Chapter 13

Snow once again blanketed the school grounds. Students milled about the sloping snow covered lawn throwing snowballs and building snowman and other such nonsense. The dark Forbidden Forest loomed a little less ominously in the shadow of the surrounding mountains with its new white powdery cloak. Kurama reclined on his bed in Ravenclaw Tower watching it all from the warmth and privacy of the boys' dormitory. Shrieks of laughter wafted through the leaded window somehow. Or maybe that was just his acute hearing. He sighed as the stress that plagued him for the past few weeks slowly seeped out of his body. Burning lavender essence sure did help.

The school had been in an uproar as another student along with one of the school's many ghosts were attacked. Teachers began escorting students from one class to the next. Curfew came earlier. A sense of fear gripped the school. And if that wasn't enough he felt as if he was being watched almost constantly by some hidden being and he didn't mean the females that were so infatuated with him. His paranoia was getting the better of him. What if he was found out? What if he was blamed? What if he was killed or worse? Kurama began to avoid others and keep to himself.

A movement pulled him out of his thoughts. He gasped.

Kurama had brought one of his plants, a potted lily, to school with him to bring a sense of familiarity to his home away from home as well as a security measure. He didn't manipulate the plant just in case someone barged in and saw him. But at that moment the little potted lily was crawling all over his bed like it was a jungle gym. Hurriedly he commanded it to return to its usual form. The plant seemed to resist his commands. With a little more force the plant finally complied. Kurama just sat there a moment, stunned.

In all his long life he never had any problems controlling his powers. At the beginning his power or yoki was small, growing little by little over the years in a that insured total control. Now it seemed that his yoki was fluctuating somehow. Yoki only reacted to strong emotions such as rage or if the body was injured. Kurama racked his brain for a reason such a thing would happen without preemptive. It could quickly become dangerous for many reasons, such as being found out. But what was more worrying was the fact that if his yoki became strong enough and wild enough while he was still relatively weak and body partly human…his own yoki could very well kill him.

'Not good…'

xXx

History of Magic was never one of his favorite classes. Sure the subject itself was quite interesting but that didn't change the fact that one who taught it was quite boring. Professor Cuthbert Binns was a ghost but that was as exciting as it got. Some say he died whilst asleep in the Staffroom and had woken up as a ghost, going to teach his next class and leaving his body behind. However he died the fact remained that the ancient shriveled looking ghost with thick glasses and reedy voice was one of the dullest teachers in the castle. Even Gilderoy Lockhart was more interesting.

Class had started as usual. Students filled in and took their seats, talked with one another before Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began his lecture. The effect was almost immediate. Some slumped in their seats using their textbook as a pillow. Others played small games or passed notes. Only Shuichi and Hermione were paying any attention. But as the oblivious teacher droned on about the International Warlocks' Convention of 1289 something strange happened.

Hermione raised her hand.

Professor Binns came to a stuttering halt mid-sentence. Those who weren't dozing looked at Hermione as if seeing her for the first time. Even a few that were asleep woke up at the disturbance. The air seemed to be thick with anticipation.

"Err, yes Miss…?"

"Granger. I was wondering that since this was a History class if you would be willing to tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?"

All eyes turned onto the spectral professor. He seemed a little surprised that such attention was aimed at himself. After a moment he relented.

"Oh, very well." Professor Binns cleared his throat before starting. "As you all know, Hogwarts was built by four of the greatest witches and wizards of the age; Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin. Shortly after finishing the school they went about gathering students. However, there was a slight disagreement amongst the four founders about who should and shouldn't be taught magic. Salazar Slytherin in particular believed that magic should stay within magical families and thought that those born outside such families didn't deserve to be taught magic."

"Muggle-borns." Hermione supplied. Professor Binns nodded solemnly.

"Salazar Slytherin then decided to leave the school. But before he left it is said that he built a secret chamber, one that only his true heir can open, and by doing so, unleash the horror within to purge the school of all Muggle-borns. Of course the school has been searched many times. No such chamber exists."

"Professor, what exactly does legend say is in the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asked.

"The chamber is said to be home to a monster that only the heir of Slytherin alone can control."

Kurama silently groaned.

xXx

The Library was even more quiet than usual. Only a few other people besides Shuichi were there finishing the last of their homework before winter break. Everyone else was outside having their snowball fights and such in the icy weather. For once he could be in peace. He breathed in a deep breath scented with musty leather bound books, dust, and faint traces of humanity. It was hard to tell when the last time he was so relaxed was. A sense of accomplishment filled him as he finished up his homework. Not wanting to leave just yet he pulled down an interesting book from one of the nearby shelves about infamous people from around the world.

As per usual all the typical suspects were there; Herpo the Foul, Emeric the Evil, Morgan le Fay, Gellert Grindelwald, and Lord Voldemort. Page after page was written about the horrors each one of them committed. Murder seemed to be a common theme. Kurama paused as he turned a particular page. The Toguro Brothers. Turning the next page he saw his own name printed there complete with a small biography and a sketch of himself. He flipped through a few more pages. Rando. The Four Saint Beasts. Hiei. Stopping once more he stared at the page in front of him. A sketch of a spiky haired man glared back at him wearing a concealing black cloak with a white scarf that protected his neck and a white strip of cloth tied about his forehead. The guy appeared to be as friendly as Snape. There wasn't much on him. Just a few thefts and murders back in the Makai that the author somehow got wind about. Apparently this Hiei guy managed to crossover into the Ningenkai and was supposedly terrorizing people though a few of his victims said that he was searching for someone in particular.

'Interesting.'

Suddenly Kurama felt as if he was being watched again. Looking up he spotted Albus Dumbledore standing nearby looking at him with an odd look in his serious blue eyes. The absence of the usual twinkle in his eye made him look dangerous. Ignoring the instinct to crawl away somewhere he cleared his throat.

"Hello Professor. Can I help you?" he asked politely.

"You wouldn't mind having a small talk with me in my office for a bit would you Mr. Minamino?" the Headmaster asked with a note of seriousness he didn't think the man was capable of.

"Of course."

Putting back the book and grabbing his bag he followed the Headmaster as he lead him through the near empty halls. Their footfalls echoed in their wake as they passed through the maze of doors and stairs. Faint conversation and laughter could be heard from adjoining halls. Portraits didn't bother stopping their usual routine of jumping from one frame to the next and bickering with one another to acknowledge them. Dumbledore stopped in front of a gargoyle at the end of a corridor.

"Lemon Drops." Dumbledore said to it.

The gargoyle jumped out of the way revealing a moving staircase that mimicked an escalator one would find in a Muggle mall. Following Dumbledore's lead he jumped on. At the top of the stairs was a polished oak door with a golden knocker that immediately opened for the Headmaster. Inside was a large circular office. Portraits of previous Headmasters and Headmistresses lined the wall behind a large mahogany desk stacked with papers. Much of the wall space was taken up by large bookcases filled to the brim with all kinds of books some of which were in different languages and large windows that had a sweeping view of the castle grounds. Spindly tables held delicate sliver instruments that whirred and emitted puffs of smoke. A swanlike gold and scarlet bird that looked as if it would kill over any minute was perched on a golden stand. Gingerly Kurama sat in a rather comfortable armchair in front of the desk. Dumbledore sat at his desk, taking a moment to tidy up the stacks of papers.

"Some rather disturbing things have happened this year Shuichi." he began. "I've only see this happen once before back when I was a humble teacher myself within these halls. Until the perpetrator behind these attacks is found and stopped the school is in threat of closing. Perhaps for good." He stopped and closed his eyes for a moment as if suffering from a headache. Then he opened his eyes.

The effect was instantaneous. Memories flashed through his mind like a movie in fast-forward. Emotions he was constantly fighting against overwhelmed him. It was hard to breath. He couldn't think.

Suddenly the world came back into focus. He stared at Dumbledore with wide eyes. Hot tears streamed down his face. His body started to shake. Instinctively he curled in on himself.

'This is it. I'm dead. He'll kill me any second now.'

For several long moments nothing happened. A hand gently touched his shoulder. He flinched.

"I'm sorry."

Tentatively Kurama looked up. Dumbledore stood there with a sad smile on his worn face, blue eyes once again twinkling.

"W-why? Why aren't you killing me?"

"Because I don't want to."

"But I'm a yokai. I'm evil."

"No, you're not evil. You did what you had to in order to survive. I know all too well how cruel life can be. Unlike others, I believe that everyone deserves a second chance no matter what they did before. Yes you've done some bad things but you yourself aren't entirely to blame. But now you've changed…for the better."

"Are you going to tell Shiroi about me? About how I'm not her real son."

"You're wrong. You are her son. When you absorbed that small tiny pseudo soul and bound yourself to that unborn child you became her son, the son she wouldn't have had otherwise. Why do you think you are experiencing such strong emotions? Because Shiroi unlocked that place in your heart that you thought you've lost. In reality you just locked it away to spare yourself the pain of your loneliness. Yes there were others in your life, others that flocked to you for a piece of the fame and fortune you've created and deep down inside you knew that they were using you. So you kept your distance. Until now. Now you're surrounded by people who love you and care about you for the first time in your life. I'm sure it's overwhelming for you right now but give it time. You'll see. But I won't tell Shiori just yet. You need time yet to adjust to this new life of yours."

Kurama looked confusingly at him. Perhaps he was right. But a part of him doubted it. Only time would tell.

"What now?"

"Now you need to work on controlling your yoki. How do you think I found out about you?" Kurama gave him a sheepish look. "I think these new emotions of yours is affecting it. Now I have a favor to ask of you." Kurama stared at him with a weary look.

"What is it?" he asked suspiciously.

"I need your help in finding out who's behind these attacks."

"It's Lucius Malfoy. His House-elf Dobby came to me over the summer saying that his master was going to do something Voldemort had told him to do a long time ago. I just don't know how he's doing it."

"I see. I can deal with Mr. Malfoy but only after we find out how this is happening and why. Otherwise we have nothing."

xXx

Shuichi stood under the meager shelter of the Hogsmeade Station. Other students milled about saying farewell to friends going home for the holidays. Unlike last year more people were heading home. Perhaps it was because of the mysterious attacks. Or maybe, like himself, they just wanted to get away from Lockhart.

"Shuichi!" He turned around to see Ron, Hermione, and Neville jog over to him. They stood there for a moment to catch their breaths.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to see you off mate. And besides-"

"We wanted to apologize to you." Hermione interrupted Ron. "You've been a bit stand-offish with us since we started brewing the potion. But we just have to know about Malfoy. You understand, don't you?" Shuichi sighed.

"I do. I just wished there was a safe way is all. You know what could happen if you mess this up."

The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station. Students began lining up to board. With a quick farewell Shuichi hurried over, eager to see his mother once more.

xXx

Omake

Shuichi was in the Library, as he often was, doing a little research for his Herbology essay. A stack of books sat in front of him as he scanned through the yellowing pages of a particularly thick volume. But despite his apparent concentration he wasn't ignorant of the two girls hiding just behind the bookshelves giggling and whispering excitedly to each other. He did his best to ignore it, hoping that they would soon leave.

He wasn't so lucky.

As he put a few of the books back the girls stepped out from their hiding place with identical blushes on their faces.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely while he silently cringed on the inside.

"Ah, w-well w-we were just…"

Suddenly one of them fainted. Automatically he dropped the books he was holding to catch her. As the books thumped loudly on the old wooden floor the girl woke up almost immediately. With a few stuttered apologies and a hurried goodbye they just about ran out of the Library. Shuichi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose for a minute before bending over to collect the fallen books.

'Why me?'

Translations:

Yoki- demon energy.

Yokai- demon

Makai- demon world

Ningenkai- human world

AN: Finally a nice long chapter for you guys! Apparently it was National Idiot Week and no one told me. ~Sigh~ Anyway, Review!