Playing With Magic
Chapter 3: Too Close To Death
Akemi yawned as she threw back her blankets. The cold air hit her bare arms and legs making her shiver. Slowly she slid from the bed and slipped her feet into a fuzzy pair of silver slippers. Padding over to the enchanted window she looked out to see the grounds. The ship that Durmstrang had arrived in still floated on the lakes surface and the flying horses that had brought Beauxbaton grazed the grass at the edge of the forbidden forest.
The Triwizard Tournament was soon. She didn't know if she was lucky to be under-age or not. There was a part of her that wished she could participate. She had seen more dangers in Sengoku Jidai then they could throw at her here, she was sure of that. Letting out a sigh she made her way into the bathroom.
Her shirt fell to the floor and she grazed at the still unhealed marks on her stomach. The gouges across her abdomen were only an inch deep now and the puncture wound was now only a small indent. She had hoped it wouldn't scar to badly, but judging by the reddish pink colour of the skin that had already healed it was going to.
After a quick shower she bandaged her wounds before placing on her uniform. She couldn't afford to accidentally open her wounds and bleed all over her white shirt. She brushed her teeth and hair before flaunting up the stairs. The common room was almost completely empty besides a couple stragglers. She frowned, Blaise and Draco didn't wait for her this morning.
The trek to the Great Hall wasn't long and she sat herself between her two friends.
'Ohayo,' she greeted enthusiastically.
"We're English, remember," Draco rolled his eyes.
"Oops, sorry, habit," she smiled, "Good morning boys."
"Good morning Akemi, you seem happy today," Blaise returned her jester.
"It's October," she told him, "I'll be fifteen soon."
"Oh right, you are older then us," the dark hair boy laughed.
"Just by a couple months," she shrugged and piled her plate high with food.
"That can't be the only thing making you happy," Draco rolled his grey eyes.
"No, I got a owl last night from Kagome-chan," she smiled.
"What did it say?"
Akemi giggled and blushed before replying, "well, she said that there was a certain blue eyed boy that keeps coming around asking about me and when I will return. It seems I left an impression even though for the day and a half that we talked I was sick and feverish."
Blaise visibly stiffened beside her. He didn't say anything but the way he started stabbing at his breakfast, Akemi knew she said something to upset him.
"Who is this boy," Draco asked her.
"Koga-kun," she told him, "remember I talked about him on the train."
"Yeah I remember. Who is he any ways?"
"To be honest, all I know is he is of a noble blood line. He isn't magical though, so he isn't aware that I'm a witch."
"You are hanging out with muggles," his eyes narrowed at her.
Akemi twitched, her hand balling into a fist, "I dare you Malfoy. I dare you to say something biting about all my friends in Japan because every single one of them is muggle," her eyes narrowed harshly, "I dare you."
The blonde boy opened his mouth, but quickly shut it when he noticed the look Blaise was giving him. He shook his head and went back to his breakfast.
"I'm suddenly not hungry," Akemi stood and left the Great Hall.
"Bloody hell Draco," Blaise snapped, "must you always upset her!"
"I don't see what it matters, your the one that likes her."
"She thinks of you as a friend and every single time you say something about her blood or her friends, it hurts her feelings and it makes it harder for me. She hates being around you most the time and the only time I get to see her is when you are around! Can't you just be nice for once," the dark skin boy rushed from the hall, anger seeming to seep from his very skin.
-x-
It was crowded in the Great Hall as everyone sat down. Tonight they would find out the three competitors in the Triwizard Tournament. Akemi shifted uncomfortably, it wasn't his fault but Blaise had his elbow pressed into her side and her wound was screaming in agony. She hoped the persistent injury would just hurry up and heal already.
The conversation around her died when Dumbledore appeared and began to talk to them about the Goblet and how it chose the students. She wanted to listen better, but her mind was going fuzzy from the pain.
"Blaise," she whimpered.
"What's wrong Akemi," the boy asked, even as she gained the attention of the blonde next to them.
"Your elbow," she felt tears started to pool in her eyes, "It's hitting my katana injury."
He instantly moved his arm, having no where else to put it he wrapped it around her and laid his hand gently on her hip, "is that better?"
Blinking back the tears of pain she smiled at him, "so much better. Thank you."
"I don't see why you don't just go to the healer and get it fixed," Draco hissed.
"There is nothing she can do about it," Akemi told him for the fifth time.
"Akemi," her eyes widened, Draco hardly ever used her first name.
"Draco, I promise, it's okay."
He huffed but stopped pestering her. Blaise smiled and shifted closer to Akemi. She leaned against him and returned her attention just in time to see the goblet begin changing to a blue flame. A chard piece of parchment shot into the air to gently float into Dumbledore's hand.
"From Beauxbaton, Fleur Delacour," he called out.
A beautiful blonde haired girl stood and strode into the room to wait for further instructions. The goblet turned blue a second time, another parchment piece.
"From Durmstrang, Victor Krum."
The tall famous Quidditch player followed the way the blonde before him had. This time when the goblet turned blue two pieces of parchment flew into the air.
"Akemi Ito," he paused, "Harry Potter."
The whole school was in an up roar. Yells and screams from all around and Akemi was sitting completely still staring off into space. That couldn't be. There was no way. She was too young! She wasn't even fifteen! She began to shake, but stood and followed Potter into the room. Not even a few seconds after they had arrived all the teachers poured in and began to question them.
It felt like forever before they finally calmed down enough to talk.
"Ito, did you put your name in the goblet," Dumbledore's eyes were hard.
"No," she told him, "no I am too young for this. I'm just barely fifteen!"
"What about you Harry?"
"No," he shook his head, "I don't even want to participate!"
"How else would their names get there? We can't have two participants for Hogwarts!"
"They are much too young!"
Barty Crouch shook his head, "it's no use. They are magically bound to complete the tournament."
Akemi hung her head and allowed her tears to fall. No one would believe her she didn't do it. She was a Slytherin after all and all they did was lie. It wasn't fair, what did she do to anger whoever placed her name in the stupid goblet. She felt a hand on her shoulder and glanced into emerald eyes that were hidden behind black framed glasses.
While she had never done anything rude to Potter and she usually always steered the boys away from taunting him, they never said more then two words to each other. She was a Slytherin and couldn't be trusted in the eyes of his house, besides Ginny Weasley. A small sob escaped her lips and the messy haired boy wrapped her in a tight hug that she returned in kind. He was showing her empathy, knowing how scared and upset she was about having her name put in there without her say so.
He rubbed small circles on her upper back, "we will make it through this."
She clutched his robes in her hands, "no one will ever believe me that I didn't do this."
"I believe you."
"Thank you."
He held her until her tears stopped and walked with her to the main hall way. They shared a glance before parting to their houses. Who would have thought that she, a slimy no good Slytherin, would have spent over an hour crying her heart out in the arms of him, a goody two shoes Gryffindor. She didn't care what house he was in. He was a very kind hearted boy, she hoped she could maybe befriend.
-x-
Whispers followed her everywhere. No one believed the Slytherin girl that it was not her doing to place her name in the cup. She could hear the teasing, the snickering and the cruel remarks from people she had never even met. Blaise and Potter were the only two people even speaking to her. Ginny and Draco had completely shut her out from that night forward.
Today was the first task and from what Potter had told her, it was going to be dragons. She shivered at the thought of a large creature attacking her. It wasn't like she hadn't faced a dragon before, but a youkai dragon could be killed with her priestess powers while an ordinary dragon could not. After a hot shower and getting ready she looked herself over in the mirror.
Bags hung unpleasantly under her dull blue eyes. She hadn't been sleeping lately, her wounds had reopened the other day. It wasn't like she knew that crying so hard would rip open the wounds. The puncture wound thankfully was finally gone, since the only part of the injury that had poison in it came from the claws. The inch deep gouges were painful and weepy after being reopened.
Sighing she left the bathroom no longer wanting to look at her overly pale skin. Eating was even harder then sleeping. She hated having to face so many people who were spreading rumours about her just to eat so she had started going down to the kitchens at night instead. Every night, Potter was there too. It was odd how easy it was to talk to him. She had always thought that he believed her to be the enemy. Obviously he didn't, as he told her so many things about himself.
She made it to the tent on the outside of the Quidditch pitch. The other three competitors walked around, talking and getting ready for their challenge. She shivered again when she thought about the danger ahead. People had died during the Triwizard Tournament before. Her fear increased when she realized just how far away from Inuyasha she was. She missed her brother and friends so desperately she often thought about just leaving school to return to Japan.
Potter approached her with a friendly smile on his face, "good luck."
She smiled softly at him, "you too."
He nervously shifted feet before he moved forward and engulfed her in a hug. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and returned the gesture.
"Thank you, Harry," she whispered into his ear, "for believing in me."
"I should be thanking you," he told her seriously as he pulled away from her, "you have been amazing to me even when I have been horrible to you."
"We all do things we regret," she smiled, "besides, you comforted me when no one else would. I figured you can't be all that bad," she winked at him.
They shared a laugh before moving over to find out what dragons they had. Fleur Delacour got the Common Welsh Green. Victor Krum got the Norwegian Ridgeback. Harry got the Hungarian Horntail. Akemi almost cursed her luck when she drew the Chinese Fireball. She would get the dragon that tended to use fire for every move. She sighed, burns were never that fun to deal with and she was already injured.
She sat nervously next to Harry as they listened in to the other two competitors during their turn with their dragon. Both came out okay and Akemi was completely shaking by the time her name was called. Her footsteps echoed eerily along the cave walls as she walked toward the opening. A shout that sounded like good luck came from behind her.
Using her powers she completely hid her scent and sound. Jumping down she rolled to keep from hurting her legs. Popping into a stand she hid behind a rock, looking around for the dragon that was sure to be there. The red scales of it's body stuck out like a sore thumb, flying around above the stage. A chain held it to the ground. All she had to do was get the egg the dragon was guarding.
Moving as quickly as her protesting stomach would allow she slid from rock to rock. The damn dragon wasn't taking it's eye off the egg. Every now and again it shot fire to heat up the egg, the metal would be scolding hot to the touch. She let out a groan about her luck. She covered her mouth and looked up finding the dragon staring straight at her. It opens it's large jaws and she made a dash for cover. Flames licked at her heels as she slid under a small overhanging.
Cursing under her breath she made another dash for the egg, her hands enclosed around the metal only for her to release it in a cry of pain. Her palms instantly puffed up in a second degree burn. The dragon readied another breath and Akemi did the only thing she could think of. She threw up a barrier. Loud gasps reached her ears as the flames blocked out the surrounding people. Muttering a spell to protect her hands from the heat of the metal she plucked the egg from it's spot.
The flames died down and her barrier went with it. It was a surprise it had even held up against the blast. She turned and raced toward the cave, throwing the egg deep inside the dwelling where she needed to get to win. Claws suddenly snapped beside her and she slipped, her stomach smacked hard against a couple rocks as she rolled down the hill. Her shirt cut open and her wounds splattered blood all over the dirt.
All three of the cuts had tore and were pouring more then generously onto the dry desert like ground. Standing up quickly she made another dash for the cave opening. It blocked her escape once again and she found herself being picked up in it's claws. She struggled only for a moment before she felt one of it's talons sink in and deepen her middle wound.
Tears dripped hotly down her cheeks, it hurt so bad and her vision was beginning to blur. She closed her eyes and forced her miko powers to her skin. The dragon let out a shriek and dropped her. She barely had time to mutter a cushioning spell before she hit the ground and rolled down the hill. To her amazement she rolled right into the cave entrance. Standing she grabbed the egg and ran like the devil was at her heels and back into the tent.
Thee pairs of shocked eyes stared at her before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed on the floor. Blood pooled around her stomach and her hands started to blister. The pain forced her mind into the darkness, running from the it in the only way it knew how.
-x-
Ten voices swam around her. They were arguing. She didn't even know what they were saying, but she could hear the angry tone in more then one voice. Creaking open a blue eye she took in the people around her. Ginny, Draco, Blaise, Harry, Granger, Weasley, Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall stood around her bed. Looking around she realized where she was, the infirmary.
Harry was the first to notice that she had woken as he was sitting on the chair next to her right side. He leaned forward and placed a hand on her gauzed covered one, giving her a smile. Ginny, Draco and Blaise were arguing with Weasley about Ginny's involvement with the Slytherin bunch while Granger tried to calm him down. The teachers were discussing with Madam Pomfrey about her entering the advent already injured.
"How are you feeling," Harry asked her gently concern lacing his words.
"I'm okay," she smiled at him, her voice hoarse, "could I get some water?"
He turned to the cup and pitcher and poured her some. He set the cup down and turned to help her sit up. Harry placed an arm behind her back and pulled her up. She cried out in pain as the muscles in her stomach stretched.
"What are you doing," Madam Pomfrey cried out, rushing over to help them.
"She was thirsty," Harry flushed.
Madam Pomfrey helped him with the task and Akemi happily sipped the cold water that Harry had given her. Everyone around her was quiet watching her. She stared down at the cup, not wanting to meet the hard eyes of her friends and teachers. They would be disappointed in her for not coming to them about her injuries.
"I need to know what happened," Madam Pomfrey told her, "I need to know where those other wounds came from and why I could heal the wounds on your hands but not the ones on your stomach."
"I can't tell you what did it," she said, "I'm sorry. I really can't tell you what happened. But I can tell you I was poisoned and for some reason after the poison was forced from my system, no matter what I did. I couldn't get the wound to close."
"What kind of poison," Dumbledore asked.
"We don't know," she sighed.
"Akemi," Harry drew her attention back to him, "why can't you tell us?"
"It's a secret," she told him, "I honestly can't say. It could do more harm then good. I'll be fine."
"I've stitched it up the best I could," Madam Pomfrey told her, "but they will leave a really bad scar."
Akemi laughed for a second before she gasped holding her stomach, "that's okay."
'Ito,' Dumbledore approached the bed sitting at her feet, 'why didn't you tell anyone that you were injured before?'
'Because I can't tell you how I even got injured and I knew there was no way to heal the wound,' she explained.
"Is it just me or is it weird hearing her talk in Japanese," Blaise asked Ginny who was standing next to him.
"I have to agree. I've barely heard her say anything in Japanese, actually hearing her have a conversation is so different."
'You could have died,' Dumbledore sighed.
'With or without the wound, yes I could have,' she nodded.
'The wound on your stomach is so deep it almost spilt your organs, did you know that?'
'No I didn't know that, but thank you for telling me.'
'Ito, I need to know what is going on.'
'I can tell you and only you. I know we are talking in a different language, but I would rather talk alone.'
'We can arrange that,' he switched back to English and turned to Madam Pomfrey, "how soon do you think before she can leave the hospital wing?"
"I would say she needs at least two weeks of rest before she should be standing," the woman responded.
Akemi rolled her eyes and when no one was looking, she kicked her feet over the side of the bed and stood with a groan. She shook her head, listening to the teachers discuss what needed to be done. She was injured, not dead. She walked passed them gaining their attention.
"Young lady," Madam Pomfrey called to her, "get your butt back in this bed."
"I need to pee," she told her, "I'm not going to be forced into bed rest when I'm perfect fine. I'm telling you I've been through worse, this will heal, but it will heal faster if I keep active."
"If you keep active, it will reopen the wound."
Akemi sighed, "if it will make you feel better, I'll make sure to rub a slave on it every night."
"What kind of slave," the woman narrowed her eyes.
"I make it from herbs that I've picked and dried. It helps heal and dulls the pain without having to take anything orally. It's something I learned to do as a priestess."
"A what?"
"You know, a being that can purify demons?"
"Oh," her jaw dropped, "no wonder you can with stand the pain."
"That probably has more to do with brother then me," she shrugged before heading into the bathroom.
Dumbledore noticed the dumbfounded looks on the students faces and explained what a priestess was. He had just finished by the time Akemi had opened the bathroom door and came out dressed in a crop top and her uniform skirt.
"It hasn't stopped weeping," she pointed to the very bloody bandages.
"Come here," Madam Pomfrey motioned to the bed.
Akemi sat down and helped the nurse remove her bandages. They cleaned the wounds and she scrunched up her nose at the stitches. The nurse moved off to grab more bandages and Akemi began poking at the tender black skin and the tight stitches.
"What are you doing that for," Weasley looked green.
"Just checking the muscles and other tissue," she told him, "it seems the wound held well together. Stupid dragon, it had to grab me in the same spot as the damn tiger."
"Tiger," Blaise blinked.
"What? Oh, tiger," she huffed, "they aren't that friendly are they."
"What are you going on about," Draco snarled.
"Nothing," she waved it off, letting the nurse wrap the gauze around stomach.
The teachers left after a quick reprimanding. Akemi shook her head and stood again walking over to the window.
Ginny walked over to her, "are you sure you are okay?"
Akemi smiled at her, "of course. It doesn't hurt that much."
"Why can't you tell us what happened?"
"No one would believe me," she told her seriously, "sometimes I don't even believe it myself and right now there is too much evidence to state otherwise."
"Akemi," Ginny tried again.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I really really really wish I could tell you, I do, but I swore to Kagome-chan I'd never tell unless she says I can. Plus you would try to stick me in a mental hospital."
"I guess as long as you are okay," the other red head looked down trodden.
She smiled and hugged the Gryffindor before stepping back grimacing, "well that hurt."
"Ginny, get away from her," Weasley hissed.
"Oh hold your pants on Weasley. What could I do in my state," she shook her head.
"You are a no good Slytherin."
"I'm a no good muggle born Slytherin that gets teased on a daily basis because I'm not a pure blood. You know I get called a mudblood at least ten times a day by my house mates. I get pushed around, slammed into walls and hexes sent at me for no reason. I'm just as much an outsider in my own house than I am in yours," she pointed out, "I'm in a lot of pain. I nearly died for the second time in less then three months. I'm really not in the mood to deal with all of this right now. I just want my brother."
"Could he come here," Blaise asked.
"No. I could never ask that of him," she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "just please. Keep the arguing away from me."
"I'm sorry," Harry told her, "I'll take them out of here and let you get some peace."
"I take it you three finally settled things?"
"Yeah," he flashed her a bright smile, "you helped me a lot."
She hugged him, "I'm glad I could do something for you in return."
"I'll see you later," he told her, "just be careful, okay?"
"Of course, Harry. I promise," she waved as he dragged his friends from the room.
"So you befriended The-Boy-Who-Lived," Draco raised an eyebrow.
"He was there for me," Akemi sighed, "when I realized that no one would believe me that I didn't put my name in the goblet. He comforted me as I cried. He was very kind and we have been talking almost every day for the past few weeks. He isn't as bad as you make him out to be Draco."
An unknown emotion flashed through his grey eyes before he wrapped her in a gentle hug, "I'm sorry."
She hesitated in shock before wrapping her arms around him, "thank you."
"We are sorry too," Blaise told her, pulling her into his arms after Draco was done.
"I'm just glad to have my friends back," she returned his affection.
"We should leave them alone," Ginny told Draco, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room.
"They didn't need to do that," Akemi shook her head in amusement.
Blaise pulled back a bit and searched her face. She wasn't sure what he was looking for, but she guessed he found it when he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes slid closed. Their lips moved together in an intimate dance. Her lips opened allowed his tongue entrance to her mouth. She liked the feel, it felt nice to be wrapped up in his arms and the feel of his soft lips on hers.
It was her first kiss, so she wasn't sure how she was suppose to feel. She pulled away from Blaise when the thought of her other crush flashed through her mind. What did Koga have to do with this? She barely knew the man, besides what Kagome told her and what little they could talk about in the journey to the village.
But she couldn't deny that her mind was telling her to give Koga a chance. Even if he was in Sengoku Jidai, he still deserved a chance if he liked her as she liked him. And according to Kagome she was pretty sure he had a crush on her too. She rested her forehead against Blaise's and stared into the his dark eyes.
"I'm sorry," Blaise told her, "that was to forward wasn't it?"
She giggled, "don't be sorry. That was just my first kiss, so I didn't know what I was doing."
His eyes widened, "wow. Um. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be, what do you have to be sorry for?"
"I just figured. I mean your so beautiful and all that you at least have been kissed before."
"Thank you," she smiled.
"You're welcome."
-x-
Today was the second challenge. Her idea of fun was not diving into a cold lake to get something back that had been taken from her. It didn't help her mood any that Ginny was no where to be found. Even Granger and the boy Weasley had gone missing too. Blaise and Draco had been bugging her all day. Akemi wondered when Draco would admit that he liked Ginny, the two would be perfect together.
A twin pair of red heads appeared at her side, "Nervous Ito?"
"Not really," she shrugged.
"Are you healed yet," George asked.
"Almost."
"How will you breathe under water," Fred wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"A simple charm," she told them.
"So, Slyth," George purred into her ear, "what's waiting for you at the bottom."
"Your sister," she shrugged, "at least that's what I'm thinking."
"Damn your good," Fred smirked.
"She is my best friend and she has gone missing today when she promised to be cheering for me."
"Make sense."
"So what are you two boys doing over here," she asked curiously.
"We are here to cheer you on at Ginny's request," they replied together.
Akemi let a happy smile spread across her face before becoming serious. She listened with half an ear about the rules and what they needed to do. The gun went off and she casted a perfect water breathing charm before jumping into the frigid water. She placed a barrier over her wounds, nothing would get in and no water would touch them. They still had a couple weeks left till they fully healed and they still pained her.
She forced herself to keep up with the others, swimming at an even pace. She avoided the seaweed, afraid of the imps she knew would lie inside. It felt like hours before she could make out four bodies chained to the lake bottom. Using her normal wandless magic she cut the ropes that bound Ginny's feet before grabbing the girl.
She waited, watching as Krum rescued Granger. Harry appeared and he smiled at her. She smiled back. He stayed with her, waiting for the blonde haired witch. They exchanged a look when merpeople swam around them, warning them to only take one. An agreement in place, Harry broke the chain holding the youngest Delacour, Akemi grabbed her and high tailed it out of there.
She could see the stands when she heard a struggle behind her. Pushing up the two people she held to the surface she made her way back to Harry. She dodged Weasley who was lifelessly floating to the surface and reached out for Harry's outstretched hand. Both of them cried out a spell and shot out of the lake.
Akemi let out a strangled cry as they dropped back into the cold waters. Everyone helped them out and she started fussing over all the scrapes and deep wounds on Harry's body. A few spells later and he was good as new.
"Thank you, Akemi," he smiled at her.
"You're welcome," she told him before being pulled into Blaise's arms.
"You scared me," he whispered into her ear.
"I'm sorry," she copied his tone.
She had gone to the Yule Ball with him and since then, he started spending more and more time with her. Their kisses had gotten sweeter, but she continued to remind him that she wasn't ready for a relationship. He told her as long as she gave him a chance, he didn't care how long it took to actually start the relationship.
The winners were announced a tie between Harry and Akemi for their brave act of heroism toward each other and the youngest Delacour. The two just laughed it off, it wasn't that big of a deal any ways. Akemi didn't even care about winning, she just wanted to make it through alive.
"Hey," Harry said walking over to the three Slytherin who were in the middle of talking.
"Hey Harry," she turned to him.
"I was wondering, and so were the twins come to think of it, if you would join us in our common room for a celebration," he asked, "of course they can come too."
"I would love too," she laughed, "did they tell you that Ginny asked them to cheer for me? They tried to flake me out."
"Obviously it didn't work," he shook his head, "but you know them."
"Oh yes," she followed him back to the castle.
Blaise and Draco had decided not to go, leaving her the only Slytherin in the red and gold common room. Ginny offered her a change of clothes, which she had been grateful for. She wore a skin tight green t-shirt that allowed the top of her d-cup breasts to peak out of the dipping neckline. Ginny's pants were a bit lose on her, but a quick shrinking spell let them cup her body like a glove.
"Whoa," Ginny gasped, "who knew you had curves!"
They laughed before Akemi responded, "I don't like showing my body. I rather be liked for my smarts and personality."
"I understand that," the red haired girl nodded.
"Hey, Gin."
"Yeah?"
"Do you like Draco?"
She sputtered for a moment, a blush highlighting her cinnamon coloured freckles, "Yes."
Akemi's smile widened, "that's awesome! Are you two going to try having a relationship?"
"He worries, you know? About his father and everyone finding out," she rubbed her thumbs together nervously.
"I wouldn't worry to much about it. You guys are young, so who's to say it will last, right? You should at least give it a shot."
"You'll support us," her blush fading.
"Of course I will!"
A pair of arms flung around her shoulders and squeezed her, "thank you!"
"Think nothing of it. But, Ginny, I'm not all the way healed, your kind of hurting me."
"Oops. Sorry," she pulled away quickly, "what of you and Blaise? I've seen you two kiss a couple times."
"I can't say what will happen there," she shrugged, "I feel bad, but I also have a crush on Koga-kun and I can't just forgo giving him a chance just because Blaise got to me first. I mean, Koga-kun can only see me three months a year, and deserves to at least get some kind of consideration."
"Take your time, remember, we are young," Ginny used her words against her, "now let's to celebrate!"
The party was fun and Akemi found herself laughing and hanging out with so many different people. None seemed to care that she was a Slytherin. It felt great to be accepted. At the end of the night she walked back to the dungeons, holding her hurting stomach that resulted from all the laughing. Her common room was in full swing, their party still going.
Even if they didn't care for her, they would never pass up a reason to party. She shook her head in disdain and walked toward the girls stairs. A dark hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her down the boys stairs. She followed Blaise curiously, knowing it was him by his scent. He opened his room to reveal Draco sitting on his bed. After they had moved into the room he shut the door and leaned against it.
"So, what is this Koga-kun person to you," Draco asked his eyes narrowing.
"What are you going on about," she noticed a letter in his hand and on the bed was the envelope addressed to her from Kagome, "what the hell are you doing reading my mail! That is none of your business!"
She snatched the letter from Draco's hand before he could even blink. She backed away quickly and glared at the two boys, her hand still clutching her badly hurting stomach.
"We just want to know who he is," Blaise's tone was cold.
"He is a friend."
"From what Kagome said, he is more then a friend," Draco drawled.
"We met each other only a day and a half before I came back from Japan," she huffed, "I doubt that gives enough time to become more then friends!"
"Then why does it say that he keeps coming back, asking about you?"
"I don't know, maybe he is curious how I'm doing. After all, he is the one that saved me, so he probably wants to know if I'm still alive from the attack."
"If that was it, he wouldn't be asking to see you," Blaise hissed between his teeth.
Akemi lifted the letter to her face and scanned to see where Kagome spoke of Koga.
Koga came by again. He wonders when you will be returning, he wants to be here at the village. I accidentally told him about your fight with the dragon. He wasn't to please to learn that you weren't healed and the dragon made the wound even worse. He told me that he will be here and to warn you he will want to inspect the damage that has been done.
Inuyasha isn't to pleased that Koga has taken a liking to you. He keeps grumbling about how he can't seem to get rid of him. Akemi started to laugh, shaking her head at her brother's antics. Honestly, he acts like it will kill him to have to put up with Koga. It's not like he is after me any more. But, Inuyasha says he doesn't want to have to fight for your attention, after all you are his sister and he has first dibs on your attention, pack law and everything. I don't really believe that.
"Really," she looked up, "this is what you are getting upset about? I find it endearing. My brother and Koga-kun fighting over my attention. I knew the boys have some issues to sort out between them so I'm not upset. My brother gets jealous easy. But, you can't be angry at Koga-kun for wanting to make sure I'm okay!"
"He has taken a liking to you," Draco pointed out, "what are your feelings towards him?"
"I don't know," she told the truth, "I haven't had time to really get to know him and if you must know, I am spending the summer in Japan and will be spending most if not all of it with him. And I'll let you in on another secret, he isn't the only guy there that likes me. Miroku-sama is interested in me as well and has been since I first met him."
"What do you feel for me then," Blaise yelled, angry at her admission.
"I really like you Blaise. I do. But I can't just write everyone off because I like you. We are young and there are so many things ahead of us. And it's not completely fair to Miroku-sama and Koga-kun that you get me nine months out of the year and they are lucky to get me three."
"Why do I get the feeling that you rather stay in Japan then return home," Blaise's head dropped forward and his dark hair shaded his eyes.
"There are times where I find I rather be there then here, but I love both England and Japan. I love Hogwarts and all my friends here, but I also love being there with all my friends too. One day I will have to choose between staying there or here. A large part of that will stem from where I feel I belong and right now I'm not sure where that is," Akemi sighed.
-x-
She was panicking. Her breath was rigid and coming in hard puffs. Her feet were hurt as the pounded against the dirt. Krum was somewhere behind her, chasing her. He was trying to hurt her and she needed to get away. Another turn, another, then another and she found herself in a dead in. A cry of fear slipped off her tongue. Turning around she found the man she had been running from.
He raised his wand and was about to say a spell, she wasn't sure what, when the walls behind her shifted giving her freedom to run. Her stomach was finally healed, the only thing left was horrible jagged bright red scars, even the puncture wound had scarred. Pushing her feet faster, she rounded another corner and ran straight into Harry.
The two landed in a heap on the ground and quickly helped each other up.
"Don't go that way," she pulled on Harry, "Krum is chasing me."
"What would he be doing that," his question never finished when said man came flying around the corner.
"There," Akemi caught sight of the goblet and tugged hard on Harry's arm.
They continued to move forward and she pushed him toward the cup. He stumbled for a second standing in front of it. He turned around to see Akemi was blocking Krum's path.
"Go Harry," she yelled right as a spell connected with her chest and she fell over unconscious.
Harry's finger gripped the goblet and he was gone.
Akemi groggily opened her eyes, moaning in pain as her head began to throb.
"Hey, your wake," George smiled at her.
"It's a good thing too," Fred nodded, "might have had to put ya back in the hospital wing."
"We all know how much you love that place," the twins laughed.
"What happened to Harry," she asked them.
They explained to her about the portkey and how Harry ended up in a graveyard. How Mad-Eye Moody had actually been Barty Crouch Jr. Then they told her about Voldemort and that he was back. She shivered at the explanation and was grateful that Harry was alive. But, they were back to square one, no one believed him.
She sat up and rubbed her head, "did they find out why Krum attacked me?"
"He was under the imperius curse," they told her.
"That makes sense," she nodded, "where are we any ways?"
"Our dormitory," George told her.
"Um, why?"
"Because if we didn't, Zabini would have smothered you," Fred wrinkled up his nose.
She stood and tried to flatten her unruly hair, "I should go tell him that I'm alive or he will try to break down the common room painting."
"What do you even see in that guy," George asked her seriously following her out to the common room.
"He is Blaise," she told them as if that was all they needed.
The painting moved aside to show Ginny arguing with Draco and Blaise.
"Boys," Akemi shook her head, "must you be such a pain?"
"You were hurt and then those two boys stole you out of the hospital wing," Blaise told her angrily.
"I will have to thank them later, at least they know."
"What does that mean," Draco snapped.
"It means they pay attention," she huffed, "any ways, that is besides the point. I'm healthy and alive. Where is Harry?"
"He is with Dumbledore," Ginny told her.
"I should go check on him."
"You care too much for everyone else," Blaise said sullenly.
Akemi crossed her arms, "I'm sorry I have friends of both sexes."
"It's not that you have friends of both sexes, it's that you think of them over me all the time."
"I am not ready to argue this with you," she rubbed her temples trying to ward of the headache that was building.
"Blaise just give her a break," Ginny snapped.
The dark haired boy glared that her before turning and stalking away. Akemi shook her head and followed him. Her hand on his arm stopped him from going anywhere.
"Forgive me, Blaise," she told him, "I just worry about so many people, and Harry just went through a really hard time from what Fred and George told me."
He turned to her then and gathered her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers quickly before pulling back to whisper in her ear, "just don't forget me when you go to Japan. I just want you to be happy so if it's not with me, then so be it. But, don't forget me, okay?"
"I could never forget you."
-x-
"Akemi," she heard a group of voices call from behind her.
The golden Trio, Ginny, Draco and Blaise were standing there waving to her. She had rushed off the train in a hurry, looking to see if Kagome had gotten there yet. She bought a two way portkey so that she could be picked up and was looking forward to seeing Kagome. Shaking her head at herself she turned back to say goodbye to her friend.
"You be careful this time," Ginny told her.
"Don't come back completely hurt," Harry ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Try to write if you can," Blaise said.
"Be good," Draco shrugged.
"Akemi-chan," Kagome tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned and wrapped the girl in a hug, "Kagome-chan! I'm so excited to see you!"
"Sorry, we kind of go to the portkey office late."
"It's okay, you didn't get here too late," she smiled, "wait... we?"
'Ne, sis,' Inuyasha walked over to them.
He wore a baseball cap on his head, a white button up shirt and a pair of jeans. She sprung then, jumping into his arms. He laughed easily catching her, hugging her tightly.
'Brother,' she exclaimed her soul quelling for the first time in nine months, 'I can't believe you came!'
'Kagome wasn't going to let me at first,' he glared at Kagome still holding Akemi's form that was completely wrapped around him, 'but, with a little bit of convincing and telling her I would wear these stupid clothes she let me come with.'
'Arigato Kagome,' Akemi de-tangled herself from Inuyasha to hug said girl again.
'You are welcome,' she laughed.
"Oh, before we go," she returned to English, "I should introduce you to my friends! This is Draco, Blaise, Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione. Everyone this is Kagome and Inuyasha."
'What the hell did she just say, I under stood the names but what,' Inuyasha huffed.
'Sorry, Inuyasha. I just introduced them, that is all.'
'This is stupid, why do you need to come here again?'
'Inuyasha, you know why. Don't go being a brat.'
'Did you just call me a brat,' he growled and then promptly hit her on the head.
She stumbled a couple steps backwards, 'what the hell was that for Inuyasha?'
'Inuyasha,' Kagome cried out, 'what do you think your doing?'
"What the hell," Blaise yelled, "you can't hit a woman!"
"Blaise calm down," Akemi noticed Inuyasha wince, "don't yell it hurts his ears. Don't worry about it, we do this all the time."
She punched him in the arm making him growl at her, 'be a good boy, Inuyasha.'
'I'm not a dog,' he hissed.
'You're acting like one,' she told him.
'Take that back you bitch,' he hissed.
'Inuyasha,' Kagome smacked the back of his head.
Akemi laughed, "don't worry Kagome-chan, he has called me worse then bitch before."
"What, when," she was honestly shocked.
"You haven't heard the words that flow through his mind during battle," she waved it off.
'Stop talking in that strange language,' he huffed.
Before he could do anything she jumped on his back, his hands easily going under her legs to hold her there. She gently pushed his hair behind her, letting her fingers run through the locks. She nuzzled his neck and then laid her chin down on his shoulder.
"I don't think she has told you," Kagome turned to her friends, "they might fight and argue, but Inuyasha is like a brother to her. If anything I should be jealous because I've loved Inuyasha for so long, but I know that she doesn't like him that way. But the only time they feel at peace is when they are touching each other or linked mentally.
It's very rare, but they have what we call 'split soul'. See Inuyasha has a part of Akemi's soul inside his body and she has a part of his. They feel incomplete without each other and that is why they consider each other siblings."
"I've read about that," Granger spoke up, "they say it's almost impossible, but when it happens, the two people who have their souls split between each other develop a kind of bond anything from siblings to lovers. They say when the two people are too far away from each other, or don't at least have one form of physical contact during the day, their souls actually hurt them.
Some can't eat or sleep with out the other there. They depend so much on each other, because they feel like they are missing something and their souls are constantly crying in pain. The more physical contact the more at ease the soul is."
"Did it say anything on how to return the souls to the rightful body," Kagome asked her still watching the two siblings laugh and joke together.
"Sometimes it never happens," she told her, "sometimes they live their whole lives needing to be right next to each other. But, there has only been one recorded case, back in the warring states area, of the souls returning to their rightful bodies, but it was never said how. It mentioned some kind of ancient blood magic. Of course, blood magic in this time is forbidden for the most part."
"Thank you," Kagome bowed to them, "I should get going, Akemi is probably excited to get back, all our friends are waiting for her."
"Before you go, who is Miroku," Blaise asked.
"Miroku," she laughed, "he is our groups lecher. We put up with him because he is actually a very nice person and he is very wise. But, we know with every good quality, there is always something bad. I think Miroku is looking forward to Akemi coming back the most. She is the most tolerant one of us when it comes to his wandering hand."
"He means well," Akemi yelled over her shoulder, "he is a very sweet guy. Just because he likes to grope my bottom while we talk doesn't make me think any less of him. At least he doesn't try to push himself on us!"
"No, you're right, he just likes to peek at us when we bathe," Kagome shook her head and started walking over to them.
"Aw, Kagome-chan, he just likes looking because we are all so very beautiful, you know," she laughed shaking her head, "we all know he has a thing for Sango."
"Poor girl, falling in love with the lecher," Kagome snickered.
"No different then you falling in love with this jerk right here," Akemi slid her hand under his hat and pulled his ear earning her a growl.
"Did you just pull his ear," Kagome asked, pulling out the portkey.
"Sh," she stage whispered, "I don't need another bump on my head."
'Would you stop that talking, it's annoying,' he grumbled touching the broken tea kettle.
Akemi reached out and grabbed it, 'don't be such a spoil sport, you turd.'
'You guys were talking about me in a language I don't even understand.'
She kissed his cheek, 'aw, Gomen, aishiteru."
Inuyasha's cheeks flushed but he grumbled, 'aishiteru.'
"Aw, I can't believe he said it back," Kagome squealed, "now don't let Koga-kun hear that. He might get jealous."
Akemi started to shake with laughter, "Inuyasha is my brother. I can tell him I love him all I want."
That's when the portkey activated and tore the three from their sight.
-x-
"Why did you two continue to speak in English," Inuyasha whined.
"It's rude to talk in a different language then the natives," Akemi cuddled deeper against him, "plus, it's fun to tease you by letting you know we are talking about you without you knowing what we are saying."
"Akemi is right. Just be thankful we don't talk in English while we are here," Kagome poked his temple.
"Should we stay for a couple days, or do you think Megumi-san would mind if we just go straight back to the past," Akemi asked, "I've been looking forward to it and now I'm ready to get back into shape."
"Didn't you have Quidditch," Kagome asked as they began their walk home.
"Nope, it was cancelled this year due to the Triwizard Tournament. Can't say I was to pleased even thought I ended up participating. I didn't want to though, and I almost lost my friends over it."
"Why," Inuyasha barked out.
"Well, because I was under age and so everyone thought I found a way to sneak my name it, but I have a feeling someone else put it in there in hopes that I would get hurt," she sighed.
"Maybe there was," Kagome shrugged.
"Maybe," Inuyasha nodded as the three jumped into the well, Akemi on his back and Kagome in his arms.
Akemi got down as soon as they landed on the grass of Sengoku Jidai. She immediately noticed Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku all sitting around the clearing.
"Ne, everyone," she called out waving.
She pealed off her hot robes, folding them she bent over to place them in her backpack causing her mid-thigh length skirt to ride up. She stood up when she finished and slung the backpack on her back. She tugged at her white shirt, thankful she had already taken off her vest. She should have changed before coming she realized.
Sango was the first to greet her, pulling her into a friendly hug. Shippo attacked her next, telling her how much he missed her. Miroku approached her, a mischievous grin dancing on his face.
"Miroku-sama," she exclaimed wrapping him in a hug, "watch your hands."
"Aw," he chuckled.
She began to pull away and just as she was about to comment that he actually kept his hands to himself, she felt both on her bottom. Her laughter rang like a melody and she had to clutch his robes for support as tears of mirth built up in her eyes.
"Always the hentai," she smiled at him, "it's nice to be back."
He let her go when she regained her balance, "it's nice to have you back."
"Monk," Inuyasha hissed, "if Akemi would let me, I would beat you for putting your hands on my sister like that."
"Inuyasha, you know she trusts him," Kagome told him, putting her hand on his arm to keep him back, "he means no harm."
"Ano... Kagome-chan, did you just use my words against me," she asked innocently.
"I believe I did," the raven haired girl chuckled.
"You wound me Kagome-chan," Akemi laughed and walked over to where the three ookami were lounging in the shade, "kon'nichiwa."
"Kon'nichiwa," the three smiled at her.
"How was your time back home," Koga asked her.
"I love going home. There is always adventures to be had," she told them.
"Is it dangerous there like it is here," Ginta wondered out loud, "Kagome told us about where you come from."
"It's not all that dangerous there. The threat is very minimal compared to this time," she stopped to think for a moment, "but it is more dangerous for me then Kagome. Magic can corrupt and being constantly surrounded by other witches and wizards there is no telling who is good or bad."
"You are a witch," Koga looked at her curiously.
"I'm a good witch," she laughed, "I mean no harm."
"I know you don't," he nodded, "Kagome would never put up with someone who had a dark heart."
"I've known Kagome-chan my whole life," Akemi told him, "we were raised together, until I turned eleven and headed across the sea to begin school in a country called England. That's why I go home for nine moon cycles. I am training to use my magic as a witch."
"Kagome told us you got hurt while at home."
"Oh yeah, I had to face a Chinese Fireball, those dragons aren't very smart, but they use so much fire power. I remember the burns I got on my hands from trying to pick up the stupid fake metal egg it was protecting."
"She said something along the line of it cutting you in the same area of the tiger," Hakkaku told her.
"Yeah, it tried to pick me up," she lifted her shirt.
Three long bright red scars ran from her left to her right side. Two above her naval and one below. The one in the middle was twice the size as the other two. Each were very jagged. On her right hip between the bottom and middle scar was a circle scar from the puncture wound. She had been lucky that the tiger hadn't used the poison in that wound. The three hissed at the sight. It still looked painful and agitated.
"Is it healed all the way," Koga asked, running his fingers across the healed flesh.
His fingers left a trail of heat that made her whole body tingle in delight. Blaise had touched her in similar ways, but never had it felt like this. She sucked in a breath through her teeth, holding the moan back. She couldn't help but notice how long his fingers lingered on her stomach before he pulled them away.
"It's as healed as can be expected," she told him, "the stupid dragon almost spilt my guts that day."
"Does it hurt at all?"
"Not really. If I pull the muscles to much it stings, but other then that it doesn't hurt."
"Maybe you should refrain from battle for a while," Ginta pointed out.
"I never thought of that," she scratched the back of her head.
Inuyasha squatted next to her and poked her forehead, "do you need to stay in Kaede's village till you get your strength back?"
"No."
"Sis."
"Brother."
"Sis."
"Brother."
"If you need to stay at the village, you should take it. You aren't dying on my watch."
"Who said anything about dying."
"If you are still in pain and get side tracked in battle..."
"Ano... brother," Akemi started, "you smacked me on the head at the train station and it was only a couple days ago I was being cared for because of a head injury. Stupid Krum hit me with a stunning spell. The fall to the ground gave me a concussion."
Inuyasha bristled, "why didn't you say something before I hit you?"
"Would it have stopped you?"
He blinked a few times, "you need to take a break. Stay in the village."
"Brother," she yelled as he got up and started walking away, "you can't just make me stay. I've waited nine months to come back!"
"Well another couple weeks won't hurt."
She raced over to him, pulling on his sleeve to make him stop, "I know you are worried for me, brother. But, remember we always have our strength to count on."
"I know you wish to go, but you seem to attract danger, just like Kagome."
Inuyasha pulled her to his chest, her nose nuzzling his neck. Dogs used this as a way of comfort, to show they understood and cared for each other.
"Aishiteru, brother."
His arms tightened around her as he buried his nose in her hair, "aishiteru, sis. Is something wrong, that is twice today that you have said it."
"Nothing is wrong," she told him clinging tighter, "it's just... ano... my soul fells better, happier being here. I missed you all so much. That and almost dying in the future without being able to tell you guys how much I care for you all, kind of scared me."
Silence gripped the clearing, the truth of what she said made the air tense. She was ningen and they couldn't forget that. She was also the only one that wasn't afraid to charge straight into battle regardless on the situation. The only long distance weapon she used was a bow and arrow and often she ran out of arrows as soon as the battle started. Miroku and Sango could fight at a distance, and Kagome usually stayed to the side. She wasn't afraid to get hurt and that scared them the most.
"Ne mutt-face," Koga called out, "if you want her to rest, she could always come back to the den with us."
"Koga," Ginta and Hakkaku blinked at their leader.
"It's not like we haven't had a human at the den before, and we haven't eating human in over a year. I'm the leader and I say she can stay with us for a while if she wants."
"What about you going and looking for Naraku," Kagome asked.
"It can wait," he shrugged.
"He really is smitten," Sango whispered to Miroku, no one heard but the hanyou and youkais.
"Hai, he is," Miroku smirked, his hand landing on her bottom.
"Hentai," Sango screamed, smacking him over the head with his own staff.
Akemi winced, "aw come on Sango-chan, must you really hit Miroku-sama so hard?"
"Do you want to go," Inuyasha asked her.
"With Koga-kun," she looked up at him and smiled, "if I really have to remain away from fighting, hai."
The black haired ookami beamed with pride. She was going to go back to the dens with them. She could have chosen to stay at the village, but she picked him. Ookamis and inus always were prideful creatures.
"Fine," the hanyou leaned down and whispered so only she could hear, "but I want the link open for the first couple days so I know you are alright."
"Okay," she whispered equally as quiet before boasting, "it's settled then!"
Akemi was happy with the turn of advents. She could get time to finish healing from the bump on her head and she got to spend time getting to know Koga. Though she would miss the group again, but Inuyasha was right a couple more weeks of rest wouldn't hurt. This was going to be a perfect summer, she could tell.
