Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, or any game, book, or anime you may see here. No profit is being made from this.

Thanks to veronik, lmill123, Sasinak, Lady of Masbolle, evon2evon, AvengingKitty, Bloodless Ace, Aishwarya, Imperial Lion and Phoenix, poppincorn, Harry/Ginnyfan4ever, warp17, Adrilliehs, moonfyre, A-Brighter-Universe, isabel, possom2009, gallandro-83, silver fairy dust, Alan Quicksilver, fanfanatic66, and Taren-ca for reviewing!

Q&A

Poppincorn- Really? Well, I figure J.K's going to use wandless magic in the future, and I'd like Harry to have a that power just in case.

Adrilliehs- This is going to be a Crossover fic. It's much more fun to use existing characters. I know that muscles take longer now. But at the time of it's writing, I was quite unaware, seeing as how I have no experience with this sort of thing. Thanks for pointing that out, but he's not like an Olympic athlete yet, just that there's some noticeable change.

Alan Quicksilver- The multiverse is definitely an influence here, and in a later chapter I may even have the Magic universe come alive! I play lots of decks but one of my favorites is a revival deck with a twist and my favorite expansion is probably Darksteel.

Taren-ca- Sound's interesting, except for one thing. I don't know what the wheel of time is. Perhaps you could give me a website with facts about it in another review. As for your above curiosities, well, that's a secret.

AN: Well now we see what world Harry and Ginny ended up on first! All I can say is, SIT down and watch! (For those who know this one, it's a dead giveaway) Plenty of H/G moments and action! Just the way I like it!

Chapter 2 Brave New World

Harry felt strange. Stranger than any other point in his life, even the hectic night he had learned he was a wizard, or the night he ran away from the Dursleys third year.

He felt agony, like the Cruciatus curse, burning into his very soul.

He felt the lonely nothingness of this plane, almost bringing him to tears.

He felt the unbridled fury of this place, a maelstrom of pure energy.

Suddenly, Harry felt a presence. Not Voldemort's dark, malevolent evil, but a fiery aura of light and a more primal and simple aura, but no less fiery aura.

Through the void, he spotted something chillingly familiar. The flaming red hair of a Weasley, and the specific slender figure of the youngest Weasley. "GINNY!" Harry cried, hoping she'd heard him.

She turned, her brown eyes wide in fear. "Harry!" Ginny cried, reaching for his hand.

He caught her smaller, smooth hand in his larger, Quidditch calloused hand, ignoring the electricity of the touch. But just as Harry opened his mouth to question her, the maelstrom drove the air from his lungs. He grabbed her tight, trying to hold onto her.

Harry looked around, and suddenly felt two talons on him. His head whipped around to see Hedwig's golden eyes staring at him. He was amazed that these two would throw themselves to the void for him.

Suddenly, the storm picked up intensely, and Ginny slipped from Harry's grasp. Hedwig's talons gripped even tighter on his back, causing a few cuts. He cried frantically, trying to reach Ginny as the void seemed to close. The last thing Harry Potter saw as he fell through the void was Ginny's frightened face falling through the void.

The next few moments were a blur to Harry, culminating in a view of the brown earth from about five feet before being thrown into it. The only thing that saved Harry from a more severe concussion was his Quidditch reflex kicking in and managing to shield his head and shift his body moments before impact.


Harry Potter awoke groggily, having been knocked unconscious by the act of flying into the ground. "My bloody head…" Harry muttered, holding his head.

A hard nip on his ear brought him to full reality. "Hedwig?" Harry asked curiously.

Hedwig hooted in relief that Harry was awake, and gave what Harry supposed was a nod.

Harry staggered up, brushing his robes off. He felt around. He still had the sword of Gryffindor at his side, and his wand was in its holster.

Harry looked around, and saw that he was in a strange looking forest. What the hell? This doesn't look like England!

Suddenly it all came back to Harry in a flash. Voldemort. Realm Portal. The moment when he jumped into the portal. When he sensed Ginny and Hedwig jumping through the portal. Ginny! Harry thought worriedly.

He looked around again, unable to see the familiar fiery red hair of a Weasley. "Ginny?" Harry called out.

He looked at Hedwig helplessly. "Hedwig, find Ginny." The snowy owl gave a small hoot, and took off.

After a few minutes of calling for her, he started walking, still calling her name. Harry was extremely concerned for his friend.

Hedwig came back at that moment, and instead of coming to rest on his shoulder, she turned and flew towards another area of the forest that she came from. Harry chased after her. She had found Ginny!

Suddenly Harry started hearing voices, talking in some strange language. Harry couldn't tell what it was, and he didn't speak any language except English and Parseltounge.

Then use the Omni Language charm, moron!

Right.

Harry quickly pointed his wand at himself, and muttered, "Omnis Linguis."

Suddenly Harry was aware of what they were saying. "Kagome! Why are we wasting time with this human!" A male voice yelled out. It sounded harsh and demanding.

"Inuyasha! She's hurt! We need to take care of her! The jewel shards can wait!" An angry female voice responded.

He could barely make out a few more voices, but they were quieter, so he couldn't understand what they were saying. He crept cautiously towards them, and peeked out from a tree. Harry held back a gasp.

There, standing in the clearing, was a man with dog-ears! He was dressed in a strange robe, and carried a sword at his side. His golden amber eyes, barely seen through his silver hair flashed dangerously as he continued a yelling match with a girl. This must be Kagome and Inuyasha, Harry thought amusedly. They reminded him of Ron and Hermione.

The girl's clothing seemed out of place. She was wearing a strange school uniform, a white shirt with a ribbon and green collar, and a matching green skirt. She had raven black hair, like Harry, but it was sleek and straight, and her brown eyes reminded him of Ginny's eyes when she was angry.

Watching them was a man in strange black and purple robes, a woman also wearing strange clothes, and- a kid with a tail! What the hell!

The kid was tiny, probably barely older than six or seven, but he had a huge bushy tail, like a fox, and ears like one too! He was playing with a tiny kitten.

The man in black and purple robes had a staff, and he too, had black hair. His black eyes were twinkling in amusement as he watched the pair.

The woman, also with black hair, was looking exasperated at the pair, her own eyes rolling from time to time. The most amazing thing about her was the gigantic boomerang on her back. The man and woman would often glance at each other in exasperation.

And in the middle, laying still, was- "Ginny!" Harry cried out, bursting from the bushes. The group turned to look at him as he dashed towards the redhead's side. "Ginny! Are you okay!" Harry asked quickly, shaking her.

"She's unconscious." The older woman said gently. "It may take a few hours for her to wake up."

The others in the group nodded in agreement, save the silver haired man, who scoffed and looked away.

Harry thought about risking showing them magic. He was in a different universe, so what were the chances of there being a Ministry of Magic? Besides, he was in a different place as it was. Harry whipped out his wand, keeping it hidden, and muttered, "Enervate."

Ginny suddenly gasped and sat up. "Harry?" She asked fearfully, looking at the unfamiliar faces till she found a pair of emerald eyes she knew.

Harry grabbed her shoulders. "What the hell were you thinking, following me here!" Harry said fiercely, his green eyes shining with worry.

"I was thinking that you might need help Harry!" Ginny yelled back, all traces of her previous unconsciousness fading fast. "You don't have to beat Voldemort on your own!"

"Yes I do!" Harry yelled, turning away sharply. "I always have to do it on my own! That way no one else gets hurt!"

"Harry…" Ginny whispered. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking."

"Well, there's nothing we can do now." Harry said, exasperated as he turned back towards her.

"Where are we?" Ginny asked, a trace of fear in her voice.

"I don't know." Harry said quietly.

"You're in Japan." The younger woman said cheerfully.

"What did she say?" Ginny whispered, and Harry remembered she didn't have the Omni Language charm on her. Harry quickly cast it on her, filling her in on what it did, and what the girl said. The other's looked at them strangely, uncomprehending.

Ginny looked like she was about to faint, and Harry looked thoughtful. "So, who are you people?" Harry said at last.

"My name is Kagome!" The younger woman said in the same cheerful tone. "That's Inuyasha!" She said, pointing to the silver haired man who had turned away from them. "Feh!" The man said angrily.

"I'm Sango." The older woman said in a gentle tone.

"My name is Miroku." The black haired man said

"And I'm Shippo!" The fox tailed boy said eagerly. "That's Kilala." The boy added, pointing to the tiny kitten curled up near the tree.


Miroku watched the pair with interest. They looked far different from anyone he had ever seen, with the girl's flaming red hair and the boy's bright green eyes. Interesting. They seem unfamiliar with the area, with Japan itself, yet they find themselves so deep into it. And they yelled at each other in a different language, yet speak our own language easily. Strange.

"My name is Ginny Weasley." The redhead said smiling.

"I'm Harry Potter." The green eyed boy seemed to be searching their eyes for a reaction, but when none came, he seemed almost- relieved?

"Now what are you two doing out here?" Sango asked concernedly. They looked barely older than Kagome herself! But the boy had a sword, and looked like he knew how to use it.

"We got lost." Harry said cautiously, but his eyes clearly stated he was lying.

"Like hell you were." Inuyasha said angrily, finally joining the conversation. "Don't lie."

Harry glared at Inuyasha, obviously annoyed with the older boy's arrogance and prideful way of carrying himself. "That's none of your business." Harry said coldly, his mood souring.

"Harry," Ginny said in a pleading tone as she place her hand on his arm, "Maybe they can help. We don't know the area…"

Harry looked torn between their need for aid, and the need to keep his presence a secret. Finally, he decided that he would need help. One could not fight a war without knowing the terrain. "Fine. The truth is, we're not from around here. We're not even from this world."

The word's sounded preposterous, but the boy had an air around him that a powerful and charismatic leader held, an aura you couldn't help but trust. The tone was far too serious to be a joke. Still, Inuyasha was skeptic.

"Feh. Why should we believe a pup like you?" Inuyasha asked, his tone still harsh and demanding.

Harry's green eyes flashed dangerously, clearly annoyed at being called a child. He looked at Ginny, and asked her quietly, "Will it matter if we show them?" He asked quietly.

"No, I suppose it won't." Ginny answered hesitantly.

"Very well." Harry said resignedly. "Is there magic in this world? Wizardry?" He questioned.

"Like priestess' or monk's spiritual powers?" Kagome asked.

"What?" Harry asked, mystified.

Kagome explained her powers of purification, and Miroku's sutras and Wind Tunnel. Harry seemed to take it in stride, but was still amazed at how different this world was.

"What we do is different." Harry said, and withdrew his wand.

"A stick?" Inuyasha said contemptuously, arching a skeptic eyebrow. Harry said nothing, but stood anyways.

"Avis." Harry said quietly, pointing the wand at Inuyasha. The flock of birds burst from the wand, startling everyone and leaving Inuyasha with a face full of birds.

"Ohh.. It's like a magician?" Kagome asked curiously, as Inuyasha fought the birds off. When he finished, he glared at Harry fiercely.

Ginny looked mystified, but Harry understood perfectly. "No, not like a magician. They use fake tricks. This is real. Maybe another demonstration is in order." Harry said with a smile. "Reducto." He said clearly as he pointed his wand at a tree a good distance from the clearing.

Everyone except Harry and Ginny was amazed as the jet of light sped towards the tree and blasted it apart, sending splinters flying, impaling different trees easily. "We're from another world," Harry said, continuing his explanation while noting the amazed looks on the group's faces, "And in our world, Wizards and Muggles, Muggles being non-magic people, are separate, with Wizards hiding from Muggles." Harry said, noting the strange expressions of each of their faces. "I came here through a portal, chasing a Dark Wizard known as Voldemort from our world."

"You! You're just a child!" Inuyasha sputtered disbelievingly. Kagome scolded him, and Harry shot him a death glare.

"I assure you, sir," Harry said coolly, with a sarcastic edge to the sir, "That I am well prepared and am the only one capable of bringing down this wizard. I do not know why he is here in your world, only that he seeks power. Specifically, immortality." Harry said the last part with an unsaid question. What grants that here?

"The Shikon Jewel…" Kagome whispered, half to herself, half to the guests. Comprehension dawned upon the faces of the Inuyasha group, but Harry and Ginny looked at Kagome strangely, obviously not knowing what the jewel was.

"Shikon Jewel?" Harry asked skeptically.

"You really are from another world." Inuyasha said snidely, obviously annoyed with their lack of knowledge.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome reprimanded the silver-haired man with a glare, before looking back to the pair with a slightly weary smile. "The Shikon Jewel is a powerful jewel that can grant you a wish. A single shard of it will enhance your natural power dramatically. If what you say is true, this Dark Wizard Voldemort may use the Jewel to either wish for immortality or enhance his power with a few shards."

Harry groaned. "Great… a more powerful Voldemort. That's exactly what I need…" Harry muttered to himself, before looking up to continue. "Then that's what he will be after. Where is this Jewel?"

For the first time, Kagome looked uncomfortable. "Umm…" She began, but Inuyasha interjected quickly. "This stupid wench broke the jewel!" He said angrily.

Ginny and Harry looked at Kagome, clearly wondering why in the hell she put up with this guy! They soon found out why.

"Inuyasha! I am not stupid! SIT!" Kagome cried angrily, and her words became reality as Inuyasha fell face first into the dirt, amplified by the rosary around his neck.

"Wow…" Harry muttered. If Hermione had that kind of control over Ron, things would be far different, Harry thought amusedly.

"Impressive." Ginny said in awe. She thought along the same lines as Harry, except even broader. If every girl had that control over their guy…

Harry noticed the others in the group watched the exchange between the silver-haired boy and the black-haired girl with mild expressions of annoyance and amusement. The same expressions and feelings Harry felt when he watched Hermione and Ron fight.

"Are they always like this?" Harry asked Miroku quietly, so as not to antagonize them.

"Yes, this happens a lot." Miroku said exasperated.

"They remind me of two of my friends. They fight a lot too, except she doesn't have the ability to do that…" Harry said with a smile. Then he remembered the fact that he was stranded on another world, and had little chance of getting back home unless he found Voldemort. At least he had Ginny with him.

Miroku could feel the boy's melancholy, and took the moment to study him. He seemed far too old and mature, especially for a boy probably barely older than Kagome. The boy had the look of someone who had seen far too much death in the world, someone who held a terrible burden that could destroy him. Someone like him.

However, Miroku decided not to ask about this just yet. He probably wouldn't tell him anything just yet. Maybe later.

A sudden screech brought everyone's attention away from the heated exchange. Sango reached for the Hiraikotsu, Inuyasha for Tetsusaiga, and Kagome for her bow.

"Wait!" Harry commanded, and without thinking about it, all of them, even Inuyasha relaxed. Even stranger. Miroku thought. The boy is a natural leader.

"Hedwig?" Harry called out cautiously.

In response, a loud screech was heard, and a flash of white swooped from the tree and landed on Harry's shoulder. The apparition in question was a strange bird, unlike any Miroku had ever seen. It was snow-white and had a large golden eyes and a different body structure.

"This is Hedwig." Harry explained as she nipped his ear reassuringly. "She's an owl."

"Ohhh.. I've heard of those in school!" Kagome exclaimed. "Owls are more common in Europe and America."

"This place is obviously still a little similar to our world, but there are key differences." Harry mused thoughtfully.

"Indeed." Miroku said, but he was now ogling the redhead. Quite pretty, and her hair like shimmering fire! Such nice assets as well…

Sango noticed this though, and growled menacingly. "Don't even think about it." Sango whispered dangerously.

"Think about what, dear Sango?" Miroku replied innocently, blinking in confusion.

"You know." She said flatly, with a clearly dangerous edge to her voice. She tapped a finger against her gigantic boomerang, the Hiraikotsu.

Miroku gulped. That thing cut apart demons! "I would never dream of it!" Miroku said indignantly.


Elsewhere, Lord Voldemort stood in front of an impressive looking fortress in the mountains. The evil in this place was so intoxicating; he had never experienced anything like it anywhere else. This was truly a place of power. However, he would tread cautiously. He had heard much of the tales of the Shikon Jewel from a few villages before he killed the occupants. With the ability to enhance one's power tenfold with a single shard, and a wish granted by the full jewel, it would be necessary to be cautious in his quest. The most powerful item in the land, Voldemort smirked.

He walked to the gate, an impressive and foreboding feature. Suddenly, on instinct, he felt a dark presence approach. He jumped to one side whipping his wand out. The sight that greeted him was most impressive. A cloud of demons flew towards him, intent on ripping him apart.

His snake-like face split into a pleased grin. A reception worthy of himself. Focusing himself for battle, he proceeded to fight over a hundred demons. The demons never had a chance. Within minutes, the battle, or rather massacre, was over.

As Voldemort put his wand back as he waded through the annihilated corpses, he chuckled. Such pathetic creatures. Where was the master! The true keeper of Darkness in this realm.

A stronger presence emerged from the shadows; Voldemort peered into them with his crimson eyes, searching for the dark soul. It was similar to what he sensed on the tip of his senses, a strange, enigmatic aura of dark energy, filled with hatred and malice. A kindred soul of darkness.

"Who are you?" A voice asked. Feminine. Rough, harsh, a warrior's tone.

"I am… a kindred spirit to the master of this castle. One who seeks to bring Darkness to this realm." Voldemort answered carefully.

A slender figure emerged from the shadows. A woman with crimson eyes studied him guardedly, a feather in her raven hair and dressed in a kimono. Voldemort could sense that hidden beneath the dark soul that seemed both her essence and separate from her, lay a soul wanting to be free, like the wind. A soul that he could entice into betraying her master. Perfect.

"Kindred?" The woman snorted. "What do you mean, kindred, human? What human shares the desire to bring Darkness to this world?"

Voldemort looked at her, still studying her. He was curious about this one. If the soul inside was enigmatic, this one was a true paradox. He would tread cautiously here; for the chances were that the Dark One in this realm was as cunning as himself. "I do." Voldemort answered at last. "Take me to see your master, or suffer the fate of those creatures."

The woman snorted again with amusement. "Those were mere weaklings. You would have a far more difficult time with me!"

"Perhaps." Voldemort sneered as he began reaching for his wand.

The woman withdrew her fan, her calm demeanor fading with her anger. "How dare you! You will die where you stand!" As she raised her fan and Voldemort moved to defend himself, she froze. She screamed in agony, an agony Voldemort was very familiar with. It was likened to the Cruciatus Curse.

Voldemort smiled. Whoever the master was, he obviously wished to speak with him. This, Voldemort knew, was the first step.

"It seems…" The woman gasped through the aftershock of the pain, "My master… wishes… you alive. And unharmed." She straightened, unwilling to show any more weakness to a potential opponent. Smart girl. Voldemort noted.

As Lord Voldemort was ushered into the castle, he fought the urge to raise a triumphant grin.


The two newcomers and the four travelers walked back to the Kaede's village, which they explained they used as a home base from time to time. On the way, Kagome and Ginny talked, Harry brooded, Inuyasha sulked, Miroku ogled Ginny some more, and Sango watched him closely, emitting threatening growls at Miroku from time to time.

Harry was preoccupied with his own thoughts. He was stuck on a world that he had no knowledge of, and little chance of finding Voldemort. "Kagome," Harry asked, "Where exactly are the shards of the jewel?"

Kagome, who had been discussing the differences in the world's with Ginny, thought about her answer for a few moments, before answering, "We have some, and there are other's scattered around this place still, but many lay with Naraku."

At the mention of Naraku, Miroku's held his wrapped hand with his other, unwrapped one, Sango's expression tightened, and Inuyasha's face contorted in anger.

"Naraku?" Harry asked, shivering slightly at the name. It sounded evil.

"A terrible demon. He was born fifty years ago from the thief, Onigumo." Kagome began, and opened her mouth to say more, but Inuyasha cut her off.

"They don't need to know anymore Kagome!" Inuyasha said sharply.

"They have a right to! They need our help!" Kagome protested. "And if this Voldemort character is as bad as they say he is, we'll need theirs!"

"Feh. I can take a human." Inuyasha scoffed. Harry thought it was time to put this guy in his place. Reminded him far too much of Draco Malfoy. And he loathed Malfoy.

"Perhaps, but let's see how you deal with a wizard." Harry said challengingly as he mentally prepared himself for battle, clearing his mind with Occulumency.

"Are you threatening me?" Inuyasha asked, his clawed hand moving towards the Tetsusaiga.

Miroku, Sango, and Shippo noticed the growing tension between the half-demon and the green-eyed wizard, and moved to interfere. Ginny saw the trouble brewing as well. This Inuyasha seemed to have quite the temper, and Harry's temper was legendary.

"Harry…" Ginny said warningly.

"Leave it Gin." Harry said sharply. "He's not going to listen unless shown exactly what wizards can do. We aren't normal humans!"

Inuyasha spat into the dirt, and grasped the hilt of the Tetsusaiga, growling warningly. "What are you going to show me, boy? More tricks?"

"There are spells that Voldemort knows that can kill you." Harry answered coolly, but his left hand strayed to the hilt of his own sword.

"So? I've faced plenty of things that can kill me." Inuyasha answered, unconvinced.

"Have you ever faced something that can kill on impact? Kill the second it touches you? Can kill regardless of any defense that you have? Because that's the spell I'm talking about." Harry said, unaffected by Inuyasha's tone.

"The Killing Curse," Harry lectured, "Moves quickly. It's a jet of green light, and nothing can save you once it hit's you. It's over." Harry looked at them all, and decided that explaining one more fact wouldn't hurt. A fact few were aware of.

"There is only one defense," Harry continued, and Ginny's eyes widened, "and that defense is the reason why I am famous in my world. Because of one thing, Voldemort was banished from his body for thirteen years by his own Killing Curse, which he threw at me when I was a year old."

"Why did he want to kill you?" Miroku asked.

Harry didn't answer, just looked slightly haunted. "Let's just say that my and his destinies are intertwined." Harry sighed.

"So what is this defense?" Kagome asked, wanting to know how to protect everyone.

"You want to try and use it?" Harry asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Of course we do! If it can stop the enemy's attack, then of course!" Kagome said, incredulous.

"I'm afraid there is only one way to stop the Killing Curse. Love." Harry said flatly.

"Love? What is this shit!" Inuyasha said, his tone echoing Kagome's.

"I assure you, this is no joke. My mother died for me, and her love shielded me from death. Is that an explanation?" Harry said as he whirled on Inuyasha, eye's blazing, as the emotions in his voice made it falter.

Inuyasha's barriers broke for a few seconds, and he understood what it was like to lose your mother. But to have her die for you… He stumbled back a few steps, unable to hold that blazing, piercing gaze for more than a few seconds, breaking eye contact.

"Your mother died when you were only a baby?" Kagome asked, horrified.

Harry nodded, the fire dying, swallowing the old pain. "My dad too. Dead defending his family against an opponent he couldn't hope to defeat. So I think it's pretty clear that there is no true defense against this curse. The best chance you have is to avoid it, or put something between it and you." Harry finished, gaining horrified looks from every member of the group, even Ginny. He could see pity in their eyes, and he hated that. He gave a sigh, and added, "Don't pity me. I hate that."

Inuyasha nodded, a little more respect in his eyes at the hard life this boy had led. Anyone who hated pity deserved a little more respect.

"Now then, what's this about a demon?" Harry said in a clear attempt to change the subject.

"Not now, everyone." Miroku cut in. "It's not good to stop right now. We'll talk when we reach Kaede's village."

Everyone agreed, and they proceeded on there way again, in a little more subdued silence.


Voldemort walked down the halls, led by the woman, resisting the overwhelming urge to stop and breathe in the darkness of this place. Intoxicating, mesmerizing, darkness. There was a power here, a power of light tainted by malice. A power separate from the dark soul of the castle. The power of the Shikon Jewel.

He remembered hiding in the shadows, sulking around, seeking a power in this world. A myth would be preferable, as some myths were often true. The case in point, the very book that brought him here. The Ethereal Tome.

A legendary tome, written by Merlin himself, which depicted the ancient rituals necessary to crossover into another world. A risky plan, for sure, but the power of other worlds called to him.

He had found another powerful myth here, in the Shikon Jewel, which was reported shattered. He could feel these scattered shards, their power a blinding beacon to one with the Sight. Obviously those in this world lacked the ability to feel out the power of these jewels. Not this one, though. This one had many shards, and was obviously a clever and manipulative being to do so, like him.

Voldemort had worked quickly in the few hours he had been here, managing to use his talents in persuasion and Parseltounge to convince a rather large snake demon to attack those who had a shard of the sacred jewel, and bring them to him.

Suddenly, the woman stopped in front of a room. "My master awaits you inside." She said with barely contained resentment and anger.

Voldemort smirked at her, and nodded his head mockingly as he stepped inside.

The first thing he noticed was the glaring amount of malice and treachery oozing from a source at the back of the room, accompanied by the strange, enigmatic energy of the Shikon Jewel. A voice spoke from the darkness. "Greetings." The voice was pleasant, but held the same tone as Voldemort had used on many occasions to deceive and trick unsuspecting wizards.

"Greetings, Dark One." Voldemort said, bowing slowly. His every ounce of Slytherin cunning was kicking into overdrive as he began his plan. "I have come here to offer my… services."

"Services?" The voice asked curiously, despite itself.

"I would gladly dispense of any problems you might have. I am more than capable of such feats." Voldemort said, his tone matching the others deceiving tone in perfect tandem.

"Indeed. Your abilities are intriguing. However, all good things come with a price. What is yours?" The voice was still fairly pleasant, but now held a definite hard edge to it.

"But a shard of the sacred Shikon Jewel, is all I require." Voldemort replied calmly.

"A single shard? You may need more than that to deal with my opponents. But then again," The voice considered, "you do have special talents. They will not know how to combat it. Very well."

"If I may ask, what is your name?" Voldemort asked guardedly.

"Call me Naraku."


"Lady Kaede!" Kagome called cheerfully as she ran down the hill, waving to a very ancient looking woman, hunched over with only one eye.

"Kagome! You have returned!" Kaede called back, looking at Kagome as a grandmother would look at her grandchild. "Who is this?" She asked, gesturing to Harry and Ginny.

"My name is Harry Potter," Harry said respectfully.

"I'm Ginny Weasley!" Ginny chimed in.

"I am Lady Kaede, priestess of this village. What brings you here?" Kaede asked curiously, intrigued by the strange appearance of the two young ones.

"They came here from another world, Kaede. They are chasing after an evil wizard, who wants the Shikon Jewel." Kagome explained.

"Another world? Truly?" Kaede asked in wonder.

"Yes." Harry said, nodding at her. "We came here for information regarding the Jewel, and Kagome said to come here."

"I see. Well, come inside then. We'll get you some tea first, for this is a long tale." Kaede said wearily, and motioned them to follow her back to the hut.

As they walked, Harry felt drawn into the woods by a strange, ancient power, and walked towards them slowly. "What's in these woods?" Harry asked over his shoulder.

"Not much, except the God Tree." Kagome answered, curious to know why he was heading into the woods.

"God Tree?" Harry asked as he stopped.

"Aye. The same tree Inuyasha slept in for fifty years." Kaede supplied.

Harry raised a questing eyebrow to the silver haired man, who scoffed and looked away, but Harry caught the pain in his eyes. "I see." Harry answered, figuring that the whole story would come soon enough, and started to walk again.

"Where are you going?" Kagome asked curiously.

"To see this tree." Harry answered simply. Ginny went after him, and Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kaede followed. After a good fifteen minutes of walking, they reached it. A gigantic tree that dominated the clearing. A tree that seemed to glow to anyone who could feel it with his or her magical senses.

"This is the God Tree," Kaede explained, "The sacred tree of our village, and a symbol of our guardian against evil."

"Inuyasha was stuck there for fifty years." Kagome added, and Inuyasha scowled.

Harry felt another connection with the half-demon. They both had been trapped unwillingly in a prison. Although sleeping for fifty years seemed better than ten years with the Dursleys.

"People come to this tree for guidance, to pray for things. It is said that this tree is a powerful source of Light." Kaede went on, explaining the tree's mystical energy.

"I need guidance." Harry muttered to himself. The desperation of his situation had begun to settle in on him.

"What?" Ginny asked. She still didn't know the Prophecy, nor just how desperate their situation was at the moment, Harry knew.

"I need to know what to do now. I've followed Voldemort." Harry was glad Ginny flinched less, at the very least. "Now what. What do I do now?" There was nothing but silence to answer him. Everyone, even Ginny looked away, unable to give him an answer.

"It all seems so hopeless Ginny. I haven't finished my training, and now Voldemort has a powerful new ally, and something that will give him even more of an advantage over me." Harry said quietly, pleadingly.

"You will beat him Harry." Ginny said quietly, placing her hand on his shoulder. Kagome looked happily at them, Kaede just look onward, and Inuyasha stayed the same, just ignoring the situation.

But how can I beat Voldemort without more training. Where can I get more aid? Harry asked silently.

Suddenly Harry heard a branch crack. "Get down!" He and Inuyasha cried, moving out of the way and pushing the girls away at the same time.

The branch fell softly onto the grass, a beautifully proportioned one, not too thin, nor too wide, nor too long, nor too short. Harry could feel the mystical properties emanating from this branch. Hesitantly, he moved closer to it, and grabbed it. A familiar feeling of warmth, the same as when he first held his wand, flooded him, and the staff glowed bright blue for a moment, before it faded.

"The God Tree has given you its protection and power…" Kaede whispered in awe. "You are truly someone of power and light if it would grant you a branch from itself. This has never happened before."

Harry looked in awe of his new staff, and knew he had found a powerful weapon to help crush Voldemort. "Thank you." He whispered to the God Tree, somehow knowing or believing that it could hear him.

A sudden rustling noise from the trees brought them out of their stupor from seeing the God Tree give Harry a staff.

As Inuyasha reached for Tetsusaiga, Harry and Ginny for their wands, and Kagome for her bow, they scanned the tree line, anxious for any signs of a threat. Suddenly, a loud hiss was heard as a snake demon slithered from the trees.

Inuyasha moved to pull out his sword and strike the serpent down, but Harry stayed him with his hand. "Let me try talking with him." Harry said calmly.

"Talk? This kind of demon doesn't even know how!" Inuyasha scoffed.

Harry ignored him, and stepped close to the snake, his arms in a gesture of peace. 'Peace, snake.' Harry said cautiously in Parseltounge, earning wide eyes from every person around, even Ginny, who knew he spoke Parseltounge.

'You ssssspeeak my language?' The snake hissed back in wonder.

'Indeed. Why have you come here?' Harry asked.

'I was coaxed into attacking those who have sacred jewel shards by another one who speaks our language.' The snake hissed. 'He promised me much meat and a shard of the sacred jewel.'

Harry noted that the sacred jewel must be another term for Shikon Jewel. 'Tell me, did the one who promised you this look like one of your kind? With red eyes and no hair?' Harry asked cautiously, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. If the snake decided to strike, Harry would have to kill it. He wanted to wait, at least, until he had some more knowledge about this Naraku and Lord Voldemort.

'Yessssss.' The snake whispered.

'He liessss. He will deceive you.' Harry hissed. 'He wantssss the jewel for himself, and would kill you easily.'

'Perhapssss you are correct. I ssssensssed deceit on him. But hisss voice had no liesssss.' The snake countered.

'He issss good at hiding hissss feelingssss. You would not know.' Harry said.

'How do I know you are not lying?' The snake asked.

'I am not.' Harry said, laying his Occulumency shields aside for a moment so the snake could see the truth.

'Indeed. You do not lie. I cannot smell deceit upon you, nor in your voice.' The snake admitted, then looked angry at being deceived by Voldemort. 'The deceiver will pay!'

'Could you tell me where the deceiver went?' Harry asked.

'He wassss headed north.' The snake said.

'Thank you. I'd advise you to leave. The silver one is dangerous.' Harry hissed, trying to avoid a fight.

'Very well.' The snake hissed, and slithered off.

Harry sighed. Voldemort had already begun weaving another web of lies and deceit here. He looked up, the clarity from the experience with the God Tree forgotten after the incident. Inuyasha's voice brought him out of his reverie.

"What happened!"

"It seems Voldemort convinced that snake demon to attack anyone who had a sacred jewel shard, in exchange for a shard and meat." Harry said wearily.

"How did he do that? And how did you talk with that snake!" Inuyasha demanded.

"Voldemort can speak Parseltounge, the snake language. Because of that, and a transfer of powers, so can I." Harry said in the same weary voice.

"I see. We'd best go back inside. There's no telling what else this Voldemort character could do." Kaede said, motioning them to leave the forest once more.

As they turned to walk back, Harry noticed that Ginny seemed a little shell-shocked. "Ginny, are you alright?" He asked concernedly.

"Harry… I could understand what you were saying." Ginny said in a frightened voice, the same voice he heard when she had been in the Chamber of Secrets.

"What? Really?" Harry said in amazement. "How?"

"It must have happened when he possessed me." Ginny whispered, half-afraid to admit it. Sensing this, Harry pulled her closer to him, and she was far too upset to protest as he held her.

"Ginny. It's nothing to be ashamed of." Harry whispered soothingly.

"Yes it is! I've got part of him inside of me! I'm just like him now!" Ginny yelled hysterically into Harry's chest, earning them strange looks from the others. Harry just gave them a pleading look to ignore the situation as he turned back to her.

"Ginny. It's fine. I've got a part of him inside of me as well." Harry said, and she looked up at him in amazement. "It's true. That night he gave me this scar and was booted out of his body, I got some of his abilities. It's not our abilities that make us who we are, but our choices. Just make the right choices with your talent."

Ginny smiled at him, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks. "Thanks Harry." She whispered, and kissed him on the cheek before walking off.

Kagome smiled at them, but Inuyasha had other concerns. "What do you mean, you have a part of him inside of you!" He yelled.

"It's quite simple. The night he attacked me, he gave me some of his powers! And when he possessed Ginny, he did the same!" Harry said heatedly. Inuyasha growled threateningly, trying to get Harry to bow down to him in a kind of power struggle.

"Look guys. It's getting late, and it's been a long day. Maybe we should rest for now, and tell the story tomorrow." Kagome said, trying to avoid another argument with the two. Harry nodded, and Inuyasha just scoffed and turned away as they headed in.


Voldemort stood before Naraku, two dark entities with their own agendas, brought together for one dark purpose. "So, who do I have to kill?" Voldemort asked, eager for a kill despite himself. It had been far too long since he had last been on the hunt. Fighting a covert war with the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry was not as exhilarating as the rush he still gained from hunting an opponent down.

"There is a group of travelers who have become an annoyance to me. Kill them." Naraku said flatly, all pleasantries gone from his voice.

"Where can I find them?" Voldemort asked. Loath as he was to play second fiddle to another, let alone as a personal assassin, his losses and natural Slytherin cunning gave him clarity. In a foreign environment, lacking any support, it was best to work his way into an opponent's confidence, before betraying them.

Naraku didn't respond. Instead, he turned towards a curtained area to his left. "Kanna!" He called imperiously.

A small girl with snow-white hair and strange features came out slowly, carrying a mirror. "Kanna… show me Inuyasha's location."

The small girl nodded, and the mirror glowed for a moment before showing an overhead view of a silver haired man with dog-ears. The sight threw Voldemort off for a moment, but he retained his composure. "This is the person I have to kill?" Voldemort asked.

"Not just him." Naraku said, and the mirror's picture zoomed out, showing more people. Voldemort could not help a slight gasp at the sight of a familiar black haired boy.

"Potter." He snarled, unable to stop the hated word spilling from his lips.

"Friend of yours?" Naraku said, but his tone clearly stated he was mocking him.

"Not even. It seems that Potter has seen fit to follow me here." Voldemort muttered angrily.

"He's but a child." Naraku replied.

"A child who has an uncanny ability to mess up even the best plans." Voldemort shot back, and he noticed another familiar visage.

"And the Weasley girl. Strange." Voldemort muttered.

"Is this too difficult now that your enemies have followed you here, and have joined with mine?" Naraku asked.

"No. I will merely require a change of strategy. It will be much easier to lure Potter here. He will do anything to save anyone." Voldemort replied.

"Good. Your targets, the others, would come along, given the right incentive." Naraku grinned evilly.

Voldemort admired the obvious Slytherin qualities of this demon. So much like him. Which was why, of course, neither of them trusted the other. "Then let us give both of them the proper incentive." Voldemort grinned back.


"You all should just relax. Harry and Ginny, you two can explore the village until it's dinner time, alright?" Kagome called out, and the group nodded. Ginny and Shippo stayed inside, wanting to talk with Kagome some more. Miroku went out, probably to pick up some girls, and Sango followed him, to keep him out of trouble. Inuyasha stood at the entrance to the hut, taking in the events of the day.

Inuyasha looked at Harry, who was outside, cleaning his sword calmly, taking in the situation in stride. He hadn't panicked, but he hadn't gone off to fight his enemy. The boy was an enigma to him. So different from himself, but determined to protect not only his pack, but also anyone else. In some ways, he found himself in awe of the boy's clearly pure heart, so much like his Kagome's, yet so fierce, like himself.

Wait a second. My Kagome! What the hell!

Inuyasha decided that all this sitting and waiting was doing nothing for him, and as Kagome would not let him go tearing back out into the woods to find Naraku and this Voldemort character and rip his throat out if he wanted the shards. "You any good with that sword?" Inuyasha asked harshly, questioningly. If it came to it, he didn't want to watch a bunch of pups while in combat.

Harry turned to him, raising a sardonic eyebrow. "Of course. You know how to use that sword?"

Inuyasha growled. "Far better than you."

"Is that right?" Harry said, keeping his cool around the hotheaded half-demon. He stopped cleaning his sword, staring intently at the older boy.

"Yeah. But how about I prove it. Let's spar. This standing around is boring." Inuyasha said, hand moving to his sword.

Harry looked at him, gauging him. The older boy moved with an animal grace and speed, and he was obviously skilled and alert due to his natural instinct with the sword. Harry also had to admit he hated standing around as much as Inuyasha, loath as he was to admit similarity with the arrogant man. "Fine. I'm not much for standing around and waiting either." Harry said, taking his sword stance.

Inuyasha withdrew the Tetsusaiga, and Harry was amazed at the sword. The sheath was far too small for that blade! The hilt held fur on it, and the blade was gigantic in proportion to the body, still in the curved shape of a katana, but with far more length, more like a machete than the thin and strong katanas he had read about when training with Remus.

Inuyasha smiled. The boy was obviously impressed with the Tetsusaiga. "Are you going to back down?" Inuyasha challenged.

"Not a chance." Harry answered calmly, the awe and any other emotion fading from his eyes. "Rules?"

"First blood too much for you, pup?" Inuyasha said in a mocking tone.

"No." Harry answered calmly as he used Occulumency to flush the last of his emotions out of his system.

For what could have been seconds, could have been hours, they stared each other down, gauging and weighing the other, determining who would make the first move. Finally, Inuyasha broke it, coming at him with an overhead slash.

Harry, unwilling to be forced back in case Inuyasha proved to be stronger, sidestepped the blow and slashed towards his midsection.

Inuyasha danced away from it easily, and came at Harry in a flurry of strikes. Harry parried the blows casually it seemed, but in reality was gauging their angles and speed and countering them effectively. It was a clash of sword styles, an animalistic, feverish assault, against calm, precise attacks.

"Is this all you've got?" Harry challenged as the assault lessened, but in reality, he was tiring. Strong and fast, aided by magic, he was still finding it difficult to match Inuyasha's amazing strength. Remus was already skilled, and due to his werewolf status he had great strength, but Inuyasha was even stronger and faster.

To answer, Inuyasha roared and came at him with another furious assault, which Harry had more difficulty parrying, until he was finally forced to step back and lose ground. Inuyasha smiled, Harry was beginning to break as he battered Harry's sword back.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried reproachfully, as Ginny cried, "Harry!" in the same tone. The girls had rushed out once they heard the sounds of sword fighting, and found the boys locked in combat.

Inuyasha didn't give them a response, too focused on battering Harry back into a tree so he could finish the fight. Harry, on the other hand, calmly replied as he parried a dangerously close slash, "We're sparring."

Harry, noticing Inuyasha's attempt to corner him, decided to pull a little trick out of his bag and Apparated behind Inuyasha. The other's, who had been talking around the area, came quickly at the sound of sword fighting, gasped in surprise with Inuyasha.

Luckily, Inuyasha's demon instincts kicked in as he registered the crack in the air behind him. He spun around and barely parried the slash that Harry sent towards his midsection. As he stared in surprise, the boy gave a roughish smile and disappeared again with a crack.

Inuyasha turned his head wildly, sniffing the air and using his keen hearing to catch Harry. He registered several more cracks surrounding him, but each time he turned, Harry had already gone.

"What's he doing, Ginny?" Kagome asked in awe.

"Apparating… but you're only allowed to do that when you turn 17…" Ginny said, trailing off. Where the hell did Harry learned to fight like this! She wondered.

"Come out and fight me!" Inuyasha demanded angrily.

"Fine." Harry said, retaining his ethereal calm from his unknown position. The constant short-distance Apparating was draining on his reserves, but a meal and a good nights rest would solve that.

In a blur, Harry went on the offensive, Apparating directly in front of Inuyasha, unleashing a blur of precise attacks, all the while retaining his calm. Now Inuyasha was the one on the defensive, backing away with every strike, the larger sword unable to keep up with the sword of Godric Gryffindor, which was light and quick, every strike carefully planned.

Inuyasha found himself growing desperate, unwilling to lose, even if it was a mere sparring match and not a battle. He would not lose to a mere boy! Mustering all his demonic strength, he threw it all into one last parrying blow that caught Harry's own sword in a powerful clash.

The two swords colliding forced them from their owner's grips as they flew into the dirt, a good distance between them and the fighters. The Tetsusaiga transformed back into a regular, rusty sword, which further mystified Harry. The two looked at each other, then at the swords, as if daring the other to make the first move towards them.

Suddenly, Inuyasha made the break, almost flying towards his sword, while Harry outstretched his hand. Suddenly, both swords flew towards Harry's hands, which caught them easily. Inuyasha growled at his opponent, but knew that in a fight, you sometimes had to fight dirty, with tricks you're opponent isn't aware of. His respect of the boy's fighting skills grew as the fight elongated.

Harry grinned wolfishly, like a wolf that caught it's prey. In a blur, Harry went on another precise, almost machine-like assault with both swords in tandem. Only Inuyasha's battle honed demon reflexes kept him in the fight as he dodged blow after blow. Even a rusty Tetsusaiga could cut him, ending the match.

Inuyasha suddenly grabbed the Tetsusaiaga sheath at his side and blocked the Tetsusaiga with it, causing it to fly from Harry's grasp. Harry's eyes widened in surprise, leaving Inuyasha able to deliver a fist into the younger man's midsection. As Harry's breath left him as he doubled over, winded, Inuyasha leapt over him and grabbed the Tetsusaiga in mid-leap, where it transformed back in an instant as he spun around to deliver the winning blow. Harry spun at the same time, regaining his balance.

Harry slashed at the same time as Inuyasha, causing the blades to pass narrowly by each other, when they caused slight cuts on their opponent. Harry's face trickled blood down a slight cut on his cheek, and Inuyasha had a shallow slice on his arm. A tie.


"Does he always sleep on the roof?" Harry asked Kagome as they went inside to rest for the night, after a delicious and exotic (for Harry and Ginny, at least) dinner, with the exception of Inuyasha, who went onto the roof.

"Yeah. Don't let him fool you with his tough guy attitude. He does it to watch out for us." Kagome said, the fondness evident in her voice.

Harry just looked at her, wondering if that tough guy attitude really was just a mask to keep others at bay. "Maybe." Harry offered finally, and went in.

Sometime later, Harry awoke from another chilling nightmare, which thankfully, didn't leave him screaming, merely in a cold sweat. He walked outside shakily, trying to get his bearings straight with some fresh air.

"What are you doing?" A harsh voice asked.

Harry resisted the urge to groan. Great. Inuyasha.

"Just needed some air." Harry said without turning around.

"Feh. It's dangerous at this time. You're not scared of the dark, pup?" Inuyasha asked mockingly.

Harry's temper rose at being called a pup, but he calmly replied, "Of course not. Fighting for your life gives you little else to be scared about."

Inuyasha said nothing for a while.

"You looked like you knew how to fight with that sword, but you're just a pup. Where'd you learn that?" Inuyasha finally said, breaking the strange silence.

"First of all, if you don't want me to kick your bloody arse, then I'd advise you to stop calling me a pup. My name's Harry." Harry said irritably, "And secondly, my life isn't exactly what you'd call normal."

"Arse?"

"Um…" Harry said, thrown off by the change of subject and explaining what an arse is. "I suppose in you're language it's ass."

Inuyasha snorted, and said, "Yeah right."

Harry turned, wearing an amused expression on his face. "Excuse me, I believe I had the upper hand on that fight."

Inuyasha got up, much easier to bait than Harry anticipated. "Upper hand?!" Inuyasha said indignantly, "I had you! You just got lucky!"

"Lucky? I don't think so." Harry said, still in the same calm voice that was laced with self-confidence, and inwardly, he was amused. Inuyasha seemed to be a cross between Draco and Ron, both arrogant and reckless, easy to anger.

"Feh! You want another round!" Inuyasha cried, jumping down from the roof, hand on Tetsusaiga.

"Nah. Not now." Harry said casually, waving him away. "We don't want to wake the others. Especially Ginny. That one's got a right temper on her."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at this, considering what would happen if Kagome woke up. She'd probably sit him until his back was out again. "Good point." Inuyasha said grudgingly. Another strange silence passed between the two, but lacked the tension of the earlier silences.

"You didn't sleep?" Harry said finally, trying to change the subject.

"I don't sleep well." Inuyasha said curtly. "What about you?"

"I don't sleep too well either," Harry admitted softly.

"Why?" Inuyasha asked, obviously unaffected by tact.

"Because… my past isn't exactly a very happy thing." Harry said at last, reluctant to admit this to the arrogant half-demon.

Inuyasha nodded, not so much for acceptance so much as admitting that he too, had a haunted past. "What happened?" Inuyasha asked, surprising himself and Harry.

Harry was momentarily thrown by the question, but said, "Voldemort wants to kill my friends. I've seen him kill before, and he's already gotten my parents and my godfather. That's what my nightmares are about Silly, isn't it? I can't deal with nightmares." Harry chuckled.

Though Inuyasha said nothing in response, he knew that he had deep fears about Naraku killing Sango, Shippo, Kagome, even Miroku as well.

There was another long silence, and Harry was about to go back in when Inuyasha spoke. "Naraku killed the woman I loved and made me believe she betrayed me, and that I betrayed her."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise, and he said, "That's why you were stuck to the God Tree for fifty years?"

Inuyasha nodded. "She thought I betrayed her, so she shot me with an arrow and sealed me to that damn tree." The bitterness was clear in Inuyasha's voice, along with the great sadness.

"Who freed you?" Harry asked, slightly afraid Inuyasha would clam up and say nothing.

"Kagome." Inuyasha said simply, but his voice was now laced with a mixture of pride, love, and gratefulness.

"I see." Harry said, weighing a decision about telling Inuyasha another story of his past, and decided that it was only fair to tell Inuyasha, since he shared far more than necessary. "I knew someone who was betrayed similarly. A close friend betrayed my godfather, Sirius Black. He sold him out, and he was sentenced to Azakaban, what amounts to hell on my world. You relive your worst memories there during your every waking moment, and chances are your dreams aren't too pleasant either."

Inuyasha eyes widened in horror, knowing that the man Harry spoke of wistfully had suffered even more than Inuyasha himself. Sleeping for fifty years was difficult, but when you're awake and reliving a nightmare for twelve years…

"He broke out to seek revenge on the man who betrayed him, and killed my parents." Harry added softly.

"He killed your parents? I thought you said Voldemort killed them." Inuyasha said, his tone less harsh.

"My parents trusted this friend to keep their hiding place a secret. He sold them out." Harry said flatly.

"Did your godfather get his revenge?" Inuyasha asked.

Harry winced and sighed. "No. He was killed before he could do that, or even prove his innocence." The painful pangs when talking about Sirius had numbed to become dull throbs.

"Do you want revenge on Voldemort and the man who betrayed your parents?" Inuyasha asked, wanting to know just how determined the young wizard was.

"Do you want revenge on Naraku?" Harry shot back.

"Yes."

With Inuyasha's response, a kind of unspoken agreement fell on the two. They learned more about the other, two men who had lost so much to an enemy that was still alive. An enemy that they vowed to destroy.


Inside the hut, another conversation went on as two pairs of brown eyes watched the two boys.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Kagome asked quietly, so as not to wake the others.

"I don't know, but it looks like they're getting along better now." Ginny whispered, relieved to see the tension between the two alleviated. She looked fondly at Harry as he talked with Inuyasha, making a sort of peace or truce with him, which Kagome noted.

"So… do you like Harry?" Kagome asked mischievously.

Ginny blushed scarlet, hoping the night would hide it as she whispered, "Of course I do. He's my friend."

"Just a friend?" Kagome asked, her eyes shining in amusement.

"Well…" Ginny said as her face practically glowed with embarrassment.

"I knew it!" Kagome whispered excitedly.

"How?" Ginny asked. Am I really that obvious? She asked herself.

"The way you look at him, and the way he looks at you…" Kagome said, sighing happily yet with a trace of jealousy. Why can't Inuyasha be more like that? Kagome asked herself, knowing that the half-demon had never looked at her that way. Or so she thought, anyway.

"Come off it! He doesn't look at me like that! I'm just his best friend's little sister!" Ginny whispered furiously, not daring to hope.

"Maybe…" Kagome said, not wanting to antagonize her new friend.

"What about you and that Inuyasha?" Ginny countered, trying to change the subject.

Kagome blushed. Am I that obvious? She thought, echoing Ginny's thoughts only moments ago. "We're just friends!"

"I know two people who fight a lot, just like you. They're not 'just' friends." Ginny smirked, remembering how both Ron and Hermione had feelings for the other, and were just moving too slow.

"But we are just friends!" Kagome whispered back heatedly. "Besides, Inuyasha likes someone else," Kagome muttered with a tone of despair.

Ginny could tell there was more to this story then meets the eye, but right now, she'd settle for arguing her point a little more. "He looks at you, you know." Ginny whispered, wishing that Harry thought of her that way.

"He doesn't!" Kagome whispered back heatedly.

"Fine. Let's just go to sleep." Ginny said resignedly, unwilling to start a fight.

AN: Wow. These chapters are amazingly long! The words just flow from the page! I suppose the reason is the cool character interactions. I had fun writing the Harry and Inuyasha exchanges, and who doesn't have fun writing Miroku? Is Inuyasha OOC? I tried to put him as in character as possible, but I suppose the little bonding session with Harry was out of character. I've placed the Inuyasha time frame somewhere before they drive Naraku into the mountains. I really don't know exactly when, or what episode it's after, and I frankly don't care much. Thanks for reading and please review!