"Captain," a voice cried from her right, Hikage stopped and turned her head to see Odin running in her direction.
"Yes?" she asked blinking a couple of times in the flickering fiery light of the lit torches that lined dark halls.
"Before you go there is something you should know," Odin gasped from having to run.
"Well soldier, what news?" she inquired.
"A couple of months back someone came trough Gate 9, he was wounded," Odin explained.
Hikage's eyes widened for a moment before she smirked, "How was he treated?" she demanded.
"Healed and now resides in on of the darker cells in Locker 3," Odin explained.
"I see," Hikage nodded, "I don't he'll be able to say much for our hospitality will he," she joked but no one laughed, it wasn't meant to be funny anyway.
Odin turned to leave, "Oh, and soldier," he turned back, "why was I not informed of this immediately?" she demanded glaring coldly at him, looking so much more threatening in the half light.
He paled, "Because," he faltered, "the Queen would not allow us to contact you," he stuttered.
"I see, you are dismissed," she said and headed off towards Locker 3, a Locker was a storage corridor, 1-3 were prison cells, used for people who fell through the Gates and such.
The Fortress itself had been Hikage's home for as long as she had been alive, she'd grown up in a strange culture that dealt heavily with Destiny, Fate, Prophecy, Astrology and the Moon especially. The Fortress itself was well hidden and even if you were on the same planet you wouldn't find it, you either had to be a member of a clan or have come through a Gate.
The Gates, 15 in all, where placed at strategic magic hotspots, such as near Hogwarts, Beauxbaton and Durmstrang. One had recently been found by the ministry of Magic and now resided in the Department of Mysteries; that; was Gate 9 and Hikage had a pretty good idea of who had come through.
She strode down the hall, her polished boots clicking and her sword clanking, her armour banged against her shins, thighs, chest and back. Soon she came to stand before the Locker doors, great ebony constructions with brass hinges and handles. She curled her fingers around the handle of the door labelled 3 and opened the right hand of the double doors and stepped inside quickly shutting the door behind her.
She walked to the far end, to the dark cells, looking left and right as she went, there were a few people, a browned woman with long white hair and sunken, solemn grey eyes, a very pale boy that looked to be in his teens, shivering and rocking back and forth.
She stopped, this boy was definitely human, she could smell it, and only a teenager, why was he locked in one of the Fortress cells.
"Hey boy," she called; he looked up, "who are you?"
"Michael Bishop," the boy stuttered but didn't move from his position in the corner.
"How did you get here Michael?" she asked, looking slightly worried.
"Fell, through a veil, thrown in here," his navy eyes looked so dull, they should have been bright, his tawny hair messy and dirty.
"How long have you been here boy?" she inquired.
"I don't know really," he replied, she saw him shiver; "it was June when I fell through."
"You've been here for at least a month," she exclaimed, "Krillin!" she yelled and another man came running, with blonde hair and black eyes. "Code 29, him," she jabbed her finger over her shoulder at Michael who had gotten up and padded over to the door.
"Yes Captain," Krillin said bowing as Hikage began once more to head towards the Dark cells.
There was only one occupant, his head was hung low and long, dark black hair fell over his eyes so the colour was masked. "Who are you," a gruff voice that sounded as though it had not been used in a while growled.
"Really, since your life is in my hands I doubt you should talk to me like that," she smirked and crossed her arms.
He looked up and glared at her, but she could see the slight shock in his eyes, his eyes weren't as sunken as the woman's she'd past but sunken all the same. A dark brown hue that had become rusty in his years, "Once again, who are you."
"I," she stood up properly, "am the Captain of the guard of the Fortress of the Hikage no Tsuki," she explained.
He raised an eyebrow, "Nothing special then," his eyes flashed.
She smirked and took some keys from her belt and unlocked his door, stepping in and closing it behind her. "I can tell you haven't taken kindly to our," she coughed, "hospitality."
"Yours or was it procedure I went through?" the man asked as she crouched in front of him and looked him in the eyes.
"Well someone must have taken a liking to you," she took his chin in her hand and he couldn't stop her, his hands having been chained behind his back, "if you were healed."
"Hm, if you say so Captain," he slurred her title so it sounded almost insulting.
"Remember, I may be younger than you, but here I have a lot of power and currently your life is at my mercy," she threatened, smirking and narrowing her eyes at the same time so she looked almost menacing.
"So what's your actual name?" he asked.
"Hikage Tsukiyamino, a well respected name in any Shadow community and I know who you are but I'll give you the pleasure of answering yourself," she said.
"I'm flattered really," he said sarcastically, "Sirius Black."
"Yes," she smiled, "the one who fell through Gate 19 that is now in the heart of the Ministry of Magic, it's just begging for an attack but the Ministry is not yet our target."
"Should you really be telling me your plans?" Sirius asked.
"Why shouldn't I, you're not going anywhere for a long time," she said smirking.
"I could break out perhaps," Sirius suggest but Hikage only shook her head.
"First you'd have to get through the tunnels then find out which Gate is which it's not left to right you know and then you'd have to find out how to work it and, oh well, you don't need to know," she sighed and stretched.
"By the way, what side are you on?" he asked as she locked his cell door again.
"That was too bold Black," she smirked before sneering at him, "and now you can't protect little Harry can you."
"Don't you dare touch him," he bolted up and strained against his bonds with all his might.
"Settled down Black, you want to live don't you," she called over her shoulder as she made to leave.
---Usagi---
The blonde sighed Hikage was late, but surely she had good reason, she wasn't usually gone this long. Suddenly the key turned in the lock and the black hair girl came in, in a black top and trousers. "Hikage," Usagi cried pouncing on weary teen.
"Hey Usagi," she hugged the blonde back, "sorry I'm so late and I have great news."
"You mean it?" Usagi grinned, "What is it?"
"We are going to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the 1st of September," Hikage said and Usagi laughed.
"A magic school, that's funny," she said.
"I'm being serious Usagi, it exists," Hikage said.
"But magic doesn't exist," Usagi said.
"Don't you believe in magic Usagi? You believe in the Moon, the feeling that draws you to it, don't you? The same feeling that pulls on both of us?" Hikage inquired.
"Yes," Usagi said un-certainly, she grinned, "so you mean I'm going to learn how to pull rabbits out of hats."
Hikage snorted and Usagi put out, "not quite, but you will learn about magical plants, how they perceive muggles, interact with magical beings and many other things."
"I see," Usagi looked puzzled, "but what's a muggle?"
"Wizard terminology for non magical people, mud-blood is a high insult to someone who isn't a pure blood, basically hasn't got fully Wizarding blood. Then there is a squib; born into a magical family but can't do magic, giants, werewolves, centaurs," that kind of thing.
"Wow!" Usagi cried.
"But Usagi, there is some things you must understand," Usagi looked concerned at the serious look on Hikage's face.
"Remember the boy we saw five years ago, at the zoo, with black hair and bright green eyes walking around with the fat family and stick woman?" Hikage asked.
"Yes," Usagi nodded.
"He is Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived, the boy who defeated the Darkest man of all time, Lord Voldemort who killed muggles and wizards alike and killed Harry's parents." The two then went and sat down, "Harry's God-father is called Sirius Black-"
"You mean the guy in the papers? The murderer?" Usagi demanded.
"Yes he was in the paper and to cut a long story short, he was innocent and has recently fallen through a veil I the Department of Mysteries in the ministry of Magic," Hikage explained, suddenly Usagi looked hurt.
"Hikage, how do you know all of this," her voice sounded betrayed and Hikage hung her head, unable to look at Usagi.
"I've been monitoring what's been going on since we were eleven, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, would not let us attend but he will now. You have to understand I couldn't tell you Usagi, you were young and I didn't want to disappoint you," Hikage explained and Usagi nodded.
"I understand," she said nodding.
"Now about you and me," Usagi looked confused, "I'm not related to you," Usagi gasped, "I was adopted into your family; my true name is Hikage Tsukiyamino, please don't be hurt Usagi."
"No," she stopped gasped and her eyes glazed over, "don't leave me," and then Hikage found herself suddenly with the rabbit latched onto her waist.
"I won't," she said smiling lightly and patting her head awkwardly and whispered under her breath, "not yet anyway."
The next day the pair was up bright and early for reasons still unknown to Usagi. "Hey Usagi," Hikage called and Usagi walked over to her.
"Yeh," she replied casually.
"Remember I told you about Peter Pettigrew?"
"Yes," Usagi replied warily.
"How do you feel about delivering him straight to the Ministry?" Hikage asked, cracking her knuckles and grinning almost sadistically.
"That would be great except for one thing," Hikage nodded, "how do we find him?" Usagi asked.
"That my dear is where I come in," Hikage said smirking and leading the blonde outside.
"The first exercise," Hikage said when they were both no the disserted pavement that lined the tarmac crusted road, "to keep up with me."
With that Hikage took off at a sprint down the road, "Hey wait Hikage," Usagi cried giving chase, "this isn't fair!" Hikage was at last a mile ahead and Usagi was finding it hard to keep going let alone catch up, she took in unsteady gulps of air. She was about to give up and collapse when something seemed to click inside her, for a moment everything felt like nothing. Her aching limbs replenished their energy and when she blinked her eyes open this exercise seemed too easy.
She easily caught up with Hikage and surpassed her causing the black haired one to smirk, "It is as my Queen said, she does have power," Usagi was too far away to hear this.
"Exercise two," Usagi called over her shoulder golden blonde hair wiping around her and cerulean eyes twinkling with amusement, "Keep up with me!"
"Gladly," Hikage said while easily catching up and effectively keeping pace with Usagi who pouted.
Suddenly Hikage stopped, consequently, so did Usagi who turned to look at Hikage with a bemused expression no her face. "What's wrong?" Usagi asked.
"We can't go any further," Usagi's eyes widened, "there is dark magic ahead, try and sense it Usagi, put your soul to your senses."
Usagi shook her head, "I can't do it."
"Keep trying," Hikage insisted, "we aren't leaving until you do!"
Usagi shut her eyes and concentrated hard on what she could hear and feel, the wind was blowing form the south, smooth and peaceful with slightly salty taste. The sounds of the wind flowing through the trees like gentle breathing making them ruffle their leaves in protest. The calm and serenity of the moment was clouded though she could almost touch another aura darker than the current scene. Small yet constant it crept through her senses, body and mind until she had to open her eyes, she didn't want to feel anymore of the pain and evil that came with that aura.
She looked at Hikage who had her gaze transfixed on where she'd felt the aura coming from, "Are you ready Usagi?" she asked.
"Ready, ready for what Hikage?" Usagi asked.
"To start tracking Pettigrew of course," she replied and for a moment Usagi looked lost before nodded resolutely.
"Absolutely, I'm ready when you are!" Usagi confirmed.
The two then made their way swiftly towards the aura, Hikage seemed unaffected but Usagi was all too wary of the change in temperature. The numbing cold that seemed to hold her in an icy grip and the feeling of eyes constantly on her back.
"Hikage, I'm not so sure," Usagi called.
At firs tit seemed as though Hikage had ignored her but, "It's too late to turn back now Usagi, the Dark Lord has seen us and if we turn back now then something bad will happen I just know it."
"Voldemort," Usagi whispered, the name falling from her lips like water going over the edge of rocks to crash down once more.
---The Dark Lord---
Red slits of eyes flashed like the flames that lit the otherwise dark hall in which his throne was situated. His black cloak hid him well but the hood was down and his pearly white face therefore illuminated.
"Who is this?" he demanded as he glared at the image of a black haired girl followed by a blonde heading towards where his Death Eaters were waiting with Pettigrew.
"We have reason to believe that that is Princes Serenity of the Lunar kingdom my Lord," a servant, loyal only to him answered.
"I did not ask you," he turned his head slowly to glare at the Death Eater who seemed to shiver under the intense gaze of something so unnatural.
"But still," he turned his head once more to stare eerily at the image before him, "Lunar magic is strong, yet who is the other, I sense great power form them both yet one is dark."
"We do not know my Lord," the same servant said bowing and the Dark lord nodded, sneering at the image.
---Hikage and Usagi---
The two had stopped now, they could see the twenty odd black cloak clad figures that stood miraculously still in front of two houses between which had a small gap between them, numbers 11 and 13, no 12 in site.
"Hikage, why are they here?" Usagi whispered.
"Concentrate on Pettigrew Usagi; remember he is an Animagus," Hikage chided.
Usagi shrank back and whispered to herself, "Why won't she answer me?"
"Soon we will attack," announced a shrill squeaky voice as a small, mousy haired man with a pointy nose stepped out in the front of the band of dark wizards.
"That's him?" Usagi hissed.
"Yes," Hikage said, "on three, we attack."
"But how, what can we attack with?" Usagi pleaded.
"I won't let anything bad happen to you," Hikage promised, "one, two," she paused, "three."
Not wanting to be left alone Usagi charged after Hikage and the two ran towards the bunch of dark wizards. The two back rows turned pulling long, thin, spindles of wood and pointed them menacingly at the pair. Usagi found herself left to dodge firing bolts of light, red, green, blue as Hikage flipped over the Death Eater's heads and came crashing down with a opal handled blade that had appeared from no where.
Usagi screamed when she felt herself grabbed around the waist form behind and an uncontrollable wave of terror swept through her entire body. Crackling like electricity through her nerves crashing upon her like waves upon the shore. A golden crescent moon glowed on her forehead briefly before receding into darkness.
Usagi was overwhelmed by the power the exploded form inside her and sent the Death Eater grasping her reeling backwards to crash into a building, banging his head and falling unconscious.
A golden ring of power radiated from her throwing all in a 1 mile radius crashing to the ground. Hikage, caught in mid fall was swept up and thrown aside. "What the?" she gasped starring in wonder at the luminescent Usagi, "USAGI!" she yelled.
Suddenly the light dulled somewhat ad became a placid silver before receding completely and Hikage watched in wonder as Usagi fell to her knees and collapsed on to the ground face down.
Hikage scrambled anxiously to her feet running to the fallen girl and picking her up hoisting her onto her back and looking at the lolling head that rested peacefully on her shoulder.
"I wonder about you, you know," Hikage whispered before striding over to Pettigrew who was beginning to stir. He cracked on eye open and looked up at her, his face showing his fear before smirking and Hikage sensed the build up of power that meant he was about to transform.
"Not likely," she hissed before a small ball of pulsating dark energy appeared in the palm of her hand. She smirked menacingly before blowing it lightly towards his twitching figure, he stiffened like a board; consequently the only thing moving was his eyes and nose as he took great intakes of breath.
"You're coming with me!" she said, hoisting Usagi up a bit more and grabbing Pettigrew by the collar she jumped over the roof tops of the dark alley. So much time had passed since that morning, it had gone from mid-day to nine and it was icy cold at this time of the year.
Usagi groaned from her perch on Hikage's back and her closed eyes contorted but she did not wake up. Pettigrew was moaning at his uncomfortable position and the cold wind that bit him like a dog.
"Quit complaining, will be arriving soon," she saw Pettigrew's eyes widen as they passed over Diagon Alley and into a dusky alleyway with an old telephone box, dented slightly and rusty in placed, the red paintwork chipped.
He tried to thrash or transform; anything to get away from the entrance to the Ministry of Magic. Hikage kicked him as they landed and dragged him through the dirt to the red confinement; she wrenched open the door and roughly shoved Peter inside who whimpered pitifully.
Hikage smirked, "Toodles," she said and kicked the door shirt, smirking and waving nonchalantly as the telephone box descended taking Pettigrew, who was glaring at her, with it.
Well that's all for now, next time :-
"So?" Hikage inquired.
"11 inches silver birch with hair of unicorn and Pegasus," Usagi recited.
Hikage nodded, "Well, we have packing to do and sleeping before we head off to Hogwarts tomorrow, so let's go."
"I thought school didn't start till September 1st," Usagi commented as they made their way out o Diagon Alley.
"It doesn't but bearing in mind we've missed five years of school already I think a couple of extra days early wont hurt," Hikage sighed, exasperated and exhausted from the days events.
"Okay," Usagi replied and followed Hikage reluctantly towards a row of yellow, black and white decorated, typical London taxis.