Sango laughed, "if he shows up it will be kind of a surprise to her."

"Who is Koga," Akemi moved closer to Kagome, a wicked smile on her face.

"Well, we met him almost as soon as you went home," She started, "he kind of kidnapped me and tried to use me to see a shard."

"Why does it sound like it didn't bother you?"

Kagome laughed, "well it did at first. After all he was a human eating ookami and I was worried they would eat me. But, he was actually very kind, in his own rough weird way. He even told me he loved me, but since then he has more or less gotten over his feelings for me, but he still likes to challenge Inuyasha by calling me his woman."

"Did he stop eating humans?"

"Yeah he did," she nodded, "he will more likely then not show up one of these days."

Akemi stood from the water, drying and dressing. The silk felt great on her skin and she loved the beautiful dark green of her hakama. She twirled once before walking off to the camp. Inuyasha greeted her, wrapping her in a hug before allowing her to sit at the fire. The more they connected through the link, the more they felt the need to have contact physically.

"That colour suits you," Miroku told her, sliding closer to her.

She flashed him a smile, "arigato, Miroku-sama."

His hand started on her upper back and slowly slipped down to her bottom groping her. She laughed and shook her head, gently taking his hand and setting it back in his lap.

"Did you just grope her again, you lecher," Inuyasha snarled.

"Your sister doesn't seem to mind," said man shrugged.

"Brother, it's fine," she waved it off, "I don't mind, really."

"Don't let the girls know," he shook his head.

"Let us know what," Kagome asked sitting down on the other side of the fire.

"That Miroku is being a lecher again," Inuyasha snickered.

"Inuyasha," both Miroku and Akemi cried out.

Akemi tossed a rock and hit him in the middle of his forehead. He rubbed the reddening spot and scowled at her.

"Miroku," Sango huffed sitting next to Kagome.

"He means well," Akemi stood up for him, "I'm not upset. Actually, I'm flattered."

"Ano.. Akemi-chan," Kagome sighed, "do you not have enough guys back home chasing after you?"

"None actually," she shrugged, "what reason would they have?"

Miroku looked at her like she had just smacked him, "are you kidding me? You are gorgeous!"

"Did you hit your head," she asked checking said body part with her finger tips.

He stilled her hands and stared her straight in the eyes, purple clashing with blue, "what makes you think you aren't?"

"There isn't anything special about me," she waved it off, "most of the kids in my school think I'm a freak . After all, I'm muggle born and everything. I have unnatural hair and eye colouring. And unless I'm wearing my Quidditch outfit, my curves are hidden."

"Yes, you are beautiful on the outside, but the inside as well."

She blushed and smiled, "I'm glad you think so."

"Sis," Inuyasha brought her eyes to his, "you only feel this way because of that blonde haired boy you spend time with."

"Who," Kagome asked suddenly.

"Who ever he is, he acts just like my half-brother," Inuyasha snarled, "without the killing."

"His name is Draco Malfoy," Akemi said, "he isn't as bad as brother makes him out to be. He is rude and very cold on the outside, but he is kind when you get to know him."

"The last thing he said to you was 'you dirty little mudblood, how dare you talk to me like you know who I am.'"

Tears filled her eyes and her shoulders hunched over, "he didn't mean it."

"Of course he did," Inuyasha snapped.

"Stop it," Sango yelled, "you are hurting her."

"What's a mudblood," Shippo crawled into her lap.

Akemi let out a sob and clutched the small boy to her chest, "it means I'm not born from magical parents. It's a demeaning term."

"It means she is like me, a freak of nature and everyone hates her for it," Inuyasha cut in.

"It means I have dirty, tainted blood."

"But you don't," Shippo cried out.

"He didn't mean it," she sobbed again.

"Akemi, you can't tell me you like him," Sango gasped.

"No, no, not him. I like Blaise though," she said thoughtfully, "but Malfoy... he... ano... he is a friend and his thoughts matter to me."

"He is not good enough to be your friend," Kagome told her easily.

"I know."

-x-

Kaede sat silently, mulling over the information the group had told her. Akemi explained what her soul felt, and Inuyasha reluctantly followed suit. They talked about the mental door that allowed not only their minds to mingle but their souls as well.

"It would seem that ye and Inuyasha's soul is broken and split between ye," she said thoughtfully.

"Kaede-sama," Akemi rubbed her bruised shoulder, "what does that mean?"

"It means that ye have half of ye soul and half of Inuyasha's soul, as he in turn has half of ye's."

"What will happen if they continue to use the magic," Kagome asked.

"It is possible that ye soul will right itself, but ye will always have a connection to Inuyasha," Kaede told Akemi, "but in doing so ye might become a hanyou or full youkai."

"Is there anything else that might go wrong?"

"Ye could both die, as the link between ye connects the body and the soul."

"So, if I think I might die from the blow shut the link as quick as possible," Akemi asked.

"Hai. Same for ye Inuyasha."

"As if I would let sis die," he huffed.

"Inuyasha, we need to talk about this," Akemi stood and walked out the door.

He followed closely behind, his hand cupped in hers as they walked into the forest. He sat down under a tree and pulled her down on his lap. Her back pressed against his chest and their souls quelled. She sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder and their hands cupped together in her lap.

"Are you scared," he felt the fear tickling his nose.

"Not for me," she told him truthfully, "my heart, mind and soul tell me that you are my brother, that I should do anything in my power to protect you."

"Don't be afraid for me."

"Inuyasha, why do you treat Kagome the way you do? Are you scared to love her? You know as well as I do that Kagome isn't Kikyo and that is why you love her. Because she is Kagome. So why do you feel like fighting against it?"

"She deserves so much better then me."

"No, she deserves what she wants, and she wants you."

"Sis, I didn't come here to talk about my choices I have to make."

"I know," she sighed slumping slightly forward, "I have to admit, becoming a hanyou or full youkai scares me just a little. I've always been ningen. But, when we are connected and I can feel your powers flowing through me, it feels like I'm finally breathing for the first time. Like life is new, beautiful, and perfect, just the way it's suppose to be."

"Then we will continue to use the link," he asked.

"Inuyasha, if we continue, it could possibly mean that you could never become a full youkai," she told him seriously, "but you might not have to worry about your youkai blood taking over and killing your ningen soul."

"You accept me this way," he told her seriously, "you accept me just the way I am. So does Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and even Kaede. I have friends for once in my life, and they love me how I am."

"You are maturing."

"You matured too quickly."

Akemi laughed, and snuggled into him, nuzzling his neck in an effort to comfort each other. His hands tightened in her's. He was scared for her. It was a big choice to make.

"What will happen if I become a youkai or hanyou? Would I even be able to go home," she asked, sighing sadly.

"We will do what we can," Inuyasha squeezed her tightly.

-x-

Inuyasha snarled as a blade pressed through his stomach. He grunted under the strain and turned to see Akemi fairing quiet well against a tiger youkai. He turned himself back to his fight, he didn't need to check on his other friends, the sounds of their fighting coming from his far right.

Akemi stumbled, the fangs of the youkai piercing her right side. Blood pooled and then poured down staining her pink hakamas with its dark crimson colour. If only she could get to Inuyasha and get the link open. She side stepped another attack and ran right into another. She cried out as claws scratched raggedly across her abdomen. She stumbled and fell to her knees, closing her eyes waiting for the finishing blow.

When it never came she opened her eyes to find the tiger dead and a man standing there. His black hair was pulled into a high pony tail and a furry brown headband kept his bangs out of his face. He wore a pelt around his waist, made from the same brown fur, it was also around his legs, forearms and shoulders. His tail swished lazily side to side. The black and grey metal of the armer on his chest shined softly in the sun. The sword at his hip looked underused.

He moved then, turning his beautiful azure eyes to her. His face caught her in a trance. He was so handsome. His high cheek bones,pointed ears and nose and his thin lips were pulled into a grin allowing a fang to peak over the bottom lip. He held out his hand to her. She took it without a moments hesitation. As she was righted onto her feet, two more wolves, came into the clearing. One had light grey hair with a patch of dark grey where his bangs were, his eyes were the same colour as his hair and the other had blonde hair that was pulled into a mohawk, his eyes a soft brown.

"What's going on here," the black haired ookami's husky voice filled the air.

"Oh," Akemi snapped out of her daze and quickly picked up her katana.

She turned around just in time to see Kagura get ready to strike Inuyasha who looked on the verge of passing out. A flare of blue encased the sword and she threw it, narrowly missing Kagura. The wind youkai took off in a seconds notice as Akemi raced to help Inuyasha.

"Brother," she slammed to her knees in front of him, supporting his weight.

"Sis," he grunted, "are you alright?"

"You are worried about me at a time like this," she laughed placing up her normal barrier.

"I can survive."

"I bet you can," she told him rolling her eyes.

She pressed her hands to his body, murmuring spells under her breath to help him heal. The other's quickly dispatched the remaining youkai before approaching the two.

"What do you want flea-bag," Inuyasha snarled.

"Shut up mutt face," the ookami snapped back.

"Ano... Inuyasha, this youkai just saved my life," she told him, helping him sit up on his own.

"Damn it," he grunted under the strain, "I have to go after them."

"You can't be serious Inuyasha," Kagome shook her head.

"We can't just let them go," he growled.

"Akemi-sama," Miroku approached the girl, "are you alright?"

"Just a bit dizzy," she told him as he helped her stand.

"What did this," he asked pointing to the extremely deep wounds on her side and stomach.

"It," she gulped, "was a tiger."

"She is poisoned," Miroku helped her away from Inuyasha and laid her down on his lap.

His hands worked quickly trying to soak up the white bubbling poison that was festering in the wound. The gauze didn't seem to be helping and he was growing desperate. Her forehead shined with sweat and her face flushed in fever.

"What do we do," Sango asked franticly.

"Herbs, we need lots of herbs but they don't grow around this part."

'Kagome-chan,' Akemi muttered weakly, 'my backpack. The purple vial.'

'Purple,' Kagome repeated to herself as she searched through the pack.

She cried out in excitement when she pulled a vial full of purple liquid free from the bag. Quickly she pulled the cork that held the contents in and helped Akemi swallow it.

'You aren't going to like this,' the weakened girl told her, 'it's a very painful process.'

Just as the words left her mouth a scream tore from her throat and her body began to shake uncontrollably.

"What the hell did you do to her, Kagome," Inuyasha screamed rushing over to the convulsing girl.

"She told me too."

"Is that what she said," Sango asked curiously.

"Sometimes in stress she reverts to speaking in English," Kagome nodded, "but she told me the purple vial and warned me that it would hurt her."

Akemi finally stopped moving and Shippo pointed out that the white poison was now gushing along with some blood from the wound.

"I have never had to use that before," Akemi admitted as she sat up startling everyone.

"What was it," Sango inquired.

"It's just something that forces the poison from the system," she shrugged, "I didn't realize when they said it was painful that it would be that painful."

Inuyasha growled, "I don't want to do this, but I need to go find that shard. Think you can protect her ookami?"

"I protected her the first time," Koga hissed.

"Just go," Akemi waved him off, "Go brother. Can you find my katana?"

He nodded taking off with the other's following behind on Kirara.

"You can't really be related to Inuyasha, can you," Ginta asked.

"No, I'm not actually related to him," she grunted as she pulled herself up.

"You shouldn't be standing," Hakkaku told her.

"I have to admit I'm a bit nervous that they left me in the care of three youkai I've never met before."

"I'm Ginta and that is Hakkaku," he told her pointing to the white haired man.

"So you must be Koga," Akemi smiled brightly at him.

"Hai," he nodded, watching her as she began limping into the trees.

The three followed her curiously, until they came to a river and she sank down into the icy waters. A ribbon of blood and poison slowly flowed down stream.

"Kagome-chan has spoken so often about you three," she laughed before clutching her stomach in agony, "she was almost afraid I wouldn't meet you while I was here."

"Are you leaving soon," Koga asked sitting next to the bank.

"Yeah, actually we are on our way back to Kaede's village. I come from the same village as Kagome," she told him leaning back, her head landing in his lap unexpectedly, "oops, gomen."

He stopped her from sitting up before saying, "why have I not seen you before?"

"Actually, I only come here for three moon cycles, then I go back home for nine. I was hear twelve moon cycles ago. Kagome said she met you right after I returned home last."

"You are a miko, aren't you," Ginta asked sitting next to Koga to get a better view of her.

"Hai, I am," she closed her eyes.

"What makes you call the hanyou brother," Hakkaku inquired.

"Because he is like the brother I never had," she whispered, "I've always been an only child and Inuyasha... ano... he just... he..."

"Ne," Koga tapped her cheek, "miko."

After no response he pulled her body from the river and laid it on the bank. Her lips were blue but the flush on her face told them she still had a high fever. Ginta ran back and grabbed her backpack and returned with all her things. Carefully the three men removed her ruined and wet clothes, leaving her underwear as they couldn't understand the contraptions.

They carefully bandaged the wounds on her stomach before placing her in another miko garb. The blood red hakamas were a perfect choice just in case the clotted injuries opened again. They pulled out a blanket from Kagome's pack and laid it gently over her. Inuyasha would kill Koga if Akemi died in his care and the ookami knew it.

She was beautiful for a ningen. He had never seen such crystal clear eyes and dark flame coloured hair. Her skin was pale, so pale that he could see every vein. Her eyes had dark bags under them and her face was contorted in a grimace of pain. He hadn't even really looked at her. Even when he helped change her clothing, he had been to worried about her health to ogle her like he knew the monk would have.

She groaned, her eyes opening, "I feel horrible."

"You have a fever," Koga told her, gently pushing some stray hair from her forehead.

"My bag," she held her hand out and Hakkaku passed the blue material into it.

She rummaged around before she pulled out a vial with clear liquid inside. Uncorking it she swallowed the horrible tasting liquid, even the ookamis had turned up their nose at the smell.

"What was that," Ginta gagged.

"It will get me over the fever," her face scrunching up in disgust.

"What else do you have in there," Koga asked.

"Just stuff from my home," she told him airily.

"Why do you go home after only three moon cycles," Hakkaku asked suddenly, his thoughts still on her previous words.

"I train for nine moon cycles, to become a better miko."

They sat in silence, waiting for the group to return. Akemi watched the three ookami. Kagome had done them no justice when she had described their appearances to her. They were all very handsome in their own way. She, however, wasn't prepared for how quickly she developed a crush on the black haired man beside her. The second she saw him after he saved her, the crush was there. Though, she knew she shouldn't since he did at one point and probably still did like Kagome.

Koga watched her closely, making sure nothing else went wrong before the hanyou got back. He had been watching from the side during the earlier battle. Her movements, her grace had been impeccable for a ningen and he found himself unable to move. His eyes had been glued on her as she spun in wide circles, her hair flowing around her like dark crimson halo.

Her skills and beauty entrapped him. It was odd though, he was more drawn to her then he had been to Kagome. This time, he would take time to get to know the girl next to him. If she came from the same village as Kagome, she must have the same ideals as her too. Maybe, he mused to himself, I wasn't in love with Kagome as I had thought.

"Koga-kun," Akemi called out to him, her voice rough with sleepiness.

"Hai," he jumped, shocked at the new title he had earned.

"Will you visit next time I'm with Kagome-chan," a blush rose to her cheeks.

"I'll do my best," he gave her a heart melting smile.

"Gomen," she murmured, "that you had to meet me while I'm injured."

Her eyes slid closed and her breathing evened out. The pain from the wound and the medicine combined to help sleep take her into the world of dreams.

-x-

Inuyasha held Akemi bridal style as he jumped into the well. Even after using the potion to rid herself of the poison, no amount of spells, or herbs seemed to be healing the wounds. She gingerly touched her stomach through the fabric of her shirt and bandages. There were three long gashes going from her left side to her right, all the way across. Two were above her naval and one below. And on her right side there was one very deep puncture wound right in between her hip and rib bones.

"Will you be okay," he asked her concerned.

"I'll survive Inuyasha," she nodded, "I stayed as long as I could, but the train leaves today so I have to get to the portkey station and get back to England before I miss the train."

"I'll take you there, where is it?"

Akemi riddled off the directions as Inuyasha jumped from building to building. He landed softly in front of the Portkey Station. He hugged her gently before setting her carefully on her own two feet. She waved as she walked in.

"How can we help you," the woman asked eyeing Akemi's miko outfit.

"I need a portkey to Kings Cross Station," she told her evenly, handing her a few gallons.

The woman walked around the counter and returned handing Akemi a bent tin can. Her fingers circled the can and the normal tug pulled her through.

-x-

She stumbled a couple steps, hissing as she held her side. That was never fun and doing it injured hurt even worse. The platform was almost empty when she arrived and she quickly scoured the train for her friends.

She opened the door and received two warm greetings and a smirk. Taking her customary seat next to Blaise she smiled politely back at them.

"What took you so long," Draco drawled in his British accent.

Coping him she replied, "I'm fashionably late."

Ginny and Blaise laughed as Draco glared at Akemi.

"Sorry," she shrugged, "I was caught up a bit with my friends."

"So, what's new," Ginny asked.

"I finally met Koga-kun who is a friend of Kagome-chan's. He was very kind, but I feel bad though, he had to help me after I caught the flu because everyone else was busy."

"You mean you actually get sick," Blaise asked, wonder filling his voice.

Akemi lightly smacked his arm, "of course I do."

"It's just," he paused for a second, "we have been friends since first year and it's already going on fourth year and I've never seen you sick."

"Yeah, come to think of it," Ginny nodded, seemingly to herself, "I've never seen you sick either and we have been friends since second year."

"She probably just hides it well," Draco shrugged.

Blaise moved and turned to set his arm behind Akemi, his hand brushing hard on her shoulder causing her to jolt her right side. A loud hiss of pain fell from her lips and she automatically covered the injury with her right hand.

"What's wrong," Blaise asked concerned.

"Why are you wearing those weird clothes," Draco suddenly noticed her appearance.

"Nothing is wrong. I just got a bit hurt during my training this summer," she shrugged of Blaise's question before addressing Draco, "if you must know this is my priestess clothing that I wear while at my family shrine and during my training."

"You got hurt," Ginny gasped.

"Practicing with my katana," she waved it off, "it's nothing."

"Why does it seem like the more you head back to Japan for the summer, the more closed off you become," Draco asked, eyeing her.

"Maybe because, I like to have some secrets too you know," she glared at him.

"What kind of secrets would you need to keep," he scowled at her.

"Malfoy," she growled, "if you say anything about my blood I will hex you right out of your chair."

All three of her friends stared at her in shock. She had always been sarcastic, and sometimes if she wanted to be she could be rude. But, she had never directly threatened anyone.

"Kagome-chan is right. Brother's attitude is rubbing off on me," she rubbed her temples, "but I'm sick of you bringing up the fact that I'm muggle born, Malfoy. It's getting old."

"Who is 'brother'," Ginny tried to steer the conversation away from her friends heritage.

"You remember how I told you about Inuyasha? I call him brother and he refers to me as sis."

"Aw," she smiled, "you guys must be getting close."

The rest of the ride was spent talking about summer. Ginny always had the best stories and Akemi was sitting on the edge of her seat, laughing and clutching her side in pain. She loved all her friends, being home felt nice, but she really did miss everyone in Japan. A blush rose to her cheeks when she thought about Koga and the smile he had on his face when he told her he would visit.

Blaise stole always her attention. Her crush on the dark skin boy she realized was nothing compared to the one she had on the dark haired ookami. Pushing the youkai from her mind she focused on the obsidian eyes of the one speaking to her. For the next nine months she was going to do her best to push Sengoku Jidai from her mind and enjoy spending time with her friends here.