Summary: Magic and romance get together in this story…and neither are forgettable. HP and IY crossover. Romance: weird but cool pairings, plus lots of magic, adventure and humor! Starts slowly but it'll get really good, I promise. "Look forward to it!"

PROLOGUE

Inuyasha was desperately trying to fend off the witch with Tetsusaiga, but she only cackled and used her dark magic to entangle the blade. It was no use. There was only one way to stop this kind of attack…Inuyasha felt the witch's magic grab him around the throat, choking him powerfully. Dark witch though she was, she had the power to exorcise his demon half… Eyes blurring, Inuyasha could still see Kagome, forced by the witch to stand as a barrier between him and his target. "Kagome," he tried to say. "Kagome…"

The problem was, physical attacks couldn't stop Ukurioko the Dark Spirit from casting her curses. Hiraikotsu was already jammed in a tree-trunk and Inuyasha was struggling with consciousness. Miroku's kazaana was useless– how could he try to suck in the witch when Kagome was forced to act as a shield? Damn Ukurioko and her spells! thought Inuyasha angrily as he struggled with the curse laid on him. Ukurioko laughed shrilly.

"You can't use force against me, the Dark Spirit, Inuyasha. Die knowing that this girl whom you so care for has brought about your death with her weakness!"

A thrill of fury rushed through Inuyasha. To Kagome, though, it was a stab in the heart. Am I always the weakest? She realized Ukurioko's words were true. She had few fighting skills, less knowledge about the Segoku Jidai, got tired the quickest. And now they would all die because her power couldn't override Ukurioko's dark magic. Only fighting fire with fire– miko versus miko– would win this match.

I can't let my friends die because I'm weak! Kagome's soul battered herself against the shadowy hand holding her spirit in subjugation. I'm strong. I'm strong! Don't let Inuyasha die because I– because I love him– and I won't hurt him!

And then she was free of the witch's painful grip, and struggling to reach her bow. "You'll– pay–" She forced out the words from between her lips. She nocked the arrow. "Inuyasha!" she cried– and fired the arrow, trying to concentrate all the power she knew was there somewhere into that arrow. Inuyasha was already on his knees, starved for air.

The arrow raced its way through the night sky, sending purple glowing trails out as a streamer as it flew. It pierced the jyaki around Ukurioko– her powers were shattered, and Inuyasha drew a gasping breath. Ukurioko turned a furious glare at Kagome. "You– girl! How dare you?" she raged, drawing balls of energy into her palms. "Die!"

Kagome could do nothing but stare certain death in the face. But then– "KAZE NO KIZU!"

A blaze of light tore Ukurioko into dust.

They had escaped. Kagome let out a dry sob. They had escaped.

• • •

Once again we escaped by the skin of our teeth…

Kagome knew how close they'd been to defeat. And it had all been because she couldn't use what power she had properly. She was the weakest link in a team that needed to be the strongest…

What exactly were miko powers? How does one use them? Had anyone bothered to explain anything to her? Kagome bit her lower lip. She had to do something about this. Things couldn't continue the way they were. Not if it meant that her friends' lives would be in danger due to her weakness. I have to ask Kaede. She can help me.

"Hi, Kaede-bachan," Kagome said. "I…I've been thinking a lot lately about miko powers…I don't really understand them at all. I want to control them better, really become strong…" Inuyasha will see that I have strength of my own… "Can you help me?"

"Kagome…I think I may have your answer," the old woman said. "What perfect timing you have, my child. The Miko community in Japan sent me word of a new school only just founded for aspiring mikos, in a little town near here. It would be very convenient for you to attend, child; but it would mean a goodly portion of your time. You must return to your time, Kagome, and ask your mother about staying to receive the miko training."

Kagome felt her heart leap into her throat. A school for miko power! It was perfect! Just perfect.

"Thank you, Kaede-bachan! I am gonna be right back!" Kagome said happily, and dashed out into the woods where the well lay, troubles not forgotten but looking like they may soon be solved. I'll train as a miko, and then we will be a complete team!

Little did she know that the problems were way, WAY over her head and about to get bigger.

• •

Kagome raced to the well, but before she could jump in, she suddenly noticed a demon presence. Oh no! She swallowed in fear, acutely aware that by herself she was completely vulnerable…if only that would change!… Then the demon itself came into view.

It was Kagura.

She had a pouty expression on her face. "Hey, girl," she said, "where's Inuyasha? I wanna talk to him."

Kagome really had no choice but to head back around for Inuyasha, Kagura following silently and looking at her askance.

They didn't have to go far. Inuyasha burst into the woods. "Ha! Thought I smelled you, Kagura," he snarled. "Kagome, get back!" Kagome flinched– once again, she could have been dead if Kagura had wished it. But Tetsusaiga was in Inuyasha's hand in a flash. Kagura sniffed disparagingly. "Put that away, Inuyasha," she said scornfully. "I came to talk, not to fight."

Distrust was written all over Inuyasha's face. "Talk? What do you mean?"

"You know, the thing where you exchange words," drawled Kagura. "Can I speak to someone with more brains, please?" Inuyasha looked slightly apoplectic but Kagura seemed to want to talk to him, anyway.

"Look," she said, ignoring Miroku and Sango as they ran up, "I don't know how much you know about this, but–"

Kagome suddenly got a tingly feeling around the nape of her neck.

"–but Naraku's…gone," Kagura finished.

"Gone where?" exclaimed Inuyasha.

"Kagura…why are you telling us this?" questioned Miroku, ever practical.

Kagura smiled wickedly. "Let's just say it's in all our interests for you to know," she said. "Naraku's gone someplace you'd never find him if it weren't for me. So you'd better hush up and listen. I'll only tell you once.

"Naraku's found a way into the future."

It was Kagome's nightmare coming true. She clutched at her chest in abject fear. It couldn't be true!

"Yep, that's right," Kagura said with a snide look at Kagome's stricken face. Sango put a hand on Kagome's comfortingly. "A demon from the future came for Naraku. And he's gone."

Inuyasha snarled to himself, "That tricky bastard… Kagura, where did he go?"

Kagura pursed her lips. "I'm sure even one so ignorant as you has heard of this place. It's called Britain. Or something. Dumb name, huh." Inuyasha was reddening. "Guess you haven't heard of it, then," snickered Kagura.

"Shut–" Inuyasha started to suggest, but Miroku covered his mouth. "I never thought I'd say this," Miroku admitted to cover Inuyasha's insults from behind his hand, "but thank you, Kagura. I have indeed heard of Britain, and it is a somewhat civilized land, though I can't imagine what Naraku wants there." Hint, hint.

Kagura didn't give. Her face turned secretive. "Why don't you go and ask him yourself."

Kagome at last blurted, "When in the future?"

Kagura shrugged. "How should I know?"

Inuyasha looked at Kagome, his mind slowly gearing into action. "Kagome…do you think…do you think we should check your time?" Kagura raised an eyebrow at this, curious, but Inuyasha was ignoring her now.

"Yeah," Kagome said worriedly, and got to her feet. She had to go back to her time right away, with Inuyasha. "Come on, Inuyasha. Let's go. Sorry, Sango-chan, Miroku, I'll be back soon," she said. "And thank you, Kagura…" Then she was running for the well. Inuyasha, with a last glare at the wind witch, followed.

The two humans were left with the demonness. An awkward silence settled over them.

"So," Miroku said at last, "nice weather we're having."