A New Worship (Ramen)

Harry now spent the majority of his time in Inuyasha's presence. Every day started with a morning run before he grabbed some breakfast and took a roll under his bed. Harry often returned to the Dursleys just in time for dinner. His relatives, true to their word (and nature), didn't bat an eye at his frequent disappearances.

Inuyasha had taught Harry how to fight in ways he never dreamed of. The wizarding world frowned on most styles of muggle fighting—something about it being uncouth and primitive—which made learning all the more enjoyable for Harry. Call it sick, but from his memory, he found feeling Draco Malfoy's nose breaking under his fist so much more satisfying than casting a spell from several feet away.

"If you want to fight a demon, you have to become one," Inuyasha had said one evening after showing Harry how to properly snap someone's neck. It was swift, efficient and merciless, just like most techniques Inuyasha taught him. Little by little, Harry found the most obscure things changing about him. He was able to jump higher, move faster, hit harder. He could land from falls exceeding twenty feet and his reflexes improved to the point where he could draw blood and manipulate it before a demon could lift a claw. His senses improved as well, specifically his hearing and smell. Everyday Harry felt more powerful and began to carry himself with a poise he never knew he possessed.

Harry learned more than just hunting skills from Inuyasha. He learned to cope with the death of his godfather. Inuyasha had the most profound way of looking at life's every experience. He taught Harry to take the bad and the good and enjoy every moment he was alive, and as time passed on Harry found another adult to take on a parental role in his life. Inuyasha could never replace Sirius, but he sure as hell helped with the pain.

Harry also learned why Inuyasha seemed so universal and lighthearted about all matters. Many of their talks involved stories of Inuyasha's adventures throughout his long life. He spent over a year hunting down pieces of a powerful jewel and pursuing an evil, manipulative demon. Afterwards he hopped on a European ship and lived as a pirate for the next few years, traveling the world and picking up cultures. Inuyasha spent many centuries meeting new people, practicing different traditions, and fighting in wars (except for the few times he settled down).

That was when Harry learned about his 27 kids with six different wives. Instead of mating (and Inuyasha took much pleasure in explaining the basics of that to Harry) he chose the more temporary human custom of marriage. At the moment he was divorced with two girls, Alaina who was 14 and Bridget who was 6.

Inuyasha set up a second portal at the ninth gate that led to his house, just incase Harry found himself kicked out or something of the like and needed a place to stay. This led to Harry experiencing his first lunch at Inuyasha's house.

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"Why the hell do you live in America?" Harry asked as they walked through the front door. Harry had been a bit surprised by how normal Inuyasha's house looked—a simple three-story house with a two-car garage in a friendly looking neighborhood. Harry had figured that someone of Inuyasha's class and power would be living large. When Harry voiced this to Inuyasha he responded that it was too much of a bitch to keep a big house clean.

"Um," Inuyasha said in a dopey voice, "Because I'm American...?"

Harry scrunched up his face, "I thought you said you were born in Japan?"

"I also said I left as soon as I realized I could," Inuyasha replied while raising an amused eyebrow. "And I fought in the revolutionary war so I'd say that makes me pretty American."

Harry opened his mouth and held it in an 'O' shape.

"You want some lunch?" Inuyasha asked, opening a cupboard. Harry sat down at the mahogany kitchen table.

"Sure."

Three minutes later, Inuyasha handed Harry a steaming styrofoam cup. Harry sniffed it delicately and a warm, salty aroma filled his senses. He glanced over at Inuyasha to see the half-demon already halfway finished with his own lunch. Harry lifted a spoonful of noodles into his mouth.

He was hooked for life.

"Oh mm fughin gah," he garbled as he chewed on the soft noodles and slurped up the salty broth.

"mmhmm," Inuyasha agreed.

"Hey padre, who's that?" a voice from the kitchen door asked. Harry turned in his seat, his cheeks puffing with ramen. The girl, most likely Inuyasha's fourteen-year-old daughter, rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen to make herself some ramen as well. She stood a bit on the petite side with attractive, delicate features. Her long blond hair fell to her mid back and had the same amber eyes Inuyasha had except with rounded pupils—probably the only feature she shared with him.

Inuyasha swallowed the last of his ramen, "He's an asshole. Stay away from him."

Harry made an angry face at his teacher, which lost much of its intimidation factor with a mouth full of noodles.

She rolled her eyes and held out a hand to Harry, "Hey, I'm Alaina—the esteemed daughter of this ass."

Harry swallowed and laughed and took her hand, "I'm Harry."

"Oooh," she cooed looking at her father. "A British boy."

"Hmm, you're staying with your mother this weekend, so you better be packed by tonight," Inuyasha said carelessly as Alaina sat down.

"Daaaad," she whined. "Do I have to?"

"Yeees," Inuyasha responded in the same whiny attitude.

"But she's such a bitch," Alaina said exasperated.

"Hence the divorce."

"What the hell possessed you to marry her in the first place?"

"Hey," Inuyasha pointed a finger at her. "Watch it. I'll disown your ass...don't think I won't."

She gave him the finger. Inuyasha stuck out his tongue. Then came the crossed eyes and it was a full out 'face off'. Harry watched in sheer amazement as the two of them made the most bizarre faces and gestures at each other. He couldn't imagine Mr. Weasley ever using such language when talking to his kids or allowing them to speak to him that way.

Smiling on the outside, Harry wondered if his dad would have been as cool as Inuyasha.

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Thanks for the reviews, you guys are great! Harry's birthday is coming up in a couple of chapters and we'll see the reactions of his friends to his new look and attitude. Keep on readn'!