A/N: I'm debating trying to draw a scene in this chapter..If I do so I will post the link. Anyways, like the title says this follows Remus on his Portkey journey and the beginning of his very LONG journey toward a better self.

With Remus-

Remus' feet hit earth and his body promptly followed. He managed to roll to his side and then back, but it was a narrow thing. He reflected wryly that he had done a Harry Potter. It was no secret that Harry could barely stay on his feet after Portkey or Floo. He was usually well balanced however, so the lack of grace informed him the Portkey had gone a long ways. As he sat up he wrapped his hand around his wand and stared at the trees and rocks around him. Where DID you send me, Harry? Standing cautiously he groaned softly at the soreness in his body. No doubt he would be nursing a couple of interesting bruises.

Someone laughed softly behind him and he spun around, cursing his preoccupation. Normally his enhanced senses meant it was almost impossible for another to sneak up on him. Standing behind him, attired in casual jeans and a t-shirt was a very familiar face. The sharp, hawk-like features tilted to the side as rich chocolate brown eyes considered him for a moment. "So Harry actually convinced you to come, Remus? It's been a long time, old friend."

"Rhys?" he said in disbelief. Shooting a wary glance at the other presence in the clearing he stepped forward and gave Rhys a warm, one-armed hug. "Where in Merlin's name am I, anyways?"

"Italy," the so-far quiet stranger rumbled. "The People aren't persecuted here, so this is an ideal place for those that wish to be simply left alone. My name is Daeyd, by the way. I was one of the survivors from the massacre after Cadeyrn's murder."

Remus nodded in greeting and replied, "Remus Lupin. I met Cadeyrn once; I don't recall your face."

Daeyd grinned; it looked more like a snarl at first until you noticed the curve of his lips. "I was running patrol around the perimeter that night. I was probably the last of the survivors to see Harry that night. Went flying past me with two of Fenrir's lieutenants hot on his heels, apparently not for the last time from what we've heard."

"Daeyd is one of the survivors that decided to stay with us," Rhys explained as they started walking. The other alpha's brisk pace had Remus struggling to keep up. "Most either came to me or hid in one of their sanctuaries. I'm sure Harry knows where they are, but he's unlikely to mention it without talking to them first. He certainly wouldn't drop another in their midst unless they were someone he wanted dead."

With a slightly dry mouth Remus replied, "That's reassuring, I guess."

"It should be," Rhys gave him cagey grin. "We might work you to the bone but you'll leave here alive. The remnants of Cadeyrn's pack are vicious toward strangers, as you can probably understand."

They walked in silence for a long moment before Rhys turned to him. With an amused, teasing expression he said, "I tried for years to get you to pay more attention to the wolf. I guess I should have set Harry on you, you must actually want to listen to him."

Remus could just about say what Rhys wasn't, but he ignored it. Harder to ignore was the slight burn on his cheekbones. Rhys noticed it and snickered slightly. Remus cleared his throat and said, "So you moved your pack to Italy?"

"Nope," he replied cheerfully, popping the 'p'. "Daeyd and I came here about a week ago when we received a letter from Harry. He was going to Portkey you here in the next week so that we could give you a crash course on actually listening to your senses rather than just manipulating them for your uses."

"So when do we get started?" Remus asked.

"YOU start the moment we get back to camp. That should give Daeyd and I enough time to work out a schedule for other things."

Startled, Remus said, "What would take that long?"

"You don't know yourself very well," was the enigmatic reply.

Remus bristled slightly at the alpha's words, but eventually calmed. Just like Harry's words, these weren't pointed at doing harm. They were just statements that he didn't understand as of yet. Hopefully he would soon or he was going to be in a world of confusion.

When they reached the small, very spare campsite Rhys motioned to a chair. "Either sit or lay down, which ever you feel more comfortable being in for long periods of time. Open your mind and relax. I can do minor Legilimency, enough to guide you to the right place."

Still confused, Remus looked around and spotted a tree. He sat down and leaned against it, the familiar posture from school as much a comfort now as it had been. Rhys knelt in front of him and said, "Close your eyes and relax, Remus."

Warily, Remus did as asked. To his surprise he saw a small, bright light. He pushed his conscious toward it, curiosity overwhelming the faint caution he felt. As he approached it the light grew, slowly increasing until it was the exact same height and width as his body. Reaching toward it felt like putting his hand in water or gel, a cool rippling sensation followed by weightlessness. Making a quick decision he pushed all the way through.

To his surprise he fell a short distance, landing crouched on his feet. He was on an open field, bright in summer sun, tall grasses waving in a small green ocean. A deep inhale brought sensations of saltwater, honeysuckle and peppermint. Unless he was greatly mistaken, this was the field he'd often ran through as a child, not half a mile from his childhood home. But this is impossible, he thought. I'm supposed to be in my own mind!

Behind him a warm, somewhat familiar voice said, "Hello Remus."

He spun around and stared. I must be going crazy… He was staring at himself. Only this Remus looked far younger and healthier than he did now. The scars he was so self-conscious about were thin lines, there were barely any flecks of grey in the rich gold-brown hair. This Remus exuded power and control, with glowing topaz coloured eyes and a fit, muscular frame that was filled with confidence even at a stand-still.

"Where am I?" he asked.

Other-Remus gave a warm chuckle and said, "You really don't know your own mind do you? This is your mindscape, what others see when they use Legilimency on you. Buried in this open field are your memories and life experiences, all your emotions and regrets, everything that makes you who you are today."

Regarding the other warily he said, "And who are you?"

A full-out laugh greeted this question. "You think you're going crazy?" he guessed.

"Yes," Remus answered reluctantly.

"I am someone who has been waiting a long time to speak with you, Remus. I am you in essence, you as you should be. I am the other half of your personality, the voice of reason and experience. I am you, Remus. Since it would be confusing to call me that as well, let's go with the nickname Sirius gave me, hmm? Call me Moony."

Remus inhaled sharply. "You're the wolf in my head, the one that fights to gain control on the full moons."

Moony rolled his eyes skyward in exasperation. "If you would actually listen to what I say once in a while, you wouldn't have to argue with me at all," he looked straight at Remus. "You wouldn't have to be in pain at all, nor would you ever have to take that poison or worry that we may hurt someone you care about."

"You may hurt someone," Remus corrected, unsettled by the wolf's gaze.

Moony snorted. "Let's get one thing straight, Remus. However much you may wish, there is no YOU and ME. There is only one mind, one conscious. There is only US. If you would have realised that years ago, you wouldn't have to worry for so long. It's why you've aged so fast and deteriorated in strength. It's why others are able to sneak up on you or beat you in combat. If you actually listen to me and do what I say, you will end up looking like I do."

"I don't wish to hurt people," Remus protested. "I do not wish for the carnage and bloodshed I've felt in you."

"I don't wish for it either, Remus. You've listened to too many of the books and lectures. We wolves are not the creatures of violence we're portrayed as. We're not the bad guys, no matter how many children's stories and horror films say so. If you actually listen to me, you'll be able to control your form and change when you wish, without the pain and agony you currently endure."

Moony started to walk away with a long stride that would match Rhys and Daeyd. Turning toward Remus he said, "Come, walk with me. All I ask for is some of your time and an open ear. It's not like I can hurt you or anything."

Remus stared at him for a long moment. Weighing the pros and cons he sighed and muttered, "This has got to be the strangest thing I've ever done."

"Believe me," Moony called, "it will get stranger soon."

Shaking his head, Remus briskly strode toward Moony and walked through the long grass. This would be strange to see from the outside, he mused as he walked away with his mirror image.