Author's notes:

For all intents and purposes, god's of death from Britain are technically called 'Reapers' instead of 'Shinigami' (makes sense, different culture... different language, hence different name).

Disclaimer: Yanagi-sen and I are only borrowing the characters from Yami no Matsuei and Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books to torment for a while... Don't look for Harry to be appearing any time soon in this fanfiction. We claim no ownership over any character that does not belong to us... Itami Korin and Ishida Nanjiro are mine... those I claim and abuse at will.

Special thanks to Kara Angitia who is currently helping Draco speak more British style English.

Enter the Reaper.
Chapter ten.

Sniffing Draco's finger, the hei-hei then nuzzled it. "It won't bite me, will it? Does it have a gender?"

Nanjiro shook his head, "if he was going to bite, he would have bitten you already."

Draco started to pet the creature. "Does he have a name?" He smiled unconsciously.

"These little guys don't normally take names for themselves... which I guess means that you get to name him." The hei-hei swished its tail twice as the shinigami answered.

"I'll have to think about it. You said it doesn't talk in this form... what other form does he have?" Carefully, Nanjiro put the 'kitten' on the ground and gave it a little shove to which it looked back with a halfway hurt expression on it's face as though wondering why it wasn't being held anymore. "Awe..." Draco frowned at the gatekeeper.

"Come on... show him that you can be a respectable guardian and not just a cute ball of fur. Shikigami's are supposed to be protectors... and Puss'n Boots, you are not."

'mew?'

"It's going to change? Right here... is that okay?" The small blond looked to Watari.

Watari nodded, "You would be surprised at a few of the shikigami that have, ahem, exercised their abilities here in Meifu."

"Oh..." He turned back to the creature with an inquisitive expression. Licking one paw, the shikigami cleaned behind one ear. "He's so cute."

"Cute is one thing... the reason shinigami take shikigami is that in case they get into a situation where they need assistance... they have something that could help them. I don't think that a 'cute' shiki would be of much help..." Watari said while watching the adorable display.

"Some of the 'cuter' magical animals have a tendency to hide nasty tricks though."

The older blonde laughed, "true..."

Draco looked at the creature. "So is it going to do something or just sit there looking cute?"

The shikigami looked over at Nanjiro and meowed expectantly. It took the shinigami a moment to react... "You have to be kidding me!"

"What? What did he say?"

"He won't change until you've completed his challenge."

"Challenge... what kind of challenge?" Sauntering over, the kitten crawled up into Draco's lap and meowed at length again at the blue haired shinigami.

"He said that you are to stay in Gensoukai, in a location of his choosing... without aid from shikigami, shinigami, human or magic. Your only provisions will be what you can carry with you."

"Gensoukai? I think I've heard of it... but I'm not sure." Draco looked more than a little worried.

Watari was about to explain what Gensoukai was when Nanjiro interrupted him, "Either he accepts the challenge, or he doesn't."

"Of course I accept." Draco said before really thinking about it or letting anyone else say anything.

---

Two hours later, standing alone in the middle of the woods... Draco was really wondering whether this had been such a good idea. He looked around and swallowed nervously. It didn't look too bad... really it didn't. Not with the sun shining down through the trees. The very tall trees, with lots of undergrowth... that could hide any number of things. He swallowed again and shivered in spite of the warm clothing Watari had insisted he wear.

Did he really need that kitten, or hei hei thing? He had never backed down from a challenge before. But he hadn't been out in a place that made the Forbidden Forest look like a small thicket before either. In the bag, he had a change of clothes, some food and a first aid kit. There was also a matchbook that the older blonde had made sure that he knew how to use for that evening. He could hear things... living things moving around in the bushes and above him in the trees. Wood... yes, he needed to find some wood... a fire, fire was a must.

He could feel something watching him. Chewing on his lip nervously, he started to pick up fallen sticks and branches.

---

It was only after he had dispatched with the demon that had been summoned that Watari saw that man again... the man that had attacked Draco. Lucius. What was he doing in Kyoto? For a moment, he was glad that the boy was in Gensoukai, that way no harm would come to his partner. The man was sitting at a very pricey cafe, sipping coffee and looking at some papers. His clothing, while a little odd, weren't too out of place. For the most part, the foreigner was ignored by the crowds.

It was his block, Watari decided, and it was also his partner that bastard had attacked. Entering the cafe, he let the waitress know that he was going to join an acquaintance of his... Malfoy-san. Settling into the seat across from the wizard, the blonde smiled, " This is public place. Fight now is bery bad, " he said in his limited English.

One eyebrow rose, the expression was remarkably like Draco's. "Indeed. You have a point." He said in perfect Japanese, his proficiency no doubt the result of a spell.

The shinigami was visibly relieved that he didn't have to rely on his own English skills. "I do not care why you are in Japan... or even what brought you to Kyoto specifically, though it is a nice place to visit... but I must respectfully request that you stay away from Draco-kun." On the scientist's shoulder 003 fluttered her wings.

"Am I to understand that you are telling me I cannot see my own dear son?"

"Hei," Watari nearly beamed, as though this were the most natural conversation to have. "Considering how he was forcefully removed from your custody, I do not see where there would be a problem."

"He was kidnapped from my custody you mean. I've been searching for him." The man's voice and demeanor were not that of a concerned parent. He was remarkably cool.

The small owl hooted as the blonde took off his glasses to clean them. "Avada Kedavra..."

Surprise momentarily flickered across the man's face. "Yes, I've heard of that. What about it?"

"We both know that is the spell you used on your son." Replacing the glasses, the shinigami smiled disarmingly at Lucius.

"And your point is?" He neither confirmed nor denied the fact.

"You are very much aware of the fact that your son is no longer part of the living, and that he was not kidnapped from your custody." Pulling a lock of hair away from the small owl, the shinigami chuckled. "Cause more trouble for him, and it will be more than just an oar that you will need to concern yourself with."

"Very well... you've delivered your threat. I have business to attend to."

Watari stood up from his seat, "when you are done, please remove yourself as quickly as possible from the fifth block."

"Not that you can really dictate what I do, since I'm not deceased, but my business is almost completed here."

Leaving the cafe, Watari slipped into spirit form. Hovering outside on his oar (Draco was right, this form of flight is fun!), he waited for the wizard to emerge... he didn't want any questions in that warlock's mind as to who or WHAT he was. It was nearly twenty minutes later that the blond wizard emerged from the cafe. He looked up at the 'invisible' shinigami. He smirked and half nodded. A cab pulled up to the curb and he entered the vehicle.

---

Something obviously large could be seen through the foliage not that far from where the Reaper sat huddled near his rapidly dwindling fire. He could hear a rumbling growl as it looked in at him and moved on. Draco pulled the jacket tighter around him. He couldn't tell if his shivering was from being cold or being scared. He didn't like being out here at all. He didn't like being alone. He didn't like the dark. He shivered again.

High above a bird cawed as it flew past.

He flinched. This place was creepy. He shifted a little closer to the dying fire. He hugged his knees to his chest. In the distance, he thought that he saw Fawkes... except that the stupid thing didn't look half dead. Stupid phoenixes. He lay his head on his knees. Draco wasn't sure how long he could do this. Not sleeping wasn't really a problem. Not for a couple nights at least. He hadn't really been able to sleep since Lucius... He shuddered.

---

A woman wearing an elaborate kimono greeted Lucius at the entrance.

"I have an appointment with Muraki-sensei." Bowing gracefully, she informed him that the good doctor still hadn't arrived... but if he wished, he could wait in the gardens with the young master. "Very well." He accepted the slippers offered then followed the girl. From the back, he almost mistook the person in the garden to be another one of the kimono clad girls that were crawling all over the so-called restaurant. "Good afternoon. I'm waiting for Muraki-sensei."

Slowly, the figure turned and looked at him, Long dark hair was flipped over one shoulder and a katana was abruptly sheathed. The half open yukata exposed the lean and meticulously kept body beneath the cloth. "You must be Malfoy-sensei..." the man stated as dark smoldering eyes took in and evaluated the wizard.

"I am." His cold eyes met the man's gaze.

"Kazutaka will return shortly." The sword is handed over to one of the girls and the long haired man motioned to Lucius to follow him as he went into a nearby room. Flopping gracelessly down into a cushion, another girl drapped a second robe loosely around his shoulders before arranging his hair and giving him a pipe. "I am Oriya."

The wizard sat on another cushion. "Lucius Malfoy."

"You have been visited by death." Inhaling from the pipe, Oriya leaned back slightly.

"What do you mean?"

The brothel-owner smiled slowly, "A shinigami... a god of death."

"Ah yes. I spoke with one earlier today. How could you tell?"

"I sense things of that nature on occasion."

"Interesting."

"Which one was it?"

"Blond with long hair and glasses. Had a pygmy owl with him."

Oriya nodded, "Watari Yutaka."

"He was very polite if a little demanding."

The brunette shrugged, "considering my sources, that is not surprising... if he considered you a threat."

"Hmmm. It was an interesting experience."

A girl came scurrying in and whispered something into Oriya's ear. Just as quickly as she came, she left. "Kazutaka has arrived... and will be with us shortly. It seems that he was involved in some hostile negotiations that unfortunately turned more than a little messy.

One eyebrow arched, but Malfoy didn't comment.

"I'm curious... the british shinigami... what relation is he to you?" Oriya asked as he lazily waved away some smoke.

"You've seen Draco?"

"I have."

"He is a relation." Was all Lucius was going to admit.

"Excuse my old friend's curiosity... in his business, it is always of the utmost importance to be well informed," Standing in the doorway wearing a white suit, Muraki smiled.

"Muraki-sensei I presume."

"Hai... Malfoy-sensei... and I see that you have met Mibu Oriya"

"Yes, I have."

"I apologize for my lateness... There was a young lady in Tokyo that was interested in studying the style of magic that I engaged in." Muraki chuckled, "She did not appreciate my pets once I summoned them for her."

"Oh? Do you often get people wanting to study magic?"

"For the most part, no." Sitting, he informed Oriya that some tea would be nice and watched as the swordsman got up to go retrieve the indicated drink.

"Well, I for one am quite intrigued. There is a distinct lack of information available on Japanese magic in England."

"That is because magic here is not dealt with in the same manner as your own."

"I've gathered as much. I'm hoping that maybe that will provide me with the solution to my dilemma."

Muraki smiled evilly, "Your dilemma is a little complicated, but it can be dealt with... "

"Excellent. I would prefer to wait for a little while. He is still a little weak. And I have things I must attend to back home."

The doctor nodded, "And you will be able to handle my particular problem... correct?"

"I believe it can be arranged."

---

He felt warm and safe... Waking, Draco could feel himself snuggled up against something much larger than himself. Draco snuggled a little closer. If it hadn't eaten him yet, it probably wasn't going to. He cracked one eye to check if it was light out yet. The sky was being effectively blocked by a large feathered wing folded over him. "huh?" He blinked a few times. No... it was definitely a wing... Suddenly he recalled the time he had encountered Buckbeak... and that creature's reaction to him! He froze. "oh please don't eat me..." The creature turned to him. Its face reminded him of a large cat... "Um... nice kitty..."

Yawning, it exposed all of its sharp looking teeth.

"oh... no... not again... first a beak and now teeth..."

"what are you talking about?" The beast's mouth remained shut, but Draco was certain that the voice came from that thing.

"Did you... talk?"

"Yes I did."

"ooookay... I'm not dreaming, right?"

"The fire went out... start it up again and make some food."

"There's no more wood..."

"Then get some more... or do you want to freeze tonight with out a fire for light or warmth?" Feline eyes gazed on the shinigami with amusement.

He shook his head and scrambled to get up. One did NOT argue with something much larger than oneself with big teeth. Following with an ease that the Reaper envied, the large cat creature followed him as he went to get wood. With the security that a large creature with big teeth can provide, Draco foraged farther from the clearing than he had the previous evening. He gathered several armloads of wood, carrying them back and stacking them near his firepit.

"Now what about food?" The creature almost snickered.

"I have some things in my bag." He started to look through it.

"How long are you going to be out here?"

He paused. "I don't know."

"Do you want to use everything up from that little bag of yours so fast when you don't know?"

"Well... I guess I don't really have to eat."

Getting up, Draco's odd companion twitched it's tail. "Follow me." The blond complied, not sure what the creature wanted to show him. Moving at a leisurely pace, they eventually came upon a stream where he sat down on a large rock and began to sun himself. "Have fun figuring out how to catch the fish in there..."

"You're kidding me, right?" Draco looked uncertain.

"I'd catch them for you... but that would just violate your challenge, right?" Rolling onto his back, the large cat purred.

"Yes... but, I wouldn't even know what to do with one if I could catch it." He looked around at the foliage and water plants. "Are any of those things edible?"

An eye cracks open and peeks over at the plants the teen was looking at, "the red berries are okay... but not the green ones."

He picked a couple of the red berries and tried them. It was bitter and hard to chew... but it didn't kill him. He ate some more, looking around. He thought he recognized some other plants. They looked similar to ones he'd had to harvest for herbology and potions. If he remembered correctly, those should be safe to eat as well... He gathered some of the leaves and roots too. He could roast the roots.

Reluctantly the large cat followed him back...

---

Watari tried not to glare at the girl still unconscious on the bed in his medi-center. He had warned the little magic user to stay away from Muraki. What in his speech had given her the notion that the 'good' doctor was a reasonable person to ask to display his talent? She was lucky to have survived. The situation hadn't been looking too promising when she had been brought in. Which was good since calling Korin back just to transport one person over to England wasn't a very productive way of doing things. The question was up for debate on what Longbottom-sama's feelings would be should she have died... he had an inkling that witches and wizards were preferred for becoming Reapers.

Wakaba stuck her head in the doorway. "How is she?"

"She's alive... and should be waking soon to tell the truth." 003 climbed down the blonde's sleeve and plopped down on the bed.

"Have you heard anything about Dray-chan?"

"Nanjiro said that his new shiki went to make sure he would pass the challenge." Watari chuckled.

"I hope so... I'm not so sure he could do this on his own."

"On his own, he might have not been able to complete this... but the shiki wanted a shinigami." Picking up the owl, the scientist put 003 on her perch, "But I am relieved that Dray-chan is safe in Gensoukai for the time being."

The girl frowned. "Trouble?"

"I saw his father in Kyoto today."

"His father? What's wrong with him?"

The blonde shook his head, and didn't notice the girl starting to wake on the bed near him, "Lucius killed his wife and Draco with a curse called Avadra Kedavra."

"That's aweful. No wonder Dray-chan was having such a difficult time adjusting."

"The British Department of Death didn't make it any easier for him... I managed to translate part of his file. The boy was never trained, and was never equipped with a new wand... the one he has was tuned to him in life, in death it limits his magic." Shaking his head sadly, the shinigami looked over at Wakaba.

"No training and no tools and they just shipped him off to us? Why didn't they help him?"

"I wish I had an answer for that question. Tatsumi and I have already sent reports to the required agencies... " Long blonde hair is pulled out of it's ponytail and retied in the orange ribbon. "Britain attempted to have Dray-chan taken back in exchange for a... Buraku Sirius-san."

"Why did they want him back now?"

Before letting Wakaba know that Tatsumi was forcing the British Department to pay Draco's training, he glanced down at Hermione, "how long have you been awake?"

"Did Lucius really kill Malfoy?"

"Hei, he did."

"But... Malfoy's here."

Watari nodded, "that he is... and why did you ignore my warning about Muraki?"

"I didn't know it was him. Someone said I should talk with a doctor they heard of..."

"A doctor in Tokyo named Muraki that does magic... sounds like the person I warned you about..."

"I made a mistake..."

"Fine, just make sure that you don't make a mistake like that again... next time you might not survive it." Watari patted her on the head, "Please remain in the medi-center, you still aren't completely healed yet."

"But you didn't tell me about Malfoy..."

"Hei, Draco is dead."

"But..."

"But what?"

"But if he's dead... then how?"

"Because he became what in your native Britain is called, a Reaper, a god of death..."

"A Reaper?" The girl's fingers twitched and she looked around for paper and pen.

Hazel eyes narrowed, "You just found out that a classmate was murdered by his father and your main concern is for your research paper?"

She frowned. "I've made no secret of the fact that Malfoy is not liked. Am I sorry... yes, but he was never a friend."

Before the blonde was given a chance to answer, a girl with sharp features appeared in the doorway behind Wakaba. "Watari Yutaka, you were supposed to come see me last week..."

"Kira, not now..."

Wakaba headed for the door. "Kira-chan... it isn't a good time..."

"Okay, so when he sprouts claws, fangs and wings let me know..." the newcomer commented as she turned to leave.

"What? What are you talking about?" Wakaba asked.

"He needs his seals reset," Kira responded to Wakaba's question. "You can see that his reactions are already being affected by the demon within."

Wakaba looked at Watari expectantly. "You need to go take care of that. I'll watch our guest."

---

The next evening Hermione was less than pleased when she found out that Watari had altered her flight reservations. True, he had moved her up to first class the entire trip back, but he was sending her back to England... immediately. She tried pleading with whoever was in range, but found herself ignored. In addition no one would explain anything more about Malfoy. What was more irritating was the fact that the blonde had also managed to get her Visa altered... so that even if she tried to stay in Japan, she would be deported anyways.

Her bags were brought to her and that girl, Wakaba told her that someone would be coming to take her to the airport. It was now that she realized where she had seen that girl's face... in the shrine. The woman caring for the place had commented to her about the daughter she had lost several years ago to a horrible tragedy. "You're the one... at the shrine..."

Wakaba just smiled and left with out a word. Moments later, Hermione found herself deposited at the airport by a scary looking man with odd markings on his face and a gruff demeanor. Realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere complaining to this man... She went into the airport and prepared to leave Japan and all the mysteries she couldn't explain.

---

Going through Muraki's files, Lucius found it odd that no where was it noted that the shinigami utilized any manner of object to aid them in their flight. In fact, they implied that the shinigami didn't resort to brooms, or an oar as was the case of the blonde he encountered. So why was the blond using an oar like a wizard would use a broom? Could it be that he couldn't fly without it? But all the records indicated that shinigami should be able to fly unassisted.

But why would Draco, weak as he is, stoop to being accompanied by a shinigami that cannot even manage flight under his own power? His son had been pathetic before... but this? He could only hope that time would strengthen the boy's powers. Then he could put the next part of his plan into action.

---

Carrying the bags into the house, Watari smiled at Draco and the new shikigami. "Welcome home Dray-chan..."